Abundance, Excess, and the Cheerful Giver

  What is the difference between Abundance and Excess? Many people seem to think that they're the same. However, as it pertains to the Kingdom of God, they are not. Many of us believers fail to understand beyond head knowledge that the Kingdom of God is contrary to the way the world does things. What do I mean by "head knowledge"? Simply, knowing what the word says but not understanding what it means. Do you ever wonder why you can hear the same message preached or read the same passages of scripture for years and not getting a grasp of what is being said? I believe that the enemy uses religious tradition to keep believers in a state of slumber. So many truths in the Word are not being fully understood. There is a veil that only the Holy Ghost can remove. Proverbs 4:7 says "Wisdom (the Word of God) is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
  
So back to the question at hand--the difference between abundance and excess. As a husband provides for his bride, even so has Jesus provided for His Bride--us, the Church. He is our provider, our source. We are joint heirs to everything that the Father has freely given to us as His family. He has not given us excess--He has given us abundance. This type of excess refers to that which is obtained so that it can be squandered. Abundance demands accountability from the steward; there is no accountability or responsibility that accompanies excess. A wise man stewards. A foolish man squanders.

Abundance is what our Lord gives to us to steward for His Kingdom. Excess is what the world seeks after. It is vanity, and is accumulated in order to be wasted. The citizens of the world seek after things so that they can lavish those things on themselves. This is covetousness and idolatry. Have you noticed how during this past Christmas season so many have placed undue stress on themselves, putting themselves in debt, enduring long lines, in some cases getting into altercations just so they can accumulate "stuff" either for themselves or to purchase as gifts? The citizens of heaven understand that their needs have already been met--this is the promise that their Father has made to them. Therefore, anything above and beyond their met needs is not to be wasted as excess. It is abundance to be stewarded and distributed according to the Holy Spirit, their guide and teacher. Through this abundance, the poor and hungry are fed, the widows and orphans are cared for. This is what the Pharisees of old and the prosperity teachers of the present fail to understand, or simply ignore--either way, this is dangerous. This is what Paul instructed Timothy to guard himself against:

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.

These things teach and exhort.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. [1 Timothy 6:6-11]

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. [1 Timothy 6:17-19]

Be content with what your Father has provided you with and don't seek after things that can potentially destroy you--that is covetousness which eventually leads to idolatry. Do not make an idol of something that is temporary. Many are on the wide path to destruction because of this.


It is in the understanding of this truth that one becomes a cheerful giver, the person who can truly steward that which has been given to him. God has promised to supply all of our needs. Anything above and beyond that that you intend to use for yourself is a want. Those of us that are living beyond our means are trying to meet the wants -- that which the Word says that heaven is not obligated to meet. Here's a question: Can a person be a "cheerful giver" if they have put themselves in debt in order to give a gift?


The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. [Proverbs 10:22]


The "sorrow" comes from the human effort that is expended to meet that "want", such as getting a second job (or even a third) in order to purchase more "stuff" (I've been down that road, unfortunately).


On the other hand, there's the cheerful giver. The cheerful giver is so because he has received the revelation that he has been set free. The truly cheerful gives because he has given of himself first. Any other subsequent giving is a reflection of this. When you have completely died to self, you are free to give of everything that your heavenly Father has entrusted you with. You do not need to hold onto anything; you have now become a channel through which the Father's love flows. Whether you are giving treasury, time, talent or truth is irrelevant. These things have been given to you by the Father (it's all His). You give them freely and cheerfully at the Holy Spirit's instruction. You cannot be a cheerful giver unless you are truly free. Ultimately the cheerful giver's gift is the gift of LOVE. That love can be manifested in spending time with someone, showing mercy, giving money or a bag of groceries. Again, the true gift is eternal. His Love in you is what sets the recipient free as you minister out of that love. This is the gospel of Jesus Christ.


Give wisely and cheerfully. Wisely--because it is at the Holy Spirit's direction, and cheerfully--because of the understanding that by receiving from His Hand (you) they (the recipients of your giving) is one step closer to their total freedom. New Testament giving is about setting the captives free. Money for souls. This is the real reason for abundance, bearing in mind all the while the only real and true gift is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ.


Giving is a whole lot more than money. It is a mindset. I will share something that the Holy Spirit shared with me over six months ago. It came in the form of a rebuke, but in the context of transparency, I believe that it is relevant to you simply because you happen to be reading this:


If you are not able to steward your life and your time, how will you be able to steward the finances? It is the same principle: with the same diligence that you steward one, you will steward the other. I am looking at your heart. What is the purpose of your heart?


This was a wake up call for me. If you have a heart to give, be sure that it is with a cheerful heart, not a covetous (or sorrowful) one. Also, never give out of coercion--give freely. Here's another passage of scripture pertaining to monetary giving, New Testament style. You will notice that I have made no reference to being cursed if you don't give, or giving to get a blessing. Not only is this type of teaching heresy, but is steeped in covetousness. There. I said it. 


Now therefore perform the doing of it (giving); that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. For if there be first a willing mind, it (the gift) is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. [2 Corinthians 8:11-12] (Parentheses mine)


Giving is worship, and God receives your worship based on the condition of your heart. Do not let the enemy condemn you...be encouraged!

Asking "Amiss"

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. [James 1:17]
 
The gifts that we should be asking for are not for what we want but for what we need to make us better. What does this mean exactly? The best gifts to desire are the ones that edify - both for your edification or for others. Did you know that every member of the Body of Christ is called to edify, to serve (minister) and be an encourager to others in love?


Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. [Colossians 3:12-17]


There is a saying: "No man is an island". Every single member of the Body is called to serve. There are a lot of Christians who would rather sit back and take than to give out of the Love that the Father has placed in our hearts by the Nature of Christ that is in us by inheritance. Love is not selfish. The petitions that we make in prayer should reflect the Love Nature on the inside of us.


Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.[James 4:2-3]


Selfish asking is of no benefit to the Kingdom of God. Covetousness (Idolatry) is the root cause of these types of petitions. In this hour, the Father is looking for those who have died enough to their flesh so that He may be able to promote them in His Kingdom. Asking for money to spend on yourself or your family is contrary to God's Will and is not of the Mind of Christ. If the gift that we are asking for does not edify, it is not beneficial to or for the Kingdom. The gifts that edify are the good and perfect gifts that the Father bestows on those of His children who ask wisely - not after "sense"-ruled wisdom, but after Godly Wisdom. This is a mature request. 


Consider this passage from the Book of Kings:


In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? 
And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. [1Kings 5:3-13]


When Solomon made his petition, he did not ask for a gift would be a benefit to himself only. He asked with others in mind. Therefore he asked for an "understanding heart" or Godly Wisdom. Because of that request, he received the bonus gift of wealth. Wealth that is stewarded with Wisdom will greatly benefit the Kingdom of God. The petitioner understands that as the recipient, he is not receiving it only for himself, but for countless others. Therefore it is not a selfish request. This is especially important for those who are called to steward large amounts of wealth for the Kingdom; the coming endtime move of God will NOT be financed through the tithe, but through a select group who have been set free from the clutches of mammon. They will also need to understand the difference between ABUNDANCE and EXCESS. I will be sharing more on this in a future post.


Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. [Proverbs 4:7]

For Those With Hearing Ears: Why Praying in The Spirit ("Tongues") Is So Important

Praying in the Spirit is praying in the UNSEEN. We live by the UNSEEN--not by SIGHT. Living by the senses, being sense-ruled, or sensual, does not benefit the believer. Blessed are they who believe but have not SEEN in the natural. The place that we live in is not of this world, therefore we do not operate by an earthly kingdom, but a Heavenly one. When we make the choice that we will give ourselves over to the Father's Will, we put the Kingdom plan in motion, not only for our own lives, but for the lives of others that we influence. However, it is never of our doing. It is the Father's Will working through us. The Will of the Father can only be accomplished through humility on our part, yielding our selfish, fleshly desires for those of the Kingdom.

When we pray in faith, we do damage to satan's kingdom...in the realm of the UNSEEN. What is done through our faith-filled prayers in a language that we do not understand with our NATURAL mind, is manifested from the UNSEEN - the Spirit realm - into the SEEN. PRAYING IN TONGUES IS THE MOST POWERFUL PRAYER THAT ANY BELIEVER CAN PRAY! 

The Holy Spirit helps our weaknesses--there is absolutely no way that we can know how to pray with our natural mind and expect to do ANY damage to the kingdom of darkness. The all-knowing Holy Spirit, our HELPER, adds His supernatural strength to our limited understanding and prays the perfect Will of God for ANY and EVERY situation. Nothing is impossible WITH or TO Him. Is there any better prayer Partner or Coach?

To be honest, there is nothing that grieves my spirit more than to hear or to read any teaching that belittles the importance of praying in the spirit in any believer's life. Doctrines and commandments of men have only one source...satan! Trusting the Holy Spirit enough to allow Him to pray through you in your prayer language is the greatest step of faith any believer can take subsequent to asking Jesus into his or her life.

Trust the Holy Spirit. He has been sent to help you work out your salvation and to walk out the fulness of the calling and ministry and the giftings that Jesus has provided for you. This may sound harsh, but it is the truth of the matter is this: choosing to follow after your own intellect and rejecting your Teacher is the ultimate folly. Why would anyone choose to be called a fool? In all your ways acknowlege HIM and HE will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:6). That is Wisdom from the Book of Wisdom. Some will read this and say "Well, this passage is refererring to God". Is the Holy Spirit not God? It will be so sad on that day when so many who have rejected the Holy Spirit's counsel realize how much of a loss of reward they will suffer because they chose to lean on their OWN understanding than the Wisdom that the Father FREELY gives via the Holy Spirit (James 1:5).

In closing, I will leave you with these two passages of scripture, which happen to be two of my favorites. The first one is in reference to Wisdom, bearing in mind that the Holy Spirit is our Wisdom:

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. [Proverbs 8:32-34]

The second, an exhoration to not be ruled or led by your senses but rather to yield to the Holy Spirit. Constantly choosing to live by sight will lead to loving the things that you SEE and ultimately be seduced by the things of this life. This leads to covetousness and idolatry:

But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. [Jude 17-21]

For those of you that may be reading this that do not pray in tongues and would desire to, here is  a link that will be of great help to you. Pastor Dave Roberson's book "The Walk Of The Spirit, The Walk Of Power" is available for FREE download by clicking on this link:

http://www.iktusnetmedia.com/c/Walk_of_the_Spirit_-_Walk_of_Power.html

Be Encouraged!

A Message to "Watchmen": The Smokescreen Of False Doctrine

Smokescreen: 1. a cloud of smoke for hiding troop movements, etc.  2. anything said or done to conceal or mislead  (from Webster's New World dictionary)    I have been sitting on this for quite a while and just this morning felt that it was time to finally publish it. Those of you that have read my previous postings here may have noticed that there are a lot of references to doctrine. I have realized that one of the three primary areas that the Lord has called my wife and I are to doctrine. I won't get into the other two here because it is not relevant to what I am about to share.     In the wee hours of Sunday March 20, I was in that state between of what I like to call "wake and sleep". There was a considerable stirring in my spirit and the Lord began to speak. What had began the previous night in my quiet time before bed continued as He began to speak about some things that I believe are relevant to the Body of Christ for this hour. After stirring myself into that state of being fully awake, I got up, grabbed my ever-present  pad and began to write, listening to the best of my ability. You may notice that there are certain references made here to what was current at the time this was first received. Even though the names of the "characters" may have changed, the purpose of the enemy has not. If you are one of those that I like to call the "Watchmen on the Wall"--those that are called to pray (and even if you aren't) this is for you. What follows is the (slightly) edited version of what He spoke. I pray that it is a blessing to you as you read. The Smokescreen Of False Doctrine    The planet is being destroyed because of the sin-judgment that began with Adam and Eve's rebellion in the Garden. Jesus came to save the people on this planet--not the planet itself. There has already been made a way of escape for mankind through the Cross. The judgment of the earth is now being manifested. Concurrent with this, the enemy is using the smokescreen of false doctrine to try to destroy mankind also, believers and non-believers alike.     Satan is trying to lure Christians into false doctrine through deception. First, he tempts the leadership in the Body like he attempted with Jesus in the wilderness. Once he has the leadership deceived, the leadership will promote his false doctrine agenda to the rest of the body. Now--more than ever--is the time for the Body of Christ to be in close, constant fellowship with the Holy Spirit, your Teacher. He is the One sent to show you things to come and bring discernment to the Body.    Your enemy is hoping that you will be swayed by those who have influence among the Body of Christ. The more influence a preacher has, the greater the possibility that what they teach will cause members of the Body to fall away. The enemy tempts them with the trappings of success and all the things that will appeal to their flesh. Once he has them, he is hoping that many others in the Body will follow suit. This is the pattern of what happened in Heaven when Lucifer and the other angels rebelled. He is hoping to repeat that in the earth.    There is arising a counterfeit "church" within the True Church. It looks like the Church, it acts like the Church, but it is not. It is devoid of power. Only by spending time in fellowship with the Holy Spirit can you discern this. The enemy's intent is to draw the Body away from fellowship time with the True teacher in order to listen to the false teachers that satan has placed in the Body. Accept no instruction or doctrine other than that which originates with the Holy Ghost.    The enemy also has the same agenda for those in the world's system -- the unbelievers. His plan is to keep them as he always has, from the way of salvation. However, he is unleashing even more in the realm of the demonic in the fields of entertainment: Music, the Internet and Movies. He uses celebrities--just like [he uses those] in the Church. Once he is finished using them, he spits them out and looks for someone else. He uses the same modus operandi with world leaders, such as Saddam Hussein. Pay close attention to what is happening right now with Charlie Sheen. This is an example of someone on the road to self-destruction. Pray that his soul will be saved. Each and every soul is precious to the Father--fruit to be harvested. He regards no man's person.    In the coming days, it is vital that the Father has watchmen that He can trust to deliver His Word and pray His Will over this planet. Do not be afraid of their faces. Watch and Pray. Stand and Deliver. This is the ultimate act of the Father's Mercy. It is not His Will that any of these precious souls should perish, but that all should come to repentance.   Pull them from the fire.

Holy Spirit Revelation Will ONLY Come Through Praying In The Spirit

The Apostle Paul had a greater understanding of who Jesus was than many of His disciples who walked with Him in the earth. It was better for Jesus to leave earth because many in His inner circle could not see or know Him beyond His humanity. The Holy Ghost was sent so that the TRUE Jesus could be revealed. Jesus said "He (The Holy Ghost) will take of mine and show it unto you" (John 16:15b). John saw it also--the book of Revelation is the evidence. 


The reason why Paul received so much revelation of the Gospel and was able to explain it so well throughout roughly two-thirds of the New Testament is because he developed a total dependency on the Holy Spirit for his doctrine. Even though he was well-versed in the law and could have relied solely on his intellect, he did not. He said "I thank my God I pray with tongues more than you all" (1Cor. 14:18). The revelation came through countless hours in prayer. So much so that a messenger from hell was sent by satan to stop him in his tracks. Paul pursued the things of God with the same fervor that he persecuted Christians while he was Saul of Tarsus. 


Paul writes in Galatians 1:15-17:
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.


As far as we know, Paul never knew Jesus on a personal level while Jesus was in the earth. However, by the Holy Spirit, he got to know Him really well. That is a great example for us to follow. We cannot expect to receive revelation any other way except through close fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit. He desires to teach us one on one. He brings us the faith that we are expected to live by, and the love that empowers it (Jude 20-21). We no longer live the old life; the old man is dead. The new man now reigns in life with Christ.


Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [2 Cor. 5:16-17]

Saul of Tarsus and Osama Bin Laden: Is There A Difference?

There has been something has been gnawing at me for quite some time, ever since the news reports began to surface that Osama Bin Laden was dead. Now I happen to believe that he's been dead for over a decade, but that is irrelevant to the point I'm trying to make here. 

Here's the question: Is Osama Bin Laden any different from Saul of Tarsus, who later came to be known as the Apostle Paul? Think about it--both committed murder or authorized killing in the name of religion. One had a Damascus Road experience, and God's perfect plan for the other was that he too be delivered from a murderous religious spirit.




There is no difference between the two of them. You see, God does not measure men and women like we do. From the Father's perspective EVERY soul born into this world is a prospective son or daughter. This is why Jesus came. "For God so loved the world" [John 3:16a]; not the world system but mankind itself. All the husbandman desires is the fruit that is to be harvested from the field; nothing else matters to him. Can you imagine Osama Bin Laden as a born-again, Holy Ghost-filled believer? That was the Father's plan for his life. It is no different than His plan for yours.

The Apostle Paul himself wrote in the first chapter of Galatians of the reputation that he had when he was known as Saul of Tarsus:

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: [Gal. 1:13]
As well as the apprehension and eventual acceptance of his fellow believers as to whether he was truly converted:


The account from the Book of Acts:
But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. [Acts 9:21-22]


From Paul's letter to the Galatian church:
Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.  Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ:  But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me. [Gal.1:20-24]


The Father's Will for Osama Bin Laden's life was that he came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Let us bear this in mind as we intercede for the lost. It is only by the Father's Mercy that permanent change can take place in any person's life. Just think...what if you were the one trapped in a culture that celebrated the persecution and murder of the followers of Jesus? Think of how Blessed you are now to be called a child of God. Would you not want the same for everyone else? Love shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Love. You are salt and light. There is no greater miracle nor is there any greater joy in Heaven than when a lost soul turns to Jesus.


The future belongs to the Intercessor...PRAY!


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. [John 3:16]

The "Vain" and the "True"

Have you ever wondered what is the difference between "vain" religion and "true" religion? It is the love of God. One has it, the other does not. The works that faith produces would be impossible without the love of God. Jesus said "have faith in God" in Mark 11:22 (better translated "the faith which God gives"). He would not have told us to have it if it was unattainable. Understand that it is through the word of God that we are made aware of the promises that we have as God's children. However, let us focus not on the promises so much, but knowing the one through whom we have been given the "exceeding great and precious" promises. We receive these promises by faith. In order for us to get past "head" knowledge of these promises in our lives and walk in the fullness of them, there's Jude 3:
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.


"Earnestly contend"...how do we do that? How do we obtain and maintain the faith in God that Jesus referred to in Mark 11:22? Jude 20 says this:
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
Then verses 21 and 22:
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference:






We are instructed to abide in the love of God and to show his compassion.
Friends, vain religion and the religious spirit that fuels it is completely devoid of the love of God. It is cold and selfish. Vain religion's reward is to be seen of men and goes hand in hand with the  man or woman who shows partiality or is a "respecter of persons". Pride is at the center of it. There is no person more full of himself and starving for attention than a person operating with a religious spirit. Then there are those quick to heap praise on such an individual, hoping to attain that same level of "respect" some day.This is the same spirit in operation both in the church and in the world system - looking to receive accolades from men. The flip side to this is the "fear of man"-not wanting to "ruffle any feathers" and hoping to stay in the good graces of one's peers and those in a position of influence.


Thank God that His word tells us that he is not a respecter of persons - rather, He regards it as sin (James 2:9). "Religion" has given true religion a bad name. James 1:27 gives the proper definition of what our Father sees as pure religion:
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. 


The deeds that pure religion produces have a pure motive.That is the love of God...nothing else. Not to bring glory to the person performing the deeds because the doer understands that all glory belongs to his Master. He is not building his own kingdom, he is expanding the Kingdom of God. He is just a bondslave doing his Lord's bidding...gladly. The mature believer has progressed beyond the "hearing" stage. He or she has put the Word to work, knowing that in the  doing of the Word, the reward is received not on the earth, but in Heaven. Eternal life is our Heavenly reward. Jesus told His disciples to "Rejoice, because your names are written in Heaven" (Luke 10:20b) not so much because of the works that they did.


The Father's Will is that we do all for His glory. Show our faith by our works - not "vain" works designed to draw attention to ourselves, but that His Will be done in earth as in Heaven. The Pharisee in Jesus' parable in Luke 18:9-14 is an example of vain religion. He never understood that it wasn't about him. The publican, in his sinful state, understood. There is no better way to get God's attention than with a humble, repentant heart. 


This Kingdom's work is of God; not of man. Ultimately, to God belongs the Kingdom, the power and the glory - forever...Amen!


Be Encouraged!

As Jesus Is, So Are We In The Earth

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. [James 2:26]


A wise man once said to me, "If the Spirit of God has not moved, no ministry has taken place." It really struck me the first time I heard that statement 7 years ago, and it has stayed with me ever since. The ministry of the Holy Spirit is all about permanent change. A dead Body of Christ will produce dead, faithless works. This is the spirit of religion's entire agenda. However, our new nature is Life. Coupled with the Holy Spirit, it will bring the life that orders permanent change. Deliverance, healing, miracles and so on, manifest when the Life of the Holy Spirit is imparted.


This may come as a shock to most Christians, and the religious spirit has fed this lie to the church for decades, even centuries: Jesus never performed a miracle, a healing or cast out a devil by himself. Devils were cast out by the finger, or the Spirit of God. Jesus understood that as his Father's authority in the earth, he spoke the Word and the Holy Spirit performed it! Take note also that Jesus never spoke anything that his Father didn't tell him to speak. He only did and spoke the Father's will. Just as in the beginning, Jesus, the logos, spoke while the Holy Spirit performed what the Word spoke. This is recorded all throughout Genesis chapter 1.


We have that same authority in the earth today. Jesus said "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." [John 14:12]


Now we will not speak Heaven and Earth into existence like Jesus did at the moment of creation, but we have the same creative power in the words that we speak. Remember, we do have the power of death and life in our mouths. Whatever we say, we will reap the fruit of it. Jesus ascended to the Father, and gave the authority to us, along with the Holy Spirit to help us to exercise it...why aren't we using it? We are expected to minister just as Jesus did during his earthly ministry...nothing less. We have the anointing - and the authority - of the believer.


And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.[Mark 16:17-18]


It is time for us as a Body - HIS Body - to mature into his image. The image of the faith-seed that was planted in our spirit at the new birth. Until Christ be formed in us.The just shall live by faith.


Be encouraged!

The "Genesis" Of False Doctrine

The entire realm of sin and death that we inhabit right now was birthed through these simple words: "Ye shall not surely die" [Gen. 4:3b]. Once Adam and Eve received and acted upon these words, sin entered in and changed the entire planet. Sin's partner, death - both physical and spiritual - entered in also. This was the first lie; the genesis of all false doctrine, spoken out of the mouth of the father of all lies. The purpose was to turn Adam and Eve away from Truth. This they did by eating of the tree that they were commanded not to eat from. Since then, the enemy has used every tool at his disposal in this realm of the senses to keep mankind from the Truth, the very person of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus, yes, you shall surely die. The wages of sin is spiritual death.

When Mary was visited by the Archangel Gabriel, she received his word as truth. Her response was this: "Behold the handmaiden of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." [Luke 1:38b] This opened the door for Truth to be manifested on this planet. Truth to counteract and defeat the lie that was first manifested in Genesis 3. Grace and Truth has set us free from the law of sin and death.

The spirit of religion is influenced by Satan himself. There are so many instances in the gospels where Jesus confronted that spirit when dealing with the scribes and Pharisees. The intent of this spirit is to minimize the completed work of the Cross. In the early church, the way this spirit operated was to try to convince Jewish converts that faith in Jesus alone was not enough. It was the Cross plus keeping the law. Today, it's the Cross plus your "works"- things that you do for God in order to make your salvation complete. In some cases even that might not be enough. Don't fall for this deception...the Cross is enough!

I believe that today there exists another "tree". This tree is what I like to call the Tree of Religion and False Doctrine, planted by the devil. Psalm 1 describes the man who is like a tree that is planted - firmly rooted and grounded - by the rivers of water, which represents the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. This man is spending time fellowshipping with his Teacher, God the Holy Spirit. He is the antidote to false doctrine, the One sent to guide us into all Truth. Employing Him on a consistent basis by praying in the Holy Ghost will eradicate any and all wrong teaching and wrong believing in our lives. Only those that are listening to the Voice of the Holy Spirit in these endtimes will have the proper fruit to feed the Body. 


What I'm seeing lately is what appears to be a small forest. This "tree" of Religion and False Doctrine is in the center. There are other smaller trees all around it, feeding from it's root system. I'm not quite sure how that makes sense in the natural, since there's no water present for nourishment-which is precisely the problem. NO WATER. These lesser trees are yielding fruit that unsuspecting Christians are eating from, because these trees and the fruit that they bear "look good". Sound familiar? 


Along with the natural disasters that are now prevalent in the earth, there is an assignment of the enemy to draw away mankind from Truth. Yes, we are living in the age of many signs, some visible and some not so visible. The ones that are not as visible require discernment that only praying in the Spirit can accomplish. The great falling away by many in the Church will be the sign as to which "tree" they are eating from. Don't fall for the enemy's trap. His methods have not changed. Be careful what tree you eat from. Eating from the wrong tree can kill you.

Soul vs Spirit: The Hearer and the Doer

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. [James 1:22-25]


The Hearer and the Doer: The Hearer does not understand that He has been born of the Word. Doing the Word activates the Faith that he is to live by. The just shall live by Faith. The Hearer is carnal; soulish. He is like the man that Jesus describes as the one whose house is built on sand:


And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. [Matt. 7:26-27]


The Word has not become a part of him enough to withstand the storm that will inevitably come. Because his house is not built upon the Rock of Jesus' sayings, his house is destroyed. His house has no foundation because of a lack of the Word. That house signifies his life and everything that he is. It's not limited to a physical structure. It has to do with provision, healing and everything that has to do with our inheritance in this realm; what sustains us.


The Doer is the opposite. He receives the Word in his spirit, meditates it, allows it to "settle" in him and becomes a disciplined follower. He is the man in Psalm 1:1-3 and Joshua 1:8:


Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. [Psalm 1:1-3]
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. [Joshua 1:8]


By becoming intimately involved with the Word, the Doer begins to show the fruit that the Word produces in his born-again spirit. The spirit and the Word are in agreement and more Life is produced in him.When the storm comes, he speaks the Word that is a part of him. The Word is the foundation of His Life. He understands that he is of incorruptible, eternal Seed. He knows that the Incorruptible defeats the corruptible, that the Eternal has dominion over the temporal. By the Faith that the Word in him produces, he will speak to the storm and it will obey him, just like Jesus did. 


Nothing is impossible to him, because his faith has matured from spending his time in doing Jesus' sayings. He understands that he is the just, justified by Faith; justified by the Word. That Faith is his Life, his source and he cannot survive without it. The hearing of Word-producing Faith saved him, and speaking the Word of Faith sustains him. He speaks the Word, and He does what the Word says.


We are not what we appear to be on the outside. We are the very Image of Jesus, the Seed on the inside of us. As He is, so are we in this earth. NOW.


The carnal, soulish Christian lives in what I like to call a "back and forth" existence. We come and go. Some days, we are on fire for God; some days we're not. Like that double-minded man, we're unstable, undisciplined. Rather than looking into the mirror and stepping away, only to have to come back to take a second and a third look, let's do this: Abide. Abide in the pure Love of God. Abide in that place of refining, in the fire of that altar of sacrifice. Let's look into that perfect law of liberty that we have in Him--the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that has set us free. Only then can true spiritual maturity take place.








But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 
[2 Cor. 3:18]


Be Blessed!

The New Covenant: From Two Into One

I find it hard to believe that in this day and age, many of us Christians still don't have a full understanding of the difference between serving God from our soul as opposed to our spirit. I am learning this myself as layers are being peeled off me as I meditate the Word and pray in the Spirit. The truth is this: our Heavenly Father sees us so much differently from how we see ourselves. I know--some of you may say that's a no-brainer, but it is only now beginning to "settle" in my spirit. Thank God for the Teacher!


For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. [Heb. 3:4-6]


The above passage of scripture is an example of the difference between service under the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. It shows Moses, who was a type of Jesus. Moses brought the Law (from God), but Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law, the Word Incarnate. Moses operated solely in the role of a servant. As a man that was led by his soul, he could not enter into Spirit fellowship with God and he, like all of mankind before the Cross, could only serve God as best as he could by obeying the Law and offer animal blood sacrifices continually through a high priest. This high priest was the intermediary through which man interacted with God. Sadly, many would rather interact with God nowadays in the exact same manner--religion reinforces this (without the "blood sacrifice" part, of course). In many cases, the intermediary is still there, in the form of a Pastor, or Priest or some other "mentor" type figure. Jesus, our example, is the serving Son. The"service" is different. The son chooses to lay down his life in order to fulfill his Father's Will (that is what is expected of us). It is not based on "works" for works sake, but the righteousness and the authority that we have as sons in our Father's House. The redeeming work has already been done at the Cross.

Our Faith is based on what Jesus has already done--not on what we, of ourselves, could ever do. All we are required to do is to learn of Him (Mat. 11:29); this in the "entry way" into His rest. That can only be accomplished through fellowship with the Teacher - the Holy Spirit who has been sent to reveal Jesus to us. knowing Jesus will reveal the Father's Will to us. In knowing Jesus, we know the Father.

Many of us fail to obey the Word of God as it pertains to this current dispensation of Grace. We stubbornly continue in a "works" mentality apart from true Faith in God. This is unbelief. What do I mean by "works"? Simply doing anything except what the Word of God says "do". For example, thinking that we can "give" our way out of debt, or "sowing a seed" to get our healing. That is false teaching. Jesus bore our sicknesses and carried our pains, and became poverty so that we may be supplied with every need, large or small. Failing to put our trust in Jesus is classified as unbelief. As the just, we are required to live by Faith. This is the only way to please God. The Law is not of Faith (Gal. 3:12a). It just exposed sin for what it was.


There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore  to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.
[Heb. 4:9-12]

The Word of God is the dividing line. It was the Word that translated us from death to Life, and from darkness to Light. From "soul" service to Spirit and Truth worship and daily fellowship--rest in Him. There is no longer "soul" service when it comes to our relationship with God. We don't serve with our "head". "Head" knowledge did not get us saved. The Word of God entered into our heart, our innermost man, which is the spirit, and quickened it from death to Life. This is the New Nature from which we worship God through our service to Him daily.

The Law, on the other hand, was given to man for the sole purpose of establishing the fact that He had a death nature - it was never intended to save him. It really saddens me to see so many in the Body of Christ operating and serving God from an Old Covenant mindset. God is a loving Father - not someone who is angry with us and can't wait for us to mess up so that the curse from not obeying His Word can be activated (certain teachings on the tithe come to mind here). I know that's a rather extreme example, but that's how it's coming from my spirit. We've been redeemed from every curse through Jesus!


The New Covenant consists of one new species. We are one Body, and we are required to speak the same thing. We are one family. No more "favored" status after the flesh. No more "client nation". No more Jew and Gentile. Out of two, ONE NEW MAN. The new man is Spirit-born, Spirit-trained. The fathers of our flesh taught us to be led by our mind. Jehovah, under the Old Covenant, could only "lead" man by his mind through the Law; he could not "father" him. The old, spiritually dead man had no way of understanding the way of the Spirit. Now through the establishment of the New Covenant, comes the New Nature. Now, true Spirit to spirit communication can take place. Before it was Spirit (God) to mind (man). Man served the law through his natural mind. Only through the Spirit can permanent change take place.

The Law had to be fulfilled through Jesus, thereby establishing the New Testament--the last Will and Testament.


And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. [Heb.9:15-17]





The Testator (Jesus) died and rose again in order to enforce that Will. That Will has your inheritance built in with all of its promises. Now that we have been quickened from death to Life, we no longer give credence to the flesh and the mind but to the Spirit. We have been resurrected, born from spiritual death to Life. If we are born of the Spirit, why is there such a backlash to praying in the Spirit? Here's the answer: Praying in the Spirit brings revelation, and sets us free from false doctrine and every form of bondage that the enemy will bring. The ministry of the Holy Spirit--our Teacher--comes with the New Nature so that we may worship in Spirit and in Truth. That did not exist under the Old Covenant. Before Jesus came, there were TWO: God on one side, man on the other--total separation. Now, through Jesus we are ONE with our Heavenly Father, free to spend time in fellowship and communion with Him every day.

In closing, I'd like to share a few links dealing with teachings along the same vein. The first three are from Gary Carpenter. Gary teaches at The Family Prayer Center in Tulsa, OK.  I've received a lot of confirmation through listening to these messages. A lot of it is exactly what the Holy Spirit has been sharing with me, but it's so great to hear it from another perspective...very encouraging to me, and I hope, to you as well:

http://www.iktusnetmedia.com/c/recommendedmessages.html

Here's a link to a written teaching titled "The Works of The Father":

http://www.garycarpenter.org/FaceToFace/F980902-WorksOfTheFather.html


This is a confession (or declaration) based on the teaching above, called "Agreeing With the Mind of Christ". My wife and I speak this over our lives on a daily basis. This is vital in the process of transformation of the soul according to Romans 12:2:

http://www.garycarpenter.org/FaceToFace/F980902B-AgreeingWithTheMindOfChrist.pdf


These last two links are from Alan Taylor, who also teaches at the Prayer Center. He really breaks down the subtlety of serving with your soul. We are family and our sonship is not based on performance...great Truth!
Here's a link to his website.

Scroll down to the message entitled "Your Soul Keeps You From Being Fathered" Dated: 06/10/10

http://www.alantaylorministries.org/atm/index.cfm/media/audio/

This one is from the IktusNet media site. It might be a little long, but well worth the listen. I would suggest listening to it at least twice. It is titled "God Is The Father Of Your Spirit" dated November 21, 2010. Scroll down the page until you get to it.

http://www.iktusnetmedia.com/c/Audio_-_Alan_Taylor.html


Be Blessed!