Behold The Mercy And Severity of The LORD Day 6

 

As I read my daily reading today, The Lord highlighted to me the story of Ananias and Sapphira. I saw it in a way that was clearer, more real, more applicable to The Church today and the days ahead. 

Are we seeing the whole picture of what The Grace of God is? 

Is it in Gods mercy that The Power that was demonstrated and present in the Early Church, has not been manifested and released today?

Have we been too light on SIN. Has the Grace message been so tainted by The Worlds idea of love that we have offended The Holy Spirit?

The Last Days are upon us. We must realize that much of what is being allowed and winked at in The Church, in the name of Grace, will cause judgement and pain during the heat of a Great Outpouring.

I am not speaking about the recent non-sense that has been called revival. I am talking about the Last Days of The Age of Grace, where the Latter rain, pours down greater than The Former Rain. The time ordained before the world began, before time began.

Please consider the following scriptures. Notice how Great Grace was upon them all, yet, a severe judgement came to those who transgressed that grace. 

Great Grace was upon them all, but persecution still came as a result.

This is real, we must teach Grace and Truth. The Mercy AND The Severity of The LORD!!! 

Prepare the people for both The Great Power and the very real natural pain that may come as a result.

There is an urgency in my heart about this. The people are not ready. Too many have an image of God that is false and a Lie.

There is another thing that The Lord highlighted to me. There is great significance that the first person named in the offering was a Levite. Joses was from the line of the Levitical Priesthood. His offering, I believe was a stamp on what was going on. 

A Levite offering up a sacrifice of sorts. The next verses describe how God responded to a foul offering being brought into that Holy Place.

Luke 13:1-5

New Living Translation (NLT)

A Call to Repentance

 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?”Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?  Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.  And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?  No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

Romans 11:22

Amplified Bible (AMP)

Then note and appreciate the gracious kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s gracious kindness to you—provided you continue in His grace and abide in His kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off (pruned away).

ACTS 4:32-37

New King James Version (NKJV)

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

And Joses,who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement, a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 5:1-21

New King James Version (NKJV)

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”

Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”

Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.  Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 

 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation,  and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.  But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said,  

“Go, stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this life.”

 And when they heard that, they entered the temple early in the morning and taught. But the high priest and those with him came and called the council together, with all the elders of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.

The Builder ,The Bulldozer and The Battalion Day 5

What does it mean to be a Builder in prayer, a Bulldozer in Prayer, or a member of a Warrior Battalion in Prayer. It is important to know what He has equipped you with so that you can strategically take your part in this Last Great Campaign.


Bulldozer:


You have gifts that see and speak. You see the abashments the enemy has set up, or may set up in the path of Gods People. You often feel led to bind those things and command them to get out of the way. You have a strong sense in your heart that your words are clearing the way for The Battalion and The Builders.

You are key to the safety and success of the Campaign. The Holy Spirit partners with you so that the mission on The Ground can move forward.



The Battalion:


You are the Praying Army of God. In Corporate Prayer you pray mysteries that you may or may not know what you are praying, but, God is partnering with you mightily to make all things work together for good for those who are called according to His Purpose!!

You do battle in The Spirit! Tearing down mighty strongholds, moving and affecting the atmosphere, in ways only The Lord understands. With all the different spiritual authorities in the room, you carry a Corporate Authority, under Christ, that literally changes The World and The Course of Human Events....


The Builder:


You have the great pleasure of seeing what God is building and wanting to accomplish. You see what He is planning in The Spirit. The Lord will give you insight into His Plans that all may not see. And in The Spirit, partnering with His Spirit your prayers begins to build the "building" in The Spirit so it can manifest on the ground. You, at times, will be the Bulldozer and The Warrior. You carry both a tool and a sword.

You rely heavily on the rest of The Body to be in their place doing their part, but you can’t focus on that. You can't be swayed by what you see, you have to focus only on what He is showing you, so that you can confess boldly, pray boldly and build confidently what The Lord wants you to build.



Luke 6:48
New Living Translation (NLT)

It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.



Proverbs 24:27
New Living Translation (NLT)

Do your planning and prepare your fields
before building your house.





Nehemiah 1:4-10
New Living Translation (NLT)


When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.  Then I said,


“O Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying the commands, decrees, and regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses.

 “Please remember what you told your servant Moses: ‘If you are unfaithful to me, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored.’

“The people you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants.





Nehemiah 2:7-12
New Living Translation (NLT)


I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah. And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me.

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel.


So I arrived in Jerusalem. Three days later, I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem.




Nehemiah 4
New Living Translation (NLT)


Enemies Oppose the Rebuilding

Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?”

Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”

Then I prayed, “Hear us, our God, for we are being mocked. May their scoffing fall back on their own heads, and may they themselves become captives in a foreign land! Do not ignore their guilt. Do not blot out their sins, for they have provoked you to anger here in front of the builders.”

At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. They all made plans to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw us into confusion. But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

 Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.”

Meanwhile, our enemies were saying, “Before they know what’s happening, we will swoop down on them and kill them and end their work.”

The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!” So I placed armed guards behind the lowest parts of the wall in the exposed areas. I stationed the people to stand guard by families, armed with swords, spears, and bows.

Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the nobles and the rest of the people and said to them, “Don’t be afraid of the enemy! Remember the Lord, who is great and glorious, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes!”

 When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall. But from then on, only half my men worked while the other half stood guard with spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. The leaders stationed themselves behind the people of Judah who were building the wall. The laborers carried on their work with one hand supporting their load and one hand holding a weapon. All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.

Then I explained to the nobles and officials and all the people, “The work is very spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. When you hear the blast of the trumpet, rush to wherever it is sounding. Then our God will fight for us!”

We worked early and late, from sunrise to sunset. And half the men were always on guard. I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day. During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.

Stay Clothed With the Armor of God




Isaiah 54
New Living Translation (NLT)

"O storm-battered city,
troubled and desolate!

I will rebuild you with precious jewels
and make your foundations from lapis lazuli.

I will make your towers of sparkling rubies,
your gates of shining gems,
and your walls of precious stones.

I will teach all your children,
and they will enjoy great peace.

You will be secure under a government that is just and fair.
Your enemies will stay far away.

You will live in peace,
and terror will not come near.

If any nation comes to fight you,
it is not because I sent them.

Whoever attacks you will go down in defeat.

“I have created the blacksmith
who fans the coals beneath the forge
and makes the weapons of destruction.

And I have created the armies that destroy.

But in that coming day
no weapon turned against you will succeed.

You will silence every voice
raised up to accuse you.

These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord;
their vindication will come from me.

I, the Lord, have spoken!




Hebrews 3:4
New Living Translation (NLT)

For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.