Five-Fold Today -
The Sheaf of the First Fruits - And the Spirit says, "COME" - On Loving God and Loving His Body - Charismatic Attacks - Recovering a Robbed Future - Evil Company Corrupts Good Morals - Just a Huckster
The Sheaf of the First Fruits
by Rick Joyner
As we have studied in Exodus 12, the Passover Lamb was to be
taken into the house five days before it was to be sacrificed. During
that time the people were to examine it for any flaws because the
Passover of the Lord had to be a lamb without blemish. As we are
told in Matthew 11:13, "the Law prophesied until John." This was a
prophecy of how Christ, "our Passover" was to enter Jerusalem five
days before He was to be crucified.
As Jesus was entering Jerusalem the Jews all over the city were
taking the Passover lambs into their houses in preparation for the
feast. During the five days when all of the people were examining their
Passover lambs, the priests, Pharisees, and Sadducees examined
Jesus continually seeking to find any flaw in Him, and they could not.
The Jewish day begins with evening, and Jesus was crucified on the
Day of Preparation for the Passover. At the very time when Jesus
was dying on the cross, the Jews all over the city were putting the
knives to their Passover lambs.
In Leviticus 23, we have another ritual that was to be performed after
the Sabbath of the Passover (all such days in which there was to be
no laborious work were also called Sabbaths). This was called "the
waving of the sheaf of the first fruits." This ritual required that the
priest go out and gather a sheaf of the first fruits, which was at that
time of the year just beginning to sprout. He then brought it in before
the Lord and waved it. After the Passover on which the Lord was
crucified, at the very time when the priest was waving this sheaf of the
first fruits, Jesus was coming forth from the grave, the first fruits of
the
resurrection. This sheaf of the first fruits was the promise of a great
harvest to come.
Only a few people in Israel understood the significance of what was
happening in their midst on that fateful Passover. Even the Lord's
disciples did not seem to fully comprehend it. However, as we look
back at how perfectly on time the Lord fulfills His Word, we can have
confidence in the unfathomable promises that He has given to us. The
Lord is always faithful, and He is always on time.
That the Lord would send His own Son to die for our sins is a marvel
that all of creation will certainly be in awe of for eternity. A wonder of
wonders is that He would also give us the promise of eternal life, that
just as He raised His own Son, He will raise us from the dead that we
may ever live before Him. This is the hope that empowers us to live
beyond the cares of this present world, and live for the gospel of the
age to come. As we read in Hebrews 12:1-2:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding
us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so
easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set
before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the
joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has
sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Just as it was the hope of the resurrection and the glory that He was
to receive that enabled Jesus to endure the cross, it is the truth of the
resurrection that empowers all of the sacrifices that we too may be
called to make for the sake of this gospel. It was the knowledge of the
resurrection that has sustained and empowered the martyrs of every
age, and it is as we behold the glory that is set before us that we are
able to take up our crosses and "die daily."
The ultimate fear by which the enemy has mankind in bondage is the
fear of death. It is the truth of the resurrection that breaks this
ultimate
bondage, and truly sets us free from the powers of this present evil
age to live by the power of the age to come. As we are set free in this
way, we no longer live for the things that are temporary, but for the
eternal. In this way we die to this world, and if we are dead to the
world, there is nothing that this world can do to us. That is the
greatest freedom that we can ever know on this earth, and it is the
freedom that the enemy fears more than any other. Those who are
already dead have nothing to fear, and will therefore be fearless in
standing for the truth of the gospel. Their very fearlessness is an
irresistible witness of the resurrection.
We are called to live a life that is free from fear-we are called to live
by faith. The linchpin of faith is our faith in the resurrection. The cross
displayed for all time the great love that God has for us. The
resurrection magnifies it. If God loves us this much, whom should we
fear?
Next week we will continue examining the resurrection, this great
foundation of our faith, that we might live in the victory that was gained
for us, having been liberated from every fear.
--------------------
And the Spirit says, "COME"
Teresa M. Daly-Crews
Father is calling unto each of us, desiring an intimate walk in the
garden of His love. He desires our surrender to the perfect will of
the Spirit so we may become holy and blameless covered by the Blood
of the Lamb. He has opened up the river of life for us to bathe in
the pure essence of His Love. Recreating us to worship Him in purity,
prepared in holiness and clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Jesus stands at the door holding the keys of forgiveness, desiring to
free each of us from the hidden sin in our hearts. With these keys as
we forgive those who trespass against us, we are forgiven from all
things that are holding us back from entering into a full and
complete relationship with our Father. As we step boldly to the
throne of grace we are given a robe of righteousness to wrap around
ourselves, making us transparent and pure before our mighty Creator.
Such a great salvation is set before us and true freedom is available
from the ways of this world to those who choose to surrender in
obedience before our King. Deep is calling unto deep to enter into
the fullness of His love, receiving comfort from our Lord so we may
be able to share such comfort with others. Father is calling unto His
children to enter into His presence so they may be prepared for the
union with His Son. He whispers during the still of the night and
beckons us to turn away from the chaos of our lives. It is time for
complete and total surrender to His will and ways for our lives.We
must stop running from the destiny that has been set by the mighty
hand of God and turn from the wickedness of our fleshly ways. Peace
and love awaits all those who have been set apart from the perfect
will of our Lord, the Spirit says, "Come". It matters not how far you
have strayed, Father awaits with open arms to comfort those who will
surrender fully to His love and direction. He desires to be one with
us, bonded with an intimacy that has not yet been seen.
Our Father desires a deep and intimate relationship with each of us
but many believers have found themselves lacking the foundation
necessary to build a solid relationship. The simplicity of Christ has
been lost and perverted in the lives of many believers. Their lives
have been consumed with the busyness of everyday activities and the
time that belongs to the Lord has been stolen. We must stop and begin
to look at the priorities in our lives. Have we allowed ministry,
family, work or other things to steal the first fruits of our lives
that belong to the Lord? Have we allowed ourselves to fall into the
trap of works and lost the intimacy with our Savior? There is not
one person that has ever lived who perfected their walk. Pride would
have us to reject the thought that we are imperfect but the reality
is that we all have issues that we must deal with. We all on a daily
basis face situations that will either bring us closer to the Lord or
cause further separation. Father is speaking unto us in this hour to
stop and examine ourselves. If we will allow the Spirit of Truth to
have open access to our heart He will draw us into the secret place
for introspection of our spiritual condition. He will give abundant
wisdom to those who desire to move into the next realm of
relationship with Him. This introspection is not to focus upon
"self"
as the world would teach but instead will be guided by the Holy
Spirit to cleanse our hearts. As we seek the face of our Lord, His
light will shine into the depths of our heart and highlight those
areas that displease Him. All we need do is to worship Him in the
beauty of His holiness and admit our faults. Heed the call of the
Spirit and come into the secret chambers of our loving Father. Allow
Him to make the necessary adjustments to perfect your walk. It is
time to step over into the purity that comes from being in right
standing with our Lord. Fall in love with your first love again and
allow yourself to be a vessel fit for the Masters hand!
In HIS Service,
Teresa M. Daly-Crews
On Loving God and Loving His Body -- and the 'right order' of it all....
Linda Evans
I have in me a picture, a revelation ....
In this 'strait' - hard-pressed - narrow way, few be that find it -- but those who do, come through the 'birthcanal' and burst forth into
'that' for which we were created: Union with God. In my understanding of this union, we are made-one with Him, in His Heart.
We came through the testings, the trials, the purgings, the humblings -- never quitting, always keeping on, Eternity in our hearts
hearing the Deep's Call unto our deep. Holding back nothing, counting the cost, each step of the way, and declaring by our faith:
(I just thought of a salmon on the migration back to it's birthing grounds... the suffering that fish endures!! the beatings on the rocks,
the struggle against the current, the leaps up and over waterfalls.. -- all the power of earth against him, and yet, there is that Call in
his heart!! He MUST return.. or die trying. He must return to that place - to spread forth his seed, to bring forth new life from his
dying body.. for this he was created, and it HAS to be from that same place where another had given him life.)
This is the Christian whose heart has been captured by Love.
Nothing will keep Him from returning to that HEART from which his was created.. his birthing ground too... and he will return -- or die
trying. Nothing can stop this returning heart... and from this place, perhaps too, the many seeds (apostolic ministry) is birthed..
These were unwilling that anything would keep them from the prize... and so they kept enduring -- kept overcoming, until the race
was completed, and they found themselves where they had begun: In Love, In Christ, In God....
But here in my heart, the picture changes...
For from this place -from the Heart of God - we 'discover' another one is there... another 'stone' has returned and in that place, these
two become as one in Christ. Over and over this joining occurs... stone by stone, the union of the Body is discovered.. in Love, in
Christ, in God.
There is no 'human' hand who touches this little stone, for it is created from the Mountain Himself. Nothing of man's efforts can go
into the creation of this Body, for it is the Body of Christ Himself. The Corporate Body will not be created by any of man's created
energies, but shall 'arise', the Mystery of Christ -- revealed in the time foreordained of God for the manifestation of His Kingdom-Love.
So.. in my heart, I see once again, that God will have a supernatural work openly manifested in due time. Man is busy building
kingdoms -- calling men to come and submit to them -- to come together and build a "great city" just as it was in the earlier times...
and The Voice of God, that paradoxical Voice that we are learning to "leave room for" (as Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for NOT
doing) says... I WILL BUILD MY CHURCH.... and the gates of hell will not prevail against 'her'. :)
The paradoxical Voice says, you come to Me and I will do the rest. What is impossible with man, is POSSIBLE with God! You
follow Me and I will Build.
It is not to say that the time we spend doing things in our own strength are not productive and necessary times either -- they must
be fully accomplished too, for we MUST come to the end of ourselves before we can become so single-focused -- becoming as the
spawning salmon -- with only one thought: HOME.
When we have fully worn ourselves out on 'doing church' -- then we are ready to go to the next part of the journey home. This portion
appears to be a very lonely path -- and yet it is on this part of the journey where the unity in the Body is truly discovered! There are
no limitations of walls - barriers -- nothing can separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus.. and this part of the lonely path is in
Love.
We have but one thought: LOVE GOD -- and as we press on in Love/Adoration/Devotion to God, we find we LOVE all those we
discover have made the same commitment, the ones we find we are already joined to in His Heart.... we 'discover' that the LOVE
who has permeated our beings, has permeated theirs and there is no difference between us: God who is LOVE has made us One in
Him.
The LOVE we feel for HIM IS the very same Love that we Love them with..and the same Love they Love us with; Love is the
union; We LOVE HIM in them, and them in HIM, and there is no longer any boundaries between us. We rejoice as they rejoice; we
cry as they cry; not to say our personalities are lost, but they are quickened to new life and that life is a life of union with God and
with each other. This is a spiritual reality that I speak of.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God ... and ALL these things shall be added unto you. :)
Let's keep struggling against the current and go HOME.
That is where our heart will take us.. and where we are being called to return... to our birthing place in His Heart... back to Eden, the
Heart of God.
I Love the Body, just as I Love Christ, for they are the same thing really... in the Body is the fullness of God! In Ephesians 1:23, the
church is declared to be, "...His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all."
This mystery, His Body, the Holy Mystic Church -- the ecclesia, the Called Out ones -- the people who belong to the Lord will be
fully revealed when the foreordained time has arrived.. and Jesus shall be glorified in His holy ones -- and they in Him. Then we shall
see what until then we had only believed for.
In LOVE with you/Him!
Charismatic Attacks
by Pam Clark
There are many of us who came into more fullness in the Spirit and faith
of God through the charismatic movement. It was ~truly~ an incredible
move, for in this outpoured wave (and there are many waves of varying
sizes), it was not just a healing move, although there were many healings.
It was not just an outpouring of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and there
was much of that. It was not just a new doctrinal position, for many were
brought forth, but it was ALL THAT among MANY MANY people of varying races
and denominations. It was as if God said, "Anybody hungry?" and thousands
poured out for His inpouring.
There was a season of holiness and awesomeness - the gifts of the Spirit
rose up in the crested wave and we RAN to keep up with what was going on.
Prophetic ministry was strong (for that season of understanding it) as
well as a global awareness of what God was doing, as well as other gift
ministries which included deliverance and healing and end time ministry
focus. The tangible Presence of God was felt (where I was) without
"strange" manifestions, except for speaking in tongues and upraised hands
to the Lord. Even a little dancing broke out, "as David danced."
Miracles were not uncommon. Angels were seen, as well as visions of Jesus
that didn't seem to lead people too "way out" there. Now this does not
seem so uncommon from a few short years prior!
Yes, out of the zeal, there were excesses as there are in any movement.
But what was gained was a foretaste for many different people groups and
denominations. Many many ministries were birthed through this time of
holy encounter and even when it seemed to fade or die out or even appear
broken with ministry scandals and failure, the work still went on, as in
the book of Acts when the people who had gathered for the initial
outpouring were scattered back into their homelands with this "new
message" of God's love and acceptance and visitation. And the good news
is that the visitations have not ceased. They are just not so centralized
as they once were before.
Many attempts with some successes have been made for that centralization
but fleshly attempts could never accomplish what God did sovereignly
through that "charismatic" move. In those services, one could ask, "How
many Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Jewish, and Baptist people are
here?" and healthy numbers would raise their hands in one meeting (after
another).
Even different cultures and races were finding unity together despite the
hindrances of language and culture styles. There was a supernatural
blending as never before, with missions emphasis and representation that
rocked the world and the church world of that time.
It was an incredible move where God broke down the walls that not only
separated but also that opened doors to new and blended revelation. Was
that controversial? You betcha! But the walls came tumblinhg down and
the revelation poured in and with fear and trembling the Church grew
significantly NOT just in numbers but in understandings.
When the de-centralization took place because the leaders could not handle
it, people separated and there was grief and mourning but that led to more
individualized personal growth and by return, the pollenation of many
other established mainline type ministries with the gifts of the Spirit.
The battles were hard, but the battles were also won. While we came to
understand persecution from the brethren, the joy of newfound fellowship
in the gifts also exploded among like kind in fresh zeal for evangelism
and even later in prayer. Much bridge building was worked at and
accomplished.
The results of this "charismatic" move (charisma means gifts or gifted)
did bring about much controversy and some excesses, but even more, it
brought about unity. So honestly, when people attack charismatics as
"flakey, dingy, flippant, crazy, nuts" or paint them with many other
derogative terms, I get offended.
You can't hurt me personally with those terms, and perhaps I have
qualified a time or two for my exhuberance or a misunderstanding in my
personal struggle, but when people label negatively this group move, I
cringe because I think they don't know what they do.
This move was not a misfit move of God. It was indeed a most sovereign
move that changed Christianity as we know it today to be a strong force in
overcoming world evils. It will continue to grow, building on the future
and former moves of God, for indeed it is Him Who by His Spirit is
building His Church.
Competitive attempts at organization will never succeed to daunt God
ordained Spirit led moves of God. The Body of Christ needs to continue to
grow in its understandings of the blended moves of God. People may do it
different but Spiritual fruit will reveal Spiritual purpose. Instead of
looking for what's wrong and labeling those who are different than we are,
can we see the Big Picture of a Big God who loves His Creation?
When we seek God for His moves, can we be content at what He gives us?
God wants power moves more than we do. But He will only be recognized for
Who He really is rather than what we bill Him to be on our advertizing
flyers and billboards that seem like it is all "here or there."
Is there anything wrong with promoting Him? Absolutely not. But let's
not let declaring our opinions that "this is it" take the place of
allowing God to reveal Who He really is through man He created in His
Image, male and female.
We don't have to hype and promote and cloak in mystery or fear what God is
really doing or is all about. He is Who He is and we fail Him by not
obeying Him personally and individually. Too often in the name of a group
mentality, we compromise what is really Truth. We ourselves lose out when
that happens.
God will bless what He can bless and it is His desire to bless, reveal and
demonstrate, but if our integrity is lacking, His Hands are tied.
God bless you.
pamclark@prophetic.net
Recovering a Robbed Future
by Jim Hodges
In Jeremiah 29, the prophet is releasing a word from the Lord
to the exiles who had been taken captive into Babylon during
the siege of Jerusalem. He declared in verse eleven: "For I know
the plans that I have for you , declares the Lord, plans for
welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope".
When it did not look like there was a future for God's people,
the Lord God through His prophet proclaimed that there would
be a good and hopeful future!
In fact, Jeremiah's word gave the exiles both a short-term and
long-term perspective about their future. In the short term,
they were to live, marry, have children, build houses, and plant
gardens. (Compare the Cultural Mandate in Genesis 1:28). Furthermore,
they are challenged to influentially occupy Babylon and this
would release a blessing both for Babylon and them! (Jeremiah
29:7)
In the long term, the prophet declared that the exiles, primarily
through their children, would be restored back into their land.
I believe the Lord is once again releasing both short-term and
long-term hope to His church through His prophets!
The Terminal Generation
Back in the 70's, some Bible teachers designated my generation
as terminal. I assume that you, like me, are not encouraged to
be called "terminal". (There is a taxi company in Dallas, Texas,
named "Terminal Cab" – I never ride in one of them!) Because
we were labeled terminal, Jean and I did not have more children
and we did not save much money. In other words, we were robbed.
A part of our future was stolen! Had I known back then that I
would still be on the earth in 2001, I would have done many things
differently!
The Church: Stewards of the Future
Church, we have been given a covenantal promise of a future from
the Lord God! Why do we keep trying to give it away or keep hoping
to escape it? The Hebrew word for future can also be translated;
(1) end; (2) last; (3) destiny; and (4) posterity.
We are to be stewards of "The End" or "The Last". Eschatological
stewardship is not in the hands of the devil and his colleagues,
but it is in the hands of a victorious and hopeful church! We,
as the Body of Christ need to be setting the agenda for the future
not looking to escape it.
Since the church has not stepped forward to steward the future,
the vacuum is being filled by those who do not have a Biblical
world view. For example, Zia Sardar is a leading futurist today
and he is Moslem. Listen to the words of another leading non-Christian
futurist: "one of the social institutions throughout the world
which I think is a dead-lead weight on society and human development,
which is negative, retrogressive, and oppressive of women and
sinks its head in the ground when it comes to future opportunities
is organized religion." This quote should do more than offend
us, it should convict us! After all, there was a time when true
Christianity was the soul and springboard of western civilization.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the future. Christianity
began to be seen as civilization's sinkhole. In other words,
the church began to be seen as a keeper of the past rather than
a creator of the future! Something is wrong when unbelievers
are planning for the future, and the church is not. The Bible
teaches that covenant breakers are cut off from the future and
covenant keepers inherit the future. (See Psalm 37).
Eschatological Revision
It is time we took another look at the future and what the Bible
has to say concerning it. The popular American religious culture
usually refers to the future primarily in terms of "going to
heaven". Heaven is seen as the ultimate vacation for the believer.
The Bible declares that God is a Worker and that we His church
are His co-workers. This will be so forever as we steward a renewed
heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). Even in our resurrected state
after Christ's return, we are going to be workers not vacationers!
Meanwhile, there is a pre-resurrection future for the church!
During this historical process, the Lord Jesus is in the process
of subduing His enemies (Psalm 2 and Psalm 110:1-2). Listen to
the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 15:23-26: "But each is his
own order: Christ the firstfruits, after that those who are Christ's
at His coming [Greek: parousia], then comes the end [Greek:telos],
when He delivers up the kingdom to the God and Father, when He
has abolished all rule and authority and power. For He MUST REIGN
until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last [Greek:
eschatos] enemy that will be abolished is death."
Notice for a moment the word, TELOS (end). It is used in the
Great Commission: "I will be with you until the end [telos] of
the age". In Hebrews 9:26 the word, consummation, is from a form
of telos, i.e., suntelia. The word carries with it more than
the idea of a punctiliar moment when all things end or terminate.
Telos is the root for the philosophical term, teleology. Teleology
means a purposeful movement toward an expected and ordained goal.
In other words, telos is not just a historical wrap-up; it the
purposeful and providential movement toward the wrap-up. Jesus
said it this way: "Occupy [Greek: do business] until I come".
Jesus calls the church to a progressive and purposeful stewardship
of both the short-term and long-term future!
Guidelines for Finding a Biblical View of the Future
Confused by different views of the end? I can find verses that
seem to support every view whether it is pre, mid, or post! Frankly,
my eschatology is still being defined and shaped. Oh, I used
to have it all figured out, but my view got dismantled in front
of God, my wife, and everyone! I know more what I am not than
what I am!
Nevertheless, I want to share some guidelines which may help
you find a more Biblical view of the future.
Look for the view that leads you out of despair and fear and
toward faith and hope. (Jer. 29:11). Hope empowers us to make
better decisions today about the prospects we face tomorrow and
to invest wisely in our family, vocation, and community. The
future is not fatalistic; it is covenantal. If we obey Him, we
are blessed no matter what! He said He would be with us until
the end (telos)!
Look for the view that declares divine restoration. Read Acts
3:21 which declares the restoration of all things the prophets
spoke. This includes the restoration of ethnic Jews who as natural
branches will be grafted back into the covenantal olive tree
and all Israel will be saved! This includes a glorious church
consisting of Jews and Gentiles which will be an adorned, gifted,
anointed, and beautiful bride for The Lamb!
Look for the view that is victorious in every area of life and
culture: not one that focuses on entropy, evil, and horror. To
be sure the sons of the devil, the tares, mature in history,
but the wheat, the sons of the Kingdom, mature more and God removes
that tares in His days of visitation in history as well as at
the Second Coming. God keeps the wheat, the barn, the farm, and
the land! The tares, like chaff, are burned away. "Let God arise,
let His enemies be scattered!"
Look for the view that facilitates world evangelization. Look
for the view that assists the church in proclaiming the Gospel
of The Kingdom (Matt. 24:14) with increased clarity, conviction
and power. Every generation of believers is under the mandate
of the Great Commission to disciple nations according to the
commandments of King Jesus! Colossians 1:6 and 1: 23 inform us
that the first-century church essentially fulfilled the Great
Commission by reaching the known world of their day, i.e, the
Roman Empire-Mediterranean world. History awaits another generation
of believers to arise and fulfill the Great Commission!
Look for the view that empowers the church to shape society's
future as God's prophets and stewards like Joseph, Daniel, and
Esther in their time. All of these profoundly impacted civilization
for the glory of God! Rather than cursing the darkness, the church
of the 3rd millennium must turn on the light in ever sphere of
life!
Look for the view that interprets the Bible by the Bible and
not by the newspaper or some current prophecy books. For example,
the locusts in the Book of Revelation are not references to Cobra
helicopters! The darkening of the sun and the moon turning to
blood and stars falling out of heaven are not primarily literal
though it can happen if God so chooses—this is apocalyptic language
describing traumatic governmental changes. For example, Isaiah
13 uses this language to refer to the fall of Babylon to the
Medo-Persians, and in Matthew 24 Jesus uses the same language
to refer to the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70. In our own lifetime
we have seen the "sky fall" when the former USSR was dissolved
and Marxism fell in eastern Europe! In Genesis 37:9 Joseph saw
in his dream the sun, moon, and eleven stars bow down to him.
As you know, he became the governor (next to Pharaoh) in Egypt
and saved the world of this day from famine!
Look for a view that enhances the church's ministries of intercession
and worship. In Jeremiah 29:12, 13 just after the Lord promises
them a hopeful future, we read these words: "Then you will call
upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. And
you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all
your heart". In the book of Revelation (5:8) we read of "harps
for praise and incense bowls for prayer". The Apocalypse is the
church's prayer and worship manual. The book of Revelation is
like the New Testament Psalms. As we move toward the final End,
the telos, let our worship and intercession come to a new level
of wholeheartedness and intensity!
Church, as we follow Biblical truths and draw on Holy Spirit
anointing, we can take the future back! The future is His – and
ours!
Note: some of the content of this article was taken from author
Jay Gary of the Christian Futures Network.
Jim Hodges
Evil Company Corrupts Good Morals
Timothy Glendenning
Spiritual life is quenched in the atmosphere of carnal society, and
a sort of intoxication quickly comes over him who frequents it. Let us
therefore note that there is nothing more harmful than bad teaching and
ungodly speculations, which make us deviate, even in the slightest
degree, from an orthodox and pure faith.
Evil associations corrupt excellent morals. In moral battles
numbers are an inferior consideration. One man in truth may conquer a
nation in error.
There are those who are drawn together in fellowship simply on the
ground of evil doctrines, dispositions, plans, purposes, pleasures, ect.
There is an instinct in 'evil company' to corrupt. Evil is a
self-propagating power. Those who have yielded to temptations become the
tempters of others. There is an susceptability in most to be corrupted.
So the exortation, 'Be not deceived'.
Many mix among the ungodly, confident in strength, and fall. Those
who live in sin easily persuade themselves of the truth of anything
which they would like to be true. Sin blinds the intellect as well as
corrupts the heart.
Men say, God cannot do this thing ; but with him 'all things are
possible.' True knowledge of God marvellously helps our faith. We doupt
and question, not because we know so much, but because we know so
little.
The sentiment of the passage is, that the intercourse of
evil-minded men, or that the close friendship and conversation of those
who hold erroneous opinions, or who are impure in their lives, tends to
corrupt the morals, the heart, and the sentiments of others.
We have less horror at vice by becoming familiar with it ; we look
with less alarm on error when we hear it often expressed ; we become
less watchful and cautious when we are constantly with the gay, the
worldly, the unprincipled, and the vicious. So Christ sought that there
should be a pure society, and that his peope principally seek the
friendship and conversation of each other, and withdraw from the world.
Paul says, that Christians who embrace false doctrines, that they
lose their spirituality, love of prayer, fervour of piety, and devotion
to God. It is in this way that the simple are beguiled, the young
corrupted, and that vice, and crime,and infidelity spread over the
world.
In Christ,
Just a Huckster
A. W. Tozer
Some young preacher will study until he has to get thick glasses to
take care of his failing eyesight because he has an idea he wants to
become a famous preacher. He wants to use Jesus Christ to make him a
famous preacher. He's just a huckster buying and selling and getting
gain. They will ordain him and he will be known as Reverend and if he
writes a book, they will make him a doctor. And he will be known as
Doctor; but he's still a huckster buying and selling and getting
gain. And when the Lord comes back, He will drive him out of the
temple along with the other cattle.
We can use the Lord for anything--or try to use Him. But what I'm
preaching and what Paul taught and what was brought down through the
years and what gave breath to the modern missionary movement that
you and I know about and belong to was just the opposite: "O, God,
we don't want anything You have, we want You." That's the cry of a
soul on its way up. Success and the Christian, 29.
"Lord, give us that hunger to know You; deliver us from the pride
that makes us want to use You. Let me pray today with John, 'He must
increase, but I must decrease.' Amen."
_______________________________________________________________
March 28 200l
http://www.morningstarministries.org/
--------------------
Jahshalom@aol.com
www.jesusrministries.com
I see each of us (meaning potentially all Christians), pressing in, each one totally alone, yet each one running the race - the race
where there is only one winner -- yet we are forgetting what is behind us and keeping our gaze straightforward and focussed on the
Prize: Jesus Christ.
"YES we will keep going on. No matter the pain, no matter what is required" -- one who has set their face like flint, will go onto that
Voice which has called him.
your sister, Linda
http://www.FMCApostolicNetwork.com
Federation of Ministers and Churches, Inc.
FMCI1@aol.com
Timothy.
TGlendenning@webtv.netBrethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to
those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
--Philippians 3:13-14
Read "Insight for Leaders" online at:
http://www.litmin.com/tozer.php3Five-Fold Today Archives
The Lord has given us the grace to reconcile the children to their Fathers
As One Body
Issue Oriented Discussion Newsletter
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