Forsaking ourselves

 'The cleaving of soul and spirit means not only their separation but also a cracking open of the soul itself. Since the spirit is enveloped in the soul, it cannot be reached by the Word of life save through a cracked shell. The Word of the cross plunges in and splits open a way into and through the soul so that God’s life can reach the spirit within and liberate it from the bondage of its soulish shell. Having received the mark of the cross, the soul now can assume its proper position of subjection to the spirit. But if the soul fails to become a “thoroughfare” to the spirit, then the former surely will become the latter’s chain. These two never agree on any matter. Before the spirit achieves its rightful place of pre-eminence it is challenged persistently by the soul. While the spirit is striving to gain freedom and mastery the strong soul power exerts its utmost strength to suppress the spirit. Only after the cross has done its work on the soulish life is the spirit liberated. If we remain ignorant of the damage this discord between the spirit and soul can bring or remain unwilling to forsake the pleasure of a sensuous walk, we shall make hardly any spiritual progress.'  The Spiritual Man- Watchman Nee (Excerpt)

Spiritual progress.

Are we unwilling to forsake the pleasure of a sensuous walk?

How much of our lives is spent appeasing our senses in one way or another?

There are and there have been many people who believe that they need to forsake a lot of the material world in order to walk with God. Could they be right? We don't want to believe they are. We don't want to believe we may have to give up any of our creature comforts. We reason all around and in many different ways convincing ourselves we do not need to stop pleasing our senses.

Think on the following verse for a while….

Mat_16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself

When you've thought on this for a while ask yourself a question- What are you to deny?

More on this tomorrow by the grace and mercy of our Lord, Jesus Christ!!!

Our Weapon, Our Light

So why don't we?

Why don't we quote scripture during our fights against temptation?  Is it because we aren't truly invested in the spiritual war? Is it because we want the prize without running the race? We want heaven without denying ourselves or even really looking at the cross waiting to be picked up.  We are wretched, we are poor, we are miserable, we are blind, we are naked, we are truly of Laodicea- the last church mentioned in Revelation.

Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 

Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 

Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

Rev 3:17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked

We don't quote the Word of God when we need to (which is often and every day- several times a day) because we believe we DON'T need to.  We've come to a place in our lives where quoting the scripture against spiritual attacks is foreign to us. In the back of our minds we believe only those who have gone off the deep end mentally would truly do such a thing.

We are wretched, we are miserable, we are poor, we are blind and we are naked.

We need-

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

Rev 3:19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Rev 3:21  To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

Rev 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 

We need Christ's righteousness, we need the faith of Christ, we need the Holy Spirit.  We need our Spiritual armor, we need to be protected, and we need our spiritual weapon.

Our need is great. The weapon of our warfare is lay down before us so easily.

A weapon that will light our way.

Psa_119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

With all our particular sins that so easily beset us- we can go to the Word and praying- seek to be shown the Words from the Word of God that we need in our spiritual fight.  We can find these words by the grace of God and wield them- praying constantly as we do. We must never forget that our Savior was in constant communication with God, the declared Father whom He was relying upon for all things.

Heb_12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

Joh_5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Joh_8:28  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Joh_10:30  I and my Father are one.

Joh 10:31  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. 

Joh 10:32  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 

Our Savior can be in us-

Col_1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

Christ is our hope. Through Christ we - wretched as we are- continue to Hope In our HOPE!

In the name of our Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ, now and forever!

Jesus Used the Sword of the Spirit, Why Don't We?

Do you quote from the scriptures?

Do you know God's word? How well do you know God's word? Is your knowledge of God's word superficial? In this moment right now, I feel that mine is.

Yes, I know some scripture, but do I know it enough to quote it when I'm being attacked spiritually? When the Holy Spirit helps me to discern that I am under attack even in the very small, subtle ways that Satan loves to use, my response should be scriptural.

Jesus' responses to Satan were scriptural. Yes, Jesus was speaking to Satan face to face, but are we so blind we don't realize that Satan is present in tempting us as well?

Satan is behind every single temptation to sin.

Mat_4:10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat_12:26  And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

Mar_4:15  And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Luk_10:18  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Luk_13:16  And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Luk_22:3  Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

Luk_22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat

Joh_13:27  And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

Act_5:3  But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Act_26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Rom_16:20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

1Co_7:5  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

2Co_2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2Co_11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

2Co_12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

1Th_2:18  Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

2Th_2:9  Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders

1Ti_5:15  For some are already turned aside after Satan.

Rev_2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Rev_2:13  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Rev_2:24  But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Rev_3:9  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Rev_12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev_20:2  And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev_20:7  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison

*******

Do you still think Satan isn't real?   You cannot believe in Jesus without believing in Satan. Jesus believes in Satan and know his power and our weakness. 

Jesus led by example and Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit- the Word of God- against Satan.

So why don't we?

Spiritual Attack.

The Word was made flesh. Jesus.

We are to use the Word of God as our spiritual weapon.

The Word of God- by the Word.

Jesus quoted the word of God, the word He knew, the word He gave.

We are to TAKE the sword of the Spirit--

Eph 6:17  And take …the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

And when a person takes a sword it is with what intent? You take a sword to protect yourself from an enemy. When the enemy attacks you'll be armed and ready to defend yourself.

So how do we take the word of God and wield it as a spiritual sword protecting ourselves from a spiritual attack?

Jesus used it when Satan spoke to Him, tempting Him. 

Satan doesn't speak to us, at least no one I personally know.

In fact, Satan has shrouded his attacks on us under many guises so many that we scarcely know when we are being attacked.

Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 

Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

Php 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 

Php 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 

Php 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 

Php 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 

Php 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 

Php 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

Lights in the World

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 

Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 

Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 

Php 2:16  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. 

Php 2:17  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 

Php 2:18  For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me

When we read passages such as the one above we need to suspect that we are under a spiritual attack when we are not looking out for others good before our own. We have to suspect attacks when we are filled with strife or vainglory, and are not lowly in mind. When we do not obey the word of God, we are being influenced by Satan. If we are filled with murmurings and disputing, we are under attack.

The truth is, there is a standard we are to look to in our lives- Jesus Christ our Lord.  The mind that is in Christ needs to be in us. When we fall short of this standard we are in need of forgiveness. We must never cease striving to have Christ in us, in our lives, in our actions. 

All our striving will not give us salvation. Salvation is a gift freely given. Our striving is because we desire to live as our Savior.

Satan would have us under constant attack, and we cannot ignore the attacks. The Holy Spirit will give us discernment and when we recognize we are being attacked we have to use the SWORD of the SPIRIT, the WORD of GOD. 

Christ quoted from the only scriptures available to Him in Hit time on earth. We need to quote from the scriptures available to us. Seriously, we need to learn to do this. It may sound bizarre but it's truth!

More on this tomorrow by the GRACE and MERCY of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!

The Word Made Flesh

The Word wrapped in flesh, an ancient Word knowing all, having lived all but never before in the confines of flesh. To live in flesh having been only spirit, a new existence prevailed. The flesh grew as living flesh can only do and changed over time from infant to man. Many years spent knowing, spent growing, spent living with others of flesh - others who couldn't know all.

The Word comprehended as those around Him comprehended Him not. For thirty years the Word existed waiting and watching. Thirty years taking part in an earth bound venture. Thirty years gaining intimate knowledge of day to day flesh existence. Thirty years of waking, of sleeping, of eating, of committing all necessary activities of daily flesh life. Thirty years of witnessing- birth, death, anger, heartache, pain, sickness, happiness, marriage, rituals, sacrifices.  Thirty years of mission silence.  Thirty years of preparation. 

For thirty years the Word was raised with those intent on living in the confines of their knowledge given to them by the Word while spirit.  The Word lived His word given long before the Word took on flesh.  Daily prayers, daily rituals, daily duties, daily law abiding- and it was good. There was no law given that the Word found impossible to live in His flesh. Temptations abounded, the Word in flesh was not born into an innocent world. While all around Him succumbed to temptations, He alone of all Flesh sinned not. He witnessed flesh sinning and never sinned. He felt sin's pull without being lured away. His power from His declared Father, the God He was God with- before He took on flesh, was His fortress, His prayer.  God in flesh prayed to God in spirit. The flesh needs to pray. The flesh has a dependency. The flesh is a created thing. Flesh created from dust.  The flesh of the Word was human - dust made flesh and it was mysteriously infused with God declared Son. In joining the dust-flesh, the Word was indeed made flesh with all flesh propensities, with all flesh needs- physically, mentally, spiritually. The Word needed to pray and He prayed to His declared Father. As God with God, the distinction between the two came when one was declared Son the other declared Father.  By decree the Son became the Son, the Word- the Son.  And encumbered by flesh the Word prayed.  In prayer unceasingly- He was ever protected from any lust being conceived and that resulting in sin.

*******

Eph 6:17  And take …the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 

Joh 1:10  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 

Joh_5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Joh_8:28  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

Gen 2:6  But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 

Gen 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 

1Co_13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Luk 1:35  (YLT)  And the messenger answering said to her, `The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee, therefore also the holy-begotten thing shall be called Son of God

Heb_4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Psa_2:7  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

1Th_5:17  Pray without ceasing.

Practical Application- Armor/Weapon

Practical application-

From yesterday-

'We fight against the devil.

We fight against things that aren’t of flesh and blood.

We fight against principalities.

We fight against powers.

We fight against rulers of darkness.

We fight against spiritual wickedness.

When was the last time you saw the devil? Can you see the power you are to wrestle against? What rulers of darkness are you familiar with? Where have you had contact with spiritual wickedness? 

All those things- the devil, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness are to be FOUGHT against. We have a helmet, our loins covered, a breastplate, footwear, a shield, and a sword.  Our body is all protected, and we have a weapon. Protection and a weapon of warfare.

TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION - These ALL protect us!

SPIRIT of the WORD of GOD- This is our defense. '

*******

Protection against evil.  Why are we told to "PUT ON" the spiritual armor if we DON'T put it on? If we don't even have it in our wardrobe? If we never even think about it? When a person wears tangible armor they are very aware of it on them. Most can't wait to take it off- the armor is cumbersome, it adds extra weight, it add warmth which is only good if you're in a cold climate.  Armor is not clothing, it's an addition to clothing. We are told to--

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

PUT ON the WHOLE armor of God.

And yet we refuse protection when we don't seek ONLY-

TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION.

To be protected we  must have TRUTH.  Christ's truth! We must have Christ's righteousness! We must have Christ's peace! We must have Christ's faith! We must have Christ's salvation!

To fight we must have the Spirit- The WORD of GOD.

The practical application of the armor and weapon is for us to recognize when we NEED to use the weapon and to realize that we ALWAYS need our armor. Unlike tangible armor, spiritual armor will never be cumbersome or uncomfortable in a physical way- but it CAN be very cumbersome and very uncomfortable to the soul-self in us that wars against the spirit-self in us. 

Just as in a tangible war soldiers wear their armor no matter how awful it may feel. In our spiritual war we spiritual soldiers need to wear our spiritual armor no matter how awful it makes us feel, because it is those feelings we are warring against being predominant in us, over the spirit. Our trust in Christ must grow, it must. 

Recognizing the state we are in at any given moment- this is the Spirit's revelation to us. What we do with the revelation is a CHOICE for us make.   The practical application is recognition, realization, relenting- it is acting mentally, emotionally, physically, and most of all spiritually. 

The weapon is tangible, we can literally hold it in our hands, we can read it with our eyes, we can memorize it, we can study it, it is a weapon that is so incredibly alive that we could read it a million times and each time we would learn from it anew.

More about this tomorrow by the GRACE and MERCY of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ now and forever!

Amen!

Our protection, our defense.

So, how do we react when we are shown our soul-self?  Is there instant remorse? Instant pain that we are so self-centered?  That's what we are. When our tempers flare, and our aggravation is ignited it is our self-centeredness that fuels those emotions. We are thinking of SELF and how we don't want to be inconvenienced in any way at all. We don't want to be inconvenienced when we are clearly busy doing our own thing (selfish thing or selfless) we just don't want to be bothered because we are busy. We want consideration for ourselves. We want others to comprehend that we do not want to be bothered, why? Because we are SO concerned with our OWN need, our OWN desire, our OWN situation, our OWN work, our OWN life.

We have to comprehend that we are truly in war unlike any other war! Why were we given armor if we don't need armor? Seriously? Why?

When a person puts on ANY sort of armor they are expecting that there may be a necessity for that armor. Very few will don armor without believing there is a need for it. Of course nowadays people will put it on in play form for gaming. But real armor for real battle, people do not wear it without a reason. Law enforcement of all kinds will put on bulletproof vests before going into danger. Firefighters will put on a lot of protective gear when they go out on a call. Our armed forces have armor they wear when they are going into wars.  We are given armor and yet how often are we aware of that armor and the NEED for that armor?

In this war we are in great need… let's read the familiar verses-

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Eph 6:18  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 

Eph 6:19  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 

Eph 6:20  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

*******

We fight against the devil.

We fight against things that aren’t of flesh and blood.

We fight against principalities.

We fight against powers.

We fight against rulers of darkness.

We fight against spiritual wickedness.

When was the last time you saw the devil? Can you see the power you are to wrestle against? What rulers of darkness are you familiar with? Where have you had contact with spiritual wickedness? 

All those things- the devil, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness are to be FOUGHT against. We have a helmet, our loins covered, a breastplate, footwear, a shield, and a sword.  Our body is all protected, and we have a weapon. Protection and a weapon of warfare.

TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, FAITH, SALVATION - These ALL protect us!

SPIRIT of the WORD of GOD- This is our defense.

Now, what is the practical application of all the above…. More tomorrow on that by the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Now and forever!

Amen!

Comprehending the differences between our soul-self and spirit-self.

When you are exposed to truth and it sticks to you, it will follow you throughout your day. Learning something new is supposed to affect us, isn't it? When you learn truth it changes you. Maybe the changes are small, and not discernible to all around you. The changes could be private and yet you know they are there. 

Studying from the Bible and reading 'The Spiritual Man' has exposed a deeper truth on things that were only superficial to me before. We've been talking about realizing the difference between the soul-self and the spiritual-self. We've been discussing comprehending these two forces at work in us. So how do we comprehend? We ask God to allow the Holy Spirit to open our eyes.  We will be shown.  As we react to everyday situations, situations that are common to us we may be allowed to suddenly realize which force is at work in that situation.  When we are allowed to realize which force is working more often than not we'll see that it is the soul-self rising up in us.  The over emotional responses we are prone to - anger, sadness, impatience, pettiness, vindictiveness, snideness, flippancy, I could go on and on but you know yourselves what emotions, what things you are prone to in any given situation.  If I give you a scenario you will know how you will react - for the most part. Sometimes we react differently, but that's the exception to the rule. We are allowed to see, to understand and our reaction to what we are allowed to comprehend should be…what?

Reread the following from yesterday-

The Spiritual Man- Watchman Nee

'The Holy Spirit alone can teach us what is soul life and what is spirit life. Only after we learn how to differentiate experientially these two kinds of life and come to apprehend their respective values, are we delivered from a shallow, loose, sensational walk into that which is deep, firm and spiritual. Only then do we come into rest. The soul life can never furnish us rest. But please note that this must be known in experience; simply understanding in the mind will merely make us more soulish. We need to pay special attention to this piercing and dividing. The Word of God plunges into the soul as well as into the spirit in order to effect the division of these two. The Lord Jesus in His crucifixion had His hands and feet and side pierced. Are we willing to let the cross work in our soul and spirit?

 The cleaving of soul and spirit means not only their separation but also a cracking open of the soul itself. Since the spirit is enveloped in the soul, it cannot be reached by the Word of life save through a cracked shell.

The Word of the cross plunges in and splits open a way into and through the soul so that God’s life can reach the spirit within and liberate it from the bondage of its soulish shell. Having received the mark of the cross, the soul now can assume its proper position of subjection to the spirit. But if the soul fails to become a “thoroughfare” to the spirit, then the former surely will become the latter’s chain. These two never agree on any matter. Before the spirit achieves its rightful place of pre-eminence it is challenged persistently by the soul.

While the spirit is striving to gain freedom and mastery the strong soul power exerts its utmost strength to suppress the spirit. Only after the cross has done its work on the soulish life is the spirit liberated. If we remain ignorant of the damage this discord between the spirit and soul can bring or remain unwilling to forsake the pleasure of a sensuous walk, we shall make hardly any spiritual progress.'

Biblical references-

Joh 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

For God So Loved the World

Joh 3:16  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. 

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God GAVE His only begotten Son.

Joh 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

Jesus DIED for us.

Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 

We bear a CROSS.   We've talked about this before and it's truth.

We are the cross we bear.

Mat_16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Deny ourselves and take up the cross. It is only through the cross we can truly deny ourselves.  We can't take up our cross without denying ourselves,  they go hand in hand.

*******

More tomorrow by the grace of God, please Lord, please help us to comprehend YOUR truth and choose to LIVE in Your truth!

In Jesus Christ our Lord's name now and forever.

Amen.

A Shallow Walk or A Deep Spiritual Walk-

Excerpt-

'The Holy Spirit alone can teach us what is soul life and what is spirit life. Only after we learn how to differentiate experientially these two kinds of life and come to apprehend their respective values, are we delivered from a shallow, loose, sensational walk into that which is deep, firm and spiritual. Only then do we come into rest. The soul life can never furnish us rest. But please note that this must be known in experience; simply understanding in the mind will merely make us more soulish. We need to pay special attention to this piercing and dividing. The Word of God plunges into the soul as well as into the spirit in order to effect the division of these two. The Lord Jesus in His crucifixion had His hands and feet and side pierced. Are we willing to let the cross work in our soul and spirit?

 The cleaving of soul and spirit means not only their separation but also a cracking open of the soul itself. Since the spirit is enveloped in the soul, it cannot be reached by the Word of life save through a cracked shell.

The Word of the cross plunges in and splits open a way into and through the soul so that God’s life can reach the spirit within and liberate it from the bondage of its soulish shell. Having received the mark of the cross, the soul now can assume its proper position of subjection to the spirit. But if the soul fails to become a “thoroughfare” to the spirit, then the former surely will become the latter’s chain. These two never agree on any matter. Before the spirit achieves its rightful place of pre-eminence it is challenged persistently by the soul.

While the spirit is striving to gain freedom and mastery the strong soul power exerts its utmost strength to suppress the spirit. Only after the cross has done its work on the soulish life is the spirit liberated. If we remain ignorant of the damage this discord between the spirit and soul can bring or remain unwilling to forsake the pleasure of a sensuous walk, we shall make hardly any spiritual progress.'   The Spiritual Man

Biblical references-

Joh 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

For God So Loved the World

Joh 3:16  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. 

Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

God GAVE His only begotten Son.

Joh 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 

Jesus DIED for us.

Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 

We bear a CROSS.   We've talked about this before and it's truth.

We are the cross we bear.

Mat_16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Deny ourselves and take up the cross. It is only through the cross we can truly deny ourselves.  We can't take up our cross without denying ourselves,  they go hand in hand.

More tomorrow by the GRACE of God all through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD and SAVIOR now and forever!

Bearing fruit of discernment.

 1Jn_2:14 … and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

The Word of God lives in us, and we overcome Satan.  If the word of God does not live in us then we do not overcome Satan.

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever

We are born again of incorruptible seed- Jesus Christ, the Word of God.

1Th_2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

The Word of God WORKS in those of us that believe! It works and it is effective.

Eph_6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

We must TAKE the sword of the Spirit- we must TAKE the Word of God!

Rom_10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Our faith comes by the WORD of God!

Luk_11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

We must KEEP the word of God which gives us faith.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The word of God is ALIVE, is POWERFUL, is SHARP. The word of God will divide the soul and spirit. The word of God discerns our thoughts.

The word of God discerns the intents of the heart.

Excerpt-

'… the Holy Spirit instructs us therein how to divide spirit and soul experientially. The dividing of these two is not a mere doctrine; it is pre-eminently a life, a must in the believer’s walk. Just what is its essential meaning? It means, first of all, that by His Word and through His indwelling Spirit God enables the Christian to differentiate in experience the operations and expressions of the spirit as distinct from those of the soul. Thus he may perceive what is of the spirit and what is of the soul. '

The Spiritual Man- Watchman Nee

*******

The soul-self and spirit divided.

Being able to discern between the two in all we do.

The discernment once given to us is ours to make choices with. We don't want blindness, we want spiritual sight and when it's given to us if we choose to desire blindness afterwards it will be given to us. Many people are just like Jesus spoke in parable-

Mat 13:19  When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 

Mat 13:20  But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

Mat 13:23  But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 

Hearing- understanding not and rather than seeking understanding allowing the word to be snatched away. Receiving, hearing and yet not rooting ourselves in the words - so when trouble comes because of our beliefs we are offended and turn from the word. Receiving, hearing but letting the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of money all makes the word unpalatable to us.

Only when we receive the WORD of God, hearing it, understanding it, and bearing fruit are we truly with God.

When we are given discernment we must bear the fruit of that discernment all by the grace of God. 

Daily we are given opportunities.

Daily we are racing, and along the race we are going to find many obstacles in our path, each temptation is an obstacle. Daily we are warring and in this very real spiritual war we are going to have to do battle. There are NO office jobs in this war. There are NO cushy positions of safety for anyone in this war. If you are in this war, if you are wielding the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, then you will have to use that sword! DAILY!  How did Jesus when confronted by Satan fight the battle? With the WORD of God! It's POWERFUL, it's ALIVE, we need to TRUST in it, and USE it!

Please LORD, please help us to seek the Spirit, to seek the Word of God always! 

The Word of God- A Sword.

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

'Now given a condition like this in the believer, the teaching in Hebrews 4.12 takes on paramount significance. For the Holy Spirit instructs us therein how to divide spirit and soul experientially. The dividing of these two is not a mere doctrine; it is pre-eminently a life, a must in the believer’s walk. Just what is its essential meaning? It means, first of all, that by His Word and through His indwelling Spirit God enables the Christian to differentiate in experience the operations and expressions of the spirit as distinct from those of the soul. Thus he may perceive what is of the spirit and what is of the soul. '

The Spiritual Man- Watchman Nee

*******

The WORD OF GOD- is POWERFUL, is SHARPER than ANY TWOEDGED SWORD.  The WORD of GOD can divide the SOUL and SPIRIT. The WORD of GOD  is a DISCERNER of the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of the HEART.

1Jn_2:14 … and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

1Pe_1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever

1Th_2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Eph_6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

Rom_10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Luk_11:28  But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

The Word of God is ALIVE in the SPIRIT and the word of God will reveal to us all that is of the spirit and all that is of the soul and in that revelation we need to listen and act upon what we are shown.

More on this tomorrow by the GRACE and WILL of our LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST!

Now and forever…. Amen.

Jesus or You?

Zec_4:6  … Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of host

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

Joh 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 

Joh 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 

Joh 14:18  I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 

Joh 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 

Joh 14:20  At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 

Gal_2:20  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.

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 

Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Gal 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 

2Co 5:15  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 

*******

'If soul life is not stripped away through death but is allowed to mingle with the spirit, believers shall continue in defeat. If our walk does not exclusively express God’s power it shall soon be vanquished by man’s wisdom and opinion. Our natural life is a formidable obstacle to spiritual life. Never satisfied with God alone, it invariably adds something extra to God. Hence it is never at peace. Before the self is touched God’s children live by very changeable stimulations and sensations. That is why they exhibit a wavy up-and-down existence. Because they allow their soulical energies to mix in with spiritual experiences their ways are often unstable. They accordingly are not qualified to lead others. Their unrelinquished soul power continually deflects them from letting the spirit be central. In the excitement of soulical emotion the spirit suffers great loss in freedom and sensation. Joy and sorrow may imperil the believer’s self-control and set self-consciousness on a rampage. The mind, if overly active, may affect and disturb the quietness of the spirit. To admire spiritual knowledge is good, but should it exceed spiritual bounds the result shall be merely letter, not spirit. This explains why many workers, though they preach the most excellent truth, are so cold and dead. Many saints who seek a spiritual walk share a common experience—one of groanings because their soul and spirit are not at one. The thought, will and emotion of their soul often rebel against the spirit, refuse to be directed by the spirit and resort to independent actions which contradict the spirit. The life in their spirit is bound to suffer in such a situation. Now given a condition like this in the believer, the teaching in Hebrews 4.12 takes on paramount significance. For the Holy Spirit instructs us therein how to divide spirit and soul experientially. The dividing of these two is not a mere doctrine; it is pre-eminently a life, a must in the believer’s walk.'

*******

The Bible tells us- meaning God tells us this--

2Co 5:15  … they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 

We are to live for Jesus NOT FOR OURSELVES. Can it be any plainer than this? Seriously, what do we need to comprehend that truth? We SHOULD NOT live to ourselves BUT to HIM which DIED FOR US and ROSE AGAIN.

And what does it mean to NOT live for ourselves? It means we are NOT living primarily in any self-serving manner. It means we are we are not choosing SELF over SPIRIT. Learning to put Jesus first is something we really need to do. Learning to put self behind Jesus in our life isn't something that comes automatically to us. If it were automatic we most certainly wouldn't need so many constant reminders of doing so. We wouldn't be told to pick up our cross daily if it were automatically upon us daily. We have to PICK it up! And in picking it up we are putting Christ before ourselves. We need this comprehension and I think Watchmen Nee is trying to reveal this to us - using God's word and understanding He's been given.

May we too be given the understanding we need to comprehend TRUTH and only TRUTH and then all we need to follow that truth.

In the war, running the race.

EXCERPT-

'This war between the soul and the spirit is waged secretly but interminably within God’s children. The soul seeks to retain its authority and move independently, while the spirit strives to possess and master everything for the maintenance of God’s authority. Before the spirit achieves its ascendancy the soul has tended to take the lead in all regards. Should a believer allow self to be the master while expecting the Holy Spirit to help and to bless him in his work, he undoubtedly will fail to produce spiritual fruit. Christians cannot anticipate a walk and work pleasing to God if they have not crushed their soul life by persistently denying its authority and unconditionally laying it in the dust. Except all power, impatience, and activity of the natural life are deliberately and one by one delivered to the cross and a ceaseless vigil is maintained, it will seize every chance to revive itself. The reason for so many defeats in the spiritual realm is because this sector of the soul has not been dealt with drastically.' The Spiritual Man-  Watchman Nee

*******

The spiritual war is waged SECRETLY…. Is this true?  For the most part it is true. The war with ourselves is not truly shared even when we tell another all about it. It is still US who need to choose to pick up the cross daily, no other can carry it for us. No other person makes the choices we need to make at a moments in our thoughts. No other can ask God to forgive us as we need to seek forgiveness.  Yes, our soul-self wants to be in charge - we THINK we know what's best. Giving ourselves to God is something we do daily in all we do.

Truly as soon as we believe a selfish trait in us defeated it will do all it can to sneak backup. It will "SEIZE every chance to revive itself". 

We don't want to be failures because we give into our selfishness. We must fight and fight endlessly, tirelessly, knowing this is a war, this is a race and we are in the war until Jesus returns and we are in the race until Jesus returns.  Daily warring, daily racing not giving in for a single day all by the GRACE of God!

1Ti_6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Heb_12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

Please, Lord, please we would fight the good fight of faith, we would lay aside every weight and run with patience the race. Please, Lord, please, help us.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!

Now and forever.

Amen.

Act in Faith.

As anyone following this study on the book by Watchman Nee, The Spiritual Man, knows we really DO have a part to play in our spiritual life.

We have to get it through our thick skulls (mine is way too thick) that we have a role to play in all of this.  It isn't sit back and do as you please after accepting Christ as your Savior.  Accepting Christ as your Savior isn't a get out of everlasting, burnt into non-existence free card that you play every time you want to live in deliberate sin.  If we want blindness, we will be blind. If we want to sin we will be allowed to sin.  If we want truth we will be exposed to the truth. When we are confronted with the truth that goes against our natural desires we need to choose follow the truth or be accountable for not doing so.  We need to FIGHT this FIGHT, not sit back and not care. We need to have FAITH and at the same time our FAITH is revealed by the actions we make. Remember this--

Heb 11:1  Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

Heb 11:2  For by it the elders obtained a good report. 

Heb 11:3  Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. 

Heb 11:4  By faith Abel OFFERED unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 

Heb 11:5  By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, MOVED with fear, PREPARED an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 

Heb 11:8  By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, OBEYED; and he WENT out, not knowing whither he went. 

Heb 11:9  By faith he SOJOURNED in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 

Heb 11:10  For he LOOKED for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 

Heb 11:11  Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. 

Heb 11:12  Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. 

Heb 11:13  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

Heb 11:14  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 

Heb 11:15  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 

Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 

Heb 11:17  By faith Abraham, when he was tried, OFFERED up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 

Heb 11:18  Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 

Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

Heb 11:20  By faith Isaac BLESSED Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. 

Heb 11:21  By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, BLESSED both the sons of Joseph; and WORSHIPED, leaning upon the top of his staff. 

Heb 11:22  By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. 

Heb 11:23  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. 

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, REFUSED to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 

Heb 11:25  CHOOSING TO RATHER SUFFER affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 

Heb 11:26  Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. 

Heb 11:27  By faith he FORSOOK Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he ENDURED, as seeing him who is invisible. 

Heb 11:28  Through faith he KEPT the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 

Heb 11:29  By faith they PASSED through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 

Heb 11:30  By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 

Heb 11:31  By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. 

Heb 11:32  And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 

Heb 11:33  Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 

Heb 11:34  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 

Heb 11:35  Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 

Heb 11:36  And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 

Heb 11:37  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 

Heb 11:38  (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 

Heb 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 

Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

Did you notice, a lot of those men and women of God by FAITH - ACTED.  They didn't by faith do nothing.  Their faith had works. They didn't expect their works to save them, they relied on their faith in God. We too need to rely on our faith and in faith act.   Part of that acting is choosing the spirit led life over the soul-self led life.

Read the following excerpt and we'll talk more on it tomorrow, BY THE GRACE OF GOD!

'This war between the soul and the spirit is waged secretly but interminably within God’s children. The soul seeks to retain its authority and move independently, while the spirit strives to possess and master everything for the maintenance of God’s authority. Before the spirit achieves its ascendancy the soul has tended to take the lead in all regards. Should a believer allow self to be the master while expecting the Holy Spirit to help and to bless him in his work, he undoubtedly will fail to produce spiritual fruit. Christians cannot anticipate a walk and work pleasing to God if they have not crushed their soul life by persistently denying its authority and unconditionally laying it in the dust. Except all power, impatience, and activity of the natural life are deliberately and one by one delivered to the cross and a ceaseless vigil is maintained, it will seize every chance to revive itself. The reason for so many defeats in the spiritual realm is because this sector of the soul has not been dealt with drastically.' The Spiritual Man-  Watchman Nee

All in Jesus' name!

May we be HIS!

Amen.