Inner Building, Outward Fruit

And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: (Isa 37:31)

We cannot deny that the Lord is looking for fruit, not just fruit but good fruit (Matt 12:33). Fruition can only come about when there is a deep work of God done in secret on our knees. Busyness can be the enemy of the preliminary foundational work God wants to build into us. The Father’s business is not based on how much nor what we do, but times spent communing with Him. We need deep roots to be constant and stable lest His life get choked out of us and end up in the horror of fruitlessness (Mark 4:19).

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (Eph 3:16)

The inner man is not what man sees, for anyone can put up a façade to deceive others of the true and weak condition within. It is in communion that we see our lack, weakness and sin. It is in communion that we realize self has no place in the Kingdom of God. It is in communion that we experience the abiding in Christ and not in ourselves. It is in communion that there that unveiling and transformation takes place (2 Cor 3:18). God is Spirit and our spirit is where He can build in consistency and uprightness (Psa 51:10). Fruits can only be brought forth at the right time of maturity, not rushed (1 Tim 3:6). We underestimate the riches of His glory when we switch priorities and start off ‘above ground’, this is lacking faith. Faith is seeking that which is not seen by human eyes - 'below ground'. It is in communion that He shares the vision, provides the wisdom and supplies the means. If it is the Father’s business, He will ensure that the venture will never fail.

Deception of Dichotomy

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Mat 5:27-28)

Most would think it is alright to continue in a certain sin or misconduct as long as it is not exposed or found it. Their conscience may or may not be pricked. Either way God sees what is hidden from man’s eyes in the deep recesses of his soul, particularly the heart (1 Sam 16:7). The hardest and deadliest deception is not just from exterior sources but from within (Jer 17:9), do not yield to its wickedness. The heart is the court room where the mind and man’s will justify every means to condone sin. The propitiation of sin cannot be applied on this ground; it only takes its full effect and power when there is confession to expose the matter and of filth of the heart. There is another danger of justification to dwell in sin, it leads to dichotomy of the inner man and the outward conduct, transforming into a ‘spiritual schizophrenic’. The sinful self will quickly learn to put on a mask to deceive others of the inward filth, but sadly there is exist rot in the white washed sepulcher.

And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Gen 3:8)

It must break the Father’s heart to see His children whom He has redeemed by the blood of His only begotten Son sin under the sun as though He isn’t watching or care. He does care because His Beloved Son died that we may be redeemed. Even worst is the act of trying to conceal from Him. Who are we bluffing? Who is deceived? With that a hardening sets it, sin has won dominion. Don’t live in a lie and deception  (Heb 3:13).

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Rom 6:13)

When dealing with sin, regret and sincerity to get out of sin does not apply – it is faith that delivers. It takes confession for forgiveness and cleansing will come. If we do not, by faith, reckoned ourselves dead to sin, we will continue weave in and out of the same sin. Allow God to pierce our heart with His word by believing. Be in the position of desperation so much so to cut off everything pertaining to that sin (Matt 5:30). The devil has sinned from the beginning; don’t participate in his nature (1 Joun 3:8). The evidence of faith is when we ‘go, and sin no more’ (John 8:11).

The Cross

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"The cross is laid on every Christian. It begins with the call to abandon the attachments of this world. It is that dying of the old man which is the result of his encounter with Christ."

Gifts for Work

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Eph 4:11-12)

We should by all means desire the best spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:31). Gifts are not superior positions but for serving the body of Christ. Gifts are not meant as trophies in our list of spiritual attainments. They are to be used, practiced and exercised diligently. By all means desire the best gifts, but always remain in the continual state of being that there is a more excellent way; the way of love. Jesus, Who is the way has demonstrated this and has sent down the Holy Spirit that we too will be the manifestation of that way He has determined for His body. Jesus didn’t come to show a method of doing things, but the characteristic of His life (by His teaching, model, sacrifice and Spirit).

The aim of gifts is that the brother and sister will be built up, rooted in Christ and perhaps even leave better than I. Consider others better and wish the best in this work for others. Gifts are meant for others, not for us to bask in self glory. By all means covert the gifts that the brother and sister will progress unto clearer Christ likeness. It is always better to give than to receive.

How to Think About Sin

Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chamber's playlist

Prayer, Relationship with The Father

Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. (Isa 45:11)

Jesus asked to address our prayer to ‘Our Father which art in Heaven’ (Matt 6:9). He is saying that prayer is a privilege to those who are exclusively God’s children. Many write books, speak, preach, talk, study, etc on prayer, but do we exercise our relationship as children of our Father in Heaven? There are many places in Scripture that God challenges, reminds or even as though pleading with us to communicate with Him to ask in prayer. By and large, few have found a living relationship to the Father in prayer in asking for His will and His Kingdom to be established on earth as it has been in Heaven. Desires in prayer mostly concerns self desires, not God’s desires; it doesn’t seem to matter if many perish in hell as long as my ‘needs’ are met (2 Pet 3:9). Genuine relationship in prayer is about Father's business, not ours.

Enlarge the place of thy tent…… and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. (Isa 54:2-3)

God’s Kingdom and will has already been established in Heaven, it’s is our privilege to pray down His desire to the earth. Our prayer relationship and position with the Father is from above, not to ‘pull down’ His Kingdom (Eph 2:6). We don’t pray from a defeated mentality, but from the pinnacle of victory that Christ has accomplished and completed. All the blessings are already stored up in God’s Throne Room, our prayer serves as the conduit to bring the execution of it on the earth.  The Father says to enlarge our capacity to bring the flow from Heaven down to earth. The larger the conduit, the greater the capacity to deliver God’s will on the earth.

…. and if I perish, I perish. (Est 4:16)

God’s divine plan cannot fail and if we fail to pray down His Kingdom purposes for execution on earth, He will raise up another but we will be forfeited from His plan. Prayer involves carrying the cross that Jesus has prescribed to all those who desire to follow Him, we lay aside our plans to consider His plans. We lay aside each other’s concerns, comfort and perhaps our lives to pray the higher establishment of His plans. Pray, it’s every Christian’s vital relationship with the God Who created the ends of the earth and be participators of His Kingdom purposes on earth.