Prophetic words, Prophets, words of Knowledge,
Instructions, Counsel, Apostles and
Maturity in the house of God
[Video link to this teaching: https://youtu.be/XYGjNYc-R8I]
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I have been concerned about the state of the children of God for some time now, and because the Lord and I have been sitting and speaking about the strongholds operating in them.
One of the things I am concerned about is the Codependency upon the ‘created,’ man— instead of God directly. I am watching this weird ‘new age thing,’ and I mean— in this age, this new time and era— where we are doling out ‘words’ from God— like the psychic hotline networks (and I mean for money, too— but mostly— as if it’s the personal revelatory way of God).
Codependency— relationship addiction; where one person assumes the role of the giver, and the other— the taker.
Can we see this is the Lord’s place in our lives, by far and large?
I see the Lord himself grieving, because man is getting the glory and intimacy with his children— that he desires; and man (the ‘man of God’) is supposed to be (if they are legitimate men and women of God), is supposed to be returning them to the Father to become mature in Christ.
But instead— we are creating codependent people— on ‘man,’ created beings; instead of man, the created beings— being dependent upon God, and fed of him: we live not by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Luke 4:4).
It is ‘creation worship,’ all over again (not Creator worship)— if it morphs into what we currently have going on in the church.
And I can hear the spirits of men already…
“But you don’t understand, I can’t hear him like you!”
First of all— that’s a lie; he said ‘all my sheep hear my voice, and another they will not follow.’
So— if you are his— you do hear his voice. Do you believe you do? If not— that’s a faith issue— and you cannot please him outside of faith: and your faith has works— without exercising these things with God directly— we have a dead faith; and dead faith— produces nothing.
Second of all— do you think it came easy to learn his voice?
I assure you, it took deliberate practice— exercising my salvation, working out my salvation— which is my relationship and yoking to him…
To hear his voice, and practice knowing his voice, and receiving answers to my requests and inquiries.
How will you ever hear the Shepherd, if you do not listen to hear him— and then stick with him— until you do?
If we run to man (out of fear, insecurity, panic, impatience, frustration, etc) then we will only delay our own hearing from God; Go through the awkward and frustratingly silent period with him: because the truth is— he’s usually not silent, but we cannot hear him through all the voices of doubt, fear, unbelief, frustration, impatience, insecurity and panic— that are SHOUTING INSIDE OF US; his Spirit is STILL, and CALM (soft and disciplined); he will not shout over all that is being exalted inside.
This is a work that I thought we would just ‘wing,’ on a dove— in a video of the horses, or such today; but it turns out— there are things he wanted quoted and written and explained: this is where we began.
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[taken from online]
“The prophets, by contrast, approached men as ambassadors of God— beseeching them to turn from their evil ways and live (Ezekiel 33:11).
What is prophecy, then? Simply put, prophecy is communication from God to mankind. Some prophecies can be speaking of future events, and other prophecies might not be. Prophets were utilized as a mouthpiece for God—they listened to God and then conveyed God’s message to the masses. Some examples of prophets are Elijah, Isaiah, Moses, and Jonah.
The difference between a prophet and a priest is a matter of direction, in that one goes from God to man (the prophet), and the other goes from men to God (the priest). It is also a matter of directness. The priest is indirect, while the prophet is direct. We have things going in opposite directions here, yet both work to accomplish essentially the same thing, which is to bring man and God into a relationship with one another.”
Warnings— Notice that what is stressed is— repentance, fasting, prayer. Warnings to ALL— in addresses.
Show my people their sins, and repent was usually the message— so, it will be the same for prophets and apostles now.
John the Baptist— a prophet and priest— REPENT, for the kingdom of God is CLOSE (for every man to receive). Christ— he spoke similarly in his messages abroad in sermons to all— as priest, prophet and apostle.
At times— he would counsel one on one with people— but NOTE, it was led of God; it was not men and women continually going to seek a ‘word’ from him; he was led of the Spirit in whom to address: it is the same now— the Spirit of God will lead his leadership in the earth, by his Spirit— to give ‘a word’ to the people, one on one— as he leads.
We can ask, and seek counsel— but ultimately— God led his servants to the people, to speak to MANY in mass usually, and occasionally— to individuals; but even when Samuel was called to anoint individually, and proclaim for the Lord— it was led by the Lord. Saul, David, or any others— did not go seeking anointing or a word— the word was brought to them.
Ultimately— the prophets of old— gave prophetic utterance as the Spirit led them; not generally as man inquired (though at times, counsel was given, as led of the Spirit).
But, SINCE CHRIST— and his holy Spirit being given to all… Are we seeking him directly— or, are we still by far and large, looking to the men and women of God, for a ‘personal word or counsel,’ that the Spirit himself is more than capable to give to each man?
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Ezekiel 11:5
“And the Spirit of the Lord fell upon me, and said unto me— Speak; Thus saith the Lord; Thus have you said— O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them.”
[We see here— he is speaking to the whole house of God.]
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Micah 3:8
“But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to— declare unto Jacob— his transgression, and to Israel— his sin.”
[Again— prophet prophesying to the whole house of God.]
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Acts 2:14-18
“But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them— Ye men of Judaea, and all who dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; and it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God— I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”
[His desire is that all shall prophesy, and he said so himself; and that’s because he has already poured out his Spirit to do so: 1 Corinthians 14:31 –
“For you can all prophesy one by one…” ]
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Hebrews 1:1-3
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets— Has, in these last days, spoken unto us by his Son...”
[We now have Christ and his Spirit to speak directly to us— if we are children of God; we do not ‘need’ a middle man, a go between— on most occasions. OCCASIONALLY— the Lord will have us seek one of his children for counsel, when he desires to; but again— it is led of the Lord; and if they are doing their job correctly— will help the person to mature to hear God for themselves, and will point them toward Christ and his Spirit for themselves.]
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Deuteronomy 13:1-4
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and gives you a sign or a wonder— And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto you, saying— Let us go after other gods, which you have not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proves you— to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice— and you shall serve him, and cleave unto him.”
[Your Lord God ‘proves you,’ this means— he tests you out; he comes forth and tests you to see if you are going to run to him, love him directly, fear him, keep his command in your lives, OBEY HIS VOICE directly, serve him and CLEAVE TO HIM… Or… If we are going to ‘go to another.’
Each man will face him about this, and whether we are developing in maturity, in faith, in trust of our God (individually), in hearing his voice (individually) to obey him, and serve him, and cleave to HIM.]
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1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-31
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit— the word of wisdom; to another— the word of knowledge, by the same Spirit; To another— faith, by the same Spirit; to another— the gifts of healing, by the same Spirit— To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another —discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another— the interpretation of tongues: BUT— all these work from that one, and the selfsame Spirit— dividing to every man severally, as he wills.
And God has set some in the church— first apostles— secondarily prophets— thirdly teachers— after that, miracles— then gifts of healings— helps, governments, and diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet I show unto you a more excellent way.”
[“AND YET I SHOW UNTO YOU— A MORE EXCELLENT WAY.” What do we think Paul meant by that?!
I assure you— he meant that when we couple with the Spirit of God, PERSONALLY— we have, and will always HAVE— ALL WE NEED IN CHRIST.
It is man who thinks he ‘needs,’ on a personal level— all these people, BEFORE going to God directly to receive all things— since Christ.
Does God still give all these gifts and offices to his people? YES! Do we need to have all these people in our lives, all the time, and access to THEM— in order to do well ‘in Christ?’ NO!
We have ALL THINGS IN CHRIST, WHO IS THE GODHEAD IN FULL.
So— what do we ever think we are ‘lacking,’ when we have the Spirit himself?
Why do we run from place to place, conference to conference, video to video, counselor to counselor— When his NAME— is Wonderful Counselor? And his name is the description and role of his PERSON.
Isaiah 9:6-7
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”
Having a prophet or an apostle as a friend— will not always be easy; oftentimes we will bring words you do not desire— but need all the same. And an example of such a word of the Lord is this…
“He is there for you in the Word written, and he is there for you in the Word spoken to you every day of your life. What was the last thing he said to you about these issues of life that you bring to me?”
And if we cannot answer that— what he said to you about these things already— then, just by receiving a ‘word’ from us— we have not helped you to hear directly from him for yourself; and the next ‘word’ you will be receiving, will be—
“You need to be practicing your relationship with him, relying on him (after this help and word we give to you), because you will need to be led of him— if he will in TRUTH, qualify as your God and Lord. Do you understand this? YOU MUST BE LED OF HIS SPIRIT. I will never be called upon in your judgment hearing— to be asked— If each of you listened to my counsel or voice; you will be required to answer to HIS VOICE, and directly— each of us will be accountable for this.”
So— any prophet of the Lord, or apostle of the Lord (led of his Spirit), will ALWAYS point you back to receiving of God directly for yourselves; or we run the risk of delaying your maturation process, and becoming idols in your lives; and we are to be mindful of God’s plan, purpose, leadership, reverence, and orders.
I will never be your ‘father,’ he will be: and he has words for you from his Spirit, that he would like you know— personally and directly from him: this is the child/parent relationship to God. Each man should be led of his Spirit, counseled of his Spirit, given wisdom, knowledge and understanding from his Spirit— because he’s present to all: he gave the Holy Spirit abroad to all men.
Are we engaging him, or man?]
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1 Corinthians 14:1
“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather —that you may prophesy.”
[We can ALL prophesy— because we are ALL to be hearing from God directly; but in this adulterous generation (and that means— leaning on another’s understanding and counsels— other spirits, or persons— not God holy) we have become a fast food generation— that does not want to ‘wait upon the Lord,’ at all.
We are like Abraham when he thought he needed to rush God’s decree about having a child— and get it done his own way: instead of waiting on God, learning discipline, obedience, patience and faith.
If he said— We can all prophesy now— why are we going for ‘words from God,’ from other humans— when he said every one of us can do this now, since we have been given his Spirit? Because— his Spirit is to bring us into all truth; that’s not just one person or persons called prophets and apostles— IT’S TO ALL!]
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John 16:13
“Howbeit when he— the Spirit of truth, is come— he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear— that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.”
Ephesians 3:3-5
“How that –-by revelation— he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words— Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) —Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men— as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.”
[When Jesus left this earth, He sent the Holy Spirit to minister to us. He states in John that the Spirit will guide us into all truth. The Spirit reveals truth to prophets, who then in turn relay that message to the people.
Again— 9 times out of 10— it is to the BODY ABROAD. God’s servants will bring forth messages to repent, give knowledge, and the wisdom of the Lord— abroad to all— in an address, like a video or a posting; most of the time we are not giving one on one counseling, on a regular basis, over many issues of life— again, and again, and again. He is for that; and he is the Spirit who is sent to us to care for all that: HE IS THE FATHER, not his children.
We are called to —turn the children’s hearts back to him: and these words being given out all the time— are delaying the maturation process of the body of Christ, in coming into the full stature of Christ.]
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Hebrews 10:19-22
“Having therefore, brethren— boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus— By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having a high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
[We have the full capability to be secure in Christ— full assurance of FAITH; faith is not knowledge, faith is not counsel, faith is not wisdom; FAITH— is trusting in his person, and being led of his person, and having reliance upon— HIS PERSON.
And without faith— we cannot please him. And we have a high priest who makes intercession for us— who is OVER US; best we interact with him, know his voice, and obey his voice— NOW.]
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1 Corinthians 14:3-4
“He that prophesies— speaks unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; but he that prophesies— edifies the church.”
[‘Edify’ —means to instruct and improve in knowledge generally, and particularly in moral and religious knowledge, in faith and holiness. (Webster’s Dictionary 1828)
‘Exhort’ —means to thoroughly encourage, and to warn and caution. (Webster’s Dictionary 1828)
Oftentimes when a prophet or apostle moves in edification— he will be reiterating what the Word of God already iterated (or spoke) in the scriptures; he will point them back to the truth and what God has already said (general knowledge) in the moral scriptures; and faith and holiness will be spoken to the person— in reminding them to HAVE FAITH in God, to walk with him— and trust and know him.
Exhorting is often done in ‘mass’ as well; it is often in a message, such as what I am doing right now— that is brought to the masses, to the general assembly; and it is to warn, and to caution: but note— it is not usually for a personal, contemporary ‘word’ given, like the psychic hotline.
When our Lord desires to give a word— he will lead us to do so; when he needs to counsel with someone— to guide them in a few things, to get them back on track, he will; but if we are running to this type of scenario, over and over again— or in fear that if we do not— God will not, HIMSELF, come through for us…
We are in reverence to FEAR, and IMPATIENCE: and those are not his Spirit nor attribute.
Why is he not enough? Why can we not get counsel and answers directly from him— since he gave us his Spirit to do so?? ]
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2 Peter 1:21
“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke —as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
[This is my point— the Holy Spirit will move a man of God to speak his words; and when he does— it is led of the Spirit: it is not a hotline for man, to come to man, for a personal word. Isn’t that what the Spirit of God is for— and given to each of us directly, for??]
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Colossians 2:2-7, 9-10, 19,
“...The mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ— In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge— And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord— so walk in him: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
For in him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily— And you are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.
…the Head, from which all the body, by joints and bands, have nourishment ministered— and knit together— increases, with the increase of God.”
[We have God, FULLY, to all of us— he has been given. And in him— is all hidden treasure and WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE. So, Paul says— stay steadfast IN HIM (he didn’t say, in prophets or apostles, IN HIM) —with your faith, personally.
As we have been ‘given Christ, and his Spirit—’ SO WALK IN HIM, GET ROOTED and BUILT UP IN HIM— and ESTABLISHED IN THE FAITH: boy do we need to do that!
We need to be built up in him (not man, or man who knows God and hears from God personally, HIM), and he carries ALL THE WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE; and we need to be ESTABLISHED IN HIM, and IN FAITH (that’s reliance upon him).
He is the HEAD (not man), and that means God over us, and leads us in all our ways, and if we are his— we know his voice; and we are nourished by his voice and person— and we increase, with this presence of God in our lives.]
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We have the 7 spirits of God available to us at all times; and if we are going to come into full maturity (the full stature of Christ) and become his mature Bride— we are going to have to grow up into Christ.
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Ephesians 4:15
"But holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ."
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Apostles (and to a degree, Prophets of the Lord, in the office of) have jobs to do with Christ living out of them directly— to mature the body of Christ, the church of set apart ones; this is usually to the body in large, or meaning— addressing all.
Their were disciples sent along with them to learn of them, and our Lord still does this today; but this differs from people ‘seeking a word’ from them of their own accord— compared to the Spirit of the Lord coming over the apostle or prophet— to ‘give a word’ to a specific person, because it was initiated by the Lord himself, not one seeking to hear a specific word from the Lord— through an apostle or prophet.
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Luke 1:17
“And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias— to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
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A true apostle and prophet— will turn the people to the Lord; it is the Lord’s desire to ‘father’ a people, a family. If we are not returning the people to the Lord, to learn and be instructed directly from the Lord— we are creating situations where people will unwittingly be erecting idols (prophets and apostles with a word); as the people go the ‘created being’ (the apostle or prophet) for instruction and counsel, a word of knowledge or leadership— when Christ is the Headship of the church/body.
We are (as apostles) helping to ‘parent’ the house of God, led of the Spirit of God— and raise up and mature his children with him: but it will never be left unsaid— that God desires to raise his children, HIMSELF— from the inside out!
We are in danger in this current generation— of developing the church/body of Christ, and CHRIST’S MINISTRY (it’s not ours, but unto him, and of him) → into a psychic reading sideshow. (That’s what Christ has said to me.) And one where we have idolship taking place— and not Lordship, or Headship of Christ over the body— but instead…
Christ takes a backseat (and his holy Spirit) to the ‘man of God,’ in which the body is running to— to go ‘get me a message and counsel, or word of knowledge’ from God.
When we do this— we essentially put God’s Spirit in the backseat, call up the created being (man of God) to the forefront, to ‘go receive’ a word for us (this is our lusts being fulfilled in the moment, how we want, what we want, when we want it) —when WE ALL HAVE the been given the Spirit of Prophecy— the Apostle himself, the Man Christ Jesus— and God’s 7 spirits— to raise us up into maturity.
A true apostle (led of the Lord’s Spirit), and a true Prophet (also led of his Spirit) —will guide the people INDIVIDUALLY back to the Creator and Father of us— to receive of him DIRECTLY; because maturing us to hear from God OURSELVES— is Father’s ultimate goal.
That doesn’t mean that God will never use us to counsel his children individually— but it does mean that his ‘desire,’ is that we will not need to— because they seek him, hear him, and receive from HIS SPIRIT— directly; it is why Holy Spirit was given to us, PERSONALLY (along with his 7 spirits to mature us): eventually— the apostle and prophet are to lead all to the Spirit, so they can be matured PERSONALLY and INDIVIDUALLY by his Spirit (and be Fathered directly by him) —and thus— work themselves out of a job: returning the children to the Father, and the Father to the children.
We have access to God directly— why are we putting man in the middle; the only one in the middle as a mediator between God and man— is to be Christ Jesus; and IF HE LEADS HIS prophet or apostle to counsel, give a word of knowledge or such— he will directly lead them to do so. We can enquire, but God will ultimately have the say about how he will proceed with each child.
Our job as maturing children is to find out…
Why are we seeking a word or counsel from one of God’s children, in the first place?
Have we sought God, given him lots of time to speak to us, and to lead us himself— before we go to a man?
Are we fearful (because that’s not his Spirit) and are seeking to relieve fear— by getting a word?
And why can we, or why are we NOT getting the words, counsel and instructions directly from the Spirit of God in our own lives?
Because— his sheep, KNOW his voice, and another they will not follow.
Are we plugging away privately with God, and relying on God alone to be our all in all?
Or are we running around in fear and confusion— to others— to receive what only God can give or do for us privately?
Because— he will desire to mature us, through situations that will require us to LEAN ON HIM, DIRECTLY— and to relinquish all doubt, unbelief, confusion (which comes about by not knowing God’s will— and we are all to know that, individually, from speaking directly with his Spirit), fear and dependency upon ‘created beings;’ and instead— grow into Christ— in all things.
His 7 spirits have been given to us all for just this purpose.
How often do we stick with them, and work these life issues out with God directly? Or how often do we panic (that’s satan’s spirit) and run to receive counsel or a word from another man— because we do not stick it out with God, ALONE, long enough— with FAITH IN HIM, to bring us the answers and counsel— like a GOOD FATHER DOES?
We give up on God too quickly, we run to man too quickly— and too often, and we in doing that— we lose what we are really searching for: GOD DIRECTLY COMMUNING WITH US, and LEADING US WITH HIS OWN VOICE, PERSONALLY.
If we continue to run to man— we will continue to delay our own mature relationship with Christ coming to fruition: all because we were in ‘fear,’ and ‘impatience.’
Let his Spirit raise you up, because he desires to do so.
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Philippians 2:5
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
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[Taken from KHouse . org]
The Spirit of Wisdom
(Hebrew is Chockmah - Greek is Sophia)
The first function or operation of the Mind of Christ, produced by the Spirit of the Lord in us, is the Spirit of Wisdom. The Spirit of Wisdom is simply all of God's supernatural Thoughts that He has already placed in our hearts at our new birth. Hebrews 8:10 says that God inscribes or engraves His Word in our hearts. God's Wisdom is His supernatural intelligence-His secret knowledge. God's Wisdom is like a hidden "mystery" that can only be revealed by God's Spirit.
God's Wisdom is the foundation of our lives and the basis upon which the rest of our spiritual "house" will be built. Proverbs 24:3 validates this when it says, "through wisdom a house is built..." So, whether we realize it or not, God's Word (His Wisdom) must be our sustenance, our nourishment, our food, and our life's bread.
"Man Shall Not Live by Bread Alone"
A few years ago, while having my coffee and toast and reading my morning newspaper, God spoke to my heart and said— "You give the best part of your day to your toast and the newspaper, what about Me?" Then, He brought to mind Matthew 4:4 which says, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." As a result of this exhortation, I did a study of what it means to "live by God's Word" and I found that it means we are not just to dabble in and taste His Word, but we are to literally exist by it. In other words, only as we allow the Word of God to go down into our innermost part and begin to change and transform our lives, will we ever truly experience what Scripture means when it says— "Thy Words were found, and I did eat them." (Jeremiah 15:16)
[Janet here, let me remind us all— ‘The Word of God,’ is his name; so— he’s a person we are to be learning all things from— and via his Spirit, who has been given to all— to BRING US INTO all Truth.]
In these end times, we can't afford to only "taste" God's Word because then we won't be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy and all the events of the last days. I truly believe that we grow only in proportion to the daily diet of God's Word that we are "eating." I know personally that my daily actions are largely determined by the amount of time I spent in the Word that day. Only in reading and eating God's Word will I be reminded to put off the garbage in my own thinking and put on the Mind of Christ. Then, I'll be "ready" and "prepared" for whatever God allows into my life.
Our life literally depends upon our daily eating of God's Word.
"Faith comes [how?] by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17)
[Janet here again— and ‘The Word of God,’ is a person, that’s his name; so— are we listening to what ‘he is saying’ to each of us, in our individual lives? Because his Spirit has been given for this purpose— to mature us; we need to come off of milk— and hear the word of the Spirit in our lives.]
"If Any Lack Wisdom"
If any of you are having trouble disciplining yourself to read and hear from God daily, I would suggest getting a good daily Bible reading plan. There are many excellent ones available at any Christian bookstore. Before you begin to read, pray and ask God to show you what He specifically wants you to see and understand at that particular time. If you don't find anything right away, keep on reading until you come away with something especially for you-even if it's just one verse.
A good suggestion: read at least three chapters a day-one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and one from Psalms or Proverbs. Then as you are seeking God and His Wisdom for your particular situation, you can listen for His answer in your daily reading. [sound advice]
Another suggestion: take any subject that you are interested in and do a word study on it throughout the Bible. For example: if you are having marital difficulties, then do a study on "marriage," "love," "divorce," etc. Do a study on children, husbands, jobs, careers, goals, purposes, money, etc. This is exactly how The Way of Agape and Be Ye Transformed began.
It's critical to keep on "investigating" new and different ways to be excited about God's Word. Remember, we exist only by His Word! "Unless thy law (His Word) had been my delight, I should have perished in mine affliction." (Psalm 119:92) I think of God's "written" Word as a translation of the "inscribed" Word (Jesus) that's already in my heart. The more I understand the written Word, the more I will understand the living Word (Jesus) who lives in my heart. So, the entire Bible is God's written Wisdom and it's something I totally believe in and receive into my heart. However, I don't always understand, perceive or grasp some of the Scripture's full meaning. As Proverbs 1:21 says, wisdom is just the entrance to the city (the opening of the gates). In other words, wisdom is just the first step...to understanding...and then to knowledge, etc.
The Spirit of Understanding
(Hebrew is Binah - Greek is Sunesis)
Isaiah 11:2 tells us that the next function or operation produced by the Spirit of God, giving us the Mind of Christ, is the Spirit of Understanding. Just because we have God's Wisdom written and inscribed in our hearts does not necessarily mean that we'll understand that Wisdom. This is a whole other step.
The Spirit of Understanding is God's supernatural revelation-His secret insights to His Word. Understanding simply means a "putting together" or a comprehending or a grasping of His Word. The Spirit of God illuminates our hearts and gives us understanding of His Wisdom. In other words, He "turns on the lights for us."
How many times have you sat down and read God's Word, gotten up and not remembered a thing you read? Well, God's Spirit of Understanding was not operating.
"Written in the Sand"
[too funny, no joke— I just wrote with him on this yesterday,
and here it is in this article today; God is humorous, and thorough!]
Often, in preparing for my classes, I would come across something that I had no supernatural understanding of at all. As I would pray for God's enlightenment, eventually (in God's timing and in His way), the "lights" would go on.
On one occasion, when I was out riding my horse in the hills above our home, the insight (the understanding) to something that I had been struggling with for a long time just clicked in and the "lights went on." Past history has taught me, however, that unless I immediately write down what the Lord is showing me, I won't remember it. If it's a supernatural revelation from God, then it's not something that is registered in my own mind yet.
On this particular occasion, I knew I had to write down what God was showing me or I would lose it. When I ride horseback, however, I ride "English style," with britches that obviously have no pockets or any place to carry pencil or paper. So, I stopped my horse, got off, cleared a place in the sand and dirt, and scribbled what God was saying to me with a stick. Later, feeling rather silly, I drove my four-wheel drive jeep back up the hill and copied my notes. This is a true story! I know myself-I know if I don't write down the supernatural wisdom and understanding that God is giving me, I'll lose it. I'll bet it's the same for you!
"Dripping Wet"
Often when I'm in the shower, supernatural revelations and answers pop into my mind to questions that I've been asking God about for months. I don't know what it is about running water, but it seems that that's when God often opens my understanding. Again, so I won't forget it, I'll get out of the shower dripping wet, tippy-toe to where I can find a pencil and paper and write down what God has shown me. See, I know it's not "me" that has "turned on the lights" at that moment, but God's Spirit of Understanding.
What good is God's Wisdom (His Word), without our being able to understand it and apply it to our lives? Psalm 119:27 is a good prayer, "Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of Thy wondrous works." The point is, we must have God's understanding of His Wisdom before we can begin to apply it to our lives and before we can pass it on to others.
Reading God's Word
One of the reasons I believe so many Christians are stumbling and falling today is because of "ignorance." We've spoken about this before. Ignorance not only as to what the Word of God says and requires of us, but also ignorance about ourselves (understanding our own real motives, our own wrong dependencies, our own misconceived priorities, and so on). As we read God's Word, it's the Spirit of Understanding that will reveal and expose these things so that we can "deal" with them. When we don't read the Word and the Spirit of Understanding is not allowed to operate, then we won't be able to see or find our way. Hosea 4:14 says "...people that do not understand shall fall."
All of us have God's written Wisdom lying in our laps, but many of us, because of busyness, distractions, hurts, unbelief, and other self-centered thoughts and emotions, don't take the time to sit at God's feet, listen and hear what He wants us to say to us. Instead, we depend upon what we think and feel, what others are telling us, and what our circumstances are. Consequently, when God allows "trials" in our lives, we don't understand what He requires of us, nor how to act. Thus, we end up falling before we even begin.
"Through Wisdom is a house builded; and by Understanding it is established: [But] by Knowledge shall all the chambers be filled." (Proverbs 24:3-4) “
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Counsel, Might, Fear of the Lord, His presence of his Spirit, and Knowledge— are ALL AVAILABLE TO EACH OF US AS WELL. I have written and recorded videos in the past on this topic (the 7 spirits of God, that are here to tutor us, raise us up, and connect us back to the Holy Spirit for all we have need of), and so I will not add more to this right now.
But suffice to say— WE HAVE ALL WE NEED IN CHRIST, and his Holy Spirit; so why are we running to man, idols, and ‘words’ from them all the time? I am perplexed by this, and am concerned about the current state of the Church body at this time.
We are supposed to be a called out body of believers, that go about bringing Christ to the world (those are they who are lost), as we reveal matters of truth to THEM; but what I see is a body of ‘believers’ (and this is a juxtaposition) who are fearful, unbelieving, lazy or impatient— having strongholds and blockages to hearing God clearly for their own lives— and is DEPENDANT UPON MAN, to bring to them what is the Lord’s portion to them directly, as the Father of them.
I am reeling inside from this great grief; and I cannot imagine the grief it brings the Holy God himself— when he sees his children running to and fro for ‘a word’ that can be easily given directly to them by the Spirit himself.
Have we given him time to do so?
Are we impatient?
Are we SCARED, and think we NEED A MAN OF GOD IMMEDIATELY to ‘solve our issues’?
Because that is God’s job.
Are we wanting to discuss our whole lives, every issue to other men— why not God— that’s his job? And he’s the only one capable of carrying that weight, because he’s God— man is not, and it’s WAY too heavy for men to carry what is God’s to carry.
An issue, here or there— as God leads us to ask the men and women of God— this is understandable; but to need assistance, over and over again, or out of fear, with MANY ISSUES brought to man to help solve— simply is not the order in which God designed having PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP RESTORED BETWEEN MAN AND GOD— in the mission of the Cross, the Blood and life of Christ— being given to all, to now connect to him directly— through the Holy Spirit.
Why do we think God yoked to all of us directly with his Spirit?
It is so he can Father and lead us all.
Are we going to allow him to?
And are we going to learn patience and faith in him?
Because if we are scared, unstable, in confusion not knowing the will of God for our lives— we have great issues within our hearts that only God, his 7 spirits, and his Holy Spirit are equipped to rectify within our souls (hearts); because it is the ‘children of God, who are led of his Spirit, and who know, AND DO, the will of the Father.’
Tougher times than these are coming— what will you do then, when you are alone with only the Spirit of God to lead you in all your ways, and raise you up, and counsel you directly, and help you understand?
I guess we are about to find out; because if we have an issue in the body with ‘codependency unto man,’ we must be about to see a time where the gift of God is going to come to us…
In the form of hard times, that will cause us to actually turn to God directly, trust, commune, ask, receive of him directly, understand, and be fed of him— via his Spirit that was shed abroad.
Because if man is dependent upon man, in ways that show idolatry and lack of faith in God— and we have become codependent upon man to ‘hear from God,’ and be led of God…
Then God will come to rectify that situation; man will lose his connection to other men and woman via power outages, phones down, pulled apart, and whatever other means God will have to enact— to regain control and leadership of his people, and their hearts: because their hearts, heads, and emotions— have been given to ‘another,’ and the only way it will truly return inside men and women to him…
Is when all we have— is him.
Best we learn this now— and not in the middle of gross darkness— though, gross darkness will facilitate this lesson and change, in many; for they will continue in their ways, feeding insecurities and fear— until they have no one else to go to, and God has removed all codependency and enabling (one way, or another).
For me— he is warning me that I am not the Holy Spirit, and what he is called to carry is far beyond what I am called to carry. And when he needs me to give TRUTH to people— he will lead me; and when he does, it may be turning them back to him— more than words of knowledge.
I am not called to tell you what to do— God is; he is our Father, not man. And God is desiring that the hearts of ‘his children,’ truly would return to him, for their answers, counsel, understanding, revelations, prophetic future, support and headship.
Elijah’s spirit is coming back on the scene— and he will be the kind of spirit in man (along with Christ), who will turn people back to receiving God directly; he will not be the spirit that will be abroad in the spotlight, giving words individually— that is another spirit altogether: and we will see both, as Baal and God holy go at it, face to face, spirit to spirit— in signs, miracles and wonder.
And the only way we will know one from the other— is that we KNOW THE AUTHENTIC SPIRIT OF GOD, for ‘ourselves’ in our individual lives.
He’s already come to all.
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