Purging the Darkness

Here lately, the Father has been teaching me about His Kingdom, spiritual authority, and even spiritual warfare.  One excellent ministry that He has used in doing this is that of Dr. Michael Lake and his wife, Mary Lake.  You can find their teachings and resources at www.kingdomintelligencebriefing.com.  They are amazing teachers, and I love the balance they have between Torah obedience and Holy Spirit leading.

But, as the past few weeks have gone on, I've found myself asking the same question many of us are probably asking, or at least have asked at some point in the past.  Why, if we have the Holy Spirit, don't we see the miracles that we should be seeing?

Yeshua's own words tell us that we will do greater works that He did, so why aren't we doing them?  Why aren't we healing at a word?  Why aren't we casting out demons?  Why aren't we causing the lame to walk and the blind to see???  Where is our power?

Moreover, why are we sick?  Why are so many of us (believers) depressed or oppressed?  Where is our freedom and deliverance?

The answers I have found in seeking out the Word of God in these matters have led me to an astoundingly simple and straight-forward understanding of the problem.  Join me in a quick study....

We understand that when Yeshua died, He reconciled us to the Father and brought us back into covenant with Him. We also understand that this makes us citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven!

"For all the promises of God in Him (Yeshua) are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the glory of God in us."

-2nd Corinthians 1:20

This verse tells us that if we are in Christ/Messiah, all the promises of God are ours!  ALL OF THEM!   That's a lot of promises.  Many of us have read books dedicated to listing those for us, and it would do us good to search the scriptures for them ourselves, so I won't try to list them here.  But stop a moment and consider what comes to mind easily.... blessed in the city, country, going out, coming in, storehouses, etc. from Deuteronomy 28, or maybe being the head and not the tail or heaven's windows being opened to us....

These are all YES and AMEN (which means "so be it") in Messiah!  They are already fulfilled in Him and rightfully ours - now, today.  But we aren't walking in them.... How do we get there?

Herein is our struggle...

We were born in this world's kingdom, the Kingdom of Darkness.  We have lived in it, learned its "truths", grown accustomed to its ways, and learned to conduct our lives in its ways/laws, etc.  It has become part of who we are.  It is in us!  In many areas, it's all we know!

So, we have entered into God's Kingdom, but we continue in many ways to live in darkness, in what we know well and are accustomed to.  But God's Kingdom is light!  It is the exact opposite of darkness!  With a new Kingdom comes a new economy and a new way of life!  Instead of sickness, we have divine health!  Instead of poverty, plenty!

Darkness (of which we were) can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  So, Yeshua washed us clean from sin and clothed us in His righteousness and granted us citizenship.  We may now enter!

BUT MANY OF US DON'T!!!!

"Know ye not, that whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"

Romans 6:16

The Kingdom of Heaven is welcoming us in, but the kingdom of darkness in trying to hang on!  Two kings, each one staking their claim!  WHOM WE OBEY, IS OUR KING!  If we obey darkness (sin), we choose that kingdom over God's.  If we choose that kingdom, we choose all that comes with it - sickness, etc.

But if we choose to obey God, we choose His Kingdom and His ways/promises!          

Every day, through our words and actions, we choose!  Many of us live one foot in and one foot out, and therefore, we don't experience the full benefits of heaven - we miss out on the promises that are ALREADY ours.  They are waiting for us in God's Kingdom!

In order to walk more fully in His Kingdom, we must purge out the darkness that is in us and choose every day to walk in light.  That light will cleanse us and fill the places that were previously dark.  The more that happens, the more we experience our promises.  It happens by the grace and power of YHWH, but we must choose.  He never forces us or restricts our free will.

I'm going to leave it at that for now.... I am excited to share much more of what I am learning with you, but I think one step at a time is best for both of us!  Allow this truth to bless you as it did me, and I will write more soon!
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 **Images courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net**

Where Religion Went Wrong - 7 - Denominationalism

“…I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine…Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are… Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hath sent me. And the glory which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world…” 

John 17:9, 11, 20-24 (condensed) – Yeshua speaking 

The very next chapter, Chapter 18, begins with Messiah being betrayed. This was His prayer for us – that we would be unified in Him and the Father, that we would be “one”.

Simple internet inquiry will show that there are a multitude of denominations of Christianity within our country and many more globally. We don’t worship together, we don’t usually work or minister together, and many times we don’t even get along! Can we even pretend that we are “one”?

Furthermore, as of recent years between 75 and 80% of our nation’s population identified themselves as being Christians. Can we look around and say that these 75% of individuals are “one” in any way? Billions of people globally are Christians, yet do we know them or minister alongside them? Are we connected? Are we “one”?

Some say that, though there are many denominations, there is still only one Body of Christ. I would agree that there is, in fact, only one Body of Christ. I would disagree, however, that these denominations are all “parts” of that Body and constitute a complete whole. I would argue, instead, that the Body of Christ is fractured, divided, and definitely dis-unified, and that it is hidden somewhere within a fractured religious system.

I would also argue that it is time for that body to be consolidated – re-unified into the force it was intended to be – a force to be reckoned with – ministering to a desperate world, healing the sick, and preaching the Gospel of Messiah!

This will not be accomplished by promoting one “right” denomination above all others. Nor will it happen by creating yet another denomination to add to the list. It will only happen when we return to the leadership of our Messiah – His ways. We must rally under the banner and Truth of scripture, the Word of YHWH! We must learn to lay down disagreements and hold ourselves only to scripture’s authority and guidance. We must “swim upstream” to properly understand that guidance, and we must learn to work together and in harmony without division and in-fighting. We must become one!

Why? Read the above passage again.

Yeshua states that His people being unified in Him would allow the world to “believe that thou hast sent me.” Isn’t that our mission? Isn’t that the message we are hoping to portray???

 In our current state, we cannot communicate that message clearly or convincingly. In fact our critics doubt that our God is the One True God exactly because of our divisions! We are hindering our most important message! And the only way to remove that specific hindrance is to tear down our walls and reconnect, re-unify!

Yeshua Himself said,

 “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” 

(Matthew 12:25) 

I do not believe the true Kingdom of YHWH is divided against itself. We, however, definitely are; and as long as we remain so, we cannot minister for His Kingdom here on earth. We pray for miracles, and we pray for souls, but in order to see our prayers answered, we must be unified in Him.

I believe a word of caution is in order. We are not seeking to only be unified with each other, but also to be unified IN Messiah and our FATHER. That is the only banner under which to rally – the True Word of YHWH. No attempts to come together under any other “authority,” “truth,” or “leadership” will be true unity as Messiah intended it. Such a movement could very easily be used by an organization, or even a single individual, to try and gain power or influence, and we should be extremely cautious of this. Not every call to unity is a call to unity in Messiah! Not everything that glitters is gold.

But as the true Body of Christ finds their way back to unity in Him, we will once again begin to see the true workings of Messiah’s church on earth! We can simply read the book of Acts to see the implications of that – thousands of souls saved at a time, the lame walking, and the dead rising! Personally, I believe we will see these things again, but first we must come together, turn back to His ways, and worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

Where Religion Went Wrong - 6 - False Authority of Another Kind

In addition to the false “authorites” that are sometimes held over scripture, we should also consider the false teachings and false structures of authority in some churches.

“But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

 –Matthew 23:8-12 

This passage, the words of Messiah Himself, tells us at least 3 things:

1. We are not to set up for ourselves titles/positions of stature.

2. We are all brethren with Messiah as our headship.

3. Leaders are to be servants of the people.

In many churches and denominations today, leaders are said to have “authority” or we are under their “headship”. In these churches, often times, this leadership exercises this authority over their congregations in unbiblical ways. It is as if there is a new structure – believer, church leadership, and then Messiah. In congregations where this is practiced, many times believers are shamed for not serving their pastors, prophets, etc. enough or for not giving them enough. Instead of leadership serving the people, the people come to serve the leadership. Those in certain positions become superstars and are often unavailable to the majority of their members.

Some are even told that anything the Father has to say to them will come through the church leaders. Many are not free to follow what the Father has placed in their hearts to do without leadership’s permission and regulation. Entire “governments” are set up, and people are the ones running the show. Often, the Bible and the Holy Spirit seem entirely absent.

But when the Bible tells us of leadership, it tells us of serving. Even Messiah Himself served us rather than asking us to serve Him.

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many’.” 

– Matthew 20:25-28 (NKJV) 

If Messiah served, and if no one can be greater than his master (John 13:16), how can we not serve one another? And how can those among us who are considered to be more mature spiritually not be better servants?

We should remember that when the Father promised us pastors, he promised they would be shepherds after His own heart (Jeremiah 3:15). I am not saying that pastors, deacons, etc. are not necessary in a group large enough to need that level of organization; but when the biblical example of servant leadership is replaced by the gentile system of “exercising authority”, we have a problem.

It is important for us, as believers, to know that the Bible places our spiritual responsibility on our own shoulders. We are told to seek YHWH, but never to seek Him through another “leader”. We are told to follow Messiah, not another “leader”. We are told to work out our own salvation “with fear and trembling” because the Father Himself works in us. (Philippians 2:12) In spite of some claims made by these leaders, our eternal souls are not in their hands! It is up to us to take spiritual responsibility for ourselves and not allow ourselves to be deceived away from the headship of our Messiah.

We will all have teachers and spiritual guidance from trusted mentors in this life. That is a necessary part of spiritual growth. However, we should beware of anyone who attempts to place themselves in an unbiblical position OVER us. Leaders are to serve. The best of them will come alongside you. The worst of them will step over you, between you and your Messiah and Father.

Where Religion Went Wrong - 5 - Scripture Under Other "Authorities"

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

 -2 Timohty 3:16-17 

Many of our denominations today have placed God’s Word underneath another authority. In some cases, this “authority” is a book, in some cases it is the church/denomination itself or its leadership. In all cases, it is WRONG.

Who could be an authority over God if, as the verse above states, it is God Himself who inspires scripture? And what more could we possibly need if it causes man to be “perfect” and “thoroughly furnished unto all good works?”

Both Old and New Testaments are full of commands and exhortations to cling to God’s Word and not let others move us away from it. Neither tells us to look toward a new revelation or that there’s “more to come” sometime down the road. Even our Messiah, of whom the Old Testament prophesied, clung to the Word of God and exhorted others to do the same. Do we not know His words?

 “He answered and said unto them, ‘Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men’. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.’” – Mark 7:6-9 (condensed)

 Not only are these the words of Messiah, but He was quoting the prophet Isaiah! These are the Father’s words speaking in a former generation to a nation who had done the same thing. Yet today, though we can read these words of rebuke to both generations, in both testaments, are we not doing the same? Should our Father who does not change (Malachi 3:6) somehow judge us differently?

Notice in the words of Messiah above that when we trade His commandments for our doctrines, our worship is in vain! We simply can not lay aside scripture in favor of another standard and still worship YHWH – no matter what we may tell ourselves!

Some groups which practice this claim that scripture has been somehow defiled or ruined and now either correction or explanation is needed. Would it not make much more sense (and be much more honoring to our Father) to travel “upstream” and derive proper meaning from purer sources if we found confusion or inaccuracy in today’s versions? We can’t fix any such problem (whether real or imagined) by disregarding His admonitions against straying from His Word. It’s both illogical and ineffective.

And some groups believe that once a man reaches a certain rank or position in the organization, his word is superior to the teachings of scripture. But scripture warns us of these men – false prophets and teachers. We are told not to follow them…

 “If there arise among you a prophet…saying, ‘Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them’; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet…for the LORD your God proveth [tests] you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice…and that prophet…shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God…to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in…” –Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (condensed, brackets mine) 

We are not to follow anyone who speaks to turn us away from “the way which the LORD thy God commanded” us to walk! We are to follow His commandments, ways, and words. None other.

Notice also, that according to this passage, this is a test from YHWH! And I’m afraid it’s a test many of us today are failing.

“Thus saith the LORD, ‘The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? And where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been’, saith the LORD: ‘but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.’” – Isaiah 66:1-2 

If we want our Father’s face turned toward us, we must come again to tremble at His Word. No other word matters. No other word pleases Him.

“But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” – 1 Peter 1:25