Leadership – Servant Kingship!

Leadership Process – Servant Kingship!

1 Cor 4 : 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.

9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

How life changes as we grow up. We first come to Jesus, and the whole world lights up. The sun seems brighter, the flowers more beautiful, the sky clear, and we simply want to love the whole world. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. He loves me, He loves me, He loves me!

May this love ever burn in our hearts! May this love compel us to action!

Yet, quickly, we also discover, there is great evil in the world. Fallen men, empowered by their sin nature, and devils do abominable things! Babies killed, abused, wars, carnage, greedy people raping others, the land, for their own selfish carnal desires to be met.

Then, someone teaches us that we have authority over the devil! That we have something to say in this world! We can exercise God’s authority in the earth, because we have read:

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Indeed, we are kings before Him! Priests of the most High God! Offering acceptable sacrifices of prayer, praise, worship, and service, through Jesus shed blood!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We have been given authority over the works of darkness, positionally, and we begin to walk it out!

Luke 10: 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We are those who hear His voice, and we get filled with the Holy Spirit, and experience His power in our lives. Signs and wonders start to happen, daily in our life!

Mark 16: 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

We pray, and heaven opens, and we see visions, experience living revelation from a very living God.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:

20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Yet, after some years, God decides on a specific calling for our lives, something for us to do individually…He speaks to us, and sends us….

The word apostle, simply means: ‘sent one’.

Now, I can send my children to the refrigerator for milk, making them the apostle of milk!

In our reading today, this is not what Paul is talking about here. There is five fold ministry in the earth, set in place by the hand of God, to govern His church.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

These offices are the government of God in the earth, with the authority, power, and grace from God, to accomplish what He needs established.

Rather than divert from the clear direction Holy Spirit is leading me today, please read: http://www.amazon.com/He-Gave-Gift…/…/0892765178/ref=sr_1_1…

Today, I am led to share about the journey from revelational position and spiritual authority, to practical authority, responsibility, and seasoned leadership, in authentic five fold ministry gifts operating in the earth, now.

Paul discovered himself, initially, in his early years of ministry, to be great in the kingdom, called of God, with both spiritual and earthly authority. He was a king, priest and lord, subject only to the King of all Kings,High Priest we confess, and the Lord of all Lords!

2Co 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

What caused the apostle Paul, to call himself the ‘very chiefest of apostles’?

He had a revelation from heaven, and it was incredibly great!

Yet, the character of the Master, must become the character of the servant.

By the end of his life, we read, the same apostle Paul:

1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The journey of life, from chief apostle, to chief of all sinners….

From king, priest and power, to

1 Cor 4: 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Did his identity change? Did God demote him?

Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Nope, promoted him actually, so much so that he wrote over half of the New Testament.

God did not change, but Paul did!

Consider carefully these words of Jesus:

Luke 22: 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

What I want you to see, is this. Your eternal rank, privilege, and reward, are given to you by God Himself, AS A SERVANT!

Ro 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.

I have discovered this as a missionary, first back to Canada my home country, and now to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the United States of America, and the nations, that my heavenly office, authority, and position are secure.

Yet in the natural order of life, my day to day walk, I have become a spectacle unto the world, a laughing stock from my family, colleagues from college, former business leadership friends, where I am at best, misunderstood.

Even angels, that minister to me, my family, and the nations through me, are probably amazed at what I put up with, and undergo, to obey God, intimately, personally, daily, as even my fellow brothers and sisters at my church, probably question my sanity (Gotta admit, I question it some days too!), as again, and again, Jesus speaks, leads, and moves me far outside my comfort zone, as my deeper insecurities, need for control, position, and pride are stripped away, that the love of the kingdom of God, through pure motives might shine through me.

If you are called to lead, He is doing the same thing in you, too.

The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini’s lovely violin has today become worm-eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christian’s unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.

J.K. Laney, Marching Orders, p. 34.

Not sure who this is for, but the very call of God upon you to greatness, has actually produced the deeper workings of the cross in your life, as you seek to obey Him intimately.

Dreams and visions that did not come to pass in your timing, produce a quiet peace, trust, and revelation of His Lordship, that He will make everything beautiful in His time. He has eternity on His mind, and a people on the other side of your obedience.

Obedience is the Word of the day, for if you are truly called of God, there is no other way, to get from here, to where you know you need to be, otherwise.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Have a Happy Death!

Ga 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Let’s pray:

‘”Father, I embrace the cross. I receive your process, and provision for the process, as I quietly hear, and obey, your voice, today. Jesus, you are my good Shepherd, may I clearly hear your voice, and fully obey you, today, Amen’

 

Whatever Happened to Sin?

Hi everyone,

Been thinking about sin.

You know, things expressly forbidden by the word of God.

Just to be fair, let’s name a few, so that I do not single anyone out, because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and Jesus died because He loved sinners. He paid the ultimate price for sin, it killed Him. He died upon the cross to bear the full weight of it, for all humanity.

Gal 5:

Living by the Spirit’s Power

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control.

There is no law against these things!

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

As I read these verses, written to Christians, I see the clear what we are called to live, a life of honor, humility, love, purity, gratefulness, patience, gentleness, holiness, and love in Jesus.

Yet, we see, as the native proverb goes, the battle we all fight within ourselves…

If you have read much of my material, you discover the overwhelming thread of what I post is on the love, grace, goodness, and righteousness of God: Who we are before His throne, royal children of the most High God.

Read this article today, and it got me to thinking:

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/40930-is-it-only-the-goodness-of-god-that-leads-us-to-repentance

If I am a servant of Jesus, do I do humanity disservice, if I do not do as Jesus did, commanding men everywhere to repent?

If I call lying wrong? Am I a hater?

If I declare homosexuality to be wrong? Am I a gay basher?

If I declare that pornography, prostitution, child-sex trafficking are wrong? Am I judgemental, critical, non-loving?

How about envy, jealousy, pride? If I call these sins, am I no longer a ‘good news preacher’?

You can see where I am taking this line of thought.

Clearly, the overwhelming tragedy of the human experience is not the depth of degradation people allow themselves to wallow in, rather, in light of eternity, and the power of God available to any human being through the grace given us in Jesus, how far short of His glory, honor, holiness, purity and love we still choose to live.

When Jesus came to live inside of us, old things passed away, all things became new, yet I see so many fellow Christians, like dogs returning to their own vomit, living so far below their rights and privileges as believers.

2 Corinthians 6:

The Temple of the Living God

¹⁴ Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil^[d]? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.

As God said:

“I will live in them

    and walk among them.

I will be their God,

    and they will be my people.^[e]

¹⁷ Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,

    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.

Don’t touch their filthy things,

    and I will welcome you.^[f]

¹⁸ And I will be your Father,

    and you will be my sons and daughters,

    says the Lord Almighty.^[g]”

We are called children of the most high God, people who bear His name.

Yet, just like we need to change a few diapers as parents, as our children dirty themselves, even so, we are expected to grow out of the diaper stage into honor and holiness.

Yes, I love people.

Yes, like Jesus, I hate sin, for I see what it does to people, families, communities, and nations.

Titus 2:^{11 (AMP)} For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. (KJv 21) ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world,

Yes, we are adopted into the kingdom of God, but we are to become HOLY!

Notice here, that it is only God’s grace that allows us to do this, but that that very grace, teaches us.

For those who missed yesterday’s post: https://chrisaomministries.com/2017/02/13/grace-to-live/

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

God loves us, yet as a good parent, He instructs us on the rules in His family, His kingdom, the ways of righteousness.

Sin kills, and if I am to truly love you, I must exhort you to holiness.

Let’s pray:

‘Father, May we see sin the way You do, and hate it the way You do. In Your love for us, convict us of our sin, and in Your grace, teach us how to leave it, and live in purity, honor, and love towards You and our fellow humanity. I ask this, knowing I am heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, AMen’

If you do not know Jesus personally yet, please read:

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

If you do not know who you are, or why you are here, please read:

https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/05/11/8195/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/in-him-we-live-and-move-and-have-our-being/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/seeing-ourselves-as-god-sees-us/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/youre-who-affects-your-do-until-we-are-through/

 https://chrisaomministries.com/2016/08/06/the-purpose-of-this-blog/

Man of God: LOVE!

Man of God, LOVE!

Difficult Marriages Can Work the Character of Jesus into us, if we receive, by faith, the love of God in the midst of them!

This article is written to husbands, I’ll let the women preach to the women. For all you guys out there, Man Up, and read this…

You sure did not know that Abraham Lincoln lived in misery till his death. The cause? His marriage.
——————————-
The great tragedy of Abraham Lincoln’s life also was his marriage. Not his assassination, mind you, but his marriage. When Booth fired, Lincoln never realized he had been shot; but he reaped almost daily, for twenty-three years, what Herndon, his law partner, described as the bitter harvest of conjugal infelicity. Conjugal infelicity? That is putting it mildly. For almost a quarter of a century, Mrs. Lincoln nagged and harassed the life out of him.

She was always complaining, always criticizing her husband; nothing about him was ever right. He was stoop-shouldered, he walked awkwardly and lifted his feet straight up and down like an Indian. She complained that there was no spring in his step, no grace to his movement; and she mimicked his gait and nagged at him to walk with his toes pointed down, as she had been taught at Madame Mentelle’s boarding school in Lexington.

She didn’t like the way his huge ears stood out at right angles from his head. She even told him that his nose wasn’t straight, that his lower lip stuck out, and he looked consumptive, that his feet and hands were too large, his head too small.

Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln were opposites in every way: in training, in background, in temperament, in tastes, in mental outlook. They irritated each other constantly.

“Mrs. Lincoln’s loud, shrill voice, wrote the late Senator Albert J. Beveridge, the most distinguished Lincoln authority of this generation – “Mrs. Lincoln’s loud, shrill voice could be heard across the street, and her incessant outbursts of wrath were audible to all who lived near the house. Frequently her anger was displayed by other means than words, and accounts of her violence are numerous and unimpeachable.”

To illustrate: Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, shortly after their marriage, lived with Mrs. Jacob Early – a doctor’s widow in Springfield who was forced to take in boarders. One morning Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln were having breakfast when Lincoln did something that aroused the fiery temper of his wife. What, no one remembers now. But Mrs. Lincoln, in a rage, dashed a cup of hot coffee into her husband’s face. And she did it in front of the other boarders. Saying nothing, Lincoln sat there in humiliation and silence while Mrs. Early came with a wet towel and wiped off his face and clothes.

Mrs. Lincoln’s jealousy was so foolish, so fierce, and so incredible, that merely to read about some of the pathetic and disgraceful scenes she created in public – merely reading about them seventy-five years later makes one gasp with astonishment. She finally went insane; and perhaps the most charitable thing one can say about her is that her disposition was probably always affected by incipient insanity.

Did all this nagging and scolding and raging change Lincoln? In one way, yes. It certainly changed his attitude towards her. It made him regret his unfortunate marriage, and it made him avoid her presence as much as possible.

Springfield had eleven attorneys, and they couldn’t all make a living there; so they used to ride horseback from one county seat to another, following Judge David Davis while he was holding court in various places. In that way, they managed to pick up business from all the county seat towns throughout the Eighth Judicial District.

The other attorneys always managed to get back to Springfield each Saturday and spend the week-end with their families. But Lincoln didn’t. He dreaded to go home: and for three months in the spring, and again for three months in the autumn, he remained out on the circuit and never went near Springfield.

He kept this up year after year. Living conditions in the country hotels were often wretched; but, wretched as they were, he preferred them to his own home and Mrs. Lincoln’s constant nagging and wild outbursts of temper.

— Dale Carnegie, How to Make Friends and Influence People.
The Reading Nation

Now this is the positive side: How was it that Lincoln, when president, could work so effectively with the rampant egos who filled his administration? “The long years of dealing with his tempestuous wife helped prepare Lincoln for handling the difficult people he encountered as president.” In other words, a whole nation benefited from his embracing the pain.

My heavy revvy from this story: Somehow, Lincoln endured the pain, and allowed it to make him a better man. I too, can walk in love towards my wife, even when we do not agree, for on her worst day, she is not as bad as President Lincoln’s wife. Since I have given my whole life to Jesus, I allow him to use everything in my day, to perfect the character of Christ in me. Perhaps, in the most difficult moments in marriage, He could be working some of the deeper fruits of the spirit in me, things like longsuffering, patience, self-control.

So I deliberately grabbed ahold of the love verses, and make these my battle cry, because faith works by love, and I am not going to let anyone, even my wife, shut down what I am believing God for, therefore I will walk in love, no matter how difficult it is daily….Perhaps, in light of the greatness of the call, God has allowed even my wife, to become His perfect instrument of surgery in my life, to work the character of Jesus into me. Delivering me from my pride, selfishness, self righteousness, and brutal ways…I have a call, and I have a plan..but making me like Jesus, is on His ‘To Do’ list, and I may not like the process, but I either take all of Him, or live a hypocritical, compromised life…

Ro 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.

Think it through man of God. Marriage is a covenant taken before God. Even if your wife is living far beneath her covenant rights and privileges, you are married. Unless there has been adultery, there are no grounds for divorce, and even then, I believe that God can restore a marriage. So, the only way out is death. Since you are not a murderer, nor adulterer, there is only one way through a difficult marriage, that is to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ, and to walk in love.

There is no other way. Unless the Lord take me or her to heaven, I’m married, for life, til death do we part…and I will love her, no matter what she does or does not do!

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

So, I want to be more like Jesus, and learn to love well:

This will take a walk or two to the cross – dying to self, sacrificing my will, for His, and living, and loving, for Jesus sake as part of my worship to Him…

Galatians 5:24

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

I am head of my house, my ministry, and I set the atmosphere here, and that atmosphere must be heavenly, no matter how I feel. I must love my wife and children, period, making my home a place of refuge from the storms of life….

Proverbs 14:1  (NIV)
14 The wise woman builds her house,
but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.

Proverbs 19:13  (NIV)
13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,
and a quarrelsome wife is like
the constant dripping of a leaky roof.

Pr 21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Pr 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.

Looks like these verses describe Abraham Lincolns wife, in fact there have been articles written claiming she was into the occult, and was clinically insane by today’s standards. (dementia)

I don’t know what particular hell your wife might be putting you through at this moment, but there is a straight and narrow way through her mess. It is called the way of the Master, the way of the cross, the love walk….

Love never Fails, Love is stronger than death!

I read, and pray these verses every day, because I need to walk in His love each day, not mine. Life is hard, but God is good. I have learned that I can receive these verses, by faith, and lay hold on them, and the Holy Spirit gives me grace, strength, to actually do, and live what they say.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMP)
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]

1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

There you have it, God is love, and Jesus rose from the dead, and He is God. Love is stronger than death!

4 Love endures long and is patient and kind;

While you are enduring your present circumstances, know that God Himself gives you strength and grace to endure, and while you are enduring, to be kind to all those around you.

love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy,

When someone else has nicer things that you have, or appears to be endued with better looks, family, position, or material things in this life, God’s love, shed abroad in our hearts by the mighty Holy Spirit Himself, does not get envious, ever, and does not submit to the tyranny of unfulfilled expectations, jealousy.

is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
Love is not proud, but is teachable, and will glorify God in the good and the bad, giving testimony of Jesus glory, for His glory, where appropriate, but never with a motive to boast, be vainglorious, or in a haughty or arrogant way. We can dress well, with nice things from the Lord, without having to strut or impress others, simply, gratefully, because God gave it to us.

5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly.

This is a verse I teach my children. We are to be bold in righteousness, confident in God and His gift in us, grateful for our ongoing accomplishments as we grow in grace, faith, strength and wisdom, but we are never to think more of ourselves, rather, to be great, we must think of ourselves, less. When tempted to butt in line, be pushy, short, and blunt with people, we remember that Jesus is in our hearts, and He in us, is not rude. He is holy, and will not act foolishly or unbecomingly, neither do we. ‘Love is not rude’, handles a whole lot of coarse behaviors…

Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way,
We are not selfish, insisting on our own way, rather we give place to others, yet bold in walking God’s way! We stand up for truth and His rights, not our own!

for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

Our very motive of heart, must be God seeking, seeking Him first in our every decision, not self seeking. Always building the kingdom of God, not our own empire. When people push our buttons, or things are not appearing to go our way, we don’t act touchy, we don’t worry or fret, but deliberately take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, refusing to fret, whine or complain.

When people do us wrong, we are quick to forgive, and forget. We do not hold grudges, nor give people the silent treatment, stonewalling them out of our lives. We pay no attention to the wrongs they do to us, but deliberately guard our hearts and thought lives to think on what whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, that we pursue and walk in peace towards all men.

6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
As we hear the Media broadcasting filth, injustice, and unrighteousness, we never rejoice in this, never laughing at an off color joke. We rejoice, when right and truth prevail. I find this especially true of the political arena, so much railing, reviling, gossip, innuendos, supposed intrigue. Sure, I hate some of the decisions coming out of Washington, not because of the people that made them, but because they are contrary to the Word of God! So, I cry, unto God most High, to bring change, true change, to the heart of America. This is love, intercession, and gets results from heaven. A bad mouthed, cynical, bitter person, constantly complaining individual, does not even get heard by God. I listen to the the audio Bible all night, every night, letting the Word of God cleanse and wash me from the filth of the day. I will not allow my mind to become a garbage dump for the trash talk of the day!

When horrible things happen, even when God Himself executes judgments on wicked people on our behalf, we should fear God, and be warned, but seek love, mercy, forgiveness, and restoration for the offenders, not death and destruction.

7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes,
We are strong! We can put up with anything that comes at us, anything and everything!

is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
When evil reports are told to us, even when factual, about other people, we use our faith, to believe the opposite of them. To believe the best of them, and for them, hoping, trusting God, and using our authority in the earth, to do all we can to make it easier for folks to do right. If they still have breath in their body, we never give up hoping and believing, without weakening. I deliberately use my faith to believe the opposite when I see someone, especially a government official, doing wrong. I bind and forbid, in prayer, their wickedness, and pray God have mercy upon them, and reveal to them the error of their ways. Currently, this is how we must pray for our President with respect to abortion, same-sex marriage, and his compromise with Islam. We hate the sin, yet uphold in prayer the office of the President of the United States. I actually love President Barack Obama, but I must admit, it has taken me many years of praying these verses to get there, for I hate much of what he has done, and is doing!

Yet, he has stayed married, he has empowered the black citizens of this country, and at times honored First Nations chiefs. Gotta keep my mind there as I pray for him, recognizing he is a fatherless man, desperately in need of a revelation of the love of our heavenly Father. That love, the love of God, revealed to his heart, can change anyone…it changed me!

8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]
This is the way of faith, following Jesus, our way and way maker! He never fails, so we never fail either, now, or in eternity!

As I stand in this, my particular stand of faith, I WILL LOVE!

1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s pray:
‘Father, your love is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Spirit. I have decided to love my enemies, and to overcome evil with good in this world, by deliberately believing and receiving your grace to love, through Your Word. I know You are making me more like Jesus today, and that even the brutality of the daily circumstances, can bring me to You, if I will simply come, and break before Your throne. You see what I face today, now I am trusting you to work in me to will and to do, of your good pleasure today, help me to walk in love, 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’

Leadership Process – Servant Kingship!

Leadership Process – Servant Kingship!

1 Cor 4 : 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

How life changes as we grow up. We first come to Jesus, and the whole world lights up. The sun seems brighter, the flowers more beautiful, the sky clear, and we simply want to love the whole world. Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. He loves me, He loves me, He loves me!

May this love ever burn in our hearts! May this love compel us to action!

Yet, quickly, we also discover, there is great evil in the world. Fallen men, empowered by their sin nature, and devils do abominable things! Babies killed, abused, wars, carnage, greedy people raping others, the land, for their own selfish carnal desires to be met.

Then, someone teaches us that we have authority over the devil! That we have something to say in this world! We can exercise God’s authority in the earth, because we have read:
Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Indeed, we are kings before Him! Priests of the most High God! Offering acceptable sacrifices of prayer, praise, worship, and service, through Jesus shed blood!

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We have been given authority over the works of darkness, positionally, and we begin to walk it out!

Luke 10: 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

We are those who hear His voice, and we get filled with the Holy Spirit, and experience His power in our lives. Signs and wonders start to happen, daily in our life!

Mark 16: 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
We pray, and heaven opens, and we see visions, experience living revelation from a very living God.

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Yet, after some years, God decides on a specific calling for our lives, something for us to do individually…He speaks to us, and sends us….

The word apostle, simply means: ‘sent one’.

Now, I can send my children to the refrigerator for milk, making them the apostle of milk!

In our reading today, this is not what Paul is talking about here. There is five fold ministry in the earth, set in place by the hand of God, to govern His church.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

These offices are the government of God in the earth, with the authority, power, and grace from God, to accomplish what He needs established.

Rather than divert from the clear direction Holy Spirit is leading me today, please read: http://www.amazon.com/He-Gave-Gift…/…/0892765178/ref=sr_1_1…

Today, I am led to share about the journey from revelational position and spiritual authority, to practical authority, responsibility, and seasoned leadership, in authentic five fold ministry gifts operating in the earth, now.

Paul discovered himself, initially, in his early years of ministry, to be great in the kingdom, called of God, with both spiritual and earthly authority. He was a king, priest and lord, subject only to the King of all Kings,High Priest we confess, and the Lord of all Lords!

2Co 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

What caused the apostle Paul, to call himself the ‘very chiefest of apostles’?
He had a revelation from heaven, and it was incredibly great!

Yet, the character of the Master, must become the character of the servant.

By the end of his life, we read, the same apostle Paul:
1Ti 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

The journey of life, from chief apostle, to chief of all sinners….

From king, priest and power, to
1 Cor 4: 9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

Did his identity change? Did God demote him?

Ro 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

Nope, promoted him actually, so much so that he wrote over half of the New Testament.

God did not change, but Paul did!

Consider carefully these words of Jesus:
Luke 22: 25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
28 Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.
29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

What I want you to see, is this. Your eternal rank, privilege, and reward, are given to you by God Himself, AS A SERVANT!

Ro 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.

I have discovered this as a missionary, first back to Canada my home country, and now to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the United States of America, and the nations, that my heavenly office, authority, and position are secure.

Yet in the natural order of life, my day to day walk, I have become a spectacle unto the world, a laughing stock from my family, colleagues from college, former business leadership friends, where I am at best, misunderstood.

Even angels, that minister to me, my family, and the nations through me, are probably amazed at what I put up with, and undergo, to obey God, intimately, personally, daily, as even my fellow brothers and sisters at my church, probably question my sanity (Gotta admit, I question it some days too!), as again, and again, Jesus speaks, leads, and moves me far outside my comfort zone, as my deeper insecurities, need for control, position, and pride are stripped away, that the love of the kingdom of God, through pure motives might shine through me.

If you are called to lead, He is doing the same thing in you, too.

The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini’s lovely violin has today become worm-eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christian’s unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.
J.K. Laney, Marching Orders, p. 34.

Not sure who this is for, but the very call of God upon you to greatness, has actually produced the deeper workings of the cross in your life, as you seek to obey Him intimately.

Dreams and visions that did not come to pass in your timing, produce a quiet peace, trust, and revelation of His Lordship, that He will make everything beautiful in His time. He has eternity on His mind, and a people on the other side of your obedience.

Obedience is the Word of the day, for if you are truly called of God, there is no other way, to get from here, to where you know you need to be, otherwise.

1Co 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Have a Happy Death!
Ga 4:19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Let’s pray:
‘”Father, I embrace the cross. I receive your process, and provision for the process, as I quietly hear, and obey, your voice, today. Jesus, you are my good Shepherd, may I clearly hear your voice, and fully obey you, today, Amen’

Mad at God?

Mad at God?

Job 40:1 ¶ Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Proverbs 19:3
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
3 The folly of man perverteth his way, And against Jehovah is his heart wroth.

Proverbs 19:3
Amplified Bible (AMP)
3 The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his heart is resentful and frets against the Lord.

Familiarity and intimacy are not the same. Each has a value in life, certainly in married life, but one is no substitute for the other. If one is confused for the other, we have the basis for major human and marital unrest. In marriage, familiarity is inescapable. It happens almost imperceptibly. Intimacy is usually hard to come by. It must be deliberately sought and opened up and responded to. Familiarity brings a degree of ease and comfort. Intimacy anxiously searches for deep understanding and personal appreciation.
Gordon Lester, Homemade, Vol. 4, No. 11.

Ever been angry at God? I have! I remember after the death of my mother, I threw my Bible against the wall exclaiming: “What kind of God are you! We bring hundreds to church off the streets on the bus, and you heal them all, and my own mother, who I love, you let die!”

Well, God is love, and He graciously comforted me over my mothers death before He rebuked me, yet even though His rebuke cost me a trip to the cross, it was still His love, restoring my faith in His Word, and showing me the error of my ways! Maybe horrible things happened to you that in your heart, you still blame God for. I mean, He is almighty God right, He could have prevented them!

Maybe.

People have free will, and there is a mad dog loose in the system named satan, that plays the same old game in each generation: influencing the minds of men to do evil, then blaming God for it.

It is okay to vent your feelings before God, He loves you, but don’t blame Him for evil in the earth. He may allow it, but He did not create it.

I remember one heated exchange, where I yelled at God, where He was challenging me to trust Him to protect me, and I screamed: ‘You want me to trust you to protect me, you say you love me, then why did you let all the crap happen to me as a child. I could do nothing to defend myself…so why should I trust you now?”

Like Job, I had God show up in my bedroom in His glory, but not with a rebuke, I will forever remember what He said that day:
“Child, you do not understand everything yet, but you will in time. I take responsibility for what happened to you as a child, can you forgive me?”

Suddenly all my pride, rage, pain and frustration melted before His love. “Me, forgive you? You are Holy, you can’t do anything wrong!”
Suddenly, I realized our heavenly Father has the character of Jesus, like when He wash His disciples feet. He is not our angry judge, but a loving Father, who will love out our deepest hurts if we let Him, and will gently explain things to us, if we listen.”

May His presence, bring healing and understanding to your deepest darkest nightmares, hurts, frustrations: May the fire of your anger, meet the fire of His love!

Let’s pray:
“Father, I need you. I hurt, too deep for words. How did it happen? I’m trying to serve you? Please heal me, and touch me, and bring understanding, please I ask, in your name, Lord Jesus, Amen”

Elihu – A Word for young leaders

Elihu

Elihu did not get rebuked by God, nor called on the mat to have Job pray for him, while Job’s other three unwise counselors did. The Lord showed me why: Although Elihu was a younger man, he spoke by revelation, not information.

Job 28:12  But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

13  Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

 

He revealed something incredibly powerful, the cross of Jesus Christ, and the righteousness of God. Let’s look at it.

 

Job 32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

 

4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

6 ¶ And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Out of the heart, the mouth speaketh, and Elihu had heard Job say:

Job 33:8 ¶ Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

 

Job, in his heart, is trusting in His works, not in the forgiveness, the cross, and the righteousness of God.

Job 1:5  And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

 

[According to a recent poll] 88% of Catholics and a majority of Presbyterian and Methodist evangelizers [those who actively try to share their “faith”] believe that “if people are generally good, or do enough good things for others during their lives, they will earn a place in heaven.”

National & International Religion Report, August 23, 1993.

Elihu figured it out, only the cross and the shed blood of Jesus can provide forgiveness for any man’s sin.
Eph 2

:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

See it?

Job was trusting in his good works,

Job 34: 11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

 

We know this is what he actually believed for Jesus explained:

 

Mt 12:34  for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

 

Job had been blessed by God for his good works, but was not righteous before God for them. In the holiness of God, all of us have sinned and fallen short of his glory, all of us need to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus, all of us must be cleansed for our sin.

1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God

 

Php 3:18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

 

Job 35:1 ¶ Elihu spake moreover, and said,

2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?

3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?

Churches are full of people without this revelation. Working industriously to earn acceptance and approval before a holy God, that will never be given apart from the cross of Jesus. People full of guilt and shame for their sin, trying to work it off before God, never fully able to accept His love, because they have not yet received the justification that only comes through the cross. 

I see them in the pews, fear and brokenness on their faces, no boldness, confidence, and love poured out, because they have not yet received that liberating truth of the cross, that Jesus died for sinners, and that He did it because He loves them. This will produce joy, humility, gratefulness, and a holy boldness in the resurrection power of Jesus.

Please read: https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/not-by-works-its-all-about-love/

At the end of the book of Job, God shows up before him, in His wisdom and holiness:

Job 42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

 

Job got it. He repented. He humbled himself before a holy God.

 

Yet then God began to deal with Job’s counselors, and notice:

Job 42:7 ¶ And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

10 ¶ And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

 

Notice here that God did not rebuke Elihu, nor require him to repent before Him.!

Well, for the next generation of preachers out there, this is great news.

 

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

 

1. Preach the cross. This is the central message of the gospel, and the only thing that will set people free from their sins.
2. Preach by revelation, not information. Be a voice for God, not merely an echo.
3. Respect, but do not fear, those older in years. If you have heard God, go on and obey Him, no matter what people think or say.

 

Let’s Pray:

 

‘Father, reveal to me:

1. Area’s where I, like Job are trying to please you in my own strength, with MY own works, instead of acts of obedience that flow from your love.
2. The Word from heaven that will set this generation free. Light me on fire, and make me a voice for you, never merely an echo, a parrot of other preachers. Cause me to hear and obey!
3. You perfect will for my life, and the people you have called me to reach,

In your name I pray, Lord Jesus Amen!

Whatever Happened to Sin?

Hi everyone,

Been thinking about sin.

You know, things expressly forbidden by the word of God.

Just to be fair, let’s name a few, so that I do not single anyone out, because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and Jesus died because He loved sinners. He paid the ultimate price for sin, it killed Him. He died upon the cross to bear the full weight of it, for all humanity.

Gal 5:

Living by the Spirit’s Power

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.

As I read these verses, written to Christians, I see the clear what we are called to live, a life of honor, humility, love, purity, gratefulness, patience, gentleness, holiness, and love in Jesus.

Yet, we see, as the native proverb goes, the battle we all fight within ourselves…

If you have read much of my material, you discover the overwhelming thread of what I post is on the love, grace, goodness, and righteousness of God: Who we are before His throne, royal children of the most High God.

Read this article today, and it got me to thinking:

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/in-the-line-of-fire/40930-is-it-only-the-goodness-of-god-that-leads-us-to-repentance

if I am a servant of Jesus, do I do humanity disservice, if I do not do as Jesus did, commanding men everywhere to repent?

If I call lying wrong? Am I a hater?

If I declare homosexuality to be wrong? Am I a gay basher?

If I declare that pornography, prostitution, child-sex trafficking are wrong? Am I judgemental, critical, non-loving?

How about envy, jealousy, pride? If I call these sins, am I no longer a ‘good news preacher’?

You can see where I am taking this line of thought.

Clearly, the overwhelming tragedy of the human experience is not the depth of degradation people allow themselves to wallow in, rather, in light of eternity, and the power of God available to any human being through the grace given us in Jesus, how far short of His glory, honor, holiness, purity and love we still choose to live.

When Jesus came to live inside of us, old things passed away, all things became new, yet I see so many fellow Christians, like dogs returning to their own vomit, living so far below their rights and privileges as believers.

2 Corinthians 6:

The Temple of the Living God

¹⁴ Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? ¹⁵ What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil^[d]? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? ¹⁶ And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.

As God said:

“I will live in them
    and walk among them.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.^[e]
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
    and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
    and I will welcome you.^[f]
18 And I will be your Father,
    and you will be my sons and daughters,
    says the Lord Almighty.^[g]”

We are called children of the most high God, people who bear His name.

Yet, just like we need to change a few diapers as parents, as our children dirty themselves, even so, we are expected to grow out of the diaper stage into honor and holiness.

Yes, I love people.

Yes, like Jesus, I hate sin, for I see what it does to people, families, communities, and nations.

Titus 2:^{11 (AMP)} For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. (KJv 21) ¹² teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world,

Yes, we are adopted into the kingdom of God, but we are to become HOLY!

Notice here, that it is only God’s grace that allows us to do this, but that that very grace, teaches us.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

God loves us, yet as a good parent, He instructs us on the rules in His family, His kingdom, the ways of righteousness.

Sin kills, and if I am to truly love you, I must exhort you to holiness.

Let’s pray:

‘Father, May we see sin the way You do, and hate it the way You do. In Your love for us, convict us of our sin, and in Your grace, teach us how to leave it, and live in purity, honor, and love towards You and our fellow humanity. I ask this, knowing I am heard, for I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, AMen’

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/11/10/the-gospel-the-power-of-god/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/in-him-we-live-and-move-and-have-our-being/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/seeing-ourselves-as-god-sees-us/

https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2015/02/11/youre-who-affects-your-do-until-we-are-through/

Unity – A Cry of Jesus Heart

 

Unity

The Word of the Lord, come to the tribes, through and from the elders  is ‘unity’. Convergence…

These are the host peoples of this land, and for those of us in the US, we need to have ears to hear, and eyes to see, what God is speaking and revealing…. https://chrisaomministries.wordpress.com/2014/07/03/the-first-nations-mandate/

Genesis 11:6

And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them.

From the beginning of time, there has been spiritual power generated, when people work together in unity.

“On the concept of unity- “Thatʼs right-Jesusʼ most pressing concern before
leaving the earth was our unity. He was looking ahead, to every generation of
believer. And as he prayed, he made it clear that our witness as his body in this
fractured , messed-up, chaotic world would depend on our love for another.”
― Ed Galisewski, A Simpler Faith: Hope For Those Who Struggle With Church    

Jesus said if only two of us might agree in prayer, as touching anything, it would be done for us

Matt18: 19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and [g]everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.

20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I Am in the midst of them.

When Jesus, King of the Universe shows up, things happen!

Deuteronomy 32:30

How could one have chased a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the Lord had delivered them up?

There is great spiritual power released, when people come together in prayer, in Jesus, in purpose….

In Oklahoma, Governer Haskell, in his inaugural address over the state said:

“where the original owners of the state had not yet been conquered, but had joined with their white neighbors in forming a new commonwealth, and he found in the red and white stripes of the American flag, a new symbolism, of the red man and the white man united under the azure sky.”

This is indeed our prayer in Oklahoma, as we see the history of broken treaties, promises, hearts, we cry unto God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth:‘Father in heaven, Creator, do a miracle here, and across America, where indeed, you might heal; the relationships between the red and white man, united under Your azure sky. Only You can do this thing, for the history and wounds are very deep, but the depths of the cross of Jesus, Yeshua, are deeper. Make it happen, do a miracle, for our eyes are on You, AMEN!’

Now, here in Oklahoma, we have every tongue, every tribe (39 tribes!), and every nation represented, as international businesses and ministries have been raised up here from this red soil.

Yet, wherever you are, unity is worth fighting for. Not unity of language, culture, nor over tradition. No, Godly unity, is unity through diversity.

God has given our unique destinies, languages, cultures, for He will have a witness, from every nation of the earth before His throne.

Revelation 1:7

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth shall gaze upon Him and beat their breasts and mourn and lament over Him. Even so [must it be]. Amen (so be it).

Revelation 5:9

And [now] they sing a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the scroll and to break the seals that are on it, for You were slain (sacrificed), and with Your blood You purchased men unto God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelation 7:9

After this I looked and a vast host appeared which no one could count, [gathered out] of every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages. These stood before the throne and before the Lamb; they were attired in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

Unity, can come, in Jesus, Yeshua, between Jew and Gentile, Indian and white man, red and yellow black and white, we are all precious in His sight. The culture of heaven supercedes every earthly culture, the rule and reign of Jesus love, greater than the government of any tribe or nation!

So, I rewrote a prayer of Unity, that still speaks to me today, and is a battle cry of heaven…

Prayer for Unity

Been thinking about David Ruis song: Break Dividing Walls, as
prophetic key to revival in regions and this nation:.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qRtltD2ysg

John 17: 11 ¶ And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

17 ¶ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

20 ¶ Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

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.

Ps 133:1 ¶ «A Song of degrees of David.» Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;

3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the
blessing, even life for evermore.

Unity produces God’s commanded blessing!

Let’s Pray:

Father, I join in the prayer of Jesus, asking You, for unity in the Body of Christ in my people, tribe, city, state, and this nation.

Reveal the glory that you have given us Jesus, that sanctifies us and cleanses us of our foolish ways. May truth be spoken in love that is revealed to us deep within, that cleanses us of our own ways and
agendas, that we may take our place before You Father, Creator of Heaven and earth, in the Body of Christ, bringing our particular gift and supply of Holy Spirit, that we may all work together for the harvest, the increase of your kingdom and Body, as we grow together in love.

Warrior God, King of Heaven’s armies, burn with passion and zeal in me, to see my people find the peace, love, healing, provision, and joy, that only comes from You, and You alone, as I walk before You with clean hands, purity of heart, and clear eyes to see….

Help me to be a peacemaker to my people, my family, my tribe and council, to each other, and to this city and region, a bridge builder causing people, families, ministries, governments, businesses, organizations, and our communities to work together in love and one accord, sharing resources that You so richly provide to us, generously, to get needs of people met, that You be glorified.

Father help us as leaders to stand strong for people, programs, ministries, administrative processes, ordained of You, constantly growing and refining them to bear much fruit for You. Those agendas that are of our own making, or that have outlived their usefulness to you and your specific calling upon our lives, please prune and remove them, by Your own hand.

Help us to be pliable in your hand, flowing together with other peoples, ministries, and leaders here in our community, city and land, as You grant us supernatural wisdom, to avoid strife and discord as far as it remains with us.

Help to remain humble, teachable, and make your servant heart of aggressive growth continue to burn bright in and through us, that the world may see your love.

In your authority, I break dividing walls between family members, community factions, clans, tribes, ministries, governments,denominations, and congregations, loosing reconciliation, revelation, love, and understanding between us. I command all judgment, haughtiness, bitterness, pride, arrogancy, unforgiveness, religion, offence, tradition, racism: MOVE, in the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ!

There, we enforce your kingdom in righteousness, peace, and joy, in power, anointing, and commanded blessing, in the love of God and name and authority of King Jesus! Amen!

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

Donate on-line: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I am a five-fold ministry gift and office – this is my life – I pray, I hear, I write, and wonderful things happen. You have your job description, I have mine – this is mine….

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – Jesus Heals!

Healing of Trauma, Memories, Abuse, and Atrocities

Pr 16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Some years ago, I read a book called ‘Healing the Damaged Emotions’ by a man named David Seemans. He was talking about the affect that trauma and deep sin had on a person, and how Jesus, set the person free. Many of us have been affected by horrible atrocities, I pray Holy Spirit make this alive today, and set you free!

John 21:15 ¶  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

16  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

17  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

We recall that Peter had deliberately denied Jesus three times, and the third time, had called down curses upon himself. Peter at that point in his life had actually denied the Lord,  but we are to see, the Lord did not deny him.

I believe that God was interested in not only meeting with Peter, but in restoring Him. Just sweeping Peter’s denial under the rug, would not have strengthened Peter, and restored his confidence in himself and the Lord.

Here’s what I believe happened that day:

Jesus had cooked a breakfast for the boys on the beach, and was with them in His love and glory. He had risen from the dead, and He loved them. These were His leaders, that He was about to use to build His glorious church upon. Peter, was about to become a bold apostle, but first he needed to be restored, in his emotions and memories, or satan would surely find a moment of fatigue or weakness, to beat him up for his failure and betrayal of the Lord, and divert him from providing the strength needed to keep the church moving forward with clear direction.

Jesus comes to Peter, and stands before Him in His love, power, and glory, and gently says to Peter: ‘Do you love me?’ At that moment, I believe Holy Spirit brought to Peters rememberance, the memory of the first time he denied Jesus.

Let’s look at Marks account in Mark 14:66 ¶  And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

67  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

68  But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

69  And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

70  And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.

71  But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

72  And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

On a dark, horrible night, not too long before, in the last time Peter saw Jesus alive, there was another fire, that Peter warmed his hands at. In the cold darkness, Peter denied His Lord.

Now, we have Jesus, standing before Him, loving him, in front of another fire: A warming fire, in the light of day, filled with joy, laughter, and loving fellowship.

It has been said by people that have faced horrible atrocities, or who have committed them, that simple circumstances can trigger memories deep within ones subconscious.

I remember the time I toured the prayer tower at Oral Roberts University, and they had a walk through story of Oral Roberts life depicted. As we walked through, the presence of the Holy Spirit was very evident, and in our tour group was an older couple in their seventies. At the end of the tour, they prayed for us to receive Jesus, and this older gentleman turned to me, and said, ‘Son, what are you going to do with your life?” I said, “I am going to preach the gospel around the world!” He began to explain:

“Do you think there is any hope for me? I told him that Jesus loved him, and that He had only died for sinners. All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that Jesus would forgive him, no matter what he had done.

He went on to tell me of the horror of Viet Nam, how as a young man, they had served there, and how he initially cared deeply about the Vietnamese people. When they went in to occupy a village of the Viet Cong, US soldiers would save their chocolate from their rations, and would give it to the children of the village, and would love on them. The enemy figured out this soft spot in the US troops, so began sending children out to meet the troops, strapped with grenades. This man saw a company of his friends blown up by one of these child suicide bombers. New orders came from his commanding officer, when they occupied a village, shoot everything that moved. They were in the jungle, and they were scared. Yet, they followed orders, and killed many women and children.

Now, this man had been back in the US, for over 30 years. His children had grown, and he would have them over for family dinners on holidays. Yet, sometimes, his grandchildren, would come toward him, with arms raised, wanting to be held, and he would black out, and after he was restrained, would discover that he had gone into a killing rage, and had broken up furniture, punched holes in walls, and did not remember doing it. He looked at me with tears in his eyes, and said, ‘Is there any hope for me? When I see my grandbabies, I still remember the horror of killing all those little children in Viet Nam, that would come out of the village, arms raised, expecting chocolate.”

I felt like I had been sucker punched at the moment, with the wind knocked out of me, but I did manage to squeak out a prayer, and to pray for the man.

I was deeply troubled by this, and sought the Lord, for some time. Began to do a Bible study, on the English word, ‘mind’, trying to find something in the Word of God, that would help this man.

Seems there are twelve different Greek roots, for the one English word we call ‘mind’. Many refer to ‘sub conscious reasoning’s’, or ‘thoughts and intents of the heart.’

The Lord graciously gave me:

Hebrews 9:14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

In the Old Testament, the blood of bulls and animals could provide an offering for the outward punishment for sins, in Jesus, His blood will cleanse not only the outward affects of sin, but even our deepest memories, reasonings, and trauma’s. I prayed for the man, and I know God set him free.

Some have said, well if someone kills a child, or is a pedophile, did not Jesus Himself say:

Mr 9:42  And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

I am not making light of sin, just making much of the cross of Jesus. As a father, if someone was to attempt to hurt one of my children, or they were attacked by a pedophile, I would kill them, and rid the earth of them.

Yet, God is greater than me, far, far greater.

King David committed genocide, and killed men, women, and children in his raids, when he was running from Saul.

1Sa 27:9  And David smote the land, and left neither man nor woman alive, and took away the sheep, and the oxen, and the asses, and the camels, and the apparel, and returned, and came to Achish.

1Sa 27:11  And David saved neither man nor woman alive, to bring tidings to Gath, saying, Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David, and so will be his manner all the while he dwelleth in the country of the Philistines.

I believe there were earthly consequences to David’s actions:

1Ch 28:3  But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood.

He didn’t get to build the temple. Yet, he found eternal life, and lives forever with God in heaven.

Yet, at the end of his life, God said:

Acts 13:22  And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.

I take great comfort in this verse. If God can forgive David for genocide, murder, adultery, and still use him, then there is hope for any of us. Jesus died upon the cross for all sin, not just the socially acceptable ones.

In light of eternity, this is the way you can be remembered, a man after God’s own heart!

Though I have never killed anyone, God has done a deep work in my life, and as painful as the journey has been, I would do it all over again, to experience the wonderful peace of mind that I presently experience. No more nightmares, depressions, fits of rage, because the very traumas, wounds, and abuse that caused that behavior have been healed by the power of God.

I think about it this way: When we accept Jesus, and become born-again, He literally comes to live inside of us, and old things pass away, all things become new. We now have the power of almighty God living on the inside of us, to overcome sin, and our sinful tendencies. The best illustration of this is of a roaring lion: When I first became a Christian, that roaring lion of sinful desire got placed in a cage, and could no longer control my life. He still roared, but he was in a cage, and I did not have to yield to his tyranny, the bars of the Word of God and Holy Spirit, gave me grace and power to not sin! Yet, the desires were still there, warring against my will, trying to get me to sin.

As I walked with God, and Holy Spirit has gone deep within my soul, and grown fruit of the spirit within, there came days of victory in my life, where the lions of various sinful desires got killed. The cage was no longer needed, because, I was free!

Isaiah 1:18

Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool

Let’s get back to Jesus restoring Peter:

I believe that we can only receive truth that sets free, in the light of His love.

Pr 16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Here we have a shameful Peter, confronted by our loving Jesus.

He knew what Peter did, He was there.

He knows what you have done too, He was there, and saw it all.

Peter, do you love me? I believe at that instant, Holy Spirit brought Peter back to the memory of the night of Jesus betrayal. The fire, being the element Jesus used to trigger Peters memory. Peter, hung his head and said, ‘Lord, you know that I love you.” I believe a miracle occurred in that instant, that Holy Spirit not only gave Peter a revelation of Jesus forgiveness and total acceptance of him, but that in that instance, Peter faced truth, and went free! He lifted off of Peter all the trauma, shame, guilt and fear. Jesus said, ‘Go feed my lambs.’

Yet, Jesus was not done yet. Again, he gently probed, Peter, do you love me? I believe the same dynamic occurred, and Holy Spirit brought to Peter’s remembrance, the second denial, and again, Peter received God’s love and truth, and in the mercy of God, Peter received truth, and this iniquity was purged from his mind.

Now, Jesus probes again. Not only bringing to Peters remembrance the third, most passionate denial, the one that should have got him killed, but probably, the very motives, reasonings, and thoughts inside of Peter, that caused him to do it.

Again, after Jesus says, ‘Do you love me?,’ Peter receives Jesus love, and affirmation, and again, Jesus commissions him to feed his sheep. Peter now had some more food for God’s sheep, at a very deep level.

This is why I could preach good news to the perpetrators of the genocide in Rwanda, boldly proclaiming over the radio to the one million people listening:

Matthew 4:16

The people who sat (dwelt enveloped) in darkness have seen a great Light, and for those who sat in the land and shadow of death Light has dawned.

Yes, the darkness of genocide was great death in the land, but the glorious light of Jesus love has come to Rwanda, healing the deepest, sickest secrets, and bringing God’s grace to forgive the unforgivable. He who did it in Rwanda, will do it for you, too…

Now, let’s pray:

‘Father, you know us. You know what we do, but why we do it. Today, I am asking for a deep revelation of your love that will allow me to face and receive your forgiveness and healing for not only what happened to me, but more importantly, for the wicked, crazy things I have done. You were there when they happened Father, yet you love me. I have tried with drugs, sports, academic pursuits, and many other things to keep running from my pain and shame, but I am so, so, tired, and know not how to proceed. Reach deep within me, and set me free, and show me what you have for me to do for you. I see how my pain has blinded me from you, for oh so long. Take it away Father, make me whole, in Your name Lord Jesus and in the power of Your name, Amen.’

For prayer, comments, or to donate online:

Email: chris.aomministries@gmail.com

Donate on-line: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=95XHSDDXDS7MC

Give in faith!

1 Corinthians 9:11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?

1 Corinthians 9:14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.

Paul goes on to say, that he did not use his position as a minister of the gospel to take up offerings, rather he worked, making tents, to support himself. You might notice here, that Paul was not married, nor did he have children. Family responsibilities take time, and just as you bust a move on your job to provide for your family, I work every bit as hard, doing this, faithful to the Lord in prayer and the ministry of His Word, to you.

I will never charge for this: it my responsibility to God, my calling. Freely I have been given, now, I freely give…

As you give, hear Holy Spirit what to give, and honestly expect God to reward you for your giving.

Matt 10: 41 He who receives and welcomes and accepts a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward, and he who receives and welcomes and accepts a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whoever gives to one of these little ones [in rank or influence] even a cup of cold water because he is My disciple, surely I declare to you, he shall not lose his reward.

I have ‘see through’ faith for you, in this: Gal 3: 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

I believe I have a responsibility before God to be like Jesus, in every offering I receive. I receive it with thanksgiving, just like Jesus did the little boys lunch.

Then, because I walk and live by faith according to the blessing of Abraham, I believe that God will take your seed sown, and multiply it, according to what the blessing of Abraham promises:

Genesis 22:17 In blessing I will bless you and in multiplying I will multiply your descendants like the stars of the heavens and like the sand on the seashore. And your Seed (Heir) will possess the gate of His enemies

It has been a joy to me, to see the hand of the living God act in the lives of those of you who have supported us this year!

Many have seen tremendous blessing come into your households, and for this we give thanks, and give Jesus all the glory!