"Wisdom and knowledge
will be
the stability of your times ..."
Isaiah 33:6
___________________________________________________________
Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?
Then it ought to show!
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." Ephesians 5:1
Definition of Disciple: a learner; to learn, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor; denotes one who follows one’s teaching; a disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.
Multitudes of Christians in God’s family throughout the nations attend church services every Sunday. They listen to their Pastor or Priest, yet know nothing about spiritual warfare, the Believer’s authority, our weapons, resisting the enemy, or their responsibility to go into all the world and make disciples, cast out demons, and heal the sick.
FORGETTING GOD—THE HOLY SPIRIT
Many Christians have little knowledge of the Holy Spirit or have any fellowship with Him. This is a grievous thing to the heart of God. Holy Spirit was never meant to be a silent back-seat driver to the Believer or watch silently on the sidelines as the corporate Body of Believers try to win the world to Jesus on their own puny efforts.
Not even our Savior ministered without the Holy Spirit!
See Acts 10:38.
Jesus said it was to our advantage that He would go away.
Why is that an advantage? Because He said He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. That could not have taken place while Jesus walked the earth as a man. Read John 16:7-15.
The Miracle of the New Birth
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
The Holy Spirit is our Helper and our Teacher. He is the One who guides us and reveals to us things to come. He is the One who strengthens our inner man. He empowers our calling to produce fruit. He is our Comforter and life-long Coach that will never leave us.
He is with you in the night time when everyone is asleep. He is there in the day time to help protect you and meet your needs with His wisdom. You are never alone. You are never without God.
Yet, much of The Church has little fellowship or knowledge of Him or His Presence. When He comes upon us in His fullness, or the drenching Baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire, we receive supernatural power. See Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:1-4, and 19:6.
Awakenings
In the 1760’s John Wesley and his brother Charles founded a group of Believers who became known as the Methodists. As they began meeting every night to seek the LORD in prayer, Bible Study, and fastings, they began to experience different manifestations of the Holy Spirit. In an all night prayer meeting, John wrote in his journal:
“At about three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground…We broke out with one voice, “We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the LORD.”
When John Wesley would preach, the Spirit of God would manifest healings, deliverances, falling, trembling, roaring, crying, laughing, and speaking in tongues. This increase in spiritual activity in 1764 sparked the first Great Awakening in America, beginning in New England. Benjamin Franklin became an enthusiastic supporter and published Wesley’s sermons on the front pages of his newspaper, The Gazette. What would have happened if John and his brother had put a stop to these manifestations for fear that some people might get offended and leave?
Awakenings and revivals cannot break forth without God—the Holy Spirit!
The Church of 2016
Denominations that were once on fire with the fullness of God’s Spirit in past generations have let go of the power of God in exchange for religious doctrine. Some denominations have even embraced and approve of sinful lifestyles contrary to God’s laws.
How can perversion be accepted in church?
Prayer and the study of God’s Word went to the end of the line as church pastors, leaders and congregations posted this sign on their church: HOLY SPIRIT NOT WELCOME HERE!
How can this happen?
One heart at a time.
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” See Hebrews 2:1.
Throughout the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul warns The Church against spiritual erosion.
“… of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again…you have come to need milk and not solid food.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection…and this we will do if God permits.
"For it is impossible
for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted the heavenly gift,
and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
and have tasted the good word of God
and the powers of the age to come,
if they fall away,
to renew them again
to repentance,
since they crucify again
for themselves
the Son of God,
and put Him to an open shame.
For the earth
which drinks in the rain
that often comes upon it,
and bears herbs useful
for those by whom it is cultivated,
receives blessing from God;
but if it bears thorns and briers,
it is rejected
and near to being cursed,
whose end is to be burned.
“But, beloved,
we are confident of better things concerning you,
yes, things that accompany salvation,
though we speak in this manner.” Read Hebrews 5:9 through 6:9.
“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness… I was angry with that generation … They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
"For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end … Read Hebrews 3:7-19.
LEAVEN
Leaven is a high state of fermentation that is used in making bread.
In the spiritual realm leaven is used as a picture of corruption, symbolizing the pervasive character of evil that spreads through the masses as doctrines of error are mixed with the truth.
Jesus told His disciples to “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Deceit). The Pharisees and Sadducees placed greater value on the oral law and traditions of men rather than teaching the pure and unadulterated truth of God’s Word.
Why?
They sought to establish their own way of righteousness. Beware of teachers that seek to throw a dark cloak of false humility and unworthiness upon the Believer to inhibit his identity in Christ and his ability to stand boldly as an heir of God. See Romans 8:17.
Furthermore, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians warns of the leaven of wickedness as sexual immorality was accepted in the church.
“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? … purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.
The Leaven of Religious Tradition
The traditions of men, or the oral laws of men, are spiritual thieves that seek to replace the truth of the WORD OF GOD with error.
This is an enemy to REVIVAL.
Why? It is the Spirit of Truth who releases the power within God’s Word to bring about change. See Genesis 1:2-3.
In other words, how can we lay hands on the sick and expect them to recover without standing in faith on Isaiah 53:4-5? Faith in God’s Word releases the Holy Spirit to produce miracles, signs, and wonders. And all the gifts of the Spirit work “as He wills.” See 1 Corinthians 12:11.
OPPOSITION
Religious tradition despises the New Creation Man who is born again from the incorruptible seed of God’s Word. See 1 Peter 1:23. It continually reminds the New Man of his sinful past and hides his inheritance and his authority in Christ.
Jesus said they were “… making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13
Saints, you can only go as high as what you hear. Selah
Traditions of men will always seek to dominate the soul of the New Man in Christ to keep him ignorant and remain dependant on the religious hierarchy of the leadership of the church for its empty promises and impotent gifts.
Jesus continually broke strongholds of tradition.
Do you remember when He healed the woman who was completely bowed over for eighteen years? Why was this miracle an offense to religious tradition?
“But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.’
“The Lord then answered him and said, ‘Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?’ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.” See Luke 13:10-17.
Awakenings and revivals cannot break forth without the Holy Spirit!
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Think of the Apostles in the upper room as they experienced the power that came down from heaven. They were all filled, speaking with tongues. When the multitude outside heard the sound from heaven they came together…confused. But after Peter preached to them, three-thousand souls were saved! POWER! See Acts 2:41.
History shows us that revivals come and then subside like the waves on a beach. But there is a generation of God’s people that will experience the glory of His Spirit on all flesh that will exceed all other awakenings for it will not subside or be corralled in just one location but will be manifest in every nation, all at the same time, and its end is the final triumph of glory when we shall all be changed! See 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.
In the United States crowds of people gather together on the 4th of July to celebrate Independence Day. When evening comes an array of different fireworks explode one after the other. But at the end, a multitude of fireworks go off altogether, at the same time, with a spectacular show of brilliant magnificence, accompanied with thunderous explosive sounds in the air!
In like manner, the End Days Church is the major participant in ushering in the fullness of God’s Spirit with power and unlimited glory.
God will release the sickle, bring in the harvest of souls, and then the end shall come.
Be Ready
Our Savior will meet us in the air with a shout! At the sound of the last trumpet the dead in Christ will rise first and we who are alive shall meet them in the clouds, in the air, and “thus we shall always be with LORD.” Talk about brilliant magnificence accompanied with sound in the air! Read 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.
Are you a disciple of Jesus?
Then act like Him!
Saints, remember who you are in Christ: Who You are Scriptures
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
A Prayer of Repentance
LORD, if I have allowed the traditions of men to replace God’s Word and root deception and error in my heart, I ask you to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Spirit of Truth, You are my God, not man. Fill me with Yourself, that I will be a vessel of Your grace, truth, and love. Empower me to fulfill my calling and bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Promise of the Father
“… you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me … to the end of the earth.”
See Acts 1:4-8.
“… prepare the way of the LORD … for the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together … say to the cities … ‘Behold your God.!’” Read Isaiah 40:1-11.
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE: Pray for Your Counties
The Church, The Lost, and Elected Leaders
Copyright © 2013 – 2016 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org
Then it ought to show!
“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children." Ephesians 5:1
Definition of Disciple: a learner; to learn, indicating thought accompanied by endeavor; denotes one who follows one’s teaching; a disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher.
Multitudes of Christians in God’s family throughout the nations attend church services every Sunday. They listen to their Pastor or Priest, yet know nothing about spiritual warfare, the Believer’s authority, our weapons, resisting the enemy, or their responsibility to go into all the world and make disciples, cast out demons, and heal the sick.
FORGETTING GOD—THE HOLY SPIRIT
Many Christians have little knowledge of the Holy Spirit or have any fellowship with Him. This is a grievous thing to the heart of God. Holy Spirit was never meant to be a silent back-seat driver to the Believer or watch silently on the sidelines as the corporate Body of Believers try to win the world to Jesus on their own puny efforts.
Not even our Savior ministered without the Holy Spirit!
See Acts 10:38.
Jesus said it was to our advantage that He would go away.
Why is that an advantage? Because He said He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. That could not have taken place while Jesus walked the earth as a man. Read John 16:7-15.
The Miracle of the New Birth
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13
The Holy Spirit is our Helper and our Teacher. He is the One who guides us and reveals to us things to come. He is the One who strengthens our inner man. He empowers our calling to produce fruit. He is our Comforter and life-long Coach that will never leave us.
He is with you in the night time when everyone is asleep. He is there in the day time to help protect you and meet your needs with His wisdom. You are never alone. You are never without God.
Yet, much of The Church has little fellowship or knowledge of Him or His Presence. When He comes upon us in His fullness, or the drenching Baptism of the Holy Spirit with fire, we receive supernatural power. See Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:1-4, and 19:6.
Awakenings
In the 1760’s John Wesley and his brother Charles founded a group of Believers who became known as the Methodists. As they began meeting every night to seek the LORD in prayer, Bible Study, and fastings, they began to experience different manifestations of the Holy Spirit. In an all night prayer meeting, John wrote in his journal:
“At about three in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us insomuch that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground…We broke out with one voice, “We praise thee, O God, we acknowledge thee to be the LORD.”
When John Wesley would preach, the Spirit of God would manifest healings, deliverances, falling, trembling, roaring, crying, laughing, and speaking in tongues. This increase in spiritual activity in 1764 sparked the first Great Awakening in America, beginning in New England. Benjamin Franklin became an enthusiastic supporter and published Wesley’s sermons on the front pages of his newspaper, The Gazette. What would have happened if John and his brother had put a stop to these manifestations for fear that some people might get offended and leave?
Awakenings and revivals cannot break forth without God—the Holy Spirit!
The Church of 2016
Denominations that were once on fire with the fullness of God’s Spirit in past generations have let go of the power of God in exchange for religious doctrine. Some denominations have even embraced and approve of sinful lifestyles contrary to God’s laws.
How can perversion be accepted in church?
Prayer and the study of God’s Word went to the end of the line as church pastors, leaders and congregations posted this sign on their church: HOLY SPIRIT NOT WELCOME HERE!
How can this happen?
One heart at a time.
“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” See Hebrews 2:1.
Throughout the book of Hebrews, the Apostle Paul warns The Church against spiritual erosion.
“… of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again…you have come to need milk and not solid food.
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection…and this we will do if God permits.
"For it is impossible
for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted the heavenly gift,
and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,
and have tasted the good word of God
and the powers of the age to come,
if they fall away,
to renew them again
to repentance,
since they crucify again
for themselves
the Son of God,
and put Him to an open shame.
For the earth
which drinks in the rain
that often comes upon it,
and bears herbs useful
for those by whom it is cultivated,
receives blessing from God;
but if it bears thorns and briers,
it is rejected
and near to being cursed,
whose end is to be burned.
“But, beloved,
we are confident of better things concerning you,
yes, things that accompany salvation,
though we speak in this manner.” Read Hebrews 5:9 through 6:9.
“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness… I was angry with that generation … They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’
“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
"For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end … Read Hebrews 3:7-19.
LEAVEN
Leaven is a high state of fermentation that is used in making bread.
In the spiritual realm leaven is used as a picture of corruption, symbolizing the pervasive character of evil that spreads through the masses as doctrines of error are mixed with the truth.
Jesus told His disciples to “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Deceit). The Pharisees and Sadducees placed greater value on the oral law and traditions of men rather than teaching the pure and unadulterated truth of God’s Word.
Why?
They sought to establish their own way of righteousness. Beware of teachers that seek to throw a dark cloak of false humility and unworthiness upon the Believer to inhibit his identity in Christ and his ability to stand boldly as an heir of God. See Romans 8:17.
Furthermore, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians warns of the leaven of wickedness as sexual immorality was accepted in the church.
“Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? … purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.
The Leaven of Religious Tradition
The traditions of men, or the oral laws of men, are spiritual thieves that seek to replace the truth of the WORD OF GOD with error.
This is an enemy to REVIVAL.
Why? It is the Spirit of Truth who releases the power within God’s Word to bring about change. See Genesis 1:2-3.
In other words, how can we lay hands on the sick and expect them to recover without standing in faith on Isaiah 53:4-5? Faith in God’s Word releases the Holy Spirit to produce miracles, signs, and wonders. And all the gifts of the Spirit work “as He wills.” See 1 Corinthians 12:11.
OPPOSITION
Religious tradition despises the New Creation Man who is born again from the incorruptible seed of God’s Word. See 1 Peter 1:23. It continually reminds the New Man of his sinful past and hides his inheritance and his authority in Christ.
Jesus said they were “… making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13
Saints, you can only go as high as what you hear. Selah
Traditions of men will always seek to dominate the soul of the New Man in Christ to keep him ignorant and remain dependant on the religious hierarchy of the leadership of the church for its empty promises and impotent gifts.
Jesus continually broke strongholds of tradition.
Do you remember when He healed the woman who was completely bowed over for eighteen years? Why was this miracle an offense to religious tradition?
“But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, ‘There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.’
“The Lord then answered him and said, ‘Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?’ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.” See Luke 13:10-17.
Awakenings and revivals cannot break forth without the Holy Spirit!
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Think of the Apostles in the upper room as they experienced the power that came down from heaven. They were all filled, speaking with tongues. When the multitude outside heard the sound from heaven they came together…confused. But after Peter preached to them, three-thousand souls were saved! POWER! See Acts 2:41.
History shows us that revivals come and then subside like the waves on a beach. But there is a generation of God’s people that will experience the glory of His Spirit on all flesh that will exceed all other awakenings for it will not subside or be corralled in just one location but will be manifest in every nation, all at the same time, and its end is the final triumph of glory when we shall all be changed! See 1 Corinthians 15:50-54.
In the United States crowds of people gather together on the 4th of July to celebrate Independence Day. When evening comes an array of different fireworks explode one after the other. But at the end, a multitude of fireworks go off altogether, at the same time, with a spectacular show of brilliant magnificence, accompanied with thunderous explosive sounds in the air!
In like manner, the End Days Church is the major participant in ushering in the fullness of God’s Spirit with power and unlimited glory.
God will release the sickle, bring in the harvest of souls, and then the end shall come.
Be Ready
Our Savior will meet us in the air with a shout! At the sound of the last trumpet the dead in Christ will rise first and we who are alive shall meet them in the clouds, in the air, and “thus we shall always be with LORD.” Talk about brilliant magnificence accompanied with sound in the air! Read 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.
Are you a disciple of Jesus?
Then act like Him!
Saints, remember who you are in Christ: Who You are Scriptures
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
A Prayer of Repentance
LORD, if I have allowed the traditions of men to replace God’s Word and root deception and error in my heart, I ask you to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Spirit of Truth, You are my God, not man. Fill me with Yourself, that I will be a vessel of Your grace, truth, and love. Empower me to fulfill my calling and bear much fruit for the Kingdom of God, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
The Promise of the Father
“… you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit…you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me … to the end of the earth.”
See Acts 1:4-8.
“… prepare the way of the LORD … for the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together … say to the cities … ‘Behold your God.!’” Read Isaiah 40:1-11.
PRAYER WITH PURPOSE: Pray for Your Counties
The Church, The Lost, and Elected Leaders
Copyright © 2013 – 2016 Prayer with Purpose; prayerwithpurpose.org