Eyes of the Blind

While praying this morning, I felt led to ask the Lord to open the eyes of specific people He had placed on my heart. I prayed, "Lord, open their eyes to the Truth." At that precise moment of prayer, the Lord brought to my mind the moment in the Bible when Jesus touched eyes in order to give sight. I actually envisioned His hand touching closed eyes. After praying, I walked over to the sink in my kitchen and gave my 2 year old a toothbrush; then, I walked into the living room and picked up the Bible. I sat on the couch prepared to read the Word of God.

 I opened this one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four page book (1, 834) without thought or plan to page 1,440.

My eyes went directly to these verses on page 1, 440:

 "And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, "What will ye that I shall do unto you?'
They say unto him, 'Lord, that our eyes may be opened.' So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him." (Matt. 20:32-34 KJV)

 To have just knelt 5 minutes before this moment and prayed this very thought for specific people, whom I hold dear to my heart, a prayer that their eyes would be opened to the Truth of the Lord - I spoke their names as I prayed.

 Who orchestrates such moments? 
Who allowed my fingers to part HIS book at such a precise location. 
Who brought my eyes to these specific verses on page 1, 440? 

There are over 30,000 (thirty thousand) verses in the Bible, yet He, the Lord Jesus, made sure my eyes landed directly on this page and these 3 verses.

Verses 32-34 address almost word for word the prayer I prayed for specific people in my life. The very image the Lord put into my mind as I prayed a humble prayer for certain others to receive His Truth was written in those verses. He is calling believers to seek and worship Him in Spirit and in Truth - not partial truth or distorted truth or worldly truth. He is calling people to lay down the lies about Him.

The greatest danger many face is relying on their understanding of the Word of God. He is calling people to seek Truth from Him now while on this earth. Not later. Later will be too late.

He has confirmed to me this morning that He is still willing to reach out His hand of compassion. He still wants to give sight to the blind. 

Before sight was given to the blind in these verses, the people asked Him for sight. They asked Him.

I can confirm in my own life that the times the Lord has shown me His Truth on specific issues occurred only AFTER I reached a point of surrender. Not until I surrendered all that I thought I knew and all that others had attempted to teach me did He divinely reveal and continually confirm His Truth. What liberty! What Freedom in such moments!

Obedience to Him is key.

Ichabod

The Lord brought me to the word Ichabod yesterday, yet I was not reading the Bible when the word presented itself to me.  I spent time thinking about the word and what it represented.  I prayed that if the Lord wanted me to share what He revealed to me that the word ICHABOD would present itself to me again -- and most importantly, without me “searching” for it.  Within 18 hours, He has done so in a remarkable way.  I must share His Truth.

Early in 1 Samuel, we read the story of Hannah.  She is

barren, for “the Lord had shut up her womb” (1: 5).  In time, Hannah’s humble prayer to the Lord is heard, and the Lord allows her to have a son: Samuel.  Graciously, Hannah speaks the following words, “For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him:  Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.  And he worshiped the Lord there” (1:27-28).

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On February 26, a little over a week ago, I sat listening to a preacher.  Toward the end of his message, I remember going to the Lord in prayer and wholeheartedly talking to Him about my concerns for my young boys who are growing up during a very dark and deceptive time.  I quite literally thought, "Lord, I pray for my sons in this deceptive world.  Lord, I want to labor for you.  Will you please remember my boys."  When I used the word labor in my prayer, I was referencing a very specific ministry the Lord has given me and confirmed to me these last years and especially the past 14 months.  This prayer was not an ultimatum for the Lord.  Not at all.  Instead, it was just an honest prayer from me, letting Him know that my heart's desire is to labour for Him following the word and path He has given me, so  I made my request known that I would like Him to remember my boys and their need for salvation.  The Lord knew all that was on my heart during this prayer.

Within a few minutes - maybe even seconds, the pastor began speaking about children.  He said that we must leave our children at the altar.  And I quote his next words:

“If you labor in God's harvest, God will take care of you and the things that concern you and will perfect the things that concern you.”

The Lord knew and had heard the concerns I have for my children.  He had also repeated back the very word I used just seconds to minutes before:  LABOR.  

This writing on ICHABOD is directly related to that specific ministry and labor for the Lord.

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I want to highlight some areas of 1 Samuel as the Lord has revealed.  Brought by Hannah, Samuel lives with Eli and as the Bible says, Samuel “ministered unto the Lord before Eli [the priest]” (3:1).  During one of Hannah’s visits to her son Samuel, the Bible tells us that “Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife [Hannah], and said, ‘The Lord give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the Lord.’  And they went into their own home. And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord” (2: 21).

This chapter goes on to reveal that the Lord directly sends a messenger to speak to the priest Eli in an area where he was not faithful to honor the Lord.   Specifically, Eli’s two sons, who are also described as being priests, were sinning and causing the “Lord’s people to transgress” (2:24):

When the Lord speaks in this portion of the story, He speaks to the priest and appears to be very disappointed with the actions of Eli:

28Thus saith the Lord, ‘Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh’s house?  And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an e’phod before me?  and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29Wherefore kick ye (you, meaning Eli) at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

30 Wherefore the Lord God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the Lord saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

31 Behold, the days come, that I will cut off thine arm, and the arm of thy father's house, that there shall not be an old man in thine house.

In just what I have touched on thus far, we can observe a woman who gives her child to the Lord so that He may serve the Lord and so that the Lord may work through Samuel. 

 Then, we see a father, Eli, who honored his own sons more than he honored the One he was called to serve:  the Lord. 

 In my prayer the other night, I placed my boys at the altar while I continue on with this ministry the Lord has shown me to follow.  There will come times of decision:  Will I follow, honor, and obey what the Lord has shown me to do, or will I waiver in this ministry in order to spare upsetting those around me?  

 I can choose to be obedient to the Lord, as Hannah was. However, I can also choose to dishonor the Lord by not fully obeying Him, as was the case with the priest Eli.  There are eternal consequences when we do not fully obey the Lord.

In the next chapter of 1 Samuel, the Lord gives a message to Samuel regarding Eli:  

12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

17 And he said, What is the thing that the Lord hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

Even here in verse 17, Eli himself understands that Samuel must speak the truth or possibly face the same punishment. Whether inside the house of God or outside of the house of God, we must not allow ourselves to honor man, son, daughter, parents, or friends more than we honor the Lord. 

 Sometimes, we may believe that we are trying to spare those who are sinning, so we do not speak the truth on a matter.  When the Spirit prompts a person to speak, that person should obey.  We are just as guilty if we refuse to follow the leading and the truth of the Spirit.

Both of Eli’s sons die in the same day.  The Philistine enemies kill his sons and take the ark of God.  When Eli learns that the ark of God has been taken, he, ultimately, dies as well.

In the next verses, the word ICHABOD is used.  Eli’s daughter-in-law names her son ICHABOD.  She delivers him after learning that her husband and father-in-law have died.  

1 Samuel 4: 21-22 reads,

“And she named the child I’-cha-bod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband.  And she said, ‘The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.’”

In Revelation, the Lord speaks very clearly to the church at Ephesus.  In the verses to follow, we can observe that this church has shown great servitude to the Lord, yet those in the church have left their first love.  Some of the other words in the New Testament that hold the same meaning as -left- are “forsake,” “leave,” and “lay aside.”  What new love has captured their attention? We don’t know, but these believers have left their first love, and we see that the Lord, Himself, explains that they are in danger of having their candle stick removed from the Lord’s presence:

1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks;

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Like the story above in 1 Samuel when the ark of God was removed, here in Revelation, the “glory of God” is nigh or close to departing from them.”  Much like the 5 virgins whose fire has gone out, this church is in a perilous position of being cast out of the presence of the Lord through unrepentant disobedience.  The word ICHABOD used in 1 Samuel lingers as a warning for this church at Ephesus.

Repent.  Repent.  A refusal to repent by this church in this circumstance does not mean they were never really devoted to the Lord.  The Lord details the church of Ephesus’ areas of devotion in the above Revelation verses.  It is not a matter of “they never really believed.” Not repenting now will show, however, that they chose not to abide in Him until the end.  Thus, without repentance, they are forever lost.  Eternal life no longer abides in them. The glory will depart from them: I’-cha-bod.

Even as I type these final words, the Lord just sent His confirmation in an unmistakable way.  Oh, how He hears an honest cry for truth and guidance, and He will hear anyone who cries out to Him with a pure heart that longs for His truth.  The Lord wants the body of Christ to be united.  Each part/member is used to edify one another in special God-given ways.  Yet, the union must be in TRUTH.    

A breach has occurred with many believers.  There is a gap in the church.  There are those who genuinely walk with the Lord for a period of time, but some of those same people fall away because their hearts have been hardened by sin and by the notion that they can never fall away.  A false sense of security has crept into many churches, leading believers astray and down a path of unrepentant sin.  Repent in the original Greek is the word metanoeo, which means “to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally feel compunction).”  Calling on His name while at the same time refusing to listen to His Spirit when He shows us sin in our lives will result in eternal separation from Him.  

Following the Lord’s ways in areas of one’s life, yet failing to do so in other areas will result in the same message being delivered.  As He calls the church at Ephesus to repent or else, He will likewise say this to any of us who do not fully obey His Spirit’s leading.

God sends His warnings to believers whose love waxes/grows cold - just as we read His warning in Revelation to Ephesus.  Believers are called to be faithful to the Lord.  Not speaking against sin in churches to the body of believers will result in many spending eternity in the lake of fire.  Preaching false security, on any level, misleads the flock and hinders the Holy Spirit’s work in the body of believers.  Being fearful of man - friend or foe - is a clever trick of Satan, and he uses it often to silence the truth.     

The Lord is calling all people, including believers who have hardened hearts, to see all of their abominations.  Those defiling abominations can’t be cleansed until they are admitted.   His Light shines on such darkness.  Simply saying, “I’m a sinner, saved by grace,” isn’t repentance.  It’s a man-made way of granting false permission to continue in sin.  As the Lord shined the Light at Ephesus in the book of Revelation, so is the case in these last of the last days before His return.  When He was born of a virgin, He brought salvation, and He is still offering it to any who repents and believes.   However, when He returns in these last days, He is bringing wrath.  We must not forget that portion of the Bible.  

Now, I have a choice and will be tested continually.  I can choose to share this ministry of encouraging others to continue in the faith until the end, or I can withhold part of it. 

 I can be Eli and dishonor the Lord by holding back the entire truth on this matter.    

Or 

Like Hannah, I can be obedient to the Lord above all.

There have been so many times that I have surrendered my will to His, and every single time, He has brought me back to this calling.  This message.  This ministry.

My desire is to labor for Him.

“If you labor in God's harvest, God will take care of you and the things that concern you and will perfect the things that concern you.”

 

Shall Not Prevail

I have included the entire post written by a dear sister in Christ.  The Lord speaks to those who seek His Truth in marvelous and unmistakable ways.  I thought that I would post her blog entry and then include my comments to her blog.  May all of us continue to seek His Divine Truth.  In addition, at the end of this blog, I plan to share some other revelations and confirmations the Lord has spoken to me over the last few weeks.  Those will be posted in purple at the bottom of this entry.

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Buy the Truth

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23

What is truth? 

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all."  John 18:37-38

When Pilate stood before Jesus, preparing to condemn Him to death, he was standing in front of the manifestation of Truth; yet, he still could not see it.  This is exactly what people do today.  They are presented face-to-face with the truth, but would rather debate about it rather than submit to it.  Why is this?  Because they are not of the truth; they have no heart to hear it, but are dull of hearing (Proverbs 17:16; Matthew 13:15; Acts 28:27; Hebrews 5:11). 

We need to understand that the truths of God are not debatable.  He is Sovereign and is the Creator & Judge of all.  He does not request nor need our validation of His truths; they stand sure whether we agree with them or not.  No matter how clever or intellectual a position may seem, it is only the carnal mind which rejects the truth of God in favor of leaning to his own understanding (Proverbs 3:5; I Corinthians 2:4-5; James 3:15).   This is why it is futile to strive with others about the truth; unless God gives one eyes to see, one will not see no matter how long the discussion.

The truth is not our opinion and not even what we may believe. You will only find truth when the word of God and the Spirit of God are in agreement (Psalm 119:33; Psalm 138:2; John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13; 17:17; I John 5:6).  It is not enough to have some personal interpretation of Scripture, nor is it enough to have some word from some spirit.  The words from God - whether written or spoken - are inspired by the same God and will never contradict each other (II Thessalonians 2:15).  Only the Word of truth and the Spirit of truth in alignment confirm what is true.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 17:17

Such is how Jesus became flesh.  The Word - which was with God and was God since the beginning - came forth from God.  The Spirit came to perform the word, and the Truth was manifested, who is Jesus (Luke 1:31-35). Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

This process is what happens to us in salvation as well. The word of God is sown into our hearts and the Spirit of God comes into agreement with that word to generate life within us.  As a result, we become reflections of the Truth.

When we believe the truth, we are recreated in the image of Truth, who is Jesus Christ.  When we believe a lie, we become a lie and are made over in the image of the father of lies (John 8:44). 

Remember, God is looking for "truth" in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6).

How do we “buy” the truth? 

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46

Surely the gift of salvation is free unto all who would receive it (Romans 5:15-18; Revelation 22:17).  Neither is it possible to be purchased by money (Acts 8:20).  Yet, we are exhorted to "buy" truth; this lets us know that there is a cost to it.  As the song goes, "It didn't come cheap, but I got it for free."

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:28-33

The above Scripture indicates that possessing such is akin to selling all that you have in order to attain it.  It is a similar principle when God speaks of buying the truth.  You "buy" the truth by valuing and treasuring it above all else, counting all else as dung (Philippians 3:7-8).

It is interesting how some will refer to the moment of one entering salvation as the end of a matter.  You turn in faith to Jesus Christ one day, and then no matter what, you are saved.  Yet, that is not consistent with Jesus' text above at all.  In the exact opposite of terms, Jesus describes entering salvation as being the start of something.  He likens it to starting to build a tower or engaging in a war.  This should let us know that two simultaneous things are happening when we enter salvation.  One, our faith is building a tangible result (fruitfulness); and two, we are engaging in a war against an adversary.

How do we “sell” the truth? 

One of the most consistent warnings that God gives us about the end times is how deceptive they will be (and are) (Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22). He warns us that there will be doctrines of devils which attempt to seduce God's people and will actually lead people away from the faith (I Timothy 4:1).  Many will in fact "sell the truth" and fall into apostasy (II Thessalonians 2:3).

To sell the truth is to forsake the truth in deference to lies; to adhere to that which is not of God, using your on mind as the standard for truth.  It is to choose to walk in a way other than the way of truth (Psalm 119:30).   It is the same old trick that Satan used in the beginning: appeal to man's ego so that he will believe that he can determine what is good or evil apart from God (Genesis 3:5)

It should be known that God desires all to be saved (I Timothy 2:4); even to the point where He allowed His Son to be butchered on the cross for our sins.  However, one of the harshest judgments we hear in the Scripture is for those who reject the truth.

"And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." II Thessalonians 2:8-12

"For this cause" - the fact that the people loved not the truth- God Himself will send them a strong delusion so that they will be damned!  The God who loved us enough to die for us will take specific action to make sure that such persons go to Hell.

Walking away from revealed truth is not a small thing because God esteems His word, even above His name (Psalm 138:2).  We cannot afford to have our own understanding or to do things our own way.  The truths of God preserve us (Psalm 40:11); forsake them and there is nothing to keep us from falling away...God will make sure of that.

"Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you." I Samuel 12:24




Comments to her entry:

Joy MFebruary 23, 2014 at 10:21 AM

Part 1 of 2
God is truly wonderful and will speak to a humble heart that simply wants the TRUTH. Do you know that I fight the biggest battles regarding sharing the Truth that the Lord has given to me? Yes, I am ashamed to admit that .. but I have to share that personal battle before I share the rest. Satan always uses the following statements on me: "Joy, the people you attempt to share the Truth with have eternal life already abiding in them, so stop trying to tell them that believers can fall away. You are talking to people who serve the Lord already."

This is where I seek the Lord the most - on this issue alone. Time and again the Lord has shown me that I am specifically to speak and write about the fact that followers can depart from the faith. He has told me to warn others of this. Over the years, the Lord has used two people to prophesy to me Jeremiah Chapter 1 and explained that fear should not stop me from speaking what He has shown me, and He has on countless occasions orchestrated events that brought me back to Jeremiah chapter 1 - profound moments of knowing God has pointed me to that chapter and to the overall message of Jeremiah - words that were not easy to hear or speak, yet Jeremiah obeyed the Lord and spoke.

Joy MFebruary 23, 2014 at 10:22 AM

Part 2 of 2

This morning, I sat on my couch - Bible and Strong's Concordance on lap. I found myself looking up the word TRUTH in the Concordance. I spent time reading the following verse: "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." This is the same verse that you have listed near the beginning of your blog entry above. After time in the Word this morning, I thought, "Lord, I just want your Truth - not mine - not others but Yours." It was a humble thought with an understanding that only His Truth matters. It was even a surrendering to His Way and His Truth.

Then, I felt led to get on the computer - which is not something I normally do this early. Within a few moments, I was reading this new post of yours - on TRUTH. While reading it, I felt the confirming of many things the Lord had spoken to my heart. There are so many verses that speak very directly regarding Truth. As I was reading your entry, I was semi-consciously aware that the open Bible on my lap was beginning to flip through pages (for it was on a slight incline on my lap). I wasn't really paying attention to that... But then, you listed a particular verse, so I wanted to turn to that verse in my Bible. I looked down and saw that my Bible had flipped to Jeremiah chapter 1 and had stopped there. Right there in front of me, my eyes read the very chapter and verses that the Lord has been speaking to me all along. Of course, the devil showed up saying, "This is a coincidence, Joy." Then, my eyes went to the first picture you have on this entry - an open Bible. I was struck by the similarities of that open Bible in your picture to the open Bible on my lap - then, God brought my eyes to a single word on the Bible picture you have posted: ---> JEREMIAH. <------

Satan departed very quickly, and I am reminded that the Lord has given me a specific ministry. And that ministry can only be fulfilled IF I am obedient. I thank the Lord for His confirmation yet again on this issue, yet I am sorry that I allow myself to be bombarded by fiery darts. The Lord has shown me time and again to take up the shield of Faith when Satan seeks to silence me on this issue.

Blessings to you, Sister. And I am grateful to a Lord who knows that my only desire in this life is to be obedient to Him. I sat this morning and thought - Satan has been so relentless these last weeks in seeking to silence me on this issue. He has truly stepped up his fight against me. I think you may have stated it in another recent blog -- Satan doesn't just roll over and give up when the Spirit is working through a believer. Satan makes every attempt to silence that person. If Satan fights this hard against labourers for Christ, we can rest assured in knowing that there are those who are turning FROM lies TO the TRUTH as a result of the Spirit's work through us. Glory to God!

Joy MFebruary 23, 2014 at 2:02 PM

I thought I would add this as well - This is a few hours after my original 2 part post. When I was in my living room a few moments ago. I was thinking of God's revelation this morning -- regarding speaking His Truth no matter what (Jeremiah 1), and there was a knock on my screen door at literally that same second. I walked over to see my 6 year old son holding a turtle shell and saying, "Look what I found, Mom." Of course, the Lord has used a turtle in the past to lead me and speak to me. I'll include a link below if anyone would like to share in my praise of how the Lord truly works and confirms His word through people, objects, and of course HIS WORD. I would include a picture of the shell, but I don't think there is an option on here to do that. :)

This is a picture of the actual turtle shell my son brought to me.

http://trustingodvoiceoftheturtle.blogspot.com/2013/08/stand-in-gap.html

Replies

gijane02February 23, 2014 at 9:40 PM
Joy, I do not have the right words to describe what your testimony has done inside of me. Praise the Lord is all I can say! I need to listen to Him right now for this very same thing about the "once saved always saved doctrine". I was SO happy inside when my church started a discipleship class. I also participate in the jail ministry at my church and I do not teach but my Sunday school teacher's wife does. She was teaching on "once saved always saved". For the past month within almost every message that I have listened to from Omega Ministries they speak on this false teaching. Last week I was all happy to be moving along into week 2 of the discipleship class and guess what week 2 was on? Eternal security or "once saved always saved". I don't think my uneasiness inside about this teaching is something I need to keep ignoring. There is a short time to ask questions in class before we go into our lessons, and I will seek the Lord to give me the right words to say when I ask the questions that challenge this teaching. Your posts and the preaching from a guest preacher this morning about staying faithful is enough confirmation for me, I don't need to hold back anymore I need to seek the Lord and obey. I must continue to lay aside the cares of this world and keep my eyes on the Lord just as I read in your blogpost. I have seen your responses on this blog a lot but I did not know you had one of your own as well! Tears were running down my face reading about your stand for the TRUTH. This is all the timing of the Lord because He knows what is going on with me at this very moment and He is calling me to speak up about it. Praise the Lord!


Joy MFebruary 24, 2014 at 5:45 PM
Hello gijane02,

I am blessed by your response. I completely understand all that you said. God has persistently taught me on this very issue. He has shown me that the topic of OSAS is not one to be taken lightly. I think about the Parable of the Talents right now. Am I to hide the knowledge He has given me on this issue for fear of ruffling a few feathers... He has shown me time and again to Speak on this issue - not in a condescending manner but in a way that sets people free from bondage to an UNtruth. There is something in that doctrine that does not set well with the Lord. Satan has truly come against me over this, but that confirms even further that the Truth should be spoken. I encourage you to stay in prayer with the Lord and allow Him to direct your path and your words. At the center of everything, remember to remain obedient to Him.

I, like you, must keep my eyes on Him and lay aside the cares/fears of this world. Satan loves to distract believers. Distractions stifle us. We are slowed down by distractions. I pray the Lord will help you to remain focused and to complete any and all callings that He has invited you to complete.

Blessings to you, Sister.

Joy



gijane02February 24, 2014 at 8:08 PM
You made a good point sis about OSAS is not to be taken lightly. I really don't think this is a "let's agree to disagree" issue in the body of Christ. If Satan was coming at you in the way that you described in your statement of faith, there is NO WAY that is the truth then! He wouldn't mess with you unless you are a threat. What you were going through should make Christians sit up and think more deeply about the reasons we hold on to all of these doctrines and traditions of men. I am praying for strength to stand and take whatever reactions may come. I read the statement of faith of the church I have been attending for almost a year and OSAS is in there. It is also stated that tounges do not have to be evidence of being filled with the Holy Spirit which I let go of that last month, and I want to be filled and have the gift of tounges. No church is perfect, but I really don't see how I can continue going there but I will wait for God's direction on that.
Reply

Joy MFebruary 24, 2014 at 8:35 PM

I understand again all that you are feeling. Your last few words are very important - regarding waiting upon the Lord. He will give you direction. I spent years in my former church and wondered sometimes why the Lord had not permitted me to leave. It wasn't until I sat in a pulpit committee meeting while I listened to our interim pastor explain to us on the committee the things we were to "look for" in pastoral candidates that I finally heard a word from the Lord. The interim pastor explained the beliefs of Baptists and further explained what should and should not be accepted of candidates. He mentioned several points of belief that Baptists must stand for, yet I knew God had shown me the opposite in many of those areas. I sat there silently and asked, "Lord, why am I on the pulpit committee when I don't believe what they believe?" It was a humble and honest question. In that moment and later that evening and the very next day and so many times since then, the Lord spoke, "Now is the time to speak the Truth to them." That definitive moment led to the Statement of Faith I have on my blog and to the Stand in the Gap blog entry on my blog. He kept me there - at that church - in order to shed the Truth to those who had ears to hear. Although many stated that they did not agree, there have been 2 families who have spoken to me since then and said that they believe that we are to endure/abide IN Christ and that a believer can turn away from the Faith. In fact, I remember going by the ATM back in August right when I typed up and sent the Statement of Faith to the church members. I sat in the parking lot and thought "Show me who else I should send it to, Lord." At literally that same moment, a man from our church drove by me on the main road. You see -- I didn't have his address, so I had not mailed the Statement of Faith to him. I discovered his mailing address and mailed the Statement of Faith to him. Do you know that this past December, we received a card from him, and in it, he stated that he believed the Statement of Faith was a "true understanding of the word of God." Now, isn't God good! He will use a willing vessel!

It wasn't until mid-September that the Lord confirmed more than 5 times in a two hour span that it was now time for my family to move on from that church. Now, if I had "jumped the gun" and left long before all of this, I would have 1. disobeyed God and 2. not been a vessel meet for my Master's use. Follow the Lord's leading. Stay in prayer. Fast. Study His Word and ask Him to open your eyes for understanding.

On another note, I was just about to type something up for the Lord this evening and had a scripture on my heart, when in the other room, my 6 year old - who was playing with his younger brother-- all of a sudden says, "JEREMIAH 5." I said, "What did you say..." He then repeated himself. Wow. and Wow.

Blessings to you.

gijane02February 25, 2014 at 10:15 AM
Wow and wow, and Amen and Amen too! God bless :)


From the blog:  http://thelatterdays.blogspot.com

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Above, I have copied and pasted the blog entry and comments.  God certainly works in amazing ways.  I praise the Lord for my trials because I draw closest to Him during such times and feel His presence strongest during those trials. 
 
Later the same day of the comments and post above, the Lord confirmed another message to me.  Satan had, just before February 25, made every attempt to frighten me throughout the night with the spirit of fear.  It was one of his most concerted efforts to bring fear upon me during the night.  I had experienced his attempts years before - night terrors, but he really hadn't approached in that mode for years.  That was not until a few nights before 2/25/14.  While waking that morning after being tormented all night, I remember hearing in my mind, "The gates of hell shall not prevail.  The gates of hell shall not prevail."  This is worth mentioning because when I started to write notes in a different Bible regarding the events of the day, I turned to Jeremiah again - but in a different Bible - and my eyes went directly to the last verse of chapter 1:  

And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the Lord, to deliver thee.

I am still in awe of the Lord's ability and willingness to speak to me.  I don't deserve His presence, but I am so very grateful for His presence.

Over the last weeks, the Lord has been confirming His Truth and direction for me.  I will list a few of those occurrences below:

January  31, 2014 -- I prayed upstairs in my oldest son's bedroom.  I believe I was in prayer for about 45 minutes.  This trial was tremendous because all that the Lord had shown me in regards to warning believers to continue in the faith was under fire directly by others who appear to be in the faith.  Another individual openly proclaimed that the Lord had shown this person the opposite of what the Lord had shown me.  I love this person dearly, so the my cries to the Lord during this time of prayer were very needful.  Needless to say, I cried out to the Lord for His answers.  I cried out to Him - a true calling out to Him and for Him.  I asked Him to send a messenger to me.  It was an honest request that I placed before the Lord.  I asked that He would do something new in the way He spoke to me this time because Satan was telling me that I did not hear from God in the past.  So, I asked the Lord to present Himself to me in  a different way so that I would know that all of the times in the past were from Him.  I specifically requested that He would send a messenger/an angel to speak to me.  While in the room praying, my 2 year old continued to point to the opposite side of the bed in an attempt to get me over there, but I was engrossed in praying and did not get up.  A few minutes later, my 2 year brought me to the other side of the bed where a book lay.  I picked up the book, only to see several sea turtles on the back of it.   

The "turtle" book my son continued to point toward as I prayed.

I, then, picked up a nearby second book in hopes of showing my 2 year old some pictures.  It was a book of shapes, and as I turned to the third or so page, there was a picture of a teepee.  This image would mean nothing to most, but several months ago, the Lord sent me a dream.  Since I have written about this dream,  I will copy that below:

In the dream, there were women surrounding what represented Jesus.  And these women blended into the body of Jesus in such a perfect way that a bystander wouldn't be able to tell where Jesus ended and the women began -- this is truly what the body of Christ looks like.  They never took their eyes off of Jesus.  Great light shone from this body of Christ.  
However, this dream was not without darkness.  In fact, the dream took place at the darkest point of night, and the only light available came from the Body of Christ.  
These women were also surrounded by the most horrific lions I have ever seen.  Those lions were roaring, prowling, and clawing the dirt just inches away from the women.  As they roared and clawed, dirt and dust surrounded them, but most amazingly the women NEVER took their eyes off of Jesus.  In fact, the women never seemed aware of the lions.  There was nothing but an expression of peace on their faces as they stared at this figure that represented the Lord.  The women sat with their legs tucked underneath them - in much the same way a child sits when playing in the floor.   
The lions clearly sought to kill something, but they could never  touch the women.  Their claws dug at the dirt just an inch or two from the feet of these women, but the lions could never touch the faithful women.

I told my husband soon after I had this dream (which was a year ago) that the only thing I could compare the body of Christ to in the dream was a teepee.  A literal teepee.  Where Jesus' body ended and where the women's bodies began made the most magnificent teepee - all forming one entity - the teepee.  It was very large and appeared to be various shades of yellow, gold, and tan.  I know that sounds strange to most, but a have never been able to describe the body in any other way.  So, when I turned that book page right after praying wholeheartedly to my Lord and saw none other than a  TEEPEE, I know my Lord had heard me.  

Only the Lord could have brought my eyes to this, knowing the dream of the lions and the body of Christ.

February 1, 2014 - (The Next Night)  My husband, oldest son, and I attended a special singing and preaching at our church.  Thoughts of my prayer the day before were far from me.   We were nearing the end of the service when a man in attendance walked over to my husband and I, asking me if he could pray for us.  My husband and I said, "Yes."  He began praying, but within seconds, he placed his hand on my head and said, "Fear not, my daughter.  I have not left thee."  This was the first time that anyone had ever walked up and prophesied to me.  He prophesied more, but I can't remember the words, unfortunately.  His words were all of the same message and subject.  It wasn't until later that evening after church that I remembered I had prayed for that very situation to happen the day before.  The Lord HAD sent his messenger to me.  A man who was not aware of my battles those last days or of my heartfelt prayer in a secluded bedroom the day before.  Actually, this man did not attend our church; he was simply visiting that night.  My, how God orchestrates the universe and sends His comfort to His children.

February 26, 2014 - After putting my children to bed and while my husband was at work, I sat on my couch and listened to a live streaming message from Pastor G. Price.  Toward the end of his message, I remember going to the Lord in prayer and wholeheartedly talking to Him about my concerns for my young boys who are growing up during a very dark and deceptive time.  I quite literally thought, "Lord, I pray for my sons in this deceptive world.  Lord, I want to labour for you.  Will you please remember my boys."  This prayer was not an ultimatum for the Lord.  Not at all.  Instead, it was just an honest prayer from me, letting Him know that my heart's desire is to labour for Him, and  I made my request known that I would like Him to remember my boys and their need for salvation that can only come from HIM.
Within a few minutes - maybe even seconds, the pastor began speaking about children.  He said that we must leave our children at the altar.  And I quote his next words:

If you labour in God's harvest, God will take care of you and the things that concern you and will perfect the things that concern you.

 Again, what comfort the Lord brings.  The Lord had heard my heart-felt prayer just moments before.  The Lord had given me a promise regarding my children, but I understand that I also made a promise to Him:  To Labour For Him.  May the Lord guide me and direct me in this ministry.  There is nothing I would rather do.

March 1, 2014 - We attended a different church this night.  Again, toward the end of this service, a woman asked the song leader if she could interrupt for a moment.  She, then, turned to me and asked if she could pray for me.  I said, "Yes."  As she began walking toward me, she said, "Saints, I need you to start praying."  She, then, spoke the following words:

Daughter, I am pleased with you.  When you pray, I hear you.  I hear when you cry out to me.   Others should keep their eyes on their own lives.  I am about to do a mighty work in you.

She also prophesied much more, but these were words of comfort and peace and reassurance.  I thank the Lord for sending another messenger again.

I share these moments of confirmations and reaffirmations to all who will read this.  May these wonderful moments encourage all of us to continue seeking the Lord's face.  On January 14, 2014, I awoke at 4:00 a.m. to hear  "THE DAY OF THE LORD IS AT HAND."

May each of us continue IN the faith of Jesus Christ.  Without Him, nothing is possible.  With Him, we will overcome.  With Him, the gates of hell shall not prevail!