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Monthly Archives: October 2011


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The Churches of Revelation

The Churches of Revelation

In Which Group Do you Abide?

I’ve been reading Revelation yet once again seeking understanding from the Holy Spirit. In Chapters 2 and 3, Jesus Christ addresses the seven churches, which are representative of the spiritual state of all of God’s children. (churches=called out ones, 7=completion) Some are called Synagogue of Satan and Satan’s throne; those who are following self-will instead of God thus allowing Satan to be on the throne in their lives. 1 John 5:19, Eph 2:2 Some are warned that their lampstand will be removed; the Holy Spirit which is the oil to their lamp or soul. Matthew 25:29 Then there are the rewards for those who truly are abiding in the light, Truth. These are some powerful images that we would be wise to examine our relationship with God by and heed their instruction as God’s children.

While reading through these chapters, I made two lists – one describing the lives of those who overcome and abide in peace with God and one describing the lives of those who are lost in the deception and lies and suffer for it. The lists don’t contain every detail of these chapters – but it was an enlightening practice. I strongly suggest meditating on these chapters as these truths are now manifesting.

The Overcomers …

  • Eat of the tree of life (Rev 2:7) = They feast on God’s truth which is growing and dwelling in them, changing them and manifesting abundant life to all areas of their lives.
  • Are not hurt by second death (Rev 2:11) = they have eternal life now and are spiritually alive; thus their flourishing lives testify to their spiritual life.
  • Are given hidden manna (Rev 2:17) = they are learning deep truths of God that are taught to them by God Himself and not another human; truths that haven’t been revealed until this time.
  • Have power over the nations (Rev 2:26) = they have spiritual power over the enemy and their prayers affect the nations and that power continues to grow. In the regeneration, they will rule with Christ. (Rev 11:5-6, 20:4, John 14:12)
  • Are given the Morning Star (Rev 2:28) = The Spirit of God dwells within them bringing a true transformation inside and out. (2 Peter 1:19)
  • Given white garments (Rev 3:5) = they have the righteousness of God, demonstrated by growing in obedience to God’s will in all things because of His Spirit is growing in them.
  • Are confessed by Jesus Christ before God and the angels (Rev 3:5) = Jesus stands in their place as their reconciliation to God as their High Priest because He knows them. (Matthew 7:22-23)
  • Are saved from the hour of trial that is coming upon the earth. (Rev 3:10) = Are kept in peace and protection while the world faces tribulation. (Psalm 91:10, John 14:27)
  • Are pillars in temple of God (Rev 3:12) = their lives have been built upon the truth of God (Eph 2:19-22), so God’s spirit can dwell and grow within them.
  • Take part of the New Jerusalem of Heaven (Rev 3:12) = their “church” is God’s temple made without hands, the New Jerusalem, which is their souls.
  • Dine with Christ (Rev 3:20) = the fountain of life dwells in them because they continually feast on the bread of life which is Christ, the Truth.
  • Sit on the throne with Christ (Rev 3:21) = they are among the first fruits with Christ as a part of His body, they are where He is, thus separate from this world and it’s ways.

Those Who Fall …

  • Left first love. (Rev 2:4) =  They do many “good” works, but neglect one-on-one fellowship with God on a regular basis, which without this their “good works” have nothing to stand on. (Matthew 7:22-23)
  • Have their lamp stand removed (Rev 2:5) = Holy Spirit, light and truth of God, taken from them and darkness prevails. (Matthew 25:29)
  • Heed the doctrine of demons, false doctrines, believing them to be truth. (Rev 2:14) = They lack a love for the truth so they can’t discern the holy from the profane, thus they are misguided into believing lies. (2 Thess 2:10)
  • Operate in the likeness of Jezebel (Rev 2:20) = They tolerate, compromise, and overlook false doctrines and principles among God’s people that leads them away from God’s truth and will, thus into greater fear, angst and suffering.
  • Are going through great tribulation in their lives. (Rev 2:22) = They are suffering great hardship and bondage in their lives from their self-will and giving into deception governed by evil.
  • Believe they are alive, but are in truth are spiritually dead (Rev 3:1) = they act according to the flesh life and not the spirit; thus there is no power real power of God flowing through their lives, though God continues for a time to extend His mercy to them.
  • Are non-repentant in the depths of their soul in surrendering their self-will to God. (Rev 3:3) = These continue to accept or live in sin (anything contrary to God’s will) and live their lives by their own will and judgment of goodness. For some, Christ’s sacrifice serves as an excuse for sin. They aren’t being transformed glory unto glory. No spiritual growth.
  • Will have Christ comes upon them as a thief (Rev 3:3) = being fleshy minded and taught, they will not know when Christ is returning, unlike those of the Day, who will know because they are of the Day. (1 Thess 5:4)
  • Don’t buy truth from Christ. (Rev 3:18) = They aren’t His disciples learning from His Holy Spirit directly, but disciples of mankind, thus they buy from the beast.  (Rev 13:17, Matthew 25:9)

Revelation is a huge puzzle that is decoded by the Holy Spirit and by the rest of the Bible, not human intellect. It’s layered with imagery and depths of meaning. I feel the time is upon us, when God is unveiling this book in much deeper layers to those who seek Him in Truth, because the time for it to be manifested is dawning upon us.

Mark 7:16 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”


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Are You Spirit-Minded Or Flesh-Minded?

Are You Spirit-Minded Or Flesh-Minded?


Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

 

What is spirit-minded versus carnal or flesh-minded?

The flesh is our self-will and all that it produces and manifests. It’s our self-created values, idols, and philosophies. It’s what we trust and hope in other than God’s truth. It’s the outcomes of corruption that come from following the flesh. Gal 5:19-21 It’s defining and creating our own goodness and righteousness. Isaiah 64:6 It’s based in fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 It’s everything derived from following self and the elements of the world created by self, versus God. Thus, the flesh-mind is one consumed and governed by self and the corresponding beliefs.

Is your hope in the wisdom of mankind? What do your actions show? Do you have a fear of man? Do you strive to please others? To please yourself? If so, your god is man. You serve mankind, and have a flesh-mind, which end is death. We’ve all been there at one point, but it’s not where we are to stay. Galatians 1:10

The spirit is what is of God. It’s knowing God’s truth and living the outcomes of it. Galatians 5:22 It’s a state of peace, rest, love and delight. It’s trusting in God in all things so you enter into a state of internal and external rest in all things. (The rest allows God’s spirit to move through you as He wills, like a leaf directed by the wind. Rest is a testimony of trust.) Hebrews 4:11 It’s becoming like a child who trusts his Father’s complete protection, provision, love and care and therefore lives in delight and in the desires of his heart. Psalm 37:4-5 Mark 10:15 It’s giving over all judgment to God to decide what is good and what isn’t, thus letting Him direct your life. John 5:30 It’s owning Christ’s righteousness and walking in it. When we are spirit-minded we have a mind like Christ, surrendered to God’s will, filled with God’s truth, and governed by the Spirit of God. Galatians 2:20, 2 Corin 5:17

Do you have a fear of God? Do you care about what He thinks above others? Are you seeking and moving into His will in all areas of your life? Is your trust growing in Him? Then you are on the path of being spirit-minded.

Galatians 5:24-25 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.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish

To be spirit-minded, the flesh has to be destroyed. To remain flesh-minded is death because it’s counter and in opposition to God, who is life.

How do you know you are spirit-minded or flesh-minded?

What do you think about most of the day? What do you talk about? Who do you serve? What do you meditate on? Where do you put your hope? In what/who do you trust? What consumes your time? What do you put first on your list? Who has taught you the beliefs you live by? From who have you gained the “wisdom” you live by? Psalm 1:1-3, 2 Corin 1:12

These answers will tell you who/what owns your mind, the flesh or the spirit. Who/what owns your mind, owns you. We start out imprisoned by a flesh-mind that leads us down paths of destruction and death, but the TRUTH came to set us free.

Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Which are you cultivating?

Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life

Because what you believe and focus on you create as a creative being made in the image of God, if you are focusing on and sowing a flesh-mindset, then you are creating corruption leading to death. If you are sowing a spirit-mind, then you are reaping eternal abundant life.

What do you sow? Who do you listen to? What do you read? What do you seek? How do you spend your time? Are they in accordance to the wisdom of mankind or the wisdom of God? Do you know the difference? The flesh-mindset is far more enveloping than most realize. In recent weeks, my eyes have been opening to its pervasiveness. It’s everywhere. 2 Corinthians 13:5

When we sow to the flesh, we search out answers and solutions from mankind’s intellect and wisdom, even in spiritual matters. 1 Corinthians 3:19 If you trust others to teach you about God, you are sowing to the flesh, because you are putting your trust in mankind. Do you see? In everything we are to seek the truth and wisdom of God, because that of the world is a twisted, corrupted, opposing and degenerate version of true wisdom.

When we sow to the spirit, we seek truth from God, we are taught by Him and not by man. 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, John 6:45 We seek to know the truth in all things, we have a love for THE Truth. 2 Thess 2:10. (How to Seek the Kingdom of God)

Gaining a spirit-mind and leaving the flesh mind behind is a journey. When you are on the right path you know it because your life is a testimony to you.


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Making Sacred Time for God

Making Sacred Time for God

The sun dawns and stirs souls to engage the new day. As the sun brightens their eyes, they grab a cup of hot coffee or tea and spend the next hour, talking, listening and deeply engaging God in the sacred quietness they’ve structured into their lives. They pour out their heart to Him, He listens. He speaks to them of His truths and fashions their hearts and minds to be in unity with Him. Hebrews 8:10-11

Imagine if more people engaged God in this quiet, attentive, and intimate space. If more people did, more would.  People would see the provision, blessing, joy, peace and rest in the lives of those who had spent years seeking, and would know this intimacy of knowing God was the path to their deepest needs and desires. Yes, they would also see the intense spiritual struggle and angst the beginning of this path brings as the flesh-mind is transformed, but they also would see the results of the struggle; a new spirit of love, power and sound mindedness. 2 Timothy 1:7

People wouldn’t be able to excuse this “blessed” life as someone who is, “lucky”, “one of those fortunate types”, or “special”, because many souls of various walks of life would have similar results. They would know the Spirit of God was the common thread being woven throughout these people’s lives and it could be in their lives as well.

But the multitudes don’t seek God.

Why don’t people seek God?

Why don’t many of those who profess to love God not even spend this sacred time with Him each day?

The surface excuse is often not enough time, but the real reasons go much deeper.

Battle of Spirit and Flesh

The fundamental reason is God is Spirit and all you do in drawing near to Him involves the Spirit, and the Spirit and flesh are in opposition. Galatians 5:17 In this context, the Spirit is what is of God and the flesh is what is of mankind’s self-will. The flesh is the mind and it’s production of self-created value, idols, and philosophies in which humans trust and act. If your mind is sown in the will and truths of God, you are spirit-minded giving life to the spirit. If your mind is sown in will of mankind, his “wisdom” and philosophies, you are flesh-minded selling your soul to destruction.

Because this world is under the sway of the evil one who is ruler and instigator of the flesh mind, everything of this world (worldly systems, ideas, wisdom, etc) is of the flesh and counters the Spirit, particularly our seeking God in truth and spirit. 1 John 5:19 The flesh-mind is promoted and prevalent in every dimension of life. It governs, distracts, deceives, consumes, and thus owns most people’s souls.

Here is a sampling of the mindsets of the flesh-mind contrary to seeking God, ones I experienced prior to entering into God’s kingdom. Romans 8:5

  • Our choices, path, decisions and methods are sufficient, so don’t need to really seek God’s truth or wisdom.
  • Life with God would be less ______ (fill in the blank).
  • We will suffer loss if we trust God.
  • We are fine as we are, as we put following self-will above God.
  • Unity with God is NOT what we truly desire, but for us to play god choosing what is good and right for our lives by our “wisdom”.
  • The world’s ways offer deliverance, desirous fulfillment, and happiness, and God’s ways do not.

Most of these reasons for not drawing near to God we don’t admit, even to ourselves. I didn’t. When it came down to the reality of my day to day living, I clung to the flesh-mind because I embraced the lies, which kept me in the pit and in the self-created prison of my mind.

Matthew 16:25 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

The ability to overcome the flesh-mindset, which consumes this world thus our minds, came when enough truth entered my mind to bring an awareness of the depravity that consumed my life. Realizing the paths I’d chosen were not leading me to where I desired, even at a superficial level, I was motivated to seek God, truly, for the first time.

When a spark of truth shines into our souls and awakens us to the reality that what we’re doing isn’t working, when we feel we have suffered enough, exhausted other pathways, and are tired of running in circles after things that don’t fulfill, then we listen to the spirit’s prompting and make time to seek God. John 3:8 Though we still have much doubt, we venture to the realm of God’s truth by His grace.

Embarking on this journey is similar to a sick person getting healthy. When people’s health degenerates so that death is knocking at the door and a voice inside drives them to fight and not let death enter in, then they make a change. They could have chosen the path of health long before and enjoyed years of vitality, but didn’t. They let themselves physically deteriorate to the point of kissing death.

Many do this spiritually. We have to come to a precipice of wanting to give up our self-will, and be consumed by God’s. So, we deteriorate until our soul comes to a breaking point and something in us calls us to God, then we start seeking God as He instructs us. Matthew 6:33 It’s at this moment we are deeply blessed because our lives shift to a path that will bring spiritual life and thus what we have unknowingly deeply sought and desired.

Initially in seeking God persistence is required, even in the awareness of our depravity, as the flesh continues to war against the spirit. Here is where many give up, and the flesh wins. God is spirit and as we draw near, there will be a battle as we are dominated by the flesh. For those who persist, some days are better than others, but it’s a struggle to be consistent and persistent. Like getting physically healthy, each day you don’t see much improvement but over time as you persevere you reap the rewards. Matthew 7:14

In time, the powers shift in our soul and the flesh is subdued by the growing spirit of truth within. We come to know and drink of the fountain of life and cross a point of never turning back. Our sacred time with God each day becomes a delight and feast for our souls. We enjoy an everlasting and ever deepening intimacy that prepares our soul to become the temple of God. We become spiritual beings crafted in and by the Spirit of God.

I pray you are one of those souls. Matthew 13:23

Matthew 11:5 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Verses for Meditation

Ecc 2:26 For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Psalm 127:2 It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Psalm 37:4-5 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

Psalm 1:2-3 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Matthew 6:32-33 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.


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The Day of the Lord

The Day of the Lord

1 Corinthians 3:13-14 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

The Day of the Lord (span of time and testing of Christ; the Word of God, The Day) will reveal each one’s work by fire. Though each one will experience the testing “fire” of this Day, it will turn out very differently depending on what type of “work” each one has engaged in.

The Work

What is the work? It’s what you have built your faith on and trust in. It’s what you’ve established your hope in. We all have faith, it’s a matter of what or whom it’s in. Our actions and decisions show what we truly trust.

The enduring work is establishing a life built on faith on the everlasting God of truth and love. Only God is life and eternal. If our lives are built upon Him and His truths, they will endure. John 6:28-29

The work that doesn’t endure is our faith in anything else of this world; worldly wisdom, our resources, our personal ability and strength, idols of our own making, elements of this physical existence, religious rituals, whatever we are trusting in other than the One true God. Ezekiel 14:4

The “fires” or trials used to test each one’s trust are many and varied. They can take on just about any form. They are what challenge our faith, test the sources of our trust, and push us to the edge of ourselves exposing the truth of our hearts and minds. As the trials come to us to test our faith, our responses will show who or what we honestly trust in, it will reveal the type of work we’ve been engaged in during our lives.

Enduring Work

For those who have cultivated a trust in God and whose work endures, though the fires of testing may look daunting, they will be as a small flickering flame, with no power and easily extinguished.

Their stories will resemble that of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in Daniel 3. They have built up a faith in God through their life experiences and knowledge. Thus when it comes to the ultimate test, they are able to stand strong and refuse to bow down and serve (look to anything for deliverance but God) any god but the God. Thus the fire will have no power in their lives. They know their God and their actions show their trust in His power.

Daniel 3:27 And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.

These are those who will endure and receive the rewards of those who diligently seek God. Hebrews 11:6. Those who deeply trust God will continue to trust in the midst of the greatest challenges of their faith and will come out unscathed. Though the fires seem to be at their door, God goes before them and completely protects them. These will be kept from experiencing the Great Tribulation in their lives, for the fire has no power. Rev 3:10

How are they able to stand in the midst of the fire? Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, they have a life of seeking, knowing and cultivating trust in God and are able to stand at the greatest challenges. These were the ones buying the gold refined by fire from Christ. They are His disciples learning His truths directly from Him, and those truths refine their corrupted spirits to be vessels of light to hold the Spirit of God. Rev 3:18

1 Corinthians 13:14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward

Perishing Work

For those who trust in themselves and other idols and whose works are burned, the fires will be daunting. The fire of testing of the Day of the Lord will cause great grief as what they’ve trusted in comes to nothing. Fear will grip them as what they’ve relied on is threatened and consumed. These are the ones who experience the great tribulation. However, though all the elements that led them from the truth will be burned and they will suffer loss, they will be saved through the fire.

1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Unlike the ones who bought gold refined from Christ, these did not. They bought their treasures from what isn’t truly life but death, this world’s wisdom and its lies and deception. Rev 13:17 Thus when their faith is tested it reveals their work – building up trust in entities other than God. They lived by their own will, followed what they deemed was good, and didn’t FIRST seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Matthew 6:33

What will your work reveal in the Day of the Lord? What is your hope in … truly?

Revelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Psalm 146:5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Romans 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit


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The Day of The Lord, What Will It Be?

 The Day of The Lord, What Will It Be?

God has been teaching me about the Day of the Lord. This poem reflects the puzzle pieces He has been putting together for me. I pray the Holy Spirit will use this to confirm what He has been teaching to those who are diligently seeking truth in these days.

The Day of the Lord:
What will it Be?

The Day of the Lord, what will it be?
Perhaps something different for you and me

A fire of testing to reveal our faith
Uncovering all not leaving a trace.

What is the truth we hold?
The seed of our hope will be told.

Was it our strength, idols of our making?
Was it God’s mercy, eternal and everlasting?

As the Day dawns, the fires igniting
The dark grows darker and the light lightening.

For some growing angst, worry, grief, and pain
For others increasing power, rest, joy and gain.

Judgment cast by our own hands
As God lets our choices stand.

A time of trial unlike any on earth
For some a prison, others new birth.

Look to your left, to your right
Is it peace in God or growing fright?

Our God a consuming fire, coming in the clouds
To burn away all that’s haughty and proud.

For some a thief coming unaware
Others a fulfillment of hope prepared.

A shift among the powers of heaven
From evil’s reign to love’s dominion.

Children of light become mighty warriors
Bringing judgment as evil’s plan foils.

For both a sadness in what is lost
When love to save was given without cost.

But love will prevail in the end
Given by our truest Friend.

It’s mercy that’s without end, not suffering
It will cover all our blunderings

To redeem all that was lost
Though there are paths of different costs.

Out of the ashes will arise beauty
Lives transformed by God’s faithful duty.

In this Day, love holds the victory
As God reveals the fullness of the mystery.

What will the Day be for you?
A day of uncovering shame or being gloriously anew?

~ Rachel DiPaolo
October 1, 2011