Breakthrough

A lot of people are looking for breakthrough right now. Breakthrough in what? Well, Relationships, fulfillment in their life, their calling ect… you fill in the blank. The reality is breakthrough is always one turn away from becoming real in our lives. I guarantee you the that the Lord has the breakthrough you need but the problem is our ability to receive the breakthrough is stunted. We say we want breakthrough, but we are not willing to do what it takes to receive it.

Sometimes when we say we want breakthrough that’s not really what we want. We just want God to step in and take away all the things that seem wrong right in front of us according to what’s right or wrong in our own eyes.  We look to God and ask him the same question Joshua asked, “Are you for us or are you for our enemies?”

[Jos 5:13-15 NKJV] 13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “[Are] You for us or for our adversaries?” 14 So He said, “No, but [as] Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?” 15 Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand [is] holy.” And Joshua did so.

Look, I’m tired of seeing the enemy go unchecked in our lives and the fruit of it is so evident. We literally get pushed around but we are so wrapped up in our causes that we can’t even see what the enemy is doing blatantly under our very noses. How do we know it’s the enemy? Well, it’s pretty simple, what’s the fruit of it? We chase our own causes, and some even try to convince themselves and others that its Gods will, but the fruit shows it’s lie.

[Mat 7:15-20 NKJV] 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 “Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor [can] a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

So what am I saying here? If your wrapped up in a cause and you’re seeing more Fruits of the flesh in your life than you are the fruits of the Spirit there is a pretty good chance that the cause your chasing is not the cause of God! Regardless even of how true some of the premises might seem.

[Gal 5:8-9 NKJV] 8 This persuasion does not [come] from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

[Gal 5:13-25 NKJV] 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not [use] liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told [you] in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those [who are] Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Some folks at this point are thinking I thought there was breakthrough in this and there is. However, there is something still holding it back. To put it bluntly its our pride. Our pride will keep us wrapped up in our causes so that we seek that cause and forget that the target is really God not our cause.

[2Ch 7:14 NKJV] 14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Are you hearing me now? Lets break this down.

“if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves”

Put the cause away and recognize that we are broken, All of us. That every person would humble ourselves recognizing ourselves as the problem behind the lack of breakthrough in our lives.

“and pray and seek My face,”

Seek the face of God, again put the cause away. Its all about God. He’ll show you what’s holding back the breakthrough in your life.

“and turn from their wicked ways,”

Repent! What in your life is causing the fruit of the flesh to be evident? Repent come back to the truth, and Spirit of God!

Then breakthrough!

“then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

There is nothing else holding your breakthrough back. This seems simple and its because it is, but its not easy. Many times, we want to be filled but we show up to God with a full cup of bitter water expecting fresh water after our encounters.  Come empty, come ready to receive, and you’ll get that breakthrough.

Pray for your Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, [Mat 43-44 NKJV]

This scripture while being so simple it one of the hardest calls to action in the scripture. Many who read this might say “hey I do this”. The question is do we bless out of spite? If we do, then have we loved our neighbors?

In the interest of aligning ourselves with the spirit of God given this truth it is important in all things we do to do them in Spirit and in Truth. This is so that our actions match our heart which is to mirrors Gods heart. However, from a practical perspective how do we do this?

Step 1

We must recognize the reality that we live in. That our carnal selves are not all that exist. That there is a very real spiritual battle constantly raging around us. This must become real for us to understand who the real enemy is.

[Rom 8:5-6 NKJV] 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those [who live] according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded [is] death, but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.

[1Pe 5:8 NKJV] 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

Step 2

We must be able to separate what people do from who they are that God created them to be. We are all broken individuals with hurts and pains with wounds on our hearts. These wounds on our hearts can be footholds(a place of attachment) of the enemy used to influence to cause pain in others creating even more footholds.  In performing this separation, we understand that that it is the enemy that we are fighting not the person and what this person really needs is healing.

[Eph 6:12 NKJV] 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].

Step 3

Ask God to show us what he see’s.  What is it in them that God put there? What talent or gifting did God grant this person? Who is it that God created this person to be. Also, from a compassion standpoint what wounds are there that the enemy is using. In seeing things from Gods perspective seeing the plans that God has for them is truly amazing and it becomes much easier to love someone who intends to do harm to us. Knowing this, now you can love your neighbor as God Loves them and pray in such a way to bring healing to their lives. By doing so you might receive healing as well.

[Luk 23:34 NKJV] 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

[1Jo 4:7-11 NKJV] 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Fighting Normalcy Bias in Church

Something sad and rather infuriating that I’ve ran across in the time of being involved with several different congregations is something called normalcy bias. Now the context that I learned normalcy bias was primarily in a self defense manor. It describes our as human’s natural tendency to want to maintain a status quo regardless of what clear and present threat exist around us. It’s highlighted to show us that it is important to keep a vigilance than when we see something out of place that is waving a red flag so to speak to act on it.  An example of this that John Correa at Active Self Protection Youtube highlights in many of his videos is when a bystander will be going about their business when something begins to escalate around them. Instead of acknowledging that “hey this isn’t Normal I should do something to either protect myself or others” they will try to turn a sudden blind eye up to the point that the danger is on top of them. Of course, by then it’s too late for any real practical action that can keep them from being hurt. Unfortunately, this is a problem in today’s Christian churches even though the scripture tells us specifically to remain vigilant and spiritually aware.

[1Pe 5:8 NKJV] 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The reality is that not only should we be vigilant to the plans of the accuser/enemy but also to what the Spirit of God wants us ever vigilant to see what he is doing so that we can align with Gods flow to quickly repent or follow into the will that God has for our lives.

[Jhn 16:13 NKJV] 13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own [authority], but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

However, many in our congregations are conditioned to exalt the word that is spoken to them [by man] rather than that which is written to them in scripture or spoken [by the Spirit] in parallel with the scriptures. This is a hard word for many because we have spent so much time thinking we’ve got it figured out but when we see a scripture verse that exalts itself above what we already thought we know we will try to reason around it instead of acknowledging that either we, or the church is in error regarding a thing. Of course this is the very opposite of what should be happening.

[2Co 10:4-5 NKJV] 4 For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

But none the less It happens. Just picture the sheer number of different denominations in existence and each having clear doctrine that is contrary to the scriptures.  Each of the congregants having access to the same scriptures as the other. No doubt the Holy Spirit raises the red flag so to speak and even brings the scriptures forward. When this happens, it is our job to respond to it and in responding to it we can walk more in the fullness of Gods promises and will for our lives and the life of the bride.  Making full use of the tools God thought necessary to grant us to in turn bring glory to him.

[Rev 2:17 ESV] 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

However, we must fight normalcy bias to do this. So be mindful and vigilant, listening to the Spirit of God when it comes to warn and instruct. If we are to walk in Spirit and in truth it must be the whole truth according to the scriptures. If we see any try to reason away from Scriptures or minimize scripture make no mistake that is a huge red flag.

Slippery Salvation

The other day I was at a Bible study and a curious question followed by a short exchange ensued. It really led me down the rabbit hole a bit to understand the confusion.  The question was, are we as Christians punished for sin at the judgment seat of Christ? For those unaware, yes there will be a moment when we as Christians must give an account for the way we followed Christ.

2^nd Corinthians 5:10

10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

However, most interpretations of this scripture are that this is the time in which our works are brought into question regarding receiving rewards or not in the Kingdom of heaven.

1^st Corinthians 3:11-15

11. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13. 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.

14. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

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

So as we do works in the body, the heart in which we do it is a determining factor as to whether the work is “Burnt up” or not.

Ultimately it was acknowledged that there was no punishment and I further explained (Paraphrased) what it means to wear Christ righteousness as described in the whole armor of God through the sacrifice and grace of Christ. (Ref. Ephesians 6:10-20) In the day of Judgment, having believed and trusted in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our grace and righteousness, the sins that we have committed are not seen and brought into question. If they were still seen then there would be no point in the redemptive sacrifice of Christ and we would all be found guilty. However, we know this not to be true.

Romans 8:1

1. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

The man then made the statement that this doesn’t give us a license to sin and of course I chuckled and said it sure doesn’t. However, in my mind I was screaming “GOD FORBID” just as Paul did when considering the dichotomy of living a life of grace and freedom in Christ while also not condoning sin.

Romans 6:15

15. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

After pondering and praying I had a revelation of the confusion this individual was having, and I believe it has to do with the way we have been led to believe salvation works. Let me start by saying that I don’t think that this was intentional, but it is lazy and is easy to package up and distribute on mass.

Before I came to understanding and allowing the Holy Spirit to help me understand these concepts, I too fell into the trap that the “Sinners Prayer” was the 1 stop shop to salvation. Its not that that initial prayer we all follow along with is incapable of providing salvation. The danger is thinking that it stops there. Salvation as its written in scripture is much more slippery than many would like to believe. If it were not then the concern in the early church to “Make sure your election” would not have been there.

2^nd Peter 1:10

10. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble;

There are plenty of scriptures that support that there could be error in believing in a one stop shop view of salvation. Rather, it is in the total transformation done in us by the Spirit of God under the power of the Holy Spirit. That is a continual rooting out of sin and a heart change that when sin confronts us, having a new mind and heart, we will want what is good and just according to Gods righteousness. The reality is we are not ever going to be perfect and that’s why Christ grace is there but as a people who are who are truly saved and filled with the Holy Spirit it is the nature of them to constantly grow in the fruit of the spirit.

Matthew 7:21

21. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

(speaking of the end of days)

Matthew 24:12-13

12. “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.

13. “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

Romans 8:1

1. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

2^nd Peter 1:5-11

5. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

6. to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

7. to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

8. For if these things are yours and abound, [you] will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2^nd Corinthians 5:17

17 Therefore, if anyone [is] in Christ, [he is] a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Romans 12:2

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Ezekiel 36:26

26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do [them].

Fear of Rejection

In my experience, it never fails that when the Lord brings revelation into your life and brings a newfound healing to your heart; shortly after a burden for the people dealing with the same issues will come on your heart. I feel that I’m entering that season now and I think the Holy Spirit will build on this as a foundation for a ministry as a way for the Holy Spirit to begin this same work in others. Right now, I feel as though the Lord is calling out a revival with this revelation. Not just to the people of God but to those who are estranged from God all together. That we should all enter a time of faith, through healing, and sanctification. He desperately wants to bring life into areas of our hearts that we have long since considered dead. Because these dead areas in our lives take us down a path of rebellion and deception.
The Lord takes Joy in all his creation. Having created them for a divine purpose. It saddens God to have a people who are constantly caught in a cycle of hurt and pain followed by sin. It blocks the perfect will of God in our lives and keeps us from the joy and peace he has for us. He has a plan in the works for us. A plan to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11)
As we go through this life its impossible not to receive wounds on our hearts. Depending on how we choose to heal from these wounds they can impact our ability operate in the fullness that God has for us. These wounds can be as simple as a childhood sweetheart turning us down. Maybe a childhood bully. Some of us look at these things as trivial but those moments leave a serious mark. Then we move forward to more serious forms of rejection in our lives. We all have them, fill in the blanks. Where do you face serious rejection, hurt or pain in your hearts?
How do we react to these forms of pain in our hearts? Probably not too different than how people in the scripture reacted to it. Really we can look at just about any moment of sin and trace it back to an issue with our hearts. Take Peter for example in Galatians 2:11-13

11. But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.
12. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.
13. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

As we can see in this scripture when it says that Peter was “afraid of Criticism” is that not the same as a fear of rejection? Then how did he react? He rebelled against the Gentiles in a subtle way. However, the rebellion was in his heart. Paul had to call him out on it. This subtle form of rejection was getting in the way of him being able to love the way God wanted him to love.
I thank the Lord that he brought this revelation to me because he showed me where areas of rebellion in my own life were rooted in rejection. These rejections that caused me to hide behind walls of deception while I chose to rebel against what I felt was the source of the pain of rejection in my life. I saw this in relationships, the church, even at certain times God himself. The reality is that there is no way we are going to avoid rejection in our life. Jesus himself faced rejection. However, God is calling us out from the deception we hide behind as we worship him in Spirit and in Truth (Ref. John 4:24) and in the process he wants to heal the wounds of our hearts. The wounds that have turned our hearts to stone he wants to replace our hearts with a heart of flesh.(Ref. Ezekiel 36:26)