Love, Faith and Praying in Tongues

The "faith walk" will be hardest for those who have been relying on their abilities their whole life. If you're a baby Christian, or if you've been at this for a while, know this: it's not your ability - it's HIS. Yours is the arm of flesh. His is the ANOINTING. HE is the Anointing. HE removes the burdens and destroys the yokes. HE casts out devils. HE performs miracles. HE is in you, so what HE does, you do. Why? Because you are a co-laborer with Him. He needs a body and you're it. Collectively, we are the Body of Christ. Individually, we are members. If we are willing and obedient, we will not only eat the good of the land but more importantly we will do the works of the Father. As Jesus is, so are we in the earth.
The fastest way to spiritual maturity is to allow Holy Spirit to empower your born again spirit so that Father's Will is manifested in your life (Romans 12:2). This is accomplished through praying in tongues.

Oh, by the way...the "faith walk" and the "love walk"? Same thing. You can't have one without the other. Mature love - perfect love - casts out fear. The opposite of fear is Agape (the Love of God). If fear is present in your life, pray in tongues and KEEP yourself in the love of God which will produce  MORE faith. The more love that is manifested, the more faith will work and therefore less fear will manifest in your life. Every one of our Father's exceeding great and precious promises to us are rooted in His Love. That Love is available to everyone who will receive Him. That manifested Love is Jesus. He is the entryway to abundant life. He is provision and sustainer. Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us. No one can say that Jesus is Lord except the Holy Ghost reveals Him as such.
Praying in tongues on a consistent basis brings revelation of the Mystery which is Christ in you the hope of glory. Secondarily, the gifts of the Spirit will flow, but the primary thing is the fruit of your born again nature being produced. That fruit is Love. If you are born of the Spirit of God, as God is Love, so are you. Plain and Simple.

"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 1:20-21

One last thing: perhaps you've just read what I have just shared above but one question remains. "How do I pray in tongues?" you ask. " I don't know the first thing about being "baptized in the Holy Ghost" or what that even means. Can you help me?"
Fortunately for you, I can. Here is a link to a site where you can download a PDF on how to pray to receive Him. The first prayer is the prayer to be born again and the second is to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Below that there is a copy of Pastor Dave Roberson's book "The Walk of The Spirit, The Walk of Power" available for FREE download at his website.

Here's the link to the PDF: http://www.iktusnetlive.com/eBooks

Be Encouraged!

RECOMMENDED READING: "The Walk of The Spirit, The Walk of Power" by Dave Roberson.
Available for FREE download or streaming to your computer at www.daveroberson.org/books.aspx

Service That Pleases The Father: An Exhortation

In order for proper service in the Kingdom to begin, the natural soul has to be turned. The mind, will, emotions and intellect have got to give up the lead position that it held when the old man was alive. Now that he is dead, the transformation from the soul-led, spiritually dead mindset has to begin. Service in the Kingdom begins in the Spirit - that is where instruction is received. In order for this to be done in the proper order, two things have to happen: mortification of the flesh, and edification of the spirit. The flesh and all of it's appetites have to die (mortification) and the spirit man has to grow (edification).


The truth is, the old man died at the new birth. When one nature (the new) comes into existence, the old nature automatically dies. Two natures cannot co-exist in the same person: either you are spiritually dead with a sin-nature, or you are born of the Spirit with the nature of Christ in you. Old things are passed away...dead. However, if your mind has not been renewed through the Word of God, it will still think like the old man, wanting to serve in a Spirit-Kingdom with a carnal mindset. To be carnally (fleshly) minded is death. To be spiritually minded - renewed - to the mind of Christ, is life and peace. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. If, when we who become born-again don't think with the Mind of Christ, we will forever live below our status as Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation, sons of God. We will always try to do things in our strength what Jesus already took care of on the Cross.


Rest. Your works didn't save you, and they certainly won't help you attain spiritual blessings. Ask for the Grace to receive.


The fastest way to begin to operate with the Mind of Christ - to think just like Jesus - is to choose to pray in the Holy Ghost on a consistent basis. The Mind of Christ is a terrible thing to waste. Being sense-ruled as a child of God in the Kingdom of God is the worst mistake any believer can make. Do not reject the Holy Spirit.

Knowing Who Jesus Really Is Will Show You Who You Really Are

Jesus--from God to Son of God, when He passed through the birth canal, putting on mortal flesh. By doing this He became the pattern, the precursor of the many sons who would be born of His Spirit down through the ages. He is the One we imitate as to how we should function on this planet. That Life that He brought with Him was anointed by the Holy Ghost and He gave it to us.


How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.- Acts 10:38 (KJV)


We have that same image on the inside of us and are empowered-anointed-by the same Holy Ghost to do the same things. Operate in the same ministry. As He is, so are we in the earth. Right now. The assignment given to us is to know the Person of Jesus Christ through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said "Learn of Me." (Matt. 11:29) Knowing Him will cause us to know who we really are. He has ascended into Heaven and sat down. He is now our High Priest, interceding for us so we can fulfill our calling. In addition to this, the Holy Spirit is praying through us (we provide the voice--He provides the language--if we let Him) in order that we pray to fulfill our rightful ministry so that it manifests. Haven't seen it yet? Keep praying. When it manifests, pray some more. Bear in mind that every child of God is called to ministry in some way, shape or form.


Only a life of fasting and prayer, yielded to the leading of the Comforter is pleasing to the Father. Prayer, fasting, worship and the Word. This is the price that we are all expected to pay; our reasonable service. Along the way we will encounter persecutions and afflictions. There will be temptation both to sin and to abort the path of destiny that is laid out before us. There will be anxious care brought by the enemy. How do we know that it is from the enemy? Because the nature of Christ in us has no fear in it. It is of power, perfected love and a sound mind.


Why do persecutions and afflictions come? Because of the Word. The Word of God in you is the source of your faith. This faith sustains you during your time on this planet. The just shall live by faith. We please God when we give His instructions our highest priority. No Word, no faith- plain and simple. Deceitfulness and lust of other things fall into the category of idolatry. Chasing after material things at the expense of your eternal salvation and believing that the more you possess the more successful you are, are two of the enemy's greatest tricks. When the Lord blesses, it is within the flow of your walk with Him. You do not have to venture outside to get it, and there's no human effort involved. It is released to you by His Grace.


The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. - Prov.10:22 (KJV)


The Christian life is one of service - to God first and to our fellow man. Love is the motivator. The key is to love Him with His love first; more than any person, animal, place or thing. That takes care of the idolatry issue. Then we are free to love each other through His love in us.


...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind: and thy neighbour as thyself. - Luke 10:27 (Darby Bible Translation)


The road to spiritual maturity is clearly defined. The Holy Spirit is the One sent to show us that path. The first step begins when we decide to pray in the Holy Ghost on a consistent basis. The old way is to be ruled by our senses. The new, right and proper way is to be led by our new nature - just as Jesus was in His earthly ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit.


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 1:19-21 (KJV)


Stay on the path, and finish your course with joy.


Be encouraged!

The Exaltation Of The Tithe

The subject of the tithe is always a touchy issue among believers. Many of us have not yet been set free in that area. Receiving your blessing has everything to do with what Jesus did. There have been countless teachings, blogs and articles on tithing and offerings. However, I just wanted to share something that has been on my heart for quite some time and I find to be quite troubling.


Let me start of by stating this: It is not about getting a hundred fold return on money placed in an offering plate. It is not about getting the windows of Heaven to be opened so that you may be able to get a Blessing so enormous that you will not have room enough to receive it. Are we not blessed now? We have been given all things that pertain to Life and Godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) That's all things...not a few.


I have heard many believers say things like "I didn't start to receive my blessing until I started tithing again" or "the reason Brother or Sister so-and so aren't blessed is because they don't tithe...they are robbing God." That's the same mindset that says that God is just waiting for you to mess up so he can punish you, or saying that the reason why you ended up in a car wreck was that He could teach you a lesson. Folks, that's religion. The Holy Spirit is always ready to bring us the Mind of Christ. All we have to do is spend time getting to know our Father; that's what Family is all about. There is no love in the religious doctrines of man. Many a preacher has made quite a good living preaching Malachi 3. Religion places a premium on performance rather than fellowship with the Holy Spirit. It is all about keeping the Body of Christ in bondage through condemnation.


A son is a son no matter what he does, but he will remain immature if he does not do what his Father instructs. If he has not been taught to hear his Master's Voice he will always live below the place he has been called to occupy. If he does not know his Father he will continually miss out on the joys of fellowship with Him. On the day of Judgment there will be much regret because many believers never took the time to fellowship with the One sent to instruct them in the ways of righteousness and sound doctrine. Seeking first God's way of doing things will always result in Godly provision...without fail. With the Father's Love, there are no conditions attached; it is by His Grace. God's Love is unconditional. He loves the sinner just as much as He loves His children. The difference between them and us is that the sinner doesn't have His Nature. 


Our giving in tithes and offerings is in large part to rescue the very ones who are perishing...that is the message of the Gospel!


We have the benefit of His Life indwelling us. Without that Life mankind is destined to spend eternity in hell. Along with that Nature in us we have an inheritance through Jesus. We are daily loaded with all of His benefits. In Him-in His Presence-there is fullness of Joy, and at His right hand-where we are seated, there are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). All we need to do is to abide in Him. Abide in His Word. Abide in His Love.


The true Hundredfold return is of the Word that has been sown into our spirits to grow us up into  the Image of that Seed in us, Christ Himself. The christian's motivation for giving should be love and only love - love for God and our neighbor as ourselves. Stop chasing after money and material things; it is covetousness and idolatry which is sin. It violates God's Divine Order. The god of this world wants you to worship mammon...DON'T. Worship Jesus!


But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [Matthew 6:33]


I would be remiss if I did not share for those who do not know how to tap into  the sound doctrine that the Father has laid up for us. He has not left us as orphans; we are sons (there's no gender in the Spirit) with a Father who loves us so much He has left us with the Teacher of all teachers, God The Holy Ghost. The Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues is the pathway through which we can appropriate all things that God has for us so we can fulfill our calling in the earth. Our human, born-again spirit is baptized in the Holy Spirit who brings the instruction to our spirit--that is where the answers are to be found. He should be our only source of doctrine. Any true teacher to the Body is taught by the Holy Spirit as well. It is only through a consistent prayer life spent praying in tongues that we can break away from the bondage of religion. Resist any teaching that teaches any other source of Blessing than our Heavenly Father through Jesus Christ.


Stop treating offerings as some sort of stock market investment or the lottery. The reason for giving is to advance the Kingdom of God. Another thing: He has taken us beyond the tithe. The tithe is just the starting point to train us to be mature in our giving. What is mature giving? It is listening to the Voice of the Holy Spirit and give what He says to give. If He doesn't give specific instructions, give what you have purposed in your heart. If it's 10 percent, fine. If it's not, that's fine too. There is no condemnation. Let your spirit man lead you. As many as are led by their born again Nature, they are the sons of God - [Romans 8:14 - paraphrase] (many interpret "Spirit of God" to mean "Holy Spirit" - that is not what this passage is talking about here, but the human, born-again spirit - more on that another time perhaps). As an example, Jesus was led by His Heavenly Nature all through His life until the Holy Spirit showed up to anoint His ministry at His baptism by John the Baptist, the same Nature that He has given to us - but I digress.


The tithe is not what the believer's prosperity is attached to- Jesus is the One who prospers you. Do not make the tithe into an idol! Our eyes are to rest solely on Jesus. Religion exalts the tithe...the Holy Ghost glorifies Jesus!

The Revival Of Truth

NOTE: This is the last installment in the series of posts on Endtime Revival.


The Outpouring. The Awakening. The Endtime Revival. The Final Great Harvest. There have been many different names and terms used to describe what is about to be released in the earth. However, sound doctrine is what will sustain revival. Think about this: Revival is not something that will "just happen". The day of Pentecost came about through extended times of prayer by those who were waiting in that Upper Room--they weren't just standing or sitting around doing nothing. The key for them as it will be for us is to endure all the distractions that the enemy will throw at us to keep us from focusing on the task at hand. That task is the harvest of souls. You see, this outpouring is to bring in the lost. It is not just about a "refreshing"; it is to set the captives free from the bondage of sin. At Pentecost, the church grew - multiplied - at a rapid pace. Expect to see that - and much more - in these last days. This will be the greatest harvest of souls in the history of this planet, and we get to be a part of it...isn't that exciting? 


Let us focus on sound doctrine for a minute. I strongly feel that this is and will be the greatest component of that which is to come. The early church was established upon the foundation of the Apostles' doctrine as taught to them personally by Jesus Christ and further explained by the Holy Ghost, through Whom the epistles were written. Throughout the early days of the church, they were in one accord, both in fellowship and doctrine. Whenever there was false doctrine, as taught by the Judaizers for example, the Apostles warned believers not to listen to them or even fellowship with them. They and the doctrine that they preached were accursed. Paul's letters urged the church to be of the same mind and to speak the same thing. Once the oneness of fellowship and doctrine ceased, the glory departed; denominations and other man-made organizations took the place of the one true Church.


Think about this as we consider all the other "moves of God" over the past generations: why did they fizzle and die out? Azusa Street. Toronto. Lakeland. The reasons are many: doctrinal issues that brought division, sin amongst the leadership, including pride being a major factor, just to name three. However, the main reason, I believe, is doctrine. Sound, Holy Spirit-based doctrine. Not man-made flakiness. We cannot have unity if our teaching is varied; that only brings confusion. In order for us to all speak the same thing, we all have to listen to the One who is speaking. Spirit and Truth is what will sustain the latter day Revival. Whenever the Truth of the Word is proclaimed, the Holy Spirit lends His agreement with the demonstration of Power. His power comes to bring permanent change. There is no change if the source of the power is counterfeit. That which is of this realm-the realm of sin and death-cannot bring change. Only that which is from Heaven, that which will bring Light and Life, can change the hearts of sinful man. Otherwise it is just an empty show.


The Holy Ghost has been sent to dwell with us for a reason. Listen to what He has to say because He brings the Father's Will which is the Mind of Christ for every situation. Every area, every region and every nation. What does He want to do in your part of the world? Is that where you are supposed to be? Did He send you there, or are you one of those that just "went"? The center of God's Perfect Will is always the best place to be. If He sent you, He will give you the instructions as to what to do, and He will finance the work. If you don't know how, ask. His Wisdom is readily available. It is not His Will that you are ignorant either of the enemy's plans to stop what He wants to do through you, or what He wants you to do specifically. These things are very important. 


Another thing: Let's put an end to flakiness and promoting false manifestations such as gold dust and female angels. These are NOT OF GOD! If it cannot be found in scripture or has no scriptural basis...reject it! The Spirit and the Word agree. The Holy Spirit WILL NOT manifest anything that has no basis in scripture! Let us begin to fine tune our hearing; pray in the Holy Ghost and listen with the ears of our spirit. Earnestly contend--fight--for the faith. The epistles of 2 Peter and Jude should be enough of a warning to us. 


We cannot afford to be ignorant of what the Will of the Lord is for such a critical time in the history of our planet. Pray for the Revival of Truth.

On Signs, Wonders and True Endtime Revival

NOTE: This is part 4 of a series of posts dealing with the coming Endtime Revival and the Apostasy that, I believe, will be concurrent with it.The next posting should be the conclusion of this series.


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Beginning with a passage from the Gospel of Mark:

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;

 And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how.

 For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.

 But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

 And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?

 [It is] like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth:

 But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

- Mark 4:26-32

The best way to define revival is the Great Harvest. The signs and wonders that accompany revival is not for the believer; it's for the lost, those who "sense-ruled" and are without the Spirit. The believer should already know this; it will not be a "new" thing, but rather a confirmation of what God has already said in His Word that would come. The Spirit-filled believer already knows that he/she is born of the Spirit of Christ by the inner witness. Wrong, intellect-based doctrine has not fully explained to the vast majority of Christians the reality of who they are. This causes them to depend on the  "validity" of outward, visible signs to prove that something is "of God". The only problem is, the devil does "signs and wonders" also. 


The only way to truly know the difference is by the Holy Spirit--the One sent to Teach, Anoint and Help us to grow up into the image on the inside of us. On the inside--in our spirit--we look just like Jesus, the restoration of what Adam looked like before the fall.


True, endtime revival is not just a service or a week of services. It is the reaping of the precious fruit of the earth, the Harvest that the Husbandman has been waiting for ever since the precious Seed was sown in the earth over 2000 years ago. The Seed was sown in order to produce seed and to yield fruit after its own kind.


The Sower sows the Word. Ever since the Word (Jesus) was made manifest in the flesh, the Gospel (Good News) of the Word has been preached. The Gospel in a nutshell is this: The Word has been made manifest to make us free. Once it has been sown into our spirit, the process of transforming the soul so that it will fall in line with the leading of the spirit has begun. We cannot be totally free outside of the Will of God. Increasing in the knowledge of Christ in us and operating in that Truth is what sets us free despite all of the circumstances around us. True freedom begins from within, but the source of that freedom is not ourselves, but from Jesus Christ himself. New Age teaching proclaims otherwise.


True revival will not break forth in, or with, confusion. The true foundation of who we are in Him must be revealed first. God is not the author of confusion. Counterfeit manifestations are not what true revival is all about. The early church had an understanding of who they were and did until the enemy came to veil the truth that has been hid for generations unto generations until now. What many will think is a "new" revelation is not. It is the same truth that the enemy has resisted since the beginning of the church age and has desperately tried to hide through religious tradition and false, intellect-based teaching.

 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

- James 5:7-8

So, what part do we have to play in all this? First and foremost, we need to pray. Pray first for our fellow believers. The enemy wants to bring deception to those in the body of Christ to follow after "preachers" that satan has placed in the body who have great influence. There is already a counterfeit church in place and many are already falling away. Pray for restoration. Let these prayers be directed by the Holy Spirit. True intercession is birthed in the spirit. We may not always know how to pray, but let this passage of scripture be our guide:


Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought : but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
 - Romans 8:26-27


Let us be like Elijah who earnestly, fervently prayed and achieved the desired result.


Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain : and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. - James 5:16-18


Lastly, and more importantly let us pray for the lost. While we're at it, let's pray for Wisdom as to when and how to be a proper witness to them of the Love of Jesus that has been deposited in us. Without the manifestation of His Love for them, they won't be set free. Light is breaking forth. The Father's Will is being performed in the earth, and there's absolutely nothing that the forces of darkness can do to stop it.

Thoughts on Romans 7 and Galatians 5: What's The Difference?

This morning during my quiet time, I began to meditate on these two particular passages of scripture from Romans 7 and Galatians 5 (again) and in the process I began to write what I felt that the Lord would have me share in this post. I know that the last three blog posts have dealt with what I like to call the Apostasy and the great End time Revival, both of which I believe will be concurrent. Anyway, I felt a sense of urgency to share this now, so I will. Therefore this is not a part of the "Apostasy" series. What follows is what I wrote.




The spiritually dead man's soul is in agreement with and follows after his flesh, the place where sin dwells. He cannot help himself, because that's who he is-a sinner. Once he comes to the realization that he is a sinner, then comes the choice. To continue in sin, or embrace the righteousness that has already been prepared for him? The man who has been resurrected from spiritual death has Life in his spirit. His soul now has to be renewed so that he will know first of all who he is, and secondly, what has been prepared for him. 


Old man: unrenewed mind and body of sin in total agreement with each other. The man of flesh. 
New man: mind being renewed by the Word of God and trained by the Holy Spirit to follow after his true self-the spirit that has been created in the Image of God, just like Adam was in the Garden. The man of spirit.


The man in Romans 7 tried all he could to serve the law with his unrenewed MIND (Romans 7:25b). He could not walk in the spirit because he was spiritually dead. If we continue to tell believers that they cannot help but sin and that we are all SINNERS saved by Grace, we continue to enforce that position of spiritual death that the work of the Cross has delivered us from! That is a religious mindset...get rid of it! This type of teaching is designed to keep us in a state of spiritual retardation and it hinders our growth.
Galatians 5 tells us to walk in the spirit (our new nature-NOT the Holy Spirit) so that we do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Because of the Life in our spirit (Christ in us), we have a CHOICE between Galatians 5:19-21 and verses 22-23:


Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:19-21)


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23)





The man in Romans 7 did not have a choice because of his spiritually dead nature. A double-MINDED man is unstable in all his ways ("I'm a sinner"/"I'm saved by Grace"; "Sin has no dominion over me"/"I can't help but sin"). We don't have two minds, but one--the Mind of Christ. The old man IS DEAD. Now that mind has to be renewed to the new nature that he has received, through the WRITTEN and SPOKEN Word of God. This involves reading, studying and confessing the Word of God--meditation and assimilation.


Under the Old Covenant, man kept the law and served God with his mind. His spirit had not yet been resurrected from the dead. As Spirit-born sons (resurrected from spiritual death) under the New Covenant we serve, as Paul the Apostle did, with our SPIRIT (Romans 1:9b). God is the Father of our SPIRIT-not our minds or our bodies. He communicates with our spirit. That is where instruction is received via the Holy Spirit and the place where sound doctrine is birthed. The only avenue the devil has to reach you with is through your natural mind. He cannot penetrate your spirit. The natural mind is where all religious, false doctrine is received. That lower frequency or channel is where the enemy transmits. Our spirit has a higher frequency and that is where the voice of the Spirit speaks. PRAYING CONSISTENTLY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT OPENS UP THAT CHANNEL. Be renewed in the SPIRIT of your mind, the Mind of Christ.


Hopefully my next post will pick up where we left off in regards to the End time Revival and Apostasy. Until next time...be encouraged!

The Love of God is the Great Separator

NOTE: This is the third of a series of blog posts dealing with the coming Apostasy and the End time Revival. 


When we left off last time, we  were looking at the first chapter of Romans and the power of the true gospel--the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Starting off with verse 18:

18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 
21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 
24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 
26. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27. And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 
28. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29. Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,   30. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 
31. Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 
32. Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.  

Bear in mind that this is a description of apostates as a warning to the Church at Rome (chapter 1 v. 7). The true gospel of Jesus Christ delivered with power is received through revelation by the Holy Spirit. Preachers cannot preach/teach heresy and still remain in close fellowship with the Holy Spirit. They are in fellowship-and have given themselves over-to another spirit that is not of God.


Another passage from the first chapter of Galatians:


 6. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7. Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.  


The manifested Love of God is what separates the sheep from the goats. The love of many will grow cold because of lack of fellowship with God. The epistle of First John is about love, but it is also about separation and the doctrine that will draw the line between truth and error. Love is the great separator-those who seek truth will remain in the Love of God, and love of the World will cause separation from Him. It's that simple.


Here's something the Lord shared with me two weeks ago:


Souls Moving In Opposite Directions
There are souls moving in opposite directions. The devil's answer to the Great Harvest of souls - the Revival - is the Great Falling Away of believers. It will be a simultaneous move, this move of the devil. While the True Gospel is being preached with genuine signs and wonders, there will be false doctrine being preached by satan's ministers to draw away the sense-ruled. Only by discerning of spirits and daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit will believers be able to know the difference. 
True Revival will bring sinners into the Kingdom as it was with the early Church.
False doctrine will usher in the Great Falling Away which is designed to lead unsuspecting believers down the path to destruction.


Apostasy comes in two ways: falling away in relation to wrong teaching, or falling into a lifestyle  of sin using Grace as a license to continue in that lifestyle. The main themes throughout the epistles-from Romans to Jude-are holiness and sound doctrine. Doctrine takes precedence because if the doctrine is sound, then true holiness will automatically follow. Anything and everything else is religion of the Pharisees.


The bottom line is this: if the Love of God is abiding in us and we are filled with His Spirit, there is no way we can ever be deceived.


20. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,  21. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22. And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23. And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 24. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.  


As of this moment, I think the next post will be the final one in this series. Thanks for taking the time. Until next time...be encouraged!


 

Manifestation and Separation: The "Fast" and The "Slow"

NOTE:This is the second of a series of posts dealing with what is sometimes referred to as the "Apostasy" or the "great falling away".


A lot of Christians refer to the "End-time Revival", "Latter Day Rain" or the "Outpouring" regarding the coming move of God on this earth. Many look to the current state of degeneration of this planet as the primary sign that the end is near. In the meantime, there is a stealth operation that the enemy has already launched. I referenced this in an earlier blog titled "A Message to Watchmen:The Smokescreen of False Doctrine" posted in July of 2011. I won't detail all of that here, however.

While many, include those in the Body of Christ are looking UP,  there is an agenda that the devil is using to destroy the Body from WITHIN. Jesus said that the first sign of the end would be deception sent by the evil one (Matthew 24:4b). The devil has been at it since Genesis chapter 3 and he has not stopped. Why? Because it is working. I have said this numerous times and I will continue to state it: the main reason for deception is that the Church in large part has abandoned the path that the Holy Spirit has laid out for us through the Word of God. We have abandoned His leadership and replaced it with our own. Many name the Name of Jesus but are not following Him. These are the very ones who will hear "Depart from Me" on that Day. I don't know about you, but I DO NOT want to be numbered in that group!

Praying in the Spirit, Fasting, Worship and spending time studying, meditating and speaking the Word is the antidote to what the devil is doing. A word of prophecy came forth some years back through this preacher I know where the Lord said this: "The fast will go faster, and the slow will go slower" (I'm paraphrasing). I have meditated on this particular phrase from time to time. Over the years I have come to realize that there is indeed a "slow lane" and a "fast lane" when it pertains to us believers. The "slow lane" is soul - those that have given themselves over to their senses, what they see in the natural. They look for signs and are most susceptible to the spirit of fear because they are "sense-ruled". Having not been rooted and grounded in truth--not spending time in the presence of God--they set themselves up to be "taken out". The "fast lane" is Spirit- those who have taken the time to separate themselves and spend time in Holy Spirit fellowship. In the coming days there will be more of a divide between the "fast" and the "slow", what I like to call "manifestation and separation". The spirit of the world has invaded the church. Many have noticed it and spoken out against it; the sad part about this is, the majority of the church does not care. Why? Because many of them are caught up in it themselves, or they think it is harmless.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.- 1 John 2:19

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false
prophets are gone out into the world. - 1 John 4:1

These are two passages among many that talk about separation due to false teaching and how to combat them. In many cases, those in the church may not have left physically, but even though they are present within the body (for now, at least) their heart belongs to the world, the things of the world and the god of this world. In due time, these things will come to pass.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the church at Rome, spoke about "falling away". In his introduction, he made a reference which can be easily overlooked by some but is a key statement, not only in the context of what he was about to say next, but to much of the book of Romans itself:

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; - Romans 1:9

The phrase "with my spirit" is key here because he goes on to diffrentiate what it means to be led by his born-again spirit rather than by his soulish intellect.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. - Romans 1:16-17
The gospel that is of the world, influenced by satan, has no power because it is sense-ruled and carnal. It is a "feel-good" gospel that equates material goods with God's blessings. This is what those with "itching ears" will embrace and will be drawn away from true fellowship with the Holy Ghost, the true source of power. Without naming any names, this "gospel" is quite popular among many mega-churches and mainstream Christian television nowadays.For the sake of brevity, I will end here. In my next post we'll take a look at the gospel that satan is preaching from christian pulpits on a regular basis. I hope to be posting within the next few days.
Until then, be encouraged!
 

Something To Think About: "Chrislam", "Co-Exist" and the Anti-Anointing

NOTE: This is the first of  a series of posts concerning the end time Revival and the enemy's plans to stop it. How many will there be? I have no idea. However, the Lord has been showing me some things over the last few months (in fact, it has been almost a year). I will do my best over the next however many posts to lay them out as best I can. Please pray that the Mind of Christ is delivered with clarity and simplicity that the full meaning may be conveyed to whomever reads this and all the other post to follow.

During my prayer time recently, I have been meditating on this particular subject (off and on) and it was impressed upon me to share what's been going through my spirit. Here is something that we as Christians need to understand: at the core of the spirit of religion is an anti-Christ spirit. During Jesus' earthly ministry, that was His chief opposition. Anyone pressing into God will face the same resistance. This spirit will seek to neutralize you at all costs by cutting off your source of Power which can only be attained through constant fellowship with the Holy Ghost. Wherever there is a denial or absence of the Gifts of the Spirit, there is an anti-Christ, religious spirit present. ANTI-CHRIST EQUALS ANTI-ANOINTING. Many are busy looking for the PERSON of the anti-Christ when the SPIRIT of anti-Christ has been present in the earth since the early Church, since the Book of Acts. It is my belief that the seeds that this spirit has sown will give rise to the anti-Christ himself from WITHIN the Church. I heard someone else say this recently regarding this person emerging from the church, and I am in total agreement.


The spirit behind what is being promoted as "Chrislam" is anti-Christ. It is a trojan horse that has been sent by the enemy to poison the Body. Do you think that the "co--exist" agenda that is responsible for those bumper stickers becoming so popular was launched overnight? Your enemy has been carefully and methodically plotting his strategy for CENTURIES. Many people misunderstand what this spirit is about--it's main target is the Church. If you are a part of the Body, this means YOU.





It is only within the Body of Christ that the Power to defeat the enemy will be found. If the Church is neutralized, there is no hope for mankind. What are we going to do about it, church? REVIVAL STARTS WITH US.

I'd like to recommend two teaching series by Pastor Dave Roberson, available from his ministry website, free of charge. The first is titled: "Satan's War Machine":
http://www.daveroberson.org/series.aspx?id=417

The second is called "Unmasking Satan's Tactics"
http://www.daveroberson.org/custom_search.aspx

These are excellent resources for us to identify the enemy at work in our lives and more importantly, HOW to neutralize him and his plots and schemes that are intended to destroy the Body of Christ.

I welcome any feedback that you may have concerning this particular subject. I feel that is largely misunderstood by the vast majority of Christians. What are your thoughts?  I'd love to hear them. In the meantime, stay tuned for the second in this series. Next, I will be sharing some thoughts on the great "falling away" a.k.a. the Apostasy.

As always, be encouraged!

Thoughts On Intercessory Fasting and Intercessory Prayer

ef·fec·tu·al

   /ɪˈfɛktʃuəl/ [ih-fek-choo-uhl]adjective

1.

producing or capable of producing an intended effect; adequate.

2.

valid or binding, as an agreement or document.

fer·vent

   /ˈfɜrvənt/ [fur-vuhnt] 

adjective

1.

having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc.; ardent: a fervent admirer; a fervent plea.

2.

hot; burning; glowing.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" - James 5:16b.

Always pray God's Will, bearing in mind His Will is His Word. Otherwise the prayer is in vain.

Matthew 6:5-8:
"And when thou prayest , thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you , They have their reward.
But thou, when thou prayest , enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly . But when ye pray , use not vain repetitions , as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."1 John 5:14-16:"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask , we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask , and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."

True fasting is an act of intercession, just like true prayer is. The more we mature as Christians, the more we realize that prayer is less about getting our own needs met and more about interceding for others. Our Heavenly Father has instructed us to seek first His way of doing things and to maintain the right standing that we have already attained through the shed blood of Jesus. All the benefits of the inheritance that we have in Him will be manifested if we put Him first. We have been commanded to first get to know God and His ways and out of that obedience His blessings will flow. In spending time with Him we not only know His Heart but receive His instruction for our lives. That is Wisdom.

Through fasting, the change takes place in us so that we may rescue those who are bound. When we are free we can in turn lead others to freedom.

Matthew 6:16-18:
"Moreover when ye fast , be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast . Verily I say unto you , They have their reward.
But thou, when thou fastest , anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast , but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly."
"What is the reward in fasting?" One may ask. The major benefit is our faith increases (more on that in a future post). The other tangible benefit is it aids greatly in our spiritual growth. Fasting is a must for every believer--not "if" but "when." Natural food feeds our flesh. Our spirit grows by denying the flesh and bringing it under subjection to our spirit. Fasting and prayer are two keys in this area.


Isaiah 58:1-12:
"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Yet they seek me daily , and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted , say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge ? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.  Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.  Is it such a fast that I have chosen ? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?  Is not this the fast that I have chosen ? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?  Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward . Then shalt thou call , and the LORD shall answer ; thou shalt cry , and he shall say , Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;  And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:  And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called , The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in."

The intercessor's concern is not for him/herself but for others. Fasting and prayer not only sets us free but allows us to see with His eyes and releases compassion for the lost.

Matthew 9:35-38:
"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted , and were scattered abroad , as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest."

Pray without ceasing, and fast often as the Holy Spirit leads. There is a dying world that needs your light and your selfless devotion to see hell de-populated. Remember that someone prayed for you.

Be encouraged!