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Know
Them
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among
you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 1 Thessalonians 5:12
(KJV)
It is our responsibility to “know”[eidw eido or oida oida] them which labor
among us. Not everyone that looks like a shepherd is a shepherd nor is
everyone that looks like a sheep a sheep. We are strongly admonished to
“know” [eidw eido or oida oida] those who declare themselves to be one
of us. In the Greek we are being told to be close enough to someone to
see them with our eyes and to have discovered them and discerned of what
spirit they are. They are to be inspected, examined, interviewed, visited
and proven. We are to “know” those who labor for our benefit and serve
as under-shepherds of the Great Shepherd because we are to honor, esteem
and bless them in-as-much as they “watch over our souls”
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:
for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they
may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
Hebrews 13:17 (KJV)
Pastors are to be fathers that lovingly birth, nurture, mentor and encourage
spiritual children. They are responsible to bring their spiritual children
to maturity where they can share in “the Father’s business” and the benefits
of it. These apostolic “fathers” continue to be available to the mature
sons as they become under-shepherds (Associate Pastors, Elders and/or Cell
Leaders).They watch over, protect, advise, counsel, admonish, encourage
and pray for them. They offer spiritual discerning, wisdom and understanding
that can only come when it is combined with the experience of walking with
God in their calling over a period of time. These are men of integrity,
who know the ways of God as well as the acts of God. They are not more
than any other but are given as gifts to those who are willing to be spiritual
sons.
Seek Counsel
Sons may be fathers themselves but know that every great leader is also
a great follower. They understand that they are to avail themselves of
wise counsel.
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude
of counselors there is safety. Proverbs 11:14 (KJV)
Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counselors
they are established. Proverbs 15:22 (KJV) [Pro. 24:6]
If we “know” them that labor among us we will not be drawn away by
deceivers who come in sheep’s clothing, or shepherds clothing for that
matter, and be drawn away from the perfect will of God for our lives by
those who regularly come along and seek to profit from the all-too-often
naive flock of God.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15 (KJV)
Just as pastoral networks must be established in every city so that the
“Gates” of the city are protected; the flock of God must learn to draw
upon the leadership gifts that God has given them. There must be watchmen
on the walls and “Elders” at the “Gate” who are filled with the Spirit
and operating in the gift of Discerning of Spirits. These watchmen will
“smell a rat (profiting prophets or devouring wolves)” and move to either
validate a worthy ministry or extricate any threat to the community of
faith. The flock of God is kept safe and secure when they learn to trust
their Pastors, and seek their counsel before they make major decisions.
This is not bondage, this is wisdom (Prov. 4).
There is no lack of “fathers” but most fathers are wondering where the
“sons” are. Sons are willing to be led. They seek counsel before they make
decisions (the decisions are still theirs to make) and they find that they
excel in wisdom beyond those who rush ahead and reach their goals much
easier and faster than those who are clearing their fields alone.
- Selah
Last Day or First Day Mentality?
Now Jesus, having risen [from death] early on the first day of
the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out
seven demons. Mark 16:9 (Amp)
Many look to the day of Pentecost as the beginning of the Church.
True, it was the day that the Church was commissioned with supernatural
visitation that endued its members with the power of the Holy Ghost. The
Church carries within each individual member, the resurrection power of
God.
The beginning of the beginning of this powerful covenant community
took place on “the first day of the week” when its Head, Jesus, rose from
the dead. His appearance to one of those members, Mary Magdalene, holds
great significance. We, too, can expect the Lord’s visitation as we gather
on “the first day.”
Many of America’s churches are seeing Sunday attendance wane
as people testify to being “tired,” “worn out,” “too busy,” or “having
to get ready for “Monday.” This, beloved, is a “Last Day” mentality.
I’m not talking about the kind of “Last Day” mentality that looks
for Armageddon with the fear and trepidation that many have. This is quite
different from what the early Apostle was talking about when he admonished
us to gather together as often as possible as we see the Lords return draw
near:
Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers],
as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging)
one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the [last] day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25 (Amp)
This “last day” mentality sees Sunday as the last chance to get
ready for the week ahead, when it should be “the first day” of the week,
met with the most energy, enthusiasm, and excitement that is possible in
light of resurrection.
It should be the day when we plan the rest of the week with
the One who holds our “times” in His hands (Psa. 31:15).
Jesus Will Meet With You
Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening,
though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus
came and stood among them and said, Peace to you! John 20:19 (Amp)
My Bible tells me that in order to please God a person must have
faith (Heb. 11:6). We know that faith draws its power to work through love
(Gal. 5:6) and that love casts out fear (1 Joh. 4:18). God has not given
us a spirit of fear (2 Tim. 1:7)! Yet, we see Jesus appearing to His disciples
when they were hiding behind closed [locked] doors for fear of the Jews.
This word fear, is the Greek word fobov, phobos, which means terrified.
It is the word from which we get phobia (extreme or irrational fear).
Jesus “came and stood among them” and reassured and comforted
them with the words, “Peace to you!” The Greek word used here for peace
is eirhnh, eirene, which conveys the idea of security, safety and prosperity
because of their unity with Christ and His anointing.
Beloved, Jesus will meet you in whatever condition you are in.
He prefers that you meet Him in faith believing, but He will strengthen
you until His life giving words give you the faith to stand in every situation.
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:
the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John
6:63 (KJV)
Consider with me too, that Jesus appeared to His disciples on
the “first day of the week.” This is an important day for those who follow
Jesus. We are prepared for the days ahead on “the first day of the week.”
As we gather together, Jesus comes and replaces our fear with faith, our
unsettled condition with peace and our uncertainties with hope for the
future.
This is accomplished through life-giving spirit words spoken
in faith from a called, spirit filled, spirit led man or woman of God on
Sunday, “the first day of the week.”
Launch out into the deep . . .
About a month ago, I read that most people who have been saved over
three or four years do not know any unsaved people. They usually don’t
make friends with unsaved people after they are born-again and, therefore,
are sharing their faith with no one.
Those who are eager to win souls try every thing from door-to-door evangelism,
to servant evangelism, to witnessing to the waiters and waitresses, grocery
store checkers, and anyone else that will stand and listen.
Many grow weary of these kinds of efforts, though, because they never
see the fruit of their labor in church. Even if they do manage to get people
to come to church, they find that way too many of them slowly disappear.
Discouraged, they lose their zeal to win the lost, thinking that no one
is interested in God anymore.
The record of Luke 5:1-10 addresses a similar situation pretty well.
Jesus found Himself in need of a place to stand and address the crowds
that had come to the lake of Gennesaret. What He observed were two fishing
boats that had been beached and left idle while their owners washed their
nets.
The fishermen had “toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught nothing”
(v. 5). As seasoned and accomplished as these men were, they had become
discouraged and had given up.
Nothing is more frustrating than doing what you know how to do and have
it produce nothing but “empty nets.” We who are “fishers of men” can find
ourselves going through times when, we too, have “caught nothing.”
In the American Church today, according to George Barna’s Research Group,
most church growth is transfer growth not the induction of new souls. It
is, many times, the movement of those who “having ears itching [for something
pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after
another to a considerable number . . .” (2 Timothy 4:3 - Amp). It is the
same as having yesterday’s “catch” jumping into another boat.
Nevertheless, at thy word . . .
After Jesus was done speaking, He told the tired, discouraged fishermen
to “put out into the deep [water] and lower [the] nets for a haul” (v.
4).
When our church had done all we knew how to do and we had “drawn up”
our “boats” and “gone down from them” to spend time “washing our nets”
in the cleansing flow of prayer, we heard the Lord command us to get back
in the boat and launch out into the “deep” waters of the “Government of
Twelve” vision of cells.
Our response was much like that of the fishermen we are told about in
this biblical record. “We have toiled all night [exhaustingly] and caught
nothing [in our nets]. We had home groups (Life Care Centers), and they
didn’t work. They only brought cliquishness and division and, eventually,
split the church. This looked like the same old thing we had done before
with no “catch” to show for it.
But - “on the ground of your Word, [we] will lower the nets [again]”
(v.5).
Just like in this marvelous testimony of God’s grace, we have “caught
a great number of fish” and are signaling “to our partners in the other
boat[s] to come and take hold with [us].” Truly, the “harvest is ripe,”
or, to put it in fishing terms, the fish are biting.(Joel 3:13 - Amp)
Every month since December 2004, our cell groups have seen six people
born-again to new life in Christ. They are not here today and gone tomorrow.
They are in the “boat” receiving training that is preparing them to become
“fishers of men” themselves.
Not only are they saved, delivered, baptized in water and learning to
reproduce themselves, but they are filled with the Spirit and moving in
the power of the resurrected Christ that is in them.
We, like Peter, fall “down at Jesus’ knees . . . gripped with bewildering
amazement,” forsaking all, and follow Him. (Luke 5:8, 11)
Light . . .
In the study of quantum physics, it has been found that
nothing travels faster than light. Even gravity moves at a pace that is
less than the speed of light. According to the leaders in the scientific
community that study such things, our sun could explode and the effect
on planet earth would not be felt until eight minutes later, when the light
of the event reached our position.
The hearing of this simple truth caught my attention
and stirred something within my spirit.
My mind went to the verse in the book of John that says,
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe
not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? John 3:12
(KJV)
Scripture is historical and spiritual truth; given by
inspiration of the Holy Spirit to faithful men who wrote what they heard,
perceived, or saw. Because of the historical accuracy of the Bible we can
count on the spiritual accuracy of it’s record also.
When science is applied in pure fashion, it leads one
to God, not away from Him, because it validates the written Word of God
that we call the Bible. This discovery of the truth of light is borne out
in our spiritual understanding also.
Light came before anything could be set in order:
And God said, Let there be light:
and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided
the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4 (KJV)
Faith cannot come without revelation (light). Revelation
cannot come but by hearing the Word of God:
So then faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (KJV)
So too comes healing (we must have revelation of Jesus
as our healer), prosperity (we must have revelation of God as provider),
etc.
Light must come first.
Life . . .
Our Light (revelation) comes in a person. The person of
God’s own son, Jesus Christ [The Anointed One], who is the Life.
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning
with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing
made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
John 1:1-5 (KJV)
In this one divine person, God revealed (gave light regarding)
Himself to humanity.
And we know that the Son of
God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that
is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John 5:20 (KJV)
Consider this, in the light of John 1:1-5, above: “So
then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17-KJV).
First came the Word spoken, "And God said, Let there be light; and there
was light" (Gen 1:3-Amp) (And God said, Let HIM be light ...[according
to some Hebrew scholars of Jewish Tradition]). Then, vs. 3 says, "Everything
came into existence" (Joh. 1:3-Amp). Nothing moves outside of the light.
Nothing moves faster than the light comes.
Jesus had to come before mankind could actually comprehend
God as Father and receive the eternal life that He so graciously provided.
He sent his word, and healed
them, and delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20 (KJV)
God the Father, sent His Word (Gk. dabar), His answer
spoken of (His revelation of Himself spoken) to bring us the life which
is the light of men in order to heal and rescue us from all pit-falls.
The Loss of Integrity
On Saturday, February 1, 2003 the Columbia space shuttle
broke into pieces just 16 minutes away from landing. All 7 of the astronauts
died. It is possible that this tragic event took place because an individual,
or a group of individuals, did not maintain the integrity of the mission.
At the time of this writing, the final analysis of all
information that might shed light on the cause for the disaster is not
complete. One thing is sure. No one is eager to admit that they might be
responsible, at least in part.
Enron, World Com, and the many other corporate scandals,
all show the great need to resurrect integrity in the market place. Situational
ethics reign. No one wants to take responsibility for error, but everyone
wants to profit at the expense of others. We live in a society that has
lost its moral moorings.
It appears as though the business owner no longer feels
any obligation to care for his employees. Nor is there evidence that many
employees feel a responsibility to be their best for their employers.
These biblical mandates have been set aside to make room
for selfish motives (Eph. 6:5; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:22; Col. 4:1; 1 Tim. 6:1-2;
Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18).
The collapse of corporations, the loss of the space shuttle,
and yes, even the utter destruction of nations follows the breakdown of
moral integrity. What starts as a small, seemingly insignificant oversight
begins a domino effect that eventually destabilizes everything, and everyone,
near or connected to it.
The slightest lie, oversight, postponement, or lapse of
attention, will eventually bring about a catastrophic event. We do reap
what we sow.
"Be not deceived; ...for whatsoever a man soweth, that
shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7).
The Tile Effect
The mission was just sixteen days long. Seven men and
women from three nations rode the Columbia into the sky. They saw the creation
of God from a perspective that most of us will never have an opportunity
to see.
Their goals were noble. The youth of their respective
nations saw them as heroes, role models of the highest order.
Their well-being, their very lives, rested in the hands
of the ground crew. Oh, they had their part to play, but only mission control
could see what they could not. A piece of foam, frozen solid and caked
with ice broke off and hit the wing.
A small thing, nothing of any significance, something
that had happened before and caused no problem. Just a few tiles broken,
a few heat tiles missing. Nothing to worry about. Nothing to pay any attention
to.
Really? That was the wing where the problem began. What
was the problem? The final results are not in yet and, besides that, nobody
paid any attention to the monitor camera that would have told the story.
Someone didn't think it was important enough to fix the
out-of-focus camera. Just a small thing in the midst of a big mission.
Oversight? Complacency? Laziness? Who will ever really know?
One thing is sure. Seven are dead. Not to mention that
the billion-dollar Columbia is gone.
Could it be "the tile effect"? A few small tiles missing
in an area where the heat of reentry would damage critical systems? Would
a higher degree of mission integrity made a difference? We wait to hear.
What small thing have you overlooked in your personal
life? Your dealings with others? In what situation did you look the other
way? Was your integrity breached? Were you unable to stand for what is
right when the heat was on?
What will your tile effect (the principle of sowing and
reaping) bring to your life? To the lives of others? How many will die?
What will be lost? Who will be lost for eternity?
Confession: I will stand for righteousness no matter what
the circumstance or situation. I will seek to excel in all that I do so
that the Lord will be glorified. I will treat all things as important,
because even small things are important. I am a God pleaser, not a man
pleaser. In the heat of the moment I will choose to walk with the fourth
Man every time.
Reach For More in 2004 . . .
There is more, much, much more, in God than what you
or I have experienced thus far. We are about to enter into the times of
great glory and greater works. The only thing that can hold the church
back, that can hold you and I, as individuals, back is a simple lack of
faith. That is why the Lord is beckoning us to reach for more. Just as
He responded to Thomas, He responds to our questioning with a challenge
to reach out and touch Him:
Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and
behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side:
and be not faithless, but believing. John 20:27 (KJV)
I don’t pretend to have a full understanding of what
lies ahead, but I do know that there is more for us in 2004:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but
this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before, Philip. 3:13 (KJV)
No matter how bad, or how good, 2003 was, it is time
to move ahead, to reach for more. This is the hour to press in to all that
God has for us.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus. Philip. 3:14 (KJV)
No one who is following hard after the Lord will be left
out. God is no respecter of persons. He loves us all and rewards those
who diligently seek Him:
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for
he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
Reach out and appropriate the more of 2004!
Step out in faith, believing, and take what has been
laid up in store for you in this hour. It won’t come by accident, but by
the reaching of the arm of faith.
Reach for more in 2004!
The Lord said . . .
As I was in prayer and waiting before the Lord the other
day, I believe I heard the Lord speak the following words:
As you have sought Me in 2003, you will find Me in 2004.
As you have waited on Me in 2003, you will be met by
Me in 2004.
As you have pursued Me in 2003, you will apprehend Me
in 2004.
As you have asked of Me in 2003, you will receive of
Me in 2004.
As you have knocked in 2003, you will find an open Door
in 2004.
As you have praised Me in 2003, you will walk in victory
in 2004.
As you have worshiped Me in 2003, you will abide in Me
in 2004.
As you have listened for Me in 2003, you will hear Me
in 2004.
As you have yielded to Me in 2003, you will reap of Me
in 2004.
As you have regarded Me in 2003, you will know Me in
2004.
You were set free in 2003, to gain more in 2004.
I became so aware that what we do now sets the stage for
our future. The harvest of tomorrow is contained in the seed we sow now.
This is not a new revelation, but one that we need to be reminded of again
and again. What you seeded for in 2003 will bear fruit in 2004. This is
the year of your promised harvest.
Be strong and very courageous ... turn not from (your
calling) to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper where ever
you go .
Do exploits for God in this hour and see them prosper
like never before! [Joshua 1:7; Daniel 11:32b].
Have a blessed, healthy, and prosperous New Year as you
reach for more in 2004!
Matthew 24, Knocking ....
You may have never seen before -
the things you now see in Matthew Twenty-four.
This is just the prophesied mix -
of life as it's found in Revelation Six.
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
That's why God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
Twin towers falling as terrorists strike -
a people who have never experienced the like
Since the days of Pearl Harbor felt the fury -
and Japanese Kamikazes made us scurry.
With hate fueled purpose this land they've trodden -
from the other side now, they come from Bin Laden.
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
That's why God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
We saw it coming in the pages of the Book -
there's nothing that surprises those that will look.
With discerning eye and the help of God's Spirit
as you read, and re-read, you will clearly see it.
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
That's why God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
False Christs there are many, wars and rumors resound
Nation fights nation as famines abound.
The world is plundered of it's wealth and store -
The wicked gathering and heaping more and more.
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
That's why God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
Have no fear dear friend, He cares for you -
Be filled with the faith of the remnant few.
Revelation 6, Speaking ....
Yes, the wealth of the wicked moving quickly away -
Into the hands of the righteous followers of the Way.
Pestilence is Cow Disease, anthrax increases -
plagues will follow 'til in repentance it ceases.
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
That's why God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
There's no call to fear with faiths Author so near His
promised redemption time is drawing near.
A loving God is moving in the midst -
To reap the harvest on His eternal list.
Blotted out, shall they be who reject the call -
From their place in the Book of Life they'll fall.
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
That's why God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
Sealed until the end of time and eternity -
shall be those who depend on Jesus with certainty.
With Him shall they live in heavenly bliss -
The world and it’s sorrows never will miss.
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
That's why God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
Satan pours out his deceptive potion -
while the child of the Lord lives in Gods Goshen
Beneath the cloud where no harm can come -
covered by the Blood of God's only Son
The end is not yet, there's many more to reach -
God has called you, His Gospel to preach.
Have no fear dear friend, He cares for you -
Be filled with the faith of the remnant few.
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Learning
the Voice ....
How does one learn to recognize the
Voice of God in the midst of all the other voices that vie for our
attention and obedience?
We read in Scripture that we are
to be lead by the Spirit of God. This leading is one of the ways we know
that we are the children of God.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,
they are the sons of God.
But, How do we know if we are being
led by the Spirit of God, the spirit of this world or our own soulish nature?
Can a Born-again believer, a Blood
bought Child of God be following a misleading voice even though they believe
that they are hearing God? Is it really possible for the redeemed to be
deceived along these lines?
Unfortunately, it is not only possible,
it is quite probable. I have come to realize that most Christians have
not been taught in the early stages of their Christian walk to discern
between the many voices that attempt to direct their lives and the one
Voice of God. Does this surprise you? I pray that it will not only surprise
you, but that it will shock you to the point that light will flood your
understanding and deliver you from what could be a confusing, or even disastrous,
future.
I pray that you will hear, with
the ear of your spirit, what I have observed. Don't think for a moment
that you have been at this so long that you know what you are doing before
you read the rest of this article. My experience has shown me that modern
day Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers are prone to
the same vulnerabilities in this area as are the precious saints under
their care. No wonder the Scripture records that the days will be shortened
because the very elect can be deceived
[ Matthew 24:22-24; Mark 13:20].
What voice ...?
As Christians we learn early that there
is safety in the Scripture. Most of us, quickly realize that we will never
know God's way without God's Word and that we will never really know Him
outside of His Word. This is basic for a healthy Christian walk of victory.
The need to memorize and verbalize the Living Word is understood and widely
practiced. The Bible is the Voice of God expressed in written form.
Each of us attempts to apply the
written Word of God to those other voices that clamor for ascendancy; streams
of thought breaking into our consciousness, the sense of peace in the midst
of turmoil, those good feelings about things, impressions that we
call the leading of the Lord. This is extremely important, as we are quick
to learn. Demonic spirits attempt to insert fiery darts, doctrines of demons,
corrupted directives into our thinking. The only safety is a right understanding
and intimate familiarity with the written Word of God.
So where is the breakdown? What
is our Achilles heel? The problem is one of the soul. The fleshy, carnal
nature of the old man. But, that man is dead, you say! Positionally, yes;
experientially, probably not; at least not totally. In our inability to
die to self completely is the vulnerability to deception. We apply the
Word of God to protect the soul. Post-modernly speaking, we redefine terms
and concepts to satisfy the context of our desire [Gal. 5:16; Eph. 2:3].
Herein is our weakness: When we satisfy the soulish nature a peace comes.
Until we are aware of the difference
between spirit peace (the peace that God gives in Christ [John 14:27; Phi.
4:7] ), and soul peace (the relief experienced when the flesh removes itself
from the call and need to die), we will continue to destroy the very things
God desires to give us in Christ.
Great care must be taken that we
do not pray, hear, nor act according to the peace of the soul. We must
learn how to discern the peace of spirit that the Spirit of power,
love and a sound mind gives in the midst of the agony of a dying soul.
Herein is one vital key to successful hearing of the Voice of God.
Love Is The Answer ...
Eph. 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly
joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according
to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase
of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
God is Love.
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not
God; for God is love.
and - Scripture teaches that if we don't have His love
we don't know God.
1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed
the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love
dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Love gives at it’s own expense. It’s counterfeit, Lust,
takes at the expense of others. God gave at great expense to extend His
loving kindness to you and me.
Joh 3:16-Amp For God so greatly loved and
dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique)
Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts, clings to, relies on) Him shall
not perish - come to destruction, be lost - but have eternal (everlasting)
life. [Isa 9:6; 1Jn 2:12]
The undeserved, limitless love that God has given to
us demands that we love others, even when they are our enemies, that we
pray for them and intercede in their behalf. Love constrains us and causes
us to be what we would not, nor could not, be without this grace of God.
We are the joints that supply and love is that measure of the Spirit that
we are to supply.
To Everything !
Love is the answer to everything. There is no situation,
circumstance or problem that can not be solved as love's power and efficiency
is applied. Love is the only power that never fails.
1 Cor. 13:8 Love never fails...
Song 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth
of his house, It would be utterly despised.
It is written that without faith it is impossible to
please God. Is it any wonder, then, that faith draws it’s very essence
from love? It is love that makes faith work. [Gal. 5:6] Think about it.
If you do not believe the One you are looking to for help and support
loves you, you will not have faith that He will come to your aid. If you
don't think that God loves you, your whole perspective will be faithless.
Allow yourself to become a lover. A lover of God, a lover
of the brethren, a lover of those who despitefully use you, a lover of
the lost and dying in this world. Be a demonstration of the resurrected
Christ. Allow His love to flow through you.
Remember who you are. You are the salt and light of the
world in this hour.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation,
a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; ... |
