Yesterday’s broadcast had several connection issues. Since our local connection appeared to have no problem, I currently believe the problem was with ustream or one of the carriers between us. Hopefully you are able to navigate through the multiple recordings generated yesterday. The first one and the last lengthy recording are probably the best ones to watch.
Broadcast Technical Issues
June 23rd, 2014Power in the Spirit
June 23rd, 2014It is my belief that a result of being fully baptized in Love is having power in the Spirit. From the purity of Love emanates the power to proclaim the following:
Luke 4:
18 “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”
Past ministries have operated in some aspect of this proclamation but for whatever reason have fallen short. Members of our Bible study are determined to press in: asking, seeking, and knocking. We choose to be chosen. We make ourselves available for the marriage feast. We are willing to die daily for all mankind. We desire to fully operate in the fullness of the Spirit in order to minister life to all those in need. We expect to be endued with this same power from On High. Who can be trusted with this power but those who will walk fully and completely in Love!
The Narrow Way
Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
We are committed to being the “few” who find The Way. What will we do upon finding it? We will bring it back for the benefit of all mankind. I believe the “few” are the Remnant we have been studying in our Sunday Bible study broadcasts. Many are too busy to be willing to set aside the required time, energy, and focus to find this Way. Their priorities are based in this current system, not the Kingdom. That is okay. Each will receive the reward of their priorities. This path is not for everyone to pursue. It requires pressing in because the gate is narrow and the way is difficult. As for me, not a problem.
Those who have a passion for the things of THE LORD will press in. Those who have embraced the revelation of Love will be rewarded and will be endued with Power from On High. We expect to be counted as good fruit from the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. The temptations of the devil were necessary as the final test of maturity of Jesus before He began His ministry. As we die to the flesh, the devil has no foothold in us either. We also expect to operate in this same power as our elder brother. Now is the time!
The Outward reflects the Inward
June 22nd, 2014Ultimately, your intent is expressed by your actions. Your actions represent your fruit. Your fruit will be up for inspection.
We are not able to judge a man’s heart but we are able to judge fruit. As each of us matures, we should produce less bad fruit and more good fruit. The works of the flesh should no longer be habitual. The fruit of the Spirit should replace those works of the flesh. This is what dying to the flesh is all about: be led by the Holy Spirit.
In the letter to the Galatians, Paul explains that trying to conform to the Law by the outward act of circumcision does not change the heart. The issue is intent and behavior reflects your intent. The inside must change. We must have a change of heart and then we must choose to follow a new path, no longer pursuing the path associated with the lusts or cravings we attempted to satisfy in our past. You cannot fellowship with those who are pursuing the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. You will ultimately revert back to your old ways. You become like the company you keep.
There is a difference between ministry and fellowship. We are called to minister to those pursuing darkness. However, we are not to fellowship and partake of their current path. If you are weak or immature, you are not ready to minister to those pursuing sin. You need to separate yourself from the temptations present among those who walk in darkness. It is better to Love from a distance and insure your own growth and maturity. You must protect your heart. You must not let the pressure created by others impact your growth. After all, misery loves company and they will do anything they can to bring you back into their fold. If you are worried about their souls, take comfort in the fact that Our Heavenly Father will deal with them at the right time and right place. You should focus on maturing and producing good fruit.
Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Paul simply states the path we should pursue- walk in the Spirit. This should be our daily focus. He details the works of the flesh:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Read this list slowly and consider each one closely. Are you guilty of anything on this list? Stop it. Repent. Now focus on producing good fruit:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law
Focus on actions that produce this fruit. Remove the temptations that keep you from this focus. It is your choice of which path you take. Your choice is associated with your intent. What path will you pursue? Redirect your mind by reading Scriptures that support Love, peace, and joy. Read books that focus on these topics. Reread those books that have had a positive and direct impact on you. Build yourself up in these areas. Make your mind a servant to your spirit. As a man thinks, so is he. At some point you will no longer pursue your old priorities.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
When you pursue, focus, and spend time on these attributes of walking in the Spirit, you are “meditating” on these things. As you meditate, you will notice a heart change. Depending on how much you have sown in darkness, it may take some time to harvest some good fruit. Don’t give up.
Today’s Online Bible Study Broadcast: Raising the Remnant
June 22nd, 2014We will have our Sunday afternoon Bible Study at 3PM CDT in Bethany. Kemper will be directing the discussion today. We will be completing this series soon and hope this study had moved you to a greater level of maturity.
To participate live or watch this Bible study as a recording afterwards, go to http://www.ustream.tv/channel/the-baptism-of-love The chat room will be open again today for your comments. We look forward to your participation during our live broadcast.
As a reminder, we will not have broadcasts on June 29th or July 6th due to vacations.
You reap what you sow
June 21st, 2014What are you sowing in your life? All you need to do is to look at the fruit in your life and that fruit will provide a realistic view of the seeds you have planted in the past. We find this truth many places in Scripture:
Job 4:8 Even as I have seen,
Those who plow iniquity
And sow trouble reap the same.
Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail.
2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
The Law of reaping and sowing is a fundamental law established in Genesis: seedtime and harvest. If you plant seeds of lawlessness, expect those seeds to produce fruit of like kind.
Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The United States is not immune to judgment. The above list can be found in the headlines all over this country. Living among all of this sin can have an effect of us individually. We must remain vigilant and not let the attitudes of the current society impact our personal integrity and commitment. If this country is weighed in the balance, will it be found wanting?
The current economic system is the epitome of unjust weights and measures and is controlled by a small group of “elites”. Our Heavenly Father will judge this current system as well as us as individuals. Babylon is found at the beginning of Scripture, in the middle, and at the end. Our Heavenly Father is slow to anger but in the end HE will judge the fruit. The Law of equal weights and measures will be used to assess the fruit of all. The handwriting is on the wall, you will reap what you sow. If you have corrupt fruit being produced in your life, repent. Pluck up the bad fruit through the prayer of forgiveness. Let not the mature in Christ think they are immune from the subtlety of lawlessness. Only those with a pure heart shall see GOD.
Pay What Is Due
June 20th, 2014One of the more subtle aspects of the ego is how it promotes scarcity. Your ego would have you chained to the current system under the Economic Law of Scarcity. Scarcity is the fundamental economic problem of having seemingly unlimited human wants in a world of limited resources. Man created this definition. However the definition is restricted to the lower state of existence at the pure physical level without regard to the unlimited resources available to those with greater revelation and understanding. When people are scarcity-oriented, they will have pressure to walk in a lawless manner. The current system in oppressive by nature and thus the government creates a notable infrastructure to force compliant behavior in the area of revenue collecting. It was the same environment during the time Jesus walked the earth. The following passage is mentioned in Mark and Luke as well (Mark 12:13–17; Luke 20:20–26 ):
Matthew 22:
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk.16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? 19 Show Me the tax money.”
So they brought Him a denarius.
20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?”
21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.
Jesus is THE Pattern Son and we should take His example as the basis of our behavior. Inherent in this event is the fact that Jesus said “Pay the tax”. The Pharisees were subjected to Rome’s authority and were hoping for a conquering Messiah to take control and establish Israel as the authority. They viewed Rome as lawless to their way of life and rationalized why they shouldn’t be subjected to Rome’s taxation. Yet they walked the roads that Rome built and used other of Rome’s resources.
Today, people want to use all of the resources created by their current governments but do not want to fund the creation and maintenance of the infrastructure. They use the argument that much of the funds are misused, etc., etc. etc. Stop! Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s. Pay your taxes and establish yourself above reproach. In the current system, the gun, the badge, and the prison are the law. Pay your taxes and sleep peaceful at night, I do.
The error in their lawless approach to evading taxes is that they don’t understand that Our Heavenly Father is greater than the current system. He has economic solutions that surpass man’s understanding. You are just one revelation away from having your needs met. The problem is that you don’t seek Our Heavenly Father’s voice in the area of scarcity. Instead, you spend much of your time trying to work the current system which is designed to keep you enslaved. Our Heavenly Father is in the business of setting the captives free.
The Economic Law of Scarcity mentioned above assumes men have unlimited wants. Not so. As I spend more time with Our Heavenly Father, my “wants” decline. Life is about building relationships and ministering to the needs of others. Love wants to restore and reconcile. Self-centeredness desires to divide and be condescending toward others in order to exalt itself. The ego is the source of unlimited “wants”. As you move toward being led by The Spirit, your needs and wants will decline. You will desire to simplify your life.
Jesus rallied the resources of Heaven to pay His taxes:
Matthew 17:
24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who received the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your Teacher not pay the temple tax?”
25 He said, “Yes.” And when he had come into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?”
26 Peter said to Him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”
The fish responded to the words of Jesus. Peter responded to the words of Jesus. Are we not also “aliens” in this land? Let us not offend the tax collectors. Let us move into the Kingdom of unlimited resources where every need is met, not to supply our old man, but to minister Love and life to all mankind. The riches in Heaven are reserved and only accessible by those with the revelation of Love. That is where the real treasury is at. It will be protected from those with lawless intent.
$29.1 Trillion
June 19th, 2014This is the number to have been recently printed and put in the markets by the central banks. If ISIS rebels decide to blow up Saudi Arabia’s oil pipelines, a rather easy task I have read, the price of oil could skyrocket above $200 per barrel. How does $7-$9 gasoline in the U.S. impact the economy? Catastrophic. This could be the black swan event no one planned for that could cause a global economic collapse. Stay nimble. Keep the tanks and the food pantry full.
The $497,000,000 Bet
June 19th, 2014After Fed Chairman Yellen’s comments, someone place a half a billion into gold futures:
You don’t put this kind of cash at risk unless you know something.
Here is today’s Gold chart:
![Live New York Gold Chart [Kitco Inc.]](http://www.kitco.com/images/live/nygold.gif?0.9613394666076835)
Their investment is in the black already. Hmmm!
Latest Bible Study Discrepancy (Remnant Chapter 11)
June 19th, 2014Those who are watching the recorded version of our weekly Bible study will see the Unity153 logo for an extended period of time. The study actually starts at about 17:30 into the broadcast. We installed better microphones in response to those who had difficulty hearing some of the participants.
You may secure your copy of “Raising a Remnant” at www.unity153.net
Not Doubting
June 19th, 2014Matthew 28:17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
In order to ascend to full maturity, you must deal with doubt at its root: the ego. We are to be led by The Spirit, not by our mind. Our mind is binary in nature. It views everything with two fundamental options or opposites: up/down, in/out, yes/no. Your mind will create a problem, then solve it. Your mind would have you believe that the devil is as powerful as Jesus thus they are in an epic battle with ebb and flow of success and failure. Your mind would have you believe that hell is forever. Why? It wants to control your actions. It is contrary to the Spirit.
In the above passage, some disciples doubted the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. You would think that being there first hand would be plenty of assurance for them. Their minds were working overtime. They had difficulty in grasping Love. Love has no opposites and the motive of Love defies the mind. Love was the power behind the resurrection.
To be fully led by the Spirit requires that you be led by Love. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth:
John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
Paul understood this when he wrote:
Ephesians 4:13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Unity of faith requires that we doubt not.
We should be speaking the truth in Love.
The result will be:
-A perfect man in the fullness of Christ
-No longer deceived by men
-Each joint supplies
-Full maturity
Your needs will be met when you align yourself with the Spirit, walk in faith and doubt not HIS Way:
Mark 11:22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
If you are walking in lack, you probably have an issue that needs resolution. Seek Our Heavenly Father and doubt not. HE rallies resources to meet the needs of those who are being fully led by the Spirit. On the other hand, your mind would convince of some other reason outside of your “self”. It will then work overtime to solve the wrong problem, leaving you in your current state of lack. It would have you doubt Our Heavenly Father’s ability to deal with your situation. Doubt, or doubt not… it is your choice.