A Refined Focus for Vision & Moving into a Time of Transition!

Difficult Circumstances: React? Or Respond?

When you are faced with crisis of some sort, what do you do? Do you react, or respond? "What's the difference?" From personal experience I testify about the difference that God has made in my life regarding dealing with a crisis. 

In the past, whenever a crisis would come, usually financial, I would instinctively react in fear! This usually meant I instantly became overwhelmed by the situation and began looking for any means possible out of the circumstance. Fear drove my reactions!

I testify to the transforming power of God in my life regarding dealing with a crisis. On June 28th, as we drove back from California to Idaho, our transmission went completely out on our car; totally out of the blue. We had no indication that there was any sort of problem. Rather than reacting in fear as I would have done even as little as four years ago, I was held in the peace of God and chose to respond in faith! There is light and dark difference between the two responses. Reacting was based on feelings and produced fear! Responding to God was based on the truth of who I know God to be, and the Spirit produced peace in the midst of a stormy situation! 

So how does one change from reacting in fear to responding in faith? It is only as we come to know God for who He really is, not just what our head tells us He's suppose to be like, that we are transformed from fear to faith! God has had us on a journey of grace, where He has drawn us to pursue Him to really know Him intimately! For much of my christian life I thought I knew God and knew how to walk in faith, but when troubles came I usually discovered what I really believed about God! Sadly, too often, I found out that I really didn't know the truth of God's love, goodness, power and grace. Sure, I knew the theology; the intellectual understanding of this is who God says He is, but it was not reflected in my real life decision making! However, truly by grace, God put a hunger within for us to seek after Him. It is all by His grace!

We have found that there is no greater journey than that of pursuing a truly intimate relationship with God! I can't say I understand God's grace well, but this I know: God delights in those who humble themselves and set their hearts on pursuit of intimacy with Him! This is something He will always fulfill! It is unquestionably His will, and He will always respond and answer this quest! As the word of God says if we hunger and thirst for righteousness [right relationship with God], we will be filled! 

We have had the absolute joy of growing in intimacy with God as never before, and seeing the fruit which comes out of such intimacy! It is in both knowing the nature and character of God, and knowing who we are because of what Jesus has done at the cross - our true identity - that we come to the place where we respond to God, first seeking Him in every circumstance, rather than reacting in fear out of our own understanding! 

A Refined Focus of Vision and Calling

So what does all of this have to do with calling and vision? While we were driving back from California, before our transmission went out, I (Ray) received a very clear sense of the Spirit of God speaking to me; not an audible voice, but clearly from Him. I understood it to be a narrowing or refining of focus on our calling and ministry vision. What I sensed the Spirit saying was that we were being set apart to serve the body of Christ, the church, the Bride of Christ. The way we would be serving was to be a catalyst for revival; a stirring up of the Church to walk in the Spirit! Almost instantly, I also sensed that the Spirit was saying that I wasn't equipped for this specific work yet. And that we were to go to Redding, CA to get some specific discipleship for this ministry! 

Having mentioned this to some people already, I've gotten feedback asking why I needed further training. Perhaps the best way I can respond to this is to share something the Spirit said to me as I was praying about how to enter into this ministry. What I heard was that teaching was not enough to see the Church discipled and revived! Teaching definitely has it's place, but real discipleship comes only through the combination of teaching and experience! The reason I believe we are called to gain more training/discipleship is that although we may know the teaching fairly well, but we are not yet fully equipped to demonstrate the power of God! Now, does that mean we don't or won't do anything until we feel like we are fully equipped? Absolutely not! We will begin where we are at! We will respond to any door the Spirit opens for us to share, disciple and model life in the Spirit! Ultimately, it is not my understanding, my knowledge, or my ability to exercise power but rather the Spirit of God moving through us! So we continue to seek God, obey him as he leads us, and trust fruitfulness to come as He determines. 

A Time of Transition

As a result of facing a crisis and seeking God as to what He was doing through this, we have resigned from serving with YWAM Idaho/Boise! We faced a financial crisis which we did not have the resources to cover. We still don't but our eyes are set on God. Responding in faith, we sought God about what He was doing through these circumstances, and we believe He has used this as a means to move us into a new place of transition! We have resigned from YWAM IDAHO, and are returning to Canada for the summer to serve at Deer Valley Meadows on a part time basis, and continue to seek God about applying for training at Bethel in Redding, CA! Ultimately we are accountable to God above all else! So we do all we can to seek Him, then obey what we believe He is saying! We firmly believe we are in a kairos season in the kingdom of God; a time where the Spirit is moving in unprecedented ways; at least in our generation! The times are clearly moving toward the return of Christ. We see the darkness growing, but we also see the kingdom of God advancing in amazing ways! God's word says that "of the increase of His (Jesus') government, there shall be no end!" No matter how much the darkness seems to prevail, as we walk in step with the Spirit of God, the kingdom of God will ever increase; and God will be faithful to accomplish this! We unashamedly declare we will be part of this move of God! We certainly would appreciate your prayers as we continue in the journey of walking by faith in the Spirit of God! We also avail ourselves to share some of our experiences, to hold revival services or however we may serve the Church! We will gladly give out of what God has poured into us, with joy!

Our contact information will be (in about a week):

Box 690
Alix, AB, Canada
T0C 0B0
Ray's cell # (403) 392-9068
Email: ray.farris@gmail.com
Or text me via my Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/rayfarris.4revival
 

 "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see...

   And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him."

(Hebrews 11:1, 6 NLT)

Ever Seeking to Bring Delight to Our Father's Heart!


Ray and Laurel

UNBOXING GOD!

Breaking Free From the Limitations We Put on God!

"Do not limit the Holy One of Israel!" 

How often they provoked Him in the wilderness,

And grieved Him in the desert!

 Yes, again and again they tempted God,

And limited the Holy One of Israel.

 They did not remember His power.

(Psalms 78:40-42 NKJ)

So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

(John 8:36 NLT)

Introduction

     I need to preface this blog with a bit of background to give some understanding of the purpose and reason for this post. I have had some reaction to some things I have posted or commented about on Facebook. The reactions have been primarily in regards to prophecies or ideas about one of the presidential candidates, Donald Trump. I want to clarify that my heart and intentions were NOT primarily about politics but rather about looking to see and listening to hear what God might be doing in this process! It is ALL about God though it may not have appeared to be so! 

Seeking to Allow the Spirit to Break the Boxes We Have Put God In!

     My entire goal has been to break God out of the boxes we may have put him in; to get us to consider that God is far greater than our perceptions of him. When I see people moving into a place of hopelessness based on their perception of the circumstances being portrayed in the media, even those observations that, in the natural, seem indisputable, then I begin to ask, "Where is God in all of this?" "Have we abandoned our faith in the very heart of God who is always for his people, even if it is a small remnant?" Are we in danger of portraying God to those around us as impotent and uncaring about this nation? Are we revealing him in a way which is distorted? Do we, by our actions, convey that God is unable or unwilling to bring transformation to this nation, even in the condition it is in? Are we placing limitations on God and describing him in a way that dishonors his very character and nature? Do we see the cross as emptied of it's power and limited in it's fulfillment? I hope that the Holy Spirit will move to stir us up in faith in the overwhelming goodness and greatness of God; to restore hope in the power of God, both in who he is in very nature and character, and what he is doing in our midst right now!

Anointing and the Sovereignty of God

     One of the primary issues which needs to be addressed is how God "anoints" someone or something. The question was asked,  "Do you believe holiness has nothing to do with anointing?" I would like to answer that with some observations and scripture. Jesus said this:

"You say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.'....Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred? And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding. How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred?"

(Matthew 23:16-20 NLT)

     You might be asking, "What does that have to do with anointing?" In the Old Covenant the priests were to anoint the objects in the temple with anointing oil. What is the significance of this passage? The whole point is: God is the one who determines what is to be anointed or not. And the anointing is GOD consecrating something or someone for his holy purposes. The issue addressed in this passage is that the pharisees and scribes were determining what was defined as holy, and that apart from God's prescribed ways. The core issue is, "Does someone or something have to be holy in order to be anointed by God? Or does the anointing BY God make it holy?" This is a crucial distinction! Do we determine for God what we think he can set apart for his purposes based on our perceptions of holiness? Or is God the One who alone can determine and define what it means to be holy unto him? 

      In regards to whether to the question about whether anointing has anything to do with holiness, let the scriptures address this issue. Note also that the question of whether God could use someone who is perceived to be, or even is, evil in the eyes of man is answered powerfully in the following passages. As you read this, know that God never uses his word to condemn us, rather his heart is always to convict and move us to a place of truth and restoration in the knowledge of who he is!

This is what the Lord says—

your Redeemer and Creator:

“I am the Lord, who made all things.

I alone stretched out the heavens.

Who was with me

when I made the earth?

 I expose the false prophets as liars

and make fools of fortune-tellers.

I cause the wise to give bad advice,

thus proving them to be fools.

 But I carry out the predictions of my prophets!

By them I say to Jerusalem, ‘People will live here again,’

and to the towns of Judah, ‘You will be rebuilt;

I will restore all your ruins! ’

 When I speak to the rivers and say, ‘Dry up! ’

they will be dry.

 When I say of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd,’

he will certainly do as I say.

He will command, ‘Rebuild Jerusalem’;

he will say, ‘Restore the Temple.

Chapter 45

This is what the  Lord says to Cyrus, his anointed one,

whose right hand he will empower.

Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear.

Their fortress gates will be opened,

never to shut again.

 This is what the Lord says:

“I will go before you, Cyrus,

and level the mountains.

I will smash down gates of bronze

and cut through bars of iron.

 And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches.

I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord,

the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.

 “And why have I called you for this work?

Why did I call you by name when you did not know me?

It is for the sake of Jacob my servant,

Israel my chosen one.

 I am the Lord;

there is no other God.

I have equipped you for battle,

though you don’t even know me,

 so all the world from east to west

will know there is no other God.

I am the Lord, and there is no other.

 I create the light and make the darkness.

I send good times and bad times.

I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.

“And why have I called you for this work?

Why did I call you by name when you did not know me?

 “Open up, O heavens,

and pour out your righteousness.

Let the earth open wide

so salvation and righteousness can sprout up together.

I, the Lord, created them.

 “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.

Does a clay pot argue with its maker?

Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,

‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong! ’

Does the pot exclaim,

‘How clumsy can you be? ’

 How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father,

‘Why was I born? ’

or if it said to its mother,

‘Why did you make me this way?’"

This is what the  Lord says—

the Holy One of Israel and your Creator:

“Do you question what I do for my children?

Do you give me orders about the work of my hands?

 I am the one who made the earth

and created people to live on it.

With my hands I stretched out the heavens.

All the stars are at my command.

 I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose,

and I will guide his actions.

He will restore my city and free my captive people—

without seeking a reward!

I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!"

(Isaiah 44:21-45:13 NLT)

Chapter 48:10-16

“Yes, I will tell you of things that are entirely new,

things you never heard of before.

For I know so well what traitors you are.

You have been rebels from birth.

 Yet for my own sake and for the honor of my name,

I will hold back my anger and not wipe you out.

 I have refined you, but not as silver is refined.

Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering.

 I will rescue you for my sake—

yes, for my own sake!

I will not let my reputation be tarnished,

and I will not share my glory with idols!

 “Listen to me, O family of Jacob,

Israel my chosen one!

I alone am God,

the First and the Last.

 It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth,

my right hand that spread out the heavens above.

When I call out the stars,

they all appear in order.”

 Have any of your idols ever told you this?

Come, all of you, and listen:

The Lord has chosen Cyrus as his ally.

He will use him to put an end to the empire of Babylon

and to destroy the Babylonian armies.

“I have said it: I am calling Cyrus!

I will send him on this errand and will help him succeed.

 Come closer, and listen to this.

From the beginning I have told you plainly what would happen.

(Isaiah 48:10-16 NLT)

     God does not require something or someone to be holy BEFORE he anoints them! However, WHEN he anoints them, they become holy, set apart for his purposes! 

"Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the Tabernacle and everything in it, making them holy. He sprinkled the oil on the altar seven times, anointing it and all its utensils, as well as the washbasin and its stand, making them holy. Then he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, anointing him and making him holy for his work."(Leviticus 8:10-12 NLT)

     Here are some commentaries about "anointing"!

The anointed person has been set apart for special service to God and through the anointing receives empowerment for that service (Isa. 61:1 relates this to the power of God’s Spirit). Biblical writers draw special attention to the anointing of a king when there is either a change in dynasty (e. g., 2 Ki. 9:3, 6) or when there are other contenders to the throne (1 Ki. 1:34, 39, 45)
( Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary)


This “anointed” king receives special protection (Ps. 20:6; 84,9) and kindness 18:50) from the Lord.The focus of māšîaḥ as a term for the king is not on his power or his royal status, but on the fact that he has been chosen by God to fulfill tasks that the Lord has given. It is with this in mind that Isaiah is able to call Cyrus the Lord’s “anointed” (Isa. 45:1)
((MCED)


After conquering Babylon, Cyrus issued a decree (found on the Cyrus Cylinder) that allowed Jewish people to return home. The part of this decree dealing with the Jews has been recorded in 2 Chr 36:22- 23 and Ezra 1:1- 3. Cyrus commissioned the Jews to rebuild their temple and society. Isaiah named Cyrus as Judah’s future deliver (Isa 44:28- 45:13) and even called him the Lord’s anointed (Isa 45:1, Hebrew mashiakh, “messiah”). Israel regarded Cyrus as called and empowered by God to free them. Cyrus was not the Messiah, but what he did served as an example of what the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would later do in setting God’s people free from servitude.
(Ezra Intro NLTSB Notes)

God had long planned to raise up Cyrus and give him a vision to restore worship at Jerusalem (Isa 44:28; 45:13; 48:14- 15)
(Ezra 1:2 NLTSB Notes)

God is sovereign, even when rulers and nations do not recognize his authority (Isa 10:5, 12- 14)
(Ezra 1:1 NLTSB Notes)

Mercy vs Judgment

     I  would like to also address the issue of "mercy versus judgment" of God! I believe this is also very significant regarding our perception of who God is; of what his nature and character are! Is God's heart to "save" or to "destroy"? What is the difference between how God dealt with sin in the Old Covenant compared to how he deals with sin in the New Covenant? Or is there any difference? Here is my proposition: The God of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant is the same God! However, there is a drastic difference in the way sin is addressed this side of the cross! God's heart hasn't changed, but his methods have changed.

     The difference between the Old and New Covenant is the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the Body of Christ! Because of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for sin, the power of sin was broken, our sins were totally paid for, the sacrifice was completely acceptable by our Father, and the judgment of God was totally appeased; if people believed on what Jesus did for them at the cross. The resurrection of Jesus was a manifestation of power available to us to live free from sin. Judgment is finished during this era of time; between the cross and Jesus' return! Is there still judgment to come?Absolutely! Judgment will be completely and finally exercised; eternal life with God for all who believed on Jesus Christ and what he did at the cross, and eternal separation from God for those who rejected God's gift of Jesus! When Jesus declared "It is finished" the judgment of God was fully appeased or fulfilled!  

     Consider this perspective: At the cross God brought complete judgment upon Satan and all of the Kingdom of Darkness. He irrefutably judged them to be eternally separated from God (which is a pretty good definition of hell). They were stripped of all authority (except what man continues to give them through willful disobedience to God). God broke the power of Satan to hold people in the bondage of sin. God, however, holds judgment in reserve for mankind until Jesus' return, at which time full judgment will occur; unto life eternal with God, or eternally separated from God! At the return of Jesus, God will exercise His full authority over the enemy. People bring judgment upon themselves when they reject the freedom Jesus purchased for them; either willfully or in ignorance because they have never heard what Jesus has done. By willfully rejecting God, they impose the consequences of self-imprisonment upon themselves. At any point they could, however, choose to receive the freedom already theirs in Christ!  In the interim, God partners with redeemed man to be restored to the place of dominion man had lost at the garden! 

     Once again, what we are addressing here is the nature and character of God as displayed through Jesus Christ. Jesus said that when we see him we see the Father. So, how did Jesus deal with sinners while he walked this earth? That is our model to follow. For the sake of brevity, I would like to simply share a number of scriptures which reveal God's heart of mercy instead of judgment this side of the final judgment of God. The work of the Holy Spirit includes convicting of the "coming" judgment:

And when he (the Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

 “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.

(John 16:8-13 NLT)

     The scriptures point to sin itself as being the source of judgment upon those that will not believe on Jesus. It is not that God has to, or even wants to, bring external judgment upon people or nations, but that, sin itself brings it's consequences and thus judgment. 

     

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

(John 3:16-21 NLT)

     God did not send his son to bring judgment but salvation, however sin results in self-imposed judgment! But that is not God's heart for people. 

"I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark. I will not judge those who hear me but don’t obey me, for I have come to save the world and not to judge it. But all who reject me and my message will be judged on the day of judgment by the truth I have spoken."

(John 12:46-48 NLT)

"You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross."

(Colossians 2:13-15 NLT)

This shows that sin is it’s own judgment. God doesn’t bring outside judgment but allows people to experience the consequences of their own sins! This shows that the primary judgment made at the cross was upon spiritual rulers and authorities which opposed the Kingdom of God! 

    Let's consider what God says about "sinners" in our midst:

Here we see a picture of those who reject God and his ways:

"Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too."

Here, however, is what Paul says through the Holy Spirit, about our response:

"You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin."

(Romans 1:28 - 2:4 NLT)

     The scariest thing I see in this is not God's judgment on "sinners" (though their sin brings judgment on themselves), but what God says to us, his church about judging others. It seems that if judgment is to come during this era it will be more likely to come upon us, his people, for neglecting to live out our faith. Why? Because we have the power to be free from sin, we should remember that we also were once like "sinners", and above all else, we are misrepresenting and wrongly displaying God to those "sinners" by our judgment upon them! 

     How then should we live? 

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

(James 2:12-13 NIV)

[Jesus] "You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone."

(John 8:15 NLT)

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned."

(Luke 6:35-37 NIV)

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns.

(1 Corinthians 4:5 NLT)

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

(Luke 6:36 ESV)

But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.

(Matthew 23:23 NIV)

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

(2 Corinthians 5:16-21 NIV)

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

(2 Corinthians 6:2 NIV)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,

that the blind will see,

that the oppressed will be set free,

 and that the time of the Lord ’s favor has come.”

 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day.

(Luke 4:18-21 NLT)

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

(Hebrews 2:17 NLT)

Noun: [grace] χάρις (charis), GK 5921 (S 5485), 155x. charis is “grace, favor” the acceptance of and goodness toward those who cannot earn or do not deserve such gain.

( MED)

      Is God really going to judge this nation for it's sins? Maybe what we should be asking is, "Is God going to judge his church because we have not obeyed him or rightly represented him?" Is it the world's fault that sin abounds in this nation? Or is it that we, his Body, have allowed the world to influence us instead of us influencing the world? Have we been the salt and light in our nation? 

     Again, God is never a god of condemnation. Our spiritual enemy works really hard, and far too well, at causing us to become powerless and pathetic, then bringing accusation against us because of this. I stand here now to declare that is not the way of God! God will, and is, convicting us of our sins of negligence BUT he is a merciful God, faithful even when we are faithless. He is faithful to woo his bride back to himself for his son's sake! We are the reward of his Son Jesus, and Father is fully committed to presenting us to Jesus as a purified, powerful bride; one whom is fully prepared to rule and reign with Him! 

     What is happening in the world now is that God is shaking what can be shaken, particularly in his Body, the church so that we will awaken to our identities as sons and daughters, and to our destiny to rule with Jesus! The shaking is painful, uncomfortable and can bring fear. But it does not need to, for it is the goodness of God to prepare the Bride for the Son! It is up to us to open our eyes to see, open our ears to hear, and then humble ourselves to respond in obedience, recognizing the goodness of God to glorify his name through his people and magnify his name among the nations! That is a vision worth embracing!

OUR RESPONSE TO GOD:

     We humble ourselves before you, O God, our Creator and Father! We confess that we too easily forget that you are God and we are not! We confess that your ways are higher than our ways, and your thoughts greater than ours! We lay down our own thoughts, desires and will in surrender to your perfect will. We ask that you help us to see through your eyes and hear through your ears, for hearing and seeing in the Spirit are some of the most precious gifts you give to us that we might walk with you in all ways! May your name be magnified, made famous, revealed in truth and in spirit! As your children, your body, your Son's bride, we thank you that you are so gracious and merciful to us; that you are faithful even when we fall short; that your heart is always to redeem and restore your people to intimacy with you! We are blessed beyond comprehension through experiencing your love which is beyond understanding (Eph. 3)! And you make us complete in power and love! 

Unto the Awakened, Arising Bride of Jesus Christ,

Ray

     

Living By a Kingdom Worldview: Why I Believe What I Believe, and Why I Do What I Do!

My Worldview: A Personal Declaration of My Walk of Faith With God!

What Is Worldview?

     What is worldview and why is it important? The question is, "What worldview do we hold?" Worldview is the way we perceive the world around us. It is the way we make sense of the world we live in. Our worldview explains our world. Worldview has often been described as the lenses we look through at our world. Often the way we perceive the world is based on our cultural upbringing, our family history, and what we have been taught; both intentionally and by unconscious influences! Everyone holds to some form of worldview which is usually so ingrained in us that we give little conscious thought to it. Yet our worldview impacts everything we think, feel and do! So seeking to examine our worldview, and to see it transformed, is what we are called to do as followers of Jesus Christ!

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)

Why is Worldview Important?

     Perhaps one of the best ways to show why worldview is so important is to share an illustration called a "worldview tree."

WORLDVIEW TREE!

   


Fruit = Behavior/Actions - What a person does!

Trunk = Values - What a person sees as valuable in life!

Roots = Beliefs - What a person believes or thinks to be true!


Soil = A Mixture of Truth and Lies - What feeds one's worldview!

Jesus Christ: "Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions."

(Matthew 7:20 NLT)

Worldview Tree Explained!

     Every culture and every person has a mixture of both truth and lies which feed into what they believe. We form our beliefs based on the mixture of these truths and lies. What we truly think to be true is what we really believe. Our beliefs in turn determine what our values are; what we hold to be valuable in our lives. Our values result in the fruit we develop, which is expressed or manifest in our actions and behaviors. Though we may say we believe certain things to be true, what we actually perceive as truth will be made known by our actions and behavior!

     One of the problems we face is the resulting conflict that occurs when our worldviews collide! One of the ways to work through conflict is to seek to understand each other's worldview! Understanding does not equate with agreement. Nor will understanding always come easily because we are very "ethnocentric;" which means we think our ways and beliefs are the best. We, however, must remember that we all have a mixture of truth and lies which have been fed to us through various ways throughout our lives. One of our life goals ought to be to nurture the soil of our lives so as to weed out the lies and cultivate the truth so that we may become people who bear good fruit! What we think and believe directly affects how we live; what we do! And what we do directly reflects what we truly believe to be true!

“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart."
(Matthew 12:33-35 NLT)

An Attempt to Explain My Worldview

     The topic of worldview is often discussed and taught in much greater complexity than I am addressing today. My purpose has been to illustrate that our behavior is based on what we believe to be true! I hope to share some of those beliefs to shed light on why I say and do what I do!

Biblical Worldview

     The foundation of what I believe to be true is formed, and being formed, in the context of a biblical worldview. Again, the way we examine any worldview is to ask what are the beliefs? What values are produced by those beliefs? And what is the fruit produced in the lives of people as the result of those beliefs and values? 

     At this point, I am going to assume that I am primarily addressing a somewhat biblically literate audience; that is, you know the basic teachings of the Bible. I do desire, however, to share some of the deeper things the Holy Spirit has been revealing to me. The Apostle Paul talks about there being degrees of revelation of scriptural truth. He says, 

"For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong."

(Hebrews 5:13-14 NLT)

He is not saying that truth changes, but rather that God reveals greater depths of revelation about His word to those who continue to pursue truth, and are becoming more mature in the process. 

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me."

(John 16:12-15 NLT)

     This is clearly not for "spiritual elite" but available and purposed for everyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ. Truth which has not affected change in a person has not become a part of their worldview! So then, am I saying that I am mature in Christ? All I can say is that I have witnessed the work of God in my own life. Who I am now is radically different than who I was even in the near past! I am still maturing, but I can testify, as can others who have witnessed my life, that God is transforming my life! That is not bragging! This is what humility means: that we recognize the work of God in our lives, and rightly give God all the credit, for I know better than anyone else besides God who I used to be!

     Having given that testimony, allow me to share some things God has been revealing to me. In this you will understand better why I say and do what I do. One of the most profound revelations of truth has to do with the reason Jesus came to die on the cross, and to be raised from the dead. I will necessarily be brief. Jesus' primary purpose was not just to save us so we could go to heaven. Far too many people believe, as evidenced by the fruit of their lives, that Jesus only came to save us, and our work is to endure until we are taken to heaven!

What Jesus Did on the Cross

     I again assume that we know that we could never have been saved by our efforts or decision alone. It is only because God first pursued us that we could even come to the place of receiving the revelation by Holy Spirit through God's word that we needed a savior. Faith and grace are both essential to salvation. If any of this DOES NOT make sense, please personally contact me and we can talk!

About Salvation

     Let me share this point about salvation that has been very helpful to me: When we are "saved" our spirit is instantly transformed from our "old nature" bound in sin, to our new nature in Christ! We literally become a "new creation" in Jesus!

"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Galatians 2:20 NLT).

Also Paul writes, "As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation." (Galatians 6:14-15 NLT). 

Though our spirit is instantly transformed, our body and soul (mind, will and emotions) are being restored to God's original intentions for man! That is why there is still a process of maturity as believers.

"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
(Romans 12:2 NLT)

"Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NLT).

Saved Into the Kingdom

    Okay, we have trusted God for the forgiveness of our sins! Now what? We are called into the Kingdom of God having been instantaneously transformed in our spirit into sons or daughter's of God! We enter into a new family and new identity with wondrously new inherited rights and responsibilities! We are restored in relationship with God, and through Him, to others as well!

"Everything heaven contains has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus--all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts."
(Ephesians 1:3 TPT)

"May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."
(Colossians 1:11-14 NLT)

"But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir."
(Galatians 4:4-7 NLT)

     One of the most damaging half-truths Satan has planted in the minds of followers of Jesus is that we are just saved for heaven. Until we apply the truth that we are saved for more than ourselves, the Body of Christ will continue to be anemic, powerless, and fruitless for the Kingdom of God! It is imperative that we see ourselves as children of the King, dwelling in the Kingdom of God, who have been given power and authority to co-rule and reign with Jesus Christ; always submitted to His Lordship, but nonetheless having responsibility to restore God's original intentions that man take dominion over all the earth. Our work is to take back territory which Satan has wrongly stolen from man at the garden! God's purpose through the cross was to restore His original intentions as spoken over man at the garden. He has created us to have dominion over the earth; and that means we are to work to take back all the enemy has stolen through usurped authority!

And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth."
(Revelation 5:9-10 NKJV)

"One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick."
(Luke 9:1-2 NLT)

"The Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil." (1 John 3:8 NLT)

 "When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven."
(Luke 10:17-20 NLT)

"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church."
(Ephesians 1:19-22 NLT)

"For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus."
(Ephesians 2:6 NLT)

"See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are."
(1 John 3:1 NLT)

Learning to Listen to God

    One of the most fundamental aspects of relationship is the ability to communicate back and forth with one another! In our relationship with God learning to discern the voice of God is essential to all we are becoming and all we do in the family and Kingdom of God! This is,  again, an area where much of the Body of Christ has not understood nor practiced as fully as God has purposed for us! Yes, God does speak to us through the Bible, the Word of God, but even that is dependent upon us intentionally seeking to listen to Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the one who interprets the scriptures for us. Without His work we cannot understand the real intention of God's Word!

* The Logos Word of God: There are two different meanings in the NT when the "word of God" is used. One is logos which primarily refers to the written word, the Bible.

*The Rhema Word of God: The rhēma word of God refers to the spoken word of God. "Whereas logos often designates the Christian proclamation as a whole, rhēma usually relates to individual words and utterances."

     One way to consider this is that the logos is God's written word given to all people. The rhēma word is God speaking to us individually or elaborating on the logos word! This is simplistic but hopefully communicates that God did not just communicate through the Bible then left us to figure things out on our own. Rather, He continues to communicate with us giving us understanding of the Bible interpreted by the Holy Spirit, but also speaking into our lives in a more personal manner through the Holy Spirit! One of the phrases most used by Jesus was, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand." (Matthew 11:15 NLT). 

     Communicating with God is one of the most precious gifts He has given us through His Spirit! Consider this: If the Holy Spirit communicated with people in the OT, how much more ought we live in communion with Holy Spirit now in the New Covenant relationship we have with God through Jesus Christ?

"The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life."
(2 Corinthians 3:7-8 NLT)

"But, as it is written,
 “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ."
(1 Corinthians 2:9-16 ESV)

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word  that comes from the mouth of God.'

(Matthew 4:4 NLT)

"But the one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice."

(John 10:2-5 NLT)

"Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him."

(Mark 9:7 NLT)

"Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven."

(Hebrews 12:25 NLT)

“Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches."

(Revelation 2:7 NLT)

"As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God. ’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me."

(John 6:45 NLT)

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

(Romans 10:17 NKJV)

"For it pleases the Holy Spirit and us that we not place any unnecessary burden on you..."
(Acts 15:28 TPT) [Notice the communication that took place between man and Holy Spirit!]

Our Work in the Kingdom

     Only as we come to the place of knowing the work God has given us in the Kingdom do we begin to live as God intended us on earth. We are called to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth, in accordance with how Jesus taught us to pray! Particularly in the western world, we witness the barrenness of the Body of Christ from what God intended. The "western church," in large part, has abandoned the power made available to us by the Holy Spirit for "a form of religion denying it's power." This occurred when secularism infiltrated the teachings of the church, which came as a result of the church being assimilated into the culture rather than being cultural influencers as God intended all along for His people! The good news is that God never gives up on the Church, the "being prepared" Bride of Christ! He continues to woo us back to Himself, restoring and reviving his people when they cry out to him! We are clearly living in a new season of God beginning to restore his Body to a place of power and authority.

     How is it possible for us to walk in the same way Jesus did while He was on earth? When Jesus came to earth he became a man, though remained fully God; a mystery we don't understand with our human mind. BUT, the scriptures say that Jesus laid down his divine attributes; that is, though he was both God and man, he did not operate as God while on this earth. He fully understood his identity but he did not use his divine power while on earth. 

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

 he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross."

(Philippians 2:5-8 NLT)

     The reason Jesus gave up his divine privileges was because his purpose was to model for all people the life that is possible by walking in the Spirit, trusting God for all things! In the same way Jesus trusted God while on this earth, so we can do likewise! That is why Jesus was also able to say we would do the same works as him, and indeed even greater works!

So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does."
(John 5:19 NLT)

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me."
(John 8:28 NLT)

"The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

(John 14:10-14 NLT)

Gifts of Holy Spirit

    When we talk of gifts of the Holy Spirit, we need to recognize that these are exactly that: spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit which are always a manifestation of supernatural, spiritual power. They are never just demonstration of our own abilities or knowledge. Therefore, as we consider each gift of the Spirit, we need to view it as a supernatural impartation which is always outside of man's natural abilities. For example, the gift of a "word of knowledge" is not simply being able to study and learn something about another person. It is a supernatural revelation given by Holy Spirit about another person which cannot be known by that person otherwise. It usually reveals something only the person receiving this gift would know. The purpose is to show the person that God knows them intimately, and that He understands what their deepest needs are. It is never given to harm a person or "expose" something about them which could be shameful or harmful in any way. It is always to encourage, build up, and reveal the heart of God to them! It is always so God can bring healing into a person's life! Remember, these are GIFTS to be given to others in the power and leading of the Spirit of God!

     A good example of the spiritual gift of a "word of knowledge" is found in the story of the woman at the well in John 4:1-30. [I would encourage you to read this passage with this perspective; and then begin to read all of the scriptures asking Holy Spirit to show you what He is doing!] As Jesus interacts with her, he says:

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her.
 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied.
Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth."
(John 4:16-18 NLT)

He was given supernatural knowledge of this woman as a means of revealing the power and love of God to her. He did not use this knowledge to condemn her, but to stir in her a hunger for truth! True spiritual power from the Holy Spirit will always lead into a deeper revelation of spiritual truth, ultimately to Jesus! As a result of this encounter, not only did the woman discover who Jesus is, but the whole village come to hear and respond to the gospel!

     When the foundations of biblical truth have been eroded in a nation, the power of God becomes essential. Why? When truth alone is no longer accepted on it's own merit, the power of God as revealed through the gifts given by Holy Spirit become a means of displaying the love of God which cannot be denied! This demonstration of love through power will break down walls of resistance to the truth of the Gospel; in fact, confirming the message of God's love to all. It is also a means of spiritual warfare demonstrating that God is sovereign over all of creation, and that the enemy is defeated! 

"And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs."
(Mark 16:20 NLT)

"God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose."
(Hebrews 2:4 NLT)

"God's various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God's Spirit. God's various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people! The variety is wonderful:
wise counsel (word of wisdom)
clear understanding (word of knowledge)
 simple trust (gift of supernatural faith)
healing the sick 
 miraculous acts
proclamation
distinguishing between spirits
tongues
interpretation of tongues.
 All these gifts have a common origin, but are handed out one by one by the one Spirit of God. He decides who gets what, and when."
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Message)

     There are a huge amount of references about spiritual gifts and the manifestation of those gifts by the disciples. So why is it that we so often refuse to acknowledge this precious reality in the Kingdom  of God? I read one explanation that made some sense to me. In the past, when christian leaders tried to exercise the gifts and nothing happened, they chose to create doctrines that denied this truth instead of pressing into God in prayer and humility, confessing their lack of faith. Regardless of whether one believes the cause, it is evident that supernatural intervention has not been evident in our society in large part. Again, we must examine our worldview! Is this based on truth, or upon cultural and/or spiritually wicked influence? I give witness that the Holy Spirit still gives spiritual power and authority when we humble ourselves, seek for the gifts He wants to give to us and to others, and trust Him to lead us in how and when to use them. Jesus also said that we would do the same works He did, and even greater works! This is again evidence that we must mix truth with faith in order to walk fully in God's ways!

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
(John 14:12-14 NLT)

Prophets and Prophecy

 One of the gifts Jesus gave to the Body of Christ through the Holy Spirit is that of Prophet! We read in Ephesians 4: 11-13,

"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ." 
(Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT)

     I choose, by faith, to believe that these gifts are still relevant for the Body of Christ today! There is no evidence that God has taken them away. So, if prophets are gifts from God, shouldn't we be alert to how God might be speaking through such people? Certainly we are called to test the spirits, to seek discernment, and to test all things by the Word of God, but we do irreparable harm to the function and health of the Body of Christ when we deny such reality. Same goes for the other equipping gifts God has given for the benefit and maturing of the Body!

     Regarding prophecy, the Apostle Paul strongly encouraged everyone to seek to exercise the gift of prophecy. This is not speaking our own words to others, but receiving words for others from the Holy Spirit! It's not that's it's wrong to encourage one another in our own understanding, but the Holy Spirit can speak into the deep needs of a person which only He knows. There is spiritual power when we are willing to be used in this way!

"Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire (earnestly desire; desire zealously) the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.
 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened."
(1 Corinthians 14:1-5 NLT)

"The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me." (Jesus)
(John 6:63-64 NLT)

     Even as I work on this, God showed me this: There are differing ways of prophesying. Some prophecy does speak forth about future events. Some prophecy is more personal; one to one. There are differing degrees of authority given in each gift. Some will prophecy over nations; others over individuals or smaller groups. All are an important part for the health of the Body of Christ.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.
(1 Corinthians 12:4-7 NKJV)

Prophecy about Future Events

During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.  (Acts 11:27-30 NLT)

     Notice what happened: Agabus gave a prophecy so that the church could be prepared, take action, and be a blessing in the situation! And the prophecy occurred as prophesied!

Prophecy to an Individual

     Another form of prophecy is what is known as a "word of prophecy" as outlined in 1 Cor. 14:3. This is when the Holy Spirit gives a word through a person to another which is supernatural in origin with the purpose of encouraging, edifying or comforting them. What I believe Holy Spirit just showed me is that such prophetic words are also expressions which are speaking truth about the future. [I need to pray through this more, but I think it is of the Spirit for most, if not all, prophetic words]. What I believe God is showing me is that prophetic words are, at least sometimes, spoken not just about a person in the moment, but rather a declaration of who God intends them to be in the fullness of their identity and destiny as His child! The example that comes to mind is that of Peter. 

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it."(Matthew 16:17-18 NLT)

    Jesus prophetically spoke by the power of the Holy Spirit declaring, not who Peter was at that moment in time, but who he would become in the future! Prophetic words will encourage people to see themselves from God's purposes and intentions rather than from their own limited one. Again, the gifts from the Holy Spirit are used to reveal who God is, and call us to a deeper walk of faith with God!

Searching the Scriptures

     Knowing the scriptures is not enough in and of itself to be a disciple of Jesus! The scriptures say that even demons believed the truth and trembled. Jesus also said of the Pharisees and teachers of the law (who, by the way, knew the scriptures available at that time better than anyone else),

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life."
(John 5:39-40 NLT)

"You can believe all you want that there is one true God, that's wonderful! But even the demons know this and tremble with fear before him, yet they're unchanged--they remain demons."
(James 2:19 TPT)

They (the religious leaders) did not mix the revealed truth with faith, and they missed the very one they were hoping for!

"For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it."
(Hebrews 4:2 NKJV)

   How, then, should we search the scriptures? Do we simply try to figure out in our own understanding what the scriptures mean? Or do we ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and understanding? Is our dependence upon our own intellect, or upon the Spirit of God?  Any time we approach the scriptures we should do so in a spirit of humility, acknowledging our dependence upon Holy Spirit for illumination and spiritual understanding. Prayer is the safeguard against pride!

 “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth...
"I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you."
(John 14:15-17, 25-26 NLT)

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me."

(John 16:12-15 NLT)

    
"But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."
(John 4:23-24 NLT)

Determining What is True!

     In an age of postmodernism and relativism where the motto is, "You believe what you want to believe, and I will believe what I want to believe" or  "I create my own reality," how does one address the issue of truth? The Bible refers to the way of thinking so prevalent in the world today! 

What sorrow for those who say
that evil is good and good is evil,
that dark is light and light is dark,
that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.
 What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes
and think themselves so clever.
(Isaiah 5:20-21 NLT)

     So how do we think about truth? How do we determine what is true? From a biblical perspective, truth is not primarily about something we know, but rather SOMEONE we are in process of knowing; Jesus Christ! Jesus declared this about himself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life." (John 14:6). Truth, then, is not so much about pursuing informational knowledge as it is about encountering relational knowledge of Jesus Christ! Jesus is the embodiment of truth! That which is true is always discovered in the context of relationship with God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth! Allow me to give an example which the Spirit just brought to my mind. Would you say that 5 + 2 = 7 is a true? From a human perspective this seems to be true. However, if we seek to answer this from a biblical perspective the truth is that 5+ 2= more than 5000!


Jesus said: “How much bread do you have?” he asked. “Go and find out.”
They came back and reported, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish.”
 Then Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred.
 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish. A total of 5,000 men and their families were fed from those loaves.
(Mark 6:38-44 NLT)

     Why do I use this example? My entire premise for searching for truth is that we must not look at things merely from a human perspective, but rather search for truth in the person of Jesus Christ! We look at things from what we see, or what others say, but we often neglect to first ask God what his perspective is in a situation! We base our definition of truth on human reasoning and understanding. What do the scriptures say about this? When Jesus was speaking, he prefaced what he was about to say with, "I tell you the truth." He is the standard of truth!

Proverbs 3:5-7 says, "Trust the Lord completely. And do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Don't think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with awe and wonder..." (Prov. 3:5-7a, TPT)

Notice, that in this scripture, Jesus states that becoming his disciple results in a person being able to bring "gems of truth" into the open!

Then [Jesus] added, “Every teacher of religious law who becomes a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old."
(Matthew 13:52 NLT)

Once again we see that the Holy Spirit leads us into ALL truth! We cannot discern truth apart from Holy Spirit! Clearly, our search for truth can come only as we seek God in all things!

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you."
(John 14:15-19 NLT)

The Holy Spirit dwells in us and we are to seek him for all revelation of truth!

"...the truth lives in us and will be with us forever."
(2 John 1:2 NLT)

"But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ."
(1 John 2:27 NLT)

Jesus connects "remaining in him" and "being his disciple" with the ability to know the truth.

'Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."'
(John 8:31-32 NLT)

     As the Bible is how God has revealed himself to us, we look to it as our source of truth, and that which we use to test all teachings. Nothing that is true will contradict what the scriptures have already revealed about God; Father, Son and Spirit. However, as I have already written, the scriptures must be interpreted by the Holy Spirit in order for us to receive the revelation of divine truth. They cannot be understood from a human perspective! In our search for truth about anything, we must earnestly seek the Holy Spirit and the word of God together! Thus we are also exhorted that we will be people who worship in spirit and in truth! Worship is a life devoted to God, therefore we cannot expect to walk in the truth unless we are living in this place of devotion!

That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. And the people of Berea were more open- minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.
(Acts 17:10-12 NLT)

Conclusion (for now)

     I am ending this blog now because I would like to get it posted, and we have too many things happening right now for me to finish the way I would like. There are numerous other "beliefs" which have an influence on the way I interact with the world. I hope by posting this that you might, not only get to know me a bit better, but that this might also challenge us to continue to examine what we believe, and why! My hope is that the Spirit of truth will continually be free to lead us into a Kingdom worldview where we seek to live out our beliefs that the Kingdom would come and God's will would be done in our lives joyfully and freely! 

Toward an ever increasing Kingdom of God's rule and reign on earth as it is in heaven!

"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up."
(Romans 14:17-19 NLT)


Ray Farris