2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) says, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who Jesus Christ has reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
The things we're learning about who we are in Christ Jesus, are not just new things to preach about, but are raising up a people who will do the work of the covenant. We are to pray and do "His will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven." There are so many things that have been lost to God's children throughout the years, and we are ignorant of who He has made us to be.
I know there will be a time when this physical body will cease to live and our spirit will be set free to return to the Father, but there is a way we are to die. We're not to die because of ravaging diseases and sickness, but Psalm 91:16 (Amplified) says, "With long life will He satisfy you, and show you His salvation."
There was an anointing and a knowing in the early Church, that seems to have been lost to today's Church. We've taught salvation to the lost and this is our primary mission, but we seem to have ability to do the things we should, for those who are here. Jesus and the Apostles didn't only preach the Kingdom, they demonstrated it by their actions. Everyone that Jesus healed during His earthly ministry, ultimately died. It wasn't that they would live forever after being healed by Him, but they would fulfill the days of their natural lives, bringing comfort and hope to others.
Today, I lost a friend and part of our my life as a pastor. I know that it's far better where she now is, than where we live. It's not that I don't believe she is better off with the Father, but her family and loved ones are left mourning. Her life was cut short by a disease that should never have been in her body at all. We've made excuses for why some people haven't been healed or delivered, because we know they should never have left this world in the manner they did.
My reason for teaching some of the things I teach, is to bring the Church into a place in Jesus where they can live and bring comfort to those who remain here and not just "wait until we get to Heaven." God has made Promises in His Word, that are just as true now, as they ever were. We've been so out of touch with His will and ways, that most of these Promises have never been revealed to the world or the Church.
Psalm 91 tells us that God's Word is still true today, but we don't see it being fulfilled in the lives of most of God's covenant family. God is not slack concerning His covenant and He cannot lie, which only leaves one reason why His Word isn't working like He said it would. The reason is because we've lost sight of what He said.
We were Blessed, in order to be a blessing to others. We were to understand God's will and His Promises, so that we can walk in His healing and Blessings and so we can bring these things to others. Even though I prayed over and for my friend, she went home to the Father. It wasn't because "it was her time," but because disease evicted her spirit from her body, before it was time
Jesus understood the Father and His will better than anyone has ever done before or since. This wasn't simply because "He was Jesus," but because He understood His Fathers heart and His will. My desire is to encourage more and more people, to delve deeper into their walk with the Father and manifest Heaven in the earth, instead of just "waiting until they go to Heaven." No disease could stand before the Presence of the anointing, either then or now. If only we could understand our Father, more than we do now.
I will have the task of ministering both as a pastor and friend, to the loved ones who are left to carry-on here. Even though I can see their despair and loss here, I can comfort them with the surety of being together again in the Kingdom of Heaven. But, the question of "Why did she go so early?" is still left unanswered.
I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the pat answers of religion and I seek to know the truth. As new creation people, we are supposed to know the answer and through Him, we're to be the answer. This isn't for "only a few people," but for all who will believe. Today's Church is suppose to raise our expectations to a much higher level, and expand our beliefs t include this earth, as well as Heaven.
Healing doesn't need to be preached in Heaven, because there are no sick people there. Disease and death don't reside there either and this is God's will for earth "as it is in Heaven." As the Body of Christ, we are to bring that will and manifestation of our Father, into this realm and to the world. Even though I can find comfort in the fact that my friend is in Heaven, I still feel like I am to seek out God's Wisdom, so that others don't leave here prematurely.
I've buried too many people who left prematurely, leaving sorrow and heartache for their loved ones. I'm not doubting the glory of the Father's House, nor am I reluctant to go there, but only when both He and I are ready and not when our enemy (death) decides. I refuse to be governed by death and will only be governed by Life. God has not called us to allow the enemy to drive Life out of a body that doesn't belong to him.
John 10:10 says we are to, "Have an abundance and an overflow of Life within us." This is more Life, than we will ever use up, because this is God's Life within us and not the world's life to extinguish when it wants. This Life isn't only to live in me, but is supposed to overflow from me and bring Life to the sick, as well as the lost. In these Last Days, before Jesus' return, I believe there is going to be a people, who will finish the Book of Acts of the Apostles. We only saw the beginning of the Church in it. The conclusion of the Church should be (and will be) much more glorious than its start.
God is still searching for a remnant of people, like Joshua and Caleb, who will enter into this rest and not be detained by unbelief. I for one, am seeking not only Wisdom, but understanding. Wisdom is the principle thing, according to Proverbs 4:7 (Amplified) which says, "Get Wisdom and with all of your getting, get understanding."
1Corinthians 1:30 (Amplified) says "We have Wisdom, But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus. Whom God made our Wisdom from God, (revealing) to us a knowledge of the Divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting (itself) as our righteousness (thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God), and our consecration (making us pure and holy) and our redemption (providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin)."
We haven't only been given Wisdom, but we now possess the "Spirit of Wisdom," Who is the Spirit of God Himself. Many of us in God's Church love God and have a zeal for Him, but we are sometimes like the Church before us. Paul writes to those people in Romans 10:2 (Amplified), "I bear them witness that they have a (certain) zeal and enthusiasm for God, but it is not enlightened and according to (correct and vital) knowledge." Could it be that we too, "have a zeal for God", but are not walking in "correct and vital knowledge of Him?" I believe we would win more lost to the Lord, by raising one person from the dead, then by burying a dozen.
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