His Yoke is Easy, His Burden Light.  Marietjie Chase

If you are tired and weary, if life has smacked you around more than usual... when your back is in the corner and you are facing a giant... when you are trying hard to walk up straight and find yourself mostly wobbling... there is hope for you. We all go through life's ups and downs. We all face things that we really could have done without. We all carry burdens, loads and heaviness.

There is an answer for all this and it is often quoted: Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

This rest is not given indiscriminately like snow and rain. This rest, this comfort is available to all, but only applies to those who comes to Jesus. We have to come to Him and not to all kinds of other places. We will find rest with Him. He has rest for us. This is a great comfort and true, but not the truth. The coming is not all there is to it. We need to read the rest of the story that makes this "truth".


verse 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus does not say leave your heavy load here. He does not offer to take your burden. He does the illogical thing. He does the Kingdom of God/Heaven thing. He says: "Take my yoke upon you" In the taking of His yoke, our weary load looses its weight and we find rest for our souls.

What is a yoke? It is a thing that you place on the draft animal's neck in order to make him obey the driver. A yoke takes the freedom of the animal and limit it to the will of the driver. It focuses the animals on the purpose in the heart of the driver. A yoke is not a piece of jewelry, it is not for show. It is for the sole purpose of getting the job done.

What is Jesus' yoke? He says to the disciples in John 5:19 "I only do what I see the Father do" and in John 8:28 and 12 :49 He says: " I only say what the Father says." [paraphrased. Also see Matt 26:39, John 6:38 and 14:10, Hebrews 10:7] This is His yoke, His burden. This is what He offers us. Take this yoke, take this limitation. Take this discipline. You will have to learn from Jesus, gentleness and humility for this yoke to fit.

God never gives us something to do without also giving us the "how-to". The "how-to" may not be a quick fix, it may not be what we want to hear but if we follow Him, we can obey ourselves out of the mess. The "how-to" is where most of us bulk and that is why Jesus said that we need to learn humility and gentleness, meekness.

This yoke of Jesus is the heart posture to have a relationship of obedience with God, through Jesus Christ by the ability/power of the Holy Spirit. It is giving up our right to our own will, opinion and agenda. It is even giving up our right to be vindicated and justified. This yoke is the yoke that led to a bloody cross. This yoke is the yoke that have one simple goal: the will of the Father.

What did Jesus say about this, simple yoke: verse 30"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Time for Another Reformation by Marietjie Chase

On the 31 of October, 1517, Martin Luther wrote this pre-face to the 95 thesis' that he nailed to the church in Wittenburg. "Out of love for the truth and from desire to elucidate it, the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and ordinary lecturer therein at Wittenberg, intends to defend the following statements and to dispute on them in that place. Therefore he asks that those who cannot be present and dispute with him orally shall do so in their absence by letter. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. "

It seems now just like then, that there are many practices entered into the church, global and as a whole, as well as doctrines that cannot be found in the Bible. What will Martin Luther say if he would do this in our time. Maybe it is time for another Reformation.

This is what I think will have to be written:

God

1. Man is NOT at the center of the gospel, God is. [Genesis 1:1, Isaiah 46:9, Acts 17:28, Romans 9:16, 2 Corinthians 4:6, 1 Timothy 6:13]

2. We serve, love and worship God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The name of the son is Jesus, the Christ, the Lord.(Jesus of Nazareth)[Genesis 1:26, Matthew 28:19, 1 John 5:7, Ephesians 1:17, 1 Peter 1:2, I Corinthians 6:11, Luke 12:12, John 14:26, Acts 5:3, Acts 28:25, 2 Corinthians 13:14] 

3. In the beginning God, in three persons, created everything. God reveals Himself  first as creator. Humanity owes our creator:  honor, respect and homage. [Genesis 1 - 3,  Isaiah 40:28, Isaiah 42:5,  Romans 1:25, Ecclesiastes 12:1, Psalms 104:30,  Malachi 2:10, Ephesians 3:9, Colssians 1:16, Revelations 4:11 and Revelations 5:13]

4. God is omnipresent… everywhere and everywhen. He is outside of time as we know it. He is not bound by our perception of time. The sun, moon and stars came into being on the fourth ‘day’ of creation yet God was already there from ‘day’ one. He is eternally in the present since past, present and future is all open and the same to Him. He is everywhere, in all times and in all places. [Psalms 139, Exodus 3:6 , Revelation 4:8, Titus 1:2, Genesis 21:33, Jeremiah 23:24]

5. God is omniscient… all-knowing.  He knows everything. There is nothing hidden from Him.  That is why the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. All knowledge NOT based on faith in God is therefore only supposition and not the truth. We know Him as He reveals Himself to us.  [Luke 12:6-7, Psalms 147:5,  1 John 3:19-20, Hebrews 4:13]

6. God is Omnipotent… All powerful, almighty… God can do anything, anything. Nothing is impossible for Him. The only limitations He has, He placed on Himself. [Genesis 17:1, Mark 6:41, Luke 18:27, Revelations 19:6]

7. God is just… “Vengeance is Mine.” says the Lord. Because He knows everything, because He is everywhere, He is the only One who can truly judge properly. Humanity needs God’s intervention in our affairs in our judicial systems. God reveals truth.  God hates injustice. [2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, Psalms 25:8-14,  Psalms 7:11, Romans 12:19]

8. God is love… self sacrificing, giving love. He is the originator of love. He does not love, He is love. True love comes from God. Without knowing God no-one can truly love. [ I Corinthians 13, I John 4: 8-9 , John 3:16, Romans 5:8]

9. God is light… There is no darkness in God. Neither is He fickle. He does not change who is. He is ever the same, not grey. He is light in His being, both literally and figuratively. We see clearly because of His light.  [James 417, 1 John 1: 5, John 9:5, Isaiah 60:19, John8:12]

10. God is unchangeable... He is all that He is all the time. He does not suspend a part of Him to be something else. He is not fickle and does not evolve. He needs nothing and is not growing, diminishing or changing in any way at any time. He is what He is. That is why He introduced Himself to Moses as "I am". [ Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, Hebrews 1: 10 - 12, Acts 1:11, Exodus 3:14]

11.We worship and pray to God, through Jesus Christ [Ephesians 2:18, Romans 1:8, 1 Peter 2:5, John 14:6 and 13] by the Holy Spirit. [Romans 8:26, John 4:24, Philippians 3:3, John 16:13-14]

12.  Jesus did not use any of His divinity when He was on earth. What He did, He did through the power of the Holy Spirit which is available to every believer as well. He came as man, lived as man, died as man and was resurrected as man. [John 3:34, Luke 4:1, Matthew 8:20 amp; 16:13 & 17:9 amp; 26:64, John 6: 53, Acts 2:22, Romans 8:11, I Corinthians 12, - compare with all Jesus did, Philippians 2:7]

13. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven waiting for His enemies to become His footstool. [ Luke 22:69, Colosians 3:1] The person of the Godhead that is now on the earth is the Holy Spirit, [John 14:26 & 15:26] indwelling every born again believer and the church as a whole. [ Galatians 4:6, Romans 8:14] We are not to usurp the role of the Holy Spirit in one another's life. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgement. [ John 16:8-10,]

Salvation

14. There is NO other way to God but by Jesus Christ, His Son. There is no true worship of God, apart from Jesus Christ. [John 3:16, John 10:1, John 14;6, Acts 4:10 -12, Acts 16:31, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, 1 Timothy 2:5, 2 Timothy 2:10, Galatians 2:16 ]

15. God hates sin.  All acts of disobedience is sin. All actions based on unbelief, doubt and lies are sin. All sexual behavior, apart from between husband and wife in marriage, is sin. The law was given to teach us about sin. [Genesis 3, Leviticus 18, Exodus 20, Romans 14:23, James 4:17, 1 John 5:17, Romans 7:7 ]

16. Jesus paid the full price and penalty for all the sins of all people, eternity past and eternity future. The removal of sin is complete. There is nothing that can be added to it. His work is complete. It is finished. Once and for all done.[John 1:29, Matthew 1:21, Hebrews 10:12, 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:3, Galatians 1:4, 1 John 3:5,  Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 9:28]

 17. Salvation is available to all. Not all are saved and not all will be saved. By saved I mean Born Again.[1 Peter 1:23, Hebrews 7:27, Titus 2:11] 

18. There are only two kinds of people: the saved ones and the unsaved ones. All other distinctions, discrimination's and segregation's are wrong and un-biblical. [ Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11, Titus 2:11, Hebrews 5:9, John 3:15-16, Acts 2:21, Romans 10:11-13, 2 Peter 3:9]

19. There is only one plan of salvation for all humanity. No-one is "borned"(in this flesh) into God's kingdom. God does not have grandchildren. All have to repent and believe. All have to be born again. .[Romans 3:23, John 3:5-21, Romans 14:12, Ezekiel 18, Jeremiah 31:30, ]

20. Only those who have given their lives to God have the right to be called sons, children of God. The only way to become a son/child of God is to be born again by accepting the life - eternal life - of Jesus Christ and also giving, dedicating, one's life, as a response to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to God. [ John 1:12, Romans 8:1 and 16, Galatians 3:26, 1 John 3:2]

21. When our Lord  Jesus Christ said, ``Repent'' (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance. Inner repentance is worthless unless it produces various outward mortification of the flesh. Repentance is more than a simple change of mind. If you think it is as fickle and inconsequential as choosing what to have for dinner, it will have no eternal weight. It is the admitting of one's error, the resolution and determination to turn away from it and turn toward God in humble contrition. Repentance is deep sorrow, compunction, or contrition for a past sin, wrongdoing. True repentance will have fruit, evidence manifested. It will bring about change. To the extent of the transgression, to that extend, should be the restitution and repentance.[Matthew 3:8, Mark 1:15, Luke 3:8, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 20:21, Acts 26:20, Romans 2:4, 2 Corinthians 7:10]

22. Salvation is an experience that includes emotion. We experience God in our lives but do not make doctrine based on experience. Experience and emotion follows doctrine, not proceed it.[Deuteronomy 28:7, Nehemiah 8:10, Luke 15:7, John 15:11, Galatians 5:22]

23. We are brought into this Kingdom of God for a purpose. We are saved by grace, a gift of God, not by works but after salvation we are designed for good works. We are not to settle in hammocks, rocking chairs and couches to await a reward of salvation. Laziness is not godliness and apathy and in-action as sinful as rebellion.[Ephesians 2:10,  Titus 2:7, Titus 3:8, Hebrews 10:24, 1 Peter 2:12] 

 24. The salvation of the soul, sanctification, is a process that lasts a lifetime. While the human spirit is made alive at the moment of new birth, the human soul are being changed from one degree of glory into another as we behold Jesus. The soul are generally accepted to be the person or mind, emotions and will. [James 1:21, Galatians 3, Colossians 2 and 3, ]

25. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit does not end with the speaking in other tongues/languages. The evidence of power, divine ability, to be a witness is. (or martyr) Any manifestation of the Holy Spirit has a purpose. He is not an entertainer or into showmanship. [Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49, Luke 4:14, 1 Corinthians 2:4, Matthew 3:11]  [1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12] 

26. Healing, miracles and signs and wonders are still the children's bread. It is as part of our salvation as the saving of our souls. Miracles, signs and wonders will follow those-who-believe, those-who-believe do not follow miracles, signs and wonders. [Isaiah 53 :5, Matthew 21:21, Mark 16:17 and 20, Acts 2:43, Acts 5:12, Acts 15:12, Hebrews 2:4, 1 Corinthians 12,  James 5:16, 2 Peter 2:24]

27. Water Baptism follows repentance and is a sign of the covenant of the New Birth. The ritual of Baptism is as the ritual of marriage, yet not bride and groom but God and believer. In water baptism one identify with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ making a public display of an inward reality. [Acts 2:38, Acts 8:12, Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27]

28.  God is never going to change His mind about sin. God does not change. The best way to deal with sin, is to agree with God about it and accept His answer for it. No matter how good we excuse or dress up sin, it will never be acceptable to God. God hates sin, all sin. Addictions and controlling, manipulating spirits are sins like any other sin. It should be repented of and deliverance sought as with any other possession. There is no big and small sin. Sin is sin.[ Deuteronomy 12:31, and 16 :22, Isaiah 43 : 24, Isaiah 59:2 ]

29.  One cannot serve God and sin, satan and self at the same time. Death to sin, satan and self will mean life in the spirit. One cannot be friends with the world and a friend of God all at the same time. One will hate the one and love the other. Trying to be acceptable to the world is not Christianity. By it's very essence, Christianity is offensive.[Matthew 6:24, James 4:4, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Galatians 5:11]

30.  Holiness is still the requirement to see God. Sanctification is still the will of God for us all. When we see the reality of our own crucified life, [Galatians 2:20 etc] this becomes a side effect of our relationship with Him. As He is, so we are in this world. Outward appearance does not make one holy. One cannot become holy by the way one dress, walks, worships or talks. One's actions will change but it does not in itself make one holy. Character means something. Being a Christian means being good as God is good. [Romans 6:22, 2Corinthians 7:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:7, Hebrews 12:14]

31. Our Citizenship is not of this world. Therefore politics, customs and traditions mean little in the Kingdom of God. It can actually become a hindrance and distraction. The church does not belong in politics other than praying for the leaders. The resources wasted on political interests would be better spent in fulfilling the function of the church in society. [1 Timothy 2:1-2,  Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 13:14,  John 14:2]

 32. The Bible is the word of God. You may not believe all of it or understand all of it. But changing it will not change the reality of it being the Word of God. Attempting to know God without knowing the Bible will lead to heresy. The Bible is to be understood literally unless it says not to.  No man's word and will is above the Word of God. [Matthew 4, Mark 14:27, Psalms 119, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16, Galatians 3:8, Proverbs 30:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:23]

33. Relegating any part of the Bible as outdated or not for today, unless the New Testament repealed an Old Testament law, is to preach something other than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Gospels we often read: "so that the scripture will be fulfilled.." Jesus also refer to the Law and the Prophets.  [ John 13:18, Luke 16:31, Matthew 5, Revelations 22:18]   

34. God speaks in many various ways by dreams, visions, other people, allegory, music, pictures etc. But it all have to agree and NOT disagree with the Bible.Those who are born again hear the voice of God. It is the leader's and spiritual overseers' job to help them recognize this. [Genesis 37 :8, Daniel 5:12, Hebrews 1::1, Joel 2:28, Numbers 22, John 10, Psalms 95:7, 1 John 4:6, Luke 8:21, ]

35. It is the will and way of God that we ask. Without prayer, individual and corporate, no-one will know the will of God. There are many different kinds of prayer. Without prayer we lose the essence of our faith. Pray in the Name of Jesus to receive anything from God. God does answer prayer. God moves on behalf of those who seek Him in prayer. [Luke18:1,  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18,  Ephesians 6:18, Rom. 12:12; Col. 4:2; 2 Tim 1:3]

36. Fasting still benefits a believer and the abstaining from food and drink will not kill your body but do wonders for your prayer life. It is one of the treasured mysteries of those who desire a deeper life with God. [Nehemiah 1:4, Daniel 9:3, Matthew 4:2, Acts 13:3, Mark 9:29, 1 Corinthians 7:5]

37. Suffering will come to those who desire to live Godly lives. It does not need to be sought, it will come by itself. There will be suffering. To deny this reality or to dismiss this reality is heresy. [1 Peter 2:19, James 5:10 and 13, Romans 8:18, 1 Peter 4:13]

 38.  Revival is not an end in itself. It cannot, must not be a goal. We will never experience revival by seeking it or praying for it. Revival happens when a people seek the face of God with the overwhelming realization that they have no-where else to go. Desperate people begging God to intervene, desperate determined people, who will not take no for an answer... So revival is the side effect of people seeking the face of God. [Luke 2:36 - 38, Acts 3:19, Psalms 69:32, Psalms 27:8]

39.  Faith is the currency of the Kingdom of God. Yet, it is a gift received from God. Faith always includes risk. Unbelief is the opposite of faith, not fear. You can have faith and fear at the same time. It is not mutually exclusive. [Judges 6, Hebrews 11:6, Luke17:19,  Galatians 3:14,  Ephesians 3:12 and 17, Hebrews 11,  Romans 4]

The Church

40. Alone, as an individual, we are not the Body/Church of Jesus Christ but only part of it. We need one another for the full expression of the Church. We will spend a life time doing all the “one another” s in the New Testament. [ 1Corinthians 10:16, Ephesians 4, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 5:19 and 21, Colossians 3:9,13 and 16, Hebrews 10]

 41.  It is God's church. It does not belong to a man, men. It is His responsibility and He is able to take care of it. [1 Peter 2:25, Matthew16:18, Acts 2:47, Acts 8:3withActs9:5, 1 Corinthians 1:2 and 10:32,  1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 5:23-32]

42. Church is not a democracy.  It is a Theocracy. Find the will of God and do that. No matter how long it takes. [Acts 15:28, 1 Corinthians 12:28,  Hebrews 12:23]

43. All believers in a city is the church in that city. Denominations are not Biblical.

 [1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 4:4, Philippians 1:27, Ephesians1:1, Revelations 1-3]

44. Our unity comes from the one God we all serve and not by any other means, conviction, tradition or doctrine. We are one because we worship one God. We ought to question anything that brings a spirit of division into the Body/ Kingdom/ Church/ Bride of Christ. [Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-20, Colossians 3:15, Ephesians 4:3-4]

45. Church is not business. It is ministry. There is no CEO's only servants. [ Galatians 5:13,  Luke 17, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:43, Acts 4:30, 1 Corinthians 9:19]

46.  “Love God and love one another” is the only New Testament command. [1John 4:20, 1 John 5:2, Matthew 22:37,  Ephesians 5:2, John 13:34, 15:12and 17, Romans 13:8, 1 John 3:11]

47. Tithing is an Old Testament concept that has never been repealed in the New Testament.  It holds manifold blessings for those who keep it God's way. The tithe is God's portion and should only be used as He purposed. Tithes can only be used to take care of God's ministers and the needy in the family of God.
Giving one's all is the New Testament concept. We give in the same measure Jesus gave: all. In the Kingdom of God one grows and matures by what one gives out. Give money and lay up for oneself treasures in Heaven. Give energy and worship and prayer and grow in one's intimacy with God and knowledge of Him. Give ministry and service and grow in one's stature as an ambassador of the Kingdom.

 [Genesis 14:20, Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18: 26, Deuteronomy 26 : 12-13, and 14:24-25, Malachi 3:10, 1 Corinthians 9 :7-14, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 1 Timothy 5:17-18, Philippians 4:16-18, 2 Timothy 2:6-7, Galatians 2:9-10, Luke21:1-4]

48.  We do not serve God to get rich. This is heresy. Giving God, or the person who supposedly stand in the service of God, money will not make one rich. [1 Timothy 6:4-6, Luke 11:39,  Luke 12:33, Acts 8:20, 1 Timothy 3:3, 1 Timothy 6:10, Matthew 23:14]

49. Poverty has no glory. Godliness is not poverty. God does not want us poor and miserable. Piety is not equal to being miserable. We are instructed to take care of the poor. How are we going to do that if we are the poor? [Amos 4:1, Zechariah 7:10, Matthew 19:21, Luke 7:22, Romans 15:26, Galatians 2:10, James 2:5-6]

50. It is the churches responsibility to take care of the poor, widows and orphans, but first to those who are believers. [Romans 15;26, Galatians 6:10, Acts 6, 1 Timothy 5:3,  James 1:27]

51. Evangelism, the proclaiming of the Good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is the churches primary responsibility to the unsaved.  A watered down gospel, is not the Gospel. Making it easy creates "fake Christians" who will never stand. Rather have 5 who are truly born again and sold out for God, disciples of Jesus, than 50 who only care for God a little and honor Him as it pleases them. [Romans 10, Acts 10:36, Acts 4:12,  Romans 1:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Titus 2:11, Jude 1:3, 2 Timothy 4:5]

52. If you are not being equipped or equipping the saints for work of ministry, you are failing to use the gift that Jesus Christ gave to the church, the Body, the Kingdom of God. [Ephesians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:11,  Romans 14:19, 1 Corinthians 12,  Romans 12]

 53. There is no Biblical foundation for the "five-fold-hierarchical" system based on one single scripture verse, Ephesians 4:11, amidst a chapter dealing with unity. Apostles, Prophets, Shepherds, Teachers, Evangelists, Helpers, Healers...etc are not titles.. These are gifts/anointing and functions in the Body/Church of Christ. These are received from the Lord.[Acts 20:24, 2 Corinthians 4:1, Colossians 4:17,Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12-14]

54.  Eldership is always plural. Even Moses had a team. There is no Biblical president for a single shepherd over a congregation.[Titus 1:5, James 5:14, 1 Peter 5, Acts 20:17]

55.  There are only two offices in the New Testament Church: Deacons whose primary function is to take care of physical, temporal needs and elders/overseers/bishops whose primary responsibility is of taking care of spiritual matters. [Acts 6, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1:7]

56. Authority is received from God. It cannot be assumed or taken or cajoled or manipulated or bought. Those who abuse their place of trust and authority will be exposed and brought to judgment. God is a righteous judge. Respect is earned not demanded. Manipulation is witchcraft. Manipulation is not godly authority. [Matthew 8:9, Matthew 20:25-28,  Matthew 28:18, Romans 13:1]

57. Submission is not a dirty word. Submitting to God first and then to one another. When submission to God contradicts submitting to people, we are to submit to God. [James 4:7, Ephesians 5:21, Romans 13:5, Titus 3:1]

58. Worship (the music part of a meeting) is to honor God. It is never sensual or for the reason of a show or a party. It is always God-focused, God-centered and God-directed. ( God in three Persons) If it is not, it is not worship. [Revelations 19:10, Exodus 34:14, Psalms 29:2]

59. We always have a choice. Christians become slaves to what they yield to. As a believer our will has been freed to choose and we live as the result of our choices. [Romans 6,  2 Timothy 2:25-26,  Hebrews 2:15,  Romans 8:15, Galatians 4]

60. We cannot judge one another's relationship with God. All we can judge is the fruit, whether it is good or bad. [John 15,  Romans 6:21-22, and 7:4-5,matthew 7 ]

61.  It is right and proper to question words and practices that does not line up with the Bible. The only reason why these are allowed to continue is because believers do not have the fortitude to stand up against the arguments and persecution that will follow. The truth is mostly simple and will stay the same no matter how many times it is repeated. Heresy, on the other hand, is often very complicated and becomes even more twisted with every time it is retold. Truth pressed to the extreme and to exclusion becomes error.[Matthew 7:15, Matthew 15:7-9, Acts 20 :29,  Titus 1:11, Colossians 2:21-23, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4, Galatians 1:7]

62. The supernatural is real. Angels and demons are real. Yet, we do not seek these or worship these. We deal with these when they show up and seek God. [ Genesis 16, Genesis 22:15, Exodus 23, Numbers 20 and 22, Judges 6, Zechariah 3, Matthew 1 and 28, Acts 5, 6, 7 and 12]

63. Deliverance is part of the ministry of the church. Possession/oppression is real. Jesus did it. The apostles did it and so should we. The enemy/devil/satan/ is a vicious legalist. He has been around for many years and although he has limited power, he still has power. [Job 1 and 2, Zechariah 3, Matthew 4 and 12, Luke 22:3, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 7:5, 2 Corinthians 7:14, Ephesians 4:27 and  6:10- 18, I Timothy 3:6-7, Hebrews 2:14, James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8, Revelations 2 and 20, Matthew 8, 9:33, 10:8, 12, Mark 16:17, Luke 11:18-20, Revelations 12:9]

64. Discernment is a must. If it waddles, swims and quacks it is most probably a duck. Just the same as when it exhibit a few different signs and actions of possession, it is probably a demon. We need to know why we do things and where the traditions come from or we will inadvertently pay homage to idols and pagan gods. Sincere people can be sincerely deceived. [1 Kings 3:19, Ezekiel 44:23, Malachi 3:18, Matthew 16:3, Hebrews 5:14, Philippians 1:9]

Family

 65.  Marriage, one man and one woman for life, is still a God-idea. God hates divorce. All sex outside of marriage is sin. Husbands are to love their wives as Jesus Christ loves the church and gave Himself for her. Wives are to respect and submit to their husbands as the church respect and submit to Jesus Christ. [Genesis 2, Psalms 128:3, Malachi 2:16, Matthew 19, Hebrews 13:4, Revelations 19:7, Ephesians 5, Colosians 3:17-19, 1 Peter 3]

66. Training of the children is the parent’s responsibility. It cannot ever be handed over to the church or the state. Children have to obey their parents, respect and honor them. [Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16, Matthew 15:4, Colossians 3:20 - 24, Psalms 78:4, Psalms 103:13, Psalms 127:3-4, Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 17:6, Ephesians 6:1-2] 

WARNING!! DANGER !!!

Abuse, any abuse, that brings a wound in our person, spirit should be viewed as serious. If we keep the offense, it will fester into a wound, hurt feelings. Woundedness and hurt feelings, when not taken to the foot of the cross, will bring you to a place of overcompensation, which is arrogance. Arrogance when it is complete, mature and fulfilled leads to self-deception. Self-deception leads to heresy since the "glass" through which the truth is viewed is distorted. The result is mixture. Some of what we believe and release, say is the anointed truth of God but some comes from another source. This is the trap that now ensnares the church, body of Christ, believers. Too few of us has the ability to discern between the truth and the junk. We are to enthralled with the personality, charisma and to lazy to find God for ourselves and study the Bible for ourselves. If you take everything a someone teaches, without weighing it against the witness in your own spirit, - which comes from your own personal relationship with God and study of the Bible - you will be deceived. We ought to search the scriptures to have enough of a deposit of the Word in us and have enough of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, that we can sieve what is taught to separate the anointed truth from the other "stuff." So how do we avoid the seed of self-deceit? (If you are self-deceived you would not know it.) Deal with the offense. Learn to forgive and love(agape) your enemies. This DOES NOT mean staying in the abusive situation. Remove yourself from the abuse but for you own sake, forgive. Run from the abuse but also deal with the residue of it in your heart and spirit. Unforgiveness is sin. Deal with the offense, unforgiveness as with any other temptation: War against it. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the scriptures to war and overcome. Eph 6 calls it the "sword of the spirit" for a reason. Jesus wielded this sword most effectively in Matthew 4.

SPIRITUAL SURVIVAL -------


In our days, I dare say the last days, we arrived at the edge of a precipice that the church has never before experienced. It seems some have gone to sleep and are letting the political tide drift them to who knows where. Some of us are fighting a battle we feel we cannot win. Some see the danger and are ringing the bell. People are like animals in a fenced yard sensing the eminent danger and circling but all we accomplish is to kick up the dust.





When Jesus' time here on earth drew toward the end, he became increasingly concerned for His disciples well fare. We read His prayer in John 17 and the last teaching to the disciples/apostles that span from chapter 13 through 16. This was His farewell address to them and if we read this and meditate on it we see a few survival techniques that He brings to their attention.


First: Let's wash one another's feet. What does that mean? In one of Paul's epistles he wrote, in love (agape) serve as slaves to one another. This is practical. There is no reason, we, Christians cannot be a village, a community. Do we even know the practical needs of those we are in the Body of Christ with us.

Don Fransisco sang it years ago: "I don't care how many buses you own, or the size of your sanctuary, it doesn't matter how steep your steeple is, if it's sittin' on a ceme- tary I don't care if you pave your parking lot, or put pads upon your pews, What good is a picture perfect stage, if you're missin' all the ques I don't care if your pastor's super powered, and your program's always new What you need is love and truth Men are gonna come to you, It doesn't matter that you know the Bible, if it's all just in your head, the thing I need to ask you, is that have you done the things I've said: Do you love your wife For her and for your children, are you laying down your life What about the others Are you living as a servant to your sisters and your brothers, Do you make the poor man beg you for a bone Do the widow and the orphan cry a-lone."

Jesus said that even as He loved us, we need to love one another. How did He love us? He gave His life for us. That means His all. BY THIS shall all men know that we are His disciples, if we love one another. Jesus comes back to this point over and over again: Love God and love one another.





Second: Believe! Believe in the Father, Believe in Jesus. Believe means to trust and obey. Jesus said we will do the same works that He did if we believe. Unto believers it was given in Mark 16 to lay hands on the sick , to do signs and miracles etc. We who believe are suppose to do these things, not a select few. Be foolish enough to take God by His word and act on it. Lay hands on the sick and heal them. It is the least we can do. Stop running all over the place and do it yourself. Like when the disciples came to Jesus with the complaint that the 5000 plus followers were hungry in the wilderness and He said: " You feed them." This is not the time to debate doctrine and pontificate the pro's and con's. Do the stuff. If you believe, do it!





Third: Jesus introduce the Holy Spirit to them and explain the purpose and the place of the Holy Spirit to them. The orphan spirit that have christians live as though our God is dead, has permeated the church because we do not know how to draw on the Holy Spirit. We have this Holy Spirit right here upon the earth. We have Him living inside of us. Learn to rely on Him. Yes, it is by trail and error and we look and sound like fools while we are learning but the alternative is even more disastrous. We are so inclined to have a human Moses, - pastor, prophet, teacher, - that we have not learned to discern His voice. Come on Church, get of your lazy lowers and start getting into God so that you also can hear His voice and OBEY it. You will not hear if you are not willing to obey.





Fourth: Jesus said, if you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you will and it shall be given unto you. We have to know the Bible more deeply than just what we hear in church. You and I need to know the book. It is very simple. Read it, meditate on it and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Let it settle in your heart. If you have to memorize it for this to happen then do it. This is your civil defense. This is your "Boot Camp". The Word and prayer. Yes, it sound so simplified but it is still true. Get on your knees and pray. Pray the scripture if you do not know what else to pray. Pray through the New Testament. Let the Holy Spirit lead you through it. Learn to pray. Learn to seek God's face in prayer.





Jesus warns of coming persecution. The warning is going out again! Troubled times is at our door. Get ready! it is not time to go hide in a hole. It is not the time to reach for more entertainment. Get ready! Prepare yourself, for "in the world you have tribulation but take courage; Jesus overcame the world."

Addressing Some Basics... by Marietjie Chase

Two problems in the church that needs addressing. We cannot keep fighting about "who -is-right" and "who-is-wrong' until we have or because we have to address these two things.

Number One: Most born again believers, Christians, Kingdom believers, saved, baptised and filled-with-the-Spirit, children of God do not know how to recognize His voice. We have no ear to hear and most have no heart to hear. A heart to hear is a heart set at attention to obey. Even if we were aware of His voice our inclination is to dismiss it and stay in our safe little comfort zone. This needs to be addressed. We need to learn how to hear His voice for ourselves. We cannot run to Kim Clement, Chuck Pierce, Barbara Yoder or Pat Holleran if we need to know whether we should buy a new car or fix the old one up. We need to hear Him for ourselves.

Learning to obey Him comes very much like walking to a baby. First you sit, then, crawl, then walk. In every stage you stumble, fall, get hurt, look like a fool and move on. We cannot love ourselves and our reputation and still learn to obey God. Every one who knows His voice and hear Him; yes even the world known prophets; will tell you of the times they were " flaky" because they were learning to hear God. Missing God is part of the process. People who are in the process of learning to hear God looks foolish. They may announce something and two months later turn back. We need to support and love them. They are in the process of learning. No one has ever walked on water by staying in the boat.

The second and just as important issue that needs to be addressed is the process of getting from the promise to the fulfillment. Steve used to say that between the prayer and the answer God makes the saint. Once we are sure it is a word from God there is some response required. Most of the time we need further instruction. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, asked: How can this be? The further instruction most often has to do with time, place and method. Once Gideon was sure of the instructions He worshipped. He did not abandon His relationship with God for the task. Give God what He wants first.

Sometimes God says: Wait. Just as conception and gestation takes time, some time we have to wait to see the fulfilment of God's promises. We cannot become distracted and chase butterflies. We got to stay focused and let the vision shape the man (or woman). Jesus already knew at the age of 12 that He had to be about His Father's business but did not start His ministry for another 18 years. Joseph knew at a very young age what his destiny was suppose to be but it took 13 years of slavery and imprisonment before the fulfilment. Yet, Joseph kept his heart set upon God.

It is impossible to live out the Second without the First, since we need to know His voice to do His bidding. It goes without saying that both these are faith issues. It is impossible to hear and obey consistently without faith. It is also a self-sacrifice issue. There is no hearing and obeying if we are still loving our lives.

Tempted by the Devil 
Jesus was tempted by the Devil, would we escape?

After forty days and forty nights fasting in the wilderness Jesus was hungry. It is a legitimate need and not in itself sin. But the tempter used this need for a springboard for his attack. We all have legitimate needs. The need for safety, love, food, sex, companionship, adventure and entertainment and more. All these are God given needs that is part of being human. In itself there is nothing wrong with any of these. Yet it may become the opening the enemy use for attack.

The tempter came near to Him. He could not attack from a distance. It had to be close combat. As close as it possibly could. We learn two things from this statement. The enemy is not omnipresent and when those closest to us are acting in a way that we know this is out of their nature and norm, remember that our wrestling is not against flesh and blood. Remember that in order for us to be tempted as our Master it will be close combat and that as we wrestle that we have to separate the person from the attack.

Lets consider the tempter's attacks on our Savior.

First attack was on His identity as the Son of God. Identity is always the first target. It was with Adam and Eve. " Who are you and who is your God?" On our identity hinges our confidence, faith, security and trust. If you know who you are you have confidence and security. If they know who you are they will have faith and trust. The question of identity is always foundational. To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe in His true identity: He is the Son of God who came as man to rectify all that was wrong with man, so that we could become acceptable to God the Father.

Identity carries a measure of authority. If I am the Queen of England my authority will match the position. If I am a son of God my authority will match this identity.

Identity also includes destiny. You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not stand against it and I will give you the keys... As a child of God I am destined to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus did not ignore the attack but spoke to it with the authority of God's word. The second part of the first attack was to tempt Jesus to proof His identity by going against the spirit of His nature. His nature was to sacrifice Himself and give. Now He was tempted to use His anointing and authority for self serving purposes; to fulfill a legitimate need, yet, this is the hook of the temptation: Self or others.
He chose to focus on the spiritual and not this earthly needs but that which is eternal. He lifted His vision higher and locked unto that which cannot be shaken.

For the second attack the Devil actually take the Son of God. He, Jesus, the one of all authority is being taken by the Devil. He is captured and taken somewhere, where he did not mean to go but He let the Devil take Him. Jesus is taken by the Devil.
The Place of the second attack shows us that the Devil understood something about God that most of the church are still ignorant of. God cares about places. This city is God's favorite. He loves this place.

The Devil take Jesus to a place He loved and are familiar and comfortable with. You'd think that Jesus would have home court advantage. Just because the Devil take us to a place we know and are secure in does not mean that we are safe. Watch out when you are taken to a place of intimacy, security and "warm fuzzies" and it was not by God's doing.

The attack is inherently the same as the first one. The hook is slightly differently baited. The attack is still His identity: If you are the Son of God. The hook is not a legitimate need anymore. Now it is a right out challenge to look and sound right for the wrong reasons. To proof yourself the Son of God throw yourself down. And now the devil reveals himself as a quick learner. He quotes scripture. Speaking God's word and trying to sound like God is a trick he does with much effectiveness. Making you do something that even looks like your mission. Jesus did come to sacrifice himself. Yet in it is also revealed that God cares about the time and method. It matters how and when His will is done.

Jesus comes back with a relational answer quoted from the scriptures. It is the best answer. Tempting God by doing something stupid and presumptuous has more christians in trouble than outright sin. We jump and hope God will send His angels to catch us. We have very little discernment and not enough relationship to notice that the scripture quoted to us was not from God's Holy Spirit but an impostor pretending to be Him.
Jesus' come-back was basic and solid. Follow the temptation to the last ripple. See the last and final affect and see if it will first honor and glorify God. Then if it will affect and how will it effect the relationship between you and God. And then also what will be the ultimate result. What will it accomplish? What would it accomplish if Jesus jumped and was caught or not?

The third attack leaves Jesus again in the control of the Devil who takes Him to a high mountain. Now he shows Him the prize that is to be His. Jesus is to receive the Kingdoms of this world and their glory. That is the promise of the Father. The temptation seemed different from the first two. Now it is not cloaked or subtle. It is as direct as a knife at your throat.

The Devil just comes openly with what he wants. He declares what he wants and promise what you want. This almost sounds like a mafia offer: too good to refuse. There is so much wrong with this offer.

Reaching the desired and promised end our own way and in our own time by making a covenant with the devil in essence worships him. How do we worship the devil? Out an out- most often not. We do it by obeying him and doing things at his time and in his way and in so doing letting him be our master. See Jesus' response: Go, Satan for it is written Worship belongs to God and Him alone. Serve Him only.

This blatant but final: Who do you serve? Who gets your worship, your awe, your wonder? Where is your passion, devotion and excitement of your soul? What is it that your soul loves? What do you choose?

The other thing to consider about all three these attacks is that the temptation was the same as in Eden, to act on the word of the devil instead of the word of God. Acting on the word of God includes creative ability. His word creates. It has authority to perform and accomplish. It accomplishes it's purpose when used with faith and obedience. The word of the Devil always delivers destruction. It destroys, kills and steals. From these fruit we can learn to recognize the sound, tone and content of the Devils voice as oppose to the voice of God.