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!

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]