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Good day. Today's video Made Fit is on the topic of being made fit for the work of the ministry according to God's purpose which He purposed from the beginning; God restoring His image in you. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry or by clicking on our archive page link above - Doctrine of Christ Ministry Archive Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good Morning. Today's video Fiery Trial is on the topic of...Our God is a consuming fire. James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (KJV) Psalms 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. (KJV) Malachi 3:2-3 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (KJV) Not all fiery trials come from Satan. As we go on please do keep in mind, that God does not tempt or try us with evil; man is drawn away of his own lust and enticed (James 1:13-15). Think about this, our God is a consuming fire; and there are times in our walk with the Lord that God will try or prove us to bring us to a better place, a more perfect or mature place in Christ his Son. Sometimes God will prune (chasten) us like a branch on the vine, but sometimes an area of our life takes fire to cleanse away the weeds so that it will be good ground for Him to regenerate new growth in that area of our spiritual garden. 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. (KJV) The materials that we use, in other words what we put into our relationship with the Lord will be tried; and it will manifest if it can withstand the fiery trial, whether it be of God or a temptation from Satan. Will your faith, your trust in God withstand (endure) or will you wither under trial? Will you trust God, even if you don’t fully understand what He is doing in your life? Remember we will get out what we put into it (2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatian 6:6-7). Would you be willing to give up and walk away from what you treasure on this earth; whether it be man’s wisdom and knowledge you acquired over time, or riches, houses, wives, children, brethren, or your church to follow Christ? Or will you be like the rich young ruler, in Matthew 19:16-22, who when he asked the Lord what he must do to inherit eternal life was told to sell what he had and give to the poor, and take up his cross and follow Him, he went away sorrowful because he had great riches? Paul suffered the loss of all things and chose to count them as dung or refuse that he may win Christ. Philippians 3:7-11 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (KJV) We (Greg and I) have been through our own wilderness experience these last five years; and suffered the loss of all things which were gain to us, but we also chose to count them as dung that we may win Christ, and be ambassadors for Christ holding forth the word of life in sincerity and in truth. Was our journey always easy? No, we went through the Lord’s furnace of affliction to burn off our old thoughts and ways. It has only been in the last year that the vision the Lord began us on this journey with has been speaking, and our desire is to be able to share it with others so that if the Lord calls them to a better place in their walk, they can run knowing that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. And we can truly say that we are in a better place spiritually, and moving forward to the promised land; eternal life with God our Father and with our Lord Jesus Christ. What are you willing to walk away from or let go of to inherit eternal life? God bless, and may you always being growing and maturing in our Lord Christ Jesus. Amen. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video Changing is on the topic of changing from relying on the outward to the inward. 2 Corinthians 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (KJV) We should be ever changing in our walk in the Spirit; walking more by faith and less by sight; not being limited by just the outward. Our outward man is perishing, but the inward man is to be renewed day by day from relying on the outward, what you can see, hear, and touch, to relying more on the inward, the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, Christ in you the hope of glory. Without faith it is impossible to please God; one must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. It is not the outward worship that will get you home; it is the inward, God is a Spirit and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth, for those are the ones that he is seeking. The just shall live by faith. Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (KJV) Our faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. We were given the mind of Christ; now it is learning on a daily basis to operate in that mind, being led by the Spirit so that we are able to come to know the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God for ourselves. 1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (KJV) The old man, the old nature that we were born into this world with, is perishing each moment that we choose to walk in the Spirit; changing of the guard so to speak, being armed with the mind of Christ which enables us to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ in us. And in the mind of Christ we have a readiness to punish disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled just as the Lord Jesus Christ did (Colossians 2:12-15). Man does not live by bread alone (physical), but by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God (being led by the Spirit). Changing from going by our natural senses to our spiritual senses which should be exercised to discern both good and evil; to discern between the voice of the Lord and the voice of a stranger (Satan). We have an unction (the mind of Christ) from the Holy One and know all things. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (KJV) There are many who are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth which is in them. Why? Because although they may have begun in the Spirit, they are now trying to perfect their walk according to the flesh by following man’s traditions and doctrines instead perfecting their walk according to the leading of the Holy Spirit, which was given unto us to lead and guide us into all truth; i.e. to know all things according to wisdom of God and not the wisdom of men or that of the world. Colossians 1:26-28 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (KJV) Our Father desires for us to go from a child of God, to a perfect mature man/woman of God in Christ Jesus. Able ministers of the truth that was in Jesus, which is also in us; Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God; and our only hope of glory. God bless. 1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (KJV) Isaiah 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (KJV) You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Good morning. Today's video The Son - Part14 is on the topic of who the Son of God is; the body is of Christ. Ephesians 4:1-7 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. (KJV) Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (KJV) There is one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all; and we have been born again of His incorruptible seed, which is Christ. John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (KJV) Think of yourself as the corn of wheat, you were born into this corruptible world, and have grown in the ground of life on earth, the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches entered in and the seed of life within you abided alone; hidden behind the veil of the heart which was serving the corruptible seed of Satan. But when you choose to die to this world, something miraculous happened; the seed of life, which is Christ, began to grow within you. You were born again, of the Spirit of God, and the seed of life no longer abides alone, but has the God of all creation, the husbandman, the tiller of the heart to nourish His seed in the good ground (the mind of Christ) so that it may bring forth much fruit; that being the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (KJV) The more we die to self, crucifying the flesh with the affections and lusts, the more we will bring forth fruit unto perfection. If we sow to the flesh of the flesh shall we reap corruption; if we sow to the Spirit of the Spirit shall we reap everlasting life. Many of this life are abiding alone, without hope, the seed of life hidden; the eyes of their understanding of it blinded by the god of this world. We were once in this state of life, but now having been born again in the Spirit of the incorruptible seed of God, which is Christ, the eyes of our understanding have been enlightened so… Ephesians 1:18-23 that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (KJV) No longer born of the corruptible seed, but of the incorruptible seed which is Christ, the pure word of God. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:11-13 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (KJV) Watch and pray always dear brethren in Christ, that the ground (mind) of your heart remains nourished up in the Word of God, the living waters that bring forth fruit, some thirty (good), and some sixty (acceptable), and some hundredfold (perfect) in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth which is the will of God. You can view all previous videos by going to our YouTube channel Doctrine of Christ Ministry. Have a blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)
The Lord begins this chapter encouraging the believers not to be troubled but to continue believing. You can expect opposition as you take your place in the body of Christ, because the more grounded you become in the Lord the more of a threat you become to the enemy. You have a place prepared and ready for you to take up residence in, but there is a spiritual enemy who will do all he can to detour you and try and keep you in this fallen realm. Only the truth will set you free and allow you to carry out your heavenly calling so that you can be a true resident of the kingdom of God in Christ. Ephesians 3:9-12 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (10) To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) Our fellowship with God, our citizenship with Him is described as a mystery, something hidden to the carnal man but readily revealed to those in Christ. There are principalities in the heavenly realm, like with a football team, the defense is stacked up at the goal line trying to deny you access to it. This principality, or as it is described the prince of the power of the air, the devil and his angels, will do all they can to try to talk you out of your inheritance and your rightful place in the body of Christ by attempting to deny you access to His kingdom. But to those that are in Christ and have His spirit bearing witness to their spirit, they will know the truth and boldly confidently access His kingdom by letting these principalities know who they are in Christ, and that these principalities need to step aside because they are going in. The only way one can know all the spiritual blessings they have been blessed with is by entering into the kingdom of God and staying seated with Christ to hear His doctrine of love and liberty in Him. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV) There is spiritual armor available to ward off spiritual resistance, so the more you keep the shield of faith up and operational the less likely you will be hit in the vitals with a fiery dart from the wicked one. Do know that there will be opposition to those that take up residency in their heavenly place, and that there are principalities and powers that will do all they can to pull you back into the realm of the flesh. Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, (39) Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (KJV) Strong’s definition for ‘persuaded’: 3982 peitho (pi'-tho); a primary verb; to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy, to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively, to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): KJV-- agree, assure, believe, have confidence, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield. Are you of the persuasion that nothing or no one is going to separate you from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord? That no one or no being is going to keep you from accessing your heavenly reward? Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will continue in the faith grounded and settled and not allow themselves to be moved away or evicted from their heavenly place in Christ, but rather they will let the enemy know it is time to step aside as they go forward, and don’t let the door hit you on my way in. Luke 4:6-8 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. (7) If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. (8) And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth knew who He was in Christ and how to access the kingdom of God despite opposition from principalities in heavenly places. In fact He knew that God promised His people that they would be the head and not the tail, so He put the devil in his place by walking past him and leaving him behind. When you encounter persecution or obstacles the devil tries to put in your path, will you be as quick to respond in the Spirit and put him in his place as well, that being a fallen one, or will you get caught up in petty wrestling matches in the affairs of this life? The more you stay seated in the heavenly realm in Christ, hearing His message, the more you will continue to move forward in your walk with Him and not let anyone tell you different. The Lord has prepared a place for you in His kingdom, now put the distractions behind you and obtain what is rightfully yours. Revelation 12:10-11 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (KJV) The enemy is like a little tattle tale, slinging mud at the believers to see if it will stick. Those that know their rights and authority in Christ will be blameless, without spot before Him. Once you have been cleansed by the washing of the water by the word of God it is imperative that you keep clean so that the mud does not stick. While accessing your place in the heavenly realm, do know there will be opposition, but do keep the persuasion and the mindset that nothing will come before your love for God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord who is seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realm with a place for you right next to Him. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 2:20-22 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (22) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (KJV)
Abraham was justified before God because he was willing to act on what he heard from the Lord, even to the point of offering up his own son, the one that had been promised to him for so many years. We have been promised a Son also, and God has delivered on that promise, now the question is, ‘are you following through on your end; you know, with that commitment you made to Him’? Are you acting on what you hear from the Lord, even if it totally contradicts what you see or think? Abraham did, and thus was used of the Lord to deliver His message of faith; being an example of a true believer, not only in word, but in deed as well. James 2:17-19 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (18) Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (19) Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. (KJV) Oh but they believe in God, doesn’t that make them good people? Well the devils believe also; in fact they were actually a part of the heavenly realm at one time only to end up dead, separated from God for eternity, and so will all those that just hear the word of God but don’t act on it and follow through with the plan God had for them before the foundation of the world. Luke 12:16-18 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: (17) And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? (18) And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. (KJV) Isn’t it interesting that what may have started out in the Spirit someone decided they could perfect it by the flesh. Many Christians start out rich in faith bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit plentifully, but somewhere along the line what began with God has now become their own works. Oh but they preach from the Bible, yeah but so does the devil; he has been around a lot longer than you have and has twisted and perverted the word of God so that rather than living by faith many have created their own organizations thinking bigger is better, and what was once God’s creation is now their own, or so they think. Luke 12:19-21 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. (20) But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (21) So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (KJV) God chose us so that we could be rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom. Many would rather find an easier path to follow, looking to kick back a bit. These works that man claims are of God are nothing more than their own creations, legends in their own minds, which will end abruptly when they find out the real difference between God’s work and their own conceited carnal concoctions. Isaiah 1:19-20 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: (20) But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (KJV) Willing and obedient; like faith and works, following through with what you hear so that you can get the results our Lord intended for you. The spirit is willing, now you need to get the body in subjection to it so that you can walk in the Spirit and not be in bondage to the desires of the flesh and its fallen nature. The Lord is not going to force you or beg you into His kingdom, but rather He would love to have you be a partaker of His divine nature; in fact it is His good pleasure to give you of His kingdom, now will you take it? James 2:22-24 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (23) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (24) Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (KJV) Do you think you are always going to like what you hear from the Lord, or what He is asking you to do, or walk away from? I am sure that Abraham had to wonder what was going on, especially after waiting so long for the promise of a son to be fulfilled, only to be asked to give him up at the altar. What if God asked you to give something or someone up for His kingdom’s sake, would you follow through with His works and act on what you heard, or would you call it quits? Heck I wonder how many would squeal and complain if the Lord asked them to give up sports center for a day? Do you think Peter, Paul, and the rest of the people God used throughout the Bible enjoyed being mistreated the way they were for the kingdom’s sake; and yet aren’t you glad they endured and were able to deliver a message of encouragement that is still being read by the Church today? Hebrews 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (9) And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; (KJV) Abraham’s faith was made perfect by works; being a doer of the word of God and not just a hearer only. Our Lord Himself was obedient, even to the point of death on the cross, choosing the Spirit over the flesh. You know, you can sit out in a field all day but it won’t make you a farmer. Many people sit in religious buildings and organizations year after year hearing a message but never acting on it, which won’t make them a Christian either. James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (KJV) And so are the people that never act and follow through with what they hear from the Lord; many sit idly by waiting for God to do something before they act rather than stepping out in faith and allowing God to confirm His word with signs following. Similar to driving, you need to get out on the road and then you will see the mile markers and signs that confirm you are heading in the right direction instead of sitting home waiting for someone else to drive you. Faith works. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 14:37-38 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? (38) Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (KJV)
The spirit truly is ready and willing to serve the Lord, while it is the flesh that is weak and would rather be doing something else. You know, if you were hired to do a job and the boss came around and found you sleeping on the job, how long before you think you might end up fired? Which is what will happen to those that are spiritually asleep and not keeping watch over their salvation. The flesh is weak because it is limited to this fallen carnal realm; while the spirit truly is willing, able to operate in a realm where all things are possible. As I look around this fallen world I see many that are weak because they choose to lean to their own understanding, things they can see, and not into the unseen eternal realm where one can have access to the Lord and the power of His might. 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV) The Lord said many are called but few are chosen. As we see in verse 30 the many had become weak allowing sickness into the temple, and some are sleeping, in a spiritual stupor even to the point of death. Rather than examining themselves working out their own salvation, they gave in to the temptation of the flesh choosing an easier path rather than a straight and narrow one that leads to victory. Instead of watching and praying, exercising their spiritual senses to know and not just guess the difference between what was good and evil, they dosed off and let the enemy catch them with their guard down, making themselves an easy target. While you were eating and drinking in a place you thought was safe and healthy, you ended up ingesting a lot of poisonous doctrine, doctrines of man that catered more to the flesh than to the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (17) For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (18) But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. (KJV) You know Church, there is still a law that is in play and that is the law of sin and death, which if the devil can catch a believer napping he would like nothing better than to have you put back under arrest and convicted. Once a believer has begun a walk in the Spirit it is vital to continue that walk, enduring to the end in order to obtain your eternal salvation. The more you walk in the Spirit the stronger you become, while on the flip side the more you stay in the flesh the weaker you are. As many as are led by the Spirit of God are truly the sons of God, and able to partake of His divine nature, operating in a realm so much higher and above all that we could ever ask or think of. Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (KJV) Sin, to put it in its simplest form, is unbelief. All sin is a result of unbelief which stems from one choosing the carnal over the Spirit. Death is the result of sin, which is another definition of sleep, and for some it will mean eternal separation from God. The law of faith is what brought you back from the dead and enlightened you to the realm of the Spirit allowing you to walk in a new life by leaving the old one behind. Just like with the laws of the land here on earth, there is an order to the law of the Spirit; one must abide by the law of faith, living a life that is based more on what I hear from God and less by what my fallen nature tries to dictate as truth. So which realm are you in today; are you up and at it, ready, willing, and able to worship our Lord today in Spirit and in truth, or are you still on your backside, knocked down and unconscious because you got sucker punched? Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV) Once you enter the realm of the Spirit there are no laws or limitations on how far you can go, in fact you have just entered a realm that goes on for eternity. The question is how far are you willing to go? Well, if you are in the Spirit it never has to end; however, if you choose the flesh then it will come to an end, an end God did not intend for His people. When you pray and make your petitions to God through Jesus Christ you have tapped into a source of life that is not limited to what you can see, hear, or touch in this fallen realm, but it is able to do so much more above and beyond what you could have ever asked or thought of on your own. In fact when you revert back to the flesh, that being your carnal mind, then you have taken the Lord out of the equation by leaning to your own understanding; you then open yourself up again to the law of sin and death which has now cut off the source of living waters, which if it lasts to long will result in death. Proverbs 19:15-16 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. (16) He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. (KJV) Have you lost interest in your salvation; not as exciting as it used to be; instead of moving forward in your walk you have parked on the side of the road and are idling? Is the upkeep of your soul still your sole interest, or are you solely interested in what appeals more to the flesh than to the Spirit? 1Thessalonians 5:5-8 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (7) For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. (8) But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (KJV) There is a Son that shines eternally, it never goes down or dims, but rather is described as a daystar which arises in our heart and gives enlightenment to the believer. If you end up sleeping spiritually and in the dark, it is because you chose a dark fallen realm rather than the eternal one where there is no darkness, neither shadow of turning. Mark 14:38-41 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. (39) And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. (40) And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. (41) And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (KJV) When the enemy is heading your way and trying to bring you back under arrest will you be watching and praying so that you don’t enter into temptation, or will you be easy prey for him? The spirit is willing; the flesh is weak, and is a weak excuse for those that choose their own desires ahead of our Lord’s. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (23) Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (24) And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (25) If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (26) Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (KJV)
While some religious groups and organizations limit being fruitful to just the flesh, thinking that they have to have large families, being fruitful in the spiritual realm is what will be truly pleasing to our heavenly Father. It takes a healthy tree that is nourished on a daily basis to bring forth and bear this fruit, while anything else will leave one dried up and withering. Psalms 1:1-4 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (KJV) What kind of farmer would you be if all your crops were dried up and withering away? You wouldn’t last very long before you went out of business, because somewhere along the line you got some bad counsel that obviously wasn’t of the Lord. Unless one becomes rooted and grounded in the truth, planted and nourished with living waters from the river of life, you won’t last long in the realm of the Spirit either but will dry up and wither away, eventually to be burned. There are a lot of cheap imitations out there, those that claim they are of God but actually not rooted and established in sound doctrine, but rather holding more to man’s outward interpretations of what should be words that bring spirit and life to the believer. You may not realize it at the time or even in some cases are not that concerned about it, but eventually it is going to manifest what source you have become attached to or rooted in; which is either going to be fertile or sterile ground. John 15:1-3 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (2) Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (3) Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation of John 15:1-3 1. "I am the real vine, and my Father is the cultivator. 2. He cuts away any branch on me that stops bearing fruit, and He repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more. 3. You are already pruned because of the teaching that I have given you. You know, some of that stuff you keep hanging onto or those so called godly counselors you think are bringing you life are actually pulling you down, not building you up. Rather than letting the Lord have His way, and pruning you the way He sees fit, you end up throwing a fit and are no longer fit for His kingdom. You have a choice in the matter, because one way or another something is going to get cut off, either the dead things in your life or your place in the kingdom of God and the body of Christ, so which will it be? You have been grafted into the tree of life, that being Christ the one true real vine, so as long as you continue rooted and grounded in Him you too will be the real deal as well. John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation of John 15:4-6 4. You must remain in union with me and I will remain in union with you. Just as no branch by itself can bear fruit unless it remains united to the vine, so you cannot unless you remain in union with me. 5. I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in union with me and I in union with him will bear abundant fruit, because you cannot do anything cut off from union with me. 6. If anyone does not remain in union with me, he is thrown away as a mere branch and is dried up; then it is picked up and thrown into the fire and burned up. You know, you really have to put on some spiritual blinders to think that this one and done doctrine, this once saved always saved stuff flies with our Lord. Oh there will be plenty of flies, but we all know what attracts flies don’t we? Oh you can get saved and walk with our Lord, but don’t think for one moment that you can’t walk away either; sometimes without the person even aware it happened. Without Him, without knowing who Christ the one true vine is for yourself you can do nothing, notta, zip, zilch, ain’t happening, period. Keep in mind folks, that in the end when someone is gathered and cast into the fire it is on the opposite side of heaven and not the one they should have inherited. You as a child of God are responsible for bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and not just on certain days or during certain periods of time when people say they are holy or special, but being in season, ready to give an answer to any one that would ask of the hope within you. John 15:7-8 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (8) Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (KJV) Williams New Testament translation of John 15:7-8 7. If you remain in union with me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you please and you shall have it. 8. By your continuously bearing abundant fruit and in this way proving yourselves to be real disciples of mine, my Father is glorified. Whose words really have the most influence on you today? Are they words of life that remain a part of you, or is it something you have departed from? Out of your belly, or heart, should be flowing rivers of living waters bringing life to those around you, because you have remained rooted and grounded in truth, the one true vine that you have become a partaker of. If you truly desire to honor, or worship the Father, which is what the definition of the word glorified means, then for today stay planted and firm in His word bearing much of His fruit letting Him increase as you decrease. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 21:12-14 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, (13) And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (14) And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. (KJV)
When you see the term ‘temple of God’ you should now be thinking about yourself; replacing the thoughts and ideas of buildings and religious organizations with the fact that you are the temple that God now occupies and wishes to work in and through. Once our Lord came into your life and basically turned your way of thinking upside down, what was once a house occupied with carnal thinking is now a communication center, a house of prayer between God and you, the believer. God sent His word and healed us so that we could be delivered from our destructions, letting His truth provide the freedom and way of escape. Now that the healing has taken place, including as we see in verse 14 bringing sight to the blind, it is vital that we allow the Lord to have His way so that we can continue to keep His house in order. Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (KJV) Blessed are (not was or going to be, but right now this day blessed), those that are pure in heart; not losing sight of the victory we have in Christ but continuing in the faith hearing the message delivered by Christ and no longer walking according to the carnal senses. Without a vision the people perish. Without a pure heart being motivated by a love for God you will not be able to see God and His plan of salvation He has for you personally; but rather like with the blind, you will end up following what others are telling you. The Lord has removed the impurities in your life; things that were unhealthy to your walk have been cast out, like with cataract surgery, it improves the vision. It is up to you to hear the pure word of God for yourself; no longer relying on second hand versions or in many cases perversions, but exercising your spiritual senses, like a water filter, to keep yourself healthy. If you drew a glass of water and it was dirty and tainted, let alone the fact that it smelled awful, you wouldn’t drink it would you? Thus the reason why we have these senses; our physical ones, to keep our carnal bodies healthy; and spiritual senses to keep the spiritual one healthy and in order. Are you as diligent with your spiritual senses as you are with the physical? Knowing that the spiritual is so much greater than the physical do you honestly give more attention to the outward man or the inward one? How good is your vision today; is there division, blurriness, and double vision caused by being double minded and unstable? Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for ‘pure’: 53 hagnos- 1) exciting reverence, venerable, sacred 2) pure a) pure from carnality, chaste, modest b) pure from every fault, immaculate c) clean I found this definition for pure rather interesting; definition ‘a’, referring to the fact that it is free from carnality. Our Lord is very specific in the book of John to point out that it is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh profits nothing; the words our Lord speaks are Spirit and they are life, free from any impurities or additives of mankind. Just as mankind has polluted its waters over the years which has resulted in unhealthy often times unseen small impurities, mankind has tainted and added their own versions to the word of God to fit their own fallen lifestyles rather than rising up and walking in the realm of the Spirit. But many times also it is just a matter of lazy complacent Christians who are described as the blind followers of the blind, whose spiritual senses are dull and what could be referred to as stupid to the things of their eternal life. Are you able today to confidently, boldly, know that you are walking the path of life our Lord intended for you, or are you blindly following the leading of others because your eyes have gotten heavy and you are sleepwalking? Matthew 13:13-16 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (KJV) How is one able to see, but yet not see, how does that work? Have you ever heard the term ‘turning a deaf ear’, or how about looking the other way? Many read the scriptures but don’t see the spiritual meaning of them; they can hear what is being said but not know the meaning of it. Thayer’s definition for ‘gross’: 3975 pachuno- 1) to make thick, to make fat, to fatten 2) metaphorically, to make stupid (to render the soul dull or callous) Talk about grossing someone out! It is people who profess to know God but have closed their eyes and ears to the truth, that being their spiritual ones. People that should know the truth and grow stronger in the Lord and the power of His might are blindly walking around like a bunch of drunks in the middle of the night. He that has ears to hear, let them hear; blessed are your eyes because you have allowed the Lord to open the eyes of your understanding so that you could walk in the realm of the Spirit and do those things that are pleasing in His sight, which by the way His sight is spiritual, looking to the inward. Have you got your ears on good buddy, that is how one is asked when being called for on a CB radio; and only those that have their eyes and ears open to the spiritual realm will be able to see God and the meaning of His word, while all others will be in a ditch spinning their wheels. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 11:15-17 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; (16) And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. (17) And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. (KJV)
What kind of shape is your house in today, you know that house you invited our Lord to come in to and dwell in? Are you in dire need of some housecleaning because your priorities are backwards? A place you invited our Lord into is now overcrowded with thieves because what you claimed was His is now being occupied with someone stealing rather than giving life to your house, a house you told the Lord He could occupy. Once you have given your life to the Lord and He turns your way of thinking upside down and overthrows the influence the enemy had on you it is important that you stay alert and on guard, letting the peace of God guard or keep your heart so that nothing unhealthy enters back into your temple, which is now the temple of our Lord. Instead of letting your house be a communication center, one where the Lord communicates His message to you personally and then you are able to deliver it in the way He intended (which is what prayer means), you have made it a den of thieves, robbing you of the opportunity to hear the message being delivered by Christ. We have many today that have been called by God and let Him into their temples for a season only to allow the devil to set up shop again and rob them of the truth, the truth that sets and keeps them free. 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (6) And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV) Now when we look at these scriptures we need to see the spiritual meaning of them, knowing that we are not fighting a carnal battle. Similar to watching many of these TV ministries where their focus is clearly set on the root of all evil, that being their love of money and not a love for the Lord or His people. So what we see that has transpired in the outward was a direct result of what has taken place in the inward part of their heart. We see clearly how the Lord set an example of how His temple is to be kept in order and clean, by casting down those things that exalt and try to rise above the knowledge of God, making carnal things seem to be more important than spiritual things. Once your temple has been taken over and occupied by our Lord and put in order it is vital that you are alert, casting down and overthrowing any imagination that is contrary to what our Lord intended, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ. Just like with people that are overweight, it’s not like they went to bed fit and trim one night, and then woke up the next morning out of shape, but rather little by little ever so slightly things were added on because one was not watching their intake. When one does get their temple in order and wishes to maintain it, then it takes a steady diet as well as exercise to keep your spiritual senses exercised so that you can tell the difference between good and evil, things that are healthy and things that are junk food. 2 Corinthians 10:6 [When your obedience is fulfilled] Doddridge renders this: "now your obedience is fulfilled, and the sounder part of your church restored to due order and submission." The idea seems to be, that Paul was ready to inflict discipline when the church had showed a readiness to obey his laws, and to do its own duty-- delicately intimating that the reason why it was not done was the lack of entire promptness in the church itself, and that it could not be done on any offender as long as the church itself was not prepared to sustain him. The church was to discountenance the enemies of the Redeemer; to show an entire readiness to sustain the apostle, and to unite with him in the effort to maintain the discipline of Christ's house. (from Barnes' Notes) The Lord is in a readiness to show you the way of escape from this present evil world, when you are willing to do it His way. How long will you halt between two opinions, or in others words how long will you be double minded; instead of letting go of the tables and all the junk you are trying to peddle as being the Lord’s you still hang onto your own thoughts and ideas of how His church should be run. The Lord is ready to move you forward in your walk so that you can grow up and mature in the things of Christ once you are willing to let go of your childish carnal ways, things that man says is highly esteemed yet in reality is an abomination in our Lord’s sight. So who is truly in charge of your house today; is it our Lord, or have you invited a thief back in with seven other colleagues of his that are more wicked and nasty, making you worse off than you were in the beginning? Are you willing to allow the Lord to bring the correction to your life so that you can continue in the faith, or are you still holding back and letting the thief set up shop again, robbing you of the spiritual blessings the Lord has for His people? Hebrews 12:7-11 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? (8) But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (9) Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? (10) For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (11) Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. (KJV) You know, the Lord doesn’t chasten us or bring the correction because He hates us; rather it is so that we can make the proper adjustment in our walk, and that we can continue partaking of the peaceable fruit of the Spirit. So if the Lord is doing some house cleaning in your life, instead of looking at what you are being asked to let go of or discard, look forward to what it is being replaced with, a deeper love and commitment with Him. So today, if the Lord is overturning and changing something in your walk it is so that you don’t end up shortchanged in the things of the Spirit which allows you to receive your full reward, of which God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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