Things Above.

Special prayer.

Jesus had a special prayer- remember the following?

Luk 22:44  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 

Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him

*

 'Such prayer usually leads us to seek “the things that are above” (Col. 3.2), and this is one of the requisites for preservation.' The Spiritual Man- by Watchman Nee

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

During His special prayer Jesus' mind was on the most heavenly of things- His own death and the salvation it would bring to all humans.  When we pray to our Heavenly Father instantly our mind is on the truth of our Heavenly Father's existence.  The EXISTENCE of heaven, the EXISTENCE of our place in heaven.

If our AFFECTIONS are on things in heaven, we cannot lose our heavenly treasures.  If our AFFECTIONS are on earth we risk losing them.   Does this mean we cannot love others? No, not at all. We are supposed to love without end, love unconditionally, love deeply as our Savior loves. His heart breaks for those lost to Him-  He said this-

Luk_23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 

We will love others, and our affection for them will be fierce but if we believe in our Savior and salvation then we know that the salvation of others is the most important of all the loving we could do.  Our affection for others must be based on their salvation through Jesus Christ.  Our affection for others must be one of the things that are above. Ultimately we long for our loved ones to know salvation as we know salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and one day we will all be in our heavenly home.

More on this tomorrow by the grace, by the mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR now and forever!

Amen!

We Can't Understand.

'Nonetheless, under guidance of this kind the believer learns that the purpose of God for him is an alteration in his course. Previously everything was going forward; henceforth it is to ascend. It does not signify there is no more work; what it does mean is that that work can be concluded at any time. God continually has employed such circumstances as persecution, opposition, plunder, etc., to cause saints to comprehend that He wishes them to have the spirit of rapture rather than to make progress in the work on earth. '  Excerpt - The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee

Php 3:2  BEWARE of dogs, BEWARE of evil workers, BEWARE of the concision. 

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have NO CONFIDENCE in the flesh. 

Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 

Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 

Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 

Paul tells us plainly that having confidence in the things of the flesh is NOT gain for Christ. He gladly would count ALL the flesh attributes people would have him believe were important a LOSS. Give all prideful flesh things up knowing those things are NOT things of Christ. Paul had EVERYTHING a man could ever want! He was a pillar in his community! And yet in the eyes of Christ all that had to be given up. Paul had to be stripped of the prideful things of the flesh all of them.

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 

Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 

Php 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 

Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 

Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

Enemies of the cross of Christ-

Those whose God is their BELLY.

Those whose glory is in their SHAME.

Those who MIND EARTHLY THINGS.

Php 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 

Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

Is your conversation in HEAVEN?

Is your conversation where you look for YOUR SAVIOR- the LORD JESUS CHRIST?

It is all well and good for us to labor here on earth in the way we believe God has planned for us, having faith that as we live our lives we are doing God's will, but when things change drastically for us and not always in a very good way- perhaps we are being nudged down a different path. Perhaps it is a preparation for the future. Maybe we've been tossed into a burning vat of molten lava to refine our otherwise un-refine-able attributes. The pain so intense we barely imagine being able to survive it, our sanity rocked so much we live in fear of it slipping away completely, these things are refining fires of the fiercest magnitude. And we are allowed to endure so much in order to get us to look upwards away from ourselves and towards Jesus Christ our Lord, our SAVIOR.  We are being transformed here and now, and transformation isn't always easy.

 Pro_3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

We simply cannot understand.

We hate that, but we cannot understand.

Admitting that we can't understand has us admitting to the truth of living by FAITH.

Rom_1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

May we live through faith by the grace and mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR, now and FOREVER!

Amen.

Jesus did not sugar-coat Christianity.

Are you risen with Christ? Are you seeking those things which are above where Christ sits on the right hand of God? Are your affections on things above not on things on earth?

I need to ask myself these questions, and do so daily if not more often- especially lately. Where are my affections? When my heart is overwhelmed with sadness for things on earth isn't that where my heart is? I ask myself- doesn't God want my heart filled with love for others, and I know He does.  Maybe I need to believe He wants my heart filled with others for their ETERNAL lives, not just because they exist. What do I mean? Jesus loves us all, yet we know not all will be saved, this is a fact.

Mat_7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

That is Jesus speaking - telling people to depart from Him because they are workers of iniquity. There will be many who are NOT Jesus' when He returns all because they choose iniquity over His Love. Could it be that all the while they are believing they are doing God's will they are in truth doing their own will?

Getting back to what I was saying earlier, Jesus' entire ministry after His baptism was spent preaching the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. Everything He did, every miracle He performed was done to bring people closer to the kingdom of heaven and for no other reason. The eternal life of people is what concerned Jesus most. He did not say that He came to rid the world of heartache and pain right then and there. In fact He said stuff like this--

Joh_16:33  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

And this--

Mar_14:7  For ye have the poor with you always…

And His Apostle said this--

2Co 11:23  … I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 

2Co 11:24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 

2Co 11:25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 

2Co 11:26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 

2Co 11:27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 

2Co 11:28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 

2Co 11:29  Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 

2Co 11:30  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 

2Co 11:31  The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

And Jesus said this--

Joh 17:9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 

Joh 17:10  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 

Joh 17:11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 

Joh 17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 

Joh 17:13  And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 

Joh 17:14  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 

Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 

Joh 17:18  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 

Joh 17:19  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 

Joh 17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 

And this--

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

Mat 10:17  But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 

Mat 10:18  And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 

Mat 10:19  But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 

Mat 10:20  For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 

Mat 10:21  And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 

Mat 10:22  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 

Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 

Mat 10:24  The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 

Jesus comprehended that NOT all would belong to Him by their own choosing, by their own will.  Jesus knew there would be A LOT of pain and heartache in this world, A LOT. He didn't sugar-coat Christianity. What He did was give us the HOPE and PEACE found only in HIM, a hope and peace we could find NO WHERE else!  We know this world will give us heartache after heartache in ways we probably can't even fully imagine. Yet if we are RISEN with CHRIST we need to SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE. We aren't seeking those things which are above when we aren't seeking the hope of eternal life for all we ever come in contact with.  Jesus wants our affections heavenward. And Jesus comprehended how hard that would be. He told a rich young ruler that he was very close to eternal life- but he had one thing left to do- give up all his worldly possessions.  The ruler went away SAD, why? Because he wasn't willing to give up the things of this world. Anyone who holds fast to the things of this earth and not Christ will go away sad.

Satan would use our affection for things of this earth to turn our hearts away from Christ. Christ will use any attempt on Satan's part to turn our hearts from Him to strengthen us in Him if we choose HIM and HIS will over our own will. 

May God keep our minds and hearts on HIM and on Christ and the things above not the things below! All through Jesus Christ our LORD and His sacrifice, may we be saved in Him, through Him, by Him and be His for eternity!

Col 3:1  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

Col 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 

Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 

Col 3:6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 

Col 3:7  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. 

Col 3:8  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 

Col 3:9  Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 

Col 3:11  Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. 

Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

Are you a citizen of heaven?

Heaven is NOT temporary to eternity, heaven is eternity. So very few things are not TEMPORARY to eternity in this life. It is all too easy to attach ourselves to things temporary to eternity and Satan will exploit this in us at any given opportunity trying to crush our hope, our faith in our most loving, merciful, grace giving Savior.


A sojourner is a person who resides temporarily in a place. (Dict. Def.)


1Pe_1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear


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. 


Mat_6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal


Heavenward.


Excerpt- 'When a believer’s spirit is united to the Lord’s and they become one spirit, he commences to live in the world as a sojourner, experiencing the life of a heavenly citizen. '


Do we live like we are citizens of heaven?


You wouldn't expect someone in what we call 'an executive' position to act like a spoiled child, throwing tantrums, pouting, etc.  I know, some of you are saying the so-called executives often act like that and get away with it because of their position and you may be right. However, any executive of a business etc that acted that way all the time in meetings with others, at dinner parties, and such would find it very hard to keep their position (assuming they aren't the boss and have their own money to work with.) What about your average every day workers in malls, restaurants, grocery stores, doctor offices, etc, if you had to deal with a waiter that pouted and threw a fit when you placed your order would you expect that person to keep their job very long? No.  The point I'm so badly trying to make here is that we have expectations from people, and that's people in general and people in their work professions. If you told me you were a member of the clergy and then proceeded to haul off and hit me, clearly I would not believe you were a true member of a profession that isn't supposed to be of a violent nature.  As a citizen of heaven a person is supposed to be very clearly fighting in the spiritual warfare and as such, they may sin but they will be asking for forgiveness for that sin. If they sin against others they will go to them and ask forgiveness. If someone finds out you're a Christ follower and says- 'Wow, I never would have guessed.' You clearly have some rethinking to do about your actions in the presence of that person.


Are you merely a sojourner here on earth, a pilgrim who is searching for the heavenly home that awaits you, or are you planted firmly here on earth with all you truly love of earth?


How REAL is our heavenly home to us?


What treasures do you have in your heavenly home?


What valuables- things you care about and are of the greatest worth in the eyes of our Lord, do you have stored in your heavenly house?


Do you live in the RAPTURED SPIRIT?


Definition of rapture
1. 1:  an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion
2. 2a :  a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotionb :  a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things


From <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapture>



Truly, if I handed you the keys to a million dollar house and told you that house was yours free and clear you'd most likely be ecstatic. You'd be overwhelmed by emotion. The feeling you'd have could probably be classified as rapturous. You have this expensive, brand new, amazing new home just the thought of such a thing has us imagining our reaction and it wouldn't be mundane. 


When we have the Holy Spirit, when our spirit is one with the Holy Spirit, one with our Savior, one with God the Father and the REALITY of our promised new heavenly home worth more than any earthly treasure no matter that amount- trillion, zillion whatever, is made real to us how can there be anything other than SPIRITUAL rapture? A Spiritual state of being that is truly otherworldly in experience.


A Spirit Rapture REALITY- set in FACT and not caught up in a soul-self emotional upheaval. Is this a real thing? Truly a real - reality?


'Living the life of a heavenly citizen.' 


We are heavenly citizens if we are Christ's, no wonder He told us to put our treasures there.


No wonder we are to 'think on these things' - Php_4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


Heaven is true.
Heaven as our home to be is honest.
Heaven by description is lovely and of very good report.


Joh_14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh_14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.


A place prepared for us.  Just being told this glorious truth by our Savior should have our thoughts heavenward.

I need God's gift.

Is this excerpt true-

' Not all who accept the truth of the Second Coming possess this spirit of rapture. Men may believe in the Lord’s return, preach His Second Coming, and pray for His return and yet not have this spirit. Even mature ones do not necessarily possess it. The spirit of rapture is the gift of God. '

Remember this?

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 

Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

We've talked about this before, but I don't think we can talk about it enough really, seriously. I DON'T want to be among those who say those words! I DON'T want to be told to depart from my Savior!

I don't do many wonderful works, I don't cast out devils, I don't prophesize, at best I struggle to be Christ's.  Any Christian who isn't actively fighting the spiritual war should question their spirituality, right? We have examples in the Bible, examples of those who are persecuted over and over for their faith. We might not be in the same situation but that doesn't mean Satan isn't using his wiles on us in many other ways.  This---

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 

Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 

We eat, we drink, we are merry, and we are given in marriage…. We are for the most part kept from the severe persecution a lot of Christians today face in other countries. We live a bubble wrapped life and truly FEW will be saved from that bubble wrap existence, most will perish in when our Savior returns just as most perished in the flood.

I don't want to perish! I don't want to be among those rejected.

I need the gift of the Spirit through Jesus Christ my Lord!

More study on this tomorrow! All by His grace and mercy!

Forgive me.

Waiting for the Lord's Return

Eph 3:7  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 

Gal 3:5  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 

All of this is by faith.

When Watchman Nee speaks of 'Rapture' he isn't speaking of what some people consider 'THE Rapture'. The made up nonsense about God only taking a few of his children and leaving the rest behind until yet another rapture is all lies. Taking a parable of Jesus and running rampant with it creating the doctrine of men and teaching it as God's truth, has seduced many into the broad path that will lead to death.  The rapture idea of Watchman Nee has merit. Read the excerpt again and by God's grace we will study it further tomorrow and probably the next few days after that. This truly is the 'meat' of God's word and not milk.

All in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, our Savior now and forever. Amen!

EXCERPT-

A Spirit of Rapture

One other facet of the normal spirit needs to be discussed besides those features mentioned already. This one we would term the spirit of rapture. Christians ought to have a spirit which is perpetually in an out-of-this-world and ascending-into-heaven state. Such a spirit as this is deeper than one of ascension, for those who possess the former not only live on earth as though in heaven but also are truly led of the Lord to wait for His return and their own rapture. When a believer’s spirit is united to the Lord’s and they become one spirit, he commences to live in the world as a sojourner, experiencing the life of a heavenly citizen.

Following that, the Holy Spirit will call him to take one further step and will give him the spirit of rapture.

Formerly his impetus was “Go forward!”—now it becomes “Ascend up!” Everything about him rises heavenward. The spirit of rapture is that spirit which has tasted the powers of the age to come (Heb. 6.5).

Heb 6:4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 

Heb 6:5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come 

 Not all who accept the truth of the Second Coming possess this spirit of rapture. Men may believe in the Lord’s return, preach His Second Coming, and pray for His return and yet not have this spirit. Even mature ones do not necessarily possess it. The spirit of rapture is the gift of God.

It is sometimes dispensed by God as He pleases and sometimes granted by Him in response to prayers of faith. When possessed of this spirit the believer’s inner being seems always to be in a state of rapture. He believes not only in the return of the Lord but also in his being transported.

Rapture is more than an article of faith; it is to him a fact. Just as Simeon, through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, trusted that he would not taste death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (Luke 2. 26), so believers should have the assurance in their spirit that they will be transported to the Lord before they die. Such faith is the faith of an Enoch. Now we are not being stubbornly superstitious here; but if we live in the time of rapture, how can we be lacking in such faith? Such belief will help us to understand more of what God is doing in this age as well as obtain heavenly power for our work.

In other words, if the spirit of a Christian is in a state of rapture he will be more heavenly and will not think his way to heaven must necessarily traverse the valley of death. How frequently God’s child, when engaged in spiritual labor, entertains many expectations and plans. He is full of the Holy Spirit, wisdom and power; he believes God will greatly use him; and he looks forward with anticipation that before long his labor shall produce much fruit.

However, in the very midst of prosperity the hand of the Lord suddenly sweeps down upon him, suggesting to him that he must conclude all his undertaking and be ready to take another course. This comes as a genuine surprise to man. He naturally asks why it must be so. Is not my power for working? Is not the profound knowledge I have for helping people? Need everything be closed in and cold?

Nonetheless, under guidance of this kind the believer learns that the purpose of God for him is an alteration in his course. Previously everything was going forward; henceforth it is to ascend. It does not signify there is no more work; what it does mean is that that work can be concluded at any time. God continually has employed such circumstances as persecution, opposition, plunder, etc., to cause saints to comprehend that He wishes them to have the spirit of rapture rather than to make progress in the work on earth.

The Lord desires to change the course of His children, many of whom do not realize there is this far better spirit of rapture. This spirit has its definite effect on life. Before one secures it his experience is bound to be changing constantly; after he receives the witness and assurance of rapture in his spirit, however, his life and labor will be sustained on a level worthy of this kind of spirit, thus preparing him for the Lord’s return. Such preparation includes more than outward correction: it is making the spirit, the soul, and the body of the believer wholly ready to meet the Lord.

Hence we should pray and petition the Holy Spirit to show us how to obtain this spirit of rapture and how to retain it. We should believe and then be willing to eliminate all obstacles to the realization of such a spirit. And once we have appropriated it we should habitually check our life and work against it. In case we lose this spirit we should determine at once how it was lost and how it can be restored. Such a spirit once obtained can be easily forfeited. This may be due chiefly to our ignorance (at this stage of life) of how to preserve such a heavenly position through special prayer and effort. We must therefore ask the Holy Spirit to teach us the way to retain this spirit. Such prayer usually leads us to seek “the things that are above” (Col. 3.2), and this is one of the requisites for preservation. Since he now stands at the door of heaven and can be transported at any moment, the Christian should choose to wear the heavenly white garment and perform heavenly work. Such a hope separates him from earthly matters while joining him to the heavenly.

The fact that God wishes a believer to look for rapture does not suggest that he should be concerned only with his rapture and forget the remainder of the work God has appointed him. What God actually designs to convey to him is that he should not permit God given labor to hinder his rapture. In both his walk and work, heavenly attraction should always be greater than earthly gravitation.

The child of God should learn to live for the Lord’s service, but even more so for the Lord’s receiving him.

 May our spirit be uplifted daily, looking for the return of the Lord. May the things of this world so lose their power over us that we do not in the slightest wish to be “worldly”; nay, we even delight in not remaining “in the world.”

May our spirit daily ascend, asking to be with the Lord earlier. May we so seek the things above that not even the best work on earth can distract our hearts. May we henceforth pray in spirit and with understanding, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22.20) '

The Spiritual Man- By Watchman Nee

Purify your heart

Do we really believe there is something required of us as Christians, as followers of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior? Does He expect 'things' from us?

Joh_5:14  Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Joh_8:11  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

He told people to 'sin no more'.  Does He expect them to listen? Would He ever speak in vain? So, if He said it then He expected to be listened to.

You say it's impossible to 'sin no more'? It surely seems that way. Yet, we are to strive against sinning, purposefully seek to NOT sin. We are not to invite sin, to welcome sin.

1Co_15:34  Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Eph_4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath

1Jn_2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

We must walk in the light. We must LISTEN to the Word of God! Please, help us listen and obey.

Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

(Excerpt)

'A Holy Spirit

 “To be holy in body and spirit” (1 Cor. 7.34).

 “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit” (2 Cor. 7.1).

For anyone to walk in a spiritual manner it will be necessary for him to keep his spirit holy at all times. An unholy spirit leads people into error. Inordinate thought towards men or things, assessing the evil of others, a lack of love, loquacity, sharp criticism, selfrighteousness, refusing entreaty, jealousy, self-pride, and so forth— all these can defile the spirit. An unholy spirit cannot be fresh and new. In our pursuit of spiritual life we must not overlook any sin, because sin inflicts more harm upon us than does anything else.

 Even though we already have learned how to be delivered from sin and how to walk by the spirit, we nevertheless must guard against unknowingly returning to the old sinful ways. For such a return renders a walk after the spirit utterly impossible.

The child of God therefore needs to maintain an attitude of death towards sin lest it overcome him and poison his spirit.

Without holiness no one can see the Lord (Heb.12.14)'  The Spiritual Man - By Watchman Nee