Thoughts from my heart

The collection, 1 Corinthians 16

This teaching is going to challenge some of you, as to how you have been taught, but I do encourage you all who read this to study it for yourselves I found it truly exciting, but I love hearing from Holy Spirit. If you want truth he will guide you into ALL truth, Jesus is the truth amen!! We have to know that we cannot take one scripture out of context; we have to read the whole book or know the whole chapter and understand the content of that book, and know what they are saying. Go ahead give me some feedback if you like.

First I would encourage you to read 1Corithians (the whole epistle) but I am starting in chapter 11.Paul was setting the church in order, for those who know their bibles will know that the church in Corinth had some serious issues. (Not much different than today’s churches, sad to say) So we will start in chapter 11, Paul is exhorting the church to follow him as he is a follower of Christ; he is admonishing them to keep the ordinances as he delivered them. 1Co 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1Co 11:2 now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

He goes on to say in verse 2 about whom the head is and how you should pray and prophesy. There is obviously some disorder concerning church conduct, and order. Then in verse 17

1Co 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

He is not praising them but declaring to them that when they come together there is division and there are heresies. He was addressing the disrespectful way they took bread 17-34 (please read) in verse 34, he says “the rest will I set in order when I come”.

Chapter 12, Now (this word means ‘continuative”) so in other words “lets continue” with the “setting in order” of things. Chapter 12 is addressing spiritual gifts; Paul does not want them to be ignorant but to be knowledgeable with the way things should be done when they come together. Whether it is when they have communion or when they flow in the gifts.

In verse 28 of chapter 12 he directs them about how God sets some in church, first apostles secondarily Prophets.

1Co 12:28  And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

There must have been a lot of confusion in this church, it sounds like they all wanted to be “spiritual” In other words they all wanted to run the show! It is quite clear they needed order, instruction and rebuking. There must not of been much loving flowing either because after he had addressed them about the church being like the body and loving the feeble (12:12-27) and when one suffers all suffer. He continues in chapter 13 with Love.

Though you have all those gifts what good are you, without love!!

In chapter 14 he says follow after love and desire the gifts, just combine them all, moving in the gifts and love is really preferring one another. He directs them in the order of how to prophesy. Continuing, in 14 he also addresses them about how is it that when you come together everyone has psalm, hath a doctrine.

1Co 14:26 How is it then, brethren? When ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

In other words if the confusion was great in that church which it sounded like it was how would there be edifying? So when you come together take turns let there be order and love pointing towards edifying. Paul said in verse 33 God is not the author of confusion. Even the women were out of line, 34-35.

My opinion is that according to verse 36-40 it sounded like they all wanted to be prophets or spiritual,(to be spiritual meant you were like Paul, who was like Christ. And he that is spiritual judges all things. I mean after all who wouldn’t want to be like that? That position meant you were mature in the things of God, right?

1Co 2:13 which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1Co 2:16 for who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 So back to 1 Corinthians 14, looking at vs. 40, again he says

1Co 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

 The word decently means this:

“Becomingly in a seemly manner”, “well”; “a form”.

The word order means: an arranging of rank, or character, assigns (a certain position or lot)

In other words have some form and manner and arrange by rank those who are of reputation and character.

Now continuing in chapter 15, Paul continues again exhorting them to keep in memory what he taught vs. 2. (Let me point out this there are no chapters in there days this was one continuing exhortation, man has put the breaks in the chapters)

The rest of the chapter deals with the discrepancies of the resurrection.

So up to this point I laid a bit of a platform so I can take you to the chapter I want to discuss, which is chapter 16. Now you should read the previous chapters 1-10 so you get the full picture, don’t you just love the word!! I sure do! You know there was a time in my younger years of Christianity where I did not know how to even read it and understand it, for years I cried out to God to know his truth and word, and now I find myself consumed with it, Glory!!! We will never come to a place where we know everything, even if we lived to be 200 years of age there will always be something “new” Holy Spirit will bring to our understanding.

Ok so I just started in 11 but prior to that you see disorder. Look at chapter 5 there was fornication, and Paul instructed to deliver such ones to Satan for the destruction of there flesh,vs.5 of chapter 5.Then is chapter 6 we see brother taking brother to court, then as you go on it talks about marriages and idols. So it is without doubt we see the disorder of that church.

 There were a people in the bible and they were from Berea, they searched the scriptures daily to see if those things were so, we need to be like those people, searching the scripture to see what is being said is truth. Act 17:10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Act 17:11 these were nobler than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

I will always say, know truth for yourself; we were not to be clones of ministries but to be clones of Christ!

Ok so up to this point Paul defiantly has a pattern here, the church was in need of some order, I am sure if you are following in your bibles you can see that by now, right?

As we continue in chapter 16 this is where the Lord has brought my attention to. In most versions of the bible it is addressing money for the poor or money for those in need. And in some commentaries it is insinuating that it is money they are to collect, maybe all you reading this have understood it to be that also. But you know just because someone writes volumes of books and they are theologians with degrees hanging on the wall does not mean they are all right. Now I am also not saying they do not know anything, but my point is you have to know truth for yourselves! And one more thing, WHY IS EVERYTHING IN CHRISTIANITY ABOUT MONEY!!!!!!

I know some of you reading this may thing ,”oh Michele has got an issue with money, I guess I do have an issue, I am tired of hearing that the gospel revolves around the mighty dollar, while Christians are drowning in deceit ,not knowing truth for themselves. It’s like I heard that at Todd Bentley’s tent revivals that he had put ATM machines!!!!!!!! At a Tent revival!!!!!!!!!!! Call me a rebel, but I am a rebel for Jesus, and his doctrine not mans. I would even tell you all reading this, do not believe what I say CHECK IT FOR YOURSELF!!  If your heart is open for truth, it is amazing what Holy Spirit will show you. If love is in operation in your heart you will give no matter what, to those who are in need, that is the very essence of the character of God; after all he gave his Son for us.  I also do not believe I have to tithe as no where in the New Testament does it say to do so, but we are to have a heart that will give ALL. Preachers like to preach on being like the book of Acts, they will even have series week after week, on how we should be like the book of Acts, you know, all about the Holy Spirit being poured out and all the evangelizing they did, but they seem to leave out that they GAVE EVERYTHING SO THAT NO ONE WAS IN NEED, they never tithed, someone show me where they tithed in the book of Acts and I will repent and of my belief! Act 4:31  And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Act 4:33 and with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Act 4:34 neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Act 4:35 and laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Act 4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, the son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

Act 4:37 having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the

Apostles' feet.

So we need to understand what the order of the Lord is and not man’s! Awake to truth church because when you stand before your Maker, and all will, whether you believe that or not, you are not going to say “Well Jesus, Pastor so and so told me to believe this” or I decided to follow “New age” cause the “light” guided me” or there is so many religions, and they all are right as they all lead you to the same source anyway” RUBBISH, RUBBISH RUBBISH!!!

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

So for you who believe there is another way to heaven or eternal life, you better think again and be honest before your heart and God! Ok I got that out, I went on a little bit of rabbit trail, but it was good one, amen?

So in Chapter 16 we read:

 1Co 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

1Co 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

1Co 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Remember the word now means “continuative”. So continuing with the exhortation Paul is saying, concerning the collection, this word means this :( let me say if you are not familiar with how to study Greek, when you look up a word, the true meaning is the prime root, in this case the prim root is lego) Now follow along closely, and you will see that this word has no meaning found in money. If you look at the meanings before the prime verb it tells you many words referring to: words, speaking uttering, the word lego comes from the word logos, which is the written word of God, it is a thought expressed, so it can be a word of scripture expressed.

 logia

log-ee'-ah

From G3056 (in the commercial sense); a contribution: - collection, gathering.

logos

log'-os

From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

legō

leg'-o

A primary verb; properly to “lay” forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication to mean: - ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.

This the meaning of the word lego-

1.       to say, to speak

a.       affirm over, maintain

b.       to teach

c.       to exhort, advise, to command, direct

d.       to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say

e.       to call by name, to call, name

to speak out, speak of, mention

Now, going back to 1Cor.16 Paul says, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Well I went to the epistle of Galatians and I found no order for the church there to give money for the poor, the only scripture I found was Gal 2:10 only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.

There was nothing in regards for that order like 1 Cor.16, but there is direction to the church of Galatia on how to conduct themselves in the order of the Logos.

God has always manifested Himself to man in and through the divine pattern called the Logos. The Bible teaches that the pattern of the entire creation is the Logos look at Hebrews 11:3). So, the Bible itself is the Logos in written form. And Jesus said, it is the Scriptures that testify of Him (John 5:39, Luke 24:44).  And it says in Titus 1:3, God “has in due time manifested His logos through preaching.”

The logos(Word, Bible) is the pattern on  how to conduct ourselves as Christians, it is the expressed thought of God, and it was being addressed in the church just as he told the Galatians also how to live after the pattern of the word. Paul suggesting to use the word to bring order and correction to the saints, and to designate leaders so that there would be no more confusion and disorder. I see nothing there to do with collecting money if you go back over the previous chapters you will see this to be a recommendation from Paul to have the collection which is the speaking the logos ,the pointing out with words, to call by name,exhort,advise,command (look at the meanings again above)Looking at vs.2

1Co 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

If I understand this then the first day of the week would be the Sabbath, and to lay by him in store

Lay by him in store- these words really mean the same (lay and store) they both take you the prim word. (This is below)*

From G2344; to amass or reserve (literally or figuratively): - lay up (treasure); (keep) in store, (heap) treasure (together, up).

From G5087; a deposit, that is, wealth (literally or figuratively): - treasure.

* THIS IS THE PRIMARY WORD FOR LAY, AND STORE *-A prolonged form of a primary word θέω theō (which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate): - + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.

Now let us look at the word prospered: (again looking at the primary word)

From a compound of G2095 and G3598; to help on the road, that is, (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively to succeed in business affairs: - (have a) prosper (-ous journey).

 Neuter of a primary word εὖς eus (good); (adverbially) well: - good, well (done).

Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively a mode or means: - journey, (high-) way.

(Which this word, prosper has nothing to do with money) From a compound of G2095 and G3598; to help on the road, that is, (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively to succeed in business affairs: - (have a) prosper (-ous journey).

Anywhere this word prosper is used in the bible has this meaning, a road ,implying a progress.

Now look at the word gatherings; (same meaning as the word collections) so refer if you have to that meaning above)

 So now we are in verse 3

1Co 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Approve-

 From G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.

From G1380; properly acceptable (current after assayal), that is, approved: - approved, tried.

A prolonged form of a primary verb δόκω dokō (used only as an alternate in certain tenses; compare the base of G1166); of the same meaning; to think; by implication to seem (truthfully or uncertainly): - be accounted, (of own) please (-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow.

G1166-A prolonged form of an obsolete primary of the same meaning; to show (literally or figuratively): - shew.

Letters- From G1989; a written message: -”epistle”, letter.

From G1909 and G4724; to enjoin (by writing), that is, (generally) to communicate by letter (for any purpose): - write (a letter, unto).

A primary preposition properly meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive case], that is, over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.: - about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, [where-]) fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-) on (behalf of) over, (by, for) the space of, through (-out), (un-) to (-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).

Probably strengthened from the base of G2476; properly to set fast (“stall”), that is, (figuratively) to repress (reflexively abstain from associating with): - avoid, withdraw self.

(this is the same meaning as the words lay store )A prolonged form of a primary word θέω theō (which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses); to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from G2476, which properly denotes an upright and active position, while G2749 is properly reflexive and utterly prostrate): - + advise, appoint, bow, commit, conceive, give, X kneel down, lay (aside, down, up), make, ordain, purpose, put, set (forth), settle, sink down.

Send-

Apparently a primary verb; to dispatch (from the subjective view or point of departure, whereas ἵημι hiēmi [as a stronger form of εἶμι eimi] refers rather to the objective point or terminus ad quem, and G4724 denotes properly the orderly motion involved), especially on a temporary errand; also to transmit, bestow, or wield: - send, thrust in.

To bring- From G575 and G5342; to bear off (literally or relatively): - bring, carry (away).

A primary particle; “off”, that is, away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literally or figuratively): - (X here-) after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for (-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-) on (-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.

A primary verb (for which other and apparently not cognate ones are used in certain tenses only; namely οἴω oiō̄̄ and ἐνέγκω enegkō̄ to “bear” or carry (in a very wide application, literally and figuratively: - be, bear, bring (forth), carry, come, + let her drive, be driven, endure, go on, lay, lead, move, reach, rushing, uphold.

Liberality-

From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

A primary verb; to be full of “cheer”, that is, calmly happy or well off; impersonal especially as a salutation (on meeting or parting), be well: - farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy (-fully), rejoice.

Ok I know this is a lot to go through but trust me if you take the time to study this out, I have done all the work for you (meaning the looking up of words) but if you want to get the concordance out and research go for it! Here is my understanding of this passage in 1Corithians 16

 So concerning, the exhorting of the saints, as I have given order to the churches in Galatia so do ye. Upon the Sabbath let everyone of you that  has done well in their journey or walk of faith, let them ordain, appoint so that there is no advising when I come.

And when I come, whomsoever ye shall think is truthful and of reputation by your letters, (epistles) written messages, or by your setting forth, them will I dispatch and carry away Godspeed to Jerusalem. And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

Ok how can you deny that this is not the meaning, Paul through all of Corinthians is setting an order in the church, even in 1 cor11:19   for there must be also heresies among you that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

There had to be order in regards to setting up those who are approved, examined by those who were some what spiritual, it has nothing to do with money, the whole context of the epistle is about behaving decently and in order in the church. God has a divine pattern and that is the epistles the word the bible the logos , however you want to say it , it is our format on how to live this Christian life, and Paul was establishing it in the church .Because of the disunity and fornicating and disrespect for the Lords supper and the lack of belief in the resurrection, someone had to be approved to bring some order when Paul was not there, If you are to be a leader or even a follower of Christ we are tried and examined and approved for the things of God.

 Php 1:10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Php 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

1Ti 3:9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

1Ti 3:10 and let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

Well what an awesome revelation I must say, For those who love to study will find this enjoyable I am sure .Remember we need to study to show ourselves approved rightly dividing the word of truth 2 Tim.2:15, do not rely on the T.V preachers to feed you, that is regurgitated food, Search and crave the word of God, He will show you mysteries!! Any feedback on this would be great. Bless you all. In His service Michele

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

But my God shall (fill up, complete, satisfy) all your (lack, requirement, to furnish that what is needed) according to his (wealth, “fill”, influence, supply; imbue with an emotion) in (appearance, reputation, honour, divine nature) by Christ Jesus.

We will be complete and satisfied in all not just some, of whatever we lack or whatever is required, according to the “filling” of His wealth (fullness) in the likeness and divine nature, by Christ Jesus. The fullness of Christ. That is what he will supply for us. His riches are not what we think or have been led to believe are riches of value. We have been led to believe that if we are rich in the natural we will win the world and that they will know God is truly alive and supplies for us the ability to get rich (yet this is true God does make one rich in the natural as we will see later) I want to show you what the true riches of God are.

If you read chapter 4 of Philippians, his focus is not money, the heart  that is deceived and hard will believe it is about money,(we will talk about that later also) Paul is starting out saying `stand fast in the Lord`` be of the same mind, be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication. Think on good things. Then in verse 9 he says those things which ye have both learned and received and heard, and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you, we know he was not talking about money but about the work that God had done thus far in his heart. Well we sure cannot say that Paul was rich in possessions, he learned to be content in whatever state he was in vs. 11-12.Then in verse 13 he confesses “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Paul knew to pull out from the treasures of Christ; whatever attribute he needed to be strengthened. Paul did not live a luxurious   life! He knew how to be content in hunger and being full, why? Because Christ Jesus satisfied, completed, that what was lacking in him to stand and walk out living for Jesus.

Yes this chapter does talk about giving and receiving vs. 15, but Paul said in verse 17 “not because I desire a gift” but I desire fruit, that may abound to your account. Paul knew the agenda of Jesus and it was not about getting rich! He wanted fruit and that is what Jesus will always want in us! No fruit, no character no glory!!!

Paul was confident to say “but I have all, and abound, well we know for sure it was not material gain he was talking about, Praise God!! He says “I am full “in verse 18 (this comes from the same meaning for rich) He was rich in God! He was content having the “fullness” of the Godhead dwelling in Him. Glory!! Then he goes on to say in vs. 19 but my God (the same God who fills me up) will complete and satisfy your lack, that what you require according (key word) to his riches (wealth, “to fill”) in the very divine nature and likeness of Jesus Christ.

Now that we got through that lets talk about what are the true riches of God. In Hebrews 11:26 we see Moses, esteemed the reproach (italics mine) of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt. Moses chose to be reproached (which was a fruit a attribute) rather than have all the riches and treasures of the world (Egypt) So looking at the meaning of riches again (prime word (“fill”) Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ as “riches” Heb 11:25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

Heb 11:26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.

Let’s look at Rom 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

We see that the riches of God here are goodness, forbearance, longsuffering. Now look at Rom 9:23 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore, prepared unto glory,

Here we have the riches of his glory, which is his divine nature, influence, recognition belonging to a person.  John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

John 17:5 and now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

Think about that one we have the glory of the Saviour emanating through us. Wow!!

Rom 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

The riches here are wisdom and knowledge, they are unsearchable and yet receivable. I love this scripture;

 Col 2:2  That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;

Col 2:3 in who are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Col 2:4 and this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

It is all about our hearts being knit together in love and all riches (fullness, “fill”) of the full assurance (to carry out, complete “fill”, fullness) of understanding to the acknowledgement (fully acquainted) of the mystery of God and the Father and of Christ, Look at verse 3 again. Wow!! In Christ is a treasure of spiritual riches, all that we need (lack) to be like him, wisdom knowledge, glory goodness, longsuffering forbearance, longsuffering. Verse 4 says “and this I say lest any man beguile you (deceive) with enticing words. Paul knew there were false teachers in there midst and that they would have enticing (to convince) words, that feed the lust of the flesh and the idols of their heart and not make the character of their person, like Jesus. Paul was showing more than once in scripture what true riches are, what trust is and who to trust in.

So we have now reproach, goodness, forbearance, longsuffering, understanding, wisdom and knowledge, as a part of the “riches” of God. I see no material possession here, why? Because the heart of God is that we first and foremost “be rich” in Him.

We have to be lovers of truth, when we are lovers of truth it will not matter how many idols we allow him to expose. If you do not want truth then you will be deceived into believing whatever is good for the flesh! And people who got their minds on money and getting rich in this world are deceived. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that is what my bible tells me, we have to stop using the excuses, like, “If I had riches or money I could give more into the kingdom” or “I could use it for the glory of God”. Now let me clarify something at this point, God does make people rich.(we will discuss this later) I am not denying that, but the point of this is God sees the heart so I am only the messenger, and if the shoe fits than we better put it on and change our hearts or allow him to change our hearts, because we all know we are not going to take riches with us when we die.

2Th 2:10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

For time sake I will list the scriptures and you can study them yourselves. These are the “riches” of Christ!

Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Eph 1:7 in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved ;)

Eph 2:6 and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Eph 2:7 that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

2Co 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Jud 1:2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

2Pe 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Note all these scriptures have the same meaning when pertaining to riches (“fill”) the scriptures that pertain to joy and peace Romans 15:13 uses the word “fill” it has the same meaning as “riches”. And also in 2Peter 1:2 uses the word “multiply” it has the same meaning as “riches” (“fill”, influence, supply)

Glory to God we cannot even begin to understand the value of each one and I am sure there are more listed in the bible that I have not even touched on.

Let’s go to

Pro 8:17 I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

Pro 8:18 Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.

Pro 8:19 my fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

Pro 8:20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:

Pro 8:21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.

Those who seek me early (diligently, with earnestness) shall find me.vs.18-riches and honour are with me. (With whom?) Wisdom. Durable (valued) riches (speaking of being ready) When we have wisdom (riches) we are ready for anything. Looking again at Prov.8:18 “riches and honour” the word riches there mean “to accumulate”, chiefly to grow (causatively) make rich. So wisdom makes us to grow and causes us to become rich in Christ so that we are overflowing in all the attributes of His nature, (and yes there is wisdom given on how to become rich in money, but when God sees fit to do that in a person life, we are called to focus on getting rich in Him) Hear my heart in this teaching, the church for the most part has set their hearts on the ‘riches” of this life, there focus is money, money!! The most popular teaching out there is God wants you rich! Well my bible tells me he wants me rich in Him. No condemnation to those who are rich, but if they used deceitful means, manipulation, trafficking the gospel then there should be repentance.

Back to Proverbs 8:19, wisdom is speaking here, my fruit is better than gold, yea fine gold and my revenue (income, gain, increase, to bring forth) than choice silver. Let me at this point say if your trust is in the natural gold or silver, you better have second thoughts. Look at vs.20 I lead, (who leads) Wisdom leads in the way of righteousness in the paths of judgement. That wisdom may cause those that love me (wisdom) to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasure. What an awesome promise if we seek one of Gods riches…wisdom.

Pro 22:4 by humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Humility and fear are riches too, when we have these in operation in our lives we have true abundant life, material gain will never satisfy us to the fullest, and it only satisfies the flesh creature anyway.

Pro 24:3 through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

Pro 24:4 and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

By knowledge shall the chambers (innermost) be filled with all precious and pleasant riches, glory to God! Your innermost self will be full of the wisdom and understanding and the knowledge of the glory of God which is a storehouse full of treasure!! And it belongs to us if we seek it and look for it with all our heart.

The truth is Proverbs 30:8-9 should be our prayer:

Pro 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Pro 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? Or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

AN UNREPENTANT HEART WILL BE DECIEVED BY RICHES (NATURAL RICHES)

Let’s talk about a seed sown among thorns, Read Matt 13. Most of us should be familiar with this parable, if not please read it. We will focus on vs.7

Mat 13:7 and some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

We know that is talking about a sower who went forth to sow some seed, the seed is the word of God and it fell among thorns, the thorns are symbolic of the “curse” In vs.22

Mat 13:22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

Look again at the word thorns, the thorns as I said represent the curse, read Deut. 28 (the blessing, if you hearken to do and hear the word of God, and curse if you disobey) He that received the seed, heard it, that is what it says but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choked it out and left him fruitless. His heart was a heart that needed to break up its fallow ground. Jer 4:3 for thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Church people who do not obey the word and what the Lord says are still under the curse, it is not Gods fault, he has written and done all that  he can it is up to us become obedient to his ways. If our hearts are hard in any way through deceitfulness we will justify anything. Search my heart o God and see if there be any wicked way, was the cry of David, it should be our cry too.

 Read Gen.3, we see the Lord speaking to the serpent and cursing him vs.14; and in vs.17-18, he said cursed you will be due to the fact that he listened to the voice of his wife, not the voice of God, God wants us to listen to His voice he has wisdom and understanding and peace and joy in his treasure chest of riches, when we do, goodness and mercy follow us and looks after us, seek anything else, like natural riches, you will get caught up in the deceitfulness of it all.

Look at the word, deceitfulness- delusion, and deceit, to beguile.

Who beguiled Eve? The serpent. He is behind deception and if you have anything in your heart for him to come a long and tempt you, you could fall in his trap. This is what is behind the ministries that beg for money. I believe if God has called you into a ministry and you need money he will provide that money, there needs to be no manipulation, as then you are opening the door to deceit.

Heb 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called to day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The heart can become harden through the delusion of sin that is what the bible says! And riches can be deceitful if your heart is hard.

Hard-dry, parch, tough.

2Th 2:10 and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Church we need to know truth for ourselves not what someone tells us, use your bibles dissect it just as the scriptures admonish us to do.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Dividing-, means to dissect, expound correctly. We should be like the people in Berea Act 17:11 these were nobler than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Are the things you are hearing, things that are so. Right from the truth of the Word not conformed to man’s ways, but by interpretation of the Holy Spirit your teacher. I will leave you with this and we will continue this teaching next week.

In His service, Michele

The lame

 In Hebrews 11 we have Paul exhorting us about the elders obtaining a good report by faith, and how they to suffered, and were tried, 11:17; and how out of weakness were made strong, vs33-34.Then he goes on in chapter 12 to say, Wherefore (for this cause) seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets us and run the race with patience.

 If the great patriarchs can make it and if Jesus endured the cross then we should not let ourselves become weary nor faint, for we have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Paul then goes on to say have you forgotten the exhortation, Here he is quoting the Old Testament Prov.3:11-12; Deut.8:5

Heb 12:5  And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Heb 12:6 for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

First of all let us look at what chastisement means-correction, punishment, to be smitten, discipline. The purpose is always for transformation and reformation. It is education, or training, to strike. This is discipline that regulates character.

In verse 5 of Hebrews 12 it says despise not- to have little regard for, to disesteem, and to melt away.

In other words it is like a candle, when the wax gets hot near the flame it melts away, from the flame, we are not to move away from the fire of God, we are not to think little of his purging fire for it produces character in us. Paul knew what the trial situation was all about, and he even calls it as chastened, and not killed.

 2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

 2Co 6:5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching’s, in fasting;

2Co 6:6 by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

2Co 6:7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the amour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

2Co 6:8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;

2Co 6:9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

2Co 6:10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Pro 3:11 my son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

Pro 3:12 for whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

The word weary in Proverbs means this-“to sever oneself, to loathe, have a disgust, to be abhorred, to feel displeasure or horror, to fear. They think the primary idea behind this word is that of vomiting. Have you ever felt like that due to chastening? God knows it is not pleasant; after all he did create us!

Now let’s go to Hebrews 12:7   if ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

If ye endure- stay under, remain, bear the trials, suffer, and continue. This is conditional. What is the condition based on, you might ask, well if you can endure the correction then the Lord deals (offers up) (presents) you as a son, we have all been disciplined by our natural Fathers, and we endured it. But Paul is saying if we be without chastisement or abhors it then we are bastards. Now notice in verse 8 it says whereof all are partakers, we all have to partake of this correction but not all will endure and this is what I want to address today. First what is a bastard? It is a eligediment son, a spurious (which is, not proceeding from the source, pretended, not genuine, resembling in appearance, but not structure) It is also what Jesus was referring to in the parable about the tares and the wheat, a false grain is a bastard wheat. He is separating the wheat from the tares, and he will burn the tares in bundles, (which is the (kaminos), fiery furnace of God. (That is a whole other teaching)

So let us go down to verse 10-11

Heb 12:10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Heb 12:11 now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Profit-our advantage, “to bring together, for the benefit of another, union.

Partakers- to get a hold of

 1Co 9:22 to the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some.

1Co 9:23 and this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

As we said our natural fathers disciplined us for their pleasure but our heavenly Father corrects us that we may get a hold of his holiness and be in union with him, he cannot have union with things that are not holy. We also go through the correction of the Father that we may be able to identify with others; Paul became all things to all men so that he might win them to Christ, amen?

So now I want to talk about what really the Lord laid on my heart, I had a vision on weds day of last week and I saw this long road, much of what was like in the movie the wizard oz, “the yellow brick road” although it was not yellow, but very long and winding. On this road I saw masses of people too many to count, what I noticed was they were all crippled and lame, some had crutches some had canes, some were just limping. I noticed two huge castles like doors opening as they approached the doors, before I could ask the Lord what was there he said ‘these are the doors to my grace” and then that was it, then I heard the LORD say “my church is lame”.

I have had my eyes opens last week and I want to share with you the heart of the Father for his church, we have been deceived to think that if we go every Sunday to our religious meetings tithe our 10% we have done all we can do, we also think that because we read our bibles and say our prayers and do all the right things we are pleasing God. Christianity is so much more than what we are doing, many in the church are lame and sit right beside you and we just are not aware of it, because we are too caught up in our religious activity. There are many weak among us, there are many weak reading this, there are also many strong reading this and, if you can say you are strong then this is for you, and I pray you will get a hold of this and run, if you are the weak reading this I pray that your burden will be lightened as you read this and know help is on the way!

Starting in verse 12 of Hebrews 12 Paul continues to say wherefore (for this cause) lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

What cause? The cause of chastening, discipline, correction, God says we are partakers remember but not all can endure , so for this cause we are to lift up the hands that hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. God wants all to be sons, and discipline is what makes us that but some brothers and sisters have a hard time enduring and it is up to us who are stronger to come along side of them and hold up there hands so that they may come into what the Father has for them. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Did you ever take the rap for them, just because you knew they could not endure the hand of dad, or just because you loved them? Well this is the same, when a brother or sister is going through trials we need to be there for them.

Lift up-implies repetition, to set up right, restoring ruins.

 Amos 9:11  In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

We are the tabernacle. God is doing a restoration in our time and it is his church!!

Hands –symbol of power and strength, and action.

If our sister or brother is weak and has no power to go on then we must come along side of them, this is not an option, as it is the gospel!! LOVE ONEANOTHER BEAR ONEANOTHERS BURDENS!!!

Feeble-paralyzed, as by a paralytic stroke, feebleminded-fainthearted, despondent

There are many in the body of Christ that are despondent (dispirited, sad)

1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Hebrews 12:13 says, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Straight-honest, moral transformation, paths of righteousness, the paths of the Lord.

Path-a symbol of our walk our conduct, our course.

For those who have endured the correction of the Lord and are still enduring, will have a walk of moral transformation, you will conduct yourselves as honest and morally upright, it is for the reason also of helping your brother and sister, as they are being changed and discipline also. Everyone is so different, we all carry our loads differently, some can trust the Lord to take it all and some do not know how.

So, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but rather be healed.

Lest-(in order) that no lame (halt) limping, cripple (symbol of imperfection) be put out of joint.

Lame- smitten, dejected, (remember the meaning for chastisement) maimed.

Be turned out of the way-to turn, put out of joint, in case he who is weak in the state of grace does not fall from.

(Read John 17)

Let it rather- most of all

Be healed- made whole, cure

If your foot is out of joint you will not continue to walk, you will have to put it back in line, so that the body will function properly.

We are a body, right? 1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1Co 12:14 for the body is not one member, but many.

1Co 12:15 If the foot shall say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

1Co 12:21 and the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

1Co 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be feebler, are necessary:

1Co 12:23  And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

1Co 12:24 for our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:

I have quoted a few scriptures here from the book of 1Corth.12 but please read the whole chapter, in verse 22 says which seem to be more feeble are necessary (needful) (a bend, “ache”); an arm (as curved): - arm. These that are feeble are being referred to an “ache” now I do not mean that in a bad way, but if we are the body, and we have an ache in our body what will we do? Mend it, right? Help the pain, try to fix it! It also says it is needful; we need these feeble brothers and sisters in our body.

Then if we look at verse 24 it says for our comely parts have no need: The word comely there is, wellformed, but God, hath tempered the body together having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:

Why would God temper the body together if there were malfunctioning parts?

GOD HATES DIVISION!! GOD IS A GOD THAT LOVES UNITY!!! Hebrews 12:13 says, and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Remember the word let it rather, means most of all, and the word healed means cure, or made whole. This is Gods desire for those needful body parts to make whole!

1Co 12:25 that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

1Co 12:26 and whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.

It says God has done this, so if we love God and want to please him in our walk, then we should recognize that this is a part of the gospel!

We do not want to see our brother or sister which are weak fall from the state of grace that is what Hebrews12:13 is saying, we are not only a body but an army and if one solider is down we are not going to leave him or her there; we will carry him to safety, all the way! That is unity that is the message of the cross. Let us look at Isa 35

Isa 35:1 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.

Isa 35:2 it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the Excellency of Carmel and Sharon; they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the Excellency of our God.

Isa 35:3 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

Isa 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with recompense; he will come and save you.

What is the wilderness? Well if we look at the New Testament it is where Jesus was tempted, but if you notice it was the Spirit that drove him there,

 Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Mar 1:12 and immediately the Spirit driveth him into the wilderness.

The wilderness is a place to be tempted tested and tried, and yes God leads us there because he wants to change us, transform us into the nature of Jesus.

The word wilderness means –to subdue, lonely

Solitary means-barren,

Solitary does not always denote a “barren” region void of vegetation; it is often used of a place uncultivated.

Cultivated means, to prepare land for crops, gardening, to improve, refine, to develop.

So if you are driven by the Spirit of God to a solitary place it is not necessarily for the purpose of being barren, but that God wants to cultivate the areas that have been left uncultivated so that there is fruit in your life, he wants to tend to his garden as he is the Husband and it is his responsibility to see his garden tilled.

It is in this time that Isa 35 says God will come with vengeance and with recompense, he will come and save you, God loves all his children and he will see to it that all are saved, but it is up to us to come along side of them and bear there burdens. This is Christianity!

Rom 15:1 we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (What did that say?? Not please we wow, the gospel I hear out there is all about pleasing you, but it is wrong!!)

Rom 15:2 let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification.

Rom 15:3 for even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

Rom 15:4 for whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Rom 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

Rom 15:6 that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom 15:7 wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Rom 15:7 wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Rom 15:7 wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Rom 15:7 wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.

Don’t worry your eyes are seeing it more than once just thought I would try to get my point across.

Jesus never pleased himself, he had one goal in mind and that was to please the Father, he laid down His life for us, should we not lay down our lives for one another? The truth is this the church is in a sad state of affairs, it is selfish and self seeking, it is complacent and lazy, and we need to change that, we need to  meet the Fathers criteria, it is his Kingdom that needs to be established not ours!!!

Back to Romans 15, bear means- (through the idea of removal) to lift, endure, sustain, receive, take up (to walk) a pace (foot).

Infirmities-to be feeble, be diseased, impotent, be sick (be made) weak, strength less.

1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1Th 4:9 but as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for you you are taught of God to love one another.

1Th 3:12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

1Th 3:13 to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

When we love and care one for another in the Jesus kind of love we are blameless in holiness before God, think about it ,love is the ultimate, we are so arrogant and say we love but we will not  touch any situation where it will be an inconvenience to our lives, we comfort ourselves by saying “they just need to rise up and believe” or “let them work out their own salvation”, but the truth is church without love the kind where we lay down our lives for one another we are just a bunch of babbling religious people, who speak but deny the power thereof!!  Here are some  more scriptures and I am sure there are more touching love, 2 John 1:5 ;1 john 4:21; 4:20; 4:11-12; 1Peter 1:22.

 I challenge you to rise up and walk the walk and stop trying to be spiritual but find a weak brother or sister and take their hand no matter how it may unsettle your life, and let them know that God will come with vengeance on their enemies and save them, let them know that the desert shall rejoice and blossom as a rose. And let them know you love them today. If you are weak reading this and going through something barren right now  know how much God cares for your situation and know that he will send someone to lift your burden and walk you through your dark time. Let us rise up church and be a people of love and commitment one to another, and show the love of Christ, after all it is for love that he died!

 In His Service Michele

1Cor.15:46 Amplified Bible

But it is not spiritual life which came first, but the physical than the spiritual.

We are in a rainy season now, spring is at the door and the life in the ground is starting to bud, the trees are drinking in the refreshment and nourishment of Gods supply of life! Without the rain we would have barrenness, there would be no fruit, there would be no produce or flowers…ah…….the rain!

If you want to know what God is saying look at the natural first, as it is in the natural so it is in the Spirit. Let’s look for a moment at Israel’s seasons

 Israel had two rains;

“The former

“The latter”

Former- spring rains you had a harvest for grain

Latter-Autumn rains you had a harvest for fruit

Summer there was no rain; it was a time of plowing and getting the ground ready for the next harvest

These two rains correspond to the 7 feasts

FORMER RAIN- SPRING SEASON-Passover, unleavened bread, first fruits, Pentecost (these teach about the first coming of the Christ)

The last three which are-LATTER RAIN-AUTUMN SEASON- Feast of Trumpets Day of atonement, Feast of Tabernacles (which gives us insight concerning the second coming of Christ)

Monday of last week I was sitting and meditating on the LORD, He gave me Zechariah 10:1

Zec 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

If you read the whole chapter, you will see that the LORD is addressing the idolatry, the false dreams, the vanity and the diviners, He says the flock is troubled because there is no shepherd, and because of his mercy he will strengthen the house of Judah and the house of Joseph, and he will bring them again to place them, he also said in verse 8 He will hiss for them and gather them and they shall increase. There has not been many shepherds in the family of the church, there sure is a lot of hirelings and wolfs but very few shepherds.

This sounds much like the state the whole church has been in, we have seen a lot of false “things” in Christianity. What I am about to share with you is a word from the heart of the Father, glory to God for his mercy and love for the church; He is our true Shepherd, amen? I have been truly excited and I have felt like I have accelerated in the spirit. Something has happened to me since my last teaching, glory to Jesus!! Friday night I almost could not contain myself as I shared this message, I pray that you will hear what the LORD is saying at this time, and hopefully you can take it for yourself and be blessed as I was and is!

In a time that the flock was troubled they went there way, vs2; God knows that the church has gone it’s way because of the lack of leadership and integrity in the body of Christ and also due to the fact that the sheep really do not know Him, but it is in this time that the Great Shepherd says ASK!!! Glory!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did you hear that? ASK!!!!!!!!!!! Ask for what? Rain. Not only do you ask for rain but in a time of Latter rain!!

I know, you are probably saying what?? Let us look a few words here;

Ask- to inquire, to request, to demand, beg

.

Rain-symbol of God blessing, God’s word and Spirit outpoured, to shower violently

Showers-to shower violently

Latter rain-spring rain (fig) eloquence, prime verb, to gather

Grass-symbolic of frailty of the flesh (Isa.40:6,7;1Peter 1:24)

Field-symbolic of the earth, world,(mat.13:24,38,44)

There are a people within a people who are scratching to get out of the religiosity of “church” they are not satisfied with things the way they are , in their heart they know there is more it is like they are sitting on the edge of their seats ready to fly!!

And then there are some who are just down right satisfied with “playing” church and warming there pew, and only eating on Sunday or fast food through the week, but the other bunch are feasting on fresh manna from heaven, the menu is new every day and they are not satisfied with “leftovers” or regurgitated food! I hope somebody is shouting about now!

On the Monday I received that scripture on the Tuesday the LORD spoke to me about a song from Don Potter, I could not remember the name but I could hear the tune and remember one line in it, the song is titled “Enlarge your tent” the verse is …Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch out your arms of grace. It’s time to lengthen your ropes and with the word drive in your stakes.

The LORD will go to any length to speak to us, I truly love the way he gets my attention. So I went to find the song and I checked out the verses to it, after I did that the LORD spoke another scripture to me, 1Chron 4, so I turned to the chapter and started to read, well it was Judah’s family record, well I was sure as I was reading that I heard wrong, until I got to this verse:

1Ch 4:9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow.

1Ch 4:10  And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

We will get back to this verse, but let us look at the symbolic meaning of the word rain.

We will see that the bible speaks a lot about it, RAIN AS GODS BLESSING-

Deut 11:13  And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,

Deut 11:14 that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Corn-symbol of harvest, increase and blessing

Wine-symbol of teaching, blessing, true or false

Oil-symbol of the Holy Spirit in anointing

Lev 26:3 if ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;

Lev 26:4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Deut 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

2Ch 6:27  Then hear thou from heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, when thou hast taught them the good way, wherein they should walk; and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.

(Look up these also) Job5:10;Psalm 68:9 ; Isa.30:23 ;Heb.6:7

Are you seeing the picture yet? We are in a season, “a due” season of where the rain which is OUR INHERITANCE, it is a time that the increase and blessing of God is about to fall. There are conditions to this just like anything. IF YE WALK IN MY STATUES, IF YOU HEARKEN DILEGENTLY TO MY VOICE.(please go through these scriptures) God has conditions to meet, if your life is bearing fruit , then you do not need to worry cause it is going to rain in a time of latter rain!

RAIN IS SPEAKING AS GODS WORD-

Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isa 55:10 for as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Deu 32:2 my doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

God’s word will come to us like the rain and it will perform and do all that it says it will do, it will water the earth, and we are the earth! If you are not reading your bibles and mediating on the “manna” from heaven you will not have any fruit but only a dry and barren land!

RAIN IS SPEAKING AS THE SPIRIT OUTPOURED- Joe 2:23  Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

Hos 6:3 then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

We know that he poured out the Spirit on the day of Pentacost, there are three main feasts, two of them have be fulfilled we are now in the third feast, Feast of Tabernacles, this feast needs to be fulfilled, which is the latter rain.(this alone is a vast subject, one must study it, themselves  to understand and  know what the LORD is doing in this hour, the calendar for the LORD is His Feasts)

What will cause no rain?

DISOBEDIANCE!

Deut 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

Deut 11:17  And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

Jer 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

Some of the church has had a forehead like a whore; do you know what that means? I will tell you, there is no mind of Christ!! They have chose to walk in the fornicating ways of religion and “mans” traditions, by not being ashamed means there is no repentance for the state she is in! She has committed adultery with the “ways” of the world and called it God! It is time for gathering, but if there has been no rain in your garden then I bet there is no fruit! God is about to rain in a time of latter rain!! Glory!!

Jer 5:23 But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.

Jer 5:24 neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.

Jer 5:25 your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. (Read the all the verses)

Again let me say ASK for rain!!! If you feel your garden has been dry and cracked and barren, then ask!! Repent, for the lack of fruit that you have not allowed to grow by having sin in your heart, sin of disobedience, sin of rejecting the TRUTH!!! And ASK!! God will come and rain in a time of latter rain!!

Deu 28:23 and thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.

Deu 28:24 The LORD shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.

I cannot stress enough IT IS A TIME FOR RAIN!

So back to

Zec 10:1 Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field. (grass is frailty of the flesh (Isa.40:6-7; 1 peter 1:24)field is the world (matt 13:24,38,44)

God is pouring out his rain on all flesh! Glory however they need it to produce fruit or to give more fruit.

The rain is speaking to us as “blessing and increase” Amen? So what does it mean then to ask in a time of latter rain?

Latter- means spring, a prim root “to gather”

The book of Hosea and Psalm 72:6 say he will come to us “like the rain”

 Hos 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.

Hos 6:2 after two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.

Hos 6:3 then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

 Again let us look at the two rains in Israel, God is always talking to the house of Israel in regards to the “seasons” as you read the Old Testament you will see that if they were obedient then God would bless their crop, so in the natural they had their two rains the spring and the fall, they were both a time of harvest, the spring for grain, the autumn for fruit, latter speaks of gathering. The former rain was poured out at Pentecost, which was the gifts, but now the latter rain is fruit, and a time for gathering. We have seen enough “gifts” in the church, but where is the fruit? We now have to see integrity, faithfulness, truth, honesty, righteousness, purity, I could go on, but the church for the most part has not produced much fruit!

 Well God is coming to us like the latter rain it is a time a season where he is about to pour out the rain of blessings on those who have produced, and those who have not will go through the hard times till they do produce.

We have been torn and smitten of the LORD, but it says RETURN, and he will heal us, and bind us up, on the third day we will live in His sight, that is the Feast of Tabernacles (without getting into) that is the latter rain!!

Third day living is walking in resurrection power! Ok so in Zechariah it says in a time of latter rain,

This is the time God is the husbandman he is responsible to make sure there is a harvest. Jas 5:7  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.

What is a husband? Symbolically it is a type of headship, eph.5:23; 1 cor.3:6-9; Isa.45:5

 Isa 54:1  Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD.

Isa 54:2 enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

Isa 54:3  For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

Isa 54:4  Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Isa 54:5  For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Isa 54:6  For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

Isa 54:7  For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.

Isa 54:8  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.

We are the garden of the LORD; he has comforted us through the waste places

  Isa 51:3  For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Many of us have gone through the waste places in our lives, where there has been barrenness, but know out of barrenness can come fruit (when the rains fall) know that out of sadness comes joy (when the rains fall) know that out of death comes life (when the rains fall) and out of despair comes hope (when the rains fall)

 The North wind has blown in a lot of people’s lives.(back three years ago I was praying and the LORD said to me tell my church the “north wind is blowing”, then he told me to go to Matthew 3, the verse 12 says

Mat 3:12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

The word fan there has a meaning for north wind in regards to any winnowing was done when the north winds blew) There can be no purging without the north wind blowing!

Son 4:12  A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

Son 4:13  Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,

Son 4:14  Spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices:

Son 4:15  A fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon.

Son 4:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

The north is the testing and trials the south wind is the quietness of the earth the fragrance of the spirit, we need both just like we need both rains, so that our beloved can come to tend his garden and find choice fruit for gathering!

Church it is a season a time that the Savior of our souls is coming to us like the latter rain to gather and pour out blessing on us, the time of producing is upon us, the time of increase and enlarging our territory is here, it will be different for everyone, Rob and myself know where we are being blessed for the fruit we have produce for the standing we have done it is now time to be enlarged, the time of grieving and sorrow has ended. Look at  the scripture 1Ch 4:9  And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.( The church has gone through  sorrow and grieving, but now it is a time to call and ask for rain and increase.)

1Ch 4:10  And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

Enlarge-a prim root to increase (in whatever respect) bring in, abundance, be in authority, excel, be full, multiply, plenty.

Is your garden full and plenty of fruit? If you have been thirsty and dry, you are in the right place because it is raining!!!

It is a time that your request will be granted.

In His service

                      Michele

DOUBT, DO WITHOUT!!

Has God ever told you something and you know without a shadow of a doubt that he told you? Then you find yourself questioning it a few days or weeks later? I know this has happened to me many times in the course of my walk with him. Matter of fact it happened just last week.

I love the way God has a way of opening our eyes to our shortcomings, not to judge us or make us feel condemned, because He is a loving God and only wants the best for us, sometimes it hurts when we do see where we have missed it.

I had just been in the midst of praying and I was questioning something he had told me a few times over that was going to come about in my life. (Sometimes we worry too much about where we are going, in life instead of stopping and enjoying the very present moment of where God has us)

As I got into my living room (I pace when I pray) I heard a loud voice in my spirit, “DOUBT DO WITHOUT”.

Well the truth of the matter is that I did not put two and two together at the time, it was a few days later as I was studying out the word “doubt” that I saw this study was for me (as usual) and it was connected to the questioning I had done that day. Sometimes we sheep are not only a bit stupid, but we are slow also.

So with that I want to share with you all, as I know there will be a few that can relate to this.

This study has a few rabbit trails so hopefully you will not get lost.

Our study starts in Matt.8:23-27(calming of the storm) up to this point the only disciples that were with Jesus were 4, Peter being one of them. (Matt 4:18-21)There was Jesus asleep and a storm comes and the disciples were all afraid, so they awoke him and said LORD we are going to perish! Here is the first account in the gospel of Matthew where Jesus says why are you fearful O ye of little faith? This is the start of a journey of not only one mans lack of faith, but a few  as they walked with Jesus,  we will go through this account and see this man Peter and how he was towards Jesus.

It seemed that Peter was the one always in the forefront of each scenario.

So as we trail off to chapter 9 of Matt. We see in verse 9 Matthew is called, and then it is in chapter 10:1-5 that all 12 disciples are assembled.

Back to chapter 8

 Mat 8:26 and he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

 That means “puny faith”, this was the first statement from Jesus concerning their lack of faith. If you read the book of Matthew you will see the big picture. Chapters 8-14 are about some parables, and then there was a life raised from the dead, healing and deliverances. As we get to chapter 14 we see the feeding of the 5000,now this is amazing as I thought on this, all they had was 5 loaves and two fishes, now remember there were woman and children BESIDES the 5000 men, that is a lot of people to eat off of 5 loaves of bread and two fishes!! And then there were fragments that were left over enough to fill 12 baskets full!! Wow!! How could the disciples possibly not have faith after that?

As we go down to verse 22 in the same chapter, we see another scenario very similar to chapter 8, but this time Jesus is not asleep on the boat but he is walking on the sea towards them, and of course they were all afraid.

Mat 14:26  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

Mat 14:27  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Mat 14:28  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

It is Peter who answers Jesus and says… if it be you let me come on the water, that sounds a bit like doubt, And of course when he got his eyes on the winds and the big waves he started to sink, well we all know that if we take our eyes of the Master in any of our given situations we will sink!!

Praise God! Jesus always has his hand extended to catch us when we fall!!

Mat 14:31  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

So here is the scene, the same day that Jesus fed the 5ooo with only 5 loaves and two fish was the same time that they entered the ship, then evening came and the storm was present. Where the heck was their faith??

I do not want to be so bold or nervy to say that I sure would of  walked on the water without any doubt, but really after seeing all those people fed with only two fishes and 5 loafs of bread, I would think that Peter would have had more faith! As we will see though Peter is an example to all of us how we waver with our faith towards God, maybe some of you can say you do not waver, and that is good, I know I cannot say that, I very much can relate to Peter and how he thinks, praise God there is hope for people like me!!

So let us look at the meaning of the word Doubt and then ask “why did Peter doubt”?

Doubt-to mentally waver(in opinion) comes from the meaning “twice” primary numeral “two”, It means “double standing” (implying uncertainty, which way to take (believers who faith is small)”to hesitate” “stagger”

Jas 1:2  Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations;

Jas 1:3  Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience.

Jas 1:4  And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

Jas 1:5  But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord;

Jas 1:8  a double minded man, unstable in all his ways.

I know James was one of the disciples on that boat, and I was thinking as I read this in James that he must have been thinking about Peter when he wrote this, how that night on the boat was all about faith, so he used it as an analogy to compare what doubt is like, surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

Then we have the faith of Abraham;

Rom 4:18  Who in hope believed against hope, to the end that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Rom 4:19  And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb;

Rom 4:20  yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,

Rom 4:21  and being fully assured that what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

It is possible to have a strong faith, I know for myself something has happened to me after going through his study, my faith has increased, the story of the disciples is there not to only tell us of the accounts of Jesus, but they are our example, they were human and had jobs just like us, and families like us.

So why did Peter doubt?

I believe he doubted because Peter was to much of a thinker, he was torn between the supernatural and the reality of life, just as the meaning of the word doubt means to mentally waver in opinion, that is exactly what he did, he tried to figure it out, I believe Peter was carnal, there had not yet been a conversion with him (as we will see further into this study) he reasoned in his mind, but faith does not reason, faith is action!! As soon as we start to reason, we have entered the “doubt” realm, the place where NOTHING HAPPENS!!!!

I know I am guilty of this even after 29 years of walking with God, now I can say, but Peter had no excuse because he was walking side by side with the Master, after all he saw him, touched him, spoke with Him followed him in the flesh for 3 years, if the mind is not renewed and the heart is not exposed to see its true colors, then we will always lack the faith.  Glory to God, we are on a journey and God is leading us to greater things, greater faith! He sees mans frailties and is patient with us because he looks at the heart and sees the hunger.

So lets travel to chapter 15:15-16 we have Jesus talking to the Pharisees and he is addressing their hypocrisy. As he is explaining to the multitudes, he says “Hear and understand” vs. 10.Then we see in verse 15 Peter asks Jesus to declare to them the meaning of the parable. Jesus response was “are you also without understanding? I wonder if Jesus was getting a bit impatient, with them and there lack of faith and understanding?

The word understanding there means-mental perception, and apprehension to perceive with thought, discern, reflect.

It is almost like Jesus is saying can you just use your noggin and think a bit and even reflect over the last few days and see all that my Father in heaven has done around you!, I know he probably did not have that attitude ,but I think I may of thought like that if I was Jesus.

No sooner after that account of the walking on the water feeding the 5000, do we see another account of the feeding of the 4000.Matt. 15:32-39

Here they question him again!!! Mat 15:33 and the disciples say unto him, whence should we have so many loaves in a desert place as to fill so great a multitude?

Thank God I am not Jesus because truthfully I think I would be slapping them up the side of the head by now!! (Just kidding) So then we go onto chapter 16:5-12 here they forgot to take bread when they got to other side, and Jesus warns them about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, again they were void of understanding and lack of faith! Jesus goes on to remind them of the miracle of the feeding and how it was not reflecting that at all but that he was referring to the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

 Mat 16:7  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, We took no bread.

Mat 16:8  And Jesus perceiving it said, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have no bread?

I think up to this point Jesus finally thought I have to ask them “who do you say that I am”? Of course Jesus perceives everything, he is God after all, but He challenged them, it allowed them to do a bit of soul searching and say “I am following this man who does miracles and heals, and I find I am still lacking the faith to believe in Him”.

And of course it is Peter who speaks up and says, “Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living GOD”

Mat 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven.

Mat 16:18  And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Mat 16:19  I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

So here we see Peter had a “light bulb” experience, or as we say it a revelation. Even though he wavered back and forth with his faith it was here  that the  Father revealed to him that Jesus was the Christ, but no sooner did he jump back into the carnal reasoning and try to correct Jesus in saying He would not suffer,Matt.16:21-28.

Back to the name change, Jesus saw the character change in Peter, he does not see who we are so much but who we will become, thank God for that, He takes us the way we are and he changes us into what he wants us to be. Peter means “rock” Jesus was prophesying to Simon Bar-jona, Has God told you things about yourself things he sees you accomplishing? Promises? I am sure he has, now hang on to those “Rehmas” and speak them, pray them and believe them!

Jesus was declaring to Peter  the authority that  he would be given, keys represent authority, but Jesus knew Peter was going to go through some rough waters before he actually walked in the greater revelation of knowing Him.

Ok so now hopping over to chapter 17 we see the transfiguration and the scene where the disciples could not cast out the demon. The reason I am showing you each experience with the disciples is to see how they really had no excuse to their lack of faith, but at the same time I do not want to sound like if I was in their shoes I sure would have faith, because the truth is I do not know how I would respond seeing what they saw.

 So the disciples could not cast out the devil, now Jesus is saying faithless, not little faith, that is  the opposite of little faith at least with “little faith” you have some faith, but now he is telling them they have no faith, which is the meaning of an unbeliever!

Mat 17:16  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

Mat 17:17  And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him hither to me.

Mat 17:18  And Jesus rebuked him; and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour.

They asked why could we not cast out the devil?

Mat 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

 That word unbelief, is the same meaning as “O faithless”-the act of disbelieving, the lack of acknowledgement of Christ, It means disobedience.

Unbelief is disobedience! It is an act, just like faith is an act, so if we choose to act out of unbelief we are sinning!

Now Jesus says in the last verse “howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. In other words if you are having a problem with believing, Jesus says pray and fast! I know for years I was taught that it was the demon that comes out with pray and fasting but that is not what it means. If you look at Isa. 58 the fasting chapter, and read about the fast that God has chosen you will see that in verse 7 of that chapter it says the kind of fast that God has chosen is to not hide thyself from thy own flesh. Fasting with prayer will deliver your flesh creature of not only unbelief but of many other critters that oppose the way of Jesus!

Let us look more closely at “if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed” Now I have also been taught that if your faith is as small as the seed of a mustard you can do anything! First of all if my faith was as small as that seed then I would see more happening, I think. If you look at the actual seed and see how it is the smallest of seeds in the garden, but when it is planted in rich soil it will reproduce with extraordinary rapidity, and it will grow out of all the other plants 10-12 ft high!

Do you understand? Read the parable of the sower Matt.13, It is all about the soil! If your heart is  the soil and your soil is fat and rich and healthy your faith will grow into such a bigger and greater faith! Break up your fallow ground, there are a lot of hearts that the ground is hard and crusty, a heart that does not want to change is not a good state to be in ,nothing will grow in that kind of soil!!

Jer 4:1  If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the LORD, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.

Jer 4:2  And thou shalt swear, The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory.

Jer 4:3 For thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns.

Jer 4:4 circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings.

››››Keep this scripture in mind.‹‹‹‹‹

Jesus used these analogies in the word to say the “the kingdom of God is likened to a grain of mustard seed”

If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed. These are comparisons, so we have to look at how that seed functions, it is not how small it is but how big it grows.

Ok so now we can go to chapter 21:18-22 and we have the account of the unfruitful fig tree; Jesus curses it because there was no fruit on it, and the disciples marveled.

 Mat 21:20 and when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, how soon is the fig tree withered away!

Mat 21:21  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Mat 21:22 and all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

The word doubt there means-oppose, (by implying to decide) denoting a channel or act, conclude

So in other words  you decide to believe in your heart anything is possible, but you have to decide, make a choice, which you will act in … faith or unbelief.

Remember faith is action; doubt is reasoning and mulling things over to long in your mind until you no longer believe, and SEE NOTHING!!!

Turn to Matt.26:31-46, it is the account of Peter telling the LORD that he will not deny Him, so spoke all the disciples. Then in verses 36-46 is the account where Peter could not keep his eyes open for one hour in the garden of Gethsemane. We see the weakness of the human nature thus far in not only Peter but many of the disciples, and how quick Peter was to speak of his commitment to Jesus. It was up to that point that Peter saw himself for who he really was. In Luke 22 is the only account where Jesus says that Satan wants to sift Peter.

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Notice Jesus never called him Peter, Peter, why? Because Simon means “to hear” intelligently, obedience, consider, carefully.

In other words, LISTEN TO WHAT I AM SAYING!!!! Up to this point Peter had not gotten it, Jesus was wanting his full obedient attention ,as he was about to go through something, that something was a whole lot of shaken!!

Now Notice Jesus did not say he was going to deliver him from the grip of Satan, but that his faith fail not, Peters weakness was his lack of faith, but Jesus was going to pray for him, that his faith fail not, did you know Jesus is interceding on the right hand of the Father for you that your faith fail not? Glory to God we have an advocate who continually stands in the gap for us! 1Jn 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

Peter was going to have to go through that sifting, I know that because Jesus says “when you are converted” there can be no conversion less there is a sifting! What was Peter’s conversion, and when did it happen? First let us look at the meaning of the word, Converted- to revert, to turn, revolution; revolution in the Webster’s Dict. means this; the act of revolving, one complete turn, any fundamental complete change. Peter had a mental change,(the mental change came after the weeping bitterly) when he denied the LORD, three times it was after he remembered the words of Jesus and he wept bitterly. Wept-means to wail out loud, bitterly- means violently.

Mat 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

Mat 26:70 but he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Mat 26:71 and when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

Mat 26:72 and again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Mat 26:73 and after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee.

Mat 26:74 then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Mat 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Peter repented, that is what converted means. He was converted when he saw the state of his heart and how he had rejected the Christ the One he followed for 3 years or so, and watched this man who knew to do miracles. Have you ever repented with wailing and bitterness? I know I have and after it was then that there was a revolution. You see it is after we are converted that we can strengthen our brethren; it is then that we can encourage and identify with one another. This was Peter’s time where he broke up his fallow ground (remember Jer.4:1-4).

There is so much more we could talk about on faith and doubt, I know for me my heart has not only been changed in this writing, but has been strengthen by Peter, knowing that the disciples were just like us, and if they can overcome so can we, let us go onto greater faith believing and trusting in the One we serve and knowing that he will always get us to destination.

In His Service

      Michele

THE THINGS THAT ARE PREPARED

It seemed wherever I read or whatever I watched I saw the scripture 1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

It seemed to me the LORD was trying to show me something, and as usual I sought Him concerning it and as usual I was a bit frustrated, in not hearing right away. So on Wedsday morning of this week he spoke to me in the morning and said, “For such a time as this have you been brought into the kingdom of God” Then I heard “Esther”

Well that took me on a very quick study as I was planning on sharing this on Fridays meeting, The LORD is always faithful to supply! What I was hearing the LORD say was that “It is time for my church to prepare, so that they can receive what I have prepared”. Church do you know what God has prepared for you?

If we look at the context of 1Cor. We see Paul was addressing not a spiritual people but a people who were still carnal, (1 cor.3) In verse 12 of chapter 1 it says we have not received the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Then in vs.14 he says but the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolish to him neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned.

Let me ask again do you know the things the LORD has prepared for you?

Are you spiritual or carnal? If you are spiritual then you will know the things God has prepared for you. The natural mind cannot even begin to sort out let alone understand what those things are, we have to be spiritual to hear and see. Just because you are saved and can talk about the LORD and know a bit of bible does not make you spiritual!

What God has prepared for us can only be received if we get ourselves to be spiritual; the problem is that many Christians are still yet carnal. So let us look at what he is saying in all this, the word prepares means:

PREPARED-2090-“TO PREPARE”,MAKE READY,OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ORDAINED BY God, future positions of authority, the coming kingdom, salvation personified in Christ, future blessing, divine judgments on the world, a preparation of oneself for every  good work.

2Ti 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.

2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge (cleanse thoroughly) himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We are being prepared for good works in the Kingdom of God, if a person purge himself of these things he will be meet for the Masters use, what was Timothy meaning there? Purge thyself from what things? Words, profane and vain babblings. The foundation of Christ is sure and the LORD knows them that are his. In a great house (church) there are many types of Christians, but the ones who are purged from these things will be used for the Masters use, and prepared for every good work, Glory!! Are you willing to purge yourself so  that you will be brought into the things God has prepared for you, this is the work that is happening in the body of Christ at this hour, may we have eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying for us in this time of the kingdom living!

Luke 1:17  And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared(make ready, prepared, of preparing oneself for war), for the Lord. Here it is talking about repentance.

The message of repentance is ringing in the land, not once again, but is always ringing; the problem is not everyone is willing to answer. Those who hear his heart in this hour are being prepared, a people who are made ready.

Let us go to the book of Mat 22:2 the kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

Mat 22:3 and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Mat 22:4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

Mat 22:5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, and another to his merchandise :( read the rest 6-14)

One of the things God has prepared is his dinner, (comes from a meaning best) (God has prepared the best for those who were invited) at the marriage for his son, many were called but they were busy, this is how it is today, the marriage of the Saviour is here, the dinner which is the communion of fellowship the getting acquainted with the Bridegroom is waiting but everyone is to busy. How sad the dad must feel no one wants to come and fellowship with his son, everyone is too busy building their ministries, everyone is to busy tending to their families, to busy cause they have to work, to busy cause they have to take care of the affairs around them to busy cause they are worrying about their lives here, and what their futures hold, they are just to busy! Those that were invited did not want to come, many are called few are chosen, If we so neglect the call of the LORD, he  will bid others who will answer the call.

Mat 22:11 and when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment

Garment- apparel (literally or figuratively): - array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.

A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position

The guest that tried to stay at the wedding was not endued with a fixed position in Christ; he was trying to be a part of the wedding without the requirements of proper attire. How dare we thing we can be a part of the wedding and not take the responsibilities of being dressed for the occasion!

Rev 19:7 let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made she ready.

Rev 19:8 and to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God.

The true bride will make herself ready, she will not resist in getting ready, she will take care as to prepare herself  she will array herself in fine linen,(righteousness, not her own righteousness for they are but filthy rags, but the righteousness of her Saviour)

Zep 1:6 and them that are turned back from the LORD; and those that have not sought the LORD, nor enquired for him.

Zep 1:7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, he hath bid his guests.

Zep 1:8  And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.

Strange -Adulterous, different, - alien, foreigner, strange (-r, woman). (Prov.23:33; Prov.5:3; Prov.2:16 Pro 23:33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Pro 5:3 for the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

Let me at this point say the strange woman is the false word, false teaching that is roaming in the Christian circle, it is words spoken that Jesus never spoke, or words taken out of context, it is the false church the religious system, it is the covering of adulterated words!

Zep 1:9 in the same day also will I punish all those that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

Zep 1:10  And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that there shall be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

Zep 1:11  Howl, ye inhabitants of Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

Zep 1:12  And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

There is complacency in the church, a message of comfort, numbness to the truth, laziness, no fear of God. To be settled on your lees is not to care, or be concerned. That is the present state of the church, but it is not the present state of the bride, as she is busy getting ready for the marriage to her Groom!

The ten virgins; five were ready five were not ;( read the whole parable)

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Mat 25:2 and five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

Mat 25:3 they that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Mat 25:5 while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Mat 25:6 and at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

Mat 25:7 then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

Mat 25:8 and the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

Mat 25:9 but the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

Mat 25:10 and while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready (same meaning as prepared) went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

Mat 25:12 but he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Isa 61:11 for as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

Jewels-(to complete, prepare, accomplish, something prepared that is any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress. Vessel or weapon) armor.

The bride will prepare herself as a vessel for her King.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

We are a holy city, a royal people, who should be adorned as a bride!

Why do we need to prepare?

For such a time as this, have you been brought into the Kingdom!!

Which brings us to the story of a woman who could probably never imagined what the future held for her.

Here is a King who had a feast to show the riches of his glorious kingdom and excellent majesty, he invited both great and small. (1:1-5)

(Keep in mind the similarities as to what the LORD has been saying thus far)

Queen Vashti refuses the command of the King, so in the place of the Queen the king’s servants suggest that they gather up all the young virgins and bring them to the palace to be prepared for the King. Esther was pleasant from the very beginning, she found favor with the keeper of the women, and she had not even seen the king yet. Due to the kindness she obtained from him, she was given things for the purification; this lasted for 12 months according to the manner of the women, six months with oil and myrrh and six months with sweet odors and with other things for purification. When she was brought to the King, the King loved her (2:17) Above all women she found favor and love.

Let me at this point say that if we as the bride purify ourselves of the things of this world and the things that weigh us down, and things that are not truth, we will find  favor and grace. We are being purified for things that God has prepared that is beyond our understanding, we will be prepared for things that we cannot even begin to imagine, for such a time as this have you been brought into the Kingdom of God, it is very important that you search your hearts and see if you have been wasting time in the things that God has not prepared, but have been prepared by man.

Esther was brought into the palace for such a time to see the Jews, her family set free from their enemy, Esther chose to take a stand no matter what the cost,(4:16) (4:11)

As she ended a three day fast she put on her royal apparel and stood in the inner court of the kings house, now remember she was not suppose to be there, she could of died, but she put on her royal apparel!! Glory to God!! She knew her position, she knew in her heart she reigned because of the favor and the preparation that had taken place. She knew the realm in which she abided in!

Royal-a rule, a dominion empire, kingdom realm, reign

5:2 says and it was so (to come to pass) because of her purification and readiness, which gave her the favor, it came to pass that the King granted her favor.

Three times the King asked her “what is your petition”? Know to day church that as you purify your hearts and lives that the King of Kings will grant you favor and delight in you to bring about all that he has prepared for you , for such a time as this have you been brought into the kingdom of your God!

So because of this there was a feast prepared in honor of the victory (9:17-22); 26-28)

This was the feast of Purim, it was not one of the national feasts but it is still recognized today amongst the Jews, the spiritual reality of the feast represents the principal of Jesus delivering his people.

The ‘Feast of Purim’ represents the principle of Yahweh delivering Israel. The principle of deliverance can be traced throughout the scriptures.

Israel was in bondage to sin and death under the Law of Moses and it was the Messiah’s job to deliver Israel from this psychological death (Gal. 4:3-5). He was the sacrificial lamb that brought an end to sin (Jn. 1:29).

It was the Messiah’s resurrection and outpouring of the Holy Spirit that regenerated the human soul. Israel rejoiced at being released from Haman’s death decree. Likewise, all of mankind rejoiced that the Messiah redeemed us from the curse of spiritual death that we were under as a result of Adam’s and Eve’s transgression. Paul said that the Messiah would: “…deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Heb 2:15).” In principle, we can see that anytime we are delivered from an adversity in life, which has us in bondage, this is truly the ‘Feast of Purim’ for each of us.

I find it truly amazing how God works, because when I received this from Him I did not know the month of March is the time of celebrating this feast (the month of Adar is March), So I hear the LORD saying this is a time to be joyful as you are being purged from the things that hold you back, and celebrate that you are being prepared for the things that he has prepared for you, because you love him!!

In His service Michele

MORTIFY YOUR MEMBERS

I have been disturbed, or bothered by something and as usual the way for me to release it is to write about it , so this is not for those who will be offended or can not handle confrontation, as for me I say things like they are, and if it is truth… let the truth been known. There is no excuse for us Christians, we have the Word to direct us and teach us what the Devils schemes are and how to better equip ourselves, there are common knowledge things that even a small child would know not to do, but yet you have Christian adults doing things they KNOW they should not do. I really have a problem with Christianity today, and it really has not changed but has probably gotten worse. I think I am pretty simple minded if the bible says something, especially to the mature, should we not have the brains to understand what it is saying? Why have we candy coated the gospel? What do you mean Michele? Since I have been saved 29 years, I have heard of a few well known leaders fall and sin being exposed. And I very well understand, “but for the grace of God do I stand”, but don’t you think we need to stop making excuses for the sins of the church? Should’nt we stop closing a blind eye to the things that go on, I know churches (that are right in my own backyard) where the leaders are aware of the sin of adultery in their congregation and they are closing a blind eye to it, what has happened to the TRUE gospel? Let me answer that for you, NOTHING!!! The question should be what has gone wrong in the hearts of the people? Let me answer that one for you, NO REPENTANCE, COMPROMISE, and IDOLARTY. Let us look at some scripture for a moment the bible says this in Col 3:1 if ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Are these Christians (who are leaders) have they been raised with God? 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. Of course they have when you give your life to God and you are baptized your laying your old man down and your new man is coming alive, but the secret is (which really is not a secret) but common sense, SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE!!! How can you seek those things which are above and be a mature Christian and still dabble in sexual sins of the flesh especially same sex!!(Any sexual sin)I have a problem with it. I can understand a new Christian (a babe) struggling with things but these are mature leaders that have been exposed! I have said for years if you have not dealt with your demons before you go into ministry, they will pop they ugly head up and bite you where the sun don’t shine!! All the more to say continually “God show me my heart and if there be any evil way show me”, just like David did. Again, the bible is so articulate as to what it says about how we conduct our lives here, how much more should the mature understand it? I am opened for someone to help me to understand this, but I am really tired of the crap that goes no in Christianity, How must the LORD feel with his children, I remember when I was little I was so disappointed when my dad was mad at me, I wanted to make it right, so that he was not angry anymore. As it is in the natural so it is in the spiritual, the church needs to make it right with their Father in heaven.

Col 3:2 set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:3 for ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? How more plainer can this be??

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The church has set their affections on the things of this world!! And there needs to be a real eye opener to repentance. I am tired of greasy grace!!

What really bugs me is that these people go on national TV and expose there sin, again someone help me to understand this. My bible tells me to go to one another, in the church, to deal with sin, not go on National TV, where God is made a mockery!!!

Col 3:5  Mortify ( to deaden, that is, (figuratively) to subdue: - be dead, mortify.)Subdue means, gain dominion over, as by war or force, to repress (emotions, impulses)

 therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: do you know what the word concupiscence means well the Webster’s says it means this , unknown or illicit sexual desire, lust, any inordinate appetite or desire. The Greek meaning is this: a longing (especially for what is forbidden) lust (after) to set the heart upon to covet, a passion

Why is it we see men and women of the faith falling into sexual sin? Instead of finding excuses for them, why not address the real problem…SIN. Maybe we need to hear more preaching about purity to God then how to make more money!

How is that it is SO plain in scripture, but yet Christians can still find reasons to give in to the flesh, and THINK that their sin will not be found out? Is there a difference in falling short say in anger than sexual sin? I think both are a snare of the enemy and both are a breach in our lives. But I think putting off and Mortifying are to different things. “Putting off” means to lay aside, or lay down, cast off, to put away , it is like taking off a garment, Now Mortify means to subdue, in other words GO TO WAR AND GAIN DOMINION OVER THOSE IMPULSES!! Again we have not been left IGNORANT!! So there is no excuse for  those things, there needs to be a recognition in the body of Christ that SIN and that is what is happening when we see leaders dabbling in the things that they should KNOW to MORTIFY, but yet are standing declaring the Word of God and continuing in their sin … until they get caught, and lose everything, is it worth it?

Col 3:6 for which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: This is not written to the unsaved!! The bible is written to the church, HELLO!!!! The wrath of God will come down on those who practice sin, I know you do not want to hear this, but they are not my words they are the God of heaven and earth, and he has a standard for us to live by, why are we not living it!!! What we sow we will reap!! Gal 6:7  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Col 3:7 in the which  ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

I have been carrying this with a burning in my heart that the world is and has been hearing and watching through the media. It is high time we as Christians, especially mature ones, are you not mature if you have been preaching the word and studying it and running a church for years, to the point that you have thousands attending, a church does not grow over night, my point is if you are mature and you are teaching the things of God, you had better live what you are preaching!!! I know we are all capable of falling but it is common sense like I said before to know what is wrong in some things, it is different if you are maybe being deceived in some things and then a light goes on by the Holy Spirit, but sexual sin is and always will be blatant , even a child when he or she is brought up in a morally up right family with out the standard that most Christians have been taught to  live by will know that sex with the same sex is wrong or sex outside of marriage is wrong., Christians (who are leaders) who know to do right and do not do it. HE THAT IS BEGOTTEN OF GOD KEEPS HIMSELF

 1Jn 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

1Jn 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

1Jn 5:17  All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

1Jn 5:18  We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

3Jn 1:11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

I believe with all my heart the reason leaders have fallen into concupiscence is because they have not seen God, when you truly see Him and know him you will have fear that will cause you to MORTIFY your members so that you remain pure as he is pure!

 LET ME SAY THIS: IF YOU LOVE HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART SOUL MIND AND STRENGTH, YOU WILL NOT WANT TO HURT HIM SADDEN HIM DISAPPOINT HIM! This is my standard to righteous living. Loving him is the key to not sinning!! Yes it is a journey we are being changed from glory to glory, I know that, but when we know to do well and do not do it is SIN!! Jas 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

God did not make stupid people, yes they are blind in some cases, but there is no excuse for those who have been claiming to be mature, to give into something that a 10 year old would know is wrong!!

Look again at the meaning of the word MORTIFY- it means subdue-which means gain dominion over, as by war or force, to repress (emotions, impulses) Again we are equipped to overcome all compulsions of the enemy, of the flesh, he has made us to overcome , the question is do we want to, ? The truth is, sin is pleasurable, the truth is if it feels good do it, and the truth is THERE IS A PENALTY FOR SIN!! At least that is what my bible says. What happened to “take off your shoes we are standing on holy ground”, There is no fear of God in the church we have used him to build bigger and better (so we think) churches and ministries, only to see Humpty Dumpty fall down!! Listen I hope you hear my heart , I do not care if people think I am being judgmental , I know I am not, but I am raising my banner and it is a standard of holiness!! How about you? What is does your banner say? We are in a battle, continually , but we are the winners, the battle is the LORDS the victory is ours, there is a lifestyle we must gain ,and it is through warfare, we have to tell our flesh creature he is dead, it is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me!!! Is that so hard to understand for mature Christians? Again someone help me to see differently. If they can. We have to fight for the faith. We are soldiers in Gods army.

Jud 1:3  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.

Let me leave you with this, If your standard is coming from the pulpit or the TV preachers, or even a “good” book, but they are falling all around you, then you had better look again as to where you get your standard, the bible says study to show thyself approved, you had better know truth for yourself and what his heart is longing for because in most cases it always opposes mans ways. And seek the LORD with all your heart soul and strength, because it is His standard that will lead you into truth and life everlasting!

In His Service, Michele

Let us “put on” the armor of God.

The LORD has been impressing upon my heart for a while about “putting on.” In our walks with the LORD we are told to “put on” and “put off”, I will not address the “putting off’ at this time, there are a few scriptures that tell us what to “put on” I want to focus on “putting on” the armour.The LORD had me re-study this topic, again and I have to say you can never know all things in scripture, it is so refreshing to keep going over things you think you know, because truthfully it  winds up that you get a fresh revelation. The timing of me studying this was God, as it showed me the weakness and the breach  that I had left opened or allowed to be opened, for the enemy to attack me, This new year has been a challenge for Rob and myself we have been attacked left right and center, so I know the LORD has a purpose in everything, thank God I never let myself continue in my defeat, but I picked myself up and brush off the “bullet dust” and carry on!! Proverbs 24:16 says for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

Remember, it is ok to fall …as long as you get back up, that is the key, do not let the enemy hold you down!! The areas he tried to attack us in was concerning our health, for myself the LORD showed me I had opened a door to “offenses” (which is a whole other topic)allowing my guard to be down, and letting the enemy in to cause havoc !So it was a lesson learned hard. Glory to God though I do not stay down, I always say “he did not bring me thus far to see me fail” So all that to say that we have to “put on” our armor or we will be flying ducks to the enemy, let us go through Eph.6 and see what we can find.

Here are some scriptures that state we “put on”

Col.3:14- put on love

Col.3:12-put on, mercy, kindness humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering

Col.3:10; Eph. 4:24- the new man

 Eph.6:11- armor of God; 1Thess.5:8

Gal.3:27; Rom.13:12-14, Put on Christ, Light

Metaphorically (a figure of speech) “to put on” light of Jesus

What does it mean “to put on?” In the Greek it is as if you are slipping into a garment, it also speaks of being endued with some quality or power. When you wake up in the morning what is the first thing you do? If we are truthful, a lot of Christians probably do not “put on” Christ, I know I did not do that for years, I gave him my time when it was convenient, and usually it was not my best, I was tired and drained from the day, then I was left wondering why my day always went to the dogs! Until I started to habitually train myself, discipline myself, and yes it is discipline ;( Let me say here there is no excuse, when I had three small children I found time to spend with Him, back then it was not in the morning but when they were in school or napping, so make time for him however you have to) He is the first thing I go to! Actually I get my coffee first! And we have our coffee together! My day cannot start without being clothed, endued with His power, his word. I understand people are busy, and work, some are up very early, but the truth is that is no excuse, we find time to do other things, why can we not find time for the One who gives us life! And the truth is it is for our own good, it prepares us and keeps us in the secret place of knowing who we are in Him! Find what time is best for you, but just do leave Him to be last thing in your life. He so desires to meet with his children, He longs for it.

So looking at the meaning of the words, “put on” it means a fixed position. This is what I want to address, when we get into that fixed position we are letting the enemy know we are not going to budge in anything he throws at us .As we put on Christ we come into that position of being ready and able to take the Land!!! Just as the meaning says in state, place, or time. No matter what state you are in  no matter what time it is and no matter what place you are in.

G1746-put ye on (sinking into a garment, to invest with clothing to endue, a fixed position (in place, time or state)

Enduo-1746-to enter into, get into, as into clothes “to put on”, to provide or endow as with some quality or power, to put on.

Now I believe that in order to put on the armor of God you have to clothe yourself first with Christ, (which is a lifestyle) and allow the clothing of the new man also, you cannot put the armor of God on the carnal man, right? When the new man which is renewed in knowledge arises, he then knows to endue himself with the things for war!

PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD

Eph 6:10 finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Being in a fixed position with the whole armour of God)

Eph 6:12 for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

1)-Put on Christ

2) Put on the new man-Col.3:10(which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him) Eph4:24; 2:15 (which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness)

3) Put on the armor of God.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS TO GETTING INTO THAT “FIXED POSTION”?

 Remember: WE POSIION OURSELVES WITH WORSHIP WITH PRAISE AND DECLARING THE WORD OF GOD, WE DANCE, WE ARE THANK-FUL WE LOVE,   And YOUR WORSHIP IS YOUR WEAPON!! YOUR PRAISE IS YOUR WEAPON!  DECLARING OUT LOUD (setting the trumpet to your mouth, (metaphor) (is to prophesy) IS YOUR WEAPON! (READ Numbers 10:9)

Num 10:9 and if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

The land is your life your very existence, and when the enemy comes to disrupt things, SOUND THE ALARM!!! YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED BY GOD!!!

There is a responsibility on our part to all this when a man goes to war he does not just sit around and let all the other men do all the work , he gets himself into the position that he has been enlisted for and gives his all and fights! Continue below with the rest,

WHAT IS THE ARMOUR OF GOD?

Armour-3696-any implement or tool for preparing a thing, arms used in warfare, weapons. Well we know full well that we do not go and literally put on implements for war, our warfare is not carnal, amen? We do have an enemy, and we are not to be ignorant of his devices 2 Cor. 2:11.

Read 2 cor.10:3-5

 WE DO NOT FIGHT WITH CARNAL MEANS,

 Amplified Version:

 3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

    4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,

    5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

King James Version:

 2Co 10:3 for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds ;)

2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The battle is in the mind!! We are told to cast down those things that exalt themselves above the knowledge of God, So if you know who you are in Christ you will be able to do this but unfortunately a lot of the church does not know who they are, in Him, they walk around with there tail between there legs all bruised and beat up and lying in the gutter wounded!! If you are hearing anything other than good things in your thinking then you are under attack, if man is telling you that you have no ministry, that there is no room for you in this place(religious system) do not loose the vision or dream that God has given you , it is God who opens doors for you not man!and it is up to you to take action and cast that down, using promises and scripture, we have to do our part!! There are to many wounded Christians who are waiting for the heavens to open and God to deliver them of all there trials, when the reality is we have the means to deliver ourselves from the situation, We have the word abiding in us, the anointing that abides in us is life and power, and if we have placed ourselves in the “fixed position” then we can fight and over through our God!!

Look at David in -1Sam.17 (please read)

Here David is gong to fight Goliath,(I am sure everyone knows the story)David is a young boy with the confidence of knowing who his God is, after all God has delivered him from the enemy before and he lets Saul know this, that just because he is young , he is a warrior, verse 33-37. Now Saul tries to arm David with his own armor, but David was not use to it so he took them off. Let me at this point tell you who Saul is, he is a “type”: the apostate king” the false, the religious system. Goliath is a “type” deifier of Israel. David knew he could not fight Goliath with the means of religion (mans ways) he went in the Name of his God, verse 45-46, he knew the LORD would deliver him into his hands and cut off the head of Goliath, so he took 5 smooth stones, and they representing this: 5-number of grace and atonement, life, the cross, stones are symbolic of strength and stability in Christ and the believer, Jesus is the Corner Stone! We overcome the enemy with the work of the cross and the life of Christ in our lives, for it is by grace that we can overcome his grace not of works (religion). Man will give us means and programs and ideas, but God wants us to KNOW him, and to LIVE in him and have our being in HIM!!! If we do not know who we are in him we will continually be taken down by the enemy!!!

So where did the stones kill Goliath? Right in the forehead! The forehead is symbolic of thought, reason, mind and memory. Remember 2 Cor 10, Casting down every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of God!! WOW!!! This is good preaching!!!! Are you hungry for truth? Do you need answers to why you are always overcome with depression and misery, and sadness and lack? The bible is a manual for equipping, did you know that? We are so blessed to have the privilege to be able to have this manual, to have the right to read and study it, but the sad thing is a lot of us do not even pick it up, except on Sundays. There may come a day where we will not be able to have bibles, then what? Thy words have I hid in thy heart…., Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and light unto my path. Church, READ AND STUDY YOUR BIBLES, NOT WHAT THE PASTOR IS SAYING, READ READ READ READ READ!!! The truth is when the trials come you are really in it a lone, so who is going to fight for you? Sure we have friends and families that pray but as I know, from experience, you are battling a lone, and if you do not have the armor on and you are not “fixed” in that position you will succumb to your adversary!!

Eph 6:10 finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

 EL ELYON-the strong one. JEHOVAH NISSI-the LORD is my banner of defense! Glory to God he is the strong one, he is our defense and our banner, these are His Names that we can declare to the enemy that our God is EL ELYON!!! He is JEHOVAH NISSI!!!

WHAT DOES PUTTING ON THE ARMOUR OF GOD ENABLE US TO DO?

STAND!!!!

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

G2476-stand- abide, appoint, continue, establish, hold up, stand still

Read Joshua 3:8-11

Here is a story of Joshua, leaving Shittim and journeying to the Jordon, before they were to pass over the Levitical priest were to go before  them with the ark of the covenant(which is the presence of the LORD) You must have the presence of the LORD to follow, you cannot stand without it! In verse 4 it says,

 , 4Yet a space must be kept between you and it, about 2,000 cubits by measure; come not near it, that you may [be able to see the ark and] know the way you must go, for you have not passed this way before. When we have the presence of the LORD before us we will know the way in which we should go, for usually when the attack of the enemy comes we do not know it until it hits, right? Then is verse 5 it says sanctify yourselves, separate yourselves from the things that oppose the truth of Gods word if you are playing with sin or whatever is opposite of Gods way then do not expect to prevail against the enemy! So far we have first the presence then setting ourselves apart, we are in the world but not of the world. The priests moved forward and they stood still in the midst of the Jordon, while Israel passed over, verse 8 and 17. As we know there is no more a Levitical priesthood we are the priest of the LORD, so it is with that we can learn and see that as we put first the presence of our Lord and set ourselves apart, and stand, we will overcome!

 Josh.7:1-12; (please read) also read Joshua 6. Here is another story of Joshua, where they are told to march around the walls of Jericho (chapter 6) this is all about obedience. They were told in verse 17-18 to keep themselves from the accursed and devoted things, other wise it would trouble the camp. In Chapter 7 we see that they did commit a trespass, and as they went to fight Ai, about 3000 of them , it says they fled, and 36 of then died, verse 5 says the hearts of the people melted and became like water (amplify) Even Joshua cried out to the LORD and said why have you brought us here? Was it to give us into the hands of the enemy? But what was Gods response? Verse 10, GET UP!!! Israel has sinned. Verse 12 says that is why the Israelites could not stand before their enemies, but fled before them. Church we cannot expect God to cover us if we have sin in our lives, if you are overtaken in battle and you do not understand ask the LORD to show you why and he will just as he showed Joshua. Get up!! Repent; get into the presence of God, set yourself apart to God and get back in the fight!

Isa.21:8; 1 cor.2:5;1 Cor.16:13;2 Cor.1:24;Gal.5:1Phil.1:27;4:1;1Thess.3:8;2Thess.2:15

WHAT ARE WE STANDING AGAINST?

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Wiles- it comes from the word “method” cunning arts, deceit, craft, trickery, and schemes, to lie in wait. Eph 4:14 (to lie in wait)

 Just as the devil has methods of deception, God has strategies of truth; those are our weapons against the enemy! He is waiting to trick us, to deceive us, and we are not ignorant of his devices, as you see in Eph 4:14 he uses man and the doctrines of man, 14So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of [c]unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.

 If what you are believing is comfort to your soul realm then you are in error, the truth of Gods word is a two-edged sword cutting asunder the soul and spirit. The gospel I know is not about comfort but about killing the flesh and crucifying the carnal man that opposes itself and sits on the throne thinking it is god! If anyone out there can tell me that dying to the flesh is comfort, let me know! Now do not get me wrong here, God is my comfort and my life is hid in Him therefore I am at peace and rest, but if you are feeding your carnal man with the delicacies’ of this life so you do not have to change, and you like what you are hearing because it does not require you to change then you had better think twice about what you are allowing into your ear gate!

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

 We have to arm ourselves with the TRUTH OF GODS WORD, SPEAK IT, WALK IT, ACT IT OUT, REPEAT IT, SING IT, and SHOUT IT. That is part of the armor of God.

 Again go back to 2 cor. 10 (casting down vain imaginations)

 2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Think on good things, Phil.4

Eph 6:13 wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to **withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

**G436-withstand

To stand against, that is, oppose: - resist, withstand.

 We need to resist the enemy and the only way we can do that is with the armor on; you cannot do it any other way!

Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

So we are in that fixed position,(putting on) standing with the amour of truth, and where is the truth? It is girded about our loins, so let’s look at what the loins are.

G3751-loins

Of uncertain affinity; the loin (externally), that is, the hip; internally (by extension) procreative power: - loin.

The procreative power, that is where we create words, thoughts, intents, it is where we think and what we believe, again, 2 Cor.10 casting down everything that exalts itself above the knowledge of God!! The thoughts the mind are to be fasten as it were with a belt of TRUTH!!! 1Pe 1:13 wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

What are you creating in your thought life? What lies do you believe? Recognize the enemy and cast them down so that you can arise into the man and woman of God that you are suppose to be!

GIRT ABOUT-From G4012 and G2224; to gird all around, that is, (middle or passive voice) to fasten on one's belt (literally or figuratively): - gird (about, self).

From G2223; to bind about (especially with a belt): - gird.

Probably akin to the base of G2218; a belt; by implication a pocket: - girdle, purse.

From the root of ζεύγνυμι zeugnumi (to join, especially by a “yoke”); a coupling, that is, (figuratively) servitude (a law or obligation); also (literally) the beam of the balance (as connecting the scales): - pair of balances, yoke.

WITH TRUTH-the word with is the same meaning as the word “put on”, a “fixed position” so having a “fixed position “of TRUTH, I cannot express enough, you must find truth in your situation and then fix yourself in that stand and do not move till you see the salvation of your God, I do not care what you have to go through DO NO MOVE FROM YOUR POSITION IN GOD!! If you are not use to doing that, I will not lie it will not be an easy fight, but you already have won you just have to get there.

 Joh 14:6 ;1Jn 2:27; 3Jn 1:4 ; 1Jn 1:5 ; 1Jn 1:6 ; 1Jn 1:7;  1Jn 1:8 ; 1Jn 1:9 ;

1Jn 1:10 

I will end with that and we will continue this study next time.

In His Service      Michele

JACOBS WELL

On the 23 rd of December I woke up as usual, no sooner did my eyes open and I heard the LORD say “The church will be mine in 2009” as I got my coffee and sat down, it was then the Lord spoke to me and said “Jacobs well” for a few days I kept asking the LORD to show me what he was saying about Jacobs well, The only account in the bible I could find was in John 4, I did not rush in about anything I just continued to pray.

Today is New years eve, the 31^st of December, 2008,it is early morning, and I am asking the LORD again if there is anything in what he gave  me, it was then the Holy Spirit brought my attention to how many days it was from the 23^rd to the 31^st (counting the 23^rd of Dec. as 1) it has taken me 9 days to hear what the LORD was saying concerning this. I love it when I hear the heart of the Father, as I have written before many times that is my passion to know Him and hear his heart beat! Well as some of you know by now that read any of my writings will know I am all about interpreting scripture right, weather it be literal, symbolic or in type, we have to know what the LORD is saying. So as the LORD brought to my attention the number of days  I thought upon this, that it had taken me 9 days, which caused me seek out the meaning of the number, and then I thought, 9 days, and 2009 is approaching. So with that I did a search and found the meaning of the number 9. It means;

  Judgment,, the conclusion of an ending, or a matter, it represents the conclusion of mans works, it represents finality. So I swear in my wrath they shall not enter into my rest.(Hebrews 3:11) the phrase “my wrath” in the Greek has the numeric value of 999.The Hebrew meaning for the number 9 is ;to look at or to regard, gaze at or about.

  1Pe 4:17 for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begins at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

1Pe 4:18 and if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

2009 will be fast upon us, it will be here as you are reading this. I do not think judgment is a bad thing; judgment is the LORD chastening us.  The church will be His not mans not any organization nor any program, nor any idol or god, the church will be his; the conclusion of mans ways and works are coming to finality, it will be handed back to him, even if it is through judgment! For some that judgment will be brought on because what you sow you will reap, and your own wickedness shall chasten you, Jeremiah 2:19.

Here are the meanings of the words;

JUDGMENT-

From G2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): - avenge, condemned,  damnation, + go to law, judgment.

 to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, punish: - avenge, conclude,  damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

In 1 Peter4:17, for the time has come that a decision must begin in the house of the LORD.

 Church we are in a time, where there needs to be a lot of decisions in our heart about whom we are going to serve. The line is being drawn in the sand!

Let’s look at the what the wrath of God is; “my wrath” Read Hebrews 3:1-19

Heb 3:10 wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, they do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.

Heb 3:11 so I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest.)

We read in Hebrews that we are not to harden our hearts as they did in the wilderness; He was grieved with that generation has it changed today? In verse 10 it says they always erred in their heart and they did not know his ways. Just as He swore in his wrath then I believe he is doing the same today in his church, look at the meaning of the word wrath.

WRATH

From G3713; properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), that is, (by analogy) violent passion

Middle voice of apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary (compare G3735); to stretch oneself that is, reach out after (long for): - covet after, desire.

Feminine of H5676; an outburst of passion: - anger, rage, wrath.

His wrath towards his children is that of passion and desire, He is a jealous God and he covets our love and commitment. He will reach out after us and long for us until he apprehends us. And it may be through means that we may not like. That is love! That is chastening!

 Ezek 22:13-33; 31

Eze 22:13 Behold, therefore I have smitten mine hand at thy dishonest gain which thou hast made, and at thy blood which hath been in the midst of thee.

Eze 22:14 Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the LORD has spoken it, and will do it.

Eze 22:17 and the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Eze 22:18 Son of man, the house of Israel is to me become dross: all they are brass, and tin, and iron, and lead, in the midst of the furnace; they are even the dross of silver.

Eze 22:19 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; because ye are all become dross, behold, therefore I will gather you into the midst of Jerusalem.

Eze 22:20  As they gather silver, and brass, and iron, and lead, and tin, into the midst of the furnace, to blow the fire upon it, to melt it; so will I gather you in mine anger and in my fury, and I will leave you there, and melt you.

Eze 22:21 Yea, I will gather you, and blow upon you in the fire of my wrath, and ye shall be melted in the midst thereof.

Eze 22:22 As silver is melted in the midst of the furnace, so shall ye be melted in the midst thereof; and ye shall know that I the LORD have poured out my fury upon you.

Eze 22:31 therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD.

Now I am not saying that wrath and judgment does not entail a sentence or a verdict, and that it is all “lovey dovey”, but I believe with all my heart that his wrath and judgment is what’s going to change the church, in this hour, and it does not mean it will not be a good year either, again I am a firm believer that the way we think and the way God thinks is two different ways, and it is high time we line up to his standard! Are we going to be able o stand in the day of his purging? His fire is blowing on the church this year!

 So let’s go back to Hebrews 3

 Heb 3:18 and to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?

Heb 3:19  so we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

REST- From G2664; reposing down, that is, (by Hebraism) abode: - rest.

From G2596 and G3973; to settle down, that is, (literally) to colonize, or (figuratively) to (cause to) desist: - cease, (give) rest (-rain).

A prime. Verb (“pause”); to stop (transitive or intransitive), that is, restrain, quit, desist, and come to an end: - cease, leave, refrain.

That rest is a coming to the end of our works, mans works, the arm of the flesh! It is us coming into the abode, the dwelling place of God, where we trust and believe Him with all our hearts and look to him and not man anymore, nor to our own abilities and strengths.

This is where I see the judgment coming, the church has been in a state of unbelief for a long time, God contended with Israel in the Old Testament and it is no different today, they were our example, amen? How much did they waver and grumble in the wilderness? They looked to man and idols then it is no different today God will go from generation to generation until he apprehends his people.

UNBELIEF-570-faithlessness or uncertainty, distrust, unbelief, in the New Testament, lack of acknowledgement of Christ, lack of acknowledgment of Christ’s power.

It is those who Do not acknowledge Jesus in any situation but put their trust in the things of this world in the money system in the doctors, and so forth, we have to ACKNOWLEDGE HIM!!! I am not saying do not go to a doctor, but in going remember, “Whose report will you believe?” These are the ones that do not enter his rest.  When the trials come and they will, it is then you will be really tested (I know what I am talking about) where will you look? To whom will you run, who will be your supply? We think we have it all together until the adversity hits until the trial arises and all hell breaks loose! Those who know there God will find their abode (rest) in Him, Those who know God will drink from the fountain of the Living waters.

WHAT HAS JACOB’S WELL HAVE TO DO WITH JUDGMENT?

Jacobs’s well-   Joh 4:5  Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

Joh 4:6  Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

Joh 4:7  There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

Joh 4:8  (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

Joh 4:9  Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

Joh 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Joh 4:11  The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

Joh 4:12  Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

Joh 4:13  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

Joh 4:14  But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

 So what could Jacobs well have to do with all this? Well as you read the above scripture it is pretty plain that Jesus is the living water leading to eternal life, have we forgotten that he died a gruesome death? FOR US!!! Crucified that we may live and have eternal life, not just the life after this, but here and now life abundantly, and for those who think temporally, like prospering with things of this world that is not what I mean, because when you truly have a drink of the living water and you keep drawing from that living water you will not ever want nor be thirsty again!! GLORY!!!!! After all that is what he said to the Samaritan woman, are we any different today? There are a lot of thirsty people out there who quench their thirst with the things of this life, and the LORD is saying no more!! I AM the LIVING WATER I HAVE COME TO GIVE YOU A DRINK! THAT IS WHY I DIED, THAT YOU MAY HAVE LIFE! The message from the beginning has been that, to you who are thirsty come and drink for I am the fountain of Living water, where can we go but to the Rock! God has always called us to come and drink, but man always wants to do it his way, man always wants to create and build other means, and attach the Name of God to it, this year 2009 will be a year of Gods divine judgment on mans ways and actions.

What I saw that the LORD showed me was this, The Samarian woman represents the church, the church has drawn from the well of man, I thought about the well of Jacob and why was it not called the well of Israel? I mean after all Jacobs name was changed to Israel, Well Jacob means supplanter (which means to take the place of, by scheming, to replace)Man has taken the place of Christ to long, and just as she said to Christ in verse 12 “are you greater than our father Jacob?” In today’s church it is no different; we have made man greater than our God! If we continue to look to man draw from mans source we will be thirsty, but when we draw from the fountain of living waters GLORY!!!!! YOU WILL NEVER THIRST AGAIN!! Let us look for a moment at what a well is, symbolically it is a symbol of refreshment, source of water of life, the Webster’s dictionary say it is “source of supply” .Who is your source of supply?

 I believe also this New Year will be a year of sending forth those who have been hiding in the caves and waiting for the thrust of their God, it will usher a new breed of men and women who have been waiting and hoping in their God, and drinking from the source of heaven, their Creator, Living water. The day of mans works are coming to an end; God will shine in this new year in those who have KNOWN their God, and His heart!!

Look at Jeremiah chapter 2, we will go through this chapter, and see the heart of God for his people, and know it has not changed today, for God is the same yesterday, today and forever! Here the word of the Lord comes to Jeremiah, he is reminding the people of their commitment to Him, their marriage and love to one God. They were the first fruits of his harvest. In verse 5 God is asking what unrighteousness did your fathers find in Me, that they went far from Me and habitually went after emptiness falseness and futility and themselves became fruitless and worthless? Even today God is asking what has caused his people today to trust in the arm of the flesh, and the things of this world.

 And in verse 6 no one says “where is the LORD”? There is no remembrance of who and what he is and did to them, they have left there first love. If you leave your first love you will most assuredly go find another love.

Even the priests and the shepherds and the prophets do not say “where is the LORD?  They follow after things that do not profit (gods of this world) they make their own agendas, only causing the hearts of the righteous to suffer.

 In verse 9 it says,

Therefore or some translation say wherefore A primitive root; properly to be erect (that is, stand perpendicular) the word perpendicular means upright or vertical, plumb rule, perpendicular position moral uprightness, a plumb line.

So now let s look at that verse again

Jer 2:9 Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children's children will I plead.

The Amplified version says this; Therefore I will still contend with you (by inflicting further judgments on you), says the LORD and with your children’s children will I contend.

God loves the church so much he will contend with her, He is coming to her with a plumb line in his hand a standard of uprightness, moral uprightness , until He sees her standing perpendicular,(morally upright to his standard) until she raises that plumb line just as he is that plumb line himself.

Let me at this point say this, the god of this world is coming down in 2009, it is the god of greed and lust of money, the pleasure of self, no longer will those false gods raise their ugly head in the house of the LORD! God is a jealous God and he said himself you will not have any other gods before him. That is why the economy is in the state it is in, and I believe it will get darker, but alleluia!!! the Light will shine through a people who are willing to let go of the gods of this world and serve the One True God!!! Jehovah!!!!

Jeremiah goes on to say in verses 11-13

Jer 2:11  Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit.

Jer 2:12  Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD.

Jer 2:13  For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.

Today the church has changed their God for the things that do not profit, she has hewed out cisterns (to dig), when you dig you have a well) that hold not the things of God but they are broken, they have only carried worthless empty things. There is no water in them, Jesus cannot condone the works of man, and he can not bless the works of the flesh! If you are wondering why you are not seeing freedom and blessing and victory, is it because you have trusted in the arm of the flesh, the things that do not profit? In the Amplified version Jeremiah 17:4-5 says this ,And you ,through your own fault, will loosen your hand and discontinue from your heritage which I gave you; and will cause you to serve your enemies in a land which you do not know, for you have kindled a fire in my anger which will burn throughout the ages. Vs 5 Thus says the LORD: Cursed (with great evil) is the strong man who trusts in and relies on frail man, making weak (human) flesh his arm, and whose mind and heart turn aside from the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:6

For he shall be like a shrub or a person naked and destitute in the desert; and he shall not see any good come, but shall dwell in the parched places in the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. (John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.)

    7[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.

    8For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spreads out its roots by the river; and it shall not see and fear when heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease yielding fruit. (Those that trust and lean upon their God with all openness of heart and willingness of change, will not fear when the judgment comes, they will rest in the everlasting arms of Jesus, and say change me LORD make me like you)

    9The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?  

(I am amazed how Christians are so adamant about protecting what is in their heart they will build fortified walls around their “doctrines” never open to possibly being in error, contorting scripture or believing w hat “man” has taught them, or believing a lie about themselves, I will never make it, I will not amount to anything, when we have that attitude we are basically saying God is liar, he will not get me through this situation, church that is not FAITH!! And without faith it is impossible to please Him .These are the people who never study to show themselves approved 2Tim.2:15 they are unteachable, and stout hearted, because the truth is the heart is deceitful above all things, those are not my words, that is scripture, but we go on protecting our scared cows, whether it be a belief system we have set up or whether it be what was taught to us)

    10I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.

   13O Lord, the Hope of Israel, all who forsake You shall be put to shame. They who depart from You and me [Your prophet] shall [disappear like] writing upon the ground, because they have forsaken the Lord, the Fountain of living waters.

    14Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise.

 Joh 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

Joh 7:38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

 Rev 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

GLORY TO GOD, IF ANY ONE IS THIRSTY; ARE YOU THIRSTY FOR TRUTH AND THE THINGS OF GOD NO MATTER WHAT THE COST WILL BE? Then come and drink, take in consume digest all that he is and partake of the LIVING WATER, and he will quench your thirst.

2Pe 2:17  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

2Pe 2:19  While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Here in 2 Peter it talks about those wells with out water, they have no living water flowing through them they only have SELF and DESIRES OF THE FLESH, while they promise liberty, they are servants of corruption, OF WHOM MAN IS OVERCOME, now that is so simple in understanding, For when they speak GREAT SWELLING words of VANITY, what is vanity? SELF, THE god OF SELF!!! The flesh loves to hear the things that tantalize the flesh creature.

I

 Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

What does your well consist of? Does it have the living water springing up or is stagnant water, polluted water, bitter water?

 Now let us look again at the meaning of the number nine; The Hebrew word for nine is tish-aw derived from a word meaning, to look at, or to regard, gaze at or about, judgment.

It is my conviction as I felt the LORD giving me this that is what I sense the LORD is saying for 2009,I do not know what the word of the LORD is “out there” I can only seek him for myself and pray it is confirmed. To re-cap on all this I believe that 2009 is a year where we will see the judgment of God, on His church first 1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

It is my conviction that judgment is not a bad thing; it may hurt, and may cause sorrow but godly sorrow does cause us to repent

2Co 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

I believe in the last days the ministry of Elijah will return, which is the ministry of repentance Malachi 4:5-6, Elijah returned in the Spirit of John the Baptist, but now it needs to return in the day of the LORD. I believe it will come and is here and we must heed to the message of it as it will change us and make us into what the Father wants his church to be!

So you who are thirsty Jesus say’s “come and drink of the fountain of life”

 In His service,

 Michele

LOVE

24/11/2008

One day last week while sitting with the LORD, and addressing him about some things I have been facing and trying to overcome, and find answers for, I sensed he told me to read 1Cor.12, well you cannot just read 12 and not continue into 13, the whole book of Corinthians is a letter, so there are no breaks or chapters in it. And as usual I had the attitude as many of us do, “Oh I know what that is it is the love chapter” What could I possibly learn from that that I do not already know”. Well, what I have learned with the LORD is that He knows better than I do, and sees what it is I am lacking in, and what can bring about answers into my life. So right away I said LORD where do I not love? Who do I not love? Show me my heart? You know if we have that attitude before Him, where we let Him have full control over our heart, life can go a bit more smoother, I mean after all He does know us better than we know ourselves. Sometimes it may hurt, as He reveals things to us but hey, in the end it brings about change and that is what being a disciple of Christ is all about, if you are on the same track not going any where, facing the same giants the same problems then we need to be honest with ourselves and rise up and see our heart for what it is and take two steps forward and he will help us with the rest. Amen?

So as I asked Him the questions, right then a flash of someone’s face that had been a part of my life for over 2o years, came up before me. I knew exactly what he was showing me, where I had lacked in loving this woman as she was an elderly woman, and there were times throughout my inter action with her that she inconvenience me, without getting into a lot of detail I was convicted needless to say, so I repented, I corrected the problem that very next day as I knew where it was that I had come short, now it will not be a one time thing, but love is longsuffering and it is patient and it is forbearing, sometimes we conveniently put things aside that may disrupt our lives or rattle them, all in the name of God, and come up with excuses why we do not need to be in the company of some Christian brothers or sisters, Am I making any sense? So as I studied out the two chapters I came across some  meat, some of you may already be walking in the understanding of this but I would like to share what the LORD showed me, and it was for me, but most of what he shows me I try to always first apply it to my live, like the old saying if the “shoe fits wear it!”

First we will start in 1 Cor. 12, now in my bible the word gifts is in italics, that means man has placed that word there, so , if you remove that it says it a bit different,

1Corinthians 12 Now concerning spiritual gifts brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

I Corinthians 12 Now concerning spiritual brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

You have to read the  previous chapters as the letter continues on ,so you have to see what Paul was dealing with, previously he was dealing with a lot of baby Christians who were having contention , who were fornicating and  some were puffed up with pride, it sounded like there was a whole of flesh in this church!! (Please read the previous 11 chapters)Paul was addressing all people in the church, and it sounded like there was some confusion with the gifts regarding pride and position. So after chapter 11 he goes on to say: Now concerning, concerning what? Not spiritual gifts, but concerning spiritual brethren, He is now addressing the spiritual ones who were probably operating in the gifts and maybe were getting a bit to controlling and puffed up, just as we see in the church today, we have had ministry and we have had the gifts in operation, but there is a more excellent way. Just as Paul finishes his sentence, and what looks to go on to chapter 13.Lets look at the first verse again:

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL BRETHREN?

Spiritual-4152-from 4151, non-carnal

4151-pneuma (spiritually minded)

Being spiritual is not having a ministry and being a part of this organization or that organization, like I follow Copeland or I follow Joyce Myers (not putting these ministers down, I am just using these names as an example, hear my heart)  That is exactly what they were doing in the Corinthian church! There is a sense of pride that comes into mans heart when they are following a well-know ministry, or a well know person. We are called to follow Christ and to love! You can know ALL truth about a walk of faith. Or  A walk that is full of truth, but if you cannot come along side your fellow sister and brother while they are in pain and suffering, YOU HAVE NOT LOVED THE WAY JESUS LOVED!! Love is longsuffering and patience, it is bearing one another’s burdens when the person who is under a load of misery cannot go on! It was for love that God sent his Son! Where would we be if God did not send His Son for us? Not everyone overcomes on the same level! Let me at this point say this, if you have been saved for a long time and consider yourselves to have come to a place of being “spiritual” but all you are doing is sitting and warming your derrière on your comfortable padded pew and filling your already full belly, but you are not reaching out and asking God who needs ministry, who needs healing, who needs encouragement, who, God, is spiritually dying right around me?!!!!! Then you are blinded!  My dear brothers and sisters, being spiritual (spiritual minded) having the very breathe of God flowing through you is, to set others free, to bring a word in season through LOVE, L-O-V-E. So that they may rise up out of their misery and continue to go on.

As we have read the portion many times I am sure, though I speak with tongues, but have not love I am a sounding brass!! What good are we if move in our gifts and can preach up a storm and bring the house down, but our brother or sister is lying by the roadside in a load of misery and we just say , “brother rise up do you not know the word? Do you not know that you are an over comer? The truth is, they may not know that just yet, but it is our job as brothers and sisters to  come a long side of them and hold up their arms till they are strengthened!!! Do we really understand how many wounded Christians there are sitting right in the padded pews! But because we are so focused on having our ego petted we are more concerned with rising up in our calling(which most of the time has been man ordained) and gifts, and what we can get from God to bless us more, but forgetting the more excellent way. Or there are those Christians who may not bother with other Christians and just be content to stay by themselves, because it is easier to do that, then to have to share their  problems or carry some else’s.

Gal 6:1  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

1Co 14:12  Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

If we claim to be spiritual than we should walk in a manner that is worthy of this.

So if we are spiritual than we should not be ignorant

Ignorant-50-not to know (through lack of information or intelligence) by implying to ignore, comes from a word “to exercise the mind” (observe) to comprehend, to heed, and to consider. to discern

This is now to those who are reading, that claim to be spiritual, you are not ignorant, you do not lack the knowledge, nor can you not exercise your mind, you have the capacity to comprehend, to consider, and to discern. RIGHT? Then if we do not love the way the Lord wants us to love we are conveniently being ignorant when it is in our power to make the right choice! Paul was saying spiritual brothers and sister how much word have you had? How much revelation have you had? How long have you been saved? Isn’t it time to move on to a more excellent way? I do not believe that the LORD is so concerned about our ministries and how much we do; opposed to, have we met our brother’s needs. If we were really honest with ourselves we would see our hearts for what they are, would we rather take back seat and minister quietly to a brother, than be in the front seat and say look at what I can do? We are not ignoring the gifts, but what good are they if there is no love? What good are they if pride is operation? We are a many member body, we cannot function one without the other, even if the one member is marred ,we need it, we need to heal it, we need to nourish it and strength it back to wholeness.

So Paul ends his sentence with, but covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet I show unto you a more excellent way .vs. 31, what do you think the best gifts are?  Well if we read on in the letter we will see Paul goes on to say that though you have all the gifts in operation but have not love they are useless, does it mean you forsake the gifts? Not at all. It says in verse 13 and now abideth faith hope charity, these three, but the greatest of these is love. Love is always the greatest.  Because the letter continues in 14 and says follow after love desire spiritual but rather that you prophesy, why? Because to prophesy in love brings edification, exhortation and comfort (just the meaning of those words is another study within its self) 1Co 14:5  says, I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. 1Co 14:12  Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

1Co 14:24  But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:

1Co 14:25  And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

1Co 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

The stronger or noblest gifts are love and prophecy.

Vs 31 -But covet the best (nobler, stronger) gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

charisma

char'-is-mah a (spiritual) endowment, that is, (subjectively) religious qualification, or (objectively) miraculous faculty: - (free) gift.

of manner or act , especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the live, joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy).

A primary verb; to be full of “cheer”, that is, calmly happy or well off; impersonal especially as a salutation (on meeting or parting), be well: - farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy (-fully), rejoice.

WHAT IS THE EXCELLENT WAY? It denotes opposition, a throwing beyond others, far more exceeding, Excellency, out of measure, to surpass, excel; sudden motion, to disperse, to deposit. And frequently signifies opposition, distribution or intensity. Way- progress, a mode or means, journey

Way- progress, a mode or means, journey

This excellent way is a walk in life that puts us in a place of surpassing all that we think or feel it is laying down our lives for each other.

 Joh 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The world will not know we are His disciples because we have a lot of material goods, or because we good looking! It is by our love for one another, why do you think people get caught up in cults? They are looking to be loved and feel love!

Love is the more excellent way!

 Love suffereth long

Love is kind

Love envieth not

 Love boasteth in itself

Love is not puffed up

Love does not behave itself unseemly

Love seeks not its own

Love is not easily provoked

 Love thinks no evil

Love rejoices in truth not in evil

 Love bears all things

 Love believes all things

Love hopes all things

Love endures all things

LOVE NEVER FAILS

The word love is agape- to love, to breath after, indicates a direction of the will and finding one’s joy in something. Contrast to Philleo (5368) to be contented with denoting common interest, hence befriending. agape is used of Gods love toward man and vica versa.

Agape- love, translated charity meaning benevolent love, its benevolence, however is not shown by doing what the person loved desires, but what the one who loves deems as needed by the one loved (eg. …for God so loved the world…that he gave)He gave not what man wanted but what man needed as God perceived his need. Gods love for man is His doing what he thinks best for man and not what man desires. It is Gods wilful direction toward man. But for man to show love to God, he must first appropriate Gods agape, for only God has such an unselfish love.

WE ARE COMMANDED TO

PUT ON: Gal 3:27,eph 4:24; Eph 6:11 Rom 3:4

enduō

en-doo'-o

From G1722(denoting a fixed position) and G1416((to sink); to go “down”: - set).

 (in the senese of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively): - array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on

.Dictionary says the word endue means- To provide with a quality or trait; endow

Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfect ness.

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

So we are talking about a more excellent way

Vs 31 -But covet the best (nobler, stronger) gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.

Bond- a joint, a tie, a ligament, fig. a uniting principal, shackle,(of a prisoner) denoting union, by association, companionship.

Perfect ness- completeness(mentally and morally), character, of full age, prim word- to set out for a definite point or goal, uttermost, the point aimed at as a limit.

LOVE IS THE TIE THE LIGAMENT TO MATURITY, TO MENTAL AND MORAL CHARACTER. It is having the “God love’

So if we are spiritual (spiritually minded, not carnal, not babes in Christ any longer)

Then we are required to love the brethren and walk worthy of our call

 Eph 4:1  I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

Eph 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

Eph 4:3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Again His love is matured or perfected in us when we love one another 1John 4:12

We are called to prefer one another Romans 12:10 1. To choose or be in the habit of choosing as more desirable or as having more value: prefers coffee to tea.

2. Law

a. To give priority or precedence to (a creditor).

b. To file, prosecute, or offer for consideration or resolution before a magistrate, court, or other legal authority: preferred the suit in a higher court.

3. Archaic To recommend for advancement or appointment; promote.

We fulfill the law when we love one another Romans 13:8 1Jn 3:23  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

We love by serving one another Gal.5:13. to serve is , a slave, through subjection, to bind , be in bonds , knit together

Being knit together with a brother is going through their pain standing with them ,till they are free!

.

We are to provoke each other unto this love and good works Heb.10:24

 This must be our heart!

1Pe 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

1Pe 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.