Staying Faithful to the End – Mannasseh

A cry for holiness and purity of heart

Today, as I read 2Kings 20,21 we are left with the account of Manasseh:

2 Kings 21:6 And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

There must be a total consecration to Jesus, and the authority of His Word, without compromise.

Why? Satan is a liar:

Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

He is a mind blinding spirit, and unless we stay in the Word of God, in clean fellowship with a strong local church, and deliberately seeking God daily, we will be deceived. As we read the accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah, we stand amazed that they keep leaving God, building idol temples, performing demonic sacrifices, and listening to actual demons. Manasseh, son of Hezekiah, man of God, served as king for 55 years, yet did evil in the sight of the Lord, and departed from Him.

Seems having a godly family can help us, but ultimately, we must choose our own way in life, whether to serve God, or ultimately, devils. If we do not actively choose God, we will serve demons. Demons know how to implant thoughts in our minds, to get us off.

I realized this some years ago, after reading a little book by A.W. Tozer entitled ‘The knowledge of the Holy’, taken from the passage in Proverbs:
Pr 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Seems that wisdom is the principal thing, but for a young man of God starting out, I saw wisdom was not the be all and end all. Solomon cried out for wisdom, in humility before the Lord, and yet erred in using his wisdom, to sin against God, and take 1000 wives, that corrupted him, and drew him away from God.
Twice in my life, after doing some great exploits for God, I have had God appear to me, in His glory, leaving me on my face before Him, simply attempting to breath.

Twice He has asked me, “Child, what you have done, is pleasing in my sight, ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.’ Twice I have said the same thing:
“Father, I want to be holy and pure in heart”

So began the preparation for ministry,that has involved incredible hardship, suffering, rejection, and pain, as He has stripped away my soulical desires, and ravished my heart with His love and presence. It has been over 25 years since those encounters, yet I see His faithfulness in answering them, as I have met with Him, over and over again, and seen the dross of my own desires, consumed in the fire of His love: my passions met in the power of the cross, that I might live solely, to do His will, His way, for His motive.

Publicly, I am a fool for Christ, misunderstood at best by most people, and many Christians, but there is One upon whose face I sense a smile, a grin that draws the great cloud of witnesses into peeking over the balconies of heaven, as I run my race before Him. I am heard upon High, and nations shake as I pray, demons are terrified of my presence, my authority, my words, and angels stand to attention, at the name of Jesus uttered from my lips. I have become one of whom the world is not worthy, crucified with Christ, sold out totally to Him and His call upon my life.
There is a joy and a peace in this, that nothing can compare to nor take away.

Mt 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

As my heart is purified by His fire, separated from my desires, that I may see His, my eyes are opened to see Him, the living God, high and lifted up, moving in incredible power and majesty throughout the earth.

Let me pray for you:

‘Father God, I know you love us, and want us happy and blessed, yet I also know that there is no greater happiness, than holiness. Purify our hearts of our sin and selfish ways, that our desires line up with your desires. Fill us with your love, light, and presence today, and give us courage, to abandon all for the sake of your call upon our lives. In your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen!’

Counting the Cost…

Mark 8:34 [Full Chapter]

[ The Way of the Cross ] Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

In business, there is the concept of ‘opportunity cost’, that is defined as the income you could be making in other areas, that you deliberately give up, to do something different. Ask any adult student that has given up a paycheck to go back to school. Their opportunity cost is not just the price of tuition and books, but the actual money they gave up in earned income, to attend school.

There is a high cost to selling out completely to Jesus….

Seems, few are willing to pay it…

Will you?

How far are you willing to go, to fully obey Jesus?

Let’s Pray:

“Father, it is my will to fully obey Jesus, today. Please speak to me what this looks like, and give me grace to do it. In Your name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen’

He is looking for Jesus in you!

He’s making you more like Jesus!

Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11 My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

Rom 8:29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

God wants us to be happy, yet happiness is holiness, the perfected love of God.

We are His children, and He wants us to walk in the honour, respect, joy, and integrity that He is, and so as we go through convoluted processes sometimes, it is only in hindsight that we see His fingerprints on the passage we took.

Seemed brutal at the time, but at the end of the day, we are always better for it. He really does love us.

Let’s Pray:
‘Father, I thank you for your goodness and grace towards me today, that as I busy myself with my daily responsibilities, you make are constantly working both within and without of my life, to conform me to the image of Jesus. I embrace the process, and trust you in it, Amen.’

Eye of the Needle!

Eye of the Needle
Mt 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.Mr 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.Lu 18:25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Eastons comment: Used only in the proverb, “to pass through a needle’s eye” #Mt 19:24 Mr 10:25 Lu 18:25 Some interpret the expression as referring to the side gate, close to the principal gate, usually called the “eye of a needle” in the East; but it is rather to be taken literally.
I heard a preacher once comment on this verse, for those of us seeking financial prosperity, describing how one needed to lay down everything at Jesus feet, and that Jesus would not only replace, but multiply everything we gave Him.
How historians described a side gate into the city, that was named the ‘eye of the needle’, where traveller’s who came on camels, had to literally unload their camels, have them get down on their knees so that they could squeeze through the gate. As soon as they went through, everything was reloaded, and off they went.
The fact that this account is given in three gospel accounts is significant. I believe it is a way God deals with us, who have position and wealth. There comes seasons where the way becomes exceedingly narrow, and we must seek Him, and follow Him very specifically, accurately, with no compromise. Seems like we have to lay down everything we have, to make it through the trial sometimes. Yet, today as I worked and worshipped, pondering my financial lack and intense trial, as I have deliberately sought God with all my heart, for His clarity and direction for the next mandate for my life, I was reminded of this sermon, I heard so many years ago.
In the midst of my thoughts came the voice of the Holy Spirit, with great authority and encouragement: “ONE IS NEVER DIMINISHED WHO COMES INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE GREAT KING!’
And so I press in for the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, without compromise, having not paid any bills this month, fighting daily for things like food, transportation, etc.
Well, it is good to be here. Again and again, He continues to speak to me, confirming and revealing great things that appear too wonderful to ever make happen in my own strength or ability. They are the design, plan, purpose, and calling of King Jesus. He alone is Lord, and well able to make them happen.
26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
As Paul Harvey would say, this is the rest of the story for an obedient disciple, a hundred fold increase. First though, is always ‘the eye of the needle’

Let’s pray:
‘Father, for friends struggling in this place today, bring your provision, comfort, strength, encouragement, and clear voice. Speak Lord Jesus, and we will follow, whatever the cost, Amen!’