Showing posts with label Bridegroom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bridegroom. Show all posts

Friday, November 6, 2015

Invisible to the World but Known to God by Steve Porter - Identity Network

Invisible to the World but Known to God by Steve Porter

Identity Network
According to the world's system, our visibility or value to others is determined by who we know or what others can do for us - it's all about networking and connections. Not so in the economy of God. In the Kingdom it's about knowing Christ, adoring Him, and being content to rest at His beautiful feet while building God an intimate House of Devotion, to the exclusion of all else. 

Do you feel invisible to others? If so, take heart, because God knows your name. When you're invisible to others and no one knows your name, choose to be content to worship before an audience of One, because it's in that place that God will equip you for your destiny and whatever ministry He has for you. 


Scripture says our ways are not God's. In fact, He often does things in ways that seem illogical to our human understanding. Case in point: it's not about rubbing shoulders with those who can open doors for us; nor is it about hoping and praying someone will notice our special talents. Sadly, we often see people trying to climb the ladder in the flesh, even within the church. And while some may be discovered by those who help them up and out, it's not that way for you. Any kingdom built by man will fall, while only those built and established by God will stand. Any kingdom built by man will suffer loss, the chaff burned because it wasn't God at all.

Psalm 127:1 says this: "Unless Jehovah build the house, in vain do its builders labor in it; unless Jehovah keep the city, the keeper watcheth in vain."

According to the Kingdom of God

Build your ministry according to the Kingdom of God, not according to the dictates of the world. Time spent alone in His presence is never wasted but wisely invested. You see, it is in the waiting that He prepares us to fulfill our destiny. The Lord will purify our motives when we are alone in His presence unnoticed by man until we no longer care who knows our names or how popular we become. We are too busy worshiping the FAMOUS ONE - JESUS.  


If we are passionate about Him and submit to His leading He transforms us, helping us die to our old desires and motivations, so we can live and move and have our being in Him alone. In fact, He says that until we die to our old nature and even our gifts, and submit to Him, we get in His way, hindering Him from moving as He desires. So how do we do that? We ask Him to open our eyes to see where we've been deceived and are content, stuck in preconceived notions that are not of Him - where we hold on to opinions that must go if we are to become that bride in white garments. Until we let go of all the things that our "old man" brought into the relationship, we drag garments of flesh with us, coloring everything we do and say.

It is not about getting a million Facebook likes or a big name promoting our ministry name. It's about being transformed in the secret place, so that we see through heaven's eyes instead of the eyes of the flesh. It is about asking Him for His point of view and moving in harmony with His Spirit.


Early on in ministry I sent out letters to hundreds of churches hoping someone would invite me to speak. Few responded. As you can imagine, I felt confused, trying to discern what it meant to be a wise steward of my gifts and callings, and whether or not I was to promote my ministry. In nearly twenty-three years since that time I've learned that the best approach is to hide in the secret place and become desperate for God, because then He will move us and bring us into our destiny. 


I have found if we focus on His face people will then seek us out because we carry something special. If you carry the goods people will pursue you! When all is said and done, the world's approach leads to feelings of hopelessness and desperation that motivate us to operate in the flesh, while God builds a kingdom inside of us that reflects His character, where He alone makes the connections that will produce real, life-changing fruit in us and everyone we meet. He can place you at the right place...at the right time...that will surpass anything you do in your own ability.   

The Bridegroom Knows Your Name

At the end of this process He will get the glory for our rise to fulfill our God-given destiny, and man will get no credit for placing us into our promise. In human terms, it's not who we know - it's knowing Christ and being content to love Him and follow His lead wherever it takes us. If He keeps you hidden away for a lifetime, all is not lost. Having your name known in heaven is worth more than millions singing your praises on Earth. 

As you sit back and watch others in the body of Christ climbing the ladder, leaving you behind, choose to rest in His good plan, refusing to be desperate or antsy. He has you right where He wants you. Stop looking to people to promote you, and be like King David, who sang and worshiped with all his heart before an audience of One. 

Hold on to the incredible truth that you are hidden away in the garden of the Lord. Your heavenly Bridegroom knows your name, and His sweet presence embraces you with such tenderness and love that man's ways pale in comparison. Even if your name is never shouted from the rooftops on Earth, you can rest as you hear your Bridegroom tenderly whisper your name in the secret place. 


His whisper touches your heart, reminding you that, like a pearl of great price, He is all you need. He is altogether lovely. He alone satisfies your soul and fills it with His good treasures, enabling you to live out His desires and to ultimately fulfill His incredible plan for your life. 

"If you build God a house of devotion, He will build you a house of ministry." - Walter Beuttler

Steve Porter


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Saturday, October 3, 2015

Sharing Love From Sweden - ACCEPTED AND LOVED BY GOD - Eva Haglund



ACCEPTED AND LOVED BY GOD
Eva Haglund, Sweden
Oct. 3, 2015
In Song of Solomon we can read about a relation between a woman and a man in a marriage but also understand about the relation about the Bridegroom Jesus in a relation to His Bride, the congregation - Body of Christ. We can see how He sees us personally. He loves us much greater than we understand. 

In Song of Solomon 4:9 we read: " You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse. You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace." We understand when we read this text that we are so loved by God. He is crushed by his love to us, a very strong love. He really cares about us.

In Psalm 139 we can read that God is with us everywhere. He cares every second. He is thinking at us. If I am in the middle of the sea, He is with me. When it is dark in the night, He is there. He is with me. In Psalm 139:5 it is written, "You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me."

I do not need to think that I am left alone because God is with me. He is my Daddy.

In Psalm 139:13 we understand that God saw us already in our mother's womb. We were planned, thought of and created by the God who loves us. We read, "For you formed my inward parts. You covered me in my mother's womb." In verse 14 it is written that we are 
"fearfully and wonderfully made."

In Song of Solomon is also written, "You are all fair my love, and there is no spot in you."
I think that this means that we are beautiful in His eyes, His Bride. I believe that it means that we are cleansed in Jesus' blood, and there is no spot. His Bride has "white" clothes.


Jesus is crushed by His love for His Bride. We look fine in His eyes. We make mistakes  but are cleansed by His blood. Sanctification is anything else. Jesus wants us to be free from things but His purpose is love.Through faith in Jesus we are saved. When Jesus loves His Bride, the Body of Christ, it is natural that He wants us have a relationship with the first love to Him - in love with God.

Song of Solomon is a good book showing a relationship between the Bride and Bridegroom. It is a close relation between Jesus and the Bride, that of a personal relation.  It is like the woman who was touched at His feet, crying because of His love. It was not a dry theology but a heart who was touched in the relation to Him. It was like a heart with life. A heart to heart relation. Jesus wants to be our Friend, simple and natural. 

In Song of Solomon is written, " Oh, my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet and your voice is lovely." Jesus loves when we speak to Him. In Song of Solomon we also see how He looks at His Bride - beautiful words to His Bride and also how the Bride is in love with the Bridegroom. Verses 10-16 begins with "My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousands."


Jesus wants to speak comfort with the inner voice, secrets and also tell us jokes when we listen. He speaks also to us through His Word, the Bible, which can be our daily Bread. Jesus loves all people and was willing to give all for us in deepest pain.

The cross, Jesus sufferings for us, is like a sermon of His love to us personally. The cross is also like a sermon about God's love, our heavenly Daddy's love to the world, willing to give the most precious He had for us. His Son has opened the way for us to have salvation. We could not do it ourselves but needed a Savior.

In John 3:16 is written, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

God is a God who cares about the world. He has shown us the greatest love. 

1 John 4:8 "God is love."





Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Sharing Love From Sweden - FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS - by Eva Haglund


FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS
by Eva Haglund

God is not a God Who want us to just come and ask things from. He is a person, as He wants us to have a relation with. He is not a boring but a wonderful Friend full of love. It is not boring to get to know God and to have Him as a friend. He is also a God who tells jokes in a relation with Him when we are sensitive to hear. It was He who made laughter.

If we are in a period of loneliness we can learn to know God as our Friend. When David was outside with the sheep he learned to know Him as a friend. He was worshiping Him. David took time with God in a relationship. Sometimes worship is not counted so important but the Bible tell us to sing to God. We see that David was worshiping God. 

We read in Acts that Paul and Silas were worshiping in prison. In Psalm 139:3 it is written, "Let them praise His name with dance." We also need dance in a relation with God. Some think that dance to God is just for some but I think it is for anybody and that it also can be strong spiritually and that we need it. We can see already small children moving in dance to music.  David danced to God and so did Miriam. We can do it, too. Sometimes people do not like it but as David experienced it is good to continue. To worship and dance to Jesus has relationship with God. He is in the centrum. We also need the prophetic songs and dance.

Worship I think feels like giving our hearts to God in a relationship. It  is important. We lift God up and He is in centrum when it is from our hearts to Him. It is also good to sing Scriptures and Jesus is also the Word.

With Jesus it is good to know that He is not just a friend who is with me in prayer in the morning or evening but who is with me in the day whom I can talk and listen to. It is good to take time with Him and to learn to know His voice with the inner voice and try to hear things He wants to say. It is easier to learn to know God when we read the Bible constantly. To learn to know Him is to learn to know a God of love and in this relationship He speaks to us in friendship. 

Artwork by James Nesbit

In Song of Solomon we see that the bridegoom's heart was crushed for the bride by his love. In Song of Solomon 4:9, "You have ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse. You have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes, with one link of your necklace." We see here the deep love. This is how Jesus looks at us personally and His Bride - the Body of Christ. His heart is crushed for us.   When He looks at us He also sees no spot in us because His blood cleanses us. 

We read in Song of Solomon 4:7 "You are all fair my love. And there is no spot in you." We are  accepted and loved. Jesus as our Friend has so much love for us and He wants to be a close friend. Sometimes thanksgiving is not considered so important but to thank God is not anything unimportant for Him. In Psalm 100:4 we also read "Enter into His courts with thanksgiving."

If we love Jesus we can imagine He gets glad when we thank Him. We have much to thank Him for. He who suffered so much because of His love for us is worthy our thanksgiving. He suffered much more for us than we can understand. If we have suffered much it is just like a drop of the suffering Jesus suffered for us at Calvary. He did it because He loved us. 

If circumstances are difficult we can always have something to thank God for. We can thank Him for the fact that He suffered so much for us. We can simply thank Him for our being able to walk, or see, or eat, or other things. His grace is forever and He always loves us. We can thank Him for different things. Paul worshiped God when he was in prison. The Bible tells us to make sacrifices of praise. In Heb 13:15 it is written "Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruits of lips that openly profess His name."

When we begin to give thanks to God and when we worship God it is also a help. It is a help in trials. In worship we also can sing thanksgiving to God. When Jesus is our Friend we can talk with Him sitting in a sofa or maybe take a walk and when we are alone and eat we can talk with our Friend Jesus.

Jesus is the Word and the Word is then like our bread. Jesus is the Bread of life, as it says in John 6:35. The Word  is also like water in a desert. We need this clean water. We need to spend time with it and with Jesus in prayer. He also wants to speak with the inner voice. It is important to know in a relationship with Jesus that we are so loved by Him.

We can tell Him that we love Him and thank Him for all His sufferings for us at Calvary. 

Sometimes Christians can be so busy doing things for God but do not think it is so important to take time in a relation with God. If He is our Friend then it so natural that we also take time to talk to and listen to our best Friend. As we need time with friends we need time with Him. He is the most wonderful Friend we can have and it is good to learn to know Him more and more and His Kingdom. 
In Isaiah 45 it is written about hidden treasures. We need MORE of God! To learn to know Him is like digging in a golden mine. Jesus is full of love and He is not boring. What a privilege to learn to know Him as a friend! To talk to Him face to  face like Moses in 2 Exodus 33:11, "So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to his friend." We can have a meeting with Jesus when we read about the woman at Jesus' feet. She was so crushed by His love. She cried and cried. She received Jesus and her sins were forgiven. Her heart was so touched by His love. She wanted to give Jesus a most precious present - precious perfume expressing her love to her Savior . She also gave her life in Jesus' hand.
I am thinking also about Song of Solomon who shows not a dry , intellectual relation to God. When we also think about a relationship as it can be between bride and bridegoom, but also between Jesus the Bridegoom and his Bride the church, when the heart is touched by God's love and it is a relation with the best friend. In Song of Solomon is written about this relation. In verse 6:3 "I am my beloved`s and my beloved is mine." It is talking about a relation where the heart is touched. It is not a relation when you come to Jesus just when you ask for things.
I believe God's love for us is much bigger than we understand. It is a very strong love. His love reaches higher than the stars. Jesus loves to have a relation with us. In Song of Solomon it is written, "Oh, my doe in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” In Song of Solomon we can see much about a relation not just between a usual bride and bridegoom but about the relation with the first love from the Bride to the Bridegoom – from our hearts to Him. To be in love with our Bridegoom Jesus we can then see how He is crushed by His love for the Bride. In Song of Solomon 4:9, ”You have ravished my heart, my my sister, my spouse, you have ravished my heart with one look of your eyes,with one link of your necklace.”

Artwork by James Nesbit

We find  that the bride is expressing love to the bridegoom. In Song of Solomon 5:10, "My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousand." She is in love. We can think about the relation to Jesus that we can be in love with Him - the first love from the Bride to the Bridegoom - Jesus our Savior. 
In the book of Ruth we see how Boaz was kind to Ruth and treated her with respect and care when she came as a stranger to a new place looking for a job and watched so she was not badly treated. He also helped her so she got food in Ruth 2:14When I read this story I think about the heart Jesus has for us. He treats us with love and cares about us. When we read that Boaz cared we can think about how Jesus cares about us in a relation. He showed us the deepest love giving everything for us at Calvary. He loves all people and wants all to receive Him.
In Rev. 3:20 we  read "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." He wants  to become a Friend to people who do not know Him and that all will receive Him. When I read that He wants to come into all and dine with them, I am also thinking about a relationship where we eat with someone to have fellowship with them. 

 Yeshua/Jesus is a wonderful Friend who gave His life for us.


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Sharing Love From Sweden - "We Need Time With God" - Eva Haglund

WE NEED TIME WITH GOD
Eva Haglund
Sweden


There are many things in the Body of Christ that can become more important than our relationship with Yeshua (Jesus).

Evangelists can be so busy reaching the world that they forget that the relationship with Jesus is most important and that it ought to go hand in hand with fellowship and friendship with Christians.  The relationship with Jesus ought to be first in our lives - not what we do for Him but with Him as a person. 

Yeshua wants to be our Friend in our daily life and He wants to be first in our lives -not the things we do. If people understand the importance of the relationship with Yeshua, then they can more easily understand worship because it has to do with relationship. Lift Him up in worship and thanksgiving. When He is the center in worship then God's presence can come.

Christians can be so stressed that we have no time to sit at Yeshua's feet and listen to Him. Take time with the Word and see Him as a person first, one that you can have a relationship with.

In Luke 10:38-42 we  read about when Yeshua talked with Martha, He had her take the time to sit at His feet. There are leaders who are nearly never at home. This is not from God. It is the enemy who brings stress. How can I have a deep relation with God if I am never at home and spend time with Him?

There are churches who preach about miracles, for instance, and you see miracles, but miracles and wonders are not to be more  important than Jesus as person. He ought to be in centrum.

Meetings are many times in just a big church building today, but we read that Mary had many who were in her house praying. I believe in having large meetings, but I also believe in house meetings, where each can share the Word, worship and allow God's presence to come in.

Today sometimes people are running so much to one conference to another but sometimes forget to seek God themselves and that you also with any friend/friends can seek God. It is good with good conferences but we need time for God ourselves too. Yeshua and our heavenly Daddy are one and have much fellowship.

We need time with God. The enemy wants to steal our time and we need to be on our guard. Teaching and what we are called to and other things is not to be first but then God as a person and to have a relation with him.

We also need to relax and have time with God  as a our Friend.

 In Ps.95:2 is written " Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving."

In Song of Solomon 2:16 is written " My beloved is mine and I am his".

I think about the relation here as I also think means the relation with Yeshua. He is our Friend. We need the first love to him in our lives.

In Song of Solomon 5:10 we can read also about Yeshua not just a bride and bridegoom. For instance we can read " My beloved is white and ruddy, chief among ten thousands". It talks about how wonderful Yeshua is. In a relation with Yeshua who is wonderful. It talks here about a relation in love here. The bride loves the bridegoom and express her love.

Yeshua  love when we worship him and express our love to him in this way. Yeshua is a real Friend and love when we take time with the relation with him. He is so glad when we come to him, taking time with him.

As the bull Ferdinand in Walt Disney's film liked to sit at the tree with his flowers relaxed Yeshua likes when we also take time with him and not always be busy.

He loves us so much and we need to learn to know him more.

Yeshua is a wonderful Friend!

Eva Haglund
 
YOUR FRIEND

When there is no one else there Yeshua (Jesus) is there.
When you feel alone he is closer then your voice.
He is THERE.

When you think there is no way out 
Your Friend has a way out.
As the Israelites were delivered at the sea 
and went through the sea.
He can bring you out keeping his hand.

As a good shepherd holds a most precious lamb in his arms 
He carries  you like a precious lamb in His arms.
Trust in Him, the Good Shepherd, 
who laid down His life for you,
showing the heart of the Father.
A God who was giving to do everything for you.

His heart was crushed for you.

Eva Haglund

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Paul Keith Davis: Defeating Compromise

Paul Keith Davis:
Defeating Compromise
The Elijah List

Paul Keith & Wanda DavisOne of the last conversations I had with Bob Jones dealt with our great need to remain true to God's Word and alleviate spiritual compromise. Bob was a man who clearly remained true to his beliefs and represented the prophetic Gospel with boldness, without yielding to the compromise of political correctness.

I wrote this article based upon the revelatory encounter that he had and the understanding we gleaned from our conversations on the subject. I believe it is a very relevant word for this hour.

Paul Keith Davis 
WhiteDove Ministries


           Defeating Compromise

Clearly this nation and the Church are presently going through a great shaking.

Naturally, our first question is to understand the Holy Spirit's objective during this season. What do we need to gleam from these tests and trials?

The Late Bob JonesAs I have been asking the Lord this question, I was reminded of a prophetic article that Bob Jones and I brought several years ago.

Much of our ministry has been centered on understanding prior moves of the Spirit to discover what was done properly and what caused the downfall of many.

According to Hebrews 13:7, we should study and contemplate the lives of our spiritual fathers and examine carefully the conduct of their actions. We are given the admonition to imitate their faith, because Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Hebrews 13:7-8). If we meet the Lord on the same conditions of faith as our fathers, then He will do through us what He did through them and much more.

Many noble qualities exemplified the men and women who went before us. They were great pioneers and forerunners who paved the way for us to enjoy the many spiritual benefits we hold dear. Nevertheless, we also learn, historically, that every prior revival has been lost or never fully accomplished its original mandate.

Scrutiny of these revivals will highlight one principal spirit of a diabolical nature that has facilitated this demise. It can simply be identified as the "spirit of compromise."

It is our belief that a portion of this present shaking is intended to help us address this undermining snare so that the Spirit's release that is coming can be perpetually sustained.

A Graveyard of Warriors

Arise, Shine by Donna SmallenbergIn Bob's original vision he saw many churches and spiritual movements allegorically portrayed as powerful warring women who had won many notable victories. Even so, he also discovered they came to an untimely demise.

He was taken to a graveyard that held the remains of this army of God. Clearly, their lives had been taken prematurely without the full accomplishment of their destiny, and Bob's mission was to discovery how such a thing could occur.

The churches portrayed in Bob's revelation had been mightily anointed. They had won great victories on behalf of their Bridegroom. Even though these "women" were incredible warriors, something tragic had occurred to precipitate their demise. How could such a powerful, warlike clan end with such violence and certainty as characterized in the graveyard Bob observed?

This resulted from unknowingly embracing the "spirit of compromise" that facilitated the substitution of the spirit of this world for the Holy Spirit. 

What the enemy could not accomplish in head-to-head battle, he easily achieved through this deceptive snare.

This is actually the same strategy that Balaam utilized against Israel. When he was unsuccessful in cursing God's chosen people, he altered his approach. What he could not perpetuate in direct confrontation, he easily accomplished through stumbling blocks and snares facilitated through compromise.

It is our present intent to again highlight this blueprint of the enemy in hopes of strengthening the Church with the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that our heritage is not lost in this generation.

The New Testament reminds us of this demonic strategy from the spirit of Balaam in both the Book of Jude and the Book of Revelation. It is a battle that we must learn to win.

Work In Daylight; Rest At Night

Work in daylight; rest at nightProphetically, there are appropriate times and seasons in God. There is a time to sow, and then a time to reap; a time for working, and then a time for rest.

(Photo via Stock.xchange by mckenna71)

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven – a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up. Ecclesiastes 3:1-3

Logistically, the Church has not been very efficient in recognizing these seasons. As a result, we expose ourselves to the spirit of this world and end up compromising our standards when we do not adjust with the ebb and flow of God's Spirit. There is a way that seems right and appropriate to man's reasoning but the end is destruction.

We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4

Spiritually speaking, the day is the proper time for work – night is not. This is the general and universal sentiment related to the release of spiritual light into a grossly dark generation. While the day lasts, it is proper to labor.
In Bob's vision he saw Churches represented as noble women who had fought gallantly during daylight hours. However, they grew weary and impatient waiting upon their Bridegroom and eventually ventured out during the night hours and entered into promiscuity.

They had grown weary waiting upon their Bridegroom to fulfill His promises to her.

Unwisely, they had joined themselves to men (who represented the spirit of this world or human reasoning) whose initial appearance seemed good and beneficial but whose hearts were evil. This resulted in spiritual assassination when these women least expected it. However, the question remained, "What led them to such an inadvisable decision?" Of course this is an allegorical depiction of spiritual realities.

The GraveyardAfter making these few observations, Bob desired to leave the graveyard, which was actually a shrine to commemorate our enemy's victories.

However, before he could do so, a very naturally-appealing, "smooth talking" man approached him. This man confronted Bob with the confidence and assurance of a professional salesperson.

He explicitly displayed a mastery of the human language and could easily deceive someone with this gift. No doubt this is the way satan approached the Lord Jesus during the 40-day wilderness temptation.

(Photo via Stock.xchange by tatlin)

Immediately, Bob asked this man his identity. The man responded by identifying himself as "compromise." It was "compromise" that was responsible for the death of these powerful women.

They had compromised the genuine for a counterfeit. They had substituted the revealed Word of God for the traditions of man.

And He (Jesus) said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.' Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." Mark 7:6-8

But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons; by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron... 1 Timothy 4:1-2

Despite the women's powerful attributes and their numerous victories, their strength was no match for "compromise."

Compromise will always destroy the most powerful of warriors.
Samson was the most anointed man of his day; yet compromise in one small area of his life cost him the anointing and the many victories that could have been achieved had he remained faithful.

It was the Lord's great grace that restored Samson in the end and allowed one final victory with his death. However, it would have been the much greater testimony to remain faithful to the end, giving no place to compromise.

Temptation of ChristInconceivable as it may seem at first, this was the same bold form by which the enemy embodied the idea of entrapping the Lord by a compromise with evil at the outset of the Lord's earthly ministry.

It was an appeal to the holy purpose for which the Lord came into the earth, but upon the grounds of doing evil that good might come.

Satan offered the kingdoms of this world to the Lord through an unholy alliance and a compromise of the plan of God.

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons by Ranosonar)

The Kingdom was to be won, but in the way ordained by God and in the manner foretold in Scripture. 

"Compromise" will claim to carry us to the goal we are destined to achieve in a way that seems expedient and convenient, but the end is destruction. "There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).

The Death of Compromise

In Bob's vision, a holy jealousy and righteous anger arose in his heart because of the damage caused by "compromise." 

He knew that compromise had to be destroyed and the only weapon for this purpose is the same one the Lord Jesus utilized in His confrontation with this spirit – the Word of God.

The living Word is like a mighty sword that forges deep into the heart of this enemy.

As the Scriptures declare:
The Sword and Stone by Robert Bartow"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Hebrews 4:12-13).

With this discovery, Bob confidently walked toward "compromise" and allowed the sword of God's Word to fall into position in his hand and buried it deep into the heart of "compromise."

It was "compromise" that had caused the death of the "warring women" (the churches). Authority from God's Word is now placed in our hands to destroy this life threatening spirit.

By grace, the Lord is releasing to this generation the wisdom and authority needed to identify and defeat this great enemy of the Church.

This victory is assured if we are willing to obediently heed the Lord's voice and do the will of the Father. Faithful adherence to the Word of God will always bring death to the spirit of compromise.

Learning From the Past

Instead of being at home caring for their family, the "women" (churches and movements) allowed "compromise" to deceive them into unlawful relationships. There are appropriate times and seasons for the purposes of God. And there is a time to minister unto the Lord and oversee His sheep. We have been in a season focused on equipping the Body of Christ to do the work of the ministry.

The Song of Deborah by Donna SmallenbergIn Bob's symbolic vision, the "women" left their post of duty and wandered into promiscuous relationships with the spirit of this world, resulting in defeat.

Sometimes things do not appear fruitful to the natural eye that are actually exceedingly rewarding in the realm of the Spirit. That is why our eyes must be focused on the eternal realm rather than the natural. Otherwise, a door can be opened to the spirit of compromise.

Behold, I will throw her on a bed of sickness and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence, and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.Revelation 2:22-23

The Lord is to be the Husband of the Church, and any relationship with man that usurps the rightful position of the Lord as Bridegroom is considered spiritual adultery. 

The spirit of compromise will always try to convince the covenant people of God to relinquish their promised heritage for a counterfeit relationship that seems appropriate at the time.

That was the teaching of Balaam that eventually led Israel into God's judgment. Balaam was unable to curse Israel, therefore he convinced her to compromise her covenant with God by intermingling with Balak and the people of Moab.

And Moses said to them, "Have you spared all the women? Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the plague was among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves." Numbers 31:15-18

Ours is an admonition of separation and purity while patiently waiting on the promised union with the Lord Jesus. It is the counsel of "compromise" to lead us away from that position at all costs.

The "Way of Balaam"The "way of Balaam" is the covetous conduct of the ones structurally described as "hirelings," whose primary motive is to commercialize their divine gift.

(Photo via Wikimedia Commons by Pieter Lastman)

Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 2 Peter 2:15

The "teaching of Balaam" is the teaching of the mercenary ministry counseling the Church to abandon godly separation and noble character in favor of worldly conformity.

But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality. Revelation 2:14

Very often, following this path will seemingly bring quick results and attract scores of people with much less spiritual resistance. Nonetheless, the conclusion after all has been done is death and fruitlessness.
Balaam taught Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed by seducing them to marry Moabite women and commit spiritual adultery.

That is the motivation of "compromise," as outlined in Bob's vision. He could not conquer these gallant "warring women" in battle, therefore the only hope for victory was to corrupt them by seduction with the spirit of the world.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 1 Corinthians 2:12

If the "women" had remained at their appointed abode, as was their initial responsibility, they would have become fruitful and productive. Because they allowed "compromise" to deceive them, their lives were ended and their children were left to be raised as orphans in an unsupervised manner. The Lord desires women (churches) to be loyal to their Husband and abundantly fruitful – producing offspring to the glory of God.

Compromise will always lead us into wrong relationships. 

Concession leads to death, while faithfulness leads to repentance, answered prayer, and victory. Even though the "night hours" seem long and sometimes lonesome, it would be compromise to depart from that place of responsibility and enter relationships unlawfully, leading to our demise.

With those conclusions, Bob departed the mountain, realizing the destructive qualities of compromise.

A Glorious Future

The Sword and the Song by Donna SmallenbergThe most grievous aspect of the vision was the great future forfeited by the powerful women (churches) here illustrated. Even though they had been victorious and productive, their most rewarding years were ahead of them if they could have overcome the deceptions of "compromise."

These churches had been powerfully anointed warriors of the faith. The enemy was unable to destroy them during the "day" seasons, but only during the "night." If the women had remained in their post of duty, the enemy would have had no access or opportunity to destroy them.

Nevertheless, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes with the morning light.

All of the strongholds of the enemy are designed to obscure our knowledge of God and His thoughts and ways through discouragement, depression, and self-pity. When our vision has been thus impaired, alternative courses are introduced that will seemingly take us to our desired destination but are not the "thoughts and ways" of God. We must not be willing to give an inch in our commitment to the Lord and our walk with Him – not even for the most noble of causes.

Through this prophetic analogy, the women lost their first love and compromised their chastity to follow the leadership of men whom they perceived would make them more fruitful and productive. In reality, their decision cost them their lives. Our battlefield is in the souls of men where our mind, will, and emotions reside.

The weapon of our warfare is divinely powerful...the Word of God rightfully appropriated by the Spirit of Truth.

For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

It is through faith AND patience that we inherit the great promises that are rightfully ours. The greatest days for the Church of Jesus Christ are directly ahead of us. 

Our desolate heritages are being restored to be mingled with the fresh and unprecedented release of God's great grace.

Even so, Lord Jesus...come.

Paul Keith and Wanda Davis
WhiteDove Ministries


Email: inquiries@whitedoveministries.org
Website: whitedoveministries.org

Paul Keith Davis has written numerous articles appearing in various Christian publications, including the MorningStar Journal, Charisma, and Church Growth International. He has also written four books, including, "Thrones of Our Soul," "Engaging The Revelatory Realm of Heaven," and "Books of Destiny," all dealing with prophetic mandates placed upon the end-time generation.

His newest book, "Angels That Gather," provides a biblical outline for the harvest and insight to help access our end-of-the-age inheritance. Paul Keith and Wanda reside in Orange Beach, Alabama. Together they have five children.


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February 26, 2014

Paul Keith Davis:
Defeating Compromise
Steve ShultzFrom the desk of Steve Shultz:

This is one potent word by Paul Keith Davis about the spirit of compromise. God always reveals what we need to hear AND at the right time. This is a Now word for this Time.

Paul Keith shares in his intro: One of the last conversations I had with Bob Jones dealt with our great need to remain true to God's Word and alleviate spiritual compromise...I wrote this article based upon the revelatory encounter that he had and the understanding we gleaned from our conversations on the subject. I believe it is a very relevant word for this hour.

I would encourage you to pray and seek the Lord to reveal if there are any areas of compromise and then to take steps to defeat those areas. For HE is GOOD and His mercy endures forever!

Blessings,
Steve Shultz

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