THE MINISTRY
LETTER 2006 ISSUE 20
To all
handmaidens and bondservants of the Lord Jesus Christ:
...."But
now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit,
resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. For the wages of
sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord"....
Romans 6:22-23 NASB
If the child of
God desires, and thus seeks, to maintain a lifestyle which remains based and
rooted in carnality - that is, a dependence on the "flesh" - then
they will not be able to truly serve God. Many believers "allow"
themselves to remain in bondage to sin and its effects, and while this way may
"seem" comfortable or even right, its end is the way of death - and
is a certain abomination to God! Our Heavenly Father commands holiness in His
children - and what He commands He empowers - so one has no excuse to walk in
anything less than the perfect will of God. We, as children of God, must NEVER
allow ourselves to be deceived by Satan in any way for the Father knows every
thought and intention which proceeds forth from our hearts. It is only as we
draw near to Him that He is able to separate us from our sins by the power of
His Word - for His Word is living and active and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of our hearts. We must desire in our hearts to be rid of every idol
and incline our hearts to the Word of God alone; for in doing so we will surely
reap the "true" success and divine prosperity that the Father desires
for each of His children. How clear is the choice which we have in this last
hour! The Word of God says that we are a people for His own possession, and
that He desires for each one of us to draw near to fellowship and commune with
Him in order that we might be both strengthened and empowered to fulfil His
plan for us in the earth. The main desire of all those who would truly serve
God should be to be consumed and possessed by the Holy Spirit - in order that
they might be filled up to all the fulness of God, becoming partakers of His
divine nature through His great and precious promises. It is only in this way
that one will experience the abundant life which Jesus came to give us more
abundantly.
Related Scriptures: Romans 8:1-2;
Proverbs 14:12; 1 Peter 1:13-16; Hebrews 4:12;
Deuteronomy
30:15-20; 2 Peter 1:2-4; John 10:10;
*****
THE FIRST AND FOREMOST AIM OF THE "SPIRITS OF
DECEPTION" ARE TO KEEP THE CHILD OF GOD OUT OF THE PLACE OF INTIMATE
FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER AND HIS WORD
In
this last hour it is extremely important for every child of God to be in their
"proper positioning" - this, of course, being entirely established by
the Holy Spirit. There are many "deceptive spirits" continuing to
mislead the people of God - and their first and foremost aim is to keep them
out of the place of intimate fellowship with the Father and His Word. If one
does not diligently seek to enter into the "inner chamber" THEN it is
certain that they will have no way of knowing where - and with whom - they are
supposed to be. And thus, they are easily swayed and manipulated by the demonic
forces which were sent to keep them out of their "proper position" in
light of the Father's plan for their lives and ministries.
"SELF-EXALTIVE"
MINISTRY
There
are still many "ministers" in the church who have not completely laid
down their lives for Christ, and thus they have not entered into the true
Kingdom service to which they are called. Because they have held to, or
maintained, an element of self-desire (self-agenda) they have "unknowingly"
(ALTHOUGH THEY SHOULD KNOW!) allowed themselves to be held captive by the Evil
One to accomplish his purposes in the midst of God's people (2 Timothy 2:26).
The essence of this statement is simply that anything done apart from the Holy
Spirit by the one held captive is designed by the Evil One and his forces to
move the children of God away from the intimate fellowship the Father so
desires with each one of His own. If one holds to ANY form of self-desire (the
root motivation of which is ALWAYS "self-glory") they shall continue
to "sow to the flesh", while believing - in their state of darkness -
that they are ministering the Word of God on His behalf. As the scriptures
state: sowing to the flesh can ONLY reap death, darkness and corruption in the
life of the "hearer" - not to mention a perpetually deeper spinning
off into darkness by the vessel who allowed themselves to be held captive!
"IT IS ONLY IN THE "INNER CHAMBER"
THAT OUR HEARTS ARE KEPT CONTINUALLY IN THAT PLACE OF BEING WILLING TO DO ALL
OF THE FATHER'S WILL, ALL OF THE TIME"
In
defining what constitutes a "self-exaltive" ministry it must be made
clear that this does not necessarily mean that the self-exaltive spirit behind
their words and actions is obvious. This is why it is so EXTREMELY important
for every last child of God to enter daily into that place of perfect and
intimate fellowship with the Father and His Word. It is only in the "inner
chamber" that our hearts are kept continually in that place of being
willing to do all of the Father's will, all of the time - and it is ONLY from
this position (seated with Christ at the right hand of the Father) that one
will "know" (recognize) and discern that which is truly of the Holy
Spirit, and that which is not (John 7:17). Of course when we are given
discernment by the Holy Spirit on any activities which are apart from Christ,
it is first and foremost for the purpose of praying for our brothers and
sisters who - through some form of self-desire and self-agenda - have allowed
themselves to be caught in a deception.
"IT IS CERTAIN THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL CREATE
THE PERFECT SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE TRULY SEEKING FIRST THE
KINGDOM"
The
task of the five-fold ministry is to lead those who are truly seeking the fulness
of the Father's will and plan for their lives and ministries, into the fulness
of their precious inheritance in Christ. I really have not had in the past -
nor do I desire in the future - "fellowship" with ministries that
could be defined as "self-exaltive". Once again it is so extremely
important for every child of God to be established in their proper position by
the Holy Spirit. It is certain that He will create the perfect "spiritual
environment" for all those who are truly seeking first the Kingdom and the
establishment of the True (Glorious) Church - and this environment will SURELY
include the delegated authorities who will minister the absolute truths of
God's Word to them.
"OUR TASK AS KINGDOM-SEEKERS IS TO - IN A
SPIRIT OF DEEP HUMILITY - ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BRING US INTO A TOTAL TRUST
AND DEPENDENCE UPON THE FATHER AND HIS WORD"
The
Father is doing a wonderful thing in our midst in these days, and He is coming
to judge all rebellion and self-exaltive practices in the midst of His people.
Therefore, it simply remains for all those who truly love God to just
continually seek first the Kingdom - day in and day out - KNOWING that He will
establish each one of His faithful and obedient ones in the perfect place, in
His perfect timing. To summarize: our task, as "Kingdom-seekers", is
to - in a spirit of deep humility - "allow" the Holy Spirit to bring
us into a total trust and dependence upon the Father and His Word. From this
holy position (or position of holiness) it is certain that the "spirit of
strong deception" - which is now running rampant in the midst of those
children of God whose hearts are still in "fellowship" with the world
- shall not in any way captivate or bind those whose hearts trust fully in God.
"HOLY COMPASSION" - THE KEY TO ALL TRUE
DELIVERANCE MINISTRY
Many
have "attempted" to carry out "deliverance" ministry while
(unknowingly perhaps) maintaining some form of self-exaltive motivation and,
because of this, their "good intentions" (although the root
motivation was most certainly "self-glory") served only to result in
failure and much confusion in the midst of God's people. This actually was the
"earmark" of the Second Day church - and it is precisely why many
were never set free from the bondages that held them captive. Jesus referred to
these types of activities in Matthew 7 (..."but Lord, did we not cast out
demons in your name?"....) As ministers and servants of God we must become
sensitive to the deepest thoughts and intentions of the Father's heart. Another
element and by-product of intimate fellowship with the Father in the
"inner chamber" is that, in being supernaturally fused with Him, in
Christ, we come to a knowledge of His will and into perfect agreement with His
heart of love towards His children - and towards all those in captivity to the
bondages of fear. This perfect agreement produces "holy compassion",
and it is this "holy passion" which releases the "fulness"
of the anointing that abides within - at any given moment. As we continue
deeper on into the Third Day, the Glorious Church will be filled up with the
"overflowing" presence of the Holy Spirit and we can surely count on
the fact that "deliverance" ministry will take on a whole new meaning
as the Truth is revealed - in "His" fulness - to vast multitudes.
THE "INNER CHAMBER": IT IS THE PLACE OF
"PERFECT EMPOWERMENT"!
This
truth concerning the "inner chamber" and intimacy with the Father and
His Word is the deepest and most important Kingdom truth. It is the very
principle (motivation) by which man was created in the beginning. The Father
also is the same yesterday, today and forever, and thus it is extremely
important for every child of God to take that necessary step of faith - AND IT
IS A STEP OF FAITH - into the His loving arms. He is perfect - without
exception! There is nothing whatsoever to fear from Him - or in Him! I once had
the same problems with intimacy that vast untold thousands in the church have
and I can tell you that there is a great and total deliverance available found
simply in the presence of the Father and His Word. It is THE place of
"perfect empowerment" - whatever that may mean specifically to each
individual Christian - and it is THE place wherein ALL the chains of the past
are dissolved by His perfect love towards us - as we are faithful to enter into
fellowship with Him day by day.
Let us hear the words of the Father:
"WHEN ALL HAVE ENTERED THEIR PROPER PLACE
THEY SHALL SEE MY GLORY DESCEND UPON THEM"
...."Tell
My children to seek Me diligently in prayer in order that they might know the
place to which I have called them and that they might know those whom they are
to be associated with; for this is a matter of great importance. Satan is
attempting to lead many away from the place where I desire them to be. It is
certain that I do not have two places for My children to be, and truly I say to
you the time is short. Therefore, let all those who would serve Me hearken to
the voice of My Spirit, for when all have entered their proper place they shall
see My glory descend upon them and they shall go forth and do mighty deeds in
My name. This is a time wherein I desire My children to proceed forth, in every
move and action they take, with great caution, refusing to move in any way, big
or small, until they have received the revealed knowledge of My will in their
heart. In this way they shall safeguard against all the deceptions of the Evil
One; for truly I say to you there is not one who, in knowing those wondrous
things which shall come to pass in My glorious Church, would desire to be in
the wrong place. For I shall open up the heavens and pour forth blessings which
will thrill the hearts of My beloved ones"....
"YOU WILL NOT BE INFLUENCED BY THE MENTAL ASCENSIONS
WHICH ARE A PRODUCT OF THE DARKENED WISDOM OF MAN"
...."I
have prepared you, My beloved ones, so that you will be able to walk moment by
moment, hearing the voice of My Spirit in every circumstance. Had you been in a
different place, in one of the so-called "spiritual" denominations,
you would have become "indoctrinated" to a certain degree. As I send
you forth "all" things which are apart from Me shall surely be
consumed by My Spirit, which shall pour forth from your innermost being. I have
brought you to the place where you will not be influenced by the "mental
ascensions" which are a product of the darkened wisdom of man. Bow your
knee to no one, for as My wisdom proceeds forth from your mouth all the lies of
the Evil One will be exposed and all unrighteousness will shut its mouth!....
"TO BE SEATED AT MY RIGHT HAND IN THE HEAVENLY
PLACES IS THE PLACE OF TOTAL AND ABSOLUTE VICTORY"
...."You
must realize fully, My beloved ones, the esteemed position you find yourself
in. For to be seated at My right hand in the Heavenly places is the place of
total and absolute victory. Indeed, you know what it is to walk in My counsel
and to understand fully the thoughts and intentions of My heart. In knowing
that to whom much is given, much is required, set your gaze steadfastly upon
the end goal; for in doing so many shall be led into the fulness of their
inheritance. You have discerned well the great and awesome responsibility which
has been placed upon My overcomers, but in knowing how to depend on Me for all
things that awesome responsibility and burden are placed squarely on Me; and it
is My power which shall fully govern the lives of those whose dependence is
upon Me. As your heart is illuminated and saturated with the revealed knowledge
of My will, you will surely see that you are repairers and the restorers of the
streets in which I desire My people to dwell. As you keep your eyes fixed upon
Me and desire to do only My will, there will be nothing that you cannot
overcome by My power and My might. I have called My overcomers to forsake
"all" to follow Me and because of this there will be times in the
lives of each one of My beloved ones wherein they will find themselves face to
face with various manifestations of the law of sin and death - and all the
darkness and unbelief which the Evil One can muster. Take no thought or regard
for "flesh and blood", but only My will (Word) which has been
revealed to your heart. How great is the intolerance I demand of My
bondservants and handmaidens in this last hour. They must, in no way, bow their
knee to the schemes of the Evil One. Indeed, there will be times when it seems
as if the wisdom and love which flows forth from every word they speak will
have fallen on deaf ears and hardened hearts; but truly I say to you, My Word
shall not go forth void, but it shall accomplish "all" that I desire
and it will succeed in the matter for which I sent it. Truly I say to you, you
shall reap the benefits of learning to walk above the sense realm; for in this
last hour My faithful ones will be moved only by My Word, and they shall refuse
to deviate from the path which I have chosen for them - regardless of the
futile attempts of the Evil One.
"TRUE" THANKSGIVING
...."The
greatest thanksgiving that My children can give Me for the abundant blessing
that I have blessed them with is for them to thank Me, and then continue on in
perfect obedience, never stopping to dwell on anything but the next moment's
obedience"....
"THEY SHALL GAIN A DEEP ASSURANCE OF THEIR
RIGHT-STANDING WITH ME"
...."If
one seeks to live their life before Me, as opposed to before flesh and blood,
they will always be found "blameless" in My sight regardless of what
flesh and blood may think of their actions; for in seeking to walk in perfect
obedience, and then acting moment to moment on what they have been
"instructed" to do, they shall gain a deep assurance of their
"right-standing" with Me and they shall be a blessing to all those
who truly love Me and a "curse" to all those whose hearts
"maintain" rebellion"....
...."It is
essential that My overcomers walk above and beyond time and space in all
things, for their success depends upon it.
...." Get
ready My beloved ones - for the storm approaches!"....
...."Tell
My children that they must not make plans to take any "vacations"
from spiritual things between now and the catching away of the Church
(faithless excursions)."....
...."All
"accusations" spoken through the child of God have their root and
source in the "unbelief" of the one used to speak the
accusations"....
...."As one
walks in "perfect obedience", moderation will become the spontaneous
by-product of that obedience and not something which needs to be striven for in
the flesh, a striving which could "never" accomplish the "true
moderation" which is required"....
...."Tell
My children to place themselves in a position wherein they expose themselves to
the purifying fire of My Spirit; for in doing so, "all" that is not
of Me, within them, shall be consumed and truly I say to you, they shall come
forth as gold, a fit vessel for My use"....
*****
MEDITATIONS ON THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE:
+ The
"renewal" of the Church will depend on the "renewal" of our
prayer life. The powers of the "world to come" are at our disposal if
we will make time for quiet hours for fellowship and communion, which is our
Lord's supreme yearning desire.
+ Neither God
nor Satan can minister to or destroy the human but through the human (flesh and
blood) vessel. Satan has no power to defile, to destroy, or to lead astray,
except as he has a human instrument. God has no power to bless, to inspire, to
lift, to save men, except through a praying, obedient Church.
+ God does not
set “understanding” as the condition of our approach to Him.
+ The basis of
all spiritual reality is the clear, manifest Word of God in Jesus Christ. The
basis of all human reality is the dark, turbid urges of the human mind. The
basis of the "community of the Holy Spirit" (the Church) is truth
[godly desire]; the basis of human community is self-desire. The essence of the
community of the Spirit is light; the essence of human community is darkness.
It is the deep night that hovers over the sources of all human action, even
over "all noble and devout" impulses of the flesh.
+ It is what we
"do" today that will get us delivered not just what we know! It is
revelation knowledge acted upon that gets results. Nothing is going to come to
pass in the "physical realm" from just your heart alone. If you truly
desire God's results then you must do things God's way. Heart and mouth must
come into perfect agreement with the Word of God!
+ In
"consistency" lies the release of God's power!
+ When one
doubts the teaching of Hell, it will be because they "doubt" the
Divinity of Jesus Christ!
*****
GOLDEN MANNA FROM
THE MOUNT
"TRANSITION INTO THE
NEWNESS OF THE SEASON"
Marsha Burns
ft111@spiritofprophecy.com
http:\ft111.com
You
have entered a new spiritual season that is as yet unexplored. Do not become
alarmed if you feel somewhat insecure or strange. And, do not take your
feelings seriously at this time, for it will only last for a brief time as you
make a transition into the newness of the season. Watch for events that come
about suddenly that have the elements of being life-changing, and do not be
afraid to explore unusual possibilities, says the Lord.
...."Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be
dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go"....
Joshua 1:9
"YOU MUST QUIET YOUR SOUL AND WITHDRAW FROM TURMOIL AND
CHAOS"
You
must quiet your soul and withdraw from turmoil and chaos, for certainly your emotions,
if not brought under the control, will lead you in a path of delusion. Your
decision-making process will be flawed until you come to the place of peace
where your discernment can come forth with clarity and precision. You must not
fret or worry. Trust Me that I am with you and for you, says the Lord.
...."Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God"....
Philippians 4:6
"DEVELOP A GENEROUS ATTITUDE TOWARD OTHERS BY
GIVING THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT"
Beloved,
the enemy is trying to separate you from others by rejection established
through misunderstandings and offense. This is the devil's bate. Don't bite!
Forgive immediately everything that puts you on the defensive. Develop a
generous attitude toward others by giving them the benefit of the doubt,
regardless of the situation. You can choose to win this spiritual battle with a
godly attitude, says the Lord.
...."Let
nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem others better than himself"....
Philippians 2:3
VISION:
I had
a vision of a stage with Japanese players with their faces painted white. The
stage was lit, but all around it was dark. They ran back and forth from one
edge of the platform to the other with hands shading their eyes as they
strained to see what was in the darkness. They were frantically searching to
see and to know the future, but it was hidden from them. Their energy was
totally focused on what they could not see. Then, as I watched, instead of
continuing to fret they began to use that same energy to be productive where
they were within the boundaries of the light they had. Suddenly, joy came, and
peace settled them. And, the Lord said that it is the same with us. We can do
nothing about the past, and we cannot live in the future. We only have today.
...."Come
now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city,
spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not
know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that
appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say,
"If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you
boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil"....
James 4:13-16
*****
ABIDING - THE
PLACE OF AUTHORITY
PART FIVE
TO THE DEGREE THAT ONE FAILS TO SUBMIT THEMSELVES TO THE AUTHORITY
OF GOD (THE WORD OF GOD) IT IS TO THAT DEGREE THAT THEY ARE SUBMITTED TO THE
COUNTERFEIT AUTHORITY OF SATAN
To
the degree that one fails to submit themselves to the authority of God (the
Word of God) it is to that degree that they are submitted to the counterfeit
authority of Satan. Since the fall of Adam "disorder" (chaos) has
been prevalent in the earth. Even though the provision has been made through
Jesus Christ and the pouring out of God's Spirit in the earth, the failure of
the Body of Christ to consistently meet the Divine requirement of God through
their perfect obedience has fallen short - and this is why disorder and
disharmony are still prevailing characteristics in the church. Through the
church's failure to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord in "all" of her
activities, she, in many cases, has continued - both corporately and
individually, to exalt herself above the Word of God, and the absolute
authority of that Word. It is certain that disharmony (the failure to be in one
accord - one heart and one mind), strife and all other manifestations of a
prideful dependence upon anything which is apart from God, shall remain until
all the members of the Body are truly submitted under God's authority - and
thus have absolutely rejected the counterfeit authority of Satan.
"IS NOT THE SPIRIT OF THE CROSS TO DO NOTHING
ON OUR OWN INITIATIVE, BUT TO DO ALL THINGS THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD AND THE
POWER OF HIS SPIRIT?"
We,
as children of God, must have a clear revelation of spiritual authority, for if
we do not have a clear revelation of true authority then we shall surely be
found, unknowingly, to be subjected and submitted to that which is apart from
God. We shall be found to be serving God's enemy! Each time such absolute
statements are made concerning spiritual realities many become offended at
these absolute and uncompromised truths, but a "rampant emotionalism"
does not change in any way the wisdom of God and so let us have open hearts to
receive all that is needful for us to rise above the error and darkness which
is found on the broad path of "liberality". If a child of God is in
any way operating apart from the anointing which abides within them, that is,
they place their dependence upon themselves and their own darkened wisdom, then
they shall "think" that they can discern good from evil and judge
between what is right or what is wrong and, in presumptuously operating in this
matter of "false" judgement, they exalt themselves above God. If we
believe that we are able, apart from the Word of God and obedience to that Word
alone, to serve God and carry out His will, then we are deceived. Is not the
Spirit of the Cross to do nothing on our own initiative, but to do all things through
the Word of God and the power of His Spirit? If we have been deceived into
believing that we can somehow "help" God by something that proceeds
from the "old nature" then we are in rebellion against Almighty God
and a deep deliverance is surely needed; for it is written, "the flesh
profits nothing" and that "we can do nothing apart from Him",
(Romans 7:18, John 6:63).
"WILL THE BELIEVER STEP ASIDE IN ORDER TO ALLOW
THE HOLY SPIRIT TO OPERATE OR WILL THEY NOT?"
...."I
am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears
much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing".....
John 15:5
The question
which is dominant in this last hour is, "Will the believer step aside in
order to allow the Holy Spirit to operate or will they not?" This is the
question that shall be raised before every believer. Countless numbers in the
church are living in rebellion and sin because they have not "heard"
or learned the first lesson in the life of obedience and that is total
submission to the Father and His Word! "Submission" taught by the
Bible deals with being submitted to the authority or the "authorities"
established by God - and I might add, by God alone. If we are truly submitted
to God then we shall find ourselves hanging on His every Word, written or
spoken, and we shall "cling to" (spiritually speaking) those
delegated authorities which the Father has blessed us with. Not that we are in
any way to become "emotionally attached" to the anointed men and
women which God has raised up, but rather we are to harken unto those things
which God speaks and does through them.
WE ARE TO IMITATE THE SPIRIT OF THE CROSS
WHICH ABIDES IN THEM AND UPON THEM
In
being called to "imitate" those who are the true servants of God, the
Father does not expect us to imitate "their" actions of obedience,
but rather we are to imitate "the Spirit of the Cross" which abides
in them and upon them; that is, one is not called to follow after the
"particular" actions of the delegated authority necessarily, but
rather they are to be obedient as that delegated authority has been obedient.
As we then carry out the leadings which we receive from God we may find them
totally different than what other servants have been called to do. We, as
children of God, have been called not to deviate from our "own" path,
that path consisting continually of the sum total of God's direction in our
lives for the carrying out of His will (our portion of Jesus' ministry).
EVERY PERSON IN THIS EARTH IS WALKING IN A FORM OF
OBEDIENCE
It is written in Romans 6:16:
...."Do you
not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience,
you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or
of obedience resulting in righteousness?"....
Every person in
this earth is walking in a form of obedience. If one has not submitted
themselves wholly to the authority of God and thus given His Word pre-eminence
in their life, then it is most certain that they are slaves to sin and fear to
some degree. On the other hand, one who has submitted themselves entirely, day
in and day out, to the absolute authority of the Father and His Word, shall be
found to be "slaves" unto righteousness. If one, through a spirit of
idolatry, allows themselves to be deceived into making "fellowship"
with the world and its ways their priority, then, in the deepest fibre of their
being, there remains an element of rebellion and unless there is a deep and
abiding repentance forthcoming then God shall not be able to use that one in
the building up of His Glorious Church. If one continually puts themselves in
the position to hear the fear-filled lies of Satan, then through the fear that
shall be nurtured in them they shall come, not to the place of an absolute
submission to God, but rather to the place of an absolute dependence upon themselves
- building their security upon the "sand" and preventing the Father
and His Word from being their all in all.
EVERY CHILD OF GOD MUST BE "WILLING" TO
HEAR THE VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THIS LAST HOUR
A
bondservant or handmaiden of the Lord can be defined as one who seeks and hears
the Word of God at all times and measures that Word "fully" through
distinct acts of obedience, led and ordered by the unction of the Holy Spirit.
Let there be no misunderstanding as to what the Father requires, and let us
remember with reverential fear what Jesus has said:
...."Apart
from Me you can do nothing"....
Every child of
God must be willing, and therefore able, to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit
in this last hour for two reasons:
1. so that they might walk in
perfect obedience before God, doing nothing apart from Him.
2. to walk in the fulness of
their inheritance in Christ and thus experience the "fulness" of
God's salvation (His all encompassing provision for deliverance from anything
that has its origin in the law of sin and death and the curse - thus enabling
them to walk "above" all the schemes of Satan which shall surely be
formed against them).
For it is written in 2 Timothy 3:12:
...."All
those who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus, shall be
persecuted"....
ANY ACTION OR WORD WHICH IS NOT IN PERFECT ALIGNMENT
AND AGREEMENT WITH THE REVEALED WORD OF GOD AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD IS A
MISREPRESENTATION OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND OF GOD THE FATHER
Let
me again repeat, that any action or word which is not in perfect alignment and
agreement with the revealed Word of God and the Spirit of God, is a
misrepresentation of the Lord Jesus Christ and of God the Father. Somewhere
along the line, no matter how good it looks, that action will come back to
distort the image of God the Father and God the Son and it shall deceive all
who will believe the "lie" into carrying out a "plan" which
is apart from the true purposes and plans of God. So we must never discount
even the smallest acts of disobedience as unimportant before the Father, but
rather let us humble ourselves and submit ourselves before God and His
authority - and thus allow Him to do the deepest work of the Cross in us
continually. It is the Father's deep heart-desire to bring each one of us to
the place wherein us there is no ground for fear. As the Father's love is
continually shed abroad in our hearts, THEN any ground for rebellion, for
selfishness or any desire to do anything apart from Him, Whom we serve, shall
be consumed and our every word and our every deed - and even our very presence
- shall boldly proclaim the reality: "it is no longer I who live, but
Christ who lives in me"!
TO THE DEGREE ONE HAS NOT SUBMITTED TO GOD (THAT IS,
GIVING THEM THEIR WHOLE HEART AND HOLDING NOTHING BACK) IT IS TO THAT DEGREE
THAT THEY WILL REFUSE AND REJECT THOSE SENT BY HIM
A
delegated authority is quite simply, one who is chosen as a vessel of God's
authority, that is, one who is chosen to represent "perfectly", and
be a purveyor of, the deepest thoughts and intentions of the Father's heart.
The main job of the true delegated authority is to proclaim - in accuracy - the
uncompromised will (Word) of God. It is not in any way one's own
"personality" which puts them in a place of leadership. It is just
quite simply God's power and anointing flowing through the empty vessel (empty
of sin and self), thereby allowing them to be vessels of God's Word which is,
as previously stated, the absolute authority of God. From this we can come to
understand clearly why there are many who refuse to recognize the anointed
vessels which God has sent. To the degree one has not submitted to God (that
is, giving Him their whole heart and holding nothing back) it is to that degree
that they will refuse and reject those sent by Him. Is this principle not
evident in the ministry of Jesus as He walked among the religious men of His
day? And yet not every Pharisee's heart was hardened towards God. Even though
the fear of man prevented them from openly following Jesus there were many who
knew in their deepest heart of hearts that He was from God.
THE "SPIRIT OF COMPROMISE" THAT CAUSES ONE
TO SEEK THE APPROVAL OF MEN BEFORE THE APPROVAL OF GOD IS A VERY DANGEROUS
THING SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING!
The
"spirit of compromise" that causes one to seek the approval of men
before the approval of God is a very dangerous thing spiritually speaking! Was
it not this same abominable spirit which caused our Lord to be crucified? And
even today in the midst of many congregations of so-called believing
Christians, this same spirit compels those whose hearts are not wholly given to
God to revile and reject the very voice of God in their midst. As we continue
our study we will deal with the "five-fold ministry", and as we cover
the various elements of spiritual authority we shall have a vivid picture
painted in our spirits of what true authority is and how to be subject to it.
We will come to understand clearly what a "delegated authority" is,
and we shall see what kind of vessel the Father desires to use as His delegated
authority.
*****