Love of the Truth - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Love of the Truth

Now Think On This

Steve Martin

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7-10 (NKJV)

In a classic quote many of you have heard spoken on the big screen, from over 20 years ago in the movie, A Few Good Men (1992), Col. Nathan R. Jessep (Jack Nicholson) responded to the fierce questioning of military lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee's (Tom Cruise) with this outburst, “You can’t handle the truth!”

Seems like it was a prophetic word recorded back then, as in today’s world truth is what many would consider is whatever you want it to be. Because the one foundational, solid, eternal Word of God has been rejected and replaced with man’s contemporary knowledge, whatever you say, whenever you say it, is now taken as the “gospel truth”, whether it is or not. Many times it is simply a lie.

As the Gospel has been watered down in many assemblies on each Sunday morning, lack of knowing the truth has left a void for anything solid on which to stand on. Therefore, as the tide rolls in and rolls out, as public opinion goes, so does the beach sand on which it flows over.

In Matthew 7:24-27 there are two foundations which Jesus describes, as He graphically reveals what will result, when each building choice is challenged. Did we build on the solid rock or sand?

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. 

Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Jesus clearly states that rejection of truth, found only in His word, will result in a great fall, when the times of testing come for each person. Either from lack of knowledge or from an earlier specific choice that was made, what happens in each trial experienced will prove the existence of faith in the Son or not.

Our Lord says that each foundation will be tested. Our “house”, that which consists of our spirit, soul and body, will either stand or fall apart, based on decisions we made in the building process, to do our own thing, go the way of the world, or choose the solid truth of the Almighty God’s written Word, as found in the Bible.

Those who had chosen to love the truth will have the ability to withstand the wearing down that comes in trials. Their bedrock faith will be revealed, while even growing more, through those testing times.

Love of the truth will protect us from unrighteous deception, lying wonders, and acts of Satan. We will be able to see through the fog that others have allowed to cover them. We will be able to know what is counterfeit, and what is true. Our discernment will be sharp.

I encourage you to go deeper in your pursuit in getting to know Him Who is Faithful and Ture. Hearing Yeshua’s voice, reading His Word, receiving sound teaching, and walking in obedience will keep your heart, mind and spirit prepared to challenge the lies of the enemy that come daily.

We will especially need to know God’s biblical truth in order to resist falsehood and stand strong in these end times.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

  

P.S. I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

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Now Think On This - In the year of our Lord 12.05.15 - #216, “Love of the Truth ” – Saturday at 6:30 am in Charlotte, NC.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This

Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social media icons below. Thanks! Steve

Kent Simpson: Your Purpose, The Process, His Promise

Kent Simpson:

Your Purpose, The Process, His Promise

The Elijah List

Your Purpose and New Identity

When our Father's abiding Word is working within you, you have found your purpose for your life, and this purpose becomes your identity. Too many Believers today do not know where they fit in the Kingdom of God. One of the very first acts of every Christian should be to find out what God's purpose for them is in this life. Before we can begin to please God with our works we must first find out what His purpose is for us.

If we are not of this world then we should not be so concerned about where we fit in it. This short time we have on earth is a time of testing to see if we are loyal subjects who will serve our Father or serve the ruler of this world, the prince of darkness (see Ephesians 2:2). This life is training us to be prepared to endure the lengthy boot camp God has called us into.

Our Father has a three-part purpose for giving each and every one of us a prophetic word. It gives us direction on what we are called to do for His people. The word gives purpose by revealing to us how we are to go about fulfilling the work He has placed before us. He has a purpose for imparting into us a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit so that we will be equipped to demonstrate His power, letting all know that we are His anointed ones for the job He has purposed us to do.

When most of us begin to think about what we could possibly do for the Kingdom of God we are limited in our thoughts to just a few duties found within the local congregation. You might consider being a pastor, a or praise and worship leader, a sound and technical person, a Sunday school teacher or one of the other smaller positions.

We cannot limit God and keep Him locked in the box of the Church's making. Our Father is much more radical than what most people may think, so do not be surprised if His word to you sounds a bit unacceptable to the religious mindset today. 

(Photo via enwikipedia)

One of the most quoted verses of Scripture that most of us have either heard or have been falsely corrected by is found in Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

If you read this verse a couple of times you might see that there is a condition within this verse that is very important. It seems that every time things do not work out for one of our brothers or sisters we quote this verse as to say, "It's okay. You love God, however, you are going to make mistakes or bad things are going to happen to you that's just the way it is."

Well, I have found that the part that makes all the difference is found in the last few words of this verse, "...called according to His purpose." Now if you read this verse as it is written, then you will see that it is saying that: if you are in God's purpose and do all things according to His word (your calling, commission and gifting) good things will come to you and the evil one cannot touch you.

Most people think that if they are doing good things for people then they are fulfilling God's purpose, but that is simply not so. I counsel people almost every day. Many of them are doing good things in the sight of the religious bunch to impress one another and hopefully God too. But their good deeds can be dead works in the eyes of God leaving them an open target for satan to mess up their lives.

Now, if they are doing what our Father has commissioned them to do then the devil cannot touch them, "...he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him" (1 John 5:18b). Or do you believe that God has no power over the devil? Let's get real here. God created ALL things and this includes satan who has a purpose, too; remember that "he comes to steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10).

What is your purpose and what are you called, commissioned and equipped to do for our Master and Lord Jesus Christ and His Church?

The Process, Baptism of Fire

There is a process that everyone must go through before they can receive their promise. No one likes the process and some fail the test by doubting God and His word. That is why the verse says, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14). Not everyone is able to hold on to His word through all the obstacle courses this boot camp has laid out to test their faith. To be in God's Army you have to be fit to endure it all until you finally come to the place where all the pain and suffering just does not matter anymore.

Many make grand commitments to the Holy Spirit while standing in the midst of His Shekinah glory. It is easy to serve God when you feel as though Jesus has His hand on your shoulder.

(Photo by Jennifer Page In His Presence via elijahshopper.com)

The real test comes when you are standing alone toe-to-toe with the devil and he is doing his best to get you to believe satan rather than God and beating you down with doubt and disbelief.

Remember these words when you are being tested in this manner: "He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world" (John 4:4). Don't doubt in darkness what you have committed to in the light. "Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God" (Isaiah 50:10).

Everything will be all right, for when you have passed through the process you will reap what has been promised to you.

"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." Matthew 3:11b

Before David was placed upon the throne, he received a word from Prophet Samuel that he would, in fact, someday become the king (ref. 1 Samuel 16:1-13). Twenty years later that word came to pass because David kept that word in his fore thoughts; and every time he was challenged by whatever obstacles were thrown into his path he was reminded of his purpose.

During the process, David's prophetic word was put to the test. He was challenged many times when he faced the lion in the woods. David could have died. His prophecy would not have come to pass except he was reminded of God's word and promise. He could not die. He had power over the lion, because his word had not yet come to pass.

When David faced the bear, it was the same situation, but this time his faith was stronger because he survived the lion. When David took the five small stones to challenge the giant it was nothing, because his faith had already grown to the point where he knew the giant could not touch him. David was believing in the word of God and fulfilling the purpose in his life. 

(Photo via wikimedia)

Accountability for Leadership

"My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment." James 3:1

There is greater accountability for those who are in leadership, because they are accountable to God Almighty for what they tell others to do. They are accountable for your soul. This is not a picnic or a party. The Church is not another club to join. It is becoming an entity issuing fatigues and bars and stripes. It is calling out those who will fight in this spiritual war.

Remember, what you do in this life will determine your rank and position for eternity. How you lead others in this life will determine where you are placed in His chain of command. Don't let the devil give you an image of Heaven with you wearing a white gown sitting on a cloud strumming a harp. That is not the Kingdom of Heaven!

Those who have gone to the other side, those who died and returned, have said it is just like earth but much, much better. Sometimes we take this life far too seriously. In all reality we are too comfortable. When we begin to worship this life greater than the one to come, then our life becomes difficult to find peace or hear the Prince of Peace.

When you are called out by God and His word abides in you, you have chosen to come in agreement with His word. You have saluted and marched toward the call of God, and you cannot afford to look back. A person is not fit for the Kingdom of God if they put their hands to the plow and then look back.

"But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.'" Luke 9:62

Don't look to the past and lament about how things used to be. We do not serve a God of the past. He is a God of today. He is not a God who died, gave us a book, and put us in charge. God is ruling and reigning from Heaven now.

(Photo via wikimedia)

Every situation and every occurrence in your life has a meaning from Heaven above. In everything that happens in your life, there is a cause and effect. When unexpected things happen to you and you do not know why, you need to seek God and find out. You have a right to know and you can find out because Jesus is alive and speaking to everyone who will follow the sound of His voice.

His Promises Will Come to Pass IF...

The promises of God are very personal and are directly connected to you doing whatever He asks you to do. The more you do for Him the more He will do for you. It is like any relationship: you must be willing to give of yourself even at the most difficult of times. The devil will try and make you believe God just wants to take your life and make you a slave. Not so.

In fact, you will find that after you have served Him awhile and proved to Him you are loyal to do whatever He asks of you, He will trust you with more and more of His power, people and resources. It is a great thing when you have finally come to the place where God starts calling you His friend. 

To be a friend of God is to operate in a higher covenant with Him, and you find yourself in a relationship that is full of His promises.

Over the years, I have witnessed people trying all kinds of weird methods in an attempt to force the promises written in the Bible to come to pass for their needs. I have heard many preachers saying that we can have whatever we ask just by claiming it in the name of Jesus. The Bible is not like Aladdin's lamp. We cannot just rub it three times chanting a few verses and receive whatever you are wishing for.

To have a true friend takes a lot of effort and years of bonding. With each battle you find yourself in; you know your Friend is always right behind you backing you up. You have to want to go the distance with Jesus in order to build this type of relationship. He desires us all to be His friend; that is what He created us for. Begin building your relationship with Jesus today by asking what you can do for Him; rather than telling Him what YOU want. This is the KEY that unlocks the door to the abundant life He promised you and me.

"Then He said to them, 'Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.'" Mark 4:24

Kent Simpson, Prophetic Pastor
Prophetic Ministries Today

Email: PMT@propheticministries.org
Website: propheticministries.org

Kent Simpson is a prophetic pastor and is the founder and senior pastor of Prophetic Ministries Tabernacle – a gathering place for the prophetic people of God to unite for the sole purpose of being used as vessels for the Holy Spirit to speak through. Prophetic Ministries Today is devoted to the truth that Jesus is not dead but alive and He speaks if you have an ear to hear the Spirit. 

His website is filled with prophetic teachings which will help you understand the process of "hearing" God for yourself as well as others. The Lord wants you to pray, hear, and obey Him because the Holy Spirit is the only One who can truthfully lead you into the abundant life Jesus promised us.

Rick Joyner: Why is Koinonia So Important for The Great Commission? - The Elijah List

Rick Joyner:

Why is Koinonia So Important 

for The Great Commission?

The Elijah List

Why is koinonia [fellowship] so important when we are talking about The Great Commission? One reason we have failed to fulfill The Great Commission has been our tendency of making converts rather than disciples. 

The Great Commission is to make disciples. If disciples are not being made, then we are failing in our commission.

What a disciple is has been clearly defined by the Lord. True discipleship is rarely found among Christians today. One reason for this is that true discipleship is not possible without koinonia, as we read in 1 John 1:7, "But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship (koinonia) with one another, and the Blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

As we have covered, this Scripture makes it clear that we simply cannot abide in the light without having koinonia. This is also essential for our cleansing.

I often say jokingly, but truthfully, that we simply cannot mature in Christ the way we are called to without all of the frustrations and irritations of Church life. The frustrations and irritations, the hurts and disappointments, are only a small part of what this experience is meant to be, but they are essential to our development. There are certainly far more positives to experiencing koinonia than negatives, but the challenges help us to mature.

The True Church Life

Either idealism about Church life or rejecting the Church will lead us far from the path of life. True Church life, koinonia, can be one of the most wonderful things we ever experience and one of the most difficult, as is true of any relationship, including marriage. As the Lord taught in the Parable of the Sower, many will depart when testing comes. Many depart from Church, and many are now even departing from marriage when the tests come.

You can never pass a test by quitting.

The breakdown of marriage is related to the breakdown in Church life and vice versa. The same thing that heals one will heal the other as well. The Cross is a vertical post that represents our connection to God and a horizontal one that represents our connection to one another.

One thing that taking up our cross means is that we must have both of these in our lives. Of course, our connection to God eclipses the importance of our connection to one another and must always be kept first. But if we have this and keep it first, we will also have the other. As John also wrote, we cannot love God who we do not see if we do not love our brother who we can see (see I John 4:20-21).

So, what can we do to promote koinonia in Church life? First and foremost, we must seek the presence of the Lord above all things. What good is the most glorious temple if God is not in it? Then we need to pursue relationships, not just wait to be pursued. Barnabas had to go and get Paul. Then they needed to get in the right place before either of them could get released into their own ultimate calling.

In those days, this was a supreme effort. It must have taken months for Barnabas to travel to Tarsus and then back to Antioch. Today it is hard to find those who will drive more than thirty minutes to church. What makes something a treasure is that it is either rare or difficult to obtain.

Koinonia is one of the greatest treasures we can have in this life. It is not cheap or easy to find, but it will be found by those who value it enough not to give up on its pursuit. 

The city that God is building, that which Abraham sought, and all true sojourners seek, is built on Jesus with koinonia.

Seeking the presence of the Lord is far more than seeking His blessings, which so much of the present emphasis of church teaching is based on today. He will bless many things He will not inhabit. When He says that wherever two or more are gathered in His name He will be in their midst (see Matthew 18:20), the word "gathered" does not mean merely occupying the same room or space.

It is where they have been "assembled together" like the parts of a bicycle have been assembled together. This is why we are told to "not to forsake the assembling together" (see Hebrews 10:25). This is not just a warning not to miss meetings, but to not fail to be assembled together as we are called to be.

(Photo via Stock.xchange by Timo Balk, edited by Tawny Nelson)

To build a Church where there is actually Church life, koinonia, we must do things to intentionally promote interchange between members. This can include small groups, church fellowship dinners, mission trips, and various other activities. However, gatherings that really lead to koinonia will center on the presence of the Lord. All others can be helpful in getting to this, but just gathering together for activities can fall far short by themselves.

In every spiritual pursuit, we must keep in mind this principle: Between the place where we receive the promise of God and the promised land, or the fulfillment of the promise, there is almost always a wilderness that is the exact opposite of what we have been promised. This wilderness is meant to prepare us for the promised land. Do not be shaken when you start to pursue koinonia and the opposite seems to happen with relationship challenges breaking out everywhere. This is just a sign that you are indeed on the path.

Rick Joyner
MorningStar Ministries

Email: info@morningstarministries.org
Website: morningstarministries.org

Rick Joyner is the founder and executive director of MorningStar Ministries and Heritage International Ministries and is the Senior Pastor of MorningStar Fellowship Church. He is the author of more than forty books, including The Final Quest, A Prophetic History, and Church History.

He is also the president of The OAK Initiative, an interdenominational movement that is mobilizing thousands of Christians to be engaged in the great issues of our times, being the salt and light that they are called to be. Rick and his wife, Julie, have five children: Anna, Aaryn, Amber, Ben, and Sam.

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Barbie Breathitt: Christlikeness From the Life of Elisha: Tests and Double Mantle (The Elijah List)

Barbie Breathitt:

Christlikeness From the 

Life of Elisha: 

Tests and Double Mantle

Tests and a Double Mantle

After Elijah trained his servant Elisha to look and see, listen and hear, and prophesy the word of the Lord, it was time for him to return to Heaven. The heavenly chariot of God carried Elijah away from Elisha into the spiritual expanse of Heaven's eternity outside of time. Elisha was told by Elijah, "If you see me when I am taken from you, [you will receive a double portion of my spirit]..."

Elisha had to pass many tests and persevere in order to walk in Elijah's double mantle (see 2 Kings 2:1-18). 

Elijah asked Elisha to stay in Gilgal, the place of cutting, circumcision, and the rolling away of reproach, but he refused. This is a picture for us that when God removes our past failures and reproach, we must walk through the gates of authority into the new place with God; and so Elijah then moved on to Bethel, the place or house of God, the gates of Heaven. Bethel was a place where people went to seek counsel from God. Elisha followed Elijah to Bethel to learn how to obtain God's counsel.

We must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to the next place of testing to progress spiritually. We cannot remain complacent or stagnant; the river of God always flows.

Next, the sons of the prophets came to Elisha in Bethel and said, "Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?'And Elisha said, "Yes I know; be still!" Elijah told Elisha to remain in Bethel while he went on to Jericho. But Elisha said, "I will not leave you" (2 Kings 2:3 NASB).

The sons of the prophets in Jericho, a place of fragrance and warfare, had also been shown that Elijah was going to be taken away from Elisha that day.

From Jericho, Elijah and Elisha traveled on to Jordan, a place of flowing down or descending, where fifty men of the sons of the prophets stood opposite them at the Jordan River. Elijah took his mantle, folded it together, and struck the waters of the Jordan, which divided, allowing both prophets to cross over on dry ground.

When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me." He said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." 

As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to Heaven. Elisha saw it [the chariot] and cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw Elijah no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces. 2 Kings 2:9-12 NASB

However, Elijah did not hand his mantle onto Elisha; Elisha had to pick it up after Elijah was taken into Heaven.

What Was the Significance of Elijah's Mantle For Elisha?

The word mantle in Hebrew is addereth; its root word being adar, which is also the word for the last month on the Hebrew calendar. The month of Adar is the best time to remove any personal barriers to holiness, thus it is a time to create the potential for the greatest joy. Adar is the final month of the year, i.e. it completes the year, and hence it is a time of completion. 

The root meaning of adar is glorious, splendid, marvelous, and mighty. In a noun form it is rendered as a cloak or mantle.

He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan. He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there; and Elisha crossed over. 2 Kings 2:13-14 NASB

Jewish traditions indicate that the mantle that fell from Elijah was a tallith or prayer shawl. The tallith of a prophet or master teacher would have dark purple-blue threads in the corner tassel. People believed that the purple thread contained miracle power. 

This is why the woman with the issue of blood wanted to touch the hem of Jesus' tallith or garment. When she was healed, Jesus said, "Who touched Me?...I felt virtue leave Me." Then He told her, "Your faith has made you whole," not a purple thread (see Matthew 9:20-22 and Luke 8:43-48).

Elijah's tallith, mantle, or "adar" symbolized that Elisha had removed any barriers to his relationship with God. He was no longer the servant but now stepped into the place of the prophet he had served. Elijah's mantle was a doorway to God's power. 

Elijah told Elisha that if he saw him taken, he would have his desire to carry on the prophetic ministry with a double portion of his spirit.

The mantle is a symbol of joy and completion. Elijah left his mantle as a sign that he had completed his assignment. Elisha picked up Elijah's mantle indicating the start of a new year; he was picking up where Elijah left off and beginning his own ministry as a prophet. 

Elijah's mantle was a symbol of an agreement of power and authority between Elijah and God. Elisha's picking up Elijah's mantle symbolized that he was entering into the same agreement with God. When Elisha used Elijah's mantle to part the Jordan River, God established His agreement or covenant with Elisha.

What The Double Portion Looks Like

Everyone is at a different level of hearing and seeing in their spiritual understanding. Elisha had walked and been personally trained by Elijah for years. He had been tested and tried in spiritual disciplines. The sons of the prophets had been through training as well, yet they did not possess the level of seeing that Elisha had developed. Elisha saw the chariot of fire and the horses come to separate him from Elijah. He cried out, "My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" (2 Kings 2:12 NASB).

The sons of the prophets only saw the whirlwind the chariot created. The sons of the prophets were left wondering if Elijah had been translated to Heaven or if he had possibly been transported to another geographic location. They had to search for three days in the natural to come into peace. Elisha knew Elijah had been taken to Heaven because he saw beyond the natural into the invisible realm of the Spirit.

Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him. 

They said to him, "Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send." But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, "Send." They sent therefore fifty men; and they searched three days but did not find him. 

They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?" 2 Kings 2:15-18 NASB

The New Testament shares an example of the audible voice of God speaking from Heaven when Jesus foretold of His death. Some that stood by didn't hear anything. Others who were present in the crowd heard God's voice manifested in thunder, while still others thought it was an angel.

So the crowd of people who stood by and heard it were saying that it had thundered; others were saying, "An angel has spoken to Him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sakes." John 12:29-30 NASB

The names of both Elijah (meaning "the Lord is my God" or spiritual champion) and Elisha (meaning "God will save me" or protected) carries the record of what they represent, but not necessarily how they saw, if they are thought to be seers. Elijah's name means God is Jehovah or YHVH is my God. He functioned as the Father's recorder on earth.

In the case of God's servant Elijah, the chariot was a trans-dimensional carrier of God's servant. The chariot of God transported Elijah out of time into the eternal realm where Elijah had always existed in heavenly places. When the fullness of time came, God reached down to retrieve the recording of Himself He had placed within Elijah.

Elijah came to restore all things back to God. He was called to turn the hearts of the Fathers back to the sons, and to turn the sons' hearts back to the fathers', to make ready a people for God lest God curse the earth (see Malachi 4). Elijah's anointing was to restore righteousness and protect the earthly realm from being struck with a curse caused by sin.

Elisha's name means "GOD is salvation" or "My God is salvation." He functioned under a double portion of Elijah's spirit.

Walk Like the Prophet Elisha

Elisha's eyes saw beyond the veil of the natural into the supernatural realm where God's army of fiery angels and chariots reside. His eyes were not limited by situations or hard facts. He knew to look beyond the natural to see God's provision. He trusted more in the realm of faith than what seemed to appear in the natural.

When fear blinded Elisha's servant, the prophet's prayer was able to open the attendant's spiritually blind eyes to see the coexisting spiritual realms of angels. 

Knowing that there are more for us than against us brings a peace beyond our present understanding.

Prayer delivers us from fear. Prayer opens our eyes to see God's ever-present answer, while at the same time prophetic decree will blind our enemies and place them at our mercy. For God to trust us at this level, it requires us to develop greater levels of obedience of compassion. God wants to trust us with the lives of our enemies. 

God tests and tries us until He knows that we will not execute our own judgment or harm people in any way.

When God delivers our enemies into our hands, we must return good for evil, blessing for cursing, and lovingkindness for abuse. The Lord is the only one who should ever move in judgment. He said, "Vengeance is Mine." We have no right to be vengeful. 

It is God's place to vindicate us.

We are called to love our enemies, to be kind to those who persecute, use, and abuse our kindness. 

We should lead our enemies to salvation, and their eyes will be opened to God's saving word, loving spirit, and grace. It is time to love like God loves; see like God sees; obey what God's Word says, and then do what God does.

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 NASB

When Elisha's enemies came down off the mountain to pursue him, Elisha prayed. We should follow his example. Elisha's prayers struck his enemies with blindness. This removed the enemy's power and control. They were forced into a vulnerable place, wandering in darkness and confusion. 

The army had come to do the prophet great harm, but God protected him. The prophet placed his trust in God. In this new state of total dependence and humiliation, the enemy had to trust and blindly follow Elisha to Samaria. Elisha said, "Follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek" (2 Kings 6:19 NASB). (Photo courtesy: Global Recordings Network)

When they came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, "Strike this people with blindness, I pray." So He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. Then Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, nor is this the city; follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he brought them to Samaria. 2 Kings 6:18-19 NASB

Elisha's enemies had to walk through the process of trusting the one they were sent to destroy. Once they arrived at the promised location, Elisha prayed that God would reopen their blind eyes. Their vision was restored. New vision was given in the midst of their enemies.

When they had come into Samaria, Elisha said, "O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see." So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 2 Kings 6:20 NASB

Many of us have been wounded by an enemy or betrayed by a close friend, but we are to respond to them with God's lovingkindness and compassion.

Then the king of Israel when he saw them, said to Elisha, "My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" He answered, "You shall not kill them. Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow?... 2 Kings 6:21-22 NASB

Elisha told the King of Israel to respond according to the greatness of God's loving-kindness, to make his enemies the objects of compassion in the presence of all their captors. Elisha encouraged the king to feed the Arameans, to provide for and care for his enemies instead of killing them. The king prepared a feast for the enemy soldiers and they ate to their fill.

"...Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master." So he prepared a great feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel. 2 Kings 6:22-23 NASB

Elisha's mercy triumphed over judgment. 

Great grace leads us to victory. The King of Israel's enemies were delivered into his hands. The King was eager to execute judgment and destroy his enemies, but the prophet carefully redirected his focus to blessing and not destruction.

Good will always triumph over evil. Love will also bring forth a better result than hate.

Never greet your enemy in the same malignant spirit. Never return evil for evil but learn to bless instead of curse. We are not of this world, so we cannot respond in the spirit of this world. God is love so we must respond in the power of His might.

Barbie L. Breathitt Ph.D.
Breath of the Spirit Ministries

Email: Barbie@BreathOfTheSpiritMinistries.com

Website: BreathOfTheSpiritMinistries.com

Barbie Breathitt is the author of Dream Encounters, Seeing Your Destiny From God's Perspective, and her new book Gateway to the Seer Realm: Look Again to See Beyond the Natural. She is an ordained minister, dedicated educator, and respected teacher of the supernatural manifestations of God. 

Barbie's dynamic teaching skills, intelligence, and quick wit keep her a favorite with audiences everywhere. Barbie has become a recognized leader in dream interpretation, traveling to more than forty nations. Her prophetic gifting and deep spiritual insight have helped thousands of people understand the supernatural ways God speaks to us today.

Give America a Break – Please Jim Croft

Give America a Break – Please

Jim Croft 

Throughout my Christian experience there has been a peculiarity with increasing numbers of believers that I find mystifying. It is the assertion that political-religious tribulation, economic downturns and natural disasters will bring the unconverted masses to Christ and the churched to greater intensities of dedication to the Lord. Some seem to get what might qualify as a crazed gleam in their eyes when they speak of America’s incoming just deserves. It is as though their oratory is lathered with fervency about impending doom by the haunting cellos and French horns of the Jaws movie score.

The Scriptures, history and candid observation of the Church in oppressed nations do not support the premise that troubles guarantee massive upturns in zeal for the Lord. Incessant pressures are more apt to incite frustrated discouragement that leads to willful departure from the faith. There are relatively few who utilize subjection to life’s various tribulations as reminders of the brevity of this life and that Christians are to live with eternity in mind.

Ancient & Contemporary Observations

There were considerable numbers of Jews left behind in Israel after many had been deported to Babylon for the 70 years of captivity prophesied by Jeremiah. If the concept that trouble invokes righteous behavior is true, there was a serious glitch in the program in that period. The remaining Jews acted even worse while their brethren were captive servants. Many quit speaking Hebrew, intermarried with idol worshipers, and habitually profaned the Law’s regulations. Nehemiah severely rebuked them with cuffs to the head and by jerking out portions of their beards while coercing them to put way their heathen wives. (Neh 13:15-25; Ezra 10:13-19)

The nations surrounding the Mediterranean region were the first evangelized by the Early Church. Christianity flourished for about 7 hundred years until Islam’s jihad hordes rode through butchering any who would not accept Allah and renounce the divinity of Christ. Under Islam, useful Christians were reduced to less than second-class status.

Till this day, many of those nations that were once bastions of Christian witness are still Islamic. The descendants of the first Christians dance in the streets whenever news is heard about a Christianized population suffering blows from Allah’s warriors. The Church did not rise and overcome in countries like Turkey due to the pressures of persecution. Many of the fellowships spoken of in the New Testament were located there.

Turkey’s current population is 25-million. Of that number, the Bible believing Christians of today come in around 3-thousand. This does not indicate that hardships necessarily foster widespread return to the Lord. I have spent decades ministering in impoverished nations and in those under the antichrist thumb of Communism. For the sake of positive press and audience appeal mission reports only focus on the indigenous champions of righteousness in lands beleaguered by hostile politics and poverty. Those who have up-close and personal interaction with broad facets of the Persecuted Church are seldom candid about all that they witness.

Economic hardship does not inevitably produce holiness. The nakedness of poverty creates boredom. The prospects that nothing creative can be accomplished, ignites the challenge of lustful escapades. My experience is that many poverty ridden believers in 3rd world nations have a brand of sanctification that exists from the waist up.

Politically based religious persecution does not always guarantee unified cooperation between different Christian groups. Some of the most divisive attitudes and corrupt activity that I have ever seen amongst churches have been in Communist strongholds. The shameful sins that are found in too many American pastoral leaders and their parishioners are just a prevalent with believers in countries closed to the Gospel.

It would be prudent for those who glamorize what tribulation can allegedly accomplish to keep the words of Jesus in mind. The cares of this life include concerns about creative innovation to better livelihood and the resultant relational upheaval caused by the lack of reasonable provision. These cares have no less capacity to choke out the Word’s productivity than the deceitfulness of riches.

When it comes to desires for more things, the oppressed are ever mindful; perhaps even more so than the affluent. (Matt 13:22: Mk 4:19)

God’s Design

If you were born in the USA or immigrated, it was by divine grace. The Lord sets the boundaries of nations and it is he who ordains the dwellings of men. (Acts 17:26) It is upright to speak about wherever he has placed you with reverential caution. An attitude of gratitude will serve you best for whatever the future holds. It is above my station of revelatory insight to give explanation for all of the reasons that God has designed the end-times to be tribulation ridden. But, I might have revelation about one of the reasons for diverse trials. It pertains to the purifying of the Body of Christ.

I do not think it is accurate to assume that the turbulence is solely designed to bring about experiential holiness in individuals. I am of the opinion that the purification is more so a winnowing separation of chaff personalities from the Body of Christ. It would be tragic for people who have holdover deposits of Adam’s treachery to be participants in the Bridal reign of the Church with Christ throughout the Millennium.

We know that many of the mere mortals who survive the end-time tribulations will be citizens of the kingdom reign. At the close of the thousand years, Satan will be loosed from imprisonment and will beguile many to attempt insurrection against Christ and the Father. It stands to reason that the purification process of this life serves to insure that none of the glorified body equipped members of the Lamb’s Bridal Company will join the forces of Satan in the final battle of this age.

Great News

Testing is not restricted to the lack of material blessings and the temptation to lose peace because of persecution. The peace of God that passes understanding has a history of equipping faith-filled disciples with the ability to triumph in the midst of the harshest of circumstance. In addition, it is God’s custom to bless the faithful with material provision and miracles even when they are undergoing punishment.

He tested Israel in the wilderness with miraculous food and water supply and divine healing. During the Babylonian captivity, he commanded the Israelis to bless the cities in which they dwelt. He promised that as they did so, the cities would prosper and the captives would in turn reap the benefits also. I am confident that believers, who choose faith for America and resist condemning her, will experience greater measures of peace and prosperity than those who persist in woeful prognostications. To give America a break is educated household preservation. It will reap optimum results, no matter what the future holds.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Jim Croft
jcm888@comcast.net