​LOVE WORTH DYING FOR
 
God is love. The purified love of God is eternal and everlasting. There is no way to contain him into one small chapter. However, it is essential to mention the love of Jesus Christ and that the power therein is the basics of the spiritual battles we’re fighting.
              What most people tend to do sometimes without necessarily realizing it; they attempt to label or categorize the love of Jesus Christ. The purified love of Jesus exists in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost. He is. It’s that simple. God is love. He is. It’s not a religious thing. He is the truth. He is. Love stands on His own as the originator of all things. There is none greater, so He swears on himself. He is the Ancient of Days. He is the all-seeing, all-knowing, God who is everywhere.
              When you’re in the midst of warfare, love is there. No matter the circumstance, no matter the situation, he is there.  When you need someone to talk to, love is there. Love cannot be personified. Though he exists through most people, love is a spirit. It is necessary to understand because we cannot put our confidence in man. He will have short comings. The purified love of Christ is coupled with his Holy Spirit. The expectations of such a great gift cannot be compounded to the standards of man’s wisdom. When you need love to present himself in your life, He is there. There is rarely any confusion of who He is. Love recognizes himself in others, when he’s pure and true.
#CONTENDFORTHEFAITH #TRUST #WATCH #PRAY #PRAISE

A Testimony of Love
               As a young teenager the Lord Jesus Christ placed in me a heart of worship. I would attend Sunday services, and though I was a very shy person, I wanted to worship the Lord with the confidence that the others had around me. My passion for his presence was personal. I longed for him to manifest his presence upon me. I hungered and thirst for his righteousness. However, the worship I kept secret. I was heavy laden in sin and I didn’t want anyone to see my wretchedness. So, when I prayed, I found a secret place where I could pray to the Lord. Most of what I did was in secret. It wasn’t just because I wanted to hide my faults and shortcomings, but I also walked with the perspective that no one love me or cared about me one way or the other.
            On the outside things seemed to be alright. However, on the inside was bottled up hurt, pain, loneliness, frustrations, and misunderstandings. I misunderstood my purpose in Christ. I misunderstood the role that Jesus Christ was intending to have in my life as King, Father, and Savior.
             I cried unto the Lord in my secret place. I must admit, however, that my prayers were somewhat selfish. I was a tattletale. I would tell on everyone and how they treated me. Then I would transition into telling the Lord how to bless me and to make this person and that person love me. I was rather comfortable with sharing my will with him. However, I didn’t stick around to listen for a response or to even attempt to understand what his will was for my life. I would repent only to repeat in the same lustful activities the following week. It had become a pattern of sin and feigned repentance. My heart willing to surrender, but the foundation of my faith wasn’t complete. I lived off of the testimony of others. I did not have my own encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, though my heart yearned in desperation for the pouring of his Holy Spirit.
            One evening I cried unto the Lord God with my whole heart. In this particular occasion I was done with everything. I didn’t hold onto anything. I laid aside every weight and sin, every care and concern. I gave the Lord Jesus every burden and my whole life. I was convinced that the way I was doing things was wrong. I was not in control of my own destiny, Jesus was. As I cried to the Lord, I asked, “What is wrong with me?” and again I asked, “What is wrong with me?” then the Lord began to respond and share his will for my life when I completely surrendered my will to his. He said the most comforting words to me “There is nothing wrong with you” and then went on to share I needed his Holy Spirit to lead and guide me in the path of all truth and righteousness. He stated that the world system operated on covetous practices which is to say that they do not pray for things according to the spirit, but to obtain things according to the flesh. Then he poured his Holy Spirit upon me so that I could pray in his Spirit and his Spirit would lead and guide my decision making!
When I received the Holy Spirit, my perspective changed concerning my life in Jesus Christ. My desires changed as well. I hungered and thirsted for spiritual things. I desired to know more of the Lord, so I read the Word often. I prayed more often for others and for a spiritual understanding of things I had read. I began to compare spiritual things with spiritual. I wanted others to see him as I had seen him. I wanted them to have his Spirit as well. I had a great desire to see his miracles, signs, and wonders performed in the lives of others so they could have faith in him just as well. With his Spirit came zeal that I couldn’t get rid of. I just wanted to do his will. I wanted revival in the community and everywhere I traveled. I knew that it wasn’t me. The Spirit and I became one. I was moving by his Spirit and the flesh was under subjection. It was then I really understood that love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Pet 4:8)
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover a multitude of sins.
            By his Spirit the Lord Jesus Christ cleansed me from the inside and out with his refining fire and made me new. He cleansed me of my faults and sins. He said he would remember them no more. He cast them into the sea of forgetfulness. All that Jesus had done in me, I carried as a testimony of the power of his grace and mercy. That love that was shown toward me; I knew if he did it for me, then he could do it for anyone else willing to surrender to his will and purpose.
             There was a designated time noted in the Word of God where his disciples began to ask him, “Who loves you the most?” and the response was, “The one whom I have forgiven the most!” I must carry the same purified love with me everywhere I go. Sometimes I sit and think on the goodness of the Lord and his tender mercies and his loving kindness and I say to myself, “I am the one he has forgiven the most.” Then, I ask “How can I love him more?” Though he has already given us the answer on numerous occasions. He stated that he has given freely and we, too, should do as we have seen our father do.
Luke 7:42-43 & 47
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that to whom he forgave the most. And he said unto him thou hast rightly judged. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
             There is so much power in forgiveness and mercy. There’s more than we can fathom in the natural sense. The power that comes in forgiving another does the heart like medicine. That kind of love works wonders in the spiritual realm. That kind of love had Jesus Christ die on the cross for our sins and rise again with all power in his hands with the keys of death and hell. That kind of love heaps coals on the enemy when you would rather show longsuffering and mercy rather than use carnal weapons.
 John 15:10-13
If ye keep my commandment, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things which I have spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
              Jesus made it clear to us in his Word that we didn’t choose him, but he chose us first. He loved us first. He loved us in a way that we couldn’t comprehend. When he laid down his life for us, he called us friends. He loved us in advance. He saw the possibility of friendship and servitude in advance. He did all of this before we even knew him or knew how to love according to his Spirit.
 Ephesians 3:13-19
Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and, the length, and the depth, and the height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled will all the fullness of God.
               As I was reading the account of Moses on the mount one day, I dared to ask the Lord Jesus the very same question Moses did which was, “Lord, show me your glory.” My prayer was that the Lord Jesus would glorify himself in me. However, I didn’t realize that the answer to such a request could bring test and trials upon my life that I couldn’t imagined. I suppose the quote “Be careful what you ask for…” didn’t resonate in my mind until long after the request was made, and numerous times, I might add. The Lord says through the Apostle Paul that we shouldn’t faint at the tribulations. These tribulations bring forth the glory of God in our lives. So, the Lord is sharing that the more we overcome the tribulations, the more glory is established in our lives. There is a requirement that we faint not. Then Paul prays on our behalf that we are strengthened by his Holy Spirit and might within our inner being. That by doing so faith is established in our hearts and we are rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus Christ. This is the recipe given to us that we may be able to know the love of Jesus and to somehow comprehend the breadth, length, depth, and height thereof. The Word is confirmed here through Paul that this kind of purified love passes all knowledge and therein we are filled with the fullness of God. That kind of love is the power of God unveiled. That purified love is the anchor of our faith. To see the Lord glorified in our lives much is required. In speaking scripture the Lord reminds us that to whom much is given, much is required. The zeal of the Spirit of God had me petition the Lord Jesus Christ on several occasions with request to “Take me up higher heights Lord Jesus.” “Take me deeper depths in you O’ Lord. I always commanded the more of his Spirit. There was much tribulation and continues to be troubles because of the passionate pursuit. The enemy doesn’t want you to reach your destiny of righteousness in Christ Jesus. He doesn’t want you to get your inheritance. The adversary cannot stand the glory of God. So as the faith and the glory are established through enduring these tribulations there is spiritual warfare to overcome.
               Through every test and trial was the shedding of flesh. The higher heights and deeper depths required loss of self. The humility was established more and more. There was (and still is) great necessity to be completely saturated in his Holy Spirit. The Word says to live is Christ, to die is gain. I took up my cross and the self, had to die. With the loss of self, Jesus Christ reigns completely in unity with you by his spirit. Therein is the purified love of Christ. That kind of love is certainly worth fighting for.                                                                                                                                                                                        1John 5:4-7
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, The Father, The Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
                To experience the overcoming power of God and achieve the victory in battle you believe only and surrender completely to his will and purpose. Oftentimes, troubles come simply because we love. There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. We must trust him completely. If we love the Lord, then we will obey his commands.
               All of this love that the Lord Jesus Christ has poured upon our lives and the lives of the children of God was to lead and guide us to our expected end. The reward and the victory is in the finish. We must endure to the end.
              The more that you seek the face of God and all of his righteousness, the more warfare the enemy will attempt to bring upon your life. However, God is the author and finisher of our faith. He is in control. He will not allow more than we can bear. The more we draw closer and know the Lord Jesus, the more the enemy will attempt to make us think we don’t know him at all. That’s where we walk by faith and know that we’re in the Lord’s hands. With the revelation of Jesus Christ there is much resistance from the enemy. However,welovetheLordmorethanourownlife.                                                                                                                                                                                  
Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto death.
                Through Jesus Christ we have overcome the world. The victory in battle is given through the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony, even unto death. We know these things because we are believers. Therein is the love of Christ and the power of God unveiled. That kind of love…that kind of victory is worth fighting for. So, PICK UP YOUR WEAPONS AND FIGHT!

AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK...
​LONGSUFFERING​

II CORINTHIANS 6:3-10

GIVING NO OFFENCE IN ANYTHING THAT THE MINISTRY BE NOT BLAMED.
BUT IN ALL THINGS APPROVING OURSELVES AS THE MINISTERS OF GOD, IN MUCH PATIENCE, IN AFFLICTIONS, IN NECESSITIES, IN DISTRESSES, IN STRIPES, IN IMPRISONMENTS, IN TUMULTS, IN LABORS, IN WATCHINGS, IN FASTINGS;
BY PURENESS, BY KNOWLEDGE, BY LONGSUFFERING, BY KINDNESS, BY THE HOLY GHOST, BY LOVE UNFEIGNED.
BY THE WORD OF TRUTH, BY THE POWER OF GOD, BY THE ARMOUR OF RIGHTEOUSNESS ON THE RIGHT HAND AND ON THE LEFT,
BY HONOUR AND DISHONOUR, BY EVIL REPORT AND GOOD REPORT: AS DECEIVER, AND YET TRUE;
AS UNKNOWN, AND YET WELL KNOWN; AS DYING, AND, BEHOLD, WE LIVE; AS CHASTENED, AND NOT KILLED;
AS SORROWFUL, YET ALWAYS REJOICING, AS POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH; AS HAVING NOTHING, AND YET POSSESSING ALL THINGS.
 As we have studied in previous chapters concerning joy, it is safe to share that there is no joy without overcoming trials and tests building us up in our most holy faith. If we partake of the heavenly callings, then we must also partake of the sufferings of the cross. We must eat of the whole loaf and take the bitter with the sweet.

In the last days the Lord warns his children that we will endure diverse temptations and all manners of evil. Yet, while warning the Lord also states that we must not allow our good to be evil spoken of and He also states for us to be good stewards of the mysteries of His Holy Word and walk worthy of our vocation. In doing so we are no offending or causing blame to come upon the ministry. The Lord doesn't want our labors or suffering to be in vain. He wants us obtain the promises in Him.

It is needful to recognize that after mentioning that we maintain ourselves blameless unto God, He mentions that we maintain our worthiness as ministers of God in patience, afflictions, necessities, and distresses. We are going to go through trials and sufferings simply because by faith we have obtained a divine nature and have been given divine power. We will be afflicted but the Lord delivers us out of them all. He says we must endure in much patience.

A PURIFIED MIND

Philippians 4:8

FINALLY, BRETHREN, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE JUST, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT, IF THERE BE ANY VIRUTE, IF THERE BE ANY ORAISE, THINK ON THESE THINGS.

At the time of the writing of this book, the apostle Paul had ben imprisoned. Prior to being thrown into prison he had affected thousands of lives having been used to work signs, miracles, and wonders. He compelled people to repent and believe. He had impacted so many lives and word spreads that he has been shut up and his followers write to him. Love makes people do crazy things and warfare makes people do even crazier things. These two powerful things can affect the state of mind of any individual wanting to do the will and purpose of Christ. However, the Lord Jese Christ says to be in the same mind of the Lord.
In these last and evil days, the adversary is attempting to set traps and snares for the chosen ones of God. Oftentimes, the warfare starts with thoughts of the mind with attempts to get us to act contrary to the word and sin against God.
We know that the persecution and the intensity of affliction amount the true saints of God is what was the driving force to the dispensation of the gospel. Paul often mentioned to the chosen, “you are my letter written upon the tablet of my heart.” He stated that the things which happened to him was for a testimony and for the furtherance of the gospel.
Through all of the tests, trials, and the many afflictions; we must have the purified mind of Christ.
The Lord has used Paul to compel us to think on the things that are true. This is mentioned first. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Yet, the adversary comes to create chaos, distraction, and turmoil by bringing thoughts that are not true.
He commands us also to think on things that are honest, it is interesting that the Lord makes a distinction between true things and honesty within this scripture. They are not the same although they are corelated. We must be honest with ourselves about who we are in Christ. Who Christ is to us, and his will for us in his everlasting kingdom.
He called us out of the world that is full of darkness into his marvelous light. He chose us as his own and sanctified us to be separate. We must be honest about what that really means especially when Jesus has poured upon us his Holy Spirit. To whom much is given, much is required. He called us to a higher standard of righteousness and stewardship.
He has also shared that when we seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, then all other things shall be added, that includes holiness. The Lord often used the phrase, “hold fast to the truth”, because the adversary during the last and evil days comes to weary the true believer and beguile them with seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Therefore, he says, “hold fast to what you have been taught”, because it can be snatched from you if you allow the adversary to steal the truth and the honest things that are given from above.
With honesty comes integrity. You’re moved by the Holy Spirit to do what is righteous in the sight of God even when it seems like no one else may be holding you accountable. He trusts us with His Spirit and His word. We must be honest with ourselves about the measure of faith that the Lord has given us. The apostle Peter had been used to work signs, miracles, and wonders and walked with Jesus while he ministered in his earthen vessel. He had been given power from on high. Peter told Jesus with his mouth that he loved him, and that he would die for him. At one point the Lord openly rebuked Peter and stated that he was peaking these things of men’s precept and not savoring the things that be of God (Matt 16:23). He said what he thought the Lord wanted to hear. He said he would die for the Lord and yet he denied him, not once or twice, but three times. At that time his measure of faith wasn’t strong enough that he would die for him though he wanted it to be. We must be honest. The Lord Jesus requires complete surrender. We must be honest when we ask ourselves, “Have you completely surrendered?  Have you laid it all at the altar of your heart before the Lord?” We must be honest about the role that we desire the Lord to play in our lives. He has several names and desires to move by the operations of the Holy Spirit. He is our redeemer. Are you allowing him to redeem you? He is a Father. Are you allowing him to do the leading and guiding, counseling, instructing, and providing? We must be honest about who we are allowing him to be, because he is a gentleman and will not force himself upon us.
Besides the spiritual warfare of the mind, we must look at our actions and our works of faith. We must be honest when we examine our walk. Are you doing what the Lord has instructed you to do in his word? Are you bearing the fruits of righteousness? Are you doing his will or your own?
If we are not honest with our heart then we can give advantage to the adversary to war with us that much the more. Then it is easier for us to give heed to lies and deception and leave the hedge of protection, within the narrow part of the truth. Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way.
Paul encourages us also to think on things that are just. Jesus is our righteousness and he is the just judge. We are living in the end times where the adversaries are bringing about several spiritual movements of falsehood. These movements contain familiar spirits and provoke people to dwell on unresolves issues of the past. The adversary will attempt to get folks to focus on how the days of old were. He wants you to listen to old music and also to remember old injustices. Jesus is God of all truth and newness. He gives us renewed minds. He gives us renewed strength in our inner man day by day. The old man is put away and a new man emerges.
There were times in the past when I wasn’t that close to the Lord. I was inappropriately touched by a family member and when I finally had the strength to tell my mother, it didn’t seem to me that she handled the circumstance properly. Then I personally wen tot the local police. They didn’t investigate. The told me that sexual abuse cases were hard to prosecute, and that it would be his word against mine. Although I was hurt, I forgave quickly. Fortunately, the spirit of the Lord moved upon my heart to not hold things and to forgive. I had to see this person often. I had some anger with regards to the response of the local police. However, I believed in Jesus and he comforted me concerning the matter. I prayed about the circumstance and stopped looking for justice to be handled in natural way, and to see justice with a natural eye.
Thinking on the just things, I thought of reasons to show mercy. The Lord said, “blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” He also commanded us to learn what it means that he will have mercy and not sacrifice. Vengeance is the Lord’s.
He will handle things when our obedience is fulfilled (II Cor 10:6). The just shall live by faith. Therefore, if we think on faithful things we will be justified before God. Our thoughts will turn into actions of faith. It is just to seek for the Spirit of God. It is just to praise. It is just to worship him with your whole heart. It is just to pray to know the will of the Lord. It is just to wait on the Lord when all you know to do is stand. Be unshakeable, unmovable, and ever abounding in the love of Christ.
The things that are pure are the heart of God and the love he has for his children. The Lord Jesus stated that we must have clean hands and a pure heart (Ps 24:4). Keep your hands clean by completely trusting the Lord Jesus Christ.
The adversary is the author of all manners of evil and he is good at bringing false accusations, lies, and hypocrisy. Stay the course and walk by the Spirit to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. That doesn’t mean to let your guard down and allow people to run over you. Guard your heart and protect the spirit of God within you. Be wise as a serpent and yet gentle as a dove. Abstain from all appearance of evil and if it be possible, be a peacemaker.
In order to have clean hands and a pure heart, we must ask. The Lord says we can ask anything in his name and he will do it and that our joy may be full. He also said when we seek his kingdom that holiness would come.
We must allow the Holy Spirit to reign; His Holy Spirit has the refining fire that cleanses. We shouldn’t grieve the spirit or quench the spirit. He purifies us and makes us white as snow. He makes our prayers pure and our supplications pure in the sight of God. Think on the pure things…your testimony. What brought you to Him? How did he make you over? How did he heal you? These things are the pure love of Christ.

AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK "POWER OF GOD UNVEILED"

​I didn't know what joy was until I learned to surrender all. I have sung the song...but when I went through what I had known to be tribulation, I had no clue what true joy in Jesus really was. I thought I knew what surrender was. I thought I knew what letting go was. I had convinced myself numerous times that I had to let go...I had given everything to the Lord Jesus, I had laid every burden and care at the altar. However, there was a part of me that was refusing to die. I had made myself a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God, daily. I would relinquish a whole lot, but one little piece I kept to myself without realizing it; control.

I claimed that Jesus Christ was my savior. I claimed that He was my refuge, he had given me His Holy Spirit. I prayed prayers in faith stating that I wanted the Lord to lead and guide me. He would “drive” for a while, but when I really had to trust and travel into uncharted territory, I would grab a hold of my life again. I laid it at the altar, and then I picked it back up. It wasn't until in the midst of my trial that I realized I'm but a vapor in time. Jesus, you are the author and finisher of my faith. I had to stop playing the role of the fixer. I had to let my own will die and carry that cross, as heavy as it was.

Growing up, I would often watch and observe things going on around me...the good, the bad, the wrongs, and the rights. Then my heart would lead me to want to find a way to help or “fix” things. I became a way of life. Then,  one day the Lord stepped in and changed my perspective of things.​

I mentioned earlier a testimony of surrender when I was in the military and how the Lord began to “tear down” my flesh and build me up spiritually in Him. Well, during that time I had two young children. I was threatened with a divorce and a battle for custody with my children. At the time, I was devastated. It seemed my whole life that was just getting started was coming to an end. I went to church. I prayed. I received counseling. I pulled out every “natural” weapon I had to fight. I got an attorney. I wrote letters to multiple judges, and in the natural court, it seemed as if I had lost. I was up against someone who had more rank and He seemed to present a more solid case of stability. During that appointed time I had to choose whether I would relinquish everything to the Lord and trust him completely or continue to play the role as the fixer and keep coming short time and time again. Trusting Him wasn't logical and couldn't be. I couldn't come up with some strategic plan of action and follow through. I had to leave everything and follow Him.
My life as I knew it was in the shambles. It had been completely torn apart. However, the voice of the Lord said, “seek me.” So, my heart sought the Lord and kept seeking for His Spirit to reign.

JOHN 15:16
YE HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, AND ORDAINED YOU, THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND BRING FORTH FRUIT, AND THAT YOUR FRUIT SHOULD REMAIN: THAT WHATSOEVER YE SHALL ASK OF THE FATHER IN MY NAME, HE MAY GIVE IT YOU.

I DIDN'T CHOOSE THE LORD JESUS, He chose me. He gave me the choice after making His. He said I was the apple of His eye. When I made the decision to surrender, He began to shift things and pour of His Holy Spirit ad fill all of the emptiness that resulted from my true surrender.

One evening after reading my word, I had gone to sleep. In the whee hours of the night I was awakened by an angel. The angel didn't speak a message with words, but with a spirit of laughter. There was a joy-filled laughter and I couldn't stop laughing. It was like I understood in the Spirit that I would overcome. Then I started to clap my hands and began praising the Lord, Though I couldn't see a positive way through my circumstance, the Lord sent the spirit of joy to get me through that appointed time of elevation in Him. It is hard to describe in words the death of “self” when you're going through circumstances and there is no clear path to take. The straight and narrow that leads to righteousness is rarely the first choice, but leads and guides us by His Spirit to deny ourselves and follow Him. I had to grasp the meaning of what that joy-filled laughter meant. Death and life were present. Death of the “old man” known as self and life as a new creature in Christ began to emerge.

Gal 2:19-20
FOR I THROUGH THE LAW AM DEAD TO THE LAW, THAT I MIGHT LIVE UNTO GOD.
I AM CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST: NEVERTHELESS, I LIVE; YET NOT I, BUT CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: AND THE LIFE WHICH I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD WHO LOVED ME, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME.

So, then a joy was birthed in me that said to live is Christ and to die is gain. I had to be content with the Lord's will. That joy said I fear the Lord. That joy said He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Allowing the Holy Spirit to reign completely is when I was able to encounter the fullness of His joy.

The Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that we didn't choose him first, but He chose us, and if He chose us then He qualifies us or equips us for the mission that He chose us to accomplish in Him. Then, the Lord states that He desires by having chosen us that we should bear much fruit and that our fruit should remain.

There is a lot of revelation in that one particular scripture. One revelation is the He gives us everything we need to accomplish what He ordained us to do. First, let me say that I communicate with a lot with people in my line of work and while having general conversation, people have made mention that though they may be gainfully employed, they don't like several aspects of their job.

No matter what job or assignment I've been on, I've found some things that I didn't look forward to throughout the course of my shift or even when I was going through training for the role I was to operate in. However, I must admit that I often had the tools to accomplish the task whether I like the job or not.

When I was a mortgage loan officer, we would come in to the office every morning. I knew O had phone calls to make and leads to obtain. Although, some of the people I worked with, I could do without their personality or characteristics.

When I was in basic training in the US military, I was equipped with everything I needed to complete my training and yet I must admit that the physical training was challenging and several mornings I wished there was a way to avoid going. Nonetheless, the result that we hoped for regardless of what job was that I would bear fruits of righteousness. The goal for mortgages is that the people and families would be places in homes and for the military it was train to be an EMT, which would in turn bring forth healing and deliverance (spiritually as well as naturally), when soldiers were injured in the line of duty. Though these things mentioned were natural duties, there is a spiritual revelation. Things may seem natural, but everything has a spiritual design by the Lord.

We have natural appointments and spiritual callings of the Most High, and He always equips us for the task. There are many challenges, tests, trials, but all have been allowed to bring us to our expected end build us up on our Most Holy Faith in the Lord Jesus.

OUR FRUIT MUST REMAIN

We may not like all that comes with the call, but the Lord states that all things work together for the good and that He who began a good work will perform it until the day of Christ Jesus.

ROM 8:27

AND HE THAT SEARCHETH THE HEARTS KNOWETH WHAT IS THE MIND OF THE SPIRIT, BECAUSE HE MAKETH INTERCESSION FOR THE SAINTS ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THEM THAT LOVE GOD, TO THEM WHO ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.

We are not of this world, but we are called as ambassadors of Christ to be a light. The Lord planted us as trees to reconcile others to come unto him and to seek him while he may be found. If he planted us, then we must bear fruit and the hope is that our fruit will remain. Meaning, that regardless of our present circumstance or situations that come with our call, we must remain unshakeable, unmovable, ever abounding in the love of Christ.

In order to bear much fruit and have our fruit remain, our work, first, must be according to the faith. Faith without works is dead, and a work without faith is considered a dead work, and will not stand in the end.

There are several parts to the scripture where the Lord speaks of our fruit remaining. He stated by His word, “that whosoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, He may give it you. So then, we have confirmation that the Lord says we can come boldly to the throne of grace and ask anything in His name and He will do it.

​When you’re going through a circumstance or situation where your faith is being tested you always want to know when it’s going to end. Why am I going through this? What is the Lord trying to show me? He is God. He is your creator. He is the one with the plan. This is the fear of the Lord. You’re in his hands. Of Course, there are vulnerabilities, but as his church, we must stand as the weaker vessel.
1 Peter 3:7
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers be not hindered.
So, this is a spiritual life, a spiritual walk with the Lord and spiritually he is the Bridegroom. With him as the head we must trust him to cover his Bride and lead her in the right direction. Give the Lord your weakness, so that his strength will be made perfect in the midst of it. With each trial you encounter, there is a revelation of Jesus Christ. You learn his names. You learn that he is a Redeemer, a Father. He is a Healer. He is a Refuge. You can always go to him. He is a Provider. He is a Light in the midst of darkness. When you allow the Potter to shape you on that potter’s wheel it hurts and is often very uncomfortable. He teaches you discipline, the fear of the Lord, with that fear you learn to trust.
Rom 5:1-5
Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The word to focus on in the mentioned scripture is experience. Through the experience is the birth of hope and the love of Christ is strengthened that much more within you. To endure to the end, you must love Jesus Christ. You must love being his Servant. You must desire to be in unity with him by his Spirit. Besides the Lord allowing tests and trials for you to build a strong relationship with him, He wants to have you stand on your most holy faith. These trials prepare you for battle, that you will stand against the wiles of the devil. He prepares you to quench the fiery darts of the wicked and to stand in the evil day. In previous chapters, we discussed how there were many reasons why men and women joined the military. They had their reasons. However, with Jesus Christ there is a predestination. You are called and He qualifies you.
John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Knowing these things, the trials are to bring you to your expected end in Jesus Christ. Just as with our natural military, when you enlist or join, you have a role to abide in.
You are given a field of duty or mission of service. Just as well with the Lord Jesus. You have a mission to fulfill in him, a place as a member of the Body of Christ. To be effective and efficient in such a role there is training. Most training for missions concerning spiritual warfare are not the kind that can be taught in word only, but in the demonstration of the power of the Holy Ghost. Some in the military would call it OJT (On The Job Training). You must go through it. Therein is the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ established from faith to faith and glory to glory.
1 Cor 2:4-5
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power Of God.
You are needed on the battlefield soldier. Get off the sidelines and fight the good fight of faith!
#WATCH #PRAY #TRUST #PRAISE

I CORINTHIANS 13:5-7
 
DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY, SEEKETH NOT HER OWN, IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED, THINKETH NO EVIL;
REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY, BUT REJOICETH IN TRUTH; BEARETH ALL THINGS, BELIEVETH ALL THINGS, HOPETH ALL THINGS, ENDURETH ALL THINGS.

WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO ENCOURAGE YOU CONCERNING THE LOVE OF CHRIST. JESUS CHRIST SAVED ME WITH THE POWER OF HIS LOVE! AS WE DRAW NEAR TO A TIME OF THE END WHERE PEOPLE WILL OT ENDURE SOUND COUNSEL AND WHERE THE DAYS SHALL BE LIKE UNTO THOSE OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH, IT IS NEEDFUL TO SHARE ABOUT THE PURIFIED LOVE OF CHRIST. HIS LOVE PURE AND UNFEIGNED. HE HAS LONGSUFFERED WITH US ALL WANTING FOR US TO ACCEPT HIS LOVE…WANTING FOR US TO RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS THE ONLY WAY. NONETHELESS, HE FIRST BELIEVED IN THE POSSIBILITY THAT THROUGH HIS LOVE AND PATIENCE WE WOULD EVEN MOVE OUT OF OUR OWN WAY TO RECEIVE HIM COMPLETELY. THIS HOLY LOVE IS RARELY SEEN TODAY WHERE THE LOVE OF MANY IS WAXING COLD TOWARD ONE ANOTHER. HOWEVER, WE MUST BE REMINDED THAT THROUGH CHRIST ALL THINGSARE POSSIBLE THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGTHENS US. THAT KIND OF LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS, NOT SOME THINGS, ALL THINGS. WHEN WE REALLY GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE SEEKING THE KINGDOM OF THE LIVING GOD AND WE ARE COMPELLING SOULS TO REPENT, THEN WE, WITH UNFEIGNED LOVE OF CHRIST WILL BELIEVE FOR ALL THINGS AND HOPE FOR ALL THINGS AND ENDURE ALL THINGS IF IT MEANT STRETCHING OUT ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH FOR THE SAVING OF A SOUL. WE MUST FIRST BELIEVE THAT HE IS AND HE IS A REWARDER OF THEM THAT DILIGENTLY SEEK AFTER HIM. THEN CAN WE BELIEVE TO A POINT WHERE MIRACLES, SIGNS, AND WONDERS WILL FOLLOW. THEREFORE, WITH THAT LOVE WE HOPE FOR HEALING, WE HOPE FOR DELIVERANCE, WE HOPE FOR RESTORATION, AND WE HOPE FOR RECONCILIATION. WE ENDURE ALL THINGS UNTIL WE SEE THE MANIFESTATION F THE WORD COME TO FRUITION. #watch #pray #seek #praise
 

CHASING AFTER HIM
 
THE THOUGHTS OF MY HEART SEEM TO HAVE NO MEANS BY WHICH TO SPEAK O’ LORD. THE ZEAL AFTER THINE HEART IS SHUT UP AND CANNOT COME FORTH. THE WORDS OF A READY WRITER ARE WITHHELD YET KNOWN. I TELL MYSELF IT IS DONE. IT IS ENOUGH. I WILL NOT SPEAK. I WILL NOT UTTER THE THOUGHTS THAT HAVE BEEN ETCHED UPON MY HEART. I SAID I WOULD SHUT MY MOUTH. I WILL HIDE MYSELF AND BE AAS I WERE BEFORE WHEN I KNEW YOU NOT, WHEN I HAD NO ENCOUNTER…WHEN I WAS WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING, YET TO UNDERSTAND IS TO COMPREHEND THE FACT THAT YOUR LOVE HAS NO END AND THE BEGINNING CANNOT BE PLACED AND YET WE KNOW YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THERE. WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN ME TO POUR UPON YOUR LOVE S ZEALOUSLY? HOW DO YOU STIR SUCH A GIFT IN ME? FOR WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU POUR AND STAND AFAR OFF? MY HEART’S DESIRE IS FOR YOU TO BE GLORIFIED. WHY O’ LORD IS MY HEART IN SUCH A PASSIONATE PURSUIT AFTER THE HEART THAT YOU HIDE FROM ME? PIECES, PIECES, PIECES OF YOU…YOU HAVE GIVEN WITH A DESIRE FOR MORE. HOW CAN I OBTAIN THAT WHICH YOU HAVE DESIGNED ME TO CRAVE. THE PRSENCE OF YOU…THE UNITY…THE ONENESS…I’M DRIVEN WITHIN TO SEEK THE SPIRIT…THE VERY DEEP THINGS JUST TO BE CLOSER. YOU SAID AT ONE APPOINTED TIME THAT IF IT WAS ONLY TO BEHOLD THEN YOU WOULD WITHHOLD; YET TO BEHOLD YOUR WORK IS NOT MY HEART’S ONLY DESIRE. THE WAYS BY WHICH THE HEART DESPERATELY DESIRES TO CLING TO YOUR SPIRIT CANNOT BE UTTERED IN A PERFECT WAY. YOU ARE THE ORIGINATOR OF ALL GLORY AND MAJESTY AND SPLENDOR. THIS LIFE THAT YOU HAVE SPOKEN IN ME IS NOT ABOUT SEEEING, HEARING, TASTING, TOUCHING, OR FEELING YOU ONLY BUT THE COMPREHENSION TO FATHOM OUR BEING IN THE MIDST OF YOU…WITHIN YOU…AS ONE. GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN INE WHO HATH LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR A FRIEND AND YET I ASK WHY YOU DIED FOR SUCH A ONE AS ME WHOM YOU WILL NOT FIND WORTHY TO BE IN YOUR PRESENCE? YOU HAVE CREATED FLESH AND THEN YOU SAY IT CANNOT PLEASE YOU. YOU HAVE DONE THE CREATING FOR YOUR GOOD PLEASURE. HOW CAN SO GREAT A LOVE BE SO HARD TO GRASP? YOU SAY WE STAND AFAR OFF, BUT HAVEN’T YOU? AREN’T WE YOUR HERITAGE? MAKE US O’ LORD. TEACH US TO DO THY RIGHTEOUSNESS. TAKE THESE PIECES OF CLAY AND MAKE A RIGHTEOUS BODY UNTO YOURSELF. YOU ARE THE KING OF GLORY. YOU REIGN…I SAY REIGN O’LORD  #pray #seek #trust

​- a god chaser

​CHASING AFTER HIM
 
O’ LORD THY GOD WHY DOST THOU STAND AFAR OFF? DRAW NEAR UNTO THY SERVANT O’ LORD. THE ZEAL OF THINE HOUSE HATH ME UP. TO SEEK AFTER THEE AND NOT OBTAIN ONLY DRIVES THE PASSIONATE PURSUIT FARTHER. O’ SHOW ME THY GLORY O’ LORD. SATISFY THE LONGING FOR YOUR HOLY PRESENCE. O’ THAT I MIGHT FIND THEE O’ LORD. I HUNGER FOR YOU. I CRAVE YOUR FLOWING SPIRIT. HIDE ME IN THY PRESENCE LORD. YOU PROMISED YOU WOULD NEVER LEAVE, NEITHER FORSAKE ME. O’ TO KNOW THY PRECEPTS. TEACH ME O’ LORD TO KNOW MINE END AND TO NUMBER THY DAYS. I AM BUT A VAPOR YET YOU ARE MY RIGHTEOUSNESS. POUR YOUR SPIRIT UPON ME O’ LORD THY GOD THAT I MAY BE PURE AND ACCEPTABLE IN THY SIGHT. LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT PATH WHERE YOUR SPIRIT DWELLS. SATISFY ME WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING AT YORU FEET THAT I MAY PRAISE YOU ALL THE DAY LONG. HOW LONG WILL THE PASSION OF YOUR LOVE BOIL WITHIN? I CANNOT CONTAIN IT O’ GOD BE CONTENT TO RESCUE ME. WHY DOTH THOU WEARY THY SERVANT WITH A CRAVING FOR YOUR SPIRIT WHICH CANNOT BE QUENCHED? THIS LOVE THAT YOU HAVE POURED IS DETERMINED TO BE AFTER YOUR OWN HEART… DAY AND NIGHT SEARCHING THE HEIGHTS…SEARCHING THE DEPTHS…LONGING TO BE SATISFIED BY YOUR MANIFEST PRESENCE.
A PRAYER OF A GODCHASER

PS 142
I CRIED UNTO THE LORD WITH MY VOICE, WITH MY VOICE UNTO THE LORD DID I MAKE MY SUPPLICATION. I POURED MY COMPAINT BEFORE HIM; I SHEWED BEFORE HIM MY TROUBLE.
WHEN MY SPIRIT WAS OVERWHELMED WITHIN ME, THEN THOU KNEWEST MY PATH. IN THE WAY WHEREIN I WALKED HAVE THEY PRIVILY LAID A SNARE FOR ME.
I LOOKED ON MY RIGHT HAND, AND BEHELD, BUT THERE WAS NO MAN THAT WOULD KNOW ME: REFUGE FAILED ME; NO MAN CARED FOR MY SOUL.
I CRIED UNTO THEE, O LORD: I SAID, THOU ART MY REFUGE AND MY PORTION IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
ATTEND UNTO MY CRY; FOR I AM BROUGHT VERY LOW: DELIVER ME FROM MY PERSECUTORS; FOR THEY ART STRONGER THAN I.
BRING MY SOUL OUT OF PRISON, THAT I MAY PRAISE THY NAME: THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL COMPASS ME ABOUT; FOR THOU SHALT DEAL BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME.
I am a witness that Jesus Christ is real. He is a refuge. He is a fortress, a very present help in the time of trouble. His love is everlasting and his mercies endure forever. Cry unto the Lord with your whole heart. He will answer. He will not forsake his chosen, but is there in the midst of the prayers of the righteous and his true worshippers. Give him your hurts, your pains, and trust your redeemer completely. Though they have counted you as a castaway. A broken and contrite spirit He will in no ways despise. Though the adversary attempts to bring us very low and set traps and snares. The Lord Jesus Christ is our savior. He is a deliverer. Wait on the Lord and stand on his firm foundation and be faithful to the end, even unto death. The overcomers shall eat of the tree of life. Faithful is our God who will perform His holy word.

​-A God Chaser