SHALOM

 (Elul 5766  ----Tishrei 5767)

 September 2006

WORD NINE

HARVEST, PROSPERITY, BALANCE

HARVEST

            In all areas of our life, the “seeds” we plant bring return; multiplied greatly.  When we plant good seeds in well-prepared ground, we get back an abundant Harvest of good return.  When, if we choose to plant unrighteous seeds, we experience an “abundance” of negative, unwanted consequences, which tend to complicate our life, or possibly even harm ourselves or others. 

            How do we know what, when, and how to plant the best seeds, in the best ground, to get the greatest and best return?  Simple!  Read the instructions on “how!”  Find out how to do the “planting.”  By reading and studying the directions in Life’s Manual; the Bible, God’s Word, you will find everything you always wanted to know about LIFE.  How, when, and exactly what to do with it is all in The Book:  How to prepare,  How to seed,  How to totally understand what produces the Harvest.  The miracle of Salvation must be planted in your willing heart first.  Accepting Y’shua (Jesus) as your Lord and Savior, Who, as the First Fruit of the Harvest, seeded our salvation before the Father; in obedience.  He thereby empowered us to become part of the Harvest of souls for whom He died.  He overcame this death for us.  This is the first thing we need to understand, and genuinely respond to; becoming born again in our spirit.  This begins the process of relationship; of being transformed, restored, and renewed before the Most High God. 

            All of us are “word” farmers.  Simply put, we think in words.  What we decide in our heart, to plant into our lives, and to seed into our minds brings forth the desired or the undesired Harvest of our own decisive choosing and seeding.  Whatever the relationship seeds are that we plant, they will attach to and grow into “something”.  When we choose and seed wisely, we should not be surprised at the results; only thankful and grateful for the good and abundant return.  Likewise, when we choose to plant connections unwisely, neither should we be surprised at the resulting return.  When right choices are made, our Harvest, by faith---and hard work---is to be expected.  God is faithful to His Covenant promises and provision.  Therefore, remember, that the first fruit of our planting belongs to Him.  Why?  Because Y’shua is our Example of Order.  He is our All in All.  He is Worthy!  Only by Him was the Covenant fulfilled.  First.

            A farmer has a feeling of delight as his seeds grow.  When we are also diligent planters, and when we delight in the Lord, we, too, experience the overall Blessings.  With effort and the experience of several times of good return, Harvest times become a tangible reality.  The increase in any seeded area of our life enables us to multiply even more and continue to prosper.  However, we must follow God’s instructions on how to prepare, condition, and cultivate our spirit ground, as well as our natural ground, in order to accomplish a good Harvest.

PROSPERITY

            Prosperity requires even more cultivation than the Harvest.  It is not a “sit-back-and-rest” time.  Rather, it is a greater time of needing to decide what, when, and how to proceed; then, to continue and re-work the process again.  And, obviously, what exactly to do---how to make wise choices:  How to give, to seed, to improve decisions to prevent lack and loss due to the lack of maturity, or whatever the case may be.  Most of the time, we are to blame for what “happens” to us.  In short, when we put God in first place in our decisions, and when we learn how to please Him, He will surely counsel us on how to apply the increase we receive---about all things in our life.  He is trustworthy.  We can truly depend on His directions.  His Book, again, tells us clearly how.  Which choices please Him.  Which ones do not.  Which ones succeed.  Which ones fail.  In other words, there is serious responsibility and accountability to Prosperity.  In Proverbs 28:25-27 it says:  “An arrogant man stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” v26)—“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but he who walks wisely will be delivered.”  v27)—“He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.”

            Prosperity is not a goal or an end in itself.  Rather is it a result, a reflection of diligent working faith.  The principles of sowing and reaping will work for anyone of any persuasion.  Nevertheless, no matter how “seemingly” prosperous one might be, without accountable obedience to God, as a good steward over it, it won’t be as lasting or as meaningful as a plug nickel in the end.  The question is, “where” is your treasure—the one you’re investing in your life?  Motives matter.  Honesty, good character, integrity are basic necessary qualities to maintain gain.  Proverbs 28:13-14 says:  “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.”  v14) –“How blessed is the man who fears always, but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” (No doubt along with all his short-term “prosperity.”)  Our purpose needs to be His purpose.  The consequences of our investments shall glorify Him – more or less.  Our one ultimate purpose on earth is to glorify Him.  The Lord instructs spiritual Israel, that is, sold-out believers, with what attitude to reap the Harvest.  He reminds us that He brought us out of Egypt (out of the world) to Bless us through our obedience to and our dependence on Him.  When we do, Prosperity becomes an all-encompassing lifestyle, which first of all, pleases God.  This is a relational reward by promise to us as His children who seek to please our Father.

            Giving always brings a good return when sown in the good ground of obedience to God.  When we believe and live by His Word, faith comes alive and His promises come alive as reality in our life.  They manifest.  Return is going to happen.  Why?  Because God keeps Covenant with His own who obey Him.  See Genesis 12:1-3 –“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; “ v2) –“and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing;” v3)—“And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse.  And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  This initial Covenant was based on relational, willing, and humble obedience, which would remain unshakable.  Prosperity is based on maintaining that obedient relationship which yields compassion.  In other words, a real, ever-growing lifestyle relationship with God that will not be compromised and will not ever end.  This is a GOOD deal!!!

            God’s promises; His Covenant is eternal.  His Blessings, which are lastingly faithful to all generations, since Abram first agreed to the Covenant ensure our Prosperity forever.   As another Scripture puts it in Psalm 3:3 –“But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, my glory, and the One Who lifts my head.”  To “glory” with Him even surpasses “Prosperity.”  We cannot imagine His Goodness, even as we receive His favor.  Yes, it is possible here on earth to live this way.  All one need do is decide to, knowing that this lifestyle IS a pearl of great “price”---nonetheless, NOTHING is worth more!  It is so beautiful to praise Him.  To worship Him.  The glory of God will show up where two or more are gathered and are in agreement based upon His Word.  The Angels will show up and praise and sing (don’t know about dance?) with us.  When our heart, born again, is sealed by faith, His Holy Spirit will never leave us.  With our names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, we are surely and securely living in Prosperity!

BALANCE

            Balance is not an automatic result of Harvest and Prosperity.  To arrive at maintaining it all the more demands of us responsibility, accountability, right choices and decisions on a daily basis.  Yes, daily.  It’s not just “whoopie!”---“born again!” I have nothing else to “think” about!  Oh, yes you do!!!  If we never had any, we need to learn how to operate in self-discipline, manage to act on what we know is right with knowledge and understanding.  All this in operation points us towards wisdom.  That’s why Proverbs tells us that whatever we get, get and keep wisdom---then, wisdom will keep us.  As  Proverbs 4:5-6 admonishes---“Acquire wisdom!  Acquire understanding!  Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.” v6)---“Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; love her, and she will watch over you.”  Only wisdom accomplishes Balance in all things.

            We serve a just God.  In our attitudes, choices, and dealings, we ought also to be just.  The Word teaches specifically about His approval of Balance.  Although the message is ancient, God and His Word change NOT.  The point in this as in all His Word is clearly, timelessly, and unchangeably valid.  Leviticus 19:35-37—“You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measurement of weight, or capacity.” v36)—“You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin:  I Am the Lord your God, Who brought you out from the land of Egypt.”—v37)—“You shall thus observe all My statutes and all My ordinances, and do them:  I Am the Lord.”  Let’s also look at Proverbs 11:1—“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight.”  And in Proverbs 16:11 we are reminded—“A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; all the weights of the bag are His concern!”  Therefore, we need do ALL things as unto Him.  He is in control of all.  To benefit from the Harvest and Prosperity, we must continually seek wisdom from God’s instruction:  Again in Proverbs, let’s look at the wisdom of His teaching:  Proverbs 3:1-12—“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep My commandments;”  v2)—“For length of days and years of life, and peace they will add to you.”  v3)—“Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”  v4)—“So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.”  v5)—“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”  v6)—“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”  v7)—“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”  v8)—“It will be healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.”  v9)—“Honor the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all your produce.”  v10)—“So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”  v11)—“My son do not reject the discipline of the Lord, or loathe His reproof,”  v12)—“For whom the Lord loves, He reproves, even as a father, the son in whom he delights.”….

            The Word confirms itself.  When we spend time in it prayerfully, genuinely wanting to learn reality, then He will reveal to us about what we ask, and even give to us those things we long for.  Psalm 37:3-4 says,--“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.”  v4)—“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  When we acknowledge that, by the Power of His ways, we realize the desires of our heart, we have Harvested true Prosperity, and the living Balance of the joy of His relational Presence.  He is our Good and Loving Father!

            Now---and it is ALWAYS NOW--- we rejoice in such abundant overflow!  We desperately need to Express the Power of the reality of His Word, which IS Truth!  Praise His Holy Name daily.  (The holy ones daily give Him Praise)  Part of the “desire of our heart” is to love Him back---to give back to Him for all His Love.  But can we out-give God with our praise?  No!  He will continue to Bless us, because He inhabits our praises.  He lifts us up from “glory to glory” in the Perfect Balance of His everlasting LOVE.

                                                                          Baruch Ha Shem

Katherine Khizkyos

Deaconess of Praise

& Intercessory Prayer

  (All Scriptures NAS)         

SHALOM

(Av - Elul)

August 2006

 Word Eight

                                                  Y’SHUA:  Connection Catalyst

             In order to move toward a desired destination, one has to know and adjust truthfully, that is, to admit to exactly where one is right now.  This is as true for deciding spiritual direction and destination as it is true in deciding natural travel as well.---“I am here!”  “I am deciding to head exactly “there!”  In other words, if I am not honest with myself about exactly where I “am,” I will miss by far the mark of exactly where I desire to go.  Honesty equals humility!  In God’s realm, humility and obedience equal destination and promotional rewards.  We must choose to “come down” for Him to lift us up.  And, He will!

            The condition of man, hence the world generally, since the disobedience or “dishonest trip” against God in the Garden of Eden has surely hindered Heaven as his destination.  The Originators of this choice by taking the wrong advice from the wrong source to the wrong path of self-pride and coercion from the Evil One has left generations since in a spiritual mess throughout the ages.  Adam and Eve knew, instantly, that they had made the wrong choice against God, and therefore against themselves and their future.  So, they hid.  And in this condition of deception, and having been deceived, subsequent generations inherit this same trait.  When wrong is chosen, hiding, seclusion, elusiveness, or all three ensue.  In any case, it is God Who is avoided when wrong is done.  Excuses abound, but it is God Who is being avoided, because the Body of Christ is One with Him.  The Body is also avoided, because within that Body, it is necessary to face up to what the Word of God is for.  As it says in 11Timothy 3:16-17, --“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; v17)  “that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  We as believers are also to admonish one another with the Word, and point each other back to it.  Nowhere does God’s Word say that “when it’s the other guy’s fault, “I” do not need 11 Timothy 3:16-17 or, “I” do not need correction or training…etc….because “he” was wrong”  nope, nowhere.  God WILL correct us!  God corrects we who are His children.  We must, as His children, run TO Him, not from Him!  We must also run to His shepherds, elders, mature and wise believers for His correction and encouragement also, for they are our Mishpocha, our brothers and sisters in Christ; our spiritual family.  When something is “not our fault,” we need to forgive in order to be forgiven anyway.  All of us fall short, and if we are guilty of one area, the Word says, we are guilty of all.  In any case, relationship needs to be restored or false religion prevails.  When we run to Him and to those in spiritual authority over us, God’s compassion and mercy by His Blood will cover us; and not just cover us, but change us as well and grow us up.

            God covered Adam and Eve with His mercy and with skins.  He covered their shame.  When things are not “our fault,” are we to have less compassion on others than God has had on Adam and Eve and on us?  If our “offenders” do not respond when we forgive them (or ask forgiveness) and they also reject us, remember, the falsely religious also rejected Y’shua.  We are in Good company!  Then what we need to do is to pray for them realizing they need to grow also and also require deliverance and forgiveness and to ask forgiveness, too.  Believers are to remain teachable always and to walk in love.  We don’t need to cater to the snobbish or their isolated arrogance.  Love is always subject to proof, however, so we continue to pray and care and walk in love like Y’shua who is our righteousness and sincere example of love.  We will find shalom, and joy will follow and remain as our bottom line of His love in us and through us.  Communicative love always wins, even when rejection hits us, and runs and hides.  Polite correctness or silent avoidance always fails.  It only fools one’s self, because the exchanges are neither honest nor genuine.  God’s open way is honest.  Genuine.  Sincere.  Not self-serving nor judgmental.  Rather, discerning, kind, and sincere.  These are the qualities and traits of truly restored believers following Y’shua’s ways.  They are the very traits which the devil hates.  He hates Godly character and the integrity in His righteousness it develops when exchanged in love toward others.

            The devil does not play fair.  His evil strategies have resulted in a myriad of fragmented generational degeneration.  He aims to kill God’s generational plans toward us attempting, and always failing, to replace them with his or our own plans filled with pride, deception, and self-deception.  When we would submit or succumb to his distorted views by our making evil, worldly, negative spirit choices, we’d be choosing to have nothing to do with God’s admonishment, His Word, or His Divine direction.  If taken that far, we would find ourselves flowing in self-pity-placed attachments, which block our spiritual vision.  These misguided, coerced, or self-exalted attachments would amount to nothing more than idol worship.  No matter how appealing the person, place, thing, activity, or object of affectionate attachment seems to be, an idol is an idol.  Pre-occupation with whoever or whatever it is makes it one.  Idol worship is the most serious offense against God’s First and Second Commandments:  1. “I AM the LORD your GOD” and   2.  “You shall have NO other gods before ME.”

            Self-directed attachments or detachments which blind the Truth, blind any God-given vision, and direction, also darken the heart’s desire to be taught God’s Word.  An unteachable person is in the dangerous position of not being able to change.  The work of the believer amounts to continual self-change by God’s instruction.  Denying this denies the growth in us He intends; even by this, to refuse being refined through the fire as His Bride.  The life-changing Power is in His WORD, which will not pass away.  His Blood enables our connection back to the Father through the Light of the Word.  It is necessary to be open and to make oneself available to be taught His Word.

            Dishonesty cannot see Truth.  That is how the devil can arrogantly equate himself with God.  Because, he is a liar!  He is the father of lies from the beginning.  When honesty gets perverted to some sort of politically, academically, socially, family, or there’s no right answer “correctness,” spiritual blindness is the result.  True believers in Christ Jesus can only worship Him “in Spirit and in Truth.”  So, to engage or indulge oneself in the world’s “correctness” ways is to praise and honor HaSatan, and not to praise and honor the Most High God Almighty.  It is common awareness that these “no right answer” attitudes against God and His Word as life’s Standard have permeated the college campuses in our land.  No-standard-based attitudes in the guise of “freedoms” suggest that God Himself and His Word as the Standard of Truth do not even exist; or worse yet are equal to any and every other concept.  What an abomination before our precious Lord, Who is the ONLY ONE Who CAN set us “FREE”!

            The blinders come off, and blind eyes open when God and His Word is received as the only STANDARD of Truth!  Once chosen, with no other gods before Him, Jesus, our Connection Catalyst changes our Adamic heart into a heart filled with His Holy Spirit Who guides us (by Torah) into all Truth, and Who becomes the only Director of our new Spirit life in Christ.  Our life is in His Blood. We become completely changed to His plan for us; His purpose for us, the vision He gives us, and to desire consistent Connection and Oneness with the entire Body of Christ.

            The Body is His Bride.  Christ is not returning for an ignorant or an insane bride!  The further off and the farther from the Word of God as the Standard of Truth and life one is, the more and more ignorant and insane one becomes and prone to do ignorant and insane things.  The New World 2nd College Ed. dictionary defines insane/insanity as  “3. very foolish, impractical, extravagant…senseless…derangement, unsoundness of mind…that which makes a person incapable of what is regarded (legally) as normal…”  It could be added that any unreasoning extremist without common sense not desiring to operate in the reality of God’s Truth is not functioning from a sane or wise mind.  These mental and social conditions and attitudes serve well Satan’s “ways” of destructive existence.  God’s Word says we are to literally  HATE the lies and the forces of evil which come against our serving and honoring God.  And we are to HATE EVIL ITSELF!

            In the Book of Romans, Chapter 1:18-23, the Word is explicit:--“For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  v19)  “because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  v20)  “For since the Creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  v21)  “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened,  v22)  “professing to be wise, they became fools  v23)  “and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.”    Verses 24-32 go on to relate the “results” of these disconnections from the Word and the instructions of God.  Instruction is necessary in order to get to really KNOW God as your Good and loving Father, rather than to just “sort of” know “about” Him.

            God has always expected Covenant relationship through obedience to Torah.  (The Heb. definition of “Torah”, incidentally, is not just “the law.”  It means: “to be taught by fences, guidelines,--as a shepherd keeps his sheep in line—hence the need for correction, etc.)  God expects us to obey His Commandments.  Y’shua exemplifies this obedience throughout His life on earth.  He is our Good Shepherd.  We are His sheep, and when we are fed enough of His Word, we may become shepherds also.  He fulfilled the Blood Covenant, which covers us in His righteousness.  He promises eternal rewards when we follow Him.  His ways.  Not our own misguided maps and plans.  He keeps His promises!  He is trustworthy!  He cannot lie!

            The disconnection in Eden was the direct result of man not keeping his word with God by breaking his part of the Covenant; his mutual promise with God.  Thereby, the privileges in Eden were lost, and they were consequently expelled from the Garden through their disobedience dishonoring God.  Obedience honors God.  God’s mercy has surely endured “long-suffering” with man throughout the history of time regarding the antics, which the pride of man can conjure and come up with whereby he falls prey to the evil root of pride.  Pride is the root of all sin.  God resists the proud.  When we resist evil, it will flee from us!  Y’shua overcame evil for us by His Supreme Mercy and Goodness; by His Blood Sacrifice.  He expects man also to overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of his testimony;. in His Name, by His righteousness,  and also by a diligent will to please, to obey, to praise, and to glorify Him in all we choose now to do.  And, it is always “NOW!”   He has set us apart from all that is evil for His own possession.  He inhabits our praises.  Hallelujah!!!

            In a childlike way, and only by His Power can we be received by Him and then be changed and enter into His Kingdom.  This is His Grace freely given us to save and to train us up by His Spirit in the “way we should go.”  Without Y’shua, our Messiah, our Redemptive Catalyst, we generationally once-born human disconnects, would be forever stuck in the useless mud of our spiritually ignorant and own arrogant ways of prideful devices and “smartness.”  Smartness is not wisdom!  When our heart receives His Grace, then faith must replace our own “old mind and heart trips” which amount to merely endless loops to nowhere---ultimately taking us away from Him: leading us to Hell itself.  HE IS THE ONLY WAY, THE TRUTH TO LIFE FOR EVER!

            The definition of a “catalyst” (New World S&S College dic.) says:--“2. .a person or thing acting as the stimulus in bringing about or hastening a result.”  So, just as natural converting requires a natural “stimulus”, spirit converting requires a Spiritual Power to break things down to get to the point of a vastly different composite condition.  This new, “different” spirit condition similarly will never return to the former one, which is done away with and the new one strengthened by such ultimate Power that Created all things.  (HaSatan has NO power over believers!  He only counterfeits the things of God.  He cannot build;, he only destroys.)  When we are changed, born a second time, now of the Spirit (not of flesh),  in the “process” an incredible reality has manifested!  We have chosen to exchange all our deceptive power “trips” for ALL His Power!  His Power is perfected in our weakness.  We have exchanged all our inadequacies:  sins, inabilities, iniquities, for ALL His forgiveness, restoration, renewal, and endless REAL

 possibilities!

            We must remain faithful, obedient, prayerful, and teachable to grow His way to receive His Covenant promises and blessings.  When we do this, He even promises to “rebuke the devourer” for us.  God’s instruction is our safety.  He will protect us as we become skillful in His training for LIFE.  He tells us to be just like a farmer, a soldier, and an athlete who practice daily to acquire positive results.  And so daily we are also to do as they do to train by His word with the same attitudes of expectation.  And, as His re-born fully restored, completely committed, re-connected Army of Saints, we desire ever more to also connect with the rest of His Army, who will intercede with us and undergird all His maturing Bride.  As His obedient Bride, we are preparing for the Day of the Lord through His work and the vision to which He has assigned us.

            As we follow in the Way of the footsteps of this loving Catalyst---the Captain of the Host, Y’shua, our course will be set by the Expressed Power of His Most Holy Spirit. By His unfailing lead; we are sealed by His Blood; our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.  His everlasting mercy, love, and promises of restored Covenant relationship with our Father Who is in Heaven, has been accomplished.  It was finished by His work on the Cross!  It is time to be humbly thankful and grateful and honor He Who has made all this possible for us.  Time to simply love Him back for all His love.  HALLELUJAH to the LAMB Who was slain to change and restore us for ever!!!

            Our heartfelt prayer for all who read this from all of us at KCKA Ministries, along with all our Intercessory Ministry connections around this Nation, in Israel, and around  the world, is that He will indeed equip all His saints who diligently seek Him who continually pray that through us all His work and will be done; that we remain good and faithful servants in His sight; that the lost the Father has sent Him and He now sends us to gather, will be gathered and saved.  That this message will be one that changes hearts to become solidly saved and prepared as His Bride.  In Y’shua’s Name, Amen.

            It is indeed Harvest time.  Decide, study, and live wisely.  Walk in His love. The Day of the Lord soon approaches!

Baruch HaShem,

Katherine Khizkyos

Deaconess 

SHALOM

(Tamuz - Av)

July 2006

 Word Seven

THE HEART CONNECTION

            Spirit anatomy is not like flesh anatomy.  In the natural, one sees with one’s eyes, hears with the ears, decides with the head, tastes in the mouth, smells only natural smells; and, generally, one perceives by the natural basic flesh senses.  The spirit anatomy, on the other hand, operates in the spirit first, and above the natural senses.  In John 6:63,  Jesus speaks to the Disciples: --“It is the Spirit Who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life..  v64) “But there are some of you who d o not believe…”—All humans have a conscience, but even that can be corrupted (deceived) by “fleshly thinking.”  And in the Book of Luke Jesus is speaking again.  Remember, Luke was a physician and must surely have been seriously interested in what

Jesus had to say about what goes “in and out of” a man.  Luke 8:14,  He says: --“And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”  In Luke 11:24-26, Jesus instructs:--“When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’  v25) “And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.  v26) “Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”

            The spirit’s functioning can be looked at this way:

                        The eyes see by Spirit revelation.

                        One’s ears hear truth by God’s Word.

                        The heart makes decisions.

                        Taste becomes the sweet presence of God.

                        The head gets transformed to God’s truth.

                        One is touched, made whole, by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

            This is not a scientific spiritual rundown.  The Word will back up the changes from flesh to spirit function.  Let’s look at Romans 8:9 & v27: --“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” v27) “….and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  Let’s look at more Word.  Jesus says in John 10:27-30, --“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: v28) “and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand.”  v29) “My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  v30) “I and the Father are One.”  To come to know Y’shua and to submit and follow Him; to trust Him enough to believe Him and follow His way of “listening” is to learn how to hear the Spirit of God within you.  The Power of His Spirit enables the fleshly conscience to become truthful and know right from wrong.  (There is no place here for politically or academically “correct.”)

            Regarding the process we find in the Book of Hebrews 4:12, --“For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.  v13) “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Whom we have to do.”  About taste, God’s Word says in Psalm 34:8:--“O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!”  It seems that this “invitation” actually connects us to His literal spirit sweetness and His purity. On the other side of the spirit coin, there are many valid deliverance testimonies readily available from equally valid sources relating death or near death encounters with the pungent tastes and smells that Hell can emit  The filthy presence of especially deliberate sin and its consequences are not limited to just spiritual perception; they often foul up the natural air as well.  This is real.

However, as God’s children, we are to think on “lovely” things, as it states it Philippians 4:8.  Regarding the fact that one’s spirit decisions are made in the heart, the Word of God says it best.  See James 1:26-27: --“If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. v27) “This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”.  Further, our heart must decide not only to believe, but also to repent.  As Jesus says in Mark 1:15: --“The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel.” (The Good News!)  In so many Scriptures out of His great love for us God admonishes us to change every way of our own and all falseness to believe in Him and invite Him into our heart and to repent; when we genuinely do, our spirit is changed.  11 Corinthians 5:17: --“Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”  These “new things” are all that is made possible and available by God’s promises to us, because of the change from our “flesh first” spirit to operating first in our spirit now led by His grace, that is the Power of the Holy Spirit from within our new hearts.

            This change means we have become solidly saved as a new way of life growing continually closer into a genuine relationship with the Lord.  Our “wisdom” now quotes God’s Word---not our own words.  James 3:14-15: --“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. v15) “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.”  Instead we must choose to begin to follow the new path.  Hebrews 10:19-22: --“Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the Blood of Jesus, v20) “by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water..” 

When we truly receive Jesus as Lord and Savior over our life, it is not just to “add Him” to our “own” old ways of thinking and doing things as an “enhanced lifestyle of spicier spirituality.”  NO!  The plans that He has for us when He draws us to Himself require our full submission and loyalty: also our full deliberate daily attention, prayer, and involvement.  Let’s read in Jeremiah 29:11-14: --“For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  v12) “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. v13) “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  This new heart brings us directly back through the Blood of Y’shua to the way that He made us in the first place.  Moreover we are to openly renounce the devil and all evil; and all we were before:  good – bad – or, indifferent!  The key to the Heart Connection is then---TO REPENT!  When we sincerely repent “with all our heart” we indeed become a new spirit creature to be made ready to serve in His army of Spirit reality.  It literally means that we are dead to the old operational anatomy of flesh.

In Amos 5:15, we are told to: --“Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate!…”  He is speaking to Israel here, but it also applies to all believers as spiritual Israel as well.  One word in Hebrew for “gate” is Sha’ar, which means “opening” (as of a door).  We cannot CONNECT with our head, but only by the opening of the door of our heart to let Y’shua in.  Why does all this happen?  Why is this the way it is?  It is so beautiful.  It is so simple.  It is so far above our natural thought patterns, that until we realize all He wants of us is our attention,.our appreciation, our awareness of His constant presence and steadfastness,  so that freely, willingly, we desire to respond to His magnificent Love.  He desires a real relationship with His Creation.  The ones who have decided to become new creatures in Him.  All those the Father gives to the Son. 

We have become changed for the purpose of yielding, serving, praising, worshipping, and glorifying God in all we do.  Then, to tell it.  To tell as many as we can the Good News!  1 Corinthians 10:31 says:--“Whether , then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” And Mark 16:15 quotes Jesus as He Commissioned His Disciples: --“And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.”

All those who claim to be saved may not be solidly saved.  When they persist in their own way about God, but ignoring to grow up in His ways by His Word.  To connect with Him is to relate to His character—Who He really is---He Who is our example of how exactly to live His way.  A prideful or aloof or arrogant attitude produces a condition of the heart which kills the desire to be shepherded.  This stubborn attitude refuses His way depending on their own head trips.  Yet, so many folks go around with these mind-sets claiming they are “saved”.  The truth of the matter is that they need saving from themselves as well; as so do we all.  No one is “above” the need.

Real relationship means connection not only with God, but with the rest of the Body of Christ.  Connection with God’s own.  We are, in fact, to take care of the “household of faith” first of all.  Our own house, then, the Body of believers.  We are not to so much listen to their words, but rather be aware of the fruit of the Spirit as it lines up with God’s Word in their functional life.  To “internally isolate” as a Christian, or to over indulge in “religious activities” are extremes that miss the real connection growth.  False judgments when things are not immediately resolved “before the sun goes down each day” can only breed self-condemnation and grief.  Taken far enough, it becomes witchcraft requiring deliverance followed by repentance and tshuba (return to the Lord.!)

Truly solidly saved and delivered believers take every Word of God seriously.  They can discern the truth and stay in love, because the Holy Spirit (Who replaced their “flesh spirit”) leads them into ALL truth.  Romans 8:1-2 declares: --“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. v2) “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

Hearts that are hurting often isolate.  They need the delivering and healing Power of God.  When the hurting heart is opened to Jesus—really opened—He enters to change the hurt.  TO CHANGE THE HEART.  King David’s contrite prayer for pardon pleads to God in Psalm 51:10-11 –“Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right/steadfast spirit within me. v11) “Do not cast me away from Thy presence, And do not take Thy Holy Spirit from me.”  This is a serious heartfelt plea.  David was the man the Bible says was a man after God’s own heart.  Brokenness before God is what He came for.  He came to mend the broken hearted.  But to be mended, one has to turn to Him with their whole heart.  When His POWER comes into that open door, the Potter begins the work of molding t he hurting clay of repentance into a beautiful EXPRESSION OF HIS POWER.  An expression of His praise.  And once this connection is secure, the real training of moving from “glory to glory” in Him begins.  Again, the Day of the Lord is at hand.  Repent!  And, seek the only connections that matter; those which enable you to walk in the joy of THE HEART CONNECTION of His plan.

Baruch Ha Shem,

Katherine Khizkyos

Deaconess, KCKA

Bible quotes: NAS

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