"Kings & Priests!"

"...And He has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

                                                                                      (Revelation 1:6)

The Book of Revelation is the "unveiling" of the celestial glory that was hidden in Christ during His earthly reign as King. This "revelation" was the true nature and, in fact, expectation that all Believers fulfill their prescribed roles as either "king" or "priest." In some instances, remnant Believers have the anointing for both offices.

In the Body of Christ [BOC] (the remnant of Believers "called" to Christ from the foundation of the world), divine teamwork and mutual respect is paramount. The "priest" is the "visionary" and he receives his spiritual direction from the Holy Spirit for his assignment in marketplace ministry. On the other hand, the "king" is the "provisionary;" his job is to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit on conceptualization, administration and implementation of "witty invention" to generate finances, businesses and generational wealth to advance and sustain the Kingdom of God in the earth.

It is critical that the BOC not try to make priests out of every man. Kings must be cultivated through commerce, business and entrepreneurship to finance the vision of the BOC. To do this, (forcing priesthood on every man) would severely upset the balance of vision and provision. Please be clear, I am not talking about financing the church and the prosperity gospel. I am talking specifically about the team of soldiers that God has called to go into the marketplace to build systems and destroy the paradigms of darkness. These are the people that will walk out (Matthew 25:31-46) in real time!

Unfulfilled kings become "spectators" and, eventually, "drop outs" because they were unable to find their place or realize the "gift" that God placed in their hearts. Unfulfilled priests become "dictators" and, eventually, "sell outs" when they try to operate outside of their calling. There is a profound need for priests to honor and respect the role of the king so that he feels free to go to war for the KOG. God made men to thrive on conquest and engagement. When men see their lives as vital and relevant, something miraculous changes inside of them (this is called a "quickening" of the spirit).

This burden ("kabod" - Hebrew lexicon) is the weightiness or glory of God. His yoke (the Holy Spirit) will lead and guide you and His burden (His glory) is light (easy to carry because you are doing what you are called to do and you have love, peace and joy doing it)! (Matthew 11:29-30) 

The ultimate revelation for us is that we are to rule and reign as Believers until He returns! Selah...

"The Perils of TRADITION!"

         "Beware less any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

                                                                    (Colossians 2:8)

The Holy Scriptures hold warnings against any man-made traditions, customs, precepts, laws or opinions that are diametrically opposed to, contradictory to or that nullify God's Word. These customs, rituals, practices and devices are the inventions of men; their creation, implementation and execution have nothing to do with the Lord God. These multi-generational fallacies have polluted the transference of the glory of God and have created an entire generation of young Christians who are spiritually immature, deaf (can't hear the voice of God) and selfish.

Tradition has unbelievable power and influence over a person's mindset. Tradition says, "This is the way we have always done things and, no matter what, we ain't changin' our program foe nobody!" Tradition spits in the face of change and truth. Tradition bristles at the suggestion of destroying dead doctrines and trashing antiquated practices. Tradition is a top donor for the spiritual survival of the idolater and his pursuit of demonizing the faith of God's people in the marketplace.

There has been a "spiritual mutation" created by a new generation of Christian through the vestige of tradition that most people don't know about. They are still elusive in the eyes of Christ; like trying to grab a handful of smoke. These "traditionalists" are there, but they aren't there; if you know what I mean? They exist in a vacuum insulated by ignorance, fear, stubbornness and superstition. 

Unfortunately, most Christians exist "outside" of Christ (meaning their lives do not reflect the glory, power and authority of the Risen Savior). How can it be that you are a Christian or Believer walking in a different "light" than hundreds of thousands of other Christians or Believers who are hearing the same Word? The conclusion of the matter is that they cannot be reading, studying or meditating on God's Word for themselves.

Jesus was the "poster child" of Truth who stood in flat-footed defiance against the spirit of tradition because He knew that tradition was killing the people. Nobody wants to challenge the rituals of man that are blotting out Christ from the hearts and minds of God's people because it is unpopular and dangerous (to the person's reputation). Jesus called these individuals hypocrites, vipers and wicked.

The institutional church (IC) is entrenched in tradition because of filthy lucre's sake (Titus 1:10-11). Translations: the IC loves money more than it loves God! You have to be dead to miss that...!

"Heavenly versus Demonic Wisdom!"

          “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

                                                                   (James 3:13-18)

          Newsflash: Everyone is NOT going to heaven. Many people professing to be Christians are not going to make it. Some people are smart, others are stupid. Still others are woefully ignorant. This WC is psychological (spiritual) so you can’t defend yourself against it carnally (physically).

          How does a person recognize if the involved in a church that practices WC? If the activities, events, preaching and teaching of the ministry are “self seeking” (self-serving), then the ministry is submissive to WC. You might ask, “What forms do they take?” Here are several possibilities of how these demons might manifest:

Ø Subtle forms: non-invasive, almost unrecognizable phrases, suggestions, etc.

Ø Spiritual forms: manipulation of God’s Word (you gotta read, study and meditate on God’s Word in order to be able to defend yourself);

Ø The unseen thing: spiritual wickedness: mean spirited, envious, bitter and quarrelsome people in leadership working undercover to derail what God is doing in your life;

Ø Do you see the manifestation of “fruit” in your life or in the lives of the people you fellowship with?

Ø Does every function in the ministry point back to one man or one woman? Most notably, your pastor or bishop?

Ø Is there an atmosphere of fear emanating from the pulpit that would discourage any challenges to unscrupulous behavior by the pastor?

Ø Is there correction from the church leadership to anyone (including the pastor) that steps out of bounds, violates the order of ministry or stands in direct opposition to God’s Word?

 Following instruction from the Holy Spirit will always lead you on the pathway to truth!

"New Wine, New Wineskins!"

"No one puts a piece of unshrunk (new) cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment and the tear is made worse. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins break, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved."
                                                                            
                                                                   (Matthew 9:16-17)

In the Old Testament, the skin of a bag was made from the skin of an animal. New wine was always put in a new bag (skin) so that the bag would stretch as the wine continued to ferment, and then the bag would harden. An old bag would burst if new wine was poured into it.

In this instance the "new wine" represents "fresh revelation" from the Holy Spirit and the "old bag" represents the physical and spiritual state of the former man before receiving the revelation of who he is in Christ Jesus. One reason the old bag cannot receive the new wine is because he is carnal in nature. Carnality is the enemy against God. The other reason is because of "fermentation."

Fermentation is a biochemical reaction that causes a "state of agitation or intense activity." In spiritual terms this is called, "dunamis" (Greek) power or explosive power. The Believer is involved in new discoveries, excitement, hunger and thirst for God's Word. This a dynamic, not static, event in the life of the Believer! I stated earlier that the old bag is rigid, inflexible and set in its ways. There is also no room for further growth. 

On the other hand, the new bag grows with the Spirit as the Spirit agitates, provokes and challenges the new Believer to unparalleled heights in the God realm. There is an interactive and intense activity with the Lord God in the heart, mind and soul of the new man. The new man is alive and the old man is dead. The old wine has dried up and the old bag has burst because, 

..."new wine has been poured into new wineskins!" Selah...

"Who's Your Daddy?"

          "...And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba Father!"

                                                                              (Galatians 4:6)

Citizens in the Kingdom of God have no doubt about who their Father is. They know His Name, His Character and His Will. He is the One True God and the Ancient of Days. Paul has given us the revelation that as a son (one who is led by the Holy Spirit) has received the gift of the Holy Spirit and that same Spirit has the ability to cry out, "Abba Father!" "Abba" is a term of endearment; it is an intimate term like "Daddy" "Pops" or "Papi" and is a strong indicator of the closeness of the relationship.

You can't call a stranger "Dad" and that stranger won't receive you as his "son." Generations of fathers have created babies that were "mistakes" (bastards, illegitimate, out of wedlock children) and have devoured their inheritance because their children were not a part of their game plan. These "locusts" came into the earth realm and created devastation among the women and scattered families and corrupted God's most holy institution; marriage.

Wave after wave and swarm after swarm, these godless men destroyed the legacy of peace, love and joy that could have been there own. They wasted the opportunity to transfer the inheritance to their children and subsequently threw their children away like yesterday's trash without any guidance or direction. The inheritance they could have given to their sons was greater than silver and gold, land, or even a good name. They could have transferred Christ to us, but they couldn't because He wasn't in their hearts to give!

Along came the Holy Spirit for all the bastard sons and daughters who had been plucked from the hands of Satan and they were given a new name (sons) and a new family (the Body of Christ) and a new residence (the kingdom of God) and most of all, a new Father who loves, honors and protects them.

Your biological daddy is not your Father; your heavenly Father is your Daddy and He is awaiting your triumphant return home! Selah...

"Reproducing Christ in the Earth!"

           "Truly, Truly I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
                                                                                  (John 12:24)

When we hear the word "reproduction" most often our minds go straight to sexual intercourse and making babies. Although that is a major aspect of our roles as humans, the more important role for Christians is their ability not only procreation but their inherent ability to "reproduce Christ" in the earth.

What does it mean to reproduce Christ in the earth? Jesus was the "seed" (the Word of God) that went into the ground and died and was resurrected as a full grown manifestation of God's Word. He was "replicated" by the Holy Spirit as a full portion of the Triune Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) who was charged with the responsibility of leading and guiding His sons into all truth and righteous.

To replicate something means to become an exact copy of something. There should be no deviation from the original model. As a born again Believer, everyone we engage should experience the fullness of Christ in love, peace and joy. They should be empowered by your grace, power and strength. They should be encouraged by your influence, witness and integrity. They should be enlightened by your wisdom, knowledge and humility. They should be enamored by your faith, patience and righteousness.

At the end of the day, reproducing Christ is simply seeking Him, "hearing" Him and obeying Him. Selah...