There's not too many people, believers in Christ that is, that are not looking for some form of Resurrection in their life. When you talk about The Resurrection, the raising from the dead of Jesus Christ (who is the Resurrection, John 11), it speaks of Hope, Renewal, Victory, A Second Chance, Beating the Odds, Life out of Death. These are all things that many of us are reaching for and hoping for in dealing with the various situations and circumstances in our lives. But there's something that we must remember about the dynamics of The Resurrection. Resurrection has a certain vantage point from which it takes place. Resurrection doesn't take place above ground. Resurrection doesn't take place out in the open. There is a Point (vantage point) of Resurrection that has to be reached in order for one to experience the Power and the Miracle of The Resurrection. In order to experience the Resurrection, you have to be at The Point of Resurrection.
The Point of the Resurrection is Underground. There's a reason why people are buried "six feet under". In the biblical days, people were buried in a cave; once again, out of sight. This is what has to happen for many of us before we will have the privilege of experiencing The Resurrection. We must go Underground. We must enter the Darkness of our Spiritual Caves. I know this sounds somber and probably somewhat depressing, but this is the challenge of Resurrection. I know most of us (if not all of us) want to be happy and cheerful, which of course makes sense. But we need to understand, this is not The Point of Resurrection. Some of us are fighting trying to feel good and "stay positive", when unbeknownst to yourself, you're actually working against your spiritual progress and breakthrough. We must learn to surrender to The Point of Resurrection.
The scripture says in the 4th chapter of the Book of James, "be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness". Not exactly a recipe for a good time is it? But it's exactly the prescription for The Point of Resurrection. Do you understand that your present sorrow is Redemptive? Do you know that God is allowing you to go through these trying and difficult times, emotionally, physically, relationally, financially, occupationally, ministerially; because He's trying to raise you to another Level, another Dimension? That's what the Resurrection represents; a whole new Level of Living and a whole new Dimension of Existence and Being. But the portal is the Point of Resurrection.
This is what Jesus had to experience in order to fulfill His Calling as The Son of God. The scripture says in the 53rd chapter of Isaiah, "yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He hath put Him to grief". The Father divinely orchestrated and ordained the suffering of His Son. The crucifixion of Christ was not happenstance or a fortuitous set of events. God set the whole thing up. And can I tell you something, whether you believe it or not, He's setting up your situation to. I know that some of it you may have "brought on yourself". But what does the Word say, "and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8). So if you love Him, you're good. But all that Jesus went through was in the name of getting Him to The Point of Resurrection. And since Jesus was raised from the dead, there's been no looking back. Jesus has been ruling the Heavens and the Earth, seated at the Right Hand of the Father, ever since (Matthew 28, Colossians 3). And there'll be no looking back for you too as you surrender and submit to The Point of Resurrection.
Friday, July 29, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Revolution vs Rebellion
As we prepare to witness the Kingdom Move of God released in the earth, there's a decision that we must make on the front end in regards to the strategic approach that we are willing to take as it relates to the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, as it is in Heaven. We must decide if the Move of God is going to represent a Revolution or a Rebellion. You would think on the surface that it wouldn't make much difference. But believe it or not, it can make all the difference in the world. When you look at the formation of America in the 18th century, it's not called "The American Rebellion". It's called "The American Revolution". Why? Because there is a distinct difference between a Revolution v.s a Rebellion.
A Revolution is that which represents a Movement. A Rebellion is that which represents a Moment. A Revolution is response-oriented. A Rebellion is reaction-driven. A Revolution seeks to bring about systemic and social change. A Rebellion often in results in social chaos and division without necessarily resulting in structural social change. For this reason saints we must decide on the front end, what do we want? Do we want a Kingdom Revolution or do we want a social rebellion?
When you look at the various protests that have grown out of the police shootings of African-American men throughout the country, you'll find that a lot of the responses were rebellious, but not necessarily Revolutionary. Marching is good, protests are good, vocal and verbal denouncement of injustice is needed and called for. But when people get through marching, when they get though protesting, one must ask the question; what has really changed? Could this be part of the reason why the police continue to shoot and kill African-American men in this country? If this is a situation that needs to be socially addressed (and of course it is), then there needs to be a systematic approach that's going to bring about Revolutionary Change. If such a Revolution is taking place in this regards, then the media is not doing a good job of giving it coverage.
The Civil Rights Movement was Revolutionary. Why? Because it was spearheaded by a systematic approach to bring about social change in regards to race relations in America. And by the Grace of God, it did just that. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his leadership team did not wait for something to take place in the nation for them to react to; they created the action. After the incident with Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956, Dr. King spent the next decade (through the end of his life) proactively addressing racial discrimination and segregation in this country. It was a Movement that grew out of a Revolution.
When looking at the Kingdom Movement demonstrated in the Book of Acts, the scripture says that when the authorities arrested Peter and John, they assessed that the apostles were ignorant and unlearned men, but that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4). The scripture says that through the leadership of the apostles, the Kingdom Movement of the Book of Acts literally "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17). Meaning, they changed the world. This is the Call that God is making to the church for such a time as this. God is calling us as Kingdom Representatives and Soldiers of Christ to walk in the Power of the Holy Spirit to literally change the world. Not just change the church, but the world. This will not be a church movement, this will not be a denominational movement, this will be Movement from Heaven, sponsored by Almighty God to usher in the Kingdom of His Dear Son, Jesus the Christ. It will not be a momentary, reactionary rebellion; it will be a Kingdom Revolution that will usher in the Millennial Rule of Christ for Eternity.
A Revolution is that which represents a Movement. A Rebellion is that which represents a Moment. A Revolution is response-oriented. A Rebellion is reaction-driven. A Revolution seeks to bring about systemic and social change. A Rebellion often in results in social chaos and division without necessarily resulting in structural social change. For this reason saints we must decide on the front end, what do we want? Do we want a Kingdom Revolution or do we want a social rebellion?
When you look at the various protests that have grown out of the police shootings of African-American men throughout the country, you'll find that a lot of the responses were rebellious, but not necessarily Revolutionary. Marching is good, protests are good, vocal and verbal denouncement of injustice is needed and called for. But when people get through marching, when they get though protesting, one must ask the question; what has really changed? Could this be part of the reason why the police continue to shoot and kill African-American men in this country? If this is a situation that needs to be socially addressed (and of course it is), then there needs to be a systematic approach that's going to bring about Revolutionary Change. If such a Revolution is taking place in this regards, then the media is not doing a good job of giving it coverage.
The Civil Rights Movement was Revolutionary. Why? Because it was spearheaded by a systematic approach to bring about social change in regards to race relations in America. And by the Grace of God, it did just that. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his leadership team did not wait for something to take place in the nation for them to react to; they created the action. After the incident with Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955-1956, Dr. King spent the next decade (through the end of his life) proactively addressing racial discrimination and segregation in this country. It was a Movement that grew out of a Revolution.
When looking at the Kingdom Movement demonstrated in the Book of Acts, the scripture says that when the authorities arrested Peter and John, they assessed that the apostles were ignorant and unlearned men, but that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4). The scripture says that through the leadership of the apostles, the Kingdom Movement of the Book of Acts literally "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17). Meaning, they changed the world. This is the Call that God is making to the church for such a time as this. God is calling us as Kingdom Representatives and Soldiers of Christ to walk in the Power of the Holy Spirit to literally change the world. Not just change the church, but the world. This will not be a church movement, this will not be a denominational movement, this will be Movement from Heaven, sponsored by Almighty God to usher in the Kingdom of His Dear Son, Jesus the Christ. It will not be a momentary, reactionary rebellion; it will be a Kingdom Revolution that will usher in the Millennial Rule of Christ for Eternity.
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Reconciliation
The God we serve is a God of Reconciliation. The scripture says that God was in Christ "reconciling the world unto Himself" (2Corinthians 5). If Reconciliation is important to the Father, then it needs to be important to us as well. The opposite of Reconciliation is alienation and separation. This describes the state and status of many of our relationships, even in the church and in the Body of Christ. Needless to say, this is not the Will of God. As the children of God we need to be more deliberate and more intentional about reconciling many of the estranged and distant relationships that we have. If we're going to be like our Father, then we're going to have to address the need for Reconciliation.
The scripture says in 2Corinthians 5, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them". One of the keys to Reconciliation, particularly relationally, is Forgiveness. We would not be reconciled to the Father if He had not forgiven us our trespasses and sins. This is what God requires us to do as well. Many of us have people that have hurt us, that have wronged us, that have wounded us; and we feel that the best way to deal with them and what was done to us by them is to just leave them alone. Even though there may be times where this is appropriate, understand that it is never appropriate Not to Forgive. If you're holding a grudge against someone, if you're harboring bitterness and contempt towards someone because of what they did or did not do, then you're operating outside of the Divine Will of God. The scripture clearly states, "let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger...be put away from you" (Ephesians 4). The same passage also states, "and be ye kind one to another...forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you". We don't have the right not to forgive those who have hurt us or done us wrong. No one has abused you to the extent for which Christ was abused, oppressed and persecuted. No one! And remember, we deserve to go to Hell. But only because of the Grace and Mercy of God, we've been reconciled to the Father in spite of our sin. So in order for Reconciliation to take place there has to be Forgiveness. There has to be a release of the debt, of the grievance and of the offense that was perpetrated towards you.
Then, in order for Reconciliation to take place, you must have a Heart of Grace. Grace can be defined as God's Unconditional Acceptance of us In Spite of us. Do you understand that God already knows that we're going to sin and loves us anyway? God's not waiting for us to "get it right" before He loves us; He accepts us right where we are. This is what the Father expects of us as His children as well. Some of you are staying mad at folks and family members, waiting for them to "change" before you have anything to do with them. What if God waited on you to change before He decided to "have anything to do with you"? Do you see what I'm saying? To hold grudges and project these "expectations" upon certain people is hypocritical, if you call yourself a Christian. Now of course, the Bible makes it clear that if you don't forgive others their trespasses, then the Father will not forgive you of yours (Matthew 6). So maybe the real issue is that you're not really saved at all, since you can't dispense the same Forgiveness that makes you saved.
In any case, bottom line saints, we need to start Forgiving people and we need to start accepting people where they are. All of these divisions and schisms in our families, in our homes and particularly in our churches, we're seeing it in our nation; none of this is the Will of God. Let's be like our Heavenly Father, let's exhibit the Mind of Christ, and let's be about the business of Reconciliation.
The scripture says in 2Corinthians 5, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them". One of the keys to Reconciliation, particularly relationally, is Forgiveness. We would not be reconciled to the Father if He had not forgiven us our trespasses and sins. This is what God requires us to do as well. Many of us have people that have hurt us, that have wronged us, that have wounded us; and we feel that the best way to deal with them and what was done to us by them is to just leave them alone. Even though there may be times where this is appropriate, understand that it is never appropriate Not to Forgive. If you're holding a grudge against someone, if you're harboring bitterness and contempt towards someone because of what they did or did not do, then you're operating outside of the Divine Will of God. The scripture clearly states, "let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger...be put away from you" (Ephesians 4). The same passage also states, "and be ye kind one to another...forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you". We don't have the right not to forgive those who have hurt us or done us wrong. No one has abused you to the extent for which Christ was abused, oppressed and persecuted. No one! And remember, we deserve to go to Hell. But only because of the Grace and Mercy of God, we've been reconciled to the Father in spite of our sin. So in order for Reconciliation to take place there has to be Forgiveness. There has to be a release of the debt, of the grievance and of the offense that was perpetrated towards you.
Then, in order for Reconciliation to take place, you must have a Heart of Grace. Grace can be defined as God's Unconditional Acceptance of us In Spite of us. Do you understand that God already knows that we're going to sin and loves us anyway? God's not waiting for us to "get it right" before He loves us; He accepts us right where we are. This is what the Father expects of us as His children as well. Some of you are staying mad at folks and family members, waiting for them to "change" before you have anything to do with them. What if God waited on you to change before He decided to "have anything to do with you"? Do you see what I'm saying? To hold grudges and project these "expectations" upon certain people is hypocritical, if you call yourself a Christian. Now of course, the Bible makes it clear that if you don't forgive others their trespasses, then the Father will not forgive you of yours (Matthew 6). So maybe the real issue is that you're not really saved at all, since you can't dispense the same Forgiveness that makes you saved.
In any case, bottom line saints, we need to start Forgiving people and we need to start accepting people where they are. All of these divisions and schisms in our families, in our homes and particularly in our churches, we're seeing it in our nation; none of this is the Will of God. Let's be like our Heavenly Father, let's exhibit the Mind of Christ, and let's be about the business of Reconciliation.
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
The Pride of Life
As we continue to prepare for and anticipate the Kingdom Move of God, we want to understand that just like Movements get started, they can also be stopped. This is my concern for the coming Kingdom Move that God has ordained for the earth. If we as the people of God are not careful, we can unwittingly find ourselves stopping the Move unintentionally. How so? By operating in the Pride of Life. The spirit of pride and the Pride of Life is one of the most deadliest things to a Move of God and true Movement of the Spirit of God. If you look at the various Moves of God that have taken place historically, many of them (if not most) at some point came to a close. How does the Move of an Eternal God just come to a screeching halt? Because of the pride of man. The thing about Pride is that it's not something that we hear preached about often. (Maybe because we as preachers can be some of the biggest proponents thereof) We talk about sins of immorality and what not, but Pride is the killer, especially of a Move of God, individually as well as collectively. We need to make sure that we aren't operating, even subconsciously, in the Pride of Life.
Let's first define Pride. Pride is a spirit that can unknowingly make you compete with the position of God. The reason I define it that way is because when you're operating in Pride, there's something that you feel that you're entitled to for which you're willing to impose your self upon others to get. This is why Pride can be so subtle and insidious. A lot of times when we're operating in Pride we feel like we're justified in how we feel; that's why it's hard a lot of times to overtly detect it unless you've developed a sensitivity to how the spirit of pride manifests itself, particularly through your own personality. If we're not careful, the spirit of Pride can undermine everything that God wants to accomplish and has ordained for your life.
Let's look at some examples of Pride. One is Jealousy. When you find yourself jealous or envious of someone, this grows out of the spirit of pride. This is one of the dangers that we must be guarded against with this Kingdom Move. God is going to move in Miracles, Signs and Wonders; and He's going to move through those who are spiritually conditioned and prepared. Well, if "Brother Johnson" is being used in a way that you're not, if you're operating in the Pride of Life, you're going to start wondering "why is Bro. Johnson being used like that and I'm not? I'm just as spiritual and anointed as he is". See how that works. That's the Pride of Life. There are churches and ministries that right now just have a handful of people in attendance. But when the Movement begins to manifest, there won't be enough room to hold all of the people. There will be haters, instead of congratulators. This is Pride. We must get the focus off of ourselves if we're going to escape The Pride of Life.
The opposite of Pride is Humility. When you're walking in a Spirit of Humility you've forsaken the spirit of entitlement. This is the root of pride and what causes a lot of dissension and disagreement, particularly in the church. When you have to be right, when you have to have your way, when you must have the last word, when you flex because of your position or authority; all of this is Pride, and it gets in the way of God. Many marriages and churches have been broken up simply because of Pride. Jesus mastered Humility (Philippians 2). He expects us to do the same. The Bible says that God resists the proud but giveth grace to the humble (James 4). If you want God on your side and you want the Move of God to be sustained in your life, let the Spirit teach you how to forsake and refuse The Pride of Life.
Let's first define Pride. Pride is a spirit that can unknowingly make you compete with the position of God. The reason I define it that way is because when you're operating in Pride, there's something that you feel that you're entitled to for which you're willing to impose your self upon others to get. This is why Pride can be so subtle and insidious. A lot of times when we're operating in Pride we feel like we're justified in how we feel; that's why it's hard a lot of times to overtly detect it unless you've developed a sensitivity to how the spirit of pride manifests itself, particularly through your own personality. If we're not careful, the spirit of Pride can undermine everything that God wants to accomplish and has ordained for your life.
Let's look at some examples of Pride. One is Jealousy. When you find yourself jealous or envious of someone, this grows out of the spirit of pride. This is one of the dangers that we must be guarded against with this Kingdom Move. God is going to move in Miracles, Signs and Wonders; and He's going to move through those who are spiritually conditioned and prepared. Well, if "Brother Johnson" is being used in a way that you're not, if you're operating in the Pride of Life, you're going to start wondering "why is Bro. Johnson being used like that and I'm not? I'm just as spiritual and anointed as he is". See how that works. That's the Pride of Life. There are churches and ministries that right now just have a handful of people in attendance. But when the Movement begins to manifest, there won't be enough room to hold all of the people. There will be haters, instead of congratulators. This is Pride. We must get the focus off of ourselves if we're going to escape The Pride of Life.
The opposite of Pride is Humility. When you're walking in a Spirit of Humility you've forsaken the spirit of entitlement. This is the root of pride and what causes a lot of dissension and disagreement, particularly in the church. When you have to be right, when you have to have your way, when you must have the last word, when you flex because of your position or authority; all of this is Pride, and it gets in the way of God. Many marriages and churches have been broken up simply because of Pride. Jesus mastered Humility (Philippians 2). He expects us to do the same. The Bible says that God resists the proud but giveth grace to the humble (James 4). If you want God on your side and you want the Move of God to be sustained in your life, let the Spirit teach you how to forsake and refuse The Pride of Life.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Struggle v.s Rebellion
There's an area as it relates to our Christian walk that needs to be addressed, that can directly affect our spiritual and eternal destiny. We need to distinguish between Struggling with the will of God and rebelling against the will of God. The two are not the same. Some of us struggle with sin and struggle with disobedience to God. Which is a large part of the maturity process in Christ. However, there are others of us that are not struggling with the will of God, we are straight out rebelling against the will of God. We have said in our hearts that we are "not" going to do what God has told us to do. Believe me saints, there is a difference between Struggle v.s Rebellion.
A lot of us, if not all of us, struggle with the performance and execution of God's Divine Will for our lives. The scripture says very clearly that, "when I would do good, evil is present with me" (Romans 7). All of us at some point in our Christian walk have struggled with doing the right thing, doing the Will of God. This is normal. The reason such is the case is because all of us have what is called a "sinful nature" (Romans 7-8, Galatians 5). There's an internal struggle within every believer between good and bad, right and wrong. The Bible says that when you want to do good and you end up doing the wrong that you're trying to avoid, that's not you, that's the sin in you (Romans 7). That's not theology, that's Bible. However, if the Holy Spirit resides within you, then when you mess up and go against God's Divine Will for your life, then you are convicted by the Holy Ghost (John 16). If you can sin and not be concerned or pressed, then, with all due respect, I question your Christianity and your salvific status. You can't be born-again and not be convicted when you knowingly disobey God. Even if it's not "intentional", when you consciously disobey God, the Holy Spirit is going to convict you and let you know in your spirit, that you are wrong. This is the Struggle that we all experience as it relates to the execution of God's Divine Will for our lives.
But there are others of us for whom the Lord has made known what His Will is for our lives, what He would have us to do, and we've simply said No. This is dangerous my brothers and sisters. It's alright to "fail" at the Will of God, but it's not alright to "rebel" against the Will of God. If you're struggling, that's okay, God has Grace for that. And believe me, His Grace is sufficient (John 1, 2Corinthians 12). But when you get to the point to where in your heart and mind you simply refuse to do what God has told you to do, then you're flirting with blasphemy. I'm not talking about "struggling with a call" or being "overtaken in a fault" (Galatians 6). Once again, God has Grace for that. But when you've made up your mind to be in a "state" of disobedience to God, then you're moving into blasphemy; and blasphemy is the denial of the leadership of the Holy Spirit for your life (Matthew 12). It is the only unforgivable sin. Therefore you need to understand, when you get to a place where you've told God adamantly and repeatedly that you're not going to submit and subscribe to His Divine Will for your life, this is blasphemy and is unforgivable. Which means, you're going to Hell. Please understand the gravity and seriousness of Struggle v.s Rebellion.
A lot of us, if not all of us, struggle with the performance and execution of God's Divine Will for our lives. The scripture says very clearly that, "when I would do good, evil is present with me" (Romans 7). All of us at some point in our Christian walk have struggled with doing the right thing, doing the Will of God. This is normal. The reason such is the case is because all of us have what is called a "sinful nature" (Romans 7-8, Galatians 5). There's an internal struggle within every believer between good and bad, right and wrong. The Bible says that when you want to do good and you end up doing the wrong that you're trying to avoid, that's not you, that's the sin in you (Romans 7). That's not theology, that's Bible. However, if the Holy Spirit resides within you, then when you mess up and go against God's Divine Will for your life, then you are convicted by the Holy Ghost (John 16). If you can sin and not be concerned or pressed, then, with all due respect, I question your Christianity and your salvific status. You can't be born-again and not be convicted when you knowingly disobey God. Even if it's not "intentional", when you consciously disobey God, the Holy Spirit is going to convict you and let you know in your spirit, that you are wrong. This is the Struggle that we all experience as it relates to the execution of God's Divine Will for our lives.
But there are others of us for whom the Lord has made known what His Will is for our lives, what He would have us to do, and we've simply said No. This is dangerous my brothers and sisters. It's alright to "fail" at the Will of God, but it's not alright to "rebel" against the Will of God. If you're struggling, that's okay, God has Grace for that. And believe me, His Grace is sufficient (John 1, 2Corinthians 12). But when you get to the point to where in your heart and mind you simply refuse to do what God has told you to do, then you're flirting with blasphemy. I'm not talking about "struggling with a call" or being "overtaken in a fault" (Galatians 6). Once again, God has Grace for that. But when you've made up your mind to be in a "state" of disobedience to God, then you're moving into blasphemy; and blasphemy is the denial of the leadership of the Holy Spirit for your life (Matthew 12). It is the only unforgivable sin. Therefore you need to understand, when you get to a place where you've told God adamantly and repeatedly that you're not going to submit and subscribe to His Divine Will for your life, this is blasphemy and is unforgivable. Which means, you're going to Hell. Please understand the gravity and seriousness of Struggle v.s Rebellion.
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Fight
Saints, we are entering a season for the next several weeks of the summer where we really need to be on Spiritual Alert. We have seen the activity of the Enemy throughout our country and throughout our world over the last several weeks and months. Rampant killings, shootings, murder and violence. Needless to say, none of this is of God, all of this is of the devil. That being said, I believe that the attacks, in addition to remaining on a collective level, are now going to be manifested more individually. Satan's going to try to do what he does, "steal, kill and destroy" (John 10). However, as believers in Christ, we know that Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world (1John 4). Yet and still, even with this understanding, if we're going to operate in Victory and defeat the wiles of the devil, we're going to have to Fight.
The Bible says to fight the good fight of faith (1Timothy 6). Some of the situations and circumstances for which some of us are about to encounter are going to require that you Fight the Good Fight of Faith. Satan's going to try to knock you out and knock you down. Things may happen to certain family members and loved ones. Something unexpectedly may happen with your finances that can temporarily mess you up. Something may happen relationally where it seemed like everything was "going smoothly" and then all of a sudden the bottom just seems start falling out. I'm not "prophesying" any of this; I'm saying that based upon the current activity of the Evil One, we need to be prepared. If, God forbid, something does happen to knock you off your block, the correct response is not frustration. The correct response is not anger. The correct response is not resignation and depression. The correct response is to Fight. Fight your way through the depression. Fight your way through the pain. Fight your way through the disappointment. Fight! Don't give up and don't give in, Fight.
The Bible says that Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. If you're going to Fight through whatever the devil may send your way, you're going to have to do it by Faith. This is not something you want to try to work through or resolve within your own strength. You need the Strength of the Lord. In order to get the type of strength required to Fight the Fight of Faith, you need to be in the Word of God. Get into the Word of God. Read the Bible, read the scriptures, everyday. The only way you're going to make it successfully and prosperously is to know what God is saying and to heed the Word of the Lord. This is not just restricted to the written Word of God. Some of you have already received a prophetic word that has given you strategies for how to deal with the devil's attacks. Do what God is telling you to do! Get out of all this "analytical approach" to the prophetic Word of God. If you know that you're dealing with an anointed prophet of God, particularly one that has a track record in your life for accurately relaying to you what "thus saith the Lord", then do what the Lord is prophetically telling you to do. For those who have been a recipient of a prophetic word on more than one occasion and, for whatever reason, have failed to heed the prophetic instruction given to you by the Lord, I ask you this question: aren't you tired of losing? When you fail to heed and follow prophetic instructions, you're going to Lose. Now is not the time to be a spiritual loser when Victory is so available.
Fight saints, that's all I can say, Fight. For some it won't be easy, and for others the attacks may seem more severe and intense than others. But remember the Word of the Lord, "and this is the Victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1John 5). God has already secured for us the Victory, but if you want to receive it and walk in it, you have to Fight.
The Bible says to fight the good fight of faith (1Timothy 6). Some of the situations and circumstances for which some of us are about to encounter are going to require that you Fight the Good Fight of Faith. Satan's going to try to knock you out and knock you down. Things may happen to certain family members and loved ones. Something unexpectedly may happen with your finances that can temporarily mess you up. Something may happen relationally where it seemed like everything was "going smoothly" and then all of a sudden the bottom just seems start falling out. I'm not "prophesying" any of this; I'm saying that based upon the current activity of the Evil One, we need to be prepared. If, God forbid, something does happen to knock you off your block, the correct response is not frustration. The correct response is not anger. The correct response is not resignation and depression. The correct response is to Fight. Fight your way through the depression. Fight your way through the pain. Fight your way through the disappointment. Fight! Don't give up and don't give in, Fight.
The Bible says that Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. If you're going to Fight through whatever the devil may send your way, you're going to have to do it by Faith. This is not something you want to try to work through or resolve within your own strength. You need the Strength of the Lord. In order to get the type of strength required to Fight the Fight of Faith, you need to be in the Word of God. Get into the Word of God. Read the Bible, read the scriptures, everyday. The only way you're going to make it successfully and prosperously is to know what God is saying and to heed the Word of the Lord. This is not just restricted to the written Word of God. Some of you have already received a prophetic word that has given you strategies for how to deal with the devil's attacks. Do what God is telling you to do! Get out of all this "analytical approach" to the prophetic Word of God. If you know that you're dealing with an anointed prophet of God, particularly one that has a track record in your life for accurately relaying to you what "thus saith the Lord", then do what the Lord is prophetically telling you to do. For those who have been a recipient of a prophetic word on more than one occasion and, for whatever reason, have failed to heed the prophetic instruction given to you by the Lord, I ask you this question: aren't you tired of losing? When you fail to heed and follow prophetic instructions, you're going to Lose. Now is not the time to be a spiritual loser when Victory is so available.
Fight saints, that's all I can say, Fight. For some it won't be easy, and for others the attacks may seem more severe and intense than others. But remember the Word of the Lord, "and this is the Victory that overcometh the world, even our faith" (1John 5). God has already secured for us the Victory, but if you want to receive it and walk in it, you have to Fight.
Friday, July 22, 2016
Forfeiture of the Kingdom
There is a grave concern that I have for many people in our country, throughout the world, in many of our churches and for many professing Christians. My concern is that many of us are positioning ourselves to experience a Forfeiture of the Kingdom of God. This may not be of concern to some, but if you are a born-again believer in Christ, you need to examine during this season where you are in terms of your Inheritance in the Kingdom of God. There's a grave misconception in the church that needs to be rectified as we embark upon this Kingdom Move that the Father is getting ready to release in the earth. Just because you're saved does not mean that you will inherit the Kingdom of God. Let me say it again: just because you're saved, just because you've accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, does not mean that you are automatically entitled to an Inheritance in the Kingdom of God. This needs to be clarified because there are, I believe, more than a few believers that are going to be mildly surprised when they get to Heaven (by the Grace of God) to find that there is a distinction between the residents of Heaven and those who reign in Glory. All of us have been ordained to reign, but you have to spiritually qualify. Such is the case with the Kingdom Move that's about to be released in the earth. Make sure that you're not guilty of Forfeiture of the Kingdom.
There's a passage of scripture in Galatians chapter 5 that I believe has been grossly misinterpreted. The scripture says that if you engage in the works of the flesh (fornication, adultery, drunkenness and such like) that "they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God". People have misinterpreted this text to think that if you engage in works of the flesh that you will not go to Heaven, or in effect, that you are not saved. This is incorrect. Remember, we're saved by Grace through Faith, which is the Gift of God not by works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2). So your Salvation is not contingent upon what you do or don't do, it's contingent upon your faith. We also know this is true because Paul says earlier in this same chapter, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace". And if you read the entire epistle to the Galatians, you'll find that Paul's major them is Justification by Grace. So he's not going to switch up near the end of his letter and start preaching "salvation by works".
We must understand the context of the Kingdom. There's a difference between being a child of God and an heir of God. You can be a child of God, born again by the Spirit, but not qualify to be an Heir of God, one who is entitled to receive an Inheritance, which is the Kingdom of God. In Jewish culture, just because a child was biologically born into the family, didn't automatically make them an heir. That's our understanding in our Western culture, but it was different in Hebrew culture. In Hebrew culture, when the child became mature enough to participate in the family business and mature enough to walk with the authority of the family, then that child was adopted by the parents to become a joint heir. This is supported scripturally in Galatians chapter 4 where it says, "the heir, as long as he is a child differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all". Saints, if we continue to walk in spiritual immaturity, indulging the lusts of the flesh, engaging in selfish and self-centered pursuits, wallowing in pride and filled with arrogance and conceit; we disqualify ourselves from Kingdom Inheritance. You can't be self-absorbed and self-indulgent and reign in the Kingdom of God. You can't walk in Divine Power and selfish pride at the same time. Now is the time saints to Repent (Acts 3). Let us turn from our sinful ways and disobedient posture, let us submit to the Divine Will of God and the leadership of His Spirit (Romans 8). Once again, let us not be guilty of Forfeiture of the Kingdom.
There's a passage of scripture in Galatians chapter 5 that I believe has been grossly misinterpreted. The scripture says that if you engage in the works of the flesh (fornication, adultery, drunkenness and such like) that "they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God". People have misinterpreted this text to think that if you engage in works of the flesh that you will not go to Heaven, or in effect, that you are not saved. This is incorrect. Remember, we're saved by Grace through Faith, which is the Gift of God not by works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2). So your Salvation is not contingent upon what you do or don't do, it's contingent upon your faith. We also know this is true because Paul says earlier in this same chapter, "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace". And if you read the entire epistle to the Galatians, you'll find that Paul's major them is Justification by Grace. So he's not going to switch up near the end of his letter and start preaching "salvation by works".
We must understand the context of the Kingdom. There's a difference between being a child of God and an heir of God. You can be a child of God, born again by the Spirit, but not qualify to be an Heir of God, one who is entitled to receive an Inheritance, which is the Kingdom of God. In Jewish culture, just because a child was biologically born into the family, didn't automatically make them an heir. That's our understanding in our Western culture, but it was different in Hebrew culture. In Hebrew culture, when the child became mature enough to participate in the family business and mature enough to walk with the authority of the family, then that child was adopted by the parents to become a joint heir. This is supported scripturally in Galatians chapter 4 where it says, "the heir, as long as he is a child differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all". Saints, if we continue to walk in spiritual immaturity, indulging the lusts of the flesh, engaging in selfish and self-centered pursuits, wallowing in pride and filled with arrogance and conceit; we disqualify ourselves from Kingdom Inheritance. You can't be self-absorbed and self-indulgent and reign in the Kingdom of God. You can't walk in Divine Power and selfish pride at the same time. Now is the time saints to Repent (Acts 3). Let us turn from our sinful ways and disobedient posture, let us submit to the Divine Will of God and the leadership of His Spirit (Romans 8). Once again, let us not be guilty of Forfeiture of the Kingdom.
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