Thursday, August 18, 2011

Awakening ~ Christian Humanism ~ Come...and He will set you Free! by Paris Reidhead









What does it mean to have True Fellowship?

That which we have seen and heard we proclaim to you too, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with His son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. (1 John 1:3-4)

Fellowship is a greatly confused word among many Christian circles. Most times it is reduced to a bunch of people hanging out and doing activities together. Though there is an element of truth in this perspective, it does not necessarily mean that people are speaking of the same kind of fellowship that John had in mind. The kind of fellowship that John spoke of was when people walked together in communion with God. The Greek word for fellowship comes from the idea of sharing something in common. At times, this sharing can refer to a financial burden (2 Corinthians 9:13, Romans 15:26). In other cases, it may refer to the sharing of a common work (Philippians 1:4-5, Philemon 1:17). Nevertheless, the word most often refers to communion and a sharing of experience. Paul demonstrates this usage when he writes, “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful” (1 Corinthians 1:9). And elsewhere he writes, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14). It is this usage that John adheres to when he writes, “And our fellowship is with the Father and with His son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). John is saying that he has communion and shares his experience of life with the Father and His son, Jesus Christ.

When many Christians think of fellowship they often associate it with building friendships and sharing experiences with other believers. They think that going to a football game together or watching a movie with others is Christian fellowship. Never-the less, in most cases it really isn’t Christian fellowship at all. Rather, it is fellowship with football or a movie. The fellowship that John described was with God. John was already experiencing fellowship with God, but he desired that other people would enter into the fellowship he was already having. Therefore he writes, “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim to you too, so that you also may have fellowship with us” (1 John 1:3). The key word here is also. John already walked sharing the experience of communion with God with other people, but he desired that those he wrote to would also come to know this fellowship. What kind of fellowship do you have with other Christians? We rally around all sorts of different practices and topics. Some of us have fellowship in specific forms of dress, others in a particular doctrinal knowledge, and still others in fun activities. All these kinds of fellowship are frequently dead works that often distract us from drawing near to God. Though it is not wrong for us to have fellowship in many different ways, our primary fellowship must be rooted in experientially knowing God. If knowing God is not at the center of your fellowship with other Christians, you need to repent. Change your mind and perspective about how and why you spend time with other believers. When we walk together in proper fellowship with God, all of our joy will be truly made complete (1 John 1:4).


(Taken from  Day 2 of the book, "Finding Life; a Journey through 1 John ~ by Peter John Schrock  You can read the rest of the book by scrolling my side bar and clicking on the picture of the book)

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

The Divine Order of Yahweh’s Holy Presence



(Click on the audio link below to hear the reading of 1 Chr 13 ~ Make sure you click the back arrow button after listening this to bring you back to the blogger)
Audio Link


1 Chronicles 13


And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren every where, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us:And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we inquired not at it in the days of Saul. And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjathjearim. And David went up, and all Israel, to Baalah, that is, to Kirjathjearim, which belonged to Judah, to bring up thence the ark of God the LORD, that dwelleth between the cherubims, whose name is called on it. And they carried the ark of God in a new cart out of the house of Abinadab: and Uzza and Ahio drave the cart. And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. And when they came unto the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzza put forth his hand to hold the ark; for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzza: wherefore that place is called Perezuzza to this day. And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.


This morning during my prayer time with Abba the Holy Spirit led me to 1 Chronicles 13. When I got to verse 9-12 that you see in bold, I asked Abba about this. Why did you kill Uzza for trying to steady your Ark when the ox stumbled? He then led me to...


Numbers 4:15


And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation. 


And then He led me to 1 Chronicles 15 


Before you listen and read along keep in mind what Uzza means and the word Breach.


Uzza ~ ooz-zaw', ooz-zaw'
Feminine of H5797; strength;


Breach ~ peh'-rets
From H6555; a break (literally or figuratively): - breach, breaking forth (in), forth, gap.


(Click on the audio link below to hear the reading of 1Chr 15 ~ Make sure you click the back arrow button after listening this to bring you back to the blogger )
Audio Link



1 Chronicles 15


And David made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent. Then David said, None ought to carry the ark of God but the Levites: for them hath the LORD chosen to carry the ark of God, and to minister unto him for ever. And David gathered all Israel together to Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the LORD unto his place, which he had prepared for it. And David assembled the children of Aaron, and the Levites: Of the sons of Kohath; Uriel the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twenty: Of the sons of Merari; Asaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred and twenty: Of the sons of Gershom; Joel the chief and his brethren an hundred and thirty: Of the sons of Elizaphan; Shemaiah the chief, and his brethren two hundred: Of the sons of Hebron; Eliel the chief, and his brethren fourscore: Of the sons of Uzziel; Amminadab the chief, and his brethren an hundred and twelve. And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites, for Uriel, Asaiah, and Joel, Shemaiah, and Eliel, and Amminadab, And said unto them, Ye are the chief of the fathers of the Levites: sanctify yourselves, both ye and your brethren, that ye may bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel unto the place that I have prepared for it. For because ye did it not at the first, the LORD our God made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order. So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the LORD God of Israel. And the children of the Levites bare the ark of God upon their shoulders with the staves thereon, as Moses commanded according to the word of the LORD. And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. So the Levites appointed Heman the son of Joel; and of his brethren, Asaph the son of Berechiah; and of the sons of Merari their brethren, Ethan the son of Kushaiah; And with them their brethren of the second degree, Zechariah, Ben, and Jaaziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, Eliab, and Benaiah, and Maaseiah, and Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, the porters. So the singers, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan, were appointed to sound with cymbals of brass; And Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with psalteries on Alamoth; And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel. And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful. And Berechiah and Elkanah were doorkeepers for the ark. And Shebaniah, and Jehoshaphat, and Nethaneel, and Amasai, and Zechariah, and Benaiah, and Eliezer, the priests, did blow with the trumpets before the ark of God: and Obededom and Jehiah were doorkeepers for the ark. So David, and the elders of Israel, and the captains over thousands, went to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the house of Obededom with joy. And it came to pass, when God helped the Levites that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, that they offered seven bullocks and seven rams. And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.


Uzza which means Strength in Hebrew took it upon himself to uphold the symbol of Yahweh’s Holy Presence. Trust NOT in the arms of the flesh. We cannot keep or retain Abba’s Presence by our own strength, self righteousness and our carnal fallen nature. David realized that this first attempt to restore the Ark of the Covenant was out of the flesh. There was NO PREPARATION to bring the Ark to its rightful place. Even though Davids heart was right, what he did was out of impulse. He did not go according the the instructions given to Moses on how to rightfully handle the Ark of the Covenant. This caused a gap (separation ~ sin) which led to (Uzza’s) death. This breach is SIN! The gap that separates us from Yahweh’s Presence and leads to death.  When you are in the flesh it cuts off the full awareness of Yahweh’s Presence from your life which is death. To be in Him and He in us is LIFE, but to be apart from Him is death.


ARK OF THE COVENANT


 names the original container for the Ten Commandments and the central symbol of God's Presence with the people of Israel.


Old Testament The ark of ancient Israel is mysterious in its origins, its meanings, and its ultimate fate. Its many names convey the holy sense of God's Presence. The Hebrew word for ark means simply “box, chest, coffin,” as is indicated by its use for the coffin of Joseph (Genesis 50:26) and for the Temple collection box of King Joash (2 Kings 12:9-10).


The names used for the ark define its meaning by the words which modify it. The word “covenant” in the name defines the ark from its original purpose as a container for the stone tablets upon which the Ten Commandments (sometimes called the “testimony”) were inscribed. Sometimes it is identified rather with the name of Deity, “the ark of God,” or “the ark of the Lord” (Yahweh), or most ornately “the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts (Yahweh Sabaoth) who is enthroned on the cherubim” (1 Samuel 4:4)


SO, what is the example here for those of His People who hunger for Yahweh by counting all things lost that we may know Him? The old testament is an outward example and picture of how this applies to us in the unseen realm today. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of what we cannot see. Thats the walk of the Spirit. There is a Divine order for us today as we see in  1Chronicles 13, Numbers 4:15 and I Chronicles 15


To be aware and maintain the Presence of Yahweh in our life comes through sanctification. In order for the Levites ( who were of the priestly order under the old covenant /  Under the new covenant Christ who is our High Priest after the order of Melchezadek ~ 1 Peter 2:9 ` But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ) to carry the Ark of the Covenant they had to be sanctified along with ALL their brethren


So......, what does it mean to be sanctified?


Sanctify ~ kaw-dash' (Hebrew)
A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): - appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), wholly. (complete)


Sanctify ~ hag-ee-ad'-zo (Greek)
From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify.


Here are some scriptures that give us a clue as to how we are to be sanctified


John 17:17


Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.


 Truth ~ al-ay'-thi-a
Truth; truthfulness corresponding to reality; verify


(Thy ~ HIS) Word ~ Logos
Word spoken or written, often with the focus of a content of communication; The Word is the title of Christ emphasizing His own Deity; Communication of what God is and what He is like; doctrine, intent; reason; word spoken


John 17:19


And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.


Eph 5:26


That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,


1Thes 5:23


And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;(completely) and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.


Heb 13:8 - 15


Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.


1 Pe 3:15


But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:


As you have read, it is by Abba’s Word written and Spoken to us


2 Tim 2:15


Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 


How is it rightly divided? When we ask Abba to reveal His Word to us by His Spirit than HE opens it up to us. It is by the Holy Spirit and not our flesh that rightly divides His Word of Truth in us.


It is CHRIST who sanctifies us as we pick up our cross, deny self and follow HIM.


Abba’s Presence through sanctification is expressed in our praise, worship and giving thanks to Him in all things.


Ephesians 5:18-20


And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;


Filled  ~  play-ro'-o
From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfill, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.


Psalms  ~  psal-mos'
From G5567;(Make melody, to sing) a set piece of music, that is, a sacred ode (accompanied with the voice, harp or other instrument; a “psalm” from G6503 o-day' G103; a chant or “ode” (the general term for any words sung; while G5215 denotes especially a religious metrical composition, and G5568 still more specifically a  - song.


This sanctification also expresses itself through humility, meekness and fear. What seems to be prevalent among Christianity today is the lack of true humility, meekness and the fear of the Lord. Many words that are spoken and taught from His Word and the songs being sung are done in the flesh and by mans own strength. There is very little reverence, fear, awe, meekness and humility coming from the MANY words being spoken and taught along with the spiritual songs being sung. Whether it be in the churches, facebook, myspace, youtube or in your own home it is not just the casual course jesting and irreverence being spoken, but it also includes the idle words of His Word spoken, taught and sung. i believe that is most abominable to Yahweh. That is how we do all in the Name of Yahweh in vain.


Kinda sheds more Light to what it means, "Do not take the Lord your Yahweh's Name in vain." 


Matthew 7:22-28
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.  And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 


Idle  ~  ar-gos'
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G2041; inactive, that is, unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless: - barren, idle, slow.


If what we say and do is not done out of reverence, awe, obedience and the deepest respect for Yahweh our Abba Father for His glory and the benefit of His Body to draw near to Abba with our whole heart, then what we are offering are worthless, empty and barren words! Thus the Words and works become works of iniquity and will bring a gap ~ separation (death) for eternity if you don't repent!


I also want to bring up the last part of 1 Chronicles 15 and 2 Samuel 6:16-23


And David was clothed with a robe of fine linen, and all the Levites that bare the ark, and the singers, and Chenaniah the master of the song with the singers: David also had upon him an ephod of linen. Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps. And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart.
  
2 Samuel 6:16-23


And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.


When David was bringing in the Ark of the Covenant he was  overjoyed and lost himself in Yahweh as he danced in his ephod of linen in the Presence of Yahweh. This deeply offended Michal who was Sauls daughter. Saul had the anointing of being the king of Israel that the PEOPLE wanted instead of Yahweh being their Head and king, but because of the fear of man and Sauls disobedience to Yahweh God, that anointing was cut off. Michal is the seed of that cutting off, breach and gap from Abba’s Presence.  She saw the promised seed coming through David a man after Yahweh’s own heart who took the place of Saul. The promised seed of Yeshua for all who believe on Him had come from the line of David. Saul represents bondage and David represents those who are free. The Holy Spirit was speaking to me more about Michal. She represents the bound up carnal harlot church of today who despises those who are the free sanctified children of Yahweh in Yeshua through suffering and brokenness. 


What happened to Michal? She was childless till her death. There was no greater shame than for a Jewish woman to not bring forth a child. An heir to her husband. I find it interesting that the word idle in Greek means useless and barren. Those who are of the harlot Christianity will themselves remain barren and cut off if  their remains no true Godly sorrow leading to repentance from dead works and un-sanctified lives before Yahweh who is HOLY and worthy of all our praise.


Search your hearts!  Seek Abba Father God while He may be found and call on ( & cry out to) Him with a sincere, contrite and broken heart while He is still near.


 James 4:8-10

Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. 
We don't lift ourselves up, but in humility and brokenness when He lifts us up it is Christ others will see.


Linda Rose ~ Spiritsong 




Sunday, August 14, 2011

Resisting Temptation



SO LONG as we live in this world we cannot escape suffering and temptation. Whence it is written in Job: “The life of man upon earth is a warfare.”4 Everyone, therefore, must guard against temptation and must watch in prayer lest the devil, who never sleeps but goes about seeking whom he may devour, find occasion to deceive him. No one is so perfect or so holy but he is sometimes tempted; man cannot be altogether free from temptation.

Yet temptations, though troublesome and severe, are often useful to a man, for in them he is humbled, purified, and instructed. The saints all passed through many temptations and trials to profit by them, while those who could not resist became reprobate and fell away. There is no state so holy, no place so secret that temptations and trials will not come. Man is never safe from them as long as he lives, for they come from within us—in sin we were born. When one temptation or trial passes, another comes; we shall always have something to suffer because we have lost the state of original blessedness.

Many people try to escape temptations, only to fall more deeply. We cannot conquer simply by fleeing, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies. The man who only shuns temptations outwardly and does not uproot them will make little progress; indeed will quickly return, more violent than before. Little by little, in patience and long-suffering you will overcome them, by the help of God rather than by severity and your own rash ways. Often take counsel when tempted; and do not be harsh with others who are tempted, but console them as you yourself would wish to be consoled.

The beginning of all temptation lies in a wavering mind and little trust in God, for as a rudderless ship is driven hither and yon by waves, so a careless and irresolute man is tempted in many ways. Fire tempers iron and temptation steels the just. Often we do not know what we can stand, but temptation shows us what we are. Above all, we must be especially alert against the beginnings of temptation, for the enemy is more easily conquered if he is refused admittance to the mind and is met beyond the threshold when he knocks.

Someone has said very aptly: “Resist the beginnings; remedies come too late, when by long delay the evil has gained strength.” First, a mere thought comes to mind, then strong imagination, followed by pleasure, evil delight, and consent. Thus, because he is not resisted in the beginning, Satan gains full entry. And the longer a man delays in resisting, so much the weaker does he become each day, while the strength of the enemy grows against him.

Some suffer great temptations in the beginning of their conversion, others toward the end, while some are troubled almost constantly throughout their life. Others, again, are tempted but lightly according to the wisdom and justice of Divine Providence Who weighs the status and merit of each and prepares all for the salvation of His elect. We should not despair, therefore, when we are tempted, but pray to God the more fervently that He may see fit to help us, for according to the word of Paul, He will make issue with temptation that we may be able to bear it.

Let us humble our souls under the hand of God in every trial and temptation for He will save and exalt the humble in spirit. In temptations and trials the progress of a man is measured; in them opportunity for merit and virtue is made more manifest. When a man is not troubled it is not hard for him to be fervent and devout, but if he bears up patiently in time of adversity, there is hope for great progress.Some, guarded against great temptations, are frequently overcome by small ones in order that, humbled by their weakness in small trials, they may not presume on their own strength in great ones.

Taken from the Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis






Monday, August 8, 2011

Update ~ Aug 8th



i just posted 3 new videos called, Reflections, Your Beautiful and Altitude. You can watch these videos by clicking on the Videos & Music page on the upper right of my sidebar.

OH BTW, did you notice the NEW LOOK? i hope you really like it. : ) Netty who is a dear friend and precious sister in Christ helped me with this new template and did some marvelous touch ups on some of the pics you see on my sidebar. She also did the dove with a rose, the acoustic guitar at the top and made the Name blend in better with the new template. i SO APPRECIATE the gifts of Abba's Body when they flow by His Wondrous Spirit.\0/

i had planned on recording the new song Abba gave me two weeks ago called ~ Holy, Worthy, Glory, Honor and Praise, but i have been very sick to where i was unable to talk for over a week. My voice is still not where i am able to record, but i am hoping next weekend i will be well enough with my voice back to normal to record the new song. When the Holy Spirit makes a Way then it will all come together in HIS perfect time.


May all who come by to read these blogs and explore further on the deep things of Abba Father be comforted and spurred on to Love and good works in Christ. Pray fervently, walk in obedience and keep your hearts open, humble and ready for these times of persecution that will catch MANY off guard and cause MANY to fall away.


Endure with Abba Father in Yehshua Jesus by His indwelling Holy Spirit till the end. Only those of His who endure till the end will be saved.


May His perfect Love cast out ALL your fear. Do NOT be weary in well doing for in due time you will receive your reward. Do NOT faint for fear when times get really dark and very hard, but trust in the Lord with your whole heart. Don't try to understand the trials and sufferings that are not strange to His followers. As Yehshua was persecuted so will we be. As He was hated by the world and the religious leaders who sought the praise of men so will we who follow closely to Him. Fix your spiritual eyes ALWAYS on Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith. Love  Abba Father with ALL your heart and being, because He first loved you and gave His life for you. He will NEVER leave or forsake you so don't ever leave or forsake Him when you suffer for righteousness sake.


Linda Rose ~ Spiritsong



Tuesday, August 2, 2011

To Live the Truth is better than Knowing it


O God, You Who are the truth, make me one with You in love everlasting. I am often wearied by the many things I hear and read, but in You is all that I long for. Let the learned be still, let all creatures be silent before You; You alone speak to me.
The more recollected a man is, and the more simple of heart he becomes, the easier he understands sublime things, for he receives the light of knowledge from above.

The pure, simple, and steadfast spirit is not distracted by many labors, for he does them all for the honor of God. And since he enjoys interior peace he seeks no selfish end in anything. What, indeed, gives more trouble and affliction than uncontrolled desires of the heart? A good and devout man and woman of God arranges in their mind the things they have to do, not according to the whims of evil inclination but according to the dictates of right reason. Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself? This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.

Every perfection in this life has some imperfection mixed with it and no learning of ours is without some darkness. Humble knowledge of self is a surer path to God than the ardent pursuit of learning. Not that learning is to be considered evil, or knowledge, which is good in itself and so ordained by God; but a clean conscience and virtuous life ought always to be preferred. Many often err and accomplish little or nothing because they try to become learned rather than to live well. If men and women used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations.

On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived. Tell me, where now are all the masters and teachers whom you knew so well in life and who were famous for their learning? Others have already taken their places and I know not whether they ever think of their predecessors. During life they seemed to be something; now they are seldom remembered. How quickly the glory of the world passes away! If only their lives had kept pace with their learning, then their study and reading would have been worth while.

How many there are who perish because of vain worldly knowledge and too little care for serving God. They became vain in their own conceits because they chose to be great rather than humble. He is truly great who has great charity (love). He is truly great who is little in his own eyes and makes nothing of the highest honor. He is truly wise who looks upon all earthly things as folly that he may gain Christ. He who does God’s will and renounces his own is truly very learned.

Taken from the Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis

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