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Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (3) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (KJV)
There are some today that claim there are no more apostles and prophets, and no more miracles because they ceased after the disciples and the work they accomplished. But if you look at the above verses we see they are given and called by God for the work of the ministry to help build up the body of Christ and teach them how to grow and mature in Him. So simply put, as long as there is a body of believers in Christ, and as long as there is a ministry work being done, then nothing could be further from the truth than to think that there are no more apostles and prophets out there still answering the call. The reason people preach this nonsense is because they haven’t answered their own call to the ministry work, and have limited God by what others tell them and not what the spirit of God would be speaking. Many think of a prophet as one that just speaks of future events or someone the Lord has worked a miracle through; and because they don’t see it for themselves then they think it doesn’t work for others. Matthew 16:1-4 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. (2) He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. (3) And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? (4) A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. (KJV) The Lord Himself was confronted with those that limited the things of God by the outward, not realizing the plan of salvation that would be manifested to the believers by an inward change. Many today are looking for some outward sign and miracle, and fall short of their calling because they miss the greatest miracle of all, which is salvation, and being able to be born again into the realm of the Spirit. Things that were previously hidden and unable to be understood by man are now being unveiled and revealed to them through the Spirit, and the miracle of this new life and beginning. The Old Testament prophets could only speak as the Holy Spirit came upon them, and delivered the message of a Messiah that God would send for the salvation of the world. The New Testament prophets are the ones that should be teaching the Church the mystery of the gospel, and enlightening them to the Messiah that has come; pointing them in the direction of the spiritual realm, and to quit looking for an outward manifestation or sign. God is still more than capable of miracles; which to us they are awe inspiring but to Him it’s just business as usual. The question is ‘where are you looking for the answer to the mystery of the gospel; will you keep looking for an outward sign or will you seek the inward confirmation that will build a firm foundation for you to stand on’? Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: (21) Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (KJV) People today still look at Jesus the man and the demonstration of the power of God he allowed to work through him, which was only done by the spirit of Christ within Him. Today many still teach and preach the blessings of God and relate it only to the outward manifestations they can see, totally ignoring all the spiritual blessings we have been blessed with which are in the heavenly places, and can only be found by those that are able to operate within the realm of the Spirit. Matthew 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (8) Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (KJV) Before our conversion we were all spiritually sick. Spiritually we were like the lepers; which when they contracted the disease, had to be separated from others so as not to spread this deadly disease. We have all been raised from the dead spiritually, and are able to walk in a newness of life leaving the old ways and the old man behind us. I am able to cast down every negative imagination of the devil which he would try to mislead me with, by the renewing of my mind so that I can operate with the mind of Christ. With all that is available in the spiritual realm, why are so many still looking for an outward sign in a realm where the Lord said He wouldn’t be found? Freely we have received this gift of Christ and freely we should be distributing it; which is why I don’t understand why so many have put a price tag on the word of God. If one is truly called of God and preaching His word then they will be distributing it freely without fleecing the flock and making merchandise of them. Ephesians 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (5) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (KJV) Obviously this mystery that Paul wrote about, ministering to the Church his personal knowledge of Christ, is still a mystery to many which claim there are no more prophets today. As long as there is the Church, the body of believers still left here, there will be those that are still called to this position; the question is, will they answer the call in the Spirit, or will they miss out because they seek the answer in the flesh. Paul found his answer in the realm of the Spirit, and wrote to the Church that is in Christ, the Son of God, that this mystery is only revealed through a personal knowledge in Christ. Ephesians 3:6-10 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (7) Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. (8) Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (9) 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, (KJV) The answer is in Christ. Those that have been called to His ministry will not limit their calling to what man tries to dictate; rather they will come to a personal knowledge of the mystery of the gospel so that they not only can see for themselves the unsearchable riches in Christ, but continue to teach others and allow the truth in Him to still be in play. The manifold wisdom of God is still available to all that would seek a relationship with the Father; but it can only be accomplished by those that seek to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Don’t limit God, and don’t be taken in by these false doctrines of man that have chosen to limit Him and their own calling, but rather walk by faith and let Him reveal Himself to you. God bless and keep the faith. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. (11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. (12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (KJV)
With everything that we have access to, the opportunity to tap into an unlimited source of power and strength, a vast treasure chest of wisdom and knowledge, why would anyone settle for anything less? Mankind wallowed in sin and misery under the old law for thousands of years until the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all flesh. The Spirit of God which is within the believer is willing to show you all things which are no longer limited to this realm. And now we are able to see and operate within the spiritual realm so that we can know the things of God. How much time do you spend on a daily basis seeking the things of God? How much of a priority have you made God in order to come to an understanding of how these things are put into practice, and are a reality in your life? Is the Bible an account of how God has worked in other people’s lives, people we thought at times were special and above reproach? Or are you able to read the accounts in the word of God and relate to them because they are something you too have put into practice within your life? John 16:12-15 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. (13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (14) He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (15) All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (KJV) Remember what it was like when you would hear people talk of the Bible? Or even having read some of it before you were saved and came to a knowledge of the truth? For me it was boring stories of a bunch of thou shalts and thus saith the Lord, which to me had no meaning and substance without having the Spirit of truth to enlighten. Once I accepted the Lord’s plan of salvation I was given a new heart and able to tap into the things of God which gave me an understanding of things above and beyond this realm. I also began experiencing a joy and peace as well as a confidence I had not known before, above and beyond what I could have ever asked or thought of. But it takes time on a daily basis to stop what you are doing so that you can hear the Lord and His daily instructions; so that He can personally speak to you and give you His spiritual insight. The Holy Spirit is like having an interpreter when the Lord is speaking to you; He will take the things of God and explain it to you in a simple way so that you can understand for yourself what God is asking of you this day, and how to walk in the Spirit and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Another way to put it, it’s like people that are deaf who attend lectures; there is a person speaking and someone next to them doing sign language to deliver the message. We were deaf to the things of God in the past because of sin and unbelief, but now we have the Holy Spirit within us to take the message of God and bring it to our understanding so that we can partake of the things of God. 1 John 2:26-27 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (27) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (KJV) The devil and his workers are out and about with their seducing spirits and doctrines which will lead one astray if they do not become rooted and grounded in the truth of God’s word. The more you are able to hear the Lord for yourself and let Him reveal his plan of salvation to you personally, the stronger you become and the less likely you will be taken in by the wiles of the devil. The Lord does use His people to deliver His message, but beware it is the message we need to focus on and what the Lord is speaking in it, and to not become too caught up with the messengers, putting them on pedestals that they don’t belong on. It is the truth that sets you free. And the more you allow the Spirit to teach you this truth the more you will abide in Him and not be swayed with any winds of doctrine. Acts 10:38-39 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. (39) And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: (KJV) That same anointing which God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with is within you; ready, willing and able to teach you the things of God so that you too can go about doing good and bring a message of healing to a sick and dying world. God is with you; for greater is He that is within you, than he that is in the world. So the more you rely on your inward vision, the less likely you will be swayed by outward circumstances. Verse 39 talks about those that were witnesses of how He was able to do all things, not just things of this realm but able to demonstrate the things of the spiritual realm as well. Now you need to take the time to hear His message of deliverance so that you too can demonstrate how you are allowing God to work through you, and not be oppressed of the devil and his lies. 1 John 2:20-21 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (21) I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. (KJV) What a comfort to be able to know the truth and have access to all things, not just the physical realm but the spiritual also. Think of the Holy Spirit as a water filter, it filters out the impurities and we are left with pure healthy water. For myself I was indoctrinated with a lot unhealthy worldly things which kept me in bondage to fear and confusion. The more I spent time in the word of God and let the Spirit of God show me the things of His realm, the more I was able to filter out the old and allow the new to become a reality in my life. Is the light of the glorious gospel of Christ illuminating your path today, or are you walking in darkness and not sure where you are headed? Colossians 2:8-10 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (KJV) Do you desire the complete package? Then why not go to the guy that completed the mission of salvation for all mankind, who is now seated at the right hand of the Father ready to reveal Himself too all that wish to partake of His eternal inheritance. The word complete means to make whole, to furnish, to supply and finish. So if you desire to endure to the end then why not seek the counsel and instruction from someone who has already run this race to the end, and who is willing to show you all the things that it takes for you to complete your walk in the Spirit and receive the crown of life. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalms 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (KJV)
Ephesians 4:20-24 But ye have not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (KJV) The truth of God’s Word is within each of us, in earthen vessels, Christ in you the hope of glory. Just as Jesus of Nazareth, who also was an earthen vessel, housed Christ (the Son of God, the Word) within him, so do each of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. John 1:14-17 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ . (KJV) 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (KJV) Now that you have this treasure, Christ, the power and wisdom of God living and abiding within you, will you continue to treasure it, to receive life through Him? This is a treasure that we have been freely given, the price has already been paid; and we have access to the truth right now; today, you can allow the Holy Spirit to open up and enlighten your eyes to all that you have been blessed with in Christ Jesus, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; so go ahead, look and see that the Lord is good. When you accept Christ and continue in Him, know that you are a walking living treasure chest of truth and life in Christ, and that you are one who is able to distribute to the needs of others, Spiritually. Christ is to be a shared treasure, not one that you bury and hide from others, but one that is freely given because you realize that of nothing of yourself it was freely given unto to you. So let your light in Christ shine forth, share the truth of Christ with others as the Spirit leads and guides knowing that you won’t run out or lack, but that it will be ever flowing, a river of living waters straight from the throne of God. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV) The truth is within in you; continue to walk in truth my beloved brethren. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Psalms 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (KJV)
Psalms 34:8 [O taste and see that the Lord is good] Apply to him by faith and prayer, plead his promises, he will fulfil them; and you shall know in consequence, that the Lord is good. God has put it in the power of every man to know whether the religion of the Bible be true or false. The promises relative to enjoyments in this life are the grand tests of divine revelation. These must be fulfilled to all them who with deep repentance and true faith turn unto the Lord, if the revelation which contains them be of God. Let any man in this spirit approach his Maker, and plead the promises that are suited to his case, and he will soon know whether the doctrine be of God. He shall taste and then see, that the Lord is good, and that the man is blessed who trusts in him. This is what is called experimental religion; the living, operative knowledge that a true believer has that he is passed from death unto life; that his sins are forgiven him for Christ's sake, the Spirit himself bearing witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. And, as long as he is faithful, he carries about with him the testimony of the Holy Ghost; and he knows that he is of God, by the Spirit which God has given him. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Once we taste or experience the goodness of the truth in Christ, our eyes become enlightened and we are able to see that the Lord is good, and that we can put our trust in Him. Yet how many stop and take the time to savor the truth, and see that the Lord is good and gracious? There are many who taste of the truth, but few who ingest it; few who will allow it to become a part of them. How often when we taste of the truth do we stop and savor it or meditate on it and allow ourselves to see the truth that will set us free and allow us to walk in liberty in an area of our life? To be set free from sin and death, and made alive in Christ with the bond of trust in Him strengthened? As we partake of the truth and ingest it into our being it strengthens and encourages us to continue in this truth that sets and keeps us free, to walk in the liberty that we have been given in Christ, and allows us to grow in trust and confidence in Him. So I encourage you to ingest the truth, receive liberty, and trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding so that you can continue to taste and see that the Lord is good; for all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Today is the day that the Lord has made; how pleasant are His words which are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. As always, my beloved brethren, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. Have a wonderfully blessed day in Christ. Isaiah 44:2-3 Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. 3 For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (KJV)
God is described as a Spirit, and those that are truly going to worship Him must, from this point forward, do so in spirit and in truth. Things we see written in the Old Testament now take on a new and entirely different meaning when one hears with their spiritual ears and looks beyond the literal into the realm of the Spirit. Hebrews 9:8-10 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (KJV) A time of reformation is upon us Church and has been for about two thousand years when the Holy Spirit was poured out for all of mankind. Up until that point things were done in the outward realm to symbolize what was to come in the Spirit. The term figure above refers to symbol as well as parable, an earthly analogy with a heavenly meaning. Take note of verse 9; it clearly states that the outward realm is imperfect and not able to cleanse the inward man the way that our Lord intended for us to be clean in His sight. When we were born again, the eyes of our understanding were opened so that we could hear what these symbols represent, and how they now pertain to our walk in the Spirit. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (KJV) The reason God sent His Son was so that the Holy Spirit would be made available to all of mankind; and we see clearly that it is the word of God through the Holy Spirit that cleanses His church and gets out any spots or wrinkles. Psalm 51:1-3 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. (KJV) You may find you have a few skeletons in your closet that you think no one sees, and the longer you keep them hidden the more they stink. So how does the Church come clean today? Well, by examining yourself and asking our Lord to cleanse you from your sin. Dearly loved have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (KJV)
John 4:23-24 But a time is coming indeed, it is already here when the real worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and reality, for the Father is looking for just such worshipers. 24 God is a spiritual Being, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and reality." (Williams NT) I wanted to bring this point up before we moved forward in our text, especially the end of verse 24 which uses the term reality. This is a reality check for all believers if they are truly going to move forward in their walk with the Lord. Many today still hold to outward literal interpretations of the Word, instead of looking deeper and seeing the spiritual meaning. My prayer today is that you will put your spiritual headphones on and drown out all the other noises and doctrines you have heard in the past and give ear to what the Spirit has to say. 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) Keep in mind the fact that this tree of life we are looking at in the verse above is a spiritual one. You are a Spiritual being which requires living spiritual waters for drinking, as well as cleansing. Let’s put away the childish doctrines we have heard in the past that keep dealing with the outward man, and start looking within. Leviticus 8:4-7 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him; and the assembly was gathered together unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 5 And Moses said unto the congregation, this is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done. 6 And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 7 And he put upon him the coat, and girded him with the girdle, and clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod upon him, and he girded him with the curious girdle of the ephod, and bound it unto him therewith. (KJV) [washed them with water] Moses caused them to bathe entirely (compare <Lev. 16:4>), not merely to wash their hands and feet, as they were to do in their daily ministrations. See the marginal reference. This bathing, which the high priest had also to go through on the day of atonement, was symbolic of the spiritual cleansing required of all <2 Cor. 7:1>, but especially of those who had to draw near to God to make reconciliation for the sins of the people< Heb. 7:26; Matt. 3:15> (from Barnes' Notes) According to the old law before the priest could enter the temple to do his duty and bring the prayer requests before the Lord they would have to be washed. For you to go to the Lord you need to be washed as well; however, He desires to see spiritual people washed with spiritual living waters. In other words, He is not concerned with the outward, but something that now cleanses the inward. Which realm are you in today? God bless dearly loved, and have a very prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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