Pursuing Holiness- Part 38

June 14th, 2024

As we walk in Holiness, we should expect to identify and cast out demons, and in response, some will challenge the source of our power!

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Luke chapter 11:

14  And Jesus was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled.

15 But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

Jesus responded to their challenge.

16  Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from Heaven.

17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.

18 If satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by beelzebub.

19 And if I cast out demons by beelzebub, by whom do your sons (exorcists) cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.

20 But if I cast out demons with the Finger of God, surely the Kingdom of God has come upon you.

21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.

23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

As we mature in Holiness, we should expect to do the same acts as Jesus did.  Philip is a perfect example of walking in Holiness.  He was not Philip the apostle, but Philip who was selected along with Stephen to serve the people.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 6:

3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,

6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

After the persecution of Stephen, the church scattered but the apostles remained in Jerusalem.  Philip was one of those who left Jerusalem and went to Samaria:

In Acts chapter 8:

4  Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

Both Stephen and Philip operated in the same power and authority as Jesus.  Neither were of the original disciples.  We should not underestimate the ability of The Holy Spirit to operate in us in the same power and authority as these two men.  It is vital for us to embrace the ministry of The Holy Spirit Who resides in us and awaits the change and maturity in our mindset.  We are to be fully led by The Holy Spirit rather than our mind.

We should not be timid when power and authority are manifested in our individual walks.  Yes, we can expect challenges from those who are submitted to the adversary.  We are not to be moved by their false accusations.

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 37

June 13th, 2024

As we walk in Holiness, people will be given the opportunity to accept or reject Jesus Christ and none will be able to proclaim ignorance when Jesus returns!

It is recorded by THE SPIRIT in Isaiah chapter 2:

2  Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it.

3 Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

4 He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.

We are in the latter days now.  This is different than that terrible Day of THE LORD.

And in Isaiah 13:

9 Behold, the Day of THE LORD comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it.

10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not give their light; The sun will be darkened in its going forth, And the moon will not cause its light to shine. 11 “I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

12 I will make a mortal more rare than fine gold, A man more than the golden wedge of Ophir.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, And the earth will move out of her place, In the wrath of the LORD of hosts And in the day of His fierce anger.

Has the Day of THE LORD come yet?  No.  It will occur at the end of the 3 ½ year time of tribulation spoken of in the Book of Revelation.  Sin will be eradicated from the earth and all unrighteousness will be judged by Truth as was Sodom and Gomorrah.  Justice will prevail!

Jesus spoke of this Judgment in Matthew 25:

31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the Holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the Throne of His glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.

33 And He will set the sheep on His Right Hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then the King will say to those on His Right Hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Jesus describes the righteous acts of the saints:

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?

38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?

39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ [40] And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

He then describes the wickedness of the unrighteous:

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;

43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

Yes, they will claim ignorance in their attempt to negotiate.

44 “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45 Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’

46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into Eternal Life.“

As we walk in Holiness, our fruit will be a testimony to Truth and righteousness and those who observe our walk will be without excuse.  Those who compromise will have no defensible position at the time of judgment.  It is our choice whether we walk in Holiness or pursue the temporary things of the world.  Each of us is accountable for such a decision.  We cannot assign blame to anyone else.

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 36

June 12th, 2024

A true overcomer will walk in Holiness and will be uncompromising in all areas!

If you are an aspiring overcomer, you will be tested for your reliability to The Word of THE LORD, count on it!

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Hebrews chapter 12:

12  So be made strong even in your weakness by lifting up your tired hands in prayer and worship. And strengthen your weak knees,

13 for as you keep walking forward on God’s paths all your stumbling ways will be divinely healed!

14 In every relationship be swift to choose peace over competition, and run swiftly toward Holiness, for those who are not Holy will not see the Lord.

Do not give up even in your weakness and weariness. 

15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.

17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

Esau is the example of one who gave up and gave in to his weakness.  He forfeited his birthright and could not get it back.

18 For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest,

19 and the sound of a trumpet and the Voice of Words, so that those who heard it begged that the Word should not be spoken to them anymore.

20 (For they could not endure what was commanded: “And if so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow.”

21 And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.”)

Moses was exposed to total Holiness and experienced the Fear of THE LORD.

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,

23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in Heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

There are two separate groups: the general assembly and church of the firstborn.  Who are those among the firstborn?  The ones who have not given up their birthright.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Haggai chapter 2:

20  And again the Word of the LORD came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,

21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth.

22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, Every one by the sword of his brother.

23 ‘In that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the LORD, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

The signet ring is not a secret possession. It’s the outward sign of the authority of its owner. Through the presence of His Kingdom, God seals His work and testimony upon the world. God is the Owner.

Those who walk in True Holiness will in effect wear the unique Signet Ring of THE LORD with HIS power and authority.  They will be among the church of the firstborn who will rule and reign with Christ on earth.  They have been sealed!

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 35

June 11th, 2024

When we are walking in Holiness, we will not be reluctant to confront sin!

Holiness will confront relativism.  Relativism is the doctrine that knowledge, truth, and morality exist in relation to culture, society, or historical context, and are not absolute.  Holiness will not endorse the attitude of “It’s none of my business that this person sins.”  Society now looks the other way when a woman has an abortion, or when someone practices or supports LGBTQ.  Society has allowed immoral acts to be supported rather than stand up to what is absolute in the Sight of GOD.

In the study of Genetics, XX is the female chromosome and XY in the male chromosome.  You cannot alter this Truth no matter how you try.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 8:

9  But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.”

11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.

People were taken in by Simon the sorcerer and assumed he had power from GOD.

12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.

13 Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

Philip preached The Word with miracles and signs following, a sign of true Holiness.  The people were baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ but were yet to be baptized in The Holy Spirit… two separate baptisms.

14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,

15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

It is important to understand the difference between these two baptisms.  Money won’t buy the baptism of The Holy Spirit as Simon found out.

18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

24 Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”

25 So when they had testified and preached the Word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the Gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Peter had no issue in confronting Simon’s wickedness and was not moved by Simon’s money.  We are not to look the other way when sin confronts us, neither are we to passively endorse sin by our silence.  Jesus confronted sin head on, and we should be no different.  Truth is absolute!

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 34

June 10th, 2024

Walking in Holiness is possible even if you were formally an enemy of Christ and His true church!

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit what Stephen endured by the hands of the political powers in Acts chapter 7:

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;

58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Saul was complicit in the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr of the New Testament. Tradition tells us that Saul was born the same year that Jesus was born.  He was born in Asia Minor and studied under Gamaliel (Acts 5) who was the leading theologian of the day.  Saul of Tarsus studied for seven years and became an expert in the Old Testament as well as the Rabbinic interpretations of the Old Testament.

In chapter 8:

1  Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.

One would think that such an enemy of Christ would be destined for hellfire.  What was the result of Saul’s persecution of the early church?  The Gospel was spread about:

4  Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the Word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.

6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

The plan of the adversary backfired.  Instead of snuffing out the church through persecution, the Word spread, and the church grew throughout the regions.

Saul was fully committed to eliminating the early church.

Luke continued in Chapter 9:

1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest

2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from Heaven.

4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a Voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

What happened when Saul confronted Holiness?  He fell to the ground and was overtaken with fear and trembling.

6] So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.

8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

When being confronted with one walking in Holiness, even the staunchest enemy can be converted to Christ.  We must keep this in mind as we pursue Holiness.  The best way to deal with an enemy is to convert him or her to Christ.

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 33

June 9th, 2024

Walking in Holiness will necessitate you to confront evil head on!

Justice requires confrontation with the wicked, lawless, and unrighteous.

Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit what Stephen spoke to the political powers in Acts chapter 7:

44  “Our fathers had the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as He appointed, instructing Moses to make it according to the pattern that he had seen,

45 which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Joshua into the land possessed by the Gentiles, whom God drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David,

46 who found favor before God and asked to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. 47 But Solomon built Him a house.

48 “However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says:

49 ‘Heaven is My Throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?

50 Has My Hand not made all these things?’

Stephen reminds the Israelites in charge of the earthly tabernacle who is truly in charge of Heaven and earth.

51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

Being fully led by The Holy Spirit, Stephen did not hold back the Truth!

52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

In other words, they were overtaken with violent rage filling their souls.

55 But Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the Right Hand of God,

56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;

58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Stephen sacrificed his own self-interest on behalf of the true church.  He exposed the hearts of those who were in political control.  He was a martyr for Christ.

John recorded what he heard and saw by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 6:

9  When Jesus opened the fifth seal, I saw under the Altar the souls of those who had been slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held.

10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, Holy and True, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Stephen’s blood was held under the altar awaiting the full judgment of THE LORD.  He boldly spoke the True Word and gave his testimony that had signs and wonders following.  He was willing to give himself for the good of many.

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 32

June 8th, 2024

Walking in Holiness creates an anointed resistance to the plans of the adversary, victory is assured!

Jesus in His Holiness was the firstfruits of many. 

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 15:

20  But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

23 But each one in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.

24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the Kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rulers, all authorities, and all power.

25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.

26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

What kingdom is Jesus going to deliver to Our Heavenly Father?  The kingdom on earth… the focus of The Lord’s Prayer.  Who will Jesus use to fulfill this?  You and me… those who are committed to walk in Holiness with power and authority.  We will be counted among the firstfruits, the wise virgins with the oil of The Holy Spirit.

The firstfruits company precedes the general harvest as a Holy testimony to the rest of the world.

Moses recorded this Truth by THE SPIRIT in Leviticus chapter 23:

20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits as a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs. They shall be Holy to the LORD for the priest.

There is a firstfruits of the “catching away” also known as the rapture.  What qualifies one to be in the firstfruits company?  Walking in Holiness!

The firstborn company are the ones who serve Jesus Christ here on earth.  This company will escape the tribulation that is coming, as a Father spares His sons and daughters.

There are two companies: one will meet Him in the air, and the other will be caught up to the Throne before the Great Tribulation when satan is cast down and we go up.  There will be an intensity in the final 3 ½ years because the adversary is no longer in the second heaven.  He is cast down to earth.

John recorded by The Holy Spirit in Revelation chapter 12:

2  Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth.

3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.

4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.

5 She (the church) bore a male Child (the firstfruit company) who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His Throne.

The company of the Overcomers, the elect, are going to rule on earth with a rod of iron… to bring it into subjection to the Kingdom of GOD.  This company is made up of those who truly walk in the Fear of THE LORD, fully submit to HIS Holiness, and willingly serve HIM in all areas of their lives.  These are the ones who will be caught up to The Throne.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Malachi chapter 3:

16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that Feared the LORD, and that thought upon His Name.

17 And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

This clearly differentiates the two companies: the firstfruits and the general assembly.  The firstfruits will be removed before the Great Tribulation as stated in the Book of Daniel.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Daniel chapter 12:

1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

What book is referred to in Daniel?  The book of remembrance referenced in Malachi.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Psalm chapter 2:

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten Thee.

8 Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with Fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

When one rules with a rod of iron, Truth and justice will prevail in all areas.  All resistance will be judged.  Lawlessness will be brought into submission and be shattered like clay pottery.  The Kingdom of GOD and HIS righteousness will prevail on the earth!

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ALERT: Does This Map Signal the Beginning of Nuclear Conflict?

June 7th, 2024

The warning signs have been there since 2012, but the media has not reported those signs.

Why would the U.S. promote a war? Could it be to take our attention away from the massive unsustainable debt we now have accumulated?

https://goldsilver.com/blog/alert-does-this-map-signal-the-beginning-of-nuclear-conflict/?utm_campaign=GS%20Newsletters%20-%20Videos&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz–gHW3j_tDUgNoI0VKG19IRT7TduodWm-RD3Z74iZnJis-CVxenKbTv74v4Ok7v9NpTAdmhSYwvM0-8QDW8poTBV0aS4g&_hsmi=310610272&utm_content=310610272&utm_source=hs_email

The solution is Spiritual!

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 31

June 7th, 2024

There can be an outward manifestation of Holiness in us as a witness for all to see!

FATHER’S Holiness has manifested in the past and will once again manifest in those who pursue HIS Holiness in establishing the True Kingdom of GOD on earth.  The closer you get to HIS Presence, the greater the resulting Holiness in your life.  Moses is a testimony from the “lesser” covenant.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Exodus chapter 33:

18  And Moses said to THE LORD, “Please, show me Your glory.”

19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the Name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

20 But He said, “You cannot see My Face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”

21 And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock.

22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My Hand while I pass by.

23 Then I will take away My Hand, and you shall see My Back; but My Face shall not be seen.”

Afterward, Moses makes two new tablets and FATHER renews the Covenant with Israel.  This was Israel’s second chance after they worshipped the golden calf while Moses was receiving the first tablets of the Ten Commandments.

And in Exodus chapter 34:

29  Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. 30 So when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him.

31 Then Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses talked with them.

32 Afterward all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them as commandments all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai.

33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face.

34 But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded.

35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

This was the first instance of the outward expression of Holiness on a man after being in the Presence of GOD.  Moses outwardly reflected GOD’S Presence.

Paul referenced Moses’ face as he wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 3:

5  Yet we don’t see ourselves as capable enough to do anything in our own strength, for our true competence flows from God’s empowering Presence.

6 He alone makes us adequate ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant. Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out Life.

7 Even the ministry that was characterized by chiseled letters on stone tablets came with a dazzling measure of glory, though it produced death. The Israelites couldn’t bear to gaze on the glowing face of Moses because of the radiant splendor shining from his countenance—a glory destined to fade away.

8 Yet how much more radiant is this new and glorious ministry of the Spirit that shines from us!

9 For if the former ministry of condemnation was ushered in with a measure of glory, how much more does the ministry that imparts righteousness far excel in glory.

Paul emphasized the difference between the Old and the New.  Moses manifested FATHER’S Glory but it faded away, it was outwardly only.  By being filled with The Holy Spirit, we are destined to walk in a sustained Glory from Above.

10 What once was glorious no longer holds any glory because of the increasingly greater glory that has replaced it.

11 The fading ministry came with a portion of glory, but now we embrace the unfading ministry of a permanent impartation of glory.

12 So then, with this amazing hope living in us, we step out in freedom and boldness to speak the Truth.

This reality caused Paul to embrace boldness as we should.

13 We are not like Moses, who used a veil to hide the glory to keep the Israelites from staring at him as it faded away.

14 Their minds were closed and hardened, for even to this day that same veil comes over their minds when they hear the words of the former covenant. The veil has not yet been lifted from them, for it is only eliminated when one is joined to the Messiah.

15 So until now, whenever the Old Testament is being read, the same blinding comes over their hearts.

16 But the moment one turns to the Lord with an open heart, the veil is lifted and they see.

17 Now, the “Lord” I’m referring to is the Holy Spirit, and wherever he is Lord, there is freedom.

18 We can all draw close to Him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

In the past, most of us have assumed that we cannot walk in the same manner as Stephen in whom the Glory manifested in his face.  Let the veil be lifted and expect the undeniable in your life as you pursue Holiness.

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Pursuing Holiness- Part 30

June 6th, 2024

When you are walking in Holiness, signs will follow you!

Luke wrote by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 6:

1 During those days the number of Jesus’ followers kept multiplying greatly. But a complaint was brought against those who spoke Aramaic by the Greek-speaking Jews, who felt their widows were being overlooked during the daily distribution of food.

2 The twelve apostles called a meeting of all the believers and told them, “It is not advantageous for us to be pulled away from the word of God to wait on tables.

3 We want you to carefully select from among yourselves seven Godly men. Make sure they are honorable, full of the Holy Spirit and Wisdom, and we will give them the responsibility of this crucial ministry of serving.

4 That will enable us to give our full attention to prayer and preaching the Word of God.”

5 Everyone in the church loved this idea. So they chose seven men. One of them was Stephen, who was known as a man full of faith and overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Along with him they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas from Antioch, who had converted to Judaism.

6 All seven stood before the apostles, who laid their hands on them and prayed for them, commissioning them to this ministry.

7 God’s Word reigned supreme and kept spreading. The number of Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem quickly grew and increased by the day. Even a great number of Jewish priests became believers and were obedient to the faith!

8 Stephen, who was a man full of grace and supernatural power, performed many astonishing signs and wonders and mighty miracles among the people.

9 This upset some men belonging to a sect who called themselves the Men Set Free. They were Libyans, Egyptians, and Turks. They all confronted Stephen to argue with him.

10 But the Holy Spirit gave Stephen remarkable Wisdom to answer them. His words were prompted by the Holy Spirit, and they could not refute what he said. 11 So the Men Set Free conspired in secret to find those who would bring false accusations against Stephen and lie about him by saying, “We heard this man speak blasphemy against Moses and God.”

Stephen is an excellent example for us to consider.  He was not one of the disciples but operated with the same power and authority.  What were his qualifications?  He was full of The Holy Spirit and full of faith.  He did not have an MBA, a PhD, or any other earthly qualification.  It is clear that he walked in Holiness.

The fruit of The Holy Spirit manifested in his ministry of distributing food to the widows.  Signs and wonders can follow anyone who is doing FATHER’S business, great or small.

How committed was Stephen to walking in Holiness?

12 And they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council.

13 They also set up false witnesses who said, “This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this Holy place and the Law;

14 for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us.”

15 And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

Men lied about Stephen and accused him of blasphemy.  They presented false witnesses.  We can expect the same as we walk in Holiness.  The adversary will use anyone walking in the flesh to lie, cheat, and steal from those walking in Holiness.

The Glory of GOD was manifesting in Stephen’s face for all to see.  With the anointing manifesting in and on Stephen, he preached to everyone in attendance.  He began with the call of Abraham and spoke of the patriarchs in Egypt.  He then recounted GOD delivering Israel by Moses and their rebellion against GOD.  The Israelites were once again rebelling against GOD when their hearts turned back toward Egypt (the world).

Finally, Stephen spoke:

51  “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.

52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers,

53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth.

55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into Heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the Right Hand of God,

56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord;

58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”

60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

The crowd could not stand to hear Words of Holiness proceeding from Stephen’s mouth.  The world wants to do away with Holiness on earth but will ultimately fail in all areas.  Truth will come forth like a hailstorm and sweep away the refuge of lies.  Stephen was the first martyr and in response, Jesus rose from His Throne to receive him!

Stephen walked in Holiness with undeniable signs following.  The enemies of Christ attempted to eliminate The Way from their midst… they failed.  The Gospel continued to spread to the uttermost parts of the earth.  Holiness on earth will prevail!

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