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What Remains!/Honor!/My Witnesses! By Pastor Bill Taylor A publication of My Father's House, inc. Volume 12/ Issue 3 But it’s for those for whom it’s prepared by My Father. (Mt20:23b) Nobody prayed me into my calling. Everyone I knew who claimed to be a “christian” at the time Christ raised me up hated what I’m doing. They sure didn’t pray for God to make me do it! They didn’t decide, “Let’s pray for Bill Taylor to become an apostle and to write the books that are going to expose our hypocrisy and start a Spiritual revolution in the ‘churches.’” You can’t pray that way about someone like me, because a calling like mine has to be given; it’s comparable to the seats at Jesus’ right and left hands. Jesus says these are prepared by My Father. They’ve been foreordained from the foundations of the earth. “Christians” can’t ask for these seats. They’re given to people selected by God before the world was made! Who’s saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. (2Tim1:9) The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I’ve been established from everlasting, from the beginning, before there was ever an earth. (Pr8:22,23) You can pray for someone to become a Christian, you can pray for them to be obedient, you can pray for them to be fruitful, because these are things that everyone should be. But there are special callings only God gives and you can’t pray someone into such a calling unless you’re being led by the Spirit and God has already ordained that person to fulfill that call. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” (Jer1:5) But to be like Jesus, As He is so are we in this world, (1Jn4:17) and to walk in Him is expected of every believer. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. (Col 2:6) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Col 1:28) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Phil 1:21) What does it mean “for me to live is Christ?” How much of Christ is expressed in your everyday life? “For me to live is Christ” should be the testimony of every real Christian, but to belong to Christ in that way you must be crucified to your passions and desires. Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh. (Gal 5:24) “If we die with Him we’ll live with Him.” (2Tim2:11) You can have the life of Christ only insofar as you’ve put to death the flesh. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you... For if you live according to the flesh you’ll die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you’ll live. (Rom8:11,13) Only those who’ve overcome the flesh are really Christ’s. (Gal 5:24) I’m crucified with Christ, I don’t live anymore. (Gal 2:20) I’ve given my life up and the life I live now is the life of Christ. This is the behavior characteristic of the elect. If you want to believe you’re elect, then you must behave like you’re elect. If you claim to be one of God’s elect then the characteristics of the elect are what you must demonstrate. To be known as a dancer, you have to dance. If you say you’re a singer, you better be able to sing. You can only be called a mathematician, if you know how to do calculus. If you want people to believe you’re a mechanic, you’d better be able to fix engines. Likewise, if we’re to receive you as one of God’s elect, you must behave like a son of God! To make your election sure find out how an elect person behaves and do likewise. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you’ll never stumble. (2Pt1:10) The behavior Peter is encouraging is to add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. (vs5-7) This is the behavior of the elect. And why would anyone in “My Father’s House” not believe they’re elect. You’re here! Would God allow you such an opportunity to be instructed in how the elect behave if He weren’t calling you to election? The bible teaches us anyone can call upon God to be saved. For the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Rom10:12,13) Salvation is an open door to the whole world. (Jn3:17) But “salvation” and election are the same thing. To be “saved” you must be of the elect! Therefore to call upon the name of the Lord to save you, you must be calling upon Him to make you one of His elect! And that means you’re calling on Him to change your behavior, that you’ll no longer behave as a lost sinner but now like a “son of God.” Do you not know that the unrighteous won’t inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1Cor6:9-11) If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead then you’ll be saved. (Rom10:9) Because if you can believe in your heart Christ was raised, then you can also believe for God to raise you into a new life in Christ. But God, who’s rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you’ve been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Eph2:4-6) If you believe you’ve received “salvation” then you must have received Jesus and be raised with Him. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who doesn’t have the Son of God doesn’t have life. (1Jn5:11,12) To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27) If Christ is in me I’m going to behave like Him. (1Jn2:6;Col 2:6) And that’s what the specifics of “for me to live is Christ” are about! Your behavior proves you’re Christ’s. Can anyone look at you and say for you to live is Christ? When I look at Sarah, I can see her passion to serve the Lord. Then “for her to live is Christ.” In everything she does she’s focused on pleasing the Lord. Even when she was sharing about how the Lord gave her some books to help her computer coding, the Spirit came upon her and she became very broken. And that indicates God is pleased with her that the Spirit can come on her like that. It also indicates God has called her to this Internet work and it’s going to really grow, because God wouldn’t be preparing her otherwise. So I’m seeing a big future in the Internet for “My Father’s House.” Because God’s training this young lady for something that’s going to increase and continue even years from now and it’s going to be huge by the time she gets into the fullness of her calling! So, in Sarah we can see “for her to live is Christ,” but concerning some of you we can’t see that yet. We can’t see it because you can’t see it. If you could see it we could see it. Translating “for me to live is Christ” into the specific activities of your daily life is what you need to do. For example, can you demonstrate Christ is in you in your helping with household needs? How can you do all to the glory of God without consciously being aware you’re serving God? Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1Cor10:31) And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you’ll receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:23,24) There are things you know you’re going to do everyday but there are other opportunities that just appear along the way. You see a nail in the road and pick it up so someone doesn’t get a flat tire. There’s no law that said to do that except the law of love. (Jms2:8) It’s not an everyday occurrence. You’re doing the dishes and you notice it’s getting messy behind the sink. You don’t leave it for mother to clean up; you clean it up. When you’re doing things to the glory of God and Christ is in you, you don’t leave things undone. When you see something that needs to be done you do it and do it well and don’t leave it for someone else. Therefore, to him who knows to do good and doesn’t, to him it’s sin. (Jms4:17) You must do more than the minimum. Go the extra mile! (Mt5:41) Do things in such a way that God can smile on you and say, “Well done!” (Mt25:23) That’s the way we must be in everything, that we do all as unto the Lord. Not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service as to the Lord and not to men. (Eph6:6,7) Because we do well, we get joy. But when you don’t do well there’s no reward. God’s not happy, your superiors aren’t pleased, you aren’t happy and there’s no joy. Everyday in “My Father’s House” you must come prepared to bless the brethren. If you were Jesus, “for me to live is Christ!” do you think He’d ever come to church unprepared to edify His brethren. Would He ever come empty? Then if you’re elect, letting Christ live in you, and able to say “for me to live is Christ” it’s certain you’ll be praying from your heart, “Father God, I must receive a testimony, a revelation, something that will truly help the brethren grow up in Jesus. Please, help me be a blessing in tonight’s service.” It’s primarily in our assembling together that we must minister to one another till we all come to the stature of the fullness of the Son of Man. (Eph4:12-16) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb10:24,25) The most important and opportune place where you can bear much fruit is when we gather together in church everyday. It’s here you can most effectually (Eph4:16) participate in helping Jesus fulfill the scriptures to bring forth the glorious church. (Eph5:25-27) Jesus will have a bride He can take pleasure in. And if you have it in your heart “for me to live is Christ” that will be on your heart too everyday. “For me to live is Christ” is an expression of the faith that, it’s God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13) We know about pruning; “those who are fruitful the Father will prune so they’ll bring forth more fruit.” (Jn15:2) We’ve been warned about the shakings; Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which can’t be shaken may remain. (Heb12:27) When God closes the doors on something fruitful our proper attitude is it’s God’s pruning. “I’m the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that doesn’t bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (Jn15:1,2) Most believers think of prunings as God cutting off fleshly things, like secular works or entertainments that we may have more time for Spiritual things. But God will also prune off religious involvements that are less fruitful, in favor of more fruitful ones. Not that we’re unfruitful, He’s pruning because we are fruitful. And His prunings are designed to establish us in the areas where the most valuable fruit is. So let’s not be distracted even by religious things that aren’t the greater fruit God’s looking for. Many of you in “My Father’s House” have had a problem with being focused only on our local church and not interceding for the worldwide ministry. God isn’t limiting the great Truths we’re sharing to a few Florida prisons. For Christ’s church to attain to her glory, a worldwide move into Spiritual Christianity has to take place. Do you think I’m called to a few prisons or the world? God’s prunings will get rid of anything that interferes with us getting His Truth to the world. One thing we must learn about these prunings is when something is cut off and we can’t do that anymore then we must apply ourselves to the things that remain with even more diligence. John Bunyan, the author of Pilgrim’s Progress, was anointed by God to be a preacher, but the wicked Anglican church and government in England forbid anyone who didn’t graduate from their “church” schools to preach. So they arrested him for ministering without a license. Every time they let him out of prison he’d continue to preach, so they’d lock him up again. He never had a church. He never had a congregation that followed him and clung to him. But at every opportunity he always did what he could for Jesus. When he was in prison he could write. So he wrote, and he wrote, and he wrote. Today his books constitute some of the best Christian literature outside of the scriptures. In other words, John didn’t waste time mourning over what he didn’t have – but he used what he had. Being imprisoned he was cut off from having a church like “My Father’s House” which I’m sure he’d have loved to pastor. He never attained to that, but if he had we may never have received these wonderful books that he wrote. God allowed the wicked Anglicans to cut off what John Bunyan desired to do even though it was seemingly a good Christian work. But God knew it was more fruitful to keep John writing. Doing what God wanted him to do was of worldwide importance. And He said to me, “You’re My servant, O Israel, in whom I’ll be glorified.” Then I said, “I’ve labored in vain, I’ve spent my strength for nothing and in vain; yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, and my work with my God.” And now the LORD says, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and My God shall be My strength), indeed He says, “It’s too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I’ll also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Is49:3-6) It’s in the pattern of how God dealt with Christ for Him to allow what may seem to be our main calling and ministry to be crucified, that He may raise our work up to an even higher and greater purpose. If you’re a true disciple of Christ when God prunes, you’ll listen to the Christ in you and He’ll lead you to give yourself even more to the things that remain. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. (Rev3:2a) The church in Sardis had allowed things to die, so those things were cut off by their own failures, not by God. Yet it’s still God’s wisdom to “strengthen the things that remain.” And when God is cutting things off the things that remain are the things He still wants you to do, so we must focus even more strongly on them. God isn’t in the things He’s cut off. But He’s in the things that remain because the things which aren’t shaken, are the things which are of God. But now He’s promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.” Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which can’t be shaken may remain. (Heb12:26,27) A couple days ago a piece of plastic broke off my electric garage door opener and the next time I tried to open the garage the door jammed. I tried to fix it myself, but it kept jamming, so I called a repairman. He said he’d come between 12 and 4 PM, and of course he came at 4 PM. During those four hours I was waiting for him, I finished writing a Glory of His Grace book. God has permitted something to keep me “in prison” at home for the afternoon, so am I going to complain about it or am I going to use the time wisely? See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (Eph5:15,16) The point is when God, even in a small way, closes a door or locks you out of something do you fret and get vexed or do you turn to the thing you can still do for God and do it. What door is open? Go to that. What are you able to do? Do that. Now as a glory to God when the repairman did arrive he made some remarks that convinced me he wasn’t going to fix my garage door opener but try to sell me a new one. This wasn’t agreeable to me because all that was needed was an inexpensive plastic part. I’ve got a good garage door opener, everything works except this broken plastic part. But that’s what he did. He said, “We can’t replace that part. They don’t make them anymore – but for $350 I’ll install a new garage door opener for you.” And I said, “No, thank you.” Then God showed me something I could do to fix it myself that cost me nothing. I just put a hose clamp on the broken pieces of plastic and bonded them back together. So the whole incident worked out for good. Fixing the garage door opener cost me nothing, everything is working fine again; and I finished an important Glory of His Grace book! What do you think God was intending all along? Fruit. And whatever’s going on in your life, if you’ll just look for the place where you can do something, you’ll get the fruit. Stop looking at what you can’t do and do what you can. That’s Christ in you. Prophecy: In the world, I was a light to the glory of My Father, so I’ve sent you into the world to be lights, to be as a city set on a hill. I’ve lit a lamp in this place, in “My Father’s House,” and I’ll cause My light to shine here awesomely that all nations will see it. I’ve lit a lamp in your pastor Bill Taylor. I’ve made him a light, and I’ll cause My light in him to shine brighter and brighter. I won’t stop shining through him until he fulfills all My purpose. For he’s been brought forth a light and you’ve been brought forth as lights and My purpose is to shine in this world through “My Father’s House.” For the world will see the light of My glorious Truth! And all the light and glory needed for that will be given and more so until the nations see My light in what I’ve given you, saith the Lord. Prophecy: Come out from among them and be separate and I’ll be a Father to you and you’ll be My sons and daughters. I didn’t say, come out from among them and be the same. If you come out from among them, but you behave the same as if you were among them then how can anyone see you aren’t still among them? How can anyone distinguish a difference between you and them if you continue to say the same things, do the same things, and behave in the same ways as they do. I say concerning the unbelievers, don’t be like them. There must be a difference between My people and unbelievers, but I also tell you don’t be like the false brethren. There’s an awesome difference between the true church and the false, and that difference must be apparent, distinctive, and very visible so those who are searching for Me in Truth can see the difference plainly! And if you’re no different from those who you come out from then what can I do with you that’s different from what I do with them. I can only do different things because you’re a different people; because you’re a people who do things differently than they do, because you’re a people who truly hear and obey Me, who follow Me, honor Me, and glorify Me. Because you must not only glorify Me with your lips as the false “christians” do, but you must glorify Me from the heart and in deed. And this is the people that I’ll distinguish as My own. This is the people to whom I’ll give the keys to My Kingdom. And this is the people who I’ll be a Father to, and who’ll be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord. (Prophecies delivered at “My Father’s House”) Honor! A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I’m the Father, where’s My honor? (Mal 1:6) How little do most people understand the word “honor” let alone the things that pertain to “honoring God.” And what are you doing to honor God? Is there a difference between honoring God and glorifying Him? We’ll see that there is. The words are similar in some ways, but there’s a difference. Pray for us; for we’re confident we’ve a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. (Heb13:18) Do you desire to live honorably? Do you understand what it means to live honorably? Abishai… lifted up his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three (men). Of the three he was more honored than the other two. Therefore he became their captain. However he didn’t attain to (the honor of) the first three. (1Chr11:20-21) Benaiah was the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who’d done many deeds. He killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also killed a lion in a pit on a snowy day. And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. In the Egyptian’s hand was a spear like a weaver’s beam; and he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among the three mighty men. Indeed he was more honored than the thirty, but he didn’t attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard. (1Chr11:22-25) It’s easy to see why these men are honored, and why there’s a ranking in their honor. They’re warriors and as in any profession the one who’s best at what he does should be most honored. So honor is given to each in proportion to his deeds, and that honor includes leadership positions. Glory, however is often given because of the position one holds without being related to deeds. There’s some crossover here. Of course, you can get glory from doing a good thing. But honorable behavior is what makes one worthy to attain to a position where glory is usually what goes with the position as a man can be born a glorious king, but he has to become an honorable king. And he becomes an honorable king by living honorably and doing things that men would say are worthy of commendation. Now as children of God, we must live honorably in order to honor our Father. And we must live honorably to be counted worthy of the Kingdom and the glorious position God has prepared for His saints. But is God your Father? If then I’m the Father, where’s My honor? (Mal 1:6) Why does a father deserve honor? Modern America is a very licentious nation, and the biblical moral standards of ancient times are unknown to most people today. In the times of Malachi marriages were usually “arranged.” For you to have a father meant your father decided he wanted a family. He prepared himself to be a father. He worked until he was capable of supporting a family. He then arranged to take a wife. He usually had to show the family of the bride he could take care of her financially and perhaps he even had to purchase her with money or service, as Jacob with Leah and Rachel. (Gen29:18) And when a man marries in such cases he usually marries for the purpose of having children. So his children can always look up to him and say, “I’m here because you chose to have me. You prepared a place for me. You put yourself through great expense, effort and trouble, because you wanted to bring me forth. Now you deserve honor for what you’ve done in bringing me into this world.” In modern society, much has been lost concerning these things that pertain to honor. Your father deserves honor because he’s begotten you and if he’s anything like the biblical fathers, he did it on purpose. It wasn’t an accident. But one thing for sure, your heavenly Father did all these things too, and even more. In choosing to bring you forth, He made every preparation and fully provided all that was needed to make a suitable place for you. And because of the things He’s done on your behalf, He deserves honor. The bible teaches us “to give honor to whom honor is due.” (Rom13:7) There are people who deserve honor because of what they’ve done. David’s mighty men have done courageous deeds that distinguish them as being worthy of honor. And because of the things they’ve done, David put them in positions of authority because honor and authority should go hand in hand. It’s a terrible thing to put a dishonorable person in a position of authority. He’ll abuse his authority and oppress people. Remember how Haman used his high office to try to destroy the Jews? (Est3:8,9) And in more recent times there was Hitler! It’s good to put an honorable person in a high position since he’s proven by his behavior to be worthy of it. See how Joseph (Gen41:39,40), Daniel (Dan6:3) and Mordecai (Est8:2) were all honored with high positions. One of the common rewards of honor is to be placed in a position of authority. His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I’ll make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Mt25:21) How does this relate to the Kingdom of God? Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (2Pt1:3b) Jesus has called the saints who “endure” to reign with Him in glory. (2Tim2:10) But in order that we be worthy of the high position He’s purposed for us, we must prepare by living honorably now. Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. (Heb13:18) Consider the parable of the talents. Because one has served well and multiplied his talents, Jesus will let him reign over ten cities. (Lk19:17) If you deserve honor for what you’ve done, God will reward you. The true saints will enter into the Kingdom of God because they’ve lived honorably, brought glory to God and done things as have distinguished them. They’ll be rewarded according to the honor they deserve. Who “will render to each one according to his deeds:” eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; (Rom2:6,7) When God tells us to give honor to whom honor is due, it’s certain He’ll also honor His own according to what they deserve? Sarah has done many things which have distinguished her amongst the young people in “My Father’s House.” It’s right to give her honor, and all of our young people should be doing similar things. But in the same manner God is going to honor the honorable; He’ll dishonor and shame those who behave dishonorably towards Him. “Those who honor Me I’ll honor, but those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.” (1Sam2:30) Sarah’s honoring God. How’s she doing that? She’s serving Him as well as she can in everything that’s available to her and also preparing to serve Him better. You look at her life and you know this young lady believes in God. Some of you, when we look at your lives you behave as though there’s no God. You give lip service to Him, but your hearts are far from Him. (Is29:13) That’s how Jesus described the false church in His day (Mt15:8) And it’s no different today. They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work. (Tit1:16) It means nothing to say “God exists” if your actions don’t back up your words. But without faith it’s impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe He is, and that He’s a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb11:6) If you believe God exists and rewards diligent seekers you’d be seeking Him diligently. Your actions would be consistent with your belief! You must honor God in a way that’s real, not by just saying things but by living in such a way that you’re dedicated to serving Him? One way to honor someone is to serve them. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you he’ll make him ruler over all his goods.” (Mt24:45-47) Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you, he’ll gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. (Lk12:37) Since God is the highest authority and the most deserving of honor, with what could you honor Him more than by dedicated and faithful service. When Ahasuerus wanted to honor Mordecai, what did he do? That night the king couldn’t sleep. So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. And it was found written that Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who’d sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus. Then the king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” (Est6:1-3) Mordecai had done something noble in saving the king’s life from wicked men. But he hasn’t been honored for doing this and that’s wrong. Thus King Ahasuerus says, “What honor has he been given?” And when it’s found that Mordecai hasn’t been honored the king decides to straighten this out. So he asks Haman, “What should I do to honor the man whom I delight to honor?” And Haman, a very proud man, and thinking the king wanted to honor him, considers the highest honor is to be exalted publicly. So Haman answers, “Let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head. Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor. Then parade him on horseback through the city square.” (Est6:8,9) When the king let’s you ride his horse and wear his robe in public, what’s he saying? He’s showing he esteems you as a brother. How very close is one to him that he’d even share his horse and clothing with him! How do you think God will honor the saints? Whose robe will we wear? What kind of horse are we to ride? (Rev19:8,14) Whose crest will be on that horse? We’re to be arrayed in the same glory Jesus has; the same Spirit, the same robe. And the glory which You gave Me I’ve given them, that they may be one just as We are one: (Jn17:22) God is honoring His saints by giving us the things that belong to Jesus. Now we’ve received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who’s from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1Cor2:12) Right now I’m showing you things Jesus has shown me; and God is honoring you by letting you see them. If you’re children (not merely servants) in the house of your Father, everything in the Father’s house is available to you. (Jn8:35) God will honor His true children, but His children of course, must honor Him first. Vashti’s position as queen is taken from her because of her disobedience which dishonors the king. This very day the noble ladies of Persia and Media will say to all the king’s officials that they’ve heard of the behavior of the queen. Thus there’ll be excessive contempt and wrath. (Est1:18) So the king put Vashti away. And let the king give her royal position to another who’s better than she. When the king’s decree which he’ll make is proclaimed throughout all his empire (for it is great), all wives will honor their husbands, both great and small. (vs19,20) A similar incident happens with David. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” (2Sam6:20) Michal has dishonored David with her insolent speech. So David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I’ll play music before the LORD. And I’ll be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you’ve spoken, by them I’ll be held in honor.” Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death. (vs21-23) David can’t honor Michal after she’s dishonored him. So as Ahasuerus did with Vashti, David puts Michal away. Having no children is a dishonor to Michal. And a church that dishonors God will have no true children of God either. I won’t have mercy on her children, for they’re the children of harlotry. (Hos2:4) No birth, no pregnancy, and no conception! Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up; they shall bear no fruit. Yes, were they to bear children, I’d kill the darlings of their womb. (Hos9:11,16) If you want God to honor you, honor Him. (1Sam2:30) But the olive tree said to them, “Should I cease giving my oil, with which they honor God and men, and go to sway over trees?” (Jdg9:9) How does oil honor God and man? What’s more expensive, cooking oil or milk? Skin lotion or orange juice? Oil is more expensive, it’s costly, and in those days particularly it was difficult to produce. You don’t get much oil from a single olive. You have to crush them by the thousands to get even a few cups of oil. And what’s the value of oil? One value of cooking oil is you can’t make pastry without it. A piecrust will become hard as crackers unless you add oil to the recipe. Oil makes many foods more palatable. Oil is also the foundation to most perfumes. You can’t get the flowery scent to last unless you put it in oil. Oil makes your face shine, makes your hair shine. The bible considers one who’s “anointed with oil” to be particularly blessed. Scripturally oil is often symbolic for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. And remember Elisha’s miracle with the oil that paid the widows debt! (2Kng4:3) Oil is precious. And yes oil was also the fuel for the lamps in biblical days. Oil gives light. So oil is expensive, rare, precious and useful. Then in giving a gift to an important person, oil can be appropriate. To honor someone it’s quite acceptable to give them oil. When anointing a priest or a king aren’t they being honored? And how are they anointed? A prophet pours oil over them. To honor God you must worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Since oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and bread a symbol for God’s Word and God’s Word is Truth, (Jn17:17) to worship God in Spirit and Truth is like saying you must worship God with oil and bread. Your offering must be of God’s Word, anointed by the Spirit or it won’t be acceptable. Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God. (Heb9:14) Every work you do for God must be done through the Spirit. It must be anointed with oil. If you want to honor God in song you must sing with the Spirit, there must be an anointing on your song. If you’re sharing a testimony it must be anointed. When I rebuke one of the brethren for praying an unacceptable prayer it’s because they don’t have oil in their offering. If your teaching, your testimony or your prayer has no anointing (oil) it’s useless. Even when people brought their grain offering in the Old Testament they were required to bring oil with it. (Lev6:15,21) Animal sacrifices, of course, have their own oil – the fat! (Lev3:9-11) You can’t bring an offering to God without bringing oil, because everything must be offered through the Spirit. If you don’t bring oil you’re not giving God the honor that’s due Him. You know you need to glorify God in the church service everyday. By those who approach Me I must be regarded as holy, and before all the people I must be glorified. (Lev10:3) So to glorify God you must bring some holy oil and holy oil is very costly and rare. When you come before your heavenly Father, the Almighty God, He deserves to be honored with rare and costly things; not with cheap, profane, repetitious sharings. Even in the secular world if you keep doing the same thing over and over you’ll soon lose your audience. The only way some repetitious “preachers” can keep preaching is they move from “church” to “church” to get a new audience; you either need a new sermon or a new audience. We don’t have a new audience in “My Father’s House.” We have the same audience every time we meet! So you can’t keep bringing the same sharings, the same prayers and the same testimonies. Unlike a “traveling evangelist” who can preach the same sermon in a different town every night for years, I’ve preached a new sermon in “My Father’s House” every night for over 12 years. I’m bringing something fresh, something different every time. I’m honoring my Father and before all the people He’s being glorified! I’m also honoring you by bringing a fresh message, fresh oil, to you every night. I receive that oil by spending time seeking the Spirit, praying in faith, drawing near to God in order to bring in something befitting God’s honor, that’s truly edifying to the brethren. That’s also what you must do if you desire to come to church with something befitting God’s honor and useful to the brethren. Should I cease giving my oil, with which they honor God and men? (Jdg9:9) How can you come to church without oil to honor God and the brethren? True saints always do honorable things. I desire to live honorably in all things (Heb13:18) One of the ways to live honorably is to honor God; always making sure He gets the honor He deserves. “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I’m the Father, where’s My honor? And if I’m a Master, where’s My reverence?” says the LORD of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, “In what way have we despised Your name?” “You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, ‘In what way have we defiled You?’ By saying, ‘The table of the LORD is contemptible.’ And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” says the LORD of hosts. (Mal 1:6-8) Defiled food includes twisted scriptures, rehashed sermons, heartless repetitious prayers, meaningless testimonies, doctrines of demons. “But now entreat God’s favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by your hands, will He accept you favorably?” says the LORD of hosts. “Who is there even among you who’d shut the doors, (close the church) so you’d not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you,” says the LORD of hosts, “Nor will I accept an offering from your hands. For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations,” says the LORD of hosts. (Mal 1:9-11) If you want God to be pleased with you, you must bring gifts that are worthy of Him. Can you do that? It’s not impossible, but it isn’t easy as though you can do this automatically. You have to make a real effort or what you do won’t honor God, in fact it’s an honor to God that you regard Him as being worthy of the effort. The bible teaches us we must honor men also. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. (Rom13:7) Some of you children don’t even make an effort to honor your earthly father and mother, which is one of God’s greatest commandments. (Eph6:2) Your father and mother are sustaining your physical life if not your Spiritual! Your church father, pastor is shepherding you in salvation. Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. (Heb13:17) Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of what? Double honor! Especially those who labor in the Word and doctrine. (1Tim5:17) Laboring in the Word and doctrine is something you all know I do. But I don’t even think I’m getting single honor yet; let alone double! What does double honor mean? Most of what I’ve experienced hasn’t even been honor! If I have to chasten the church virtually every time we come together I’m not being honored, nor is God! Obedience is honor! Disobedience is disrespect! And from what I’ve experienced outside this church most of that hasn’t been honor either. But because God said let the elders who rule well be worthy of double honor, if I don’t get honor here I’ll get it somewhere else. God always keeps His promises and always balances His books. So if I’m worthy of double honor God has it for me somewhere, because God’s Word can’t fail. However, it would behoove you to fulfill this scripture yourselves. But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses… by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; (2Cor6:4,8) Are you concerned about God’s honor? You can’t come to church lazy, insouciant, having done virtually nothing to bring forth an offering worthy of God and then expect you’ll be found acceptable. You’d better consider how deserving of honor God is, and how you ought to behave when you come to His house. (1Tim3:15) In the parable of the talents the unprofitable servant greatly dishonored his master by bringing forth no increase. (Mt25:26,27) It was a grievous insult to give him back only what he’d given in the first place. What? I’m to be satisfied to get back what I gave? You’ve done nothing! You haven’t served me at all! That’s why the unprofitable servant is called “wicked” and cast into outer darkness. (vs30) He terribly dishonored his master. When the queen of Sheba came to Solomon she brought extraordinary gifts; precious stones, gold, spices in abundance as had never been seen before in Israel! (1Kng10:10) Why? Because Solomon was the greatest king in the earth and even a notable queen dared not come before him without honoring him. So how much more should we honor God. Honor the LORD with your possessions (substance), and with the firstfruits of all your increase. (Pr3:9) Of course, a queen would be expected to bring a gift appropriate to her stature. As even today each of us is expected to give in accordance with our ability. (Mt25:15) Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. (Act11:29) For if there’s first a willing mind, it’s accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he doesn’t have. (2Cor8:12) The widow can give two mites and it’s very honorable because she’s giving all she has; (Mk12:42) but for a queen to give so little would be an insult. The giver must bring enough to impress the recipient that what’s being given is costing him much. The Queen of Sheba honors Solomon by the greatness of her expenditure, which demonstrates her willing self denial that he may be blessed. Look how much honor was given to Jesus when a woman took of her most precious thing, an alabaster flask, and poured it upon Him. (Mt26:7-13) To this woman that was as costly as any gift the queen of Sheba brought to Solomon. And that’s why Jesus was honored by it. How much you’re honoring someone is demonstrated in how much it costs you to honor them. Prophecy: After the queen of Sheba honored Solomon with costly and precious treasures King Solomon returned honor unto her with gifts far beyond her expectations – she found in King Solomon more wisdom and virtue than she’d been told of or expected. And I tell you, when you honor Me, as you’ve seen My servant Bill who’s honored Me with everything he has, according to the ability that’s been given him, then I’ll give you honor as I’ve honored him with revelations of My Spirit and outpourings of My anointing. Likewise when you honor Me according to your ability I’ll give you increase and bless you with honors according to My ability, thus saith the Lord. (Prophecy delivered at “My Father’s House”) Talk is cheap! It doesn’t cost much to praise God with your lips. But to truly honor Him with your substance costs! And the degree to which He’s honored by you is related to how much you’re willing to sacrifice for Him. It doesn’t cost anything to glorify God in word. It does cost much to truly honor God with your substance, and God is worthy of such honor. It’s good to talk about His deeds, to glorify Him, praise Him, worship Him and all those things. But to fully honor God, some things must come out of your treasury. Real honor comes out of your blood, your service; your finances; things that cost. And that makes honor a very special virtue. “Those who honor Me, I will honor,” saith the Lord. (1Sam2:30) And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. (Rev21:24,25) So the nations are doing what the queen of Sheba did, bringing costly gifts to honor God. And if the nations are to bring their honor to God then what should we His people who He’s saving be bringing to Him now? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom12:1,2) It’s your reasonable service to be a living sacrifice to God because that’s the honor He deserves, that you’d give yourself completely for the One who gave Himself completely for you. And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2Cor5:15) My Witnesses!Prophecy: There are many who think they know Me when they don’t. They look into My Word and see My promises like “if you ask anything in My name I’ll do it.” And they think they can gather many people like themselves together to pray and they’ll be heard for their much speaking. They think they can twist My arm and cause Me to do their will according to the promises in My Word. Yet they don’t understand that My promises are given only to those who abide in Me, only to those who know Me in the Spirit and do My will continually. But they don’t abide and they don’t do My will and yet they try to use My name and My promises to accomplish their own will. And because they don’t know Me they’re false witnesses who teach others My promises are available to them in ways they’re not. So many are seeking My help through such means and their means don’t work. It’s a sad thing when someone must discover what doesn’t work the hard way. These have to be hurt by their failures because I can’t back up what’s not of Me. If a million so called christians claim it’s of Me but it’s not I won’t back it up. I warn you, you must be sure the things you believe are Truth. You must be sure My promises belong to you and truly they only belong to those who know Me; to those who serve Me from the heart, who love Me from the heart, who put Me first in their lives. These only are the ones whose prayers I hear and answer. I’ll answer the prayer of the one who knows Me and ignore the prayers of thousands who claim to know Me but don’t. This is the lesson, to know Me is eternal life but many who claim to know Me don’t. If you want eternal life you must know Me. If you want to take hold of My promises and be a true witness of My grace you must get to know Me first, saith the Lord. (Prophecy delivered at “My Father’s House”) Fear not, for I’ve redeemed you; I’ve called you by name; you’re Mine. When you pass through the waters, I’ll be with you; and through the rivers, they’ll not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you’ll not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. (Is43:1,2) This is a favorite scripture even of false “christians” but consider the word “redeemed;” “I’ve redeemed you!” False christians aren’t redeemed! Not if they believe things like “We’re just sinners saved by grace, but no one can stop sinning!” What’s redemption? It’s being “purchased” out of the bondages of sin. A true Christian isn’t a sinner! He was a sinner, but because he’s “saved by grace,” he isn’t a sinner anymore. Do you not know that the unrighteous won’t inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the Kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1Cor6:9-11) Redemption means we’re now slaves to righteousness. But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Rom6:17,18) I’d love to have a computerized sign in front, where we could write things like “Christians aren’t sinners, He who sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.” (1Jn3:6) I’d fill the sign up with scriptures that prove “once saved/always saved” isn’t of God. How many so called “christians” need to know these things. We’ve been redeemed or we’re not His. Redemption means we belong to Christ! We’ve been bought away from the devil and we no longer serve sin. Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. He’s taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (Col 2:14) Whoever abides in Him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He’s righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. (1Jn3:6-8) Since you were precious in My sight (Is43:4) Remember when Hosea buys his wife back after she ran away. (Hos3:1) Her adulteries led her into slavery so he had to repurchase her. Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you’re that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? (Rom6:16) She must have been very precious to him in spite of all she’d done, because he willingly redeemed her. Have you been redeemed? Or does sin still have dominion over you? (Rom6:14) False “christians” love to claim the blessings of God’s protection that when they pass through the waters “I’ll be with you” and through the rivers, “they’ll not overflow you,” when they haven’t entered into the reality of redemption. “I’ve redeemed you” means you no longer serve sin. That’s why the fire can’t touch you. Remember the three Hebrew children? Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He’ll deliver us from your hand, O king. (Dan3:17) It was their righteousness and faithfulness to God that caused Him to save them. Since you were precious in My sight, you’ve been honored, and I’ve loved you; therefore I’ll give men for you, and people for your life. Fear not, for I’m with you. I’ll bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I’ll say to the north, “Give them up!” and to the south, “Don’t keep them back! Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth -- everyone who’s called by My name, whom I’ve created for My glory; I’ve formed him, yes, I’ve made him.” (Is45:4-7) What does the New Testament say about a real Christian? He’s a new creation (2Cor5:17) created in Christ Jesus for good works. (Eph2:10) Born again not of man nor the will of man but by the incorruptible Word of God. (Jn1:13;1Pt1:23) God has created us, and redeemed us. “You’re My witnesses,” says the LORD, “and My servant whom I’ve chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I’m He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me.” (Is43:10) “I’ve chosen to reveal Myself to you so you can be My witnesses that I’m God.” Has God revealed Himself to you? If He’s revealed Himself to you His purpose is that you’d reveal Him to others. Most people are just plodding through life not realizing there’s any reality to the existence of God. They’ve never experienced God in their lives and never known anyone who did. Whatever ideas they have about God are erroneous. Many believe that because God is love He’ll save everyone. “We’re really good people so God will save us. Only mass murderers and men who do really wicked things go to hell!” But such people don’t know God or His Word! They’re really not sure they’re “saved.” They’re just hoping! But if you’re a real witness when such people encounter you, you can share with them how the living God has changed your life, giving testimony to things God can do, has done and is doing through Christ! If the listeners hear what you’re saying, they can come to believe there’s a God they can call upon too. God can reveal Himself to them also because you revealed the God you know to them. Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (Jn4:42) If you want to pass through the waters and not drown, and walk through the fire without harm, if you want that kind of relationship with God then you must be His witnesses. He’s revealed Himself to you so you can witness of His grace to others. “You are My witnesses,” says the LORD, “and My servant, whom I’ve chosen, that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I’m He. Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there’s no savior. I’ve declared and saved, I’ve proclaimed, and there was no foreign god among you; therefore you’re My witnesses,” says the LORD, “that I’m God. Indeed before the day was, I’m He; and there’s no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who’ll reverse it?” Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy one of Israel: “Don’t remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I’ll do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I’ll even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The beast of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen. This people I’ve formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.” (Isa43:10-14a,18-21) Most “believers” think these verses belong to them. Like in Psalm 91 they all feel they have an insurance policy with God; A thousand will fall by your side and ten thousand at your right hand but it won’t come nigh you because you made the Lord your refuge. (Ps91:7,9) But have you really made God your refuge? A complaint God often makes is His people haven’t called upon Him. You haven’t brought Me the sheep for your burnt offerings, nor have you honored Me with your sacrifices. I haven’t caused you to serve with grain offerings, nor wearied you with incense. You’ve bought Me no sweet cane with money, nor have you satisfied Me with the fat of your sacrifices; but you’ve burdened Me with your sins, you’ve wearied Me with your iniquities. Therefore I’ll profane the princes of the sanctuary; I’ll give Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches. (Is43:23-24,28) The “believers” who say “we’re just sinners saved by grace and we can’t stop sinning!” are a burden to God – even an offense to Him. And if you aren’t living in a way that’s glorifying to God isn’t it because you’ve become weary of Him? Have you brought the sacrifices that are required? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom12:1,2) Too many “believers” forget God as soon as they walk out the church door. They may “visit” Him on Sunday but they give Him no place in the rest of their life. They’ve forgotten the calling and the purpose? And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He’s reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Col 1:21,22,28) Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who’s in you, whom you have from God, and you aren’t your own? (1Cor6:19) If you’re really God’s temple there must be a daily sacrifice. (1Cor15:31) Every morning you must put your flesh on the altar and every evening you must do the same. It’s the morning and evening sacrifice. (Num28:3,4) You must work in the Spirit everyday. Brenda I had to rebuke you again today! There’s something foolish in you that you try to turn sin into a testimony; something stupid like driving with a dirty windshield. Can’t you see how foolish that is? Why didn’t you clean your windshield before you got into the car? Why do you create a dangerous situation and then try to glorify God out of your stupidity? You’ll never convince me you have a testimony when foolishness is the basis of your actions because Christ is made unto us wisdom! (1Cor1:30) You show me God’s wisdom’s in you and I’ll believe you’re a Christian. When you behave foolishly I can’t believe Jesus is in you! You may have some knowledge about God, but if you don’t have God’s wisdom, you don’t have Jesus. He who has the Son has life; he who doesn’t have the Son of God doesn’t have life. (1Jn5:12) Millions of people have some knowledge about Christ but it’s having His Spirit that makes you a Christian. Now if anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he’s not His. (Rom8:9b) If you had the Spirit you’d have washed your windshield before you got in the car. Spiritual Christianity is being led by the Spirit. Being led by the Spirit means you do the very things that need to be done. The Spirit shows you things to come, (Jn16:13) so you can do needful things ahead of time, sometimes even months or years in advance. Recently someone had driven a stake into the ground in my yard and broke a pipe in my sprinkler system. The pipe they broke is a size not commonly used and hard to find fittings for. But in my garage were some old PVC fittings and I found one that fit. Now I wonder why God had me keep that! How much of our time is spent repairing damages caused by unspiritual people doing what they thought was helpful but because they weren’t in the Spirit actually hurt. Can you understand when you’re in the flesh you’re an enemy and not a friend? Flesh is always against God! (Gal 5:17) Can you see the seriousness of this? The person in the Spirit fixes things right. What the Spiritual man does works. He sees the right thing to do because he has light. (Eph5:8) Your salvation is in knowing the Spirit of God. Your salvation is found in remembering God at all times. Your salvation is giving God the sacrifices He deserves everyday. (Rom12:1,2) But you’ve not called upon Me. (Is43:22) In studying revivals I found that usually when a revival spirit falls upon a community the people become fervent prayers. They’ll just break into prayer at the snap of a finger. They’ll be standing on a street corner talking to each other and suddenly start praying. You can tell who has the Spirit by how much praying they do. Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. (1Th5:17) You can’t pray without ceasing if you’ve forgotten God! To pray without ceasing you must have a constant remembrance of God. Is Isaiah 43:1 describing you? It’s describing God’s people and if it’s not describing you then you aren’t God’s people. It says, “You’re Mine. I’ve called you by your name. I’ve redeemed you.” (Is43:1) Are you His? Has He called you by name? Jesus calls His disciples by name. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You’re Simon the son of Jonah. You’ll be called Cephas.” (Jn1:42) And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” (Lk19:5) Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” (Act9:10) Why does Jesus baptize His disciples in the Holy Spirit. (Act1:4) “Go to Jerusalem and stay there until you receive the power to be witnesses!” (vs8) For John truly baptized with water, but you’ll be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” But you’ll receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you’ll be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Act1:5,8) Jesus calls us to make us witnesses. Are you a witness? Do you think you’re “saved” just because you believe God exists? That’s what most people think, but they’re no better than demons, and demons aren’t saved! You believe there’s one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and tremble! (Jms2:19) You may believe Jesus is Savior in the sense that you know the historical facts about Him, but that doesn’t mean you’re “saved.” And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal 5:24,25) If you’re His then you’re walking in the Spirit. But if you’re walking in the Spirit you must be a witness. You’ll receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Act1:8) Are you demonstrating you’re His by being a witness? If the bible says the Holy Spirit is given so you can be Jesus’ witnesses then how can you claim you have the Spirit if you’re not witnessing? The reason we see the Spirit in some and not in others is it depends on who’s a witness and who’s not. The Spirit is given so we can be Christ’s witnesses. And when they’d prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. (Act4:31,33) Almost every place we turn in today’s world we’re seeing people who thought they knew God enter into some calamity where it turns out they didn’t know Him at all. Because they didn’t really know God they’ve messed things up badly and they need a witness to tell them who the real God is. God isn’t withholding the anointing to do this. If there’s a problem it’s that you haven’t called upon Him. You haven’t honored God with an acceptable sacrifice. “A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I’m the Father, where’s My honor? And if I’m a Master, where’s My reverence?” says the LORD of hosts, to you priests who despise My name. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have we despised Your name?’ And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, Isn’t it evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, Isn’t it evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” says the LORD of hosts. (Mal 1:6,8) How much of yourself have you given God? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Rom12:1,2) How much of your time are you giving God? Are you giving Him your best or just leftovers. How successful have you been as a witness? Have you even really considered it to be part of your calling? We’ve a lot of things we’re doing for the Lord and we’d like to do even more. God’s blessing us and prospering us but in order for Him to increase this work He needs more people. (Mt9:38) Where’s He to get them? WITNESSES! He’ll get them by starting with us. Jesus began with only a handful of witnesses but within that first 30 years there were churches in every major city in the civilized world. Now is your calling just to be saved? Are you His just because you say you believe in Him? Is He going to protect you in the storm and in the fire because you claim you’re a “believer” or will He keep you because you’re His witnesses? Jesus revealed Himself to me so I’d reveal Him to you and I’m doing that! Now He reveals Himself to you so you’ll reveal Him to others. Are you doing that? Prophecy: I blessed Peter and poured out My Spirit upon him. He received the gift of My Holy Spirit, and you can see the evidence of that in the manifestation of Christ through Peter to the man at the gate beautiful. The faith Peter had was, “Silver and gold have I none, but what I have I give unto thee.” I tell you My people, I’ve blessed you with My Spirit to make you a blessing that My Son would be revealed in you to others, that you also in believing you’ve received My Spirit can acknowledge as Peter did, “What I have I give unto you.” Because in Christ you have all things. You have everything you need. I have every blessing, every gift, every faith builder; everything that’s needed to perfect your brethren and build up their faith, and to glorify My name; You’ve been given all in Christ. Peter is no different from you if you’ll have the faith he had. He knew all he needed was in Christ. So you know also you have all things in Christ and what you have give to others that Christ may be revealed through you, so you’ll bear much fruit and be a blessing to your brethren and a glory to Me, thus saith the Lord. (Prophecy delivered at “My Father’s House”)
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