SURPRISE from SPIRIT

 

1 Corinthians 1:18

King James Version

18 For the preaching of the cross 

is to them that perish foolishness; 

but unto us which are saved 

it is the power of God.

What does art have to do with revitalizing churches?

I thought today would be an ordinary day.

Until SPIRIT thought it otherwise.

With SPIRIT, expect the unexpected.

I was cleaning up this morning.

It's rainy season where I live.

The house is old.

The roof's got leaks.

So I was gathering some wet rags from the floor.

Lo, and behold!

I found that "set up" above.

Looked like an "L", and a "cross" to me.

Intrigued by the curious pieces, I picked it up.

Others would have trashed it, but nope.

SPIRIT inspired me to create this:

GOD always makes me see "possibilities" in the ordinary.

Not done yet, He made me create our little "artwork".

We mounted the pieces on some red literature I found:

"Red" for contrast.

Now, I think, RED for the BLOOD of CHRIST -- aha!

Also, I wanted every detail to stand out.

And would you believe where all these pieces came from?

I'm pretty sure you can't imagine where.

But here it is:

From my mom's old sewing machine cabinet.

Its surface was "peeling" off.

I found the "L" and the "cross" on the floor.

SPIRIT knew I won't throw away a "GOD" thing.

Of course, when is He ever wrong?

I associated the "cross" and "L" with JESUS, and my name.

"L" also stands for "LIGHT" and "LOVE", for there are two Ls.

I can also very well say "LOVE" carries me to JESUS.

It's all JESUS, really.

Now, what does this little playful exercise aim to prove?

A few things:

1. You need to be childlike with the LORD.

He will surprise you with the "little" things.

2. You need to be born again.

Only GOD's SPIRIT can really make you "see".

3. You need to have a playful heart.

Only a childlike heart can "see" what others tend to miss.

That's how you can REVITALIZE churches.

Starting with you.

Matthew 19:13-14

King James Version

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, 

that he should put his hands on them, and pray: 

and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Jesus said, 

Suffer little children, 

and forbid them not, to come unto me: 

for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Imagine if you can bring such "CHIDLIKE spirit" to church.

Is your church "dull"?

Is your pastor "uninspired"?

Are the people "tired"?

Well, you know what to do.

Seek GOD for inspiration.

Seek Him for any, and every question.

Seek Him for ULTIMATE answers.

He'll guide you to the rest.

SPIRIT's just "waiting in the wings".

Prepare for many surprises.

But first, an expectant, childlike heart.

Never a jaded one.

Lastly, our artwork is NOT for sale.

It's meant for all.

As everything we do is.

FREELY given from the HEART.

With all GLORY to GOD alone.

As all churches should be.

3-part series:

ART from SPIRIT

Related material:

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The JOY of being BORN AGAIN

tendenSEE

PRAISE village

Having a CHEERFUL heart

Re-educating self

PRACTICAL born again TIPS

The CHILDLIKE heart

Having a sound mind

marketing like a five-year-old

BORN AGAIN articles

Photos by author

A DIFFERENT housecleaning

 

1 Corinthians 3:17

King James Version

17 If any man defile the temple of God, 

him shall God destroy; 

for the temple of God is holy, 

which temple ye are.

We polish that which doesn't need polishing.

Fame, fortune, face, come and go.

But our souls are at stake.

Are you born again?

If not, why not?

If so, are you perfect in GOD's eyes?

If not, why haven't you taken that path?

Remember what JESUS said:

Matthew 5:8

King James Version

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: 

for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:48

King James Version

48 Be ye therefore perfect, 

even as your Father which is in heaven 

is perfect.

John 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

Remember, too, what the Bible says:

Romans 12:1-2

King James Version

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, 

by the mercies of God, 

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, 

holy, acceptable unto God, 

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: 

but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, 

that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, 

and perfect, will of God.

1 Corinthians 3:16

King James Version

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, 

and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

King James Version

19 What? know ye not that your body 

is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, 

which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: 

therefore glorify God in your body, 

and in your spirit, which are God's.

That's the housecleaning we need.

To care for our hearts, souls, and bodies.

In consonance with the will of GOD.

For the price JESUS paid with His blood.

That we may be acceptable to GOD.

That we may reflect our followership of JESUS.

That we may honor the teachings SPIRIT gives us.

That we would be spotless.

And blameless.

Ephesians 5:25-27

King James Version

25 Husbands, love your wives, 

even as Christ also loved the church, 

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it 

with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, 

not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; 

but that it should be holy and without blemish.

2 Peter 3:13-14

King James Version

13 Nevertheless we, 

according to his promise, 

look for new heavens and a new earth, 

wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, 

seeing that ye look for such things, 

be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, 

without spot, and blameless.

We've been given the call:

1 Peter 1:13-25

King James Version

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, 

be sober, 

and hope to the end for the grace 

that is to be brought unto you 

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

14 As obedient children, 

not fashioning yourselves 

according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, 

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, 

Be ye holy; for I am holy.

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:

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed 

with corruptible things, as silver and gold, 

from your vain conversation received 

by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, 

as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained 

before the foundation of the world, 

but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, 

that raised him up from the dead, 

and gave him glory; 

that your faith and hope might be in God.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls 

in obeying the truth through the Spirit 

unto unfeigned love of the brethren, 

see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, 

not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, 

by the word of God, 

which liveth and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass, 

and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. 

The grass withereth, 

and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. 

And this is the word which by the gospel 

is preached unto you.

In SUMMARY, our spirit's housecleaning consists of:

being pure in heart

being perfect

being born again

presenting our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service

not being conformed to this world

being transformed by the renewing of our mind

glorifying God in our body

glorifying God in our spirit

husbands loving your wives

being a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

being diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless

girding up the loins of your mind, being sober, and hoping to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ

being obedient

being holy in all manner of conversation

your faith and hope must be in God

purifying your souls

obeying truth through the Spirit

having unfeigned love of the brethren

loving one another with a pure heart fervently

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God

The objective for all this "housecleaning"?

That we be a rightful church of GOD.

A worthy born again church.

Members of His divine body.

Faithful to the end.

Worthy of JESUS.

For it's all preparation now.

Take heed, my beloved brothers and sisters.

We do not need a spotless house.

We need a spotless spirit.

Related material:

The TEMPLE of the HOLY SPIRIT

SPIRIT and the 7 churches

BORN AGAIN articles

BORN AGAIN classics

SAVING the LOST

SPIRIT of GOD

HOLINESS

Related video:

Ex-Catholic Exposes the TWISTED Teachings of the Catholic Church | Mike Gendron

Image: Clipart Library

A PERSONAL approach

 

1 John 4:1

King James Version

4 Beloved, 

believe not every spirit, 

but try the spirits whether they are of God: 

because many false prophets 

are gone out into the world.

I don't know about you, but my worship of GOD has always been simple, private, and quiet.

It's the way GOD made me.

Wherein I study quietly, pray in private, and share simply.

You will not see me at huge congregations, waving my arms, and all that.

Somehow, I just never could.

I'm still waiting for JESUS to direct me to a church I can go to.

For now, I pray, study, and share quietly.

I don't turn to man for answers.

I turn to GOD.

I turn to Scripture.

I wait for SPIRIT to direct me.

I'm not into trends, crowds, mass hysteria.

I pray to JESUS to please show me my sins.

To please reveal to me His will.

And I ask forgiveness for sins known, and unknown.

My personal approach at worship conforms to these verses:

Matthew 6:1-4

King James Version

6 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, 

to be seen of them: 

otherwise ye have no reward of your Father 

which is in heaven.

2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms,

 do not sound a trumpet before thee, 

as the hypocrites do in the synagogues 

and in the streets,

 that they may have glory of men. 

Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3 But when thou doest alms, 

let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4 That thine alms may be in secret: 

and thy Father which seeth in secret 

himself shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:5-6

King James Version

5 And when thou prayest, 

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: 

for they love to pray standing in the synagogues 

and in the corners of the streets, 

that they may be seen of men. 

Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, 

enter into thy closet, 

and when thou hast shut thy door, 

pray to thy Father which is in secret; 

and thy Father which seeth in secret 

shall reward thee openly.

Matthew 6:7-8

King James Version

7 But when ye pray, 

use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:

 for they think that they shall be heard 

for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: 

for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, 

before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:16-18

King James Version

16 Moreover when ye fast, 

be not, as the hypocrites, 

of a sad countenance: 

for they disfigure their faces, 

that they may appear unto men to fast. 

Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

17 But thou, when thou fastest, 

anoint thine head, 

and wash thy face;

18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, 

but unto thy Father which is in secret: 

and thy Father, which seeth in secret, 

shall reward thee openly.

1 Corinthians 10:31

King James Version

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, 

or whatsoever ye do, 

do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17

King James Version

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.

My worship is not for show.

I'm glad GOD made me this way.

If you want to know about church revivals, whether they're authentic or not, please listen to these SPIRIT-filled videos by Doug Batchelor:

7 Reasons Asbury was not a Revival

A Real Revival

Image: Clipart Library

BACK to BASICS

 

Psalm 11:3

King James Version

3 If the foundations be destroyed, 

what can the righteous do?

Why are churches in decline today?

Why are people throwing out Christian values?

Why do people question the divinity of GOD?

Why don't people believe the Bible?

It's all been prophesied:

2 Timothy 3:1-7

King James Version

3 This know also, 

that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, 

covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, 

disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, 

false accusers, incontinent, fierce, 

despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, 

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, 

but denying the power thereof: 

from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, 

and lead captive silly women laden with sins, 

led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, 

and never able to come 

to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Peter 3:3-4

King James Version

3 Knowing this first, 

that there shall come in the last days scoffers, 

walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying, 

Where is the promise of his coming? 

for since the fathers fell asleep, 

all things continue as they were 

from the beginning of the creation.

People are not reminded of how it was during the time of Noah.

Either that, or they were not taught it, from day one.

Perhaps, many are not born again.

Or, if they're born again, they've backslid.

Others could be indifferent.

And yet the Rapture looms, just around the corner.

We need the SPIRIT of GOD to understand Scripture.

And to believe in the urgency of the times.

Matthew 24:37-39

King James Version

37 But as the days of Noah were, 

so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

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,

39 And knew not until the flood came, 

and took them all away; 

so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

2 Peter 3:5-6

King James Version

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, 

that by the word of God the heavens were of old, 

and the earth standing out of the water 

and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, 

being overflowed with water, 

perished:

People also don't realize what GOD has reserved for the righteous.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

King James Version

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven 

with a shout, 

with the voice of the archangel, 

and with the trump of God: 

and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain 

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, 

to meet the Lord in the air: 

and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

And what GOD has reserved for the wicked.

Job 38:22-23

King James Version

22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? 

or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

23 Which I have reserved 

against the time of trouble, 

against the day of battle and war?

2 Peter 3:7

King James Version

7 But the heavens and the earth, 

which are now, 

by the same word are kept in store, 

reserved unto fire 

against the day of judgment 

and perdition of ungodly men.

Revelation 16:21

King James Version

21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, 

every stone about the weight of a talent: 

and men blasphemed God 

because of the plague of the hail; 

for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

As born again workman, it's my duty to alert you to Bible prophecy.

And to the teachings of JESUS.

As well as how churches can be revitalized.

That we may be worthy of the LORD.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

King James Version

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; 

and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body 

be preserved blameless 

unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A practical approach was given by Ken Ham:

"How about sharing the gospel 

the way that God does it in the Bible...

by starting at the beginning."

(Sin and death. 

Promise of a Savior.)

That means, we start with the basics.

Ham says to read Genesis 1 to 11.

That becomes our foundation for everything.

Those chapters answer everything we need or want to know.

But, like Ham says, study of Genesis was taken out of schools.

That's why generations X, Y, and Z have become atheists.

It's time to go back to basics.

Begin where it all began.

GENESIS.

That's how we can revitalize churches.

That was what SPIRIT led me to this morning.

Urged to write about it, soon as I woke up.

Talk about 

"BACK to BASICS".

Amazingly, the Ken Ham video I was studying before bedtime, fit right in.

SPIRIT merely picked up where we left off from last night.

Now, you have it this morning.

Read Genesis 1-11.

Related material:

The RAPTURE

END times

SPIRIT of GOD

Ken Ham videos:

Why Gen Z Is MUCH Different from Previous Generations

Satan Is Using This Sneaky Tactic to DESTROY Our Society

Most HEATED Moments From Bill Nye Debate with Ken Ham

Image: Clipart Library

FOUNTAIN of LIFE

 

The LORD declared:

Jeremiah 2:13

King James Version

13 For my people have committed two evils; 

they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, 

and hewed them out cisterns, 

broken cisterns, 

that can hold no water.

What is the "fountain of life"?

Who can have it?

How can one have it?

I was mighty thirsty when GOD made me born again.

That was over four years ago.

His WORD quenches my thirst.

And makes me do wonderful things.

In His service.

Scripture tells us more:

Psalm 36:8-9

King James Version

8 They shall be abundantly satisfied 

with the fatness of thy house; 

and thou shalt make them drink 

of the river of thy pleasures.

9 For with thee is the fountain of life: 

in thy light shall we see light.

Proverbs 10:11

King James Version

11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: 

but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 13:14

King James Version

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, 

to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27

King James Version

27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, 

to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 16:22

King James Version

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life 

unto him that hath it: 

but the instruction of fools is folly.

Joel 3:16-17

King James Version

16 The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, 

and utter his voice from Jerusalem; 

and the heavens and the earth shall shake: 

but the Lord will be the hope of his people, 

and the strength of the children of Israel.

17 So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God 

dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: 

then shall Jerusalem be holy, 

and there shall no strangers 

pass through her any more.

Joel 3:18-21

King James Version

18 And it shall come to pass in that day, 

that the mountains shall drop down new wine, 

and the hills shall flow with milk, 

and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, 

and a fountain shall come forth 

out of the house of the Lord, 

and shall water the valley of Shittim.

19 Egypt shall be a desolation, 

and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, 

for the violence against the children of Judah, 

because they have shed innocent blood in their land.

20 But Judah shall dwell for ever, 

and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

21 For I will cleanse their blood 

that I have not cleansed: 

for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.

Matthew 3:11

King James Version

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. 

but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, 

whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: 

he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, 

and with fire:

John 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.

John 4:10

King James Version

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, 

If thou knewest the gift of God,

and who it is that saith to thee, 

Give me to drink; 

thou wouldest have asked of him, 

and he would have given thee living water.

John 4:14

King James Version

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water 

that I shall give him shall never thirst; 

but the water that I shall give him 

shall be in him a well of water 

springing up into everlasting life.

John 7:38-39

King James Version

38 He that believeth on me, 

as the scripture hath said, 

out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, 

which they that believe on him should receive: 

for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; 

because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

John 10:10

King James Version

10 The thief cometh not, 

but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: 

I am come that they might have life, 

and that they might have it more abundantly.

Revelation 7:13-17

King James Version

13 And one of the elders answered, 

saying unto me, 

What are these 

which are arrayed in white robes? 

and whence came they?

14 And I said unto him, 

Sir, thou knowest. 

And he said to me, 

These are they which came out of great tribulation, 

and have washed their robes, 

and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, 

and serve him day and night in his temple: 

and he that sitteth on the throne 

shall dwell among them.

16 They shall hunger no more, 

neither thirst any more; 

neither shall the sun light on them, 

nor any heat.

17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne 

shall feed them, 

and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: 

and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Revelation 21:6

King James Version

6 And he said unto me, 

It is done. 

I am Alpha and Omega, 

the beginning and the end. 

I will give unto him that is athirst 

of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:1

King James Version

22 And he shewed me 

a pure river of water of life, 

clear as crystal, 

proceeding out of the throne of God 

and of the Lamb.

In SUMMARY, the "fountain of life" is:

GOD

The mouth of a righteous man

The law of the wise

The fear of the Lord

Understanding

the Lord

out of the house of the Lord

JESUS

being born again, of the SPIRIT

JESUS -- the gift of God, the living water

SPIRIT -- rivers of living water for believers

JESUS -- who gives everlasting life

the Lamb -- leading believers unto living fountains of waters

JESUS -- the Alpha and Omega, who gives all who thirst the fountain of the water of life, freely

a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb

More articles here.

Related posts:

LIVING WATERS

The LIVING GOD

SPIRIT of GOD

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