Living Word Christian Fellowship
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7
Vol. 16, No. 7 July 2007
There is much liberty in Christ. There is a freedom that is unprecedented. The world cannot understand it. Even the United States cannot understand the freedom that comes in living through Christ Jesus. But Peter tells us not to use our freedom for evil (1 Peter 2:16). In other words, just because we are free does not give us the right to do whatever we want, putting ourselves above God and others. This I fear is what has happened to America. And as a result, judgment is at hand.
Growing up, I heard about the coming judgments of God, but never thought they were imminent. Now it is a different day. We have taken too much for granted in Christian America and our day has come. We can no longer live off past blessings and think we are safe. We must be “in Christ.” I believe if we are using our time wisely and living above reproach, God will spare us and use us as the witness for the last days. We will have a strength and awareness that has been preached by many for centuries.
God has been warning and warning to prepare for this time. I hope you have done as much and will be ready when you least expect it to let the Word of Christ in you be made manifest. It will produce life and a liberty that never bring you into bondage again.
In Christ,
Pr. Steve
Holy One of Israel
(Read Genesis 15:5-17)
This message is for those who want to grow up in the Lord. For the first few years of our walk, we experience various trials and problems to knock off the rough edges of our character. During this period we learn that Jesus loves us and cares for us. We are instructed in the ways of salvation and encouraged to share our life with others. But most of what we learn is from and for a particular assembly, and teachings varies from assembly to assembly.
Then, for some, God decides to reveal Himself as the God of Abraham. Prior to this, we have a view of what God is like. But now we are discovering another side of the Lord, a side shown to those who want to really know God in a greater way; these are the ones from whom much fruitfulness will come forth.
The story begins with God presenting Himself to Abram. God had just informed Abram that his offspring would be as the stars of heaven and Abram believed God. So the Gospel was launched to mankind on the basis of Abram’s willingness to trust God for the impossible. But Abram had to experience all the aspects of God’s personality before this could be fulfilled.
When you think God has promised something to you, there is nothing wrong with going back to the Lord for confirmation before you begin to talk about it or act on it. If more Christians would do this, there would be less deception taking place. Christ will never be displeased when you seek the understanding of what you are hearing from Him. The Bible commands us to test the spirits. Don’t handle the spirit realm fearfully. God is not insulted when we ask for proof of what is of Him.
There is only one way to get to know the Lord – through sacrifice. We do not understand our salvation until it cost us something of value. Under the new covenant the sacrifice is that of our whole being. Until we present our body a living sacrifice to God, we cannot know what His will is for us. God’s will is made known to us
· by His Word
· with inner peace and joy
· through circumstances.
If any of these three elements is not present we need to wait on God before proceeding.
God’s will can only be proved as we present our body a living sacrifice, not being conformed to the spirit of the world, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind.
The persons entering into covenant would pass between the bloody parts of the sacrifice. This was a very solemn ceremony and agreement validated by death.
Birds that feed on carcasses smelled the flesh and blood of the animal parts. Abram had to keep them off the sacrifice. When we open our personality to God for Him to covenant with us, we become attractive to demons. How many times are new Christians led astray by demonic deception?
When you decide to present your body a living sacrifice to God, you will become attractive to the demons who desire your worship. They will attempt to draw you away from God and toward themselves so you will worship them. If you diligently seek after the Lord, you will need to be careful how you respond to spiritual impressions or voices. That is why it is so important to keep yourself submitted to authority, to the church, to one another. Be accountable so when you do something or hear something, others can keep you from going into error. LISTEN TO THEM! Listen to the spouse that God has given to you – that person is there to protect and help you find God and salvation. Allow yourself to have close friends so they can have input to your life – not to control you, but to encourage you with truth. Consider their warnings carefully. One of the quickest ways to get into serious deception is to harden your heart in pride, being unwilling to listen to people who truly care about you.
One of the signs that a person is being influenced by Satan is pride – an unwillingness to listen to the counsel of other Christians. The deceived person will not hold himself accountable to anyone spiritual, and his having no spiritual covering will bring him into deeper spiritual bondage. You have to trust someone at some time or another – someone with flesh and blood and breath. Some people say they will only trust God and not man. What they are saying is they don’t trust God and have no intention of trusting God.
Deception is so highly subjective that the opinion of another is of great value.
Proverbs 1:5 (NKJV) “A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,”
Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV) “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
Proverbs 12:15 (NKJV) “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.”
Proverbs 15:22 (NKJV) “Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established.”
Proverbs 19:20 (NKJV) “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.”
Proverbs 20:18 (NKJV) “Plans are established by counsel;”
Proverbs 27:9 (NKJV) “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.”
It is extremely dangerous to follow impressions or voices when there is no other Christian in whom you can confide! The moment you turn to Christ, whether as a new Christian or a believer of many years, the demons will seek to take advantage of your interest in the things of God. It is your responsibility to keep them off the sacrifice.
Verse 12 says “deep sleep.” It is like the one God caused Adam to enter when Eve was to be formed. It is God’s way of operating on us. Now what do you think the “horror of great darkness was?” It was the Lord Jesus Christ. This is another side of the Lord. He is not only the bright and morning star and the Sun of Righteousness. He is also the thick and dreadful darkness. We do not really know the Lord until we know and understand this side of Him.
Psalm 18:11 (KJV) “He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.”
God is in the darkness of the storm as much as He is in the brightness of the sunny day. We must know both of these faces if we are to bear a true witness of the Lord. It is just as pleasant to walk with God at midnight as at noontime. But we have to get used to it.
This was not a light matter God was referring to.
Psalm 18:15 (KJV) “Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.”
Psalm 42:7 (KJV) “Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.”
Habakkuk 3:10 (KJV) “The mountains saw thee, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.”
These all refer to our Lord Jesus. It is the side of Him that mature saints come to experience and accept.
Yes, Abram, your offspring shall be as the stars of the heavens. But they will be enslaved and mistreated before they receive their inheritance. How would you like to know the outcome of your children and children’s children?
At this point the Canaanites were just beginning to enter demon worship. God knew it would take 400 years to be deeply involved with temple prostitution and human sacrifice. This prophecy about 400 years of slavery is an example of how God moves in His foreknowledge.
It is important to see how God works with those who are to be fruitful in His Kingdom. It is not how important you become. Rather, it is the dreadful darkness in which you anguish that makes the difference. Abram experienced that which was to prepare him for the day he was asked to sacrifice his son. HEAVY FRUITFULNESS REQUIRES HEAVY PRUNING.
God is more than a teacher and philosopher. We relate to Him by His sword that pierces the soul and by the fire that purges us. Why do we need such heaviness, darkness, and fire? Because we are filled with guile = deceit, trickery, subtlety.
God has to grind us to powder to pound out the guile. We cannot see God until our heart is that of a child, not in understanding, but in attitude.
Abram had asked how he could be sure that this was God speaking to him. God confirmed His word by passing through the sacrifice. Yes, Jesus is the fire passing through your life right now to establish the covenant you have made with Him.
Would you like to know Him in a deeper way? To have the fullness of resurrection life, we have to suffer with Him through the darkness, but the experience will bring a glorious life well worth all you go through. We are being prepared to be trees of life.
Israel would come through the loins of Abraham. Israel means “He struggled with God” not the devil. It is the Lord who is our problem, not the devil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. When we please Jesus, Jesus will take care of Satan. May God be pleased to bring us through these experiences that we might know Him and our faith be counted to us as righteousness.
We must learn to struggle with God, not with man. We are being changed from mortal to immortal beings. It is time to become acquainted with the Holy One of Israel. Then when we are confronted with death, hell and the grave, we will have perfect peace and confidence because God Himself will be our fortress and the Horn of our salvation.
Psalm 18:5 through Psalm 18:6 (KJV) “The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.”
PRAYER: Oh, God help us. We in America are so puffed up and proud, but in your eyes, knowing nothing at all. Satan has deceived us in many ways. Bring us back to Yourself before we destroy ourselves and are brought before an angry God. Let us know You, O Holy One.
-Pr. Steve
. . . My calling as a pastor
Pastor’s Journal 2006
July 3: The goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. If I pursue the goal I will gain the promise of my calling in Christ Jesus which is to be transformed into His image.
July 6: All the pain and disappointments are wiped away with the fulfillment of Your plan, Oh God. Thank You again and again for meeting the timing issue with the building. It is a pleasure, with great meekness and humility, to work with great men who practice so much for your Kingdom. Please meet their every need and bless them richly.
July 15: The past nine days have been phenomenal. I have never known such love from people as they give and give and give of their time. I have so little time to do what I think is so important, but God is revealing Himself in new and glorious ways, tearing down more religious ideas of how we think we do so much for the Kingdom. In reality it is a pharisaical attitude. I am very blessed by the ministry, but not everything is wrapped up in preaching. May I please You, Lord, like never before as You reveal Yourself more and more.
July 16: More understanding of the coming of Father into His house. Truly a river of life is flowing out, almost unbelievable. I have never known this degree of His presence. There are so many areas that no longer move me. Thank You, Lord.
July 20: A whole new realm of reality with Christ – The building program zapped my strength, my meditation, and my life in general; but God was more precious than ever before. His voice became my strength as time and time again He directed my steps. The battles went far beyond what I have experienced. Dealing with the world system was very frightening sometimes, even overwhelming. God never turned away, nor did He leave me hanging. Never did He mislead me. There were many fears of failure, but I never saw Him angry or upset with me one time. It helped me to be humble towards others. I still have much to sort through, but this experience has brought me closer in a new way. Thanks, Lord, for such love and understanding.
Are You Committed? part 1 of 3
1 Pet. 4:12 through 1 Pet. 4:19 (KJV) “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. 16Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”
The Holy Spirit is spoken of as evil and is blasphemed by the contempt and reproaches cast upon believers. One would think that warnings for Christians against becoming murderers, thieves, evildoers, or busybodies in other men’s matters are needless. And while many of us are falsely charged with foul crimes, the worst thing to do is give the world an excuse to truthfully charge you. Even the best of men need to be warned against the worst of sins.
From Jeremiah through Hosea, the word commit is followed by whoredom, adultery, iniquity. This was written before the time of Christ’s return. In Revelation, the word commit is followed by adultery and fornication.
Does it seem to be that the world is in a cycle? The Jews blew it! Now we are on the verge of the Second Coming of Christ. Are the Christians going to blow it? Will He pass us by too?
Matt. 7:21 through Matt. 7:23 (KJV) “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Our souls are committing fornication, adultery, iniquity. We need to be committed to God.
It is true that the righteous are scarcely saved, even those who endeavor to walk uprightly in the ways of God. There are the great difficulties and hard encounters, many temptations and tribulations, many fightings without and fears within.
To be continued…
Kingdom Crew
We who have been alive at least 30 years must by now realize that history truly does repeat itself. Now, even more quickly than in the past, we can observe this life cycle going full circle. Can we possibly avoid making the same mistakes that have been made in the past? Of course, but this one thing is certain: If you keep doing something the same way, you will continue to get the same results.
Ecc 1:9 (KJV) “The thing that hath been, it [is that] which shall be; and that which is done [is] that which shall be done: and [there is] no new [thing] under the sun.”
Recently it has been said that the conditions and operations of the stock market, along with big business, are almost a mirror image of those that existed during the year 1929. The conditions and operations of the market at that time caused this nation’s great economic depression. Will the market crash again? Have there been any shipwrecks since the Titanic? Have there been any wars since Vietnam? If we continue to do things the same way, we will continue to get the same results!
We all know that calamities happen, but one thing is changing, and that is the number of those who are willing to sacrifice for the sake of others, both before, and during the storms.
Mat 24:12 (KJV) “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
Among other things the “Onward Christian Soldier” motto has been taking a turn for the worse. Heroism, honor, and personal righteousness are fading like an old pair of jeans. In the past there has always been a strong Christian spiritual depth in this nation of America, but according to recent statistics, the new wave is an attitude of self-saving self-centeredness. We may not think this change matters too much because, after all, we do have free will. But the truth is: Every thing we do affects everyone around us.
Take the sinking of the cruise liner Oceanos as a prime example. In rough seas, on the night of August 3rd, 1991, the ship’s engine flooded. After all the power was lost, the ship lay almost on its side. About then, the passengers could tell that they were in trouble. Making their way toward the lifeboats, they realized they were being left behind. They watched as the last part of the crew, including the captain, abandoned them and the ship. There had been no announcement or warning as to what was happening. More than 200 passengers, including some elderly and infirm, were left in the darkened sinking vessel, without any warning of their impending doom. When the captain was questioned as to why he committed such a dereliction of duty, all he could say was, “I don’t care what people say about me.”
Church, there is a world of lost and dying people out there. Some do, but most don’t, have a clue as to the reality of being lost for eternity. We are the ‘Kingdom Crew’. It is our responsibility to assist with the informing, instructing, and bringing to safety those who would likely perish. Our Captain will not abandon them, and neither should we. If the way we are approaching this situation is not working, we need to change it.-
-Kurt Thurston
