Pride Must Go

On Leviathan:
     First we must realize that Leviathan is a spirit, one that exists and thrives even today. Then we, in the light of YHWH’s Omnipotence, must understand that the only way for Leviathan to have rights to affect our lives is when we live unsubmitted to the Father, our Elohim.
Let’s look at one single verse about this beast:

Job 41:22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.

     What about such a powerful foe would cause Joy over sorrow? What is this verse doing in the center of a description of something so terrible?


“A more plain translation says: “Strength dwells in his neck, and sorrow dances before him”
- They are strong (Strength dwells in his neck)
- They are cruel and entertained by sorrow (sorrow dances before him)”.
David Guzik Study Guide for Job 41

“Take a view of his neck, and there remains strength, v. 22. his head and his body are well set together. Sorrow rejoices (or rides in triumph) before him, for he makes terrible work wherever he comes. Or, Those storms which are the sorrow of others are his joys; what is tossing to others is dancing to him. His flesh is well knit, v. 23.”
Matthew Henry Commentary


     At first glance, this verse in the KJV has us thinking that sorrow turned to joy in the beast’s presence.  That thought is in plain contradiction to all of the surrounding verses and their descriptions of Leviathan.  Digging a little prayerfully, we find an even more sinister character of the beast: that the fire from his mouth and nostrils causes sorrow personified to rejoice!   How terrible! 
We suffer all of this because we tend our nature and say “I’ve got this.” Rather than, “Yes, YHWH, yes, Elohim, yes, Adonay, yes yes yes, my Father! I love you King! I submit before You wholly and I wait for You to speak to All of me.”

To solidify the revelation of what Leviathan has been given to rule over, listen to the Word of YHWH:

“Job 41:33-34 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high [things]: he [is] a king over all the children of pride.”

Pride Must Go: 

     Pride isn’t something that we can cast out, it’s not something that can be cured or treated with medications, Pride is something that we must choose to reign, something we must be proactive against.  Pride isn’t defeated by seeing it and then battling it down, Pride is defeated by action in its antithesis, Humility.  In all we do we must adorn on ourselves the cloak of humility or Pride will shine and blind us from seeing the enemy’s game to destroy us.  Colossians 3:12-14 has quite a bit of instruction on what this looks like:


Colossians 3:12-14 So embrace, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering. Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do. And above all these things, embrace love, which is the bond of perfection.


     The Church has been asleep and selfish, seeking week to week to go to a place to get some Jesus and then go on about their lives until the next required dose.  We go to the meetings, not ready to give what Jesus has given us but, to take from the plates of inspiration that our Authority (leadership) has labored to prepare for the flock.  We so quickly forget that we ARE all sheep, even our Authority, and we ALL have the ability, yes even the responsiblity, to labor and tend to the wonderful gardens of inspiration found in YHWH, our Elohim!  How are we to follow the great commission to go and make disciples if we ourselves refuse to be sharpened by even YHWH’s Word!?!?  Save the fact that we all would have to desire greatly to be corrected by another believer rather than to find correction to dole out!

     The enemy of the children of Pride is before you, waiting to deceive and destroy.  We have a task before us, the thing is exposed, and the task is so simple that if you don’t do just that, you’ll miss it. What is it? Surrender. Don’t go, don’t do, don’t guess, surrender!  Then and only then will you be sent, then and only then will your labor NOT be in vain.


Commissioned on this day [insert the date you’re reading this] to surrender to The Father, in Jesus’ name.

miséō Conquered

Miséō is the Greek word for "hate" that we see in I John 2:9:

8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
                                                I John 2:8-11 KJV

Strong's defines it as "to hate, pursue with hatred, detest or to be hated, detested."  That's quite a strong word!
As believers we use the word "hate" way to loosely.  "I hate that!" or "I hate it when you do that!" or "I hate broccoli!" This morning hear the creativity in the words you're speaking. Know that by the Words God spoke creation came to be and think on that for a moment.  Let's ask ourselves: "How much DOES my mouth define my reality?"
So that being said, how many of you have something against another believer?  The Word tells us that he who hates is darkness.  Now, I'm not saying that you aren't saved because of it but I can say this: I wouldn't wander to far from the wall your hand is on..  Have you ever turned the lights out at night in the living room and for a second couldn't see a thing but began to wander towards the hall or bedroom?  How many of you know that those who are blinded are led by their feelings?
But there is a seriousness that needs to be dealt with here.  We, as believers, are called to "make our calling and election sure" and to "work out [our] salvation with fear and trembling" so IF we have hatred towards a brother or sister it's time for a heart check!
"But Bro Pierce, I said the prayer of salvation and I got baptized at the church.  I know I'm saved and that's all there is to that!"    Do you?  Now, I'm not going to question your confession because I'm not qualified to do so; but you should...  We must test ourselves to know that we are in the Faith!  Better to test and find ourselves lacking than to not test and find ourselves, without reprieve, in hell.
If you ever come to a place where you are questioning whether or not you're saved, know that it's not God's Ability that's in question. He is able to save to the Utmost!  When you question, and you should do so, do so with an expectant heart.  Doubt, in this sense, is not your enemy. Unbelief is the enemy, Faith and Believing is the friend, doubt notes a place in between the two.  Wouldn't you rather know that you don't know and be able to search for the answer or would you rather find yourself in an eternal bind?
We've used the example of "hate" here because hate is of a nature that we as believers have been freed from. It is but a portion of iniquity and transgression.  That nature is the old nature and the new man, formed in God's image, born again, new heart, new mind, new you is forged in LOVE.  The strongholds of pain and bitterness of our past is something that, now that we are the Lord's, we have the authority to rip down!  This reminds me of the Promised Land, a biblical type and shadow of salvation: Did Israel gain all of the Promised Land? Yes!   In one day or by battle after battle? That's right, they fought for it, they took ground with effort and it took effort to take the ground and keep it!
Is "hate" a city on the hills of your Promised Land?  Can you name it? Define it?  Know it in and out?  Then strategize in prayer with the One Who gave you the victory over it and DEFEAT IT!  What darkness exposed by light remains?  Darkness cannot exist in the presence of light!  In fact, darkness is but an absence of light!  Turn the light on and let's roll on the the next city!  TAKE THE GROUND AND POSSES IT FOR IT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO YOU BY PROMISE!
Amen!  The moment Jesus was raised from the dead Satan was done!  We have to renew our minds ( from the Word of God) that our source is Jesus and that the Spirit of God is within us!  We declare the glory of the Lord over you today! We believe that we receive the manifested presence of God, the manifested goodness of God, and the manifested power of God!

Be blessed!  We love you!

Opprotunity: Evangelism 101 and deployment. SAVE DATE

We're looking for men to gear up for a day in the prisons.

 Bill Glass - Behind the Walls is coming in force for the Kingdom and they are inviting YOU to participate! 

Below is a video for you to share, Bro Guerra from BGM sent it to us and we added in information at the bottom of the screen for you to use in the sign up process.
Also, James has plenty of materials to get people involved:  I have a folder for pastor's and will be visiting with a few friends soon.  We love you and we bless you in Jesus' name!  (video is 3 mins)

Bill Glass Promotional Video

Christ Carries Me Ministries YouTube Channel

Direct Link to Sign up!

 

If you need more information, follow the link to sign up or call us here at Christ Carries Me Ministries 

You mean "always" always?

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

 II Thes 5:16-18 KJV


     How we spend our time in life makes the difference.  The days are passing moment by moment and our life script is being recorded in indelible ink by the very finger of God Almighty.  "Consider the ant..." the Proverb instructs us, consider the ant indeed...


It seems to me that one little ant all alone carrying a grain of sand doesn't constitute much of a threat to humanity, but that's not the only grain he's going to tote!  Fire ants were introduced to the US in the 30's. Little biting critters in the Ports of Alabama and today that little grain of sand has expanded their territory to cover over 1/2 the United States! 

That being said, considering the ant, every thought is as a grain of sand, every moment is a placement or displacement of the ground we're standing on. 

The Word tells us to REJOICE ALWAYS, always is a lot of time and a lot of that time we're disobedient to that command and in doing so we lament, regret, grieve and weep instead!  

To PRAY WITHOUT CEASING is cited: how hard do we struggle to find 2 1/2 hours with God a day in this age?  Even if we mumble "Lord Jesus, guide me." every 15 minutes that's still disobedience!  

GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES: are you thankful reading this right now?  

All of this to prove that man can't do it and if it's to be done that God must! 

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.   Galatians 5

 "Walking in the Spirit" is, I believe, what Jesus was doing when He said, "even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.". and it is what we are commanded to do:

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.   John 4

 Part of our recovery program teaches that we must "turn over our will and our life to Jesus Christ".  It is a teaching on submission.  If we get turned around and start focusing on submitting one to another it gets hard but when we focus on submitting to God and get THAT right the "one another" part comes naturally as that battle is fought and won at the cross rather than on this battlefield called "one another".   There is more here to dig into but another time perhaps.  We'll leave you with this:  You can walk in the anointing of God

Will your harvest come from non-believer kindness?

     I believe that we'd all like to believe in humanity as a people but then it smacks me in the face that left to ourselves we'd revert to bludgeoning one another in the head with clubs.  The Word of God tells us that we are to love one another and that instruction is purposeful.  There is no instruction that I've found for us to love ourselves... obviously, we have that one covered.  Cynicism aside, we all struggle to bring the flesh into subjection to the Spirit if the Lord Jesus is our Lord and Savior.  It is something that we all aspire to, this "being Christ-like" and it is a wonderful thing to see others grow into His likeness.  It is also VERY encouraging to hear that you've grown from someones perspective.  But, what about non-believers?  Can they be kind and love others?  Can they be "Christ-like" without Christ? 
     After reading a blog post today I sat in my office and cried a little:  Someone has taken the time to put together content in a blog that shows acts of love, one for another, in this world in a way that just makes sense, naturally.  It's not performed, it's not staged, it's not "hold on, do that again for the camera!" stuff, but moments.  These moments are people being good people for no real measurable gain.  I don't know that these men, women, and children were all non-believers but I do know that some of them were.  How does this kindness speak?  What does it say?   There's no mention of Jesus, no religious form to it, just an act of kindness or a gift from the heart given.
     What are we doing as believers to act like this?  How is Christ's image being portrayed in your life today?  If we are, and WE ARE, in His image and don't do what He did then we're showing others that Jesus isn't Who He is but something else entirely.  We must become the examples of kindness and love.  We have to become the catalyst for change if a lasting change is to be made.
     Today, stop someone with a grimace and ask if you can pray for them. 

Officer joins prayer unexpectedly...

Tell them that you love Jesus and that Jesus has provided relief and peace for them and ask them if they need or want some of that.  We yelled across a parking lot just the other day to a young man sitting on the curb, "Hey bro! We got coffee, cookies, and some Jesus in here if you want some!" and he laughed and came for the coffee, left with Jesus!  Amazing opportunities await you today.  Relationships that last a lifetime are connected in these moments.  We call you today to service.  We love you

Comments? Questions? Let's talk. We want to hear testimony of your application!

Beto I Wrap Up

Good evening!  We have completed another great trip into the Prison House and we thank God for the lost that have been found!  Many men who were downtrodden and discouraged have a new understanding that hope is more than just wishful thinking! Glory to God!  That's the cover, here's the story:
     Today was the second day for us going in to the Beto I Unit with Mike Barber Ministries (FB, like 'em, share 'em) and we have good reports to give. The staff, Major, Lieutenants, Sergeants, and CO's did a brilliant job at coordinating our efforts to maximize our impact inside the unit. We moved seamlessly between the various rows and wings of the Unit and with plenty of time to share the Love of Jesus with the men housed there. We saw reactions from all those we spoke with and were well received by all of the men, even an Orthodox Jew turned DEVOUT Muslim, all praise and honor be to God Almighty!  When you realize that your time with these men is limited and that your words need to impact that life in a very short span of this lifetime you begin to truly prayerfully consider, not only your words but also, your discernment of a willing heart versus an unwilling one. The Word of God records that the work of the evangelists in Acts was to bring the message and "some received and some don't". Hear me when I say I walked one row back and forth 3 times singing "Be not dismayed for the Lord will take care of you through the storm and through the rain, He will take care of you" BEFORE the Lord said, "here, stop here."  The Word was for a young man, I mean YOUNG, mid 20s maybe. He confessed immediately that he was on his way home in 50 days. The Word of the Lord came and spoke with such fervency and such strength that the young man at the bars was in tears, I was tearing up and even his cell mate who was curled up under a sheet pretending to be asleep was potentially added to the Kingdom just for being THAT close to the presence of the Lord. What a mighty God we serve. Just a side note: If you're reading this there is a GREAT potential that you too can experience loving others inside the prison house, it's free to get in!  Think on it huh!  They will even "feed" you.   But I digress.
     A second short testimony is on this: the Mike Barber Ministries volunteers are assigned in teams and they send each group together to different areas, each with a lead (point of authority and covering) and the process works well.  On our short break (men's room/refreshments) I was selected, among others from other teams, to go on a special assignment to the infirmary. This was an honor and promotion from the Lord indeed for it was in that place that we began to move in the deeper things of God.  We saw "terminally ill" labeled men, met them, spoke to them, prayed with them, declaring liberation to the captives from the spirits of infirmity and despair and even rebuking the spirit of death from a man who had lost all hope and nearly given up completely as his diagnosis was liver failure from chronic hepatitis c, which is NOW CURABLE!  We prayed with a man who had just had surgery to remove parts of his intestines due to a cancer diagnosis, he was near or above 70 and in a wheelchair and when I asked "do you know Jesus" he said "no". He had never met our Savior guys! He's an American man, African American at that, and had NEVER been led to Christ??  How lacking in this are we?  What in the WORLD?  I asked him if he'd heard the gospel and he had but had never been counseled nor had he sought out Jesus by asking for salvation - 0 experience with Jesus!  I asked if he wanted that and he said yes. He said "Jesus Save me!" With hot tears in his old and tired eyes, but now there was a fire there that wasn't there before, a hope, an expectation that Salvation also includes Deliverance and Healing as provided through the cross!  We prayed the prayer of James 5, he confessed his faults and I mean really talked about some things with repentance in his mannerisms, and we prayed according to the Word of God that he be healed and I FULLY expect to hear that report later after it's confirmed by the Medical Staff. Amen?  Amen!!
      On our way out of the infirmary I met with the PA in her office. She is a Spirit filled child of the Most High God who years prior, at 20 years old and attending Rhema Bible College, requested that God send her to the people that were closest to hell: today she manages and oversees this infirmary AND a hospice on Michael's Unit, the ONLY hospice in TDCJ that resides inside of a Maximum security prison!  She rejoiced to have been blessed with such a fortune and what a blessing that is to know that there are genuine thankful loving people touching the darkest areas of the Penitentiary! Glory!

Well, that is encouraging and I hope you have found encouragement here. Comment or write us and let us know what you think.  We're waiting to hear from you.

Here is Mike at one of the services here, we will get more pictures, we'll share them.  We love you and we're praying for you.

Be blessed!
JD Pierce
President
Christ Carries Me Ministries

"If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them..."

This morning, a reading that blessed my heart:

John 13:1-17 J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

Jesus teaches his disciples humility

13 ^1-5 Before the festival of the Passover began, Jesus realised that the time had come for him to leave this world and return to the Father. He had loved those who were his own in this world and he loved them to the end. By supper-time, the devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus in the mind of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son. Jesus, with the full knowledge that the Father had put everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from the supper-table, took off his outer clothes, picked up a towel and fastened it round his waist. Then he poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel around his waist.

⁶ So he came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
⁷ “You do not realise now what I am doing,” replied Jesus, “but later on you will understand.”
⁸ Then Peter said to him, “You must never wash my feet!” “Unless you let me wash you, Peter,” replied Jesus, “you cannot share my lot.”
⁹ “Then,” returned Simon Peter, “please—not just my feet but my hands and my face as well!”
¹⁰ “The man who has bathed,” returned Jesus, “only needs to wash his feet to be clean all over. And you are clean—though not all of you.”
¹¹ (For Jesus knew his betrayer and that is why he said, “though not all of you”.)
^12-17 When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his clothes, he sat down and spoke to them, “Do you realise what I have just done to you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and you are quite right, for I am your teacher and your Lord. But if I, your teacher and Lord, have washed your feet, you must be ready to wash one another’s feet. I have given you this as an example so that you may do as I have done. Believe me, the servant is not greater than his master and the messenger is not greater than the man who sent him. Once you have realised these things, you will find your happiness in doing them.

Knowing He had everything, he chose to cleanse the ways and means this walk requires.  SELAH, ya'll.  SELAH.

Propitiation

 Also, he is the kapparah for our sins — and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world. - 1 John 2:2

We've been reading 1 John for a few days now.  1st John was written "so that the joy of his audience would "be full" (1:4) and that they would "not practice sin" (2:1) and that "you who believe in the name of the Son of God... may know that you have eternal life" (5:13). "

As I read today, the Hebrew word for KJV "Propitiation" was illuminated to me.  This is what we've found: 

Excerpt from the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia:

KAPPARAH  "means of atonement"
An animal used as a sort of vicarious sacrifice on the day previous to the Day of Atonement. As a rule, a cock is taken by a male, and a hen by a female person, and after the recitation of *Ps. cvii. 17-20 and Job xxxiii. 23-24 the fowl is swung around the head three times while the right hand is put upon the animal's head. At the same time the following is thrice said in Hebrew: "This be my substitute, my vicarious offering, my atonement. This cock [or hen] shall meet death, but I shall find a long and pleasant life of peace!" After this the animal is slaughtered and given to the poor, or, what is deemed better, is eaten by the owners while the value of it is given to the poor.

Immediately the words of Christ come to life for me as he speaks to Peter,  "...I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." (Lk 22:34)

Read it in the Complete Jewish Bible - Luke 22:31-34

Peter was a fisherman, rough, boisterous, strong, unkempt, when Jesus called him saying, "Follow Me".  I imagine when Jesus said he'd deny Him, he found that offensive and his pride saw that as beyond weak for his character.  He must have thought that doing such a thing was far-far from his abilities as a man. As these words came up in my spirit I began to wonder if Peter recalled the reference of the atoning sacrifice in what Jesus was saying to him?
And if not then what about in his denial? We know his revelation as the cock crew was a crushing blow to his ego but still; could he then see that Jesus was allowing His own Crucifixion, His own sacrifice, His own death as Propitiation, Kapparah, for his mistakes and the sins of the world, to progress because of His unfailing love?

I don't think so.  I don't think Peter, whom Jesus called as the first disciple, could see any of that.  His pride blinded him from acceptance of God's purpose in Christ and his grief from the revelation of the truth of his weakness was, I'm certain, consuming his every thought.  But I do believe to see a picture of the beginnings of the conversion Jesus prophesied over Peter. 
   Isn't that an example of the way of God's miraculous redemption?  Think on your own experience...  Full of pride, religion, self-centered thoughts, maybe? A time when it all came crashing in and it's truth pierced your heart knowing that you'd been blind the whole time and realizing that your best effort was futile in progress and bountiful in failure, perhaps?  That's how it was for me.  Looks like Peter knew of this revelation, Paul too on the Damascus Road, the publican at the temple during prayer, all finding their inability and God's willing ability for them.

Have you experienced God's grace in this way?  Have you had a time when you said, "I'm done, I have nothing to offer of worth, I need you Lord, don't leave me like this!"?  It is the pinnacle, not the pit you may perceive it as, of the Salvation experience.  If you've not been there, I fully recommend that you seek that place and with haste and fervency.  Here in this place is where you find that you CAN know that change is real, that it's His to give, and He's more than willing to give it to you.

In the sacrifice, the confession from the mouth of the one to receive was this:

"This be my substitute, my vicarious offering, my atonement. This cock [or hen] shall meet death, but I shall find a long and pleasant life of peace!"

Jesus was the substitute (Propitiation), the Atonement is available, there is no need for more!

Now, hear the proclamation of those whom Christ Jesus has saved:

"This be my substitute, my vicarious offering, my atonement. This JESUS has met and conquered death, and I have found a long and pleasant life of peace!"

Proclaim today what the Lord has done!

*Ps. cvii. 17-20 and Job xxxiii. 23-24
Cvii is 107  and xxxiii is 33
Here are the references that are confessed the day before the Day of Atonement:
  "There were foolish people who suffered affliction because of their crimes and sins; they couldn’t stand to eat anything; they were near the gates of death. In their trouble they cried to Adonai, and he rescued them from their distress; he sent his word and healed them, he delivered them from destruction." - Psalm 107:17-20

“If there is for him an angel, a mediator,  one among a thousand, who can vouch for the man’s uprightness; then [God] is gracious to him and says, ‘Redeem him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.’" - Job 33:23-24

Infantry Infancy

Tomorrow, we go live on the streets with the Jesus Burger crews from Filmer and GunBarrel City RIGHT HERE IN CARTHAGE.  Although we're not officially Jesus Burger Carthage that's the path we're traveling.  Vendors such as Brookshire Brothers have donated funds for the event and our wonderful friend have donated time and money into us here to take the gospel to the streets.  Come on out and join us tomorrow if you are able!
ChristCarriesMe.org for more info.

Jesus Burger is practical ministry in action.  There are groups of people called people who go out and lay out clothing on tables, set up a platform and some chairs, call a band to worship and a preacher to deliver a message, let the Holy Ghost lead, fill up a baptismal (Giant Rubbermaid Water Trough), cook hot dogs and hamburgers and feed OTHER people that come by.  They set all this stuff up on a regular basis, put a sign out by the highway that says "free meal and clothes, live music.  JESUS BURGER" and wait for the people to come....   and they do.  They like to set up in random parking lots across east Texas  (We've been to Gun Barrel City, Longview, and Gilmer so far, all different, all awesome) and minister the gospel practically:  Song, Word, Clothes, Food.  

Brilliantly simple.

Gun Barrel City, Tx     Second Saturday 10 am
Gilmer, Tx                   Third Saturday 10 am
Longview, TX              Every Saturday and 2nd and 4th Saturdays Morning and Night.

A god unto himself

 So by virtue of the blood of Jesus, you and I, my brothers, may now have courage to enter the holy of holies by way of the one who died and is yet alive, who has made for us a holy means of entry by himself passing through the curtain, that is, his own human nature. Further, since we have a great High Priest set over the household of God, let us draw near with true hearts and fullest confidence, knowing that our inmost souls have been purified by the sprinkling of his blood just as our bodies are cleansed by the washing of clean water. In this confidence let us hold on to the hope that we profess without the slightest hesitation—for he is utterly dependable—and let us think of one another and how we can encourage each other to love and do good deeds. And let us not hold aloof from our church meetings, as some do. Let us do all we can to help one another’s faith, and this the more earnestly as we see the final day drawing ever nearer.      Heb 10:19-25 Phillips

The man who goes by himself will become a god to himself, but he that connects to the Body of Christ will become one with God.

Spiritual Things Discerned, Foolishness To Fleshly Mind

1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

18 The preaching of the cross is, I know, nonsense to those who are involved in this dying world, but to us who are being saved from that death it is nothing less than the power of God.

The cross shows that God’s wisdom is not man’s wisdom by any means

19 It is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent’.

20-25 For consider, what have the philosopher, the writer and the critic of this world to show for all their wisdom? Has not God made the wisdom of this world look foolish? for it was after the world in its wisdom failed to know God, that he in his wisdom chose to save all who would believe by the “simple-mindedness” of the Gospel message. For the Jews ask for miraculous proofs and the Greeks an intellectual panacea, but all we preach is Christ crucified—a stumbling block to the Jews and sheer nonsense to the Gentiles, but for those who are called, whether Jews or Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. And this is really only natural, for God’s foolishness” is wiser than men, and his “weakness” is stronger than men.

Nor are God’s values the same as man’s

26-31 For look at your own calling as Christians, my brothers. You don’t see among you many of the wise (according to this world’s judgment) nor many of the ruling class, nor many from the noblest families. But God has chosen what the world calls foolish to shame the wise; he has chosen what the world calls weak to shame the strong. He has chosen things of little strength and small repute, yes and even things which have no real existence to explode the pretensions of the things that are—that no man may boast in the presence of God. Yet from this same God you have received your standing in Jesus Christ, and he has become for us the true wisdom, a matter, in practice, of being made righteous and holy, in fact, of being redeemed. And this makes us see the truth of scripture: ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.

I came to you in God’s strength not my own

2 1-5 In the same way, my brothers, when I came to proclaim to you God’s secret purpose, I did not come equipped with any brilliance of speech or intellect. You may as well know now that it was my secret determination to concentrate entirely on Jesus Christ and the fact of his death upon the cross. As a matter of fact, in myself I was feeling far from strong; I was nervous and rather shaky. What I said and preached had none of the attractiveness of the clever mind, but it was a demonstration of the power of the Spirit! Plainly God’s purpose was that your faith should not rest upon man’s cleverness but upon the power of God.

There is, of course, a real wisdom, which God allows us to share with him

6-8 We do, of course, speak “wisdom” among those who are spiritually mature, but it is not what is called wisdom by this world, nor by the powers-that-be, who soon will be only the powers that have been. The wisdom we speak of is that mysterious secret wisdom of God which he planned before the creation for our glory today. None of the powers of this world have known this wisdom—if they had they would never have crucified the Lord of glory!

9-10a But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him’. But God has, through the Spirit, let us share his secret.

10b-12 For nothing is hidden from the Spirit, not even the deep wisdom of God. For who could really understand a man’s inmost thoughts except the spirit of the man himself? How much less could anyone understand the thoughts of God except the very Spirit of God? And the marvellous thing is this, that we now receive not the spirit of the world but the Spirit of God himself, so that we can actually understand something of God’s generosity towards us.

This wisdom is only understood by the spiritual

13 It is these things that we talk about, not using the expressions of the human intellect but those which the Holy Spirit teaches us, explaining things to those who are spiritual.

14-16 But the unspiritual man simply cannot accept the matters which the Spirit deals with—they just don’t make sense to him, for, after all, you must be spiritual to see spiritual things. The spiritual man, on the other hand, has an insight into the meaning of everything, though his insight may baffle the man of the world. This is because the former is sharing in God’s wisdom, and ‘Who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ Incredible as it may sound, we who are spiritual have the very thoughts of Christ!

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. 

Word

Pours heart out to Stillness.

     time to see an increase.

Fresh anointing.

     Calling them in.

To send them out.

     Bringing in the sheaves.

Effective Calls

The call of the Son of God produces an effect on those that hear!  Glory!  Let em hear! 
A vision was given in worship yesterday: "end time harvest" was the definitive phrase given in prayer:
There was a black screen of cloud-like substance between the platform (pulpit) and the multitudes.  The wall of darkness was spoken to and began to part in the center.  The multitudes, wearing white, began to flow through the gap. The wall tried to close but prayer and command caused it to roll back further, turning into a v and funneling the people behind it in the press toward the gap.  
The people then split down the center like a line drawn by a blade and then funnelled back to the gap by the wall pressed forward together. 

We spoke to the wall and commanding it it relented.   End time harvest.  Those delivering the Word open gaps in the wall of darkness, multitudes multitudes in the valley of decision! Hallelujah!  What a responsibility!

All I have is yours

“All I have is yours, _____________.”
                                              [INSERT YOUR NAME HERE]

     This last month I’ve learned that when God declares something and you stand on it, He confirms it with His power.  I’ve begun to see miracles in ministry.  I’ve seen a woman who after confessing Christ was in shock and awe as she stepped into the baptismal waters because she was able to lift her legs over into the street side water trough without any pain. “My knees don’t hurt anymore.  I couldn’t do this before.”  I’ve heard a missionary in Mexico who tells me he watched creative miracles happen when God spoke the Word, flat-footed to reddened arches perfected in the anointing before their very eyes, a tumor, hardened, in another man’s back, a powerful Word, a fall, and no more tumor.  “It’s not there anymore.”, the man said.  “I know.”, the Pastor whispered back to him.  I watched an old man dance, and I mean old man, and I mean dance because God relieved him from RLS right there in the Bible Study because of prayer.  I’ve watched people go from hardened hearts to weeping for a change and finding one in Christ.  These things have always been there and I’ve asked the Lord to show me again and again because He said I could see them in His Word and now after all this time, I see.  I SEE.  Oh mighty God, Hallelujah to Your name.  I believe faith makes us better.  I believe that faith continues to form me in His image.  I believe that faith will heal my wife of all of the enemy’s devices against her.  I believe faith will unify her and I in a ministry so stout that you’ll be hearing of it across the land.  I believe faith in the name of Jesus and operation in the anointing of His Kingship will usher in a mighty revival.  The beauty of it all is this:  I couldn’t believe for a day’s wage before and now I believe all things are possible if only we believe.

In the midst of trials, I am being taught that it’s my work to maintain trust in His ability and that the battle is not mine but belongs to the LORD.  I am being taught that as I submit myself to Him and wait upon Him in love to that trial, loving that trial in all ways possible from the heart of a man, that He will show you why that’s so crucial in life.  I am becoming a king from the priest without leaving the priestly behind.  Jesus gave us that authority by the power of Christ.  The king commands, the priest ministers.  As I find myself loving the Lord more and more I find, exposed, the devices of the enemy around me.  The light really does expose darkness and to the extent that darkness is destroyed by it.

I’ve learned that all of the perversions in this world are a fruit of fear and all of the bitterness a man (or woman) can produce stems from pride and that these two stem from the increase given to seeds of rejection sown into us throughout our lives by our peers, families, society, and culture.  If we receive what the world has for us then we will produce it’s fruit.  IF we are in Christ, the heavenly things are our fruit.  “All I have is Yours”, we are told to say unto our God but I am now beginning to realize that He answer’s us with the same: “All I have is yours, ______.”

Coffield Unit Visitation: God's Grace and Providence.

     Has God brought you to a place that allows you to be surprised at nothing and thankful for all of it?  It's a place of peace I believe.  It's a place I've visited.  It's a place that I'd like to stay.  A good place.  A place that says "God has this.  There's nothing too great for Him, in fact there's nothing He's not aware of and actively working through."  It's this place, in this place, that we glorify God in all, even our infirmities.  It is this place that His blessings are revealed as overtaking us.  It is this place that we begin to recognize what's been going on the whole time, not just our time but ALL OF IT, all of time, the whole time: His Providence.

-Getting this?

     Saturday I was physically in prison yet spiritually free.  You hear these types of reports from Volunteers all the time.  You'll hear things like, "We came to minister and got ministered to." and "What you have here we don't have out in the 'free world'" These are all good reports and all accurate.

The interesting thing about it is that when the Spirit of the Lord shows up, people will acknowledge the visitation by expressing their experiences verbally.  You will see that the seeds were sown and know that they hit ground and you will see that others' seeds were watered and know they are springing up and you will see that the good ground will produce fruit.

There's a story here:  
  Years ago I believe there were 4 stones sitting in a basket.  These stones were nothing and still are nothing more than rocks.  They were brought into the Sons of God Chapel on the Coffield Unit and were prayed over by the elders, chaplaincy, and congregation.  The prayer was to the effect that these stones would represent a marker in the spiritual realm.  The pattern was wrought from a Jewish tradition to use stones as markers for a border.  These stones would signify that the property marked by them was owned.  We called out in prayer that these stones would represent the borders of the property hereby claimed and taken in the name of Jesus.  The grace was that the chaplaincy was able to take these stones to the properties edge and cast them there on each corner.  It is the prayers of the Saints that count and are more real than those stones. There is a plaque dedicating the Unit to God Almighty and we mean The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.   Those prayers certainly are something.  This was a long time ago.

There came a prophecy of drought in the spirit realm for Coffield in the middle of a revival.  It was all beginning to lose its authenticity, the shell was there but if cracked you'd begin to see emptiness there.  This was not an ending but a beginning none but few could see.  Since that time the unit has gone through the drought.  The powers that be moved key people around placing each man where God ordained to produce a pruning and trial that would purify the Saints.  Trial only serves for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose and you think that we would have that figured out but we lose sight of it from time to time.  The devil even knows it and although he enjoys playing he knows he's limited by the hand of Almighty God Himself.  It seemed like it would never rain on Coffield again.  Reminds me of Ahab and Elijah.

Shortly thereafter, maybe a few weeks, the presence of the Lord filled the temple and there was another prophecy released, that the drought would end and the latter would be greater than the former.  Then the confirmation that that time was not yet because the drought had only just begun.  A promise for God to fulfill was put in place by His Word.

Saturday was a day.  As we entered the threshold of the Prince of Coffield the enemy began to work at stopping what God was about to do.  It, again, only served to strengthen the faith of the minister standing by.  The devil had to go.  The task at hand was to graduate 35 men with Bachelor's and Master's and DR's Degrees from Soli Deo Gloria Bible Academy and Shalom Bible College and Seminary.  As this went on, we began to see a manifestation of the plan of God.  Each keynote speaker followed the pattern of producing change by using the knowledge the graduates had gained to love others and walk in that love.  The Regional Chaplain brought a great Commencement Speech to this effect, followed by the Senior Warden taking ownership of the unit and committing to changing it for the better using ministers to do it.  Every speaker followed suit.  Head knowledge wouldn't work; they would have to walk it out to produce an effect.  This is setup.  The men and their families were able to spend time together and celebrate their achievement.  It was a heartwarming and deeply moving moment for us all, those few hours.  VERY important.

We asked to attend the Saturday Open Call Service which was next on the schedule and was granted permission.  The Volunteer brought a wonderful and impacting message via exegesis of 2 Corinthians 5:17. She clearly explained the differences between being in Christ and thinking you might be in Christ.  There was great response to the invitation.  8 men came for the salvation call and many more for prayer after that.  In the end, we were asked to pray to close the service.  As we stepped up to pray many men were able to see what was happening in the spiritual realm.  The closing prayer turned into a warfare prayer.  Anti-Christ spirits were called to leave and not return, the ground the enemy had been handed was reclaimed and in Jesus' name we took authority as a Body of believers.  I believe we're looking into that prophecy.  Either touching base with it to confirm it as His Word and sustain those who hope against hope with hope or we've seen the initiation of revival.    With the headship there, it would not surprise me to see that the latter rain is beginning there.

We called to the men with a picture.  There was a cemetery that we passed on the way up there.  Its name was Providence Cemetery.  Interesting that.  We called to those men and said to them that God had declared and would cause, yes, but THEY were responsible to act in that calling.  We did what we say we do, Called Christians to Service, and we did so in the Power of the Spirit of God.

We expect result.

"It's easy for everybody but me!?"

“ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Matthew 5:45 King James Version (KJV)

     They're not doing as good as you think they are and you're not doing as bad as you think you are. Trust in the Lord, He's the only one doing anything worth thinking about.

Stopping Gossip in the Body, Part 1: Handling up

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Little Lesson

Today's Little Lesson

“How do I get what I need? What is it that I need? Is what I think I need really what I need? HELP!!” 

Ever been here? Of course you have, we all have.

“No temptation {trial} [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word--He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” {my note}

1Co 10:13 AMP

It amazes me when there’s no direction from the Lord, no matter how hard you try there’s no provision so you get stuck, stopped, and all gummed up. Even in trying more and more all you’ll find is frustration. But God, when there is direction and will behind what you’re moving in, will supply ALL your need¹. 

It can be as simple as, well, writing something to share with others or it can be as complex as the necessary logistics of how to bring an entire country to repentance. God is a mighty God and none can stay His hand² and it amazes me that we believe that a vanity could permanently cover the Truth.  There are many quotes on life’s lessons³; many things to be said or that have been said about the subject and all of them meant something to the person who wrote or said it, and it meant something to the reader that chose to quote it or took the time to put it in a picture so that they might share inspiration with it but the Word of God tells us that this life is about and purposed for one thing, God’s Glory, Soli Deo Gloria.

“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

Gen 12:1-3 KJV

For what reason is God called the God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Jacob (Israel)⁴
Because of the blessing.

To what end would an all-powerful God speak such a blessing, repeatedly, to the family line?
Because of the purpose⁵.

God created us in His image and gave that same “us” a willing choice. He guides us all by a seed of desire that HE places within our heart to live for "purpose". Once we define our lives by His purpose we can see more clearly. This single revelation causes “What is God’s will for my life?” to become the wrong question and “How can I line up my life to glorify God with what I have in my hand⁶ right now?” the right one.

“How can I line up my life to glorify God with what I have in my hand right now?”

And now we look to our needs. If your purpose is to fulfill God’s purpose in the earth, and God’s purpose is to be glorified, then what do you need for your next step?   What a question!

"Being of good behaviour among the Gentiles; so that though they say now that you are evil-doers, they may see your good works and give glory to God when he comes to be their judge."

1Pe 2:12 BBE

Click to see PDF with References

Christ Carries Me Ministries
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Service@ChristCarriesMe.org

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A Word picture

And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God. (Rev 15,2)

Look at that picture!  "And then shout Hallelujah!" - CH

Selah

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out ! (Ro 11,33) - stop, Pause, and think on that...