God's Truth In Love

Archive for May, 2013|Monthly archive page

Spiritual Remnant of God Series~ ~ ~Part 3 – Dependence vs. Faith

In Apostasy, Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, End Times, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Truth, Uncategorized on May 30, 2013 at 1:46 pm

Thursday, May 30, 2013

 

Something has come up several times recently in several ways, which speaks to both identifying the CURRENT Spiritual Remnant of God and identifying an apostate church congregation. It involves the intent of the group or individual in the area of creating God-dependence or Man-dependence.

Man-dependence is created to exert a certain amount of control and to be able to manipulate people. God-dependence is created to help people be able to depend primarily, and even solely, upon God in situations where there is the need. Religion wants to make people dependent on man, spiritual godliness and godly spirituality wants to make people dependent on God and therefore, points people to God.

Here is a real life example that will help you gain further insight.

The following prophesy was given to a church congregation as a means through which Jesus could building faith in the members of the congregation. This Rhema Word falls into the category of exhortation and encourage forms of prophesy meant for the growth of the Saints. The Pastor of this congregation first said this was not a ‘Word from God’ then later relented on his position when asked in the presence of witnesses how it was in error. He then took the position that the Word could not be presented because people in his congregation needed first to ‘Be renewed in their minds.’ To that end one would wonder is not this type of Word part of that very process; a statement you will understand better once you have read the Rhema Word for yourself. No, this pastor did not want such a power Rhema Word of Faith put out to his congregation because it pointed the people to the All-Sufficient Work of the Cross of Christ and would birth great faith in Jesus, and Jesus alone, among his congregants – creating less dependence on him as their shepherd.

Judge [discern] the Word for yourself.

The Rhema Word has been duplicated here exactly as it was given to the Pastor of said congregation.

Thus says the Lord God, “You seek Victory yet, you have Victory. You seek Truth, yet you have Truth. You seek Freedom, yet you have Freedom. You seek and cannot seem to find, can you not see that what you seek is Me. I Jesus am Victory. I Jesus am Truth. I Jesus am Freedom. I have told you in My Word that if you seek Me, the Truth, you will find Me. If you know Me, you know the Truth. I told you in My Word you would know the Truth and the Truth would make you free – free because I am the Truth. I and my work on the cross is all that is needed for victory and freedom; it is all that is needed to live in Truth. Why do you continue to seek Me for something that you have already if you know Me, if I am in you and you are in Me. Stop seeking to get and look at what you have and find overcoming power. I am the Lord your God hear Me.”

 

 

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Spiritual Remnant of God Series~ ~ ~Part 2 – The Balance

In Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, End Times, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Truth, Uncategorized on May 27, 2013 at 4:04 pm

Monday, May 27, 2013

In part one, we explored the two extremes those individuals who are part of the CURRENT Spiritual Remnant of God seem to suffer from if there is not spiritual intervention by God and others to assure their proper maturity or bring about their spiritual rehabilitation. In those two extremes we saw the immature babe in Christ just become another carbon copy of the apostate church member, all the while believing they have done well and are pleasing God. On the other end of the extreme, we saw the mature yet cynical Believer in Christ who through frustration and heartbreak with both God and man has turned their back on the active, active being the key word here, pursuit of God and fellowship with other Believers. Both of these outcomes are tragic and soul vexing to both the Body of Christ – The Church – in general and too the individual. With God’s grace, sound counsel, intervention and determination the CURRENT Spiritual Remnant of God can find their balance, steady their feet, and learn to live for and serve God as Jesus originally intended.

Sadly, the reality is too few can come through the process of which will describe in this series and come out on the other side whole. God desires they come through and fulfill His purpose for them but their steadfastness in the face of all they see is difficult. God knows they will have scars when they get to the other side but He would desire that we keep in mind that Jesus had scars as well once He was done with His earthly ministry. Dealing with the religious sect of society will leave you scared but cheer up they scared Jesus first, yet, His as well as your scars will be healed – completely.

God is doing something powerful in the world today among those who are truly devoted to Him. In November, Lord Willing, we will see on of this century’s greatest evangelist, Billy Graham, deliver what will most likely be his spiritual message via television, radio, and internet; his last perhaps because of his advanced age of ninety-five years old. Billy Graham has shared the gospel of Christ countless times in every part of the world imaginable to untold numbers but I do believe in the upcoming message he will talk about something he never has before, something that is dear to God’s heart for this time in history and for His CURRENT Spiritual Remnant. There will be an appeal for people to return to the way of life that was shared by the early church, which was the early church before religion took over. There will be a call to return to home fellowship and home evangelism; to bring the Church back to its roots by being less about corporations and personal ambition and more about people gathering together in small groups, sharing their lives, and growing in their walk and service to the Lord.

May God empower us to return to what Jesus started, the Church, in its purest form.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Spiritual Remnant of God Series~ ~ ~Part 1 – The Mark

In Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Truth on May 22, 2013 at 12:52 pm

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The overwhelming question coming forth is, ‘What is the distinguishing mark or marks of the individuals who are part of the CURRENT Spiritual Remnant of God?’ The answer to that question is that the answer is as broad as it is narrow. Whether a Remnant Believer and Follow of Jesus, the Christ, is just starting out on their journey with God or they have just about completed their journey and are ready to go be with the Lord Jesus, they can identify to some degree with most of what will be taught through this series. There is not one identifying trait or mark that defines them; there is a collection of beliefs, attitudes, and experiences, which define them. Nevertheless, we must start somewhere so let us start with a most basic identifying mark.

Bewilderment. They go in most church congregation, who profess to be part of the Christian Church Community, they listen to what is being said and taught, they see what is happening and how the leaders and lay people are conducting themselves then scratch their head in bewilderment and ask themselves and God, ‘What is going on here?’ That bewilderment despite their spiritual maturity level is a mark of a Remnant individual.

It does not seem to matter whether they are a mature seasoned Believer or a relatively new Believer they sense in their spirit man that something is not right. Much of the time, they are not comfortable in the environment. If they are a young Believer who is not knowledgeable in the Word of God, they may believe that they are the problem or that it is just them and it will change in time. However, if they are a more mature Believer who is knowledgeable in the Word of God they know something is not right but might struggle with understanding why. The harsh reality that the majority of “church congregations” are void of true godly spirituality and filled instead with religious show is just too much for them to bear. Yet, they see and sense it time after time in congregation after congregation, typically with one of two results in the end.

A seasoned Believer who is knowledgeable in the Word of God knows things are not being done right and they can see that God’s Word is not being given priority or being rightly divided. Therefore, often after one failed attempt after another they typically abandon gathering with other Believers all together and sadly, their growth as a Remnant Believer is aborted. You might hear them say, ‘I don’t go to church. I don’t want anything to do with religious people, their all hypocrites.’

A new Believer will have the sense in their spirit that something is wrong but will allow it to be explained away by advocating their responsibility. They place their understanding in the hands of those who will use it for their own personal gain. They will trust what they are told over what they read in the Word of God. They will become convinced that they are flawed in what they sense and that the religious system is right thus become part of the scenery that makes up the church pews each Sunday morning. They will file in year after year like drones taking their place with an ever growing deadness eating away at them inside; while doing what is expected of them, their “religious duty” always wondering if their isn’t suppose to be more. Through compliance and conformity, their growth as a Remnant Believer is aborted.

Yes, both examples are the extremes on either end of the spectrum. Yes, you will be able to find a few who will fall in between the two extremes but you will not find a Spiritual Remnant Believer who is void of the sense that something is very wrong with the Corporate Christian Church Congregations as a whole. Whether they want to admit it to themselves, whether they ever say it out loud or not, they sense in their spirit that the “church” is not what Jesus intended it to be. This sense they have in their spirit is something they cannot reconcile and that will not be silenced. That is an identifying mark of a Spiritual Remnant Believer.

Now on a technical theological note. Despite modern theology the true Remnant of God, those Believers still hold some basic doctrinal beliefs.

a – They believe Jesus is the only means of Salvation for mankind.

b – They believe in the Deity of Jesus.

c – They believe in the virgin birth of Jesus.

d – They believe in the literal death of Jesus by crucifixion and the literal resurrection of Jesus.

e – They believe the Word of God, the Bible, is in fact the literal Word of God.

Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who does not believe the above basic doctrine are not part of the CURRENT Spiritual Remnant of God. Note, I did not write that they never had any questions, or that they never had any doubts in their lifetime, but despite both they do believe these doctrines to be Truth.

 

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Spiritual Remnant of God Series~ ~ ~Introduction

In Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Activists, Truth on May 21, 2013 at 3:10 pm

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

I am beginning a long awaited and long considered series of teachings titled the “Spiritual Remnant of God” which will address and be addressed to a special group of God’s Servants who are few in the grand total of those who call themselves spiritual and/or religious but who are in fact the “faithful few” [Rev. 3:7-13] who will receive their crown from the Master one day.

This series will covers a multitude of material such as; how to identify one of these Servants who are part of the Spiritual Remnant, their character traits, gifts, callings, talents, worldview, religious view, spiritual view, their approach to the Christian Community, their life struggles, their life experience, their spiritual battles, their spiritual victories, cause and effect in their lives, purpose, etc. There will be no particular order in which these things are address, expect that they will be address, written about, and posted in real time as God speaks on this matter. Therefore following the series in real time while examining the world around you and your personal world at the same time will have the most spiritual impact.

Each individual who reads and interacts with this teaching series will be at a different place in their walk with and service to God; from the babe in Christ, standing on the shore looking at the river stretched out before them, who is struggling to understand their basic identity in Christ to the seasoned servant, who is standing far in the distance on the other shore having walking through the river and reached the other side, looking back longing to see others make it to their shores. There will be those who can identify very little with what I am going to write and then there will be those for whom it is a part of pass memories for them. Either way it will resonate with TRUTH in their spirits and God will use it to show each individual where, when, and how she or he needs to proceed.

I will make no apologies for the content of this teaching and those with what my Daddy use to call “thin skin” need to know in advance in order to benefit and grow from the teaching you will have to let go of your fragile ego and be willing to face the truth. “Itching ears” [2 Tim. 4:1-5] need not attempt to hear what God will be saying through this series, because you have a closed off religious spirit you will not understand, you will only suffer from irritation and frustration. The greatest form of LOVE tells the truth and calls for people to reach deep inside and look for their greatest potential; this series will do just that.

Look around people, the world is falling apart, America specifically is disintegrating, it is time for the Spiritual Remnant of God to understand their place and understand what God would have them do about what is happening around them.

Please take the time to look up any Scripture I quote or reference for yourself, as you should always do when someone is teaching or preaching. You have a responsibility before God to confirm His Word is being “rightly divided” [2 Tim 2:15]. Please know that any input you would like to give or any question you would like to ask will always be welcome. You may write me via the comment link provided.

Below I have included the original post from a while back titled “Remnant of God”.

Please begin this series by rereading this post.

Remnant of God

The current SPIRITUAL Remnant of God is those Followers of Christ who exhibit extraordinary devotion, being both proficient and spiritually gifted; these individuals are the faithful dependable heart of the church, given to prayer and are the core of both the local congregation and the universal Body of Christ.

The Body of Christ is made up of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, there is and will be widespread apostasy; a remnant of devoted followers has been called out to keep the principles and commands of God alive and before the people and keep faith in Jesus’ atonement pure and alive. This remnant will bring forewarning of the arrival of the judgment, proclaims salvation through Christ Jesus alone, and heralds the approach of His second coming.

The Remnant will be exiled from the world and apostate church congregations, whether by choice or not, because they are at odds with the direction of the world and mere religious society. The remnant within the Body of Christ are what will remain once the established religious society, who often call themselves the corporate church, have departed from sincere devoted and brought about the ruin of the purity of Christianity and the Original Church. Of God’s people, many if not most will fall or have fallen away. God prunes His Church and the Remnant could well be all that remains; and He will prune them so that they are purified to His Standard.

These people are the militant spiritual warrior of the Body of Christ. These spiritual activists… confrontational, revolutionary, radical, combative individuals who continue to remind the Church and the world that God did, and does, provide a Standard which He expected, and expects, His people to lift up and present to the world.

The presence, release, and freedom given to the spiritual gift of prophecy is an identifying mark of a remnant church or the absence of the same can be an identifying mark of a church lacking the remnant.

My current focus of ministry is on the spiritual development of these individual…the remnant few. I am slowly divesting myself of all others to make room for helping these spiritual warriors develop the gifts, talents, callings, and abilities God has placed within them.

 

 

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Forgiveness and Relationships

In Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Truth, Uncategorized on May 17, 2013 at 3:03 pm

Truth in Love – blog entry

Friday, May 17, 2013

This will be my last blog post before I start a series called “Remnant of God[please refer to the post by the same title] which will address who the truly called of God are verse whom most of society believe them to be. The series will explore who they are, their purpose, how God works in their lives, what they can expect in life, the greater way in which they should function, and God’s overall intent for allowing their victories, sorrows, successes and failures [better defined as perceived failures].

The series will include and make room for Q & A with the readers. Please send your questions via the comment link at the end of each post. I will attempt to simply incorporated the answer[s] into a blog post or out rightly post the question and answer. Be assured however, that no person’s identity will ever be revealed in answering any question.

Now to the current entry “Forgiveness and Relationships”

Regarding forgiveness in a relationship, two things are unwise.

1 – We never inform people we have forgiven them when they have not acknowledged in some form that they believe they have done us wrong.

2 – We never ask forgiveness for something someone does not know we have done to him or her.

Why?

Scenario #1 – By going to someone and informing them that we forgive them we are essentially telling them that they have done us wrong. They may or may not have realized they have harmed us but either way they most likely do not want to hear about it or they would have sought forgiveness.

Scenario #2 – If someone has no knowledge and is going to have no knowledge that you have harmed them or done something to them, which might be hurtful; then asking them to forgive you is only going to expose them to hurt. I heard a good example of this years ago from an older woman. Her example went something like this. ‘If a spouse has cheated on their spouse, the fling or affair has ended, there are no legal or medical ramification from the situation, no one know about the affair, the relationship is in the past, and the spouse has no knowledge it ever happened nor have they inquired about your faithfulness. To confess the affair to the spouse and ask forgiveness is only going to burden them with unnecessary pain.’ As this older and wiser woman put it, ‘Confession of something someone will most likely never know under the guiles of seeking forgiveness is more about unburdening one’s own guilt and thus forces another person to carry the pain you have caused. It is not wise, it is not a loving act of seeking forgiveness, and it does not make for healthy relationships.’

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

God-dependent

In Bible, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Devotional, Encouragement, Exhortation, God, God's Voice, Godliness, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Love, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Revival, Rhema Words, Truth, Uncategorized on May 8, 2013 at 3:02 pm

Truth in Love – blog entry

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Recently someone sent me the following question.

What does it mean to be completely dependent on God?

That is a question you will be discovering the answer to for a lifetime. Our dependence upon God unfolds like a beautiful flower opening over a course of time, throughout the span of life. It deepens in color, richness, beauty, and delicacy until it becomes something that is so breathtaking it brings tears to your eyes each time you think of its wonder.

In the infancy of your Christianity, it means you trust enough to approach Him with innocence by trusting that His Way is the ONLY way things are to be done. You are dependent on His care, greatness, goodness, and wisdom to know the best path for every situation. Paths you can discover through His Written Word, the Bible, and/or communication with Him, prayer.

Secondly, you completely depend upon His agenda for you and for your life. You begin to set aside your agenda and your own ideas and you begin to seek only what He wants for your life and then you act accordingly. True dependence is not just found in the knowing of God’s Will but also displayed in the taking of action once God has shown you something, given you a revelation, required something of you, or prompted you to some form of action. Dependence says, ‘I trust that You know what is better for my life than I know.’

If you can just begin to move sincerely in these two aspects of complete dependence, you would see so much more peace, freedom, and inner security enter your life.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.