This episode concludes this short series examining the Church's present challenges in regards to how She welcomes others in and looks beyond Herself. My hope is that we who are "in" the Body are positioned willing to receive a correction, for our good. And most importantly, to prepare ourselves now for those who will come in.
After being on the outside of the organized Church for 15 years, we've quickly realized that we have some interesting perspective as the Lord has sent us back out to return to Her. Friends, if we're going to be ready in any way to receive the harvest in these last days, some things must drastically change in order to prepare ourselves to rightly welcome people in.
It's no secret that the Church wants the power and victory within the resurrection life of the Messiah. However, Paul tells us in Romans that walking in the likeness of His resurrection must be preceded by walking in the likeness of His death. Once again we see the power of two components. We must walk within the pattern of proper biblical instruction if we're to acquire biblical promises.
The account of the death of Lazarus, the death of Jairus' daughter - the Scriptural account of these two instances alone show us something that we ourselves are guilty of. We, if we're not careful, will also sit back and wait in mourning over a matter when we've been given the name and power of Yeshua to do as He did - and see the circumstance change! We need to practice becoming a people of faith and expectation! This episode will encourage us to do so.
In Ephesians chapter 5, Paul is telling the Church that there should not even be a "hint" of immorality among them. A quick word study will tell us that he was clearly saying that all of the things he listed should not even be mentioned in the vicinity of those within Messiah. It would do us good today, this far removed, to heed this instruction as we move along our journey of sanctification.
All throughout the Bible we see men standing up and taking responsibility for the actions of their people - even of entire nations. Kings, prophets, leaders - mature, spiritual men crying out to Yahweh to forgive the sins of their fathers. In this episode I examine why I feel that this has been almost entirely lost in our age.
Today concludes the series. We'll again revisit the biblical basis for unity amongst the brethren and pose some tough questions to ourselves to see if, in fact, we're walking in faith towards it.
The series continues as we begin to move further into looking at the mysterious unity of the brethren, within the redeemed people of God. Do we really believe that it is possible for The Church today?
Have you ever experienced true biblical unity with other Believers? Do you know? How would you know? I consider it a great mystery - one that most people have written off as impossible in our present age. I disagree. Today starts a 3-part series examining the mystery of biblically-defined unity.
Although this episode is primarily commentary along several lines of thought, I do examine the power within acknowledging my weakness. We must harness the power within the self-humbled lifestyle. In our weakness - not our power or abilities - He shows Himself strong.
I recently stopped and hiked out to the site where my wife and I were immersed just last Fall. As I watched the water, listened and talked to the Father, I meditated on several profound things that I share in this episode.
Friends, worldly culture has permeated God's people. "Eye for an eye" has returned and, from my vantage point, we're abandoning Yeshua's teachings and demonstrated ways. The Remnant must shake off Her slumber, stop eating Her indulgent diet of mainstream media ("conservative" or otherwise) and remember what we've been taught by those who have gone before us who "did not love their lives unto death".
In Isaiah, Yahweh speaks to His people and informs them that He will "do something new" and then asks, "will you not be aware of it?" Again, we land on the topic of awareness, looking, listening. We must be ones who will seek His face and be aware of what He is doing on the earth in this hour.
If there's one thing that I'm thoroughly convinced is lacking in the Church today, it's boundaries. God's laws, parameters and requirements have been lost in the reckless pursuit of "Freedom in Christ". Today, we'll use a simple, natural event as a metaphor to help us gain some clarity.
The oracles of God are being declared to men today, as they have always been throughout the ages. Who will position themselves to be the ones to hear, listen and then declare it upon the earth? Yes, it's been mishandled. Yes, it's been misused. However, this in no way changes it's purpose and necessity within the Church.
Self-defense, self-preservation, making it clear how spiritual you are. Have you ever been guilty of such activity in your life? I have. It reveals an identity that is off and not properly established. Today I share some thoughts on what we can do about it, based upon some "now" moments in my life.
Admittedly, I ramble on for a while in this one but I do eventually land somewhere. John 12:32 to be specific. Yeshua stated that "if He be lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself". There is alot in this, for then and for today.
I would say it's time for mature followers of Yeshua (Jesus) to become initiators in regards to presenting all of themselves to the LORD, as opposed to remaining mere "responders" to what is asked/required. A truly sacrificial life is in constant yielding, looking for ways to present oneself to the Father, entirely emptied.
So, does this episode title grab your attention? I hope that it does. There is some scriptural understanding that we must give ourselves to in order to be rightly empowered in this age and the age to come. I would say, without question, the modern day Church is lacking power and I believe within this episode is examining one reason why.
Proverbs chapter 22 tells us "do not move the ancient boundary (Olam) that [our] fathers have set". In this episode I briefly touch on how we must return to this principle. There was something perpetual that was established that we must return and reinstate.
We move away from the holiday confrontation discussion and have a bit more lighthearted episode today. Today I topically share my present moment thoughts towards taking our proper place within the corporate Body of Christ. It's time for mature spiritual men to rightly walk into their functions.
The series concludes today. If you made it all the way to the end, good for you! This episode looks into some scriptural patterns that assist us in rightly examining the holidays of men. Until we're, at the very least, willing to abandon all that we give ourselves to, we will never walk into the fullness of all that God has for us.
This short series continues with some more tough questions and a challenge for whoever is willing to examine the origins and traditions of "Christian" celebrations.
We continue to examine our hearts willingness to face and examine, in humility, every single thing that we give ourselves to. In this case, the Christmas holiday. We must discuss how this carnal, athiestic nation celebrates this holiday without issue, right beside the Church, with no reference to Christ, yet it continues on entirely unfazed.
I would say that your first knee-jerk response to the title of this new series may very likely reveal your willingness to question the holidays and celebrations of our age. This three-part series will ask some very tough questions. Many that will hopefully solidify your unwavering commitment to Yahweh God and help you become absolutely devoted to give yourself to what is pleasing to Him alone, despite the personal cost.
This episode concludes the discussion of how, in order to be found acceptable to the Lord, we must respond to the call to lay aside all that we are and know. The Scriptures make it clear that until one follows in the pattern of the Son, free from offense, we will literally be repelled by what we see in Him.
In this installment of the series, we look at what we (and all of humanity) must do when we look upon Yeshua (Jesus) and find Him to be an offense - a stumbling block. We also examine Luke 12 which tells us that Messiah came for the insufficient "sick/needy" ones.
In this new three-part series we'll look at the scriptural basis for the importance of being sure we're not distant from God, found with only flattering lips. The sign of one who is near to Him is one who is willing to be broken and repentant and is therefore welcomed to draw near.
The line between those who worship and proclaim the name of Yeshua (Jesus) and those who are simply "spiritual" is becoming more and more indistinguishable. In this episode, I examine some thoughts on the matter and concerns that we should have.
I would say that the choice is always before us of being and looking unto matters of life as always either burden or blessing. Vantage point and our hearts posture toward whatever comes will determine how we feel, how we respond and who we become.
