July 2000

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eak and fearful hearts only constitute weak and fearful armies. Cunning carnal minds make up satan’s army that slither silently on their bellies like serpents which makes them adroit at ambushing their prey. Spiritual babes are no match for this army; thus they must be disciplined to march and fight upright in the Lord’s Army! They are given strength to endure the grueling rigors of sonship training until one day, these mature in spirit, are ready beyond marching and fighting, they have learned to FLY LIKE EAGLES IN THE LORD’S ELITE AIR FORCE! This company of overcomers that soar and roar across the "Highway of Holiness" (Pr 16:17) are also blessed with EAGLE EYES enabling them to see into the hearts of men; discern their innermost need; then, minister to that need according to the Will of God! (This internal warfare is unavailable to satan!)
                 Recently the Lord spoke to my heart that the spirit of antichrist is fast becoming established in the earth; and it is very near time for the POWER OF HIS CHRIST to come forth! Hearing this, Rev 12:10-11 then flashed in my spirit! I remembered what it said, "I heard a loud Voice in heaven say, ‘Now is come Salvation and Strength, the Kingdom of God and the Power of His Christ! For the accuser of our brethren (*our own condemning hearts) and his angels (our carnal thoughts) who accused them before God day and night- is cast down!! And they overcame their accusers: 1) by the Blood of the Lamb; 2) by the Word of their Testimony: and 3) by not loving their (soulish) lives even to the point of surrendering them on the altar of death!"
                 The Lamb’s Blood spilled in the Outer Court of the Tabernacle symbolizing the 30 fold of fruitfulness in our lives; then the Testimonial Word of the shewbread in the Inner Court typifies the 60 fold fruit-bearing of holiness; finally the purging of flesh even unto death to self required to enter the Holy of Holies represents the 100 fold Fruit-pressing process to produce God’s powerful New Wine of Christ to pour and serve to revitalize the hopeless people of the world!! Hallelujah!
                 Any doctrine that offers you a haughty Hope; a fear-filled faith; a Bloodless Path to Glory; a Pearl of great price with no pain, is a LIE!! No flesh enjoys hearing about suffering or sacrifice; but we hold out our hands readily enough to receive the Suffering and Sacrifice of our Savior!! It’s quite alright with us for the Creator of the universe to humble Himself before His Own creation and enter the flesh we inhabit, suffer the same indignities of the flesh; even sacrifice His Life on a cross; but when the trial turns our way, we run like deer! Now I am no hypocrite, I don’t claim to love the idea of being tortured for my faith; or put to death for my testimony; but I have total assurance that if this is God’s Will for me, His Christ-in-me will provide sufficient Grace for me to bear it! Read the history of those saints who went before us that endured unconscionable things for their faith; their testimonies are the stars in Christ’s Crown; and are given to us for encouragement.
                 If our hearts are overcome by fear at the sights and sounds in this world today, let us remember that even the disciples of Christ were terrified to hear of His crucifixion, because they felt abandoned to the same fate. Yet 50 short days later (at the Pentecost Feast succeeding the Passover Sacrifice of the Lamb), they were endued with such POWER in fiery tongues upon their heads, that this ANOINTING OF JOY enabled them to ever after"glory in tribulation"- even unto their deaths!
                God says we will be blessed with even more! Our lives will manifest the "former and latter rains" of Christ’s Power! Let us encourage and arm ourselves with such glorious Truths! Let us put on the whole Armor of God- knowing that each piece speaks of CHRIST! HE IS the Armor of God!
                "Don’t be troubled or terrified at the thought of suffering for Righteousness’ Sake; but be happy; and sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready when any man asks the reason for your Hope, answer him with meekness, reverence, and a clear conscience!" (1 Pet 3:14-16) Fear denies Faith its rightful power, honor and glory; but Faith denies Fear before God! Let us pray for God’s Perfect Love to cast out all every last remnant of our carnal fears!! (1 Jn 4:18) Let us hear the Voice of Messiah call to the troubled waters of our hearts, "PEACE BE STILL!" Amen and Amen.