Your Storehouse of Faith (Part Two)

Redeem your time.....Purpose your heart.....

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up....." - Ecclesiastes 3:1-3.

In part one of this message, we discovered the method in which God was able to preserve and protect the posterity of His people during a severe famine that engulfed the whole known world during the days and life of Joseph (Genesis 37 through 50). Divine providence had brought Joseph to the right place and position to become the instrument of God's plan. God, by His sovereignty and grace, insured that Joseph was in that particular place - serving in that particular position - at a particular time - for a particular purpose.

Joseph understood that he had been a recipient of God's word - that God had entrusted him with a supernatural calling - that God had revealed to him through his own dreams and those of the Pharaoh that He had a "time and purpose" for Joseph's life. However, there was one more thing needed....one thing so essential that without it....the salvation of God's people would not come to pass....Joseph must act.

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:22.

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?...Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. " - James 2:14 & 17.

"But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only." - James 2:20-24.

Beloved, it wasn't enough for Joseph just to receive the promise of God. Furthermore, it wasn't enough for Joseph just to believe the purpose of God. Joseph had to "redeem his time" and "purpose his heart" to see the fulfillment of the promise he received from God. Joseph had to "rise up and do exploits(take action)".....or the crops would never have been planted.....the abundance would never have been gathered....the storehouses would have never been build....and the people of God would have perished right along with the Egyptians.

The promise of God would have been made void had Joseph only received and believed....but Joseph had to, "by faith", align his time and purpose to that of God's in order to "see the salvation of God"!

"Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye." - Mark 7:13.

Beloved, the same holds true for us as it did for Joseph. Although the bible is filled with the precious promises of God....and although "all God's promises are yea and amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20)....they are made void if we do not act upon them! There must be an intentional, deliberate pursuit of God to discover His "time and purpose" for our lives....then....we must "by faith", align our time and purpose to that of God's in order to "see the salvation of God"! But, as it was stated in part one of this message....the time of plenty(abundance) is almost over.....

"Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:14-16.

Of all the commodities that God has gifted us with....food, clothing, shelter, material wealth and possessions.....the greatest gift and resource we have - and the one that, when invested wisely will give us the greatest return of reward - is TIME. Unfortunately, it is the one that we rob God most of....and the one God desires most of - our time.

Consider this.....most Christians believe in the principle of "tithing" - giving a tenth of all God gives us back to Him. Most Christian only practise tithing in our monetary lives; that is, we tithe of our income - our money. We do this because "traditional" doctrine and teaching has taught us that is all God requires a tithe of - our money. However, the true principle of tithing instructs us to tithe of all God has given us - what about our time?

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." - Psalm 118:24.

Do we give God a tenth of our time? A tenth part of one day is two hours and twenty-four minutes! Do we spend two hours and twenty-four minutes with God every day? A tenth part of a week is sixteen hours and forty-eight minutes! Do we spend that much time with God every week?......We complain if we have to stay past 12:00 noon in church on Sundays. Psalm 121 declares that God never sleeps and is constantly thinking of us.....when is the last time we stayed up all night with God?

The wonderful thing about the power of the Holy Spirit is that He can accomplish more in a believer's life in five minutes that we can in a lifetime in our own efforts. The secret to "redeeming" what little abundant time is left is to give it to the Holy Spirit...and He will greatly multiply the value of it and accomplish a "quick work" in our lives. But nothing will be accomplished until we stop spending....no.....wasting our time selfishly with our own interests....our own "purpose"....and align our time and purpose with His!

"Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will..." - Ephesians 1:8-11.

Now, let's discuss "purpose".....

When a person "purposes" in his/her heart to commit his/her "time" to God....a very powerful work will be the result;.....however,....when a person also aligns his/her "purpose" with the "purpose" of God - the result will be an unstoppable force that "even the gates of Hell will not prevail against"! A great example of this is found in the book/story of Nehemiah....

"And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O LORD, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer." - Nehemiah 1:4-11.

"Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work." - Nehemiah 2:17 & 18.

"So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work." - Nehemiah 4:6.

"So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God." - Nehemiah 6:15 & 16.

In a record "time" of fifty-two days.....Nehemiah and the people of God rebuild the walls and gates of Jerusalem and restored the inheritance of God's people. If one reads the entire book/story of Nehemiah; he/she will discover that the enemy threw every weapon he had at Nehemiah in an effort to stop the restoration from happening.....fear, threats, violence, hunger, treason, etc......and nothing could stop Nehemiah....why? Because Nehemiah received the call of God, believed the call of God, aligned his "time and purpose" with the "time and purpose" of God, and "took action"! - rebuilding a city - rebuilding a people - restoring a nation!

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." - Romans 13:11 & 12.

"And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him." - Ephesians 3:9-12.

Beloved, "purpose" in your heart to commit your "time" to pursuing God as never before. Receive the word of the Lord being proclaimed in this message. Believe to the point that you begin to "align" your "time and purpose" with the "time and purpose" of God. Just as Nehemiah, "rise up and take action"....prepare to build your "storehouse of faith".....and when you build it....God will assure that it is filled....filled with His abundance....the abundance that will sustain you to eternal life!

Stay tuned for the conclusion of this message - "The Blueprint for building your Storehouse of Faith".....

Your Storehouse of Faith (Part One)

Time is running out....

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." - Hosea 10:12.

One of the most beloved stories in the Bible is that of Joseph. His story spans from Genesis chapter 37 to the last chapter of Genesis, chapter 50. It compasses his life from age 17 till he dies at age 110.

There are many lessons that can be gleaned from Joseph's story - the fact that his life was a picture of Jesus - how he left his father's presence....was hated by his own brothers....was sold into slavery....thought to be dead....only to return and save his people from certain destruction.

What about the great life lesson of God's sovereignty? - Joseph was given a promise in his youth....the promise then appears to be "put to death"....his brothers, acting on what they believed was their own pretenses, give him over to the gentiles....only to discover God had been working through them the whole time to bring His promise to pass.

But the focus of this message will be on the main purpose God had for Joseph's life....which Joseph himself declares in Genesis chapters 45 and 50.

"And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." - Genesis 45:4-7.

"And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them." - Genesis 50:18-21.

Although there were several goals God had in mind to accomplish through the life of Joseph, the main one was so that God could preserve the line and lineage of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - thus assuring the covenant made with Abraham would continue to be fulfilled.

Joseph, under the divine control of God, was made second in command to the most powerful person in the world at that time - the Pharaoh of Egypt. In the time appointed, Joseph was placed in that position to save countless lives, including that of his father, his brothers, and their families, from extinction.....and it all started with a dream.

"And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the brink of the river. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, it was a dream.....Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.....And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one. And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass." - Genesis 41:1-7, 14-16, 25-32.

In the previous message entitled, "The Prodigal Gospel", it was explained and established through the scriptures that God used famines many times in the history of mankind to reveal and bring His purposes to pass. The story of Joseph is just one example of this fact. God warned Pharaoh in a dream of a coming famine that would cause the prosperous years to be forgotten for its severity.

God would use this famine to glorify His name among the Egyptians (Egypt has always been used in scripture as a reference to the world) and to preserve and perfect His people. God also gave Joseph, His prophet and spokesman for the time, the means in which to avoid catastrophe and save the nations from being destroyed by the famine.

"Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.....And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt. And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.....And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do. And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt. And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands." - Genesis 41:33-36, 46-49, 53-57.

Watchmen of the Wall Ministries has also warned of a coming famine, both physical and spiritual, that would cause the prosperous time of both the world and the church to be all but forgotten. And just as He did in the story of Joseph, God will use this famine to glorify His name among the nations of this world and to supernaturally preserve and perfect His people.

God instructed Joseph to build storehouses in which to lay up provisions against the famine. God is also instructing His children today, those who have ears to hear, to build spiritual storehouses. And just as Joseph was able to sustain others as well as himself through the famine; those who hearken unto the Holy Spirit and build these "storehouses of faith" will be able to use them in the days to come to sustain themselves and others.

And how does one build such a "storehouse of faith"? First, we must understand the principle of sowing and reaping.

"Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." - Job 4:8.

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." - Psalm 126:5.

"He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail." - Proverbs 22:8.

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." - Luke 6:38.

"And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." - John 4:36.

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." - Galatians 6:7 & 8.

These are just some of the scriptures that explain God's principle for sowing and reaping. However, they are enough to establish the fact that whatever someone plants/sows/gives, that is what can be expected to return, both physically and spiritually.

Because the principle of sowing and reaping is an established law of God, it works just like the principle of gravity. God does not have to carefully watch over the earth for fear that gravity will stop working and things will begin to float off into outer space. God established both the principles/laws of gravity and sowing/reaping at the beginning of all things. These principles work as God designed them without His conscious attention.

Joseph used the principle of sowing and reaping during the years of plenty to build and store provisions in order to preserve many lives. His heeding of God's warning and wisdom brought about the kind of salvation the people of God needed most....at that time.

"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." - Luke 12:15-21.

Here in lies the problem....

Many ministers have used these scriptures and the principle of sowing and reaping to promote physical and monetary gain. Instead of the church using the years of plenty to build up spiritual storehouses.....the Body of Christ has been spending its efforts building a physical kingdom - one of bricks and mortar, of large bank accounts and big-time ministries - when the need for spiritual storehouses is the greater one.

Beloved, what is more important? the condition of your body? or the condition of your soul? What do you fear most about the future? your loss of resources and physical comfort? or the preservation of a strong relationship with your Lord and Savior?

"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." - Jude 1:17-21.

Now, the years of plenty are almost over.....time is running out....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQVmR0jV52A

The Prodigal Gospel (Part Three)

It's all about me....

"I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer. " - Song of Solomon 5:6.

In the first part of this message, we discovered what "drove away" the Prodigal Son from his father's house - the abundance of the father's house, or rather, the desire to experience the inheritance before the appointed time. In the second part of the message, we discovered what "drove back" the Prodigal Son to his father's house - a "famine".

Furthermore, the Holy Spirit revealed that a "divine" famine had been sent, first manifesting itself in the physical realm; then, ultimately, a purposeful deliberate "withdrawing" of the Father Himself, causing the real famine that would hopefully "drive back" the countless prodigal sons and daughters who had "fallen away" (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3) from the Father and His presence (being wooed away by a deceptive "Prodigal Gospel", resulting in a selfish condition of the heart) to a repentant heart, who's true cry was to "be a blessing to the Father and to others".

In the third and final chapter of this series, we will focus on the other "Prodigal Son", namely, the older son/brother. No, this is not a typo....there were actually two prodigal sons in the story found in Luke 15:11-32 - one who left his father's house physically, and one who remained at his father's house, yet his heart had also "fallen away" from the father just as much, if not more, than that of the younger son.

"Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." - Luke 15:25-32.

So many sermons have made the focal point of their message all about the younger son - how he hastily decided his true happiness lied outside of the boundaries of his father's home - only to discover all he ever really needed was the always there - in his father's house. But the older brother was also in a condition where his heart needed redemption, perhaps even more than that of his brother's. Before you disagree, let us review the evidence -

"And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf." - Luke 15:27 & 28.

The words of the older son reveal the true state of his heart - what was most dear to him. First, upon hearing his younger brother had returned, anger filled his heart. Second, his rebuttal to his father's inquiry was a self-righteous one - declaring to his father his record of faithfulness based upon his performance - how he had served - how he had never transgressed. Third, he accuses his father of being unfair - he was never rewarded - the younger son never punished. Finally, he identifies the younger son as "this thy son", not willing to acknowledge the younger son as his own brother.

"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." - John 9:39-41.

The younger son had "come to his senses" and realized his lost condition; however, the older son was in a worse state than that of his brother because he was blind to the fact that he had fell prey to the same seduction his brother had. Though he had not physically left his father's house, his heart - far from where it should be - was defensive, "Look at me!", accusing, "What's in it for me?", declaring, "It's all about me!"

The horrible truth about this "Prodigal Gospel" is that it has infiltrated and polluted the whole Body of Christ today. Not only causing many son and daughters to leave the Father's house; but also causing those sons and daughters that remain in the Father's house to develop a heart of self righteousness - only concerned for itself - justifying itself by performance - judging others based upon their past faults and failures.

"For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged....As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one....Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus..." - Romans 3:3&4, 10-12, 22-24.

When He spoke the parable of the Prodigal Son, the main focus of our Lord Jesus Christ was the hearts of the characters in the story - and the most important heart in the story is the one that is the most neglected - that of the father. It was the father that was the true hero of the story. It was the father's heart that was in its rightful place - one of redemption and reconciliation - one that realized the "true and secret riches" and what mattered most -

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry....And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." - Luke 15:20-24, 31&32.

It was the father who had compassion - who ran to embrace his younger son - kissed him - restored him - welcomed him home. It was the father who approached the older son - entreated him - reminded the older son of his love and willingness to give him all that he had. The father was willing to divide and distribute his wealth to his sons because his happiness was not the abundance he had acquired; nor the house he had built - but that he possessed his sons - body and heart - that his sons were with him. And the father's ultimate desire was that his sons realize that true happiness was not the abundance of wealth - not the inheritance - not even the father's house - but to have each other and to be in the father's presence!

"For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody....Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away." - Isaiah 51:3&11.

Beloved, this is our Father's heart as well! A heart that longs for His younger sons and daughters to be redeemed - to come home! A heart that also longs for His older sons and daughter to be redeemed - to rejoice and welcome home their brothers and sisters! And they are coming home....those misfits that have been dwelling in obscurity - eating the pig slop of this world - will "come to their senses" and begin the journey home - realizing that they have wasted the father's inheritance - broken, busted, and disgusted - willing just to be a servant - but finding a Father eager to embrace them, kiss them, clothe them - call them His own.

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." - Zephaniah 3:17.

It is easy to see how the the story ended for the younger son. In gratitude for being redeemed, he loved the father even more than before - became a faithful steward - well-pleasing and a blessing to his father. But what about the fate of the older brother? That remains to be seen... because the real test lies in what the older brother did with the remaining wealth - his rightful share of the inheritance. Did he realize, as his father knew, what matters most? Not only will he receive his younger brother back into his bosom?.....but would he follow his father's example?

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." - Galatians 6:1-3.

Beloved, hear with your spiritual ear "what the Spirit saith unto the churches" -

It is church, not God, that labels someone "rejected, "unfit", and "nonredeemable"!

It is traditions of man that deem someone "disqualified", not even able to be a "door-greeter" in the house of God - not able to accept the fact that, when the Father redeems, He redeems completely - when the Father restores, He restores totally - and when the Father loves, He loves unconditionally!

It is the "weaker" brother - the angry, "hard-hearted" daughter - that will demand of God a reason for why He doesn't reward "going through the motions" of faith - not understanding... that type of service is dead religion. It is the "self-absorbed" brother - the "self-centered" sister - that will want an explanation for why the younger brothers and sisters are given the more prominent places and gifts when Jesus returns - it will be those brothers and sisters who pride themselves in perfect church attendance who will call it "unfair" when the younger sons and daughters are given the greater honor in His kingdom!

So.........what will you do when the misfits come home?

Will you realize and reflect the Father's heart and welcome them home with open-arms? Or will you greet them with a self-righteous, "I told you so"? Will you gladly restore your brothers and sisters....share what is left of the inheritance? Or will your flaunt your inheritance over them as a constant reminder that they barely made it home?

Beloved, who cares about streets of gold and mansions of silver! Who cares about glorious robes and eternal crowns! They will all be cast at the feet of our Lord anyway! What matters most is that we will be with Jesus! And He will be with us! What matters most is that we are reunited with our brother and sisters and that we made it home! What matters most is that we will forever be in our Father's presence and He will be in ours! What a grand reunion that will be!

The the younger son, I say, "Come home....he is still your Father....you are still His son"!

The the older son, I say, "Remember....he is still your brother....she is still your sister"!

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." - Revelation 22:20-21.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA_bo8DSOwg

The Prodigal Gospel (Part Two)

The Famine has begun.....

"....God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart." - 2 Chronicles 32:31.
In the first part of this series, the main topic discussed was what had drove the younger son away from his father's house/presence. The scriptures revealed it was "the abundance of the father's house" that drove the Prodigal Son from his father's presence, or rather "the desire to experience the rewards of the inheritance before the appointed time". The Holy Spirit then revealed that the Body of Christ was also suffering from the same problem.....a "Prodigal Gospel" that has been preached for years has caused many son and daughters of God to "fall away"(2 Thessalonians 2:2-3) from the condition of a heart that is truly pursuing God to a heart that is "seeking God's hand instead of seeking God's face".

In this message, the primary focus will be what drove the younger son back to his father's house/presence. What exactly caused the younger son to "come to his senses" and return to his father's house?

"And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father....." - Luke 15:14-18.

It was a famine that set the stage for the possibility of the younger son's heart to reach a state of repentance. "Repentance" is a word meaning, "to change one's mind", or, "to change one's course and destination". Nothing brings repentance to a heart quite like an unmet need. The famine brought the younger son to a place of true repentance....he "came to his senses", then "changed his course" and made his father's house/presence his new "destination".

Beloved, God is using the same thing on the Body of Christ today in an effort to reach the same result! The first vestiges of the famine have already begun and will intensify greatly in the very near future. The purpose of this famine is not to destroy the numerous "prodigal" sons and daughters that have "fallen away". No....the purpose of this famine is declared in the Word of God.

"For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another." - Isaiah 48:9-11.

God has used famines many times in the history of mankind for His purpose. The Word of God declares many instances of this fact (Genesis 12:10; Genesis 41:30; Ruth 1:1; 2 Samuel 21:1; 1 Kings 18:2; Jeremiah 11:22; Matthew 24:7; Luke 21:11; Revelation 18:8). It is a customary practise of God to use the method of creating or letting a physical need go unmet so that a more important need is satisfied. God is more concerned with the condition of your heart than with the condition of your body. At this present time, many sons and daughters of God are experiencing a pro-longed trial/circumstance in the physical realm, where it appears that God is ignoring their cries/prayers....seeming almost to the point of neglect; but the fact of the matter is, God is working through this trial/circumstance to perfect their faith and hopefully meet a greater need.

Beloved, if you are not presently seeing or experiencing the effects of this divine famine....of assurance, you will soon. The present famine is actually two-fold in nature. The physical manifestations of this famine are readily felt and more quickly experienced. The Global economy is hanging by a very thin thread. Natural resources are becoming scarce. Commodities necessary to maintaining today's present life-style are becoming more expensive. This is only the beginning....

"They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads. They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity. As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty: but they made the images of their abominations and of their detestable things therein: therefore have I set it far from them." - Ezekiel 7:18-20.

Then the real famine will begin. The second part of this famine that will be the most grievous and the most devastating....

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD...." - Amos 8:11.

God will purposely withdraw Himself for a time to allow the fullness of sin to come and the "man of sin/son of perdition" to be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:2-3). For a time, it will appear the darkness is prevailing. Christians will lose their liberties. Persecution will begin to intensify. Huge, well-known ministries that have been preaching the "Prodigal" prosperity message....declaring that God has endless resources...will run out of resources, forced to declare bankruptcy....closing the doors. Radio and television ministries cut off. Why must these things come to pass?

"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness." - Malachi 3:1-3.

The Spirit of God expressly commands that all the truth be told and this message stated in its entirety....not all the "prodigals" will return....many will be the casualties of this famine. Because it will appear that the promises of God are of none effect and God has abandoned His children....many hearts will be filled with anger and bitterness.....many that once began a journey with the Lord will not enter into His rest because of unbelief (Hebrews 4:1-11). How can such a thing be stated? The very Word of God declares this horrible reality.....

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God." - Zechariah 13:7-9.

Beloved, the judgement of God is always mixed with mercy. God is long-suffering....not willing to see any perish. The "Day of the Lord" is close at hand (Joel 2:1-3). Before this terrible day, however, God is refining His people.....preparing the church to be that spotless bride He is returning for! (Isaiah 62:5). God is allowing this famine in an effort to bring the "prodigal" children to a state of repentance.....the famine is meant to cause the wayward children to "come to their senses" before it is too late!

"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." - Isaiah 55:6-8.

"I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee." - Isaiah 44:22

Will you heed this warning from the Holy Spirit? Will you believe our report? Will you be a part of the remnant of God who's hearts have been purified that they may see God (Matthew 5:8)? Then let your heart's cry be that of the younger son - "I will arise and go to my father...."!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nT1YAP4Vy9s

Stay tuned for the conclusion!

The Prodigal Gospel (Part One)

Give me my inheritance now....

"The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot." - Psalm 16:5.

One of the most timeless, well-loved stories in the scriptures is that of the "Prodigal Son". It could quite possibly be the most used story of sermons whose objective is that of restoration, redemption, and reconciliation. Nothing portrays God's willingness and desire as our Father to welcome home and restore a child who has "lost his/her way" than the parable found in Luke Chapter 15.

"And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found." - Luke 15:11-32.

This is a timeless story of God's forgiveness and restoration. God, portrayed as the father....watching fervently for the return of his younger son....longing for the day his son is home again....back in his arms. The younger son....on the brink of starvation....brought to his senses by a famine....and the realization that all he ever really needed was in his father's house....returns home to find his father....not only willing to forgive him....but to restore him to sonship.

But the story doesn't end there. As a matter of fact, the scriptures stated above don't contain the real beginning nor the real ending.....

This particular parable, told by our Lord Jesus, has been named the parable of the "Prodigal Son"; however, the word "Prodigal" is not found in the parable nor any where in scripture. If one were to look up the definition of the word Prodigal in the dictionary, he/she would find that it has two main meanings - 1) to be "driven" off or "driven" away, and 2) abundance of wealth. The story is aptly named "Prodigal Son" because the younger of the sons was "driven" away from the father's house by the abundance of wealth his father's house contained....or, more correctly, the desire to experience the abundance his father possessed.

The story actually begins in the heart of the younger son. This is always the case for anyone who leaves or "falls away" from the security and completeness of the father's house/presence. Before a sin/backsliding manifests itself in the physical act, it is always proceeded by a "falling away" of the heart first. Jesus described the real origin of sin and "falling away" in Matthew Chapter 5 -

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." - Matthew 5:20-28.

Jesus is teaching a valuable truth to us that, in order to truly overcome sin, one must combat it within the heart. If one waits to combat the enemy after the sin has become deed and action, the bondage to sin is already present and the battle almost impossible to win. It is within the heart of a person that Satan, through our sinful natures, begins the effort to take control. Once a person succumbs to temptation and the motives of the heart become works of the flesh, that person must be broken and brought to the end of himself/herself (a.k.a. "godly sorrow") before true restoration (a.k.a. "true repentance") is a possibility.

The younger son's true departure from his father's house/presence manifested itself in his heart long before he physically left. Consider the younger son's request - "Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. " First, let's establish something - the younger son was not asking for something that did not belong to him - the inheritance that his father possessed rightfully belonged to both the sons. It was the timing of the request that led to the "falling away" of the younger son. Instead of waiting for the time appointed - a time the Father would have determined that his sons were at a level of maturity and had demonstrated the worthiness of a faithful and wise steward - a time when the father would know his sons were able to handle the "true riches" of the inheritance responsibly and the possibility that the abundance of wealth would not corrupt his son's hearts was alleviated - the younger son asked for his inheritance now.

Actually, the younger son's request was more of a demand. This reveals the true condition of the younger son's heart. It is apparent the younger son understood the inheritance rightfully belonged to him; but he also felt and believed he was ready for it....deserved it....and wanted to enjoy the benefits of it....at the present time. His desire to experience the rewards of sonship superseded his father's desires and his dependence on his father's wisdom of timing and the father's knowledge of the true state of his younger son's heart. Amazingly, the father grants his son's request -"And he divided unto them his living." The evidence of the selfish condition of the younger son's heart is manifested in the physical shortly afterward because - "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living."

Do you see the frightening truth? - not stated in the words - but there none the less - The younger son was "driven away" from his father's house - his father's presence - by the very thing that was meant to be his reward - what he would have been rightful owner of at the appointed time. Instead, his desire to experience the benefits of the inheritance/reward prematurely caused him to "fall away" - the "Prodigal Son" was "driven away by the abundance" of his father's house!

Did the father know? Know that his son was not ready for his inheritance? Know that his son would leave the safety of the father's home/presence shortly after receiving the inheritance? Oh, yes....the father knew. Then why would a father that appeared to love his son as this story describes grant his son's request and give him the rewards of sonship if he knew what the result would be? The reason is because the father also knew his son's heart. The father realized that, though his son may physically be present, if he truly wanted his son - heart, mind, and body - he must allow his son to be broken - to come to the end of himself - in order for the son to inherit the "true and secret" riches his father had to offer.

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." - Galatians 1:6-8.

Beloved, there is another frightening truth that these scriptures reveal - a terribly frightening similarity between this "prodigal son" and today's church. The Body of Christ is full of "prodigal" sons and daughters! Those who are still physically present within the house of God; but whose hearts have long ago "fallen away" from the father. And these sons and daughters fell victim to the same premature desire the younger son succumbed to - they are being "driven away by the abundance" of the father's house - or, rather, the desire to experience the rewards of sonship before the appointed time.

Sons and daughters of God - whose ears are being filled with a polluted gospel - a perversion of the truth - that entices the believer to "be all you can be", to "stick out your chest with pride that you are a child of God", with soothing, seductive words like "you are the apple of God's eye" and "you are joint-heirs with Jesus, so you deserve the best God has to offer", "you are never supposed to be sick", "you are never supposed to be in want or lack", "you are in charge of angels", "you will inherit the earth....so why not start NOW!"

These hybrid truths have just enough scripture to sound real, genuine, "spiritually-inspired" - but the core of this gospel is one of selfishness....humanistic - this "purpose driven" gospel whose real purpose is to drive the believer into a self-absorbed, "it's all about me" condition who hearts arrogantly proclaim, "Look at me, I am blessed of God!" instead of the true heart's cry, "Look upon me, God, and make me a blessing to You and others!" This modern-day "prosperity" Gospel is, in fact, a "Prodigal" Gospel - devoid of true humility, godliness and power!

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." - 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Beloved, although the popular message today sounds pleasant in the ears and is attracting the lost in crowds, it is not the gospel preached by the Apostle Paul! -

"Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake...." - 1 Corinthian 9:14-23.

Beloved, there are rewards and benefits for obedience in the Lord....but those are not to be the motive of our hearts! We are to use the resources, blessings, and abundance that the Father sees fit to grant us to further the Kingdom of God....not "that ye may consume it upon your lusts." - James 4:3.

There is a difference in the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of Service. The Kingdom of Heaven is a Kingdom of Reward. The Kingdom of God is present. The Kingdom of Heaven is future. How you serve in the Kingdom of God will determine how you are rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven. However, this "Prodigal" Gospel instructs the believer that, according to the "Lord's Prayer" which states "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven" is an invitation to demand of the Father, just has the younger son, "Give me my inheritance now!" And this gospel has caused the fulfillment of prophetic scripture! -

"That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition...." - 2 Thessalonians 2:2-3.

If you are still waiting for the "Great Apostasy" (a.k.a. "great falling away") as if it were still a future event....stop waiting! The hearts of the sons and daughters of God have been falling away from the Father long before Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential hit the bookshelves and best seller list. Beloved, the Kingdom of Heaven is coming......but it is not here yet!

"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." - Hebrews 4:9-12

God, just as the loving father of the younger son, knows these "prodigal" sons and daughters must be broken....brought to the end of themselves....much like that of the younger son. Not many days hence, the famine will begin....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kf5FLngLWY0

The "Heart" of the Matter

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." - Proverbs 4:23.

God has a plan and a destiny for your life.....and so does Satan. And the plan and destiny that God has is completely opposite of the one that Satan has for your life.

But what if I told you there is one thing that both God and Satan want in your life. Yes....it's true. And it's the one thing that is the key to determining which plan and destiny....God or Satan's....prevails......your heart.

Beloved, your heart is what's at stake in this eternal war between God and His will for your life vs. Satan and his will for your life. It is the deciding factor in where you will be at the end of days.....and that decision is completely yours to make.

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." - Matthew 6:19-24.

Beloved, in the very near future, the battle for your heart will intensify as never before. Things that you believed would never tempt you will suddenly become huge obstacles....old habits, desires - things that you believed you had overcome once and for all will rise up again with such voracity - you will be overwhelmed and succumb......unless you are on your guard!

Beloved, this is a prophetic warning......please do not take it lightly. The restraint is being lifted....Satan will gain more freedom.....for a period of time the darkness will seem to be prevailing.....and those who do not heed the warning of Proverbs 4:23 will perish.

We will end this message with the words of a song Christian artist Steve Green wrote many years ago - let these words burn into your soul -

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above Is looking down in love
Oh, be careful little eyes what you see

What appears to be harmless glance...
Can turn to romance
And homes are divided

Feelings that should never have been
Awakened within
Tearing the heart in two
Listen, I beg of you

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
Don't trade it for treasure
Don't give it away
Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
As a payment for pleasure
It's high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your Heart

The human heart is easily swayed
And often betrayed at the hand of emotion

You dare not leave the outcome to chance
You must choose in advance
Or live with the agony
Such needless tragedy

Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
Don't trade it for treasure
Don't give it away
Guard your Heart
Guard your Heart
As a payment for pleasure
It's high price to pay

For a soul that remains sincere with conscience clear
Guard your Heart

To hear this song as sung by the artist - click this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx65zb8AQpo

God does not have a "Plan B"

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." - Jeremiah 29:11

Most everyone can think of a time in his/her life when a choice was presented of which the outcome would vastly alter the course of his/her future. You may even be able to think of a time in your recent past when a choice you made had that very effect. Some people go through life with "regrets", wishing he/she had a certain choice to make all over again; and, if so, he/she would have chose an entirely different outcome.

The fact of the matter is we encounter situations on a daily basis where the choices we make change the course of the day. Some are so small we barely even notice them - the smile we pass along to a stranger - a random act of kindness to a fellow commuter on the way to work - stopping for coffee at McDonald's instead of Starbucks.

However, there are those opportunities - confrontations - temptations - trials - that present themselves to us and a "knee-jerk" reaction, a hasty decision, or even a long-contemplated choice so drastically changes the direction of our lives, one can only wonder "where would I be right now if I had chosen differently"?

"Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure..." - Isaiah 46:9&10

Beloved, although we may wonder how differently our lives would be had we made a different choice; maybe even stating "if I only knew then what I know now", God never has in the past, nor will He ever have to do so in the future. One of the distinct characteristics that make Him God is the fact He in omniscient - He knows everything - past, present and future. He created this universe knowing its end from the very beginning. He knows exactly where you are today, where you will be tomorrow, and where you will be at the end of days.

"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love..." - Ephesians 1:4

There are countless souls that have fell by the wayside because of the lie from Satan declaring that they have went too far - that he/she has messed up too big or committed some sin so heinous that God has wrote him/her off and that there is no hope. Some have even been deceived into believing that God, in His infinite mercy, will still allow them into heaven; however, the original plan/calling He had for them has been "lost" or "changed" into a plan/calling of a smaller nature or lesser impact. Beloved, these are lies from the devil that have no truth in them whatsoever!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." - Romans 8:28-30.

By the grace of God and the help of the Holy Spirit, we will address the issue of "predestination". According to the scriptures stated above, predestination is a valid doctrine found in the Word of God. However, we must dispel the idea of predestination according to the old Puritan belief - one that dictates that everyone is born either going to heaven or going to hell and nothing that person can do will change that. A better word would be "predetermination". God has a predetermined plan for each believer's life that will ultimately end at the foot of His throne.

Imagine a person planning a trip from New York to Los Angeles. This person will have to make several choices regarding the trip. There are several routes that person could take - routes that would contain different sites, different locales in which to eat, spend the night, etc. Then, there is also the "unforeseen" obstacles and delays that person will encounter on the way to Los Angeles - road construction, flat tires, mechanical problems, etc. Then, throw into that equation an enemy that does not want to see this person reach the destination, placing along the route distractions, detours, and problems - hoping to make this person give up the trip due to frustration, long delays, costly problems. The person planning the trip from New York to Los Angeles will have to make several choices on how to react to the unforeseen delays, obstacles, changes in the route that is taken. This person could choose to turn back, determining the trip is "not worth it". "too hard", not what he/she "thought it would be like", etc. Or, if the person is determined to make it, despite the problems and delays, that person would eventually reach the destination if he/she chooses not to give up.

God has a "predetermined" plan for every believer that leads from the cross to the throne. Of course, there will been unforeseen delays, obstacles, and choices to make while on this journey. And Satan will do everything God will allow to upset the believer, hinder the believer, attempting to cause the believer to determine the journey is "not worth it", "too hard", not what we "thought it would be like". But if the believer is determined to make it to heaven, the grace of God will assure the believer gets home if he/she does not give up.

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ..." - Philippians 1:6

Now, let's consider the lie so many believers have fell victim to of messing things up so bad that God has "wrote them off' or "changed the plan"....remember...."whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son," (Romans 8:29). As God knew the end from the beginning, so also He knew His children before they were even born! And God chose them based on that foreknowledge. God created Adam - knowing Adam would eat the forbidden fruit, God called Abraham - knowing Abraham was an habitual liar, God chose Jacob - knowing Jacob would steal his brother's birthright and blessing, God anointed David - knowing David would commit adultery, God chose Thomas - knowing Thomas was a sceptic, God chose Paul - knowing he would first be Saul the Persecutor, and the list goes on.....

But one of the best illustrations for our topic today is Peter. Peter....the "maverick" disciple of New Testament Christianity - the first one to walk on the water with Jesus - the first one to proclaim Jesus as the "Messiah, the Son of the living God" - the first one to preach the Gospel on the day of Pentecost - the first one to declare to Jesus, "I will lay down my life for thy sake."(John 13:37). But we must remember....he was also Peter - the one who was rebuked by Paul for being a hypocrite - the one who was openly rebuked by Jesus for speaking under the influence of Satan - and the one who denied even knowing the Lord three times on the night Jesus was betrayed.

God not only shared Peter's greatest moments of faith for all to read; but He also paraded Peter's greatest moments of failure for all to read as well. We may wonder why does God show His most devoted servants in their greatest victories, only to show us their greatest moments of failure and weakness on the very next page. It is not because God gets any satisfaction from seeing His children reflected in the worse light of humanity. It is to teach His children a truth that will grant them one of the greatest victories in the walk of life.

Doubtless, Peter meant every word he stated to Jesus on the night Jesus declared that all would forsake him. Peter was truly sincere when he told the Lord he would rather die with Him than live without Him. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him, would swear away his Galilean heritage to save his own neck. As a matter of fact, Jesus knew Peter would do this very thing when He called Peter to follow Him the very first time - and He still chose him. But after denying His Lord three times, Peter thought all was lost - that he had committed a betrayal even worst than Judas had - and had it not been for the fact that Jesus had prayed for Peter, this failure would have driven Peter in his despair to react to his shame and disgrace the very same way that Judas had done. But it was the choice Peter had to make during his greatest confrontation that we want to focus on -

"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep." - John 21:14-17.

Many sermons have been preached regarding the scriptures stated above. Many have stated that the reason Jesus had to ask Peter three times. "Do you love me?", is because Peter denied the Lord three times. This may be true. But the greatest message we should glean from this confrontation is one you may never have heard before. Jesus was giving Peter a choice - a choice that would govern his faith the rest of his life. And it would also give Peter one of the greatest weapons of warfare against the enemy in the days and years to come. "Peter, do you still love me? Then feed my sheep. Peter, do you understand? Peter, will you believe? - Despite your failure, My love for you is still the same. Despite your betrayal, My plan for you has not changed. Regardless of the fact that you feel as if you have committed a sin that now disqualifies you, My plan for your life is still the same."

"For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." - Romans 11:29.

Beloved, don't believe the lie of Satan - that you have "went too far" and cannot come back - that even if you do return, "it will never be the same". That because of your faults, your failures, your horrible mess up, that even if you make it to heaven, there will only be some sort of "consolation" prize waiting for you. "Don't you understand? Will you believe? " The plan and calling God has for your life has not changed. It has been and always will be the same. The plan and calling God had for you the day you were saved is the same one He will have for you the day you die!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." - Psalm 37:23 & 24.

A word from the Lord for all you "misfits" out there - "Rejoice and lift those heads that hang low - for I am the Lord, and I still love you! I have still called you for My purpose! You are still My Beloved. You are still My son! You are still My daughter! And My plan for you is still the same!"
Beloved, the real victory is not showing up in heaven with a flawless record - free from battle scars, failures, self-inflicted wounds - it is that, despite the battle scars, despite the failures, despite the self-inflicted wounds -we still made it home! So rejoice in the Lord always...and again, I say rejoice!

"Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:33-39.

Beloved, God has no "Plan B"!

The Rape of the Church

Imagine if you will a picture of a woman walking down a busy street. At first, there is nothing significant about this scenario; but upon closer inspection, you discover there is something terribly wrong with this woman. Her clothes are disheveled, she has been beaten, and bruises cover her body, barely concealed by the tattered clothing, now hanging like rags. With horror, you realize…this woman has been savagely raped, close to death….but she is not dead.

If this were not enough, the picture becomes even more appalling. This woman, an obvious victim of rape, stripped of all dignity and self worth, should be crying… mourning…at the realization that everything she holds dear in life has been violently torn from her. But she is not crying at all. On the contrary, she is laughing, talking boisterously, having a good time as she passes others along the street. It is tragic enough that she has been raped; but even worse is the fact she is oblivious to the situation!

You might ask, “How can this be”? How could a woman who has been beaten, horribly raped and left for dead, not be aware such a thing has happened to her? How could she not feel the pain and the shame of such a crime committed against her body and soul? “That’s impossible,” you exclaim!
But I propose to you that this is not a picture of some obscure woman on the road, but of the condition of the church of Jesus Christ today!

How could we attribute such an atrocity as rape to describe the condition of the Body of Christ?
Satan, thru evil deception, has infiltrated the church and literally raped us of “key” truths of God that once empowered the church to change the face of the earth. The bible declares a spiritual truth, unchanging with time - “Take us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines: for our vines [have] tender grapes.” (Song of Solomon 2:15). This scripture reveals that it doesn’t take one powerful evil event, easily observed and avoided, to cause such a dramatic change. But, over the course of hundreds of years, Satan has slipped in half-truths, bits of false doctrine, enlisting hirelings (false preachers and prophets), weaving into the foundational fabric of the gospel…lies, making the truth of no effect.

The magic of these hirelings and their half-truths have done their damage…and the result?

Instead of preaching that brings conviction and healing, we have powerless ministers, unable to move the smallest mountain in our lives. We come to church bound by sin, and leave grateful that, once again, we have escaped the conviction of God. Attacked by cancer and disease, we run to altars that don’t possess enough anointing to change one cell in our bodies. Young adults and children come to church, receiving more out of a godless rock concert than our worship services, leaving unchanged. Preachers walk into the pulpit on Sunday, and log on to their pornography on Monday. Deacons usher the elderly in on Wednesday, and cheat on their spouses the rest of the week.

Have we not been raped?

We now have an all too common instance of children killing one another in school shootings and drive-by massacres. The suicide rate has risen steadily to alarming numbers for the last fifty years. Out of 100,000 children, between the ages of 10-14, 10,000 will commit suicide this year alone.
The number of babies murdered by abortion has grown to a staggering number. Approximately 3,700 babies will die today; 42 million this year in the name of convenience. How many prophets like Samuel, how many evangelists like Billy Graham have been killed, while we, the church, hide in our doctrine in apathy and do nothing?

Sunday mornings find Christians isolated in air conditioned buildings, sitting on padded pews, while false cults bearing the name of Christianity go from door to door, ensnaring the masses with false doctrine, wrapped up in packages of concern for their soul, not knowing they are actually adding soldiers to Satan’s army.

Have we not been raped?

The church was placed here to make a difference on this earth. To influence a change and stand in the gap for a world that is sending itself to Hell by the lies and half truths that it believes are right. Jesus Christ stated, “Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth, I am not come to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). Jesus did not mean for us to be a passive, weak-kneed alliance of people, only coming together in the name of a religious social club. He suffered unto blood and died, then rose again with “The keys of Death and of Hell” (Revelation 1:8). We were given POWER and a mandate to be witnesses on this earth and stand against Satan and his attempts to kill, steal and destroy. We are to be a militant force for Jesus Christ, reaching one hand into Hell, the other into Heaven, a bastion of hope in a world engulfed in darkness, making a difference in the lives of the men, women and children on this planet.

The book of Acts records the actions of the very first church. An example of how the church is to function. The bible states that they sold their possessions and evenly gave to all in need so none lacked in any necessity. They had all things common, were of one mind and one speech, one vision, continuing in the apostles teaching and preaching. They not only heard the word, but believed it and demonstrated it daily in their lives. As they did this, God gave them great power to witness unto the name of Jesus, signs and wonders and diverse miracles being performed. People were healed of all diseases by just the mere shadow of the apostles. Thousands of souls were being added to the church daily. Demons, by the hundreds, were cast out of people, delivering them from bondage. Is this happening in the church today?

Have we not been raped?
　
By the preponderance of the evidence, compared to the church of Acts, you can see how far we have fallen. The very fact that this is taking you by surprise and shock should let you know how much truth has been robbed and raped from our pulpits. Scripture records this powerful truth, “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” (1st Corinthians 5:6). What a powerful truth this is! It is declaring that no matter how much truth is contained in a doctrine, church creed, or denomination, if a little leaven (false doctrine) or lie is mixed in, the whole lump will be contaminated, resulting in a poison that will lead your soul down a road of destruction, and eventually out of the will and presence of God.

Just because a church confesses they believe in God, doesn’t mean they are a church preaching the truth, anointed to save souls, and setting the captive free. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the lord” (Luke 4:18). Then after he ascended he gave this same spirit and power to the church, commanding them to, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). This charge never lifted because Peter, James and John died. This is meant to be the heritage of the Saints living and breathing, able to make a change in this world now.
Satan’s first reaction was a full-frontal assault against the body of Christ. However, this method of persecution only strengthened the church. It has since been the objective of Satan to destroy the truth subtly. He began mixing the truth with lies - creating a hybrid truth that was powerless, sinful in nature; therefore, killing the power of the real truth. Jesus said, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

If absolute truth doesn’t matter, if it has no power and anointing in it, then Satan would not have spent so much time, patience, and effort raping the church of the main truths that has left the body of Christ in the powerless, ineffective state it is now in.

Truth number #1: We have been raped of the Presence of God - “And he said unto him; if thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (Exodus 33:15).

Why was the presence of God so vital to Moses?

Satan knew that in God’s presence is fullness of joy…peace…righteousness. In his presence is the power to cast out devils, heal the sick, raise the dead, and preach the Gospel with conviction. Satan’s hybrid truth (lie) was very subtle. Somewhere down the line he caused us to stop pursuing God’s presence through prayer and fasting - like a thirsty deer, searching for water. Sadly, we have replaced seeking God’s presence with seeking God’s provision. Instead of seeking God’s face, we are seeking God’s hand.
　
Chapter 21 in the Gospel of John records that, after the resurrection of Jesus, Peter decides to go fishing. He and the disciples then spent the entire night at sea without catching any fish. The morning of the next day, Jesus appears on the sea bank and asked if the men had caught any fish. The disciples were still at sea and not aware that it was Jesus who spoke to them. Jesus then instructs them to, “Cast your net on the right side of the ship, and you will find.” The nets were filled to the breaking point with fish. The Lord had over and abundantly met and provided what Peter had so diligently sought for all night. But, upon realizing it was the Lord, Peter decided he would rather be with the Provider than to remain with the provision. He dives into the water, swims to Jesus, and when he arrives on the shore; his reward is not only Jesus, but fish, cleaned, cooked, and ready to eat as well.

The key principle we have lost down through the ages is this - when your true motivation for seeking God is that you may know him more intimately each day than you did the day before, you not only gain the provider, but the provision as well - “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Luke 12: 29-31).

Turn on the TV today, and you will see many false preachers proclaiming a false gospel of prosperity, where the goal is the provision. When you set your heart on focusing on the blessings of God, instead of wanting his presence and loving him, your motive becomes selfish and self-centered. Your gospel then becomes one where God ministers to you as opposed to you ministering to him.

Satan has raped this truth from the body of Christ. He knows that the presence of God is all we truly need.
　
Truth number #2: We have been raped of the purity of a holy life –

The psalmist records this truth; “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. "(Psalm 15: 1-5)

The product of abiding in the presence of God is purity. Not the purity achieved by the human efforts of sacrifice and self-denial, but a purity only achieved through the intimate work of the Holy Spirit. It is the level of purity required to become an effective intercessor, to operate in prophetic authority, and needed for the manifestation of the liberating power of God. Without first cultivating a life marked by the presence of God, this purity can not be obtained.

Consider the prophet Isaiah…a man who was a recipient of the inspired word of God, witness of countless prophetic visions and dreams directly referring to Jesus as our Lord and Messiah. Even Isaiah could not have moved into the ultimate call upon his life without first experiencing the awesome presence of God. Not the comfortable, warm and fuzzy presence we associate with hearing our favorite gospel hymn; but the “uncomfortable” presence of God that led Isaiah to exclaim, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:5). It was not until a coal from the altar of God had been placed on Isaiah’s lips, and his sin purged that he had reached the purity needed to speak the anointed word with authority and power.

“For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Today’s ministers preach a gospel similar to that of the scribes and Pharisees, where, as the Pharisees, it is a gospel of “exclusion”- only allowing a chosen few measuring up to the standards they defined as holiness; or, as the scribes, a gospel of “inclusion”- where everyone is accepted without conviction or accountability.

Satan’s lie convinced us that God no longer requires this type of purity and now accepts “the best that you can do”.

Truth number #3: We have been raped of the power of God - “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Remove the presence of God and the purity of a holy life, and then it is inevitable that the power of God will be absent as well. This is why we have powerless preaching. Why we come to church depressed and leave suicidal. Without the power of God, we can anoint people with oil for healing, and all we have are slick, sick saints still bound by cancer.

You can go to seminary for four years, learn how to give great speeches with awesome delivery, but without the power of God no one gets changed, and your words are empty and meaningless. The very first church had power with God. When someone even lied to the Holy Ghost; they fell dead at their feet (Acts 5:5). But we have become so powerless; ministers can stand behind a sacred desk, after leaving their office from watching pornography, and no one is the wiser.

Satan knows the power of God is something he cannot fight and must bow down to. This power enabled Jesus and the disciples to take authority over Satan and his minions. But if many of today’s Christians attempted to cast out a devil, the result would be very similar to that of the seven sons of Sceva, who were viciously attacked and driven out of the house. Why? They had no power with God (Acts 19:14).

These are but a few truths that Satan has raped from the church of Jesus Christ. The damage of these hybrid truths (half lies) seems irreparable. Statistics show 38 percent of Americans today are either atheistic or God has no relevance in their lives. Thousands are committing suicide daily, with no hope for an answer to their problems. Children are growing up in separate homes and living broken lives as the divorce rate in the church grows higher than that of the world. Satan took these truths from us thru pastors and leaders who had no heart for the sheep or cared for their soul.
　
But now is not the time to fear or cry.
　
There is hope…