“Unity does not equal conformity or uniformity. Diversity of perspective, aligned with the Holy Spirit, provides needed perspectives for unforeseen opportunities.”
OCTOBER 8, 2019/ https://josephmattera.org/god-hides-5-ways-find/
Scripture teaches us in Isaiah 45:15 that God hides Himself. This means that He does not reveal Himself to casual seekers – truly it is the glory of God to conceal things but the glory of kings to search things out Proverbs 25:2, hence it is a royal and noble task to plumb the depths of the knowledge and glory of God!
“I have a theory…that there is not a church, chapel, or mission on earth where you cannot have revival, provided there is a little nucleus of faithful people who will hold onto God until He comes down.First, Let a few Christians – there need not be many – get thoroughly right with God themselves. This is the prime essential. If this is not done, the rest I am going to say will come to nothing.Second, let them bind themselves together in prayer groups to pray for revival until God opens the heavens and comes down.Third, let them put themselves at the disposal of God for Him to use them as He sees fit in the winning of others to Christ.That is all. This is sure to bring revival to any church or any community. I have given this prescription around the world. It has been taken by many churches and many communities, and in no instance has it ever failed, and it cannot fail.”
“The New Hampshire Confession.” “We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.”
1. the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness."he is known to be a man of integrity"2. the state of being whole and undivided."upholding territorial integrity and national sovereignty"
Coram Deo is a Latin phrase translated "in the presence of God" from Christian theology which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/what-does-coram-deo-mean
Ad·dic·tion - noun: the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity.
We are all addicts of something...
"Indwelt" by the Holy Spirit not "possessed' by Him. In fact Indwelt by the Holy Spirit means "I possess Him".
Romans 8:9: “You . . . are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”"Understand that the Holy Spirit is a real Person, not just a force or a presence or a power. You must recognize Him as a Person. He can talk to you. He is praying for you, just as Christ is praying for you. He will teach you what you need to know. He will guide you in your decisions. He tells you that you are a child of God. He will personally clean up the “rooms” of your innermost being when you let Him. You can submit to His voice or reject His voice. If you disobey His voice, He will be grieved. If you persist in your disobedience, you will grieve Him out of your life. Respecting the Holy Spirit as a person is necessary for your relationship with Him."
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life (Light). No one comes to the Father, except through me.
John 1:4 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men.
Ephesians 2:18 For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Truth is like a "lit" candle. It burns in the darkness and Lights our way. Without oxygen, the flame goes out. But you still have a candle in your hand. You may think you are walking down the path because you possess a candle. But without oxygen, you are bound to stumble, fall and, eventually die.
Like oxygen to a lit candle, the Holy Spirit is to Biblical truth. Biblical principles separated from the Holy Spirit become deception.
02-15-2011 This great adventure I have had the privilege to participate in is about to go through a time of unexpected hardship. As it will be for every small enterprise that has set out to be successful.
Foundations will be shaken and the outcome is not guaranteed. But it will be a time also of exceptional opportunity for those who saw it coming and for those who get prepared. Time is short, but in a multitude of counselors, we can circle round and build the bulwark that will give us a chance to weather the storm. If we survive we will be in a position to take advantage of new opportunities that we had not conceived of before.
We need to look around us and understand who it is that have parts to play. The ones of like mind, not only committed but energized by their personal convictions.
"IF someone exhibits love toward others, learns and lives the expectations unearthed in Scripture, denies self in all situations, has as their first relational allegiance Jesus Christ, and will die for the cause of Christ, then they can rest assured, they are a disciple of Jesus Christ."
Prov. 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.
6 Remember (Recognize) the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. 7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
James 4:17
When I think of the Word of God there are two types of education.
We all need to study the scriptures. This is "Just in case" education. This Word is called "Logos" It is used to refer to the written word of God, the Bible. We are told to; "And ye shall lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes." Deuteronomy 11:18. As we do this, it is much easier to recognize the other Word of God in our lives.
Then there is "Just in Time" Education. This is the Word God speaks to us directly, through the Holy Spirit, in the moment we find ourselves. This is called "Rhema". It’s by the "Voice of God" in our thoughts that we can know God subjectively and experientially. This "Voice of God" is heard within our conscience. "All that are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God" Romans 8:14
You would do well to search the Bible for the word conscience. You'll begin to understand how much God has been speaking to you. Then you'll begin to understand Prov. 3:5-6...
Perspective, insight, understanding, knowledge, wisdom, and ability; all through the Guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Authority, Power, truth, believe, Know, understand, backup, holy
I Corinthians 12:4-7. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.”
Romans 12: 6-8. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
1 Peter 4:10-11. “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
New Living Translation: This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to His servant John,
Berean Literal Bible: The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants what things it behooves to take place in quickness. And He signified it through having sent His angel to His servant, John,
King James Bible: The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John:
Contemporary English Version: This is what God showed to Jesus Christ, so that He could tell His servants what must happen soon. Christ then sent His angel with the message to His servant John.
Young's Literal Translation: A revelation of Jesus Christ, that God gave to Him, to shew to His servants what things it behoveth to come to pass quickly; and He did signify it, having sent through His messenger to His servant John,
New International Version: The greatest among you will be your servant.
New Living Translation: The greatest among you must be a servant.
English Standard Version: The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Berean Study Bible: The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Berean Literal Bible: But the greatest among you will be your servant.
New American Standard Bible: "But the greatest among you shall be your servant.
King James Bible: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
I did not come to be served, but to serve.
Proverbs 15:9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
"The quality of blamelessness is both a positional benefit of salvation and a moral character to be achieved." William E. Brown (Bakers Evangelical Dictionary)
The Righteousness of God Through Faith: Has 2 forms. The word “Believe” is essential for both.
Gen. 15:6 "Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him Righteousness.
Romans 5:18-19 “Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work* of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” *present, future continuous tense
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” –
Titus 2:14 “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” –
Phil. 1:6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
“You are saved (2Timothy 1:9). You are being Saved (1Corinthians 1:18). You will be saved (Romans 5:9-10)”*MATTHEW 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
"God calls us not only to receive His life through faith but also to maintain His authority through obedience. He counsels us, who are in the church, to obey the authorities He has established—in home, school, society, and church—as well as to obey His direct authority. It is not necessary to point out specifically which person you should obey. It simply means that whenever you encounter God’s authority, directly or indirectly, you should learn obedience."
Watchman Nee "Spiritual Authority" chapter 6
Matthew 8:5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed,(B) suffering terribly.” 7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” 8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
Hebrews 13:17 (Accountability) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
1 Peter 5:3 Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
1 Peter 3:2 When they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
1 Timothy 5:1-2 (All Children of God.) Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Philippians 2:1-4 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ...
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
Psalm 133:1-3 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life for evermore” (RSV).
