(IHEAM:CH11) I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME CHAPTER 11 CARRYING YOUR CROSS AS YOU LIVE ABUNDANTLY

I HAVE AN ETERNITY AHEAD OF ME

CHAPTER 11

CARRYING YOUR CROSS AS YOU  LIVE ABUNDANTLY 

Colossians 4:5-6 KJV

Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Father, the more you share with me the wider the gap becomes between me and those clinging to the ways of the world. They try to find fault in me, when I only look at them with love, to love them. They expect me to be different, but, as they would have me to be different. 

There is not a move that I make or a word that I speak that is not judged as an opportunity to strike me down.  I know that it is only because they see through the eyes of the enemy who would devour me and have men throw stones at me. He kindles pride within them and pride has made a bed for them to lie in. Hence, they are comfortable in their position to look down on me and judge me, although, their view is distorted. 

Holy Father, they cannot understand the relationship You have with Your children, for they have not shed their flesh to gain knowledge through the Spirit, of the Spirit. Neither can they understand my mission as your prophet to bring awareness and change to the world. They do not see the hypocrisy of trying to keep politics out of religion, for:

Jesus's crucifixion was a political event, a precursor of future governments' judgment and persecution of His followers. A precursor of God's judgment upon the world for refusing to recognize His Son, Who is His Word, whereby, they have despised and rejected YOU, their Creator and Your Holiness and Righteousness. 

Without the leadership of the church, the Civil Rights Movement would not have moved forward. Without the leadership of the church, throughout history, people in this and other countries would not have found strength to break free of tyranny and oppression. 

The world knows the POWER of the church as does the enemy. It is not for the good of government that the influence of the church is banned or separated. Without the Word of God, there would BE no government! It is within the laws of God that the government was created, gains, and loses its power.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was called to pull the church up by its boot straps and march it into the eyes of discriminating politics and politicians. Now, we lay down our SWORD, which BEGAN the Civil Rights Movement, in exchange for false freedom and equality. Now, the enemy has been EMBOLDENED! Rearing its head up, leading our government and reversing the liberty and equality that so many fought and died for. 

Men like Arch Bishop Romero, of El Salvador, fought from the pulpit and in the streets. Men like Martin Luther King, Jr. fought from the pulpit and within the STREETS.  They were true Shepherds of God PROTECTING their sheep from the darkness in the world that flowed from government OPPRESSION and REJECTION of God's Word and the freedom and equality it espouses. 

Now, there are governments which prey upon the weak and poor and disadvantaged like animals because they see the church has become COMPLICIT and weak without teeth and nails and the will to fight back! Where are the Martin Luther Kings, who are not blinded by false protocol and tradition injected into the church to place it into BONDAGE and render it helpless? The CALL OF GOD HAS NOT CEASED! Men have just allowed darkness and pride to deafen their ears!

FATHER, THEY DO NOT WANT TO CHANGE BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO FEEL THE SUFFERING OF THY PEOPLE! Have Thy Way Dear Lord, Have Thy Way!

Father, now, they display me as one to be ridiculed and despised as they pretend to befriend me. Lord, they have no true knowledge of the power of Your Holy Spirit and how You work through men. Forgive them Lord, for they know not what they do.


By turning others against me, they cannot see how the enemy has hardened their heart and filled them with jealousy and envy of my gifts and talents and how you favor and provide for your servant; things that I have not done and could not do for or by myself. Their eyes, filled with self, refuse to see that only God can raise up and only God can cast down.


Father, I bear my cross and carry it through the streets to be ridiculed and spat upon, as it was Your Will for my brother, Jesus. I see the workings of Your Plan, through my presence and Your presence within me. Your people still perish for lack of knowledge. They have been fed lies by the enemy to keep them weak. Our race and minorities continue to suffer because Your leaders have given up the fight for freedom in exchange for prosperity, material things, and self-recognition. They rebuke and put down anyone and everything which threatens their comfort zone. Lord, have mercy upon them, for they know not what they do.


Father, you know my heart, its concerns and its desires for my Brothers and Sisters and how I yearn for true fellowship, wishing they all could see with Your eyes and feel with Your Love, so that men and women will come to love one another as they should. Touch them, Father. Lord Jesus, lead them to Calvary that they may die to self and not be used by darkness for darkness.


Holy Spirit Who walks with me and talks with me, cleansing me, guiding me, making a way out of no way. Help me to accept those things that are God's Will for me and others as I know they serve to bring forth fruitfulness, holiness, and righteousness. Strengthen me and continue to use me to do Thy Will. Your Will, Oh, Lord, not mine, for I know I can find comfort within Thee.


In the name of He whose footsteps continue to keep me on the straight path; holding my hand; allowing me to lean upon His strength; picking me up, when I stumble; carrying me when I grow weary, I praise Thee and honor Thee, giving You all the Glory. Amen.

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My Brothers and Sisters, 

When I think of how much one loves God, I don't measure it by who gives the most money in church, neither do I dare to judge or measure someone else's love for God by any means tangible. 

We are given the example of the widow who contributed all that she had to God, which was extremely little, not so much to show the virtues of giving, but to show that the heart is the gauge by which God, not man, measures and judges; not only our love for Him, but our faith in Him as our provider. 

Yes, the widow's meager contribution was given in love, but that love, could have also been there if she was wealthy and given all that she had. However, to give all, one is driven by great faith; for the next move is God's. 

Having given all, you must first consider if God will allow you to perish? Is your giving in vain, if you give all and then, later, look back to what you no longer have or fear that you will suffer for having given? Are you giving all as a loving offering to God because you await death? 

No, through the widow's example of giving, Mark 12(KJV), God is showing us that the love He is looking for is multifaceted. For God's love is the sum of ALL FRUIT. Within His love is hope, trust, and faith, steadfastness, humility, self control, etc.

Therefore, within the widow's love and giving lay a seed containing God's Fruit, with undying FAITH for the INCREASE, continuing to place her LIFE in God's hands, which was MORE VALUABLE than the coins and more valuable than the wealth of the richest man.

So, what is the REAL moral of this example on giving? Is it merely showing your love for God by giving freely, even to your last? Can we use it to bring GUILT upon others, or as a TOOL to increase the church offering? 

Is God so SHALLOW as to plant such a carnal and worldly point of view within His Word? Or, is Jesus directing our eye and heart in a different direction, for those who have ears to hear?

If so, then yes, the coins represent something else besides giving money to show or prove to God or man that we love God by how much we give back to Him monetarily. Certainly, God is not so easily placated as man. Perhaps, men and women of the world have fallen into that trap, believing love is proven by the value of gifts, but, the eye of the Believer must see through the eyes of God to win over hearts.

We cannot use love for God as a weapon or judgment of other's giving, alienating and corrupting the minds of those who have not learned the true meaning and value of giving. Neither can we view this passage of scripture as a weapon to alienate those we feel threatened by or see as being hypocrites.

It is when we learn to SEE the coins in their TRUE FORM, as God would have us to see them. Just as Jesus used the metaphor of bread being His body, our GIVING back to God, who OWNS EVERYTHING, represents OUR BODY. But, can we put a PRICE on OUR LIVES and give money as to how much we VALUE OURSELVES? Then, again, we are trying to BUY God.

Even as the widow gave everything she had to LIVE ON, ALL in love for God, it was not only a REPRESENTATION of EVERYTHING she had materially, but a REPRESENTATION of EVEN HER LIFE (mind, body, and spirit), being in GOD'S hands. 

Mark 12: 44 (KJV)
For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

So, if the widow did not have or give what others would consider to be ten percent of her income to give back to God, yet, God saw this as giving more than those who did, is God in conflict with His own laws? Did the widow break a law that had been handed down from God? Why did God overlook this fact? Was it because He knew that this was all the widow had left in the world, although, it may not have met her ten percent in the eyes of others or did the fruitfulness of her giving result in INCREASE within God's eyes; for like the woman with an issue of blood, who risked being stoned to death or killed by other means, this woman had also GIVEN HER LIFE and placed the FUTURE of HER LIFE in GOD'S hands? Glory to God! How many people today are earnestly willing and ready to do that?

Perhaps, if we too, would give EVERYTHING, which includes OUR LIFE, we would see the INCREASE! God would touch what we have given and provide for all of our needs, wants and desires. We would not have to beg, plead, and try to shame people into giving if they knew and understood that God wants it ALL! Give it ALL back to God! Knowing that God has everything and everything belongs to Him! Yes, as we saw with Sapphira and her husband, who withheld money from God from the sale of a parcel of land, and Abraham whom God asked to sacrifice Isaac, God wants it all, knowing that you have SURRENDERED YOUR LIFE and TRUST HIM to provide for your future and to produce the increase!

As we look at the way giving takes place within the institutional church, we can see that we as Believers have created a dilemma for ourselves that can be traced back to the introduction of carnal, false doctrine, and the institutionalization of the church. 

The church is a living entity, is it not? How do we give back to God by helping to sustain the Body of Christ and support the institutional church? One is in competition with the other. When it came to taking care of the temple, all of the Tribes of Israel were responsible for its upkeep. 

But, Believers today have allowed doctrine, traditions, and rituals to continue to separate them, dividing them into denominations and sects. Instead of ONE body, they see themselves as MANY bodies, not in agreement with one another, not under One Mind of Christ. Therefore, these bodies cannot function and provide as one. Further failure to be in unison causes people to be DISCONNECTED from the church, the Body, and God. 

So, can people see themselves as a vital part of the Body of Christ, and know their function within it? This is what God was preparing His children for in Israel in providing for the Temple. If we cannot see ourselves as a VITAL PART of the body's or temple's functioning, then perhaps this is where the breakdown is occurring. 

Do we see the institutional church as being a connector and tool for the Body? Then, perhaps the institutional church is serving a representative body and not the True Body of Christ, whereas, there is no true commitment from those who have no real FUNCTION to the KINGDOM, as they are not connected to The Vine. People are being EMOTIONALLY CONNECTED to God but, not SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY CONNECTED to God. 

God introduced another idea for man to grasp, when He sent His Holy Spirit and made the human body of those who receive Him as His TEMPLE. Then, he reminds us that WE are our brothers' keeper. So, how do we support and nurture the TEMPLES OF OTHERS, while still placing emphasis and first priority to the institutional church? Are our priorities in place?  Are we maturing the SAINTS to know that they are an integral part of THE BODY OF CHRIST, whereby, they are prepared to offer EVERYTHING to God? Can one man or woman, one shepherd, think that they can accomplish this task alone, or should the physician who renders medicine for others first heal himself? We often hear the words of Ephesians Four, but, where is their FRUITFULNESS? Have they been PLANTED, or, have the seeds been snatched up, or, withered and died because of PRIDE and INFERTILE GROUND? 

We must rethink this thing called "church." We must rethink this thing called "giving." We must rethink this thing called "pride." We must rethink these things called BELIEVING AND SERVING GOD! CLEANUP BEGINS IN-HOUSE! We must stop trying to kill God's messengers through thought, word, and deed and pray for deliverance from ourselves! 

Father Romero was assassinated. Reverend King was assassinated. They were killed, but, their message, God's message, lived on. Their dying was not in vain! They knew that they had to change tomorrow because tomorrow would not change itself. So, they were willing to give ALL back to God, even their lives.

Too many of God's people were suffering and dying. They knew they couldn't stay in their comfort zone while their sheep were being slaughtered. They knew that today was worth dying for to create a better tomorrow! 

Today, many of God's sheep have been stolen from God and overseen by hirelings protecting their self-interests. They believe they are living abundantly and try to convince the people likewise, when at the same time, their very souls are being stolen, while others suffer death and persecution around them. 

However, they feel they are safe and secure, while people in government dismantle the government and begin building a government that will target them next. But, they think, "Oh, no, that can't and won't happen here!" But it is already happening here, to the Jew, the Muslim, and the Christian, the Black, the Hispanic, the Indigenous American, and the immigrant. 

God wants to know, "WHO IS YOUR BROTHER?" Are you his keeper? But, the government says you're not aloud to talk about those things in the church! Church leaders say, you might OFFEND somebody who doesn't agree with you. Then, what?  They might cause legal trouble or leave the church with their money in tow. Meanwhile, nobody is worried about going against and offending THE WORD OF GOD! THE WORD OF GOD WHOM THEY CLAIM TO REPRESENT! PHYSICIAN, HEAL THYSELF! Believers, what is it that you believe in?

When people are too close to a problem, or looked down upon, sometimes, they cannot offer a solution to a problem that can be heard. They cannot even echo a sound to be heard. Their voice falls upon deaf ears. 

Usually, someone has to come behind them and offer the same information or advice, in order for it to be heard. Thus, Jesus could do very little in Nazareth, where everyone knew Him. Yet, that did not stop God from sending Him there, so that they would see the change that had come over Him and hear The Word of God.

Matthew 13:57, 58

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 

58 And he did not many mighty works there

Father, I know that Your Wisdom is INFINITE. Use me and my Brethren, Lord, and let Thy Will be done in earth, even in the earthen bodies of men, as it is in Heaven. Amen.

Your servant and soldier, united with the One, fighting, fighting, fighting...

mishael

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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Mark 12 (KJV)

1 And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.


2 And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard.


3 And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty.


4 And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled.


5 And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.


6 Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son.


7 But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours.'


8 And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.


9 What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.


10 And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner:


11 This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?


12 And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.


13 And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words.


14 And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?


15 Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it.


16 And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's.


17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.


18 Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,


19 Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.


20 Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed.


21 And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise.


22 And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also.


23 In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife.


24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?


25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.


26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?


27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.


28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?


29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:


30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.


31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.


32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:


33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.


34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.


35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?


36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.


37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.


38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces,


39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts:


40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.


41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.


42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.


43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:


44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

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Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

(Isaiah 61:1-11; Matthew 2:19-23; Mark 6:1-6; Luke 2:39-40; Luke 4:16-30)

Matthew 13:53-58(KJV)

53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.

54 And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

57 And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.

58 And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.