Month: December 2016

A Look at the Word Exhortation

Exhort: To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or to any laudable conduct or course of action. To advise; to warn; to caution.

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.  For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, andcomfort,”   1 Corinthians 14:1-3 KJV,  (Emphasis added).

There is much confusion with this topic and I see and hear those who do not understand the role of prophecy in the church.

In the King James Bible Dictionary:

Edification:  To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit. To encourage.
i.e. To encourage or encouragement, the act of giving courage, or confidence of success; Incitement to action or to practice; incentive.“But charge Joshua, and encourage him….,”   Deuteronomy 3:28.Comfort:  To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven.“Comfort ye your hearts….,”   Genesis 18:5.

To strengthen the mind when depressed or enfeebled; to console; to give new vigor to the spirits; to cheer, or relieve from depression, or trouble.

“His friends came to mourn with him and to comfort him….”   Job 2:11.

Exhort:  To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or to any laudable conduct or course of action. To advise; to warn; to caution. To incite or stimulate to exertion.

“I exhort you to be of good cheer…..,”   Acts 27:22.

“Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters…..,” Titus 2:9.

Exhortation: To deliver exhortation; to use words, warnings, caution to incite to good deeds,  (Acts 2:40).

I find that many believer’s refuse to believe in prophecy or prophets, due to misuse and false prophets.  There is misuse through immaturity, ignorance and pride also.  There needs to be teaching on this subject.

To only know the kindness of God and not the severity of God is to deceive ourselves.  You are obligated to study the Word of God so you can know for yourselves.

It is dangerous to believe in all ministers and not find out the truth for yourself.  The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:12, “to know those that labor among yourselves.”  Also we are to study to show ourselves approved, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.  And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you; and be at peace among yourselves.  And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake,”  1 Thessalonians 5:9-13 KJV.

Why is exhortation, warning?

The Holy Spirit is warning his Church and the world of Jesus imminent return.

The Kingdom of God is among us and like salt, when salt has lost it’s savor it is good for nothing.  Would you rather not be advised, cautioned or warned?

When the LORD comes and open His door to the marriage supper of the Lamb and HE closes the door, It will not be opened again.

“And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him: and the LORD shut him in,”   Genesis 7:16 KJV.

Just like it was when Noah built the ark.  People were not paying any attention to the signs of the times; Yes, the LORD closed the ark.  HE will close the door once again when He has gathered all his wise virgins.

Don’t stay at the end of the lines; quit having a divided heart with one foot in and one foot out.  The chasm will widen and there will be nothing left to stand on in the middle ground.  You will either be in or out.

This dispensation is coming to a close and once the doors are shut, the Holy Spirit of Grace will be taken out of the earth with HIS beloved remnant.  People will face the full brunt of this earth in tribulation when the anti Christ takes over.  BUT GOD!

“And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them nor follow them, for as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.  But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation.  And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.  They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all,”   Luke 17:23-27 KJV.

Beloved of God, we are in birth pains, but things are coming quickly to a close.  Those that remain bound to this earth, who rejected Jesus and his word, will find they were left.  There will be two in bed, one taken, the other left.  Two working in a field, one taken the other left.  There will be much confusion.

In those days there will be those that rejected and never committed to Christ.  And those that are backslider’s or ministers who were not right in relationship with Christ.  These will be shocked.  These who taught partial truths, will repent and turn to truth during these days and begin to teach and preach the truth during the tribulation.

During this time, there will be many martyrs for the name of Christ and they will willingly die for the truth that they can no longer reject.  They will die for their faith.  The Jews and those left will be saved but through much tribulation.

No man knows the day or hour of HIS return but we will know the season as we remain abiding in HIM.  It will be when they hear, Peace and Safety then sudden destruction will come.

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the LORD so cometh as a thief in the night.  For when they shall say, peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober,”     1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 KJV.

Is this a hard message?

Would it be better if God didn’t tell his prophets; warning of the times we are in?

Do you realize they are held accountable for those souls they are to exhort, to advise, warn and caution?

God is sounding his alarm and you can watch the news and see the pages of the Bible happening before our eyes.  The sand in the hour glass is moving quickly and the time to play church is over.  Fake and fluff won’t be able to stand anymore.  There will be a clearer distinction between the true beloved church of the living God, and those who are dry, dead, fake, deceitful religion.

God exhorts us to hear what HIS Spirit is saying to the churches.  The ministry fields are white ready for harvest.

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved, in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him,”   Ephesians 1:4-10.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

Precise Illumination

The flickers of light in the night, are growing dim and the light thereof is fading quickly

I AM searching and waking up those who are sleepy, like one who would be awakened out of a deep, sound sleep. 

It is not the time to be lulled back into complacency.  It is the time to continue pressing and moving closer to the flame.  Pressing into Me is an effort against the current condition of many hearts.  It is the heart of a person that proves the evidence of fire and passion for Me says the LORD.

The flickers of light in the night, are growing dim and the light thereof is fading quickly.   That night is far spent and the oil decreased, that darkness becomes gross darkness for many.

I have set My candlestick with My seven lamps.  They shall have an unceasingly supply of oil that shall never run dry.  For from the same source, they burn, they illuminate My house with light, that shall ever burn bright against that day.

For My day, who can stand?  Who can abiding when I appear?  My illuminating eyes shall see and walk among the candlesticks.

I will visit My house, to see if I AM welcome.  Many will see Me and there will be many that will close their door to Me.  For I came to My own and My own did not recognize Me.  The day and year has not changed that fact.  Timing comes from Me says the LORD.

It is not by man’s inventions or great plans that a war is waged.  But it is by My Power, My might and My illuminating eyes that I shall see and come through individuals in seemingly insignificant ways.  Not with pomp or great honor, but as a humble servant.  As a lamb led to slaughter.

I shall lead those who are My eyes to see into the walls of the structures, into the innermost chambers and hidden places of thoughts, hearts and motives.

There is coming soon, a day of great reckoning, for wickedness shall be revealed and a choice made.  To repentance or for the wickedness to be set on it’s own base and established.  Each will have their choice of their own accord.  The day shall come, and I will close the door.

I have laid the foundation of MY house and I will finish it.  Faulty structure will be removed, to make room for MY Solid rock.  MY house shall be solid. It will not be fragmented.

My prophetic voice shall give precise illumination in this hour.

Arise to the greater light of My combined effort.  This light shall weave and crisscross all over the nations and shall make a great blanket of illumination and direction for the battle.  The warmth from this blanket shall comfort those, who have sought My complete covering.  If you have ears to hear, hear what I say to you, says your God.

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them;  but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept,”   Matthew 25:1-5 KJV.

“Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.  Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD.  Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?  But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us,”   Zechariah 1:3-6 KJV.

“For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her,”   Zechariah 2:5 KJV.

“And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, and said unto me,  What seest thou?  And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.  So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying,  What are these, my LORD?  Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be?  And I said, No, my LORD.  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts,”   Zechariah 4:1-6 KJV.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

Tenderizing Steps to Strip Us

the LORD will test us all to see where our faith lies. During these times of testing’s we won’t be able to feel things like we usually do

The Word of the LORD is timeless;  regardless if it was written and spoken centuries ago and or written and spoken now.  It forever remains the same in Jesus name!  

The Word of God was written as men were moved by the Holy Ghost and inspired.

When in testing, the LORD will test us all to see where our faith lies.  During these times of testing’s we won’t be able to feel things like we usually do; neither will we sense, see or hear during these times . You may feel all sorts of things, and people will look at you strange.  Even in the midst of being around people you still feel alone and strange.

After you have repented of everything you can think of, and you still sense nothing; It is the time to understand, this is a test!  Realize that the testing’s of the LORD come because He must allow us to see where we are in faith.

He wants us to grow in faith in HIS Word!  God already knows but He wants us to know.  The world was framed by the Word of God and it is why God wants the Word of God to become flesh in us;  study it, memorize it, listen to it and speak it etc.

Beloved of God, you’re never alone in Jesus.  He may become silent for awhile to see how you react to pure unadulterated faith without feeling any earthly senses.  That is where the rubber meets the road in our faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh of God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him,”   Hebrews 11:6 KJV.

What we see, feel and hear is not always correct to each situation.  We must all learn that we cannot rely on our senses all the time.  To rely totally on the senses instead of the pure Word of the LORD, will eventually get us into trouble.  Heaven and earth will pass away but HIS Word will never pass away.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,”Hebrews 11:1 KJV.

Faith is the substance; it’s what God takes and manifests it into our life as we believe.  As we develop faith, He will eventually give your substance the evidence of what it is; AND Boom!  It is!

Vision:

I see a piece of meat too tough to chew.  Then I see a piece of meat that has been aged, beaten, rubbed, scrubbed and tenderized over time.  I then see that meat cooked, sliced against the grain at a angle into small portions, and it is prepared to eat.

We are like those who are preparing that meat we offer.  Some can only handle milk and others meat.  In preparing the meat of the Word, we go through a process to make it tenderized for consumption.  The trial and testing of our faith teaches us how to be tenderized and how to offer it to others.

Some meat is too hard to chew for some and not everyone understands this.  Yes, the meat is the word of God.  However, how many of us know of times, when people or person uses the Word like a weapon on our head?

We are not in any position to offer meat when we can’t even chew it.  God takes us through many “tenderizing” steps to strip our ministry style, “to be like Jesus” and reach down to where the people can receive from us in love.

Now when the adversary comes to devour you, he finds all he can do is try to gnaw on you, because you are too tough for the enemy to chew;  and it should be that way to the enemy.

However, when the LORD is involved, you will go through seasons of tenderizing to prepare you to present it to the beloved of God and to the world.  The world is sick of Bible thumpers.

However, when we allow the LORD to take us through the process to tenderize us, we become like meat or sustenance to the people of God, as we serve them tenderly with great love.  Just the way Jesus does for us.  Amen?  Amen!

Note: Please also read Hebrews 11.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

The Path of Illumination

Predators fear the fire and only look at you from a far. The light of revelation burns up hell’s deceptions.

As you walk along the narrow path I lead you, then you take time to stop and rest awhile.

You must always remember to kindle a fire, to catch the fire of illumination along the journey.  With this fire, you will have needed illumination, warmth and sustenance as I provide along the way.  You will behold the fire and look around at those who are illuminated with you.  Yes and new faces too, those who have caught up with embers blue.

You shall notice and begin to take on corporate illumination, provision and rest on a whole new level.  For knowing those who labor among you, will take on a very real meaning; for these you shall know face to face; heart to heart.

The fire is ignited because every flame shall radiate from the camp fire on the faces of those who enjoy the warmth and provision it brings.

Predators fear the fire and only look at you from a far.  The light of revelation burns up hell’s deceptions.

My people will learn to carry the fire on the path I decree.  I shall give enough light through My Word to take the next steps of faith.  My Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.

I will provide and meet with you a long the way, and others will be brought into the increasing light.  The darkness has no chance to increase for the light reveals all that is there and dispels it.  Similarly, as you gaze into water and face answers to face, so is the heart from man to man.

Iron sharpens iron.  Yes spar with them; those who are very well suited for sparing.  In doing so, you will cause My Word to be sharper than ever before.  You have asked Me for this sharpening and I AM doing it, says the Lord.

Do not fear the opponent, for these shall help teach and prepare you for another advanced level.  I have chosen them for this very purpose.  I waste nothing!

Even in these ordered lessons you shall be a weapon in My hand, as a double edged sword.  For I and My Word are forever settled in heaven; I and My Word are one.

You shall speak and your tongue shall be as a double edged sword used for battle.  You shall communicate and My Words shall be articulated in a manner to bring light to the matter.

The enemy fears these up and coming ones.  The enemy thought they were out like a light, but these in secret, beheld My face in a much brighter light as it shone from My Word alone.  A bruised reed I will not break nor smoking flax be quenched.

Some may fear coming near, but be not afraid for it is I, My dear!  I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; the God that never changes.

I AM the same from yesterday, today and forever.  The God who is no respecter of persons!  You shall be amazed today and to come!  Yes I say, there is much more to come!

Some things you have seen so small but in this season of illumination, you shall be amazed by so little, but I shall increase it exponentially.  As you behold My glory, you shall be changed into that same image from glory to glory, says the Lord!

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey