Showing posts with label vain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vain. Show all posts

Friday, March 12, 2021

Taking a Stand Against Vain Imaginings


 The person who truly loves Christ is the one who’s going to stand up for Christ no matter if they lose friends, family, or if the world hates them. It will not matter to them about that group who goes around to cancel others for Christ is in the heart of the believer who has their heart set on His plan and not the world’s plan. The person who truly loves Christ will expose the deeds of darkness!  

Ephesians 5:8-14   NKJV ……8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as His children of light. 9 ( for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

This is Paul’s term for a believer’s and unbeliever’s conduct! The faithful believers do more than abstain from evil; they denounce the deeds of darkness as the unfruitful, shameful and not worthwhile.

  Psalm 94:16  Who will rise up for me against the wicked? Who will stand for me against those who practice iniquity?    It is the Lord who sustains the righteous in their battle with the wicked.

 John 7:24  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. This refers to social injustice!

 

God cast out the “vain” from heaven: His name was satan or you might know him as Lucifer! ….. Luke 10:18-20   And He said to them, "I saw satan fall like lightning from Heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

Yes, Lucifer fell out of heaven and it was a display of that which revolted against God the Creator! Jesus came to gain back authority that was taken in the Garden of Eden. It included Adam’s authority to subdue and have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living that moves on the earth.

Vain imaginations is of the devil and the human thought of the “Me” syndrome! But God made us in His image to be of His likeness and to be morally right before Him. That we would know we are those with intelligence, perception, and self-determination to far exceed any other living creature on the face of the earth!  We are spiritual who not only has a body, but soul and spirit. God desires us to come higher to His ways and thoughts of being. And not to be animalistic in behavior seeking only fleshly gratification.

Romans 1:20-25……KJV….20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the un-corruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

¶ 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

 

Yes, like from these verses, man will seek to gratify himself with things like those who came out of Egypt who sought to have the priest Aaron to make for them a golden calve, yet a calve had not delivered them out of the clutches of Pharaoh! While Moses is up on the mount with God, these decide to do something different from God!

The Israelites had the example of this from Pharaoh of a man who had the hardened heart. And the more plagues presented to him, the more he responded in hate and hardness! Exodus 5:2…2 Pharaoh said, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD and I will not let Israel go." NIV

Those who know not God, who do not have that relationship with Him, will do things that dictate that they have no God before them. Pharaoh might have been a leader but his rule over the land was for the worthless idols he sought!

Even within his fortified city of which he called home, was also home to a great garrison of soldiers and charioteers. Even their horses were the Arabian, that was bred for endurance in harsh dry climates like the Egyptian desert! But even in all the wealth seen in this great fortress, from the wines to special desserts, and fabulous dressing gowns, diseases were rampant and many people died. No incantations could be done……..there was no cure!

Was it their idolatry…………..a plague of their heart? The people harassed by this tyrant seen in Pharaoh called out to God. And when prayer was made, a man was sent; Moses was his name.

It was in times of a national calamity as: in drought, locusts or caterpillar, mildew or in pestilence (disease) supplications were presented. And God answered in regard to the grief of an individual , when every man would know the plague of his own heart. Plague is more than heart pain, grief or worry. Plague is a disease caused by sin.

 ONLY what is of God is truth. So any other mere words are men’s Words.

John 8:42-47….KJV………….42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God hears God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

 

Jesus was not soft. He told these men they were of their father the devil.. If we stop  defending Christianity, that is exposing evil, rebuking those false teachers, and confronting believers, we will have more people lost and led astray than those who are the saved!

Vain imagining can be stopped when there are the times of praise, exalting God in His wonders: Nehemiah 9:10 You showed signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his servants, and against all the people of his land. For You knew they acted proudly against them. So You made a name for Yourself, as it is this day. This was corporate prayer that was prayed by an  entire nation that gathered to confess sin & receive God’s forgiveness and restoration. But they remembered what God did…through Moses..

In Daniel 3:19-25 ….men bound in their coats, trousers, turbans & other  garments were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace….three men of prayer, worshippers of God went in the fire…from…verse 21….and in verse 25 four men are seen…. 25 “Look ! he answered I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire; & they are  not hurt, & the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

God assisting His own in Signs and Wonders and what a life that is indeed!

 

God’s word is our lens to seeing correctly. So blurred vision can come when we are superficial with prayer and to not knowing the Word of God! God is relational & through these written words about signs and wonders what is revealed is the signs & wonders in those who obeyed HIM!

Where is the flow of the Spirit?....Human nature says: look at my body, I need food, feed me, my muscles feel weak ..The spiritual man speaks 1 Corinthians 2:13…NKJV…13 these things we speak not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches,  comparing spiritual things with spiritual.                                                                                                                

Our prayer life is comprised of knowing His written word; to live by it ………so that John 17:3 And this is eternal life:[ it means] to know ( to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the]Christ ( the anointed One, the Messiah, Whom You have sent … and .is revealed in and through our lives.

 

We are to be understanding our Father always. We are to exalt Him in His truth and faithfulness. We exalt Him in His greatness and authority. And then in those quiet, secret place times with HIM,  we cast down those thoughts that are contrary to God's heart and Spirit.  Many people say they love God, but is it equally true that they hate evil? Truly loving God is demonstrated in and by our character when we will not tolerate evil in our own hearts.

Honor the Lord: Highly esteem Him and make His Name distinct in Your speaking.  We stop speaking about us, and speak  about Him! WE Humble ourselves under His mighty Hand. As we are yielded to the Holy Spirit, planting His Word within us, we will have eyes to recognize evil. Many times it comes in a form that is pleasant or seems acceptable. Some evil is obvious, while other times it does take Holy Spirit discernment to see it. God will help you as you lean into Him. Let His praise continually be in your mouth and have a joyful, peaceful and glorious day with God!

Matthew 10:32-34….Amplified Bible…32 Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men and confesses Me [out of a state of oneness with Me], I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven and confess [ that I am abiding in] Him. 33 But whoever denies and disowns Me before men, I also will deny and disown.

We should be about conversation and Jesus should be in it! Other than that you are only giving people “you”! In our daily routine of life, we are to be speaking of the Lord, the oneness we have with Him. Just because there are rebel rousers, we are to be still speaking God’s peace in His truth for life.

 

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 Amplified Bible………12. Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to ] the world but the Holy Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Holy Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit]. 14 But the natural, non-spiritual man does not welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly ( meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. 15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he examines, investigates, inquires into, questions and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him]. 16 For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide and instruct Him and give him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts ( feelings and purposes ) of His heart.  (Isaiah 40:11)

Spirit always answers to spirit. We are spirit beings, and we have a body and soul! So of the three spiritual categories you have what is the natural man, unregenerate and devoid of the spirit who has no appreciation for the Gospel. Another is the spiritual man, regenerated and possessing spiritual maturity and are seen as those free from sectarian strife! 

Titus 3:4-11  Amplified Bible 4 But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing bath of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 [And he did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [ that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought and action],

To purpose, was it for God’s purpose or my thinking by  my reasoning or my  senses… for purpose, for thought, was of the divine thought or my opinion, and that action, was it designated by God and His ways or again by my own thinking. Our thoughts must align with His thoughts! No opinions allowed!

 

 And that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our hope]. HOPE IS:….elpis : with anticipation with an expectation in the confidence we have in God

Is my hope in me, is it found in my husband, is my hope in the Social Security System…my hope IS TRULY TO BE IN GOD!

8 This message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on,) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations and to doing good, for such  themselves are [not only] excellent and right [in themselves,] but [they] are good and profitable for the people.  9 But avoid stupid and foolish controversies and genealogies and dissentions and wrangling about the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile. 10 [As for] a man who is factious [a heretical sectarian and cause of divisions] , after admonishing him a first and second time, reject [him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him],  11 Well aware that such a person has utterly changed (is perverted and corrupted); he goes on sinning [though he] is convicted of guilt and self-condemned.

 

From verses 8-11 Paul tells us to shun strife and factions. We are to have a transformed life that is that response to the grace of mercy revealed by God through His Son Jesus.  So in context, the meaning of verse 10 has to do with sectarian…he who causes divisions…. Is one of having a spirit toward or a devotion to a particular religion or sect. it is toward having dogmatic limits of bigotry regarding something specific as to the outward appearance. The Lord looks on the heart! Adhering to specific opinions in regard to intolerance with doctrine or belief as opinion and not authoritatively approved  is contrary to the Word of God. With God’s Word as the standard, anything outside of that is departing from truth.

  Being made new by the Holy Spirit we are activated in the Kingdom of heaven.. We are to seek unity within God’s church of believer’s. And it is by the Holy Spirit we can see deceptive doctrine displayed as well as seen in divisive behavior.

 And the third spiritual type category is the “carnal” man. He is regenerate but living much like an unregenerate, is a believer but is childish in his ways, has the spirit of a jealous and divisiveness ! This is one that will live more for human opinion than for Christ!

Again, the faithful believers do more than abstain from evil; they denounce the deeds of darkness as the unfruitful, shameful and not worthwhile. We prepare for our day or week by going to prayer and the word of God. We have conversation with Him and ask what to say to give His plan to others.  And in that prayer time we are not guessing about what is going on but we pray from the authority that has been given us through Jesus..And within God & His purpose, we  stay in His authority & speak & pray from that authority.

God’s power is exalted in us when our weaknesses are greatest because He “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). It is God’s power that continues to hold us in a state of grace despite our sin (2 Timothy 1:12), and by His power we are kept from falling (Jude 24). His power will be proclaimed by all the host of heaven for all eternity (Revelation 19:1). May that be our endless prayer in Jesus’ name! 

Go in His power and His might speaking boldness in whom you have confidence and see His glory cover this land!

                                           New teaching at: Voice of Prayer 

 The Call


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New teaching at: Life Giving Wells
Remember Lot’s Wife

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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Are We Taking God Seriously About What He Speaks & Plans?

Do we seriously take God at His word or is it just some fun and games for awhile?
Do we understand the importance of speaking God's Word and expect the miraculous as He did?
In the teaching this year, and on my Youtube channel as well, I know the Lord has me always speaking that each us take our place, and do the ministry as He purposed for each of us to fulfill in His name.
We are to "disciple" others and send them ......!

Was reading a timely article in the last hour here in my office. And in this writing, the woman wrote of the importance of sending people out. Within her written words, I was sensing the urgency to mentor others and how that might look. Earlier this year, I was contacted to mentor a person in the faith. All appeared good till one day, the person spoke this! They insisted they had not taken the mentorship seriously. After three really good and long scheduled meetings and touching on the specific points, we all need to know where we are to be in a year's time or even ten years out. So after only three meetings the mentorship stopped for this one individual.

In my years of ministry and time with others, you pretty much know those who really carry God in their hearts. They are on time, excited what the topic is for the meeting, and excited to apply the wisdom of God to their lives. But this year, I experienced something totally unexpected.
Returning to read over this woman's teaching and the importance of mentoring others, especially in the things of God, I was seeing with new eyes. I began to meditate on some scriptures from the book of Joshua.

Joshua 5:6-15

6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that he would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.

7 And their children, whom he raised up in their stead, them Joshua circumcised: for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them by the way.

8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.

9 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.

10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.

12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

15 And the captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.
KJV

Verse 13 tells us of the walk Joshua took outside his tent.
In this verse, Joshua had walked over close to Jericho. And he raised his eyes and he saw a man. The man had a sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went over to Him. Joshua asks: " are you for us or are you against us?"
Good question to ask no doubt, but the answer was probably a surprise. THE "man" said, "He was not for either side but for His own side."

Whether you mentor another or are teaching your children in the ways of the Lord, still it is not to be done as to or regarding my opinion, your opinion but that what is given is BECAUSE GOD said give this word in my Name.

The Word of God: Jesus spoke that He was the Captain. As the chief of this people, He would conduct and assist. It is not by our own power but by His that we succeed in this life. By His power, we seek His voice to go in the way that is life, is truth and keep leading us HOME where He resides.

The Commander of the Army of the Lord has come with His presence to fight alongside the faithful people. THIS power is available to those who are willing to obey Him and then to work with Him by cooperating with what He has spoken to you or to me.
In this short window view of Joshua, his obedience led to more experiences with God. In that we know that we are never alone, but that God, the FAITHFUL God is with us. In whatever struggles you face the end of this year, know you have the fighting chance that is with God Who is more than Enough to even the playing field.
Allow the Holy Spirit of God to show you, guide you and then lead you to those new things, and places in God. Allow Him, the Faithful to defend you


There is much more to this adventure with God. And Joshua held firm in Him and hearing His voice that would continue to lead them through no matter the enemy or the trial.
Authentic is a word in thinking of those who will not only desire to be mentored, but are ready to mentor others as they get established in God and in His ways and thoughts. It is continuing to reach others with truth and give them the Light of God to see what the faults or negative outcomes will be if we choose another way.
Jesus is, was and will always be on His Father's side. It is not about your side, my side, or that person's side. It will always add up to our wanting another to grow and become all that God desires them to become in this life.
For my husband, as well as myself, the "vision" has always been set in God. Our mandate is to reach others with the Gospel. By the salvation message, Jesus was raised from the dead........and in that produced the most shattering, hell-shaking, bondage breaking demonstrations that was to the Glory of Almighty God! We have "no agendas" of our own. We are desperate for the kingdom reality in all of its authentic manifestations. It is always our desire for the Holy Spirit to have the FREEDOM of movement here and in every gathering as we keep to maintaining obedience and dependence upon His leading us.

So if someone scoffs, blows off the importance of mentorship, remember you can find it here. These teachings are for you to go and teach others. They are available to reach others with exhortations and firm foundation of faith in God Who is God alone and in every place.
In this place of ministry, we view it as God given. And it is the Lord Who gives us understanding in all things. We are ready in season, out of season, and we are the watchful concerning our home, marriage, intercession and ministry. It is the Lord we expect..........who stands with us and strengthens us day by day, so that the message might be preached fully and courageously sharing the Gospel Message.


Jesus continued to minister to those who would receive Him and His truth. Jesus continued when one like Judas desired the moneybag more than Jesus Himself. Judas ended up with his guts spilled over a "potter's field".



Matthew 27:4-8

4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
KJV

We each can make a difference in another person's life! But will we want to be that difference?
Jesus was the answer for Judas Iscariot, but he chose another way. In it he found the money but it helped no one. The price he got for betrayal to Jesus was to purchase a field where the strangers would be buried. A stranger to buried.......really sets this passage in motion. It was a field to be called a field of blood.
For what was not of value to Judas, he forfeited. For what Judas desired to gain, others paid and the field was used much like Jesus intended. For one man was to die for the whole world. And Jesus did that. What was of life, truth and peace did not come to Judas or the others who betrayed, but to those who give selflessly for God's plan find all they need.

For Judas, his way was right to him. The way of sin always leads downward. For what Judas desired and of that which he coveted surely found that which glitters is not of gold. For in his hands that silver became dross. What was delivered up by him became violence and injustice.

It is the Lord's side that we should want to be found. He is life, the way and truth to us!



In the last week, a specific word came to me. The woman giving it, did not know me, but she spoke this: "for those who have placed teachings on a Youtube channel, know that God is doing this and He will bring them forward in His timing. " "For what you have done is not in vain, but according to His plan and for purpose for the end time."
I had thought it important to reach as many individuals as possible, teach them what I know and send them on to teach others. Although refused by one, I know others who benefited what the Lord has shown me decade after decade!
I send this to you, to encourage you to keep going, keep doing for the Lord and He will bring to light all you have done for His glory. It is not over. Look up, your redemption draws near, and within that you  will fulfill all that He has purposed for you to do for and to His eternal glory. Soar with eagles!

Keep in step with the Holy Spirit...........Amen!


Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has two new teaching published:
The GAURANTEE of the Holy Spirit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfhqpP2MhFc


Christmas Story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKXnnlvjAVA


You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at  http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV



Friday, September 18, 2015

WHAT PLANS?

Jeremiah 29:8-14
8 For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to your dreams which you cause to be dreamed. 9 For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them, says the LORD.

10 For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. 11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.   NKJV

Now most people within the body of Christ can quote this scripture. The most wonderful thing to hear is that God has thoughts toward us and they are of peace and not of evil to give you and  me a future and a hope! That makes you want to smile, give a shout and give thanks for God has thoughts about us.
In truth all of chapter 29 should be read in its entirety to gain the true picture of what is going on here as this was given.
In reality, the text is meaning that which was taught to the people at the time was by those prophets who only spoke what the people wanted to hear. God was wanting their foundation to be built on the truth of what He wanted for them. It was to be by that Word of God to discern the truth and not heed any false teaching or way. 

Psalm 127:1 
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand in guard in vain.

These people had been in captivity and God did not want them to put down roots in Babylon. In a foreign place, these men and women dreamed dreams and had desires of the earlier days of freedom and life they had known. But in the place of the captive, one has only the dreams. As they had thought and then spoke on "what they desired" they came up dreaming about it, but alas it was not from God.
I think of ministering to people and especially those who have come from really hard places. In the jail ministry, I think of those who so desire to go back home to their own thing and ways. They would ask for prayer regarding the life they had. But I would always remind them that God had better for them, and His plan was found when we seek Him with our whole heart. 
For finding those who think as you, do as you, is not always good unity. Enlarging our hearts to receive that which we have already experienced, is never from God. He desires us to have the richness in life that brings change as the seasons change.

I remember this happening twice in the last ten years. I had been praying for these different pastors. They seemed to be going forward in the things of God and after sometime, I noticed they seemed to ask the unusual thing to pray for at the time. The asking is good in prayer, to find God's plan if something seems amiss. But when praying for people and that includes pastors, you must give them that word which is given by God for them.
In the case of these people, they wanted to flatter the false prophets so that the words the prophets spoke to them would be the good, the fun, the joyful and flatter me if you will!

So many today and that includes pastors, are still riding around in that 1963 Chevy Panel Wagon, they call ministry, because someone they liked ministered a word to them, and it was a good word. But they are still running ministry based on that word from that time. God desires us to have a good foundation to build hopes upon.  We must be willing to teach that word that God has placed on our hearts. It is important to share with others what God is speaking. 

Luke 12:1-3
12:1 In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 
NKJV

God's Word speaks loudly, and will confirm what He is doing. Though these men and women who were in captivity,  had they kept hearing God, they would not be the deceived. But there are those who, like some pastors, who will give only that word which will soothe the man, to give him something he wants to hear and not give them truth when they really need it. Some pastors will do it to keep people coming back week after week. But if we look at other pastors, and I can think of a few off hand, they are giving the TRUTH and we see them gaining momentum that ONLY COMES FROM GOD!

These men and women being separated from the vast numbers in another country, would all be gathered again together and brought to where they were meant to be from the beginning. We too, have the place to be brought together with other individuals, not of the false and the pretentious, but in the word of God that brings truth and light to us in a walk that is fulfilling.
Yes, Jesus came to set captives free. He even said it TO  those WHO needed it the most and they became unhinged and sought to kill HIM!

Luke 4:17-30
And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: 

18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me 
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives 
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;  
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD."  

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." 22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" 23 He said to them, "You will surely say this proverb to Me, 'Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.' " 24 Then He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. 25 But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; 26 but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." 28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, 29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff. 30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way. NKJV

Yes, rejection was the dominate factor here. They did not want to hear this from the carpenter's son who they knew. They liked the preeminence and gave heed to their own vain appetites. 
Jesus said, "This scripture (this writing) is fulfilled in your hearing". Jesus as the Prophet was giving that which had come. And He was the appointed by God!
"Yes, is not this Joseph's son"? Jesus had spoken with power and was backed up by truth of the Word.
Yes, He came to bring freedom to the captives, to open the eyes that were blind, and especially to those of the oppressed.  Jesus came to show the "new way" to walk, and it was not under a rule of the Pharisees that was hard and very harsh. Jesus bore witness that the Prophet Elijah had been sent to Zarephath in the region of Sidon to the widow. Yes, she was a gentile. And then He brought up the truth that Elijah had seen many lepers in Israel yet, he was sent to Naaman the Syrian. Yikes! GENTILES! THAT WOULD BITE!
So the kindly folk became hostile and wanted Jesus done away with, so they could continue on in their "own way of living".


We must call upon God and hear Him. We must go and pray and seek His plans for us...........that we would not listen to that "smooth talk"..........to stroke that kitty cat fur, but be willing to take a stand with God and find that plan that brings us to freedom for life, to no longer be captive to the past thing or things or held by that last good word spoken decades ago, but to find the fresh Manna that brings us to life and joy in the Holy Ghost! For truly should that Word was given by God decades ago and not by man, it will surely come to pass. It will be fresh, filling, adding zest to make all of our days of wholeness and peace. We should not be weary in this time of season. We should be looking forward to that hope that is within us. For His Word is given to instruct us, leading us in righteousness that is truth and justice, so that we may carry out His plan for us today. So if something does come our way, it will not be because of sin, because we did not want to hear it, but merely be but a very narrow speed bump as we travel on this journey through life with God taking our hand all of the way HOME!

2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.   NKJV


Let's remember these people as the ones who sinned against God and they were sent into captivity. They ended up in Babylon, which is serving the world in bondage. Today we are the "new man in Christ" when we have received Him as Lord. We are to remain, abide in the truth of what God has given us, so that we are not carried off by idolatry and into sin. Our sight should be kept on the Lord Who has Come and Know that HE IS COMING AGAIN, SOON!
 REMEMBER THAT NOT ONE OF GOD'S WORDS WILL FAIL WHEN HE GIVES IT TO YOU!

Father, we thank You for the opportunity to become the "new man" in Christ.
We are thankful for His crucifixion and that we can have life abundantly now in this lifetime. We truly seek to find YOU in the Word and in prayer to hear You speak truths to us. Help us when we are weak, for YOU make us strong. Help us when we might become weary,  Refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. (Jeremiah 31:25) Father, today we are reminded of that from Hebrews 12:1-5 that we willing throw  off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, so that we run with perseverance the race marked out for us. We fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Even as Jesus endured such opposition from sinful men, may we continue forward, not growing weary or losing heart, but face the tomorrows with courage in our hearts that God is for us. It is in Jesus' name we have prayed.  Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV 


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