Emotional Responsibility And Living a Spirit Filled Life

 I want to talk about living the Spirit filled life. Specifically what emotional responsibility has to do with living a successful and powerful spirit filled life.  The Lord has drawn my  attention to this subject recently.

 Through some classes at work, a recent interview I watched on television, and prayer,  I believe The Lord has confirmed to me the importance of His people learning about the connection between being fully aware and responsible for our own feelings and emotions, and The Spirit Filled Life. He will be able to inhabit His body and demonstrate His manifold wisdom, through His Body, to all the seen and unseen world, when we are able to respond intelligently to His Presence.

 So,  what does it mean to be emotionally intelligent and emotionally responsible?  There are many many articles, studies  and books written on the subject.  If you do a Google search on emotional intelligence or emotional responsibility you will find a wide variety of slide shows, books, articles and many psychological and scientific studies on the matter.  All of them are very good, very informative and all of them offer a deeper understanding of what Emotional Intelligence and Emotional Responsibility is.

  But for the purposes of this article I want to simplify this subject. Because it all boils down to one simple but profound truth. Your feelings are not your emotions.  Your feelings do not automatically dictate what your response should be. Your emotional response, to any feelings that you may have, is a choice that you make, and that you alone are responsible for. Realizing and securing this as truth in your thought processes can set you free from so many things that cause you to get off course in life.

  I want to keep the focus of this article on what emotional responsibility and emotional intelligence has to do with the Spirit filled life. However, it is important to note, that the idea of raising emotionally responsible  and emotionally intelligent children is being recognized by secular psychologist as something that will be critical  in order to prepare this next generation for the world to come. The lack of teaching on emotional intelligence and emotional responsibility, and the fact that many parents are ignorant themselves about their emotions, is being recognized more and more as a major hindrance to raising children into successful well equipped adults.

 Emotional Responsibility starts with us being aware of our own feelings, our own hearts, our own passions, weaknesses and strengths. We must first be 100% honest and open with ourselves and God. We must realize that feelings, whether positive or negative , are not emotions.

So, whether you are filled, or temporarily overcome, with positive or negative feelings, you alone are responsible for how you translate or express those feelings through your God given emotions.

 I want to state that again, whether you are filled, or temporarily overcome, with positive or negative feelings, you alone are responsible for how you translate or express those feelings through your God given emotions. This would be good to put on your desk, on your refrigerator, at the door of your house, anywhere you can see it all the time.

 We are all familiar with with the scripture that states we are not moved by what we feel or see. We apply it to teachings on faith and living a faith filled life, and it is indeed a good scripture to stand on. Most of the time we apply it to standing against negative circumstances or feeling. However, it is just as important, and as deceit grows in The Church and world, it will be critical, that we understand, that we are not to be moved by positive feelings, or positive circumstances either.

 We are told in scripture that the enemy comes as an angel of light. The Spirit Of Anti-Christ is not only revealing himself in the wickedness of man’s heart and systems, he is masquerading as a Christ-less answer to peace, tolerance, cohabitation and world unity. The Oprah’s and the Depak Chopra's of the world offer light, without The Creator Of Light, That is the essence of Anti-Christ.

The Spirit will always align with scripture and exalt Jesus As LORD. Any light that denies either, is Darkness, no matter how good it makes you feel or how positive it may seem. Yet many Christians and even leaders embrace them and their teachings as good and even equal  to scriptural wisdom, their god is their belly(feelings) so they deny The Scripture.

 His children right now, much like the children of the world are not being raised with the knowledge they need to filter feelings and circumstances solely through scripture and The Holy Spirit. They are being tossed about by every wind of doctrine, whether doctrine with minor errors or doctrines of darkness disguised as light.

 Like some secular psychologist warn about natural children, God’s children are not being prepared for the spiritual realities to come. Worse yet, they are not prepared to handle His Glory and Power in a way that brings Him honor and demonstrates His Manifold Wisdom to All Creation! We have been taught for to long a self help, prosperity, best life now, Oprah type Christianity.

But! The Lord has a plan. He has had a plan all along. He has had a system all along. He has clearly laid it out with a specificity that only those attached to the wisdom of The World and The deceptions Of Anti-Christ would miss.

Ephesians 4:11-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.


The scripture is clear. It takes the entirety of Gods Ordained Ministers to bring about a mature people, well prepared for all the lies, tricks and disguises of the enemy and wicked man. We must rebuild a Church that the gates of Hell crumble before. You are The Church, I am The Church, We are The Church. It will be us, or no one, that demonstrates Gods Manifold Wisdom.

 It will take us being mature, emotionally responsible and intelligent to be able to handle His Glory and Wisdom without derailing it with wild emotional outburst and strange physical manifestations because we don’t realize we must choose what we do with what we feel, even what we feel while In The Spirit. 

In the past God had allowed us, to experience His Presence in limited ways, and one thing that has marked these “revivals” is an increasing amount of fleshy outburst and strange and even ungodly behavior, being attributed to The Holy Spirit. Two particular “ministers” would act like they were smoking joints or taking tokes off the Holy Spirit. All under the eyes and approval of the group of “leaders” that were supposed to be raising mature Christians. 

This was obviously an extreme example of a lack of Emotional Intelligence when it comes to  A Spirit Filled Life and The Lords Plan for His Anointing and it’s purpose for His People. But, it is an excellent example of how not understanding these things has hindered The Church, and stunted the growth of His Children. 

We can learn how to intelligently respond to The Lords Presence. We can learn how to behave, more than that, move ,work with and cooperate with The Lord to demonstrate His Love, Power and Manifold Wisdom to a hurting and confused world. The Holy Spirit doesn’t make anyone behave or react in a way contrary to Wisdom and Godly Intelligence. Man chooses to respond to feelings, God wants His Children Emotionally Intelligent and Responsible enough to wield His Gifts,Power and Wisdom to destroy the Gates of Hell

What say you? Are you ready to look back only to The Design Jesus set forth for His Church? The example He set forth for us to follow? Are we ready to learn from our past childish handling of The Lords Power and our infant like responses to His Presence?

We will miss it, and get corrected, but that is okay. Let me end with some examples of How Jesus handled wrong emotional responses by His Leaders and people. He taught, rebuked and corrected, to bring them to maturity.

Luke 10:17-20 New Living Translation (NLT)

17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”

Luke 9:52-57 New King James Version (NKJV)

52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them,just as Elijah did?”

55 But He turned and rebuked them,and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

Matthew 16:13-27 New Living Translation (NLT)

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 

14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”

15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

20 Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

21 From then on Jesus  began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?27 For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

A Prophetic Word- An Exhortation- A Warning- A Prayer For Those In Mnistry

 The title of this article says a lot about what is on my heart. My title encompasses all that I believe this article will be. It is in many ways a Prophetic Word. It will definitely be a mighty exhortation for those with ears to hear. Unfortunately there will be some elements of Divine Warning. Altogether this comes from a deep place of prayer and intercession for The Church, Her People and Her Leaders.

 As I write this I am well aware of my own failings in some of the areas I am compelled to confront my brothers and sisters in Christ about. Many of us have heard of the Pastor who committed suicide this week. The issue of depression and anxiety is touching all aspects of society. From the youngest to the oldest. From the richest to the poorest, depression, anxiety and the spirit of suicide has bound humanity and Those in The Church have not escaped the infection.

 The question for us is, Should this be the case? Why have so many, including myself, not been able to walk in the joy and peace of Christ consistently? Why are both Leaders and Laity alike bound and held in the cages of these emotional,physical and spiritual enemies? Why have so many Apostles,Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers fallen victim, sometimes fatally, to these enemies of our souls?

 I will not pretend to have THE ANSWER. However, I have what I believe to be AN ANSWER inspired by The Holy Spirit for right now, in this season, and the one to come. I believe I have an answer for those who will hear, who are ordained to hear it.

 All ministry, after all, is called and directed by God. No Prophet is a Prophet to everyone. They are a Prophet to those whom God has appointed them to be a Prophet to. No Pastor, Teacher, Apostle or even an Evangelist is called to all believers and churches, they have been appointed by God to A Place, A People and A Time.

These truths when understood and embraced removes a great burden from the shoulders of both Leaders and Laity alike, especially those who are given to prayer and the Move of The Spirit.  When Leaders are in The Lords Ordained Place, Fulfilling The Lords Ordained Calling in Service to The Lords People that they are called and appointed to, they can be secure and confident that They Will Succeed as The Lord Directs.

All this being true, and it is 100% true because God never fails or makes a mistake, then why is there so much brokenness in The Church? Why do so many churches fail? So many leaders fall? Why are callings abandoned and giftings rejected while there are flocks of sheep wandering, confused and hurt?

 What are we missing? What erroneous and broken template do we keep using that works for the few  but fails for so many? What yoke of burden is being put on Pastor after Pastor that they were never meant to carry, and were never equipped to handle?

 Some will say that I am posing more questions than I am giving answers, but in these questions lie the answers. They are question with just the right anointing to pull the answers out of the hearts that are longing for truth and freedom. Those longing to know true covenant relationship and ministry, where each one does their part and each ones strengths provides for the others weaknesses.

 Could it be that we have built the structures of The Church in a way that was never meant to be? Could it be that the Business Like Organization Structure is so flawed that only the strong survive, and those who are not strong enough or don't fit into the business image anymore get washed out or feel so much pressure to live up to a well guarded and painted image that they eventually falter?

 Would men like Peter and Paul even make it through the protocols and image cleansing of the modern church? Would Paul be considered to wild, to extreme, to close to those he served? Would Peter be written off as a rebel, a breaker of protocol, one who speaks out of turn, so certainly not worthy of leadership and The High Calling of  Apostleship?

Are there any ministry teams that have a covenant relationship like the picture I posted above and below represents?  And how about the people in The Church?  Do we get it? Do we really get what our responsibility is  to pray and support our leaders spiritually? Of course financially, but lets face it, many that will read this, your Pastor or the Pastors you see in media are living much better off than you financially, so that doesn't carry as much weight as it did for the early church planters and Pastors.

But, if you are from a smaller church with a Pastor who is struggling financially, are you helping him in any way you can? Are you generous, so that they can give themselves to The Word and Prayer for you? Are you behaving like you have a God Ordained Covenant Relationship with them, as long as you call them your Pastor and you eat at that Church?

 How about your words? Are you encouraging and lifting them up in prayer? Are you seeing with Gods eyes and supporting them passionately, so that The Gospel may be Preached, Lives may be Changed and The Devil may be stopped in families and in your community?

 We all need to rethink, reset and relaunch. Leaders and Laity alike, we need a time of Consecration and Prayer, so we can take on the closing of time and be a part of The Remnant that finishes strong and in THE POWER OF HIS LOVE.

 Here is the Exhortation. We can do this! The Lord has a Plan for THIS. He has a PLAN for RIGHT NOW. A Specific and well planned out path He wants His Church to march on. His Love and Covenant Blessing will unite us. Wisdom and Knowledge of His Love and Covenant Blessing will keep us together, in Power, Anointing, Vision and Unity.

 Each member doing its part. Each one in their perfect place, moving in glorious power, fulfilling their part in this incredible End Time Church we have been called to. We see the results of this in the Book of Acts. The Leaders were focused, sober, serious and on The Mission given to them by God. The people were generous, reverent and busy working to establish, build and maintain the fast growing, miracle working and World Changing Church!

 Here is a warning. In this atmosphere, that shall come, both Leaders and Laity alike , need to show great reverence and honor to The Spirit of God and His Holy Name. Dishonor has no place in this atmosphere. Leaders need to honor their place as servants and shepherds of The Lords Sheep. And the people need to honor and show reverence for the The Presence of The Lord working through His Leaders for the benefit of The Church and mankind. All must have a reverential fear of The Lord.

We wouldn't walk up and slap the bride of a man we fear. Yet many of us have slapped The Lords Bride, over and over again. Lord forgive us.

Lord, help us as leaders to honor you among the people, feed your sheep, and tend your pastures the way you showed us, with sacrifice and selflessness. Remove every ounce of a hirelings heart from our souls.

Help us as members and parts of your precious body to act like your children and demonstrate your love toward one another. Help us to fully support our leaders in every way they need it. Help us to praye fervently and in the spirit of wisdom for them. Help us set a guard over our hearts and tongues, so that we may always bless and uplift and never curse or sow discord.

 Teach and instruct us how to do ministry, how to build your church, in the way you wish, so the gates of hell crumble before us. So that we all may walk in your freedom and joy. Lord show us how to build ministry teams called by you, anointed by you, and bound in Covenant , so that we may see your wonderful works again on The Earth!!

Raise up an Epaphras in every Church, in every city and in every nation. Raise up pillars that will stand with The Ministry Gifts they are called to stand with no matter what. Let them fight side by side until all the giants are removed from their land.

Thank you Lord for Anointed Teachers and Words that will reset souls and minds. That will tear down strongholds, and restore peace to your people. Teach us Lord how to command our emotions with Your Word, Name and Authority. We stand as one and will help one another realize the liberty and freedom we have. No burden shall be carried except that which you have empowered each of us to bear.

Finally, In The Name of Jesus we curse the spirit of Depression,Anxiety and Suicide. Flee back to the darkness from which you came. You have no place nor part in The Body of Christ!

Ancient Of Days-Ancient War- Ancient Plan- Ancient Foundations

Foundations are important to The Lord.

His Kingdom Is Eternal.

Built Upon An Eternal Spiritual Foundation.

He cast The Universe with His Hand and built the foundations of  The Earth with His Word as a mirror of  those Spiritual Foundations!

Foundations are important  The LORD.

He has always given His People a Firm Foundation to stand upon and build upon.

He gave us His Word and His Gospel as a solid foundation to build upon.

Foundations are important to The Lord.

This is why He must shake all can be shaken so that nothing remains but that which was built Correctly and with His Word , upon HIS FOUNDATIONS!

Foundations Are Important To The LORD!

He who has an ear

Let them hear!

He who has eyes to see

Let them see!

Foundations are important to The Lord!

In The End- A New Earth will appear. Built upon A Glorious Foundation!

A New Jerusalem, A New Temple  will be built upon A Foundation of Precious Stones , Shining 

With Gods Glory!

Rebuilding Confidence - The Path of Discipleship

 

A few weeks ago I had some extra time at the end of my work day so I decided to watch a few training videos about leading difficult people, building confidence in people and convincing others to follow your lead that you do not have any authority over in a team environment.

The segment that stuck with me, and that The Lord really stirred me to take notes on was: Levels of Confidence.

As I listened to the speaker teach it was very clear that what he was laying out was not only a template to train employees, but unknown to him I imagine, the way The Lord raises up His people and trains up His leaders.

Even deeper for me, I saw a path to freedom for those struggling with addiction, obsessions, abandonment, pain, the list could go on and on. I saw a safe road, escorted by loving and mature believers , where many people could be led safely to freedom

What I was seeing is The Path of Discipleship. What I was seeing is what is demonstrated in The life of Moses, Joseph, Paul, Peter, Mark, Timothy and really just about ever major leader servant in The Word.

As I list these , I want you to really think about each step. Each step is so important in order to move to the next step. Each step requires a mentor, a guide, a teacher to help those on the path, stay on the path. I ask that you pray for a few minutes before and ask The Holy Spirit to show you how you can either start on this path or start leading others on this path.

If you are a Pastor, or a councilor, ask The Lord if this may be a template for discipleship or counseling that He wants you to build a form and function around.

The key aspect to this, that The Lord spoke to me heart about, is the fact that this is a guided journey, with loving, caring, dedicated teachers and guides. Shepherds that are truly dedicated to discipleship. Shepherds that care more for the sheep that their own lives and comfort.

(My thoughts on each step will be in parenthesis) 

Shepherds like Jesus

Confidence Levels:

1. Confidence To Try:

    

      Goal is not necessarily to succeed, BUT TO TRY.

(This is quite possibly the most important step. We need to encourage people that freedom is possible, even guaranteed if they will just take the first step and start the journey with us, and not quit. Draw them from the place of fear and isolation into a place of trust and action.)

2. Confidence To Learn:

  The goal here is to learn and PROGRESS IN GROWTH:

( Line upon line, precept upon precept. Brick upon brick. Confidence not only to learn, but to be okay with the process of growth. To be given grace and mercy to trip, fall, mess up and get frustrated, with no condemnation or retaliation in the least bit. They are on an exciting and at times perilous journey, if they don't quit, they will make it.)

3. Confidence To Do:

  Based on competence and consistently doing.

   (Important transition step. Still learning, still slipping a bit, now it is time TO DO. Depending on the environment of the process whether training up disciples in a church or counselling somebody to break free from chains, many times they go hand and hand, the people need to start doing something to exercise their newly learned talents,abilities, gifts or freedom. This will be more institution based, competence based, but still a safe place to start doing, moving, exercising.)

4. Confidence To Teach

  Mastery, They now have the confidence to teach and lead others.

(This is the goal of Discipleship and Counseling, to raise a person up to the point that they can use all they have experienced and learned to lead others, mentor others, encourage others to take the first step to freedom and a life in the service of The Lord.)

Recap-

1. Confidence To Try:

    

      Goal is not necessarily to succeed, BUT TO TRY.

2. Confidence To Learn:

  The goal here is to learn and PROGRESS IN GROWTH:

3. Confidence To Do:

  Based on competence and consistently doing.

4. Confidence To Teach

  Mastery, They now have the confidence to teach and lead others.

Let The Called Our Ones Arise!!!

Words cant express the groaning of my heart. It seems there is none that understands, none that truly want to help. Some will see this as a complaint, some will see this as whining, but they would be,have been, so wrong.

I know what The Lord has put in me. I know that part of the right team, in the right atmosphere, we will be able to do amazing things and the joy in me will be as un-expressible by words as the groaning is now.

Sometimes people do not understand the pain they inflict when they ignore an email, disregard a text. Maybe they feel as if they are excused from the basic elements of covenant relationship. So tied up by protocol and the rules they put in place they don't even consider the personal lives and families that their man made , not spirit led, decisions have impacted.

So, for all who have felt this way. For all those in debt, for all those in mourning, for all those cast to the side.......

1 Samuel 22:1-2  (NLT)

David at the Cave of Adullam

22 So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.

2 Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men.

THE LORD SAYS: WELCOME TO THE CAVE OF ADULLAM!!!

I believe The LORD is making places for Ministers of THE LORD, who have been called by God, but discounted by man.

I believe He is making place to EMPLOY and DEPLOY them into place HE NEEDS them. Fret not my brothers. My God is about to make you one of HIS MIGHTY MEN!! Let the comfortable rest protected in their palaces and stay safe behind their protocols and walls.

You know you are called. You have known since you were young, but no door has opened , no place has been found for you to rest your head. Fret not, You King Is Calling!

I do not know how. I do not know when. I do not know the way He will open. But, He shall open the way!

1 Chronicles 11:10-37 New Living Translation (NLT)

David’s Mightiest Warriors

10 These are the leaders of David’s mighty warriors. Together with all Israel, they decided to make David their king, just as the Lord had promised concerning Israel.

11 Here is the record of David’s mightiest warriors: The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite, who was leader of the Three—the mightiest warriors among David’s men. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle.

12 Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. 13 He was with David when the Philistines gathered for battle at Pas-dammim and attacked the Israelites in a field full of barley. The Israelite army fled, 14 but Eleazar and David held their ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the Lord saved them by giving them a great victory.

15 Once when David was at the rock near the cave of Adullam, the Philistine army was camped in the valley of Rephaim. The Three (who were among the Thirty—an elite group among David’s fighting men) went down to meet him there. 16 David was staying in the stronghold at the time, and a Philistine detachment had occupied the town of Bethlehem.

17 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 18 So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. 19 “God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.

David’s Thirty Mighty Men

20 Abishai, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used his spear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous as the Three. 21 Abishai was the most famous of the Thirty and was their commander, though he was not one of the Three.

22 There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a lion down into a pit and killed it. 23 Once, armed only with a club, he killed an Egyptian warrior who was 7 1⁄2 feet tall and who was armed with a spear as thick as a weaver’s beam. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with it. 24 Deeds like these made Benaiah as famous as the three mightiest warriors. 25 He was more honored than the other members of the Thirty, though he was not one of the Three. And David made him captain of his bodyguard.

26 David’s mighty warriors also included:

Asahel, Joab’s brother;
Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem;

27 Shammah from Harod;
Helez from Pelon;

28 Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa;
Abiezer from Anathoth;

29 Sibbecai from Hushah;
Zalmon from Ahoah;

30 Maharai from Netophah;
Heled son of Baanah from Netophah;

31 Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah (in the land of Benjamin);
Benaiah from Pirathon;

32 Hurai from near Nahale-gaash;
Abi-albon from Arabah;

33 Azmaveth from Bahurim;
Eliahba from Shaalbon;

34 the sons of Jashen from Gizon;
Jonathan son of Shagee from Harar;

35 Ahiam son of Sharar from Harar;
Eliphal son of Ur;

36Hepher from Mekerah;
Ahijah from Pelon;

37 Hezro from Carmel;
Paarai son of Ezbai;

The Remnant

Time is running out for The Church to return to her foundations, before The Lord has to shake us to those foundations.

It is clear that there is no desire by too many leaders to truly follow the example of Christ. We can't be content with social outreaches and entertainment, motivational speeches that we sell tickets to.

The Lord has had enough. We will return to our foundations, or He will shake everything off that doesn't belong.

People need The Lord, His Presence and The Power of The Gospel. Jesus shall reach them, the way He demonstrated and commissioned us to do the same. Let The Remnant say Amen.

Don't say amen until you really consider the cost.

The LORD Hears Your Cries

 

 There are many warnings in The Word about how we think, speak and act during times of visitation and abundance from God. On the other hand there are not really any WARNINGS about how to think,speak and act during times of lack,pain and bondage. Matter of fact, God has always heard and honored the cry of His hurting people.

 This is an important truth to consider. Let me explain why I believe misunderstanding this has led to us placing unnecessary burdens on Gods People who are already weighed down and in a place of bondage and pain. 

 I want to use a well used story from The Bible and give a different perspective on them. I am certainly not negating all that has been taught on this subject, however I do believe That The Lord wants to give His People a new perspective on this subject.

 For as long as there has been sermons we have heard how God did not allow His People in The Promised Land because of how the grumbled and complained in The Wilderness. They thought,spoke and acted in a way that was displeasing to The Lord. Their continual lack of faith in God and His Goodness led to a whole generation wandering and ultimately dying in The Wilderness.

 All of this is scriptural, solid and good teaching. The perspective I want to challenge is what we commonly consider "The Wilderness Experience." 

 Was the great sin of Gods People complaining in a place of barrenness and lack? Are they a good example of how we need to stay in faith during the painful times of life? Did they dishonor God by crying out to Him, lifting up a compliant , expressing their pain, during a time of bondage and dryness, like so many sermons and books have taught?

 Or have we taught The Wilderness Experience with a flipped perspective? Is the lesson we need to learn, sort of the opposite of the lesson that is revealed in scripture?

 First lets look at how They were brought out of bondage. God heard the cries, and complaints of His people who were in hard bondage and slavery in Egypt. He wasn't angry with their complaints and cries from Egypt and the place of pain. No, He answered them, by setting them free, miraculously and with great abundance. Their cries were in line with His will for them to be free. 

Remember this, it is very important to the message I believe The Lord wants us to receive from this article.

 Lets start here with their journey. God heard their cries and he brought them forth in abundance healing and strength. They were a rich, healed and free people. This is the definition of The Wilderness Experience. Not quite like how we teach on our own Wilderness Experiences: Wandering, not in God promises yet, lacking, barren etc. 

 Doesn't seem like an important difference, after all, the teachings we have on The Wilderness Experience seem good, they teach us not to grumble and complain, to stay moving even if we are not in The Promised Land yet.

 But, just because something seems to work, doesn't mean it is scriptural and it doesn't mean that the small difference in perspective isn't causing some of Gods people to stay in bondage, when they do not have to be.

 The distinction is important and the application to Gods People now, makes all the difference.The real lesson we need to receive from The Wilderness Experience of The Children of Israel, is not that they complained and grumbled from the place of bondage and lack. Quite the opposite , it is that they complained, grumbled and dishonored God during a time of a great outpouring of His Presence and Abundance. God broke through into this world and demonstrated all His Mighty Attributes and Character. 

He showed Himself as Deliverer, Provider, Healer, Protector, Father.

This is what we need to teach those who are hurting and in bondage:

 God hears your cries. Your groaning to be free is your spirit connecting with Gods Will for you to be free. He understands your pain. He doesn't want you in bondage and pain. He lays no further burden on you to perform for Him. He wants you free.

 We have taught so often that God expects us to be joyful in pain, to not complain or cry out when life has us in bondage and lack (here is where we erroneously connect this to The Wilderness Journey) that we have inadvertently caused people to be afraid to be real with God. 

 We have caused people to believe that God somehow expects them to embrace Egypt, to dance in the brick pits of pharaohs hard bondage. When God is looking for us to cry out to Him, BE HONEST WITH HIM, and acknowledge that He is The Same God that sets His People free into rich abundance and healing.

 I want to share an experience I had at a prayer meeting some time ago. I have never shared this with anyone, however it was a very important moment in time for me and this message. I want to start by saying that I am not negating anything that happened during this experience. I am not disrespecting those involved or saying that they were wrong in anyway. I am simply sharing a very powerful experience I had with The Lord and what stirred in my heart as a result.

 I was attending a prayer meeting and there was a woman that was in an extreme amount of pain and had been for a very long time. She was suffering from a life threatening disease. My heart broke for her. A group of us began to pray for her. The theme was rejoicing in pain, there were a few ladies worshiping loudly, praising GOD, and encouraging her to rejoice in the pain, that she had to laugh at the enemy, that she had to rejoice in the trial.

 The scene was almost celebratory, but, my spirit man was troubled. I found myself backing away, and actually trying to leave a few times, but The Holy Spirit kept pulling me back. I stood there watching, troubled in spirit, not exactly sure why. 

 I left that meeting carrying something The Lord has deposited in my spirit. Sometime later this woman went home to be with The Lord, finally receiving peace from her pain. When I heard about it, a flood of revelation came to my spirit.

 Does The Lord really expect us to find a way to rejoice even when we are in deep bondage and pain?Does He really require us to be able to stir up joy, in order to be considered to be in faith, even when broken, dying and in the mud pits of Egypt , under the whip of our enemy?

You see, we have used scriptures on how to endure trials, how to travel The Wilderness, and how to go from The Pit to The Palace, as evidence that God somehow wants us to embrace bondage and not cry out, call out or even lift up a complaint to God for deliverance.

So many of The Lords precious people are suffering in silence. They are putting on an act. They are carrying a burden, they are not meant to carry. There are leaders throughout this land that think they have to put on some sort of show. They wont share their pain, their weaknesses or their struggles with anyone because they fear looking weak or of being accused of not being qualified.

I have seen people with life threatening diagnosis say they didn't want to say anything to anyone because they thought they had to stand on their own faith and didn't want to lay any burden on their Pastor. This is a direct result of a misunderstanding of things like The Wilderness Experience.

We must allow people to hurt. We must let them know that they can be real with God. We must let them know that Jesus paid the full price, took the burden of bondage, and opened the door to approach God with no mask, no show, no false joy, to try and prove something to Him.

If people do not feel safe and free to express their pain, discomfort, fears and doubts to The Lord fully, they will never trust Him enough to be open and honest with Him. They will think that He wants them stuck in Egypt, they will never see Him as deliverer, but just another task master, expecting them to perform for His blessing and if they don't, they fear the whip of his displeasure and abandonment. 

This is real, these things have been sowed into our hearts for to long. We are supposed to be those who help each other lift  burdens. We need to tear the roof off Peters house if need be to help our friends. We don't leave people to stand on their own faith when they are in severe bondage and broken in pain. We can never make people feel guilty for not being able to shout for joy while pounding out bricks , starving and under the whips of Egypt.

Lets stand as one body, carrying each others burdens. Lets be true covenant people, being strong for those who are weak and fighting for and with those who are in battle. Cry out to The Lord in your distress, and He will deliver you. We will stand with you, help you and even carry you until that day comes.