--The first thing the Israelites were commanded to do upon entering the promised land was to take twelve stones from the Jordan, while it was parted, and arrange them in a circle in the land. The place of these stones would come to be known as Gilgal, which is a Hebrew word meaning "wheel or circle".

Gilgal has the same root word as Galilee, which also speaks of a wheel or circle. Galilee got its name from the lake that dominates the region. This lake was known at times to be smooth as glass which reflected the sky above it on its clear surface. In ancient times the sky was known as the "wheel of Heaven" because it appeared to revolve around the earth like a wheel, so in time, the people, seeing the revolving sky reflected in the lake, would come to call the lake Galilee, or "wheel of Heaven".

Twelve is the number of the Kingdom.

Consequently, when Joshua entered the promised land the first thing God wanted him to do was set up this Gilgal, or wheel, of 12 stones to remind the people of their holy mission -- to establish the Kingdom of Heaven in the land of Canaan. This why the Lord sent His angel to Joshua...

When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, "Are You for us or for our enemies?" "Neither," He replied. "I have now come as commander of the LORD's army." Then Joshua bowed with his face to the ground in worship and asked Him, "What does my Lord want to say to His servant?" (Jos 5:13-14)

The Alpha and the Omega

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord...
(Rev 1:8)

Jesus here declares Himself to be the “Alpha and the Omega” which means He has established, by His eternal word, what will be, from first to last, beginning to end. But notice that the title is not Alpha or Omega. The two are meant to be inseparable. This says to me that Christ is obligated, by His word, to complete only what He has begun.

Consider that though I might be a believer who reads my Bible daily, prays without ceasing, and maintains my faith in God’s word, I could still be under the enemy’s jurisdiction in my marriage, workplace, ministry etc. simply because I have never dedicated them to the Lord. In so doing, I’ve failed to make Jesus the “Alpha” over my marriage, workplace, ministry, etc. since it was I who originated them not Him. And if He’s not Lord over these things, He is under no scriptural obligation to provide counsel, protection, or provision concerning them. In short, if He’s not the “Alpha” (beginning) over these things, He will not be the “Omega” (ending) either.

But my wedding happened years ago. I’ve been working the same job for decades. What can I possibly do about this now? The answer is, repent of not committing these things to Christ at the beginning, and dedicate them to His Lordship from this day forward.

The moment we do this, Christ becomes the “Alpha” of these areas of our life, and if He’s the Alpha, He is also the “Omega”, which means that…

…He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)

What is Revelation?

The scriptures teach that faith is born in us as we hear the rhema word of God (Romans 10:17). Since “rhema” is just another way of saying “revelation”, we can confidently say that faith also comes by revelation, without revelation it is impossible to please God, and revelation without works is dead.

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:12)

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
(Ephesians 1:17)

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery… 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; (Ephesians 3:3-5)

Revelation comes when the Holy Spirit opens our understanding of scripture in a way that 1) surpasses conventional wisdom, and 2) is always confirmed by two or more diverse scriptural passages (witnesses).

But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isaiah 28:13)

The prophet is saying here, by the Holy Spirit, that the word of God is meant to be understood through inspiration of God, “line upon line, here a little, there a little”, not by merely reading and studying the text, but by bringing it to God in prayer for revelation of the deeper meaning. He warns that all who deny this approach to learning scripture will “fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken”.

Jesus said much the same thing in the book of Matthew:

Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (Matthew 13:13)

The Lord says here that He spoke in parables for a reason, so that the ones who desired to learn the true meaning of the parable would come to Him in private to receive this “revelation”, while the rest would simply go away confused without receiving the hidden blessing.

Far too many in the body of Christ today get their understanding from reading Bible commentaries or listening to teachers in their local church or the media. This may well explain why the church is in the state she’s in, “having a form of Godliness but denying its power.” This was never the Father’s intention. He has always desired that we come to Him directly to receive revelation of His word, for it’s only through revelation that a genuine faith is born in us, a faith to move mountains in Jesus’ name.

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
(John 6:45)

The Lord's Table

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Rev 19:9)

A meal consists of both food and drink. Drink alone is not a meal, neither is food alone. What we drink is easily absorbed into the body as it requires no chewing at all to make it digestible. What we eat does require chewing, for if we were to gulp it down like a drink, we’d have a very difficult time digesting it into the blood stream.

We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain... everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature--for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil.
(Heb 5:11-14)

Infants must drink their meals because they have no teeth for which to chew solid food and their digestive systems aren’t fully developed. But when an infant becomes a child, they can no longer be sustained by milk alone and must begin to eat solid food.

The same is true in the spirit. If I hope to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and His Kingdom, I must learn to “chew” my spiritual food -- the word of God. This means to meditate before the Lord on the things I don’t understand, rather than simply spit them out like a child. And like a child, the one who spits out the strong meat because he prefers milk simply will not grow at the rate of his peers. For a healthy body requires both milk and meat.

Then they will come from east and west, from north and south, and recline at the table in the kingdom of God.
(Luk 13:29)

Faith vs. Acceptance

For faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the (rhema) word of God.
(Rom 10:17)

This scripture clearly says I can’t have true faith until I’ve heard God speak to me. “Rhema” is a Greek word meaning “utterance”, as opposed to the Greek word “logos”, which generally refers to a “written word”. The bible is the “logos”, or written word of God. But faith doesn’t come by hearing or reading the “logos” it comes only by hearing the “rhema” word of God.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
(Joh 10:27)

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
(Joh 6:45)

The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you. Instead, His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie; just as it has taught you, remain in Him.
(1Jn 2:27)

My “acceptance” of the truth of God’s word, no matter how strong, is simply not enough. Even when I add works to my acceptance it will not produce so much as a sprig of the promised fruit of the Spirit. And why not? Because God created me for intimacy, first with Him, then with others. It would be contrary to God’s own purpose to grant me my requests, no matter how well meaning they may be, when they are founded on acceptance of His truth rather than true intimacy with Him. This is why Jesus said…

…"For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Mat 17:20)

Whether my faith is born of a whisper from God (mustard seed) or a shout is not the issue. The issue is, did I hear from Him at all, because if I did, and I act on what I heard, The Lord says nothing will be impossible for me. But by the same token, if I didn’t hear God and act instead on what is written or what I accept or believe to be true, I should expect nothing from the Lord, which is exactly what I will receive, for His purpose trumps everything else, and His purpose has been and always will be -- intimacy.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Rom 1:17)

For without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Heb 11:6)

The Golden Altar

Unlike the brazen altar which stood in the outer court where all of Israel could see it in the light of the sun, the golden altar was hidden from public view in the Holy Place of the temple. Only the priests could see it in the light of the golden lamp stand. As Jesus said...

When you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Mathew 6:6)

While it's certainly possible and profitable to pray in almost any setting, the Lord's desire is that I would set myself apart from any distractions, so I might hear Him clearly when He speaks. This is to be my version of the "golden altar". And like the old testament priests, it should be a place I visit daily, with a heart to "hear what the Spirit is saying". For it's only in "hearing" God speak that true faith is born in me.

And without faith it is impossible to please God... (Hebrews 11:6)

And we know that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (rhema) word of God. (Romans 10:17)

..."For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matthew 17:20)

...Nevertheless when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8)

The Pattern on the Mountain

These serve as a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was warned when he was about to complete the tabernacle. For He said, Be careful that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.
(Hebrews 8:5)

God showed Moses a pattern for the building of the tabernacle, an eternal blueprint that left no room for error in its duplication, for this tabernacle would become the very house of God on the earth.

This pattern, being eternal, exists today and is relevant for all who would desire the manifest Presence of God in their lives and ministries. Understanding the pattern is critical if we hope to avoid the snares and pitfalls the enemy has laid to keep us out of the place of blessing and provision – the Presence of God.

From the ALTAR to the LAVER (the outer court)

The pattern God revealed to Moses began with the BRAZEN ALTAR. It was here the sacrifices of Israel were offered and accepted. By their daily offerings the people were declaring God’s sovereignty over their lives. There can be no entrance into the Presence of God until He is declared LORD of all we possess or control.

The LAVER was placed at the entrance to the holy place for the washing of the priests hands after ministering before the altar. There can be no entrance into the Presence of God until we have washed ourselves of the idols and other worldly influences the enemy uses to keep us out of the inner court.

From the Laver to the Golden Altar (The inner court)

The Priests would daily offer incense on the GOLDEN ALTAR as a “sweet savor unto God”. It was here the priests would hear God speak His holy counsel for Israel. While prayers may be offered at any time and in any place, hearing the voice of God requires that we set ourselves apart for this purpose.

From the GOLDEN ALTAR to the LAMP STAND

The LAMP STAND provided all of the light in the Holy Place and, once lit by fire from the brazen altar, was to be kept continually burning. God’s rhema word spoken into our hearts ignites the candle of our faith which produces the works through us that will become our testimony (light) to others.

From the LAMP STAND to the SHOWBREAD

Twelve loaves of bread were to be displayed on a golden table each day. Only the priests were permitted to eat from these loaves. It is the power and love of our faith-born testimony that makes our words palatable (as bread) to the nations.

From the SHOWBREAD to the MERCY SEAT (Holy of Holies)

The lid of the Ark of the Covenant was composed of solid gold. It was here, on the MERCY SEAT, the Shekinah Glory of God would appear in a cloud. The highest goal of any child of the Kingdom is to both know and make known the unfathomable riches of God’s mercy and love.

From the MERCY SEAT to the ARK OF THE COVENANT

The ark contained three holy objects – Aaron’s rod that budded, a golden jar of manna, and the tablets upon which God wrote the ten commandments. When I have learned to trust completely in God’s election of me (Aaron’s rod), provision to me (manna), and righteousness in me (ten commandments) then I will have entered into His promised rest (Covenant).

Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Sower

This is a familiar parable, one that’s often used in church sermons, and like the other six the Lord gives us in Matthew 13, a parable that’s often misunderstood. The Lord’s sole reason for giving this parable is to define the “Kingdom of Heaven” and, consequently, it’s the gospel of the Kingdom that Christ refers to as the “seed” to be sown.

Hear therefore the parable of the sower. When any one hears the word of the kingdom…

Christ walked for 3 ½ years on the earth and during that time spoke almost exclusively about the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead of following in the Lord’s footsteps by trumpeting His gospel of the Kingdom, the modern evangelical church has diluted the message into a gospel of salvation, making salvation the primary objective instead of merely the first step of a personal journey to establish God’s Kingdom on the earth. Because of this, the church has, for the most part, been sown in less than fertile soil resulting in unacceptable fruit.

But, where would the church be without this gospel of salvation? Without question, this diluted gospel has been responsible for millions of people, myself included, coming to understand and believe in the finished work of Christ. But, it has also been responsible for the watered down, lifeless Christianity that characterizes the great majority of churches and individual Christians today.

And why is this so? Because Christ died to give us a Kingdom not an organization. We have been saved to live as Kings and Priests unto God, not as mere church members. One gospel instills a sense of purpose, destiny, accountability to the King etc., the other serves as little more than insurance against an eternity in Hell.

But he that receives the seed into good ground is he that hears the word (of the Kingdom), and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Mat 13:23)


And what is this “good ground” the Lord speaks of here? Since the seed is the message of the Kingdom, the ground (heart) that is ready for the seed is ground that is willing and committed to making Christ the King (Lord) of their life. It’s only by putting Him first in all things that He is truly King. Marginalizing the Lord to whenever I can squeeze Him in, giving Him whatever money I have left after my needs are met, and praying only when I have a need are all symptoms of “another” gospel.

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:9)


This was the first of Christ's seven Kingdom parables and, consequently, should have preeminence in my understanding. If I believe I'm called to establish the Lord's Kingdom on earth, I must first devote myself and everything I have to making Him the King of my own life.



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Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Man Who Sowed Good Seed

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (Mat 13:24)

The “man” speaks of Christ the King, and the “good seed” represents His Kingdom. Christ came as King to sow His Kingdom into the earth.

But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat... (Mat 13:25)

This warns of a spiritual ignorance that would develop within the Kingdom (“while men slept”), much as it did in Adam, who though charged by God to “tend and guard” the garden of Eden, somehow allowed the serpent to get in and tempt Eve. This same spiritual ignorance makes it possible for satan to sow his carnal kingdom among the true sons and daughters of God even today. The result of this is a church that has both true Kingdom children and false carnal children in her midst, effectively creating a state of lukewarmness that is fit only to be vomited from the Lord’s mouth.

This parable is written as both a warning and a remedy for this pathetic condition. The warning is clear…

Come out from among them, and be separate, saith the Lord…

We are called to live holy lives, not simply because the Lord commands it, because it’s our protection from the enemy. Whatever the enemy has sown belongs to him. If I, either in ignorance or presumptively, walk after the things of this world, including its brand of carnal Christianity, I make myself a servant of the one who has sown these things in the earth.

Touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2Co 6:17)

This is the Lord’s only remedy for Christians who find themselves planted in the wrong field. If they truly desire to walk in Kingdom intimacy and blessing, they must separate themselves from EVERYTHING in their lives not sown of God. And they must do it now, before the harvest comes…

For in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. (Mat 13:30)


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Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Mustard Seed

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:
(Mat 13:31)

Throughout human history we would be hard pressed to find a people more outwardly concerned with faithfulness than the Jews. Yet it is to them the Lord Jesus spoke the following…

…"If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you would tell this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible for you. (Mat 17:20)

Why would Jesus say such a thing to the faithful Jews? Because the faith He was speaking about was not a natural but a spiritual faith. Natural faith is little more than a strong confidence in a person (God) or and outcome (prophecy). This kind of faith can be conditioned into a person through repetitive practice of religious tradition. Jesus knew this was the “faith” of the Jews and that it had no real power, for if it did surely someone would have accepted Christ’s challenge to “tell this mountain to move from here to there”.

Christ uses the example of the tiny mustard seed to make a powerful point about true Christian faith -- that it’s much more than ritual bible reading, prayer, church attendance or even ministry, all of which can be accomplished without any assistance from God whatsoever. True faith exceeds mere confidence in God and His word. True faith is found only in the “knowing” that ignores all evidence to the contrary. The “knowing” that has its roots in “hearing” God “speak” into the heart. It’s only when I’ve “heard” God say “Go and tell the mountain to move in my Name and it will obey you.” that I am emboldened to do so before witnesses.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.
(Rom 10:17)

For many years I confused reading the word with “hearing” God. I put my “faith” in what I read and found myself continually frustrated by the outcome. The Lord never intended the word to replace sitting at His feet and listening to Him. True, He always uses the word to confirm what I hear, but the word alone can never produce the “knowing” faith in that word that will move mountains.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(Rom 1:17)

This is why Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed, because it represents a faith born of “hearing” God. And from that deep conviction comes the action that produces the “greater things” Christ prophesied I and every true disciple would do in His Name.

…for when it (mustard seed) is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. (Mat 13:32)


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Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Leaven

The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. (Mat 13:33)

In this, often misunderstood parable, Christ is comparing His glorious Kingdom on earth to leaven hidden in some bread dough. There’s no way I can conceive of that referring to sin, as many have suggested, for that would mean Christ was likening His Kingdom to the spread of sin throughout the earth. What, then, is the Lord referring to here?

I believe the “leaven” in this parable speaks of a true witness of Christ. It’s only through my witness that my world is impacted. My relationship with God, no matter how close, will have little discernible effect on those around me unless I’m putting what I’m hearing into practice. This produces a true witness through me that wields a powerful influence on those with whom I come in contact on a daily basis (“until the whole was leavened”). Like Moses who’s face supernaturally glowed letting everyone around him know he’d spent time with the Lord, our un-mechanical, unrehearsed love and faithfulness bears witness to our circle of friends, family, co-workers, neighbors etc. that we have been with Jesus.

For you yourselves are our letter, written on your hearts, recognized and read by everyone, (2Co 3:2)

This is the witness that makes people say, “he’s got something I want”. It doesn’t come from preaching at people, nor does it come from judging them. It comes from being with Jesus and hearing Him speak. For we all know that “faith comes by hearing”, and “faith without works is dead”.

Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, that a man found and reburied…

I believe the “treasure”, here, speaks of a believer’s calling into ministry. Until I know it, my calling is something I desire and diligently seek after, but upon finding it, I immediately realize there’s still much work that needs to be done in me before I’ll be ready for such a Heavenly task. This is the reburying of the treasure Jesus refers to in the parable. It would be the height of foolishness and human pride for me to promote my calling to the world, as that would only invite the mocking and negativity that would surely quench my passion for the call. I must keep it to myself (bury it) until the Lord says otherwise, and, in the mean time, allow Him to complete His work in me to make me ready for the call.

Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field. (Mat 13:44)

And this is the work the Lord must first accomplish in me. I MUST LEARN TO VALUE THE MISSION FIELD MORE THAN MISSION. I must be willing to surrender everything for the sake of the people God has called me to. They must be the joy set before me or I will not be able to endure the cross of persecution, affliction, temptation, and lack that is sure to accompany any effective ministry. Until I’m willing to “sell everything” to “buy that field”, the “treasure” of my calling may just as well remain buried. But once I begin to experience the Lord’s own burden for His “field”, then I’m free to dig up the treasure and share it openly as I begin to walk it out in faith as He leads and provides.


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Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Merchant

The sixth parable of the seven in Matthew 13 describes the Kingdom of Heaven as a “merchant seeking fine pearls”. This speaks of, what should be, the foundational quest of every believer – the “pearl of great price” which is love from a pure heart. However, it’s not the pearl that defines the Kingdom in this parable, but the merchant seeking the pearl.

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
(Mat 13:45)

This says that the quest for love is as important as the attainment of it, for it is the quest that defines the Kingdom and my place in it. The Lord, here, uses the “pearl” as a metaphor for love, because pearls are created from mere sand, afflicted and irritated over a long period of time in the dark belly of a clam. This speaks to me of ministry, because it’s only in true ministry that my desire to love and serve God can be daily tested to produce in me that “one pearl of great price”.

The daily trials of a God ordained ministry expose the pride, fear, personal agendas etc. that underlie my motives. This can either destroy the ministry (as it's done to many, often in a very public, humiliating way) or purify it as I allow God to purge me of my impure agendas and produce in me the “love from a pure heart” that bears true witness to His Name.

The truth is, without a ministry to test and refine it, my “love” is little more than mechanical obedience to the law. It’s only in the daily fires, afflictions, and irritations of ministry, that I am either destroyed, or made pure in love for His Kingdom. This is the quest every Kingdom believer should be following, for as the parable teaches:

Kingdom of Heaven = believers seeking to love others from a pure heart.


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Understanding the Kingdom: The Parable of the Net

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: (Mat 13:47)

This is the last of seven Kingdom parables the Lord spoke to the Jews in Matthew 13. That it was last speaks of its importance, for the Lord, Himself, said, “The last shall be first.”.

In this parable, Christ likens the Kingdom of Heaven to a “net” with its purpose to “gather” fish from the sea of “every kind”. The Lord is indicating here that there are many kinds of fish in the sea, or more to the point, many kinds of people in the world, including the poor, the wealthy, the weak, the strong, the influential, and the insignificant. To reach them all would require many different kinds of ministries. A ministry that might connect well with the homeless, would probably have little or no connection with the rich and famous. A ministry to the influential people of society would likely not relate to the blue collar Joes, and so on.

But what if God has purposed me for a specific ministry, say, to the poor, but I never hear His call to this, or even if I do, never fully step into it? Does this mean the poor intended for my stewardship must remain unreached? Not at all. Rest assured, what God has spoken in eternity will have its fulfillment in this life.

But, for this to happen, God will need someone else to step into my mantle. He could start from scratch and train someone up to walk in my ministry, but I don’t believe that’s His preferred way of doing it. Most likely, God will use someone who’s already walking in the fullness and blessing of their own ministry. He will call on them because they have proven themselves faithful. He will expand their tents to include my ministry, and the blessing I would’ve received will now be deposited into their account.

Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Mat 25:28-29)

God will not lose a single soul because of my disobedience or ignorance. His has purposed to train up believers to become a “net” in His hands, that He may use as He wills to gather the lost into His Kingdom. When my life and ministry have matured to the place where God can use me to gather up the lost "of every kind" who have been abandoned by others whom God intended for that ministry… then I’ve become part of that great Kingdom “net” in the hands of the Lord.


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What Is My Spiritual Temperature? (pt. 7 of 7)

When I have purposefully declared Christ to be the absolute ruler of my life (step one); set myself apart from the things of the world to draw closer to Him (step two); sat at His feet as a disciple eager to learn the deep things of God through His word and Spirit (step three); transformed my witness from one of ritual obedience to one of true faith born of “hearing” the Lord speak to my heart (step four); received the Lord’s burden for His people and responded to His call to a specific ministry to address that burden (step five); and seen my own pride or fear-driven motives and agendas bubble to the surface so God could purge them from me and my ministry (step six) – then and only then have I reached the place God has been drawing me to my entire life -- the place of absolute rest in Him.

If I know and understand God’s program for spiritual growth, I can take my spiritual temperature at any time I choose. Should I find myself not at rest with God, I know there’s pride or fear in me that needs to be purged. If there’s pride or fear controlling my agenda, it’s because I haven’t connected fully with the Lord’s burden for His people. If I don’t have the Lord’s burden, it’s only because He is still working on my Christian witness to my family and friends, workplace and church. If I can’t seem to establish a good witness, it’s because I haven’t been hearing God intimately. If I’m not hearing His voice, it’s only because I’ve allowed something in my life to get between me and God. And if I’ve allowed something between me and God, it’s only because I have forgotten that He is the Lord of my life.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but it’s a great source of comfort to know that God has provided this “glory cloud” for me to follow, just as He did for the nation of Israel in the old testament. Because of this, I, like Israel before me, am without excuse for not remaining under the Lord’s protection and blessing while growing in the grace and knowledge of His Kingdom.

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What Is My Spiritual Temperature? (pt. 6 of 7)

Once the Lord gives me His burden and calls me into a particular ministry, He then begins to open the doors that were once closed up tight, doors that lead to His support and provision to manifest His vision into reality (step five). This is where the next stage of my spiritual growth begins, in the refining fires of ministry, where the Lord begins to reveal the pride and hidden agendas within my heart.

I will put this third through the fire; I will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say: They are My people, and they will say: The LORD is our God." (Zec 13:9)

This refining process has led to the fall of many ministers and ministries both past and present. Some have fallen because they simply got ahead of God’s program, believing that their gifts and anointings were all they needed to enter ministry. Still others have stayed on course with God’s plan for their life, only to find their own pride rising up to take control of the work and covet the glory as well.

The truth is, if I operate apart from God’s established order, satan will allow me to rise just high enough in my ministry so that my fall, when it comes, will be public and humiliating both to myself and the body of Christ. This is why the refining must come when the ministry is thriving on all cylinders. When everything I put my hands to is being blessed, and my name is on the letterhead, it’s then I must be willing to let God expose my hidden motives so they can be confessed and purged from my life and ministry, leaving no stumbling stone for the enemy to trip me up.

Once God has done His work of refining my heart, I am ready for the seventh and final step in my journey to spiritual maturity…

To be concluded…


revealingrevelation.blogspot.com

What Is My Spiritual Temperature? (pt. 5 of 7)

Having a true witness of Christ in my life (step four), one that flows from faith produced by the rhema of God (step three), draws me closer than I’ve ever been to the heart of the Lord. I’m no longer merely going through the motions of faith, but living it as though He were living through me, which is exactly what’s happening. This intimacy with God begins to create in me a burden for the things that burden His heart. It’s this burden that leads me into step five, as the burden becomes a heavenly calling on my life to enter into the ministry that has always been my destiny.

Many have entered ministry thinking it to be the right thing to do without ever considering God’s timing or they’re own spiritual readiness for the task. There are ministers today who have entered the field without any thought to the state of their personal witness, marriage, relationships with family etc., and many have fallen hard because of these things which became easy inroads for satan into their lives.

God has one path to ministry and there are no shortcuts. If my life evidences the love, mercy, intimacy, conviction and faithfulness of my King (step four), then my heart will begin to feel the compassion of His burden for a specific ministry, one that He has spent my entire lifetime preparing me for. This is the fifth step of my spiritual journey, but there are yet two more steps the Lord wants me to take to reach the place He has for me in His Kingdom on earth…

To be continued…



revealingrevelation.blogspot.com

What Is My Spiritual Temperature? (pt. 4 of 7)

As I spend quality, set apart time at the feet of the Lord, hearing His rhema, letting His word renew my mind and heart (third step), I find myself moving inexorably into the fourth step – the witness of faith.

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word (rhema) of God.” Romans 10:17

Hearing God produces true faith in me, and since I know that “faith without works is dead”, I find myself being increasingly led by His Spirit to live a holy life that’s pleasing to Him.

“I must decrease, He must increase.”

This holy life that results from hearing and obeying God, now projects itself into everything I do. No longer is my witness of Christ merely mechanical, based on blind obedience to the manners of Christianity. My faith has been made alive by the rhema of God. Every relationship, every task, no matter how great or trivial, as well as every trial and tribulation I encounter is now governed by this rhema-born faith in the word of God. This becomes a witness to my little sphere of influence that Christ is both the Lord and strength of my life, which produces the evidence to convict me of being a true follower of Christ, and no longer a mere professor.

Once the fruit of my intimacy with God begins to show itself in a living witness, I am ready to proceed to the next giant step in my journey of spiritual growth…

To be continued…


revealingrevelation.blogspot.com

What Is My Spiritual Temperature? (pt. 3 of 7)

The third step on my path to spiritual growth is one that, like the others before it, must be continually practiced in my life to receive the fullest benefit. Having made Christ the true Lord of my life (step one), and pro-actively set myself apart to Him (step two), I’m now able to receive His Holy rhema into my heart. Though I may have read and re-read dozens of scriptures from the beginning of my walk with Christ, it’s only now, when I’ve consciously set myself apart from the distractions and hindrances of my life, that I can truly begin to “hear” His voice through the scriptures.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (Joh 10:27)

There is no greater blessing than to hear the Master’s voice as He becomes my teacher, leading me through the scriptures, bringing to mind both old and new testament verses in ways I could never have imagined. What once was dry and dusty “manna” has now become the precious “fruit of the promised land”. The hidden mysteries of God begin to unfold like a flower as I sit at the Teacher’s feet. This is true discipleship and an absolute necessity to both achieve and maintain true spiritual growth.

It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
(Joh 6:45)

If I’m not “hearing” God in this way, it’s likely because I still have some spiritual “white noise” in my life -- something that doesn’t belong -- and it’s effectively drowning out the Lord’s voice to me. I can cry out in prayer for God to speak, but the truth is, He is already speaking. I just can’t hear Him through this “white noise”.

When I begin to receive God’s “signal” my spiritual temperature reaches fever pitch. But there is yet a higher place to pursue in my life’s journey with Christ…

To be continued…


revealingrevelation.blogspot.com

What Is My Spiritual Temperature? (pt. 2 of 7)

The second step on the path of spiritual growth is probably the most crucial of all and one I have repeatedly overlooked in my walk with Christ. Having made the conscious decision to submit my life to Christ as Lord (first step) I must now make a concentrated effort to separate myself to Him.

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1Pe 1:16)

When I make a determined effort to strip away everything in my life that holds me down; old ways of thinking, old habits, old desires, worldly relationships etc. I am, in effect, clearing away the darkness and debris that insulates me against the light of Christ that desires to shine on and through me. This light is the essence of true holiness, and holiness is the armor that guards us against the enemy’s temptations. When I get myself clear of the “white noise” of my former way of life, I find myself positioned to receive the Lord’s “true signal”, a signal that’s always being broadcast, but rarely received because of the spiritual interference I’ve allowed in my life.

Setting myself apart to Him certainly raises my spiritual temperature. But there is more to learn that will take me higher still…

To be continued…


revealingrevelation.blogspot.com