... you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house , a holy priesthood - II Peter 2:5a
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"Popularity has slain more prophets of God than persecution ever did." Vance Havner
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How Does Our Faith Compare With These Old Covenant Believers?
"And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us." Heb 11:32-40
"... when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8
"... when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8
Jesus Christ Carries, and Strengthens His Own
"He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young... Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:11, 28-31
General Church Landscape Today Hardly Resembles the the Way of the Spirit
Much of Christianity today is involved in good works, but does not necessarily have the fingerprint of God. It is a man-works-oriented form of godliness in the same way that there are many man-works-oriented religions; and it does not have the spiritual maturity and power to stand in this "evil day." Ephesians. 6:13
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We Must Operate According to the Spirit of God if We Would Adequately Represent GodBut as it is written: "EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. I Cor 2:9-10
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The Acts of the Holy Spirit Study Coming in July!
It is of utmost importance that the body of Christ today learn and emulate the level of surrender shown by the early apostles, and many other believers of the first churches. Otherwise we will continue to be a man-works-oriented, impotent church. That is exactly what religion is - demonstrating a form of godliness (works and liturgy), but powerless. Without His divine power, we cannot possibly demonstrate Him as He really is, or stand in the evil day.
Join me for a continuing study through Acts beginning during the month of June! |
A Book of Remembrance
"Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. 'They shall be Mine,' says the LORD of hosts, 'On the day that I make them My jewels.' And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.' Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him." Malachi 3:16-18
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NEW
"You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." II Peter 3:17-18
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To Die?Since we are called to "die" while we are still alive, it is important that we understand just what it means to die. There have been many books written, and sermons preached on the subject. But we can sum them up by saying to die while alive is to be rid of self completely - it is to forgo all self-interests, self-generated ambitions, dreams and aspirations so that we are freed to live according to the perfect will of our Creator God completely. He may choose to actually make our natural abilities and interests a part of our new life in Him, but as one who has died and been born anew we must recognize that "old things have passed away, behold ALL things have become new." (II Cor. 5:17)
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New Live-Talk Radio Coming in July!
 Proclaim It Radio Link
Each week we will examine current trends and major events around the world in light of Biblical truth and prophecy. Also, we will be taking live call-in questions, and opinions from listeners.
Join us for an interesting and educational commentary, and to take part in the conversation. Starts Saturday, May 18, at 3:00 PM central time on various AM Radio stations across the country and around the world at www.blogtalkradio.com/proclaimitradio |
Spiritual Self-Confidence... a Trap!
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Thanks be to God that all born-again believers are "priests of the Lord" individually, and that through Christ each one stands alone before God. It is terribly unfortunate, however, that some erroneously assume they can stand alone in this life also.
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"For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." Romans 12:3
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God's Will, God's WayRegardless of all the good works we do, in order to please God by them we must be loyal to Him.
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New! Conference DVD Recordings Ready
These messages are now uploaded for your convenience, and you may view them by clicking here. If you would like your own copy please request them through the contact form and we will be happy to send DVDs to you free, and postage paid.
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Book Still in the Making...
This book has been in the making for about a year, and is still an important goal for our ministry to complete and make available to all. Thank you for your patience in waiting. We believe that it will be worth the wait for those who truly desire to know more about how the Lord would have us develop together into His full measure as members one of another.
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The Last Days Times Second Edition
The second edition of The Last Days Times is nearing completion and publication!
Articles Inside Include:
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A. W. Tozer wrote:
"Our mistake is that we want God to send revival on our terms. We want to get the power of God into our hands, to call it to us that it may work for us in promoting and furthering our kind of Christianity. We want still to be in charge, guiding the chariot through the religious sky in the direction we want it to go, shouting 'Glory to God,' but modestly accepting a share of the glory for ourselves in a nice inoffensive sort of way. We are calling on God to send fire on our altars, completely ignoring the fact that they are OUR altars and not God's."
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Plain and Simple: Remnant Action Still Lacking
Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work among this people, a marvelous work and a wonder; for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.” Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the LORD, and their works are in the dark; they say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?” Isaiah 29:13-15 [That "marvelous work" would include judgment before restoration.]
After many years of mingling with and observing the scattered remnant among those who profess Christianity, I realize that I have been making a wrong assumption.
I assumed that the remnant would actually draw nigh to God in the same way that they draw nigh to His message – but that is not so. It is true that many of the remnant draw nigh to the message of the Lord at critical moments, but it is not true that a notable percentage of the remnant are drawing nigh to the Lord. They want to be informed, but not transformed. There is a great difference.
As long as there is the tiniest shred of anything to hang onto for comfort and security, the vast majority of even the remnant are not willing to take definitive steps toward transformation into the fullness of Christ’s image. It is too costly and requires too much living faith – faith they have never had. A small percentage of them will draw near to the edge of transformation, but only a tiny handful of that small percentage will actually choose to take definitive steps toward transformation.
The prospects of real change among the remnant toward spiritual maturity looked promising beginning with the scare of the financial crisis that started back in 2008, but for the most part they came out into daylight just long enough to learn what God was saying about the matter for the benefit of knowing how they might protect their assets. Of course, many who came out were not part of the remnant at all, but the majority claimed to be. Well, after holding out for a few years until the immediate financial scare seemed to fade away, they went right back into their darkened corners where they felt comfortable and secure before the scare.
After proclaiming God’s message with much spiritual insight and with an undeniable anointing of the Holy Spirit, and seeing little more than lip service in response, we realized that only a spook for disaster was not enough to drive anyone to real transformation. The dollar must fail altogether for that – and even then there will be some who can continue to survive on their own, and will. Oh, how the spirit of individualism and independence does still reign.
Finally, after it has become clear that the umbilical cord of Americanism is about to be cut from Christians too (which news, by the way, has really brought an unprecedented number of believers out of the woodwork), still we do not see anything more than lip service. (We are sure that some, like us, are doing all they know to do, and that some steps into greater transformation are just not yet readily visible.)
Notwithstanding, I am convinced today just as I was a dozen years ago that “Christianity – American style” will reign even among the remnant as long as that remnant has the slightest thread to hang onto. Oh, well. The welcome mat into “Christianity- American style” is still at the door, even among the vast majority that call themselves the remnant.
“The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it…” Isaiah 1:5b
After many years of mingling with and observing the scattered remnant among those who profess Christianity, I realize that I have been making a wrong assumption.
I assumed that the remnant would actually draw nigh to God in the same way that they draw nigh to His message – but that is not so. It is true that many of the remnant draw nigh to the message of the Lord at critical moments, but it is not true that a notable percentage of the remnant are drawing nigh to the Lord. They want to be informed, but not transformed. There is a great difference.
As long as there is the tiniest shred of anything to hang onto for comfort and security, the vast majority of even the remnant are not willing to take definitive steps toward transformation into the fullness of Christ’s image. It is too costly and requires too much living faith – faith they have never had. A small percentage of them will draw near to the edge of transformation, but only a tiny handful of that small percentage will actually choose to take definitive steps toward transformation.
The prospects of real change among the remnant toward spiritual maturity looked promising beginning with the scare of the financial crisis that started back in 2008, but for the most part they came out into daylight just long enough to learn what God was saying about the matter for the benefit of knowing how they might protect their assets. Of course, many who came out were not part of the remnant at all, but the majority claimed to be. Well, after holding out for a few years until the immediate financial scare seemed to fade away, they went right back into their darkened corners where they felt comfortable and secure before the scare.
After proclaiming God’s message with much spiritual insight and with an undeniable anointing of the Holy Spirit, and seeing little more than lip service in response, we realized that only a spook for disaster was not enough to drive anyone to real transformation. The dollar must fail altogether for that – and even then there will be some who can continue to survive on their own, and will. Oh, how the spirit of individualism and independence does still reign.
Finally, after it has become clear that the umbilical cord of Americanism is about to be cut from Christians too (which news, by the way, has really brought an unprecedented number of believers out of the woodwork), still we do not see anything more than lip service. (We are sure that some, like us, are doing all they know to do, and that some steps into greater transformation are just not yet readily visible.)
Notwithstanding, I am convinced today just as I was a dozen years ago that “Christianity – American style” will reign even among the remnant as long as that remnant has the slightest thread to hang onto. Oh, well. The welcome mat into “Christianity- American style” is still at the door, even among the vast majority that call themselves the remnant.
“The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faints. From the sole of the foot even to the head, there is no soundness in it…” Isaiah 1:5b
The Spiritual State of the State, and of ChristianityThe world swiftly marches toward its eternal doom, and the Christianity of the world unabashedly boasts of its willingness to escort it there. Together they flow in perfect step down the wide and ever-broadening isle that God has opened up for them leading to the altar of utter destruction. The Babylonian world system and the "harlot" (of Rev. 17-18) that claims Jesus Christ but does not know Him, walk in lockstep proud and strong. This was to be expected. The Bible made all these things known before the end of the first century. What is disheartening to see, however, is that those who have come out of the institution, seeking a purer, living faith, are still scattered and many are confused - still being taken advantage of by some want-to-be leaders, and left wandering by others who are called to lead but sit by and do nothing. Notwithstanding there is hope, but if we would be part we must press into fellowship with the Father and the Son, by the Spirit, and with one other.
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Spiritual State of the State and of Christianity - NarcissismIn this message I call on the remnant to start pursuing authentic whole body ministry with other members of the body, whether within their current congregations or outside them. I know there are a few exceptions (invalid shut-ins, other believers who may be in prison, etc...) but I speak to the larger majority of the remnant who are lazy about it. There are also those who are meeting the need for "body" development by involving themselves in regular small-group Bible study. The objective of this message is to point out the spirit of superiority of individualism that is the state of our state, and that has overtaken Christianity, even influencing the "remnant." It is not to be critical, but to challenge and get us going!
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Obama and Israel |
Christians in a Growing Hostile AmericaProbably most of you are aware of the growing hostility toward Christianity throughout America. Of course as might be expected, the many mainstreams of Christianity are succumbing to some of the ideologies of social culture in order to keep hostilities at bay, but for those of us who seek to walk in the light of our Lord we can expect much more opposition ahead. It will result in a great departure from the American way of life as we have known it. In the midst of new adversities in our heretofore safe environment, God will be well pleased. It could be that very soon, He will no longer have to compete for our full attention. Then, we will shine even as He shines!
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The Fullness of ChristThe fullness of Christ is the phrase coined by the Holy Spirit, and given to us through the apostle Paul that succinctly expresses what God the Father designed for each local body of believers to become. That we are to seek to arrive to "the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ" means exactly what it suggests (Eph. 4:13). It is that we should become even as He is - not in part, but the whole. Join us for a new series of audio messages on this theme. We will begin uploading this audio series March 1st! We have prepared a website specifically on this important theme to be announced for viewing the first week of March. Also, we will be posting our new book on the fullness of Christ online beginning real soon! Let us not forget that amid all the apostasy going on around us, there is a body being prepared for Him!
Part 1 - Intro; Part 2 - Unity of the Faith; Part 3 - Knowledge of the Son of God;
Part 4 - Perfect Man; Part 5 - Stature of the Fullness of Christ To begin the journey to the fullness of Christ, believers must come together! There are many who are still scattered, and have resolved to stay that way. Whether they realize it or not they have conceded that Jesus Christ has either completed His work in building His church, or that He is not going to complete it. Both conclusions are wrong. Those who continue to seek out others that God may plant together will find them in due season. Let us must continue seeking! Hebrews 10:25
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15 Minute Radio Series
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The Sure Route to Real RevivalEvery disciple of Jesus Christ longs to see an authentic revival within the body of Christ, and out to the world. Typically, Christians pray for God to "come down" in such a way that we will see the lost "saved," and a renewed walk of holiness among believers... and of course this is good. But what we really need is a revival that will do that and more. We need to be led into authentic spiritual maturity too! The route to spiritual maturity begins with holiness and righteousness, but it does not end there. The route to spiritual maturity leads us upward always, even to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ Himself! (Eph. 4:7-16) As a matter of fact as we honestly pursue Christ's fullness the way God designed that we should, we will be led straight into real revival since it is through that means of engagement that the (revived) life we seek can be lived out, and will not wane. I invite you to listen to get a fuller picture of this important truth through this brief message attached (only 28 min.). "Oh! God Come Down?"
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Oh, how we have learned wrongly. Contrary to what we have grown to believe, the most dangerous threat to true Christ-likeness is when those who claim Jesus Christ are accepted and adopted into secular culture. And the most difficult thing for true believers to do is to separate themselves from the society that has embraced and enveloped them.
Featured Revival Messages |
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A Prophetic Picture, Indeed!
Whether or not this photo was photo-shopped, I do not know; but it certainly gives a realistic view of the apostle Peter's prophecy from his second letter. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up" (II Peter 3:10 NKJV). Hopefully, a simple reminder will help us let go of our "stuff" and cease lusting for more. Let us be quick to remember what our Lord said concerning the hearts of believers during our time. "Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful" (Matthew 13:22 NKJV).
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Ok, Saints. Let's Go Over This One More Time...
A - One day God is going to "fold up the earth like a garment" and put it away (Heb. 1:10). B - One day true Christians all over the world "will suffer persecution" from the world. (II Tim. 3:14; Rev. 6:9-11). C - One day every kingdom on earth "will be shaken" and will be ruled by a Babylonian spirit, under the thumb of the Antichrist (Heb. 12:27; Rev. 13:8). D - Our Lord said: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Now that we have that firmly fixed in our hearts and minds, let us move forward. We could start by laying "aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:1-2 NKJV). In this way we can be assured of receiving an "imperishable crown" (I Cor. 9:24-27)!
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The Last Days Times e-edition
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The Work is Already Done, but Gaining the Full Knowledge of All that is Already Done Comes as We Seek to Know Him More
For many years, the Holy Spirit has had me teach that His revelation to man is progressive. In other words, what the Spirit reveals to man, He does in a progressive manner. This is most vividly illustrated by God revealing Himself to those of the Old Covenant in types and shadows, and to those in the New, in life and power. The prophet Isaiah explained that God reveals Himself to man, "precept upon precept, ... line upon line, here a little, there a little" (Isa. 28:13 NKJV). So it is in this way that we gain the knowledge of God. The fact that all has been accomplished through Christ's work, so that now we may, by the Spirit, magnify the Father even as Jesus Christ did, does not mean that we are actually doing it; and we certainly are not. Even though we are already equipped and enabled to live the Christ life continually, there is yet more to be revealed about all that He is and all that He is in us. As God gives us increase in the knowledge of Him with spiritual wisdom and understanding, we can grow in Him. Also, we must finally come to the place where we are willing to fully cooperate with Him on what we do know. So to display God as He really is, we must be partakers of Christ's work, we must know all that it involves as it relates to daily living, and we must be willing to fully surrender to it. Let us desire it with all our hearts, seeking to grow in the knowledge of Him.
The apostle Paul wrote about how he prayed earnestly and continually that God would give to us (all the members of the body of Christ) "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ..." Ephesians 1:17b-18-19a NKJV) "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed
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The Perfect Priesthood Position on Earth
Our Lord Jesus is that Perfect High Priest who has gone into the heavens before us. He intercedes to the Father for us as an effectual intercessor, having born the weight of humanity with us on earth. He is praying as our proxy (in a manner of speaking) in heaven. However, as His body on earth - "For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones" (Eph. 5:30), we have an intercessory responsibility here on earth. He is no longer here, so we are His proxy (in a manner of speaking) on earth. We are here in His stead. This includes the necessity of prayer to the Father from here.
Jesus Christ called us to pray leading by example while He was on earth, and taught us how to pray on earth. In brief, we are to pray in agreement with God's will so that His kingdom (His dictates, desires and even His domain) would be on earth. Each believer has his or her own position as an interceding priest on earth - all being positioned in Christ at the Father's right hand through Christ who is there in our stead. However, when the members of His body come together here according to His planting (Isa. 61:3, I Cor. 12:18-24) so that there is nothing lacking, then we will know how to pray exactly as God would have us to pray, understanding His perfect will and way in every given situation and agreeing with it. This is the position of perfect priesthood on earth. His body on earth flowing perfectly in intercession. Let us get this point: It is within the context of the local gathering that God orchestrates where the "perfect man" can become a reality and perfect intercession can be made (Eph. 4:13). This is what Satan is afraid of ultimately, and this is why He must keep us scattered. Satan knows that once we are truly unified in the faith and knowledge of God, then the harvest will be greatest. Hallelujah! Let us unite according to God's design, grow together in His grace gifts among us, and pray with a kind of perfect intercession that will bring God's kingdom about as never before! "And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" Luke 18:1 |
There Is Something Bigger and Better...
There is something so much bigger and better than the grandest of holiday festivities, pivotal presidential elections, pundits and politicians, the clamor of secular news, theologians theorizing, and critics criticizing. It is so much bigger and better than the entire sports world altogether, including the one-and-only Super Bowl; and it is even much bigger and better than anything the two wealthiest corporations the world has ever known, Apple and the Roman Catholic Church, could ever afford! It's bigger than Israel, and better than if every detail of end-time prophecy was suddenly revealed for all to see. So what is it? It is Life right now, today, at this moment, in Jesus Christ. The biggest and best of all is when one actually experiences the Life of Christ Himself right here and now. His Life brings the comfort we need and the encouragement that we so desire. His Life lived through us makes way for the fixing that needs fixing, and the undoing that needs redoing. His Life in us calms the storm, answers the most difficult of questions, or gives us the peace to endure. All this is seen and much more besides when we truly rest in Him - when we think His thoughts and allow Him His way through us moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade... and when we pass it on to the generation behind us. It is when we permit Him to live His life through us that we can experience the best God has to offer and much more than the world could ever give. His joy, His peace, His endurance, His strength, His pleasure, His abilities, His character, His Father's will... all can be found and experienced when we simply allow His Life to be lived in and through us.
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Be Still and Know that He is Still God
I was conversing with a brother in Christ recently who said he didn't know whether to expect the financial collapse of our nation first, all-out riots from disgruntled masses, or a revolution. Given the current news trends I can certainly understand his point. In the midst of it all let us not forget that we can have God's peace that the world cannot and will not give. However, we must choose to walk in His peace. "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3
We cannot experience His peace if we get caught up in the rage of the latest arguments about social or political issues. While some issues call for our voice of concern and warning, we should remember that our battle is not of flesh and blood but of the Spirit of the Lord (Eph. 6:12). In the life of the Spirit we will find His peace regardless of the storm that rages all around us. "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9 |
Answering the Question: "How to Know God's Will for You"
I would like to begin by saying that God does make His desires known. He does not give all the details; nevertheless, He does make His will known to His people - both individually and corporately. The Bible record proves this time and time again. Of course, it should go without saying that His general will is clearly revealed through the Bible, but when we consider how to know His perfect will for our personal decisions, we should learn to hear His voice by walking in His steps. Also, I would not fail to mention that if you are in a fellowship of other believers who also walk with God, you should allow them the opportunity to help confirm what you believe He may be speaking to you. But again, let us learn to hear His voice and follow Him. (John 10)
God told Adam and Eve not to eat of a specific tree in the garden. God told them to multiply and fill the earth. God instructed Cain and Able how to sacrifice. God walked with Enoch, and no doubt He communicated His will to him. God told Noah to build an ark, with instructions even down to the last measure. He told him when to close the door. God told Noah to multiply and to replenish the earth. God told Abram to leave his own country and kin, and to go to the land of promise... and on, and on. Then at the very end of the Old Covenant period, God told Zachariahs that Elisabeth would have a son and that his name would be "John." God told Mary that she would bear a Son through whom salvation to mankind would come. God told Joseph through a dream to marry Mary and to take her to Bethlehem, where she would ultimately give birth. God spoke clearly to His Son Jesus Christ; and our Lord made ever-so-clear that He did ONLY what the Father told Him to do, and that He said ONLY what the Father told Him to say. Jesus told His disciples to go wait in an upper room until the Promise of the Father would come... and on, and on. Then with the apostles and other New Testament believers, God inspired and anointed Peter to preach the first open-air gospel message. Later God spoke through Stephen in the first very specific, open-air rebuke of religious leaders for their rejection of God's Spirit after the Spirit had been poured out. God spoke to Phillip through an angel that he should "go south." God spoke to Paul and called him "to be an apostle to the Gentiles," and Peter to be an apostle to "the Jews." The Spirit continued to speak, and God spoke through angels and through the members of His body then... and He still does today. He was not a deaf and dumb God then, and He is not now.
God will tell us His will to a certain degree, and as we walk out what we do know, He will reveal more. Suddenly at some point along the way we will understand where He was taking us all along.
God speaks to His people. The problem is that our listening is distorted by a number of things. One, we may not think that God still speaks, so we don't know to listen. Two, we believe so many things wrongly about God that we are confused in our heads about what He might be saying concerning His will for us. Three, we are not accustomed to hearing His voice, so when He speaks we are unsure whether it is really Him or not.
Finally, let me give some real-life personal illustrations to this brief answer on such an important subject. The Spirit of the Lord told me to go south one time. I got on an airplane and went south six thousand miles. I did not know anyone there or the native language of that country. We moved to that city of Buenos Aires, six months later with only one hundred dollars. He unfolded our ministry call from there extending throughout South America for six years ministering the word of the Lord to hundreds of churches and countless pastor / leaders from the Amazon to Tierra del Fuego. He spoke to me ten thousand times from there and still does. He spoke to me one time to get on a plane and to fly west a thousand miles to a strange city, and that He had an appointment for me there. I did, and He did. The bountiful fruit from that one act of obedience still abounds to this day, fifteen years later. He spoke to me to go to the Middle East, and I sat waiting until someone contacted me two weeks later requesting that I go with them to Iraq. I did go. From there the Lord opened up that part of the world for many subsequent extended visits for preaching / teaching. Years later, He spoke to me to get in my car and to drive west and I did. I had a tank of gas and two hundred dollars, and my wife was with me. We went as far as you can go west in a car and returned several weeks later with provision for the next few months, after having ministered the word of God strategically in many places. I knew no one west of Dallas, TX, at the time and had only one contact going west (who was not even present when I arrived). The Lord did it all. Through my positive response to His simple command in that single illustration, I was able to minister to hundreds of thousands of believers, producing much fruit without the slightest bit of striving for the next several years. God spoke to Adam and Eve in the Garden, and He continues to speak today.
I could tell story, and story, after story, after miracle, after miracle. This is not because I am anything more special than any other believer. Like every other believer I am called to do His will, and He fulfills His responsibility to tell me what His will is. I have learned to hear His voice through His grace given to me by abiding in His word, abiding in prayer, and by honestly desiring to do His will.
God told Adam and Eve not to eat of a specific tree in the garden. God told them to multiply and fill the earth. God instructed Cain and Able how to sacrifice. God walked with Enoch, and no doubt He communicated His will to him. God told Noah to build an ark, with instructions even down to the last measure. He told him when to close the door. God told Noah to multiply and to replenish the earth. God told Abram to leave his own country and kin, and to go to the land of promise... and on, and on. Then at the very end of the Old Covenant period, God told Zachariahs that Elisabeth would have a son and that his name would be "John." God told Mary that she would bear a Son through whom salvation to mankind would come. God told Joseph through a dream to marry Mary and to take her to Bethlehem, where she would ultimately give birth. God spoke clearly to His Son Jesus Christ; and our Lord made ever-so-clear that He did ONLY what the Father told Him to do, and that He said ONLY what the Father told Him to say. Jesus told His disciples to go wait in an upper room until the Promise of the Father would come... and on, and on. Then with the apostles and other New Testament believers, God inspired and anointed Peter to preach the first open-air gospel message. Later God spoke through Stephen in the first very specific, open-air rebuke of religious leaders for their rejection of God's Spirit after the Spirit had been poured out. God spoke to Phillip through an angel that he should "go south." God spoke to Paul and called him "to be an apostle to the Gentiles," and Peter to be an apostle to "the Jews." The Spirit continued to speak, and God spoke through angels and through the members of His body then... and He still does today. He was not a deaf and dumb God then, and He is not now.
God will tell us His will to a certain degree, and as we walk out what we do know, He will reveal more. Suddenly at some point along the way we will understand where He was taking us all along.
God speaks to His people. The problem is that our listening is distorted by a number of things. One, we may not think that God still speaks, so we don't know to listen. Two, we believe so many things wrongly about God that we are confused in our heads about what He might be saying concerning His will for us. Three, we are not accustomed to hearing His voice, so when He speaks we are unsure whether it is really Him or not.
Finally, let me give some real-life personal illustrations to this brief answer on such an important subject. The Spirit of the Lord told me to go south one time. I got on an airplane and went south six thousand miles. I did not know anyone there or the native language of that country. We moved to that city of Buenos Aires, six months later with only one hundred dollars. He unfolded our ministry call from there extending throughout South America for six years ministering the word of the Lord to hundreds of churches and countless pastor / leaders from the Amazon to Tierra del Fuego. He spoke to me ten thousand times from there and still does. He spoke to me one time to get on a plane and to fly west a thousand miles to a strange city, and that He had an appointment for me there. I did, and He did. The bountiful fruit from that one act of obedience still abounds to this day, fifteen years later. He spoke to me to go to the Middle East, and I sat waiting until someone contacted me two weeks later requesting that I go with them to Iraq. I did go. From there the Lord opened up that part of the world for many subsequent extended visits for preaching / teaching. Years later, He spoke to me to get in my car and to drive west and I did. I had a tank of gas and two hundred dollars, and my wife was with me. We went as far as you can go west in a car and returned several weeks later with provision for the next few months, after having ministered the word of God strategically in many places. I knew no one west of Dallas, TX, at the time and had only one contact going west (who was not even present when I arrived). The Lord did it all. Through my positive response to His simple command in that single illustration, I was able to minister to hundreds of thousands of believers, producing much fruit without the slightest bit of striving for the next several years. God spoke to Adam and Eve in the Garden, and He continues to speak today.
I could tell story, and story, after story, after miracle, after miracle. This is not because I am anything more special than any other believer. Like every other believer I am called to do His will, and He fulfills His responsibility to tell me what His will is. I have learned to hear His voice through His grace given to me by abiding in His word, abiding in prayer, and by honestly desiring to do His will.
The First Adam Who Reigned in Us is Dead and Buried!
Dear Saints,
I want to give a bit of the Bible study article to be published soon in the next edition of The Last Days Times. In that study, I explain Romans 6, 7, and 8 in a way that I have not heard out in mainstream Christianity, ever. You should read through those three chapters now, then return here for this explanation, as perhaps you have never seen it.
At the outset, we should recognize that there are three persons involved: the "old man," the "carnal man," and the "new man" (Rom. 6:6, Eph. 4:22-24, Col. 3:9-10; Rom. 7:14). We have assumed through generational church doctrine that the old man is the flesh, or the carnal man. NOT SO! That generally accepted interpretation always conflicted with what Paul wrote about his carnal man being still sold under sin - even after salvation (Rom. 7:14). How could the old man be dead, yet still sold under sin and still a part of the argument of whether one will sin or not? For this reason in particular, for centuries theologians have thought that perhaps Paul wrote the seventh chapter before he was born again, or that he wrote it from the position of a lost person. But that simply does not fly. For all time, chapters six and eight seemed to flow together well, but chapter seven caused a bit of a problem. It has been an ongoing problem for centuries to understand exactly why we so often find ourselves doing those things that we do not want to do when we have been made new creatures - born after God - especially since we assumed that the carnal man was dead. Paul answers this difficult question after setting it up through chapter seven; but it must be understood in light of the whole passage, and it is understood even more clearly when we take into account the whole New Testament record. Well, we have known that it was the flesh which led us to do those things we really didn't want to do; but according to our understanding of chapter 6, the flesh (carnal man) was supposed to be dead. Let me give the interpretation I believe the Holy Spirit is making more clear for us.
The first thing that must be realized is that there are three persons involved, rather than only two as Christian tradition teaches. There is the "old man," who has died with Christ; there is the "carnal man," who is "sold under sin" but still living; and there is the "new man," who is born after God and, like God, is perfect always.
1. The old man is the first Adam, who was alive in the individual, but who died when that individual identified with Christ in His death by faith. The first Adam ruled the carnal man until that moment. 2. The carnal man is earthly and will be until we are resurrected. The carnal man is not the old man. Again, he is the entire make-up of the natural man that still lives (mind, will, emotions, body... and so-forth), in which the new man is housed. 3. The new man is the Christ in us. He is a completely new creature - born after God. The new man, born after God, is who we are now at the core of our being. Before we were born again, the old man of the first Adam was the core of who we were. Now the new man, of the Last Adam (Jesus Christ), is our identity.
Now the carnal man (natural man) is literally bound to obey the new man, just as he was literally bound to obey the old man before. However, there is only one way to master the carnal man since he is still carnal (sold under sin). Paul explains that it is not by any law or rule or commandment, whether of the Old Covenant or of our own rule or conscience. Mastering the carnal man who is still alive is done only when we walk in the Spirit of the new man. Of course, we have already known this, since the scripture states this plainly; and we know that the new man who is born of God cannot sin (I John 3:4-10). As long as we surrender to Him within, we WILL DO the will of God and NOT DO the will of the carnal man. The ONLY way for the carnal man to do what he wants to do anymore is for us to relax (stop) our walk in the new man! The carnal man cannot overpower us because he is nothing more than the natural vessel that houses the new man. That's it!
The power who aided the carnal man by ruling over us was the old man (the first Adam), who now is literally dead! Forever dead! The carnal man is alive but powerless UNLESS we surrender to his cravings, as he is a natural man in a natural world. However, he is under the dominion of the new man wholly and completely anytime the new man (the Spirit) is permitted to live freely through us. We CAN walk in the righteousness of God... ALWAYS - by surrendering always to the Spirit within! (However, if we relax the exercise of the Spirit within us, we are subject to falling back to the carnal man's desires, and in doing so can become enslaved by him again. For this reason, we should be very careful! This can be fatal!)
To walk in the new man always, we should do those things that stir Him up within us. For example, we should continually surround ourselves with those things that give hospitality to the Holy Spirit, such as: "psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody unto the Lord." We should do all that we can to feed and to strengthen the Spirit of God within us, and in this way the new man can live righteously!
I want to give a bit of the Bible study article to be published soon in the next edition of The Last Days Times. In that study, I explain Romans 6, 7, and 8 in a way that I have not heard out in mainstream Christianity, ever. You should read through those three chapters now, then return here for this explanation, as perhaps you have never seen it.
At the outset, we should recognize that there are three persons involved: the "old man," the "carnal man," and the "new man" (Rom. 6:6, Eph. 4:22-24, Col. 3:9-10; Rom. 7:14). We have assumed through generational church doctrine that the old man is the flesh, or the carnal man. NOT SO! That generally accepted interpretation always conflicted with what Paul wrote about his carnal man being still sold under sin - even after salvation (Rom. 7:14). How could the old man be dead, yet still sold under sin and still a part of the argument of whether one will sin or not? For this reason in particular, for centuries theologians have thought that perhaps Paul wrote the seventh chapter before he was born again, or that he wrote it from the position of a lost person. But that simply does not fly. For all time, chapters six and eight seemed to flow together well, but chapter seven caused a bit of a problem. It has been an ongoing problem for centuries to understand exactly why we so often find ourselves doing those things that we do not want to do when we have been made new creatures - born after God - especially since we assumed that the carnal man was dead. Paul answers this difficult question after setting it up through chapter seven; but it must be understood in light of the whole passage, and it is understood even more clearly when we take into account the whole New Testament record. Well, we have known that it was the flesh which led us to do those things we really didn't want to do; but according to our understanding of chapter 6, the flesh (carnal man) was supposed to be dead. Let me give the interpretation I believe the Holy Spirit is making more clear for us.
The first thing that must be realized is that there are three persons involved, rather than only two as Christian tradition teaches. There is the "old man," who has died with Christ; there is the "carnal man," who is "sold under sin" but still living; and there is the "new man," who is born after God and, like God, is perfect always.
1. The old man is the first Adam, who was alive in the individual, but who died when that individual identified with Christ in His death by faith. The first Adam ruled the carnal man until that moment. 2. The carnal man is earthly and will be until we are resurrected. The carnal man is not the old man. Again, he is the entire make-up of the natural man that still lives (mind, will, emotions, body... and so-forth), in which the new man is housed. 3. The new man is the Christ in us. He is a completely new creature - born after God. The new man, born after God, is who we are now at the core of our being. Before we were born again, the old man of the first Adam was the core of who we were. Now the new man, of the Last Adam (Jesus Christ), is our identity.
Now the carnal man (natural man) is literally bound to obey the new man, just as he was literally bound to obey the old man before. However, there is only one way to master the carnal man since he is still carnal (sold under sin). Paul explains that it is not by any law or rule or commandment, whether of the Old Covenant or of our own rule or conscience. Mastering the carnal man who is still alive is done only when we walk in the Spirit of the new man. Of course, we have already known this, since the scripture states this plainly; and we know that the new man who is born of God cannot sin (I John 3:4-10). As long as we surrender to Him within, we WILL DO the will of God and NOT DO the will of the carnal man. The ONLY way for the carnal man to do what he wants to do anymore is for us to relax (stop) our walk in the new man! The carnal man cannot overpower us because he is nothing more than the natural vessel that houses the new man. That's it!
The power who aided the carnal man by ruling over us was the old man (the first Adam), who now is literally dead! Forever dead! The carnal man is alive but powerless UNLESS we surrender to his cravings, as he is a natural man in a natural world. However, he is under the dominion of the new man wholly and completely anytime the new man (the Spirit) is permitted to live freely through us. We CAN walk in the righteousness of God... ALWAYS - by surrendering always to the Spirit within! (However, if we relax the exercise of the Spirit within us, we are subject to falling back to the carnal man's desires, and in doing so can become enslaved by him again. For this reason, we should be very careful! This can be fatal!)
To walk in the new man always, we should do those things that stir Him up within us. For example, we should continually surround ourselves with those things that give hospitality to the Holy Spirit, such as: "psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, making melody unto the Lord." We should do all that we can to feed and to strengthen the Spirit of God within us, and in this way the new man can live righteously!
He Is Coming Back for His Bride... Soon!
Our Lord teaches that we should "watch" (be vigilant) all the time, so that whenever He does return for His bride, we will be in a state of readiness (Matt. 24:42; 25:13). He tells that it will be in an hour that no one knows (Mark 13:32). Our Lord does give warning signs, however; and Paul says that if we are living as "children of the day," we will not be caught by surprise in the same way that those who live in darkness will (Matt. 24; I Thess. 5:1-11). The apostle Paul also writes that it will be in just "a moment, in the twinkling of an eye"; and John writes that we should live in a state of readiness so that we are not "ashamed at His coming" (I Cor. 15:52; I John 2:28). Peter even says that we should anticipate His coming in such a way that it seems to "hasten" it (II Peter 3:12)! All these things and much more are said about having an expectation of our Lord's return for His bride - the body of Christ!
But we should be aware that while we are to live with an expectancy of His return at any time, the apostle Paul records that "the gathering together unto Him" will not come until after both the apostasy (forsaking of truth) of the church is well established, and the Antichrist is revealed (II Thess. 2:1-14). The forsaking of truth (apostasy) has certainly been ongoing among the members of the body of Christ even since Paul's day, and the apostle John declares that during his time many antichrists had already appeared (I John 4:1-3). However, according to Paul's writing in Second Thessalonians, there seems to be a particular time or form of apostasy that must take place at the end of the age; and we know that the Antichrist is yet to be revealed. So while we look for and wait for His coming with great delight, let us not forget that, according to the scriptures, we may certainly be in for some very trying times before He comes.
But we should be aware that while we are to live with an expectancy of His return at any time, the apostle Paul records that "the gathering together unto Him" will not come until after both the apostasy (forsaking of truth) of the church is well established, and the Antichrist is revealed (II Thess. 2:1-14). The forsaking of truth (apostasy) has certainly been ongoing among the members of the body of Christ even since Paul's day, and the apostle John declares that during his time many antichrists had already appeared (I John 4:1-3). However, according to Paul's writing in Second Thessalonians, there seems to be a particular time or form of apostasy that must take place at the end of the age; and we know that the Antichrist is yet to be revealed. So while we look for and wait for His coming with great delight, let us not forget that, according to the scriptures, we may certainly be in for some very trying times before He comes.
 ABOUT US Jesus Shall Reign!Most news published these days is overwhelmingly bad. If one is not careful, he can become disillusioned by it and lose hope in the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords. However awful things will become, one thing is sure - that Jesus Christ is still Lord of all, and none shall usurp Him. "Which in His times He shall show, who is the Blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords..." (I Tim. 6:15).
"Where Christianity has room to roam under man's domain, it will eventually become man's Christianity."
READ THE BIBLE
Blue Letter Bible E-Sword Download Print the Bible - KJV Bible Study Tools Authenticity of the Bible Multi-lingual Bibles Bible Believing Facts LINKS
The Last Days Times Christian Classics Sermon Index God Reaching Muslims Testimonies of God's Grace Friends of Israel Answers in Genesis Gospel Fellowships "Before you allow some 'Torah teacher' to lead you on an extended tour of the Old Covenant, let his personal testimony speak loudly that he is well grounded
in the New!"  AMERICA TOMORROW The Holy Spirit Grieves, But He is PatientThe Holy Spirit is grieved amid the myriad of religious Christian forms that we have come up with. He is hardly able to speak or move in the very house where He is given platitudes of praise from the lips of those who claim His divine guidance! Oh, dear saints! Let us be careful that we are not pretending to obey the Spirit as we talk so much about Him. All too often our lips praise Him, but our hearts are far from Him. Let us seek His forgiveness so that He may indeed finish His good work in us.
Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is grieved, but we should not lose hope; for in His grief He is not dismayed as we are, since He cannot be dismayed; He has not forsaken us altogether, since He cannot leave us alone altogether; and He is not helpless to do something about us, since He is almighty God! And that, my fellow believers, is what He is about to do – something about us! "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Eph. 4:30 NKJV).
Vance Havner born 1901
"If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home."
(read more quotes) "I have been asked a thousand times, "When is something too dirty?" The answer, though hard, is simple: when it is not clean! Something that is not one hundred percent clean is dirty! Though a clump of soil mars less than 1% of my shirt, I can no longer call it clean!"
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Judases Abound
The number of those who drink from the same cup, but who are actually traitors, is multiplying exponentially these days.
These are men among us, caught up in themselves. By pride they have gained and maintained the attention of the same crowds that, for whatever reason, wanted to throng Jesus. Like Lucifer before the fall, they love being in close proximity to the throne of the jesus that cultural Christianity has created. They stand out in the crowd, running where the Lord has not sent them, raising themselves up above the throne so that all can see. Like Lucifer, they lead emotionally charged worship and prayer, and even deliver a message (Ezekiel 28:14). The mesmerized multitudes sway with the spirits of many abominations as they adore the jesus they are comfortable with. Consider re-reading Second Peter, chapter two, prayerfully. And take care. One of them may be one of your favorite Christian guides (II Peter 2)!
These are men among us, caught up in themselves. By pride they have gained and maintained the attention of the same crowds that, for whatever reason, wanted to throng Jesus. Like Lucifer before the fall, they love being in close proximity to the throne of the jesus that cultural Christianity has created. They stand out in the crowd, running where the Lord has not sent them, raising themselves up above the throne so that all can see. Like Lucifer, they lead emotionally charged worship and prayer, and even deliver a message (Ezekiel 28:14). The mesmerized multitudes sway with the spirits of many abominations as they adore the jesus they are comfortable with. Consider re-reading Second Peter, chapter two, prayerfully. And take care. One of them may be one of your favorite Christian guides (II Peter 2)!
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The Father's Field Ministries
P. O. Box 977 Brandon, Mississippi 39043 |
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