MONTHLY UPDATE MAY 2013

OPWCI Herald

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away. O my dove, that art in the clefts of the rock, in the secret places of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet is thy voice, and thy countenance is comely… My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feeds among the lilies. - Song of Solomon 2:11-14, 16

My Dear Family and Friends,

May is a special month for me! Full of flowers and sunshine, not to mention it was the month my dear husband was born! Anyone who knows me knows about my love of God’s beautiful flowers! God has shown His love for me many times through budding blooms, so I wanted to share a poem with you that I found on the internet this month. I hope you enjoy it, too!

May Flowers May is such a pretty month A gift from God's own heart

With days of warmth and sunshine Blooming flowers on life's path

Some days there's sunny showers But we love the skies of blue

For being with our special family And lovely folk like you

I pray for you a golden May Held safe in God's own love

May each moment overflow with joy And blessing from above

God Has Sown The Earth With Flowers!

Pastors Dr Roy G and Naomi Futch

Pastor Naomi Futch

Inside this issue:

Communion and Communication -

by Dr Linda Stiles

2

Traits of Those “Born Again” - by Pastor Bill Gentry

3

He is the Potter, I am the Clay - by Sonja Walters

5

Sermon Series Line Up 6

False Teachers - from “Days of Praise”

6

Church Funnies 7

The Promised Land - Part Two - by Dr Marc Carr

8

The Word of God - by Caleb Ferguson

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Church Calendar 15

2013

W elcome! We are glad you have come to Worship with us today. It is our Prayer that you feel the Love and Presence of the Lord among us. Our service is not structured like a traditional

church, (thus our ending time is until), but rather we prefer to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit who knows best how to minister to the needs of those present. As we follow His lead, we experience many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit: healing, prophecy, words of wisdom & knowledge, faith, discerning of spirits, tongues, interpretation of tongues and working of miracles as found in 1 Corinthians 12: 8-11.

Orlando Prayer & Worship Center International is an Apostolic Training Center. An Apostolic Training Center, is an equipping center, where the five-fold ascension gifts are in operation as described in Ephesians 4:11-13. We are to train, to prepare, to send out, and to support God’s people for the Kingdom ministries for which God has called them.

Ephesians 4:11-13 "And He Himself gave some to be Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

As an Apostolic Training Center our ministry and messages are designed to accomplish the goals described above. This will cause through the Holy Spirit, a network of churches and ministries that will operate by relationship rather than by organization or tradition.

TITHES & OFFERINGS

There is usually no call for tithes and offerings. During our Praise and Worship you are invited to bring what the Lord has directed and what you have decided in your heart and place it in the chests of Joash at the front. Please read (II Kings 12:9 & II Chronicles 24:8-12).

In His Love & Service,

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Orlando Prayer & Worship Center 970 Tuskawilla Rd Winter Springs, FL 32708 Office Phone: 407-617-3204 Website: www.opwci.org E-mail: opwc@cfl.rr.com Service Times Sundays at 3 PM Wednesdays at 7 PM

Pastor Naomi Futch

OPWCI Staff Members

Naomi Futch Senior Pastor Oversight/Apostle

Mark Futch Co-Pastor

Earl Green Associate Pastor/Music Minister

Dr Marc Carr Missions Director/Evangelist/Teacher

Pastor Bill Gentry Prayer Ambassador

Pastor Betty Carter Teacher/Director of Home Groups

Dr Linda Stiles Prophetess/ Director of Counseling/ Prophetic Training

Cate Green Co-Associate Pastor/Media Minister

Cheryl Landry Church Administrator

Have a Blessed Spring!

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This is page taken from a book named “Listening to God” by Bruce Bickel.

“Your communion with Me is the beginning of My communication with you. Everybody wants to hear from Me” says the Lord “and I'm glad to speak through many means. You have to be willing to listen. In some ways, listening to Me is active. It requires preparation and a willingness to pay attention. This part of listening is hard, it takes work. Think of listening in a school classroom knowing you have to answer detailed questions later. I know that can exhaust you! In another way though, listening to Me is passive. It requires a willingness to surrender to Me in complete trust, allowing words of My message to wash over your weary soul. This is what happens when you are in communion with Me rather than merely communicating. Don't get Me wrong. I enjoy it when you talk with Me. But sometimes I want you just to sense Me, experience me, and commune with me without words. When you find this place, real communication begins.”

John 15:7 says "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Isn't this interesting? As the Lord speaks this to our hearts we are reminded that we need to be still. We need to sense the Lord by being quiet before Him. So much of the time we spend

seeking His face, but in verbal communication rather than listening. Have you ever tried to spend more than 5 minutes quiet before the Lord and allow him to enter into your heart quietly? Try it! He is saying that communion, being quiet be for

Him, actually precedes communication with Him. In this way, we show we are willing to surrender to Him in communion by being passive before Him first. It also requires being active, willing to pay attention, to listen and He said listening is hard work. I have found that listening has much reward and that reward is the peace that passes all

understanding from communion with God. He is always listening to us actively because he's willing to pay attention. He's also listening to us because He surrendered to us on the cross. When we spend time in communion with God He hears our communication when we speak for we are in His presence and we are in His loving arms. I challenge you today to get quiet before the Lord and see how many minutes you can actually stay there quietly waiting on Him in communion first, feeling His presence and His peace, and then begin your communication. He's always listening.

Blessings, Dr Linda Stiles

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Traits of Those “Born-Again” by Pastor Bill Gentry

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because they did not have the Holy Spirit and were blind to the word of God. This problem still exists today. Many people may read the Bible, but still be blind to the word of God. This is because they either lack the Holy Spirit or simply ignore Him. This is why there is so much division and misunderstandings with what the Bible means. People are trying to rely on their own understanding rather than letting it become the word of God by revelation through the Holy Spirit.

The Bible can be whatever book you want it to be. It can tell you whatever you want it to. But the word of God cannot be confined in our minds to a certain “type” of literature. We must understand that the word of God is only the Word though the Holy Spirit and can only be understood though the Holy Spirit. In the same manner, we can only know who Christ is through the Holy Spirit. We must understand that Christ is the Word of God and He is what all the Scriptures point to.

Isaiah 55:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, bit it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

John 5:37-39 New King James Version (NKJV)

37 And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. 38 But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. 39 You search the Scriptures, for in

them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

John 1:14 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Word Becomes Flesh

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

As we go about our daily walk, we must realize that in salvation we have the word of God in us. Though we may not have full understanding of the word now, we are still continually growing, running the race, and fighting the good fight. Every experience we go through, every trial, and every hardship is to teach us and mold us so that we may come to a better understanding of the word of God. From all that I have seen in the Word, I can tell you this; the Word contains scientific data, historic truths, laws and statutes, but is so much more than these. The Word is living and life giving; it casts down arguments and cuts down the enemy wherever he hides. This living Word is not confined to paper and ink, it does not dwell in the physical or can it be understood in flesh, but rather this living Word is limitless and dwells in our hearts. It is being written out in us that we may understand and grow in our relationship with God.

Word of God continued

Jesus makes it very clear that in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven we must be “born-again”. Therefore, it becomes very important that a person knows for sure whether or not they have been “born-again” by the Holy Spirit. This month we will examine some of the traits of those who are “born-again” as mentioned by the Apostle John in his first epistle.

For background, we will start with the story where Jesus gives this instruction on the necessity of being “born-again” by the Holy Spirit of God.

John 3:1-7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

1 Now there was a certain man among the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler (a leader, an authority) among the Jews, 2 Who came to Jesus at night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know and are certain that You have

come from God [as] a Teacher; for no one can do these signs (these wonderworks, these miracles—and produce the proofs) that You do unless God is with him. 3 Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born? 5 Jesus answered, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. 6 What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above).

So, how do we know for sure if we are “born-again”? Let us look at 1 John and see the traits or characteristics of one who has been “born-again”.

1 John 2:29 Amplified Bible (AMP)

29 If you know (perceive and are sure) that He [Christ] is [absolutely] righteous [conforming to the Father’s will in purpose, thought, and action], you may also know (be sure) that everyone who does righteously [and is therefore in like manner conformed to the divine will] is born (begotten) of Him [[a]God].

1 John 3:9 Amplified Bible (AMP)

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9 No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God’s nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.

1 John 4:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].

1 John 5:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)

5 Everyone who believes (adheres to, trusts, and relies on the fact) that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah) is a born-again child of God; and everyone who loves the Father also loves the one born of Him (His offspring).

1 John 5:4 Amplified Bible (AMP)

4 For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

18 We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ’s

divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him].

In summary, here are some traits that the Apostle John lists to confirm that someone has been “born-again”.

1) 1 John 2:29- “everyone who does righteously” 2) 1 John 3:9 - “does not deliberately, knowingly, habitually practice sin” 3) 1 John 4:7 - “loves his fellow man” 4) 1 John 5:1 - “believes that Jesus is the Messiah” 5) 1 John 5:1 - “loves the Father” 6) 1 John 5:4 - “is victorious over the world” 7) 1 John 5:18 - “does not deliberately and

knowingly practice committing sin”

An easier way to summarize knowing if someone is born-again could be stated like this, “A person who believes in Jesus as Messiah, who loves God with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength, who loves people as themselves, and who hates and resists sin and the ways of the world.”

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As it is in worship, we should live in spirit and in truth. If God’s word depended on who we were in flesh, there would be no need for faith to confirm what salvation is. God’s word is to be understood through faith and in spirit. When we accepted Christ, we became the offspring of Abraham and will inherit the blessing given through Him which is Christ Jesus. When promises in the Old Testament were made to God’s people, we need to analyze what is written and understand how God meant it. But before there can be an understanding of God’s word, it is important to realize that it is through Christ and Christ alone that we may become God’s children and people. Kinship to Christ is not depend on what flesh we were born of, but given to us by grace through faith. With this understanding of who we are in Christ, what the Word is to us, and that both testaments are not separate but together, we can conclude that they can only be fully understood in looking at them as two parts to a single piece. Now, we can examine the question “What is the word of God?”

Hebrews 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

“12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Matthew 24:35 New King James Version (NKJV)

35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Psalm 119:105 New King James Version (NKJV)

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

James 1:21 New King James Version (NKJV)

Doers—Not Hearers Only

21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

I believe that the word of God is Christ. We are only able to receive Christ through the word of God, but for the Bible to be the word of God, it must be received through the Holy Spirit. Just as we can only have understanding of the Word through faith and in spirit, we are only able to receive Christ through faith and the regeneration of our spirit. Jesus is the light of the world and when we receive the Word (notice that hearing Scripture and receiving the Word are two different things; Scripture can only be the word of God through the Holy Spirit) we have in us the light of the world and become like Jesus by also becoming the light and salt of the world.

Reading the Bible and reading the word of God are two different things. When you are simply reading the Bible, it is being done in the flesh. But when it is done in flesh there is no gain. However when reading the word of God with the Holy Spirit, we may then understand it and have our eyes opened to its true meaning. The reason the Pharisees knew scripture top to bottom, but could never recognize that Jesus was the Messiah, is

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the deep response of your spirit to something is peace, follow. If it is anything negative, stop.

I believe that God has rules that He wants us to follow. I believe He tells us to do things sternly sometimes. I believe He has expectations. What I don’t believe is that any of us is capable of carving in stone the exact list of His expectations because He created us as individuals and He expects different things from each of us.

I also believe that if I feel anger or resentment or jealousy or pride toward someone, I will be dishonoring God if I say that my feelings toward the person are based on their disobedience toward or relationship with God.

If I say I am angry at so and so because they disobeyed God, I am in the wrong.

If I say I am better than so and so because they don’t appear as spiritually connected with God as I am, I am in the wrong.

God does not give us feelings of anger or resentment or jealousy or pride. If we allow those things to occur, and especially if we claim that they are in God’s honor, we are proving that we are deceived.

If I say someone is deceived, I am not insulting them. I am saying they are at a disadvantage to someone who is not deceived. I am saying that they are capable of finding truth and being freed from the deception. We are all deceived to some level. Our time and training on earth is the process of freeing us from the lies that bind us.

He is the Potter, I am the Clay by Sonja Walters

I am made of clay. God is the potter. He has intentions for me that I don’t know about and methods of molding me that I don’t understand. The very worst thing I could do is decide I am resolute in whatever shape He has me in right this minute. If I become stiff and hardened in anything, I will be less moldable for Him when He chooses to further shape me.

I don’t believe I will ever be to a place where He is ready to throw me in the kiln and make my shape permanent. There will always be more shaping to do on me. I actually believe that the work He is doing is to undo any shape I have- to make me a soft pliable piece of clay that forms quickly to whatever His whim may be. If today He fancies an ashtray and tomorrow He wants a flower pot, I should be flexible enough to let Him use me in either way. The more pliable I am, the more useful I can be for Him.

In order to keep me pliable, He doesn’t leave me sitting in any given shape for too long. He doesn’t want any part of me to harden. He doesn’t want me to feel too secure with the ground below me. He wants my stability to come from His hands only, not the potter’s table. So, I do myself and my Master a grave disservice if I become complacent or ‘set in my ways’. I need to let go of any ideals and be open to Him for new information at all times.

Joyce Meyer says you have to get to know God so that you will know when He is speaking or influencing. You have to know His heart is for you so that you can grow in discernment.

John Eldredge says that you can know the source of a prompting or feeling by its fruit. If

Word of God continued

Bible that is not on a ‘need to know’ basis. All Scripture is applicable to our walk with God or He would not have wasted His precious breath giving them to us.

Much of the time it can be confusing reading the Old Testament. People often have a misunderstanding when reading God’s promises to the Israelites thinking “O, well I’m not an Israelite so this doesn’t include me.” This thought process is a trick that the enemy will use to keep you from receiving the fullness of what God is trying to get you to receive and understand.

Galatians 3:1-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

Justification by Faith

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those

who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Galatians 3:26-29

Sons and Heirs

26 For you are all sons of God through faith

in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 2:16

16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

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Speaker Date

Pastor Betty Carter May 5

Pastor Earl Green May 12

Pastor Earl Green May 19

Sonja Walters May 26

Pastor Betty Carter June 2

Dr Linda Stiles June 9

Dr Marc Carr June 16

Pastor Bill Gentry June 23

Pastor Naomi Futch June 30

every biblical writer echoes God's hatred of them and their work. Here, Jude refers to Enoch's ancient teaching to demonstrate the fact that God has always hated false teachers and has warned them of their doom. Unfortunately, many of today's pulpits and "Christian" airwaves are filled with false teachers and their teaching, leading many astray.

But this is also a lesson to be learned by any who would teach, even born-again, God-gifted teachers. Error is a serious thing in God's eyes, and a Bible teacher must continually submit to God's Word and Spirit to discern and teach only truth. Evidently it would be better for those teachers, seminarians, and others who espouse errors such as humanism, evolution, and other false concepts, that a millstone were hung about their necks and that they drowned in the depth of the sea than to lead astray those "little ones" in their influence.

"But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matthew 18:6)

Jude, an earthly brother of our Lord, had become a leader in the early church by the time he wrote his epistle. He had intended "to write unto you of the common salvation," but instead was compelled by God's Spirit to write and "exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith" (Jude 3) against the onslaught of false teachers. He writes "to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him" (Jude 15).

Few categories of people are so summarily denounced in Scripture as false teachers, those who teach error from within. Nearly

The Word of God by Caleb Ferguson False Teachers from “Days of Praise”

What exactly is the word of God? Presented as the Bible, the word of God has many aspects to it, yet it cannot be defined as a particular type of book. It contains a large amount of history, yet it is not confined to just being a history book. There are aspects of it that are scientifically proven, but it is not a book that answers to our scientific questions. The easiest way to describe it is simply that it is the word of God; an account of what we must know to serve our Creator. The word of God is life, the key to salvation. The word of God is not just a book. Books don’t have life. Yet the word of God lives and gives life to those who follow it.

John 1 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Eternal Word “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

The word of God is all about Christ. From the beginning to the end, it chronicles His eternal linage and how He made a way for us to return to the Father. It teaches us that coming to Him through the beckoning of the Holy Spirit is the way to be made right with the

Father and to live as a child of God. But before gaining an understanding on what the word of God is, we must first realize that the word of God is relevant to all who live in Christ. Many Christians today make the New Testament their focus and study it very well; however when this teaching method is practiced much is missed. The New Testament is only about one fourth of

the complete word of God. All of the Word is relevant and vital to our walk with God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 New King James Version (NKJV)

“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

God gave us the scriptures that we might study them and know them. Not one single verse is less valuable than another. The word of God is like a beautiful picture, you must look at the whole thing to understand it, not just one aspect. Otherwise, you will not be equipped with the full understanding you need to do the good work God asks of you. When reading the Word, it is vital to understand that the entire Word is something we should all know. God does not waste His words, so there is nothing in the

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Promised Land continued

Look for The Promised Land Part Three in the June Issue!

Church Funnies evident; God wants a Chayil, an army of sanctified, trained [disciple-d], men and women who are, virtuous, have valor and strength, worthy of making [spiritual] war by disciple [ing] others, in order to establish His covenant. The Church is the true Chayil, the wealth, the resource and means by which His covenant is established from one generation to another.

Now the non use of the iron tool makes for diversified commentary. The tool by anyone’s interpretation represents the work of the flesh, what we want to add to or alter about the work of God because that is what carnality tends to do. While, the primary work of God, as we have seen, is the sanctification of His saints so that His work can be done without our adding to or our altering of what He wants accomplished. Hence, God wants you holy and separated out to Him in such fashion that you will do what He tells you to do, only.

On the one hand we do have to get up and put on our own shoes. On the other hand the flesh is of no use, whatsoever, to God. And this is the lesson of sanctification. He positions us so He can do His will through us. Now, of course, our natural lives are always involved in whatever God mandates, but ideally the mandate will not be ‘subject’ to the flesh, but the flesh subject to the mandate requiring the laying down of the flesh, and how we would do things autonomic-ally, that is, apart from God.

We know this to be the Spirit-led life based upon the sanctified life. And we know the fraudulent counterpart, the ‘mingled’ Spirit-

led life, based upon the lack of one’s sanctification, giving place to the flesh one day and God the next. Now to mention the word ‘mingle’ is not to say the saint is void of sanctification but that the saint is lacking when it comes to sanctification. Wherein too many believers, sadly too many ministers included, build their own mythical Atlantis, their Camelot instead of what God intended or only what God intended. We spoke of corrupting the vision and the failure that ensues. Yet the surface activity can look successful, like Camelot [because of the ‘mingling’ of the flesh].

Again, anyone can claim, it is He that gives you power to get wealth, but the same voice, in the end, usually leaves off, in action, to establish His covenant, when prosperity finally comes. The insufficiently sanctified heart, though well meaning at the time, cannot resist the excesses of this world comprising mammon [ Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:9, 11, 16], the ‘money gods,’ fostered by real demons behind the excess; repeat, ‘cannot resist the excess.’

Now we mention these things not to condemn but to illustrate the greater need of purification so the spirit can over power the flesh rather than the opposite, the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak, Matthew 26:41b;

Now these specific words were said prior to Pentecost, prior to Holy Spirit empowerment. But, now, the human spirit, being strengthened by the Holy Spirit can dominate weak flesh. Whereby the saint can resist life’s excesses, if the saint is willing to endure the school of sanctification.

Two boys were walking home from church after hearing a strong preaching on the devil. One said to the other, "What do you think about all this satan stuff?"

The other boy replied, "Well, you know how Santa Claus turned out. It's probably just your dad"

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follows, independence, may ruin. We have read about Subjection and Submission and mentioned sanctification is ‘safe,’ and now we read, And there you shall build an altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not use an iron tool on them, and we understand about sanctifying the ‘endeavor.’ So in this verse we have a particular kind of altar, a memorial to certain commandments running the remainder of the book of Deuteronomy except the last chapter [the account of Moses last day].

What also did this altar represent, then, and to us now? It denotes definite change, that you may enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

The Promised Land - Part Two by Dr Marc Carr

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Promised Land continued

Giving you, is the emphasis. We began this chapter with, all the earth is mine, Exodus 19:5. And we know God gives, but Man labors. We could say, ‘God gives what is His, so man can labor to make what is God’s Man’s.’ Think of a tree being used to build a house, coal to fuel electric power, etc. God blesses this arrangement as long as He is honored.

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day, Deuteronomy 8:18.

God gives to all creatures because that is what God does. But God gives to His own in a

particular way that so many, even of His own, misunderstand. First, let us accept this verse today is misappropriated because it is fundamentally misunderstood.

Chayil, pronounced, khah’-yil, from the Hebrew language has been translated for whatever reason into the Greek then English language to mean, wealth, as we think of acquiring personal goods. Yet Chayil, by actual definition, is not so narrowly used. And so many will be quick to say, ‘but I only want the money to, establish His covenant, in accordance with God’s Word. Who hasn’t mused this way, about what he or she could do for the kingdom if God would do financially this or that for him or her. Whether such lofty thinking is right or wrong is not the consideration. The inappropriate use of this precious word is. The contextual use of this word is set in Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land, not riches.

Chayil, primarily refers to a wealth of human resources, ‘force, whether of men, by some means or other resources,’ a ‘company of trained soldiers, a band of men’ who are, ‘virtuous, have valor and strength, worthy of making war’ [see Strong’s Con]. So let’s read the verse, in part, that way: for it is He who gives you power to get, ‘provision, a company of soldiers, trained, a band of men who are virtuous, have valor and strength, worthy of making war,’ that He may establish His covenant.

By New Testament standards, it should be

E veryone has some sort of Promised Land they are believing God for, as we

say, even if it is just a better tomorrow. Some of those goals are God breathed, some are not. Weed through them. Ready or not, we will enter into the ever changing future of ever increasing responsibilities with or without an adequate amount of sanctification. And how much we are in real terms sanctified determines in real terms our personal excellence relative to our future ‘endeavors.’ Now we do not address, so much, the secondary factors of education, vocation, etc. though important, but address excellence of character. It follows, if Christ-likeness is prioritized success at an honorable vocation will naturally follow.

Now Moses, with the elders of Israel, commanded the people, saying: Keep all the commandments which I command you today. And it shall be, on the day when you cross over the Jordan to the land which the Lord your God is giving you, that you shall set up for yourselves large stones, and whitewash them with lime. You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have crossed over, that you may enter the land which the Lord your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord God of your fathers promised you Deuteronomy 27:1-3.

Years of humility can be thrown off and God’s ways abandoned because of improved circumstances. With success it is very easy, like overnight, to trade in dependence upon the Lord for independence and self. We are to plaster on our hearts all that sanctification is, in order to counter all that success, it