May Day! May Day! Man Down! Man Down!
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A Vison... As I climbed into bed to watch some TV with my husband and kids last night my mind was full of thoughts about what is happening in the Church right now- all the different views and opinions- and the sorrow and clarity it was bringing to the body of Christ.
All of a sudden in my spirit I heard, "May day! May day! Man down! Man down!" And a battle scene of soldiers played out in front of me. A man was laying on the ground and many nearby soldiers and medics ran over to him as he lay on the ground.
I noticed they quickly got to work on the soldier as the battle raged on around them. Each person who went to his aid smoothly knew their place in his resuscitation and rescue. The medics quickly hooked up a blood line to replenish his blood.
My heart was opened while I watched this scene play out. It was so clear to me what was wrong with the church, and what was right.
THE CHURCH is supposed to be a highly functioning hospital where no patient is ever lost.
This group that ran to the fallen soldier did not curse at him and call him an idiot for stepping on the land mine or getting shot. They may know he shouldn't have gone into an unchecked field, or wandered off alone but they wouldn't beat a man while he is down. The enemy fired, and he was hit- and they had a job to do and that was to resuscitate the patient, provide blood and ready him for transport to the hospital.
This team would not let another fellow soldier walk over and put his foot down on the fallen brothers head until he breathed his last breath. This team would not let another fellow soldier put the man down like a horse who got crippled in a race. They would take the bullet first.
Part of this battle field medical teams job is to assess the wound, apply blood, properly clean the wound, medication and healing. All is done with love, compassion and mercy with the proper channels flowing from the love of Jesus. Love heals all wounds. We are to administer the blood- point them to Jesus and let the good Lord do his healing work. We are to provide bed, nursing staff, proper food (his word) and water (his spirit). These things of course only God can provide- but we point them the way. There may be some physical therapy, and further training before the soldier is sent back to the field. This soldier may even be able to lay out a good map to share to warn others of dangerous areas he once neglected.
Some soldiers may not even know they have been shot or wounded- some don't even know they are the ones doing the shooting (friendly fire). They may know the enemy is doing it, but not know it is through them. Or they may just be so into the battle they have forgotten what side they are on. Jesus got a lot of "friendly fire" shot at him. People who didn't even know what they were doing. He took the bullets- yet sinned not. He took all our sin and died for it.
Many are affected in this battle when a soldier falls or is wounded. The family pays, the soldier pays and the one doing the wounding pays- although they may feel they have victory.
Unclean spirits are our enemy, not our brothers in Christ.
I don't know who said this incredibly wise statement -but it goes like this, "I was your enemy, but you were never mine."
We are fighting each other- I am filled with grief over this.
I won't shoot the soldier anymore who is trying to kill the fallen man. That would perpetuate this fight.
I stand up and say, "Peace!"
I hold a white flag and say "Peace!"
We are not enemies here- look at his face- look at his uniform- he is your brother. We may be different colors and from different backgrounds. We may talk different, have different life styles and tastes- but we are brothers. Who cares about the small stuff, whether we have tattoos- whether we are Catholics, Lutherans, Charismatic's- whether we jump and shout or sit and kneel. Who freakin' cares already! This may just kill some people, but who cares if they are up to their heads in sin! That is God's job to deal with, yours to help with (if he tells you to), but not to condemn. Humans are not our enemies- none of them.
Back to the sin issue, he forgives us because he loves us. And then he gives us two commandments to live by if we love him back.
1 John 2:4
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
His commandments are divided into two tablets (five each) of two laws that encompass all the commandments and prophets. Jesus said if you do these two things you will accomplish ALL the Law and Commandments (although our salvation is based SOLELY ON HIM). If we are to walk like him we are to do TWO things.
1. Love God with all our hearts and strength- because only then can we do #2
2. Love our neighbor as our self- even better
God will never be able to heal us and set us free from these bondage's of judgment and sin until we just lay down our weapons against each other and pick up our swords of defense against the onslaught of the enemy.
God has spent 36 years trying to teach me he loves me. For 34 years I didn't know it or believe it. Because this world handed me the "Love of God" on a plate- telling me to eat it- and then taking the plate away and telling me there is no more if I do this or that- an impossible feat. Now I must WORK for my food. This is not the love of God. His love is unconditional, ever flowing, and a plate that doesn't run out. Daily manna, the true bread from heaven that doesn't get stale, go bad or make you sick. It is fresh everyday, all day, and leaves you full but mysteriously always hungry for more!
My sin, my wounds, my fears don't make him take the plate away. But they can sometimes make me take my eyes off the plate and look at myself too much or others so I can validate myself and my own sin. Instead, I have learned to keep my eyes on that plate and eat more because that bread has medicinal value for my sin. It covers it, and heals it, and erases the scar and makes us new.
Man cannot keep the law to the letter, if he could Jesus would not have had to come as our savior- but while the Ten Commandments in themselves are not bad and are Holy- they could never justify a man. Instead they show us our need for Jesus- which Jesus further showed by explaining that murder just isn't in the flesh- it is in the heart as we destroy each other with words and deeds.
The only way we are justified is by him. He will teach us to walk in his path of love and mercy and we will learn how to love. Only his love living in us can make us turn our cheek when someone talks bad about us. Only love will point out our hypocrisy when we do nasty things to others as well. I have felt the wounds I have inflicted on others, and I don't wish to do it anymore. I am so sorry I didn't know this earlier. I am supposed to be medic, not a wound maker or one who sticks their finger in a wound to see someone yelp.
I am grieved when I say something hurtful or wrong to someone. It used to make me feel good to get at someone, to be right, to get the last word to be the one who always wins the argument. It felt good to be righteous in my own eyes because my standards and opinions were so valuable to me. Now, when I let one pop off out of my mouth, I feel it like knife wound in my own heart. It hurts, I am inflicting myself when I inflict a brother or sister. We are all part of the same body- Christ's.
I said something so immature and stupid a couple days ago. My sisters and I were (of all things)arguing which diapers she should buy for her new baby- which one's leaked, had funny odor, which were bad fitting. This is so ridiculous I am almost embarrassed to admit I said this; but I will for the benefit of the body. I have six kids, she has ten week fetus in her belly (her first). I know my diapers- she doesn't. We were joking around about what her friends like and I was holding firm to my Huggies-I knew I was right, and wanted to save her the grief of lots of messes- I wanted to be right. So she says, "Well, so and so uses this other brand and she says that Huggies stink!"
Do you know what I said? Like a second grader I said laughing, "Well, who cares what she says she has bug eyes!"
Before my mouth finished forming those words, I wished I could take them back. I said such a ridiculous thing I was ashamed instantly. But nothing could prepare me for what I instantly felt. I felt a blow to my heart like cannon ball. I couldn't believe I said something so ridiculous. In addition to wounding another person spiritually- spiritually I felt the same blow (I literally felt it) that I inflicted on her even though this woman wasn't in the room. She would never know that immature thing I said, but I did, and I was ashamed. I felt an inch tall- how was I an example to anyone talking like that? I don't even talk like that- where did it come from? Satan- and I let him.
I quickly went to God, thanked him for the forgiveness I walk in, and learned a very valuable lesson. My old habit of panicing when I sin stepped right up-accusing me and making me feel like God was furious with me. He wasn't. He was wounded, as she was, as I was. But those wounds close with apologies. But I felt his pain in the very heart he gave me- I had talked bad about one of his precious children. God forgave me, I learned a valuable lesson I will never forget. Christ really did give me his heart, the Bible is telling no lie. When I wound others, I wound myself, and my Lord. We all share his heart which he gave us. Imagine the damage we do when we go after big groups of people in word or deed-whole denominations or even countries. Imagine the damage we do to our Lord's heart!
Satan works through our thoughts and we need to control them and let God tame our mouth. Our mouths kill. Our hands kill. We don't understand we are damaging ourselves with the very wounds we are inflicting on others. I will say it again- we are part of the same body. Would I deliberately stab myself in the arm if I was sane? Never! If I were in battle I would wear special gear to protect that arm, and watch out for anyone trying to get to it. I need my arm, my elbow, my foot, my back, my thumbs to fully function. I would be a fool to think I didn't. I may be part of Christ's elbow, you might be part of his foot- but only Christ is our head. Ours is no good, our thoughts are vanity and our opinions are self righteous.
I have learned to thank God after every temptation, every sin, every struggle. I found out he doesn't allow these things to condemn me or others- he takes what the devil means for harm and uses them to teach us. I used to spend so much time beating myself up after failing for long amounts of time- often years over some mistakes. This kept me from realizing his forgiveness and the completeness of it; and also it kept me from exploring the lessons I may or may not have learned from it. Even the most tragic of circumstances can be used by God to draw you closer and teach you of his love.
What I see going on in the church right now is a lot of correcting. Sins on both sides (I include myself) of the church are being exposed. Sins of all sorts. I think there is a major sifting going on, one that will sift all man's ideas, man's opinions, man's greed, lust, pride and desire to always be right. I think God is now cleaning his whole church so that he can move them back together in unity- and the only thing that can unite them is Jesus. He is the one common ingredient we all have. We are going to be brought to our common denominator- Jesus alone- and that is the way it should have always been. I believe everyone can agree on that. Then we can move forward together and let God build the church the way HE wants it.
I think we need to thank God for this time of correction and open our hearts to it- ask him to show us our own personal bondages so he can free us from them. Take one for the team. For the benefit of the body, let us die to ourselves so he can form in us and recreate us to be exactly the person he created us to be.
When we inflict each other we are literally wounding our own Savior's body all over again. He was wounded for our transgressions- why would we do it all over again. He was killed for our sin. Is our judging each other and condemning each other nailing Jesus back onto that cross? Jesus died for the very things we accuse each other of; did he not die to rid us of all this? He stopped Paul on the road and said, "Saul, why do you persecute me?" Saul was imprisoning Christians! He was a Pharisee who thought this "Jesus" was leading these people into sin (away from the law) when in truth Jesus was setting them free from the law as he came to teach love- and love does not harm. He gives us the keys to heaven and hell - These are faith, hope and love.
Saul was indeed persecuting Jesus as he persecuted his followers! He wasn't part of the body yet, so he didn't feel the wounds he was inflicting on his very own soul. He was forgiven and awakened and in turn did mighty works- not by his own goodness (that he never claimed) but out of the revelation of God's love and mercy toward his own sins. Let us not forget he claimed to be the biggest sinner. Not in a self justified way, like sin was justifiable, but just that he didn't have it all together himself- he felt peace in his heart- but knew God was the real judge.
Paul and John taught the one needful thing Jesus left for them to teach. If in all you do-if you love- you will do well.
Galatians 2:16-20
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by FAITH IN CHRIST and not by the WORKS OF THE LAW; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners(and we will), is Christ therefore a minister of sin (just shows us our need for him)? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed (going back to law for justification- ignoring the blood of Christ), I make myself a transgressor (basically, telling God you want your justification by the law, not Christ- standing on your own). For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (You will be able to stand at his coming if he is standing inside of you- the law won't hold you up- but Christ can. We can't rely on the Law- it shows us our sin- but can't save us from it. Jesus can.)
How do we heal these bleeding, gaping wounds in the "BODY OF CHRIST" called "THE CHURCH." We pull together. We apologize to each other. We stop judging each other (inflicting more wounds). We guard and protect each other with prayer and love. We turn the other cheek and forgive when we are wounded (thus closing the wound) not causing another. If we have any thoughts of self, or self righteousness- we are game for the devil. He can wound us, and he can use us to wound others and ourselves at the same time. Causing much damage to the church body. All denomination's who have Christ are brothers- swallow it, eat it and digest it. I have had to eat of lot of my own words on this revelation. There are some with more bondage's and chains than others- but the love of Christ will break those chains very soon when people see how free and loved they really are. When we see how free and loved we are- we can understand how free and loved our neighbor is. That opens the doorway to love- real love. The kind of love that understands that if God forgives that person- then who are we to judge them? Are we higher than God that we have rights to do this?
Bondage's and sins and idols may smother our ability to function properly in this body of
Christ's- but they don't disqualify us. These things will fall off like trash when the fullness of his love comes into our hearts. Human love will hurt others because we are flawed- human love is conditional. But when he pours his Godly love into us- we will not hurt each other anymore, we will not judge each other anymore- and we will lift up, not push down. Let us pray for THAT LOVE.
P.S. That love also includes not condemning and beating yourself all the time as well. We are to die to self (our opinions, judgments) but not hate ourselves. We have sin, and we wound ourselves terribly with condemnation and religious rules. I am the worst at this, I am the worst of the self wound inflictors. He has taught me that I can see how others walk in forgiveness, but don't extend that to myself. I have repented of that, and I now rejoice that I walk in his forgiveness as I am learning these lessons. Some people teach that God doesn't want us to love ourselves at all- which isn't right. We must love ourselves if we are part of Christ's body, and if we are ever going to be able to accept his love and forgiveness. He doesn't want us to hate any part of his body including ourselves.
God spoke to me months ago and told me, "If you love the enemy has no foothold." Oh, how true. If I had a Godly love I wouldn't call a lady bug eyed, a fat person fat, a skinny person skinny. If I had love I would see the beauty God created us each to have. I wouldn't dismiss a person with tattoos as from Satan; I wouldn't think the church down the street is going to hell because of some of their traditions. If I had love I would cry out to God to heal those struggling with sin. If I had love, I wouldn't beat myself up so badly. If I had love I would stop trying to talk everyone into thinking my way, and I would just accept them. And if they had love, they would give me the same respect. If I had love for a person, I would love them for who they are. If I had love I would see all these wounds could be healed with love. Instead letting Satan use me to damage the body of Christ, God could use me to be instrumental in healing it. God's love will clear the sin and bondage's that we all have- it is the only thing that can.
I had a wonderful dream August 4, 2008
I was standing somewhere and somehow a rope or chain of some sort was removed from my right wrist. I didn't even know it had been there and so after it was removed I was left standing surprised at the freedom I felt, not even knowing I had been binded by something. I looked at my wrist and held it up to the light as the fresh air hit it. I was horrified by the deep ropey scar that was left on my wrist. It was about 1 to 2 inches wide and bright red and thick from time and struggle. You could also see how it had pulled at areas and in some spots there was almost 6-8 inches of scarring.
There was also a cross scarred on my wrist where this binding had rubbed. I was surprised to see a cross on there because a cross to me represented Jesus- but in this case I feel it represented "religion" in the name of Jesus -false religion- that of condemnation not mercy and grace. I stood and stared at my arm wondering how I would live with such a horrible scar. Then the Lord gently grabbed my hand with one of his hands and my elbow with his other. He nodded in the direction of the horrible offense on my arm and said- "I died to free you from that"- and he blew on my arm. I felt a cool breeze and heard a magnificent sound that I don't have words to describe. Then my arm was instantly healed with brand new skin like a baby.
I stared at my arm in amazement!
The body of Christ is going to be healed, and his love will be the only way to do it. For those who wish to step out of this love, to not learn how to love, let us pray for them. Let us blanket them in our prayers as they are still part of the body of Christ covered in his love. Let us also pray for a true Godly love so we can walk through this battle healing wounds and not inflicting them. Let the enemy have no foothold on us by walking in the same love Jesus walked in. That IS HOW JESUS didn't sin- his love for us was greater than his justifiable judgment that he refused to do. His love for us gave him strength. He refused to judge us, only offer mercy and love. He could have judged, and judged correctly- but he chose the high road, the narrow road- the only road to Heaven- that which is paved in love. Only he knows the way; and he will show us all the way if we let him.
We can live in this Kingdom now in our hearts when we open ourselves up to receive and give his love- unending.
May the banquet table of love be full and overflowing, never ever ending and full of good fruit, bread and meat. May we all eat and be satisfied and share this meal with everyone who accepts the invitation to sit at God's table. If we accept the invitation of Jesus he will provide us with proper wedding clothes (his righteousness) to cover our nakedness (sin). We will be properly dressed and clothed in God's righteousness and will be able to stay and partake for eternity.
We come to this banquet naked, just as we are. He provides the clothes and nourishment- the great feast! It is a gift, and we are the welcome and cherished guests.
John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent NOT his Son into the world to condemn the world; BUT that the world THROUGH HIM might be saved.
He that BELIEVETH on him is NOT condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (dealt with).
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God (God deals with our sins).
As I climbed in the tub maybe a year ago the Lord posed a question to me. He said this, "Jenni, what do you think the world would be like if people looked for the good in each other instead of the bad?"
I was speechless.
Imagine it! Or can we?
I guess it would be like Heaven!
~With Love
Jenni
All of a sudden in my spirit I heard, "May day! May day! Man down! Man down!" And a battle scene of soldiers played out in front of me. A man was laying on the ground and many nearby soldiers and medics ran over to him as he lay on the ground.
I noticed they quickly got to work on the soldier as the battle raged on around them. Each person who went to his aid smoothly knew their place in his resuscitation and rescue. The medics quickly hooked up a blood line to replenish his blood.
My heart was opened while I watched this scene play out. It was so clear to me what was wrong with the church, and what was right.
THE CHURCH is supposed to be a highly functioning hospital where no patient is ever lost.
This group that ran to the fallen soldier did not curse at him and call him an idiot for stepping on the land mine or getting shot. They may know he shouldn't have gone into an unchecked field, or wandered off alone but they wouldn't beat a man while he is down. The enemy fired, and he was hit- and they had a job to do and that was to resuscitate the patient, provide blood and ready him for transport to the hospital.
This team would not let another fellow soldier walk over and put his foot down on the fallen brothers head until he breathed his last breath. This team would not let another fellow soldier put the man down like a horse who got crippled in a race. They would take the bullet first.
Part of this battle field medical teams job is to assess the wound, apply blood, properly clean the wound, medication and healing. All is done with love, compassion and mercy with the proper channels flowing from the love of Jesus. Love heals all wounds. We are to administer the blood- point them to Jesus and let the good Lord do his healing work. We are to provide bed, nursing staff, proper food (his word) and water (his spirit). These things of course only God can provide- but we point them the way. There may be some physical therapy, and further training before the soldier is sent back to the field. This soldier may even be able to lay out a good map to share to warn others of dangerous areas he once neglected.
Some soldiers may not even know they have been shot or wounded- some don't even know they are the ones doing the shooting (friendly fire). They may know the enemy is doing it, but not know it is through them. Or they may just be so into the battle they have forgotten what side they are on. Jesus got a lot of "friendly fire" shot at him. People who didn't even know what they were doing. He took the bullets- yet sinned not. He took all our sin and died for it.
Many are affected in this battle when a soldier falls or is wounded. The family pays, the soldier pays and the one doing the wounding pays- although they may feel they have victory.
Unclean spirits are our enemy, not our brothers in Christ.
I don't know who said this incredibly wise statement -but it goes like this, "I was your enemy, but you were never mine."
We are fighting each other- I am filled with grief over this.
I won't shoot the soldier anymore who is trying to kill the fallen man. That would perpetuate this fight.
I stand up and say, "Peace!"
I hold a white flag and say "Peace!"
We are not enemies here- look at his face- look at his uniform- he is your brother. We may be different colors and from different backgrounds. We may talk different, have different life styles and tastes- but we are brothers. Who cares about the small stuff, whether we have tattoos- whether we are Catholics, Lutherans, Charismatic's- whether we jump and shout or sit and kneel. Who freakin' cares already! This may just kill some people, but who cares if they are up to their heads in sin! That is God's job to deal with, yours to help with (if he tells you to), but not to condemn. Humans are not our enemies- none of them.
Back to the sin issue, he forgives us because he loves us. And then he gives us two commandments to live by if we love him back.
1 John 2:4
He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
His commandments are divided into two tablets (five each) of two laws that encompass all the commandments and prophets. Jesus said if you do these two things you will accomplish ALL the Law and Commandments (although our salvation is based SOLELY ON HIM). If we are to walk like him we are to do TWO things.
1. Love God with all our hearts and strength- because only then can we do #2
2. Love our neighbor as our self- even better
God will never be able to heal us and set us free from these bondage's of judgment and sin until we just lay down our weapons against each other and pick up our swords of defense against the onslaught of the enemy.
God has spent 36 years trying to teach me he loves me. For 34 years I didn't know it or believe it. Because this world handed me the "Love of God" on a plate- telling me to eat it- and then taking the plate away and telling me there is no more if I do this or that- an impossible feat. Now I must WORK for my food. This is not the love of God. His love is unconditional, ever flowing, and a plate that doesn't run out. Daily manna, the true bread from heaven that doesn't get stale, go bad or make you sick. It is fresh everyday, all day, and leaves you full but mysteriously always hungry for more!
My sin, my wounds, my fears don't make him take the plate away. But they can sometimes make me take my eyes off the plate and look at myself too much or others so I can validate myself and my own sin. Instead, I have learned to keep my eyes on that plate and eat more because that bread has medicinal value for my sin. It covers it, and heals it, and erases the scar and makes us new.
Man cannot keep the law to the letter, if he could Jesus would not have had to come as our savior- but while the Ten Commandments in themselves are not bad and are Holy- they could never justify a man. Instead they show us our need for Jesus- which Jesus further showed by explaining that murder just isn't in the flesh- it is in the heart as we destroy each other with words and deeds.
The only way we are justified is by him. He will teach us to walk in his path of love and mercy and we will learn how to love. Only his love living in us can make us turn our cheek when someone talks bad about us. Only love will point out our hypocrisy when we do nasty things to others as well. I have felt the wounds I have inflicted on others, and I don't wish to do it anymore. I am so sorry I didn't know this earlier. I am supposed to be medic, not a wound maker or one who sticks their finger in a wound to see someone yelp.
I am grieved when I say something hurtful or wrong to someone. It used to make me feel good to get at someone, to be right, to get the last word to be the one who always wins the argument. It felt good to be righteous in my own eyes because my standards and opinions were so valuable to me. Now, when I let one pop off out of my mouth, I feel it like knife wound in my own heart. It hurts, I am inflicting myself when I inflict a brother or sister. We are all part of the same body- Christ's.
I said something so immature and stupid a couple days ago. My sisters and I were (of all things)arguing which diapers she should buy for her new baby- which one's leaked, had funny odor, which were bad fitting. This is so ridiculous I am almost embarrassed to admit I said this; but I will for the benefit of the body. I have six kids, she has ten week fetus in her belly (her first). I know my diapers- she doesn't. We were joking around about what her friends like and I was holding firm to my Huggies-I knew I was right, and wanted to save her the grief of lots of messes- I wanted to be right. So she says, "Well, so and so uses this other brand and she says that Huggies stink!"
Do you know what I said? Like a second grader I said laughing, "Well, who cares what she says she has bug eyes!"
Before my mouth finished forming those words, I wished I could take them back. I said such a ridiculous thing I was ashamed instantly. But nothing could prepare me for what I instantly felt. I felt a blow to my heart like cannon ball. I couldn't believe I said something so ridiculous. In addition to wounding another person spiritually- spiritually I felt the same blow (I literally felt it) that I inflicted on her even though this woman wasn't in the room. She would never know that immature thing I said, but I did, and I was ashamed. I felt an inch tall- how was I an example to anyone talking like that? I don't even talk like that- where did it come from? Satan- and I let him.
I quickly went to God, thanked him for the forgiveness I walk in, and learned a very valuable lesson. My old habit of panicing when I sin stepped right up-accusing me and making me feel like God was furious with me. He wasn't. He was wounded, as she was, as I was. But those wounds close with apologies. But I felt his pain in the very heart he gave me- I had talked bad about one of his precious children. God forgave me, I learned a valuable lesson I will never forget. Christ really did give me his heart, the Bible is telling no lie. When I wound others, I wound myself, and my Lord. We all share his heart which he gave us. Imagine the damage we do when we go after big groups of people in word or deed-whole denominations or even countries. Imagine the damage we do to our Lord's heart!
Satan works through our thoughts and we need to control them and let God tame our mouth. Our mouths kill. Our hands kill. We don't understand we are damaging ourselves with the very wounds we are inflicting on others. I will say it again- we are part of the same body. Would I deliberately stab myself in the arm if I was sane? Never! If I were in battle I would wear special gear to protect that arm, and watch out for anyone trying to get to it. I need my arm, my elbow, my foot, my back, my thumbs to fully function. I would be a fool to think I didn't. I may be part of Christ's elbow, you might be part of his foot- but only Christ is our head. Ours is no good, our thoughts are vanity and our opinions are self righteous.
I have learned to thank God after every temptation, every sin, every struggle. I found out he doesn't allow these things to condemn me or others- he takes what the devil means for harm and uses them to teach us. I used to spend so much time beating myself up after failing for long amounts of time- often years over some mistakes. This kept me from realizing his forgiveness and the completeness of it; and also it kept me from exploring the lessons I may or may not have learned from it. Even the most tragic of circumstances can be used by God to draw you closer and teach you of his love.
What I see going on in the church right now is a lot of correcting. Sins on both sides (I include myself) of the church are being exposed. Sins of all sorts. I think there is a major sifting going on, one that will sift all man's ideas, man's opinions, man's greed, lust, pride and desire to always be right. I think God is now cleaning his whole church so that he can move them back together in unity- and the only thing that can unite them is Jesus. He is the one common ingredient we all have. We are going to be brought to our common denominator- Jesus alone- and that is the way it should have always been. I believe everyone can agree on that. Then we can move forward together and let God build the church the way HE wants it.
I think we need to thank God for this time of correction and open our hearts to it- ask him to show us our own personal bondages so he can free us from them. Take one for the team. For the benefit of the body, let us die to ourselves so he can form in us and recreate us to be exactly the person he created us to be.
When we inflict each other we are literally wounding our own Savior's body all over again. He was wounded for our transgressions- why would we do it all over again. He was killed for our sin. Is our judging each other and condemning each other nailing Jesus back onto that cross? Jesus died for the very things we accuse each other of; did he not die to rid us of all this? He stopped Paul on the road and said, "Saul, why do you persecute me?" Saul was imprisoning Christians! He was a Pharisee who thought this "Jesus" was leading these people into sin (away from the law) when in truth Jesus was setting them free from the law as he came to teach love- and love does not harm. He gives us the keys to heaven and hell - These are faith, hope and love.
Saul was indeed persecuting Jesus as he persecuted his followers! He wasn't part of the body yet, so he didn't feel the wounds he was inflicting on his very own soul. He was forgiven and awakened and in turn did mighty works- not by his own goodness (that he never claimed) but out of the revelation of God's love and mercy toward his own sins. Let us not forget he claimed to be the biggest sinner. Not in a self justified way, like sin was justifiable, but just that he didn't have it all together himself- he felt peace in his heart- but knew God was the real judge.
Paul and John taught the one needful thing Jesus left for them to teach. If in all you do-if you love- you will do well.
Galatians 2:16-20
knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by FAITH IN CHRIST and not by the WORKS OF THE LAW; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners(and we will), is Christ therefore a minister of sin (just shows us our need for him)? Certainly not! For if I build again those things which I destroyed (going back to law for justification- ignoring the blood of Christ), I make myself a transgressor (basically, telling God you want your justification by the law, not Christ- standing on your own). For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (You will be able to stand at his coming if he is standing inside of you- the law won't hold you up- but Christ can. We can't rely on the Law- it shows us our sin- but can't save us from it. Jesus can.)
How do we heal these bleeding, gaping wounds in the "BODY OF CHRIST" called "THE CHURCH." We pull together. We apologize to each other. We stop judging each other (inflicting more wounds). We guard and protect each other with prayer and love. We turn the other cheek and forgive when we are wounded (thus closing the wound) not causing another. If we have any thoughts of self, or self righteousness- we are game for the devil. He can wound us, and he can use us to wound others and ourselves at the same time. Causing much damage to the church body. All denomination's who have Christ are brothers- swallow it, eat it and digest it. I have had to eat of lot of my own words on this revelation. There are some with more bondage's and chains than others- but the love of Christ will break those chains very soon when people see how free and loved they really are. When we see how free and loved we are- we can understand how free and loved our neighbor is. That opens the doorway to love- real love. The kind of love that understands that if God forgives that person- then who are we to judge them? Are we higher than God that we have rights to do this?
Bondage's and sins and idols may smother our ability to function properly in this body of
Christ's- but they don't disqualify us. These things will fall off like trash when the fullness of his love comes into our hearts. Human love will hurt others because we are flawed- human love is conditional. But when he pours his Godly love into us- we will not hurt each other anymore, we will not judge each other anymore- and we will lift up, not push down. Let us pray for THAT LOVE.
P.S. That love also includes not condemning and beating yourself all the time as well. We are to die to self (our opinions, judgments) but not hate ourselves. We have sin, and we wound ourselves terribly with condemnation and religious rules. I am the worst at this, I am the worst of the self wound inflictors. He has taught me that I can see how others walk in forgiveness, but don't extend that to myself. I have repented of that, and I now rejoice that I walk in his forgiveness as I am learning these lessons. Some people teach that God doesn't want us to love ourselves at all- which isn't right. We must love ourselves if we are part of Christ's body, and if we are ever going to be able to accept his love and forgiveness. He doesn't want us to hate any part of his body including ourselves.
God spoke to me months ago and told me, "If you love the enemy has no foothold." Oh, how true. If I had a Godly love I wouldn't call a lady bug eyed, a fat person fat, a skinny person skinny. If I had love I would see the beauty God created us each to have. I wouldn't dismiss a person with tattoos as from Satan; I wouldn't think the church down the street is going to hell because of some of their traditions. If I had love I would cry out to God to heal those struggling with sin. If I had love, I wouldn't beat myself up so badly. If I had love I would stop trying to talk everyone into thinking my way, and I would just accept them. And if they had love, they would give me the same respect. If I had love for a person, I would love them for who they are. If I had love I would see all these wounds could be healed with love. Instead letting Satan use me to damage the body of Christ, God could use me to be instrumental in healing it. God's love will clear the sin and bondage's that we all have- it is the only thing that can.
I had a wonderful dream August 4, 2008
I was standing somewhere and somehow a rope or chain of some sort was removed from my right wrist. I didn't even know it had been there and so after it was removed I was left standing surprised at the freedom I felt, not even knowing I had been binded by something. I looked at my wrist and held it up to the light as the fresh air hit it. I was horrified by the deep ropey scar that was left on my wrist. It was about 1 to 2 inches wide and bright red and thick from time and struggle. You could also see how it had pulled at areas and in some spots there was almost 6-8 inches of scarring.
There was also a cross scarred on my wrist where this binding had rubbed. I was surprised to see a cross on there because a cross to me represented Jesus- but in this case I feel it represented "religion" in the name of Jesus -false religion- that of condemnation not mercy and grace. I stood and stared at my arm wondering how I would live with such a horrible scar. Then the Lord gently grabbed my hand with one of his hands and my elbow with his other. He nodded in the direction of the horrible offense on my arm and said- "I died to free you from that"- and he blew on my arm. I felt a cool breeze and heard a magnificent sound that I don't have words to describe. Then my arm was instantly healed with brand new skin like a baby.
I stared at my arm in amazement!
The body of Christ is going to be healed, and his love will be the only way to do it. For those who wish to step out of this love, to not learn how to love, let us pray for them. Let us blanket them in our prayers as they are still part of the body of Christ covered in his love. Let us also pray for a true Godly love so we can walk through this battle healing wounds and not inflicting them. Let the enemy have no foothold on us by walking in the same love Jesus walked in. That IS HOW JESUS didn't sin- his love for us was greater than his justifiable judgment that he refused to do. His love for us gave him strength. He refused to judge us, only offer mercy and love. He could have judged, and judged correctly- but he chose the high road, the narrow road- the only road to Heaven- that which is paved in love. Only he knows the way; and he will show us all the way if we let him.
We can live in this Kingdom now in our hearts when we open ourselves up to receive and give his love- unending.
May the banquet table of love be full and overflowing, never ever ending and full of good fruit, bread and meat. May we all eat and be satisfied and share this meal with everyone who accepts the invitation to sit at God's table. If we accept the invitation of Jesus he will provide us with proper wedding clothes (his righteousness) to cover our nakedness (sin). We will be properly dressed and clothed in God's righteousness and will be able to stay and partake for eternity.
We come to this banquet naked, just as we are. He provides the clothes and nourishment- the great feast! It is a gift, and we are the welcome and cherished guests.
John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent NOT his Son into the world to condemn the world; BUT that the world THROUGH HIM might be saved.
He that BELIEVETH on him is NOT condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved (dealt with).
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God (God deals with our sins).
As I climbed in the tub maybe a year ago the Lord posed a question to me. He said this, "Jenni, what do you think the world would be like if people looked for the good in each other instead of the bad?"
I was speechless.
Imagine it! Or can we?
I guess it would be like Heaven!
~With Love
Jenni
