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Joian and myself read Eliyah's testimony on a forum a few days ago and we were both spell bound and showered by the anointing that it held. Having heard her tell me of this particular time of her and Kai's lives on the phone sometime back, I had asked if they might sometime share it on the blog. I repeated my request a few days ago and tonight we are so blessed to publish this touching and incredible account that fits perfectly within the framework of that which we have been discussing of late. May God bless you dear reader, as you experience this story of "the making of a son by way of the Cross of Christ."
Jack & Joian
Grapes, Eggs and 66 Cents
"Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his chariots and his horsemen."
Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side; so neither went near the other all night long.
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.
The Egyptians pursued them, and all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and horsemen followed them into the sea. During the last watch of the night the LORD looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving. And the Egyptians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may flow back over the Egyptians and their chariots and horsemen." Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the sea went back to its place. The Egyptians were fleeing toward it, and the LORD swept them into the sea. The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived.
But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant." (Exodus 14: 13-31) Amplified.
Many today feel like they are in this exact situation....the Red Sea in front of them and the armies of darkness in back of them.....and it looks as if they are about to be killed, devoured and swamped by the circumstances of life. If this is you today my friend, then I am here to give you the GOOD NEWS....that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.....and is the ANGEL OF GOD that goes before and behind to make a way where there seems to be no way!
I would like to share some of my past with you and how the Lord used many of the Red Sea circumstances to MATURE me into the person that I am in Him. I have been a Christian for over 20 yrs. but it has only been in the last 5-7 yrs. that I have been a FOLLOWER of Christ. The Lord tells us to "pick up thy cross and follow me" but for many christians this phrase is 'greek' to them....for they really have no idea what this looks like or even feels like. Well, I would like to take you on my journey of the cross.
In my christian days and especially during my season within the pentecostal realm....I viewed every hardship as 'from the enemy' and would immediately go into spiritual warfare against any type of suffering that would come my way. As with most charismatics I would be the first to quote.." I am the head, not the tail, above only and not beneath, I am blessed in the city and in the field, all my storehouses are blessed...etc".
The funny thing is that the Lord used all that 'knowledge' to bring me to a place of perplexity.
For I became perplexed when my husband was told that his salary was going to be cut in half, stayed perplexed when we went through all our savings ($50,000) to save our house due to trying to live on half of his salary while no other job came along. Anxiously perplexed while all of this happening when I was pregnant with my 3rd child and then getting the news that my husband was now laid off his job and without benefits.Continued in this place of perplexity as the inheritance that I was to receive from my grandmother ($25,000) was not given to me (either by ignorance or malice, either way Father said to me to say nothing and trust Him) knowing this money could have been used to save our home. Really perplexed when Kai's natural parents offered to buy our home but Father said 'No' and so we packed up our belongings out of our beautiful new home that we had put 20% down on and has now become foreclosed and moved into a 100 yr. old rental with fleas. Truly perplexed as now we have no benefits and the baby was due and had to get on medicaid and was humiliated. Extremely perplexed as my husband went from a V.P corporate position to starting his own 'remodeling business'...code for painting houses.
Passionately perplexed as 2 weeks after giving birth we had ZERO money, nada, nothing, zippo, in our bank account and my milk was not coming in and I had just fed the last bottle of formula to my newborn and Father gives the instruction to stop medicaid and don't go to the government but to trust Him. As I surrendered and called my husband to say that I did not want to go to the government that day for help but instead trust our Heavenly Father...that VERY MINUTE outside our front door were 3 huge canisters of formula....sweet perplexity! Ah, there were other moments of this sweet perplexity too, as when a friend gave to us a 3 yr. old truck with low mileage so that my husband would have a vehicle for his business. Sweet gestures by friends that would give us groceries or make us meals without knowing that we were down to our last. I recall the very first time we celebrated passover and hosted a Sedar at our home and we literally had an empty refrigerator. The guests arrived and brought all kinds of lovely food and thanked us that we 'had made room' in the fridge for all that they had prepared ...lol....not knowing of course the real reason....and once again Father not allowing us to say ONE WORD as to our time of trial and suffering. That glorious first Sedar/Passover ended with everyone leaving us all the leftovers including a rack of lamb, three roasted chickens, desserts, side dishes, soft drinks, etc. we feasted for a whole week and once again our Lord provided.
The roller coaster of perplexity continued for a couple more years day in and day out waiting on Him for every provision, of crying out to him...'when Lord, when? How much longer? Do you even see us? What have we done? We are your children, we tithe, we believe you, we don't know what is going on! '....and little by little the perplexity started to become a place of UNDERSTANDING....of seeing everything our Lord went through and IDENTIFYING with Him in a way I have never done before. Even though I had all the head knowledge it now was being WROUGHT IN ME...of being made THE WORD in my flesh, this TREE of life,( the cross) was growing up IN ME. The culmination came for me on the night I gave birth to my 4th child in a log cabin with my labor happening in a horse's trough literally (the landlords thought it would be cute, kitchy, to have an old steel horse's trough for the bathtub...but no! it was not believe me...very uncomfortable).
The day began very sweetly, for the night before Kai had rummaged through the sofa to find every last penny to get enough money together to satisfy his wife's craving for strawberry shortcake and caramel popcorn! With all the money we had he went to the store and brought back what we fondly call our LAST SUPPER. Kai made the best homemade shortcake and whipped topping with fresh strawberries and homemade caramel corn.....and the children thought they were in heaven....for that is all we ate that night! All we had left in the fridge was some grapes and eggs and all the money we had left was .66 cents in our bank account. We had a roll of paper towels that we had placed on the toilet paper holder for we were out of even toilet paper. Now, I share all this personal information with you because I want to paint a very VIVID picture of what the day of giving birth to my daughter was like for me. That day I will always remember sitting on the front porch swing next to Kai and in such a state of PERPLEXITY, for even though I had given birth three other times I truly wondered if this child was ever going to come for I was 2 weeks over due. I also was perplexed with our situation knowing that Kai had just finished his last job and there was no sight of a new one and we only had .66 cents to our name and once again Father placed it into our hearts to say nothing to anyone, not even family as to our circumstances. I was also perplexed as to what this was going to be like for me ....for I had never given birth without drugs and was afraid of the pain. I felt very broken on that swing, very lonely, very tired, very poor and yet VERY PREGNANT. With tears slowly rolling down my cheeks and holding on to Kai's hand I said, "this baby is going to come tonight It just has to, for the Calvary is going to arrive!" With that I meant that I just knew that after having the baby the Lord would move in my natural mother's heart to help 'her baby' and would also move in people's hearts to bring at least some food....as most do when coming to see a newborn. But I see now that my words were PROPHETIC of a deeper truth that I did not know at the time....that MY CALVARY DAY had come.....tears......Oh! How I love Him so.
I so identified with the Lord and Mary in that very MOMENT sitting on that porch swing....of understanding what it must have been like to feel so helpless and all the fears that Mary must have had about birth and not having a mid-wife...and wondering WHY?? Why would God choose to be born in a horse's stable? What have we done that we would find no place in anyone'e INN? Why Father? It turned out that my own mid-wife could not get to me in time and my alternate mid-wife arrived as my baby was crowning (and I had never felt true labor before b/c in the past I had hospital births with epidurals)...I just quietly and painfully let out cries of "help Lord...help me, help me"....truly thinking I was going to die right there in the bathroom....TEARS....and finally the alternate mid wife showed up and said 'I am here, it is going to be alright, and you are going to have this baby...now PUSH!" I got in bed and on the second push she came out! Praise the Lord.
This precious daughter PROPHETICALLY represented the manchild being birthed in me...for it was during those years of all the trials, the purgings, the scourgings, the fire, the EMPTYINGS, that the FINAL EMPTYING took place...for I learned experientially what it means to DIE TO SELF, to DIE DAILY. I also learned what the Lord went through as He was made a lamb led to the slaughter and DID NOT OPEN HIS MOUTH...for all the questions slowly left me...one by one....and gave way to the words of Job..."Though you slay me Lord, I will trust in YOU".
I have learned that there really is a walk of "ON EARTH as IN HEAVEN'...for during the final months of my 4th pregnancy I actually felt like my back was going to break...I felt old, real old, like a ninety yr. old woman...and I now realize that it was due to the fact that the OLD WOMAN within was on her death bed...and she was carrying her cross....and on a HOLY NIGHT she died. How truly precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.This is the place that most Christians are so afraid to get to...the place of death. If most Christians only knew that it is in SOWING this natural body that you GAIN your heavenly body they would surrender and would gladly be emptied of all self to bring forth the FRUIT of the tree of Life that has now grown within. The glorious beautiful CHRIST within came forth....and is the one that shares with you even now.
It is in shedding the old corruptible garment that the new incorruptible one is given. It is then one can TRULY say..." I am of the Lord from Heaven, the second Adam, I am not from below. I am from ABOVE." Once one is born again OF God they are of that Manchild company that has been caught up to the throne. This is the position and place where one that is truly a JOINT HEIR with Jesus Christ starts to appropriate their possessions in Christ.
In the past if someone had asked me if I was 'born again' I would answer with a hearty yes! I have come to see that term 'born again' in a new light and dimension of truth.
" But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children (sons) of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name--
Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [that of physical impulse] nor to the will of man [that of a natural father], but to God. [They are born of God!]" (John 1:12-13 amplified)
Notice how it says that He gives the right to those that receive Him to BECOME sons of God. I believe that this world we live in has many symbols, types and shadows which points to the REALITY of the Kingdom of God found within.
In the natural world a human couple has to conceive first before they can announce that they have a child. Similarly, in the Spirit there has to be a conception. It is my conviction that this conception takes place when a person gives their heart to Jesus...(although in reality this too is only by His grace for it is Him that finds us and gives us the desire to call out for him).
Once a person has received the SEED of Christ within their earthy ground then the next phase starts to unfold and that is of the embryo beginning to FORM...to grow a heart, a mind, the senses of eyes, ears, nose, and extremities of arms, hands, feet, etc. This to me points to the glorious phases of maturity that a new believer will go through.
This process of being FORMED is a very delicate one and of a critical nature. Just as in the natural a new embryo is at the mercy of the mother as to what it will receive for nourishment, so too in the Spirit the SEED of Christ is dependent upon what it's nourishment from the FATHER will be. The Father will not allow anything to corrupt the seed within us...for the SEED IS INCORRUPTIBLE. So this process of being formed can take a very long time in some individuals depending of course as to how much one will choose to cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit within their own lives and circumstances. For me this process took over 20 years, but for my husband it only took 7 yrs. Smile.
To have the heart of the Father FORMED within the life of a believer will usually start to take on appearance after one or more processings of Father. Once again, it depends on how much cooperation an individual will give to the cross as to determine the length of time this process takes.
For some it might only take one experience. These are those that were given a measure of grace and faith to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the circumstances that were given to them to form THE HEART. Those that were also given the same measure of grace and faith but chose to go AROUND the cross of the particular experience of FORMING the heart of Father would then have to stay in the gestation phase longer. Truly, we see this gestational phase as that of the children of Israel in the wilderness. What should have been an 11 day journey took 40 years.
On and on this FORMING continues...to have the EARS of the Spirit, to see with the eyes of the Spirit, to touch with the hands of the Spirit and have the WALK of the Spirit.
Once this process of being formed is completed then the only thing that is left is the process of GROWING in the womb. The scripture tells us that New Jerusalem is our mother for she is FREE and from ABOVE. This glorious womb that brings forth Christ in you the hope of glory will also use the CONTRACTING pressures of the NARROW WALK to bring the ultimate goal to completion and that is LIFE!
" But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it." (Matt. 7:14 amplified).
I find it interesting that the word EGYPT comes from the Hebrew root word TSUWR and means...to bind, besiege, confine, cramp, to shut in, enclose, to show hostility to, be an adversary, treat as foe; to form, fashion, delineate.
Any woman that has ever had a baby will tell you that the time between having contractions and actually giving birth is known as TRANSITION. This period of time where the baby is moving into the BIRTH CANAL...the very NARROW PLACE...is such a painful time both for mother and baby.
There is a true struggle that is taking place. This struggle of being confined, cramped, and besieged with contractions is the place where most women cry out....JUST GET IT OUT!!!!
Our Father uses the pressure of Egypt (the world and its systems) to bring pressure upon us to want to LEAVE and never come back. These pressures if allowed to do their work will bring a believer to the point of wanting to be dead to the world. When this happens a glorious victory is wrought by our Lord for that is when one can truly say "I have been crucified to the world and the world & its systems are crucified to me'. HalleluYah!
I call this the cry of DESPERATION...for any woman will testify that this is the place where you actually start to think 'I am going to DIE, I am really going to die'. At that point it is so critical that one has loving support to hear the words 'no! you are not going to die, you are going to live and so is the baby...NOW PUSH!'
I can testify to the truth that the Lord still has HIS HEBREW MID-WIVES and these are those that bring the good news that "ALL IS WELL"....yes your old adamic nature is dying but THE BABY WITHIN is ready to be BIRTHED.....NOW PUSH! It is by embracing the cross that will bring forth the RESURRECTION LIFE of Christ in you the hope of glory. As the contracting pressures of the circumstances of this world bare down on you just realize that it is the working of the cross to shed the old wineskin in order to give you a new wineskin so that you may hold the FULLNESS of the NEW WINE! Wheww....glory to His most Holy Name Jesus Christ/Yahshua Ha'Messiach!
What I have come to learn is that this is just the beginning once one is born again from Heaven. For then once again as we see in the natural there is a time of LEARNING and growing up as a child in the Kingdom of God. This is what we witnessed Jesus doing...for He grew in all wisdom, grace, power, and stature with God and man.
Oh! How I love Him and His cross. It truly brought forth LIFE in me and I am so thankful that the OVERCOMER within loved me so much that He has routed and continues to route all my enemies until HIS FULLNESS shall be seen by all flesh!
Eliyah
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We cannot contain the overflowing cup of His love thus we share with you these messages of the Life of our Lord as lived out in His saints.
THE ECONOMICS OF A SON ......... "The Meal and Cruse of Oil"
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1 Kings 17
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.
After spending a stint with Eliyah and Joian, sharing with the "it is finished, we're perfect now" crowd on a Christian New Age site I read this chapter this morning. I'll tell ya, these guys that say "all prophesy is fulfilled" are missing out on so much in the way of blessing. Truly, all of the Written Word is coming alive as prophetic toward God's son's, camped out about their Christ and His Cross. When you read those holy scriptures above describing the provision received and given through Elijah do you not, as I do, catch the vision that we are about to move through the earth as God's appointed prophets heralding the providence of a New Day come. As I read the anointed words describing the prophet Elijah I could actually sense my spirit pressed hard against the dead of this world and I could feel the glory of His Life entering and raising the spiritual corpse of unregenerate man. Oh no! don't tell me that "it is finished"! Not, when God constantly breaths into my soul new overflowing Life that must be dispersed into this fallen world. As brother Eby reported in his last writing, the last seals that still bind the epistles we be, are being broken even this day, that all that has been prophesied of the Father's sons be appropriated and fulfilled. We can but only concur, while catching the first rays of the dawning New Day.
While many, that have even known God on a deep level, are fleeing the last workings of the Cross, there are those that remain and thrill to know that in but a little while, even today, with a twinkling of eye, we will awaken to His full glory. How often when I witness the exodus of saints seeking more pleasant paths am I reminded that "He that endures to the end shall be saved." I'll tell ya something else ......... the end is upon us and for some, of which I hope to be counted, it will be the most glorious of times pulled deep from the most dire of times. God's sons who have learned to wait and know the seasons shall do great exploits, even greater than that which Jesus did in the flesh. Jesus, come in the Spirit within his younger brothers and sisters is about to show up and show off and all of creation stands on tip toe waiting for this moment. I am excited and I hope you are too, as this program telling of the Son and His sons is coming to the finale. The last act is about to open and it is the most glorious!
For some months I have had on my desktop a file full of material for a blog dealing with the present dreadful economy and how the overcomer should live in it. Please believe me I am not neglecting the series I started on "The Day of Atonement" when I share a message or three (lol) in between. I can only follow His lead and share that which has life and is currently been placed on my heart.
I hope to write off and on all weekend and eventually I want to share the amazing message our brother Kratos' gave us as he departed this world. In his message is a somewhat hidden lesson but a wonderful gift. This invaluable lesson is known and appreciated by only a few that knew John and debated with him, as to "the the ways of a son in the last days."
Before I get to "Kratos' gift" I would like to share a few thoughts copied and refined from a couple anonymous authors (way of saying I forgot to record their names ........ blush). As you read these, please contemplate the "act of giving" and how this might play important in the midst of these last days.
I copied this by someone that was writing about the hurricane that struck New Orleans a few years ago. It speaks to "crisis, and the way of the overcomer"
"The nature of man is to do nothing or business as usual until....until... there is some sort of crisis. That's why it rains on the just and unjust. Rain/tough times just makes the garden grow. I also know that nothing draws people together like a good storm. That is also when we witness the worst and the best in people.
I see overcomers arising. I see men and women of valour and strength, pure in heart, pure in motives. They are dressed in white and they are running like strong horses. They are mighty and powerful in taking the land and seeing the kingdoms of this world becoming the Kingdoms of our LORD and of our Christ.
These are the Joshua's and Calebs that have no fear returning with a good report saying, "We can take the land.""
Yes,praise God! And should we not believe that "we can take the land" let us fall on bent knee and ask our Lord to restore to us the vision of an overcomer. Sometimes my vision is shaken and I have learned that only in surrendering prayer can I find it again.
Added to the preceding thoughts, here are some excerpts taken from the second author, where he begins by referring to "Numbers 11" and "Psalms 106" where the Israelites are complaining and later find themselves in a dilemma.
"The Manna was too mysterious, too inscrutable, too delicate, too heavenly, too miraculous, too 'spiritual'. It contrasted with the tangible, certain, understandable, and naturally gratifying food of Egypt. The fact is that their spiritual life had dropped to such a low level as to make them forget the tyranny, labour, heartbreak, and groanings in Egypt, and to be in an illusionary mentality about that terrible history. Get spiritually low and the world holds out false attraction. Granted that the life of faith and a supernatural basis of life has trials and difficulties for the flesh and the natural man, but it has a daily miracle of sustenance at its heart. The point of departure with them was whether their own souls were to be gratified or whether they were to be a testimony to the Lord.
The phrase "leanness into their souls" indicates that, firstly, thinness, scantiness, smallness, starvation, tenuity, weakness, and contraction in spiritual stature and measure are quite contrary to a God who is so full, abundant, and beneficent. Such contraction and limitation could never be a testimony to Him.
In the next place, the words indicate that the heavenly, the supernatural, the spiritual, and the way of faith is really the way of spiritual robustness and substance.
How lean-souled many of the Lord's people are! How little, many of them to give! How rare it is to find those - individually or collectively - who have much more than they need themselves and plenty for others! Starvation conditions are all too common among the Lord's people. There are many reasons for this, but our verse says that it is the preference for the earthly to the heavenly, and an unwillingness to forego the natural for the spiritual. This whole matter is threshed out in the First Letter to the Corinthians, a church characterized by spiritual leanness, weakness, and smallness.
Spiritual leanness can be a judgment as stated in Psalm 106:15
"He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls" KJV
" So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it." (NLT)
"So he gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease upon them." (NIV)
But when all that has been said, the reason for the tragedy was the persistent insistence of the people praying what they want rather than what the Lord had so evidently shown to be His will.
This author ends his message deriding the fatness of the Western Church while contrasting it's selfish ways with the Life of Christ and the early church, which made all their possessions common. Lastly he shares a couple scriptures with which I add a a few lines.
"He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
"Blessed be ye POOR, for yours is the kingdom of God... but WOE unto you that are RICH, for you have received your consolation" (Lk 6:20, 24)
At any cost let us set the highest value and importance upon spiritual fullness, the fullness of Christ, and never by any means limit Him, or be instrumental in limiting Him toward others! "
Dear saint of God, when the veil is lifted so that your heart sees and understands all that Jesus wrought for you, your tears will flow down your cheeks and you will cry, "O Hallelujah! What a Saviour!" And you will reckon the sufferings of this present time as not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in you (Rom 8:18)
I had just suffered a tough couple of days where doubt pressed cold and hard against me concerning my place in the present economics of the world. I have a landlady that called Thursday telling me in so many words, "I'll show you the road unless you show me the money." When I awoke this morning with a prompting to share "Kratos' lesson" the words to this Hymn were the first words I read as I searched for added material. And yes tears did flow down my cheeks and I did cry, "What a Saviour! and He comes bearing promises."
"The Meal and Cruse of Oil" by John Newton 1779
By the poor widow's oil and meal
Elijah was sustained;
Though small the stock it lasted well,
For God the store maintained.
It seemed as if from day to day,
They were to eat and die;
But still, though in a secret way,
He sent a fresh supply.
Thus to his poor he still will give
Just for the present hour;
But for tomorrow they must live
Upon his word and power.
No barn or storehouse they possess
On which they can depend;
Yet have no cause to fear distress,
For Jesus is their friend.
Then let not doubts your mind assail,
Remember, God has said,
"The cruse and barrel shall not fail,
"My people shall be fed."
And thus though faint it often seems,
He keeps their grace alive;
Supplied by his refreshing streams,
Their dying hopes revive.
Though in ourselves we have no stock,
The Lord is nigh to save;
His door flies open when we knock,
And 'tis but ask and have.
I believe we'll do alright and even better yet!
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Grace received is grace extended
Such is the circle of His Love
May we ever find ourselves encircled.
John/Jack
(to be continued)
1 Kings 17 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.
And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?
And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.
After spending a stint with Eliyah and Joian, sharing with the "it is finished, we're perfect now" crowd on a Christian New Age site I read this chapter this morning. I'll tell ya, these guys that say "all prophesy is fulfilled" are missing out on so much in the way of blessing. Truly, all of the Written Word is coming alive as prophetic toward God's son's, camped out about their Christ and His Cross. When you read those holy scriptures above describing the provision received and given through Elijah do you not, as I do, catch the vision that we are about to move through the earth as God's appointed prophets heralding the providence of a New Day come. As I read the anointed words describing the prophet Elijah I could actually sense my spirit pressed hard against the dead of this world and I could feel the glory of His Life entering and raising the spiritual corpse of unregenerate man. Oh no! don't tell me that "it is finished"! Not, when God constantly breaths into my soul new overflowing Life that must be dispersed into this fallen world. As brother Eby reported in his last writing, the last seals that still bind the epistles we be, are being broken even this day, that all that has been prophesied of the Father's sons be appropriated and fulfilled. We can but only concur, while catching the first rays of the dawning New Day.
While many, that have even known God on a deep level, are fleeing the last workings of the Cross, there are those that remain and thrill to know that in but a little while, even today, with a twinkling of eye, we will awaken to His full glory. How often when I witness the exodus of saints seeking more pleasant paths am I reminded that "He that endures to the end shall be saved." I'll tell ya something else ......... the end is upon us and for some, of which I hope to be counted, it will be the most glorious of times pulled deep from the most dire of times. God's sons who have learned to wait and know the seasons shall do great exploits, even greater than that which Jesus did in the flesh. Jesus, come in the Spirit within his younger brothers and sisters is about to show up and show off and all of creation stands on tip toe waiting for this moment. I am excited and I hope you are too, as this program telling of the Son and His sons is coming to the finale. The last act is about to open and it is the most glorious!
For some months I have had on my desktop a file full of material for a blog dealing with the present dreadful economy and how the overcomer should live in it. Please believe me I am not neglecting the series I started on "The Day of Atonement" when I share a message or three (lol) in between. I can only follow His lead and share that which has life and is currently been placed on my heart.
I hope to write off and on all weekend and eventually I want to share the amazing message our brother Kratos' gave us as he departed this world. In his message is a somewhat hidden lesson but a wonderful gift. This invaluable lesson is known and appreciated by only a few that knew John and debated with him, as to "the the ways of a son in the last days."
Before I get to "Kratos' gift" I would like to share a few thoughts copied and refined from a couple anonymous authors (way of saying I forgot to record their names ........ blush). As you read these, please contemplate the "act of giving" and how this might play important in the midst of these last days.
I copied this by someone that was writing about the hurricane that struck New Orleans a few years ago. It speaks to "crisis, and the way of the overcomer"
"The nature of man is to do nothing or business as usual until....until... there is some sort of crisis. That's why it rains on the just and unjust. Rain/tough times just makes the garden grow. I also know that nothing draws people together like a good storm. That is also when we witness the worst and the best in people.
I see overcomers arising. I see men and women of valour and strength, pure in heart, pure in motives. They are dressed in white and they are running like strong horses. They are mighty and powerful in taking the land and seeing the kingdoms of this world becoming the Kingdoms of our LORD and of our Christ.
These are the Joshua's and Calebs that have no fear returning with a good report saying, "We can take the land.""
Yes,praise God! And should we not believe that "we can take the land" let us fall on bent knee and ask our Lord to restore to us the vision of an overcomer. Sometimes my vision is shaken and I have learned that only in surrendering prayer can I find it again.
Added to the preceding thoughts, here are some excerpts taken from the second author, where he begins by referring to "Numbers 11" and "Psalms 106" where the Israelites are complaining and later find themselves in a dilemma.
"The Manna was too mysterious, too inscrutable, too delicate, too heavenly, too miraculous, too 'spiritual'. It contrasted with the tangible, certain, understandable, and naturally gratifying food of Egypt. The fact is that their spiritual life had dropped to such a low level as to make them forget the tyranny, labour, heartbreak, and groanings in Egypt, and to be in an illusionary mentality about that terrible history. Get spiritually low and the world holds out false attraction. Granted that the life of faith and a supernatural basis of life has trials and difficulties for the flesh and the natural man, but it has a daily miracle of sustenance at its heart. The point of departure with them was whether their own souls were to be gratified or whether they were to be a testimony to the Lord.
The phrase "leanness into their souls" indicates that, firstly, thinness, scantiness, smallness, starvation, tenuity, weakness, and contraction in spiritual stature and measure are quite contrary to a God who is so full, abundant, and beneficent. Such contraction and limitation could never be a testimony to Him.
In the next place, the words indicate that the heavenly, the supernatural, the spiritual, and the way of faith is really the way of spiritual robustness and substance.
How lean-souled many of the Lord's people are! How little, many of them to give! How rare it is to find those - individually or collectively - who have much more than they need themselves and plenty for others! Starvation conditions are all too common among the Lord's people. There are many reasons for this, but our verse says that it is the preference for the earthly to the heavenly, and an unwillingness to forego the natural for the spiritual. This whole matter is threshed out in the First Letter to the Corinthians, a church characterized by spiritual leanness, weakness, and smallness.
Spiritual leanness can be a judgment as stated in Psalm 106:15
"He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls" KJV
" So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it." (NLT)
"So he gave them what they asked for,
but sent a wasting disease upon them." (NIV)
But when all that has been said, the reason for the tragedy was the persistent insistence of the people praying what they want rather than what the Lord had so evidently shown to be His will.
This author ends his message deriding the fatness of the Western Church while contrasting it's selfish ways with the Life of Christ and the early church, which made all their possessions common. Lastly he shares a couple scriptures with which I add a a few lines.
"He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
"Blessed be ye POOR, for yours is the kingdom of God... but WOE unto you that are RICH, for you have received your consolation" (Lk 6:20, 24)
At any cost let us set the highest value and importance upon spiritual fullness, the fullness of Christ, and never by any means limit Him, or be instrumental in limiting Him toward others! "
Dear saint of God, when the veil is lifted so that your heart sees and understands all that Jesus wrought for you, your tears will flow down your cheeks and you will cry, "O Hallelujah! What a Saviour!" And you will reckon the sufferings of this present time as not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in you (Rom 8:18)
I had just suffered a tough couple of days where doubt pressed cold and hard against me concerning my place in the present economics of the world. I have a landlady that called Thursday telling me in so many words, "I'll show you the road unless you show me the money." When I awoke this morning with a prompting to share "Kratos' lesson" the words to this Hymn were the first words I read as I searched for added material. And yes tears did flow down my cheeks and I did cry, "What a Saviour! and He comes bearing promises."
"The Meal and Cruse of Oil" by John Newton 1779
By the poor widow's oil and meal
Elijah was sustained;
Though small the stock it lasted well,
For God the store maintained.
It seemed as if from day to day,
They were to eat and die;
But still, though in a secret way,
He sent a fresh supply.
Thus to his poor he still will give
Just for the present hour;
But for tomorrow they must live
Upon his word and power.
No barn or storehouse they possess
On which they can depend;
Yet have no cause to fear distress,
For Jesus is their friend.
Then let not doubts your mind assail,
Remember, God has said,
"The cruse and barrel shall not fail,
"My people shall be fed."
And thus though faint it often seems,
He keeps their grace alive;
Supplied by his refreshing streams,
Their dying hopes revive.
Though in ourselves we have no stock,
The Lord is nigh to save;
His door flies open when we knock,
And 'tis but ask and have.
I believe we'll do alright and even better yet!
.
Grace received is grace extended
Such is the circle of His Love
May we ever find ourselves encircled.
John/Jack
(to be continued)
MARK THEIR FOREHEAD
.
My brother John and I were sent by the Holy Spirit to visit a New Age blog recently. This assignment basically fell from on high into our laps due to the fact that one of the leaders of that New Age blog had found Jackson Hole & Christ and left a comment on a writing of mine. He asked John for permission to put JH&Christ on his blogroll. So our brother John allowed it. Needless to say we both ended up visiting and it wasn't long at all before all the New Age deception started to rear its ugly head. For those that are not familiar with what I am speaking of regarding the New Age movement it can all be summed up by a loosey goosey, lovey dovey, mushy gushy, sloppy agape perverted message that all are saved whether you get there by the cross or any other route.... God is love and in Him there is no judgement at all.
Many Christians have begun to have their eyes open to the glorious message of the 'RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS' and they have been quickened by the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ is the SAVIOUR OF THE WHOLE WORLD and with this glorious truth comes a test. They will be tested by the counterfeit that will use alot of the same language such as GRACE, AWAKENING, FATHER, THE CHRIST. This test is allowed to prove who the true sons of Father are. Those that are SONS OF OBEDIENCE will continue down the narrow path and their future will only get brighter and brighter. Those that choose the broad path will sadly find that their end is destruction. They will have to wait for the glorious Jubilee to enter into their inheritance. While the sons of obedience will be rewarded with the joy of ruling and reigning with Christ for a thousand years.
It was on this new age blog that Father used our glorious brother John to SHAKE UP the joint...lol....as only the way that 'Jack' can do...and I would just laugh as I would watch the comments sharply jump in number each time our brother Jack got on....for the Spirit of Elijah still leaves a BLAZING TRAIL wherever he goes...lol.
It took no time at all to witness those that proudly proclaimed a bold message of GRACE and NON-JUDGEMENT quickly judged 'Jack' as harsh, severe, mean, blah, blah...and accorded our dear brother John with neither grace nor love but instead HURLED many a huge stone....and I can testify to the truth that the Lord's prophets still get hit by them today.
The Lord quickened in me to look at the PHOTO section of the New Age blog. It spoke volumes as to how the Man of Lawlessness has taken captive all those that have chosen to fornicate with him. Lawlessness is a sick perverted monster.
The photo section had four photos that prophetically pointed to the condition of all those that have chosen to eat from the foul table of the New Age movement. The first photo was of a person looking sad behind the bars of a prison. The second photo was of all the people that regularly fellowship with one another on the blog. The third photo was of a very large pig being roasted. The fourth and final photo was again of all the members of this group with the caption "Memorial Day 2008". Honestly, when I first saw those four photos all in a row it was so CLEAR and OBVIOUS to me the prophetic meaning that I literally was STUNNED. I was stunned at the boldness of the MOCKING done by the demonic spirits on that site. What is truly sad is that many do not see that they are held as prisoner and are forced to eat from the table of vomit and uncleanness. Those in prison have no clue that they are being laughed at and brazenly mocked by the kingdom of darkness. It is like having your eyes open to the con-game and watching the unfortunate ones getting played by the con-artist. It truly is so sad.
My prayer is that there will be some that will have eyes to SEE and WILL FLEE as fast as they can from the seduction of the New Age/ New Tolerance Beast. I am also made aware of the verse in Isaiah 6:9,11,12...."And He said, Go and tell this people, Hear and hear continually, but understand not; and see and see continually, but do not apprehend with your mind."
Why does the Lord say this? It sounds harsh doesn't it, but the answer comes to us in the following verses.... "Make the heart of this people fat; and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn again and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And He answered, Until cities lie waste without inhabitant and houses without man, and the land is utterly desolate, And the Lord removes His people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land."
The Lord is moving throughout the earth today in His sons and daughters in the mighty ministry of JOHN THE BAPTIST. This is to prepare the way of the Lord and make the crooked places straight. John the Baptist came in the Spirit of Elijah to preach a message of repentance so that many would be vessels prepared for the glory of Jesus Christ. Those vessels that chose not to repent would find themselves cracking under the pressure of THE TRUTH Himself. For either you can fall on the rock and be broken or the ROCK can fall on you and great will be your destruction. "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for" (1 Peter 2:8)...."They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Rev.6:16). The same preparation is needed today (at the end of the age) so that many will be ready and prepared for the Tabernacle Age to begin where God will dwell with His people in FULLNESS.
The Lord is so good to us my beloved friends and family....for it is by His grace given that we have had ears to hear and willing hearts to obey and we too humbly say with Paul..." It is by His grace alone that I am what I am."
I wanted to share something that Holy Spirit revealed to me yesterday regarding that fourth photo on this New Age site, entitled 'Memorial Day 2008'. The word 'memorial' means "to preserve remembrance, record."
In the fourth chapter of Genesis it explains the punishment that was given to Cain for slaying Abel .....
"And Cain said to his brother, Let us go out to the field. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper? And the Lord said, What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. And now you are cursed by reason of the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's shed blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth [in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast]. Then Cain said to the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land, and from Your face I will be hidden; and I will be a fugitive and a vagabond and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. And the Lord said to him, Therefore, if anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark or sign upon Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him. So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod [wandering], east of Eden." (Gen. 4:8-16).
Now this is what I believe was unfolded to me..... that over the last several years there have been 2 types of MARKINGS going forth throughout the earth.....one set for the sons of obedience and the other set for the children of disobedience. I realize that this process has been ongoing throughout the ages and yet I also realize that we are living at THE END OF THE AGE where the culmination of ALL these things take place...so it is with that light and distinction I share. I saw first hand how all those that are of Cain still slay their brother Abel the type/shadow of Christ. For I watched as our beloved John gave the glorious message of 'giving Jesus the preeminence' and was killed by the words of all those that said there was no difference between them and Jesus and some even went so far as to say that Jesus was not the Son of God. The most troubling to me was to witness how the owners of the blog (who named themselves as Christian brothers) would joyfully embrace those that denied Jesus and the cross. These same 'Christian' brothers would then shun and attack John labeling him as judgemental and unloving. Truly they are of their brother Cain and are the TILLERS OF EARTHY GROUND....for our Father still separates the LIGHT from the DARKNESS and exposes just who is who and who is not. John was clearly seen by those OF THE SPIRIT that he like Abel also is a KEEPER OF SHEEP....and lays his life down for them....for He walks as Jesus walked....and my beloved this is what we are ALL called to do... to lay our lives down. I like what Douglas Clarke writes about the gentle breath of the Holy Spirit that is quickening Ezekiel's Army... "God is going to revive many of His lone rangers, while His kingdom is propagated throughout the earth, neighbor-to-neighbor, friend-to-friend. This Holy move of God will also bring judgment on the false ministries that have been birthed from the soul of man. The judgment will NOT be angry prophets shaking their fist, calling down fire from heaven. What will bring the judgment is the bright light that will shine on all that God is doing, as it contrast the darkness and futility of all of man’s efforts."
" Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it." As I listened, he said to the others, "Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. Then he said to them, "Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!" So they went out and began killing throughout the city." (Ezk. 9:3-7.)
I believe over the last few days all throughout the earth there were many similar tests being given as to that which was witnessed on this New Ager blog. These tests were to determine those who truly do lament over the detestable things that they see happening within the body of Christ. In my Spirit I feel it very well may have been the FINAL CHANCE for some to be marked as ones that grieve. This grief is due to the lack of love, holiness, faithfulness, obedience, hospitality, generosity, wisdom, discernment, fear of the Lord, ect. that have been found deficient within the Lord's temples (His people). Truly, does this not make you grieve too? Of course it does! It breaks your heart for your heart is ONE with the Lord's.
Those that are not lamenting are the very temples that house soulish occupants of all kinds of filth and uncleanness. These soulish housemates include pride, arrogance, disobedience, selfishness, indifference, greed, and a host of many others. The Lord gives the instruction to THE MAN CLOTHED IN LINEN and the others to follow him and show NO PITY or COMPASSION and kill all those that are not marked on their foreheads. Who is this man clothed in LINEN and the others following him? I believe Rev: 19:13-15 sheds light.... "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty."
While some might view these scriptures literally I see them as being interpreted within, for the Kingdom of God is within. There are many elders within the Body of Christ that have appointed themselves as SHEPHERD'S and LEADER'S. Yet, these have not examined their own lives and grieved and had godly sorrow that their own temple is filled with detestable things. For these will be the first to have their soulish occupants SLAIN. We have begun to see the public humiliation of several well known leaders even recently. There will be many in the outercourt that will feel like peeping tom's as they witness all the lurid details and learn what went on inside that soulish realm of the leader they had entrusted themselves to follow. This shaking must come of course so that only what cannot be shaken remains and that is CHRIST the solid rock!
I find it interesting that it is the Lord's very own righteous people, the OVERCOMERS, that are the reality found in the type/shadow of ' THE MAN CLOTHED IN LINEN'. Those that have been clothed in white linen garments will also be those that will use the SHARP SWORD OF THE WORD OF THE LORD to strike down nations. I personally watched our brother John use that sword on many a soulish occupant found within the Lord's temple's over on that New Age blog. Oh! How they cried that John was being too harsh... with much weeping and gnashing of teeth....and yet I hear the HOLY GHOST say...."You ain't seen nothing yet!"
The word clearly teaches us that we are to judge ourselves so that we will not be judged with the world. Any normal person can see that the writing is on the wall for the WORLD and its SYSTEMS and that JUDGEMENT HAS BEGUN. Unfortunately, many will have no clue as to the inheritance that was lost to them for the next thousand years.... and this is truly so sad and heartbreaking.
On another note, I want to share a story about my friend Tiffany's children who I believe have seen this very MAN that carries the WRITING KIT. A couple of years ago I received a phone call from my friend that both her son and daughter had just seen an angel out in their backyard. Her children were 6 and 8 at the time and they had been jumping on their trampoline and decided to lay down on the trampoline to look at the clouds in the sky. After a few minutes of gazing up into the sky they both saw an angel with a long flowing robe gliding slowly above them and it looked directly at them. The children were so excited to see an angel and so they ran quickly into their house to share what they had seen with their mother and grandmother. When each was questioned about the appearance of the angel they both shared how this angel had a WRITING KIT in one hand and if I remember correctly it had what looked like a trumpet that was belted to his waist. The daughter gave rich detail about the writing kit....that it was like a TABLET with a beautiful pen attached. Looking back I remember asking my friend Tiffany if the angel had wings...and the daughter said she did not see any.....and at the time I was not familiar with the above scripture found in Ezekiel.....so when I first read that scripture I immediately thought of Tiffany's children. Although it very well might have indeed been an angel I now believe that it could have very well been an OVERCOMER on an earthly assignment. Either way what a glorious event to have happened to her children. How precious! I truly believe that my friend and her family were being MARKED that day....and as Babylon is now falling they are SECURE. All glory and honor belong to His most GLORIOUS Name ....Jesus Christ.
"A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries." A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb." (Rev. 14::8-10)
I find it interesting that we are TRULY LIVING in this period of scripture....of where BABYLON IS FALLING.....and once again the distinguishing MARKS are being applied to TWO different groups right up to the very last second of the very last hour of the very LAST AGE till the Kingdom of Babylon is no more.
"He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection." (Rev. 20:3-5).
Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."
"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." (Rev 14: 1-4; 9-13).
Once again we see that while Babylon is falling there are those that have been MARKED as the firstfruits to God and the Lamb....they are blameless. Why are they blameless? They are those who OBEY God's commandments and have REMAINED FAITHFUL to JESUS. These are VIRGINAL in their PURITY of devotion to Christ. This is a very narrow walk my beloved. It is from the narrow place that THE CHRIST is birthed within. I can not think of anything more pure than that of a NEWBORN baby.
As you recall at the beginning of this writing I shared about four photos that were proudly displayed on a New Age blog and these all demonstrated being bound and unclean.
In contrast Holy Spirit quickened me to look at the photos Sonshine has....and there was only one little photo and it was on the sidebar of the front page of the blog. It is a photo of a newborn baby boy by the name of Raphael Eden. This precious little guy prophetically points to all those of the MANCHILD COMPANY. For Raphael's name literally means..."God hath healed and restored to Paradise". What a beautiful picture of all those that Father has chosen to fellowship in His SONSHINE.
Unfortunately, those that have the mark of Cain will not be permitted to the glorious RESTORED PARADISICAL PROPERTY of their HEAVENLY GARMENT in the Tabernacle Age. "So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod [wandering], east of Eden." They will have to wander (wonder) for the next thousand years. Father will have ALL MEN TO BE SAVED....each man in his own order...for just as in Adam all died so too IN CHRIST shall ALL be made alive. This is the REAL GOOD NEWS...that all the Cain's out there are not lost to wander for ever. For nothing can separate us from Father's love. Not even death. Father's love will reach and reach until every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of ALL. He will make all things new and remember our sins no more. The mark of Cain will be removed and replaced with the mark of the cross. For Cain too will be conformed into the very image of the Son of God and will enter into his inheritance in the FINAL JUBILEE of ALL CREATION! Isn't Jesus wonderul! Now do you see why our brother John is so zealous for Jesus to be given the PRE-EMINENCE in all things?!!
I was quickened by Holy Spirit that for those that have chosen to pick up their crosses in this life, these will be those that REST from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. I truly believe with all my heart that we are moving quickly into the season where WISDOM'S STORE is about to be RELEASED into those that sit and wait on HIM to unfold the glorious mysteries. For IN CHRIST is hidden all wisdom and riches and these are THE DEEDS that will follow them. These deeds will be accessed from WISOM'S STOREHOUSE. This glorious storehouse found within the overcomer will be used to bring forth whatever they or any of God's creatures have need of. For our Father still has His GOSHEN'S in the land to bring light and provision for His holy people Israel. As the night gets darker and darker in the earth, THE DAY gets brighter and brighter for the Lord's precious elect. All those that have died to self and suffered with Christ will also share in HIS GLORY and this is what will bring creation into the glorious liberty of the SONS OF GOD! WowowowoW....to Jesus Christ belongs all the praise! Thank you Father!
Eliyah
(I asked Eliyah to write a short bio
for our sidebar. Before I place it there
I thought to post it at the end of this
glorious message that you might
know something of the Schulz family)
The Schulz Family:
My name is Eliyah (pronounced ellie-ya) and my husband is Mordekai (Kai) and we live in Mississippi and have 4 small children ranging (8,6,4,2). As a family we have only one aim and that is TO KNOW HIM...the glorious Saviour of all mankind. Our daily prayer is that in everything we say and do we will bring Him glory. He has done so much for each of us and we only want to show him our love and gratefulness continually. We believe that as a family our call is to bring restoration to the Lord's creation. May you be blessed by the riches of Christ!
.
My brother John and I were sent by the Holy Spirit to visit a New Age blog recently. This assignment basically fell from on high into our laps due to the fact that one of the leaders of that New Age blog had found Jackson Hole & Christ and left a comment on a writing of mine. He asked John for permission to put JH&Christ on his blogroll. So our brother John allowed it. Needless to say we both ended up visiting and it wasn't long at all before all the New Age deception started to rear its ugly head. For those that are not familiar with what I am speaking of regarding the New Age movement it can all be summed up by a loosey goosey, lovey dovey, mushy gushy, sloppy agape perverted message that all are saved whether you get there by the cross or any other route.... God is love and in Him there is no judgement at all.
Many Christians have begun to have their eyes open to the glorious message of the 'RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS' and they have been quickened by the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ is the SAVIOUR OF THE WHOLE WORLD and with this glorious truth comes a test. They will be tested by the counterfeit that will use alot of the same language such as GRACE, AWAKENING, FATHER, THE CHRIST. This test is allowed to prove who the true sons of Father are. Those that are SONS OF OBEDIENCE will continue down the narrow path and their future will only get brighter and brighter. Those that choose the broad path will sadly find that their end is destruction. They will have to wait for the glorious Jubilee to enter into their inheritance. While the sons of obedience will be rewarded with the joy of ruling and reigning with Christ for a thousand years.
It was on this new age blog that Father used our glorious brother John to SHAKE UP the joint...lol....as only the way that 'Jack' can do...and I would just laugh as I would watch the comments sharply jump in number each time our brother Jack got on....for the Spirit of Elijah still leaves a BLAZING TRAIL wherever he goes...lol.
It took no time at all to witness those that proudly proclaimed a bold message of GRACE and NON-JUDGEMENT quickly judged 'Jack' as harsh, severe, mean, blah, blah...and accorded our dear brother John with neither grace nor love but instead HURLED many a huge stone....and I can testify to the truth that the Lord's prophets still get hit by them today.
The Lord quickened in me to look at the PHOTO section of the New Age blog. It spoke volumes as to how the Man of Lawlessness has taken captive all those that have chosen to fornicate with him. Lawlessness is a sick perverted monster.
The photo section had four photos that prophetically pointed to the condition of all those that have chosen to eat from the foul table of the New Age movement. The first photo was of a person looking sad behind the bars of a prison. The second photo was of all the people that regularly fellowship with one another on the blog. The third photo was of a very large pig being roasted. The fourth and final photo was again of all the members of this group with the caption "Memorial Day 2008". Honestly, when I first saw those four photos all in a row it was so CLEAR and OBVIOUS to me the prophetic meaning that I literally was STUNNED. I was stunned at the boldness of the MOCKING done by the demonic spirits on that site. What is truly sad is that many do not see that they are held as prisoner and are forced to eat from the table of vomit and uncleanness. Those in prison have no clue that they are being laughed at and brazenly mocked by the kingdom of darkness. It is like having your eyes open to the con-game and watching the unfortunate ones getting played by the con-artist. It truly is so sad.
My prayer is that there will be some that will have eyes to SEE and WILL FLEE as fast as they can from the seduction of the New Age/ New Tolerance Beast. I am also made aware of the verse in Isaiah 6:9,11,12...."And He said, Go and tell this people, Hear and hear continually, but understand not; and see and see continually, but do not apprehend with your mind."
Why does the Lord say this? It sounds harsh doesn't it, but the answer comes to us in the following verses.... "Make the heart of this people fat; and make their ears heavy and shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their hearts and turn again and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And He answered, Until cities lie waste without inhabitant and houses without man, and the land is utterly desolate, And the Lord removes His people far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land."
The Lord is moving throughout the earth today in His sons and daughters in the mighty ministry of JOHN THE BAPTIST. This is to prepare the way of the Lord and make the crooked places straight. John the Baptist came in the Spirit of Elijah to preach a message of repentance so that many would be vessels prepared for the glory of Jesus Christ. Those vessels that chose not to repent would find themselves cracking under the pressure of THE TRUTH Himself. For either you can fall on the rock and be broken or the ROCK can fall on you and great will be your destruction. "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for" (1 Peter 2:8)...."They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Rev.6:16). The same preparation is needed today (at the end of the age) so that many will be ready and prepared for the Tabernacle Age to begin where God will dwell with His people in FULLNESS.
The Lord is so good to us my beloved friends and family....for it is by His grace given that we have had ears to hear and willing hearts to obey and we too humbly say with Paul..." It is by His grace alone that I am what I am."
I wanted to share something that Holy Spirit revealed to me yesterday regarding that fourth photo on this New Age site, entitled 'Memorial Day 2008'. The word 'memorial' means "to preserve remembrance, record."
In the fourth chapter of Genesis it explains the punishment that was given to Cain for slaying Abel .....
"And Cain said to his brother, Let us go out to the field. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper? And the Lord said, What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. And now you are cursed by reason of the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's shed blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength; you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth [in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast]. Then Cain said to the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land, and from Your face I will be hidden; and I will be a fugitive and a vagabond and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. And the Lord said to him, Therefore, if anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark or sign upon Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him. So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod [wandering], east of Eden." (Gen. 4:8-16).
Now this is what I believe was unfolded to me..... that over the last several years there have been 2 types of MARKINGS going forth throughout the earth.....one set for the sons of obedience and the other set for the children of disobedience. I realize that this process has been ongoing throughout the ages and yet I also realize that we are living at THE END OF THE AGE where the culmination of ALL these things take place...so it is with that light and distinction I share. I saw first hand how all those that are of Cain still slay their brother Abel the type/shadow of Christ. For I watched as our beloved John gave the glorious message of 'giving Jesus the preeminence' and was killed by the words of all those that said there was no difference between them and Jesus and some even went so far as to say that Jesus was not the Son of God. The most troubling to me was to witness how the owners of the blog (who named themselves as Christian brothers) would joyfully embrace those that denied Jesus and the cross. These same 'Christian' brothers would then shun and attack John labeling him as judgemental and unloving. Truly they are of their brother Cain and are the TILLERS OF EARTHY GROUND....for our Father still separates the LIGHT from the DARKNESS and exposes just who is who and who is not. John was clearly seen by those OF THE SPIRIT that he like Abel also is a KEEPER OF SHEEP....and lays his life down for them....for He walks as Jesus walked....and my beloved this is what we are ALL called to do... to lay our lives down. I like what Douglas Clarke writes about the gentle breath of the Holy Spirit that is quickening Ezekiel's Army... "God is going to revive many of His lone rangers, while His kingdom is propagated throughout the earth, neighbor-to-neighbor, friend-to-friend. This Holy move of God will also bring judgment on the false ministries that have been birthed from the soul of man. The judgment will NOT be angry prophets shaking their fist, calling down fire from heaven. What will bring the judgment is the bright light that will shine on all that God is doing, as it contrast the darkness and futility of all of man’s efforts."
" Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the LORD called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side and said to him, "Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it." As I listened, he said to the others, "Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. Slaughter old men, young men and maidens, women and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary." So they began with the elders who were in front of the temple. Then he said to them, "Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!" So they went out and began killing throughout the city." (Ezk. 9:3-7.)
I believe over the last few days all throughout the earth there were many similar tests being given as to that which was witnessed on this New Ager blog. These tests were to determine those who truly do lament over the detestable things that they see happening within the body of Christ. In my Spirit I feel it very well may have been the FINAL CHANCE for some to be marked as ones that grieve. This grief is due to the lack of love, holiness, faithfulness, obedience, hospitality, generosity, wisdom, discernment, fear of the Lord, ect. that have been found deficient within the Lord's temples (His people). Truly, does this not make you grieve too? Of course it does! It breaks your heart for your heart is ONE with the Lord's.
Those that are not lamenting are the very temples that house soulish occupants of all kinds of filth and uncleanness. These soulish housemates include pride, arrogance, disobedience, selfishness, indifference, greed, and a host of many others. The Lord gives the instruction to THE MAN CLOTHED IN LINEN and the others to follow him and show NO PITY or COMPASSION and kill all those that are not marked on their foreheads. Who is this man clothed in LINEN and the others following him? I believe Rev: 19:13-15 sheds light.... "He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty."
While some might view these scriptures literally I see them as being interpreted within, for the Kingdom of God is within. There are many elders within the Body of Christ that have appointed themselves as SHEPHERD'S and LEADER'S. Yet, these have not examined their own lives and grieved and had godly sorrow that their own temple is filled with detestable things. For these will be the first to have their soulish occupants SLAIN. We have begun to see the public humiliation of several well known leaders even recently. There will be many in the outercourt that will feel like peeping tom's as they witness all the lurid details and learn what went on inside that soulish realm of the leader they had entrusted themselves to follow. This shaking must come of course so that only what cannot be shaken remains and that is CHRIST the solid rock!
I find it interesting that it is the Lord's very own righteous people, the OVERCOMERS, that are the reality found in the type/shadow of ' THE MAN CLOTHED IN LINEN'. Those that have been clothed in white linen garments will also be those that will use the SHARP SWORD OF THE WORD OF THE LORD to strike down nations. I personally watched our brother John use that sword on many a soulish occupant found within the Lord's temple's over on that New Age blog. Oh! How they cried that John was being too harsh... with much weeping and gnashing of teeth....and yet I hear the HOLY GHOST say...."You ain't seen nothing yet!"
The word clearly teaches us that we are to judge ourselves so that we will not be judged with the world. Any normal person can see that the writing is on the wall for the WORLD and its SYSTEMS and that JUDGEMENT HAS BEGUN. Unfortunately, many will have no clue as to the inheritance that was lost to them for the next thousand years.... and this is truly so sad and heartbreaking.
On another note, I want to share a story about my friend Tiffany's children who I believe have seen this very MAN that carries the WRITING KIT. A couple of years ago I received a phone call from my friend that both her son and daughter had just seen an angel out in their backyard. Her children were 6 and 8 at the time and they had been jumping on their trampoline and decided to lay down on the trampoline to look at the clouds in the sky. After a few minutes of gazing up into the sky they both saw an angel with a long flowing robe gliding slowly above them and it looked directly at them. The children were so excited to see an angel and so they ran quickly into their house to share what they had seen with their mother and grandmother. When each was questioned about the appearance of the angel they both shared how this angel had a WRITING KIT in one hand and if I remember correctly it had what looked like a trumpet that was belted to his waist. The daughter gave rich detail about the writing kit....that it was like a TABLET with a beautiful pen attached. Looking back I remember asking my friend Tiffany if the angel had wings...and the daughter said she did not see any.....and at the time I was not familiar with the above scripture found in Ezekiel.....so when I first read that scripture I immediately thought of Tiffany's children. Although it very well might have indeed been an angel I now believe that it could have very well been an OVERCOMER on an earthly assignment. Either way what a glorious event to have happened to her children. How precious! I truly believe that my friend and her family were being MARKED that day....and as Babylon is now falling they are SECURE. All glory and honor belong to His most GLORIOUS Name ....Jesus Christ.
"A second angel followed and said, "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great, which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries." A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb." (Rev. 14::8-10)
I find it interesting that we are TRULY LIVING in this period of scripture....of where BABYLON IS FALLING.....and once again the distinguishing MARKS are being applied to TWO different groups right up to the very last second of the very last hour of the very LAST AGE till the Kingdom of Babylon is no more.
"He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection." (Rev. 20:3-5).
Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among men and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name." This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on."
"Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." (Rev 14: 1-4; 9-13).
Once again we see that while Babylon is falling there are those that have been MARKED as the firstfruits to God and the Lamb....they are blameless. Why are they blameless? They are those who OBEY God's commandments and have REMAINED FAITHFUL to JESUS. These are VIRGINAL in their PURITY of devotion to Christ. This is a very narrow walk my beloved. It is from the narrow place that THE CHRIST is birthed within. I can not think of anything more pure than that of a NEWBORN baby.
As you recall at the beginning of this writing I shared about four photos that were proudly displayed on a New Age blog and these all demonstrated being bound and unclean.
In contrast Holy Spirit quickened me to look at the photos Sonshine has....and there was only one little photo and it was on the sidebar of the front page of the blog. It is a photo of a newborn baby boy by the name of Raphael Eden. This precious little guy prophetically points to all those of the MANCHILD COMPANY. For Raphael's name literally means..."God hath healed and restored to Paradise". What a beautiful picture of all those that Father has chosen to fellowship in His SONSHINE.
Unfortunately, those that have the mark of Cain will not be permitted to the glorious RESTORED PARADISICAL PROPERTY of their HEAVENLY GARMENT in the Tabernacle Age. "So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod [wandering], east of Eden." They will have to wander (wonder) for the next thousand years. Father will have ALL MEN TO BE SAVED....each man in his own order...for just as in Adam all died so too IN CHRIST shall ALL be made alive. This is the REAL GOOD NEWS...that all the Cain's out there are not lost to wander for ever. For nothing can separate us from Father's love. Not even death. Father's love will reach and reach until every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of ALL. He will make all things new and remember our sins no more. The mark of Cain will be removed and replaced with the mark of the cross. For Cain too will be conformed into the very image of the Son of God and will enter into his inheritance in the FINAL JUBILEE of ALL CREATION! Isn't Jesus wonderul! Now do you see why our brother John is so zealous for Jesus to be given the PRE-EMINENCE in all things?!!
I was quickened by Holy Spirit that for those that have chosen to pick up their crosses in this life, these will be those that REST from their labor, for their deeds will follow them. I truly believe with all my heart that we are moving quickly into the season where WISDOM'S STORE is about to be RELEASED into those that sit and wait on HIM to unfold the glorious mysteries. For IN CHRIST is hidden all wisdom and riches and these are THE DEEDS that will follow them. These deeds will be accessed from WISOM'S STOREHOUSE. This glorious storehouse found within the overcomer will be used to bring forth whatever they or any of God's creatures have need of. For our Father still has His GOSHEN'S in the land to bring light and provision for His holy people Israel. As the night gets darker and darker in the earth, THE DAY gets brighter and brighter for the Lord's precious elect. All those that have died to self and suffered with Christ will also share in HIS GLORY and this is what will bring creation into the glorious liberty of the SONS OF GOD! WowowowoW....to Jesus Christ belongs all the praise! Thank you Father!
Eliyah
(I asked Eliyah to write a short bio
for our sidebar. Before I place it there
I thought to post it at the end of this
glorious message that you might
know something of the Schulz family)
The Schulz Family:
My name is Eliyah (pronounced ellie-ya) and my husband is Mordekai (Kai) and we live in Mississippi and have 4 small children ranging (8,6,4,2). As a family we have only one aim and that is TO KNOW HIM...the glorious Saviour of all mankind. Our daily prayer is that in everything we say and do we will bring Him glory. He has done so much for each of us and we only want to show him our love and gratefulness continually. We believe that as a family our call is to bring restoration to the Lord's creation. May you be blessed by the riches of Christ!
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GLEANING IN THE SEASON OF WANT
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My family gathered together this past month as I downsized for the move into a small apartment ……… we enjoyed the fun as I dispersed family heirlooms and other items in order to rent the family home.
Yet, a cloud hung over our gathering as we watched the US stock market tumble. My oldest daughter shared how her salon has lost almost ¾ of her normal business this last month, and that she would be working just to pay the rent on her shop if she was able to continue at all.
The kids already knew that my company had started laying off this month. I was still disturbed as I thought of those that had lost their jobs last week and wondered at my own future. I received my quarterly statement on my 401K in the mail Wednesday, showing a loss of 1/3 of my retirement funds. And so it was with all of us here in California and across our nation. Here is where the rubber meets the road........
On Sunday night we said our tearful goodbyes, realizing things were really changing and there was no going back. As my children left fear gripped me. I wanted to further warn them. I did not think we were serious enough about what we were facing……so I sat down and wrote my thoughts on our family blog……my soul conjured up every scenario of what was coming and offered several options to avert those possibilities and then,
I told them that somehow God would see us through…….LOL
Jack read the post Monday and e-mailed me saying, Joian, you are saying two things……… when I reread it I saw it…….. was I ever double minded……By Tuesday, I was able to lay it down, but the fear had been spread……. I spent the rest of the week repenting to the Lord and to my children……sigh~
This past Friday, I began listening again to CDs by Eby and Brogden to get my eyes off this world. This morning I picked up an article from Doug B. Clark from his blogsite, The Inward Journey and was totally blown away by the things he shared…..I have cried off and on all morning at his post titled “The Travail of Mankind”.
I share here just an excerpt, as this is just his preface for the article by George Hawtin – “According to the Purpose” I hope you take the time to read his whole post.
In his peace again,
Joian
The Travail of Mankind
…………I have found that in the midst of our travail both the man of sin and the Christ are revealed. In God’s divine wisdom He has given us the hardships of this earthly life that serve to both expose this man of sin and to reveal the Christ in those who have been apprehended to become sons. This man of sin I am referring to is not the comic-book-like-villain that many expect to appear on the world scene. He is much more sinister for he is hidden within the heart of every man, both sinner and saint! The root of the problem with this man of sin is our desire for independence from God. The travail given to mankind exposes the roots of this desire along with those things in us that must be removed. At the same time the soil of our earth-bound-soul must be broken so that the life of God may emerge as a tender blade.
God knows what each of us need in every season of our life in order to experience more of Him. Sometimes it is revelation He gives to enlighten our understanding and lift us to new heights, while other times He may send a lying spirit in the mouth of His prophets in order that the king of flesh may go to battle and be destroyed. (1Kings 22: 20-22)
We have long known that God desires to reveal Himself to us, but it may be a new thought to some to consider that in His plan He may also allow a time of deception. Some may argue that it is only the wicked that encounter a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. (2 Thes 2:11) The son of perdition who resides in the heart of every man must be first exposed before he is taken out of the way. It is the brightness of the coming forth of Christ within us that dispels the darkness and death brought about by all our self-efforts to achieve god status apart from reconciliation with our Creator.
Adam continues to reach for the tree of life with the hope and desire to be as God, but it is impossible for the natural man to partake of the life of the Spirit. So the angel with the flaming sword continues to prevent the natural man from feeding from the tree of life. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Ro. 8:7
The inventions of the man of sin continue as he seeks an alternative route to embracing the divine life other than the cross. It does not matter whether we are a babe in Christ, or a seasoned veteran who has already overcome many of the struggles of this earthly life. There are constant alternative twists of the gospel that try and eliminate the need for the cross. One such popular twist is the “remembering who we are” teaching. It is true that we came from God and we are returning to Him. This is the law of circularity. The seed of God in us is being awakened and there is a remembrance of our life in Him. What I am not hearing in this teaching is the part about how the seed must be planted in the earth (our soul) and die in order for the life within to emerge. This is the pattern we see in Jesus and we will be led down the same path in order to experience the fullness of who we are in Him.
I am no longer upset by the various rabbit trails I see trodden by many brethren. I realize that God has allowed these alternative paths as a means to keep Adam out of the garden. The act of being drawn away by misrepresentations of the truth reveals that we are listening to the wrong voice. It is God’s method for revealing the man of sin in us who is bent on sitting on the throne of our hearts, pretending that he is God. This too is a part of the travail given to the sons of man to be humbled by it. Unfortunately, we are often unable to recognize what is transpiring until we become blind and stumble into the ditch. Sometimes we have to eat a little dirt before we are humbled enough to have our sight restored. Many folks remain in the ditch oblivious to their spiritual condition. But those who have been “ according to the purpose of him who predestinated worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Eph 1:11) find themselves uncomfortable and sick if they remain in the ditch for too long. The seed of God within them begins to cry out for drop of water upon their dry and thirsty tongue.
While I believe that God raises up voices in the wilderness to proclaim His truth, I am also aware that He allows the voice of the stranger as a test for His sons. When we are tested there is a REVEALING of our spiritual condition. If there is something in us that is tempted by the voice of the stranger then it needs to be exposed before it is taken out of the way! The king of flesh must be allowed to go to the battle so that he is destroyed.
………………The Bible teaches that God will give us the desires of our heart. (Mark 11:23) But have you ever considered how often the desires of our heart draw us away from the will of God? Why would God give us something that draws us away from Him? It is the interplay of the will of man and the will of God that brings about an end to self-rule. Often the fulfillment of our desires becomes the catalyst that exposes the man of sin and brings about the humility necessary for the life of Christ life to emerge. If there is something other than Christ ruling in any area of our life there is no better way to be set free than for God to turn us over to our hearts desire. This is the travail given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.
There are seasons and times that we experience individually and there are seasons and times experienced by nations that are unfolded throughout the ages. The Holy Spirit is opening our understanding so we can see how all the seasons and ages work together to accomplish His purposes. We know that our beginning was in Him. Let us be encouraged to know that He will cause all the seasons and times throughout the ages to come together in a way that will glorify His name and will exalt the Father to the place of being all in all.
Douglas B. Clark
(The full writing by Douglas can be found
at this link. We would hope you might read it
and be encouraged as we move through
this present turmultuous season)
http://www.theinwardjourney.net/blog/2008/04/
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My family gathered together this past month as I downsized for the move into a small apartment ……… we enjoyed the fun as I dispersed family heirlooms and other items in order to rent the family home.Yet, a cloud hung over our gathering as we watched the US stock market tumble. My oldest daughter shared how her salon has lost almost ¾ of her normal business this last month, and that she would be working just to pay the rent on her shop if she was able to continue at all.
The kids already knew that my company had started laying off this month. I was still disturbed as I thought of those that had lost their jobs last week and wondered at my own future. I received my quarterly statement on my 401K in the mail Wednesday, showing a loss of 1/3 of my retirement funds. And so it was with all of us here in California and across our nation. Here is where the rubber meets the road........
On Sunday night we said our tearful goodbyes, realizing things were really changing and there was no going back. As my children left fear gripped me. I wanted to further warn them. I did not think we were serious enough about what we were facing……so I sat down and wrote my thoughts on our family blog……my soul conjured up every scenario of what was coming and offered several options to avert those possibilities and then,
I told them that somehow God would see us through…….LOL
Jack read the post Monday and e-mailed me saying, Joian, you are saying two things……… when I reread it I saw it…….. was I ever double minded……By Tuesday, I was able to lay it down, but the fear had been spread……. I spent the rest of the week repenting to the Lord and to my children……sigh~
This past Friday, I began listening again to CDs by Eby and Brogden to get my eyes off this world. This morning I picked up an article from Doug B. Clark from his blogsite, The Inward Journey and was totally blown away by the things he shared…..I have cried off and on all morning at his post titled “The Travail of Mankind”.
I share here just an excerpt, as this is just his preface for the article by George Hawtin – “According to the Purpose” I hope you take the time to read his whole post.
In his peace again,
Joian
The Travail of Mankind
…………I have found that in the midst of our travail both the man of sin and the Christ are revealed. In God’s divine wisdom He has given us the hardships of this earthly life that serve to both expose this man of sin and to reveal the Christ in those who have been apprehended to become sons. This man of sin I am referring to is not the comic-book-like-villain that many expect to appear on the world scene. He is much more sinister for he is hidden within the heart of every man, both sinner and saint! The root of the problem with this man of sin is our desire for independence from God. The travail given to mankind exposes the roots of this desire along with those things in us that must be removed. At the same time the soil of our earth-bound-soul must be broken so that the life of God may emerge as a tender blade.
God knows what each of us need in every season of our life in order to experience more of Him. Sometimes it is revelation He gives to enlighten our understanding and lift us to new heights, while other times He may send a lying spirit in the mouth of His prophets in order that the king of flesh may go to battle and be destroyed. (1Kings 22: 20-22)
We have long known that God desires to reveal Himself to us, but it may be a new thought to some to consider that in His plan He may also allow a time of deception. Some may argue that it is only the wicked that encounter a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. (2 Thes 2:11) The son of perdition who resides in the heart of every man must be first exposed before he is taken out of the way. It is the brightness of the coming forth of Christ within us that dispels the darkness and death brought about by all our self-efforts to achieve god status apart from reconciliation with our Creator.
Adam continues to reach for the tree of life with the hope and desire to be as God, but it is impossible for the natural man to partake of the life of the Spirit. So the angel with the flaming sword continues to prevent the natural man from feeding from the tree of life. “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Ro. 8:7
The inventions of the man of sin continue as he seeks an alternative route to embracing the divine life other than the cross. It does not matter whether we are a babe in Christ, or a seasoned veteran who has already overcome many of the struggles of this earthly life. There are constant alternative twists of the gospel that try and eliminate the need for the cross. One such popular twist is the “remembering who we are” teaching. It is true that we came from God and we are returning to Him. This is the law of circularity. The seed of God in us is being awakened and there is a remembrance of our life in Him. What I am not hearing in this teaching is the part about how the seed must be planted in the earth (our soul) and die in order for the life within to emerge. This is the pattern we see in Jesus and we will be led down the same path in order to experience the fullness of who we are in Him.
I am no longer upset by the various rabbit trails I see trodden by many brethren. I realize that God has allowed these alternative paths as a means to keep Adam out of the garden. The act of being drawn away by misrepresentations of the truth reveals that we are listening to the wrong voice. It is God’s method for revealing the man of sin in us who is bent on sitting on the throne of our hearts, pretending that he is God. This too is a part of the travail given to the sons of man to be humbled by it. Unfortunately, we are often unable to recognize what is transpiring until we become blind and stumble into the ditch. Sometimes we have to eat a little dirt before we are humbled enough to have our sight restored. Many folks remain in the ditch oblivious to their spiritual condition. But those who have been “ according to the purpose of him who predestinated worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Eph 1:11) find themselves uncomfortable and sick if they remain in the ditch for too long. The seed of God within them begins to cry out for drop of water upon their dry and thirsty tongue.
While I believe that God raises up voices in the wilderness to proclaim His truth, I am also aware that He allows the voice of the stranger as a test for His sons. When we are tested there is a REVEALING of our spiritual condition. If there is something in us that is tempted by the voice of the stranger then it needs to be exposed before it is taken out of the way! The king of flesh must be allowed to go to the battle so that he is destroyed.
………………The Bible teaches that God will give us the desires of our heart. (Mark 11:23) But have you ever considered how often the desires of our heart draw us away from the will of God? Why would God give us something that draws us away from Him? It is the interplay of the will of man and the will of God that brings about an end to self-rule. Often the fulfillment of our desires becomes the catalyst that exposes the man of sin and brings about the humility necessary for the life of Christ life to emerge. If there is something other than Christ ruling in any area of our life there is no better way to be set free than for God to turn us over to our hearts desire. This is the travail given to the sons of man to be humbled by it.
There are seasons and times that we experience individually and there are seasons and times experienced by nations that are unfolded throughout the ages. The Holy Spirit is opening our understanding so we can see how all the seasons and ages work together to accomplish His purposes. We know that our beginning was in Him. Let us be encouraged to know that He will cause all the seasons and times throughout the ages to come together in a way that will glorify His name and will exalt the Father to the place of being all in all.
Douglas B. Clark
(The full writing by Douglas can be found
at this link. We would hope you might read it
and be encouraged as we move through
this present turmultuous season)
http://www.theinwardjourney.net/blog/2008/04/
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TRUE COLORS
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TRUE COLORS
The only feasts that have yet to be fulfilled, scripturally, are the fall feasts of which the Feast of Tabernacles is one. Undoubtedly, at least to me, the return of the Lord will occur during this time. This return is not going to be the all out rapture, or taking away, as some in the churchianity crowd envision. As they hold their boarding passes for the rapture bus, the true revealing will whizz right on by them, not because the Lord wants it hidden from them, but because their eyes are not able to see the Truth. The return will be revealed in His sons and daughters, His fulness will be revealed, His truth evident in His chosen ones.
Tabernacles always occurs during the same time of the year, the Fall. It never has a set date, simply because it scheduled around the moon phases and not according to the man made Gregorian calendar we all use. Ironically, we also know the season of our Lord’s return, but not the day nor the hour. Fall, to me, is the most glorious time of the year. Cooler weather, longer nights and promenading the landscape is God’s pallet of colors in the trees.
This is also the time of the year when our family goes onto our Tabernacles vacation destination the Lord has picked out for us. I do not like to use the word ‘vacation’ in its worldly sense, because it means much more than that to us. The word vacation includes the root word ‘vacate’ meaning ‘to empty’ or ‘to leave’ which needs to happen in all of us, before a fulfilling can occur. In that sense, when we go on our trips to tabernacle with the Lord, we vacate in order for Him to fill us up. This year, the Lord chose Lake Kentucky to meet with us.
A couple of days into our vacating, I turned on the television to see what the weather channel had to say about the next few days in our area, weatherwise. As I was waiting for local weather on the 8's, the WC gave a brief science lesson on the reasoning behind the changing of the colors during the Fall. All of this would later turn out to become a deep spiritual revelation for me.
Apparently, the reason leaves change their visible garment is due to a chemical reaction that takes place involving water and phosphorous. For most of the year, trees will take up water through the root system and funnel it to the leaves. The water then mixes with the phosphorous in the leaves which we recognize as the color green. In the Fall, the funneling of water to the leaves stops and no chemical reaction occurs. This then causes the leaf’s true color to be revealed. Leaves are naturally different in color from one another. The green we see is only an illusion, a masking if you will.
Digging deeper, the Lord then downloaded a revelation unto me. It is true, that the colors we see in the Fall are the leaves’ true colors. The world sees this change as a dying of the leaf as one witnesses the change in color and the inevitable falling onto the ground that occurs with each leaf. His sons and daughters ought to see this as life, a revealing of truth. For truth is life. If the multitudes of color are true colors then conversely, the green color which the world sees as life, is a charade and the opposite of life. A counterfeit of the truth.
I believe that upon the Lord’s return, we will all see the shedding of masks and a revealing of true colors in all aspects. We will understand that what we once saw as life in many cases was in fact the opposite. What we once understood as death is actually a revealing and the fulfillment of truth. Again, all this is but another confirmation to me that the Lord’s return will occur during the Feast of Tabernacles. When the world admires the splendor of colors and sees it as a dying, then His sons and daughters will see the truth and know that this feast of colors is the revealing and fulfilling of His truth, only to be discerned by His chosen ones at that time.
Kai
TRUE COLORSThe only feasts that have yet to be fulfilled, scripturally, are the fall feasts of which the Feast of Tabernacles is one. Undoubtedly, at least to me, the return of the Lord will occur during this time. This return is not going to be the all out rapture, or taking away, as some in the churchianity crowd envision. As they hold their boarding passes for the rapture bus, the true revealing will whizz right on by them, not because the Lord wants it hidden from them, but because their eyes are not able to see the Truth. The return will be revealed in His sons and daughters, His fulness will be revealed, His truth evident in His chosen ones.
Tabernacles always occurs during the same time of the year, the Fall. It never has a set date, simply because it scheduled around the moon phases and not according to the man made Gregorian calendar we all use. Ironically, we also know the season of our Lord’s return, but not the day nor the hour. Fall, to me, is the most glorious time of the year. Cooler weather, longer nights and promenading the landscape is God’s pallet of colors in the trees.
This is also the time of the year when our family goes onto our Tabernacles vacation destination the Lord has picked out for us. I do not like to use the word ‘vacation’ in its worldly sense, because it means much more than that to us. The word vacation includes the root word ‘vacate’ meaning ‘to empty’ or ‘to leave’ which needs to happen in all of us, before a fulfilling can occur. In that sense, when we go on our trips to tabernacle with the Lord, we vacate in order for Him to fill us up. This year, the Lord chose Lake Kentucky to meet with us.
A couple of days into our vacating, I turned on the television to see what the weather channel had to say about the next few days in our area, weatherwise. As I was waiting for local weather on the 8's, the WC gave a brief science lesson on the reasoning behind the changing of the colors during the Fall. All of this would later turn out to become a deep spiritual revelation for me.
Apparently, the reason leaves change their visible garment is due to a chemical reaction that takes place involving water and phosphorous. For most of the year, trees will take up water through the root system and funnel it to the leaves. The water then mixes with the phosphorous in the leaves which we recognize as the color green. In the Fall, the funneling of water to the leaves stops and no chemical reaction occurs. This then causes the leaf’s true color to be revealed. Leaves are naturally different in color from one another. The green we see is only an illusion, a masking if you will.
Digging deeper, the Lord then downloaded a revelation unto me. It is true, that the colors we see in the Fall are the leaves’ true colors. The world sees this change as a dying of the leaf as one witnesses the change in color and the inevitable falling onto the ground that occurs with each leaf. His sons and daughters ought to see this as life, a revealing of truth. For truth is life. If the multitudes of color are true colors then conversely, the green color which the world sees as life, is a charade and the opposite of life. A counterfeit of the truth.
I believe that upon the Lord’s return, we will all see the shedding of masks and a revealing of true colors in all aspects. We will understand that what we once saw as life in many cases was in fact the opposite. What we once understood as death is actually a revealing and the fulfillment of truth. Again, all this is but another confirmation to me that the Lord’s return will occur during the Feast of Tabernacles. When the world admires the splendor of colors and sees it as a dying, then His sons and daughters will see the truth and know that this feast of colors is the revealing and fulfilling of His truth, only to be discerned by His chosen ones at that time.
Kai
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COMING OF AGE
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Yep, at twelve I kissed the Bishop's ring after twenty five other young doofuses had slobbered all over it. Plus the clown in the weird cap, beads and white dress called me by a new name "Anthony." Who the heck is Anthony?
Looking back, I say this proves, that at twelve I was too stupid for Hell.
That is a description of my Roman Catholic Confirmation ceremony. This was my religious experience of "coming of age" and, lest any think it is only a laughing matter, let me say I wrote that in satire to share the absurdity of it all! Today or even tomorrow, should I ever come upon a scene where my twelve year old grandson or granddaughter was bending over to kiss the ring of a man dressed in beads and a dress, while addressing him as Father there would be real hell to pay. Same goes if I should ever find any child paying homage to some pompous ass they address as Pastor! These religious cults, with their dual hierarchical chaste systems where false apostles, false prophets and self proclaimed pastors rule over the people sicken me in their unadulterated phoniness and corruption. Jesus didn't put up with these guys and spoke out, and it is time we do also, as the Spirit leads (and it will). Today's harlot church system of Charlatans and Nicolaitans, ruling over a worldly people wanting a "king" and a "go between with God", does not know or worship the One True God. They do not know God who came as Christ for to serve, and died in His service to "all"!
Oh hear me dear people, this thing most call Church is anything but! This false church is the soulish counterfeit that appeases and coddles the selfish carnal nature of man, and she will do anything to keep her reign. The true Church, "the ekklesia" has been called out of the false church that they be not partakers of this Harlot's sins. The true Church seeks not power nor wealth but instead lays down her life in service. She lays her very life down next to Her Champion, Her Saviour, Her Lord and Her Beloved Husband Jesus Christ. I am convinced that the day is approaching when such martyrdom will catch the world's eyes and hearts and all will eventually stand weeping, as they recognize this is Christ come again to lay down His Life in the Union and Oneness of His bride. These are the "two witnesses" that manifest themselves as One, through "death and resurrection" ....... the Spirit and the Word .... Deity and Humanity ....... Christ and His Bride. Love by it's very nature needs "two" and when Love is complete the two are One.
Now if you would, please contemplate more lunacy of what many organized churches and their congregants hold as doctrine. The "age of accountability" comes wrapped in an overall theological system called "Arminianism" and it is as foul and false as is it's contrasting counterpart "Calvinism." Both of these systems are fear based and are built upon the cornerstone of Hell and eternal torment. Somewhere in the future I hope to look at Calvinism with it's "doctrine of reprobate and elect infants" and we will discover an even equally, absurd foul spirit that defies and defiles all that is Good in Christ Jesus. For many years I have experienced, studied and observed the "spirit of the hellfire and damnation doctrine." I will unequivocally state, "anything associated with this Hellish doctrine becomes foul, false and full of death. Who would ever want their children any where near such a thing!
Age of Accountability
This is the age at which a child is old enough to understand the moral consequences of his or her actions and can be held accountable for sins. It is also called the 'age of reason.' Though it does not correspond to a particular age for every person, due to differences in personal and psychological maturation, it is sometimes set down arbitrarily as 12 or, in the Roman Catholic Church, 7; the latter convention gave rise to the English common-law presumption that no child under the age of seven could possess the mens rea necessary for commission of a felony. The concept of the age of accountability is not based upon any direct teaching from the Bible, but stems from individual church traditions. A child who has passed the age of accountability is said to know the difference between right and wrong and to be capable of obeying the moral laws of God. Some Christian traditions believe that the age of accountability is the end of a period of early grace (prevenient grace, in Wesleyan traditions) which covers over the sins of those not capable of knowing the moral consequences of their actions. (Persons who, due to developmental disability, mental or emotional development, will never reach a sufficient level of abstract reason, are covered by this grace for life and are sometimes known as 'the innocents.') In Christian traditions which practice Believer's Baptism (baptism by voluntary decision, as opposed to baptism in early infancy), the ritual can be carried out after the age of accountability has arrived ..........
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So with Arminianism, in which "free will" is king and the "age of accountability" weighs heavy on the adolescent, surely the abortionist should be considered a hero and Andrea Yates' drowning of her five children could be hailed as a heroic act of mercy. Oh, the insanity and deceitfulness of the doctrines of demons that accommodate the horrors of a mythical Hell.
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And we wonder why the world scoffs!
(sources: Wikipedia & Tentmaker Ministries)
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JESUS WEARS A BLUE COLLAR AND CARRIES A LUNCH PAIL
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So last night I called Joian to thank her for the care package she sent me. Of course, as one that must always look a gift horse in the mouth, I was bitching about all the dang decorative green and yellow straw she had used to pack every thing in. This straw clung to everything like a large angry octopus. After my diatribe on the packing I started whining about how rough God had been on me lately. Joian listened patiently as I moaned on and on. Finally when I finished, she asked me if I liked the candle holder. I bitched some more as I began to look for this lost object that was surely hidden somewhere in the belly of the green and yellow monster.
I liked to have "died" when I found it. The candle holder was done in dark antiqued bronze and it had a skull on it with a saying below it. It said "DEAD TO THE WORLD"
Now ain't it just like God in combo with a good friend to remind you that "dead men don't whine." [blush] [lol]
So as always, after my visit with my best friend I felt better. I then grabbed my lunch pail and went to work on a post for our other blog, Jackson Hole & Christ. I so enjoyed working on it that I thought to share it here also. As I have said before, "beyond anything else writing on the blogs is worship for me. And with such worship I find I am strengthened and renewed in Him."
JESUS WEAR A BLUE COLLAR
AND CARRIES A LUNCH PAIL
Jack I believe that His love is opening more peoples hearts and minds to see His wonderful love and grace.
Love Dan
Dan was kind enough to leave a this comment yesterday and I wish I could agree. In part I understand what he is saying but I am a realist. I also believe, more than most, I am out there testing the waters and sharing God's love tirelessly day in day out. As I told Joian, my closest friend and confidant in the Lord, tonight, "God has taught me to bring my lunch pail when He works through me. And yes, I get irritated with so many that start a work only to see them loose their zeal and interest after awhile, as their work falters to become like the two witnesses "the Word and the Spirit" laying dead in the street." (Rev 11)
I often awaken in the morning with just the greatest pain in my heart for my brothers and sisters that are still caught up and bound by the Apostate Organized Church. It is in the seeking of relief from this incessant pain that I am driven to share the "Real Good News of the Kingdom of God." Having shared of my pain, and with the greatest of humility, because I know of myself there is no good thing, I will share something else with you.
I have a most dear sister that will only address me by my real birth name "John." She won't use "Jack" by which I am commonly known. This young lady ran into me on a forum where I was doing battle with the Christian New Agers that frequented there. She wanted to know who I really was, because, as she said, "she saw the powerful spirit of Elijah in me as I shared Truth while making no bones and barring no holds." Later after this sister became acquainted with me she said she found not only a likeness in me of "John the Baptist" but recognized the persona of another "John." Please note, that in the telling of this, my eyes water, so blessed am I that one might liken anything in me to this, the dearest to me and my favorite of all the Saints of Old. My lovely friend saw in me also the spirit of "John, the Beloved of the Lord." This John is he, who laid His head on Jesus breast and that is my favorite picture of Christ with His twelve. With continuing great sincerity and humbleness of spirit I believe we are to be all things to all men as we take on the likeness of our Christ. Today the fivefold ministry of the "Church Age" is corrupt and dead and the five have been gathered together in each of God's appointed sons. Christ, within these sons, is the Apostle. He is the Prophet and the Evangelist etc. And make a note of it; these sons are blue collar guys and gals. They maybe not be clothed in camels hair and leather but as the Baptist did, these laborers carry their lunch pails and toil long and hard. These are 24/7 people as their minds and hearts are always stayed upon the Lord. Day in day out , hour to hour and moment to moment these sisters and brothers are before the face of the Lord as they minister in a thousand different ways.
I would be remiss if I didn't also tell you that God, some years ago told me to focus the majority of my support and ministry on His humble and broken in spirit, blue collar sons and daughters, for it is they that world groans for (Rom 8).
Today, rather than say revival is happening in the world , I share with you these scriptures which I believe speak to the season we are in now. I pray more than anything else, you will identify with the last thought of the last scripture in this list. I can only hope you are spending much time before His face as you prepare His way.
"Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa 57:14,15
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." Mal 3:1
"And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Lk 1:17
"As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 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; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Luk 3:4-6
"He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet" Jhn 1:23
"And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways" Luk 1:76
So this morning, with my lunch pail in hand I shall go out into my community and on every bulletin board I can find in town, I will place this new flier (below) with my "JH & Christ" calling cards attached to it. Before I do this I might even find some colorful heart stickers to add to this poster. While I'm making my rounds, in the "spirit of John the Beloved", I will hug the necks of a few neighbors. And should I run into one adorning a preacher's Roman collar I might, with my best "John the Baptist voice", holler across the way, " O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" [wink ..... and because of the liberty He has given me, my friends know I actually do stuff like that. Maybe that is also why I don't have very many friends. lol ]
Yes my beloved and bold ones, it's a good day to be a "John" but it is the best of days to be as Christ, with a lunch pail and a blue collar. For such is the season.
John
.
So last night I called Joian to thank her for the care package she sent me. Of course, as one that must always look a gift horse in the mouth, I was bitching about all the dang decorative green and yellow straw she had used to pack every thing in. This straw clung to everything like a large angry octopus. After my diatribe on the packing I started whining about how rough God had been on me lately. Joian listened patiently as I moaned on and on. Finally when I finished, she asked me if I liked the candle holder. I bitched some more as I began to look for this lost object that was surely hidden somewhere in the belly of the green and yellow monster. I liked to have "died" when I found it. The candle holder was done in dark antiqued bronze and it had a skull on it with a saying below it. It said "DEAD TO THE WORLD"
Now ain't it just like God in combo with a good friend to remind you that "dead men don't whine." [blush] [lol]
So as always, after my visit with my best friend I felt better. I then grabbed my lunch pail and went to work on a post for our other blog, Jackson Hole & Christ. I so enjoyed working on it that I thought to share it here also. As I have said before, "beyond anything else writing on the blogs is worship for me. And with such worship I find I am strengthened and renewed in Him."
JESUS WEAR A BLUE COLLAR
AND CARRIES A LUNCH PAIL
Jack I believe that His love is opening more peoples hearts and minds to see His wonderful love and grace.
Love Dan
Dan was kind enough to leave a this comment yesterday and I wish I could agree. In part I understand what he is saying but I am a realist. I also believe, more than most, I am out there testing the waters and sharing God's love tirelessly day in day out. As I told Joian, my closest friend and confidant in the Lord, tonight, "God has taught me to bring my lunch pail when He works through me. And yes, I get irritated with so many that start a work only to see them loose their zeal and interest after awhile, as their work falters to become like the two witnesses "the Word and the Spirit" laying dead in the street." (Rev 11)
I often awaken in the morning with just the greatest pain in my heart for my brothers and sisters that are still caught up and bound by the Apostate Organized Church. It is in the seeking of relief from this incessant pain that I am driven to share the "Real Good News of the Kingdom of God." Having shared of my pain, and with the greatest of humility, because I know of myself there is no good thing, I will share something else with you.
I have a most dear sister that will only address me by my real birth name "John." She won't use "Jack" by which I am commonly known. This young lady ran into me on a forum where I was doing battle with the Christian New Agers that frequented there. She wanted to know who I really was, because, as she said, "she saw the powerful spirit of Elijah in me as I shared Truth while making no bones and barring no holds." Later after this sister became acquainted with me she said she found not only a likeness in me of "John the Baptist" but recognized the persona of another "John." Please note, that in the telling of this, my eyes water, so blessed am I that one might liken anything in me to this, the dearest to me and my favorite of all the Saints of Old. My lovely friend saw in me also the spirit of "John, the Beloved of the Lord." This John is he, who laid His head on Jesus breast and that is my favorite picture of Christ with His twelve. With continuing great sincerity and humbleness of spirit I believe we are to be all things to all men as we take on the likeness of our Christ. Today the fivefold ministry of the "Church Age" is corrupt and dead and the five have been gathered together in each of God's appointed sons. Christ, within these sons, is the Apostle. He is the Prophet and the Evangelist etc. And make a note of it; these sons are blue collar guys and gals. They maybe not be clothed in camels hair and leather but as the Baptist did, these laborers carry their lunch pails and toil long and hard. These are 24/7 people as their minds and hearts are always stayed upon the Lord. Day in day out , hour to hour and moment to moment these sisters and brothers are before the face of the Lord as they minister in a thousand different ways.
I would be remiss if I didn't also tell you that God, some years ago told me to focus the majority of my support and ministry on His humble and broken in spirit, blue collar sons and daughters, for it is they that world groans for (Rom 8).
Today, rather than say revival is happening in the world , I share with you these scriptures which I believe speak to the season we are in now. I pray more than anything else, you will identify with the last thought of the last scripture in this list. I can only hope you are spending much time before His face as you prepare His way.
"Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa 57:14,15
"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." Mal 3:1
"And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Lk 1:17
"As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 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; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." Luk 3:4-6
"He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet" Jhn 1:23
"And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways" Luk 1:76
So this morning, with my lunch pail in hand I shall go out into my community and on every bulletin board I can find in town, I will place this new flier (below) with my "JH & Christ" calling cards attached to it. Before I do this I might even find some colorful heart stickers to add to this poster. While I'm making my rounds, in the "spirit of John the Beloved", I will hug the necks of a few neighbors. And should I run into one adorning a preacher's Roman collar I might, with my best "John the Baptist voice", holler across the way, " O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" [wink ..... and because of the liberty He has given me, my friends know I actually do stuff like that. Maybe that is also why I don't have very many friends. lol ]
Yes my beloved and bold ones, it's a good day to be a "John" but it is the best of days to be as Christ, with a lunch pail and a blue collar. For such is the season.
John
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