The Scriptures use a variety of images and symbols to speak forth truth and to bring understanding to the people of God. Indeed, the entire creation was designed to show forth parables. As we observe events and images in the natural, we are able to perceive things in the spiritual realms.
Two of the most prevalent images that confront people as they read the Bible are that of shepherds with a flock, and husbandmen tending a field or vineyard. The Scriptures declare that the people of God are both Yahweh’s flock and His field. If the people of God are His field, what type of crop is He desiring to bring forth from this field? It can be clearly stated that God is very definite in that which He is seeking to bring forth from His people.
Galatians 4:19
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you...
The gospel of Christ is unique among all messages proclaimed by the religions of the world. There are many faiths that are focused upon a moral code of conduct. There are numerous ways presented to attain to a happy afterlife. But there is only found in the gospel the message that a man must be born again as a spiritual creature.
John 3:3-7
Yahshua answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Yahshua answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, "You must be born again.’”
There is no other religion on earth that declares to mankind that they are incomplete and unable to attain to the desire of God apart from experiencing a spiritual birth. This spiritual birth is critical. Apart from being born again a man can neither see, nor enter into, the kingdom of God.
In other religions anybody may join and begin to practice the teachings of its prophets and leaders. In Christianity, however, there is but one entrance, and one path to admission. All must enter in through Christ. All must begin by being born again spiritually of the seed of Christ.
I Peter 1:23
For you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
I John 3:9
No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Spiritual life begins at conception even as does physical life. Apart from receiving spiritual life into their being, mankind cannot live as Christ lived. All attempts to imitate the life of Christ are vanity and striving after the wind. The life of Christ cannot be imitated. It can only be replicated. The seed of Christ’s life must take root in the heart of a man and begin to grow. It must continue to grow until the full image of Christ comes forth.
Ephesians 4:11-13
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
The church today has lost the understanding of the purpose of ministers. Ministers are not given to the church to direct the saints into good works, nor to keep them busy with the activities and programs of the church. Christ gave ministers to equip the body of Christ with the knowledge of the Son of God who resides in them, and to urge them on to a life of faith where they reckon that Christ is in them, that all things have changed and become new. These ministers are given to bring the members of Christ’s body to the same fulness of stature that belongs to the Son of God. They are to direct the body of Christ to labor to see Christ fully formed in them.
Such growth into a mature image of Christ is a natural spiritual progression. Once the seed of Christ is received in the soil of man its regular course is to grow and mature. Yet like a seed of corn planted in the ground there are many things that can affect the maturing of this seed. Crops can wither from drought, disease, and pestilence. Crops can fail to mature due to poor soil conditions, by being choked out by weeds, or by having the seed snatched away by predators.
God’s ministers are called to serve as husbandmen. They are to tend the soil in which the seed has been planted, laboring to see that it comes to maturity. The apostle Paul spoke the following words to the young minister Timothy.
II Timothy 2:6-7
The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
No farmer would be so careless as to go and cast seed out over the field only to return at the end of the growing season expecting to reap a great harvest. Much work has to go into preparing the soil. The ground has to be watered, and weeds and pests must be removed throughout the growing season. The ministers of God are to work together to bring forth a mature crop from the seed of Christ that has been planted in the lives of men.
I Corinthians 3:6-9
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field...
A great many ministers today do not know what it is that the seed of Christ must grow into. They do not know whether they have planted watermelons, or rice, or peas in the field. Their labor is therefore haphazard. Many seeing an image of Christ appearing among the people of God, pull it up and cast it away as an unwanted weed, not discerning that this is what they are to be bringing forth for the glory of God.
How can a minister labor to bring forth from the seed of Christ planted in God’s field an hundred fold increase of the image of Christ if they do not know that this is the object of their labor? The call of God’s minister is to see Christ fully formed in the people of God. Such mature spiritual men will be able to then hear God for themselves. They will walk with God even as did Christ. They will go where the Father directs, and do the works the Father reveals that they are to do.
Many ministers do not desire to see people come forth who are a mature reflection of Christ. The ministers want to direct the people, telling them what works to do, and keeping them forever attending their teaching, putting money in the coffers of their church, and keeping the programs the minister oversees running smoothly. Such usurpers will see all who are coming to maturity as a threat, and they will seek to rein them in, controlling their lives. In doing so they repeat the grave error of the Jewish leaders.
Matthew 21:33-43
"Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard and put a wall around it and dug a wine press in it, and built a tower, and rented it out to vine-growers, and went on a journey. And when the harvest time approached, he sent his slaves to the vine-growers to receive his produce. And the vine-growers took his slaves and beat one, and killed another, and stoned a third. Again he sent another group of slaves larger than the first; and they did the same thing to them. But afterward he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.' But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and seize his inheritance.' And they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Therefore when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vine-growers?" They said to Him, "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end, and will rent out the vineyard to other vine-growers, who will pay him the proceeds at the proper seasons...” “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it.”
How have the ministers of the church today NOT done the same things of which Christ accused the Jewish religious leaders? The ministers of the church today have refused to bring forth a mature crop to present to God the Father, the owner of the field. They have taken the proceeds from the field and gathered it into their own barns, enriching themselves. They have been evil in their labors, intentionally sowing weeds and loosing pests among the standing grain. They have spread the disease of material prosperity, carnal desires, and false doctrine as if it was fertilizer to enrich the soil, but they have merely managed to choke out that which was growing. And should they see any coming to maturity despite all of these disadvantages, they will uproot them and cast them away, seeing them as a threat to their dominion.
God will bring those wretches to a wretched end. He will then place the field in the hands of faithful servants who will bring forth the increase that He has long desired. This activity is at hand. We will soon see this judgment and transfer occur.
Zechariah 11:4-5, 13:8-9
Thus says Yahweh my God, "Pasture the flock doomed to slaughter. Those who buy them slay them and go unpunished, and each of those who sell them says, ‘Blessed be Yahweh, for I have become rich!' And their own shepherds have no pity on them...”
“It will come about in all the land," declares Yahweh, “That two parts in it will be cut off and perish; But the third will be left in it. And I will bring the third part through the fire, refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,' And they will say, ‘Yahweh is my God.’”
In this hour the judgment of God will come to the shepherds of God’s people. Many will be consumed, and God will raise up godly shepherds who will pasture His flock in good grass and beside clean waters. No longer will they be fed that which is sick and diseased, nor led beside polluted streams to drink. The words of Ezekiel will be fulfilled:
Ezekiel 34:2-10
"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to those shepherds, "Thus says Yahweh God, ‘Woe, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock. Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and they became food for every beast of the field and were scattered. My flock wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill; My flock was scattered over all the surface of the earth, and there was no one to search or seek for them.’”
Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh: "As I live," declares Yaweh God, "surely because My flock has become a prey, My flock has even become food for all the beasts of the field for lack of a shepherd, and My shepherds did not search for My flock, but rather the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock; therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of Yahweh: ‘Thus says Yahweh God, "Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will demand My sheep from them and make them cease from feeding sheep. So the shepherds will not feed themselves anymore, but I will deliver My flock from their mouth, so that they will not be food for them."'"
God will call forth a remnant of His people and place over them true shepherds, and faithful husbandmen, who will do all His good pleasure. These will labor faithfully to see Christ formed in every man. They will strive to bring forth an abundant increase for the glory of God the Father. A vision will be upon the eyes of God’s servants. They will perceive the seed of Christ growing in the soil of God’s field, and they will labor to see it come to maturity until Christ is clearly visible in every direction, and on every hand.
These shepherds and husbandmen will receive wages according to their labor. The Father will reward them for bringing forth that which is the desire of His heart, even many sons in the image of His firstborn. These shepherds and husbandmen will not fatten themselves on the field and flock of God. They will not pollute the land, nor foul the waters. These will cleanse the way before them, removing stumblingblocks and stones from the fields.
Jeremiah 23:2-4
Therefore thus says Yahweh God of Israel concerning the shepherds who are tending My people: "You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds," declares Yahweh. "Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply. I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer, nor be terrified, nor will any be missing," declares Yahweh.
People of God, listen to what the Spirit is speaking. Yahweh must raise up true shepherds for His people at the end of this age in which we now live. He will have a purified people, and a bride prepared for the return of His Son. Though it be a remnant who are saved, and the people of God appear as a much smaller flock than the hundreds of millions who now profess to be His people, He will have a victorious, overcoming body of believers who will manifest fully the life of His Son in them.
These ministers have been walking with God, coming to understand His ways. They know what is necessary to bring forth the image of Christ among His people. These will not drown the growing grain with too much water, nor cause it to perish with too much drought. They understand that even as Christ was perfected by the things He suffered, so too must those be who would attain to His image. There is a need for the early and latter rains, as well as for the hot dry weariness of summer.
Apart from the working of the cross there can be no conformity to the image of Christ. Most ministers today are enemies of the cross. Their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame. They therefore lead others to do the same. They want to consume and experience endless pleasure, but this has caused the image of Christ to be absent among the people of God. True ministers with hearts after God’s own will seek that which is the Father’s desire. They will not serve as hirelings and men-pleasers. Their vision will be to bring forth that which will satisfy the One who chose them to tend field and flock.
The one thing that will satisfy God will be to have many sons in His image. The path must involve suffering, but the end is glory.
Hebrews 2:10
For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.
God will only be satisfied when He observes among mankind many sons conformed to the image of His firstborn.
Romans 8:29
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren...
Christ must be fully formed in His people. This is God’s desire for you and for me. He will accomplish His desire. Though it be at the end of the age that the church finally brings forth sons after the image of Christ, she will bring them forth. Like Sarah who gave birth to Isaac in her old age, the church must bring forth sons. Like Rachel who gave birth to Jacob’s last two sons, Joseph and Benjamin, even as her own life was fading, so too must the church bring forth sons to share the birthright and to receive power at the end of this age.
Although the earth and the people of God must endure great tribulation such as has never been experienced before, this time will be as a woman in her birth pangs. She will have sorrow in the process, but afterward she will forget her pain for the joy that a man has been born into the world.
It has ever been the plan of God for His Son to see His seed, His offspring, fully bearing His image. The plan of God has not been thwarted, or even hindered. There is an appointed time for all things.
Isaiah 53:10
Yet it pleased Yahweh to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief: when You shall make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see his seed, He shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Yahweh shall prosper in His hand.
It was for this purpose that Christ came and laid down His life. He was promised that if He laid down His life He would see His seed, many sons in His image.
John 12:24
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Christ laid down His life to bring forth Christ in others. All those who have received His seed are to be growing up into His image and likeness. We are his field. All things produce after their kind. It is the will of the Father that Christ be fully formed in you.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
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Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
What Will the New Year Bring?
Joseph Herrin (12-30-08)
This will be a year in which everything will change. The following passage sums up much of what we will see:
Daniel 11:32-33
And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many...
Following are a collection of insightful words that were sent to me today concerning the year 2009.
THE NEW YEAR OF BIRTHING
by Pam Clark
(pamclark@prophetic.net)
Everyone has their words and little slogans for the New Year. I don't usually join in the bandwagon of that too often but I am stirred about this year for some reason.
One of the ones I have seen that has stuck with me is that the 9 in 2009 means full term, ready for birth. I can relate to that one. I get a witness. January 1 is also my birthday and for me it will be year 58, which many say is the number of blessing. I'm looking forward to it.
As I prayed about it for the corporate Body, I felt I would call 2009 "the Year of Significance."
And so I also just decided to look up what the meaning of the Jewish New Year 5769 - which was in mid-September - to see how that meaning ties in.
According to the author Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh, the Hebrew meaning of the numbers 5769 means: "May this be a year of a good sign." (http://www.inner.org/years/5769/5769-blessing.php) I think when we think about the "sign of His coming", we Christians can go along with that!
There will be many dramatic events as the time or season or Day of the Lord draws near. That is not just a "one day event"; it is a transition into a new life for us. The old "wineskin" will be done away with, and the new one is here to be used.
We need the new wineskin because the wine does ferment with age and the growth will be explosive. When we understand that God is forward moving and is in the process of vanquishing evil, we will learn how to co-labor and cooperate with Him. He is in expansion mode. His foundation of goodness is being laid.
He is in maturity mode. Just as the womb can no longer contain the baby and the baby must be birthed, so we must express the Christ seed that is growing in us. The Christ child in us is being matured as an adult and becomes more significant as the Christ (anointed) man expresses his presence and activities.
When a child is born from the womb, there is an AMAZING transition that takes place. There is a new way of breathing and feeling and hearing and living. There is vision. Needs are dramatically different. Skills are increasing. Responses are more senstive and dramatic. Interaction is closer and more dynamic. It's a whole new realm.
Activation takes place within instead of just from without. What we ingest makes a difference as to what we put out and how it is assimilated. Instead of a transfusion, we go past milk into the meat of maturity. We become significant. We ourselves become the signs of His Expressions.
We are not rallying around the big UM of one harmonious note, we are a symphony orchestra with a majestic piece to play - notes that will touch every part and influence every aspect of the atmosphere. The arrangement requires that everyone does his and her part or it's not the complete sound of the complete work.
The Maestro taps his baton to bring us to attention, are we ready with our own personal instruments in tune? There is a melody to be heard, a message to be sung, a word to be given, an impartation to give so that we might receive more again to give out in increase.
We are expanding, we are releasing what has been discipled and pent up, what we have been trained and prepared to DO by the Holy Spirit.
We have come full term. It's time to take our divine rights as matured sons and daughters of the King, the Most High God who reigns forever and ever more. Submitted, yet confident, astute and yet listening for the holy commands, resilent and ready to respond, we are trained and gifted.
It's not a time to cower back in timidity. It is time for the Expression. It is the year for a good sign.
_______________________
EXPERIENCING A NEW YEAR - 2009
Rene V. Parault
Dec 29, 2008
Around the years of 1995 to 2008 were the periods of warnings from the Lord to us especially here in the US as other places in the world. These warnings (signs) were to tell us even stronger judgments were on the way. We should have sought the Lord and repented; been sober minded, putting our houses in order. In those years and even now, were hurricanes, storms, fires, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, tidal waves, blizzards, ice, heat, strange insects, bugs manifesting, rivers drying up and all sorts of manifestations in the natural. Multitudes have been saying they had never seen such weather or these conditions before in their lifetime. The disasters are going on continually, one after another. There was the Sept. 11th attack, which took place when we were in England, and the Lord said, “Lamentations and Woe; and another woe is coming.” So we still have the “something else” coming- soon. There has also been signs in the sky, we ourselves seeing some phenomenon’s over the years, the Lord warning all along the way. But even when there has been signs, the eyes of the blind do not see, nor do the ears of the deaf hear; so when there is no perception of the times and seasons that we are in, as the worldly saying goes, “Business goes on as usual.” No spiritual preparation.
God always send out His prophets early to give the people a chance to repent, but because of lack of response, God begins moving in stronger measures. He has said prophetically, “I cannot look upon the wickedness, the evil, the abortions, the homosexuality, they are a stench to my nostrils and so I must judge to bring forth cleansing.” Yes, there are strong measures that will bring about repentance and change of mind, and brokenness. Pro. 10:13 "In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding."
2009
We have been warned in previous years, but in 2009 we are going to experience what the warnings are all about. Whether we are saint or sinner, we will all be partakers in different degrees of the next events where the hand of God will be manifested. The changes that many are looking for since the election will not be joy as they thought, but as time goes on, will bring about weeping and wailing.
We will begin to experience these unheeded warnings in many different ways. At first the Lord warns, and when unheeded, He moves into a stronger warnings, turning into judgments. Some judgments will be catastrophic in nature. Others of these severities of the Lord will be economic, health, trials, and other losses for those who have not heeded; even getting caught up in false revivals and false anointing; being deceived. Yes, even deception and false revivals are a testing of the hearts of God’s people, a form of judgment. Do they want Him or do they want the signs, even as Israel of old. God will give you want you want, if you want it bad enough; and most people do. Because the people wanted what was in their deceptive hearts in 2008, they will eat of the consequences in 2009.
The Spirit of fear has been unleashed, and this is will be the experience for those who have not heeded the Lord; and also the unrighteous throughout the earth. Fear immobilizes and clouds the mind and senses to hear the voice of God properly. The wise and the prudent will show stability. Repentance and seeking the Lord, and being in the shadow of the Almighty have been their way of walking. They have been listening to His voice, knowing that the bridegroom is coming, just as the five wise virgins. Where there is security, there is no fear.
As the world spins into confusion, the righteous will have the peace of the Lord, and will be joyful in the midst of adversity. So in this new 2009 buckle up your Holy Spirit seat belts, for the ride has just begun; and it will continue onward and downward. As our pastor friend called us recently and said the Lord visited him and said “In ten years the world would collapse.” (This meant the systems of the word collapsing, and living standards going backward to the turn of the century or further.) The pastor cried out, why Oh Lord? And the Lord answered, read Proverbs 12: 15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” So from this we can account, the world is full of fools and listening to their own carnal minds and hearts, which will bring them into destruction. Even so come Lord Jesus! Amen!
________________________
Wilderness Tears
(John Gray)
"For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'The Voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.'" Matthew 3:3 NKJV
Love. Life. Loss. Longing. Pain. Desperation. Power. Fear. Strength.
Any one of those words could stand alone in describing me at one time or another as I embarked on this journey called MannaGod. Together, these words are symbolic of the life that I've lived through the manna over the past few years. Almost on a cycle, the issues of my heart would ebb and flow out of me based on these words. And whether accumulated over time, or singularly encountered, each manna written was a testament to a man in search of himself, at the same time attempting to help others find the path to The Most High.
Over these years I would see flashes of the anointing that God was calling me into. Flashes. And it was in these flashes that people would connect to me. I have been privileged to enter into relationship with some of the most dedicated, sincere, anointed and Holy Ghost filled people in this world. For some reason or another, these amazing people saw something in me, sometimes beyond what I could see in myself. But anyone who knows anything about the anointing knows that past the moments of power, there is a human in there somewhere with real issues that need resolution. I was, and am still, no different.
I could write manna indefinitely. I could write everyday if given enough time. I could share insights that The Father has given to me and I'm sure it would connect with someone. But some months ago, for no apparent reason, I stopped writing. I couldn't do it anymore. Tired? Yes. Confused? Sometimes. Searching? Always. But this time was different. I was tired of writing about a God that I wasn't sure I had met yet.
The patterns in my life were cycling faster than usual and I estimated a short amount of time was left before full demonic breach of what little remaining external armor I had left. Depleted in spirit, mind, body, emotions and resources, I was at my end. Crying for help silently. Through the laughs, tears would flow. Beyond the songs, pain would linger. Past the façade of invulnerability, I was slowly dying due to internal spiritual bleeding.
I have shared about the charade that is the reality in some of today's contemporary churches. Many people like me who are talented are never confronted about who we truly are when the microphone is off and no one is looking or shouting or laughing. It's that person that needs covering. It's that person that needs mentoring. It's that person that needs real friends. I kept trying to figure out why my life was manifesting fruit, but I had no joy. I was constantly left wondering what fulfillment and peace felt like. I wondered if I'd ever have an authentic relationship with someone who really saw me and chose to stay anyway.
All this was constantly in my mind and my heart every time I sat down to write manna. And so I existed, thirty-five years old, a few months away from 2009, and I still didn't know who I was. And then, inexplicably, I came across a scripture that changed everything for me. And I do mean everything. After a year of momentous triumphs and incredible leaps into next-dimension destiny, I was still lost in key areas and in bondage in others. Seemingly prosperous yet totally dissatisfied. Beyond money, past notoriety, above finding and cultivating real love, I needed identity.
I used to always look in the mirror for no reason. It's not because I thought I was cute. In fact, I really didn't like me at all. That's why I would allow pieces of me to be caressed by counterfeits through the years. God, that cycle is old. I was looking in that mirror in hopes of seeing past that mirror, beyond the reflection, into the eyes of the man staring back at me. I was hoping he would give in. I wanted him to break.
Just a teardrop.
One tear can start a revolution. It can definitely unleash a revelation. The mirror. I would stare but find nothing. I would stare and emptiness would stare back. All these 'blessings' coming my way yet I felt more bankrupt. All these accolades yet I felt more unworthy. Attack after attack. The enemy never stops. My heart was crying out for answers. I was screaming, "Help God! Are You there?"
The answer was found right in His word. And that word for me is a word for you today: two days to go before a new year but last January's resolutions are strewn about the floor of a life left desolate by bad decisions, demonic attacks and misplaced hopes. You might be like me: an eternal optimist who would encourage others to believe God yet privately wonder if you really ever knew Him at all. You lived two years inside of one. You lived the year that people saw. Then you lived the year that your tears watered. That's the nature of this walk. It is a fight. And 2008 was a bigger fight than I expected. No one was thinking about recession, lack, poverty, foreclosure, repossession, bad credit, divorce and loss of loved ones. No one thinks that at the start of a new year. But that was the year many of us had. If I'm talking to you, holler back.
In many ways, this has been the best and worst year for me. Maybe for you too. Great highs. Incredible lows. I want you to know that if that's you, you're not depressed. You're not clinically insane. You're not losing it.. You're being made. And who God is making you into is about to be made known-within the next 48 hours. God has not finished working on you this year. This year is not over. God's got 48 hours to manifest His word concerning you and me. God's made some promises to you too. Don't let Him off the hook! Keep believing and ramp up your asking! What have you got to lose? Fight for it! Cry out for it!
I thought something was wrong with me. As much as some people depend on me for a word, I felt lost at times. Atlanta doesn't feel like home. Hotels don't feel like home. My bed seemed foreign. Yet through it all I publicly kept declaring that Jesus Christ is real. I never stopped pointing the way for others to get to Christ. Is that fake? No! It's faith! I had my personal pain, but I didn't let it stop me from the task at hand: win souls at all costs. I learned this year like never before that what I wanted didn't matter as much as I thought. My thoughts and feelings could be placed to the side in order to stretch for God's will to be accomplished on this earth.
Many of you are just like me. You've had to keep believing for someone else's healing while silently praying for your own. You rejoiced in someone else's blessing while needing one for yourself. You fought in the spirit for someone else's breakthrough but couldn't see your way out of familiar bondage. Why? What was God teaching you and me? I'm going to tell you. Are you ready? This is going to bless you. And it's probably going to make a lot of sense too.
Here it is.
God was naming a generation.
God was naming a generation.
God was naming a generation.
In order to identify the times, identify the generation. We are the John the Baptist generation. We are the ones expressly and uniquely gifted, qualified and chosen to make straight the paths of the Lord in preparation for His Second Coming. What are the requirements of a John the Baptist generation? You've got to have a voice. That voice has to cry. That voice has to cry in the wilderness. After you've lifted your voice and cried in the wilderness, in the desert, eaten locusts, worn camel's hair, left family and friends, been called crazy, laughed at, talked about for your faith stand, cast to the side, marginalized, dismissed, dogged out, whispered about and publicly and privately been ripped to shreds, then you qualify to carry the mantle of the John the Baptist anointing for this generation.
After you've cried enough for your whole family to get saved, then you qualify. After you've cried for the things in your past that you thought were over and God allows you to see that you hadn't fully healed from it yet, so He stops you in your tracks so you can get it right, then you qualify. And how does the John the Baptist generation make the paths straight for the Lord? By laying down and allowing The Father to break us. Our brokenness straightens the pathway for the Lord's return. Our pain, our bondage areas, our transparency about our past crooked places, is the path that allows someone else to get it straight with God.
I have peace now. I know who I am. I've been in the wilderness for so long. I thought I was out of place. It felt like the wilderness. The tears didn't seem to stop. But now I know why. I'm not crazy. I'm just chosen. My wilderness ministry has prepared the way for the Lord. Your testimony this year is going to bring someone into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Don't be ashamed of the wilderness. Don't be afraid to embrace it. Let the tears flow if they must. The wilderness portion of your testimony is only valid until Jesus shows up. 2009 is the year of Manifestation. Stop crying. He's coming! Stop fearing. He's coming. Don't believe another lie of the devil. Jesus Christ is coming with power and healing and answers and manifestations to your prayers. It shall be as I say.
Let the tears flow in the wilderness. You have less than 48 hours. The wilderness ends at midnight on Wednesday. 2009 shall be the birthing of the miraculous, the impossible and unimaginable. Oh yes! After wilderness comes promise! Your tears have served you well.
Finish up now. Jesus is here. Your wilderness is over. You made it. All you have to do now is keep breathing. Make into 2009. Breathe. Promise smells so good.
Keep preparing the way.
John Gray
________________________
And here is a link for another article that is very good.
http://lasttrumpetnewsletter.org/2009/01_09.html
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
This will be a year in which everything will change. The following passage sums up much of what we will see:
Daniel 11:32-33
And by smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. And those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many...
Following are a collection of insightful words that were sent to me today concerning the year 2009.
THE NEW YEAR OF BIRTHING
by Pam Clark
(pamclark@prophetic.net)
Everyone has their words and little slogans for the New Year. I don't usually join in the bandwagon of that too often but I am stirred about this year for some reason.
One of the ones I have seen that has stuck with me is that the 9 in 2009 means full term, ready for birth. I can relate to that one. I get a witness. January 1 is also my birthday and for me it will be year 58, which many say is the number of blessing. I'm looking forward to it.
As I prayed about it for the corporate Body, I felt I would call 2009 "the Year of Significance."
And so I also just decided to look up what the meaning of the Jewish New Year 5769 - which was in mid-September - to see how that meaning ties in.
According to the author Harav Yitzchak Ginsburgh, the Hebrew meaning of the numbers 5769 means: "May this be a year of a good sign." (http://www.inner.org/years/5769/5769-blessing.php) I think when we think about the "sign of His coming", we Christians can go along with that!
There will be many dramatic events as the time or season or Day of the Lord draws near. That is not just a "one day event"; it is a transition into a new life for us. The old "wineskin" will be done away with, and the new one is here to be used.
We need the new wineskin because the wine does ferment with age and the growth will be explosive. When we understand that God is forward moving and is in the process of vanquishing evil, we will learn how to co-labor and cooperate with Him. He is in expansion mode. His foundation of goodness is being laid.
He is in maturity mode. Just as the womb can no longer contain the baby and the baby must be birthed, so we must express the Christ seed that is growing in us. The Christ child in us is being matured as an adult and becomes more significant as the Christ (anointed) man expresses his presence and activities.
When a child is born from the womb, there is an AMAZING transition that takes place. There is a new way of breathing and feeling and hearing and living. There is vision. Needs are dramatically different. Skills are increasing. Responses are more senstive and dramatic. Interaction is closer and more dynamic. It's a whole new realm.
Activation takes place within instead of just from without. What we ingest makes a difference as to what we put out and how it is assimilated. Instead of a transfusion, we go past milk into the meat of maturity. We become significant. We ourselves become the signs of His Expressions.
We are not rallying around the big UM of one harmonious note, we are a symphony orchestra with a majestic piece to play - notes that will touch every part and influence every aspect of the atmosphere. The arrangement requires that everyone does his and her part or it's not the complete sound of the complete work.
The Maestro taps his baton to bring us to attention, are we ready with our own personal instruments in tune? There is a melody to be heard, a message to be sung, a word to be given, an impartation to give so that we might receive more again to give out in increase.
We are expanding, we are releasing what has been discipled and pent up, what we have been trained and prepared to DO by the Holy Spirit.
We have come full term. It's time to take our divine rights as matured sons and daughters of the King, the Most High God who reigns forever and ever more. Submitted, yet confident, astute and yet listening for the holy commands, resilent and ready to respond, we are trained and gifted.
It's not a time to cower back in timidity. It is time for the Expression. It is the year for a good sign.
_______________________
EXPERIENCING A NEW YEAR - 2009
Rene V. Parault
Dec 29, 2008
Around the years of 1995 to 2008 were the periods of warnings from the Lord to us especially here in the US as other places in the world. These warnings (signs) were to tell us even stronger judgments were on the way. We should have sought the Lord and repented; been sober minded, putting our houses in order. In those years and even now, were hurricanes, storms, fires, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, tidal waves, blizzards, ice, heat, strange insects, bugs manifesting, rivers drying up and all sorts of manifestations in the natural. Multitudes have been saying they had never seen such weather or these conditions before in their lifetime. The disasters are going on continually, one after another. There was the Sept. 11th attack, which took place when we were in England, and the Lord said, “Lamentations and Woe; and another woe is coming.” So we still have the “something else” coming- soon. There has also been signs in the sky, we ourselves seeing some phenomenon’s over the years, the Lord warning all along the way. But even when there has been signs, the eyes of the blind do not see, nor do the ears of the deaf hear; so when there is no perception of the times and seasons that we are in, as the worldly saying goes, “Business goes on as usual.” No spiritual preparation.
God always send out His prophets early to give the people a chance to repent, but because of lack of response, God begins moving in stronger measures. He has said prophetically, “I cannot look upon the wickedness, the evil, the abortions, the homosexuality, they are a stench to my nostrils and so I must judge to bring forth cleansing.” Yes, there are strong measures that will bring about repentance and change of mind, and brokenness. Pro. 10:13 "In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding."
2009
We have been warned in previous years, but in 2009 we are going to experience what the warnings are all about. Whether we are saint or sinner, we will all be partakers in different degrees of the next events where the hand of God will be manifested. The changes that many are looking for since the election will not be joy as they thought, but as time goes on, will bring about weeping and wailing.
We will begin to experience these unheeded warnings in many different ways. At first the Lord warns, and when unheeded, He moves into a stronger warnings, turning into judgments. Some judgments will be catastrophic in nature. Others of these severities of the Lord will be economic, health, trials, and other losses for those who have not heeded; even getting caught up in false revivals and false anointing; being deceived. Yes, even deception and false revivals are a testing of the hearts of God’s people, a form of judgment. Do they want Him or do they want the signs, even as Israel of old. God will give you want you want, if you want it bad enough; and most people do. Because the people wanted what was in their deceptive hearts in 2008, they will eat of the consequences in 2009.
The Spirit of fear has been unleashed, and this is will be the experience for those who have not heeded the Lord; and also the unrighteous throughout the earth. Fear immobilizes and clouds the mind and senses to hear the voice of God properly. The wise and the prudent will show stability. Repentance and seeking the Lord, and being in the shadow of the Almighty have been their way of walking. They have been listening to His voice, knowing that the bridegroom is coming, just as the five wise virgins. Where there is security, there is no fear.
As the world spins into confusion, the righteous will have the peace of the Lord, and will be joyful in the midst of adversity. So in this new 2009 buckle up your Holy Spirit seat belts, for the ride has just begun; and it will continue onward and downward. As our pastor friend called us recently and said the Lord visited him and said “In ten years the world would collapse.” (This meant the systems of the word collapsing, and living standards going backward to the turn of the century or further.) The pastor cried out, why Oh Lord? And the Lord answered, read Proverbs 12: 15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.” So from this we can account, the world is full of fools and listening to their own carnal minds and hearts, which will bring them into destruction. Even so come Lord Jesus! Amen!
________________________
Wilderness Tears
(John Gray)
"For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'The Voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.'" Matthew 3:3 NKJV
Love. Life. Loss. Longing. Pain. Desperation. Power. Fear. Strength.
Any one of those words could stand alone in describing me at one time or another as I embarked on this journey called MannaGod. Together, these words are symbolic of the life that I've lived through the manna over the past few years. Almost on a cycle, the issues of my heart would ebb and flow out of me based on these words. And whether accumulated over time, or singularly encountered, each manna written was a testament to a man in search of himself, at the same time attempting to help others find the path to The Most High.
Over these years I would see flashes of the anointing that God was calling me into. Flashes. And it was in these flashes that people would connect to me. I have been privileged to enter into relationship with some of the most dedicated, sincere, anointed and Holy Ghost filled people in this world. For some reason or another, these amazing people saw something in me, sometimes beyond what I could see in myself. But anyone who knows anything about the anointing knows that past the moments of power, there is a human in there somewhere with real issues that need resolution. I was, and am still, no different.
I could write manna indefinitely. I could write everyday if given enough time. I could share insights that The Father has given to me and I'm sure it would connect with someone. But some months ago, for no apparent reason, I stopped writing. I couldn't do it anymore. Tired? Yes. Confused? Sometimes. Searching? Always. But this time was different. I was tired of writing about a God that I wasn't sure I had met yet.
The patterns in my life were cycling faster than usual and I estimated a short amount of time was left before full demonic breach of what little remaining external armor I had left. Depleted in spirit, mind, body, emotions and resources, I was at my end. Crying for help silently. Through the laughs, tears would flow. Beyond the songs, pain would linger. Past the façade of invulnerability, I was slowly dying due to internal spiritual bleeding.
I have shared about the charade that is the reality in some of today's contemporary churches. Many people like me who are talented are never confronted about who we truly are when the microphone is off and no one is looking or shouting or laughing. It's that person that needs covering. It's that person that needs mentoring. It's that person that needs real friends. I kept trying to figure out why my life was manifesting fruit, but I had no joy. I was constantly left wondering what fulfillment and peace felt like. I wondered if I'd ever have an authentic relationship with someone who really saw me and chose to stay anyway.
All this was constantly in my mind and my heart every time I sat down to write manna. And so I existed, thirty-five years old, a few months away from 2009, and I still didn't know who I was. And then, inexplicably, I came across a scripture that changed everything for me. And I do mean everything. After a year of momentous triumphs and incredible leaps into next-dimension destiny, I was still lost in key areas and in bondage in others. Seemingly prosperous yet totally dissatisfied. Beyond money, past notoriety, above finding and cultivating real love, I needed identity.
I used to always look in the mirror for no reason. It's not because I thought I was cute. In fact, I really didn't like me at all. That's why I would allow pieces of me to be caressed by counterfeits through the years. God, that cycle is old. I was looking in that mirror in hopes of seeing past that mirror, beyond the reflection, into the eyes of the man staring back at me. I was hoping he would give in. I wanted him to break.
Just a teardrop.
One tear can start a revolution. It can definitely unleash a revelation. The mirror. I would stare but find nothing. I would stare and emptiness would stare back. All these 'blessings' coming my way yet I felt more bankrupt. All these accolades yet I felt more unworthy. Attack after attack. The enemy never stops. My heart was crying out for answers. I was screaming, "Help God! Are You there?"
The answer was found right in His word. And that word for me is a word for you today: two days to go before a new year but last January's resolutions are strewn about the floor of a life left desolate by bad decisions, demonic attacks and misplaced hopes. You might be like me: an eternal optimist who would encourage others to believe God yet privately wonder if you really ever knew Him at all. You lived two years inside of one. You lived the year that people saw. Then you lived the year that your tears watered. That's the nature of this walk. It is a fight. And 2008 was a bigger fight than I expected. No one was thinking about recession, lack, poverty, foreclosure, repossession, bad credit, divorce and loss of loved ones. No one thinks that at the start of a new year. But that was the year many of us had. If I'm talking to you, holler back.
In many ways, this has been the best and worst year for me. Maybe for you too. Great highs. Incredible lows. I want you to know that if that's you, you're not depressed. You're not clinically insane. You're not losing it.. You're being made. And who God is making you into is about to be made known-within the next 48 hours. God has not finished working on you this year. This year is not over. God's got 48 hours to manifest His word concerning you and me. God's made some promises to you too. Don't let Him off the hook! Keep believing and ramp up your asking! What have you got to lose? Fight for it! Cry out for it!
I thought something was wrong with me. As much as some people depend on me for a word, I felt lost at times. Atlanta doesn't feel like home. Hotels don't feel like home. My bed seemed foreign. Yet through it all I publicly kept declaring that Jesus Christ is real. I never stopped pointing the way for others to get to Christ. Is that fake? No! It's faith! I had my personal pain, but I didn't let it stop me from the task at hand: win souls at all costs. I learned this year like never before that what I wanted didn't matter as much as I thought. My thoughts and feelings could be placed to the side in order to stretch for God's will to be accomplished on this earth.
Many of you are just like me. You've had to keep believing for someone else's healing while silently praying for your own. You rejoiced in someone else's blessing while needing one for yourself. You fought in the spirit for someone else's breakthrough but couldn't see your way out of familiar bondage. Why? What was God teaching you and me? I'm going to tell you. Are you ready? This is going to bless you. And it's probably going to make a lot of sense too.
Here it is.
God was naming a generation.
God was naming a generation.
God was naming a generation.
In order to identify the times, identify the generation. We are the John the Baptist generation. We are the ones expressly and uniquely gifted, qualified and chosen to make straight the paths of the Lord in preparation for His Second Coming. What are the requirements of a John the Baptist generation? You've got to have a voice. That voice has to cry. That voice has to cry in the wilderness. After you've lifted your voice and cried in the wilderness, in the desert, eaten locusts, worn camel's hair, left family and friends, been called crazy, laughed at, talked about for your faith stand, cast to the side, marginalized, dismissed, dogged out, whispered about and publicly and privately been ripped to shreds, then you qualify to carry the mantle of the John the Baptist anointing for this generation.
After you've cried enough for your whole family to get saved, then you qualify. After you've cried for the things in your past that you thought were over and God allows you to see that you hadn't fully healed from it yet, so He stops you in your tracks so you can get it right, then you qualify. And how does the John the Baptist generation make the paths straight for the Lord? By laying down and allowing The Father to break us. Our brokenness straightens the pathway for the Lord's return. Our pain, our bondage areas, our transparency about our past crooked places, is the path that allows someone else to get it straight with God.
I have peace now. I know who I am. I've been in the wilderness for so long. I thought I was out of place. It felt like the wilderness. The tears didn't seem to stop. But now I know why. I'm not crazy. I'm just chosen. My wilderness ministry has prepared the way for the Lord. Your testimony this year is going to bring someone into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Don't be ashamed of the wilderness. Don't be afraid to embrace it. Let the tears flow if they must. The wilderness portion of your testimony is only valid until Jesus shows up. 2009 is the year of Manifestation. Stop crying. He's coming! Stop fearing. He's coming. Don't believe another lie of the devil. Jesus Christ is coming with power and healing and answers and manifestations to your prayers. It shall be as I say.
Let the tears flow in the wilderness. You have less than 48 hours. The wilderness ends at midnight on Wednesday. 2009 shall be the birthing of the miraculous, the impossible and unimaginable. Oh yes! After wilderness comes promise! Your tears have served you well.
Finish up now. Jesus is here. Your wilderness is over. You made it. All you have to do now is keep breathing. Make into 2009. Breathe. Promise smells so good.
Keep preparing the way.
John Gray
________________________
And here is a link for another article that is very good.
http://lasttrumpetnewsletter.org/2009/01_09.html
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Offering of Cain
Ever since the fall of man into a state of sin, there have been two different means by which man has attempted to find acceptance in the eyes of Yahweh. These two means are illustrated in the offerings brought to Yahweh by the brothers Cain and Abel.
Genesis 4:3-5
It came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And Yahweh had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard.
Few ministers and teachers of the word of God have understood what is signified here. The Spirit of Christ has provided an illustration of the two means by which man seeks to approach God and find acceptance in His sight. In Cain we see man seeking to find acceptance through works of the flesh. In Abel we see man seeking to find acceptance by faith.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous...
In what ways do the offerings of Cain and Abel symbolize the works of the flesh and the offering of faith? Cain was a tiller of the ground. Man’s body was formed of the dust of the earth. Cain sought to bring forth from the ground of the flesh an offering that was acceptable unto God. Cain brought an offering that was surely magnificent to behold. The earth in those days gave forth abundantly, and Cain brought his most impressive offering to present to Yahweh. Perhaps it was even in his heart to show up his brother’s offering by presenting that which appeared surpassingly glorious in appearance.
Man has the capacity to perform both good deeds and evil deeds. We find that even among the lost that there are many who lead lives of great sacrifice, performing many acts of benevolence toward others. Many are those who have the thought that if their good works outweigh their bad works when they stand before God they will be accepted. They seek to produce a magnificent crop of good works to bring before God that He might accept them. Yet such works of the flesh, no matter how noble and righteous they appear, are rejected by Yahweh.
Isaiah 64:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment...
Man is very reluctant to confess that he is altogether unclean in God’s sight. Man wants to be approved before God on the basis of who he is and what he does. No man born of the seed of fallen Adam will ever be accepted before God on the basis of his own merit. None of the acts of fallen man will ever serve to justify him as righteous in the eyes of a holy God.
Right standing before God, and acceptance into His presence, comes through one solitary means. All who would be accepted before God must come through Christ.
John 14:6
Yahshua said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Yahshua was the only man to ever live a life of complete righteousness before the Father. He alone was the Lamb without spot or blemish. His life was accepted by the Father, for alone among all men He received the testimony that He was pleasing to God.
Having been accepted before God through the blood of Christ a majority of Christians then fall back into the pattern of Cain and seek to maintain their acceptance through works of the flesh.
Many men and women who profess to be Christians today do not perceive the depths to which they are unclean in themselves. Many believe there is yet some good in man. They perceive religion as a means to make good men better. Those who walk in the truth understand the depth of depravity in man. There is nothing that man can offer to God that will find acceptance before Him aside from faith in Christ.
John 6:28-29
Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Yahshua answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
Like Cain, mankind is constantly on a quest to perform some work that will cause them to be accepted by God. Mankind wants to impress God with their own inherent goodness. When God shows no regard for their offering, great anger is kindled in the heart. It was this same anger that was manifested by the Jewish leaders when Christ declared that their good works were of no value, for they were performed to be seen of men.
This one-upmanship, this competition to have the most glorious works to offer unto God, is also what drives a great many churches today. Men are driven to create the largest churches, to collect the greatest offerings, to support the most missionaries, to broadcast on the most TV and radio stations, that they might stand before man and God and declare, “See all that I have done for God. Surely He will accept me now.”
Observe that in the following words of Christ, those whom He spoke of believed that God would accept their works, but they were rejected even as the offering of Cain.
Matthew 7:21-23
“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, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'”
These will be rejected as lawless for they do not approach God through the sacrifice of Christ. They are seeking to be accepted into the kingdom of heaven based upon their works. The work that God accepts is to believe that His Son has purchased the entrance into heaven for all who put their trust in Him. We work the works of God because we are accepted in Christ, not that we might be accepted by God.
Abel’s offering of the lambs of the flock was one of faith. He looked forward to that spotless Lamb who would one day shed His blood for the remission of sin and the acceptance of all mankind. Yahweh had regard for Abel’s offering, for it was one of faith, looking to God to perform what fallen man was unable to accomplish through the strength of his own flesh.
Cain’s offering did not admit of the impotence of man to walk righteously on his own. He brought forth the most glorious offering the flesh could produce, and he could see no reason for it to be rejected. Similarly, many Christians today can see no reason for their fleshly works to be rejected by God. They appear altogether righteous to them. After all, Christ also prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles. Should they not then be accepted if they do similar works, seeking to imitate the life of the Son of God?
Yahweh will permit no flesh to boast in His presence. Our only access and acceptance before Him is on the basis of faith. We must believe that He has done all that was necessary to reconcile man to Himself. When mankind was spiritually dead and unable to help himself, God sent forth His Son, righteous and holy, to fulfill all the righteous requirements of the Law. He then laid down His life, shedding His blood for the remission of all sin.
We fall short, however, if we stop there. Christ did not remain in the grave. He rose again for in Him was the power of an indestructible life. He has ascended and has sent forth His Spirit to produce this same life in mankind.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yahshua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Yahshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
The entire Christian life is to be lived by reckoning on the reality of Christ indwelling, and thereby vivifying, our mortal bodies. I need not attempt to imitate the life of Christ. To do so is impossible. Only Christ could live the life He led.
No! I must reckon on the fact that the life of Christ is IN me. The Christian life is not to be a vain attempt to imitate the life of Christ. It is to be a revelation of Christ IN the child of God as they by faith believe that Christ is IN them, motivating them and empowering them.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Apart from Christ in them, mankind would have no power to perform the works of God. Those who do not reckon on their union with Christ are resigned to seeking to imitate the works of Christ by their own strength. Those who see Christ as sitting in heaven, rather than dwelling within their being, are forever seeking to perform works that will find acceptance in His sight. Such a life is one of great unbelief, and it is totally unacceptable in the eyes of God.
One man has described the difference in these two viewpoints in the following way. Millions ask the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” They then set out to try to perform that which their soul directs them to do. This is the offering of Cain. The very question “What Would Jesus Do” implies that Christ is not resident in the person, but is somewhere removed.
Those who walk in faith, acknowledging that Christ is in them declare “Watch What Jesus Does.” These do not seek to imitate a Christ who resides in heaven. They by faith acknowledge that Christ resides in their being, and they yield to the Spirit of Christ within. The Spirit of Christ is released to motivate and empower their mortal bodies, and all around can watch the Son of God revealed in their midst. The apostle Paul understood this well.
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God...”
The Christian life is to be one of faith manifested in the indwelling Son of God. By faith we believe He lives IN us. By faith we surrender to the Headship of Christ residing in us. By faith we yield to His lead, and by faith we trust Him to perform those works that only One who is a life-giving Spirit can perform.
Is this the basis upon which your life is lived? Are you reckoning upon the living Christ IN you? Are you yielded to the Spirit of Christ that is resident in your being? Are your actions being directed by the indwelling Spirit, and being empowered by the same?
Romans 8:14
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Flesh cannot overcome flesh. Many years of my life were spent in futile attempts to rule over the flesh by the power of the flesh. I was convicted of sin in my life, and by self-will and determination I sought to overcome these sins. What vanity this proved to be. The harder I tried, the greater was my frustration when I failed. I was caught in the crisis described by Paul in his epistle to the Romans.
Romans 7:14-24
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
I suppose every child of God has experienced this dilemma. Tragically, many never pass out of it into the place of victory. Multitudes spend their lives futilely seeking to rein in the power of sin residing in the flesh. By determination and human will they seek to resist the pull of sin. It is a vain effort, doomed to failure. The honest man will admit his impotence over the power of sin and cry out for a deliverer. “O wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” The next verse provides the answer, though it is obscured in many Bible translations.
Romans 7:25
I thank God. He has through Yahshua Christ our Lord!
The One who was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin, resides IN the people of God. The same power that enabled Christ to walk victoriously over every sin and temptation resides in the child of God. We were once dead and powerless over sin, but now we have the dunamis power of God residing within. As we reckon on this power, and confess it, we will find ourselves ruling over those things that once held us captive. Truly, the Son of God came to set the captives free!
Can you see that the entire Christian life is predicated upon faith? To walk victoriously over sin, Satan and the world, one must acknowledge and embrace the truth that the overcoming life of Christ is resident within them, and will supply all that is necessary for a life of godliness.
II Peter 1:2-3
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Yahshua our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
His divine power, residing IN us, has granted us EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS. There is nothing held back. There is nothing lacking. We have been granted all that is necessary to live a life pleasing and acceptable in the eyes of God the Father. Christ IN us is the key to an overcoming life.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Genesis 4:3-5
It came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to Yahweh of the fruit of the ground. Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And Yahweh had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard.
Few ministers and teachers of the word of God have understood what is signified here. The Spirit of Christ has provided an illustration of the two means by which man seeks to approach God and find acceptance in His sight. In Cain we see man seeking to find acceptance through works of the flesh. In Abel we see man seeking to find acceptance by faith.
Hebrews 11:4
By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous...
In what ways do the offerings of Cain and Abel symbolize the works of the flesh and the offering of faith? Cain was a tiller of the ground. Man’s body was formed of the dust of the earth. Cain sought to bring forth from the ground of the flesh an offering that was acceptable unto God. Cain brought an offering that was surely magnificent to behold. The earth in those days gave forth abundantly, and Cain brought his most impressive offering to present to Yahweh. Perhaps it was even in his heart to show up his brother’s offering by presenting that which appeared surpassingly glorious in appearance.
Man has the capacity to perform both good deeds and evil deeds. We find that even among the lost that there are many who lead lives of great sacrifice, performing many acts of benevolence toward others. Many are those who have the thought that if their good works outweigh their bad works when they stand before God they will be accepted. They seek to produce a magnificent crop of good works to bring before God that He might accept them. Yet such works of the flesh, no matter how noble and righteous they appear, are rejected by Yahweh.
Isaiah 64:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment...
Man is very reluctant to confess that he is altogether unclean in God’s sight. Man wants to be approved before God on the basis of who he is and what he does. No man born of the seed of fallen Adam will ever be accepted before God on the basis of his own merit. None of the acts of fallen man will ever serve to justify him as righteous in the eyes of a holy God.
Right standing before God, and acceptance into His presence, comes through one solitary means. All who would be accepted before God must come through Christ.
John 14:6
Yahshua said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Yahshua was the only man to ever live a life of complete righteousness before the Father. He alone was the Lamb without spot or blemish. His life was accepted by the Father, for alone among all men He received the testimony that He was pleasing to God.
Having been accepted before God through the blood of Christ a majority of Christians then fall back into the pattern of Cain and seek to maintain their acceptance through works of the flesh.
Many men and women who profess to be Christians today do not perceive the depths to which they are unclean in themselves. Many believe there is yet some good in man. They perceive religion as a means to make good men better. Those who walk in the truth understand the depth of depravity in man. There is nothing that man can offer to God that will find acceptance before Him aside from faith in Christ.
John 6:28-29
Therefore they said to Him, "What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?" Yahshua answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent."
Like Cain, mankind is constantly on a quest to perform some work that will cause them to be accepted by God. Mankind wants to impress God with their own inherent goodness. When God shows no regard for their offering, great anger is kindled in the heart. It was this same anger that was manifested by the Jewish leaders when Christ declared that their good works were of no value, for they were performed to be seen of men.
This one-upmanship, this competition to have the most glorious works to offer unto God, is also what drives a great many churches today. Men are driven to create the largest churches, to collect the greatest offerings, to support the most missionaries, to broadcast on the most TV and radio stations, that they might stand before man and God and declare, “See all that I have done for God. Surely He will accept me now.”
Observe that in the following words of Christ, those whom He spoke of believed that God would accept their works, but they were rejected even as the offering of Cain.
Matthew 7:21-23
“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, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'”
These will be rejected as lawless for they do not approach God through the sacrifice of Christ. They are seeking to be accepted into the kingdom of heaven based upon their works. The work that God accepts is to believe that His Son has purchased the entrance into heaven for all who put their trust in Him. We work the works of God because we are accepted in Christ, not that we might be accepted by God.
Abel’s offering of the lambs of the flock was one of faith. He looked forward to that spotless Lamb who would one day shed His blood for the remission of sin and the acceptance of all mankind. Yahweh had regard for Abel’s offering, for it was one of faith, looking to God to perform what fallen man was unable to accomplish through the strength of his own flesh.
Cain’s offering did not admit of the impotence of man to walk righteously on his own. He brought forth the most glorious offering the flesh could produce, and he could see no reason for it to be rejected. Similarly, many Christians today can see no reason for their fleshly works to be rejected by God. They appear altogether righteous to them. After all, Christ also prophesied, cast out demons, and performed miracles. Should they not then be accepted if they do similar works, seeking to imitate the life of the Son of God?
Yahweh will permit no flesh to boast in His presence. Our only access and acceptance before Him is on the basis of faith. We must believe that He has done all that was necessary to reconcile man to Himself. When mankind was spiritually dead and unable to help himself, God sent forth His Son, righteous and holy, to fulfill all the righteous requirements of the Law. He then laid down His life, shedding His blood for the remission of all sin.
We fall short, however, if we stop there. Christ did not remain in the grave. He rose again for in Him was the power of an indestructible life. He has ascended and has sent forth His Spirit to produce this same life in mankind.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yahshua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Yahshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
The entire Christian life is to be lived by reckoning on the reality of Christ indwelling, and thereby vivifying, our mortal bodies. I need not attempt to imitate the life of Christ. To do so is impossible. Only Christ could live the life He led.
No! I must reckon on the fact that the life of Christ is IN me. The Christian life is not to be a vain attempt to imitate the life of Christ. It is to be a revelation of Christ IN the child of God as they by faith believe that Christ is IN them, motivating them and empowering them.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Apart from Christ in them, mankind would have no power to perform the works of God. Those who do not reckon on their union with Christ are resigned to seeking to imitate the works of Christ by their own strength. Those who see Christ as sitting in heaven, rather than dwelling within their being, are forever seeking to perform works that will find acceptance in His sight. Such a life is one of great unbelief, and it is totally unacceptable in the eyes of God.
One man has described the difference in these two viewpoints in the following way. Millions ask the question, “What Would Jesus Do?” They then set out to try to perform that which their soul directs them to do. This is the offering of Cain. The very question “What Would Jesus Do” implies that Christ is not resident in the person, but is somewhere removed.
Those who walk in faith, acknowledging that Christ is in them declare “Watch What Jesus Does.” These do not seek to imitate a Christ who resides in heaven. They by faith acknowledge that Christ resides in their being, and they yield to the Spirit of Christ within. The Spirit of Christ is released to motivate and empower their mortal bodies, and all around can watch the Son of God revealed in their midst. The apostle Paul understood this well.
Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God...”
The Christian life is to be one of faith manifested in the indwelling Son of God. By faith we believe He lives IN us. By faith we surrender to the Headship of Christ residing in us. By faith we yield to His lead, and by faith we trust Him to perform those works that only One who is a life-giving Spirit can perform.
Is this the basis upon which your life is lived? Are you reckoning upon the living Christ IN you? Are you yielded to the Spirit of Christ that is resident in your being? Are your actions being directed by the indwelling Spirit, and being empowered by the same?
Romans 8:14
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Flesh cannot overcome flesh. Many years of my life were spent in futile attempts to rule over the flesh by the power of the flesh. I was convicted of sin in my life, and by self-will and determination I sought to overcome these sins. What vanity this proved to be. The harder I tried, the greater was my frustration when I failed. I was caught in the crisis described by Paul in his epistle to the Romans.
Romans 7:14-24
For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?
I suppose every child of God has experienced this dilemma. Tragically, many never pass out of it into the place of victory. Multitudes spend their lives futilely seeking to rein in the power of sin residing in the flesh. By determination and human will they seek to resist the pull of sin. It is a vain effort, doomed to failure. The honest man will admit his impotence over the power of sin and cry out for a deliverer. “O wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” The next verse provides the answer, though it is obscured in many Bible translations.
Romans 7:25
I thank God. He has through Yahshua Christ our Lord!
The One who was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin, resides IN the people of God. The same power that enabled Christ to walk victoriously over every sin and temptation resides in the child of God. We were once dead and powerless over sin, but now we have the dunamis power of God residing within. As we reckon on this power, and confess it, we will find ourselves ruling over those things that once held us captive. Truly, the Son of God came to set the captives free!
Can you see that the entire Christian life is predicated upon faith? To walk victoriously over sin, Satan and the world, one must acknowledge and embrace the truth that the overcoming life of Christ is resident within them, and will supply all that is necessary for a life of godliness.
II Peter 1:2-3
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Yahshua our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
His divine power, residing IN us, has granted us EVERYTHING PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS. There is nothing held back. There is nothing lacking. We have been granted all that is necessary to live a life pleasing and acceptable in the eyes of God the Father. Christ IN us is the key to an overcoming life.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christ is Not Far Off
The church today may confess that Christ is in them, but their prayers and actions and thoughts testify that they do not comprehend this mystery. Multitudes in the church see Christ crucified and buried, providing the forgiveness of sin through a blood sacrifice. Many more see Him sitting at the right hand of the Father, ever living to make intercession for them. But rare is the saint who sees Christ dwelling in the temple of their own body.
Romans 10:6-8
But the righteousness based on faith speaks thus, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down), or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching...
Understand the apostle Paul’s meaning here. The Christian need not ascend to heaven to attain to the presence of Christ. Neither need they descend into the abyss where He descended after death. Christ is not far off. The word of faith declares that Christ is IN the one who has been born again of the Spirit and has received the indwelling Spirit of Christ. It is unbelief that pictures Christ as distant. The living Word of God dwells in the heart of man.
Let me give a simple, yet profound illustration of how widespread is the lack of comprehension among the children of God that Christ is resident within them. When Christians pray, who do they pray to? Some pray to the Father in heaven. Some pray to Jesus Christ, Yahshua the Messiah. Some pray to both the Father and the Son.
Many do not realize that every time they pray to Christ, to Jesus, to Yahshua, they are manifesting unbelief concerning Christ dwelling IN them. Many pray to Christ out of tradition. They have heard others praying to Christ, and they are simply repeating what they have observed. Yet the New Testament does not teach believers to pray to Christ. The New Testament teaches men to pray to God their Father.
John 16:23-28
"And in that day you will ask Me no question. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full... In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”
Do you understand the words of Christ here? Christ has come to dwell in the hearts of the saints. Christ need not call out to Christ. Christ in us causes us to call out to the Father, and we are accepted because we are IN Christ and Christ is IN us. Yahshua said “in that day” His disciples would not make request of Him, but they would make request of the Father. What was the day of which He was speaking? It is the very day we live in now. It is the day when Christ has ascended to the Father, and has sent forth His Spirit to dwell in the hearts of men.
Christ always prayed to His Father. We have received the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ continues to cry out to the Father. The Spirit of Christ does not call out to Christ, for the Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of sonship. When Yahshua walked this earth He related to God as His Father.
Mark 14:36
And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will."
He has sent forth His Spirit into the hearts of man that we too might call out to the Father as sons, for we are IN Christ and He is IN us.
Romans 8:15-16
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God...
The apostle Paul makes it very clear in his address to the church of Galatia that having received the Spirit of God’s Son, we have become sons of God. He reveals that all those who have received the Spirit of the Son are able to approach God the Father as sons.
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
It is the Spirit of Christ in us that cries out to the Father.
Romans 8:26-27
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Spirit of Christ has been sent to dwell in the hearts of the people of God. This Spirit ever intercedes on our behalf, crying out to the Father, for we (our carnal mind) do not know how to pray. The Scriptures declare that this ministry of intercession is the ministry of the Son of God.
Hebrews 7:24-25
But Yahshua, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
The church presents an image of Christ as sitting in heaven praying on behalf of the saints of God. This is a false image. Christ resides in the hearts of His people. Those who are partakers of the life of Christ are temples of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of intercession takes place INSIDE THE SAINT of God.
There is a reason that the church is called “the body of Christ.” Christ is accomplishing all His work in this age through His body. His Spirit animates His body, and His Spirit gives them utterance. Christ intercedes through His body of believers. When you pray for another person are you cognizant of the Spirit of Christ directing and empowering your prayers? Many pray out of their own soul, asking things that are not in accordance with the will of the Father. Those who belong to Christ are always to be led of the Spirit in both their words and actions. If you are not praying by the Spirit of Christ who indwells you, you are praying amiss.
The lack of understanding of Christ residing in the people of God is nowhere more evident than in their prayers. When millions of Christians daily pray TO CHRIST, they are professing unbelief in the fact that Christ is IN them. They are failing to yield to the life of Christ in them, allowing Him to fill their mouths with words of intercession to the Father. They picture Christ as sitting in heaven, when He is “in your heart and in your mouth.”
II Corinthians 13:5
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Yahshua Christ is in you -- unless indeed you fail the test?
Why try to ascend to heaven, as if one needed to bring Christ down? Why seek to descend to the abyss, as if one needed to bring Christ up from the dead? The WORD, which is Christ, dwells in your heart and speaks through your mouth, accomplishing the ministry of intercession to the Father. The Spirit within you causes you to cry out “Abba, Father.” The Spirit of Christ will not direct you to pray to Christ. Christ declared to His disciples that they would have access to the FATHER in that day. They need not even go through Him to petition the Father. Christ would be in them, and they could come to the Father in the name of the Son.
When the disciples asked Yahshua to teach them to pray, he taught them to pray directly to the Father, as if He was also their Father.
Matthew 6:9
"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.’”
We were never instructed to pray to “Christ, who is in heaven.” Such a prayer is uttered in unbelief of the truth of the indwelling Christ. Our Father is in heaven, but Christ dwells in the heart of the saint by faith.
Ephesians 3:14-17
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...
Examine the prayers of the apostles and you will see that they prayed to the Father even as Christ prayed to the Father. The apostles understood the mystery of Christ in them. They proclaimed this mystery. The apostles would have been teaching falsehood and deception if they had instructed the church to pray to Christ in heaven when Christ was in them. They would have been leading the church away from an understanding of the mystery of Christ. This they did not do. Paul’s prayer cited above was to the Father, and it was that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Are you cognizant that Christ is in you, or do you picture Him as far away, perhaps dwelling in heaven? Your life will be greatly affected by that which you believe. To lead a victorious, overcoming life you must discern that Christ is IN you. To be as Christ is in this world, you must recognize that Christ is IN you.
If you have not discerned this most vital and foundational truth of life in Christ, ask the Father to reveal Christ in you. Reckon those things that are declared in Scriptures concerning Christ dwelling in the saints to be true. Begin to meditate upon this truth. Make it your daily thought, and be transformed as your mind is renewed by this truth.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Romans 10:6-8
But the righteousness based on faith speaks thus, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down), or 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching...
Understand the apostle Paul’s meaning here. The Christian need not ascend to heaven to attain to the presence of Christ. Neither need they descend into the abyss where He descended after death. Christ is not far off. The word of faith declares that Christ is IN the one who has been born again of the Spirit and has received the indwelling Spirit of Christ. It is unbelief that pictures Christ as distant. The living Word of God dwells in the heart of man.
Let me give a simple, yet profound illustration of how widespread is the lack of comprehension among the children of God that Christ is resident within them. When Christians pray, who do they pray to? Some pray to the Father in heaven. Some pray to Jesus Christ, Yahshua the Messiah. Some pray to both the Father and the Son.
Many do not realize that every time they pray to Christ, to Jesus, to Yahshua, they are manifesting unbelief concerning Christ dwelling IN them. Many pray to Christ out of tradition. They have heard others praying to Christ, and they are simply repeating what they have observed. Yet the New Testament does not teach believers to pray to Christ. The New Testament teaches men to pray to God their Father.
John 16:23-28
"And in that day you will ask Me no question. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full... In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I will request the Father on your behalf; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from the Father.”
Do you understand the words of Christ here? Christ has come to dwell in the hearts of the saints. Christ need not call out to Christ. Christ in us causes us to call out to the Father, and we are accepted because we are IN Christ and Christ is IN us. Yahshua said “in that day” His disciples would not make request of Him, but they would make request of the Father. What was the day of which He was speaking? It is the very day we live in now. It is the day when Christ has ascended to the Father, and has sent forth His Spirit to dwell in the hearts of men.
Christ always prayed to His Father. We have received the Spirit of Christ, and the Spirit of Christ continues to cry out to the Father. The Spirit of Christ does not call out to Christ, for the Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of sonship. When Yahshua walked this earth He related to God as His Father.
Mark 14:36
And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will."
He has sent forth His Spirit into the hearts of man that we too might call out to the Father as sons, for we are IN Christ and He is IN us.
Romans 8:15-16
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God...
The apostle Paul makes it very clear in his address to the church of Galatia that having received the Spirit of God’s Son, we have become sons of God. He reveals that all those who have received the Spirit of the Son are able to approach God the Father as sons.
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!"
It is the Spirit of Christ in us that cries out to the Father.
Romans 8:26-27
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Spirit of Christ has been sent to dwell in the hearts of the people of God. This Spirit ever intercedes on our behalf, crying out to the Father, for we (our carnal mind) do not know how to pray. The Scriptures declare that this ministry of intercession is the ministry of the Son of God.
Hebrews 7:24-25
But Yahshua, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
The church presents an image of Christ as sitting in heaven praying on behalf of the saints of God. This is a false image. Christ resides in the hearts of His people. Those who are partakers of the life of Christ are temples of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of intercession takes place INSIDE THE SAINT of God.
There is a reason that the church is called “the body of Christ.” Christ is accomplishing all His work in this age through His body. His Spirit animates His body, and His Spirit gives them utterance. Christ intercedes through His body of believers. When you pray for another person are you cognizant of the Spirit of Christ directing and empowering your prayers? Many pray out of their own soul, asking things that are not in accordance with the will of the Father. Those who belong to Christ are always to be led of the Spirit in both their words and actions. If you are not praying by the Spirit of Christ who indwells you, you are praying amiss.
The lack of understanding of Christ residing in the people of God is nowhere more evident than in their prayers. When millions of Christians daily pray TO CHRIST, they are professing unbelief in the fact that Christ is IN them. They are failing to yield to the life of Christ in them, allowing Him to fill their mouths with words of intercession to the Father. They picture Christ as sitting in heaven, when He is “in your heart and in your mouth.”
II Corinthians 13:5
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Yahshua Christ is in you -- unless indeed you fail the test?
Why try to ascend to heaven, as if one needed to bring Christ down? Why seek to descend to the abyss, as if one needed to bring Christ up from the dead? The WORD, which is Christ, dwells in your heart and speaks through your mouth, accomplishing the ministry of intercession to the Father. The Spirit within you causes you to cry out “Abba, Father.” The Spirit of Christ will not direct you to pray to Christ. Christ declared to His disciples that they would have access to the FATHER in that day. They need not even go through Him to petition the Father. Christ would be in them, and they could come to the Father in the name of the Son.
When the disciples asked Yahshua to teach them to pray, he taught them to pray directly to the Father, as if He was also their Father.
Matthew 6:9
"Pray, then, in this way: 'Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.’”
We were never instructed to pray to “Christ, who is in heaven.” Such a prayer is uttered in unbelief of the truth of the indwelling Christ. Our Father is in heaven, but Christ dwells in the heart of the saint by faith.
Ephesians 3:14-17
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...
Examine the prayers of the apostles and you will see that they prayed to the Father even as Christ prayed to the Father. The apostles understood the mystery of Christ in them. They proclaimed this mystery. The apostles would have been teaching falsehood and deception if they had instructed the church to pray to Christ in heaven when Christ was in them. They would have been leading the church away from an understanding of the mystery of Christ. This they did not do. Paul’s prayer cited above was to the Father, and it was that “Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”
Are you cognizant that Christ is in you, or do you picture Him as far away, perhaps dwelling in heaven? Your life will be greatly affected by that which you believe. To lead a victorious, overcoming life you must discern that Christ is IN you. To be as Christ is in this world, you must recognize that Christ is IN you.
If you have not discerned this most vital and foundational truth of life in Christ, ask the Father to reveal Christ in you. Reckon those things that are declared in Scriptures concerning Christ dwelling in the saints to be true. Begin to meditate upon this truth. Make it your daily thought, and be transformed as your mind is renewed by this truth.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
The Mystery of Christ - Part 1
Romans 16:25-26
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Yahshua Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith...
For the first 4,000 years of man’s existence the mystery of Christ was veiled to the eyes of all creation. This mystery, although testified to by means of signs and shadows found in the creation and in the holy Law delivered to Moses, was covered in darkness. Some holy men of past ages glimpsed parts of this mystery after the pattern of Moses who was able to look upon the land of promise from a distance, but not permitted to enter in to take possession of it.
2,000 years ago the fulness of time arrived and the mystery of Christ was unveiled to the eyes of the holy apostles and the church. This mystery is great, and in it is contained all the substance of victorious, overcoming life. Yet men, even those in the church, have loved darkness because their deeds are evil. Therefore, the light once cast upon this glorious mystery through the words of the apostles, has become dim. Rare is the minister today who has more than the faintest comprehension of the mystery of Christ.
Colossians 1:26-27
The mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
This great mystery, that which was hidden for the first four thousand years of the history of man, is that Christ was to take up residence IN man. Little did man even perceive the necessity of this revelation of the life of the Son of God in them. Mankind was not persuaded of the total depravity of his fallen nature. Multitudes thought that they just needed to know what God required, and if they were fully aware of His will they would be able to keep it.
In answer, Yahweh gave mankind His Law. Mankind in his pride and self-delusion even then believed he could be accepted as righteous before the eyes of God based upon his zealous efforts to keep the Law of God. An honest appraisal would have revealed that none were able to keep the Law. Law’s were reinterpreted, negating their actual meaning. The spirit of the Law was neglected, and a divine love was not found in the heart of man.
When Yahshua appeared 2,000 years ago He declared to the Jews that they had violated the Law. It was not acceptable in God’s eyes to abstain from the act of adultery if a man were lusting after a woman in his heart. God’s righteous character was not found in man’s heart if the man refrained from murdering another, but he hated him in his heart. A few were able to receive the witness of Christ as the Spirit of God opened their eyes to see their deficiency.
Romans 7:5-8
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death... What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.
The Law was given that man might know sin, and that he would recognize sin’s presence in his being. Sin is a constant companion to all those born of the first Adam. Sin is stirred up whenever it is faced with a prohibition to not sin. In this way it is made known. Those who are honest will recognize their powerlessness to rule over sin.
Romans 7:14-21
For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.
The Law was given as a schoolmaster to lead men to Christ. It was intended to reveal to mankind the absence of spiritual life in them. Mankind, apart from the presence of the indwelling Christ, is spiritually dead. He is incapable of walking in a manner wholly acceptable unto God. The best of men fail. David committed adultery and murder. Abraham stumbled badly in faith, allowing his wife Sarah to be taken into another man’s house on two separate occasions, and beginning to doubt the promise of God would be fulfilled through Sarah, he went into Hagar and raised up Ishmael. Moses struck the rock a second time, contrary to the commandment of Yahweh.
Romans 3:10-12
"There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, there is not even one."
When the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a virgin. Yahshua was the first of a new type of man, born of holy seed, not of the corruptible seed of Adam. Divine life was present within Him. He was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. He ever lived to do the will of His Father. Of Christ the Father testified, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The earth finally witnessed a man who was acceptable before its Creator. Yahshua was called “the second Adam.” This second Adam was altogether different from the first Adam, and He would become the Head of a new race of spiritual men.
I Corinthians 15:45-48
So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.
God made a way for fallen man to become acceptable in His sight. They would receive the Spirit of His Son into the temple of their bodies. This divine Spirit would bring life where there was death. It would motivate and empower men to live lives pleasing to their Father in heaven.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yahshua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Yahshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
God sent forth the Spirit of His Son, the Son who was well pleasing in His sight, to reside in the heart of man. This Spirit causes life to appear where there was only death. Righteousness appears where there was only sin.
You may ask, “Why then do so many Christians live sinful, defeated lives?” Mankind is still surrounded by sinful flesh. The soul of man is yet influenced by selfish and carnal desires and passions. The spirit wages war against the flesh, and the flesh against the spirit, for the two are contrary to one another. Those who have received the Spirit of Christ are called to manifest faith in their new identity as spiritual men. They are to recognize that Christ dwells in them, and they are to act accordingly, by faith.
Multitudes of Christians fail to reckon upon who they are IN Christ. They know only that Christ died for the forgiveness of sin, shedding His own righteous blood as an atoning sacrifice. They little comprehend that this is only the beginning of what Christ has done for them. He has sent forth His Spirit to dwell in them that they should no longer be slaves to sin, but that they might lead lives wholly pleasing to God their Father.
The Christian who has received the indwelling Spirit of Christ must “reckon” himself to be a new creation. He must by faith accept those things God declares concerning him. He was once a slave of sin, but now he has been set free. He was once dead spiritually, but now he is alive. Christ dwells IN his being. He has become as Christ is in this world.
I John 4:17
As He is, so also are we in this world.
By renewing the mind, and by communion with the indwelling Spirit of Christ, the child of God is to grow up into the fulness of the stature that belongs to Christ. Yet there is great spiritual immaturity among the body of Christ today. Few are reckoning according to their new identity as new creatures in Christ. Like the Israelites who spent 400 years as slaves in Egypt, they have been released from bondage, but they still see themselves as slaves. They do not know that they are free men. They continue to confess that they are slaves to sin, when the Son has set them free.
This book will examine the mystery of Christ in you. It is my hope and prayer that many might have their eyes opened to discern the mystery of their union with Christ, and having seen, they will begin to walk according to the knowledge of who they truly are.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding as you read these words.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Yahshua Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith...
For the first 4,000 years of man’s existence the mystery of Christ was veiled to the eyes of all creation. This mystery, although testified to by means of signs and shadows found in the creation and in the holy Law delivered to Moses, was covered in darkness. Some holy men of past ages glimpsed parts of this mystery after the pattern of Moses who was able to look upon the land of promise from a distance, but not permitted to enter in to take possession of it.
2,000 years ago the fulness of time arrived and the mystery of Christ was unveiled to the eyes of the holy apostles and the church. This mystery is great, and in it is contained all the substance of victorious, overcoming life. Yet men, even those in the church, have loved darkness because their deeds are evil. Therefore, the light once cast upon this glorious mystery through the words of the apostles, has become dim. Rare is the minister today who has more than the faintest comprehension of the mystery of Christ.
Colossians 1:26-27
The mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
This great mystery, that which was hidden for the first four thousand years of the history of man, is that Christ was to take up residence IN man. Little did man even perceive the necessity of this revelation of the life of the Son of God in them. Mankind was not persuaded of the total depravity of his fallen nature. Multitudes thought that they just needed to know what God required, and if they were fully aware of His will they would be able to keep it.
In answer, Yahweh gave mankind His Law. Mankind in his pride and self-delusion even then believed he could be accepted as righteous before the eyes of God based upon his zealous efforts to keep the Law of God. An honest appraisal would have revealed that none were able to keep the Law. Law’s were reinterpreted, negating their actual meaning. The spirit of the Law was neglected, and a divine love was not found in the heart of man.
When Yahshua appeared 2,000 years ago He declared to the Jews that they had violated the Law. It was not acceptable in God’s eyes to abstain from the act of adultery if a man were lusting after a woman in his heart. God’s righteous character was not found in man’s heart if the man refrained from murdering another, but he hated him in his heart. A few were able to receive the witness of Christ as the Spirit of God opened their eyes to see their deficiency.
Romans 7:5-8
For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death... What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.
The Law was given that man might know sin, and that he would recognize sin’s presence in his being. Sin is a constant companion to all those born of the first Adam. Sin is stirred up whenever it is faced with a prohibition to not sin. In this way it is made known. Those who are honest will recognize their powerlessness to rule over sin.
Romans 7:14-21
For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not wish to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which indwells me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wishes to do good.
The Law was given as a schoolmaster to lead men to Christ. It was intended to reveal to mankind the absence of spiritual life in them. Mankind, apart from the presence of the indwelling Christ, is spiritually dead. He is incapable of walking in a manner wholly acceptable unto God. The best of men fail. David committed adultery and murder. Abraham stumbled badly in faith, allowing his wife Sarah to be taken into another man’s house on two separate occasions, and beginning to doubt the promise of God would be fulfilled through Sarah, he went into Hagar and raised up Ishmael. Moses struck the rock a second time, contrary to the commandment of Yahweh.
Romans 3:10-12
"There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, there is not even one."
When the fulness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a virgin. Yahshua was the first of a new type of man, born of holy seed, not of the corruptible seed of Adam. Divine life was present within Him. He was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. He ever lived to do the will of His Father. Of Christ the Father testified, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” The earth finally witnessed a man who was acceptable before its Creator. Yahshua was called “the second Adam.” This second Adam was altogether different from the first Adam, and He would become the Head of a new race of spiritual men.
I Corinthians 15:45-48
So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.
God made a way for fallen man to become acceptable in His sight. They would receive the Spirit of His Son into the temple of their bodies. This divine Spirit would bring life where there was death. It would motivate and empower men to live lives pleasing to their Father in heaven.
Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Yahshua from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Yahshua from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
God sent forth the Spirit of His Son, the Son who was well pleasing in His sight, to reside in the heart of man. This Spirit causes life to appear where there was only death. Righteousness appears where there was only sin.
You may ask, “Why then do so many Christians live sinful, defeated lives?” Mankind is still surrounded by sinful flesh. The soul of man is yet influenced by selfish and carnal desires and passions. The spirit wages war against the flesh, and the flesh against the spirit, for the two are contrary to one another. Those who have received the Spirit of Christ are called to manifest faith in their new identity as spiritual men. They are to recognize that Christ dwells in them, and they are to act accordingly, by faith.
Multitudes of Christians fail to reckon upon who they are IN Christ. They know only that Christ died for the forgiveness of sin, shedding His own righteous blood as an atoning sacrifice. They little comprehend that this is only the beginning of what Christ has done for them. He has sent forth His Spirit to dwell in them that they should no longer be slaves to sin, but that they might lead lives wholly pleasing to God their Father.
The Christian who has received the indwelling Spirit of Christ must “reckon” himself to be a new creation. He must by faith accept those things God declares concerning him. He was once a slave of sin, but now he has been set free. He was once dead spiritually, but now he is alive. Christ dwells IN his being. He has become as Christ is in this world.
I John 4:17
As He is, so also are we in this world.
By renewing the mind, and by communion with the indwelling Spirit of Christ, the child of God is to grow up into the fulness of the stature that belongs to Christ. Yet there is great spiritual immaturity among the body of Christ today. Few are reckoning according to their new identity as new creatures in Christ. Like the Israelites who spent 400 years as slaves in Egypt, they have been released from bondage, but they still see themselves as slaves. They do not know that they are free men. They continue to confess that they are slaves to sin, when the Son has set them free.
This book will examine the mystery of Christ in you. It is my hope and prayer that many might have their eyes opened to discern the mystery of their union with Christ, and having seen, they will begin to walk according to the knowledge of who they truly are.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding as you read these words.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Friday, December 26, 2008
More In the News
Joseph Herrin (12-26-08)
A number have written to say that they have been missing the Parables Blog during the past week. I have been waiting before the Lord to discern His mind on a number of matters, and have not been led to write anything during the last week. I have spent a lot of time answering correspondence which has picked up a great deal in recent months. At times I will spend 7-8 hours a day answering correspondence. I consider this a stewardship from the Father, and I seek to treat every e-mail as an opportunity the Father has set before me to speak forth whatever it is the Spirit of Christ desires to be shared.
Of course, answering this much correspondence does take away from the time available to write posts, and I know there must be seasons when I simply reserve time to write new teachings as the Lord leads. It has been upon my heart to begin a new series of writings on the unveiling of the mystery of Christ IN you.
As a young man growing up in the church I often heard Scriptures cited that spoke of the people of God being IN Christ, and Christ being IN them. Actually coming to an understanding of this eluded me for many years. I know that over the course of more than a decade I have asked the Father for understanding into this mystery.
It has become apparent to me as my walk with God has progressed over the years that a comprehension of this vital truth of our union with Christ is the very key to an overcoming, victorious life. It is also the key to attaining to the fulness of the stature that belongs to Christ and coming into a place of abiding intimacy and fellowship with God as our Father.
This is such a vital topic, but it is little understood by the church today. The light the apostles shone forth on this mystery has been dimmed by neglect and many false traditions. I hope to set aside a block of time in this season that God has characterized as ascending the mount in order that I might receive choice grain to fill the Lord’s storehouses which can be used to feed the people of God in coming days. I can think of no better truths than those surrounding this mystery of Christ in you. It is truly feeding the Bread which came down from heaven to the people of God.
I have received a number of correspondences concerning things which are in the news recently, and I desire to comment on them here. Two people wrote to me on the same day about an article I posted a couple months back on the financial meltdown in Iceland. It was unusual to receive two comments on such an old post at the same time, and it brought me to look further into what continues to transpire in Iceland. The original article can be found here:
http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/chill-wind-is-blowing.html
The post speaks of the financial collapse in Iceland, a thoroughly Western nation which was even more prosperous than America and rated as one of the most affluent nations in the world. The Spirit has been testifying that what is occurring in Iceland is a precursor to that which will occur in America and elsewhere.
A sister in Christ wrote to share of a couple who went over to Iceland recently. They spent three months there, returning to America this past week. They were present to witness the financial collapse of the banks and the attendant fallout in society. Many have lost all of their savings, and the number of unemployed has been growing significantly.
As this couple boarded the plane to return to America the man shared that the Spirit of Christ spoke to him the following: “I brought you to Iceland at this time to show you what is coming to America.”
I did a search of conditions in Iceland during the past three months, and there is a sobering trend in the number of unemployed. At the beginning of 2008 Iceland had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. It stood at just 0.8%. When the financial crisis struck in October the number of unemployed jumped to 1.9%. This is an increase of 237.5%. From October to November it rose to 3.3%, a further increase of 173%. The latest December figures have the unemployment rate at 5.4%. This is a further month over month increase of 163%. It is also an annual increase of 675%.
Iceland has a requirement that all employers provide 3 months notice before laying anyone off. Analysts predict a spike in the number of unemployed after the first of the year due to this delay. The numbers being observed in these past months are actually those whose jobs were terminated before the financial meltdown occurred. This number is set to snowball (an appropriate metaphor for Iceland) in the early months of 2009.
The man who recently returned from Iceland spoke of seeing many businesses being boarded up, which is a trend not uncommon to behold even now in America. Here in Macon, Georgia there are a number of significant business failures. I have not seen a study, but I would estimate the business closings are far exceeding any new business coming into town.
One of the largest shopping malls in Georgia is located in Macon. News reports several months ago reported that the Macon Mall was facing bankruptcy as it was 175 million dollars in debt, and revenue was way off. Two of the largest anchor stores in the Mall closed recently, this being Parisian and Belk’s. Numerous other smaller stores are shuttered, and more are set to close soon.
A new outdoor mall opened in an affluent section of North Macon just a few months ago, and there is news that it is already in financial distress and may end up closing. Recently news stations in Macon have reported on the increase of people seeking assistance of all types. Whether it be the number of people seeking food assistance from the local food bank, people seeking help with presents for Christmas, or larger numbers attending free Christmas dinners offered around town, the increase has been significant. Many agencies and ministries are seeing a 20% increase over last year, and America has not even had a banking collapse of the extent seen in Iceland where banks were closed and accounts frozen.
Where is this heading?
To understand where things are heading one must keep in view those things prophesied in Scripture that relate to this hour at the end of the age. Satan is seeking to bring all men to a dependence upon him. Mankind will in this way be brought to serve, and worship, Satan as he usurps the role of God.
The Scriptures declare that Satan is “the god of this world.” He is the present ruler of this evil age. At the end of this age he is seeking to establish absolute control over mankind. He would bring mankind into a dependence where they look to him for all things, including employment, food, shelter, and all of the necessities of life.
How is this being accomplished?
Satan controls the government of this world. He spoke truth when he declared the following to the Son of God.
Luke 4:5-7
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours."
The kingdoms of this world were handed over to Satan by Adam when he bowed in obedience to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Dependence upon the government for all sustenance is by extension dependence upon Satan. This is an act of usurpation, for it is the will of God that all men look to Him for their sustenance and daily provision.
Matthew 6:25-33
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?' or "What will we drink?' or "What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
It is understandable that those who are estranged from the life of Christ should look to the world and its fallen systems to secure those things that are necessary for life. Yet the people of God are to look to the Father in heaven for that which they need. The words of Christ here are very plain. Our heavenly Father already knows we need all these things, and if He takes care of even the smallest birds, will He not also take care of His sons and daughters who look to Him in faith?
At this hour we have been observing two conflicting events occurring simultaneously. The Father has been leading a remnant of His people to look to Him in ever increasing dependence. In 1999 the Spirit of Christ directed me to quit my job as a computer professional and to begin ministering full-time in writing and through the Internet while looking to Him to supply all of the needs of my family.
This was a great trial in many ways, and I had many fears that had to be overcome. Yet as I looked to the Father for all of my needs during the next six years I found Him to never fail us. We never went without food, or shelter, or any of the necessities of life. We were constantly brought to trials where we would certainly suffer lack if He did not come through, but He always came through.
Over time the trials that once terrified me began to lose their power to torment as I learned the faithfulness of God. For the past four years I have been walking alone, while still dependent upon the Father for all things. At times He directed me to work, while at other times He told me to launch out into the deep and look to Him for all things. Since February of this year I have been back in this condition of looking to Him for all things.
I do not broadcast my needs when they arise. I merely share them with the Father, for it is He who has promised to care for me even as He cares for the sparrows. He has proven Himself exceedingly faithful. No, I don’t live as most other Americans. I have no home, no apartment, no place of my own to lay my head (other than the small camper van the Lord provided for me.) I go where the Father directs me to go, and stay where He leads me to stay.
Since February I have spent time in a second step house of a local rescue mission. I stayed for a few weeks with an older Christian gentleman who was led of the Lord to open his home to me. I spent a month camping on either side of the state of Georgia. I spent the summer living out of my van while parked on the property of a downtown rescue mission. I was led to get a membership at a downtown gym where I would shower daily and work out, while riding my bicycle around town to get from place to place. I continued the Internet ministry the Father directed me to by going to a medical library downtown that had free WI-FI, or by sitting in coffee houses and restaurants that had the same.
The Lord then directed me to Fort Wayne, Indiana to minister. A young brother in Christ and his wife graciously opened their home to me. They had a wonderful efficiency apartment in their basement with Internet access, and I was blessed to remain there for two and a half months. The Father then directed me back to Georgia where I spent a few more weeks camping in my van on Jekyll Island. I was then led back to Macon where I am again staying in the home of this older Christian brother who has graciously opened his home to me.
I have correspondence with a number of people who have for years now been led to an unusual dependence upon the Father for all of their needs. Just a couple days ago I heard from a sister in Christ who has walked a similar path all alone. What courage it takes for a single daughter of Christ to follow such a course, but what delight He has when He finds one who will cast all over into His hands! Will He not manifest a much greater grace for those who honor Him with such faith?
This sister spoke of moving around seven times in Florida recently before the Spirit of Christ directed her all the way across the country to Seattle. She travels with all of her possessions in a single large duffel bag, and looks to the Father to provide all she needs. She shared how when the opportunity arrived for her to stay with a friend in Seattle that she had no money. The Spirit directed one person to purchase a plane ticket for her, and another to give her money for travel expenses. How faithful God is to work all things out, and what graciousness is manifested toward His children who are willing to cast all over into His hands at His invitation!
Yet at the same time that Yahweh has been raising up a remnant to stand in faith as they look to Him for all things, Satan has been accomplishing a contrary work in the nations of this world. A tremendous trend is being observed where the people of the world are looking to government in an ever increasing capacity to fulfill every need and to stem every crisis. The word of the year could very well be “Bailout.”
This work has been sudden and persistent. In America the government has entered into areas of society in an unprecedented manner in the history of the nation. First there was the mortgage crisis, and the government has become the holder of the majority of mortgages in the nation as they bailed out Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and a host of major investment banks. Then there was the bailout of AIG, the nation's largest insurance company. Then there was the bank bailout which continues to this hour, with $700 billion pledged to uphold the banking system. The “surprise” turn of events was that the Fed and Treasury changed their declared plans to buy up troubled mortgage assets and instead began buying up bank stock. What a coup this was. In one fell swoop the government gains control of the financial industry and can therefore dictate policy.
Now there is the auto bailout, and one of the largest industries in America has fallen under the control of the government. Millions are additionally looking to the government for food stamps, retirement income, Medicaid and Medicare, and a dizzying array of other needs. America is becoming a society dependent upon the government for all things.
Barack Obama has announced a massive employment program to begin quickly after he takes office. He has pledged to create 3 million jobs. With every new government initiative Satan is drawing mankind to a further dependence upon the beast system of this fallen world. Tragically, multitudes of Christians are falling into this same dependence. Instead of looking to the Father for the supply of their needs, they are looking to the arm of flesh. They are leaning ever more upon government, of which Satan is the world ruler.
In days ahead all Christians will be brought to make a choice. God will call His people to come out of Babylon and flee into the wilderness. The woman of Revelation 12 is the church, and God has a place prepared for her. This experience is foreshadowed in Israel, the church in the wilderness, who looked to God day by day for forty years to supply every necessity of life. He gave them manna from heaven and water from the rock.
Many Christians in coming days will lack courage to depart from Egypt to enter into this wilderness of dependence upon the Father. Their fears will predispose them to lean upon the government of this world to supply their needs, and Satan is already raising up spokesmen from within the church who will tell Christians that this is the Father’s will for them. Men such as Rick Warren, who have mounted up on this beast system will encourage others to do so as well. Woe to those who do so.
Revelation 13:16-17
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Revelation 14:9-10
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."
People, what will occur in coming days will not be like that which is fictionalized in books like the Left Behind series. Christians by the millions will be seduced into a dependence upon the world beast system. They will be convinced that looking to government to be able to live, to buy and to sell, is the will of God. False ministers will speak forth convincing words of deception to entrap the masses. And having accomplished the will of Satan, bringing condemnation on themselves, the beast will then turn on these ministers and those who have followed them and devour their flesh. The wrath of God will be poured forth on all those who put their trust in the beast, rather than trusting Him. Only a remnant who have followed Him into a daily dependence for the very sustenance of their lives will be spared the wrath of God.
These things are in the news today. The stage is being set. Are you following a course to a greater dependence upon God, or a greater dependence upon the rulers of this fallen world system? Do not think that it matters not who you are looking to for your provision in this hour. By degrees the people of God are making their choices and sealing the course they will follow in coming days. Patterns of dependence are being established.
Will you entrust yourself to God? Do you see Him as present and faithful? Are you willing to follow wherever He would lead? Will you follow the example of Christ who spoke the following to the one who would be His disciple?
Matthew 8:20
Yahshua said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Such a life of dependence upon the Father, and acceptance of whatever he chooses for His children, will be required of all who would follow Christ in coming days. He has been preparing wilderness leaders for years now. Many will be called to embark on the same journey, following carefully the leading of the Spirit even as the Israelites followed the pillar of fire and the cloud. God will lead His people to places that appear barren, devoid of sustenance, but He will cause His supply to fall from heaven and thereby sustain all who set their trust in Him.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
A number have written to say that they have been missing the Parables Blog during the past week. I have been waiting before the Lord to discern His mind on a number of matters, and have not been led to write anything during the last week. I have spent a lot of time answering correspondence which has picked up a great deal in recent months. At times I will spend 7-8 hours a day answering correspondence. I consider this a stewardship from the Father, and I seek to treat every e-mail as an opportunity the Father has set before me to speak forth whatever it is the Spirit of Christ desires to be shared.
Of course, answering this much correspondence does take away from the time available to write posts, and I know there must be seasons when I simply reserve time to write new teachings as the Lord leads. It has been upon my heart to begin a new series of writings on the unveiling of the mystery of Christ IN you.
As a young man growing up in the church I often heard Scriptures cited that spoke of the people of God being IN Christ, and Christ being IN them. Actually coming to an understanding of this eluded me for many years. I know that over the course of more than a decade I have asked the Father for understanding into this mystery.
It has become apparent to me as my walk with God has progressed over the years that a comprehension of this vital truth of our union with Christ is the very key to an overcoming, victorious life. It is also the key to attaining to the fulness of the stature that belongs to Christ and coming into a place of abiding intimacy and fellowship with God as our Father.
This is such a vital topic, but it is little understood by the church today. The light the apostles shone forth on this mystery has been dimmed by neglect and many false traditions. I hope to set aside a block of time in this season that God has characterized as ascending the mount in order that I might receive choice grain to fill the Lord’s storehouses which can be used to feed the people of God in coming days. I can think of no better truths than those surrounding this mystery of Christ in you. It is truly feeding the Bread which came down from heaven to the people of God.
I have received a number of correspondences concerning things which are in the news recently, and I desire to comment on them here. Two people wrote to me on the same day about an article I posted a couple months back on the financial meltdown in Iceland. It was unusual to receive two comments on such an old post at the same time, and it brought me to look further into what continues to transpire in Iceland. The original article can be found here:
http://parablesblog.blogspot.com/2008/10/chill-wind-is-blowing.html
The post speaks of the financial collapse in Iceland, a thoroughly Western nation which was even more prosperous than America and rated as one of the most affluent nations in the world. The Spirit has been testifying that what is occurring in Iceland is a precursor to that which will occur in America and elsewhere.
A sister in Christ wrote to share of a couple who went over to Iceland recently. They spent three months there, returning to America this past week. They were present to witness the financial collapse of the banks and the attendant fallout in society. Many have lost all of their savings, and the number of unemployed has been growing significantly.
As this couple boarded the plane to return to America the man shared that the Spirit of Christ spoke to him the following: “I brought you to Iceland at this time to show you what is coming to America.”
I did a search of conditions in Iceland during the past three months, and there is a sobering trend in the number of unemployed. At the beginning of 2008 Iceland had one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world. It stood at just 0.8%. When the financial crisis struck in October the number of unemployed jumped to 1.9%. This is an increase of 237.5%. From October to November it rose to 3.3%, a further increase of 173%. The latest December figures have the unemployment rate at 5.4%. This is a further month over month increase of 163%. It is also an annual increase of 675%.
Iceland has a requirement that all employers provide 3 months notice before laying anyone off. Analysts predict a spike in the number of unemployed after the first of the year due to this delay. The numbers being observed in these past months are actually those whose jobs were terminated before the financial meltdown occurred. This number is set to snowball (an appropriate metaphor for Iceland) in the early months of 2009.
The man who recently returned from Iceland spoke of seeing many businesses being boarded up, which is a trend not uncommon to behold even now in America. Here in Macon, Georgia there are a number of significant business failures. I have not seen a study, but I would estimate the business closings are far exceeding any new business coming into town.
One of the largest shopping malls in Georgia is located in Macon. News reports several months ago reported that the Macon Mall was facing bankruptcy as it was 175 million dollars in debt, and revenue was way off. Two of the largest anchor stores in the Mall closed recently, this being Parisian and Belk’s. Numerous other smaller stores are shuttered, and more are set to close soon.
A new outdoor mall opened in an affluent section of North Macon just a few months ago, and there is news that it is already in financial distress and may end up closing. Recently news stations in Macon have reported on the increase of people seeking assistance of all types. Whether it be the number of people seeking food assistance from the local food bank, people seeking help with presents for Christmas, or larger numbers attending free Christmas dinners offered around town, the increase has been significant. Many agencies and ministries are seeing a 20% increase over last year, and America has not even had a banking collapse of the extent seen in Iceland where banks were closed and accounts frozen.
Where is this heading?
To understand where things are heading one must keep in view those things prophesied in Scripture that relate to this hour at the end of the age. Satan is seeking to bring all men to a dependence upon him. Mankind will in this way be brought to serve, and worship, Satan as he usurps the role of God.
The Scriptures declare that Satan is “the god of this world.” He is the present ruler of this evil age. At the end of this age he is seeking to establish absolute control over mankind. He would bring mankind into a dependence where they look to him for all things, including employment, food, shelter, and all of the necessities of life.
How is this being accomplished?
Satan controls the government of this world. He spoke truth when he declared the following to the Son of God.
Luke 4:5-7
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, "I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours."
The kingdoms of this world were handed over to Satan by Adam when he bowed in obedience to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. Dependence upon the government for all sustenance is by extension dependence upon Satan. This is an act of usurpation, for it is the will of God that all men look to Him for their sustenance and daily provision.
Matthew 6:25-33
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, "What will we eat?' or "What will we drink?' or "What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
It is understandable that those who are estranged from the life of Christ should look to the world and its fallen systems to secure those things that are necessary for life. Yet the people of God are to look to the Father in heaven for that which they need. The words of Christ here are very plain. Our heavenly Father already knows we need all these things, and if He takes care of even the smallest birds, will He not also take care of His sons and daughters who look to Him in faith?
At this hour we have been observing two conflicting events occurring simultaneously. The Father has been leading a remnant of His people to look to Him in ever increasing dependence. In 1999 the Spirit of Christ directed me to quit my job as a computer professional and to begin ministering full-time in writing and through the Internet while looking to Him to supply all of the needs of my family.
This was a great trial in many ways, and I had many fears that had to be overcome. Yet as I looked to the Father for all of my needs during the next six years I found Him to never fail us. We never went without food, or shelter, or any of the necessities of life. We were constantly brought to trials where we would certainly suffer lack if He did not come through, but He always came through.
Over time the trials that once terrified me began to lose their power to torment as I learned the faithfulness of God. For the past four years I have been walking alone, while still dependent upon the Father for all things. At times He directed me to work, while at other times He told me to launch out into the deep and look to Him for all things. Since February of this year I have been back in this condition of looking to Him for all things.
I do not broadcast my needs when they arise. I merely share them with the Father, for it is He who has promised to care for me even as He cares for the sparrows. He has proven Himself exceedingly faithful. No, I don’t live as most other Americans. I have no home, no apartment, no place of my own to lay my head (other than the small camper van the Lord provided for me.) I go where the Father directs me to go, and stay where He leads me to stay.
Since February I have spent time in a second step house of a local rescue mission. I stayed for a few weeks with an older Christian gentleman who was led of the Lord to open his home to me. I spent a month camping on either side of the state of Georgia. I spent the summer living out of my van while parked on the property of a downtown rescue mission. I was led to get a membership at a downtown gym where I would shower daily and work out, while riding my bicycle around town to get from place to place. I continued the Internet ministry the Father directed me to by going to a medical library downtown that had free WI-FI, or by sitting in coffee houses and restaurants that had the same.
The Lord then directed me to Fort Wayne, Indiana to minister. A young brother in Christ and his wife graciously opened their home to me. They had a wonderful efficiency apartment in their basement with Internet access, and I was blessed to remain there for two and a half months. The Father then directed me back to Georgia where I spent a few more weeks camping in my van on Jekyll Island. I was then led back to Macon where I am again staying in the home of this older Christian brother who has graciously opened his home to me.
I have correspondence with a number of people who have for years now been led to an unusual dependence upon the Father for all of their needs. Just a couple days ago I heard from a sister in Christ who has walked a similar path all alone. What courage it takes for a single daughter of Christ to follow such a course, but what delight He has when He finds one who will cast all over into His hands! Will He not manifest a much greater grace for those who honor Him with such faith?
This sister spoke of moving around seven times in Florida recently before the Spirit of Christ directed her all the way across the country to Seattle. She travels with all of her possessions in a single large duffel bag, and looks to the Father to provide all she needs. She shared how when the opportunity arrived for her to stay with a friend in Seattle that she had no money. The Spirit directed one person to purchase a plane ticket for her, and another to give her money for travel expenses. How faithful God is to work all things out, and what graciousness is manifested toward His children who are willing to cast all over into His hands at His invitation!
Yet at the same time that Yahweh has been raising up a remnant to stand in faith as they look to Him for all things, Satan has been accomplishing a contrary work in the nations of this world. A tremendous trend is being observed where the people of the world are looking to government in an ever increasing capacity to fulfill every need and to stem every crisis. The word of the year could very well be “Bailout.”
This work has been sudden and persistent. In America the government has entered into areas of society in an unprecedented manner in the history of the nation. First there was the mortgage crisis, and the government has become the holder of the majority of mortgages in the nation as they bailed out Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and a host of major investment banks. Then there was the bailout of AIG, the nation's largest insurance company. Then there was the bank bailout which continues to this hour, with $700 billion pledged to uphold the banking system. The “surprise” turn of events was that the Fed and Treasury changed their declared plans to buy up troubled mortgage assets and instead began buying up bank stock. What a coup this was. In one fell swoop the government gains control of the financial industry and can therefore dictate policy.
Now there is the auto bailout, and one of the largest industries in America has fallen under the control of the government. Millions are additionally looking to the government for food stamps, retirement income, Medicaid and Medicare, and a dizzying array of other needs. America is becoming a society dependent upon the government for all things.
Barack Obama has announced a massive employment program to begin quickly after he takes office. He has pledged to create 3 million jobs. With every new government initiative Satan is drawing mankind to a further dependence upon the beast system of this fallen world. Tragically, multitudes of Christians are falling into this same dependence. Instead of looking to the Father for the supply of their needs, they are looking to the arm of flesh. They are leaning ever more upon government, of which Satan is the world ruler.
In days ahead all Christians will be brought to make a choice. God will call His people to come out of Babylon and flee into the wilderness. The woman of Revelation 12 is the church, and God has a place prepared for her. This experience is foreshadowed in Israel, the church in the wilderness, who looked to God day by day for forty years to supply every necessity of life. He gave them manna from heaven and water from the rock.
Many Christians in coming days will lack courage to depart from Egypt to enter into this wilderness of dependence upon the Father. Their fears will predispose them to lean upon the government of this world to supply their needs, and Satan is already raising up spokesmen from within the church who will tell Christians that this is the Father’s will for them. Men such as Rick Warren, who have mounted up on this beast system will encourage others to do so as well. Woe to those who do so.
Revelation 13:16-17
And he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Revelation 14:9-10
Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His anger; and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."
People, what will occur in coming days will not be like that which is fictionalized in books like the Left Behind series. Christians by the millions will be seduced into a dependence upon the world beast system. They will be convinced that looking to government to be able to live, to buy and to sell, is the will of God. False ministers will speak forth convincing words of deception to entrap the masses. And having accomplished the will of Satan, bringing condemnation on themselves, the beast will then turn on these ministers and those who have followed them and devour their flesh. The wrath of God will be poured forth on all those who put their trust in the beast, rather than trusting Him. Only a remnant who have followed Him into a daily dependence for the very sustenance of their lives will be spared the wrath of God.
These things are in the news today. The stage is being set. Are you following a course to a greater dependence upon God, or a greater dependence upon the rulers of this fallen world system? Do not think that it matters not who you are looking to for your provision in this hour. By degrees the people of God are making their choices and sealing the course they will follow in coming days. Patterns of dependence are being established.
Will you entrust yourself to God? Do you see Him as present and faithful? Are you willing to follow wherever He would lead? Will you follow the example of Christ who spoke the following to the one who would be His disciple?
Matthew 8:20
Yahshua said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."
Such a life of dependence upon the Father, and acceptance of whatever he chooses for His children, will be required of all who would follow Christ in coming days. He has been preparing wilderness leaders for years now. Many will be called to embark on the same journey, following carefully the leading of the Spirit even as the Israelites followed the pillar of fire and the cloud. God will lead His people to places that appear barren, devoid of sustenance, but He will cause His supply to fall from heaven and thereby sustain all who set their trust in Him.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
Friday, December 19, 2008
In The News
Joseph Herrin (12-19-08)
The news yesterday featured a story that Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, and author of The Purpose Driven Life, has been chosen by Barack Obama to give the invocation at his inauguration. Rick Warren is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and such associations lead the sincere saint of God to consider the following words of Scripture:
II Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.”
Rick Warren’s impure associations are well known. He counts Rupert Murdoch, the head of News Corp, the parent company of Fox, as one of his church members. Warren has received substantial donations from Murdoch, in excess of a million dollars, and will not reprove this man despite the fact that he is touted as the world’s largest pornographer.
Rick Warren has also sponsored political forums at his church, inviting Hillary Clinton and other presidential candidates to stand behind the podium at Saddleback Church and address the crowds. He was a participant in the Clinton Global Initiative initiated by Bill Clinton. A video of Warren at this 2008 event can be found at the following link:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/rick-warren-at-2008-clinton-global-initiative/2362953712/?icid=VIDURVNWS12
If you watch the video you can observe how Rick Warren is being primed to advance the concept that all faiths are acceptable as long as people have some faith. The distinctiveness of Christianity is being downplayed. Barack Obama will surely be used of Satan to blur the distinctiveness of Christianity further, and he is selecting men who have a profound influence who will assist in this diabolical action. What business does a minister of Christ have with the political processes of this fallen world system?
Now Rick Warren is set to pray a blessing over Barack Obama, a man who champions homosexuality and abortion, and has even voted against legislation that would require medical practitioners to provide life saving care to babies who are born alive during failed abortions.
Can such a man as Rick Warren truly be discerning the voice of the Spirit of Christ? Why then have Christians bought up 20 million copies of his book, making it one of the best selling Christians books of all times? These things reveal the lack of spiritual discernment among the body of Christ at this hour.
The Purpose Driven Life is a book of subtle deception. It promotes an idea that Christians should strive to accomplish some purpose in this world, being focused upon that purpose. What is absent from the book is the message of being led of the Spirit of Christ in all things. The soul of man becomes the source from which this purpose is derived. All who operate out of the soul, rather than being led by the Spirit, will end up performing works of the flesh which Christ will reject at His appearing.
To see the fruit of Rick Warren’s teaching in this book, one need only examine his own life. “You will know them by their fruit.” The fruit of Rick Warren’s teaching has led him to invite the world’s largest pornographer to participate in the promotion of the Purposes Rick Warren has arrived at in his own soul. His teaching has led him to join himself to evil men and women who are Satan’s instruments to accomplish Satan’s purposes in this last day. Warren is set to speak a word of blessing over Satan’s chosen instrument to bring forth a one world government.
The church has not discerned the message of Sabbath rest. The apostle Paul in the book of Hebrews declares that Sabbath rest is “ceasing from man’s works.” In order to enter God’s Sabbath rest a man must divide between soul and Spirit.
Hebrews 4:10-12
For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of SOUL and SPIRIT, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The thoughts and intentions that are pursued by the vast majority of Christians are arising from within the soul of man. They have failed to divide between soul and spirit. Consequently they are even being found to serve Satan while thinking themselves to be righteous in the eyes of God.
The Spirit is testifying that God is about to open the floodgates and allow Satan to enter into the nations as a flood. He will come with great deception to deceive if possible even the elect. Only those who have learned to discern the voice of the Spirit of Christ will be able to withstand this onslaught. The vast majority will be swept away.
One consequence of this will be that the very ones who fill the pews of churches week after week will begin to perceive the elect of God who are walking by the Spirit of Christ as their enemies. They will rise up to persecute those who have not been deceived as they themselves have been, and the following prophecy of Christ will be fulfilled.
Luke 21:16-19
"But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
John 15:20-21
“If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.”
John 16:2-3
"They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.”
People, we are seeing in the headlines of the news in this very hour that these things are at hand. Twenty million Christians have purchased Rick Warren’s book. He is the pastor of one of the largest churches in America, and his messages are broadcast far and wide. Yet this man has aligned himself with Satan. He has become Satan’s pawn to accomplish his purposes. Rick Warren does not perceive that he is deceived, for he has neither known Christ, or His Father.
Many millions of Christians are equally as blind as Rick Warren. They have bought into the purpose driven lie. They are setting their hands to actions that God has given them no command to do. They are speaking words God has not commanded them to speak. Because they have given themselves to be led of their soul, leaning upon their own human understanding, they will become partakers of the judgment of God. God will even give them over to become persecutors of the Spirit led saints of Christ, allowing them to bring great condemnation upon themselves.
If you do not understand this matter of dividing between soul and spirit, of ceasing from your own actions to only do the actions that the Spirit of Christ directs you to, then I urge you to read the book Sabbath.
http://www.heart4god.ws/id214.htm
Do not be among those who stand before Christ on the day of judgment and hear Him say, “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Yahweh is making a separation among His people in this hour. The following prophecy of Scripture is being fulfilled:
Revelation 13:7-9
It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
Let me share something from this passage that I have never heard proclaimed. Whenever we see the words “If anyone has an ear, let him hear,” then we can know that there is something being spoken that will not be perceived by many. The statements here are all linked together. We read, “It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them...” Many carnal interpretations of this have come forth, such as those set forth in the Left Behind series. There will no doubt be physical persecution of those who walk by the Spirit of Christ in these last days, but that is not what is in focus here.
The next statement we see is, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him...” Satan will be given authority to overcome the saints and cause them to worship those who are anti-christ. This very action will be observed when Rick Warren pronounces a blessing over Barack Hussein Obama, and millions of Christians will proclaim words of praise about what a wonderful thing has occurred. Satan will prevail over the people of God through deception, causing them to venerate the very enemies of Christ.
The people of God have been doing this for many years. But now at the end of the age as the plans of Satan are coming to fruition, we will see the people of God embracing greater evil than ever before. Great blindness will come upon those who have not loved the truth. Multitudes will be overcome.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12
Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
Barack Obama’s “coming is in accord with the activity of Satan.” Yet those who have not loved the truth are being given over to a spirit of delusion. These will not be saved (delivered), but will end up being judged by God.
These things are as close as the daily headlines. Is it not interesting that the name of Rick Warren’s church is Saddleback Church. Look at the picture again at the top of this writing and see the name of the church behind the image of Warren and Obama. Then consider the following:
Revelation 17:3
And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names...
Revelation 17:16
"And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.”
Let those who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
The news yesterday featured a story that Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, and author of The Purpose Driven Life, has been chosen by Barack Obama to give the invocation at his inauguration. Rick Warren is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and such associations lead the sincere saint of God to consider the following words of Scripture:
II Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.”
Rick Warren’s impure associations are well known. He counts Rupert Murdoch, the head of News Corp, the parent company of Fox, as one of his church members. Warren has received substantial donations from Murdoch, in excess of a million dollars, and will not reprove this man despite the fact that he is touted as the world’s largest pornographer.
Rick Warren has also sponsored political forums at his church, inviting Hillary Clinton and other presidential candidates to stand behind the podium at Saddleback Church and address the crowds. He was a participant in the Clinton Global Initiative initiated by Bill Clinton. A video of Warren at this 2008 event can be found at the following link:
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/rick-warren-at-2008-clinton-global-initiative/2362953712/?icid=VIDURVNWS12
If you watch the video you can observe how Rick Warren is being primed to advance the concept that all faiths are acceptable as long as people have some faith. The distinctiveness of Christianity is being downplayed. Barack Obama will surely be used of Satan to blur the distinctiveness of Christianity further, and he is selecting men who have a profound influence who will assist in this diabolical action. What business does a minister of Christ have with the political processes of this fallen world system?
Now Rick Warren is set to pray a blessing over Barack Obama, a man who champions homosexuality and abortion, and has even voted against legislation that would require medical practitioners to provide life saving care to babies who are born alive during failed abortions.
Can such a man as Rick Warren truly be discerning the voice of the Spirit of Christ? Why then have Christians bought up 20 million copies of his book, making it one of the best selling Christians books of all times? These things reveal the lack of spiritual discernment among the body of Christ at this hour.
The Purpose Driven Life is a book of subtle deception. It promotes an idea that Christians should strive to accomplish some purpose in this world, being focused upon that purpose. What is absent from the book is the message of being led of the Spirit of Christ in all things. The soul of man becomes the source from which this purpose is derived. All who operate out of the soul, rather than being led by the Spirit, will end up performing works of the flesh which Christ will reject at His appearing.
To see the fruit of Rick Warren’s teaching in this book, one need only examine his own life. “You will know them by their fruit.” The fruit of Rick Warren’s teaching has led him to invite the world’s largest pornographer to participate in the promotion of the Purposes Rick Warren has arrived at in his own soul. His teaching has led him to join himself to evil men and women who are Satan’s instruments to accomplish Satan’s purposes in this last day. Warren is set to speak a word of blessing over Satan’s chosen instrument to bring forth a one world government.
The church has not discerned the message of Sabbath rest. The apostle Paul in the book of Hebrews declares that Sabbath rest is “ceasing from man’s works.” In order to enter God’s Sabbath rest a man must divide between soul and Spirit.
Hebrews 4:10-12
For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of SOUL and SPIRIT, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The thoughts and intentions that are pursued by the vast majority of Christians are arising from within the soul of man. They have failed to divide between soul and spirit. Consequently they are even being found to serve Satan while thinking themselves to be righteous in the eyes of God.
The Spirit is testifying that God is about to open the floodgates and allow Satan to enter into the nations as a flood. He will come with great deception to deceive if possible even the elect. Only those who have learned to discern the voice of the Spirit of Christ will be able to withstand this onslaught. The vast majority will be swept away.
One consequence of this will be that the very ones who fill the pews of churches week after week will begin to perceive the elect of God who are walking by the Spirit of Christ as their enemies. They will rise up to persecute those who have not been deceived as they themselves have been, and the following prophecy of Christ will be fulfilled.
Luke 21:16-19
"But you will be betrayed even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death, and you will be hated by all because of My name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.”
John 15:20-21
“If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.”
John 16:2-3
"They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me.”
People, we are seeing in the headlines of the news in this very hour that these things are at hand. Twenty million Christians have purchased Rick Warren’s book. He is the pastor of one of the largest churches in America, and his messages are broadcast far and wide. Yet this man has aligned himself with Satan. He has become Satan’s pawn to accomplish his purposes. Rick Warren does not perceive that he is deceived, for he has neither known Christ, or His Father.
Many millions of Christians are equally as blind as Rick Warren. They have bought into the purpose driven lie. They are setting their hands to actions that God has given them no command to do. They are speaking words God has not commanded them to speak. Because they have given themselves to be led of their soul, leaning upon their own human understanding, they will become partakers of the judgment of God. God will even give them over to become persecutors of the Spirit led saints of Christ, allowing them to bring great condemnation upon themselves.
If you do not understand this matter of dividing between soul and spirit, of ceasing from your own actions to only do the actions that the Spirit of Christ directs you to, then I urge you to read the book Sabbath.
http://www.heart4god.ws/id214.htm
Do not be among those who stand before Christ on the day of judgment and hear Him say, “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Yahweh is making a separation among His people in this hour. The following prophecy of Scripture is being fulfilled:
Revelation 13:7-9
It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
Let me share something from this passage that I have never heard proclaimed. Whenever we see the words “If anyone has an ear, let him hear,” then we can know that there is something being spoken that will not be perceived by many. The statements here are all linked together. We read, “It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them...” Many carnal interpretations of this have come forth, such as those set forth in the Left Behind series. There will no doubt be physical persecution of those who walk by the Spirit of Christ in these last days, but that is not what is in focus here.
The next statement we see is, “All who dwell on the earth will worship him...” Satan will be given authority to overcome the saints and cause them to worship those who are anti-christ. This very action will be observed when Rick Warren pronounces a blessing over Barack Hussein Obama, and millions of Christians will proclaim words of praise about what a wonderful thing has occurred. Satan will prevail over the people of God through deception, causing them to venerate the very enemies of Christ.
The people of God have been doing this for many years. But now at the end of the age as the plans of Satan are coming to fruition, we will see the people of God embracing greater evil than ever before. Great blindness will come upon those who have not loved the truth. Multitudes will be overcome.
II Thessalonians 2:8-12
Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
Barack Obama’s “coming is in accord with the activity of Satan.” Yet those who have not loved the truth are being given over to a spirit of delusion. These will not be saved (delivered), but will end up being judged by God.
These things are as close as the daily headlines. Is it not interesting that the name of Rick Warren’s church is Saddleback Church. Look at the picture again at the top of this writing and see the name of the church behind the image of Warren and Obama. Then consider the following:
Revelation 17:3
And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names...
Revelation 17:16
"And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.”
Let those who have ears to hear, hear what the Spirit is saying.
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: http://www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
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