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Spiritual Maturity
. . .
The depth of a person’s spiritual
maturity is revealed by his greatest desire. In John 21:15-19, we can see
that a mature person desires to be a parent, and only a mature believer
desires to be a spiritual parent.
What are your spiritual desires?
Do you desire to care for Christ’s flock? Are you self-focused in your
faith or are you other-focused.
The other-focused individual
has “nailed” themselves to the Cross of Christ in order to possess the
heart of Christ and grow to spiritual maturity.
The spiritually mature person
is a person that is moved with compassion. Matthew 9:35-38 gives us a picture
of compassion towards the crowd. Here we can look into the mirror of God’s
word and see how we see the crowd. Are they a nuisance, an inconvenience,
or an opportunity to show the love of God.
God wants to clarify and
redirect our view of the crowd so that you and I
will see and feel what He does.
You will never be great in
God until God is great in you! John the Baptist said, “He must increase,
and I must decrease” (John 3:30).
There is simply no way that
you or I can say that we are spiritual people until we are willing to die
to ourselves. We will only become great in God to the degree that we become
less in ourselves.
The daily challenge of every
Christian is that he will somehow put to death some part of himself that
has retained “life in the flesh.”
This is how an individual
Christian can come to “walk in the spirit” and achieve the greatness that
God in Christ has provided for him.
There is no short cut.
Grill the Will . . .
As we have been studying the
“Tabernacle Prayer,” developed by David Yonggi Cho, we learned that after
we have entered the gate with thanksgiving and His court with praise, that
we first come to the Brazen (Brass) Altar.
We have come to understand
that brass is a symbol of judgement and that here, at the Brazen Altar,
we grill our will over it’s fire. This Altar is a type of the Cross of
Christ and we Christians offer ourselves as a living sacrifice. Where,
before, a substitutionary animal bled, died and was sacrificed, now it
is the grilling of our willingness to accept the sacrifice of God’s only
begotten Son and the blood He shed once for all. It is here that repentance
for sin is brought, forgiveness sought, and pardon bought.
After seeking, finding, and
receiving, forgiveness by the blood of Christ, we move to the next station
in the tabernacle; that of the Laver where we can see “as in a glass,”
or mirror:
And all
of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the
Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being
transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from
one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is]
the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18 (Amp)
Here, washed in the water
of the word (Eph. 5:26) we become like Jesus. As He was moved with compassion,
so we are moved with compassion. As he gave His life and served others,
we give our life and serve others. As He walked in the Spirit, so we walk
after the Spirit. As He is so are we in this world. (1 John
4:17).
Superfluous
. . .
Jesus came that you and I
might have life, and more than that, a superfluous life.
John 10:10 (Amp)
The thief comes only in order to
steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and
have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
The Greek word perissos (Strong's
4053), which is translated abundance [abundantly in the KJV] is full of
powerful promise. It tells us that Jesus came to give us life (zoe = God
life) excessively beyond our human understanding of life. A life that is
more "superabundant (in quantity) or superior (in quality)" than anything
we could experience in the natural realm of human existence without the
indwelling presence of Christ, the Anointed One and His anointing.
Scripture teaches us that
this life is exceeding abundantly above what we could know naturally and
that it is, in fact, superfluous.
For something to be superfluous,
it must be such that it cannot be added to because there is already more
than enough. There is just too much to even consider wanting more.
Our God is not enough; He
is more than enough. So much so that the true believer is unwilling to
accept any attempt by anything, or anyone, to add on to Him (As though
one could). As the song says, "He's all I need, He's all I need. Jesus
is all I need."
Faith is the only thing
that can sound the depths of this place of provision, power, and peace.
For faith, and faith alone, can lay hold of what is not seen and enjoy
the substance of its reality before it is revealed to the senses:
Hebrews 11:1 (Amp)
Now faith is the assurance (the
confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof
of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving
as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
Zoe . . .
Zoe, What and interesting
word. It speaks of the eternal life that lights men:
John 1:1 5 (KJV)
In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was
in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him
was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was
the light of men. . . .
In this one Divine Person, Jesus
the Christ, God revealed eternal life to humanity. In fact, He revealed
His Eternal Person [nature] to all who accept the Son of God:
1 John 5:20 (KJV)
And we know that the Son of God
is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that
is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life.
Satan will do anything to steal
the revelation of a superfluous life; kill our desire to press toward
the mark of the high calling which will lead us to the superabundant, far
over and above, and destroy every remembrance of the omnipotence and all-sufficiency
of our God.
Ephes. 3:20 (Amp)
Now to Him Who, by (in consequence
of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry
out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we
[dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts,
hopes, or dreams]
Our inheritance is the superfluous
life that was purchased by Jesus the Anointed One on Calvary's Tree. "eye
has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of
man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) . . ." (1
Cor. 2:9 Amp).
The Search for Significance
. . .
I want to share with you,
a teaching that I received from Larry Stockstill of the Bethany World Prayer
Center.
Every person born into this
world winds up searching for significance and wondering what the real purpose
of life really is.
Unfortunately, many people
get caught up in nothing more than surviving. They think that their highest
goal in life is that of making it through the day. A person with this mind
set is unable to see beyond to a greater reason for existence.
Others get caught up in striving
to be successful. They have moved past just surviving to living to be a
success. Their success may be defined as having lots of money, accumulating
a great many possessions, finding a husband or wife, etc. The problem is
that, if you are living to be successful, it will not bring ultimate fulfillment
because it is basically self-centered.
The highest level of living
is only found when you know that you are not on the earth to survive, nor
are you here to succeed. Life, life more abundantly, is only found when
you realize that there is a purpose to your life and that purpose causes
you to commit to making your life count for eternal purposes.
In order for you to come
to your destined place of significance you must come to realize that, “It’s
not about you!” at all. Despite popular opinion, life is not centered on
you, your wants, and your goals. The beginning and end of all things is
God! He is the one who calls the shots, and He is the one that life centers
on.
You must come to realize
that, contrary to those who perpetrate the theory of evolution, you are
not an accident. In fact, the circumstances of your birth are irrelevant.
God knew from the beginning of time that you would exist, and He has loved
you from before you were even born. He has a plan for your life and a destiny
for you to fulfill.
What on Earth are You here for?
Something is driving everyone’s
life. You are motivated by something. Whether you realize it or not, you
are living according to some basic assumption. You might be living for
money, for your children, for your job, or for God. Many things can be
your driving force in life.
But, this life is not all
there is. This earthly life is but a brief moment in time. It is not your
true home. You were made to enjoy eternity in heaven with your Father.
This life is a test and a
trust. God has entrusted you with the preciousness of this earthly life.
All that you are and all that you have come from Him. You will answer to
Him for what you do with the gifts that He has given you. God continually
tests your heart to see how you will respond and to build character in
you. Nothing that happens to you is insignificant, because God is using
this life to test and shape you.
Life is a temporary assignment.
If you understand that your earthly life is but a prelude to the life to
come, you will live with an eternal perspective rather than an earthly
perspective. If you live with an eternal perspective you will evaluate
everything you do in light of it’s eternal value.
You will come to realize
that it’s all for Him. Your sole purpose for existing is simply to bring
glory to God. There is no other true purpose for life. He is the reason
for everything, and only when you focus your life on Him and His eternal
purposes will you find your purpose for life.
How can you bring Him glory?
There are several ways that are pleasing to Him. Worship Him. This, after
all, is your ultimate purpose in life. Love other believers. You will not
find your purpose in isolation because you are called to connect yourself
with others. Become like Christ. God desires to shape your character to
be like that of His Son. Serve others with your gifts and, last but not
least, tell others about Him. This is your life’s mission.
Satan, Get Lost!
by Florence Shaw
Satan, You are wasting your time
on me.
I want you to know Jesus set me
free.
Whom He sets free is free indeed
I want you to know He’s all I need.
Satan, You try to fill my heart
with fear.
I want you to know you’re not welcome
here.
I will no longer listen to the
lies you sow.
I gave my life to Jesus many years
ago.
Oft times I get discouraged and
I’d start to cry.
That’s why you again decided to
give it a try.
There was a slight chance you might
win.
Listening to you is truly a sin.
I’ll say it again loud and clear.
Get your deceiving spirit out of
here.
I’m sold out to Jesus - told you
that before.
I’m warning you, stay away from
my door.
I am on to your many lies.
Count this a failure for your many
tries.
I ask myself why did I ever listen
to you?
I am on to your conniving ways
- Stay away from me!
I’m following Jesus of Galilee.
Things are different than they
were before.
I’ve put you out Satan and I’ve
shut the door.
I’ve got your number - don’t mess
with me.
For you’ll be sorry as sorry can
be.
A lesson learned is a thing to
treasure.
To sing your praise Lord is always
a pleasure.
For things to improve God let me
know.
No “if’s” or “may be’s” - Satan
had to go!
So I’m putting my foot down and
at His command.
I’ve put on God’s armor - and I’ll
take a stand.
The good news I proclaim.
Bringing love and honor to His
blessed name.
I feel more confident this time.
Listening to Satan was a terrible
crime.
Lord it was nice spending time
with you.
It’s now time for me to follow
through.
The victory is ours - it can be
won.
As long as we keep Satan on the
run.
Thank you Lord for letting me know.
Satan was the problem and he had
to go.
The Word Works!
He is Jehovah-shalom of Judges 6:24,
Who is my cure, wholeness, and peace. He is Jehovah El Elyon of Psalm 83:18,
Who is the Most High God Who is over all the earth. He is Jehovah-Sabaoth,,
the Lord of armies. He is El Shaddai, the All Sufficient One and the great
I Am, that I Am. He is with me!
How then can I fear? My rendition
of Psalm 23:4 reads this way: “Yes, though I walk through the apparently
inescapable valley of calamity even the shadow of death, I will not be
afraid of, nor will I dread any adversity,
affliction, calamity, distress
or grievous situation or circumstance sent by the evil one: for Thou, the
LORD, are always with me; Your rod [Branch, scepter, tribe], as is Your
staff [support and sustenance], they comfort [ease] me.”
Whether we are on the mountain top
or we are in the valley; God is the same. He changes not. What we must
learn to do is speak mountain top words. Speak to the things that are not
as though they were. Dead dreams, slaughtered hopes, devastated plans,
all will come alive if our words are words we received and spoke on the
mountain tops.
The dream of God seemed hopelessly
lost. But, take a look at what God had Ezekiel do: “ And he said unto me,
Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.
Again he said unto me, Prophesy ...
hear the word of the Lord. ...
ye shall know that I am the Lord ... I prophesied as I was commanded: and
as I prophesied, there was a noise ... Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy,
son of man, and say ... So I prophesied as he commanded me ...” Eze. 37:3-10
Speak, Prophesy, Say and see the
valleys :
Every valley shall be filled, and
every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be
made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; Luke 3:5 (KJV)
Seen, or Unseen ...
1
Kings 18:41 (KJV) And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and
drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.
After a long drought there was proclaimed
in the ear of the prophet of God that there was an abundance of rain. He
couldn’t see it, but he could hear the proclamation that it was coming
in abundance. The Hebrew word for sound is proclamation or thundering declaration.
In this day and age, too many Christians want to see something before they
will believe it. The Lord teaches us that we must believe it before we
see it:
Mark
11:24 (KJV) Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire,
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
First, we believe, then we receive
(have). In fact, we are taught by our Savior to say what we believe before
we receive, because the word spoken gives release to the thing believed
for.
Mark 11:23
(KJV) For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not
doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith
shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. It is what is held
as truth in the heart that will come out of our mouths and what is held
in the heart will draw to itself for evil or good, curse or blessing:
Matthew
12:34 (KJV)... out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Luke 6:45
(KJV) A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth
that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart the
mouth speaketh.
We bring forth, give birth to, in
our lives, the treasure that is in our hearts and spoken with our mouths.
Rain Cometh ...
1 Kings 18:44-45
(KJV) And it came to pass ... Behold, there ariseth a little cloud
out of the sea, like a man's hand. ... And it came to pass ..., that the
heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain...
The unseen must be looked for with
the expectation of a man who has heard the proclamation of God, and although
it may only begin as a small cloud the size of a man’s hand, the declaration
of God must be held sure enough to act upon. Don’t settle for a small cloud
or a drizzle instead of a downpour.
2 Kings 3:14-17 (KJV)
And Elisha said, As the Lord of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, ...
Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not
see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with
water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.
We must do what we would do if we
really believed that what we heard proclaimed was speedily coming to pass.
Action is the result of mature faith. “Make this valley full of ditches”
was the requirement to have them filled with the provision of God.
The normal evidence of the provision
(wind and rain, or whatever you or I might be looking for) will not
always be seen, but He Who is the Provision will cause the provision to
appear in the place, and at the time, promised.
Hebrews 10:23
(KJV) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
(for he is faithful that promised;) We must ever remind ourselves that
our faithful God watches over His Word until He brings it to pass:
Jeremiah 1:12 (KJV)
Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten [be
alert, sleepless, on the lookout, ever watching] my word to perform it.
Stay inThe Spirit
Galatians 3:1-7
O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the
truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified
among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the
works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish?
having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have
ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain.Hetherefore that
ministereth to you the Spirit,and worketh miracles among you, doeth he
it by the works of the law, or by the hearingof faith? Even as Abraham
believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore
that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
You started in the Spirit - Walk
in the Spirit - Finish in the Spirit.
Faith came by hearing, and
hearing by the Word of God. This was, and is, a work of the Spirit of Grace.
You cannot add a thing to it. Just respond in faith with simple obedience.
Remember, Love is spelled Obey.
Any attempt to add your fleshtoyour
life in the spirit will only bring death to the thing added to.
John 6:63 It is the
spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak
unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Let the Spirit quicken you! Walk
after the Spirit.
We Have the Treasure
2 Cor. 4:7 But we have
this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may
be of God, and not of us.
Having received Christ Jesus as
Lord and Savior, we now have all the treasure of God within. His
wisdom, knowledge, understanding; the mind of Christ (the mind of the Anointed
One and His Anointing); available just by asking (and listening).
James 1:5 If
any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
[1 Corinthians 1:30]
Why bother trying to live life without
letting the Spirit of God help us walk in the perfect plan and purpose
of God? What ever we do according to His will is empowered by the same
Spirit that raised Christ from the dead. When we lean upon Him our life
is filled with power, resurrection power, and fear has no place in anything
we do. [Romans 8:10-16; 2 Timothy 1:7]
Walking in the Spirit is walking
in the power of the love of God. Walking in the love of God is walking
in the treasure realm where you cannot fail; because love never fails!
Walking in the realm of the Spirit will not allow the flesh to satisfy
itself and therefore sin has no place to work. [Galatians 5:16]
The result of the Spirit filled,
Spirit led life is to draw upon all the treasure laid up in store for you
since the foundation of the world.
[Matthew 13:35; 25:34]
Live in the fulness of your inheritance
kept secret and hidden from the foundation of the world until it could
be revealed in you now. |
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