Wednesday, January 12, 2011

THE HEAVENS RULE!



When I consider your heaven’s the work of your fingers the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4

Several years ago at a World Conference, a question was posed to us by Morris Cerullo. That question was “How far do you want to go?” This was a very challenging question and continues to be challenging to this day. Sometimes the going gets tough and that’s when I’m reminded “How far do you want to go?” It’s important to understand the depth of this question as we discover why our heavenly father does not tolerate mixture or unequal measure in our lives. We must answer the questions: what does my heavenly father want, what is He looking for and what has He made provisions for? These are basic questions that are essential to our progress and development into Christ’s likeness.

In past letters I shared on two spiritual conditions that are hindering the Body of Christ. The first is mixture in our lives. The second is unequal measure in our lives. We must take time to meditate on the word God has given us and allow the Holy Spirit who is the teacher and revealer, to bring us into a fuller knowledge of who Christ is and what He came to do.

Psalms 8 contains a beautiful scripture which records a question every man has asked himself at one time or another. Who am I, what is my reason for living, what am I doing here, where did I come from? Everything God allowed to be written in the Scriptures is for our understanding, for our maturing and knowledge of His ways. Have you sat outside in the cool evening and looked toward the heavens to stare at the immensity of the stars? Or have you watched a documentary on powerful telescopes that reveal the vastness of this universe and wondered, ‘who am I, what is my significance, how do I influence this universe?’ You're not crazy when you begin to question like this. The Psalmist in 8: 3-4 says, “When I consider your heaven's the work of your fingers the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?” The Psalmist is captured by the thoughts of God as he is gazing at God’s creation, the immense heavens. Why is God constantly thinking of man? God, what is it about man that has captured your attention? God says in Genesis 1:26, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” These words are not suggestions! This was spoken before you were even formed in the womb of your mother. When God speaks, His words permeate His kingdom. Remember the word of the Lord says in Colossians 1:16, “For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.” The moment He spoke those words, the universe - the complete heavens came to attention and were gripped by them. From that moment on everything was governed and controlled by, “Let us make man in our image and likeness.” The cherubim, the angels, everything began moving in the plan of God. The plan that was in His heart and mind before anything was created was beginning to unfold.

This is for the whole Body of Christ to understand, not just the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher.

We are entering revelation that will stir your heart. This is for the whole Body of Christ to understand, not just the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, or teacher. God will no longer tolerate confusion in the Body of Christ. Remember what He spoke in Isaiah 55:11 “. . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Let’s read what Paul wrote so we can know what man is. I Thessalonians 5:23 reads, “….. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul has answered the Psalmist’s question, what is man that all your energy, all your interests are directed to him? Thank God it is answered so we can mature into the standard of the man, Christ Jesus.

Psalm 139:14 reads, “I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” I still have not seen the invention of something equal in function and operation to the human hand in spite of the increased knowledge in technology. It is amazing to think God formed our body out of the dust of the earth. This body contains the spirit of man and the soul of man. The body was formed to be able to operate and function in the physical world. I can see, hear, touch, taste, smell, and move – there’s action. A thought comes into your mind, but before you put it into action you think about the pros and cons of your action. Negotiation is taking place inside of you before you act on it. Unfortunately, we all respond to situations without ever thinking how they will affect those around us. This is not the condition or state our heavenly Father wanted for us as human beings. Think back to the Garden of Eden and the fine details of God’s design. He finished it and called it good, perfect and then puts man in it. Meditate on that!



This letter is setting the tone for what God will reveal to us in the next few teachings. The soul of man consists of your mind, your will, and your emotions. Your will is the greatest gift God has given to man. The will is active and is part of every thought, every word, and everything that you do. Many times we blame other people for the conditions we are in, but the fact remains that your will holds you responsible for your choices.

Years ago the Holy Spirit revealed to me the meaning of ‘unity in the Spirit.’ I won’t share anything that hasn’t already become substance in my life. I once heard a minister say, the messenger must be the message and the message the messenger. How important this becomes in the midst of the chaos, frustration, restlessness and anxiety of today. You and I, as God’s children, must be positioned on the solid ground of knowing who we are, to whom we belong and who is continually working to see Himself in us. The emotions reside in the soul. Have you ever watched people when they listen to the news or they talk about certain things and their emotions go up and down, in and out, always vacillating? You never know how they’re going to meet you from one moment to the next, from one encounter to another. They’re being led by their soul. The only example of one who was led by the Spirit is our Lord Jesus Christ. He reveals to us total communion (unity) with God the Father. Jesus has shown us the unity that He's brought to us as members of the same Body of Christ. Paul is talking to the Body regarding this unity in Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Now, I clearly see the Spirit of the Son working from Genesis to Revelation. Paul is saying: keep unity in the Spirit always before you; let it control your actions, your decisions and your thoughts. This unity that is in the Father, in the Son, in the Spirit, is the same unity that is in the Body and in each individual member.

We have entered a new phase in the process of God in our lives and the church must be led by men and women who care only what God says. We need evidence of substance in our lives, not just theory. The hunger in the Body of Christ is increasing and our Father will not allow us to stay in this spiritual weakness, saying one thing and doing another. We will come into the fullness of Christ, advancing beyond the enemy’s strategy of stagnation. This will begin to separate those who are walking in the soul (the carnal) and those who are willing to walk in the Spirit. Hebrews 4:12 reads, “For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Is the Word living and active in you? God knows how to move us from the comfortable positions that hinder us. He knows that the church needs a change. Change is here! In closing, I repeat the question, how far do you want to go? Only you can answer.

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