Hearing God - Amazon S3God.pdf · 2018. 1. 3. · HEARING GOD HOW TO HEAR AND DISCERN THE WORD OF...

HEAR ING GOD

HOWTO HEAR AND D ISCERN THE WORDOF GOD IN YOUR L IFE

ED IT ION 1 – NOVEMBER 2017

THEDILEMMA......................................................................................................................................2

INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................................4AGESANDFEASTS.........................................................................................................................................4THELAW.....................................................................................................................................................5

MAN’SSOLUTION–MANAGEANDCONTROL.......................................................................................7APPOINTSOMEONEELSETOHEARTHEWORDFORUS..........................................................................................7DENYOTHERSFROMHEARINGTHEWORD........................................................................................................8INSISTONTHE“PROPER”WAYGODSPEAKS.....................................................................................................11MUSTCONFIRMSCRIPTURE..........................................................................................................................13MUSTBEBALANCED....................................................................................................................................15MUSTBECONFIRMEDBYMANYWITNESSES.....................................................................................................15

WHATISOURPURPOSE?....................................................................................................................17

BELIEFS...............................................................................................................................................19

JESUSISTHERESURRECTIONANDTHELIFE........................................................................................24

GOD’SSOLUTION-SPIRITUALDISCERNMENT.....................................................................................26INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................26PRESENTATIONOFTHEWORD......................................................................................................................28ARMOROFGOD(SCALES)............................................................................................................................31IDENTIFICATION(FINS).................................................................................................................................32TRANSLATIONOFTHEWORD.........................................................................................................................36INTERPRETATIONOFTHEWORD(CUD)(MEDITATION)......................................................................................37VERIFICATIONOFTHEWORD(SPLITHOOF)(WITNESS)......................................................................................39PURIFICATIONOFTHEWORD(BLOOD)(DONOTEATTHEBLOOD).......................................................................40APPLICATIONOFTHEWORD(DOERSVSHEARERS)(FAITH).................................................................................41

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THEDILEMMA

InmostofthevariousChristiangroups,thepreachers,pastors,andpriests,aswellasmanyoftheauthorsandlaity,willpreachtheirmessagesundertheall-powerfulclaimthatGodgavethemthemessage.Wehearmanystatementssuchas–“Godsaysthis,”or“Thespiritledmetosaythat,”or“Scripturetellsussuchandsuch,”etc.

WhiletheyareeachclaimingtheirmessagesandinstructionsarefromGod,manytimestheyareindirectoppositiontoeachother.Wehearpreacherssayingthataparticularpassageofscripturemeansonething,whilesomeotherauthorclaimsittomeansomethingentirelydifferent.Wealsoseepassagesofscripturethatdirectlyseemtocontradicteachother.ItisnosmallwonderthatwehavesomanydifferentChristianchurches.Buthowcanweunderstandthis?CanweeverworshipinspiritandtruthwhenalmosteverybodyunderstandsadifferenttruthandclaimstheSpiritorbibletoldthemthattruth?HowcanweclaimthatGodprotectsHiswordandthenseesomanydifferentwaysofreadingit?Howisitpossibletoknowanytruth?

Beforetacklingthesequestions,I’dliketoprovidemyopinionastowhyweareinthisstate.

Inourbeing,wehavethreemodesofexistence,threebodies.Wehaveaphysicalbody,aspirit,andasoul.ThewordofGodcomestousinmanyways,butwhetheritentersthroughtheeye,theear,ortheheart,thefirstplaceitgoesistothespirit.Herethewordisheardbythespiritualearsandistranslatedintoalanguagethatweunderstand(Rom8:26).ItmattersnotwhetherthespiritualearsreceiveditdirectlyfromtheSpiritofGodorwhethertheyheardapersonspeakorwhethertheyreadabook,includingscripture.Inallthesecases,theyhearthewordwiththeirspiritualears.Iftheyhavenospiritualears,theydonotheartheword.Godisinthebusinessofgrowingspiritualears.

Oncethewordhasbeenheard,itisthentranslatedandsentontotheheartandmind.Thisistheareaofthesoul.Thesoulinterpretstheword.Unfortunately,thesoulisalsothehomeofouridols.Allourwantsanddesiresandpreconceivedideasarehousedhere.Ourtraditions,ourpressures,etc.,allfindahomeinoursoul.So,ourinterpretationisskewedbyalltheelementswithinoursoul.

Onceinterpreted,thewordisthensentontothebodywhereitisapplied.Thatis,thewordisacted(ornotacted)upon.Wepreachamessage,teachalesson,dosomething,ordonothing,butweactupontheheard,translated,andinterpretedword.Ofcourse,thebodyhasitsownproblems.Thereareissuesofself-control,temptation,laziness,andgluttony.Tomentionafew.

Asyoucansee,thereisplentyofopportunityforustogetthewordofGodwrong.First,wemaynotevenhearit.Then,wecouldhearit,butmistranslateit.Thesefirsttwoerrorsarebecauseoffaultyspiritualears.

Oncewepassthebarelyheardand/ormistranslatedmessageontothesoul,thesoulcompletelycorruptsthemessagebasedonourtraditions,ideologies,anddesires.Thisisjustastruewhenwereadscriptureaswhenwereceivedthewordfromthespirit.Eitherway,firstwemusthearthewordthroughthespiritandthenmoveitthroughthisprocess.Eventuallythecorruptedmessagereachesourbodyforaction.Weact,teach,orpreachincorrectly,butwehaveenoughspiritualmemorytorememberthatthewordoriginallycamefromGod,andsoinourincorrectnesswesay,“Godtoldme...”

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Itisverymuchliketheoldgameoftelephone,onlytheconsequencesaremuchmoreserious(seeEzekiel14,Jeremiah23).

Thisiswhyonepersoncanhaveacompletelydifferentinterpretationofscripturethananotherperson,andwhyonepersoncanhearGodsayingonethingwhileanotherhearsGodsayingsomethingopposite.ItisnotGodwhoishavingtroublecommunicating.ItisallpartofHisplan,butitisouridolsandsinthatpreventusfromunderstandingtruth.Theproblembecomescomplicatedbythefactthatonceinawhilewegetitright!Whenthishappens,wequicklybuildupasenseofprideinour“closeness”toGodortothetruth.Thiscausesfutureinterpretationstobecomecloudedandwearebackwherewewerebefore,butnowwehavefollowerswhowatchedus“getitright.”TheyfeedtheprideandsoonwearehearingGodsayingallsortsofthingsthatHesimplyisnotsaying.Manycultfollowingsanddenominationshadjustsuchastart–anoriginaltruththathashadmanyliespiledontopofit.Noneofusareimmunetothisproblem.ThetimeswhenthetruevoiceofGodisheard,translated,interpreted,andthenacteduponcorrectlyarerare.

Understandingtheseconceptsallowsustoseewhytherearesomanydifferentopinionsaboutwhatistrue.

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INTRODUCTION

Aswecontinuedownthispath,Iwanttoprefacethesemoduleswithawarning.SomeofwhatImustsayinordertoconveythismessagewillnotsitwellwithsomeofyou.Idonotmeananypersonalaccusationbyanyofit.Mystatementsaregeneralizationswithnoparticularpersonordenominationinmind.Ifyoufindyourselfwearingashoewithincrediblecomfort-itispurelycoincidence.ButIalsoaskthatbeforeyourejecttheseconcepts-pleaseweightheminyourspirit.PonderthembeforetheLord.Thendoasyoufeelled.

Also,Iamtryingtokeepthesemodulesveryshort-thereissomuchmoredetailIcouldoffertothosethataregenuinelyinterested.Iwillbeskimmingoversometopicswherewecoulddivemuchdeeper.IguessI’dneedtohearfromyouifadeeperdiveisdesiredandhowyouwouldwanttogoaboutaccomplishingit.

AGESANDFEASTS

Beforewecangetstraighttothesolutiontothissituation,Ineedtogiveabasicframeworkuponwhichtohangfuturemodules.Ifyouhavebeenreadingmyotherwritings,youmayknowthatIbelievethatthefeastsareindeedthemarkersfortheappointedtimesinthecyclic,spiralcalendarofGod.Therearemanysmallerfulfillmentsandsomemajorfulfillmentsofeachfeastandthecalendarhasnotyetbeencompleted.Butthespiraldoesnotonlyrepresentontheuniversalscale.ItmanifestsitselfwithinthecorporatebodyofChristaswellasdowntotheindividualwalkofeachbeliever.SomehavesaidthatthefeastsaretiedtotheMessiah-andofcoursetheyare-butinthesamewaythateverythingistiedtotheMessiah.HeistheLordoftheSabbath-HeistheLordoftheFeasts-HeistheJubilee.Butthefeastsalsoapplytotheindividualbelieveraswell.AndthisisdirectlytiedtoourabilitytohearthevoiceofGod.

GodistheGodoftheAgesandhehasbroughtusthroughseveralofthoseagessofar.However,hisplanofsalvationthroughoutalltheseagesisthesameforeveryone.Godusesseveralimages/illustrationstohelpusgrasptheages.Hespeaksofharvestsandvarious“fruits”oftheharvests.Hespeaksofchildbearingandpregnancy,HeusesHisfeasts,HeusesthestoriesoftheearlykingsofIsrael(Saul,David,andSolomon),Heevenusesthelivesofthechurchfathers(Abraham,Isaac,Jacobandhissons-andalltheirwives).Thechurchbeganlongbeforethecross.WhyisthisrelevanttohearingGod?BecauseabigpartofhearingandproperlyinterpretingGodisbeingabletosayAmentoHisplan.Notours.Weneedtoreviewthelifeofthecorporatechurchandthenwewillapplythattousasindividuals.

So,fromacorporatesense:

• thechurchhaditsPassoverexperiencewhentheyleftEgyptandthisalsobeganthePassoverAge.• thechurchwasbaptizedintheredseaandcameoutofthe“water”intolifejustasthesunwasrising

onthedayofFirstFruits.• thechurchwasgiventhelawonstoneatMt.SinaionPentecost• thechurchwasgiventheopportunitytomoveontothefallfeastswhen,onthedayofatonement,

theyfailedtocrossintothepromisedland.Onthisday,theybegantoseparateintothosethatcouldhearGodandthosethatcouldnot.

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ThesewereallforeshadowsofthefulfillmentinChrist:

• ChristfulfilledPassoverandendedthePassoverAge.• ChristfulfilledFirstFruitsbyascendingtoHisFatheronFirstFruits(thiswasnothisAscensionin

Acts)• TheHolySpiritwasgivenandbegantheprocessofwritingthelawonourheartsatPentecost-

startingthePentecostalAge

ThechurchhasbeeninthisPentecostalAgesincePentecostof33AD.Butwearecomingtotheveryendofthecurrentage.

Eachofus,inourownwalkalsoencountersthissamesequenceasGoddealswithusaccordingtoourownpersonalfeastschedule.ChristianityhasforgottenabouttheFeastsandthebeautyofGodrevealedwithinthem,butinthisclosingoftheage,HehaswonderfullybeguntheprocessofrestoringourunderstandingofHisschedulevsourschedule.Wehavebeenofthemindset-getsaved-gotoheaven.It’swhatisinbetweenthatweoftencan’tfigureoutanduponwhichmostofourdisagreementslie.

ThefeastshelpustounderstandhowGodisworkingwithus.OurmomentofbeliefisourPassoverexperience.Inourbeing,wehaverecognizedtheuselessnessofourownleavenedworkandclaimedthebloodofthelambtocoveroursin.Wethensymbolizethisviabaptism-wegodownintothesea(dietothelawofsinanddeath)andriseagainwithHim(tothenewnessoflife)onourownpersonalfirstfruits.Thenextthingmostofustendtodo?Where’sthepromisedland?LetmeinLord!We’rereadytomoveontotheFallFeasts(eventhough,inourChristianwalk,weneverperceiveditthatway).Butguesswhat-the“inbetween”isPentecost.

NowIcanhearallyouAssemblyofGodfolksaying-Amenbrother,preachit!Sorrytodisappoint,butIamnottalkingaboutPentecostfromtheperspectiveofthePentecostalmovementthatstartedinthelastcenturyorso.Thoughthereisaconnectiontothetimingofitall.I’mtalkingaboutPentecostfromtheperspectiveofGodandHisfeasts-I’mtalkingaboutHimwritingHisfierylawonourhearts.

Yousee,withoutexperiencingPentecostinourlives,wecannotexperiencethefallfeasts-trumpets,atonement,andtabernacles.Youaresaved,but,believeitornot,thatisnottheendofGodworkingwithyou!PraisetheFatherthatheisnotonlytheauthorofourfaith,butalsothefinisher.

Pentecostiswherewelearntohear,discern,andproperlyinterpretthevoiceofGod.

THELAW

Theword"law"or"thelaw"meansdifferentthingstodifferentpeopleandindifferentcontexts.ThetruelawisthecharacterofGod.Godwalksinrighteousnessandisholy.ItwasillustratedinthepersonofJesusChristasthewordincarnate.

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Nowatokenofthislaw-averyfinitemorselofit-wasgiventoMosesatMountSinaiandcommunicatedtoMosesatvariousothertimes.ThisistheOldTestamentLawandiswhatmostChristiansthinkaboutwhenonesaysthewordlaw.ItwasgivenatPentecostandwritteninstone.

TheHebrewpeoplethentooktheOldTestamentLawandattachedvariousmeaningstoitandwroteallthisdownintotheTalmud.ThisistheTraditionalJewishLaw.ItisimportanttorealizethattothetypicalJewishpersonthereisnodifferencebetweentheOldTestamentLawandtheTraditionalJewishLaw.Iftherewasadifference,deferencewouldbegiventotheTraditionalJewishLaw.

Christianstodayhavetheirowntraditionallaw;thatis,rulesofdo'sanddon'tsputuponthembysociety,theirchurch,theirfellowship,orthemselves.Thislawincludestheirsystemofmoralconductaswellasdefiningwhatisacceptabledoctrine.Icallthislaw,TraditionalChurchTeaching.

TheOldTestamentLawwasnotdoneawaywithwhenChristcametothisearth.Rather,thatwhichitreflects,(thecharacterofGod),wasillustratedbytheministryofChristwhofulfillsthelaw.JesusfulfillsHisowncharacter.TheessenceofthelawislovebecausetheessenceofGodisloveandthelawisfulfilledinlove.NewTestamentChristianityisnotpermittedtodisobeythislawanymorethenOldTestamentChristianity.Salvationwasneverachievedbythelawanditstillisnottoday!

Therehasbeenashiftfromthephysicaltothespiritualasitrelatestomankind’sunderstandingofthelaw.SomeoftheOldtestamentlawshavebeencompletelyfulfilledbyJesus,butthespiritandprincipalsofthoselawsarestillrepresentativeofthecharacterofGod.GodhasnotchangedandHestillactsaccordingtotheprincipalsofwhoHeis.

1Jo3:4Whosoevercommittethsintransgressethalsothelaw:forsinisthetransgressionofthelaw.Rom6:1Whatshallwesaythen?Shallwecontinueinsin,thatgracemayabound?

Johncallssinthetransgressionofthelaw,Paulthenindicatesthatwecannotcontinueinsinorlawlessness.Whatlawarewetalkingabout?

Rom7:6Butnowwearedeliveredfromthelaw,thatbeingdeadwhereinwewereheld;thatweshouldserveinnewnessofspirit,andnotintheoldnessoftheletter.Rom8:2-5ForthelawoftheSpiritoflifeinChristJesushathmademefreefromthelawofsinanddeath.(3)Forwhatthelawcouldnotdo,inthatitwasweakthroughtheflesh,GodsendinghisownSoninthelikenessofsinfulflesh,andforsin,condemnedsinintheflesh:(4)Thattherighteousnessofthelawmightbefulfilledinus,whowalknotaftertheflesh,butaftertheSpirit.(5)Fortheythatareafterthefleshdomindthethingsoftheflesh;buttheythatareaftertheSpiritthethingsoftheSpirit.

Thelawwenowfollowisthelawofthespirit.Theletterofthelawisinsufficienttoguideusintoalllove,butthespiritofthelawwillallowustowalkinrighteousness.ThisdoesnotremovetherighteousnessoftheOldTestamentLaw,nordoesitremoveourobligationtoobeyit.Itsimplypointsoutthatobeyingthelawdoesnotmeanfollowingtheletter,butthespirit,ofthelaw.TheOldTestamentLawisaguidetoamoreperfectreflectionofGod’scharacterandaswecomeintoagreementwiththislaw(throughourPentecostexperience)wefollowitnotbecauseofobedience,butbecauseweagreewithit.

Tobeclear-Noneofthisisaboutsalvation.

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MAN’SSOLUTION–MANAGEANDCONTROL

Overtheyears,manhascomeupwiththeirwaysofsolvingthedilemmastatedinouropeningchapter.Thenextseveralpageswillcoversomeofman’s“solutions.”

APPOINTSOMEONEELSETOHEARTHEWORDFORUS

Godprovidedthechurchinthewildernessforourinstruction.TheexperiencesthatoccurredtotheHebrewchildren,aretheveryexperiencesthatthemodernchurchisexperiencing.WhatbeganatthefirstPentecostunderMoses,beganagainatthePentecostundertheholyspirit.The40yearsinthewildernessequatestoour40jubileesinthewildernesswaitingforChrist.

Let’stakealookatwhathappenedatthatfirstPentecost.ThepeoplehadtheoptiontohearthewordofGoddirectly:

Exo20:18Andallthepeoplesawthethunderings,andthelightnings,andthenoiseofthetrumpet,andthemountainsmoking:andwhenthepeoplesawit,theyremoved,andstoodafaroff.Exo20:19AndtheysaiduntoMoses,Speakthouwithus,andwewillhear:butletnotGodspeakwithus,lestwedie.Exo20:20AndMosessaiduntothepeople,Fearnot:forGodiscometoproveyou,andthathisfearmaybebeforeyourfaces,thatyesinnot.Exo20:21Andthepeoplestoodafaroff,andMosesdrewnearuntothethickdarknesswhereGodwas.

Instead,thepeoplewereafraidoftheconsequencesofhearingGod’svoice“lest[they]die.”Yousee,thewordofGodburns.Itisaconsumingfire.AtthePentecostinActsweseetheflamesupontheheadsalsorepresentingthefireofGodasitwritestheirlawintheheartsofthepeople.Todothisrequiresburningoffflesh.

Deu4:24FortheLORDthyGodisaconsumingfire,evenajealousGod.Deu4:33DideverpeoplehearthevoiceofGodspeakingoutofthemidstofthefire,asthouhastheard,andlive?Deu5:22ThesewordstheLORDspakeuntoallyourassemblyinthemountoutofthemidstofthefire,ofthecloud,andofthethickdarkness,withagreatvoice:andheaddednomore.Andhewrotethemintwotablesofstone,anddeliveredthemuntome.Deu5:23Anditcametopass,whenyeheardthevoiceoutofthemidstofthedarkness,(forthemountaindidburnwithfire,)thatyecamenearuntome,evenalltheheadsofyourtribes,andyourelders;Deu5:24Andyesaid,Behold,theLORDourGodhathshewedushisgloryandhisgreatness,andwehaveheardhisvoiceoutofthemidstofthefire:wehaveseenthisdaythatGoddothtalkwithman,andheliveth.Deu5:25Nowthereforewhyshouldwedie?forthisgreatfirewillconsumeus:ifwehearthevoiceoftheLORDourGodanymore,thenweshalldie.Deu5:26Forwhoisthereofallflesh,thathathheardthevoiceofthelivingGodspeakingoutofthemidstofthefire,aswehave,andlived?Deu5:27Gothounear,andhearallthattheLORDourGodshallsay:andspeakthouuntousallthattheLORDourGodshallspeakuntothee;andwewillhearit,anddoit.Deu5:28AndtheLORDheardthevoiceofyourwords,whenyespakeuntome;andtheLORDsaiduntome,Ihaveheardthevoiceofthewordsofthispeople,whichtheyhavespokenuntothee:theyhavewellsaidallthattheyhavespoken.Deu5:29Othatthereweresuchanheartinthem,thattheywouldfearme,andkeepallmycommandmentsalways,thatitmightbewellwiththem,andwiththeirchildrenforever!

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Deu5:30Gosaytothem,Getyouintoyourtentsagain.

TheHebrewpeopletoldMosestogohearfromGodandthenhecouldjustgivethemthemessage.Theywentbacktotheirtents.ButthatisnottheplanthatGodhasforhispeople.Hehascreatedustohear-andhespeakstousdirectly.Hesays:

Deu4:36Outofheavenhemadetheetohearhisvoice,thathemightinstructthee:anduponearthheshewedtheehisgreatfire;andthouheardesthiswordsoutofthemidstofthefire.

Thethingis,theHebrewpeopleweren’t100%wrong.ThewordofGoddoesburn.NoticethiswasallaPentecostevent.GodwassettingthestageforourPentecostexperience.Thatis,aswehearthewordofGod,itburnsoffourflesh.Itdestroysouridols.Itprovidesspiritualinstruction.

Later,Jesustellsustodenyourselvesandtakeuponourcrossdaily.Hewhowishestosavehislifeshallloseit.etc.Paulsayshediesdaily.Thetruthhurts.ThewordofGodburnsoffourflesh.

Whatdidthenewtestamentchurchdo?Well,itfollowedthepatternofthechurchinthewilderness.ItappointedmentohearthewordofGodforthem.Forthecatholicchurches,itisthepopeandthepriesthood.Butwehavealsocontinuedthepolicyintothereformation.Although,thereisabasicunderstandingthatGodmayspeaktopeople,wehaveputsuchrigidrestrictionsuponthis“word”thatmosthavegivenuphopeonhearing.Instead,theytrusttheirpastortobringthemthewordofGodeachweekandtheyreceivetheirinstructionthatway.Butoften,thiswordiscorruptedbytheprocessweoutlinedinthefirstmodule.

Onceagain,thisisnottheplanofGodforPentecost.ThisisachurchstuckinPassover.AndmanyChristiansarealsostuckinPassover.Theybelieve,theyhavecrossedtheRedsea,andthentheylaidafoundation,builtahouse,andstartingwaitingforheaven.ButGoddidnotstopafterhebroughtthepeopleoutofEgypt.HedidnotstopontheothersideoftheRedSea.Justlikethen,thepillarofcloudandthepillaroffirearestillleadingusintoalltruth.Ifwearenotabletomovewhenthespiritleads-wearenotwalkinginfaith.WearenotfulfillingPentecostinourlife.

Rom10:17Sothenfaithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.Rom1:17ForthereinistherighteousnessofGodrevealedfromfaithtofaith:asitiswritten,Thejustshalllivebyfaith.

Man’sfirstsolutionistoappointsomeoneelsetohearthewordforthem.Manydon’tdothisconsciously.Wehavesimplygrownupunderthismethodology.ItneveroccurredtousthatwecouldorshouldheartheworddirectlyfromGod.IfanyonedoeseverfeeltheymayhaveheardthewordoftheLord,theyareusuallyshutdownprettyfastbytheirpeersorpastors.Often,theyareridiculedorcorrected.Veryrarelydopeopletrustthewordstheyhearletalonewhatothershear.Wewillcovermoreofthisinadifferentmodule.

DENYOTHERSFROMHEARINGTHEWORD

Thestoryoftheoldtestamentchurchcontinuesinotherbiblicalpassages.AsImentionedearlier,theearlykingsillustrateanothersetoftruths.Saul,Israel’sfirstKingwasgiventoIsraelaccordingtotheidols

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oftheirheart.Theydemandedaking-andGodgavethemwhattheywanted,butnotwhatwasbestforthem.ThisisapatternalsoforthoseofuswhowanttohearGod.Often,Heanswersaccordingtheidolsofourheart.Butthatlessonisnotforthismodule....

ThekingshipofSaulrepresents,again,thechurchduringPentecost.ItshouldbenosurprisetoanyonethatSaulreignedfor40years(40jubilees).AndbecauseGodiswhoheis,hemadesurethatSaulwasappointedonwhichday?

Let’stakealook:

1Sa12:17Isitnotwheatharvesttoday?IwillcalluntotheLORD,andheshallsendthunderandrain;thatyemayperceiveandseethatyourwickednessisgreat,whichyehavedoneinthesightoftheLORD,inaskingyouaking.

ThewheatharvestfirstfruitsweregatheredatPentecost.This,amongotherthings,allowsustoattachthereignofSaultothechurchduringthePentecostage.Let’slearnalessonfromSaul:

1Sa14:24AndthemenofIsraelweredistressedthatday:forSaulhadadjuredthepeople,saying,Cursedbethemanthateatethanyfooduntilevening,thatImaybeavengedonmineenemies.Sononeofthepeopletastedanyfood.1Sa14:25Andalltheyofthelandcametoawood;andtherewashoneyupontheground.1Sa14:26Andwhenthepeoplewerecomeintothewood,behold,thehoneydropped;butnomanputhishandtohismouth:forthepeoplefearedtheoath.1Sa14:27ButJonathanheardnotwhenhisfatherchargedthepeoplewiththeoath:whereforeheputforththeendoftherodthatwasinhishand,anddippeditinanhoneycomb,andputhishandtohismouth;andhiseyeswereenlightened.1Sa14:28Thenansweredoneofthepeople,andsaid,Thyfatherstraitlychargedthepeoplewithanoath,saying,Cursedbethemanthateatethanyfoodthisday.Andthepeoplewerefaint.1Sa14:29ThensaidJonathan,Myfatherhathtroubledtheland:see,Iprayyou,howmineeyeshavebeenenlightened,becauseItastedalittleofthishoney.1Sa14:30Howmuchmore,ifhaplythepeoplehadeatenfreelytodayofthespoiloftheirenemieswhichtheyfound?forhadtherenotbeennowamuchgreaterslaughteramongthePhilistines?

WeneedtocomebacktoJonathanagain,becausethestorystartsbeforethispartofscripture.Fornow,wewillfocusonthefactthatthe“appointed”leaderofthepeopleinsistedthatthepeoplenoteatfooduntilevening.Inscripture,foodrepresentsspiritualhearing.GoodfoodisthevoiceofGod.SoherewehavetheleaderinsistingthepeoplenothearthevoiceofGodandlearndirectlyfromHim.However,Jonathandidn’tgetthemessage.Ironically,thereasonshedidn’tgetthemessageisbecausehewasalreadyfollowingthespiritinhislifewhichbroughthimoutofthehearingofhisfather,theappointedleader.

Becauseofthis,Jonathantooktheendofhiswoodenrod(IhopeyouseetheCrosshere)anddippeditintothehoneycombandatethehoneybymeansoftherod.AndthenthebiblesaysthatJonathantasteditssweetness.NOPE.ItsaysJonathan’sbellywasfull.NOPE.Verse27-itsayshiseyeswereenlightened!Thisisaconfirmationthatwearenotlookingatfoodhere,buttruth.BymeansoftheCross,JonathanheardthevoiceofGodandhiseyeswereenlightened.Andguesswhat-Hewantsthisforeachofus!

Nowofcourse,thenaturalthingtodoiskillthisperson.Theycontradictedourinstructions,ourunderstanding,and,ofcourse,thecorrecthermeneutic!AndsofartherdowninthispassageweseethatSaulpreparestokillhissonforhis“disobedience.”Today,wedon’tsomuchkilleachother-butwekillthespiritandwedowhatwecantostiflethetruththatisrevealedtoindividuals.Inthiscase,thevictory

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JonathanachievedthroughtheSpiritofGodwassogreatthatthepeoplesteppedinandpreventedSaulfromkillinghisson.

SaulrepresentsthechurchofthePentecostage,andthischurchhasnottrulylearnedtowalkinPentecost.WewillseethatthroughoutSaul’slifehearingGodisaconstantissue.ButJonathan,theoffspringofSaul,livedinthefullnessofPentecost,heardthevoiceofGod,andwalkedinthespiritwithaneyetowardTabernacles.

WhywouldthechurchwanttokeeppeoplefromhearingthevoiceofGod?Therearesomepurereasons.Buttherearealsosomeimpureones.

1. Itcancauseconfusion.PeoplemayhearthewordofGodbutmaynotbeinterpretingortranslatingitcorrectlyandwithoutdiscernment,peoplemightdoallsortsof“ungodly”things.Theymightteach“errant”ideas.Thiscanconfusethebody.Often,weheartheverse“GodisnotaGodofconfusion.”asananswertothissituation,butthenweforgetthatGoddidconfusethelanguageatthetimeofBabelandthatJesusspokeinparablessothatthepeoplecouldnothearandbelieve.Clearly,alittleconfusionisnottheworstsituationintheeyesofGod.He’dmuchratherhaveconfusedpeoplewalkinginfaith,thencertainpeoplestagnatingindeath.Thisisespeciallytruewhenweconsiderthatmanyspiritualleaders-likeSaul-are“authorized”tohearandspeakforGod,buttheirmessagesarenopurerthanthosetowhomtheyarepreaching.

2. IfpeopleareabletohearthevoiceofGodthemselves,theymaydisagreewiththeleader.Theymaydiscoverthattheleadersareteachinginerror.Thisissimplynotacceptableanditisverydifficulttobuildchurchesthisway.ItismuchbettertokeeptheflockbabiesinChrist.Nomeatforthem.Youseemeatwillbegintorevealthemuch-neededspiritualdiscernment(alatertopic)thatwillreducetheconfusionandsolidifythetruth.Often,thistruthwilldifferfromthecurrentchurch/denominationteaching.

3. Somedenominationsdon'tpreventtheirpeoplefromhearing,orevenimplyanythingnegativeabouthearing.Instead,theyhavegonetothecompletelyoppositesideofthecoinandinsistthatifyouaren'thearingfromGodyouaren'tsaved.ThisalsoisashameandforcesaskewedhearingofGodthatissoconvolutedbytheidolsoftheheartsofthepeopledesperatelytryingtohearGodsotheycanclaimtheirsalvation.

Noticethecommonthreadofallthreeofthesescenarios-fear.ThesameissuetheHebrewchildrendealtwith.ThesameissuekingSauldealtwith.

Now,Iwillbecomingbacktothis,butIneedtoinjectthiscommentatthispoint-weCANhearthevoiceofGodthroughteachers.ThisisonewaythatGoddoescommunicatewithusandIwillbecomingbacktothisinalatersection.ButthekeyistohearthevoiceofGodintheteacher-notthevoiceoftheteacher.Seethedifference?ThevoiceofGodcomesinmanyways,teachersareoneofthem,buttheydonotreplaceourownhearingofthevoiceofGod.Asamatteroffact,IhopeyouarehearingChristthroughmywordsinthisdocument.Idon’twantyoutohearmyvoice.HowcanyouknowifitismyvoiceorthevoiceofGod?

WewillbecoveringthatinthefuturesectiononSpiritualDiscernment.Icangiveyouahint-ithasnothingtodowithusingyourmindtodecipherdaycounts,yourknowledgeofhistory,thetalmud,jewish

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tradition,ortheearlychurch.Itisnotevendeterminedbyhowmuchofthebibleyouknow,haveread,orhavememorized.Understandingthestarsandtheastronomicaltableswillnothelpyoudiscernspiritualtruth.Itisnotamethodofthemindatall.Itisnotdependentonbeingapastor,priest,ormissionary.Butwe'llsavethisbitfortheSpiritualDiscernmentmodule.

TheonlywaywecangrowthroughourPentecostexperienceistohearthevoiceofGod,letitburnoffourflesh,destroyouridols,growourfaith,andrestinHimtobringustoTabernacles!

INSISTONTHE“PROPER”WAYGODSPEAKS

Warning:thismodulehasthepotentialtostirthepotabit.Sofar,wecouldhavesaidAmen,asthemodulesdealtmainlywithleadership.ThisonegetsmuchclosertohomeasweallfindourselvessayingmanyofthethingsthatIwillbringupinthismodule.Also,onthesurface,manyofour“excuses”or“tests”seemvalid,orevennecessary,buttheyaredevicesthatpreventusfromknowingHim,hearingHim,andwalkinginfaith.Toclarify,Iwillbeillustratingcommon“objections/requirements”tohearingGod.Someofthoseareusedbyuseverydayandhaveevenbeenusedonthisforum-butIamnotthinkingofanyparticularperson.Pleasedon'ttakethispersonally-asIsaidbefore,iftheshoefits,thenholdituptotheLordandlethimconvictorconfirmyourposition.

Howmanytimeshaveweheardpeoplesaysomethinglike,“IfGodisreal,whydoesn’tHeshowhimself?”Or,“IfIcouldonlyseeamiracle,thenI’dbelieve.”,or“IfGodaudiblyspoketomethenIwouldlistenandobey.”Ofcourse,Jesuscontradictsthissaying,“neitherwilltheybepersuaded,thoughonerosefromthedead.”

AsthePentecostchurch“matured”,itbegantofindwaystocontrolthehearingofthewordofGod.Wehavealreadycoveredacoupleofthese:appointingaleadertohearforthem,insistingthattheflocknoteat/hear.Butthesesolutionsdidnotreallycontrolthesituation.ThereweremanypeskyscripturesthatimpliedthatwewouldhearthevoiceofGodandtherewasalsotheexperiencethatsomepeoplecontinuedtohearGodandconfusetheflock.Thechurchcouldn’toutrightdenytheideathatGodspeakstoHispeople,sotheycameupwithmuchmoresubtlewaysofcontrollingit.Itshouldbementioned,thatsomedenominationsdooutrightdenythatGodstillspeakstohispeople.Theybelieveandteachthatthegiftsarefinishedandnolongerrequired.Scriptureisallweneed.

Butevenoutsideofthesedenominations,wefindrestrictionafterrestrictionplaceduponhearingoftheword.Weclaim,"CertainlyGodspeakstoHispeople,but...".Therearecertainacceptablewaysofhearingandotherunacceptableways.Certaintimesareok,othertimesarenot.Godisallowedtospeakcertainwords,butnotothers.Godmustonlyspeakwithacertaintoneorqualityofvoice.We’llgetintotheparticulars,butfirstlet’slookatsomescripture:

1Ki19:5Andashelayandsleptunderajunipertree,behold,thenanangeltouchedhim,andsaiduntohim,Ariseandeat.1Ki19:6Andhelooked,and,behold,therewasacakebakenonthecoals,andacruseofwaterathishead.Andhedideatanddrink,andlaidhimdownagain.1Ki19:7AndtheangeloftheLORDcameagainthesecondtime,andtouchedhim,andsaid,Ariseandeat;becausethejourneyistoogreatforthee.

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1Ki19:8Andhearose,anddideatanddrink,andwentinthestrengthofthatmeatfortydaysandfortynightsuntoHorebthemountofGod.1Ki19:9Andhecamethitheruntoacave,andlodgedthere;and,behold,thewordoftheLORDcametohim,andhesaiduntohim,Whatdoestthouhere,Elijah?1Ki19:10Andhesaid,IhavebeenveryjealousfortheLORDGodofhosts:forthechildrenofIsraelhaveforsakenthycovenant,throwndownthinealtars,andslainthyprophetswiththesword;andI,evenIonly,amleft;andtheyseekmylife,totakeitaway.1Ki19:11Andhesaid,Goforth,andstanduponthemountbeforetheLORD.And,behold,theLORDpassedby,andagreatandstrongwindrentthemountains,andbrakeinpiecestherocksbeforetheLORD;buttheLORDwasnotinthewind:andafterthewindanearthquake;buttheLORDwasnotintheearthquake:1Ki19:12Andaftertheearthquakeafire;buttheLORDwasnotinthefire:andafterthefireastillsmallvoice.1Ki19:13Anditwasso,whenElijahheardit,thathewrappedhisfaceinhismantle,andwentout,andstoodintheenteringinofthecave.And,behold,therecameavoiceuntohim,andsaid,Whatdoestthouhere,Elijah?

HerewehaveamanofGodwhohasheardthevoiceofGodmanytimes,hascalleddownfirefromheaven,hasbeenfedbyangelsandyetstillneededtolearnhowtohearGod.Onceagain,thisisaPentecoststory-asamatteroffact,ElijahisonthesamemountainwhereGodvisitedMosesduringthatfirstPentecost.ItispossibleheisintheverycavethatMoseswasinwhenGodpassedbyhim.ThereareotherhintsofPentecostinthisstory,butthatwouldbecoveredinamoredetailedwriting.

Noticethesimilaritytoourcurrentday-GreatandStrongwind(hurricane),earthquake(earthquake),fire(firesoutwest),butthevoiceofGodwasnotinthosethings-insteaditcameintheformofastillsmallvoice.

NowtheparalleltoourmodernchurchisthatwedeterminetheproperwayforGodtospeak.WeexpectthatifGodisgoingtotalktous(whichwecan'tdeny)thenitbetterfollowacertainpattern.Iamgoingtolistourmodernday“earthquakes,winds,andfires”andifsomeonehearsoutsidetheseparameters-thenitwasnotfromGod!

1. Mustconfirmscripture-everythingweneedtoknowiscontainedinscripturealready2. Mustbebalanced3. Mustbeconfirmedbymanywitnesses4. Mustsoundacertainway5. Thepersonhearingmusthavecertaincredibility6. Mustbeaccompaniedbytrueresults7. Mustbetakenverylightly-shouldnotbeusedtoformdoctrine

Iwillsayrightupfront-alloftheseare100%false.Theyseemverylogicalandevenspiritualonthesurface.Iwouldevensaythatahugepartofthechurchteachesorenforcesorinsinuatestheseasnecessaryelementstoapplyingthewordheardbyindividuals.And,Iwouldguessthatsomeofyoureadingthesewordsrightnowarethinking-“wellnowyou’vegonetoofar!”

Theseprecepts,andothersIhavenotlisted,areourearthquakes,winds,andfires.Eachofthemcomesfromaheartoffear.Iknowthatasyoureadthisyoucaneasilysay,no-itiswisdomnotfear.Butremember,thewisdomofmanisfoolishnesstotheLord.

1Co2:14ButthenaturalmanreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neithercanheknowthem,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned.

Youshouldreadallof1Cor2atthispoint,butIwon’tpasteitallintothismodule.

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Whatseemslikewisdomtous-evenChristianwisdom-isnot.OnlyspiritualwisdomisrelevantintheinterpretingofGod’sword.Andthatdoesnotcomefromourhumanunderstanding,butisrevealedthroughhearingthewordofGod,andconfirmedinwalkinginthelightofthatwhichisrevealed.

MUSTCONFIRMSCRIPTURE

Let’stacklethisonerightofthebatbecauseitislikelywheremostofyouwillhaveconcernsaboutmymentalstate.

Thereareacouplewaysthatthisisanimproperrestriction:

1. Therealstatementbehindthisis:Yourwordmustbeconfirmedbymyinterpretationofscripture.

2. Godcanrevealthingsthatsimplyaren’tinexistingscripture

Dealingwithitem1,ourinterpretationofscripturemaybeformedbymanythingsfrompersonalstudy,denominationalteaching,mentoring,evenourownrevelationfromGod.Whensomeonesays,“Godtoldme….”weapplyourunderstandingofGod’swordtoeitheraccept,ignore,orrejectwhatthatpersonsaysGodtoldthem.

Now-letmebeclearaboutsomething-Godhasoneword.Hespeaksitinmanyways.Onewayisthroughscripture.Butthatisnottheonlyway.BecausewehavethewrittenwordofGodinthebible,wearetemptedtobelievethatwecanbe“morecertain”aboutourunderstandingofthatword,thansomeotherwordthatwehearinourspirit.Butthatisnottrue.Aswepointedoutin1Cor2.MancannomorediscernthewordofGodinthebiblethanintheirspirit.TheonlywaytodiscernspiritualtruthisthroughtheSpirit.Evenifyouarereadingthewordsonpaperrightinfrontofyou.Yousee,thebibleisnotalampuntoourfeet.Thewordisalampontoourfeet.

Itisfunny,becausewewillfullybelievethisaboutunbelievers.Wewillbesuretopreachthateveniftheyreadtheword,theysimplydonothavetheenlightenmentofthespirittoproperlyunderstand-ittakestheHolySpirittoopenoureyesandteachus.Butthenweassumethatthissamethingdoesnotapplytoourselves.HearingthewordofGodthroughthebibleisjustasimpossibleashearingthewordofGodinourspirit.AndIdaresay,itisevenmoredifficult,becausewestartfromtheassumptionthatweareunderstanding!Westartwithaclearidolinourheart/soulthatsays,“Iunderstandthisbetterbecauseitiswrittendowninthebible.”

AlthoughGoddoesnotcontradicthimself,fromourperspectivetherearemanycontradictionsinhearingGod’sword.Spirituallogicisdifferentthancarnal(fleshly)logic.Let’slookatsomeexamples.

• Peterontherooftopbeingtoldtoeatwhateverfoodhewished-atthetime,thiswouldhavebeenaviolationofGod’sapparentwordandthescriptures.Yes,weknowbetternow,butthatjustprovesthepointthatwhatwasknownatonetime,accordingtoscripture,wasnotsufficient.

• Hoseatoldtomarryanadulterouswoman-manywouldhavefoundthatreprehensibleintheeyesofthelawandtheproperinterpretationofscripture.

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• Abrahamtoldtosacrificethechildofpromise.Thiscouldneverhavebeenconfirmedbyanyone’sinterpretationofscripture-eventothisday.

Icouldgoonandon,butthesearefreshexamples.TherearemultipleexamplesofpeoplewhoheardfromGodandthewordwouldhavedirectlycontradictedanyone’sproperunderstandingofscripture.

Dealingwithitem2,thescripturescoveragreatmanythings.Butnoteverything.And,asweknow,thedefinitionastowhatactuallycomprises“thescriptures”haschangedovertime.Inbetweenthosetimes,whenonebookmayhavebeenincludedandanothernot,wasthescripturejustasperfect?WasthewordofGodjustasprotected?Indeed,ifwedon’tbelievethatGodspeakstomenoutsideofscripture,thenhowdowejustifythecannonitself?No,mostbelievethatmen,movedbythespiritofGod,selectedjusttherightsetofbookstoincludeinscripture.Thelistdidnotcomefromscriptureandthereforeourverydefinitionofwhatconstitutesscripturewasdeterminedoutsideofscripture.TherearemanyexamplesofmovementsoftheLordthatcannotbefoundinthebible.GodoncespoketomedetailsaboutaparticularpersonthatIcouldnothaveknownandwerenotinthebible.Theywereconfirmedafewminuteslater.Ironically,themessageHewastellingmewasnotevenaboutthatperson,butaboutthechurchingeneral.Thisisanotherstoryandonethatwouldbepartofthedetailedversionofthisstudy,butnotthisshortenedversion.Thepointis,Godrevealsthingsthatarenotinscripture.Thishappensthroughoutthescriptures.Iwouldevenadd,thatalmostalwayswhenGodtalksheisrevealingsomethingnew.

But,somewouldsay,whataboutifitcontradictsscripture.Forexample,"Godtoldmetostealthatloafofbread".Soonceagain,ourinterpretationofscriptureisthatwhenitsays,“Thoushaltnotsteal.”Itmeansjustthat.Prettysimple,right?Andsometimes,itreallymaybethatsimple,butnotnearlyasoftenaswehaveconvincedourselves.Oncewemakeourdeterminationon“thetruth”wetendtothinkitshouldbeobvioustoeveryone.Itbecomesanidoltousanditisobvioustous.Weteachourfriendsandfamily,theygrowupandteachtheirfamily,denominationsstart,overcenturies,muchofthechurchteachesthis“truth”,butitmayhaveneverbeentrueinthefirstplace.

Forallofuswhothink-yes,Icanseehowthathappenstoothers,butIamopentootherideas,watchout!OnlybyhearingthewordofGodcanyouburnofftheidolsinyourownheart.YoucannotbeburningofftheidolsthroughoneearandpouringwaterontheSpiritthroughtheother.

Oneofthecommonwayswe“discredit”thewordofGodheardbyothersistoimplythattheotherpersonisnotinterpretingscripturecorrectly.Wehaveacertainacceptablewaytointerpretthebible.WeusewordslikeEisegesis,Hermeneutic,context,idiom,literal,etc.Buteachoftheseisamanmadeconstruction.Thisdoesnotmeanthattheyhavenovalue.ButtheirvalueislimitedandshouldcertainlynotbeheldtoahigherstandardthanthewordofGod.Often,wewouldratherfollowthereligionofourhermeneuticthentheverywordofGod.Godisnotlimitedtoourconceptofhowtointerprethisword.Andoften,Ibelieveheintentionallysetsourconceptsonfire.

Now-inafuturemodule,Iwillcovertheideahowwecanthenmakeproperspiritualdiscernmentandhowwehandle,asabody,themultitudeofwordsheardbypeoplethatcausesomuchconfusioninthebody.Ijustneedtolayabitmorefoundationfirst.

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MUSTBEBALANCED

Therearemanyconceptsthatsoundgreatonthesurfaceandaremeantinthepurestsensebythepeoplespeakingaboutthem.Someoftheseconcepts,though,areabhorredbytheLord.Onesuchconceptisbalance.

ThereareafewthingsGodsayshehates,oneofthemisthestateofbeinglukewarm.Hewouldratherusbehotorcold.Heisan"allin"typeofGod.Heneverasksustobebalanced.Heasksustogiveeverylastpenny,todenyourselves,comeinlast,turntheothercheek,loveourenemies,beasacrifice,lovehimwithourwholeeverything,befoolishbeforetheworld,anddownrightdieforhisname'ssake.

Thereisnothingfurtherfromawalkoffaiththenabalancedperson.

NowIacceptthefactthatpeoplemeandifferentthingswhentheyusethewordbalance.Andthereisbiblicalevidencethatweshouldnottobeovertakenbyeverywhimofpassion.ZealwithoutknowledgeisnotthewayoftheLord.Fromthatstandpoint,balancemaybeawayofexpressingthis.ButthewordbringsinsomanymodernhiddenattachmentsthatIthinkweshouldavoidexpressingourwalkwithGodbyuseoftheword“balanced.”

Ourhearingmustbeaccompaniedwithdiscernment.Ifthatiswhatismeantbybalance,well,ok.Butthenlet’sjustsaydiscernmentinsteadofbalance.

TheGodIknowhasaglorioushistoryofkeepingusoffbalance

MUSTBECONFIRMEDBYMANYWITNESSES

Thisisaninterestingone.Thelawisclear,truthshouldbeconfirmedby2or3witnesses.Andyet,2or3witnessesoftenconfirmlies.Ontheotherhand,oftenwhensomethingisconfirmedby2or3witnesses,westilldismissitbecauseoftheotherreasonsdiscussedinthissectionoftheproperwaytohearGod.Sometimesweinsistonevenmorewitnesses,orindirectly,weappealtothemanywitnessoftheopposingposition.Howmanytimeshaveweheardsomeway,“Mostpeoplebelieve….”Or“Mostbiblicalscholarsagree….”

Whenwelookatthis-weonlyinsistonthetwoorthreewitnesseswhenwealreadydon'tbelieveit.Evenwiththetwoorthreewitnesses,wefindotherreasonstodismisstheword.

Weappealtothesuperiornumbersandusethistoupholdourversionoftruthanddenythewordheardbysomeoneelse.Wehavemultiplescripturalexampleswherethemajoritywassimplywrong.Hereareacouple:

*TheprophetsofBaaloutnumberedElijahin1Kings18

*TheprophetstoAhabandJehosephatoutnumberedMicaiah1Kings22

Icouldgoon.Whatweseeisthatvolumeofnumbersisnotrelevanttotruth.Asamatteroffact,inbothofthecasesabove,wedidnotevenhaveasecondwitnessotherthantheeventsthemselves.Thistiesintobalance.Thebalancedpersonwouldweigh(withbalances)thewordtheyarehearingwiththe

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“truth”fromothersandthendetermineifitisthevoiceofGod.ButtheonewalkingbyfaithhaslearnedtorecognizeHisshepherd’svoiceandobeyregardlessofmassappeal.

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WHATISOURPURPOSE?

Weoftenanswerthisquestionwithsomeformofstatementthatincludesthewords-“ToglorifyGod.”Idon’tdisagreethatthisisdefinitelypartofourpurpose,buthow?HowdoweglorifyGod?

Let’saskadifferentquestion-Whyareourchildrenhere?Whatistheirpurpose?Certainly,itisn’ttoglorifytheirparents,right?

Wellthetwomaybecloserthanyouthink.Weraiseourchildrenteachingthemrightfromwrong,discipliningthemwhennecessary,scolding,praising,mentoring,coaching,teaching,etc.Ourhopeisthatwhentheyhavegrown,theycanmakegoodandproperdecisions.Wewantthemtobepeoplewithcharacterwhoadheretoacodeofethicswefindacceptable.Wewantthemtomakegoodjudgements,tobehappy,tolearnfromtheirmistakes.Wewantthemtoraisegoodchildrenthemselves.Insodoing,theybringhonortousasparents.

Guesswhat-thisiswhatGodwantsfromus-hischildren.Themetaphorcanonlygosofar,buttheideasarethesame.GodaccomplishesthesegoalsthroughwhatIamcallingPentecost.Inthechurch,wetypicallycallthissanctification.Butthisword,byitself,isnotveryexplanatory.ByusingPentecostasapictureinvariousscripturepassagestheoutworkingbecomesclearer.ThisisGod’swayofshapingus.Ofcourse,Godisaperfectparent-sointheend,ourshapewilllookverymuchlikeHimandthereinliesHisGlory.

Throughoutourspiritualwalk,Godisworkingonus.Heistalkingtousallthetime.DuetowhatIoutlinedinthefirstmodule,werarelynotice.

InordertobringusintocommunionandagreementwithGodhemustemptyusofourflesh.BitbybitHeburnsoffourdesiresandbeliefs.Littlebylittle,onewordatatime,hedestroysthelustoftheeyes,lustoftheflesh,andprideoflifewithinus.TheHebrewchildrenwerecorrect-tohearGodistobeburned-andtodie.Unlesswedietoourselves,wewillnotbeabletohearordiscernthewordofGod.

Mostofuswouldagreewiththeneedtoburnoffourdesires-butmightstumblewiththeideaofburningoffourbeliefs.Apersonalstorymightbehelpful.

Mostofmyspirituallife,IpleadedwithGodtospeakwithme.Thereweremanyyearsofapparentsilenceinreturn.Butoccasionallytherewouldbeasmallwordandthatwouldforcemetosacrificeapartofmyself.WheneverIheardGod,somethingmorewouldneedtobedisposedoforgivenup.Iamnotnecessarilytalkingabout“sins”thatIindulgedin,butthatwould-bepartofit.Itreachedbeyondsins,andintoideas,goals,dreams,beliefs,etc.ThishappenedformanyyearsaspiecebypieceIbecamemoreandmoreemptyofmyselfandmoreandmorefilledwithHisrest.

ThenontheDayofAtonement2004,40daysbeforemy40thbirthday,GodgavemeasignificantmessagethatHewantedmetowriteandsendtothechurches.ThepointwastotalkaboutcomingintotheRestofGod.IwastodistributeittothechurchofAmericaandIselected4000churchestoreceivethismessage.Themessageconsistedofabout14pagesdealingwithsimilartopicsasthisthreadbutwithmorespecificsincertainareas.Godalsotoldmethatduringthe40daysfromAtonementtomy40thbirthdayHewasgoingtodemonstratetomeaportionofHisrest.HealsomentionedthatthoughIwouldsendthemessagetothechurches-notonewouldrepentand/orrespond.

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Duringthenext40days,IsawvictoriesinmylifethatIhadoftencriedouttotheLordasbeingtoodifficulttoovercome.Iwalkedinarighteousnessandpeaceinwaysthataredifficulttoexplainandarehardforotherstounderstandorbelieve.Unfortunately,afterthe40days,muchofmyoldselfreturned.Butmyunderstandingofthattimehasbeensealedinmyspirit.

Fortherecord-aftersendingout4000letters,notonechurchrespondedtomynote.

Oneofthethingsthatoccurredduringthistimewasanawarenessofhowworthlessmybeliefsystemwas.Someofitwasdownrightblasphemous.Iwasa“strong”Christian.Butovertheyearsofeatingwhatothershadfedme,IhadcollectedalotoftrashandIspeweditoutlikedungwhenItaughtothers.IusethistermspecificallybecausethisiswhatGodcallstheresultsoftheteachingofthosewhoarenotproperlyhearing,discerning,anddistributingthewordofGod.GodbroughtmetothecoreofmybeliefsandshowedmethatmuchofwhatIbelievedwasactuallypreventingmefromhearinganddiscerningGod’svoice.Muchofmybeliefsystemwereidolsinmyheart.Asamatteroffact,Iwasraisedapretty“good”boy.Thesininmylifewasactuallylessofahindrancethanmybeliefs.But,duringthattimeHealsorevealedtomethemeaningof“Whateverisnotoffaithissin.”Itwasaveryhumblingexperience.

Now,lestsomeofyoufeelthatyoucanunderstandhowmybeliefsystemshouldbestruckdown,butyoursaresolidandrighteous,IassureyouthatIwasaprettynormalChristian.Ididnothavesomefar-outbeliefs.IwasraisedBaptistandhadattendedEVFreeandotherprotestantdenominationsmywholelife.Iwasactive.ItaughtadultSundaySchool.Iadheredtothechurchstatementoffaith.

UntilHebrokeme,showedmeHisrest,andchangedmyviewofHim.Effectively,Istartedoverwiththisbasicunderstanding:

HeIsand

HeIs

whoHesays

HeIs.

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BELIEFS

HEISANDHEISWHOHESAYSHEIS.

Thiscore,whichGodpresentedtome,isathreefoldwitnessto"IAM".Itisasimplestatement,butthereissomuchpowerinit.Let’stakesometimetopickitapartjustalittle.

HeIs…

Godexists.Nomatterwhatelseweknow,feel,orbelieveaboutHim-Heexists.Thereisnoexplanationthatfitstheevidencebetter.Thisevidencecanbephysicalasinthewind,water,trees,stars,theBrooklynbridge,etc.Itcanbemetaphysicalasinmiracles,beauty,evil,love,etc.Itcanbelogicalasinrationalthought,proofs,scientificmethodologies,etc.Anditcanbespiritualasintheinnerconvictionwithinmyspirit.HeIs!Thisalsodemandshissovereignty.Heissopervasivethatheneednotclarifybeyond-HEIS.

andHeIswhoHesaysHeIs…

Thiscontainssomuch.

First,itimpliesthathetellsuswhoheis!HeisnotanunknownGod.Herevealshimself.

Second,itdemandsHisintegrity.Hetellsuswhoheis-buthereallyiswhohesaysheis.HeisHolyandhekeepshispromises.

ThatmeansIcanbeconfidentinHim.IcanrestinHim.IcantrustHim.

Next,itmeansthisbeliefsystemisallaboutHim-notaboutme.Itishiminthebeginning,himattheend,andhimallthewaythrough.

Inaway,thissimplestatementreflects,onceagain,thethreemainfeasts-HeIs(Passover-believeinme),andHeIswhohesays(Pentecost-hearme)HeIs(Tabernacles-becomeonewithme)

Someofyouareconcernedatthispoint.Youareuncomfortablethatthisbeliefsystemdoesnottalkabouttrinity,salvation,deathonthecross,resurrection,heavenandhell,depravityofman,rapture,baptism,communion,righteousness,etc.Pleasefeelfreetoaddyourfavoriteitemtothelist.

Iunderstandyourconcerns.IpromiseIamnotteaching“anothergospel.”Butlet’snotjumptooquicklyawayfromthispoint.Because,myfriends,thisisTHEpointweneedtoreallydrillhome.Icannotoverstatethis.Thesearejustelectronsonascreentoyourightnow,butIbelieveitwouldbegoodtobringthisstatementoffaithtoGodandmeditateonit.AskHimtoopentheeyesofyourheartinregardtoit.Onceweaddanythingtothis-wearethenfreetoaddmuchtothisandmuchofwhatwemightaddhasthepotentialtobeunnecessaryand/orerrant.

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Then,onceyouhavegiventhistoGod.Onceyouhavediedtoyourpersonaldesiresandbeliefs.Thenwecanslowly,eversoslowly,askthequestion:ButwhodoesHesayHeIs?Noticetheessenceofthisquestion.WearenotaskingWhat.WearenotaskingHow.WearenotevenaskingWhy.WearecertainlynotaskingWhen.WeareaskingWHO.ThewholepointistoknowHim,notdoctrine.

Formostofus,itwilltakeyearsofburningoffourfleshanddestroyingouridolsbeforewecanmoveontothisquestionwithhonesty.Thisburninghappenseachtimewehearhisvoiceandsubmittohiswill.Hewhowishestosavehislifewillloseit.Ourlifemustbelost,forHisname’ssake.Wemustdaily,denyourselves,takeupourcross,andfollowhim.Wecanonlydothisifwearehearinghisvoice.Wecanonlycorrectlydiscernhisinstructionsaswedenyourselvesandallowourselvestodie.

Rom1:17ForthereinistherighteousnessofGodrevealedfromfaithtofaith:asitiswritten,Thejustshalllivebyfaith.

Itseemsthesmarterweare,themoreschoolwehave,themoreseminarywehaveattended,theharderitistosimplyknowGod.Thisisalsotrueifwearerich,talented,healthy,etc.NowwemightstarttoseewhyGodneedstobringuslow,inordertoraiseusup.Wegetinourownwaysooften.Itseemssoappropriatetostudyscripture,memorize,etc.ButifwearenothearingtheSpirit,wearejustlookingatwordsonapage,formingourowndoctrineattheexpenseofknowingHim.

WhodoesHesaythatHeIs?Theheavensdeclareit,thewindshoutsit,thetreesandflowersstateit,allcreationsingsouthispraisesandtellsuswhoheis.

Rom1:20Fortheinvisiblethingsofhimfromthecreationoftheworldareclearlyseen,beingunderstoodbythethingsthataremade,evenhiseternalpowerandGodhead;sothattheyarewithoutexcuse:

Godspeaksitoutthrougheverything.Sometimesveryvocal,sometimescryptic,sometimessilently,sometimesplainasday.Herevealshimselfinhiswordbothwrittenandviaourspirit.Intruth,itisallhisWord.HeConceives,Hebreathes,HecompletesthroughhisWord.Webegintoseethatheisallpowerful,allknowing,heismorethanone,yetoneatthesametime.HeistheFather(conceives),theHolySpirit(breathes),andtheSon(Word).BecauseheissovereignhemayevencommunicateviaStrong’snumbers,gemetria,pyramids,donkeys,stones,etc.Butlikeallwords,wemustalsousespiritualdiscernment.Ifwestartwithapreconceiveddesire/belief,wehavealreadyeliminatedourabilitytoproperlydiscern.I'llskipthescriptureprooffornow,butheoftengivesuswordsthatagreewithouridols.

Heisinall,withall,andthroughall.Heisinchargeofeveryminutedetailofeverysingleeventthathappens.Nothingisoutsideofhiscontrol.Everyexperienceyouhave,everybreezeonyourcheek.Everyraindrop,everyleafinthewind,everyhowlofthewolf.Oh,mybrothersandsisters,wesounderestimatethepowerandintimacythatourFatherdeliversintoourlives.

Thesimpleprocessis:WehearOurfaithgrowsWeobeythroughfaithWeactinawaythatburnsoffourflesh,destroysouridols,andbringsaboutdeathtoourselvesWehear…..

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Thiscyclerepeatsoverandoverandbeginstogrowourspiritualearswhilealsocleaningoutourhouse.ThisinturnreducestheidolsinourheartandallowsforclearerunderstandingoftheWordwehear.Overtime,asGodworkstofinishthefaithhebeganinuswefindourselvescomingintoagreementwithhim.Indeed,aswecomeintoagreement,wefindourselvesdoingthatwhichhedesireswithoutHimhavingtotellus.Hisgoals,asourfather,arebeingcompleted.ThisisPentecost.HearingoftheWordsothatHisLawiswritteninourhearts.Itisnecessaryforustoachievespiritualmaturity.ItisnecessaryforustomoveintoTabernacles.Unfortunately,muchofthechurchwillstayattheirPassoverexperience.SavedtoHeaven,butnotcomingintoagreementwithGod.ButtothosewithaneyetowardTabernacles-Pentecostistheroadhome.

Wewillhaveourupsanddowns.Wearestillstuckinthisflesh.Thisisnotaperfectpath.Wemustbetriedwithfireuntilonlythepureisleft.Forabitofencouragementtothosewhoareonthispath-thereismuchdying.Butthebalmislovely.Hewillholdusup-hedoesthisforourgood.

Isa54:5ForthyMakeristhinehusband;theLORDofhostsishisname;andthyRedeemertheHolyOneofIsrael;TheGodofthewholeearthshallhebecalled.Isa54:6FortheLORDhathcalledtheeasawomanforsakenandgrievedinspirit,andawifeofyouth,whenthouwastrefused,saiththyGod.Isa54:7ForasmallmomenthaveIforsakenthee;butwithgreatmercieswillIgatherthee.Isa54:8InalittlewrathIhidmyfacefromtheeforamoment;butwitheverlastingkindnesswillIhavemercyonthee,saiththeLORDthyRedeemer.

Therearetimeswhenheappearstohaveforsakenus-butthisisbutamoment.Beatpeace-restinhim-forthereisnobetterplace,nodrug,nobeliefsystem,nopersonwhocomparestoknowingthesaviorandhearinghisvoice.

NOTE:Forthosewholookatthescriptureaboveandsay,HeistalkingaboutIsrael,youcan'tapplythistous,today.Oh,myfriend,Yes!Yes,wecan!

Nowthatwehavethebasicprecept,wecanbegintobuildonit.You’llnoticethatthebasicbeliefsystemdoesnotevendemandscripture.Butaswebegintoanswerthatquestion,“whodoeshesaythatHeIs?”Wefindonlyonesetofdocumentsthatevencomeclosetoholdingthetruth.Wecallthesedocumentsthebible.Theyexplainthebeginning,themiddle,andalotabouttheend.Though,onthesurface,theyseemconfusingandperhapsevenwrongwhenitcomestoscience,history,andarcheology,timeaftertime,withnewadvancementsinthoseareas,thebibleisprovencorrect,notfalse.

Thebiblecontainsfulfilledprophecy,consistencyinmessageovermanyyearsandmanyauthors,andlongevityofrecord.Also,thoseofuswhobelieveittobethewordofGodcanseeit’slivingnature.Ihavenodoubtthatwhenthetimecomes,Godwillrevealtousallthehiddenfeaturesofthebiblethatwearenotawareofandthatwillprovehiswisdomandpowerandtheauthorityofhiswrittenword.

WiththebibleourchosenwrittenWord,wemuststillapproachitwithwhatwehavelearnedsofar-itisthewordofGodbutthatdoesnotmeanthatwecantranslate,interpret,andapplyitcorrectlybysimplyreadingthewordsonthepage.Anythingeatenfromthewordmustendurethesamescrutinyasthatwhichweingestinotherforms.IexplainedthisinpreviouspostsinthisthreadsopleasegobackandreviewwhatImeansothatIdon’thavetorestateithere.Thekeyisthataswebuilduponourfoundation,wemustholdeachnewunderstandinglightlyuntilsuchatimeasitpassesourspiritual

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discernment-andthenwecanallowitintoourbeliefsystem.ButnoneofthesebeliefsthatweaddshouldeverbemoreimportantthansimplyknowingtheGodthatthebeliefisabout.

Myfriendsknowmetovaryingdegrees.Someknowwhatdaymybirthdayis.SomeknowwhatcolorsIlike.Someknowmydreamsandambitions.ButIwouldmuchrathermyfriendsspendtimebeingwithmethenstudytofigureoutwhatcolorIlikebest.Iwouldcertainlyratherhavethemhangoutwithme,thenarguingaboutwhatdayIwasborn.Thepointofthefriendshipisnotwhattheyknowaboutme.Thepointofthefriendshipisknowingmethroughqualitytimeandmutualphileolove.

Thatlastpointbearsrepeating-thepointofourrelationshipwithGodISourrelationshipwithGod.NOTwhatweknowaboutHim.But,somewouldask,couldn’tIbeabetterfriendifIknewwhenyourbirthdaywas,orwhatcolorsyouprefer?Icouldthengiveyoutailoredgiftsonyourbirthday.Yes,thismaybetrue,butwhatifyouunderstoodwrong?WhatifyouthoughtmybirthdaywasinDecemberwhenitwasinSeptember?WhatifyouthoughtIlikedgreenwhenIactuallypreferfuchsia?SoalongyoucomewithyourgreengiftinDecemberandsay,“IamhonoringyouwiththisspecialgreencelebrationinDecember.”Icouldcertainlyappreciateyourdesireandeffort,butIalreadyhaveaclosetfullofgreenstuff.

Nowtheastutepersonwillsay,seeyoujustprovedthatwedoneedtoaddthedetailtoourknowledge,otherwisewecan’thonorGodproperly.Therearereallytworesponsestothat.Yes.AndNo.

Aswewillfind,whenwebegintohearwhoGodsaysheis,heissomeonewholikestohidethetruth.Andheissomeonewholikesforustosearchitout.(Someofyoujustbreathedahugesighofrelief!)But,Heisalsosomeonewhowouldratherhaveussitathisfeetinloveandworship,thenrunarounddoingabunchofthingsinhisnamethatheneveraskedustodo.Soyes,weseekHim.Yes,welookundertherocksandinthecrevicesofscripturetogathernibblesofnourishmentfromHisword.But,weholdeachofthosenibbleslightlyincomparisontothemuchmorevitalrelationshipwithHim.

Now,weallknowthesethings.Somearelikelythinking,wellthisisn’tnew.Weevenhaveasayingtoprotectthisconcept:“inessentials,unity;indoubtfulmatters,liberty;inallthings,charity."Theproblemisthatsooftenwedon’tadheretothissaying.Butanevendeeperproblemisthatwecan’tseemtodiscernwhichpointsareessentials,whichdoubtful,andwhichall.Sowebegintoseparateonmattersthataren’tevenessentialtoGod.Butthedeeperproblemthanallofthisiswhereitreallygetsscary.ThedeeperproblemisthatweplaceourbeliefshigherthanourrelationshipwithGod.Inreality,eventhoseofuswhoaresupersincereaboutourwalkcansoeasilyplace,WHATwebelievetobeequalorhigherthan,INWHOMwebelieve.

Yes-otherpeopledothat-butnotme!Really?Testthisyourselfrightnow-Howmanyofthethingsyoubelievecouldbechallengedandremovedfromyoubeforeyoustartedtoputupwalls?6-daycreation?Talkingsnake?Worldwideflood?Trinity?Secondcoming?Rapture?VirginBirth?EternalDamnation?LordshipSalvation?GracebasedSalvation?

Yousee,weallhaveourpointwhereinwesay-NO!Youcan’ttakethataway!Ifyoutakethatawaythenyou'renotsaved!Youdon’tevenbelieve“thegospel.”Andifyoutakethataway,youareaheretic.Fortherecord-I’mnottakinganythingawayintheposingofthisquestion.Justusingexamples.

Nowlet’sseethis:

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Mat10:22Andyeshallbehatedofallmenformyname'ssake:buthethatendurethtotheendshallbesaved.Mat24:13Buthethatshallendureuntotheend,thesameshallbesaved.Mar16:16Hethatbelievethandisbaptizedshallbesaved;buthethatbelievethnotshallbedamned.Joh10:9Iamthedoor:bymeifanymanenterin,heshallbesaved,andshallgoinandout,andfindpasture.Act2:21Anditshallcometopass,thatwhosoevershallcallonthenameoftheLordshallbesaved.Act16:31Andtheysaid,BelieveontheLordJesusChrist,andthoushaltbesaved,andthyhouse.Rom10:9ThatifthoushaltconfesswiththymouththeLordJesus,andshaltbelieveinthineheartthatGodhathraisedhimfromthedead,thoushaltbesavedRom10:13ForwhosoevershallcalluponthenameoftheLordshallbesaved.

Ilistedtheseversestoshowwhatisnotmentioned:doctrine,theology,eschatology,prophecy,dogma,etc.Romans10:9doesgiveusaspecificthingtobelieve,thatGodraisedJesusfromthedead(we’llcomebacktothislater).

EverythingelsemayhelpusunderstandGod.ItmayhelpusteachaboutGod.Butallthatknowledgewon’tsaveusandwon’tsaveothers.Andoften,itisthat“knowledge”thatdrivesothersawayandkeepsusfromactuallyhearingtheWordofGod.Weeachhaveourthresholdonwhatonemustbelievetobesaved.Wehaveourthresholdonwhatonemayteachandnotbeheretical.Buttheactualgospelismuchsimplerthanthat.

Rom5:8ButGodcommendethhislovetowardus,inthat,whilewewereyetsinners,Christdiedforus.

AmIsayingthatstudyingandunderstandingGodbetterandtryingtogaininsightintotheplanforthefutureiswrong?Absolutelynot!

Thewholepointofthissection,istoputourbeliefsintheirproperperspective.ToholdthemmuchlighterthanweholdourrelationshipwithJesus.JesusisgoingtosavemebecauseofWHOHEIS!NotbecauseofwhoIam.IputmytrustinHIM,notinmybeliefsystem.AndasIdothis,myabilitytoproperlyhear,interpret,andapplytheWordofGodinmylifeincreases.

Ponderthesethingsandmeditateabitonthefollowingpassages.Letitsinkin.

• Romans4:13-5:18• Heb11:17-19• John11• 2Cor.5:18-5:21

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JESUSISTHERESURRECTIONANDTHELIFE.

Thisisatriflingfacttopeoplewhohavebeensavedformanyyears.Butlet’snotskipoveritsoquickly.Weseethatthedisciples,Mary,andMarthaallhadthesamelackofunderstanding.ThesepeoplehadbeenwithJesuswhenhehealed,whenhefedthousands,whenhecalmedthestorms.Yettheystilldidnotunderstandthathewastheresurrectionandthelife.Likesomanyofus,theythoughthemeant,IwillcausetheresurrectionandIwillgivelife.TheyknewaboutHim.Buttheystilldidn’tknowHim.Heisalwaysinthepresent.

Abraham,though,knewHim(Gen22:1-19).Hedidnotconsiderhis“dead”body,norSarah’s“dead”wombtobeaproblemwhenheheardtheWordofthePromise.Andlater,whenHeheardGodandwastoldtoofferIsaacasasacrifice(intodeath),infaith,heobeyed.Let’slookcloseratthatfaith.

First,let’stakethetimetonoticethatthreetimes,Abrahamansweredthevoicesheheardwith,“HereIam”.ThefirsttimefromGod,thesecondtimefromIsaac,andthethirdtime,fromanangel.Hewascompletelyavailable-not“waitaminute,but,“hereIam”.HeheardthevoiceofGodinmanysources.Hewalkedinthefaithofwhatheheard.Butwhatwasthetruesourceofthatfaith?WeseeGen22,thatGodrewardshimbecausehedidnotwithholdhisonlyson.Onceagain,hewascompletelyavailabletoGod.EventheverythingthatGodhadpromisedhim,hewaswillingtogiveup.Hewastakinguphiscrossdaily,denyinghimself,andfollowingtheLord.

Butthatisnotreallytrue,isit?Imean,yes,itistrue,butitisnotthefullstory.Sure,Abrahamwasagreatguy.HegavehiswholebeingtoGod,hetrustedhim,hefollowedhim,hewalkedinfaithanditwascountedasrighteousness.Butwhy/howdidhedothat?Therewasnobibleatthattime.Hehadnoonetocomparenoteswith.What,aboutGod,madeAbrahamgiveupeverythingandfollowhim?

WehavetheanswerinHebrews11.TheansweristhatAbrahamKNEWGodandheknewthatGodwastheresurrectionandthelife.AbrahamKNEWGodandheknewthatHeIswhoHesaysHeIs.GodsaidhewouldmakeagreatnationfromIsaac.Inordertodothat,GodwouldneedtoraiseIsaacfromthedeadevenifAbrahamsacrificedhim.AbrahamnewGodwouldkeepHispromiseandthatHewasabletokeepHispromise.ButAbrahamalsoKNEWGod’scharacter,andknewthatGodwouldprovideaalternatesacrifice.AbrahamKNEWGod.

InJohn11,Jesuswept.ThepeopleatthetimethoughtitwasduetohisloveforLazarus.Theydidnotrealize,itwasbecauseofHisloveforthembuttheydidnotknowhim.Theyknewabouthim.Theysawthemiracles.ButtheydidnotknowHimforwhohereallywas.WeonlytrulybegintoknowJesusaswedenyourselves,pickupourcross,andfollowhim.Whatisyourcrosstoday?Askhim.He’lltellyou.Then,walkinthefaithofwhatyouhearandthiswillburnoffyourfleshandperfectyourfaith.

ThistriflingfactofJesusbeingtheresurrectionandthelifeissomuchbiggerthanChristianityhasunderstood.HEISTHERESURRECTIONANDTHELIFE.Everybabyconceived,Everykingcrowned,Everysparrowflying,Everyflowerblooming,Everyhaironyourhead,Everybreathyoutake.ItallhappensbecauseoftheactiveworkofJesus.IfJesushadnotdiedonthecrossandroseagain,nothingwouldexistoutsideofGod.TheonlyreasonthatanythingishereatallisbecauseofHiswork.Hedidnotjustsaveussowecouldgotoheavenwhenwedie.HesavedustobecomeallinallinHim.

1Co15:22ForasinAdamalldie,evensoinChristshallallbemadealive.

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1Co15:28Andwhenallthingsshallbesubdueduntohim,thenshalltheSonalsohimselfbesubjectuntohimthatputallthingsunderhim,thatGodmaybeallinall.Rom11:36Forofhim,andthroughhim,andtohim,areallthings:towhombegloryforever.Amen.

TheveryfabricofourexistenceisbecauseofwhatChristdidonthatcross.HEISTHERESURRECTIONANDTHELIFE.Ican’tsayitloudenough.

So,yeah,whenthevoiceofGodsoundswithinmyspirit,Iwillrespondinfaithandallowhimtoburnme,becauseonlyinmydeathcanItrulyseeHim-theLife.AndIwon’tletmybeliefsystemanddreamsgetinthewayofthat,becausemyreligion,mybeliefs,andmydesiresaretombsofdeadideasandconcepts,butHeisLife!EventhemostcherishedbeliefsareworthlesscomparedtotheLightthatshinesfromtheEyesofMyLord.

Oh,thereissomuchmoreIwanttosayhere!Myspiritsingswithsongsofthanksgivingfortheonewhowasandisandwillforeverbe.MyheartweepsfortheTruthtobefullyknownandunderstoodbyhispeople.IlongforthedaywhenHisrighteousnessshallcovertheEarthlikethewaterscoverthesea.WehavesodefamedthenameofChristinourattempttodefineHim.Indeed,wehaverecasthimintoourimageratherthanbeconformedintoHis.ButHewillraindownhistruthuponanobstinateandstubbornpeopleandHewillglorifyHisnameaboveallnamesandHewillbefaithfuleveninourunfaithfulness-notforus-butbecauseofWHOHEIS.

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GOD’SSOLUTION-SPIRITUALDISCERNMENT

Nowlet’stakealookatGod’ssolutiontothedilemmapostedintheopeningchapter.

INTRODUCTION

ItisimportanttopointoutthatIdon’tbelievethereisarightandwrongwaytodiscern.Idon’tthinkofitasascience.Itismoreofanart.Eventheword“art”isnotagoodwaytodescribeit.Iamgoingtodescribethediscernment“process”asitworksforme.Ibelievemyapproachisbothbiblicalandspiritual.

First-Ineedtoinventaword-spiralogos-IwillusethatwordtorepresentthesituationwhereGodspeakstosomeoneintheirSpiritthroughanactualsetofwords,notjustfeelingsorimpressions.Butitwouldnotincludeaudiblewords.

Godspeakstoeachofusindifferentways.Somethingthatmaybeeffectiveforme,maynotworkatallforsomeoneelse.HespeakstomeaccordingtowhatHeknowsIwillgrasp.Toothers,theverywayHespeakstome,willbetheirevidenceforthefactthatIamnothearingfromGod.Forexample,aperson(Beth),maybeveryadamantthateverywordofGodinthespiritmustbeconfirmedwithanalmostexactstatementfromScripture.Forher,ifthewordreceivedcannotbe100%andalmostidenticallyconfirmedfromscripture,itwasnotfromGod.So,whenGodspeakstoBeth,HemaybeveryspecificinHisuseofscripture.HemayevenuseexistingversestoconfirmforherwhatHeistellingher.Or,Hemaysimplyspeaktoherthroughscriptureandnotbotherspeakingtoherinanyotherway.ThisdoesnotmakehermoreorlessspecialintheeyesofGod,nordoesitmakewhatshehearsmoreorlessvitaltothebodyofChrist.

OthersdonothavethesamereservationsaboutexactconfirmationfromscripturethatBethhasandtherefore,Godspeakstotheminadifferentway.Also,therearegiftstheFathergivesthatalsoinfluencehowweheartheWordofGod.

I’mgoingtogetpersonalforabitjusttoallowyoutoseesomepossiblewaysthatGodcantalk.IwillshowyouhowHetalkstome.-Iwillusedspecificexamplesinordertobeasclearaspossible.

Forme,IhearGodinmultipleways:

1. Ihearhimspiralogosly.ThisissoregularformenowthatItakeitforgranted.ThenIslapmyselffortakingitforgrantedbecauseofhowbeautifulitis.HeandIhaveactuallysharedlaughter(atmyexpense)atthefactthatIsometimescrymyselftosleepingpleadingtohearHisvoiceandaskingwhereHeisandwhyHewon’ttalktome.Whywouldthatinducelaughter?BecausethewholetimeIamprayingthisway,IamalsocommuningwithHimaspartofmyprayer.Thisisconfusing,andhardtodescribe.Buteffectively,ItwouldbelikeBobandTomhavingaconversationaboutwhyTomnevertalkstoBob.Well,duh-theyaretalkingaboutitrightthen.So,Ilaugh,andinmyspirit,Helaughswithme.

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2. IhearHimthroughimpressions-mostpeoplewouldthinkofthisasintuition,butitisnotthatandithastakenmeyearstoknowthedifference.Itisaspecificunderstandingofasituationthatcouldnothavebeendescribedwithafewwords.IsimplyknowsomethingIcouldnototherwisehaveknown.

3. IhearHimthroughscripturalwisdom.Idon’tknowwhatelsetocallthis.Ireadscriptureandcanseethetruemeaningbehindthewordsinawaythatmanydon’t.Icanseethebiggerpicturefromapieceofscripturethatlooksonedimensionalonthesurface.Tome,itfeelsalmostlikex-rayvision.Iseethewords,butIseemuchmorethanthat-Iseethemultiplemeaningsbehindthewords.Icannotsimplyreadthebible.EverytimeIopenthebibleandstartreading,Iaminjectedintoacacophonyoftruth.

4. IhearGodthroughmyemotions.Thisoneisabitodd,butlikeamoodring,myemotionschangeasawayofmovingmyspirit.IfeelGodandthefeelingspeakstome.

5. IhearGodinmusic-allkindsofmusic(bothnaturalandmanmade).ThisalmostalwaysamountstoGodshowingmeHisbeautyandHisglory.

6. IhearGodthroughthevoice,media,andwritingsofothers-inthiscase,oneneedstolistenpastthespeaker,totheonewithinthespeaker.

Now,I’msuremanyofyouhavesimilarexperiences.I’malsosurethatmanyofyou,ifyouhaven’talreadygivenuponthisthread,feellikeIamnotintouchwithreality.IthastakenmeyearstounderstandthesevariouswaysGodwasspeakingtomeandtoknowwhentotrustwhatIwashearing.OthersmayhaveheardGodinotherways-Ihaveneverseenanangel,Ihaveneverheardanaudiblevoice,Ihaveneverhadaspiritualdream,Ihaveneverhadavision,andJesushasnotdirectlyappearedtome.Butthatisjustme.

IbelievethateverythingthatmakesuswhatwearecomestoplayinthehearingofGod.Somepeopleneedamorevisualrepresentationtoeitherhearorbelievewhattheyhearandactonit.Othersdon’t.Somepeopleneedwordsonapage,othersdon’t.Oneisn’tbetterthantheother.Justdifferent.Also,sometimessomeonewillhearorseesomethingandnotbeabletoexplainit-suchasadreamorvision-butanotherpersonknowsthemeaning.ThisbecomesacorporateWordfromGodandisedifyingtobothparties.

Inscripture,foodrepresentsspiritualintake.Hearingishowweeatspiritualfoodanditiswhatbuildsourfaith.Iwillstartusingfoodmetaphorsatthispoint.

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TakingacloserlookatsomeofthewayswecouldhearGod,wewillnoticethatmanyofthemapplytoallthreefacetsofourbeing.Let’stakedreamsasanexample:

• Wecanhavedreamsfromapurelyphysicalsource.Sometimeswhatweputinourbodycancauseustoseethingsordreamdreams.Thisisamoderntakeontheclassic,AChristmasCarol,whereScroogethinksthatperhapshisvisionofthedeadMarleyistheresultof“…anundigestedbitofbeef,ablotofmustard,acrumbofcheese,afragmentofanunderdonepotato….”

• Wecanhavedreamsfromapurelysoulishsource-whatweputintoourmindandheartcanalsoinducedreams.Childrenwhowatchascarymovietendtohavescarydreamsafterward.Peoplewhospendalotoftimestudyingeschatologyaremorelikelytohaverapturedreams.

• Wecanhavedreamsfromaspiritualsource-whatweputintoourspiritualbeingcancausespiritualdreams,someofthesearefromGod.Somenot.

Tosomedegree,thisistrueformanyofthewayswepotentiallyhearGod.Sohowcanwetellthedifference?Andhowdowelimitthenon-spiritual,andnon-Godlywords?

PickingaparttheactofhearingGod,weendupwiththesebasicsteps:

1. Presentationoftheword(Scales)(ArmorofGod)2. Identificationofthesourceoftheword(Fins)(PathofRighteousness)3. Translationoftheword(IntheSpirit)(GrievenottheSpirit)(FaithnotSight)4. Interpretationoftheword(Cud)(Meditation)5. Verificationoftheword(Splithoof)(Witness)6. Purificationoftheword(Blood)(Donoteattheblood)7. Applicationoftheword(doersvshearers)(Faith)

Beginningwiththenextmodule-wewillstartgoingthroughthesesteps.

PRESENTATIONOFTHEWORD

Weleftoffwiththisbasicprocess.Rememberthisisnotascience-sodocumentinganyofthislimitaprocessthat,byitsverynature,isunlimited.Buttreatingthislikealooseframework,hearingGodconsistsof:

1.Presentationoftheword(Scales)(ArmorofGod)

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2.Identificationofthesourceoftheword(Fins)(PathofRighteousness)

3.Translationoftheword(IntheSpirit)(GrievenottheSpirit)(FaithnotSight)

4.Interpretationoftheword(Cud)(Meditation)

5.Verificationoftheword(Splithoof)(Witness)

6.Purificationoftheword(Blood)(Donoteattheblood)

7.Applicationoftheword(doersvshearers)(Faith)

Note:Thissequencecantakeyearsfrompoint1topoint7-oritcanallhappeninasplitsecond.

Note:GodcansupersedethisprocesswheneverHewants-ifheneedsustohearandact-wewill.Evenifweareadonkey!

Note:HearingGodisnotsomethingyoucanjustdecidetodo.Readingthismaterialexplainsthings,butwillnotproduceanabilitytohearGod.Thisissomethingyougrowinto.Understandingtheseideasmayfocusyourgrowth,butthisisnotanovernightsolution.

Sonowwegettotheheartofthematter-HowdowehearGod?HowdoweknowthatwhatwehearisGod?HowdoweknowwhatGodissaying?HowtowecorrectlyunderstandwhatHeissaying?Howdoweapplyittoourlivesandthelivesofothers?Youarewondering,whydidn’tIjuststartwiththissection?Whyallthatbackground,whenthisiswherewereallywantedtoget?Asweprogressthroughthisframework,thebackgroundwillproveitsusefulness.

Mat4:4Butheansweredandsaid,Itiswritten,Manshallnotlivebybreadalone,butbyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthofGod.

Inscripture,foodrepresentsspiritualnourishment.Justasinthephysicalrealm,somefoodisbetterthanothers.Wecannotliveonlyonphysicalbread.WemustalsoheartheWordofGod.JesusisnotonlyreferringtotheBiblehere.HeisreferringtoeverywordthatproceedsfromthemouthofGod.

Aswecoveredearlierinthethread-thelawofGodrepresentshisCharacter-andisspiritual.ItjustsohappensthatGodhassomelawsinvolvingwhatweshouldeat.Whenonelooksatthespiritualmeaningoftheselaws,webegintoseeapatternforhowtoproperlyconsumespiritualfood.We’llnotgettoodeepintothisanalysis,butfeelfreetoworkthoughthefoodlawstowhateverextentyouwish.I’lljustcoverthisfromaverysurfacelevel.(Itshouldbenoted,thatmyinterpretationofthesefoodlawsisstilldeveloping-butthesesurfaceprincipalsseemappropriate).

Gen9:4Butfleshwiththelifethereof,whichisthebloodthereof,shallyenoteat.Lev11:3Whatsoeverparteththehoof,andisclovenfooted,andcheweththecud,amongthebeasts,thatshallyeeat.Lev11:9Theseshallyeeatofallthatareinthewaters:whatsoeverhathfinsandscalesinthewaters,intheseas,andintherivers,themshallyeeat.Lev11:21Yetthesemayyeeatofeveryflyingcreepingthingthatgoethuponallfour,whichhavelegsabovetheirfeet,toleapwithalupontheearth;Lev11Donoteatbirdsofpreyorscavengerbirds.NOTE:thisisapersonalinterpretationfromalistof24birdswecannoteat.

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ThefirststepinhearingGodisthepresentationoftheword.Beforeanythingelsecanhappen,wemustheartheword.Formany,thisstep,initself,isachallenge.WehavebeentaughtforsolongthateitherGodisn’tspeakingtous,orifHeis,wecan’tpossiblyhearHim,andif,bysomeimpossiblechanceHespeakstousandwehearHim,itistoodangeroustoactuponitwithoutconfirmationfrom12passagesofscripture,6deacons,andpossiblyamiracle.Ok-thatwasabitsarcastic,butyougettheidea.Effectively,wehavebeentrainednottohearGod.

Partnerthiswiththenoiseoftheworldandtheconfusionofvoiceswithinourhead-itisnowonderthatsofewpeoplearehearingGodandthosethatthinktheyarealldisagreewithotherswhothinktheyare!

So,whatisneededinorderforustohear?Scales.SomemayhavewonderedwhyIputthisHearingGodthreadintheSpiritualWarfaresection.ItisbecausetheveryactofhearingGodisspiritualwarfare,eveninthemostpeacefulsettings.Thereisabattleonforyoursoul.Itstartsbydistractingandtryingtokillyourbody.Incontinuesthroughdeceivingandcorruptingyoursoul.Anditmovesuponyourspiritaswelltoinducedoubt,greed,lust,andpride.

Imaginearadiothatcouldreceiveallstationsatthesametime-itwouldpreventtheradiofrombeingeffectiveatall.Ourspiritsareconstantlyhearing-butthenoiseissuchacacophony,thatwecannotdistinguishthestillsmallvoicethatisGod’s.Andso,wemusttakeonthemindsetofasoldier,focusedonthemission,andintunewithourencryptedchainofcommand.Inordertodothis,wemustputonthefullamourofGod.Let’slookatthiscommonpassage:

Eph6:11PutonthewholearmourofGod,thatyemaybeabletostandagainstthewilesofthedevil.Eph6:12Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces.Eph6:13WhereforetakeuntoyouthewholearmourofGod,thatyemaybeabletowithstandintheevilday,andhavingdoneall,tostand.Eph6:14Standtherefore,havingyourloinsgirtaboutwithtruth,andhavingonthebreastplateofrighteousness;Eph6:15Andyourfeetshodwiththepreparationofthegospelofpeace;Eph6:16Aboveall,takingtheshieldoffaith,wherewithyeshallbeabletoquenchallthefierydartsofthewicked.Eph6:17Andtakethehelmetofsalvation,andtheswordoftheSpirit,whichisthewordofGod:Eph6:18PrayingalwayswithallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit,andwatchingthereuntowithallperseveranceandsupplicationforallsaints;Eph6:19Andforme,thatutterancemaybegivenuntome,thatImayopenmymouthboldly,tomakeknownthemysteryofthegospel,Eph6:20ForwhichIamanambassadorinbonds:thatthereinImayspeakboldly,asIoughttospeak.

WeseethatputtingonthearmorisanecessaryrequirementinordertodiscernGodandstand.Weseethatintheevilday,thisrequirementiscrucial.Alsonoticeverse19-inthiscontext,Paulindicateshewillreceive“utterance”whichinturnenableshim(viafaith,whichcomesfromhearing)toactandspeakboldly-asheoughttospeak.Noticethesequence.

Armor-Stand-Ask-andthensteps1-7-Paulwantstospeakwithauthoritywhatheoughttospeak.

So,weeatonlythingswithscalesandfinsfromthewater.WetranslatethistothespiritualtruththatwemustbewearingthearmorofGod(Scales)toproperlyhearHim.SomeofyoumaynotunderstandhowIammakingthisleapoflogic.HoldituptotheLordandseewhatHeconfirmsforyou.

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So,tofinishpoint1-wemustnowanalyzetheArmorofGod.Wehaveoftentalkedaboutit,buthaveweeverthoughtthroughwhatitmeans?How,exactlydoIputonthearmorofGod?I’lldoaquickanalysisasitpertainstohearingGod.

ARMOROFGOD(SCALES)

Reminder:Iamsharingbasedonmycurrentunderstanding,butmywalkwiththeLordisoneofconstantlyholdingthingsuptoHim.Idon'tpeppermypostswith"inmyopinion"verymuchbecausethatjustaddswordstothepage.ButpleaseknowthatIamstillgrowinginmyunderstandingandcanlearnfromothersaswell.

WeoftentalkaboutputtingonthearmorofGod,butwerarelytalkabouthowtodothis.Whatdoesitmeantoputonthehelmetofsalvation?Tellingme"Putonthearmor"doesnottellmehow.InordertotakethisfromacutemetaphortoaspiritualrealityIwillgiveyoumyquicktakeonthearmorofGod-particularlyinconnectionwithhearingGod.

Loins

Theloinsrepresentourenergyandwhatweproduce-Truthshouldbetheprimaryfocusofourefforts.Wecannotstandonliesordeception.Wegirtourloinswithtruthbywalkinginintegritytotheword.Wearewhoweare.Ifwepretendwearesomethingelse,orthatErrorisTruth,wearenotputtingourselvesinapositiontoheartruth(wordofGod)whenhespeaks.

Breastplate

Thebreastplateprotectsourheartandlungs-Theheartrepresentingourdesires,thelungsrepresentingourvoice.Weputonthebreastplatebydesiringrighteousnessabovesin,byholdingallthingsbeforetheLord,byspeakingrightlyandwithholdingjudgmentuntiltheFatherrevealsrighteousjudgementtous.ThisiswherewebecomeonewiththeFatherasourdesiresandwords,becomeHisdesiresandwords.WhenweholdourowndesireshigherthanHisorwhenwejudgesituationsandpeoplebeforewehaveheardfromtheFather,wecloseoutthevoiceofGod.

Footarmor

Thefeetrepresentourmessage-

Rom10:15Howbeautifularethefeetofthemthatpreachthegospelofpeace,andbringgladtidingsofgoodthings!

Thiswillbedifficultformanyofyou,buttheGospelastaughtbythedominateportionofChristianityisnottheGospelofPeace.IhavestartedadifferentthreadontheRestorationofAllThingswhereIintendtosharemyconceptofthegospelofpeace.TheGospelofPeaceteaches:

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• Loveyourenemy-insteadof-Killortortureyourenemy• God’swordwillnotreturnvoid-insteadof-Man’sorSatan’swillisgreaterthanGod’s• GodWinsAll-insteadof-Godlosesmuch

WithoutunderstandingtheGospelofPeace,oneisinapositionthatmakesitdifficulttohearGod.Fortheyareprimarilylisteningtoadifferentspirit.WeshodourfeetwithpreparationfortheGospelofPeace,bylearninganddeliveringthemessageoftheGospelofPeace.Wemustreceivethismessagefirst-andthendeliverittoothers.Onceourmessageistrue-theonewhogaveusthemessage(God),isbetterabletobeheard.ThisismainlytrueduetothefactthatuntilwecomeintoagreementwiththeGospelofPeace,wedonotknowGodforwhoHeisandthishindersourabilitytohearhisWord.

ShieldandSword

TheshieldisprimarilydefensiveastheSwordisprimarilyoffensive.However,bothcanbeusedineithercontext.Ourfaithisourdefense.Butnotsomuchhowthatjustsounded.ItisnotOURfaiththatwetrustin,butHISfaithfulness.Wewearourshieldbyrestinginhim,whichisouractoffaith,andthisprovidesustheconfidence,yeseventheauthority,toextinguishanyattack.TheswordisthewordofGod.Theonlyactionableweaponswehaveareourmessage(feet)andthewordofGod.Wewieldourswordwhenweactonwhatwehearinfaith.Andwhatweheariswhatwepreach.Ifwecouldperfectlyhear,andifwecouldperfectlyact,wewouldonlydoastheFathertellsusandeverythingHetellsus,wewoulddo.

Helmet

Thehelmetprotectsourhead,whichrepresentsourunderstandingandourknowledge.Thisispartofoursoulandiseasilycorrupted.Weputonthehelmetwhenwehaveconfidenceinoursalvation.Butwearenotsatisfiedinoursalvation.Thisismuchbroaderthanjustus.Wearenotinthisbattleforourownpersonalvictory.Wearefightingforall.Anythingless,issecondbest.Totrulywearthehelmetofsalvation,onemustbereadytogivetheirlifeforanother.ForwearelookingtowardtheglorioussalvationoftheLord.ThisisaboutHim,notaboutusasindividuals.WhenweseeHimasSalvation-asTheresurrectionandtheLife-asTheJubilee-AstheLambofGodwhichtakesawaythesinoftheworld-thenwearewearingthehelmetandabletohearhimmoreclearly.

Therearenoabsolutesinthisarmor.Onedoesnotneedtowearallparts100%effectivelytohearGod.However,thecloserwegrowtoknowingGod-themorewesayAmentohisword-thebetterweareabletohearhimandtohaveconfidenceinwhatwearehearing.Asthishappens,thearmorwillfitbetterandbetter,furtherenablingourhearingoftheword.

IDENTIFICATION(FINS)

Onceawordhasbeenpresentedtous,wemoveontostep2:Identification.Whospokethisword?WasitGod?WasitMe?Wasitsomeotherspirit?Itisimportanttokeepinmind;thisframeworkisafluidguide.IamnotconsciousofthisframeworkeverytimeIhear.Iamnotcheckingoffthepointsonestepatatime.Itallflowstogether.Butforthepurposeofinstructionandunderstanding,Ihavebrokenitoutintothesesevensteps.

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Whenweeatfoodfromthewater-itshouldhavefins.Thefinsrepresentpurpose,intent,guidance.Isourwalkoneofpurpose?Areweonthepathofrighteousness?ArewebeingguidedbytheHolySpirit?

Manyofusarequitedistractedbytheworldaroundus.Wemovefromoneactivitytotheother.Onedayflowsintothenextintothenext.IfwestoptoconsiderGodandpraywetendtotreatitlikeanevent.WeGOtochurch.WeSAYourprayers.WeREADtheword.Thefinlifeisnotlikethat.Thefinlifekeepsusupright,movingforward,andguided.Wedon’t'Gotochurch,becauseweAREthechurch.Wedon'tSayourprayersbecausewepraywithoutceasing.Wedon'tReadtheword,becausewearecommuningwithTheWordmomentbymoment.

Whenwewalk(swim)thisway-identifyingifthespeakerisGodisrelativelysimple-becausewearecommuningwithHimaspartofournormalmotion.Ontheotherhand,ifweonlytakemomentshereandtheretowalkinfaith,ifwescheduleourtimeswiththeFather,weareeasilyconfusedbythevariousfoodthatcomesourwayandtheauthorofthosewordsisnotnearlyasclear.

Mat14:14AndJesuswentforth,andsawagreatmultitude,andwasmovedwithcompassiontowardthem,andhehealedtheirsick.Mat14:15Andwhenitwasevening,hisdisciplescametohim,saying,Thisisadesertplace,andthetimeisnowpast;sendthemultitudeaway,thattheymaygointothevillages,andbuythemselvesvictuals.Mat14:16ButJesussaiduntothem,Theyneednotdepart;giveyethemtoeat.Mat14:17Andtheysayuntohim,Wehaveherebutfiveloaves,andtwofishes.Mat14:18Hesaid,Bringthemhithertome.Mat14:19Andhecommandedthemultitudetositdownonthegrass,andtookthefiveloaves,andthetwofishes,andlookinguptoheaven,heblessed,andbrake,andgavetheloavestohisdisciples,andthedisciplestothemultitude.Mat14:20Andtheydidalleat,andwerefilled:andtheytookupofthefragmentsthatremainedtwelvebasketsfull.Mat14:21Andtheythathadeatenwereaboutfivethousandmen,besidewomenandchildren.Mat14:22AndstraightwayJesusconstrainedhisdisciplestogetintoaship,andtogobeforehimuntotheotherside,whilehesentthemultitudesaway.Mat14:23Andwhenhehadsentthemultitudesaway,hewentupintoamountainaparttopray:andwhentheeveningwascome,hewastherealone.Mat14:24Buttheshipwasnowinthemidstofthesea,tossedwithwaves:forthewindwascontrary.Mat14:25AndinthefourthwatchofthenightJesuswentuntothem,walkingonthesea.Mat14:26Andwhenthedisciplessawhimwalkingonthesea,theyweretroubled,saying,Itisaspirit;andtheycriedoutforfear.Mat14:27ButstraightwayJesusspakeuntothem,saying,Beofgoodcheer;itisI;benotafraid.Mat14:28AndPeteransweredhimandsaid,Lord,ifitbethou,bidmecomeuntotheeonthewater.Mat14:29Andhesaid,Come.AndwhenPeterwascomedownoutoftheship,hewalkedonthewater,togotoJesus.Mat14:30Butwhenhesawthewindboisterous,hewasafraid;andbeginningtosink,hecried,saying,Lord,saveme.Mat14:31AndimmediatelyJesusstretchedforthhishand,andcaughthim,andsaiduntohim,Othouoflittlefaith,whereforedidstthoudoubt?Mat14:32Andwhentheywerecomeintotheship,thewindceased.Mat14:33Thentheythatwereintheshipcameandworshippedhim,saying,OfatruththouarttheSonofGod.

Theseversesaretypicallybrokenintotwostories.Iwillbecombiningthemintoonelesson.Thereisalsocontentpertainingtothislessonearlierinthischapterandlaterinthechapter,butIwillconfinemyselftothepassagegivenabove.

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Jesushasgoneintoaremotelocationandthepeoplefollowedhim.Hespentthedaywalkingamongthemandhealingtheirsick.Pleasetrytopicturethis,thereareabout5000peopleinthisarea.Peopleweretalking,shoutingtooneanother.Childrenwereplayingandrunningaround.Aspeoplewouldreceivehealing,I’msuretherewasweeping,andpraising.Other’swouldask,“Whathappened?”andthestorieswouldspreadacrossthegroup.Thedisciplesweremovingamongthepeopleaswell,likelyarrangingforJesustocometosomegrouporanotherthathadaneed.

WethinkofJesusasGod-butremember,inhisstate-hewashuman.Thewholeday,asthiswasgoingon,Jesuswas“swimming”inthecrowd.Hewaslivingafinlife.HewascommuningwiththeFather,hearingHisvoice,actingonHisinstructionswithfaithandauthority.Perhapssomethinglikethis....

Thereisachild,Father,blessher,whatisyourwillforher.Sheshouldbehealed,myson.Child-yourfaithhasmadeyouwhole.Father,thedayisgrowinglong,Iamweary.Mystrengthissufficientforyou.YesFather,sustainme.Father,mypeopledonotknowyou,bringthemtomesothatImayshowthemyou.Iwill,myson.Iwill.Father,thisoldmanisonhisdeathbed.Lethimgomyson.Soonhewillbewithme.I’lltakecareofthisone.Father,mydisciplesareconfused.Ihavesomethinginstoreforthem.We’llbeteachingthemlater.Father,myfeetarehurting.Stinkstobeyou,doesn'tit!Thanks,Father,veryfunny.Youcangetawaylaterandrest,thetimeissoshort.Iknow.Ihearyou.

Hewasintentonhismission,focusedonhispurpose,prayingwithoutceasing,onewiththeFather.

Meanwhile,hisdisciplesweredistractedbythecrowd.Sure,theysawthehealing.Theyblessedthepeoplewithwhattheycould.Theycomfortedwiththeirwordsandwiththeirmessage.TheyprovidedlogisticsupporttogetJesustotherightplaceattherighttime.Butevenwhiledoingtheworkofthekingdom,theyalsosawtheskybeginningtodrawontowardevening.Theysawthechallengeofbeinginsucharemotelocation.Andtheywerebeginningtobemoreconcernedaboutthephysicalsituationthanthespiritual.

Sofinally,theycometoJesusandsay,“Hey,teacher,weneedtosendthesepeopleawaysotheycaneatandwe’rekindoftiredandhungry,too.”

Father,theyhaveapoint,thepeopleneedtobefed.Myson,wehavebeenfeedingthemallday.Buttoprovethistothepeopleandtoyourdisciples.Let’sreallygivethemsomefood!

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Jesustellshisdisciples-sofeedthem.Givethemfood.Theyrespond,"Ah,Jesus,wehavelittlefoodtogive."

Sometimes,wefeelthatthefoodwehavetoofferisnotsufficient.Sowegivenone.Or,wedonottrustthesourceofourfoodandsowedon’twanttoofferit.Butifwewalkthefinlife,webegintotrustthesourceofourfoodand,bytheauthorityofourfaith,sharethatfoodwithothers.

I’mgoingtoskipoverthefactthatthisfoodwasbarleyandfish.Thatisalessonforanotherday.Iamalsoskippingoverthefactthattherewere5000people.Thishasrestorationimplications.Butisnotpartofthistopic.

Son,takethebreadandbreakit-becausethefewmustbebrokeninorderforthemanytobefed.YesFather.

Jesusthen,inacknowledgmenttotheFatherandinthepresenceofall,breaksthebreadandthengivesitbacktothedisciplestofeedthemultitude.Thedisciplesheardthewordandpasseditouttothemultitude.

ButthedisciplesstillneededalessononhearingthewordsoJesussentthemintothesea.Wherefishswim.

Astormaroseandthedisciples,stillhavingnotlearnedtopraywithoutceasingandtorestintheFather,aredealingwiththeirsituationathandwhensuddenlytheyseeJesuswalkingtowardthemonthewater.But,thewindisloud,lifeisdistractingthem,thewavesaretossing,andtherearesomanythingsgoingon-theydon’trecognizewhoheis.EvenwhenJesusisrightwithus,wedon'ttendtorecognizehimduetothethingsinlifethatstealourfocusandtakeusofftheintentionalcourse.

Isthismyvoice?IsthisGod’s?Oristhisthevoiceofsomespirit?Theybecameafraid.SoJesuscallsouttothem.ItisI.Buttheyarestillnotsure-nowtheyhaveheardhisvoice-butstilldon’trecognizeit.SoPetersays,Lord,makeaclearcommandofme.ThenI’llknowitisyou.Ifwedon’trecognizehisvoice,weaskforclearerinstructions.Weaskforsigns.Weaskforconfirmation.Thiswaywedon’trequireasmuchfaith.Buteventhoughweaskforthesethingsoutofourweakness,manytimes,Godiswillingtocomply,soJesussays,Come.

AndPeter,nowcertain-Stepsontothewater.Hegrowsfins.Heiswalkinginfaith.HeisindirectcontactwithGod.HehashiseyesonHimandPeter’searsareopen.Heislivinghislifemomentbymoment.

Butthenthewindgrowstoo“boisterous”.Thedistractionsoflifecreepinagain.ThemomentwasoverandHecouldnolongerhearthevoiceofHisLord.Withouthearing,helosthisfaith.Withoutfaith,helosthisauthority-hecan'tact.Hebeginstoperish.Tosink.Jesustoucheshim,chideshimforhislackoffaith,andrescueshim.

Thisisthestateofourlife.Weareinaboatandthestormragesaroundus.Evenattimeswhenwefeelincontrol-wearen’t.Andlately,thestormhasbecomemoreandmoreboisterous.WemusthavefinsandbeconstantlyandintentionallyincommunionwiththeFather.Then,whenwehearHisvoice.Itwillbeeasytoidentify.Othersmaynotagreewithus-buthey,we'rewalkingonwaterwhiletheyaresittingintheboat!

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TRANSLATIONOFTHEWORD

Wewillstepawayfromthefoodlawsforamoment,becausethisnextstage(translation)isdonebytheHolySpirit-notus.Ok,wehaveheardtheword,wehavedeterminedthewordisfromGod,butatsomepoint,theheavenlylanguagemustbetranslatedintosomethingthatwecanunderstand.Thisalsohasimplicationsforspeakingintongues,butIamnotcoveringtonguesaspartofthisthread.

Rom8:26-27LikewisetheSpiritalsohelpethourinfirmities:forweknownotwhatweshouldprayforasweought:buttheSpirititselfmakethintercessionforuswithgroaningswhichcannotbeuttered.AndhethatsearcheththeheartsknowethwhatisthemindoftheSpirit,becausehemakethintercessionforthesaintsaccordingtothewillofGod.1Cor13:1ThoughIspeakwiththetonguesofmenandofangels,andhavenotcharity,Iambecomeassoundingbrass,oratinklingcymbal.1Cor14:2Forhethatspeakethinanunknowntonguespeakethnotuntomen,butuntoGod:fornomanunderstandethhim;howbeitinthespirithespeakethmysteries.

MypointinraisingtheseversesistoshowthatthereisevidenceoftheexistenceofalanguageofGodthatcannotbecomprehendedbyhumans.AndwealsoseethattheHolySpiritcanmakeintercessioninthislanguageonourbehalf.Thesamehappensinreverse.

Althoughthisisnotaworkthatweactivelyparticipatein,Ibelievewecanimpacttheprocess.Wefindthephrase,"inthespirit"ofteninscripture,andmanyofthosetimesitisreferingtohearingGod.Buthowdoesonebecome"inthespirit"?Isitsomethingwecanchoose?Doesitjusthappen?

Gal2:19-3:3ForIthroughthelawamdeadtothelaw,thatImightliveuntoGod.IamcrucifiedwithChrist:neverthelessIlive;yetnotI,butChristlivethinme:andthelifewhichInowliveinthefleshIlivebythefaithoftheSonofGod,wholovedme,andgavehimselfforme.IdonotfrustratethegraceofGod:forifrighteousnesscomebythelaw,thenChristisdeadinvain.OfoolishGalatians,whohathbewitchedyou,thatyeshouldnotobeythetruth,beforewhoseeyesJesusChristhathbeenevidentlysetforth,crucifiedamongyou?ThisonlywouldIlearnofyou,ReceivedyetheSpiritbytheworksofthelaw,orbythehearingoffaith?Areyesofoolish?havingbegunintheSpirit,areyenowmadeperfectbytheflesh?

Webegintogetahinthere-weareinthespirit,whenwearenottrustingtheflesh.Weknowtoapplythistooursalvation.Butitshouldalsobeappliedtoourdaytodaywalk.Weareconstantlyfindingourselvesbeingpresentedwithopportunitiestoaccomplishspiritualtaskswithourflesh.Whenwedoso,wearenotinthespirit.

Includedinthepassageonthearmorofgodisaprecioustidbit,andjustasinoursteps,thearmorcomesfirstand"inthespirit"comeslater-inEph6weseethearmorofGodpresentedfirstandthenimmediatelyfollowedby:

Eph6:18PrayingalwayswithallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit,andwatchingthereuntowithallperseveranceandsupplicationforallsaints;

Wearestartingtodiscoverapatternhere-toaccomplishspiritualthings,wedosointhespirit.Noticeverse2fromGal3above,"orbythehearingoffaith?".Weaccomplishspiritualmatters,notbymovingflesh,butbymovingthespiritinGodandthenactinguponwhatwehearbytheauthorityofourfaith.

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Herearesomeotherexamplesofthecounternatureofthefleshandthespirit:

Rom2:29ButheisaJew,whichisoneinwardly;andcircumcisionisthatoftheheart,inthespirit,andnotintheletter;whosepraiseisnotofmen,butofGod.Rom8:9Butyearenotintheflesh,butintheSpirit,ifsobethattheSpiritofGoddwellinyou.NowifanymanhavenottheSpiritofChrist,heisnoneofhis.Gal5:16ThisIsaythen,WalkintheSpirit,andyeshallnotfulfilthelustoftheflesh.Php3:3Forwearethecircumcision,whichworshipGodinthespirit,andrejoiceinChristJesus,andhavenoconfidenceintheflesh.Col2:5ForthoughIbeabsentintheflesh,yetamIwithyouinthespirit,joyingandbeholdingyourorder,andthesteadfastnessofyourfaithinChrist.

Thepointisthis-whenweputourconfidenceintheflesh,wegrievethespirit.Whenwefocusonourflesh,wearenotintunewiththespiritandourhearingisgarbled.Thetranslationisnotbeingdone.

Now,therecouldbeawholethreadonwalkinginthespiritandnotintheflesh.Butthatbeginstofalloutsidethescopeofthisthread,otherthantosay-ToenhanceandincreasethetranslationsfromtheHolySpirit,wemustputofftheoldmanandputonthenew.Wemustwalkinthespirit.Isupposeifrequested,IcouldstartathreadonWalkinginthespirit,butIthinkwemayneedtofinishthemajorthreadsIcurrentlyhavegoingfirst.

INTERPRETATIONOFTHEWORD(CUD)(MEDITATION)

Whenweeatfoodthatwalksuponthelandwearetoeatthefoodthatchewsthecudandhasasplithoof.Thesetwo"laws"reallyworktogether,butI’llcoverthecudinthispostandthesplithoofinthenext.

Weheartheword,determineitisofGod,thewordistranslated,andthenweingestit.Soithasjustmovedfromthespiritintothesoul.WeswallowedthewordofGod.Butoursoulisnottrustworthy,aswehavealreadydiscussedatthebeginningofthisthread.Thesouliswhereouridolsare.Andso,Godtellsusthatweneedtoperformaprocessbywhichoursoulandspiritworktogethertopreparethewordfordigestion.

Thisprocessischewingthecud,andwecallitmeditation.Thisisnotsomenewageconceptofmeditation,butrather,atimeperiodduringwhichweswallowtheword,letitsit,bringitbackuptoourspiritformorehearing,swallowit,letitsit,bringitbackformorehearing….

Yougetthepoint.Bysubjectingthewordtooursoul,whichappliesknowledge,desires,hopes,dreamswhileatthesametimesubmittingitbacktotheLordinthespirit,itturnsoursoulishknowledgeandunderstandingintowisdom.ThisallowsfortheappropriateinterpretationofwhatGodistellingus.

Ifwesimplyswallowedthewordandmovedon,mostofwhatweheardwouldbecorruptedbyourownknowledgeanddesires.Someofthesesoulishimpulsesarepureinintent,butthatdoesnotmakethemcorrect.

Eze14:1ThencamecertainoftheeldersofIsraeluntome,andsatbeforeme.Eze14:2AndthewordoftheLORDcameuntome,saying,

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Eze14:3Sonofman,thesemenhavesetuptheiridolsintheirheart,andputthestumblingblockoftheiriniquitybeforetheirface:shouldIbeenquiredofatallbythem?Eze14:4Thereforespeakuntothem,andsayuntothem,ThussaiththeLordGOD;EverymanofthehouseofIsraelthatsettethuphisidolsinhisheart,andputteththestumblingblockofhisiniquitybeforehisface,andcomethtotheprophet;ItheLORDwillanswerhimthatcomethaccordingtothemultitudeofhisidols;Eze14:5ThatImaytakethehouseofIsraelintheirownheart,becausetheyareallestrangedfrommethroughtheiridols.

HereweseethattheidolsofourheartcanchangewhatwehearfromtheLord.ThewordfromGodwillcometousaccordingtotheidolsofourheart.TheeldersofIsraelknewwhattheywantedtohearfromtheLord-sotheLordtoldthemwhattheywantedtohear.Lestyousay,butthatwouldmakeGodaliar,andthatcan’tbetrue:

Eze14:9Andiftheprophetbedeceivedwhenhehathspokenathing,ItheLORDhavedeceivedthatprophet,andIwillstretchoutmyhanduponhim,andwilldestroyhimfromthemidstofmypeopleIsrael.

Don’tblameme.

Letusbeclear,thesoulsoftheeldersarewhatdeceivedthem.GodgavethemawordthattheycouldnotinterpretcorrectlybecauseoftheiridolsandGodallowedtheirunderstandingtostand.Iftheyhadmeditatedontheword,iftheyhadsubmitteditbacktotheLord(alongwitheverythingelsewehavebeentalkingabout),theywouldhaveseenthattheiridolswerecorruptingtheirunderstandingandturnfromtheiridolsandcorrectlyinterpretthewordfromGod.

Eze14:6ThereforesayuntothehouseofIsrael,ThussaiththeLordGOD;Repent,andturnyourselvesfromyouridols;andturnawayyourfacesfromallyourabominations.Eze14:11ThatthehouseofIsraelmaygonomoreastrayfromme,neitherbepollutedanymorewithalltheirtransgressions;butthattheymaybemypeople,andImaybetheirGod,saiththeLordGOD.

EventhepurposeofdeceivingthemenwasmeanttorestorethepeopletotheirGod.

Whenwearemoreconcernedaboutproperinterpretationthanweareinourowndoctrines,beliefs,desires,etc.ThenourdelightistrulyinHiswordandHistruth.Thenwearelikethis:

Psa1:2ButhisdelightisinthelawoftheLORD;andinhislawdothhemeditatedayandnight.Psa1:3Andheshallbelikeatreeplantedbytheriversofwater,thatbringethforthhisfruitinhisseason;hisleafalsoshallnotwither;andwhatsoeverhedoethshallprosper.

ThelawisthecharacteroftheWord-theWordisJesus.

I’mgoingtothrowsomethingfromJamesinhere.WewillbemovingintomoreofJames’wordsaswefinishoffthisthreadandsothiswouldbeagoodtimetobeginthatintroduction.

Jas1:19Wherefore,mybelovedbrethren,leteverymanbeswifttohear,slowtospeak,slowtowrath:

Jameswasapplyingtothisonething-butthatisthebeautyofGod,hespeakssomuchwithsolittle.Thispolicyalsoappliestowhatwehear-hearquickly-butthenmeditateonit.Don’timmediatelyspeakitbackout.Chewthecudawhile.HolditbackuptotheLord.HowmightyoubecorruptingHisword?

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VERIFICATIONOFTHEWORD(SPLITHOOF)(WITNESS)

Aswementionedinthelastsection,thefoodwetakefromthelandmustchewthecudanddividethehoof(splithoof).Thesplithooftellsusthatweneedawitnesstowhatwehear.WeshouldnotconsiderourinterpretationofwhatGodhastoldas“truth”untilithasbeenestablishedthroughasecondwitness.

Deu19:15Onewitnessshallnotriseupagainstamanforanyiniquity,orforanysin,inanysinthathesinneth:atthemouthoftwowitnesses,oratthemouthofthreewitnesses,shallthematterbeestablished.2Co13:1ThisisthethirdtimeIamcomingtoyou.Inthemouthoftwoorthreewitnessesshalleverywordbeestablished.

Thisdoesnotmeanweignorewordsthathavenotbeenseconded.Westillneedtotakeitseriously,butbeforeweactuponit,weseekasecondorthirdwitness.

Now,forthoseofyouconcernedatthebeginningofthisthreadthatIwasdismissingscriptureasaproperwaytoverifyawordfromtheLord,youmayfinallybreatheasighofrelief.Manytimes,ourverificationwillcomefromscriptureasoursecondwitness.Andwhatwehearshouldcertainlynotcontradictscripture.WhatwemustconstantlykeepinmindisthatourprocesstohearGodthroughthebibleisexactlythesameaswhatIhavedefinedinthisthread.ThebibleisnotmagicalinitsabilitytocauseustohearGod.ItisjustonemorewaythatGodspeakstousandthiswordmustgothroughthesameframeworkasotherwordsofGod.

Godwillconfirmhiswordthroughanotherword.Itcouldbethroughproperlyinterpretedscripture,songs,anotherperson,circumstances,miracles,signs,etc.

Butwemustbeverycareful,becauseonceweheartheword,identifyitasGod,haveittranslated,andnowinterpreted-weareatourweakestplace-Imean,theCreatoroftheuniversejustspoketousandweunderstood!Howawesomeisthat!Almostanythingthathappensnext,canbemadetoseemlikeadoublewitness.Yousee,wejustgrewanewidolinourheartandthatidolcamedirectlyfromGod.Tous-itdoesnotseemlikeanidolatall-butanaltertotheAlmightywhichwearereadytothrowourlivesupon.

I’veusedthisbeforesoIwilljusttouchonthesurface.AbrahamheardfromGodthathewouldhaveasonviaSarah.Hethenhadason.Fromthissonwouldcomeagreatandinnumerablenation.ThiswaswordfromGod.ItbecameanidolinAbraham’sheart.ThenAbrahamwastoldtosacrificethisson.

Nowwait-thiswouldbeawordfromGodthatistheoppositeofthefirstwordfromGod.So,Abraham,expectingasecondwitness,nowseemstobehearingthatthefirstwordmaynothaveactuallybeenfromGod.

Doyouseethis?Hecouldhavesaid,basedonthefirstwordandidolinhisheart-No.thiswordtosacrificemysonisnotfromGodforseveralreasons.Iwillnotobey.Hedidnotdothis.Insteadhemeditatedontheword,heldituptothefatherandwalkedinthefaithofbothwordsatthesametime.Whilestillbelievingthefirstword,hesetouttoaccomplishthesecondword.

Now-everythingwehavelearnedinthisthread(andsomestilltocome)istaughtinthisstory.TheunbelievablefaiththatAbrahamwalkedinshouldstunus.Onlybecausehislifemanifestedwhatwehavebeenteachinginthisthreadwasthispossible.Andhehadtolearnthisthroughislife.Evenafterthe

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promiseofason,AbrahamwalkedinthefleshtoaccomplishGod’sspiritualpurpose-thisneededtobedonetoteachushowtocastoffourownHagar-butitalsowasdonetoperfectAbraham’sfaith.

Goddidendupconfirming,throughthewitnessofhisangelandtheram,thatHisfirstwordwasindeedtrue.Andinthisstory,welearnthatwetoohaveaonewhowassacrificedforus.ButwealsohavelearnedthatevenawordfromGodshouldnotstandasanidolinourheart.

PURIFICATIONOFTHEWORD(BLOOD)(DONOTEATTHEBLOOD)

Therearetwomoreprimaryfoodlawsthatdealwithwhichmeatfromtheairwecaneat,andwhichinsectswecaneat.

IamstillholdingtheselawsuptotheLordforunderstanding,butthebirdslawseemstobedealingwithadistinctionbetweenanimalsthateatdeadbodiesandonesthatdon’t.Wecombinethiswithanotherlawthatstatesweshouldnoteatthebloodofananimal“forthelifeisintheblood.”

Ibelievethisisthefinalprocessbeforeweactuponwhatwehaveheard.Wehavenowheardtheword,identifieditasfromGod,translatedintoourtongue,interpretedtheword,andverifiedourcorrectunderstandingwithadditionalwitnesses.Beforeweactonthisword,wecauseittopassonemoretest-or,afiltrationprocess.Thetestisthis-doesitbringlife,ordeath.Isitfromabloodthirstymindset?

Manytimes,weknowthetruth,butwerevealitfromamindsetthatdestroysinsteadofbuildsup.Forinstance,wemayknowthatthetruegospelisagospelofgrace,notofworks,butifwedeliverthismessagefromastandpointof“toldyouso”or“yougotitwrong”or“you’renotreallysavedbecauseyouaretrustingyourownworks”,etc.Yougettheidea.Ifwedeliverthemessagewithaserpent’stongue-anddemonstratemuchlessgracethanthemessagewearebringing-thenwehavenotyetfiltered(purified)themessage.

Wemustspeakthetruth-But,wemustspeakitinlove.Thiscanbeachallengeattimes,dependingonthetruth.Butevenverypainfultruthcanbedeliveredwithlove.

Alltoooften,weknowtherightanswer.Weknowwhatneedstobecorrectedinsomeoneorsomesituation.Butwedeliverthemessageinsuchawaythatwedestroytheactualmessage.Therecipientcan’thearthemessageoverthevoiceanddemeanorofthemessenger.

Thelifeisintheblood-wedonoteatthelife-weaddtoit.WhatevermessageyouhaveheardfromGodfilterittoremovethebloodthirsty-nessfirst.SometimesthiswilltaketimeasyouasktheFathertogiveyoutheproperspiritwithwhichtodeliverthemessage.Iseethisstepignoredveryoftenanditissopainfultowatch.Sooftenour"rightness"getsinthewayofourloveliness.

Abrotherorsister,armedwiththetruthandtheauthorityoftheWordofGod,chastisesanotherordeliversamessageinharshnessandwoundsthespiritofanother.

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Loveispatient,loveiskind.Readtherestof1Cor13toseethecharacteristicsoflove(beyondthescopeofthisthread)andpassyourmessageandmannerthroughthosetestsfirst-thenmoveonthefinalstage-Application.

APPLICATIONOFTHEWORD(DOERSVSHEARERS)(FAITH)

Thiswillbemyfinalpostinthisthreadotherthantoanswerquestionsorconcernsthatothersmayhave.

Sohereweare:

1. Presentationoftheword(Scales)(ArmorofGod)2. Identificationofthesourceoftheword(Fins)(PathofRighteousness)3. Translationoftheword(IntheSpirit)(GrievenottheSpirit)(FaithnotSight)4. Interpretationoftheword(Cud)(Meditation)5. Verificationoftheword(Splithoof)(Witness)6. Purificationoftheword(Blood)(Donoteattheblood)7. Applicationoftheword(doersvshearers)(Faith)

WehavehadaWordpresentedtousandbecausewewerewearingtheArmorofGodwewereprotectedfrommanyotherwordsthatcouldhavemadeitourway,butwalkingthepathofrighteousnessandbeingguidedbytheHolySpiritwearemoreeasilyabletorecognizethevoiceofourLord.AstheLordtranslatesthewordintosomethingwecanunderstandwebegintheprocessofmeditatingonthewordreceivedandholdingitlightlybackouttotheLordforconfirmation.Thissecondwitnesscomesandconfirmsthefirstandweensureourmessage/actionwillbedeliveredinawaythatdoesnot“shedblood”,butrather,bringslight.

Sonowwemustapplytheword.AndIusethe“must”intentionally.Thisisouractoffaith.Arewedoersofthewordorhearersonly?

Jas1:22Butbeyedoersoftheword,andnothearersonly,deceivingyourownselves.

GoodoldJames,whogeneratessomuchconflictinhistellingustodoworkstoproveourfaith.ButJamesisnottalkingaboutworksoutsideoffaith.Heistalkingaboutworksoffaith.

Rom14:23…forwhatsoeverisnotoffaithissin.

Yes,Itotallyjustpulledthatoutofcontext.It’sok.

Jas1:6Butlethimaskinfaith,nothingwavering.Forhethatwaverethislikeawaveoftheseadrivenwiththewindandtossed.Jas1:7ForletnotthatmanthinkthatheshallreceiveanythingoftheLord.Jas1:8Adoublemindedmanisunstableinallhisways.Jas1:19Wherefore,mybelovedbrethren,leteverymanbeswifttohear,slowtospeak,slowtowrath:Jas1:21Whereforelayapartallfilthinessandsuperfluityofnaughtiness,andreceivewithmeeknesstheengraftedword,whichisabletosaveyoursouls.Jas1:22Butbeyedoersoftheword,andnothearersonly,deceivingyourownselves.

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Jas1:23Forifanybeaheareroftheword,andnotadoer,heislikeuntoamanbeholdinghisnaturalfaceinaglass:Jas1:24Forhebeholdethhimself,andgoethhisway,andstraightwayforgettethwhatmannerofmanhewas.Jas1:25Butwhosolookethintotheperfectlawofliberty,andcontinueththerein,hebeingnotaforgetfulhearer,butadoerofthework,thismanshallbeblessedinhisdeed.Jas2:14Whatdothitprofit,mybrethren,thoughamansayhehathfaith,andhavenotworks?canfaithsavehim?Jas2:15Ifabrotherorsisterbenaked,anddestituteofdailyfood,Jas2:16Andoneofyousayuntothem,Departinpeace,beyewarmedandfilled;notwithstandingyegivethemnotthosethingswhichareneedfultothebody;whatdothitprofit?Jas2:17Evensofaith,ifithathnotworks,isdead,beingalone.Jas2:18Yea,amanmaysay,Thouhastfaith,andIhaveworks:shewmethyfaithwithoutthyworks,andIwillshewtheemyfaithbymyworks.Jas2:19ThoubelievestthatthereisoneGod;thoudoestwell:thedevilsalsobelieve,andtremble.Jas2:20Butwiltthouknow,Ovainman,thatfaithwithoutworksisdead?Jas2:21WasnotAbrahamourfatherjustifiedbyworks,whenhehadofferedIsaachissonuponthealtar?Jas2:22Seestthouhowfaithwroughtwithhisworks,andbyworkswasfaithmadeperfect?Jas2:23Andthescripturewasfulfilledwhichsaith,AbrahambelievedGod,anditwasimputeduntohimforrighteousness:andhewascalledtheFriendofGod.Jas2:24Yeseethenhowthatbyworksamanisjustified,andnotbyfaithonly.Jas2:25LikewisealsowasnotRahabtheharlotjustifiedbyworks,whenshehadreceivedthemessengers,andhadsentthemoutanotherway?Jas2:26Forasthebodywithoutthespiritisdead,sofaithwithoutworksisdeadalso.Jas5:15Andtheprayeroffaithshallsavethesick,andtheLordshallraisehimup;andifhehavecommittedsins,theyshallbeforgivenhim.

Jamesisnotreferringtotheworksofsomanybelieverstoday,whoseeaneedandrushtosolveit.Orwhodesiretobeseenanddosomethingthatdisplaysthemselves.Thesearenotactsoffaith.Theseareactsofsinanddeath.Remember,

Rom10:17Sothenfaithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.

Ifwearenotdoingworksaccordingtowhatwehear-wearenotwalkinginfaith.Buttheoppositeistrueaswell.Ifwehear,anddonotwalkintheauthorityofthefaiththatwejustreceivedthroughtheword-wearealsonotwalkinginfaith.

Wemustrespondbysteppingoutontothewater.Wedonotdemonstrateourfaithintheboat.Ifwereceiveawordanddonotact,accordingtoJames,wedonothavefaith.ThesearetheworksthatJamesisspeakingof.Theworksthatresultfromaspiritledlifeoffaith.Theworksthatresultasthelaststageofspiritualdiscernmentwhenweapplywhatwehavebeentold.

ThereasonIincludethisasthelaststageofdiscernmentistwo-fold:1.Wemayneverbesureuntilwestepoutinfaith.2.Aswequenchthespirit,ourabilitytoapplytherestofthestagesofdiscernmentarehindered.Itisacyclethatstrengthensorweakens.

Therefore-ourfaith-withoutourworksisdead.WhydoesJamessay,“Canfaithsavehim?”Aren’twetaughtthatitisourfaiththatsavesus?Aren’twetaughtwearenotsavedbyworks?No,ourfaithdoesnotsaveus.No,ourworksdonotsaveus.Jesussavesus.(PleaseseetheRestorationofAllThingsthread)OurfaithinthefactthatJesussavesprovidesthefueltoobeyHisWord.

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ThisideaofwalkinginthespiritisadeepertopicandthoughitisdeeplyconnectedtothetopicofhearingGod,itwouldprobablybebesttomakeitaseparatethread.ItconnectstoknowingGod’swillforourlives,makingdecisionsinlife,handlingsinandtemptation,healingandothermightyworks,prophecy,teaching,discipleship,andmore.

ThekeystartswithhowwereactwhenwehearGod.Doweobey?Dowemakeexcuses?Ordoweshyawaybecause,itmightnothavereallybeenGod?Arewedouble-minded?Dowestepoutinfaithandthengrowafraid?Doweavoidsteppingoutatall?IfwewanttohearGod-wemustthenapplywhatHetellsus.Itmaybeasacrificehewishesustomake.Itmaybeahealing.Itmaybeanexhortationtoabrotherorsister.ItmaybearequesttouseHisresourcesthatyouareatenantof,forapurposeatanappointedtime.ItmaybeamessagetoyoupersonallyortheBodyatlarge.Whateveritis,walkintheauthoritythatyourfaithprovideswhenyouhearGod.

Mydearbrothersandsisters,theydon’tcallitfaithfornothing!IfJesuswasstandingrightnexttousandtellingusinstraightEnglish,whattodo.Wewouldn'tneedanyfaithtoobey.

Now-goforthandheartheLord!

Hearing God - Amazon S3God.pdf · 2018. 1. 3. · HEARING GOD HOW TO HEAR AND DISCERN THE WORD OF...

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