How are we to reckon ourselves as being dead to sin?

[Eternally Grateful]

Do you mean seeing the power of the literal rising of the sun, or the whisper of a sun set? Or the power of the ocean pushing its waves ashore? This is what clearly has revealed God unto them? Externally? How when it is spiritually discerned? How when even if one is raised from the dead; they still won’t believe it? But a straggly dandelion busting through a crack in concrete…they are without excuse for God has shown in them the truth, having revealed it to them. That would be like giving a book to a child who doesn’t even know his or her ABC’s, and demanding “READ IT!!”

Pride, As roman's 1 says

I think to John 3 where Jesus said as moses lifted the serpent. so must the son of man be lifted.

If we go back to the story (numbers 21) . God brought the children of Israel to a spot where they had to pass through a bunch of serpents. and they would get bitten and die. God told Moses to take a serpent. and lift it up. He said anyone who looks will live, anyone who does not will die



Imagine those who in unbelief continued in pride to reject the fact that they were dead and they could not save themselves..

this is what I think. People do not realize they are already dead. and they can save themselves. so instead of looking to the cross. where they can be saved completely and given life. they instead continue to either deny they are dead. or try to save themselves, as sadly the jews and many who call themselves Christians do today.

Jesus said we must be born again. In order to be born again, we have to in pride look up to the true serpent (Jesus) on the cross. and trust him to save us.

otherwise, like those who refused in Moses day. they will die permanently

 

[Episkopos]

@Lizbeth In regards to dreams and visions...these were common in the time of the revival. This one dream/vision stands out as it helped me to understand who and what the castaways are.

I call this dream/vision...the Mud People.



I got this dream/vision about 20 or so years ago now. It came to me in 2 parts. Actually, one part came while I slept...there was no sound (no audio) and the 2nd part came in the day... (just the sound). I'm putting them together to relate this.



I saw this huge plain with a ring of mountains just visible in the distance. It is quite dark. I notice that there is a very big angel blowing a trumpet. He is about 10 stories high. There is another angel who is also very big and he is holding a large sword. Behind them is a raised plateau of earth, like a miniature flat mountain. A mound I will call it. In front of this mound, and the angels, are rows and rows of bumps on the ground. They are arranged like ranks in the military fashion. Again it is quite dark, so the details are sketchy.



Then, it appears like dawn is breaking in the distance. But this dawn is getting brighter and brighter. Much brighter than daylight. I see a host among clouds hovering in our direction. I am awed that the light is getting even brighter. I am on my face now, as I can no longer stand up. Now I see the throne of God with God sitting in it. He is surrounded by many people, all hovering and a long queue of angels trailing in the distance. There is a smaller throne on His right side. The whole group hovers (and lands?) on the mound. Now I begin to notice that what I thought were bumps in the earth are actually people that are hunched over in worship. They are the same colour as the earth around them as they have covered themselves in it to hide their nakedness and shame. There is a smaller angel at my side who tells me that when these people hear the trumpet they must bow to the ground or be slain by the angel holding the sword. These people are never allowed to look directly at God on pain of death. They are the cast-aways on whom is everlasting shame.

Back to the present. A certain SA brother named Cornelius read this vision and then went for a nap. In the nap the Lord spoke to him and confirmed that the vision was true. He wrote to me and said that God spoke to him about the vision and that he was seeking the Lord about the higher walk. Well, that brother almost died from food poisoning one day and went to see the Lord who told him...your life is hanging by a thread. But Cornelius was so happy for that encounter...the first he ever had. He testified to this encounter all over the web at the time...maybe 12 years ago now????

Anyway, Cornelius was murdered a few weeks after that...and he is definitely with the Lord. It's funny that we thought his life hanging by a thread meant something completely different.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

dreams and visions can come from god, or they can come from satan and his demons.

we should never use dreams or visions as proof we are saved..

If we have not been born again, all the dreams and vision in the world will not make us saved.

 

[ChristisGod]

dreams and visions can come from god, or they can come from satan and his demons.

we should never use dreams or visions as proof we are saved..

If we have not been born again, all the dreams and vision in the world will not make us saved.

Amen

When a person is not born again by the word of God through the Spirit of God as Peter described in his epistle then we see the false prophets arise who base things on their experiences rather than the truth from Gods word. Their experiences take priority over Gods words even when they contradict Gods word . These people are unteachable and are never wrong , lone rangers who are not accountable and refuse correction due to pride the original sin of angels and man. We see it daily here with those promoting their experiences as the higher walk the Bible never talks about. They place themselves in their pride above all other believers who have a “ lower “ walk. A false dichotomy fallacy , a deceiving spirit at work.

hope this helps !!!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

No. What that means is that the reality of the existence and power of God is evident to all mankind in nature. The whole unbelieving world acknowledges that there is a Supreme Being. Atheism is totally artificial and is a pretension of a few Western idiots. But knowing of the existence of God is not the same as having faith in Him alone, and worshiping Him alone. So the whole pagan world descended into the worship of creatures and the host of heaven rather than the Creator.

I get you will say this is out of context, but this is where I see that there is treasure held (captive) within darkness; suppressed, rejected, imprisoned…hidden.

To Cyrus (not sure what the name means: humiliatior? The one who possesses the furnace, like the sun?)

To subdue nations
To loose the loins of kings
To open doors, that the gates will not shut
I go before you
Making rough places smooth
I shatter doors of bronze,
Cut through bars of iron
I will give you “treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places”
Then you will know I am the God of Israel, who calls you by name.

For the sake of Jacob My servant, And Israel My chosen. I called you even though you have not known Me.

New Testament. “Making the crooked places straight” “bringing down the high places, and lifting up the low”
Does the Spirit of God cut through bars of iron? Has a Light shined unto those who sit in darkness? Consider John behind bars of iron sending word “are you the King? Or should we look for another?”

You will most likely say “out of context” why then New Testament
To subdue nations
To loose the loins of kings
To open doors, that the gates will not shut
I go before you
Making rough places smooth
I shatter doors of bronze,
Cut through bars of iron
I will give you “treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places” —1 Corinthians 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

To me what makes him fall down and worship God is the Revelation that God is over the House of God and the truth is within him (the hidden riches) which he has suppressed and not given praise unto God.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Pride, As roman's 1 says

I think to John 3 where Jesus said as moses lifted the serpent. so must the son of man be lifted.

If we go back to the story (numbers 21) . God brought the children of Israel to a spot where they had to pass through a bunch of serpents. and they would get bitten and die. God told Moses to take a serpent. and lift it up. He said anyone who looks will live, anyone who does not will die



Imagine those who in unbelief continued in pride to reject the fact that they were dead and they could not save themselves..

this is what I think. People do not realize they are already dead. and they can save themselves. so instead of looking to the cross. where they can be saved completely and given life. they instead continue to either deny they are dead. or try to save themselves, as sadly the jews and many who call themselves Christians do today.

Jesus said we must be born again. In order to be born again, we have to in pride look up to the true serpent (Jesus) on the cross. and trust him to save us.

otherwise, like those who refused in Moses day. they will die permanently

To me, I can see what my husband talks about in regards to religion. I can see that religion is a large contributor to unrighteousness and darkness that suppresses the truth. It bothers me to say only religion because of all the disorders and disfunction and mechanisms common to cover up or to (bury) the truth. Sometimes having nothing to do with religion or pride but fear of being seen. Which is guess could be pride.

 

[Episkopos]

Amen

When a person is not born again by the word of God through the Spirit of God as Peter described in his epistle

Already here there is a deviation from the truth. Your "born again by the word of God" is in the wrong dimension. Anybody can claim the words apply to them..and then declare that they are born again. It's a very American way of seeing things...private freedom and choices. But those who are born of the Spirit are such by the WILL and POWER OF GOD...not a human choice.

So then a "parallel" religion is created that uses the bible but on a carnal religious level...with no way out. It's a dead end...literally.

then we see the false prophets arise who base things on their experiences rather than the truth from Gods word.

The truth of God's word POINTS to an actual encounter with and ongoing relationship with the living God...not just a relationship with a book.

Their experiences take priority over Gods words even when they contradict Gods word .

The opposite is true. The bible helps us to understand what's going on with the miraculous experiences one has by abiding in Christ. It's comparing like with like. The word is a lamp, a guide INTO the experience of Christ. It doesn't replace an intimate walk with God. Our lives should exactly mirror the written testimonies. What I see "word" people doing..is creating a dead religion they claim is by the Spirit....but it is by the clever invention of the carnal mind.

These people are unteachable and are never wrong ,

The unteachability is the outer man closing his mind around vain doctrines that are used to prop up the self. Of course, those who hold the truth are not going to give it up to be accepted by men and their schemes. That should be evident.

lone rangers who are not accountable and refuse correction due to pride the original sin of angels and man.

We see many "ministries" based on numbers and money...that muddy the water so that the undiscerning can't see the difference. Why was Jesus put to death. He was seen as just one more false prophet.

We see it daily here with those promoting their experiences as the higher walk the Bible never talks about.

Look at all the miracles that are cited in the bible. Is that your common experience? You will have to be honest with yourself here before you can even try to be honest in your sharing with others.

They place themselves in their pride above all other believers who have a “ lower “ walk. A false dichotomy fallacy , a deceiving spirit at work.

hope this helps !!!

The pride is in those who refuse to listen to the truth. If I wasn't also in the lower walk..at present..I would not be here trying to warn others.

So then the chance you have to hear something that is not temporal and carnal...you throw out because it isn't temporal and carnal enough for you.

What's the point in having a bigger lawn if you never mow it? If you want bigger fish you have to change the bait.

 

[Episkopos]

To me, I can see what my husband talks about in regards to religion. I can see that religion is a large contributor to unrighteousness and darkness that suppresses the truth. It bothers me to say only religion because of all the disorders and disfunction and mechanisms common to cover up or to (bury) the truth. Sometimes having nothing to do with religion or pride but fear of being seen. Which is guess could be pride.

The enemy has no need to hide so much in society. But he hides himself in all human religious organizations in a way to subvert the truth...to support the carnal rebellious nature so that it is upheld and given a place of honour. So then the truth is dishonoured to honour the schemes of men.

People HATE the truth. They hate the cross. They hate the cost of entering into the kingdom realm...which is everything. Instead another system is set up using the same promises...but for no cost at all. The pews fill up in that scheme. But the truth...with far fewer adherents ...is seen as an aberration.

 

[ChristisGod]

Already here there is a deviation from the truth. Your "born again by the word of God" is in the wrong dimension. Anybody can claim the words apply to them..and then declare that they are born again. It's a very American way of seeing things...private freedom and choices. But those who are born of the Spirit are such by the WILL and POWER OF GOD...not a human choice.

So then a "parallel" religion is created that uses the bible but on a carnal religious level...with no way out. It's a dead end...literally.




The truth of God's word POINTS to an actual encounter with and ongoing relationship with the living God...not just a relationship with a book.


The opposite is true. The bible helps us to understand what's going on with the miraculous experiences one has by abiding in Christ. It's comparing like with like. The word is a lamp, a guide INTO the experience of Christ. It doesn't replace an intimate walk with God. Our lives should exactly mirror the written testimonies. What I see "word" people doing..is creating a dead religion they claim is by the Spirit....but it is by the clever invention of the carnal mind.

The unteachability is the outer man closing his mind around vain doctrines that are used to prop up the self. Of course, those who hold the truth are not going to give it up to be accepted by men and their schemes. That should be evident.


We see many "ministries" based on numbers and money...that muddy the water so that the undiscerning can't see the difference. Why was Jesus put to death. He was seen as just one more false prophet.



Look at all the miracles that are cited in the bible. Is that your common experience? You will have to be honest with yourself here before you can even try to be honest in your sharing with others.

The pride is in those who refuse to listen to the truth. If I wasn't also in the lower walk..at present..I would not be here trying to warn others.

So then the chance you have to hear something that is not temporal and carnal...you throw out because it isn't temporal and carnal enough for you.

What's the point in having a bigger lawn if you never mow it? If you want bigger fish you have to change the bait.

Scripture once angain exposing your false teaching on the new birth for born again believers .

1 Peter 1:23-25
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.

James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

hope this helps !!!

 

[Episkopos]

Scripture once angain exposing your false teaching on the new birth for born again believers .

1 Peter 1:23-25
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,
“All people are like grass,

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;

the grass withers and the flowers fall,

25 but the word of the Lord endures forever.”
And this is the word that was preached to you.

James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

hope this helps !!!

You have mistaken the living and imperishable Word of God...Jesus Himself....for a book that speaks ABOUT Him. So you are a whole level away from eternal reality.

 

[Lizbeth]

We suffer on each level. Suffering on a human level brings wisdom (hochmah)...whereby we can cease from sins or presumptions and thinking we are invincible. With time we learn to be weaned from the fleeting pleasures of this world...and develop a steadier character. But always we run the risk of becoming, cynical, unbelieving, and blase.

To suffer on the level of Christ brings an eternal wisdom (toushiyah) based on His strength covering our weakness. At that level we cease from all sin.


That's the way of righteousness.


FROM the higher walk comes higher experiences. But the walk is constant. I can't tell you of the higher experiences...because of the lack of faith here. But the keeping power of God is like a powerful magnet that keeps us in His presence.


No to walking in the Spirit. And yes I fully know the difference between the higher walk and having periodic visions, and experiences. I can still have periodic experiences in the lower walk. And I can still hear from the Lord...following Him. What I am not currently doing is walking above sin...in the heavenly walk. I am learning righteousness...since I blew it last time by assuming things...arrogantly...that I thought ...over a long period of time...that I could never lose. God is NOT a respecter of persons. Gravity does not respect persons. The law is the law and grace is grace.


A living sacrifice can crawl off the altar. Being crucified with Christ is a CORPORATE done deal...but not an individual one. We go in and out of the Spirit...on and off the cross. We can take our life back or give it again. But each time it is God who decides to translate us or not.

But for the promise of God I would have despaired at being finally rejected by Him. And I wonder if my times of walking in Zion are complete??? But I press on to the goal of my calling...nothing holding me back...just faith. So I am walking as faithfully as I can in my present "away from" walk. I can still follow Christ...but now from a certain distance.



We were out of power for 25 hours due to the ice storm. Things got rather chilly!

Thanks for your response....yes, that was some nasty ice storm! Thankfully it was just rain further south where I live. Hope you and family weathered it ok.

I wonder if God's rejecting/accepting is judged according to how each soul is doing at their level of maturity and understanding. One doesn't expect from children what is expected of adults. It depends on whether a person is obediently/lawfully running the race and giving it their best, sowing to the spirit, not to the flesh. As long as each one is counting the cost and buying oil at all stages along the way and not taking salvation for granted but 'investing' in the kingdom. I see a lot of "variables" in how the Lord judges and what He allows for, eg, even the married have more cares of life than the unmarried, yet God still encourages marriage for those who don't have a gift of singleness. There is no question that there are variations in what different people are facing...some have it easier, and others have more difficult battles to fight, and the Lord knows all and weighs everything righteously.

The keeping power of God wouldn't have anything to do with that pesky FOUNDATION, now would it? Well, no wonder we are grateful for it!

 

[ChristisGod]

You have mistaken the living and imperishable Word of God...Jesus Himself....for a book that speaks ABOUT Him. So you are a whole level away from eternal reality.

You have mistaken the true gospel for a false gospel and how one becomes saved.

Romans 10
But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim:9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

You have no foundation at all. Experience is no foundation but is subjective . Truth is objective and Jesus said thy word is truth. Heaven and earth will pass away but Gods word endured forever . It’s by the preaching of the word ( the gospel message ) that man is saved . The word convicts through the Spirit bringing forth the new birth resulting in repentance, salvation , eternal life .

hope this helps !!!

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Pride, As roman's 1 says

I think to John 3 where Jesus said as moses lifted the serpent. so must the son of man be lifted.

If we go back to the story (numbers 21) . God brought the children of Israel to a spot where they had to pass through a bunch of serpents. and they would get bitten and die. God told Moses to take a serpent. and lift it up. He said anyone who looks will live, anyone who does not will die



Imagine those who in unbelief continued in pride to reject the fact that they were dead and they could not save themselves..

this is what I think. People do not realize they are already dead. and they can save themselves. so instead of looking to the cross. where they can be saved completely and given life. they instead continue to either deny they are dead. or try to save themselves, as sadly the jews and many who call themselves Christians do today.

Jesus said we must be born again. In order to be born again, we have to in pride look up to the true serpent (Jesus) on the cross. and trust him to save us.

otherwise, like those who refused in Moses day. they will die permanently

I’ve been thinking a lot about this. I could be wrong but it seems to hurt when someone hints at “you are ordinary”. I say this because I can relate.

This world says you are extraordinary if
You have extraordinary external things that lift you as extraordinary over or elevated, over all the ordinary. Nobody wants to hear “I am extraordinary” and “you are not”. To me that hurts. I’ll sit around pouting “I don’t see anything that makes me extraordinary. I can’t do this. I can’t do that.” To me God says you are extraordinary not because of what you do for Him, which in return makes you the greatly feared and suppressed “ordinary” …

This is why I suggest “loss of our own image” to “gain His” …not because I’m not ordinary but because He is extraordinary in the ordinary.

Point is…to keep our own image of ordinary I can see how we suppress and reject and complain and stomp and wail to keep hidden the truth. So fearful. But to me we reject and suppress the very One who is sufficient to give us extraordinary. Does that make sense? The very thing we claim we want which is “extraordinary” we hide for fear we may be judged as “ordinary”? I think of the passage where Paul stands before them saying (paraphrasing) you said you were waiting on Him. hey guys, I’m standing before you telling you that he raises the dead …why is a surprise to you that I’m standing here raised from the dead? Have you looked at my past? “The Life I now Live, I Live in Him.”

 

[marks]

Amen, the battle being in the mind....as being kind of the seat of the soul....mind, will and emotions. Soul being the self that we must deny as part of taking up our cross...? And that God in His wisdom to help us often denies us the satisfying of in this life.

Lord bless you for all you have endured brother. This life can be so unspeakably cruel....but God IS turning it all around for our good. I even recognize that whatever suffering and lack was in my childhood helped to prepare my heart to receive Jesus later! The Lord foreknew we would be His even before we came to be His....and it will all be much more than worth it in the end.

I believe that all things do in fact work for the good for those who love Him, and that He's arranged my life from the beginning. I've come to the same thing as you, that all those things were part of making me His. Knowing myself in the little bit that I do, I can easily see myself being someone who would never come to God, but for these things.

I think the soul is, yes, the part that we deny, when it's not in unity with the Spirit. The soul in unity with spirit will govern the desires of the body. When the soul begins to be influenced by the flesh desires, that's when we deny. Taking the power of the cross that separated us from our flesh (death), and by faith bringing it to bear in this particular moment, to remember we are free, and don't have to do what the flesh wants.

Much love!

 

[amigo de christo]

Pride, As roman's 1 says

I think to John 3 where Jesus said as moses lifted the serpent. so must the son of man be lifted.

If we go back to the story (numbers 21) . God brought the children of Israel to a spot where they had to pass through a bunch of serpents. and they would get bitten and die. God told Moses to take a serpent. and lift it up. He said anyone who looks will live, anyone who does not will die



Imagine those who in unbelief continued in pride to reject the fact that they were dead and they could not save themselves..

this is what I think. People do not realize they are already dead. and they can save themselves. so instead of looking to the cross. where they can be saved completely and given life. they instead continue to either deny they are dead. or try to save themselves, as sadly the jews and many who call themselves Christians do today.

Jesus said we must be born again. In order to be born again, we have to in pride look up to the true serpent (Jesus) on the cross. and trust him to save us.

otherwise, like those who refused in Moses day. they will die permanently

There was only one protection for the people in the hour of the wrath of GOD .
They were told , APPLY the blood of a lamb unto your door posts and DO NOT COME OUTSIDE , STAY WITHIN .
THE LORD will see the blood and pass over your doors .
DOESNT THAT SOUND REAL FAMILIAR to us lambs as well .
COME TO CHRIST , HIS BLOOD WILL COVER THEE from the wrath of GOD .
Only today they think there is no real need to believe in HE . THEY do not trust in CHRIST , HIS BLOOD alone
as salvation . They have not applied the BLOOD to the door posts of their heart
and there will be no escape from the judgment of GOD for all who do this .
FOR GOD will arise to judge the earth and the day of HIS JUDGMENT COMETH .
If one will not recieve the testimony that GOD has given of HIS SON
they WILL PERISH , they will surely perish .
GOD will surely destroy all evil , and all who believe not in the SON will surely be destroyed .
The DAY of the LORD cometh as a theif in the night .
And no man knows their own hour of their own death either .
ALL WILL SURELY STAND BEFORE THE LORD . Many will hear i never knew you , depart from me
into the FIRE prepared for the devil and his angels .
BUT the lambs shall simply rejoice in the ONE WHO SAVED THEM and shall rejoice in peace forever with GOD .
This aint no joke . Its very real and the damnation awaits all who rejected the very one and only
Savoir and Redeemer , the ONE and ONLY and i do mean ONLY NAME whereby we can be saved , CHRIST JESUS .
That is our hope and its the ONLY HOPE THERE IS . POINT to JESUS till the last breath . FOr many will wail on HIS DAY
for they rejected HIM . HE who GOD DID SEND to save the world , they rejected and did so unto their own
destruction and demise . THIS LAMB GONNA POINT TO THE KING , KING JESUS , all else is winds of death
that end in a hurrican of upmost second death .

 

[Lizbeth]

@Lizbeth asked... "You said you are not currently walking in the Spirit....are you distinguishing walking in the spirit from heavenly experiences and visions? "

I thought, for the sake of clarity...that I should answer this and risk the mockers here reacting...for the sake of describing the importance of the higher walk and in understanding what is the calling in Christ. I rarely speak of the higher experiences as these are hard to describe.

If you don't like what I say here...please refrain from attacking...keep your doubts to yourself. I don't want to be responsible for any brothers being judged harder for it. To all the others....

At the higher level of walk comes greater experiences, visions, dreams...etc.

During the second revival we experienced...with LOTS of visitors coming from all over the world...a young brother who was staying with us who had done something wrong (before God) with guests who were visiting us from Alaska. The story is so specific I can't even recall what he did wrong...but I know he was cowardly regarding what he should have been standing up for towards the guests.

So the brother comes into our bedroom at around 2 am...and wakes us up...saying he has something to confess...and it can't wait. We were living in community at the time.

My wife and I went downstairs to hear him out. As I sat down I felt this enormous weight come on to me...like I was under a great depth of water so that I couldn't breathe. I was very afraid...and then words came out of my mouth that were not my own. A huge deep voice that sounded like it was under water but booming. Not my voice at all. During this time I was so crushed by the weight I couldn't breathe at all...but I was still alive. The brother was on his face...and was yet questioning the Voice of Authority that was on me. I couldn't believe it. It's like I was only an observer in the proceedings.

My wife was sitting on the floor next to me and she touched my leg...to feel electricity run up and down and through all her limbs. When she took away her hand, the electricity would slowly drift away. Then she would do it again and the same thing happened.

I relate this to you to show how the Holy Spirit speaks to the situation...when there is someone who is walking in the higher walk who is available to God. So when I read Acts 13 about the time when the Spirit says..Separate for Me Paul and Barnabas... I understand how that happened.

As afraid as I was when I was being crushed under the weight of the Spirit...when it lifted off me.... I felt a desire for His presence to return with that authority. We all did...as fearsome as that encounter was.

To this day I believe we need that kind of presence and authority that constitutes HIS church.

So we have been spoiled for any other manifestation than the church that God is building.

Yes, I know what you're talking about, the Lord taking us over and we just go along for the ride so to speak. But I've never thought that was meant to be a continual state, but rather the Lord doing as He wills, when He wills it, for particular purposes. But we need to be 'available' to Him, I agree with that.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

I’ve been thinking a lot about this. I could be wrong but it seems to hurt when someone hints at “you are ordinary”. I say this because I can relate.

This world says you are extraordinary if
You have extraordinary external things that lift you as extraordinary over or elevated, over all the ordinary. Nobody wants to hear “I am extraordinary” and “you are not”. To me that hurts. I’ll sit around pouting “I don’t see anything that makes me extraordinary. I can’t do this. I can’t do that.” To me God says you are extraordinary not because of what you do for Him, which in return makes you the greatly feared and suppressed “ordinary” …

This is why I suggest “loss of our own image” to “gain His” …not because I’m not ordinary but because He is extraordinary in the ordinary.

Point is…to keep our own image of ordinary I can see how we suppress and reject and complain and stomp and wail to keep hidden the truth. So fearful. But to me we reject and suppress the very One who is sufficient to give us extraordinary. Does that make sense? The very thing we claim we want which is “extraordinary” we hide for fear we may be judged as “ordinary”? I think of the passage where Paul stands before them saying (paraphrasing) you said you were waiting on Him. hey guys, I’m standing before you telling you that he raises the dead …why is a surprise to you that I’m standing here raised from the dead? Have you looked at my past? “The Life I now Live, I Live in Him.”

But there seems to be an angst which I don’t understand.
Where some trusting in external things to make them extraordinary, need the be made known they are ordinary. Like the parable of taking the low seat. Or being brought down.
But then there are some who desperately need to be edified because they are so low, they desperately need to hear they are extraordinary. Not to build up their pride again; but to lift them up in Him. They already get they are ordinary; what the need now is to know they are extraordinary in the sufficiency of God.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

To me, I can see what my husband talks about in regards to religion. I can see that religion is a large contributor to unrighteousness and darkness that suppresses the truth. It bothers me to say only religion because of all the disorders and disfunction and mechanisms common to cover up or to (bury) the truth. Sometimes having nothing to do with religion or pride but fear of being seen. Which is guess could be pride.

Yes, Religion to me is those looking to God and saying hey God look at me. Look at all the work I do. It reminds me of Romans 4. Where paul was speaking against this, and showing How Abraham believed, and God credited him with righteousness. Sadly, it is human nature to think God owes me, or we have to work for it. Like Paul said. if it is by works, we work for a wage.

Imagine if your boss came to give you a gift. it was all wrapped with a nice little ribbon. then you open the gift. and its your paycheck. Its like I earned this, this is not a gift. what are you trying to pull.

Another example would be your boss giving you a gift. then after you take it. He tells you you have to pay for it. Well thgat is not a gift. He is giving you a wage before you earn it, then demand you earn it.

Paul is saying salvation is a gift. we can;t earn it. Religious says we must earn it. They why the jews rejected Christ,. and why many believers reject Christ even if they say they do not. they are seeking a wage and trying to earn it with works, and hence rejecting the reward.

 

[Eternally Grateful]

The enemy has no need to hide so much in society. But he hides himself in all human religious organizations in a way to subvert the truth...to support the carnal rebellious nature so that it is upheld and given a place of honour. So then the truth is dishonoured to honour the schemes of men.

People HATE the truth. They hate the cross. They hate the cost of entering into the kingdom realm...which is everything. Instead another system is set up using the same promises...but for no cost at all. The pews fill up in that scheme. But the truth...with far fewer adherents ...is seen as an aberration.

there is a cost to entering the kingdom

It was paid for by Christ on the cross.

Religion says we must earn it by paying for it.

So while attacking others as being religious. You ignore the fact you yourself are trying to get to God through religion.

 

[amigo de christo]

I believe that all things do in fact work for the good for those who love Him, and that He's arranged my life from the beginning. I've come to the same thing as you, that all those things were part of making me His. Knowing myself in the little bit that I do, I can easily see myself being someone who would never come to God, but for these things.

I think the soul is, yes, the part that we deny, when it's not in unity with the Spirit. The soul in unity with spirit will govern the desires of the body. When the soul begins to be influenced by the flesh desires, that's when we deny. Taking the power of the cross that separated us from our flesh (death), and by faith bringing it to bear in this particular moment, to remember we are free, and don't have to do what the flesh wants.

Much love!

For those who LOVE HIM .
So now for a dire important question .
IF a man denies Christ , rejects the gospel , DOES that man truly LOVE GOD .
Lets see what JESUS told the jews who would not believe on him .
IF YE LOVED GOD YE WOULD HAVE LOVED ME FOR I CAME FORTH FROM GOD .
SO theres you answer .
NO they DONT .
I dont care if muslims , buddiest , hindu , atheists or whateverists can do good works
Some can even give their life for another .
Some can give much goods to the poor .
YET if we have not charity , NOT LOVE , it profits one nothing .
CHARITY REJOICES IN TRUTH . IN TRUTH . IN TRUTH . IN TRUTH .
JESUS IS THE TRUTH .
SO this other mindset which says good muslims , good buddists , good whateverists
who do good things know GOD ,
NO they DONT . For starters SHOW ME ONE PERSON who is GOOD ,.
EVEN JESUS , WHO IS GOOD , SAID THIS
WHY do you call me good , there is NONE GOOD BUT GOD . Now we know HE WAS AND IS GOOD
but for GOOD REASON HE SAID THIS . HE POINTED TO THE FATHER , TO GOD . THE ONLY ONE WHO IS GOOD .
This all inclusive delusion is a lie from hell mark , i am gonna expose it no matter the cost to me .
I will POINT TO CHRIST ONLY as the only means to attain RIGHTEOUSNESS, SALVATION , REDEMPTOIN ,
JUSTIFICATION . This ol lamb might seem old fashoined and religously dogmatic to many ,
BUT I AM STICKING TO CHRIST ALONE the one true gospel . PEROID . alll else is vain and leadeth only to the destruction
and perdition of ungodly men who rejected the love of the truth , THE GOSPEL . JESUS CHRIST is the only HOPE
only means whereby one may be saved , neither is their salvation in ANY OTHER . march on mark . ONWARDS in the LORD .