TEACHINGS

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IRON OR MERCURY?   

“He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron. Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.” (Psalm 105:17-19, emphasis added)

The center margin notes the Hebrew meaning- “his soul came into iron! Today’s message is “Iron or Mercury”? While a soul should come to iron (denoting strength), many souls resemble mercury- the easiest metal to melt! Indeed, the choice is ours!

Joseph was tested; we all are tested. Let’s look at the critical ways that Joseph was tried so we can better understand our responses when we face difficulties. We also need to fully understand that our soul is our mind, will, emotions, or our overall personality. It is that part of our being that is being saved (James 1:21) and verse 22 makes it clear that it is obedience to the Word of God that strengthens our souls…come into iron, if you will!

Starting in Genesis 37 it is important to note that Joseph received 2 remarkable visions; now, we may not receive anything quite so amazing, but our goals, visions and dreams are vital to our life. Until the Word is fulfilled (or until it comes to bear in a situation) there are many potential obstacles to the promise realized! Joseph had dream killers (Genesis 37:20) and so do we- be careful whom you share things with and keep close company with Godly people. Moving on, Joseph was hated (37:4), stolen from (37:23), put down (37:24)- literally- rejected (37:28), tempted to sexual sin (39:7-12), put in prison (39:20), ignored and forgotten about (39:14, 23). Do any of these characteristics sound familiar to you? People in ministry I am sure can relate to this last one where your ministry is tested by times of silence, and nothing is happening. 

Let us remember, “there is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man…” (1 Corinthians 10:13a). The day we are living in will declare whether our works are gold, silver or precious stones, or wood, hay, or stubble (1 Corinthians 3:13)- we also might say the day will declare our soul to be iron or mercury. How strong are we? Even Jesus had assaults on His soul; read it in John 12:27- He said, “now is my soul troubled…”. Of course, He did learn obedience to His Father through suffering (Hebrews 5:8); His Life was the embodiment of “not My Will but Yours be done” (Matthew 26:39). We, too, suffer as we yield to our spirit the inner man, 1 Peter 3:4) and refuse to yield to our soul and its passions. How do we practically do this? By, taking captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ’s Word (2 Corinthians 10:4). The constant renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2) yoking us to the perfect will of God!

While testing is not “fun” it is a requisite for all of us to see what is inside us. Like in school, we prefer the A on the report card and certainly do not want to see F. How wonderful is it when we pass the test? And, how Wonderful is our God Who allows make up tests? Hallelujah! Peter, of course, liken our faith to gold which, when tried with fire, “passes the tests” and gives honor and glory to God (1 Peter 1:7). I love what happened to Joseph as he passed the various tests he faced. He continued to find favor and Pharoah set him over all his land- he placed a ring (authority) on his hand, fine linen upon him (anointing) and a gold chain around his neck (abundance). (Genesis 41:42) This typifies the Royal priesthood we are part of (1 Peter 2:5-9). We have been given authority (Matthew 18:18-20), we are anointed (2 Corinthians 1:21) and an abundant life (John 10:10)! 

Joseph lived forgiveness/fruitfulness (see Genesis 41:51); he also lived Romans 8:28 (see Genesis 50:20)! 

 LAUNCHING OUT IN GOD

How will we successfully launch out in God? By no means are there how to’s- this is not a formula, but we can discern principles contained within this Word to the body; He/She who has ears let them hear!

1- Children play at the shore (! Corinthians 13:11; men and women put aside childish things).

2- The seashells represent carnality as pertaining to the gifts (see Ezekiel 13; 2-10). The false (prophetic/apostolic runs rampant)- test the spirits (1 John 4:10)- His spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12;4-11) are profound and not to be lightly or frivolously played with!

3- Re-claim the authority we have surrendered (Matthew 28:18-20/Luke 10:19); we have allowed the enemy, through fear, to bind our activity and we have been loosed FROM our assignments! We need to bind the working of the enemy and loose people to serve The King (Matthew 18:18).

4- We hear The Shepherd (John 10:3-4) and receive His explicit instruction!

5- WE PRESS WHEN RESISTANCE IS ENCOUNTERED (Philippians 3:13-14)! The Kingdom is advanced when the attitude is based on Matthew 11:12/Luke 16:16- IT IS A PRESS AND VIOLENT MEN AND WOMEN ADVANCE THE KINGDOM!

6- It is a day to be single minded and single hearted; how many masters are we serving? Where is our focus? How many distractions do we allow in? (Deeply consider Matthew 6:22-24; Luke 9:51- IS OUR FACE SET AS A FLINT TO OUR “JERUSALEM”?

7- What consumes your thoughts; the temporal or the eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18)? As one of our friends like to say, “what you think about you bring about”! Our thoughts are seeded into the ground of our heart and peace must reign supreme! Anxiety robs us of our peace and the dis-ease within allows our joy to be stolen (John 16:22)- His Joy is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10)!

8- Are you trying to order your own steps (Jeremiah 10:23) or following The Lamb withersoever He leads and goes (Revelation 14:4)?

9- Are we available to the true (supernatural) gifts of the Spirit (noted above)? Am I walking in my ministry gifting (Romans 12:1-8)? How available am I (Hebrews 2:4/1 Corinthians 12:31)?

10- Am I in position to receive constant in-filling of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18/Psalm 92:10)? There is fresh oil that I need…daily (Luke 9:23)!

11- HOW CONSTANT AND FRESH IS THE WORD OF GOD IN MY LIFE? Is it becoming engrafted (James 1:21)? Grafting takes time! It is NOT about JUST READING the Logos Word! It is the RHEMA WORD we are to live on (Matthew 4:4)1

12- Am I engaged in spiritual warfare? The handbook and guide is in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5! This is our responsibility! Ahhh, there’s that key word- responsibility! Are you of the false, religious mindset that “God will do it all”; He’s in control? NO! God expects us to work with Him (consider Exodus 14:13-21 and read carefully! 

13- Who is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4)? YES, God WILL SEE HIS PLAN THROUGH (Ephesians 1:11); But, the enemy’s method of operation is always (John 10:10- steal, kill and destroy! We must receive our marching orders and storm the gates of hell (Matthew 16:17-19)!

14- Finally, the mature sons/daughters are led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14)! We walk in the spirit and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16)- we walk in love (1 Peter 1:22).

Yes, enough playtimes! Who’s ready to launch into the deep? Will you be a modern son/daughter of oil (Zechariah 4:12), TRUSTING HIM (Proverbs 3:5-6) as you go in miracle/evangelistic ministry with HIM?

BEING A LITTLE SANCTUARY

“Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord God; Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them as a LITTLE SANCTUARY in the countries where they shall come.” (Ezekiel 11:16, Emphasis added)

Wickedness abounds in our day as it did in Ezekiel’s; the enemy seeks to destroy and combat everything God desires and does. In spite of a worldwide pandemic God is speaking to us (see the prophetic word on this same website) to be little sanctuaries moving freely on the earth! The Scripture speaks of Him as our Sanctuary (see Exodus 15:17) and He has always desired for us to dwell with and in Him.

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)

The Word says His Way is in the sanctuary (Psalm 77:13); Asaph said when he didn’t understand things he went into the sanctuary to gain understanding (Psalm 73:17). Praise God, we ARE little sanctuaries that houses the Spirit of the Living God (see 1 Corinthians 3:16/1 Corinthians 6:19)! Hebrews 8:2 declares (as pertaining to Christ), He is “A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle…” Weust’s translation says, “Jesus is a ministering servant of the Holy Places”. Hallelujah!

There is a remnant today (God always has a remnant) that will understand God’s higher ways and means to seed the earth with His life giving power and works. Consider Haggai 1:12-13:

Then Zerubbabel…and Joshua…with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God…and the people DID FEAR BEFORE THE LORD…AND THE Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel…and the spirit of Joshua…and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of Hosts, their God.”

Today there will be a remnant that understands that THERE CAN BE NO UNITY WITHOUT THE FEAR OF THE LORD AS ITS ROOT! I believe this is the unity Jesus spoke of in John 17; the fear of the Lord at the root of a great end of days revival! Consider the 7-fold Spirit in Isaiah 11:2…there is a “spirit of the fear of the Lord”! Jeremiah 32:39-40 speaks of us having one heart and one way (unity) that we may fear Him! He will put His fear in our hearts; Praise God! Consider both Enoch and Noah walked in the fear of the Lord (see Genesis 5:22 and 6:9; The Targum of Ankelos)! The early church grew (as will we) when we walk in the fear of the Lord and comfort of the Holy Ghost (Acts 9:31). 

Finally, referencing Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 1:17-20); it speaks of the Spirit propelling the living creatures to go forward; the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels- What I see in my spirit are believers (as sanctuaries-ground drones) being led hither and thither by the Spirit (Who mans the controls, if you will), impacting the world with the proper use of the “vessels/instruments” (Spiritual gifts) that are “in the sanctuary”! Greater works will the little sanctuaries do as they walk in the fear of the Lord and yield themselves to His propelling Spirit of Grace!  Catch the vision; if you have ears to hear and eyes to see this, be among the righteous remnant targeting the earth with the glory He has given to us (John 17:22).

SEEING OUR SALVATION

“The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.” (Isaiah 52:10)

“For MINE EYES have seen thy salvation.” (Luke 2:30, Emphasis Added)

There is the macro view of God; and, then, there is the micro view! The birth of Jesus certainly brought the salvation of God to man! The long awaited promise of Messiah was prophesied for thousands of years; then, one day Simeon beheld God’s salvation up close and personal! So, how is it with us? Is God’s salvation an ethereal promise awaiting us upon earth’s departure? Or, like Simeon DO WE SEE GOD’S SALVATION?

Obviously, Simeon actually beheld Jesus; his eyes literally saw Him! While we would love the opportunity we MUST SEE HIS SALVATION! The promises of God are YES and AMEN unto the glory of God…indeed, BY US! With faith we please God (Hebrews 11:6); so, faith in His exceeding great and precious promises brings them our way. What has God promised you? What do you believe? 

Often, the problem (for all of us) is we may SEE His salvation; His answer; His deliverance. But, then, we go back and forth and also SEE the obstacles, temptations or barriers. Sure, God has promised you something, but, there is that little thing called time. It seems like the gulf between the promise and the fulfillment widens. Frustration, anxiety and pressure demand that YOU SEE THEM TOO! You are diverted from ONLY SEEING HIM AND HIS PROMISE! 

This is where discipline comes in. We all must discipline ourselves to rigidly focus on what He has told us to look for. 

“(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Emphasis Added)

This is the essence of spiritual warfare. Our enemy most often engages our mind and seeks for us to juggle our thoughts and priorities. As Jesus was resolute and set His face as a flint to go to Jerusalem we also must be armed with that kind of mindset! Our pastor teaches much on the setting of the soul; where is our mind? Where are we emotionally? Are we steadily SEEING OUR SALVATION?

Our wisdom must rest in the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:5). He is mighty to save!

“The LORD thy God is in the midst of thee, A Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over thee with joy, He will be silent in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 JPS Tanach 1917)

I like that rendering; HE WILL! This is what we must constantly SEE. We must SEE His salvation; not just a macro view enveloping the world, but a micro view that SEES Him working on OUR behalf! 

THE REMNANT'S HIGHWAY

“And there shall be an HIGHWAY for the remnant of his people…” (Isaiah 11:16a, EMPHASIS ADDED)

A highway is a road travelled. The above scripture excites our thoughts relative to our “travelling” with God- a special place beyond the norm. We live in a fallen world; we also live in the post-Christian era where there is a lukewarm world. We live in a world where the church at large admonishes us to be balanced (code for not getting too excited about the things of the Spirit)! I admonish you (& me) to seek out the “HIGHWAY” that, indeed, is THE HIGHER WAY!

“Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; CAST UP, CAST UP THE HIGHWAY; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.” (Isaiah 62:10, emphasis added)

Young’s Concordance defines the word highway as “RAISED UP WAY”! That raised up way is the position He raised us to when He raised Christ- we were also, at that moment, 

“…raised…up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)

There is the legal side and there is the experiential side! The experiential side is viewed by many to “not be practical”. The saying goes, “they are so heavenly minded they are of no earthly good”. I submit to you, there is the walk Christ walked- the RAISED UP WAY ON THE EARTH!

“He that sayeth he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (1 John 2:6)

Stones in Isaiah 62:10 represent obstacles or stumbling blocks. There are temptations, tests and trials; the enemy buffets us (2 Corinthians 12:7), but, Christ gives us grace (verse 9)! He said, there is an escape (GOING UP OUT OF) in every trial or temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) - the RAISED UP WAY!

Let’s look at a simple way of accessing and staying on this “highway” using the letters T-A-P (we might say the way to TAP into this grace filled walk); TRUST, AWARENESS & PRAISE!

No matter the situation we TRUST in the Lord with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5-6). The man who makes the Lord his trust is blessed (Psalm 40:4) because we do not turn aside to the lower way (flesh). By trusting at ALL TIMES (Psalm 62:8) we make Him our refuge (safety/shelter/helper). Jeremiah 17:7 perfectly illustrates our walk- no trust whatsoever in the arm of flesh which produces a curse! Our constant AWARENESS (mind stayed on Him/seeking the things above) of Him (John 15:7- ABIDING) – “BUT IN MY IMAGINATION I WAS SUDDENLY RIDING ON A GLORIOUS CHARIOT (Song of Solomon 6:12, CEV). That imagery perfectly captures the essence of our awareness of “riding with Him” on the raised up way! Finally, PRAISE (WORSHIP/GLORY) KEEPS US focused and centered on Him. The song, “Praise is the Highway” by Brian Johnson is a wonderful way to illustrate what we are saying. Our praises to God “form” that wonderful HIGHWAY to the heart and throne of God! May we all TAP into this HIGHER WAY. 

We see futuristic travel above the ground in special vehicles; the ways of the Spirit are available to His remnant church NOW! The unseen things are eternal; COME, LET US GO UP (Isaiah 2:3!)!