~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greetings friends,
One of the messages from the Lord that has recently come to us and was reinforced
through a dream from Bob Jones has once again involved our relationships with
one another. It seems the Lord is preparing a body of people who genuinely live
together in unity and fraternal affection. The times that are eminently ahead
of us will require it. As we have stated in previous prophetic articles, there
will be a special anointing placed upon those who dwell together in harmony
and unity. This is based upon the biblical promise of Psalms 133.
The Fraternity House Vision
Throughout
the last several years there has been a reoccurring dream that I have had perhaps
100 times. The dream always involves the people with whom we are in relationship
and ministry association. The essence of the dream always takes place in the
fraternity house that I lived in during my college days. Uniquely, this fraternity
at Mississippi State University had as a large portion of its membership, openly
radical Christians. In fact, other fraternities often made the statement that
our fraternity house should have a steeple on it.
It was not uncommon for us to have campus-wide Bible studies and private prayer
meetings two or three times a week. We would regularly have awesome worship
leaders come with 100-200 students participating. There existed among us true
brotherhood that preferred one another and reinforced each other during times
of hardship and difficulty. It was a truly significant time in my life in which
many of the seeds were sown for the things we are presently doing. For that
reason, I believe the Lord uses it to emphasize His desire for a body of people
who live together in "fraternal" affection who genuinely have all things in
common.
The Healing of the Nations Will Come Through
Compassion Birthed In Love
Fraternal
affection and brotherly love is emphasized in the ascending pyramid of graces
and Godly attributes discovered in 2 Pet 1:5-8 that are essential in our quest
to become one with the Lord.
"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply
moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge,
self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance,
godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly
kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render
you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Greek word for "brotherly kindness" in this passage is "philadelphia" and
is defined as "fraternal affection; brotherly love (kindness) or love of the
brethren." From a position of fraternal love we move forward into the "agape"
of God. If it is our hearts' desire to participate in the harvest of the ages
and the healing of the nations, then it must be from a position of authentic
compassion birthed in love. These can only be imparted to us through the Holy
Spirit.
Carriers of His Heart of Love For the
Brethren and Lost Humanity
As summarized
through the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, we are to abide in faith, hope
and love. We dwell in faith through the conviction and belief of man in his
relationship with heaven as well as hope, which is our confident expectation
of redemption. But the greatest of these is the true affection for God and man
expressed through saints and generated by a deposit of Heavenly virtue resident
in us--- LOVE.
The truth to be greatly emphasized in this generation is the transference of
our lost nature for His divine nature. We have the precious and magnificent
promises by which we become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption
of this world and its lusts. By virtue of being joined with Him as His body
in the mystery of incarnation, we likewise share in His heart of love and desire
for the brethren as well as lost humanity.
As the Lord declared in John 17:23,
"I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the
world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me."
We are being sent in this generation in like fashion as the Lord Himself was
commissioned of the Father. We are to be carriers of His heart.
Strengthen Our Tent Cords
The phrase that Bob heard in his dream was, "Now is not the time to lengthen
our tent cords but to strengthen existing ones." We are in present need of having
our relationships strengthened in order to endure the winds of adversity that
are coming.
The Bible declares that there are appropriate times and seasons for all things.
It becomes a great responsibility of God's people to suitably recognize the
spiritual climate and when to emphasize certain characteristics.
"There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every
event under heaven-- A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant
and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time
to tear down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time
to mourn and a time to dance; A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing. A time to search and a time
to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away; A time to tear
apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak; A
time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace." Eccl
3:1-8
Our Adversary Is Often Called the Accuser
of the Brethren
According
to the prophetic indications that we are presently receiving, we are currently
in a season to reinforce our tent cords which represent relationships that we
currently enjoy. There will be a time for the extending of our tent cords with
the expansion of power and authority that will soon be delegated. However, the
present need is for existing relationships to be fortified and cultivated in
a deeper fashion. Our adversary is often called the accuser of the brethren.
This divisive role is frequently subtle in its erosive effects on relationships
ordained by heaven.
Therefore, the Lord is asking for those who are joined in common purpose and
ministry to take the time and effort to strengthen those existing relationships
before we move into a season of expansion.
The Insignia of Love
The following is a portion of one of our previous prophetic articles emphasizing
this truth that developed from a series of dreams and revelations the Lord gave
me:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have
loved you, that you also love one another. (John 13:34) As the Lord was about
to leave the disciples he gave them a new and unique command...that they love
one another as He loved them. Surely after three years of life and ministry
together, they experienced such love emanating from the Lord toward them that
it was beyond the expression of words. Yet, they were given this new commandment,
not only as an admonition but a banner or badge of their discipleship. This
great fraternal affection was to be a signature by which they might be known
as His friends and followers, and by which they were to be distinguished from
all others.
"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for
one another." (John 13:35)
Great Blessings, Favor and Anointing
Never before had there been a precedent for such
a command as this for a people group to be distinguished and recognized. Now,
in the case of born again believers in Jesus Christ, we are not to be known
by distinctions of wealth, or education, or fame, although some may possess
these; we are not required to aspire to earthly honors or acclaim; we are not
even mandated to adopt any special style of dress or insignia. This new royal
Priesthood is to be identified by tender and constant affection and allegiance
for one another.
This great command to walk in brotherly love will transcend all distinctions
of national origin, color, social status, or denomination. The Disciples of
Christ are to uniformly perceive we are all in the same spiritual family with
common goals having all been redeemed by the same sacred blood... each having
the same eternal destination. We are to befriend each other in trials and ardently
guard each other's feelings and reputation... even denying ourselves to promote
one another's welfare. Amen.
Mankind is looking for something as a standard by which to measure. Brotherly
love and living by the "golden rule" will be the "rule" by which the church
will receive its authority. Those willing to adopt these principles will find
great blessings, favor and anointing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Born in Zion --What is
the Cost of Living in Zion?"
By Ramey Hughes
www.selahministries.com
A New Job
Building a home, a resting place for God, is a costly venture. You may find
that what you did (your spiritual job) in Jerusalem will no longer provide what
you need to exist on this new level of relationship and obedience in Zion. Don't
be surprised if you find yourself being "uncalled" and repositioned in the body
of Christ. Higher places in Him will mean a promotion but not necessarily more
visibility or approval with man. To have the honor of walking in hiddenness,
rejection, persecution, suffering, being misunderstood, and falsely accused
will cost a lot. It will cost you your pride, fear of man, unforgiveness, your
past, present, and future. It will cost you your unsanctified dreams and ambitions,
as well as your desire for position and control.
Passion and Discipline
Another cost that will need to be budgeted in, is a new level of passion and
discipline for the things of God. Both must be imparted and developed. We cannot
attain or maintain either without God's grace and mercy, but He does not give
or help sustain them without our consent and willingness to pay the price. It
has been said that discipline is a poor excuse for lack of passion. Though that
is true, it is also true that passion is a poor excuse for lack of discipline.
God wants to inhabit and control every part of us: spirit, soul, and body.
Loving the Truth
We must choose to allow Him to shine His light of truth in our hearts, exposing
the pain and the shame that hides there. The Lord will bring out only the sins
that still truly need to be dealt with. He never brings up blood-covered issues
- only living sins. We sometimes pray for God to reveal our hearts but when
He does, we deny our sins or try to cover them back up again. We are to be naked
and unashamed before Him, trusting that as His truth exposes our sins; His love
will simultaneously cover all.
Choosing to Trust
It is imperative to keep a "hands off" policy. This is God's project-God's house.
He asks in Isaiah 66:1, "Where then is the place you could build for Me? And
where is the place that I may rest?" There is nothing we can do to make Him
or ourselves look better. We must be willing to be hidden or revealed. If we
try to justify to others the things that the Lord is doing in us, or try to
make it look more noble than it is, we are simply not trusting that the Lord
has our best in mind and that He alone can position us where we belong.
It is also important to stop doing for the sake of doing and start letting Him
simply be who He is through us. When that happens, it removes the pressures
to perform and releases the power to believe. It is Christ in us who alone is
the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). To worry about anything is an insult to
Him. It is saying that we do not trust Him to accomplish His will or word.
"Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but
abides forever." (Psalms 125:1 NAS)
Drawing Away
Drawing away is a daily investment for Him to find rest in us. Leonard Ravenhill
stated that we are not omnipresent. We must choose our company for every moment.
God wants us to know the extreme pleasure of His presence when we choose Him
over everything and everyone. Jesus departed to a lonely place to pray early
in the morning while it was still dark. He would go to a mountain after days
of ministry to meet with His Father. Jesus knew that quiet place held the key
to life and ministry on earth: the Father's presence.
Being Quiet-"Practicing the Presence of God"
When we draw away, we must learn to turn off all the thoughts and voices demanding
our attention so that we can focus on Jesus. We have to put aside the future
and past to step into right now, right here, with God. Madame Guyon was a dynamic
writer on practicing His presence. She understood the power of quieting everything
within and communing with God. This is probably the most vital aspect of our
being born in Zion. It is while our souls are silent, and our minds and hearts
are focused on God, that He does His most effective work in us.
This may not necessarily sound like very much of a sacrifice. For some though,
to stop thinking, planning, dreaming, or analyzing for five minutes is more
difficult than going five days without eating. Having a relationship with the
Lord is more than just communicating-it is communing. There is as much power
in true silence as there is in true prayer. Isaiah 30:15 says, "In quietness
and confidence shall be your strength."
Being Built Together - "Practicing the Presence of
People"
One of the hardest aspects of becoming God's sanctuary is undoubtedly the necessity
of being built together with other believers. God is always good, just, faithful,
and loving. Even when we can't understand what He is doing, there is something
reassuring in knowing that He is God and has our best in mind. People, on the
other hand, are not so easy to like, love or trust. They will successfully fail
on a regular basis.
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens
with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone in
whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple
in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God
in the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)
To be His holy temple we must be "built together into a dwelling of God in the
Spirit." He prayed that we all would be one just as He and the Father are one
(John 17:21). We must learn to depend on each other. Jesus sent His ministers
out two by two. It is vital that we not only forgive and love, but also begin
to trust our brothers and sisters again. Love, "bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7).
Laying Aside Personal Agendas and Learning
to Prefer Others
"Behold,
how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! ...It
is as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD
commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." (Psalms 133:1,3 KJV)
Being fitly joined to the body of Christ brings blessing, accountability, authority
(a man not under authority will not be found carrying any), vision for God's
greater purposes, and life more abundantly. We are told that anyone not rightly
judging His body is not worthy to even take communion (1 Corinthians 11:29).
It is time we lay aside our personal agendas and learn to prefer others. It
is time we incorporate our singular visions and reconnect them to the church
as a whole. There is a chipping away that usually takes place for two stones
to be rightly fitted together. There is friction, there are extra burdens, and
there is multiplied strength. What good is a single stone in the middle of a
field?
1 Corinthians 2:15 says: "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should
instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ." Therefore "we" must be willing
to sacrifice ourselves individually to the greater purposes of God, that the
church may have the mind of Christ and truly become His dwelling place on the
earth.
Choosing Not to Deny the Blessings And
Rewards
These are such small prices to pay considering
the benefits of having our names registered in His book for Zion. There are
many costs as well as rewards that are not mentioned here. Choosing to not deny
the blessings can sometimes be as difficult as it is to pay the price for them.
by Ramey Hughes
www.selahministries.com
Upcoming Meetings
Sevenfold Revelation of God's Glory Conference
September 16-18 with Sadhu Selvaraj
Shekinah Worship Center
Lancaster, California
(661) 940-8378 office (661) 940-8810 fax
Shekinah Worship
Sterling Alaska
September 21-24 with
Pastor Bob Reasner
907-262-7266
www.abundantlifealaska.org
alag@acsalaska.net
Three Stranded Cord Strategic Ministries
September 26-30 with Bobby Conner
Susan and Fred Rowe
Bakersfield, CA 661-589-0007
Permission is granted (and you
are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as
sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites.
We ask only that you keep Elijah List website, email contact info, and author
contact information intact. Thank you and blessings, Steve Shultz, Publisher,
The Elijah List
http://www.elijahlist.com
The
Thrones of Our Souls
