I had a dream this morning that upon waking I knew I was meant to share with the Body. There has been a sense of urgency in the fear of the Lord not to delay even in my sharing with you, and I pray it is an instructional blessing for all who it may apply to.
In the dream I was standing next to someone, I was to their right and there was a calendar that became the focus in the middle. In the dream they by their understanding and thoughts kept turning the calendar of this month to the same time next year. The calendar would fall back to present, it would not remain where they wanted it. This happened over and over again, and I had a knowing in my heart that whatever they thought was for next year was for NOW.
Upon waking in the Spirit I kept hearing NOW Faith is NOW Faith is NOW Faith is
For who this may apply, MAY is significant. What you think is for this time next year I felt more than likely will not be there. Be very sensitive to what the Lord is speaking this month of May. The number 4 was highlighted in the dream, which I believe represents “For (4) such as time this”.
This was the kind of dream for me where the subject matter becomes impressions in the Spirit, hence when I wake it’s already knowledge that’s been pressing into me and is “a pressing manner”. Additionally I was seeing the dream in third person most of the time, caught up in the Spirit behind myself and the person, or in a close up of the calendar. Though you may be pressed, the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
It’s time for some of you to “pull the trigger”, not to kill it, but in the expression to keep it alive.
”Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].” Hebrews 11:1 AMP
”For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?”Esther 4:14 AMP
”Then your light will break out like the dawn, And your healing (restoration, new life) will quickly spring forth; Your righteousness will go before you [leading you to peace and prosperity], The glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.“ Isaiah 58:8 AMP
I woke this morning hearing 1 Peter 4:4. I did not turn to the Scripture immediately, and later began watching a video I was led to by the Spirit. While watching, I opened my Bible to the above Scripture reference, “”In [connection with] all this, they [the unbelievers] are resentful and surprised that you do not [think like them, value their values and] run [hand in hand] with them into the same excesses of dissipation and immoral freedom, and they criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values.“
In connection with the excerpt of Evangelist Lester Sumrall below, I believe the Lord is beginning to prepare His Church for persecution. What’s even wilder is that much of the persecution will be from her ‘own members’.
I’ve spoken about this a few years back, though this is one reason of which I believe the Lord is returning for a remnant. Not all in the Church Body will be the Bride. This in essence, speaks to the parable of the 10 Virgins in a sense, 5 wise and 5 foolish. There are many in the Body who are not actually conformed to the entire Gospel. When persecution becomes more prevalent this is when we will see an even greater falling away. Within the Body, there are persecutors and unbelievers of the power of the Gospel, and there are also persecutors because they DO ‘believe’ but are not operating in the same power because they did not go through process. These are the foolish virgins, they have not been through the crushing to produce oil, and they say “I want some of yours, give it to me!” and so covetousness ensues them. Some can not receive you, perhaps jealousy, fear, etc. though none the less living a life in the full resurrection power of the Gospel will cause others to behave in such a way (as written of in 1 Peter 4:4 using other adjectives from different versions) that you will be judged, criticized, maligned, spoken evil about, slandered, abused, vilified, made fun of and ridiculed but the Lord will have sent you. Though pressed, the persecuted remember all the evil can not compare to His resurrection Life; because divine union has afforded them their delight in suffering with The Christ.
Your “own” will reject you. Yet when we look at the life of Jesus no less did He endure, His creation despised and rejected Him, His own hated Him too. Therefore, the most wise preparation we have is this; allow yourself to be buried with Christ that you may rise with Him. To the victorious Love and forgiveness will be their banner. Hallelujah!
”But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”“ I Peter 4:7-8 NKJV
We need a palate and a mindset for eternity once again!
As “we are what we eat”, Lord may we be consumed with zeal and knowledge for Your House, eternity’s Home, and for all those who will enter through Your Door.
”That’s when his disciples remembered the Scripture: “I am consumed with a fiery passion to keep your house pure!”“ John 2:17 TPT
”My love for you has my heart on fire! My passion for your house consumes me! Nothing will turn me away, even though I endure all the insults of those who insult you.“ Psalms 69:9 TPT
”For zeal for Your house has consumed me, And the [mocking] insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.“ Psalms 69:9 AMP
If Jesus endured the cross and its shame for you and I, then surely we can deny our flesh, misunderstanding and persecution, insult and injury (that is really only to our pride) that we would live in the reality of being joined with Him now AND the hope for eternity’s life in Him forevermore.
What are you doing today / what are you becoming that is of true worth? Does it carry eternal value?
Do your heart and affections gain Heaven’s attention?
We give Jesus the cold shoulder when we do not trust Him.
He is alive He is a person He should be your husband
”For your husband is your Maker, The Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of the whole earth. For the Lord has called you, LIKE A WIFE who has been abandoned, grieved in spirit, And like a wife [married] in her youth when she is [later] rejected and scorned,” Says your God.“ Isaiah 54:5-6 AMP
The above chapter is named, “The fertility of Zion”. And coincides with 1 Peter 2; the Lord led me to these passages today by word of knowledge, I didn’t realize at first He was piecing them together.
”like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment],“ 1 Peter 2:2 AMP
Grow in respect to salvation … salvation is not a thing, salvation is a person. Jesus is the Word, we are nurtured by Him, and grow into respect in ultimately fulfilling the calling to be His wife.
”Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious (honored) Cornerstone, And he who believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will never be disappointed [in his expectations].”“ 1 Peter 2:4-6 AMP
Another depiction of the mature Bride; she was once barren though now redeemed consistently yields fruit, never disappointed because of her respect and trust in the Lord her Salvation.
One of the names of Zion is, “my delight is in her”. Our covenant with the Lord is meant to be a delightful union. ”But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels [in festive gathering],“ Hebrews 12:22 AMP The city of the LIVING GOD …
The new priesthood is coming forth, living stones who form a pure bride who rests her head on His shoulder (revering Him for the weight of sin paid), she now governs together with her High Priest/ Bridegroom King.
Lord let it be said of me Your delight is in me. Lord may we say of You, our delight is in You. For surely it is true, all our fountains are in You. ”The singers as well as the players on instruments shall say, All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you [city of our God].“ Psalm 87:7 AMPC
”Who is this one? She arises out of her desert, clinging to her beloved. When I awakened you under the apple tree, as you were feasting upon me, I awakened your innermost being with the travail of birth as you longed for more of me.“ Song of Songs 8:5 TPT
The Church at large must cultivate an atmosphere for the Fear of the Lord, or else it will cultivate and cut us. This means we must confront compromise, even in our behavior in His House. We act like He is not the One in Authority. If we will give Him His place He will take it; it is better to offer to Him than it be taken from us.
Stewarding His Presence means we teach people by even the most basic shepherding how to honor the Lord in His House. Our behavior matters, our conversations matter. This is not control, it is wisdom at its infancy stage. Sometimes we forget that sheep need to be led, by even the most simple gestures. (We all do, sometimes I forget). The more we talk about setting an atmosphere for an abiding Presence void of chaos, carnal chatter, with healthy guidelines, the more we will practice honoring His Presence and will naturally receive much more from our encounters with the Lord, or even from our Church attendance – for when we encounter Jesus we encounter the riches in His glory, for He is the very place of abundance.
When we revere the Lord as Holy, we will receive much more because that is Who He is.
Right now the sword of the Lord is cutting to conform us to the image of Himself or cutting to cast away. To this I plead, “take not thy Holy Spirit from me!”
”The [reverent] fear of the Lord is the beginning (the prerequisite, the absolute essential, the alphabet) of wisdom; A good understanding and a teachable heart are possessed by all those who do the will of the Lord; His praise endures forever.“ Psalms 111:10 AMP
”The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. [Ps. 111:10.]“ Proverbs 1:7 AMPC
”But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and God, the Holy One, shows Himself holy in righteousness and through righteous judgments.“ Isaiah 5:16 AMPC
”For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. [Lev. 11:44, 45.]“ #1 Peter 1:16 AMPC
Why do we persecute others who are in Christ for their afflictions and suffering when it is Scriptural?
Mature believers help others in the fire, lead them to and from, and they partner with the Spirit to unveil sight to the fourth Man in the fire. Some may walk on water but there is coming a rare people before the Lord’s return with feet of bronze, “fire runner’s”, whose heart is to prepare the Lord’s Bride, that He may receive His reward. They have withstood the trials and suffering that have given them the molded feet of bronze; a sign of obedient love and sacrifice, a price few will pay. Transformed and chosen by God from the furnace of affliction… for during great tribulations they will walk on fire too, they are the mature transfigured Sons of Man.
”and in the midst of the lampstands I saw someone like the Son of Man, dressed in a robe reaching to His feet, and with a golden sash wrapped around His chest. His head and His hair were white like white wool, [glistening white] like snow; and His [all-seeing] eyes were [flashing] like a flame of fire [piercing into my being]. His feet were like burnished [white-hot] bronze, refined in a furnace, and His voice was [powerful] like the sound of many waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword [of judgment]; and His face [reflecting His majesty and the Shekinah glory] was like the sun shining in [all] its power [at midday].“ Revelation 1:13-16 AMP
”Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.“ Isaiah 48:10 AMPC
”Although He was a Son [who had never been disobedient to the Father], He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered.“ Hebrews 5:8 AMP
No one can reel me in like Jesus. He is the answer.
As I pondered this simple yet profound Truth, one of the Scriptures that came to mind was Isaiah 53:6 – “We all like sheep have gone astray”, and within the meaning of the word “astray” was the word “reel”, also written in my beginning and defining thought.
Thoughts… they can lead us ever so slightly away from the nearness of Truth, and even innocently we can begin to wander lest we take them captive. We find ourselves questioning, tottering, and even shaken when we gaze upon distractions. With great intention we must remain not only near the Shepherds Voice, though in closeness to Him, and best yet in Him. Like a sound wave the closer the vibration is felt, we hear and discern Him, but this is not the hour of the bell… it’s the hour of the whisper. And more honorable still is the person who remains in Him in Oneness.
Apart from Him, I am nothing.
The Answer // All Things answer (n.) Middle English answere, from Old English andswaru “a response, a reply to a question,” from and- “against” (from PIE root *ant- “front, forehead,” with derivatives meaning “in front of, before”) + -swaru “affirmation,” from swerian “to swear” (see swear). The proposed etymology suggests an original sense of “sworn statement rebutting a charge.” The meaning “solution of a problem” is from c. 1300.
Is it not true? We all like sheep have gone astray. have gone astray, תָּעִ֔ינוּ (tā·‘î·nū) Strong’s 8582: To vacillate, reel, stray
VAC’ILLATE, v.i. [L. vacillo; Eng. to waggle, a diminutive of wag. See Wag.]
To waver; to move one way and the other; to reel or stagger.
To fluctuate in mind or opinion; to waver; to be unsteady or inconstant.
We are in a moment where we must exercise spiritual disciplines with great intentionality and concentration. It is pivotal for ourselves and the future Church generations to come.
”All of us like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, each one, to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wickedness of us all [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing] To fall on Him [instead of us].“ Isaiah 53:6 AMP
Thank you Lord for Your mercy and lovingkindess! The pursuing Savior, the risen Lamb, is He not worthy of all?
”I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.“ Psalms 16:8 AMP
”I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your ordinances before me.“ Psalms 119:30 AMP
”I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek, inquire for, and demand Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments. [Isa. 53:6; Luke 15:4; I Pet. 2:25.]“ Psalm 119:176 AMPC
If we are being shaken, He is not before us. In stillness and quietness our soul will find Him.
”Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions. Watch where you’re going! Stick to the path of truth, and the road will be safe and smooth before you. Don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked for even a moment or take the detour that leads to darkness.“ Proverbs 4:25-27 TPT
”Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name.“ Psalms 23:1-3 TPT
Thank You Jesus, You have never compromised Your Word; You are faithful, You are worthy, You are holy. You ARE The Way, The Truth, and The Life!
Out of any 2024 Prophetic Word’s I could give you, though there be many things on my heart, if anything be of value, listen to this: your greatest prophetic word this year is Know The Word!
Lamps Need Oil
Knowing comes through intimacy
In a recent vision I saw the Statue of Liberty move from her arm risen with torch in hand to holding a dim lantern in front of her.
Lamps Need Oil
Our Light is His Life
”IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.] He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it].“ John 1:1-5 AMPC
Regardless of how dark the world becomes, our Light (whom is Christ in us the hope of glory) will not be overpowered. You must have Him, you must know Him, you must remain in Him, you must abide. This knowledge is intimate, this means you come inside of Christ and remain in Him for He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Knowing Christ means to come into His being, much like how the Bible describes knowledge between a man and woman. In covenant, Oneness between a husband and wife equates knowledge in Biblical standards, even in the example of entering into one another’s being’s – the act of becoming one. ”Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.“ Matthew 1:24-25 NKJV. This passage confirms Jesus was born of a virgin.
Do not let the enemy twist this for you, this may be unfamiliar language, though it is not sexual in nature. However, the Lord uses this symbolism to teach us the unity we are to have found in Him. Another example is found in Jeremiah. ”“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”“ Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV
All things exist through Christ. All things. This means we came from His being. It is the act of our will on this earth if we will lay our life down and find it in Him as He did for us. ”[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].“ Philippians 3:10-11 AMPC
Imagine stepping into the person of Christ and staying there.
”For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring.“ Acts 17:28 AMPC
”The saying is sure and worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him.“ 2 Timothy 2:11 AMPC
”And this is the message [the message of promise] which we have heard from Him and now are reporting to you: God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him at all [no, not in any way]. [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].“ 1 John 1:5-6 AMPC
While formation in the womb is a hidden and dark space, this is life forming to yet be revealed and represents mystery. However once out of the womb the mystery is made known as the baby comes “into the light”. The baby’s identity in gender is made known in the light, and also he or she finds life in taking their first breath. Now out of the womb the baby will continue to grow without restraint. In the same way, we come into more knowledge of the Triune Godhead the more we come into His Light. Our being grows and is transformed in His Light, remaining in Him. As a baby is born into the world, so we are born into God. A baby comes into being through intimacy, and likewise we continue to sustain our life in Christ through intimacy; remaining in His person where in His Light mysteries are revealed and we grow more and more into the knowledge of Him ~ into His Ways, His Truth, His Light.
Contrastingly, darkness sees Light, as when the Light appears darkness can not overpower, overwhelm or overshadow the Light. The Light has been revealed. However many will claim to have seen the Light but they only know the Light from seeing. Whereas those who truly know the Light exist inside of Him and walk in the Light. Another example is as if living inside the Light was as if one existed inside the Light bulb. Those who claim to know or see the Light and even copy works that they have seen in the Light (miracles, signs, wonders) do not have to live inside of it to experience it’s benefits. In the same way the Sun is burning every day whether you can see it or not, and all of humanity knows this. We orbit around it, and all life exists from Light (photosynthesis). If we lived inside of the Sun we would be consumed. Our God is a consuming fire and desires to KNOW US AND BE KNOWN BY US.
Do we live inside of the Son, or do we live outside of Him? Are we inside of His being, or do we exist outside of Him?
”Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. [Ps. 6:8.] So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.“ Matthew 7:17-24 AMPC
Symbolically we can propose that both trees lived under the Light of the Sun. However those sickly trees and those with bad fruit did not remain fully in the Sun, they did not consume its nutrients nor were they transformed by the Sun’s presence. Likewise those who do not find their Life in the Son and their existence from His being will be cast away, for they did not KNOW the Lord by finding their life and fruit inside of Him. In utter darkness and separation from Light they will now exist, an eternity void of life will become their knowledge.
The tree of knowledge of good and evil is every man’s lot, eating of its fruit is every man’s choice. Yet there is another tree, the broken tree at Calvary where upon the eternal seed of Christ was split wide open and His blood redeemed all life. Will we produce like Abel or Cain, what will we offer Him? How shall we respond? The cross is Eden’s redemption and once more I will write, do you find your Life in Him? Which tree will you choose?
”But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.“ Isaiah 53:5 AMP
Christ our first fruit offering was crushed, and so we must also be crushed and obtain oil as we press into living in Him; in His being where is the eternal life, a life formed through intimacy.
”And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent.“ John 17:3 AMPC
Lamps Need Oil
Do you know Him?
”THEN THE kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent). For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them; But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him! Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order. And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves. But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut. Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us! But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you]. Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 25:1-13 AMPC
He is the Light, we are His vessels, His lamps … we cannot burn, and we cannot see without the oil formed through knowing Him.
Buy oil: Give the Lord your best fruit, the best of you (a first fruit offering) and in the offering of your life to Him, you will find all provision, all love, all joy, all contentment, all LIFE. It is not loss my friends, it is truly only gain. ”For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity].“ Philippians 1:21 AMPC
There will be much ‘knowledge’ for even the tree of knowledge of good and evil was not void of knowledge itself, however this is our sober warning that in the last days most people will be “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7).
To know Truth is to know Christ A life yielded to Him will sustain you until the end.
As written in the Amplified, adjectives to describe the pure in heart include integrity, moral courage and godly character.
In a culture where “if I feel led, it feels right, or I feel like it” I pray we would be people (at minimum in the Church) of our word because we follow the Word. Integrity is rare, and it means a lot to the Lord. Ponder this: the Heavens and Earth will pass away, but the Word will remain.
”Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35 NKJV
”I will worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and for Your truth and faithfulness; for You have exalted above all else Your name and Your word and You have magnified Your word above all Your name!“ Psalm 138:2 AMPC
We see God when we keep His Word, and when we honor our words in and through others. Why did Moses see God? Because He both feared and loved Him – He was given the first written “Words of God” by faithfully scribing the Torah. Moses obeyed, the Lord kept His Word to Him through encounter showing him His glory, and by giving Moses the written Word.
If we are not seeing God in our lives, even in a particular area, we could pray and ask if there is any way in us that is not honoring His Word. It’s not always that we’ve done something wrong, however the entry way to ascension is clean hands and a pure heart and for this reason alone, to have that fellowship with Him we should be daily checking our hearts. Are our hearts pure? Do we have integrity, moral courage and godly character? You may desire God and ‘something’ from Him, but do you obey Him? He desires something from us too…
”Who shall go up into the mountain of the Lord? Or who shall stand in His Holy Place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted himself up to falsehood or to what is false, nor sworn deceitfully. [Matt. 5:8.]“ Psalm 24:3-4 AMPC
We are in loveless times. I’ve never felt the absence of love and honor like I do now, inside and outside of the Church. Personally I’ve never experienced this deficit as I have now in both speech and action from others.
Beware of the “Cold War” – before anything occurs in the natural it preexists in one’s heart and mind. The war initiates in the mind, germinates in the heart and eventually progresses to the action of withholding.
World wars are ensuing, and yet the real damage begins within each frail human soul…
Religion withholds, and bases it’s giving on works and performance. “You better pass all your tests”. This is the ever sliding mountain, that just as one is heading to the peak, never is able to get “over the pass”. It’s evil what we do and how we abuse one another… even in the Church. You think you’re testing the Bride, but she is testing you too… can you love her at what you perceive to be her worst?
If Church leaders do not start loving the Bride (Christ’s Body) she will find another lover, and or become weak and dormant, and eventually handicapped and useless. There is a whole lot of “bridal language” circulating and a lot less action. Christ gave up Himself for her… and anyone who assumes themselves to be a leader must do the same. Conditional love is not covenant love.
We love because He first loved us. This is the example. Not based on performance, based on commandment.
”Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church, Because we are members (parts) of His body. For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. [Gen. 2:24.] This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning [the relation of] Christ and the church. However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]. [I Pet. 3:2.]“ Ephesians 5:25-33 AMPC
”And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him. Wives, be subject to your husbands [subordinate and adapt yourselves to them], as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives [be affectionate and sympathetic with them] and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them.“ Colossians 3:17-19 AMPC
The foot of the Cross, through the Blood of Jesus is the only way to ascend the hill in any terrain. And when we walk in step with Him, Christ’s ascension is our glory; in His life and His great Love is where we must remain. His fire is both passionate and refining; we need our Bridegroom King’s burning eyes to see, and His burning heart to breathe. If we remain in Him and are One with Him, He is the wall of fire around us where the glory is contained within – ”For I, says the Lord, will be to her a wall of fire round about, and I will be the glory in the midst of her.“ Zechariah 2:5 AMPC
”This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself.“ 2 Timothy 2:11-13 AMP
”For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’“ Acts 17:28 AMP
”And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, But he who endures to the end will be saved.“ Matthew 24:10-13 AMPC
”Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]. He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us! By this we come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us: because He has given (imparted) to us of His [Holy] Spirit.“ 1 John 4:7-13 AMPC
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