Living Word Christian Fellowship
"That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving..." Psalm 26:7
Vol. 16, No. 3 March 2007
Look for fruit! That's what the Bible tells us (Matt. 7:16 & 20).
Verse 15 says "Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them by their fruit." There are so many voices today we just can't look for the ones we like. We have to know them to see the fruit in their lives and witness the character of the person. Why do people get duped by those they don't know? Easy! They didn't look for fruit.
In these days we are going to know the Christians by the fruit of their lives. Don't jump into something unless you truly know the fruit coming forth. Discernment is the ability to know the human heart and to be able to see the Spirit of Christ operating in that heart or to see if another spirit is operating. People seem to mean well, but often they do not even see their own hearts and therefore are manipulative, seeking their own desires without truly laying down their life for others. We have to see the fruit. Above all things look for the fruit! Yes, it takes time but in the long run it may save you a bundle of hurt and disappointment.
Remember, a good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit and a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit. Know them by their fruit.
In Christ,
Pr. Steve
Edification
1Co 14:4 "He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church."
'Edification = edifice = massive, magnificent building. When you pray in tongues you are actually erecting a superstructure on the inside of your spirit to house the anointing of God. Because 1 Cor. 14:2 tells us we are talking to God and not to man, it is possible that the demonic forces do not understand what is happening. Even though Satan was once at the throne of God, I believe God is big enough to have kept much of the mystery of God from him. Satan is foiled by believers who use their heavenly language to communicate to God.
What happens when a person's spirit is edified? The mind of Christ is being revealed. Prophecy causes the mind of Christ to be manifested collectively to the church. But praying in tongues causes the mind of Christ to be manifested to you as an individual, for the Holy Spirit begins to take mysteries before the throne of God and communicate them back to you by revelation. That's why you are edified and built up spiritually. Your faith is extended beyond what you have already attained.
What else does edifying do for a person? It purges his life. John 15:2 says "Everyone who bears fruit get purged (pruned)." It is painful. But there is a way to get through it: Be built up through praying in the Spirit so you can handle the emotional war that will result when He cuts through your life God must prune away our shortcomings and our faults now, or we will have to wait until the Day of Judgment and it we will be tried by fire. And that which has not been dealt with will be burned within us.
But the good news is we don't have to wait. The Holy Spirit has been given to strengthen us and help us now so we are not robbed of our rewards. Satan wants you to think it is too difficult to deal with life now ‑ to deal with the way we are now ‑ to be changed now.
Don't be confused by looking for the outward change to your circumstances. Be edified that a supernatural transformation is actually taking place in your spirit man. Remember that praying in tongues is like any other prayer: there is an expected answer. That's why the baptism in the Holy Spirit takes place in the human spirit ‑ because that's where all permanent change comes from.
1. Mind of Christ is revealed
2. Purges My life
3. Supernatural transformation
(All are edification)
We need help to mortify the old flesh: Romans 8:26 says infirmities = moral weakness of mind or body. The Holy Spirit comes and says, "Excuse Me, but if you let Me make intercession for you that you don't understand, I'll break those strongholds that stand between you and God." (groaning = grief over wrongs or weaknesses.) We are not good to others until we have dealt with our own hearts. Dealing with our hearts means mortifying the deeds of our self-life through the Holy Spirit. Our reborn human spirit must be built up sufficiently enough to be able to handle the mortification process: it goes to the root ‑which is very painful.
It is easy to say a person needs to change, but without getting to the root we only cover over the problem. So the Holy Spirit comes and fills us with power through our praying to enable us to get through the process. You can then do one of two things: You can stop praying and dry up, or you keep praying and be changed.
While most people live out their lives in cycles: perpetual cycles of defeat, the Holy Spirit wants to draw you out of these cycles and patterns of the flesh. Most of the patterns consist of imaginary thoughts that come as a result of the way we have handled our life so far. We must captivate every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ. The Holy Spirit is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, rooting out soulish strongholds. As we pray in the Holy Ghost we are strengthened enough to overcome the cycle so the Holy Ghost can uproot the cause.
In order to make it through the purging process, you are going to have to have the determination to withstand the attacks of the enemy. The process isn't instantaneous, so your flesh will want to give up. Instead keep praying and praying for understanding and wisdom and revelation to the mystery of life ‑ your life.
We say we are willing to go through whatever it takes, but the process is unpleasant. (Matthew 13:8) The Lord asks, "Do you want to remain a 60 fold Christian?" It is true we have gone a great distance. It is not too difficult to walk a 30-fold Christian life. And sold out Christians can even walk a 60‑fold life. It is the last 40% that is a challenge, determined by how much you want to deal with the mortification of the carnal nature. The outcome is the Love of God. Without measure! When the last 40% is reached people will slander you, insult you, slap you; but instead of retaliating you will extend mercy. Your testimony will become your most valued asset. You will never want to hurt another human being by what you do.
You won't get rid of the last 40% of your flesh by just listening to sermons every week. You will have to pray in the Holy Ghost often ‑ you have a divine purpose to fulfill ‑ Maturity in Christ Jesus.
God doesn't care how much you pray in the Holy Ghost. He is only interested in how much change has taken place. The more change, the greater the fellowship with Father. Prayer is not meant to be a chore, but a fellowship. We should never feel let down when we have truly prayed. God cannot let us down. The breakdown comes because we have not received the understanding. When the Holy Spirit begins to open us up, He begins to pull out of us some pretty ugly stuff. It is during these times that our emotions can go wild. We don't recognize ourselves. We didn't know what was in us. We didn't know we had been so blind. What is so important is that we don't stop and stuff it all back down. Keep praying and seeking for truth and get the ugliness out.
Most Christians fall short long before the death process has taken place. They don't keep praying because it hurts too much. You can become weary, exhausted from the battle. It can leave you with an "I don't care attitude." But look (Isaiah 28:11‑12)
This is priceless ‑ this is our release ‑ this is our rest. To be delivered from ourselves. Once you have been through this process your spiritual man will be brought to maturity so the enemy will have nothing to stop you. I don't know of any better way to find the spiritual release the body of Christ needs in this hour. To be without spot or wrinkle is what we are coming to. But it won't come by our initiative. It will come at the fullness of the spirit. And that comes by allowing the Holy Ghost to pray through us. To edify us is to build us into one magnificent house of honor for God the Father to inhabit.
-Pr. Steve
. . . My calling as a pastor
Pastor's Journal 2006
Mar. 3: Acknowledging of the truth is the single greatest experience that brings freedom. Most do not wait to know truth because of fear, but once you have confessed truth about yourself, repented and renounced the sin from it, a new experience of living takes place.
Mar. 7: "Don't be surprised by the fiery trial which comes to try you. You are victorious and have been proven faithful; now another area of fear has been removed from you. My blessing is upon your life to bring you into a fuller understanding of your calling."
Mar. 15: "You live and dwell in the wilderness where I have sent you. It is to prepare a way of righteousness for others to see and know Me. This is My will and service."
Mar. 17: "Where the spirit of the Lord is there is liberty and freedom to be all that I have spoken to you. There is nothing I will not do for those who put their trust in Me."
Mar. 18: Humility and meekness have become my weapon to fight against oppression and insecurity. They become strength to defeat that which bears down upon my flesh. I know His presence is with me and I can follow and obey without hesitation. "I look to him who has a poor and humble spirit and trembles at My Word." (Isa 66:2)
Mar. 19: Intercession is growing more and more. Oh, God please bring the deliverance and the safety for your people.
Mar. 20: Weapon for financial difficulty is the authority of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in you.
Mar. 23: "The seed was planted 20 years ago. It began to grow and multiply but then the elements destroyed some of that which was growing. Not all was destroyed. Some continued and became stronger to be able to withstand the elements. It flowered and blossomed, and began to produce fruit. Then that fruit fell to the ground and began to sprout and grow. That, too, was affected by the elements, and some of it died off; but the stronger plants began to grow to withstand the elements. This is where you are now, My Son. These plants have now blossomed, and fruit is coming forth. The process is continuing. The original plant is still growing and getting stronger. It is still producing blossoms and fruit. I have ordained the time and the project and I will guide you through it to the end. My hand is upon all that you touch so that it will prosper. Some will thrive in the blessing and some will wither and die, but you will remain in the center of My will."
Mar. 25: "That I might find favor compassed about like a shield (Psm 5:12)." Be merciful unto me according to your Word.
Mar. 27: "We are one in Spirit. Rely not on your own understanding. You will be victorious this day. Walk after the spirit."
Mar. 28: "I say again I will do above and beyond what you think or ask."
Mar. 30: "I humble you and prove you so that I may prosper you in all your ways. Not because of your righteousness do I bless you, but because of My Son, Jesus Christ."
Building the Church part 2 of 3
1 Cor 3:16-18 (KJV) "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? {17} If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. {18} Let no man deceive himself."
We are deceived when we continue to build the tabernacle of God with our own materials, thoughts, and actions. This deception quickly turns into compromise of every sort.
1 Cor 6:13-17 (KJV) "Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. {14} And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. {15} Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. {16} What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. {17} But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."
A person can serve only one master. You can not please everybody. Likewise you cannot please yourself and Christ unless your desires are the same as His.
How can we make our temples holy to the Lord? How can God be glorified in our bodies?
Exo 25:8-9 (KJV) "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. {9} According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it."
God gives us the plan in the Old Testament. He shows us what He desires from us for our Temple where the Holy Ghost resides.
The Tabernacle
The tabernacle was to provide a place where God might dwell among His people. The word "tabernacle" sometimes refers to the tent, including the holy place and the Most Holy, which was covered with embroidered curtains. But in other places it refers to the entire complex, including the curtained court in which the tent stood. God's intention was to dwell among His people (John 1:14).
Outer Court
Altar of Burnt Offering (Ex. 27:1-8) Animal sacrifices were offered on this altar, located in the court in front of the tabernacle. The blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on the four horns of the altar.
Bronze Laver (Ex. 30:17-21) It was to the laver of bronze the priests would come for cleansing that they be pure to enter the presence of God.
To be continued…
-Pr. S. Chad Ross
Turn to the Lord
1Ch 22:7-9 (KJV) "And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: (8) But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. (9) Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days."
Rather than our constantly being harassed by the devil and his crew, it is more God's desire that we be content to live with Jesus Christ as our Lord in the peace and prosperity of His Kingdom. It was a testimony to God that Solomon could live in peace and judge righteously with all wisdom while at the same time lacking nothing of this realm that could be acquired, using it all for the glory of God. But as time went by, just as Adam and Eve had done in the garden, so also did King Solomon by choosing to do that which the Lord had forbidden him to do.
1Ki 11:9-10 (KJV) "And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, (10) And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded."
Solomon could have passed on a heritage of peace and Kingdom living to the upcoming generations, but instead he gave into temptations that ultimately led to the destruction of the nation and the temple.
Jam 1:13-15 (KJV) "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
Jam 4:1 (KJV) "From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members?"
Stop blaming God! All of us will have temptations to overcome, and all of us will have to crucify our old fleshly natures; but we will stay worn out if we fight in our own strength, with our own motives, those derived from our own desires. We must see now in a greater way why it is so important to be led by Holy Spirit for direction in times of battle as well as in times of rest. Sometimes the Lord does have us stand and fight in His name, such as He did with David when it was time to slay the lion, the bear, and even Goliath, the Philistine giant. At other times the battle belongs to the Lord, such as when satan stood to accuse Joshua, and the Lord Himself rebuked satan on behalf of Joshua.
Zec 3:1-2 (KJV) "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. (2) And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: [is] not this a brand plucked out of the fire?"
When King David's heart was set towards the Lord, he was the apple of God's eye. When Solomon worshiped the Lord, the glory filled the temple. When Joshua turned to the Lord, even though he was wearing soiled garments, he found salvation and rest. There is nothing worth as much as our relationship with Jesus Christ, so consider this promise: "For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:.." Isa 30:15 (KJV)
-Kurt Thurston
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