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Posts Tagged ‘Repentance’

Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us?

Posted in Christian, Christianity, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 6, 2009| Leave a Comment »

Luke 24:13-35
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.
14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened.
15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
16 but they were kept from recognising him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.
20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him;
21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place.
22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning
23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive.
24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!
26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going further.
29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.
31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight.
32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together
34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.”
35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread. (NIV)

Here is a question (or two)…

When we spend time with Jesus, praying and reading His Word, does He speak to us and do our heart’s burn within us?

Is praying and reading His Word a hard slog or an encounter with the Living God?

Are you stuck in ‘no-man’s land’?  That is, somewhere between living for Jesus and living for this world.

Here is what the Lord is saying,

“WAKE UP!  SLEEPY HEAD, THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE!  STOP DECEIVING YOURSELF!”

You see, we don’t need information, we need revelation.  We don’t need another truth but to act on the truth the Lord has given us.  Why do we feel the Lord is so distant?  Because we have deceived ourselves and pushed Him away.

The Devil doesn’t have to work hard to deceive us, we do a great job all by ourselves!

REPENT! – so the Lord can come near

(Next  – A Word on ‘Deceiving Ourselves’)

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Revival (of the church) and the End Time Elijah (The Third Elijah)

Posted in Christian, Christianity, tagged , , , , , , , on February 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »

If there is one thing God is saying to His church in these last days what would it be?

I believe the Lord wants His church to shine in these last days.  I believe the Lord wants to REVIVE His church.  I believe the Spirit is issueing a great call of REPENTANCE on each one of our lives so that the Bride of Christ, the Church, can be all she is meant to be.  We are so distracted and deceived, so disempowered and so tainted in many areas; but there is a ‘voice in the wilderness’, ‘the Spirit of Elijah’, the Holy Spirit asking “Who are we going to serve?’ Just like Elijah challenged the people on Mount Carmel and  just like the second Elijah (John the Baptist) challenged the people, the third Elijah (the Spirit of Elijah, the Spirit of God) is sayiing “If the Holy Spirit is God serve and obey Him”.

The following excerpt is from here…

http://www.billionsoulsforchrist.com/endtimeelijahmessage.htm

and it deserves our attention and prayerful consideration…

———————- Excerpt ————————–

The prophet Elijah, asks them to make up their minds as who is God. In verse 21, it reads :

“21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, k“How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, lfollow him.”

This is the very message that the spirit of the End Time Elijah has been given to challenge The Church or Body of Christ.  The Church has been taking each way bets regarding the Holy Spirit and His Divinity, His Person, and His role in The Church. In practice, just as the Israelites at Mt Carmel, they are between two opinions.  The time has now arrived for the decisive decision regarding the Holy Spirit. It will sharply divide those who will be made ready as the Bride of Christ and those who will be rejected like the prophets of Baal and Asherah.

When they cry out “Lord, Lord did we not serve you and cast out devils in your Name”. Jesus will reply “I never knew you” because you rejected the One Whom I sent in My Name to prepare My Bride for My Return.

Isaiah, the prophet, inspired to write the words “Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Make straight His paths”.  These words were going to be proclaimed by John the Baptist as the forerunner of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  John the Baptist did not do any miracles unlike Elijah the prophet.  Yet Jesus and the Scriptures recognise that John the Baptist preached in the spirit and power of Elijah. Why was this?

It was the message proclaiming the imminent appearance of the Messiah as well as the powerful uncompromising message of repentance.

The message of repentance, like that of Elijah to the children of Israel on Mt Carmel, was an uncompromising call to return to the Living Lord God. John the Baptist was not sent to the Gentile nations but to the Jews challenging them to return to the Living God and to live lives  consistent with repentance.  Note that In both these instances both prophets were sent to the Jewish nation not to the Gentiles.

The End Time Elijah message is an uncompromising call to the spiritual Israel, consisting of all Christians, to repentance.  It is not a call to unbelievers to be saved. It is a call to God’s household, the Bride of Christ, to repent and return to the One Whom Christ has sent into the world to guide them in to all truth.  The Holy Spirit, Who has been rejected by the Church for 2000 years must now be restored as Lord and God over the Church as required by The Lord Jesus and The Heavenly Father

Those leaders who accept the Lordship of The Holy Spirit will be led to repentance and then intercession and worship resulting in a genuine large scale, lasting, overflowing revival within their local church that will impact their communities and beyond. The Holy Spirit will either remove those leaders who reject the offer of The Holy Spirit to become Lord of their local church from their positions or The Holy Spirit will allow that church to die.

Those Christians who refuse to recognise and worship The Holy Spirit as God will be treated by The Lord Jesus as part of the World.  Those who call themselves Christians have to contend with how they have treated the 100% alternative Helper sent by The Lord Jesus. There is an implied warning (highlighted) from The Lord Jesus Himself from John 14:15-18 below that those who cannot receive the Holy Spirit are of the world and therefore have not part in His salvation plan. This is a believers only entitlement.

“15 s“If you love Me, 4keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and tHe will give you another 5Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 uthe Spirit of truth, vwhom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you wand will be in you. 18 xI will not leave you orphans; yI will come to you. “

The Lord Jesus also further emphasised the importance of the Holy Spirit in distinguishing between believers who would be rejected and those who would be allowed to enter the wedding feast. In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins we read

“1 “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming;[a] go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour[b] in which the Son of Man is coming.” Matthew 25:1-13

You will notice that they were all virgins. They were all ready for the wedding feast in terms of clothing and carrying the lamps. The ONLY difference was the LACK OF OIL for the lamp.  The oil is symbolic of The Holy Spirit throughout the Bible. The oil provides light in the darkness and it is the life in the spiritual realm.  Very significantly, The Lord Jesus Christ, through the parable showed that it was possible to be ready in every other way as well as be given the invitation to the wedding feast and yet be reject at the time of the wedding because one does not have the Holy Spirit.  The Epistles also clearly teach that The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our salvation.

Ephesians 1:13-14

“13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[b] is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

2 Corinthians 1:21- 2

“21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. ”

For this reason, the end-time spirit of Elijah calls upon all born-again believers to ensure that they obey the commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ to be baptised in the Holy Spirit and fire (the oil for the lamp) in order to be ready for when the messengers from Heaven declares, “Behold the bridegroom is coming: go out to meet him” Matthew 25:6

———————- Excerpt ————————–

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Repent, Be Cleansed and Arise!

Posted in Christian, Christianity, tagged , , , on June 26, 2008| Leave a Comment »

Two scriptures from Isaiah today.  One about (in my words) God’s people ‘playing church’ and being ‘religious’ and God calling them to repentance and cleansing.  And the other about God’s people arising (waking up) and being His light to the nations and His glory shining through them!

Isaiah 1:10-20
10 Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God,you people of Gomorrah! 11 “The multitude of your sacrifices — what are they to me?” says the LORD.”I have more than enough of burnt offerings,of rams and the fat of fattened animals;I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. 12 When you come to appear before me,who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations — I cannot bear your evil assemblies. 14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates .They have become a burden to me;I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless,plead the case of the widow.
18 “Come now, let us reason together,”says the LORD.”Though your sins are like scarlet,they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson,they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient,you will eat the best from the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel,you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. NIV

Isaiah 60:1-22
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples,but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light,and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
4 “Lift up your eyes and look about you:All assemble and come to you;your sons come from afar,and your daughters are carried on the arm. 5 Then you will look and be radiant,your heart will throb and swell with joy;the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,to you the riches of the nations will come. 6 Herds of camels will cover your land,young camels of Midian and Ephah.And all from Sheba will come,bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD. 7 All Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you,the rams of Nebaioth will serve you;they will be accepted as offerings on my altar,and I will adorn my glorious temple.
8 “Who are these that fly along like clouds,like doves to their nests? 9 Surely the islands look to me;in the lead are the ships of Tarshish, bringing your sons from afar,with their silver and gold,to the honor of the LORD your God,the Holy One of Israel,for he has endowed you with splendor.
10 “Foreigners will rebuild your walls,and their kings will serve you.Though in anger I struck you,in favor I will show you compassion. 11 Your gates will always stand open,they will never be shut, day or night,so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations — their kings led in triumphal procession. 12 For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish;it will be utterly ruined.
13 “The glory of Lebanon will come to you,the pine, the fir and the cypress together,to adorn the place of my sanctuary;and I will glorify the place of my feet. 14 The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you;all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD,Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 “Although you have been forsaken and hated ,with no one traveling through,I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. 16 You will drink the milk of nations and be nursed at royal breasts.Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior,your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold,and silver in place of iron.Instead of wood I will bring you bronze,and iron in place of stones.I will make peace your governor and righteousness your ruler. 18 No longer will violence be heard in your land,nor ruin or destruction within your borders,but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. 19 The sun will no more be your light by day,nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,for the LORD will be your everlasting light,and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun will never set again,and your moon will wane no more;the LORD will be your everlasting light,and your days of sorrow will end. 21 Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever.They are the shoot I have planted,the work of my hands,for the display of my splendor. 22 The least of you will become a thousand,the smallest a mighty nation.I am the LORD;in its time I will do this swiftly.” NIV

May the Lord speak to us through His Word.

Steve

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Trampling Grace

Posted in Christian, Christianity, tagged , , , , , , on June 19, 2008| Leave a Comment »

These verses came up in a prayer meeting on Wednesday so I am thinking and pondering and praying about them. I have given them a heading but I offer them with very little comments at the moment.

Titus 2:11-3:8 (What grace does)
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
3:1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace , we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. NIV

2 Corinthians 7:8-13 (Godly sorrow brings salvation, worldly sorrow bring death – and guilt and shame and self condemnation)
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it — I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11 See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter. 12 So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did the wrong or of the injured party, but rather that before God you could see for yourselves how devoted to us you are. 13 By all this we are encouraged. NIV

Blessings Steve

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