Tugging at His Robe

When I have a serious question for the Lord,  I find myself calling out to Him almost continually in my mind.  I find myself escaping to a quiet room in the house and bowing before Him whenever I get a chance.  I hear myself pleading, "It is not truth if it does not come from you, Lord."  It is when I speak openly and honestly to Him that He manifests Himself.  Earlier today, I sat rocking my 2 year old, who had a temperature of 102, before placing him in his baby bed for a nap.  As I rocked him, I hummed to him and began singing words that were really my continued prayer to my Lord.  I softly sang, "I won't stop tugging at your robe, Lord. Not until you speak to me."

After placing Jack down for his nap, I went to pray again - alone, in His presence. 

I posted a Facebook Note on April 19, 2014 called "Counterfeit Deception", and in the note I included this below:

If what we witness or hear is in direct contradiction to the teachings of the Bible, then we must remove ourselves from following, worshiping, and/or believing the lie - no matter what type of "supernatural" support the lie seems to bring with it, we must depart from the lie!
  In Acts, Paul encounters what "appears" to be a godly woman based on her profession or witness, but Paul, who has the Holy Spirit and knows the Word of God, understands that the damsel's words are fueled by the wrong spirit -- a spirit of divination.

Acts 16:

16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:

Notice the tell-tale clues in verse 16 alone.  Her soothsaying (fortune-telling) skills are used not to bring glory to God, but instead, are used to bring financial gain to her masters.  The Bible teaches against those who speak for financial gain and against those who have a love of money.   At the root of financial gain and love of money is greed and a  love of self - an ego that must be fed.  Beware of such persons.

17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.

Although the girl is speaking the truth regarding Paul, she is being led by the wrong spirit.  

18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

Two important areas are demonstrated here.  Paul, who is led of the Holy Spirit, performed a sign and wonder when he casts the unclean spirit OUT of this girl. The Lord performs great signs and wonders through His true children, even today!  However, where there is Truth, there is also a false imitation.  What is the difference?  Paul works by the power of God.  The girl was working by the power of darkness.  Paul set the girl free from her bondage to the dark spirit.  The girl's masters had her imprisoned by and through the wrong spirit.  

God led me to these verses in Acts regarding the damsel with the spirit of divination, the damsel who appears to be speaking the Truth, but something didn't set well with Paul.   Something about her words "grieved" Paul. I know the Lord led me to write these verses in Acts in the previous Facebook Note that I posted. Little did I know, the Lord would continue to use these same verses two more times right after I prayed very specific prayers to Him over the last month.  Oh, how His Voice brings liberty, and Truth echos when He speaks!

After seeking Him very specifically and repeatedly during the week of May 19th, He brought me to another layer of His Truth in His Word.  The Damsel with the spirit of divination was far from my mind as I sought the Lord during the May 19th week for an answer to an extremely crucial question, yet after praying, He, like only He can, brought me to a knowledge that I did not have.  By using another vessel (someone who knew nothing about my prayers to the Lord and someone who doesn't even know me), the Lord worked through that person to show me the word divination in the phrase "damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us" (Acts 16:16).  

Through this unexpected vessel, the Lord taught me that the original Greek of the word divination is Puthon, which means PYTHON.  A python is a serpent; it is a snake, but we must notice that there is not an actual, physical snake in front of Paul.  It is a woman with a spirit of imitation, deception, and cunning. This woman speaking by the spirit of a python/serpent "appears" to be speaking the truth, but Paul, by the Holy Spirit, knows that something is amiss - something is false.  He knows that the spirit of a python/serpent/divination is using her.  What does Paul do?  He casts this divination(python) spirit out of her.  "For these signs shall follow those who believe..."

Earlier this week, I was listening to a brother in the Lord speak, and something he said caught my attention, and within a day, the Lord brought me to the very same verse and point that he was making: 

Matthew 23:
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

Jesus is speaking to men who are driven by that which is false!  Even though these "serpents" and "vipers" believe themselves to be justified in their actions, Jesus addresses them for who they are. 

I continued to pray and seek Him.  I never want to presume that I know the Truth without His Spirit confirming or redirecting me.  In the end, I realize that I cannot "save me".  Only He can save us, but a "partial" belief in Him or a flawed perception of Him won't do.  Do we believe in Jesus, the Word made flesh, if we reject parts of His Truth or turn a blind eye to His Truth?  How can any of us say that we believe in Him if we are not obedient to ALL of Him.  If we distort who He is, then we do not follow Him, but instead, we follow ourselves.  We must never forget that in Revelation, many of those churches were obedient in certain areas to the Lord, but in other areas, He called them to repent.  And HE followed up those requests with consequences resulting in eternal separation from His presence.  It. Is. Serious.

So this brings me to today, again.  I have been seeking the Lord all day, in prayer, in song, in praise.  I haven't stopped tugging His robe.  Just before rocking Jack, I prayed earnestly.  While rocking Jack, I prayed/sang earnestly.  After placing Jack in his crib for a nap, I prayed earnestly.  Then, I was led to a sermon that would be coined "coincidence" by a nonbeliever.  I didn't seek it out; the sermon presented itself with God orchestrating the events as only He can.  

I listened to a few minutes of the sermon and then removed the earphones to do something else, while the sermon continued to play.  A few minutes later I placed the earphone back in my ear.  At that precise moment the preacher mentioned the "damsel" in Acts and her words while she followed Paul.  As the preacher stated, the devil had possession of this damsel with the spirit of divination.  The devil was using her in a very subtle way to bring corruption to the church of the living God.  That is what we are witnessing this very day.  The devil/python spirit is "preaching" the "gospel", using all of the right phrases to deceive many.  Satan's plan is not to bring glory to the Lord, but to subtly draw believers away from the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The woman with the spirit of divination "appeared" to be glorifying Jesus Christ, but there was a subtle difference.  The wrong spirit was driving her for the purpose of bringing about corruption to the Body of Christ.  Paul discerned the false spirit of python/divination driving her and faces and casts out that spirit.  The plan of Satan is to deceive - to bring in false teaching in order to taint that which is pure.  There are many things that have been imposed upon Christianity today that do not represent CHRIST.  And many in the church have allowed such false teachings that are led by a serpent spirit.  We must ask ourselves "IS THIS CHRIST?"  about everything that we allow INSIDE the church.  The main point of attack from this python spirit is to take something that is of Christ and replace it with something that is not of Christ - and the change is subtle.  Will the church call out and cast out the true python spirit or allow that spirit to remain while, unfortunately, chasing after things that can be seen or touched.  It's the unseen darkness infiltrating the church, and many are not willing to discern the real enemy and how he presents himself.

This revelation was precisely on time after seeking His face with such urgency these last weeks and especially today.  He has been showing me the truth in small doses for over a month.  In true fashion, He is a gentle teacher and will reveal to those who are willing to hear.  What timing of the Lord.  Who can orchestrate such events and such timing?  Only He can.  Only He.  We battle not against objects, or people, or animals, or anything else that can be seen.  This warfare is spiritual.  We battle a viper spirit that appears to be speaking truth, but is driven by none other than a principality of darkness. We are not battling the flesh in any form.  The powers of darkness have confused many who are otherwise completely devoted to the Lord.  We can't afford to be confused, and we can't afford to take part in practices that are not of God.  We simply can't.

Be on guard Body of Christ.  These days are crucial.  A line has been drawn in the sand.  When the Spirit of God beckons our hearts to listen carefully and to seek Him carefully, we are to drop everything and seek Him.  It. Is. That. Serious.  Eternity is at stake.  We are to drop our customs.  We are to drop our traditions.  We are to drop our preconceived notions.  We are to drop the very teachers (Christian teachers & any other kind of teachers) and stay at His Feet. 

Tug on His robe the way a child pulls on a mother or father's shirt, pants, or skirt.  That child doesn't stop tugging until daddy or mommy responds!  We must be like that with our Heavenly Father.  We must not stop tugging on His Robe until He speaks to His child. 

Matthew 18:
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

I truly love all who will read this and send it not to cause division but instead to shed light on what is dark.  We can't afford to be in the dark.  A city on a hill must shine forth TRUTH.  We cannot accept and we cannot practice that which is not of God.  We must patiently try the spirits.  We must study the Word of God, pray, and seek His Face.  He will answer our tugs.  He will. 

Mark 16:
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

I am reminded in verse 18 above of the other scriptures God has been showing me related directly to this concept.  As mentioned above, Jesus spoke directly to false teachers and called them serpents and vipers.  Paul spoke directly to the divination/python spirit within the damsel in order to cast out the devil that was controlling the damsel.  We must rightly divide the Word of God, and we can't do that without His Holy Spirit's teaching and revelation.

Ephesians 6:
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

While praying today, I even spoke to the Lord regarding what I believe my thorn in the flesh to be.  Do you know that at the end of the sermon I listened to the preacher spoke about the very same thorn in the flesh using Paul's thorn in the flesh as the example....  Only God can speak in such a timely manner.


I have included a link to the sermon below:

A FINAL SHAKING

Don't Bow - No Matter What!

When the masses are told to bow to the evil customs of the world or face death, we must ask ourselves :

Will I stand for the Lord no matter the consequences? 

Will I stand for HIS Truth even if my job is threatened? 

Will I stand for His Truth even when friends depart from me? 

Will I stand for His Truth even if family disowns me?

Will I stand for His Truth even if people talk about me behind my back? 

As in the Old Testament, when the music plays, will I bow to the ground like so many others who worship lies? 

Will I allow fear to silence the Truth that is in me? 

Will I stand for the Truth even when the crowd of people are yelling, "Crucify her or Crucify him!"?  

This is perhaps the most important question:  HAVE YOU ALREADY BOWED?  And  convinced yourself that you haven't.  

Are you going along with others because "God knows my heart, and I am trying to show love." 

 We can deceive ourselves and allow our hearts to be hardened, but we will never deceive the Lord.Only by abiding in HIS vine can we overcome - it is by His power.  

We must choose to carry our cross - daily. 

Understand that the people in the world will hate you if you do not take part in their lies. 

Be prepared for such things.  Be prepared and put on the whole armor of God! 

 

Jesus said, "Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice" (John 18:37). 

 Which voice do you hear and follow?  The world's or the Lord's...

 

Will you stand tall when others bow to sin?

 

Click here to read an important and timely message. 

Falling Away from the Faith

We must never forget the subtle serpent in Genesis who "innocently" convinced Eve to sin against God.  I would say very few believers wake up in the morning and say, "Today, I will step farther away from God. Today is the day I will not continue in the faith." 

Believing hearts are gradually hardened.  The voice of the Spirit is gradually quenched.  The oil gradually empties from the lamp.    Seemingly "harmless" and "small" decisions occur on a daily basis in the lives of all believers.  Those who once listened intently for the Holy Spirit's leading may find themselves listening more intently to friends, to radio, to TV, to self, to pride, etc.  Actions that were once considered unthinkable have now become "okay."  Believers who once couldn't wait to gather or assemble with other believers have slowly found themselves without the desire to even walk through the doors of God's sanctuary.  Believers who once only sang songs of praise now find themselves singing the latest country or rap song.  Believers who once walked out of the room when inappropriate jokes were being told now find themselves laughing the loudest.  Believing hearts are hardened gradually.  The Spirit will knock and will attempt to show those who are on the verge of falling away their error.  However, will the hardened heart be penetrated?  Will repentance follow, or will denial and pride rise up in opposition?  We are living during very deceptive times; may we not fall away from the only One who can keep us safe. 

Hebrews Chapter 6:
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.

verse 4 - partakers - metochos - participant i.e. a sharer; by implication, an associate
verse 6 - fall away - parapipto - to fall aside i.e. to apostatize

Very clearly, the inspired speaker of Hebrews is addressing BELIEVERS, not unbelievers.  He speaks of those who have been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and most profoundly, those who have partaken (a participant, sharer, associate) of the Holy Ghost.  He explains that if those who are a “sharer” in the Holy Ghost fall away, then those people are lost.  They were once found - “partakers of the Holy Ghost” - but they chose to fall away, resulting in rejection, “whose end is to be burned” - they are thus lost.  If they had continued in Christ, in faith, in obeying the Holy Spirit, they would have enjoyed eternal life.   These described above have already been renewed (made new) --Notice that the speaker uses the phrase "renew them again." These verses teach that they were once followers, but fell away. 

Hebrews 10:
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
    wilfully- hekousios - voluntarily

        In verse 26, the word “we” is used to indicate all believers (one who has received the truth). The writer of Hebrews is including himself within this example. If a believer wilfully sins, that “once believer” is no longer cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

     Taking what is holy and treating it as unholy is unforgivable.  

     despite - enubrizo - to insult
     sanctified - hagiazo - to make holy, i.e. purify or consecrate

     Verse 29 acknowledges that the  believer who willfully sins was sanctified or made holy.  The word was indicates past tense.  Therefore, a person can     be sanctified with the Spirit of grace; however, when one insults the Spirit, the unforgivable has occurred.
It is by the Holy Spirit that a believer is led into all truth; therefore, one who insults that Spirit and  His teaching will not be forgiven.   

30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Jesus reveals in His Word that there is ONE sin that will not be forgiven.  

Matt 12:31
31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

Therefore, one who denies the Holy Spirit and does “despite to the Spirit of Grace” will not be forgiven.  We must never forget that Paul provides a precise definition of grace and its role in a believer’s life:

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2: 11-14).

When one does not heed or follow the teaching of the Holy Spirit of grace, that person has committed the unforgivable sin.  We must remember that the Lord, through His Spirit, will chastise and instruct a believer, but the believer has a choice as to whether he or she will be exercised or trained by the chastisement or whether one will sell one’s birthright in the same manner Esau did.  We cannot say we read in these verses (Hebrews 10: 26-31) that it is rare for one to “wilfully” sin and to do “despite [insult] unto the Spirit of grace.”  What we do see in Hebrews 10 is a very straightforward illustration and warning against this behavior.  In fact, in verse 9, believers are told not to forsake the assembling of themselves together, for such is needed in order to exhort one another in the Word and in awareness that the day of Christ is coming.