Christian! Are You Dressed? Part 8

Good day. Today we are posting the newsletter Christian! Are you Dressed? Part 8 written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka, Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writing for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

Christian! Are You Dressed?                   v18n24
The Cutting Edge! Part 8
 
 
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (KJV)

Take note of our Word Study (on the last page) for this week! It will help give you more insight into what we are covering this week.

If we keep in mind the progression of the Armor of God; how we started with the truth and learned to establish ourselves in the truth. His Word is truth!

Next, we had to recognize the righteousness that was afforded to us. That it was not anything that we could say or do, but it was the fact that Jesus Christ took my place and placed that sacrifice before the throne of Father.

Then, we had to prepare ourselves in the good news of Jesus Christ. We had to learn to let the Word of God guide and direct our every step.

Then, learning to take the shield of faith, with which we are able to extinguish every fiery dart the wicked can send in our direction.

Last week we discussed the importance of renewing our mind with the Word of God, and how it is an everyday task. That we have to make the time to cast down every thought and imagination that tries to exalt itself against the knowledge of Father.

You have to know the truth, by the righteousness that has been granted to you. Then you will be able to begin to step out for the Lord, as He directs your way down the straight and narrow path to His house. Having his shield out in front of you, to eliminate any distractions that would otherwise cause you to swerve. My mind being sustained by his Word, that enables me to hold fast to my profession of faith. Now, we have to receive his Word, so that I may apply the Word properly to each situation that confronts me.

Let us keep in mind as we continue, that we have to learn of His Word. We need to allow ourselves to be taught by the Word of God, by taking quality time with Him each and every day!

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing. The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (KJV)

The Word of God; it is Spirit, and it is life! The moment that we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, all the power in heaven is made available to us. That is why Jesus Christ made the statement to us that he did in John 14:12, the works that he did, we should do also; and greater works then these should we do, because He returned to the right hand of Father. Unless we know his Word, how can we do what he did, let alone greater works?

You, have to take the time with Father to hear his voice and understand his Word. Let us not forget, that it is the Sword of the Spirit that we are talking about. It is all, the armor of God! Do you fully comprehend what it takes to keep yourself always prepared with what Father has made available to you?

The Roman soldier, we must remember, was very well trained in the use of all of his weapons. The sword being his primary weapon. It took much practice and diligence to become efficient with the sword, (for you want to hit the enemy, not your fellow soldiers).

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV)

Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (KJV)

What is your primary meal of the day? They say that for the physical man, that breakfast is the most important meal. What about your spirit man? How many meals of the Word of God does it get each day? We have to train ourselves to take the time to feed our spirit man each and every day! It does take much discipline to do this, but the benefits are out of this world.

Luke 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (KJV)

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (KJV)

The seed, is the Word of God! If you may have noticed, there are many teachings out there that are contrary to what the scripture tells us. The seed is not money, possessions, or any other material thing; but it is the Word of God! (So don't be fooled by imitations). It is the Word of God that will not return void!

We are to be sowing the incorruptible seed, the Word of God! If you sow of the fleshly things, guess what you will harvest? We have to use the Word as our final authority!

Galatians 6:7-8 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (KJV)

Luke 8:20-21 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it. (KJV)

There is only one family that I have, and that is the family of God. I have physical brothers and sisters; but since they do not follow the Word of God, they are no longer a part of my family. My entire life and being, is dedicated to doing the will of Father. (Galatians 1:3-4).

Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. (KJV)

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (KJV)

Are you hearing the Word of God? And, if you are hearing it, are you keeping the Word of God? Many people hear the Word of God but will not allow it to work in their lives. You can have the whole Bible memorized, but if you are not a doer of the Word, it is all for naught.

Notice, that at the end of Luke 11:28, that it says, "and keep it." We have to hold fast to what the Spirit of truth teaches us. It has to become a way of life, each and every day! Not just once or twice a week, or when we "feel' like it.

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ. (KJV) (note definition below)

Corrupt - 2585 kapeleuo (kap-ale-yoo'-o);from kapelos (a huckster)- to retail, i.e. (by implication) to adulterate (figuratively): KJV-- corrupt; 1) to be a retailer, to peddle 2) to make money by selling anything a) to get sordid gain by dealing in anything, to do a thing for base gain b) to "trade" (traffic) in the word of God; to try to get base gain by teaching divine truth c) to corrupt, to adulterate; peddlers were in the habit of adulterating their commodities for the sake of gain.

The Word of God, nor the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not for sale; nor to be made merchandise of. Yet, this is the impression left by many that appear to be in the ministry. You cannot buy your way into the kingdom of God. The gift is developed by taking time each and every day to hear and obey the Word of God, there is no other way. There are no short-cuts or quick fixes.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not who has the most toys wins, or is deemed successful by Father. If that is the case, Jesus Christ and Paul the Apostle were total failures, but we know that that is not true. Freely we have received the Word of God, and freely we are to give it. How can you put a price tag on the gift of salvation?

Only a few short years after the Lord Jesus Christ had returned home to the Father, and Paul states quite clearly that he is not to be compared to many running around the countryside's. He states that there were many that were attempting to "retail" the Word of God, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It does not appear to me that times have changed much in the last two thousand years.

It seems like we are always looking for an easier way of assimilating the Word of God. It would be different if we were a plant, then we could take everything in by osmosis; but, we are not! So, you have to take the time to study, and hear the Word of God!

Romans 10:14-15 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?... (KJV)

How can they hear, without someone who is willing to teach and preach? They also have to be willing to do this without the influence of dollar signs or positions dangled in front of them. Even when Jesus Christ was here on this earth, they asked him by what authority that he spoke. He would answer them, but they would not listen. He, Jesus Christ, even went into the temple and overturned the retailers’ tables; those who were trying to profit from the Word of God. And all this they were doing, while passing themselves off as Father's representatives.

We attempt to market the Word of God even today! We use all kinds of reasons and excuses to justify our merchandising of the things that were gifts to the “church”. (All the while, we forget that the Word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.)

Have you ever noticed how the retail world approaches and lures the customer? They try to make the customer think that they are in control of the situation. (sales tactics). They will advertise one thing, and then try to sell you up to a more expensive product. They play on your emotions by setting up all of these retail holidays, all to promote their sales. They say that they are community minded, but it is only the worldly organizations that they support. Do you ever see any support to the local church congregations?

Every week, they have a new sale! Some new gimmick to draw you in and entice you to buy. How are the churches' any different than the retail businesses? Just as Paul tells us, that there were many who were making merchandise of the Word! And what makes it even worse, is that no one is willing to speak out against what is taking place. And this especially true of the preachers, since they do not want to dry up their meal ticket.

There are even churches that hire professional market researchers, to show them better ways to market their church to the local community. Why isn't preaching the pure Word of God good enough anymore? Isn't it to be Father who adds to the Church daily?

Colossians 1:25-28 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; 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)

Let us all be faithful ministers of the Word of God! Let us proclaim the mystery of the gospel, Jesus Christ. It is the Sword of the Spirit!

That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ,
Larry Gazelka

Next week: The Ambassador!

Word Study
​1209 dechomai- take; to take with the hand; to take hold of, to take up; 2) to take up, to receive a) used of a place receiving one; b) to receive or grant access to, a visitor, not to refuse intercourse or friendship; 1) to receive hospitality; 2) to receive into one's family to bring up or educate; c) used of the thing offered in speaking, teaching, instructing; to receive favorably, give ear to, embrace, make one's own, approve, not to rejected) to receive, that is, to take upon oneself, to sustain, to bear, to endure;3) to receive, get to learn