Ignorance Is No Excuse...
"But I Would Not Have You To Be Ignorant Brethren..."

Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.
This is a powerful admonition, and one not to be lightly passed over. Six times Paul used this statement...<'I would not have you to be ignorant Brethren.' And each time he was clarifying a widely held 'wrong thinking' among believers. These warnings are not directed at the unsaved and lost in the world, but to believers.

If there were ever a time in the history of mankind, when ignorance concerning spiritual realities was rampant, it is today.

The world is fully given over to the lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, the love of mammon; while the church is wallowing in apathy and compromise, calling darkness light and error truth. Blind leaders making bold claims, competing among themselves over a piece of the pie, while equally blind followers applaud their 'works' and willingly follow them into the ditches.

2 Peter 1:8-11 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What things is Peter referring to here?

2 Peter 1:3,4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Those who call themselves 'Christian' today, are well versed in the promises, at least the ones that hold great appeal to our flesh (carnal nature); such as health, wealth and prosperity. The teachings prevalent in Christian circles today are full of great promises of a better life... but according to what standards? How many of us are even seeking after godliness? or glory and virtue? or desire to partake of the divine nature?

Consider what Peter said in 2 Peter 1:2 May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.[Amplified]

Are we seeking the things that Peter is describing here?

Are we seeking God for His favor, or to receive favor among men?

Are we seeking after spiritual prosperity?

Or material prosperity?

Do we even believe that we can obtain the full, personal, precise and correct knowledge of God?

Or not??

Do we realize that the exceedingly great & precious promises given to us... are given so that we might be partakers with Him of His divine nature?

Did not our Lord plainly state that we "cannot love God and mammon" (the things of this world)? Have we considered ... What is 'Spiritual Prosperity,' and why is it more desirable than worldly, material wealth?

[Bear in mind when you read the Word of God... paying especially close attention to the red letters found throughout the Gospels. Ignore those who attempt to cast doubt on the inerrant validity of the Scriptures. God is more than able, regardless of how many human agents hands the scriptures have passed through down to this, the final generation, to keep His Holy Record's integrity intact. It is not as important the translation one reads, as it is important that one read with their spiritual understanding being enlightened and prompted by the Holy Spirit.]

Repeating verse 4, Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.Another way of saying precious promises: is 'costly assurances.'
To be a partaker is: to be a sharer, a companion, a partner in/of God's very nature.

Our modernistic, easy-believism approach to Christ's Gospel misses the mark entirely, and offers only false comfort if one can find comfort in lies. There is no such thing as a free-ride. [2Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.]

Jesus said in John 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

To be one with Christ is the prize, the goal, the whole purpose of our Christian walk. We cannot be one with Christ, and still remain friends of the world. We cannot partake of the divine nature, and still cater to the corruption that is in the world through lust. If we are hoping to gain material wealth and prestige in this life, then we are deceiving ourselves and not following Christ.

What are some of the other things that Paul and the Apostle's wanted believers to know, (comprehend/ understand) and not be ignorant of ... And do we fully understand what they are saying to us and why? There is a lot to take in, as the following scriptures demonstrate.

Romans 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

1 Corinthians 10:1-15 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

2 Corinthians 1:8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

2 Corinthians 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

A little something to chew on...

Ignorance is not going to be an excuse when we stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ...

May we seriously examine our own hearts...

and prepare for HIS coming.



Amen
Cathy Morris

Overcoming the Natural Man by the Cross

"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" Colossians 3:2.

"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" 1 Corinthians 2:14.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God" 1 Corinthians 1:18.

The natural man cannot see beyond the natural plane of life. He relates everything to the here and now. The gospel message sounds foolish to him because it speaks of dying to this world in order to receive life from above through the power of God. These spiritual truths will sound like a foreign language to his thought processes.

"Everyone who is born of the Spirit overcomes the world" 1 John 5:4. They know that God is real and He is able to work supernaturally within the heart of man. But even these children of faith do not always learn how to walk in the power of the Spirit. Many of them continue to live on a natural plane of life in their own strength.

The Galatians are an example of Christians living on the natural plane. After receiving the gift of the Spirit, we find them attempting to work out their Christian life in the strength of the flesh. Their self-sufficient spirit was actually separating them from the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit. They simply did not understand Christ's way of the cross ... the way of perfecting God's power through the weakness of dependent faith.

"O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?" {Paul revealed before their eyes Christ's way of being raised by the power of God after being crucified in weakness.} "... Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect {in holy love}by the flesh {by your own strength}? Have you suffered so many things {to break your self-sufficient spirit} in vain ...if indeed it was in vain?" Galatians 3:1-3.

Adam's lineage, from the day that he lost the Spirit, was depraved of the Presence and power of the Spirit. Fallen man was left on his own to live in his own strength. It became natural for him to live in a self-originated form of life based on earthly wisdom. It is a way of life that has been deeply ingrained into everyone's thought processes. Even earnest Christians, like the Galatians, find themselves naturally going back to their old habit of living by the strength of the flesh.

In contrast, the apostle Paul spoke of revealing before their eyes how to live in the Spirit's power. He displayed the way of Christ crucified, which is the way of the cross. It is the way of dying to the strength of the flesh and perfecting God's power through dependent and trusting faith.

Paul came with the same message to the Corinthians. He "preached Christ crucified" 1 Corinthians 1:23. He wanted these Christians to understand the true meaning of the cross. He sought to reveal before their eyes how the power of the Spirit is perfected through the weakness of dependent faith. When he was no longer living out from himself, but was walking by faith in the Son of God, the Spirit was able to manifest the life and works of Christ through Him.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live {nothing is done through the fleshly strength of the old man},but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God" Galatians 2:20.

"And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:9.

The way of "Christ crucified" will not make sense until there has been a very deep change in how we think. It will be necessary to become like dependent little children. "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted {are changed in how you think} and become as {dependent and trusting} little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 18:3. This renewing of the mind turns us away from the way of living by fleshly human strength to the way of receiving life from the Son "through faith." Only in this way is it possible to put on His heavenly life.

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" Ephesians 3:16-19.

"If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus...be renewed in the spirit of your mind...{so you may} put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" Ephesians 4:21, 23-24.


The Wisdom of the Cross and Suffering
The way of the cross depicts suffering and a slow death. The cross is a spiritual type that helps reveal spiritual principles. The Father led the Son through the cross. The Son then instructed everyone to follow Him. Those who choose to follow Him will know from His example that His way of the cross will entail some suffering. The old independent and self-sufficient form of life does not die easily. Dying to the strength of the natural man can be slow and painful.

"Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin {he dies to the old self-originated form of life}, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lust of men, but for the will of God" 1 Peter 4:1-2.

Natural man lives by his own strength according to his own will and desires. He lives independently of God. And wherever there is independence, there is also self-sufficiency. God does away with the independent life by destroying the self-sufficient spirit. This is what Paul was attempting to communicate to the self-sufficient Galatians when he said, "Have you suffered so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain?" Galatians 3:3. God cannot permit anyone to live by the strength of the flesh in the heavenly realms. He insists that everyone live through His Spirit so "that no flesh should glory in His presence" 1 Corinthians 1:29.

"Not by {fleshly} might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" Zechariah 4:6.

Those who truly obey Jesus by choosing to follow Him through the cross can expect to be "scourged." Most of the strength was taken out of Jesus by the scourging He received before He ever arrived at the cross. The flesh-life does not die easily. God therefore scourges us beforehand, taking away much of our strength, so we are ready to die to the ways of the flesh when we arrive at the cross. We should also note that He only scourges those who have submitted to His way of the cross. These children of faith who respond to His teachings are the ones He loves.

"He who has My commandments and keeps them {by taking the way of the cross}, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" John 14:21.

"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives {into His heavenly life}...for our profit {to do away with the old independent and self-sufficient spirit}, that we may be partakers of His holiness {as we live through His Spirit}.Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness {the eternal Kingdom-life} to those who have been trained by it" Hebrews 12:6, 10-11.

"For the kingdom of God is...righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" Romans 14:17.

The earnest soul who has surrendered his whole being to serve the Lord often wonders why he suddenly finds himself going through deep trials and scourgings. But we must remember that this is exactly what occurred to Jesus after He had chosen to go through the cross. Once He had made His decision in the Garden of Gethsemane, everything was taken out of His hands. The providential hand of His Father then worked out the severe trials, the scourging and the final death on the cross.

God knows that this dying to the flesh-life cannot be worked out through the flesh. No one can nail himself to the cross. And so those who truly choose to follow Christ through the cross can expect to go through some fiery trials and scourging to take away their self-sufficient spirit. When their spirit is broken and they have no strength left in themselves they will be prepared to live through the Son by faith and begin enjoying His life in the heavenly realms.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" Matthew 5:3.

As another example, the Lord comes in His holiness as a refiner's fire to do away with the part of the "flesh" that is contrary to His way of life. Even earnest souls will tend to think they have been abandoned by the Lord during this process. The presence of His holiness overwhelms and consumes everything that is contrary to Him. He comes in a special way as a refiner and purifier. Although the believer may not understand what the Lord is working out, those who hold on will come out of this fiery trial in a purified state, which will then enable the Lord to "fill" the temple with His "glory."

"And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple {in this strange work as a consuming fire}... But who can endure {in the flesh} the day of His coming? And who can stand {with a self-sufficient spirit} when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire... He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi {representing those who have fully consecrated themselves to His service}, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness" Malachi 3:1-3.

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's suffering {while passing through this dark night of the soul}, that when His glory is revealed {when He fills the temple of your body with His glory}, you may also be glad with exceeding joy" 1 Pet. 4:12-13.

"I will come to you.. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you" John 14:18, 20.


Teaching Christ Crucified
We are expected to "make disciples of all the nations" by "teaching them to observe all things" that Christ commanded,(Matthew 28:19-20). But this central truth about following Christ through the cross is seldom taught in this day. It is the reason why there are so few Christians who have found His life in the heavenly realms.

Many of those who are called out by God end up turning back when the Spirit begins to take them through difficult trials. Without anyone to teach them what to expect, and to reveal the heavenly Pearl received on the other side of the cross, they do not endure to the end. What we need is many more witnesses of His resurrection life. Someone needs to show them that this heavenly Pearl is worth the price that must be paid.

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you {into His heavenly Kingdom-life} in due time... But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while {in dying out to the flesh-life}, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you" 1 Peter 5:6, 10.

There is a natural tendency to ask God to relieve people of their suffering. He is often asked to "touch" them so they may feel better. But these prayers are being made without any discernment of God's wisdom-the wisdom of the cross. It reveals how most Christians are still living on the natural plane. They think in terms of improving a person's spiritual life by improving their circumstances. Until Christian leaders can begin to understand the way of "Christ crucified," and actually teach these principles of the cross, many will fail to recognize what God is attempting to work out through suffering.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience{producing a trusting and dependent faith in God}. But let patience have its perfect work {through these continuing trials}, that you may be perfect and complete {learning to live by the Spirit alone}, lacking nothing" James 1:2-4.

"My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord..."James 5:10-11.

Can you begin to see why those who are still living by human wisdom on the natural plane of life have such a difficult time understanding spiritual truths? God has truly turned the ways of this world upside down. The cross will need an opportunity to do a deep work within the heart before the believer will be prepared to live by God's wisdom.

"For the message of the cross {the way of weakness and dependent faith} is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved {from the independent and self-sufficient form of life} it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty...and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence" 1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 27-29.

"So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen" Matthew 20:16.

"For he who is least among you all will be great {in the kingdom of God}" Luke 9:48.

There are only two basic ways to live in this world. One is self-exalting and one is self-emptying. Because these two different ways are so radically different, they are easily distinguished. Unfortunately, the heart is deceitful above all things. And even God's called-out children can remain blinded to the truth. It is the reason why so "few" of the "many" are being "chosen" by God to be lifted into the Son's life in the heavenly realms.

Can you see how needful it is to examine the heart? Do you have a new nature that prefers to be the "least" and the "last"? If the old "pride of life" is still residing within your heart and causing you to enjoy being "first" and "great" in the eyes of men, you are in serious trouble. It will lead you, in spite of what you profess, to live by an earthly and demonic wisdom that is unfit for heaven. (James 3:15-16)

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who...made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant {a slave}...He humbled Himself...to the point of death... Therefore God also has highly exalted Him..."Philippians 2:5-9.

Today is the day of salvation. Every called-out child of God needs to come to that place where God may lift them spiritually into the heavenly realms. It will entail following Christ in His downward course through the cross. Simply stated, the way up is down.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it will remain alone {separated from the life of the Trinity}. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life {the old "psuche" life} in this world will keep it{the soul} for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me {through the cross}; and where I am {in the heavenly realms}there My servant will be also" John 12:24-26.

Paul preached the gospel, but "not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect" 1 Cor. 1:17. He went on to say, "And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.

But there are few today who seem to believe in this same gospel. Much of the preaching consists of wise and persuasive words. It results in a mere "fix-up" religion that can never lift anyone into the heavenly life of God. Very few are ever learning how to follow Christ through the cross and live in the resurrection power of His Spirit.

"For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection"Romans 6:5.

The ultimate triumph of "Christ crucified" was revealed when He was raised to the highest position of power and authority after He had emptied Himself of His own glory, sank to the lowest place of servanthood, and had reached the place of absolute weakness on the cross. He was raised by the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit when He was in a state where all strength in the flesh had died. Do you understand this principle? You will need to learn it, because you cannot live on the natural plane in your own strength and also live in the heavenly realms through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yes, God has graciously provided a means for being reconciled through the Son's shed blood while seeking out His heavenly life. It is also possible to die "in the faith" while in the early stages of light and go to heaven, not having received the fullness of the promise in this world. (Heb. 11:39-40) But those who choose to live on the natural plane in the strength of the flesh are rejecting both Christ's way of the cross and His resurrection power. It will keep their soul separated from the heavenly life of God. Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies it cannot be raised up with Christ and be honored by the Father. (John 12:24-26)

Christians are expected to take this way of the cross. They have the seed of life from heaven planted within their heart. But it cannot be multiplied until the covering of the natural man dies and disintegrates. It must be planted within the ground where everything from the old man is lost before the eternal Kingdom-life of God is able to rise up and begin to multiply itself.

L.E. Maxwell, in his book Born Crucified, has explained why there has been such little growth of the true kingdom of God. In closing this chapter, we ask our readers to seriously pray over these thoughts from a chapter entitled "The Cross and Fruitfulness."

Certainly the great trouble with many of our orthodox churches is that they are like great grain containers, full of unplanted wheat which has become musty, and moldy, and befouled... If only each little grain had been rent asunder from its fellows, cast into the dark, wet earth, buried out of sight, and left alone to endure disintegration and death, what a harvest we would see!...

We appeal to those who are sick of the shallows and the shams, sick of doing dead things, "sick unto death" of a fruitless, barren existence. Oh barren soul, hear the word of the Lord: "That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die." Is the reader trying to live the Christian life?-work for Christ?-bear fruit, etc.? You cannot live until you have died. Death precedes life. "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone." J. Hudson Taylor...once said: "We know how the Lord Jesus became fruitful-not by bearing His cross merely, but by dying on it. Do we know much fellowship with Him in this?... There is only one Christ. Are you willing to abide in Him, and thus to bear much fruit?" Death is still the gateway to life, life from the dead, life multiplied, life manifold.



Chapter 5 from: "Living in the Heavenly Realm" by Steve Bray 
http://lovestthoume.com/Preparation/ByWayCross.html

A MESSAGE TO THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT By James F Jarjou

JESUS in keeping HIS children in the path of perfection works in two ways:
HE gives them light which reveals the sin or darkness within and visits them in divine consolation by giving them divine life within, which destroy the darkness within. The light reveals HIS mind to HIS children and the coming of HIS divine life within preserves them in walking in that measure of light. The coming of HIS divine life within destroy the wicked one within, whose purpose is to steal ,kill and destroy (John 10 v 10 ).

All the family of CHRIST both in heaven and earth live by the principle of divine life; Including the Angelic host. Everyone in his/ her measure. Christ himself is the book containing divine life (The book of life ).He that is not in HIM who is the BOOK has no life in him but the wrath of God abiding in him (John 3 v 36 ). Divine wisdom Show apostle John in Revelation 5v 1-5, the impossibility of having divine life in none but the BOOK which was sealed with seven seals. The mystery of partaking of this divine life being veiled to him he wept that none was able to open or look into the BOOK. Here John typifies a fallen man in need of a Savior. The seals of the BOOK signify that the salvation through the coming of divine life within is from glory to glory. The opening of a seal to another reveals the different measure of the divine life the children of light can partake of as they desire more light to search them within. The BOOK being sealed seven times signifies the completeness of partaking of the divine life IN CHRIST who is the BOOK; Seven is a type of perfection or rest.

He that turneth without seeking divine life from man or even an angel is in deception. It is good that the children of light of know that they are complete in CHRIST and need none else.

1. He that will wait in patience for the coming of the light of Christ to judge and reveal the darkness within him /her will surely receive the coming of Christ divine life within and will live above the measure of that darkness the spirit reveals.

2. When Christ's light is about to reveal the hidden works of darkness within, like pride , lust, error, etc. dodge not the judgment within, but invite HIM speedily . In doing this HE will wroth a walk in you by the coming of HIS divine life within and will raise you above your natural 'goodness' in opening of a seal within. "But whosoever live by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God" (John 3v21 N.I.V).

3. He/ She that will receive purity through the work of Christ's divine life within must gladly be a fool to the wisdom of the world and to his own natural understanding (Proverbs 3v5). Christ's Light will lead you in ways you do not know; when praying and listening for HIS voice daily. The five common sense may operate well in the seen and feel but not in the supernatural. The carnal mind is dead and he that is lead by it in any measure is dead in that measure (Romans 8 v6 ). None can be free from misrepresentation of things, prejudice, worries and frustration except when He / She wait with patience the light of Christ to rightly judge the state of things.

4. The measure of the light of CHRIST you desire and walk in, in that same measure you will experience the coming of HIS divine life within. The choice is yours (Matthew 5 v6 ).

5. He / She that will wish to walk in the light of Christ and is never willing to deny his / her selfish desires with the coming of Christ light within, will never experience the coming of HIS divine life within nor receive further light within. Such folks make a try of the narrow way to LIFE but never receive grace to walk in the divine life of it, for something deep within the heart is crying like "I love CHRIST divine LIFE but I will love to have my own way." Confessing HIM without while denying HIM within.

6. Those that truly confess Christ without and within for sure will know the pain of receiving correction by the coming of CHRIST's light within, yet the patience they keep in waiting for the coming of HIS divine LIFE within will never fail them.

7. The light of CHRIST will let you see the kingdom within in the measure you desire to know about it. The coming of Christ's divine life in the kingdom within will make you a possessor of the kingdom in that same measure you see it.

8. The light of CHRIST will first judge you within and make you a possessor of that measure by the coming of Christ divine life within, before HE commit to you the words of life to judge a dying world and a corrupt "church" in that same measure you posses it. The measure of authority to judge a dying world and a corrupt "church" through the words of LIFE within will be in proportion to the measure of LIFE you posses. This judgment must be CHRIST directed work in reconciling the world IN HIM. In keeping this spiritual law you will be a blessing to yourself and your neighbor.

http://lovestthoume.com/Preparation/MessageChildrenLight.html

A CAUTIONARY WORD

"...You are weighed in the balances and are found wanting" Daniel 5:7.

"And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" Mark 12:29-31."Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13."If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God's love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God's love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).


Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded). When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside. For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

And so faith, hope, love abide [faith--conviction and belief respecting man's relation to God and divine things; hope--joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love--true affection for God and man, growing out of God's love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love" 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

"Now about food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge [concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature]. If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much [of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary" 1 Corinthians 8:1-2.

"We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also" 1 John 4:19-21.

How much of the time do we actually... 'practice what we preach?' How does our daily walk... match up with what we say we believe? It is much easier to 'talk the talk' than it is to 'walk the walk.' Knowledge in and of itself is only a tool, it is incapable of imparting LIFE. It requires application... implementation on the part of the hearer to effect change. It is not enough simply to 'know'... if we do not grow from what we have learned. When it comes to learning spiritual realities, we discover that in order to implement them into our lives, the death of self is the chief requirement. "Till not I live, but Christ liveth in me..."; "For in him we live, and move, and have our being."

If we would honestly examine our own hearts, we will have to admit that we are in possession of far more knowledge about God, than we are walking in the Power and Spirit of Christ in us. Hence, if we were to be judged this moment, we would be out of balance as the graphic illustrates; our accumulated knowledge about the things of God outweighing the Christ living in and through us.

We are not going to be rewarded for how much knowledge we possess. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" Galatians 6:7. Our actions speak louder than our words. Our reward will be in direct correlation to our obedience and the surrender of our will to His. It is the "Christ in you" that makes us acceptable to a Holy God, not our adherence to religious rituals, formulas or beliefs. Our duty is to love him that first loved us, and gave himself for us. As the above verses illustrate, LOVE is the deciding factor. As long as we are living according to the ways of the world and our flesh, we are incapable of loving those who despitefully use us; and we love ourselves more than we love God.

It is a sobering thing to consider the ramifications of the following..."But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" Romans 8:9. One must honestly deduct from this passage that if the Spirit of God is indwelling us, we can no longer live according to our fleshly desires and carnal thinking. Our flesh is very adept at convincing us that our carnal desires are in fact the Spirit of God. Jesus told us in John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." The two are distinctly separate. They can not be blended any more than oil and water. We are the servants of one or the other. If we are doing what seems right in our own eyes, we are operating from our flesh and not by the Spirit of God, and are in danger of being counted among those who are "none of his."

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" Ephesians 2:8.

May we always be reminded..."Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth." And continue to "... grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever" 2 Peter 3:18.


Amen
Cathy Morris
8/28/2010

Related Articles:

Paraphrase of Deuteronomy 32

The Destruction of Passion

Entry To "The City"

To Walk With God

http://lovestthoume.com/Preparation/ACautionaryWord.html

WHEN ALL MEANS FAIL

To believe when all means fail is exceedingly pleasing to God and is most acceptable. Jesus said to Thomas, “You have believed because you have seen, but blessed are those that do believe and have not seen” (John 20:29).
Blessed are those who believe when there is no evidence of an answer to prayer—who trust beyond hope when all means have failed.
Someone has come to the place of hopelessness—the end of hope—the end of all means. A loved one is facing death and doctors give no hope. Death seems inevitable. Hope is gone. The miracle prayed for is not happening.
That is when Satan’s hordes come to attack your mind with fear, anger, overwhelming questions: “Where is your God now? You prayed until you had no tears left. You fasted. You stood on promises. You trusted.”
Blasphemous thoughts will be injected into your mind: “Prayer failed. Faith failed. Don’t quit on God—just do not trust him anymore. It doesn’t pay!”
Even questioning God’s existence will be injected into your mind. These have been the devices of Satan for centuries. Some of the godliest men and women who ever lived were under such demonic attacks.
To those going through the valley and shadow of death, hear this word: Weeping will last through some dark, awful nights—and in that darkness you will soon hear the Father whisper, “I am with you. I cannot tell you why right now, but one day it will all make sense. You will see it was all part of my plan. It was no accident. It was no failure on your part. Hold fast. Let me embrace you in your hour of pain.”
Beloved, God has never failed to act but in goodness and love. When all means fail—his love prevails. Hold fast to your faith. Stand fast in his Word. There is no other hope in this world.

http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.pt/2011/04/when-all-means-fail.html

As A Man Thinketh…

Consider: we are in a constant battle between spirit and flesh; faith and reason. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” Proverbs 23:7. There is our mind; and there is our heart. It might be enlightening to look up the verses that speak of things ‘in the heart;’ as we mortals tend to confuse the two. We have to learn how to discern what is from where. God is interested in our heart condition. It is given that to be made into a ‘new creature in Christ,’ requires the complete‘renewing of our minds.’ Isn’t it interesting that it is written that ‘as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.’

1) the heart
1a) that organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, and hence was regarded as the seat of physical life
1b) denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life
2a) the vigour and sense of physical life
2b) the centre and seat of spiritual life
2b1) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours
2b2) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence
2b3) of the will and character
2b4) of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions
1c) of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate

KJV – think 1; 1

1) to split open, reason out, calculate, reckon, estimate
1a) (Qal) to calculate

There is an inner struggle in the heart of the believer, because the new life in Christ in our hearts; is battling for its right to rule our natural, carnal mind. And all of our efforts to subject our own thoughts are futile. We cannot clean up our own act. We cannot change our nature and character of ourselves. God purposes to perform a miracle, in each and every one of us; that only He can do; if... we will let Him.
“O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” Jeremiah 10:23.

We can become ‘O, so religious.’ We can clean up the ‘outside of the cup.’ But in our inner man we can still harbor malice, resentments, jealousies, ill-will, criticisms and all manner of bad feelings and attitudes. In short, try as we might, our will is incapable of making us pure, or holy, or righteous. All of mankind have partaken of the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; and we live thereby. Looking at this chart, we can readily identify with how it works:  (click on picture to enlarge)

We can spend our lifetime running around and around this tree, from branch to branch, judging ourselves and others, and never achieve our goal. Our flesh is all about me, me, me. While our reborn spirit, is all about God. Only one can reign within. We can only cry with the Psalmist, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6.

We must acknowledge….“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.” 1 Corinthians 8:2. We only see and know ‘in part,’ and must not ‘lean to our own understanding.’ We must learn how to…“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”Psalms 46:10.

We must be willing that HE be exalted in ‘our earth.’ Only then will be set free from the vicious treadmill of our own thoughts (the Clamoring Voices in our heads), and our own will. Instead, seeking to please HIM in all things, rejoicing in that…“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:” Ephesians 1:9. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.

We are saved, by faith. But all of our teaching, our doctrines, our beliefs, are contingent upon our personal relationship with HIM Who Is the Word, the Truth, and the Life… Jesus Christ. He came that we might have life… abundant life! That we might be partakers of His very nature and character. No amount of study and good intent can ever make us partakers of the nature of Christ. This is not achieved from the mind to the heart; but from the heart to the mind. Our minds are renewed as we are still before Him, no longer tossed to and fro by every wind. “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:18.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1. Our burdens are heavy. Trying to be spiritual while we are yet carnally minded is a great weight. We are continually thwarted in our efforts to ‘do right,’ because of the conflict that rages within our thoughts, comparing the do’s and the don’ts, this interpretation and that teaching, should I – shouldn’t I. Jesus never told us to try to imagine what he would do. He never told us to shut ourselves away from the world, lest we be contaminated by it, to only associate with people who are like-minded. That is what we do when we are trying to be ‘spiritual’ while still operating from the wrong tree.

He said, “Go ye into all the world!” “I will be with you!” “Both I and my Father will come to you and make our abode in you!” “Love others as I have loved you!” “Do good to those that persecute you!” “Forgive, and you shall be forgiven!” “I will be with you!” “I will never leave you or forsake you!” What more do we think we need?

Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”Philippians 4:13.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”Ephesians 6:10.

 Makes us take a good, long look at our thought life, doesn’t it, and what tree we are feeding from?

Cathy Morris – 5/20/2013

http://lovestthoume.com/wp/?p=3582

A FURTHER WORD

"If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?"

Recently I felt compelled to send out an URGENT message warning of an impending great calamity - such that will cause even God's elect to tremble.

One Bishop asked, "Is there no further word: How should the righteous respond to such a word?"

I can only answer by sharing what the Holy Spirit is speaking to my own heart and what I am to do. I shared that I was led in a practical way to lay aside a month's supply of food - because I have witnessed the panic in the wake of terrorism. That has to be a personal word for every individual.

This is what I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to my heart concerning my own spiritual response to impending calamity. It is simply this - STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.

"And Moses said to the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will show you today... The Lord shall fight for you, and you shall hold your peace"(Exodus 14:13-14).

This is the attitude of faith in the face of calamity. What could Israel do on the brink of the Red Sea? Pharaoh's army is pressing in, mountains are on both sides, and there is an impossible sea ahead. The flesh cries, "Do something!" The flesh cries hopelessness. Can God's people dry up the sea? Level a mountain? Fight a great army without having weapons? They are in what appears to be a dreadful, frightening situation. God's people tremble - and in this hour of trembling comes a word from God. In essence: "Stand still. Fear not. This is the hour of salvation. You are going to witness the pulling down of the foundations of a world power. But in the same hour, I will fight for you. Hold your peace - be still and see my works."

Beloved, my warning is just one voice among many who are saying the same thing. We may all tremble for a season, but those who truly know God's Word will be quickly comforted by the Holy Spirit. We will be baptized with a great peace - a supernatural quietness - which will be a tremendous witness to the fearful multitudes.

In Christ,

3-8-09 David Wilkerson

An Urgent Message

The following message was sent out by David Wilkerson. I forward it to you for your discernment.

AN URGENT MESSAGE Saturday, March 7, 2009 3:37 AM..

BY DAVE WILKERSON TIMES SQUARE CHURCH IN NEW YORK....

I am compelled by the Holy Spirit to send out an urgent message to all on our mailing list, and to friends and to bishops we have met all over the world.

AN EARTH-SHATTERING CALAMITY IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT IS GOING TO BE SO FRIGHTENING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO TREMBLE - EVEN THE GODLIEST AMONG US.

For ten years I have been warning about a thousand fires coming to New York City. It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires - such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago.

There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting - including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God's wrath. In Psalm 11 it is written,

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (v. 3).

God is judging the raging sins of America and the nations.

He is destroying the secular foundations.

The prophet Jeremiah pleaded with wicked Israel, "God is fashioning a calamity against you and devising a plan against you. Oh, turn back each of you from your evil way, and reform your ways and deeds. But they will say, It's hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart" (Jeremiah 18:11-12).

In Psalm 11:6, David warns, "Upon the wicked he will rain snares (coals of fire)...fire...burning wind...will be the portion of their cup." Why? David answered, "Because the Lord is righteous"(v. 7). This is a righteous judgment - just as in the judgments of Sodom and in Noah's generation.

WHAT SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS DO? WHAT ABOUT GOD'S PEOPLE?

First, I give you a practical word I received for my own direction. Lay in store a thirty-day supply of food, toiletries and other essentials. In major cities, grocery stores are emptied in an hour at the sign of an impending disaster.

As for our spiritual reaction, we have but two options. This is outlined in Psalm 11. We "flee like a bird to a mountain." Or, as David says, "He fixed his eyes on the Lord on his throne in heaven - his eyes beholding, his eyelids testing the sons of men" (v. 4). "In the Lord I take refuge" (v. 1).

I will say to my soul: No need to run...no need to hide. This is God's righteous work. I will behold our Lord on his throne, with his eye of tender, loving kindness watching over every step I take - trusting that he will deliver his people even through floods, fires, calamities, tests, trials of all kinds.

Note: I do not know when these things will come to pass, but I know it is not far off. I have unburdened my soul to you. Do with the message as you choose.

God bless and keep you.

In Christ,

http://lovestthoume.com/Preparation/AnUrgentMessage.html

Untouchable, Unclean, Unheard

Leprosy is a debilitating and contagious disease.  In ancient Israel lepers were the untouchables. It was not unusual for people to run in the opposite direction from any leper who came too close, or even to stone him.  A leper was subject to certain religious laws that meant he could not associate at all with his family, must live outside the city and was banned from worshiping at the temple (Leviticus 13 and 14; Leviticus 22:4-9; Numbers 5:1-4).

On the day a leper approached Jesus we can imagine the horrified reaction among the multitudes following Him.  We can imagine also the infected man’s sheer desperation.  Just by coming within speaking distance of Jesus and others, he was breaking the law.  He worships, prostrating himself before the Man he knows is his only hope.  “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.”  Not: ‘if you would like to think about it, maybe’, or ‘if you are in the mood’, but if You are willing. 

This man is acknowledging that Jesus has the right to decide whether he lives or dies.  He is acknowledging Christ’s absolute sovereignty over his future.  Jesus’ response confirms that He is indeed sovereign, but also willing.  “I am willing; be cleansed”.  I AM is willing, therefore be clean!  And then He does the unthinkable.  He touches the untouchable: eye to eye, hand to hand, skin to skin. And the leper is no longer a leper. (Matt. 8:1-4)

Not long after, a Roman centurion appears on the scene.  His  valued servant is paralysed and suffering greatly.  We know the servant was highly valued because Roman centurions had no problem replacing servants, or slaves if we are to be more accurate, but this centurion desperately wants his servant to live.  There is no attempt by Jesus to point out the evils of slavery, or to take the centurion to task over the oppressive policies of the Roman occupying forces.  “I will come and heal Him” He says.  No! says the centurion.  That’s not what I want.  Just say the word and I know my servant will be healed.  (Matt. 8:5-9)

Roman centurions were not the most popular people in Israel.  On a scale of one to ten they probably ranked somewhere in the lowest four along with lepers, Samaritans and prostitutes.  Not only was their presence a constant reminder to Israel that a foreign power ruled over them, but they were Gentiles.  To the Jewish mind in Jesus’ day Gentiles were idol worshipers, and as such they were unclean and beneath contempt.  No Jewish rabbi would stoop to enter a Gentile’s house, yet here was Jesus offering to do just that.

But a connection takes place between Jesus and this unclean Gentile that amazed even Jesus (Mat. 8:10).  This centurion recognizes in Jesus something that had escaped the Jewish leaders: an authority that was not bestowed by any human agency.  He knows about authority and he knows that this Man’s authority is greater even than his own.  With utmost respect he declines Jesus’ offer to come to his house, no doubt knowing such a visit would not help Jesus’ reputation and not wanting to add to His problems with the Jewish leaders.  Jesus commends him for his faith and the servant is healed in that very hour.

A recognition, a request and a response.  Something deep and divine has taken place between Jesus and this ‘unclean’ one that very few present could have perceived.

Not long after, Jesus, weary and hungry from the day’s activities, enters Peter’s home for some much needed rest.  The women of the house are busy preparing food and comfort for their honored guest, but one woman lies listless and still, consumed by a blazing fever.  Immediately Jesus approaches her, reaching out to touch her burning flesh.  His touch is enough to rebuke the fever and restore her health. She opens her eyes and gazes silently into His. He gently lifts her to her feet and she rises, healed, to serve Him His meal. (Matt. 8:14-15, Mark 1:31-32)

Not a word has she uttered. She knows Jewish rabbis do not touch women.  And she is an old woman now.  The days of her youth are past. These days few notice her, let alone hear the desires of her heart. She is of little value in this society where women are the servers and child bearers, and old women have outlived their purpose. 

We don’t know why this woman, mother of Peter’s wife, was living in this house.  It is possible she was a widow and had no living sons of her own to take responsibility for her in her old age, as was the custom.  Regardless, Jesus knew why she was there.  She was there to serve Him, because that was the only thing a woman in her position could do to show Him her devotion.  And He knew that was her unspoken prayer.  Breaking with all convention, He sought her out, He touched her and then He received from her.

The untouchable, the unclean and the unheard are still among us, often much closer than we realize.  They have not gone away.  Nor has Jesus ceased seeing, hearing and touching them. These days, though, it is our hands that must touch for Him, our eyes that must meet theirs, and our smile that must show them a different reality. 

Recently, as we travelled by car on an interstate trip, I listened to the young man in the back seat behind me worshiping as he sang his heart out to the Lord he loves.  The purity of his worship broke my heart, bringing moist tears to my eyes.  I know well this young man’s almost impossible journey, because he’s my son.  I shared a little about him in the post Challenging Behaviours.  From the beginning his road has been a difficult and lonely one.  The combination of autism, mental illness and related issues can leave those like him feeling untouchable, unclean and unheard in this world. 

But Jesus sees.  Jesus hears. Jesus knows. Jesus touches.  And Jesus connects.  And from that connection comes forth worship in Spirit and truth, and an experience of God at a depth few of us understand or are allowed to witness.  And when we do we are left humbled, awed and undone by this mysterious and fearful love of a God who searches for and reaches out to the untouchable, the unclean and the unheard…..and gathers them joyfully into His arms.  Thank you Jesus.

http://breadforthebride.wordpress.com/category/words-of-grace-and-truth/