Archive for May, 2018

Be Not Ignorant

Thursday, May 31st, 2018

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 2:

5 But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.

6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man,

7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your (agape) love to him.

9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.

10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,

11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

There are times when we must correct those who are offending the Body of Christ but it must be done in Love.  Those who have greatly offended many will suffer when corrected and that suffering is sufficient for their correction.  They were led astray by their lack of understanding and wisdom, typically by relying on their mind’s logic and error.  We must not allow ourselves to walk in unforgiveness toward them and cast them away as though they are unpardonable.  This will include those who professed to be used in the five-fold ministry and taught us in error or deemphasized the work of Christ.

We must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices.  He will use those who are not being led by THE SPIRIT to cause division among the brethren.  Their agenda is typically self-serving rather than self-sacrificing.  They also are oriented toward insufficiency rather than trusting FATHER to meet their needs.  They might lack assurance in their life so they will attempt to place the spotlight on themselves rather than preferring others.

FATHER forgave us all and sent HIS Son to die for the ungodly which included you and me.  As we mature IN HIM, we too will be willing to forgive all and will be able to readily identify the devices of Satan when they arise to cause division.  The earlier they are detected, the sooner restoration of the brother or sister will occur.  Often, you will be able to use the situation as an instructional event rather than a source of condemnation.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 10:

7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.

9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Jesus identified the fruit of Satan- to steal, kill, and destroy.  When we see this fruit then we know the source of the problem.  Let us not condemn the person being used by Satan, but instead let us seek FATHER in determining the best way to restore the person to HIM.  Love always forgives.  If needed, FATHER will initiate corrective judgment in order to bring to light the source of the problem.  HIS fiery Word will penetrate the devices the devil is using to cause destruction in the person’s life.  Our responsibility is to intercede for the person and pray for FATHER’S perfect will to be done in the person’s life.  FATHER’S Wisdom will administer the proper correction without too much sorrow.  Let us not be ignorant and succumb to the enemy’s devices in our response thus increasing the problem.  Let Agape Love prevail in all that we say and do when we are affecting the lives of others.

Our Petitions

Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 5:

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

FATHER has Lovingly expressed HIS Will to us in both verbal and written form so that there is no question what HIS Will is.  HE has confirmed HIS Will throughout history with signs and miracles following, not reluctantly, but with the expectation that we have no doubt of HIS desire to bring forth many Sons and Daughters to do HIS expressed Will.

FATHER has given us the guidelines to walk according to HIS Word in Love, faith, and hope… Love being the greatest character trait.  When we have received the revelation of Agape Love, we will fully understand that FATHER is not reluctant to receive our petitions requesting HIS actions on our behalf.  How many earthly fathers and mothers want the best for their children!  Consider how much greater FATHER’S Love is for us and HIS desire to see us prosper and be in good health even as our soul prospers.

Jesus died on the cross in order for us to easily and simply access the seven redemptive promises given to us by FATHER reflecting HIS nature.  FATHER is not hesitant in responding to those who ask in faith and according to HIS Word.  When HE spoke of the blessings of obedience in Deuteronomy chapter 28, those blessings were not limited to the children of Israel but instead reflects HIS nature and willingness to act on behalf of all HIS children.

Jesus healed the sick throughout His ministry.  He was never timid about healing those who approached Him and as we study those passages, our faith will increase and come to expect healing and restoration when we petition FATHER in Jesus’ name for Jesus spoke in John chapter 14:

12 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

How can we glorify Our Heavenly Father?  By walking in Love and faith, petitioning according to HIS Will and giving HIM the credit for the results.  Jesus gave us a perfect example when He came to Lazarus’ tomb:

40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?”

41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.  And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!”

44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with grave clothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

Jesus prayed first, then the physical manifestation of Lazarus’ restoration followed.  Was Jesus reluctant to pray for Lazarus, given the situation?  Was FATHER hesitant to raise Lazarus from the dead?  No, FATHER expressed HIS Love for both Jesus and Lazarus and glorified HIS Name in their midst by producing supernatural results.  Let us not be reluctant to petition FATHER to fulfill our needs according to HIS Word.  Also, let us openly give HIM the glory and the credit when those needs are met.  HE awaits our prayers.

Vessels And Their Fruit

Tuesday, May 29th, 2018

The vessels of dishonor are known by their fruits and we are called to be fruit inspectors.  We are to minister to those who are in this category but we must be careful not to fellowship with those who meet these criteria for we are at risk of becoming like the company we keep.  Let us not fear those who are vessels of dishonor but let us be a light to shine in the darkness.  Wisdom wrote in Proverbs chapter 6:

16 ​​These six things the LORD hates,

​​Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

17 ​​A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others],

​​A lying tongue A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],

​​Hands that shed innocent blood,

18 ​​A heart that devises wicked plans,

​​Feet that are swift in running to evil,

19 ​​A false witness who speaks lies,

​​And one who sows discord among brethren.

If FATHER hates these seven things, we too will come to hate these as well.  We must shine the light on these seven things in Love when Wisdom gives us the opportunity.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Timothy chapter 2:

20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.

21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

We were all vessels of dishonor before receiving salvation through Our Lord Jesus Christ and if we look back at the fruit we produced, we would easily see our actions which would fit into one or more of the categories mentioned in Proverbs chapter 6.  Thankfully, the Blood of Christ was and is sufficient to overcome all of our sins so that we are now able to walk as vessels of honor.  If we are having difficulty in any area of our life, let us come to FATHER’S Throne of Grace and plead the Blood of Christ over our difficulty.  His Blood is greater than any difficulty we face.  We must not let our mind regain control over our heart by leading us astray with lustful or prideful thoughts.  The mind would exalt and overestimate oneself and discount others.  Let us humbly walk as vessels of honor and walk with a grateful heart.

As we become mature Sons and Daughter in Christ, Wisdom will guide us into all Truth concerning these things FATHER hates.  They will be easily identified and we will be given the Word and power to deal with them in the appropriate manner.  Some of us will be called upon to expose these things which will affect the course of history.  We must be of good courage and know that FATHER will provide us with the Words to speak when we are given the opportunity.  Others will be called upon to intercede in prayer for those who are called to the spotlight.  Let us all be prepared to do our part when FATHER moves upon us by HIS SPIRIT.  Vessels of honor will be called upon to act on behalf of the Kingdom and we must be fully prepared.

Two Worlds Contrasted

Monday, May 28th, 2018

A quote from Preston Eby:

  Somehow it does not sink in that the whole world system is, in its totality, A PRODUCT OF THE CARNAL MINDS OF MEN.  Our culture, our politics, our economy, our military, our educational system, our entertainment, our social programs are one and all under the power and control of carnal-minded men, sold under sin, dominated by the spirit that controls this age, influenced and governed by the god of this world.  We have tried to believe that our present constitutional and political systems are somehow an expression of the kingdom of God simply because they were given to us by pious men.  So we have been busy trying to preserve and perpetuate a flawed system, a passing carnal order which is even now steadily disintegrating before our very eyes, as our omnipotent Father demonstrates for all to see that even our government and institutions are truly of this world; and again He shall prove the truth of that word which unerringly proclaims, “The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (I Jn. 2:17). 

Many still hope that out of our present political system will come the integrity and wisdom to solve the immense problems facing our increasingly weak and depraved society and the explosive world situation.  Surely, think we, God will raise up someone with the answer!  If only we could elect enough Conservatives, or enough Liberals, or enough Christians!  What a multitude of Christians have swarmed to the polls to vote for some candidate they were led to believe by propaganda and shrewdly managed image-building techniques was a Christian, or Conservative, or possessed of great intelligence and superior wisdom, only to awaken later to the stark and unvarnished reality that in fact he was just another carnal-minded man, just another politician, dominated by the god of this world system which spawned him, controlled by the spirit of the age of this present evil world which is “under the power of THE WICKED ONE.”  Let God be true, and every man a liar! 

Now we can understand in fuller measure the import of the message delivered by John in his epistle: “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world is under the power of the evil one” (I Jn. 5:19).  This world is not for us.  Its ways are not for us.  Its methods are not for us.  Its fashions are not for us.  Its standards are not for us.  Its politics are not for us.  Its spirit is not for us.  We are different.  We are of God!  The called and separated elect of the Lord are sons of God, led by the Spirit of God.  God is now in the process of SAVING US OUT OF THIS WORLD!  Those apprehended to be the manifest sons of God are overcoming this world just as the firstborn Son of God testified, “I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33).  Again the apostle John wrote, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (I Jn. 5:4).  Yes, the elect of God must overcome the flesh.  Yes, the chosen of the Lord must overcome their own will.  Yes, the sons of God must overcome the wicked one.  But from many statements of holy scripture we may confidently affirm that the primary thrust of our overcoming is that we must OVERCOME THE WORLD!

             The apostle James likewise warns against walking after the spirit of this world and being entangled therein: “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?  Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world IS THE ENEMY OF GOD!” (James 4:4).  The great whore is a fornicator, an adulteress.  Haughtily she rides astraddle this beast of the world!  But thank God! this world shall pass away!  Not the planet earth that we live on, but the world — this whole present, carnal, corrupt, abominable system of things.  And with it, all the chaos, sin, warfare, crime, uncleanness, poverty, pain, pride, haughtiness, deceit, sickness, death, yea, all the sorrows and ways of man shall be brought to an end. 

By the word of our omniscient Father and by the quickening eye of faith and hope we look for a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH wherein dwelleth righteousness!  And the time for this change is at hand!  Blessed be the name of the Lord, we have arrived at the hour, at a consummation of the ages, for the NEW WORLD to begin! Even now, as God’s overcoming company learns to rise up in  the spirit, to hear God’s voice, to learn God’s ways, to be led by His Spirit, to be partakers of His divine nature, to be conformed to His image, the substance and glory and authority and power of that NEW WORLD is taking on form within us!  Oh, yes!  In this new world the carnal mind of man will not rule.  In this new world the satanic powers of darkness will have no authority or dominion.  In this new world the politics, the economic system, and the religious orders of this present dark age will hold no sway.  Every enemy shall be put under foot, and the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death!  Aren’t you glad!  End quote.

Let us continue onward and upward as we are led by HIS SPIRIT!

Being Diligent

Sunday, May 27th, 2018

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Hebrews chapter 11:

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

The word diligent means: constant in effort to accomplish something; attentive and persistent in doing anything. done or pursued with persevering attention; painstaking.  People want to receive Our Heavenly Father’s blessings yet many are casual or lax in their desire to seek HIM out and get to know HIS ways.  Some spend all their time looking for the prophetic, hoping to see some general sign which may affect their future but do not look for a personal and intimate relationship with FATHER.  They simply refer to HIM as GOD.  Others read accounts about HIM in the form of Christian books or watch Christian movies but lack diligence in seeking HIM on a personal basis.  Abraham and the other men and women of faith listed in Hebrews chapter eleven had no technology or book stores to enhance their relationship with FATHER.  They found HIM in their quiet time of prayer.

How can you trust someone if you don’t truly know him or her?  I can encourage and enlighten you to seek FATHER out as I share events of the past where FATHER has faithfully come to my aid, but you should develop a similar relationship with HIM and have your own testimonies to share with others.  HE has delivered me from death five different times over the years so I know HIS great grace and mercy at a personal level.  I know HIS Love in action because I have been a recipient of that unconditional Love numerous times even though I felt unworthy because of my humanity and error.  I trust HIS judgment in keeping me around to minister and report that unconditional Love to all who are willing to listen else I would have already been returned to the dust five times over.  Yes beloved, I am grateful!

The world will attempt to persuade you from diligently seeking FATHER on a personal level.  Every single day, we have external stimuli attempting to draw our focus away from the diligence required to receive those Heavenly rewards reserved for us.  The world promotes instant results and satisfaction even though they are only temporary.

Jesus addressed diligence when He spoke in John chapter 15:

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

The word abide means: , obey, observe, follow, keep to, hold to, conform to, adhere to, stick to.  To abide infers being diligent in our relationship with Christ.  The words casual and occasional do not convey the meaning of abiding IN HIM.  Are you “all in”?  I can attest that I am and I have no regret for HE has delivered me countless times in numerous situations where I would have surely failed and suffered the consequences.  It is my desire to encourage you to be diligent in your seeking of HIM at a personal and intimate level.  You do not have to rise up to some level of perfection in order to get FATHER’S attention for HE will meet you where you are.  Call upon HIS Name and HE will hear you.  Repent of past laziness and then consider it no more.  Become a diligent seeker and FATHER will joyfully reward you.  Place your trust IN HIM and know that HE unconditionally Loves you and wants the best for you.

All In All

Saturday, May 26th, 2018

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 15:

 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 

23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 

25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 

26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 

28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Our Heavenly Father is Everything to everybody without exception.  That being the case, shouldn’t we look to HIS wisdom rather than succumb to the peer pressure of men and women around us?  We only need to look at the history of medicine and dentistry to see the archaic methods used by practitioners who claimed to be “state of the art”.  Is it any different today?  Jesus healed without a scalpel, pill, or instrument.  

FATHER has every solution needed by mankind today thus we should be tapping into HIS Wisdom and understanding in a collective effort yet man continues to rely on technology in order to find their alternative solutions to life’s problems.  In the meantime, sin abounds.  Thankfully, grace abounds much more.

FATHER is All in ALL which means HE is everything to everybody.  Let us seek HIM today for the solutions to our problems.

Loving The Desperate

Friday, May 25th, 2018

Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 5:

43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor(fellow man) and hate your enemy.’

44  But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

45  so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].

46  For if you love[only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?

47  And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that?

Men who do not know GOD to be FATHER get desperate and will often use the current system to manipulate others in order to get what they want.  You have enemies because they are resisting the Love walk and do not trust FATHER to provide for them so they create adversaries to justify their path and make up for their inability to be blessed.  He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly is a Biblical principle that applies to the just AND the unjust.  The law of seedtime and harvest applies to all mankind thus FATHER does not withhold rain.

Withholding Love from those who walk as your adversary does not promote the Kingdom.  FATHER so Loved the ungodly that HE sent HIS Son to become their Redeemer and HIS act included you and me.  When people try to manipulate you so that they can take something of yours, consider giving them what they want.  This is where we need to be led by THE SPIRIT and not submit to the current standards of the world.  When we are truly led by THE SPIRIT, we will come before certain people who need our help even though they don’t realize it.  When we give as a blessing, it will evoke conviction in their heart, often unexpectedly.

When we give out of an abundant heart, we release FATHER to give to us in like manner.  Throughout the years, my wife and I have given in this manner and FATHER has blessed us abundantly, especially in times of personal need.  I look back at those times of giving in faith when we gave what appeared to be beyond our capacity at the time and I found FATHER to be ever faithful in supplying our needs according to HIS riches.  You and I don’t have to live in a desperate mode if we will only trust FATHER for our supply.  Let us be a light to those who are desperate and show them by example who our FATHER is and how HE takes care of HIS children.

I have also been persecuted in the past by those who did not have the facts in hand.  There were times when FATHER simply told me to remain silent and let HIM take care of the issue.  Often, the situation would get rectified and FATHER would restore what was lost.  Other times, HIS judgment would come forth and cause dire consequences to occur to those who caused the persecution.  No matter what the situation, we should let FATHER’S perfect Will guide our actions and responses to those who are desperate so that Love will draw men unto HIM.

Fulfilling FATHER’S Word

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

It is recorded by THE SPIRIT in Isaiah 61:

1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, ​​Because the LORD has anointed Me ​​To preach good tidings to the poor;

​​He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, ​​To proclaim liberty to the captives, ​​And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

2 ​​To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, ​​And the day of vengeance of our God; ​​To comfort all who mourn,

3 ​​To console those who mourn in Zion, ​​To give them beauty for ashes, ​​The oil of joy for mourning, ​​The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;

​​That they may be called trees of righteousness, ​​The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

We have always viewed the above prophetic Word as pertaining only to Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.  But it also applies to those who become mature Sons and Daughter of GOD.  Each of us who mature will develop a Love for mankind similar to that of Our Lord Jesus.  It will take preeminence in our thought life toward others as we come in contact with people of all walks of life.  There are many who are broken in some fashion these days who need stability in their lives.  Trust in Our Lord Jesus Christ provides such stability.

There are those who walk around in confusion because they seek truth from the various “experts” in the world.  They too need help for they have become captives to their mind which is a ruthless taskmaster if given the opportunity to rule.  These people are held captive by their own logic and set of ever-changing facts generated by the news and social media.

People are imprisoned by their minds and/or their bodies.  Mental illness is described in Scripture as being some form of spiritual possession or oppression of the devil.  Jesus cast out demons as well as healed all those oppressed by the devil as stated in Acts chapter 10:

34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.

35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.

36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—

37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree.

40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly,

41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.

As we mature in Christ we will likewise be anointed to walk in the same manner.  You may have a hard time believing this to be the case.  Trust in the reality that FATHER can and will empower those who hunger after this level of maturity in Christ.  David, Joseph, and others did not have the confidence when they were called to do great and mighty works for FATHER.  Paul’s life was turned upside down when he was chosen and anointed on behalf of the Kingdom.  Peter was simply a fisherman until he was called and prepared.  Do not sell yourself short for the anointing of FATHER makes up for all your weaknesses and lack of confidence.  Let us expect to fulfill FATHER’S Word with confidence and not allow our minds to convince us otherwise, for as He is, so are we!

The World’s Opposition

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 5:

18  We know [with confidence] that anyone born of God does not habitually sin; but He (Jesus) who was born of God [carefully] keeps and protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

19  We know [for a fact] that we are of God, and the whole world [around us] lies in the power of the evil one [opposing God and His precepts].

20  And we [have seen and] know [by personal experience] that the Son of God has [actually] come [to this world], and has given us understanding and insight so that we may [progressively and personally] know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.  AMPL

Each day is a progression toward the fullness of Christ in us that we may be mature Sons and Daughters of GOD.  We must not become moved by the evil in this world for it will be judged in due time just as it was judged in the time of Noah.  The water saved Noah just as it judged the evil in the world but it did not destroy the earth in the process.  This time the world will be judged by fire.  By THE SPIRIT, Peter wrote in 2 Peter chapter 3:

1 Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

2 that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior,

3 knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,

4 and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,

6 by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.

7 But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

We should quit looking for some escape from earth and look for the fiery Word of FATHER to engulf the earth and burn away the wood, hay, and stubble.  Men will “perish” by fire this time whereas they perished by water in the days on Noah.  Noah was persecuted while he was building the ark but that did not deter him from walking in righteousness.  He simply trusted in FATHER’S Word and was saved through the flood, not removed from the flood.  It will be no different this time.  FATHER has always protected HIS children in the midst of judgment against the wickedness of the world.  The opposition is temporary in nature so let us simply walk and be led by THE SPIRIT.  Do not allow events to move you.  We will be saved by the fiery Word similar to the times of Noah.

The Way

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018

The Beloved Disciple wrote in THE SPIRIT in 3 John:

2  Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, even as (in proportion as, in the degree that) your soul prospers.

In Hebrews chapter 4:

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

John tied health and the prosperity of the soul.  The word prosperity is derived from the Greek word meaning: a course of conduct; a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding.  In order to have and maintain health, we must follow a course of conduct and thinking conducive to health.  Many people who have used and claimed the blessing of 3 John 2 over the years focused primarily on the first half: to prosper and be in health.  However, the first half is tied to “even as” or “in proportion as, in the degree that”.  This suggests that the first half is somewhat conditional on the second half and responds to the success of our soul prospering.

Faith comes by hearing, responding, and accepting The Word as being fully trustworthy and totally reliable.  As our soul aligns itself in its course of conduct with The Word, we begin to prosper in the various areas of our life.  The change may be slow at first but it will gain momentum over time.  Let patience have its perfect work.  Our soul will prosper as we follow The Way.

In John chapter 14, Jesus spoke:

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And where I go you know, and the way you know.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

In Acts chapter 9 before Paul was converted, he heard of “The Way” for it was well known:

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

It is apparent that those who were prospering in The Way had developed a reputation because of the good fruit they were producing.  I trust that these daily writings are causing your soul to prosper at a greater level with the intent of encouraging full maturity in The Way.  We must no longer be hearers only but mature into doers of The Word known as The Way.  In Acts chapter 19, The Way caused great commotion among the people.  Why?  The power and authority of those who walked in The Way became well known and The Way was negatively affecting the businesses of the silversmiths who made money by providing their wares to those who worshipped the shrines of Diana.  People began to see the Truth and Diana was no longer their idol.  The Way will break down the idols of mankind once they are exposed to The Way.

Let us press in to walking in The Way and surely the power and authority will flow through us to those we come in contact so that Jesus Christ is glorified as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.