Monday, February 7, 2011
Flesh or Spirit Led by Todd Pierce
Leslie and I are on our way home from Portland and I couldn’t wait to tell you all congratulations! For those of you who have been with us through this time of prayer and fasting, you made it! What an incredible gift our Father has poured out on us as He has drawn close to us as we have drawn close to Him. It's these times that we can relate to the men who were with Jesus on the mountain of transfiguration. Remember Peter wanted to build a tabernacle. I have always taken that as the men were experiencing the reality of being in the very presence of God and not wanting to leave that place. Why would you want to? I was talking with a bull rider this morning who said that he had thoughts of his plane going down and he actually wanted it to. It’s as though the closer we are to the Father, the more we are ruined for this world. When the Kingdom is within the human spirit we have a longing for continual intimacy with our Father, yet he continues to send us into the world so that we won't be of it, but reside in it. Remember Paul said that to live is Christ and to die is gain? Then he went on to say that he wasn’t sure what he would choose because as long as he was here he would be useful for building up the body of Christ but if he died, he would go ahead and be with the Father. I have those same feeling at times, but for now, I am energized and so excited about how our Father has lavished his love upon me and is continuing to allow me to be a part of his Kingdom while I still reside in this fleshly body. When we are insisting that our spirit (perfected with the Holy Spirit) is telling our body what to do, it's supernatural. When our flesh is telling our spirit and soul what to do, it is natural. The works of the flesh are evident as the work of the spirit is also evident. Galatians 5 says it this way? Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like - of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
So let's continue on with the work of the Kingdom as we are walking in the Spirit. Don’t grow weary in doing good. You will soon receive your reward. Finish the race. We love you all and consider it a privilege to be a part of this ministry family. Todd and Leslie
Leslie and I are on our way home from Portland and I couldn’t wait to tell you all congratulations! For those of you who have been with us through this time of prayer and fasting, you made it! What an incredible gift our Father has poured out on us as He has drawn close to us as we have drawn close to Him. It's these times that we can relate to the men who were with Jesus on the mountain of transfiguration. Remember Peter wanted to build a tabernacle. I have always taken that as the men were experiencing the reality of being in the very presence of God and not wanting to leave that place. Why would you want to? I was talking with a bull rider this morning who said that he had thoughts of his plane going down and he actually wanted it to. It’s as though the closer we are to the Father, the more we are ruined for this world. When the Kingdom is within the human spirit we have a longing for continual intimacy with our Father, yet he continues to send us into the world so that we won't be of it, but reside in it. Remember Paul said that to live is Christ and to die is gain? Then he went on to say that he wasn’t sure what he would choose because as long as he was here he would be useful for building up the body of Christ but if he died, he would go ahead and be with the Father. I have those same feeling at times, but for now, I am energized and so excited about how our Father has lavished his love upon me and is continuing to allow me to be a part of his Kingdom while I still reside in this fleshly body. When we are insisting that our spirit (perfected with the Holy Spirit) is telling our body what to do, it's supernatural. When our flesh is telling our spirit and soul what to do, it is natural. The works of the flesh are evident as the work of the spirit is also evident. Galatians 5 says it this way? Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like - of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
So let's continue on with the work of the Kingdom as we are walking in the Spirit. Don’t grow weary in doing good. You will soon receive your reward. Finish the race. We love you all and consider it a privilege to be a part of this ministry family. Todd and Leslie
Labels: Fasting, Flesh, Fruit of Spirit, Kingdom, Prayer
Friday, January 28, 2011
In Revelation 3 (Please read it) Jesus said he rather us be hot or cold. One who is luke warm is one who has no hope of repentance and receives divine rejection. I don't suppose to know who this is referring to but I want to present you with this truth and have you consider where you are. This was the last letter to the churches and many believe it directly addresses the church of the last days, of which we are a part of. It goes on to describe a people who have equated material wealth with spiritual wealth. I believe it falls in line with the presumption that because things are going well for you, you assume you are spiritually blessed. The good news is that Jesus says that he still stands at the door and knocks and that anyone who will open that door, Jesus will come in to him. Many consider this a point of salvation but I want you to go deeper. Many have said a prayer and have trusted that Jesus was in fact the Messiah who was crucified for their sins but live lives that are neither hot or cold. One who is in this condition is one who has not rejected the Truth but has by no means accepted it.
I want to challenge you and I need you to know that I speak to myself as I speak to you. Receive these words as a loving encouragement from a Father that believes in you and has done all He can to get you to a place of abundant life. Joshua was one who was to take God's people across the Jordan (same river Jesus was baptized in) and into the promised land where they would have authority over the flesh the world and the devil. They had lived in the desert as servants and were to now enter into a new existence as sons. In Christ, we are those people who have authority over these things, yet we as a whole continue to play the role of victims. Where is the victory? If you are a Christian, then you must use the authority given to you. Remember when the disciples came back to Jesus after getting their butts kicked by demons? He told them that some only come out by prayer and fasting. All of our Patriarchs fasted. Jesus was God and he fasted. He told his disciples to fast. Yet we as a church rarely hear about it. Why is that? We are not a people who work for our own salvation, but we are a people that work out our salvation. I want to continue to encourage you to join us on this 21-day fast that will conclude on February 6th. Pick 3-7 days to interrupt your schedule and seek the Lord with all you heart and all your strength. Confess to him as we just read in Revelation 3, that apart from him we are miserable, poor, naked and blind. Confess your need for him at the beginning of this year and present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and blameless. He said that those who come to him must first believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently SEEK him. Unfortunately, we can get to feeling so comfortable in our modern Christianity that we forget our daily need for His provision and wisdom as we walk through this life. For many, our flesh runs the show. And as long as our flesh isn't leading us into gross sin, we assume we are walking in the Spirit. Tell your flesh "no" on one of it's needs and see how powerful your flesh still is. I write these words to you with love and concern for you and your family. Our Father is passionate about you, are you passionate about him?
I want to challenge you and I need you to know that I speak to myself as I speak to you. Receive these words as a loving encouragement from a Father that believes in you and has done all He can to get you to a place of abundant life. Joshua was one who was to take God's people across the Jordan (same river Jesus was baptized in) and into the promised land where they would have authority over the flesh the world and the devil. They had lived in the desert as servants and were to now enter into a new existence as sons. In Christ, we are those people who have authority over these things, yet we as a whole continue to play the role of victims. Where is the victory? If you are a Christian, then you must use the authority given to you. Remember when the disciples came back to Jesus after getting their butts kicked by demons? He told them that some only come out by prayer and fasting. All of our Patriarchs fasted. Jesus was God and he fasted. He told his disciples to fast. Yet we as a church rarely hear about it. Why is that? We are not a people who work for our own salvation, but we are a people that work out our salvation. I want to continue to encourage you to join us on this 21-day fast that will conclude on February 6th. Pick 3-7 days to interrupt your schedule and seek the Lord with all you heart and all your strength. Confess to him as we just read in Revelation 3, that apart from him we are miserable, poor, naked and blind. Confess your need for him at the beginning of this year and present yourself a living sacrifice, holy and blameless. He said that those who come to him must first believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently SEEK him. Unfortunately, we can get to feeling so comfortable in our modern Christianity that we forget our daily need for His provision and wisdom as we walk through this life. For many, our flesh runs the show. And as long as our flesh isn't leading us into gross sin, we assume we are walking in the Spirit. Tell your flesh "no" on one of it's needs and see how powerful your flesh still is. I write these words to you with love and concern for you and your family. Our Father is passionate about you, are you passionate about him?
Labels: Fasting, Flesh, Prayer, Sacrifice, Seek
