Part of the Manifestation of the Kingdom of God is the Inheritance of the saints. There is an Inheritance that God has ordained for His children. But it has to be received; it's not automatic. One of the reasons why the witness of the mainstream church is so severely diminished in our society is because there are too many of us as Christians that are not walking in our Inheritance. If we could truly answer the Call of Jesus and function as the light of the world and the salt of the earth in the context of our Divine Inheritance as the children of God, the world would be much more interested and intrigued about this thing we call Christianity. Therefore, we want to be mindful of what it takes in order to Receive our Inheritance.
One definition of Inheritance is, that which is received by genetic transmission. We are in line to receive a Divine Inheritance because we are indeed the very children of God. So what is it that we receive or inherit via genetic transmission? Eternal Life (Luke 10) Now, when we first hear this, our initial inclination is to think about what we will receive from God after we die. This, of course, makes sense since in the Natural, people generally don't receive an inheritance until after the decease of the person issuing it. But the spiritual fact in Christianity is that the Benefactor of the Inheritance has already died; and His Name is Jesus! So we don't have to wait till we personally die before we can receive the Inheritance for which Jesus died in order for us to receive in this life.
Another challenge with Receiving Our Inheritance is not totally understanding the nature of Eternal Life. Once again, the general connotation of Eternal Life is that it's an experience that we will have in the bye and bye. That basically it constitutes us going to Heaven after we leave this earth. Generally we process Eternal Life as the reward of Salvation. Even though this is partially true, the general concept is incorrect. Eternal Life isn't simply about an established heavenly residence in the after-life. No saints. Eternal Life is THE LIFE OF GOD. Please hear me, the Inheritance of the saints in Christ is THE LIFE OF GOD (2Peter 1). Can you imagine living LIKE GOD? Can you imagine ACTING LIKE GOD? Can you fathom operating in and demonstrating THE POWER OF GOD? This, my brothers and sisters, is the Inheritance of the Saints in this life. But you won't access that for which you're not apprised. Therefore, many Christians don't attain to that for which God has prepared and reserved for us as His children. However, Jesus demonstrated the Manifestation of this Inheritance as He functioned on the earth as the Son of God.
In order to Receive this Inheritance, there are two things we must do: Be Mature and Be Sanctified. Jesus says in the 26th chapter of the Book of Acts, "that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified". We must be set apart unto Christ if we're going to qualify to Receive our Inheritance. Then Galatians chapter 4 says, "the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all". Spiritual immaturity will disqualify you from functioning in your Inheritance. Let us be faithful and let us be diligent to do all that we must do to Receive our Inheritance.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
A Response to Rebuke
Many commentators have examined the "motive" if you will, behind the betrayal of Judas. Of course we know that his betrayal was satanically induced and sponsored, but from more of a humanistic standpoint, what was going on with Judas that would allow him to betray His Master and Lord? Some commentators have suggested that Judas was "politically" motivated in terms of trying to "push" Jesus towards a showdown with the Roman government. This would incite the rebellion and "force" Jesus, if you will, to at that point set up His Davidic Kingdom and restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1). Others of course, have simply reasoned that Judas was basically a traitor, a "Benedict Arnold", and that no matter what, he was going to sell out Jesus. I think both of these perspectives have some merit, but there's another perspective I would like to propose.
If you look at the timing of Judas' betrayal of Jesus, it took place immediately after he had been rebuked by Jesus (Matthew 26). Remember the story where Jesus and His disciples went to dinner over Simon the leper's house, and the woman came out and anointed Jesus' feet with an alabaster box of precious ointment? The disciples were indignant at this "act of waste", and Jesus immediately "checked" them, or rebuked them. The direct rebuke of Judas by Jesus is found in The Gospel of John chapter 12; but in Matthew 26, immediately after the rebuke from Jesus, the scripture says that "then...Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests". I'm of the persuasion that part of what incited Judas to his dastardly act of betrayal was his Response to Rebuke.
When Jesus rebuked Judas and the disciples (but I believe particularly Judas), it exposed that the Lord and the disciples were "not on the same page". Judas was exposed that his agenda and the Agenda of Christ were not synonymous. Saints, this is what we have to check and be mindful of. There are many times where what we want to do and what we're reaching for, does not reflect the agenda and divine will of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This is a problem. Note that what Judas was proposing was not "bad". His issue was that instead of the woman "wasting" the ointment on something for which he didn't understand nor had received adequate revelation, she should've sold the ointment and the money given to the poor. Not a bad idea per se. But it wasn't The Will of God. Saints, there are some things that some of us are doing right now, and they really aren't that bad. But they don't represent The Divine Will of God.
The God we serve is Faithful. Which means, if we find ourselves doing something or complaining about something that seems right but doesn't reflect His Will, He's going to rebuke us. He's Faithful to do it, because He loves us. He will rebuke you through a dream, through a sermon, through a prophetic word, through a scripture, or even through a conversation with someone or something you hear, you think "arbitrarily". God is Faithful to rebuke us when we're straying away from His Divine Will, regardless of what we think.
Then here comes the test. What will be our Response to the Divine Rebuke? This, my brothers and sisters, is where the rubber meets the road. What we are supposed to do is Submit and Repent. If God says it, our response should simply be "Yes Sir". You don't need to understand it, you don't need to comprehend it, you just need to believe that if God said it, then it's the Right Way, period. Judas didn't do this. Neither did Peter do this when he was rebuked in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26). And because they did not have a proper Response to Rebuke, it led to betrayal and denial. Saints, there are some of us, whether we can see it or not, that are on the verge of either betraying Christ or denying Him. Remember, these men were disciples, committed followers of Jesus. But it did not preclude them from betraying or denying Him. Why? I believe, in large part, because they did not offer a proper Response to Rebuke. Let us not be guilty of this sin and this flaw. When God rebukes us, let us humble ourselves and govern ourselves accordingly. Let us repent and allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds so that we can think with the Mind of Christ. Let us be mindful to offer unto the Lord a proper Response to Rebuke.
If you look at the timing of Judas' betrayal of Jesus, it took place immediately after he had been rebuked by Jesus (Matthew 26). Remember the story where Jesus and His disciples went to dinner over Simon the leper's house, and the woman came out and anointed Jesus' feet with an alabaster box of precious ointment? The disciples were indignant at this "act of waste", and Jesus immediately "checked" them, or rebuked them. The direct rebuke of Judas by Jesus is found in The Gospel of John chapter 12; but in Matthew 26, immediately after the rebuke from Jesus, the scripture says that "then...Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests". I'm of the persuasion that part of what incited Judas to his dastardly act of betrayal was his Response to Rebuke.
When Jesus rebuked Judas and the disciples (but I believe particularly Judas), it exposed that the Lord and the disciples were "not on the same page". Judas was exposed that his agenda and the Agenda of Christ were not synonymous. Saints, this is what we have to check and be mindful of. There are many times where what we want to do and what we're reaching for, does not reflect the agenda and divine will of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This is a problem. Note that what Judas was proposing was not "bad". His issue was that instead of the woman "wasting" the ointment on something for which he didn't understand nor had received adequate revelation, she should've sold the ointment and the money given to the poor. Not a bad idea per se. But it wasn't The Will of God. Saints, there are some things that some of us are doing right now, and they really aren't that bad. But they don't represent The Divine Will of God.
The God we serve is Faithful. Which means, if we find ourselves doing something or complaining about something that seems right but doesn't reflect His Will, He's going to rebuke us. He's Faithful to do it, because He loves us. He will rebuke you through a dream, through a sermon, through a prophetic word, through a scripture, or even through a conversation with someone or something you hear, you think "arbitrarily". God is Faithful to rebuke us when we're straying away from His Divine Will, regardless of what we think.
Then here comes the test. What will be our Response to the Divine Rebuke? This, my brothers and sisters, is where the rubber meets the road. What we are supposed to do is Submit and Repent. If God says it, our response should simply be "Yes Sir". You don't need to understand it, you don't need to comprehend it, you just need to believe that if God said it, then it's the Right Way, period. Judas didn't do this. Neither did Peter do this when he was rebuked in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26). And because they did not have a proper Response to Rebuke, it led to betrayal and denial. Saints, there are some of us, whether we can see it or not, that are on the verge of either betraying Christ or denying Him. Remember, these men were disciples, committed followers of Jesus. But it did not preclude them from betraying or denying Him. Why? I believe, in large part, because they did not offer a proper Response to Rebuke. Let us not be guilty of this sin and this flaw. When God rebukes us, let us humble ourselves and govern ourselves accordingly. Let us repent and allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds so that we can think with the Mind of Christ. Let us be mindful to offer unto the Lord a proper Response to Rebuke.
Monday, March 7, 2016
Processing the Pain
One of the things that we're finding in our society right now, that I don't think is being given enough attention, is the fact that many people are hurting. A lot of the violence, a lot of the "senseless" murders, a lot of the family dysfunction, is all growing out of the pain that people are feeling that has not been duly addressed or resolved. Some of the "back and forth" that we're seeing in our political campaigns, grows out of a lot of hurt feelings, rejection and disappointment, that people are using the political stage in order to "vent". And in a lot of our churches, the church splits (congregations dividing and separating), the congregational dissension and in-fighting, a lot of it grows out of Christians who too are wrestling with unresolved pain. If we as the people of God are going to establish the Kingdom Witness that the Father is calling us to, it is important and imperative that we learn the art and the skill of Processing the Pain.
The means by which many people, including Christians, tend to deal with their pain is by ignoring and suppressing it. Emotionally and psychologically, this is ineffective. You can't deny when something hurts. The proper response to an encounter with pain is to say "ouch". There has to be a reaction, an emotional reaction to the pain one has been challenged to go through and internalize. If you are of age, you have been through something, and more than likely "some things", that have hurt your feelings, that have depressed your soul, that have disappointed and discouraged you. People have let you down. People have betrayed you. People have turned on you. People have disappointed you. In response to these hurtful situations you need to at least admit the hurt and the pain that you've been challenged to face. Many people choose not to do this, to their own psychological and emotional dismay. You can't deny the truth of your feelings. And what people don't understand is that, even when you choose to "act" like nothing's wrong, that pain doesn't go away; it just festers. This is why a lot of people are "losing their minds"; not just because of "stress", but because of unresolved pain that has eaten away at the fabric of the mental faculties of their mind. Unresolved pain is like the cancer of the soul.
We must confess our pain. We must acknowledge that we are hurting. Yes, what my parents did or did not do has hurt me. Yes, what my spouse did or did not do has hurt me. Yes, the response of my children, has hurt me. Yes, the way they did me on my job, the way they treated me at my church; it hurt me. Once you've acknowledged the pain, then you have the responsibility to forgive. Forgiveness is not an emotional process, it is a spiritual decision. People think that it takes "time" to forgive someone. This is incorrect. It may take time to "heal from the pain"; but forgiveness is a decision that can be executed immediately. Do not confuse the need to heal with the need to forgive. The word forgiveness means "the release of a debt". It's actually a business term, that means if you owed me money, you're no longer accountable for the debt; you've been "forgiven". So when somebody does you wrong, even though you may still be experiencing the pain of what they did to you, you can still release them from the debt of owing you anything for what was done to you, even "owing" you an apology.
This is why Jesus made it a point to forgive those who crucified Him while He was still on the cross (Luke 23). In the midst of His pain, in the midst of His agony, He made it a point to forgive, in the midst of His processing the pain of the crucifixion. We have the charge saints to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4). As we do, let us make sure to learn the art of Processing the Pain.
The means by which many people, including Christians, tend to deal with their pain is by ignoring and suppressing it. Emotionally and psychologically, this is ineffective. You can't deny when something hurts. The proper response to an encounter with pain is to say "ouch". There has to be a reaction, an emotional reaction to the pain one has been challenged to go through and internalize. If you are of age, you have been through something, and more than likely "some things", that have hurt your feelings, that have depressed your soul, that have disappointed and discouraged you. People have let you down. People have betrayed you. People have turned on you. People have disappointed you. In response to these hurtful situations you need to at least admit the hurt and the pain that you've been challenged to face. Many people choose not to do this, to their own psychological and emotional dismay. You can't deny the truth of your feelings. And what people don't understand is that, even when you choose to "act" like nothing's wrong, that pain doesn't go away; it just festers. This is why a lot of people are "losing their minds"; not just because of "stress", but because of unresolved pain that has eaten away at the fabric of the mental faculties of their mind. Unresolved pain is like the cancer of the soul.
We must confess our pain. We must acknowledge that we are hurting. Yes, what my parents did or did not do has hurt me. Yes, what my spouse did or did not do has hurt me. Yes, the response of my children, has hurt me. Yes, the way they did me on my job, the way they treated me at my church; it hurt me. Once you've acknowledged the pain, then you have the responsibility to forgive. Forgiveness is not an emotional process, it is a spiritual decision. People think that it takes "time" to forgive someone. This is incorrect. It may take time to "heal from the pain"; but forgiveness is a decision that can be executed immediately. Do not confuse the need to heal with the need to forgive. The word forgiveness means "the release of a debt". It's actually a business term, that means if you owed me money, you're no longer accountable for the debt; you've been "forgiven". So when somebody does you wrong, even though you may still be experiencing the pain of what they did to you, you can still release them from the debt of owing you anything for what was done to you, even "owing" you an apology.
This is why Jesus made it a point to forgive those who crucified Him while He was still on the cross (Luke 23). In the midst of His pain, in the midst of His agony, He made it a point to forgive, in the midst of His processing the pain of the crucifixion. We have the charge saints to forgive others as Christ has forgiven us (Ephesians 4). As we do, let us make sure to learn the art of Processing the Pain.
Saturday, March 5, 2016
When It's Too Late To Repent
We are in a Season of Repentance. The word Repent in the Greek means "to think again". I'm sure that many of us, if you are seriously seeking the Lord, are being challenged to re-think, re-consider, re-assess, re-view, re-lease, re-ceive, re-fuse, re-concile, re-new, re-construct, re-ject, re-vive; some things. Repent. This is the Season to Repent. There was a time when God allowed us to "get away" with some things, if you will, based on our Ignorance. But God is calling all men to Repent (Acts 17). But there will come a time when there will be no time to Repent. The Season of Repentance will have expired. That's why we want to turn and make the shifts and changes that God is calling us to make now, before it's Too Late Too Repent.
When we look at Scripture, we find several scenarios that demonstrate When It's Too Late To Repent. Let's look at the disciple Judas. Remember, this was a man who was in Jesus' inner circle. He traveled with Jesus, ate with Jesus, followed Him. Judas was also the one who betrayed our Master (Luke 22). But then, when Judas realized the mistake he had made in betraying his Master, he went back to the Pharisees to give them back their money and repent. But it was too late (Matthew 27). And afterwards he went and hanged himself.
Then we have Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples. Peter was the one who told Jesus that he was willing to die for Him (Matthew 26). And yes, Peter was bold in the confrontation in the Garden of Gethsemane, even cutting off a man's ear (John 18). But when the hour came for Peter to take a stand for the Lord, just as Jesus prophesied, he denied the Lord 3 times (Matthew 26). And the scripture says that Peter went out and wept bitterly, because it was too late to repent.
Lastly, Hebrews chapter 12 talks about the fallacy of Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. The scripture says that "he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears". It was too late for him to repent. Also, isn't it interesting that when Jesus started His Public Ministry, that the Prophet of Repentance, John the Baptist, was imprisoned (Mark 1). Even though Jesus still preached repentance, the Season of Repentance that was the prelude to the Manifestation of the King, had officially expired with the imprisonment of John the Baptist. Saints please, don't play with this thing. Be sober, be vigilant, so that when the Time of the Father comes, you won't be one weeping because it's Too Late To Repent.
When we look at Scripture, we find several scenarios that demonstrate When It's Too Late To Repent. Let's look at the disciple Judas. Remember, this was a man who was in Jesus' inner circle. He traveled with Jesus, ate with Jesus, followed Him. Judas was also the one who betrayed our Master (Luke 22). But then, when Judas realized the mistake he had made in betraying his Master, he went back to the Pharisees to give them back their money and repent. But it was too late (Matthew 27). And afterwards he went and hanged himself.
Then we have Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples. Peter was the one who told Jesus that he was willing to die for Him (Matthew 26). And yes, Peter was bold in the confrontation in the Garden of Gethsemane, even cutting off a man's ear (John 18). But when the hour came for Peter to take a stand for the Lord, just as Jesus prophesied, he denied the Lord 3 times (Matthew 26). And the scripture says that Peter went out and wept bitterly, because it was too late to repent.
Lastly, Hebrews chapter 12 talks about the fallacy of Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. The scripture says that "he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears". It was too late for him to repent. Also, isn't it interesting that when Jesus started His Public Ministry, that the Prophet of Repentance, John the Baptist, was imprisoned (Mark 1). Even though Jesus still preached repentance, the Season of Repentance that was the prelude to the Manifestation of the King, had officially expired with the imprisonment of John the Baptist. Saints please, don't play with this thing. Be sober, be vigilant, so that when the Time of the Father comes, you won't be one weeping because it's Too Late To Repent.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Are You Ready For This?
As we continue to press in patience and expectation for the Manifestation of the Kingdom of God, it is time that we really sit down and do what Jesus commanded us to do, and that is to "count the cost" (Luke 14). We are getting ready to move into a Season where everything we've learned and everything that God has chosen to reveal to us over the last several years is going to be tested. It will no longer be theoretical, we will be challenged to make it practical. With this in mind, I ask you the question, Are You Ready For This?
There are two distinguishing marks to the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in the earth realm: casting out of demons and healing the sick. Jesus made it clear after He was raised from the dead, that "these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall cast out devils...they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" (Mark 16). This is what we need to expect as we enter the Kingdom Move of God. But I would suspect that many of us have not had a lot of experience with the casting out of demons and the supernatural healing of diseases in Jesus' Name. Once again, for this reason I ask, Are You Ready For This?
Demonic activity is not something that is generally addressed, let alone confronted, in the mainstream church. Yes, many Christians still technically "believe" in demons; but in terms of some sort of "exorcism ministry" or seeing demons dealt with on a regular basis, for many if not most Christians, this is not the norm. In order to get ready for what God is getting ready to manifest in the demonstration of His Kingdom, we must begin to wrap our minds around the reality of the demonic realm. Saints, demons are real. If we believe that the Devil (Satan) is real, then it just stands to reason that his angels (demons) are real as well. If we don't "believe" in the tangible reality of demonic beings, then we will not be in position to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how to appropriately and effectively deal with them. Demonic activity is responsible for a lot of the hell that our world is going through right now. But don't be deceived, there is plenty of demonic activity in the church, from the pulpit to the pew. Just because people are not rolling in the floors and vomiting up green yuck, doesn't mean that demonic activity isn't taking place within our churches. Christ has commissioned us to cast them out, and we must be ready for this.
There are more than a few Healing Ministries in our churches today, Praise God. However, a lot of the healing is being restricted to "healing evangelists" or certain "anointed" preachers or individuals. Yes, there are certain individuals that God has specifically anointed and ordained for the Healing Ministry, but Jesus says in Mark 16 that laying hands on the sick and the recovery thereof will be a sign of those that believe. Which means, if you are a believer in Christ, then you have the call to lay hands on people and see them get healed, in Jesus' Name. Many of us would never even "imagine" praying for someone with the legitimate "expectation" that they are going to be supernaturally healed. A lot of times, when we pray for someone who is sick, we're kind of "hoping" that God heals them. And of course, if He doesn't, then it wasn't "in God's Will" for them to be healed. But at least we prayed. Wrong. The Bible is putting the onus on us to lay hands on the sick for them to receive their healing, not on God. I know that generally we're not accustomed to this, but that's because, once again, we've been majoring in church, not the Kingdom of God. So as we move forward, you need to start preparing to lay your hands on the sick, with the faith that the Covenant God Jehovah, through the Blood of Jesus Christ, will Heal through you, in Jesus' Name.
We're getting ready to enter a very radical mind-set saints; a major departure from what we generally know as "church". We're getting ready to go back to how it was in the Book of Acts, persecution and all. The days of being "Sunday Morning Christians" are just about over. Either you're serious about Christ or you're not. Either you're seeking Him and His Kingdom Power, or you're not. This Spiritual Shift is going to transpire sooner than you think. Before you know it, it's going to take place Quickly and Suddenly. I ask you again, Are You Ready For This?
There are two distinguishing marks to the manifestation of the Kingdom of God in the earth realm: casting out of demons and healing the sick. Jesus made it clear after He was raised from the dead, that "these signs shall follow them that believe...they shall cast out devils...they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" (Mark 16). This is what we need to expect as we enter the Kingdom Move of God. But I would suspect that many of us have not had a lot of experience with the casting out of demons and the supernatural healing of diseases in Jesus' Name. Once again, for this reason I ask, Are You Ready For This?
Demonic activity is not something that is generally addressed, let alone confronted, in the mainstream church. Yes, many Christians still technically "believe" in demons; but in terms of some sort of "exorcism ministry" or seeing demons dealt with on a regular basis, for many if not most Christians, this is not the norm. In order to get ready for what God is getting ready to manifest in the demonstration of His Kingdom, we must begin to wrap our minds around the reality of the demonic realm. Saints, demons are real. If we believe that the Devil (Satan) is real, then it just stands to reason that his angels (demons) are real as well. If we don't "believe" in the tangible reality of demonic beings, then we will not be in position to allow the Holy Spirit to teach us how to appropriately and effectively deal with them. Demonic activity is responsible for a lot of the hell that our world is going through right now. But don't be deceived, there is plenty of demonic activity in the church, from the pulpit to the pew. Just because people are not rolling in the floors and vomiting up green yuck, doesn't mean that demonic activity isn't taking place within our churches. Christ has commissioned us to cast them out, and we must be ready for this.
There are more than a few Healing Ministries in our churches today, Praise God. However, a lot of the healing is being restricted to "healing evangelists" or certain "anointed" preachers or individuals. Yes, there are certain individuals that God has specifically anointed and ordained for the Healing Ministry, but Jesus says in Mark 16 that laying hands on the sick and the recovery thereof will be a sign of those that believe. Which means, if you are a believer in Christ, then you have the call to lay hands on people and see them get healed, in Jesus' Name. Many of us would never even "imagine" praying for someone with the legitimate "expectation" that they are going to be supernaturally healed. A lot of times, when we pray for someone who is sick, we're kind of "hoping" that God heals them. And of course, if He doesn't, then it wasn't "in God's Will" for them to be healed. But at least we prayed. Wrong. The Bible is putting the onus on us to lay hands on the sick for them to receive their healing, not on God. I know that generally we're not accustomed to this, but that's because, once again, we've been majoring in church, not the Kingdom of God. So as we move forward, you need to start preparing to lay your hands on the sick, with the faith that the Covenant God Jehovah, through the Blood of Jesus Christ, will Heal through you, in Jesus' Name.
We're getting ready to enter a very radical mind-set saints; a major departure from what we generally know as "church". We're getting ready to go back to how it was in the Book of Acts, persecution and all. The days of being "Sunday Morning Christians" are just about over. Either you're serious about Christ or you're not. Either you're seeking Him and His Kingdom Power, or you're not. This Spiritual Shift is going to transpire sooner than you think. Before you know it, it's going to take place Quickly and Suddenly. I ask you again, Are You Ready For This?
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
The Voice of Preparation
We are in a season of Preparation. In His Mercy, Grace and Kindness, the Father is giving His children, His chosen and the world a further opportunity to, as the songwriter aptly put it, "get right with God, and do it Now". This season of Preparation is important because, once it ends, it ends. We will not be able to get these days back. So it is imperative that we heed The Voice of Preparation.
The Spirit Realm of God is regulated by Sound. I don't fully understand it, but the way God communicates His Will to His people and to the world is via Sound. The scripture says in the tenth chapter of Romans, "have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world". When the Holy Ghost came on the Day of Pentecost, He ushered in the Age of the Church and the Age of Grace through a "sound from heaven" (Acts 2). Many times, not exclusively, God will manifest this Sound of Heaven through A Voice. More often than not, it is a Prophetic Voice. This is why it is so important to give heed to the prophetic anointing that God is increasing during this season. If someone you know is operating with a prophetic call or a prophetic anointing, listen to them! And if you, yourself, are operating within a prophetic calling or gifting, continue to do what Paul admonished his son in the ministry to do, "stir up the gift" (2Timothy 1). We must pay attention to the Prophetic Voice of Preparation.
Prior to the Manifestation of Jesus's Ministry as the Son of God and the coming Messiah to Israel, God ordained and sanctioned a Voice. This Voice was that of the prophet, John the Baptist. His was a Voice of Preparation. The Gospel of Mark chapter one reads, "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight". What was John the Baptist prophetically preparing the people for? The Coming of Christ. Saints, I know it may be hard for us to wrap our theological minds around this prophetic belief, but we need to understand by faith that JESUS IS COMING! The reason I'm framing it like this is because I'm not talking about the "Return of Christ" in regards to His thousand-year Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20). I'm talking about a Season of Visitation where Jesus visibly returns to the earth to further prepare and equip His Church for (what many believe will be) this final Kingdom Move before the dispensation of the Gentiles is concluded (Acts 3).
The key to this Preparation is Repentance. The word repentance in the Greek means "to think again". If you're being open and available to the movement of the Spirit in your life during this Season of Preparation, then you're being challenged to "re-think" some things. Some previous concepts, some prior relationships, some established beliefs; God is challenging you to "think again". Repent. Don't resist this process saints. Why? Because the Lord is preparing us for the Coming of the King. The King is Coming...the King IS COMING. And if we heed the Voice of Preparation that God is issuing in our lives, then we will be ready for our Master's Arrival.
The Spirit Realm of God is regulated by Sound. I don't fully understand it, but the way God communicates His Will to His people and to the world is via Sound. The scripture says in the tenth chapter of Romans, "have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world". When the Holy Ghost came on the Day of Pentecost, He ushered in the Age of the Church and the Age of Grace through a "sound from heaven" (Acts 2). Many times, not exclusively, God will manifest this Sound of Heaven through A Voice. More often than not, it is a Prophetic Voice. This is why it is so important to give heed to the prophetic anointing that God is increasing during this season. If someone you know is operating with a prophetic call or a prophetic anointing, listen to them! And if you, yourself, are operating within a prophetic calling or gifting, continue to do what Paul admonished his son in the ministry to do, "stir up the gift" (2Timothy 1). We must pay attention to the Prophetic Voice of Preparation.
Prior to the Manifestation of Jesus's Ministry as the Son of God and the coming Messiah to Israel, God ordained and sanctioned a Voice. This Voice was that of the prophet, John the Baptist. His was a Voice of Preparation. The Gospel of Mark chapter one reads, "As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight". What was John the Baptist prophetically preparing the people for? The Coming of Christ. Saints, I know it may be hard for us to wrap our theological minds around this prophetic belief, but we need to understand by faith that JESUS IS COMING! The reason I'm framing it like this is because I'm not talking about the "Return of Christ" in regards to His thousand-year Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20). I'm talking about a Season of Visitation where Jesus visibly returns to the earth to further prepare and equip His Church for (what many believe will be) this final Kingdom Move before the dispensation of the Gentiles is concluded (Acts 3).
The key to this Preparation is Repentance. The word repentance in the Greek means "to think again". If you're being open and available to the movement of the Spirit in your life during this Season of Preparation, then you're being challenged to "re-think" some things. Some previous concepts, some prior relationships, some established beliefs; God is challenging you to "think again". Repent. Don't resist this process saints. Why? Because the Lord is preparing us for the Coming of the King. The King is Coming...the King IS COMING. And if we heed the Voice of Preparation that God is issuing in our lives, then we will be ready for our Master's Arrival.
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Where Are You?
As we continue to prepare for the Kingdom Movement that is going to hit the earth, it is imperative that we take the time to do Self-Inventory. Self-Identification is key as we continue to progress through this season. We are in the midst of a Season of Transition. I'm sure that for many of us, things seem to be changing in our lives right before our very eyes. Some things by consent, other things without our consent. Some things seem to be changing for our good, other things seem be turning out not so good (Romans 8). The reason these things are occurring at this time is because there is a Shifting taking place in the Heavens. A friend of mine described it as a "stirring" in the Heavens. As things continue to shift and stir in the Heavenly Realm, it's just a matter of time before this Heavenly Stir begins to manifest itself in the earth realm. The Father is giving us time to make the necessary adjustments, so that when He releases what He's ordained for the earth, His chosen and elect are prepared. For this reason we must be able to sufficiently answer the question, Where Are You?
This is the question we all need to be asking ourselves right about now; Where Are You? Where are you physically, in your body, in your health, in the consecration and sanctification of your temple unto the Lord? (Romans 12) Where are you in your soul; emotionally, psychologically, relationally? Where are you in your spirit? Is your faith operating at the level for which God has prescribed for you in this season? Do you have any lingering bitterness or unforgiveness that is affecting your spiritual growth and walk with God? Are you intense about your relationship with the Lord, or are you lukewarm and borderline indifferent? (Revelation 3) Where Are You? We need to be asking these questions now, because when the Judgment of God hits the earth, we won't have time to ask these questions. Judgment is report card time. Once the grade is issued, it's too late to re-take the test. So once again I ask, Where Are You?
This is the same question that God asked Adam when he disobeyed Him in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). God asked Adam, "Where art thou?" It was obvious that Adam was not where he was supposed to be because of sin. But look at the questions God raised to him according to Adam's various responses. "Who told thee thou was naked?" Watch the basis of your Self-Identification. God didn't argue with Adam's self-assessment, He questioned the source. "Hast thou eaten of the tree...?" Watch what you're digesting and internalizing in your mind, spirit as well as your body. We can't afford to make ourselves available to hear and watch everything, particularly that which God has forbidden.
Then Adam plays the blame game. Isn't it interesting that a lot of our issues in terms of Where We Are, at some level, involve a member of the opposite sex? Whether it's a spouse, a friend, a family member or an associate; a lot of times we tend to blame "where we are" on somebody else; and it's usually someone of the opposite sex. But remember, God "brought" Eve to Adam (Genesis 2). The Father knew how the story was going to go down; because a lot of times our interaction with the opposite sex tends to "expose" where we really are. Now is not the time saints to make excuses. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, let us be sober and vigilant, and let us allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to truthfully, Where Are You?
This is the question we all need to be asking ourselves right about now; Where Are You? Where are you physically, in your body, in your health, in the consecration and sanctification of your temple unto the Lord? (Romans 12) Where are you in your soul; emotionally, psychologically, relationally? Where are you in your spirit? Is your faith operating at the level for which God has prescribed for you in this season? Do you have any lingering bitterness or unforgiveness that is affecting your spiritual growth and walk with God? Are you intense about your relationship with the Lord, or are you lukewarm and borderline indifferent? (Revelation 3) Where Are You? We need to be asking these questions now, because when the Judgment of God hits the earth, we won't have time to ask these questions. Judgment is report card time. Once the grade is issued, it's too late to re-take the test. So once again I ask, Where Are You?
This is the same question that God asked Adam when he disobeyed Him in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). God asked Adam, "Where art thou?" It was obvious that Adam was not where he was supposed to be because of sin. But look at the questions God raised to him according to Adam's various responses. "Who told thee thou was naked?" Watch the basis of your Self-Identification. God didn't argue with Adam's self-assessment, He questioned the source. "Hast thou eaten of the tree...?" Watch what you're digesting and internalizing in your mind, spirit as well as your body. We can't afford to make ourselves available to hear and watch everything, particularly that which God has forbidden.
Then Adam plays the blame game. Isn't it interesting that a lot of our issues in terms of Where We Are, at some level, involve a member of the opposite sex? Whether it's a spouse, a friend, a family member or an associate; a lot of times we tend to blame "where we are" on somebody else; and it's usually someone of the opposite sex. But remember, God "brought" Eve to Adam (Genesis 2). The Father knew how the story was going to go down; because a lot of times our interaction with the opposite sex tends to "expose" where we really are. Now is not the time saints to make excuses. Let us gird up the loins of our mind, let us be sober and vigilant, and let us allow the Holy Spirit to reveal to truthfully, Where Are You?
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