THE
MINISTRY LETTER 2006 ISSUE 13
To all
handmaidens and bondservants of the Lord Jesus Christ:
...."Let me
hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in Thee; teach me the way
in which I should walk; for to Thee I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O Lord, from
my enemies; I take refuge in Thee"....
Psalm 143:8-9 Nasb
It is in the
early morning hours, when we are fresh from a good night's rest, that we must
seek from the Word of God all that we need to continue on the course of God's
will. Whether we meditate on one verse or ten chapters depends fully on the
leading of the Holy Spirit for each individual. If we do not take the time to
store up the Word in our heart in the morning before we venture out into the
"world", we should not be surprised if the world assumes first place
in our heart - for we will have neglected our only means of starting - AND
STAYING - in advance of the world.
The Father gives us sleep in order that we might throw off the weariness of the
day and He gives us the morning to make a new beginning each day with a fresh
spirit and energy. It is only in the morning hours that we are truly able to
devote our full, fresh and undiminished energy to the Lord. It is then that we
are able to fully gather in the "spiritual food" we need while the
blessing of the night's rest is upon us and before we face the corruption of
the world. All those who truly desire to serve God and walk in His way - in ALL
things, will come to cherish their precious fellowship and communion with Him
each morning. Every child of God must guard their heart with ALL diligence in
this matter for it is certain that the life of faith, which is not nourished
afresh each morning, will not endure successfully the attacks of the Evil One.
As one diligently spends the first hour(s) of their day with the Father in the
"inner chamber" they will surely experience the Word of God in ways
which they have not known before. Every child of God must lay aside everything
that stands in the way of faith (total dependence upon the Father and His
Word). If the giving of the first hours of our day have not been reserved for
fellowship with God, then we must change this immediately, for to serve the
Lord with "all" our heart we must truly give Him pre-eminence (first
place) in ALL things.
Related Scriptures: Exodus 16:21; Psalm 63:1; Hosea 6:3; Mark
1:35; Genesis 19:27; Psalm 90:14;
Song of
Solomon 7:12;
*****
"THE PROFITABLE AND THE UNPROFITABLE"
There
are many things which the Father has nothing against us partaking of. But in
light of our heart-desire to accomplish ALL that we were created to accomplish
we find sometimes that many things are unneeded - and even subtly (and not so
subtly) detrimental to our cause. Therefore, it is very important for each
individual believer to lay aside whatever has "any" potential to remove
them - to even the slightest degree - from the Father's perfect will for their
life and ministry. For if one "holds" to that which is
"unprofitable" as far as their "Kingdom-service" goes THEN
that would only serve to diminish the life (love) of God which flows through
them to all those who cross their path. It is always better to lean heavily on
the side of "self-denial" than to contend for anything that might
prove "unprofitable" somewhere down the road. If one is truly willing
to do all of the will of God then the Holy Spirit will make that which is
profitable - and that which is unprofitable - very evident to their heart.
"RAMPANT EMOTIONALISM"
When
a believer still under the influence of a "spirit of rebellion"
(independence) comes under the conviction of the Holy Spirit the first impulse
in their "flesh" will always be to immediately seek gratification in
their former "securities" - in an attempt to separate themselves from
the uneasiness they feel. Because of this we shall surely see much evidence of
a "rampant emotionalism" in those who cross our path - as we begin to
enter fully into the Third Day. We must simply persevere in faith and obedience
- for by walking in love through "all" circumstances, all of the
chaff and stubble will be burned away from those with whom we have to do (those
who are brought across our path by the direct ordering of the Holy Spirit).
"IF ONE'S LOVE IS PURE THEN IT WILL NOT MATTER
HOW MANY TIMES IT IS ABUSED BY "FLESH AND BLOOD"
It is
certain that when we are reviled to any degree because of Jesus and the work
that we are carrying out in His behalf, we are blessed - for His presence
(Glory) will be manifested in those very situations of persecution and His
Spirit shall rest heavily upon us. If one's love is pure then it will not
matter how many times it is abused by flesh and blood. For it will always
spring forth even in the face of the most vile persecution - constant and never
changing in its desire to bless all with its presence.
ALWAYS REMEMBER:
The seeds
of love which you have planted - and continue to plant - in faith, in a time of
famine shall have their perfect fruition and you shall surely reap the joy
which you have sown in tears.
Let us hear the words of the Father:
"I SHALL
DEAL WITH ALL THOSE WHO HAVE - AND WHO WILL - COME AGAINST YOU"
...."Cast
not your eyes behind you for I shall deal with all who have - and who will -
come against you. Only keep your eyes fixed on Me, My beloved ones, for we have
much work to do. Again I say to you that all which comes upon the sons of
disobedience is designed for their "greatest" eternal benefit. Keep
your mind set on the things above at every turn for great darkness will cover
the earth and deep darkness the peoples. Only those who desire to see Me from
their heart of hearts will see Me. I have not hidden Myself from them but,
rather, it is they who have - by an act of their will - removed themselves from
My will. Guard your heart with all diligence for you shall be great and mighty
vessels of My deliverance and light to those who have been held captive by the
Evil One"....
"ALL WHO CHOOSE TO FORSAKE MY WORD SHALL FROM
THIS DAY FORTH WALK IN DREAD OF MY FAITHFUL ONES"
...."Fear
not, for by My power those who are targets of this "vile" persecution
shall be made to stand far above all that comes against them and they shall be
mighty vessels of My Spirit of judgement and burning and all who choose to
forsake My Word shall - from this day forth - walk in dread of My faithful
ones. For such power as has never before been seen in the earth shall flow from
- and rest upon - My beloved ones. Fear not for the Spirit of courage and
boldness shall cause My children to be a mighty sign and wonder to the peoples
of the earth and all shall know that deliverance (salvation) is found only in
Me. Go forth into every place I lead you and be that living testimony I have
prepared you to be. Stretch your faith out on My Word alone and all these
things I have spoken shall come to pass at an ever increasing pace in the
earth. Rejoice, My beloved ones, and hold fast to your obedience"....
"IN ALL THAT YOU DO SEEK TO ESTABLISH MY GOVERNMENT IN
THE EARTH"
...."Keep
your eyes on the end goal My beloved ones. In ALL that you do seek to establish
My government in the earth. Fear not for I am with you to keep you from
falling. Disregard those things which have their roots in the world system and
preach the good news of the Kingdom. Many of My children "openly" bow
their knee to Satan by their continual fellowship with his "world
system". They have allowed themselves to be deceived because of the
hardness of their hearts. Tell My people that ALL which is not of Me shall
surely perish and that the works of the "flesh" in My church (all of
which hinder the furthering of My Kingdom), shall be made evident for all to
see - regardless of how cleverly hidden they appear to be"....
"THEY SHALL KNOW THAT THE WORDS WHICH YOU SPEAK
ARE MINE"
...."No
more will they take lightly the words which you speak - My beloved ones! For I
am with you in power and authority and they shall know that the words which you
speak are Mine and that it is I, and I alone, who have sent you. Rejoice! For
now is the time of great building and restoration (in My Church) amongst My
people. And now is the time I have chosen to exalt you, and those with you, to
the place of prominence I have prepared for you - in order that in leading so
shall you serve and in serving so shall you lead"....
"THEY SHALL REMOVE "ALL" OBSTACLES
WHICH HAVE HINDERED THE FLOW OF MY POWER"
...."I
say to you this day My beloved ones, that great and awesome shall be the
displays of My power which proceed forth from the mouths of My holy apostles
and prophets in this last hour. As they take the deepest revelations of My love
forth, they shall remove "all" obstacles which have hindered the flow
of My power. For as My children have My love shed abroad in their hearts -
through the revelation of My Word by the power of My Spirit - they shall once
again be in one accord and of the same mind, thus allowing My life and power to
flow unhindered, and truly I say to you, great shall be the ruin of the Evil
One! Hold fast your obedience, My beloved ones, for I have chosen you to lead
My people in this "relentless" onslaught against the Evil One - and
indeed they shall know that you are Mine and that it is My hand which is upon
you"!....
JESUS:
"THEY SHALL SURELY ENTER INTO THE FULNESS OF MY
REST"
...."When
I said to the man whose son was possessed by an evil spirit, "all things
are possible to him who will believe", and he directly answered, "I
believe, help my unbelief", I was "enabled" to meet the needs of
this man. For you must remember that he was well-acquainted with the physical
manifestation of this evil spirit, but had no experience of the power of God to
deliver; but he "heard" the words which I spoke to him and - although
he was weighted heavily with what he both saw and felt - he confessed all that
was in his heart and asked My help in removing what he knew might hinder the
deliverance of his son. As My sheep will put aside "any" reliance on
a strength or conviction which is not of Me, and will continually cast their
care on Me, there will be no more "fleshly striving" to walk in faith
and indeed they shall surely enter into the fulness of My rest. The confession
of "I believe, help me to be separated from any unbelief which is in me"
allows the Holy Spirit to continually illumine the hearts of My children -
thereby dispersing any darkness therein and empowering them to continually
bring every thought captive to the revelation abiding in their heart"....
*****
MEDITATIONS ON
THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE:
+ We
must break down every barrier that divides us and come into a new relationship
with one another where we are one body; where we are one even as Christ is one
with the Father. It is this unity that shall release the power of God in our
lives and enable us to be "immovable" and "invincible" in
the "crises" we shall be facing in the days ahead as the Glorious Church
"takes legs".
+ The Holy
Spirit, by His incoming, gives fuller light upon things which may not appear as
sin before. Known sin must be put away in order to receive the fulness of the
Holy Spirit and yet when the will is honestly surrendered the Holy Spirit may
reveal much deeper depths yet to be dealt with.
+ The "man
of God"! How much that term signifies! He is a man who comes from God, is
chosen and sent by Him. He is a man who walks with God, lives in His fellowship
and carries the mark of His presence. He is a man who lives for God and His
will; who's whole being is ruled by the glory of God - who involuntarily and
unceasingly leads men to think of God. A man of God is one in whose heart and
life God has taken the right place as the All in all, and who has only one
desire, that God should have that place of pre-eminence throughout the world.
+ A man of God
knows and proves three things: God is all; God claims all; God works all.
+ The physical
presence of other "obedient" Christians is a source of incomparable
joy and strength to the believer.
+ The peace that
God gives is not an artificial one. It is so deep that even the Devil cannot
disturb it. You cannot hear things in the spirit, while you have any turmoil or
fear in you. You cannot take a shade of fear into the presence of God.
+ In the Wisdom
of God the Cross of Christ is the pivot, or central truth, which keeps all
other truth in its due proportion both in doctrine and in practice.
+ The message of
the Cross is full of paradoxes on its experiential side, and these paradoxes
can only be understood as we "progress" in experience (obedience).
+ The Cross is not a
favorite theme with the wise of this world, even in many areas of the Christian
church. The very words - the Cross" - seem to be a stumbling-block to the
"intellect" of the natural man, but the Holy Spirit is watching over
the "message" as it goes forth among the people of God, for upon its
reception and assimilation by the believer, depends the fulfillment of the
Ascended Lord's desires for His Church.
+ Some renounce
themselves but only with some exception, for they do not fully trust God, and
give attention to providing for themselves. Some, too, offer everything at
first, but later when temptation strikes, they return to their own devices, and
so make very small progress in virtue. These will not reach the true freedom of
a pure heart, and the grace of joyous fellowship with God, unless there has
first been made complete renunciation, and a daily self-denial, without which
fruitful union stands not, nor will stand
+ A Christian is
one who no longer seeks their salvation, their deliverance, or their
justification in themselves, but in Jesus Christ alone.
+ Defeat comes
from looking back; distraction comes from looking around; discouragement comes
from looking down, deliverance comes from looking up.
*****
GOLDEN MANNA FROM THE MOUNT
"BE CONTENT WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FIRM SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION"
Marsha Burns
ft111@spiritofprophecy.com
http://ft111.com
Now
is the time when you can put down spiritual roots and be established and
strengthened in the Word and kingdom principles. This is a very quiet work that
will not be visible to those around you, nor will you see the fruit of this
work for awhile. Be content with the establishment of a firm spiritual
foundation, for it will produce a sense of stability that you have not known.
Also be aware that the enemy of your soul will do all that is possible to keep
you distracted from this very necessary phase of spiritual growth by stirring
up your fleshly desires. Stay focused, and this season will produce great and
lasting results.
...."For
the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these
are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you
wish"....
Galatians 5:17
"REMIND YOURSELF AGAIN OF YOUR CALLING AND
PURPOSE"
Distractions
abound! Be alert to what vies for your attention and competes with duty.
Establish yourself again in divine priorities so that your heart is settled on
what is important in terms of eternity and relationship with Me. Remind
yourself again of your calling and purpose, your gifting and anointing, and
your God-given responsibilities. Set a watch so that you don't waste your time
and energy on things that are not important to the overall scheme of things. Be
done with dissipation. Be bold; be strong and very courageous, and go forth
establishing the kingdom of God here and now.
"LET US HAVE SWEET COMMUNION"
Withdraw
from worldly clamor and retreat into My presence for a time of refreshing. I am
your refuge, your place of safety, where you can renew yourself spiritually and
gain new perspective. Your outward success will be measured by the depth of
your relationship with Me, for in My presence you will gain wisdom, direction,
and strength. Do not withdraw, however, out of a sense of self-protection and
personal isolation, for your kingdom purpose involves reaching out and touching
the lives of others with the power of the Word and the gospel of peace. Come,
and let us have sweet communion together.
"PRAY FOR THOSE WHO RISE UP AGAINST YOU, FOR
THIS BATTLE IS NOT FLESH BUT SPIRIT"
Do
not relinquish your position of responsibility or authority. Be aware that
there will be some who do not understand their place and boundaries; they will
push beyond their limits and transgress your boundaries. But, I say, stand your
ground and defend your kingdom position, for in so doing you will be
established in greater strength and purpose. Those who violate your boundaries
will do so in presumption because their focus in on self-promotion instead of
kingdom purpose. Pray for those who rise up against you, for this battle is not
flesh but spirit.
*****
KORAH'S REBELLION
PART SEVEN
THE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES OF REBELLION
Again
in Numbers 16:20-22 we see the men of God falling on their face before the Lord
to intercede on behalf of a people who are about to be judged severely by God.
All those who have truly humbled themselves before God will have, abiding in
their hearts, that deep inbred love of God for mankind regardless of their sin.
...."Then
the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the congregation, saying,
"Get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and
Abiram"....
Numbers 16:23-24
So now,
summarizing that which has happened up until this time, we see that Moses first
delivered the Word of the Lord to his people and unto their leaders and that
Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram took offense and they rose up together with
250 other leaders of the congregation against Moses and Aaron and falsely accused
them of exalting themselves above the people. Moses on hearing these words, and
because he knew God so well, foresaw immediately the consequences of their
rebellion and interceded on their behalf before God and God's immediate word to
Korah and all his company was for them to gather together the following
morning. The next morning the glory of the Lord appeared to all the
congregation and the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, telling them to separate
themselves from among the congregation because His intention was to consume
them instantly. But once again Moses and Aaron interceded on behalf of the
people before the Lord and God gave Moses instructions to tell the congregation
to get back from around the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.
And now we shall go on to see the
"absoluteness" of God's judgement upon the rebellion of His people in
Numbers 16:23-33:
...."Then
Moses arose and went to Dathan and Abiram, with the elders of Israel following
him, and he spoke to the congregation, saying, "Depart now from the tents
of these wicked men, and touch nothing that belongs to them, lest you be swept
away in all their sin." So they got back from around the dwellings of
Korah, Dathan and Abiram: and Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the doorway
of their tents, along with their wives and their sons and their little ones.
And Moses said, "By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do
all these deeds; for this is not my doing. If these men die the death of all
men, or if they suffer the fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. But
if the Lord brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth
and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into
Sheol, then you will understand that these men have spurned the Lord. Then it
came about as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground that was
under them split open, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up,
and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah, with their possessions.
So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth
closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly".....
As we move into
the final stages of this last hour we must come to understand the absolute purposes
and plans of God for His Church. God's number one desire is to remove
"all" rebellion from His church and with it all sin and death in
order that Satan might no longer have any foothold (ground) whatsoever in the
midst of His people. This story of Korah's rebellion becomes for us in the
Church a bold type and symbol of the fact that it is man's
"rebellion" which forces the judicial hand of God. In His dealings
with the Israelites, they tempted God ten times and five other times they refused
to believe Him and yet, in His mercy and lovingkindness He forgave them. But in
this time of Korah's rebellion He came out to judge. And although God answered
the prayer of Moses, His judgement consumed all the leaders of the rebellion
and all who had "aligned" themselves with them.
EACH MAN'S WORK SHALL BECOME EVIDENT IN THIS HOUR - WITHOUT EXCEPTION!
So
too, in this last hour, shall the Judgement of God befall "all" that
is not in Christ for it is written that each man's work shall become evident
and we must "know" that God has said that every so-called "good
work" and "labour", which has its origin apart from Him, shall
be consumed by Him. Time and time again God, through the apostles and prophets,
has given a severe admonition and warning for us to disassociate our
"affections" from the world and its ways because He knows that
fellowship with the world will open up a man's heart for Satan to plant seeds
of rebellion and thus allow him to hold captive many children of God who choose
carnality over godliness. We must come to understand fully that the gates of
Hell will never prevail against the "Church" that is walking in the
revealed knowledge of God's Word but we must also clearly understand that a
heart not wholly given to God (a rebellious spirit) will open the door to Satan
to hinder the work of God in some way. In the last scripture we see a graphic
description of God's final judgement on the actions of His rebellious leaders.
After Moses had spoken the Word of the Lord (verses 28-30) God immediately
backed His Words and His judgement was set in motion.
In verse 32 the Word states that:
...."the
earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households and all the
men who belonged to Korah, with their possessions"....
THE "HOUSEHOLD" - GOD'S UNIT OF SALVATION
Many
people often state after they read of God's judgement, that it seems
"unfair". In this case the fact that the earth opened its mouth and
swallowed not only the leaders up but their households and all who had aligned
themselves with Korah and their possessions, but we must understand that this
judgement of God simply typifies God's desire to remove "all"
rebellion from the midst of His people - and "all" those things
around them and with them that have been touched by it. Again from verse 32, it
is interesting to notice how much preeminence is given to the
"household" as the unit of salvation. In other words, God desires
that parents teach their children and bring them up in godliness and obedience
which, as we studied before, is the reciprocal action to rebellion and
disobedience. As we come to know God to a greater degree we shall come to
understand clearly that even though it is up to each individual to confess
Jesus as their Lord, God has made the provision if those in authority - whether
in the Church or the family - operate in the principle of obedience, to open
the door for "all" that "belong" to that true delegated
authority to come into the fulness of their inheritance in Christ. As we truly
seek to grasp a deep revelation of spiritual authority, we must learn to
constantly lift up our vision of God's will for His Church in order that we
might first develop a deep desire to set ourselves apart from anything which
would detract from the glorious Church - that is that Church without sin,
without fear, without rebellion and without death, and whose sole
characteristic is the glory of God. As we go on to study we shall look deeply
into the absoluteness of the principle of Jesus (obedience) and the principle
of Satan (rebellion) and we shall then come to understand that all rebellion
against God and His delegated authorities releases the force of death and we
shall also see that it is only the obedient child of God that can drive death
out of the church (and the earth) and replace that death and darkness with the
Life and Light of God. Anyone who has ever walked closely with God knows
clearly how God feels about rebellion and sin. As one continues to abide more deeply
in Christ they begin to experience the righteous indignation of the Lord and,
in seeing this holy wrath of the Lord, one sometimes wonders why God does not
just obliterate everything that has borne falsely the name of Jesus Christ.
But, of course, we know all about God's mercy and His longsuffering over His
stubborn and obstinate children and His great love of mankind.
THE CALL TO INTERCESSION FOR ALL THOSE IN REBELLION
AGAINST THE HIGHEST PURPOSES OF GOD
We
must, therefore, as handmaidens and bondservants of the Lord Jesus Christ, set
ourselves to intercession that we might stem the tide of God's wrath and
judgement against the sons of disobedience - praying intensely at all times -
that they might, through our prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit, be led
into a repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth for it does not please
God to have to judge sin and rebellion in the midst of His people. But when
there remains no seed of repentance in the heart of the rebellious and sinful
one then His judgement shall "surely" be forthcoming. God must judge
all sin and rebellion in His church that has not been purged by the Word of God
and the Blood of the Lamb, for failure to do so would be tantamount to giving
His approval to Satan to work freely in the midst of His people. All these
things considered, let us understand clearly that it is we who have been given
authority over Satan and all his power (darkness), but if we fail to shine as
lights in the midst of this crooked and perverse generation then we can in no
way drive out the death and darkness of the Evil One from the midst of God's
people. So again, it is only an abiding "perfect
obedience" which shall continually bring us to - and keep us in - the
precious place the Father has given us in Christ - that is, the place of
"ascension" (all authority) with all that is of death and darkness
under our feet. The sooner we all realize that there are no shortcuts but only
one way - the narrow path of perfect obedience - then the sooner the glory of
God shall fill the earth to the great pleasure and delight of the Father's
heart.
*****