The Lord woke me up this morning with a message I preached a while back where I mentioned the word “Brethren” from Matthew 28:10. It was early morning, but I got up and began studying again on that subject.
Matthew 28:10 – Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Gallilee , and there shall they see me. – Then verse 16 reads,…Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
I found in Strongs Exaustive Concordance of the Bible, the Greek word for Brethren which is Adelphos: a connective particle. Connective, means, fitted for the work of joining; serving to unite; and fasten or support by uniting, while particle, means the smallest piece.
I had presented brethren as “co-laborers” with Christ, which is true, but to forget that we are the particle and He is the Head of the Church, I fear, makes some act as they are the Head and not part of the Body of Christ.
So brethren, we are the smallest peice fitted for the work of joining; serving to unite: which made the disciples connected laborers with Christ: Christ being the head.
We are warned in Romans 12: 3, For I say to the grace given to me, to every man that is among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
Anytime we lift up ourselves or the ministry to which God has called us, to highly, we become like Satan who put himself above God and wanted to be God: that was Satan’s failure.
Romans 12:5 – So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. V.6a – Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us…
V.16b – …Be not wise in your own conceits.
Category: Jeanette Porter
Christ’s Invitation To Rest
David prayed in his time of distress:
Psalm 55:6-
“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.”
Psalms 55:6 (KJV)
How many time have we felt like that?
CHRIST’S INVITATION TO REST
Matthew 11:28-30-
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
Come unto Me– this is Christ’s first recorded general invitation to all men to come to salvation.
The last one is Revelation 22:17-
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Revelation 22:17 (KJV)
There is a rest coming to those of affliction who rest in our Lord. This is not only at the Day of the Lord, when Jesus comes back, we can also rest daily in Christ Jesus.
To me, Matthew 11:28-30 is a what we call a DOUBLE REFERENCE.
Psalm 37:7-
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Psalms 37:7 KJV
(Rest here means to be silent to.)
The yoke mentioned, when Jesus said, My yoke is easy, and My burden is light, means there is no bondage connected with His yoke for us. It actually is a place of spiritual and physical rest.
The yoke we have to resist, is the yoke of our own flesh; misinterpretation of Scripture; and what other well meaning people try to put on us.
There is freedom and rest in Christ Jesus our Lord. Be free to serve Him.
DELIVERANCE OF THE ABUSED & HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD
MANY SEX CRIMES CAN BE TRACED BACK TO THE CRIMINAL BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED AT SOME POINT IN THEIR OWN LIVES. THIS DOOR FROM WHICH THAT SPIRIT CAME IN TO THEM, COULD HAVE BEEN OPENED FOR THIS DEMON TO SURFACE AND START WORKNG, THROUGH A GENERATIONAL PROCESS, OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN INVITED IN BY THEIR OWN LUST.
PARENTS, OPEN YOUR EYES, CHILDREN EXPERIMENT WITH THEIR BODIES. THEY KNOW TOO MUCH, TOO SOON.
THEY ARE AROUND OLDER CHILDREN WHO EXPOSE THEM TO EXPERIMENTATION, AND THEN THEY TAKE FROM THERE.
BEGIN TO QUESTION YOUR CHILDREN. QUIT BEING AFRAID TO BE CALLED ‘NOSEY.’ BE NOSEY, ASK QUESTIONS, SEARCH THEIR ROOM PERIODICALLY. LOOK FOR SIGNS LIKE: BED-WETTING, CHANGE IN ATTITUDE, EXTREME SHYNESS, UNUSUAL CRYING, POOR SELF- IMAGE, AND THERE ARE MORE.
DON’T LET THE CHILD CONTINUE TO SILENTLY HURT INSIDE; FEEL TORMENTED WITH THE MEMORIES; AND THE ANGER BE SHOWN ON THE OUTSIDE.
GIRLS SEEM TO HURT MORE INSIDE, AND BOYS SEEM TO SHOW IT MORE ON THE OUTSIDE.
WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS GROWING UP WE HAD AN OPEN-DOOR POLICY. I NEVER ALLOWED HER FRIENDS OR FAMILY VISITORS TO ENTER A ROOM AND CLOSE THE DOOR BEHIND THEM. IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR, CHILDREN CAN BEGIN A LIFE OF HURT THAT WILL FOLLOW THEM: SOME FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.
BE NOSEY, PARENTS! TAKE IT FROM SOMEONE WHO HAD WOUNDS AND SCARS MOST OF HER LIFE.
IT HAS AEFFECTED ME EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY IN WAYS THAT ARE INDESCRIBABLE.
HOW DID I GET RID OF IT?: THROUGH FORGIVING THE ABUSER AND KNOWING THAT THE REAL ABUSER WAS THE DEMON IN OPERATION THROUGH THAT PERSON OR PERSONS.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE AN ABUSER: HE OR SHE IS USALLY SOMEONE WHO HAS A PASSION FOR CHILDREN THAT IS NOT NORMAL. MY HUSBAND NOTICED AN OLDER MAN WHO CAME INTO THE CHURCH THAT ACTED STRANGE TOWARD SMALL BOYS. THIS MAN SELECTED ONE SMALL CHILD AND GAVE HIM A LOT OF ATTENTION. WE WARNED THE PARENTS WHO TURNED AGAINST US BECAUSE HE APPEARED TO THEM A LOVING, CARING, ELDERLY MAN WHO MEANT NO HARM.
STILL, SEEING HIS POSESSIVE BEHAVIOR TOWARD THIS CHILD, MY HUSBAND ALERTED THE MEN OF THE CHURCH AND HE WAS BEING WATCHED FROM ALL SIDES. WE DECIDED TO INVESTIGATE THE MAN AND FOUND OUT HE HAD ALREADY SERVED TIME FOR MESSING WITH LITTLE BOYS IN A SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS BY CALLING THEM ON HIS PHONE AND SAYING SEXUAL THINGS TO THEM. WE ALERTED THE FAMILY WHO STILL DOESN’T BELIEVE US, AND THEY LEFT THE CHURCH, THINKING WE HAD JUDGED HIM UNFAIRLY.
IT’S EVEN HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO ACCEPT, IF IT IS A FAMILY MEMBER, BECAUSE EITHER THEY DON’T WANT TO BELIEVE IT, OR THEY DON’T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT. IT’S MORE PAINFUL WHEN IT’S FAMILY FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.
HOW DO I GET MY CHILDREN TO TALK? – THIS IS THE HARDEST PART. THE CHILDREN SOMETIMES LOOK-UP-TO, AND CONFIDE IN THAT PERSON. THEY GIVE THEM A GREAT DEAL OF ATTENTION; BUY THEM GIFTS; TAKE THEM PLACES; SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH THEM, PERSONALLY.
IN MY CASE, AS A SMALL CHILD, IT WAS THE PROMISE OF A BRIDE DOLL; ALONG WITH A THREAT OF MY DADDY KILLING MY GRANDFATHER AND GOING TO JAIL. — THIS IS VERY PERSUASIVE FOR A SMALL CHILD. A CHILD’S IMAGINATION SOMETIMES MAGNIFIES THE THREAT. THE ABUSER WILL SOMETIMES TELL THE CHILD, “I’M AN ADULT, AND NO ONE WILL LISTEN TO YOU. THEY WON’T BELIEVE YOU.”
I NEVER TOLD UNTIL MY GRANDFATHER DIED. I WAS A YOUNG ADULT WITH A CHILD OF MY OWN, AND CARRIED THE SECRET AROUND WITH ME MOST OF MY LIFE AND ALSO, IT TORMENTED ME ALMOST DAILY. IT AFFECTED EVERY PART OF MY LIFE.
ONCE I HEARD A DISCUSSION BY PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCOLOGISTS WHO SAID IT WAS GOOD FOR A CHILD TO HAVE SEX WITH AN ADULT: IT PREPARES THEM FOR THEIR SEXUAL ADULTHOOD.
EITHER THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, OR THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH SOME SORT OF UNHEALTHY AND UNGODLY SEXUAL ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES.
SOME ARE SO DEVASTATED: THEY COMIT SUICIDE. AND OTHERS WHOM WE HAVE DEALT WITH, ARE SERVING TIME FOR THINGS THEY GOT INVOLVED WITH TO SOOTHE THEIR EMOTIONAL PAIN: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL; AND SOME BECAME PROSTITUTES BECAUSE THEY BECAME ADDICTED OR THE LUST SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG THEY COULD NOT BE SATISFIED.
IS THERE DELIVERANCE FOR THE ABUSED? – YES. IT TAKES TIME, AND IT TAKES PRAYER, BUT THE FIRST STEP, IS TO TELL.
WE HAVE TO FORGIVE THE ABUSERS AND PRAY FOR THEM, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TO PUT OURSELVES, OR THOSE OF WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE BACK IN THE SAME PLACE TO BE ABUSED AGAIN.
TEACH THEM TO PRAY; AND ASK GOD TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN, NATIONWIDE, AND AROUND THE WORLD.
A HEALTHY CHILDHOOD IS A PRICELESS INVESTMENT.
TRUST
THERE ARE THOSE WE TRUST, AND THERE ARE THOSE WE HAVE NO TRUST IN. MANY TIMES WE TRUST PEOPLE AND FIND OUT LATER THEY ARE NOT TRUST WORTHY. HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?
MOST OF THE TIME IT’S THROUGH A PROCESS OF WAITING TO SEE IF THEY BETRAY OUR TRUST, OR HOLD TO THE TRUST WE PLACED IN THEM IN AN ADMIRABLE WAY.
TRUST IS FAITH IN ACTION. TRUST MEANS: TO PUT ONE’S CONFIDENCE IN.
IN THE WORD OF GOD, WE FIND INSTRUCTIONS IN WHAT NOT TO PUT OUR TRUST. I WILL LIST THEM: WEAPONS (PS. 44:6); WEALTH (PS.49:6,7); LEADERS (PS. 146:3); MAN (JER 17:5); WORKS (JER. 48:7); OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (EZEK. 33:13).
THIS SHOWS US WE CAN’T PUT OUR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, NOR OURSELVES. WELL, THAT COVERS ALMOST EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING BUT GOD, THAT IS.
WHY IS IT THAT PEOPLE, MUCH OF THE TIME, PUT THEIR TRUST IN THINGS, PEOPLE, AND THEMSELVES, BEFORE THEY PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD?
BELOVED, THIS IS THE WAY OF THE WORLD. WEAPONS, WEALTH, LEADERS, MANKIND, OUR WORKS, AND EVEN OUR RIGHTEOUS- NESS CAN FAIL US AT ANY TIME.
THE WORLD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE GOD AS THEIR SOURCE OF TRUST, BUT WE AS CHRISTIANS TRUST GOD FOR EVERYTHING, EVERYDAY.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S NAME: PSALM 33:20-22 – OUR SOUL WAITETH FOR THE LORD: HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD.
FOR OUR HEART SHALL REJOICE IN HIM, BECAUSE WE HAVE TRUSTED IN HIS HOLY NAME.
LET THY MERCY, O LORD, BE UPON US, ACCORDING AS WE HOPE IN THEE.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PUT IN GOD’S MERCY: PSALM 52:8 – BUT I AM LIKE A GREEN OLIVE TREE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD: I TRUST IN THE MERCY OF GOD FOR EVER AND EVER.
OUR TRUST IS TO BE PLACED IN GOD’S WORD: PSALM 119:41 – LET THEY MERCIES COME ALSO UNTO ME, O LORD, EVEN OUR SALVATION, ACCORDING TO THY WORD.
SO SHALL I HAVE WHEREWITH TO ANSWER HIM THAT REPROACHETH ME: FOR I TRUST IN THY WORD.
WHEN GOD’S FAVOR IS MANIFESTED TO US, WE CAN SUFFICENTLY ANSWER OUR ENEMIES WITH THE WORD. WE TRUST IN GOD’S WORD: WE TRUST IN HIS PROMISES THAT ARE CONTAINED IN HIS WORD, FOR HIS SERVANTS.
MATTHEW 12:17-21 – THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING,
BEHOLD MY SERVANT, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN: MY BELOVED, IN WHOM MY SOUL IS WELL PLEASED:
I WILL PUT MY TRUST UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL SHOW MY JUDGMENT OT THE GENTILES.
HE SHALL NOT STRIVE NOR CRY; NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS.
A BRUISED REED SHALL HE NOT BREAK, AND SMOKING FLAX SHALL HE NOT QUINCH, TILL HE SEND FORTH JUDGMENT INTO VICTORY.
AND IN HIM SHALL THE GENTILES TRUST.
THIS IS DESCRIBING WHAT JESUS DID FOR OUR SALVATION; AND WE CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM AND WHAT HE DID FOR US. ALL OF US, GENTILES AND JEWS ALIKE, CAN PUT OUR TRUST IN HIM FOR ETERNAL LIFE.
THIS BEING THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL, THERE ARE MORE WONDERFUL BENEFITS TO TRUSTING CHRIST: BENEFITS OF JOY: PSALM 5;11 – BUT LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE: LET THEM EVER SHOUT FOR JOY, BECAUSE THOU DEFENDEST THEM: LET THEM ALSO THAT LOVE THY NAME BE JOYFUL IN THEE.
IT’S EASY TO HAVE JOY WHEN THINGS ARE GOING GREAT, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ARE STILL PUTTING OUT TRUST IN GOD AND THINGS ARE NOT SO GREAT?
I EXPERIENCED THIS ONE DAY A WHILE BACK, AND THE DAY BEFORE THAT.
FIRST, MY MOTHER HAD CANCER IN HER ARM, AND IT WAS REMOVED. THANK GOD, THE DOCTOR THINKS HE GOT IT ALL. THIS WAS HARD FOR ME AND MY SIBLINGS BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR MOTHER AND HAD ALREADY SEEN OUR DADDY, WHO WE LOVED DEARLY, PASS WITH LUNG CANCER BECAUSE OF SMOKING.
I DROVE BACK HOME TO BE COMFORTED BY MY HUSBAND WHO WAS WAITING FOR ME: AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD ME, WAS OUR PET, ROSIE, WAS VERY SICK AND SHE WAS TO BE PUT TO SLEEP THE NEXT DAY. I WAS CRUSHED. THIS WAS JUST TOO MUCH.
I WAS STILL DEALING WITH MY TRUST IN GOD TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOTHER, NOW THIS. ROSIE WAS OUR SPRINGER SPANIEL, WHO WAS QUITE A PERSONALITY, BUT VERY OLD AND WEAK. I LOVED HER SO MUCH.
I JUST HAD TO GET ALONE WITH GOD. I DIDN’T WANT MY HUSBAND TO DO THIS, BUT HIS MIND WAS MADE UP, AND IN THE END, I KNEW I HAD TO SURRENDER TO THIS. IT WASWHAT WAS BEST FOR ROSIE.
I CRIED AND CRIED, IT WAS SO HARD. I POURED OUT MY HEART TO THE LORD. HE BEGAN TO COMFORT ME WITH HIS WORD. THE SCRIPTURES BEGAN TO COME THROUGH MY TEARS. GOD INSTRUCTED ME WITH THAT STILL SMALL VOICE TO TURN TO PSALM 34 AND 44. ALL OF IT MINISTERED TO ME, BUT ONE VERSE IN PSALM 34, VERSE 18, GAVE ME THE GREATEST COMFORT OF ALL – THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO THEM THAT ARE OF A BROKEN HEART; AND SAVETH SUCH AS BE OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT.
I WAS THINKING, WHAT IS CONTRITE? THE DEFINITION IN STRONG’S IS: CRUSHED, AND POWDER.
THIS BROUGHT ME BACK TO A SERMON, IN FACT IT WAS THE FIRST SERMON I HEARD TD JAKES PREACH. IT WAS CALLED “ASHES.” HE TALKED ABOUT HOW WE CAN COME TO THE PLACE THAT WE ARE SO CRUSHED THAT WE BECOME THE POWDER FROM THE FIRE, WE CALL ASHES.
AS WE SERVE THE LORD, AND CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM THROUGH THESE HARD PLACES. HE BEGINS TO ELEVATE OUR FAITH, BECAUSE WE KNOW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, WE WILL NEVER COME THROUGH THESE THINGS ALONE.
I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE WHO DON’T KNOW THE LORD, GET THROUGH THESE HARD TO UNDERSTAND THINGS. A DEATH OF A LOVED ONE, OR A LOSE OF A CHILD. THEY CAN’T GET HELP THEY NEED FROM THE WORLD THAT BRINGS JOY.
WELL, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: THE LORD RESTORED MY JOY AND GAVE ME PEACE AS I BEGAN TO WORSHIP HIM IN IT.
* PART 2 COMING UP.
REVELATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
While spending my special precious time with the Lord one morning, I was praying about the need of those to take their place in the body of Christ. While praying, God began to inspire me to write.
I call it:
REVELATION OF THE BODY OF CHRIST
Take My anointing with you wherever you go. Make Me known in a manifest way to those you minister. Make Me the shield of faith on your body mind and spirit.
I shield your heart and vital organs. I shield My heart in you, My vital organs of those who trust in Me. I shield them, they are Mine to use . They walk for me, they run for Me. They are My possession.
Do you understand what I mean? – The vital organs, when they stop, My body (the body of Christ) dies.
There are vital organs in the Church, in the body of Christ. They have My heart, they have My blood, they have My Church in operation.
The kidneys take out impurities and so does the spleen.There are organs in My body, if they don’t function like they should, the whole body lays down. Do you understand what I mean?
No, Lord, not exactly, I ask you to please show me.
Well, you see your fingers, they are visible to you. You see your eyes, feet, and toes. You can see all the visible parts that show, but you can’t see vital organs without ex ray processes. I will teach you what I mean. There are those who have the heart of God operating inside of them. God doesn’t need just the head and the other parts of the body but He needs the heart to be a place where He can operate.
Take for instance: You have heard the saying, “My heart was just not in that.” Well, it means: I went through the motions, my other parts were involved, even my mind, but my heart was not involved. Why do you think the heart was not involved?
I will tell you why this is true in the body of Christ, It’s because the heart of man is not ready to receive the heart of God as their source. They say they know Me, they say they love Me but the other parts are so busy doing what the mind, the intellect is saying to do, and not listening to the heart. No man can know their own heart until they know My heart.
My heart is pure. May the body of Christ listen to my heart, cultivate My heart to become one with their heart, then My blood will flow in My body and all the vital parts will be shielded with My shield that faith brings. Faith in My heart, faith in Me.
I don’t want My body to struggle to keep things going, I want them to have the God kind of heart that is pure and pumping good circulation to the body so My Body will move freely to others the heart of God.
HOW THE DEVIL CAN WORK FOR YOU
God said to Me about this message: ” This is not a new revelation but a revelation long forgotten by man. I am ready for this to be revealed to My Church. Reveal it by radio,” and so I did. Tomorrow it will be aired by Radio in Greenville, SC, WELP AM 1360 @ 11:15 AM.
Think about it!!
Before the devil can do anything to you, child of God, he has to have God’s permission. We see this in the life of Job, but there are more accounts in the Bible also. In this message we will discuss some of them.
Genesis 50:20 – But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Literally, And you were thinking or meditating evil against me; but God (Elohim) was thinking or meditating for good.
What or who do you think caused Joseph’s brothers to meditate evil against their brother? You’re correct! It was the devil.
Intended evil is overruled by God when He has some good object in view, God always knows what the result of certain actions will be. If they are good actions they work in line with His will: if evil, He overrules them.
It is dangerous for the devil and those who scheme against God’s children. It is likely to be checked and to recoil. Someone has said, “A greater power than we can contradict may thwart our plans.” Men have so noticed this that a French moralist said, “I do not know what hidden force it is that seems to delight in breaking up human plans just at the moment when they promise to turn out well.” Yes, there is a “hidden force,” ever watchful, ever balancing human actions, ever ordaining the just need of praise or blame, of retribution or reward.
See how the scribes and Pharisees held council against Jesus, the gentle, pure, loving teacher of truth and healer of diseases. They sought how they might kill Him. They excommunicated Him, they sent others to entrap Him. They succeeded in nailing Him to the cross. They carried out their evil intentions; but that cross became the throne of the Savior’s power, the salvation, and the death of Christ became the life of the world. They went by wagging their heads, but at last they had to ring their hands. They themselves were left in their sins, and their “house left unto them desolate,” while unto the Christ they hated all men being drawn.
That God overrules evil should make us feel our dependence on Him. Joseph depended on God for his salvation. Although he fought for his freedom, he was overruled by Satan moving on his brothers. They really meant to kill him, but God intervened. God was actually moving on his behalf even when he didn’t know it or sense it. As he began to grow up in his slavery, God’s presence became more real to him as favor of man came. Even though he was falsely accused, and went to prison: there he received favor and prospered.
It’s up to us. Do we submit to God’s will no matter what it looks like? Do we depend on Him to get us out of this mess we are in, or do we just bury our heads in our hands and say, “Woe is me!!!!!”
We can trust God. To trust God is called “living faith.”
I had a dream this week. I don’t remember much about it, but what I do, has made a great impression on me: —–I was walking beside a wall of boulders and rocks, and in these stones, were poisonous snakes. Someone had given me a snake of my own. I carried it with me in my hands; and when I passed near a snake in the rocks, I just let my snake loose and it would devour the other one. I did this each time I sensed an attack.
My husband told me I was using my enemies to work for me. I liked that. My “armour bearer”, Cheryl Davis, reminded me of Moses and his rod. God said to Moses, “What is that in your hand?” and told Moses to put down his rod, and it became a serpent. In one account Moses put down his rod and it became a serpent and it devoured the enemies serpents: three of them.
I thought much on this, and God began to reveal how He uses the devil to work on our behalf, unknowing to him. Then I began to pray, “Lord, when an attack comes against me, I ask You to use the devil’s attack to work for me.” ——That might seem strange to you, as a believer, because we are into binding and loosening, but the Bible speaks of all prayers (all kinds of prayers) in Ephesians 6:18 – Praying always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit…In the Holy Spirit.
In II Chronicles 18:18-22, God allowed a demon to go as a lying spirit to accomplish His plan.
It seems Micah saw a vision of a conference going on in heaven. There was present a demon spirit of which the Lord allowed to work to perform His purpose against Ahab.
There are other times in the Scriptures when demonic presence was involved in the plan of God.
Job 1:6 – Now there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
Here we see the Lord with an assembly going on , or a meeting with the angels of which Satan was at one time. Anyway, however it was, Satan had to present himself before the Lord. In this assembly, Satan doesn’t bring up the subject of Job, God does. Verses 7-12 – And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, and there is non like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and esceweth evil?”
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought (for nothing)?
Hast thou made a hedge about him, and his house, and about all he hath on every side?…
Satan probably had seen this hedge before and was grieved because he couldn’t penetrate it and get to Job before.
Satan complains that God had blessed Job’s work of his hands and everything he had including his family. He said, Put forth Thine hand now, and and destroy all that he has and he will curse You to your face.
God gave Satan permission to take all Job had, even his children and his health. Job never did curse God, even though his wife encouraged it. In the end Job received double everything Satan stole from him, and his health was restored. All was better in the end than in the beginning.
Job 12:6 – The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. Job goes back to his main argument, and maintains that, the whole course of earthly events being under God’s directions, all the results are to be attributed to Him, and among them both the prosperity of the wicked, and, by part of reasoning, the sufferings of the righteous.
This in no way implies that God is unfair, it just means that God is long-suffering and uses the wicked to bring forth the means, of the end of His purpose.
The wicked will always be punished, and the righteous will always be victorious in the end; either here, or in the world to come.
THIS IS THE REASON OF SAFETY FOR YOU
AS I MOVE ACROSS THIS EARTH AND GATHER MY PEOPLE FROM NATION TO NATION, YOU WILL SEE A GREAT AFFLICTION AGAINST THEIR ENEMY. HE WILL LOOSE GROUND AS THE TIME COMES FOR MY RETURN. I HAVE ALL YOU NEED AND YOUR SAFETY IS SECURE, BUT GREAT DEPTHS OF MY OWN JUDGMENT IS ON THE HORIZON. YOU WILL SEE IT AND WILL FROWN AT MY WORK, BUT YOU WILL KNOW IT IS ME. I AM NOT HERE TO DESTROY, BUT I AM HERE TO SECURE YOUR SAFETY. GO AHEAD AND DO YOUR DAILY TASKS AND WATCH AND PRAY. MY TIME IS UPON ALL WHO WOULD TURN THEIR BACK UPON ME. YOU WILL SEE ME AND KNOW I HAVE COVERED YOU. YOUR BACK IS PROTECTED BUT YOU WILL KNOW ALSO THAT I AM LEADING NO MATTER WHAT YOU SEE.
(This was given to me as I sought the Lord in my “secret place” this morning)
PART II – NEITHER FEARFUL NOR SELF-SUFFICIENT
I CORINTHIANS 1:26-29 – FOR YE SEE YOUR CALLING, BRETHERN, HOW THAT NOT MANY WISE MEN AFTER THE FLESH, NOT MANY MIGHTY, NOT MANY NOBLE, ARE CALLED:
BUT GOD HATH CHOSEN THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THE WORLD TO CONFOUND THE THINGS WHICH ARE MIGHTY;
AND BASE THINGS OF THE WORLD, AND THINGS WHICH ARE DESPISED, HATH GOD CHOSEN, YEA, AND THINGS WHICH ARE NOT, TO BRING TO NOUGHT THINGS WHICH ARE:
THAT NO FLESH SHOILD GLORY IN HIS PRESENCE.
WE ARE TO SPEAK WHAT GOD GIVES US, AND NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT OUR DELIVERY OR THE OUTCOME. HE KNOWS TO WHOM WE ARE MINISTERING, AND WHAT ARE THERE NEEDS.
HE KNOWS OUR ABILITIES AND HOW TO STRETCH THEM. HE DOESN’T SEND US TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT PREPARED TO HEAR HIS HEART. WHAT MIGHT BE THE RIGHT MESSAGE FOR ONE GROUP, MIGHT NOT BE THE MESSAGE FOR ANOTHER. HE ALSO KNOWS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE LIVES OF THOSE AT YOUR DIVINE APPOINTMENT WITH THEM.
IT SHOULD BE OUR DESIRE TO FOLLOW THE CLOUD LIKE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS. WHEN HE MOVES, WE MOVE!
IT IS SO MUCH EASIER FOR ME NOW, FOR I CONTINUE TO FIND OUT WHAT HE WANTS, SAY WHAT HE GIVES ME, AND WAIT FOR THE DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER AND HIS SPIRIT.
IF GOD USED A DONKEY; AND THEN A ROOSTER WITH A THREE PART SERMON, HE WILL USE YOU AND ME!
PREPARATION, STUDY OF THE WORD, PRAYER, AND FASTING, IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO; BUT OUR MOST IMPORTANT PART IS FINDING A PLACE TO BE ALONE WITH, GOD AND SEEKING HIM, AND WORSHIPPING HIM. THEN, STEP OUT IN FAITH, BELIEVING. FOR WITHOUT HIM WE CAN DO NOTHING; AND WE ARE NOTHING WITHOUT HIM; BUT PHILIPPIANS 4:13 – SAYS, I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.
II CHRONICLES 26:5b,16 – AND AS LONG AS HE SOUGHT THE LORD, GOD MADE HIM TO PROSPER.
BUT WHEN HE WAS STRONG, HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP TO HIS DISTRUCTION:
IF WE KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED ON GOD AND WHAT HE CAN DO THROUGH US; AND NOT ON OUR OWN ABILITIES, WE WILL CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF MINISTRY PROSPERITY.
OUR DESIRE SHOULD BE THAT WE FLOW CONSTANTLY IN THIS PRINCIPAL, BECAUSE FAILURE TO DO SO, WILL BRING US BACK TO OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING AND ULTIMATELY IN A FALL; OR EVEN INTO SATAN’S TRAP OF SELF-WORSHIP, WHICH LEADS TO DESTRUCTION.
WHEN UZZIAH BEGAN HIS REIGN, HE BEGAN A GODLY REIGN.
II CHRONICLES 26:4a,5 – AND HE DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD…
AND HE SOUGHT GODIN THE DAYS OF ZECHARIAH, WHO HAD UNDERSTANDING IN THE VISIONS OF GOD:
HE PROSPERED IN WAR AND FAME. THEN HE BAGAN TO THINK TOO HIGHLY OF HIMSELF; HE TRANSGRESSED AGAINST THE LORD, BY STEPPING OUT OF HIS PLACE OF AUTHORITY.
WHEN CORRECTED BY THE PRIEST, HE BECAME ANGRY.
V.19-21a – THEN UZZIAH WAS WROTH, AND HAD A CENSER IN HIS HAND TO BURN INCENSE:AND WHILE HE WAS WROTH WITH THE PRIESTS, THE LEPROSY EVEN ROSE UP IN HIS FOREHEAD BEFORE THE PRIESTS IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, FROM BESUDE THE INCENSE ALTER. AND AZARIAH THE CHIEF PRIEST, AND ALL THE PRIESTS, LOOKED UPON HIM, AND, BEHOLD, HE WAS LEPROUS IN HIS FOREHEAD, AND THEY THRUST HIM OUT FROM THENCE; YEA, HIMSELF HASTED ALSO TO GET OUT, BECAUSE THE LORD HAD SMITTEN HIM. AND UZZIAH THE KING, WAS A LEPER UNTO THE DAY OF HIS DEATH, AND DWELT IN A SEVERAL HOUSE (INFIRMARY), BEING A LEPER; FOR HE WAS CUT OFF FROM THE HOUSE OF THE LORD:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO START THE RACE, BUT MORE IMPORTANT THAT WE FINISH IT; AND REMEMBER: WE NEVER GET ABOVE CORRECTION.
PAUL WROTE TO TIMOTHY IN II TIMOTHY 4:5,7 – BUT WATCH THOU IN ALL THINGS, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, MAKE FULL PROOF OF THY MINISTRY.
I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH;
ACTS 20:24 – BUT NONE OF THESE THINGS MOVE ME, NEITHER COUNT I MY LIFE DEAR UNTO MYSELF, SO THAT I MIGHT FINISH MY COURSE WITH JOY, AND THE MINISTRY, WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED OF THE LORD JESUS, TO TESTIFY THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD.
ALL WE DO IN THE KINGDOM, THE PRAISE AND GLORY MUST GO TO GOD. IF WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO RECIEVE ANY, WE REALLY ARE FAILURES IN THE END.
NEITHER FEARFUL NOR SELF-SUFFICIENT PART I
I JOHN 4:18 – THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE; BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR: BECAUSE FEAR HATH TORMENT. HE THAT FEARETH IS NOT PERFECT IN LOVE.
FEAR MEANS DREAD, AND TORMENT MEANS TO SUFFER UNBAREABLE PAIN OR PUNISHMENT.
FEAR IS A TORMENT OF THE MIND. GOD REVEALED TO ME THAT FEAR AND WORRY ARE THE WORST THINGS WITH WHICH HIS MINISTERS HAVE TO DEAL. IT CAN PARALIZE. THIS COULD BE EMOTIONALLY OR PHYSICALLY. BOTH CAN BRING ON MANY DISEASES.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF FEAR AND DISEASE ARE PHENOMINAL.
WHAT WE CALL STAGE FRIEGHT, IS JUST AS REVELANT IN MINISTERS AS IT HAS EVER BEEN IN ANY PUBLIC SPEAKER.
ONE OF THE GREATEST RADIO VOICES OF THE PAST, C.M. WARD, WAS ASKED ABOUT THIS. HE SAID, MANY TIMES BRFORE HE WAS TO SPEAK, HE WOULD SIT IN THE WAITING AREA, AND ASK GOD TO RAPTURE OUT THE CHURCH RIGHT THEN, SO HE WOULDN’T HAVE TO SPEAK.
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON OF ALL THE FRIGHTS IN THE LIFE OF A MINISTER; AND EVEN IN BUSINESS PEOPLE WHO ARE SCHEDULED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION.
BUT I FEEL THE MOST DAMAGING KIND OF FEAR IS THE FEAR OF FAILURE. TO FAIL, MEANS TO BE WANTING. THOSE WITH ANY KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY, GET INTO FEAR. MOSTLY, BECAUSE THEY GET THEIR MINDS OFF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS; AND ON THEIR WEAKNESS.
PSALM 89:33,34 – NEVERTHELESS MY LOVINGKINDNESS WILL I NOT UTTERLY TAKE FROM HIM, NOR SUFFER MY FAITHFULNESS TO FAIL.
MY COVENANT WILL I NOT BREAK, NOR ALTER THE THING THAT IS GONE OUT OF MY LIPS.
WHOM GOD CALLS, HE EQUIPS!! HE GIVES US ALL THE TOOLS WE NEEP TO PERFORM IN OUR CALLING.
IF WE COULD ONLY UNDERSTAND —NO!, WE CAN’T DO IT, BUT GOD THROUGH US CAN!
I USED TO SPEAK AT OTHER CHURCHES ON OCCASIONS. BUT LATER ON, I BEGAN TO FEEL THE STRESS OF MINISTRY, AND SAID TO MYSELF, “I’LL JUST SUPPORT MY HUSBAND IN HIS CALLING, AND LET HIM DO THE PREACHING.” I STILL MINISTERED TO PEOPLE AND TAUGHT CLASSES AND BIBLE STUDY, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO WHAT I CALLED ‘MINISTERING OUT, I WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT, AND LEFT IT TO MY HUSBAND.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED? ALL THE DOORS CLOSED FOR ME.
I WAS WAS LOOKING AT MY ABILITY, NOT WHAT GOD COULD DO THROUGH ME. FEAR OF FAILURE HAD SET-IN. I WOULD BE ANOINTED AT ONE SERVICE, AND WOULD BE WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME I WOULDN’T BE, ESPECIALLY WHEN BEING TAKEN OUT OF MY “COMFORT-ZONE”. I WAS STILL DEPENDING ON MYSELF AND SOMEHOW I GOT MY EYES OFF THE COVENANT I HAD WITH GOD.
DEUTERONOMY 31:6 – BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE, FEAR NOT, NOR BE AFRAID OF THEM: FOR THE LORD THY GOD, HE IT IS THAT DOETH GOOD WITH THEE; HE WILL NOT FAIL THEE, NOR FORSAKE THEE.
LUKE 22:32 – I HAVE PRAYED FOR THEE, THAT THY FAITH FAIL NOT…
FEAR AND FAITH ARE OPPOSITE. I DIDN’T REALLY SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH WHAT I WAS DOING. I WAS STILL AS BUSY AS EVER.
I BEGAN SOME YEARS AGO TO JOURNAL. I WOULD WRITE DOWN MY PRAYERSTO GOD, AND HE BAGAN TO SPEAK TO ME. HE WOULD TELL ME HE WANTED TO TAKE ME TO A NEW LEVEL WITH HIM. I WAS TO DEPEND ON HIM. I REALIZED I HAD LET FEAR AND WORRY, AND MY DELIVERY, KEEP ME FORM DOING WHAT HE WANTED OF ME. I WAS SO ASHAMED AND REPENTANT.
HE STARTED WITH A RADIO PROGRAM, “WOMAN OF GOD,” THEN, WRITING AND PUBLISHING THE SCHOOL OF THE BIBLE, AND MINISTERING OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE IN CHURCHES AND PRISONS.
I FOUND OUT, ALL I NEED TO DO IS PREPARE, AND TRUST HIM TO OPEN DOORS. HE GIVES ME THE MESSAGES. ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SPEAK WHAT HE GIVES ME, AND MOVE WHEN HE MOVES. HIS MESSAGE FOR THE HOUR IS ALL HE REQUIRES ME TO SPEAK.
I PRAY, SEEK HIM, AND SOMETIMES FAST, AND HE SHOWS UP, AND THERE IS A DEMONSTRATION OF HIS POWER: FOR HE KNOWS THOSE WHO WILL HEAR, AND HE KNOWS HOW TO REACH EACH PERSON.
THERE IS ALSO A WARNING THAT COMES WITH THE MINISTRY THAT SHOULD BE COVERED, AND THAT IS SELF-SIFFICIENTCY. WHICH WE WILL DISCUSS IN PART II.