Monday, December 30, 2013

You can just call me a Disciple of Christ



In a year where God has been re-establishing His Divine Order; there were many areas of our lives including those within our society that have faced repeated shakings, cleansings, readjustments and the re-establishing of the ancient landmarks. In this year alone, many have witnessed religious battles where people jockeyed for positions or status among select groups. Many of these public and private skirmishes while not started by first timers or those who did not have a clue; were actually begun by many who considered themselves part of the religious elite.

When Jesus walked the earth, there were many such skirmishes and inner struggles similar to those occurring today. Three groups in particular namely the Sadducees, Pharisees and Essenes which will be discussed in this particular message. According to information shared on the Jewish Virtual Library site, “the most important of the three were the Pharisees because they are the spiritual fathers of modern Judaism” (Jewish Virtual Library). In addition, the Pharisees believed in and adhered to the Law of God as passed down to His servant Moses. The Sadducees as the second group have been described as the “elitists who wanted to maintain the priestly caste” (Jewish Virtual Library). Also to note, the Sadducees differed in their perspective from the Pharisees because their main focus was on the written law namely the Torah as their foundational source for wisdom. The last of these three groups is known as the Essenes, who “believed the others had corrupted the city and the Temple” (Jewish Virtual Library). In light of their views, the Essenes left what they considered to be these “unholy cites” and took up residence far “away from the world” (Ross, Allen). To learn more about these particular groups just click on the reference links.

As this natural year comes to a close and while the Sovereign Father yet continues to align and redirect His people back to flowing in sync with His heartbeat, the question that one may ask; is when Father’s divine order is fully operating according to plan will any of the doctrines, policies or personal perceptions of any of these groups matter in the eyes of the very one who created and established the earth? The answer to this question is “No, of course not.”

During Jesus' time one of the many lessons he taught his disciples concerned two of the main groups discussed. The Pharisees and Sadducees seemed to always be in direct opposition to his teachings. In Matthew 16:5-7 Jesus gave his disciples this direct warning When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

While the dictates of religion can sometimes be cruel, as children of the living and Most High God, it is imperative that we must not allow ourselves to get caught up with any group that seeks to argue or even seek to make the word of God of no effect. The bible teaches us in Isaiah 55:8-11“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” So when others seek to discredit the word of God, it’s not necessary for you jump into religious battles trying to defend the word. Just speak the word, pursue peace and then allow the word to go forth to accomplish the Father’s purpose in the earth. If the Father is at peace concerning His own word, then surely Disciples of Christ should be too.

The time has arrived for the true Disciples of Christ to arise and stand upon the firm foundation, the rock in which the church was built upon. It’s time to learn how to persevere, keep the faith and stand strong in the midst of religious critics. The Lord is soon to return so it is important to choose now which group you want to be associated with.

If this message has ministered to you in any way please take a moment to pause and ask the Father to forgive you for any of the times you may have allowed yourself to operate outside His will in a religious manner. Rest assured you are not alone. Many others have been this way before as well. Just know that now your sins are forgiven and Father desires to pour out His love afresh upon you at this very moment. This is the time for new wine to be poured into the new wineskins. But in order to partake of this tremendous blessed opportunity, you must be free of religion and open to allow the Spirit of God free course and room to flow unhindered in your life.

Blessings, as you embark upon your new journey in Christ


References:

Jewish Virtual Library

Ross, Allen,. The Essenes

The Pharisees

The Sadducees


Die Religion Die (Poem)

Cast down your pride and your old mindsets, our God is a living God
and He deserves our very best.

God is not concerned if you can two step in place, or even when 
you’re fasting that you wear a down cast face.

God is not looking for people who feel comfortable in a mold. He called
us as servants and His word has called for us to be bold.

He called us as witnesses to be lights upon a hill, not to be religious 
puppets seeking man and not Him for His will.

We must gather together as God's chosen people and prepare for our 
battle cry. No more business as usual, as we shout to the world, 
Die Religion Die.

Copyrighted 2005 Arnita L. Fields
Published in Rescued, Restored, Renewed & Revived, 2006



Wednesday, December 25, 2013

JESUS (No Longer a Babe in a Manger)

Merry Christmas Blessings to each of you. In honor of our beautiful guest of honor, I would like to share a poem I wrote after Christmas 2004. Blessings & love, enjoy.


JESUS (No Longer a Babe in a Manger)

Jesus my strength, my strongtower, my intercessor and my King.
You're my peace, my joy and most definitely my everything.

Jesus the sweet lamb of God
Lion of the tribe of Judah.
You're seated at the right hand of the Father God
where no one else can move You.

Jesus no longer a babe in a manger
wrapped in swaddlin ' clothes.
You're the Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords
who came to save lost souls.

Jesus no longer a babe in a manger,
who was at the beginning before it was ever begun.
You were born to die upon a ruggard cross,
so through salvation we could become one.


copyright 2005 Arnita L. Fields

Monday, December 23, 2013

Breaking Free from the Spirit of Saul



Scripture

2 Samuel 31:1-6  
Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.  The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically. Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day. When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people. They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

Message

In this particular scripture, Saul the King of Israel is in the midst of a heated battle with his enemy. One by one those closest to him began to fall as the battle increased. Cornered by the enemy, Saul is wounded by arrows designed to take him out. Wounded, but with life still flowing in his body, Saul allowed fear to enter his heart. With his faith now being challenged; he asked his armor bearer to help end his misery. When his armor bearer refused his request, Saul decided his fate and fell on his sword and died. 

While meditating upon this passage, revelation came forth which revealed that this is the same spirit which has been moving in some of the areas of leadership within the Body. In recent months there has been an increase in suicides among spiritual shepherds who seemed to have lost all hope. Many may have felt that the wounds inflicted in this season by the enemy were too deep and painful for God to heal. 

While all leaders who experience pain and hardships will not seek to take their lives, the purpose of this word is not to bring condemnation; but to revive hope and to illuminate the seriousness of suicide occurring among some of our dedicated spiritual shepherds. The best defense to stopping any type of assignment which seeks to kill, steal and destroy is to gain wisdom in order to implement preventive measures. Indeed the time has come to sound the alarm so that we as a body can stand together as a united front to break and destroy the works of the enemy from off the lives of those called to lead and shepherd us the people of God.

Encouragement

Spiritual shepherds don’t allow the spirit of Saul to push you into a place of fear as if there is no hope or way of escape.  There is a way of escape through Jesus Christ. He is your key. He is your source. Allow for the Spirit of God to be your light helping you to maneuver through all of the curves in the highway stretched before you. He already knows the way because He has guided others through this way before. Come out so you can go into and experience God’s promises for your life. Go in so you can share and release the Father’s heart to the people. Go in so many can become free to truly live again through a new hope in Christ Jesus. 12-18-2013 @ 8:30 AM (CST)

Deliverance Prayer

Father we enter into your gates with thanksgiving and into your courts with praise. We set ourselves in agreement and align our heart with your divine will. We decree and declare that you dear God in all of your Sovereignty reign and rule in our lives. 

We take every thought captive and command that our thoughts line up with your word and truth. We take up a hedge and stand in the gap for those called to shepherd and lead the people of God. We bind up, cut the cords and destroy the works of the spirit of Saul from taking root and loose your anointing which destroys every yoke of bondage. We bind up and reject all backlash of the enemy and stand united dressed in the full armor of God. We loose your love and send your peace forth to those who are wounded and without hope. 

We thank you for dispensing a greater measure of your grace and strength to each and every leader. We thank you for increasing and strengthening their faith where it is torn and weak. We thank you for granting peace where there is confusion. We thank you for your healing flowing down into the deep, deep recesses of their battle wounds. Father, we bless you and honor you for continuing to pour out your spirit afresh upon and in the lives of your vessels. We ask that you give us your people a heart of love, patience, and gratitude for those appointed to serve as our spiritual shepherds. In Jesus name, we do pray, amen and amen.

For more information on understanding the signs and symptoms of suicide please click on the following links of these great resources.




Resources

Helpguide: How to Help Someone who is Suicidal

Suicide Prevention Life Line: Call 24/7 1-800-273-8255

American Foundation Suicide Prevention: If you are in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

 


Divine Strategies


The waters are being stirred and divine strategies are being released. Keep a pen and paper with you. He, who has an ear, let him hear.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Play Fair or Come inside the House



Father downloaded a parable for me to share with you on today. It is obediently released as it was imparted in the love and grace of the Father.

Do you remember back in the day when during the summer months children would come from out of the woodwork every Saturday to play outside?  A person could walk up and down any city block and see crowds of children. Some would be jumping rope, others playing hopscotch, jacks, checkers, and even street ball.  On any given Saturday, young children would gather and play from around 12 noon until around 6 or 7 pm (depending on when dinner time was). 

There were hardly any fights or major disagreements on these days because the children assembled had only one thing on their mind and that was to have some fun and enjoy each others company. In the event a fight did break out, it was quickly dispersed when some of the children gathered would say, “come on now, you all gonna get all of us in trouble.” Sometimes the community parent, or the mother who lived closest to where the group of children always played would say, “Okay, you all better play fair, or my kids gonna have to come in the house and the rest of you all gonna have to go home!” The next thing you knew all of the children assembled would then look at the ones in disagreement and say, “you all better get it right between you, cause, I ain’t going in the house this early and be bored on no Saturday!” Then you would see handshakes, pats on the back and hugs and then the play would quickly resume.

It is imperative in this hour that we all hear the Father’s heart as it relates to how His children are to behave when they leave the house to meet up with one another. Daily He pours out His love and continues to provide food, clothing and shelter. He imparts wisdom to those who graciously ask; He also gives insight and heals those who are sick or weak.  With such an incredible Father like this why is there still continued infighting among His children? What’s up with all of the envy, discord and cold love?  Is this how the children of the Holy Sovereign Father act when they leave the house and gather with others? This should not be so. Although this parable is not for everyone, those who it is for own spirit will bear witness for them.

The Sovereign Father loves you richly, but if you continue to not play fair, He’s gonna ask you to come inside the house.  12-5-2013 4:06 PM

Exodus 34:6 “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

Psalm 86:15 “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

Psalm 116:5 “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.”

Romans 8:6 “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.”

James 4:11 “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”