Category: Christian Living

Are WE Prepared?

The more we mature in the LORD, the more we come to realize our absolute desperate need of Him.

The more we become mature, the more we should become transparent and open to our fellow man. All of our suffering and tribulations are for the sake of the gospel.

The more we mature in the LORD, the more we come to realize our absolute desperate need of Him.

The more we become mature, the more we should become transparent and open to our fellow man.  All of our suffering and tribulations are for the sake of the gospel.

The more power or influence we are given, the greater the danger of pride and deception.  Power without death to self, brings corruption.  Our cross is our means of execution.  It is to be picked up everyday.

We must be humble, broken and lowly of heart before God.  God wants to prepare us for what is coming to the church and the nations.

I had a dream years ago.  I was in a coliseum like in Rome.  I was looking at the people in the stands, all shouting, laughing and mocking what was going on in the arena.

I looked down and there were Christians tied to poles and others running around the bottom of the arena from lions.  The lions were killing the Christians and eating them, while the crowds cheered and seemed to enjoy the sight.  I was so sick.  I had a hard time shaking the images of my mind from that dream.

The passion of the Roman culture for entertainment was enormous.  During the reign of Claudius, 93 days each year were expressly devoted to games and spectacles.  By the end of the second century the number had risen to 135.

The Roman coliseum was an arena of butchery.  It was in this coliseum that many of our brothers and sisters were given to the lions and other forms of terrible torture.  The brutalizing effect of the arena on Roman society was hard to comprehend.  How could so many people of “culture” fail to condemn this practice?

Christians were unpopular partly because their rites were widely misunderstood.  The communion rite especially.  The Romans thought that their arrogance and impious behavior towards the gods of Rome, must have angered the gods themselves.  Thus natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires sent by the gods, were the fault of the Christians.

Nero had self acknowledged Christians arrested.  Then, on their information, large numbers of others were condemned, for their anti-social tendencies.  Their deaths were made farcical.  Dressed in wild animals’ skins, they were torn to pieces by dogs, or crucified, or made into torches to be dipped in oil then ignited after dark as substitutes for day light.

Persecution has a way of stripping our masks and hypocrisies.  For those who truly believe the gospel, will not compromise it, even unto death.

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death,”   Revelation 12:11 KJV.

During the heat of Rome’s persecution, many Christians found sanctuary under ground.  In a place called the Catacombs.  I was stationed in Italy when I was in the Air Force and visited Rome personally.

It was an eerie feeling going under ground knowing that Christians lived in such places as the literal under ground church.  The caverns all over Rome were of volcanic porous rock.  Many tunnels and caves were dug out under the city of Rome to house the under ground church.

They worshiped, prayed, taught, lived and died in those caves while persecution raged above.  They buried the dead in dug out places and sealed them into the rock.

I think of all the entertainment we have as a church.  How entertaining will it be when they start taking us to jail or killing us for our message?  Will Christianity still be appealing to us then?  We must search our own heart and mind.  We must get ready and be ready for whatever comes.  Are we ready?

“For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death; for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.  We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but yea are strong ; ye are honorable, but we are despised.  Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; And labor working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless: being persecuted, we suffer it:  Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day; I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.  For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me,”   1 Corinthians 4:9-16 KJV.

“And others had trial of cruel mocking and scourging, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment, they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins being destitute, afflicted, tormented, of whom the world was not worthy, they wandered in deserts, and in mountains and in dens and caves of the earth,”   Hebrews 11:36-38 KJV.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds,”   Hebrews 12:2-3 KJV.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

Prisons Of Afflictions

God was faithful to start in us, He will be faithful to complete in us. Personal circumstances don’t limit the work of God in our lives, for He continues to work “all” things together for our good. If Satan himself comes to attack our bodies, the Word of God declares what was meant for evil will be turned around for good.

I already know that this message will not be received by some, however, here it goes.

God was faithful to start in us, He will be faithful to complete in us.  Personal circumstances don’t limit the work of God in our lives, for He continues to work “all” things together for our good.  If Satan himself comes to attack our bodies, the Word of God declares what was meant for evil will be turned around for good.

We thank God in all circumstances, because no matter how bad our circumstances may appear, He promises that we will triumph in Christ Jesus.  You may say, “Triumph?  In this mess?  How can any good thing come from these circumstances?”

You may be in prison, convicted of some crime that you may or may have not done.  You look at the bondage and wonder how can God be working something good by this prison.

Just as there are real prisons with real criminals, there are also spiritual prisons, emotional prisons, physical prisons, prisons of our own making.

Being a prisoner is not limited by locked bars and legal decrees.  A prisoner can be walking about in society looking every bit whole.  What we cannot see are chains to weights and bondage’s.  Those who are chained to weights and bondage’s are ashamed because others drive them into hiding.

There are many who wish they could share their information with other brothers and sisters in Christ to have support and confidence in their love for them.  However, many have found they can’t be open with the body of Christ because many violate confidence.

It is not wisdom to share such personal things unless you use them to help others through the same issues.  Finding a good and faithful friend takes God to arrange.

There are also prisoners because of their faithfulness to God.  The determination of those who try to hit the mark of the high calling, sent a wave of demonic persecution that sought to completely disengage the threat to the enemies plans.

You may be one of those who are being hailed with arrows and bound to circumstances that you have no control over.  God wants you to know He is with you and is working a higher purpose through it all.

For example, look at the stroke victim.  I see an individual who is a prisoner within a body that won’t work properly.  Inside the person is free but outside they are bound.  The frustration they must feel is mind blowing.

I believe totally in divine healing, and understand the life of faith.  We the church, need balance in all things.  Does being in prison disqualify you from the love of God?

We, the body of Christ, are going through many hard trials and circumstances.  Some of us are bound with no control over our circumstances.  We can sit in our homes, go about our daily activities, be in a large group of people and still be in a type of prison of circumstances and feel alone.

There are some things we must go through and some of us have been going through these things for years.  Some feel so ashamed to even say anything to another person when in a dry season or trial.

We must be wise who we share things with and making sure we keep it personal.  Personally, when these things are shared, that is between you, the person and God, PERIOD.  You must prayerfully be led to such believers who truly know your heart and life.

In America we are good at painting a pleasant picture of the life of faith.  Not many speak of the trials and circumstances we “all” go through.

It is not a popular message, so needless to say, a lot of hurting people are suffering in silence wondering what’s wrong with me?  Didn’t I pray enough, didn’t I rebuke enough?

Some prison sentences must be gone through.  After all, God is the one designing the lessons of our lives.  After you have rebuked every devil, confessed every scripture and you still seem to be in a prison, the word of God says to stand.  God has a higher purpose for the darkness of the dungeon.  Gods word is not bound.

The trees sway when the winter winds blow, and some of the brittle branches break off, but the sap goes to the base point.  You may feel dead, dry and brittle, but know you are loved and that the sap of the tree, who is the Zoe “God kind of life” is within you both to will and do His good pleasure.

I look at the example of faith in the Apostle Paul.  You may or may not know that Paul spent a wide expanse of time, perhaps a decade in various prisons.  The incarceration of Paul began with his arrest in Jerusalem about A.D.58 and ending with his incarceration and final martyrdom under Emperor Nero in A.D.67.

I look at the circumstances in the natural and think how can any good thing come out of this persecution of Paul.  Paul was alone and cold in the dungeon, the beloved Paul wrote many Pastoral epistles that speak to us today.  Paul wrote weighty powerful letters in prison right where he was.

 “… wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds, but the word of God is not bound.  Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory,”   2 Timothy 2:9-10KJV.

With all of the suffering and persecution the church is going through, God knows the whole matter.  These things make us know that we are right on the mark with God.  If the enemy never tested your resolve, it would be time to sound the alarm!

Satan thought he could shut Paul up.  Bound and put into a pit, his ministry flourished.  Paul’s writings became weighty and powerful through trial.  His faith was not a formula or a quick fix program.  Paul’s faith was produced through many experiences that tested it.

Paul said, “I have learned to be content.”  Paul’s example revealed the prize of patient endurance.  He boasted of his afflictions that the power of Christ would rest on him!  He spoke of his imprisonment’s, how he was driven into exile, and how he had been stoned.

If Paul spoke these things and it wasn’t wrong, why are so many popular teachings telling us not to confess anything negative?  It sounds like denial to me!  Let the rock throwers hit me in the head, it doesn’t hurt, as I don my mask and cloak!

I was once in a particular church that taught the book of Job was a mistake.  The person said, “If he would have confessed right and feared not, the book of Job could have only been a few chapters long.”

Suffering has never been a popular message.  The church has neglected to properly prepare the body for these types of trials.  The idea is, “if everything seems perfect and I feel good, then I’m okay with God.”

Beloved, if you are His, no matter what circumstances you go through, you are still okay and love by God.

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my My name’s sake.”   Acts 9:15-16 KJV.

“And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witness in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the LORD Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God,”  Acts 20:22-24 KJV.

Saints, no matter what type of prison of circumstance you are in right now, know assuredly that God is with you and will use you right where you are!

Be encouraged knowing our brothers and sisters world wide are going through the same situations!  Amen?

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

Do We the Church have Ulterior Motives?

There are those who prefer others however their motives are all wrong. These seek prominence, stepping on heads so to speak to get to the top of the group. These are trying to make up the latter by sheer determination by passing up ranks and authority without going through the time and training God takes us all through.

Do we really show in our lives that we are preferring one another?

There are those who prefer others however their motives are all wrong.  These seek prominence, stepping on heads so to speak to get to the top of the group.  These are trying to make up the latter by sheer determination by passing up ranks and authority without going through the time and training God takes us all through.

Preferring: To value more highly; like being better than, (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language).

There are those who do not respect you as a beloved woman or man of God.  These have no godly order and their motivation is out of pride and self exaltation.  We all must walk in humility; for pride comes before a fall and a haughty spirit before destruction.  These people are trying to make it up the latter of success by sheer determination by passing up ranks and authority.  There is a godly order and it is NOT a religious spirit.

During all this shaking and sifting God is raising us up; however it is not to promote ourselves.  God is the one who promotes in His timing.  When God elevates, we gain new ground and new responsibilities.  A lot of new oppositions too.

We got it out of order for sure if we look at godly leadership as something attainable in the flesh.  There is in business and politics those who don’t care who they step on to make it to the top.  It is also true in the “church” or religious system.  Not everyone who is with you is for you.  There is always an agenda to those who see the anointed mark of God on you.

There are those who will betray you even as they betrayed Jesus.  The anointing brings out all sorts of serpents of opposition because you carry the mark of God on you and you will not compromise.

There are those who want the preeminence and the power!  In God the higher you go in the LORD the lower you go in attitude, heart, mind as servant of God with humility.  God’s way of advancement is opposite than the worlds ways.

I see those who have no common courtesy with others and they don’t care who they hurt, climbing upward.  When God elevates you up in rank; God makes it known in his time.

You won’t doubt, you will know!  We must really understand that we cannot play with God or play God anymore.  It’s about HIM not us.  We want to bring great glory to God, correct? These are some real questions to ask yourself.

There was a time when God winked at sin, but now He is saying the time is short and we all need to press into what God has for us. Motives of heart and soul are being judged at this time.

Are we who we say we are?  Remember the wise and foolish virgins?  Everyone needs their own lamp and oil, we cannot rely on anyone else anymore to share with you.  Each are accountable for their own lives.

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at: but now commandeth all men every where to repent,”   Acts 17:30 KJV.

Spiritual politics are all raging.  It’s all about who knows who and what power they have etc.  When we lean on the staff of man, it will pierce our hand.  The fear of man brings a snare.  We need to get back on focus of knowing the fear of God!  The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

God will continue to teach and test us all and He is the one who will manifest His will in our lives.  We do not have anything to prove to others; only develop our relationship with God and wait on Him to bring enlargement into our lives.  It is all for the gospel sake.

When God puts you somewhere, you stick with the program until he says move, and only then.  Don’t MOVE because things get hard.  God is always testing us to see how well we mature in Him!  If you know God put you somewhere don’t leave unless God makes it clearly known to you.  It is not the time to flip flop, and be double minded.

“A double minded man is unstable in all his ways,”   James 1:8 KJV.

You are on a crest of a great wave that can make or break you.  You must choose.  You don’t need to pull on people, friends, No demands on leaders.  God is calling to everyone to repent.  If your leadership are godly leaders, and you have submitted to them, they must listen to God on your behalf.  They are held accountable and responsible for what they do.

When God promotes, everyone knows it.  Remember when Jesus met with John the Baptist?  Immediately John recognized who Jesus was, there was no doubt or unbelief.  John didn’t want to baptize Jesus, however Jesus told him, he had to do it to fulfill the plan of God.  Point I am trying to explain is, we are on Gods timing, not a mans timing, (Matthew 3:11-17).

I will not manipulate, control or pull on leaders.  There are those whose mission is to steal time from them, to prostitute the anointing and disrespect them.  Ultimately making them fall.

God is well able to reveal everything about your future in his time through them or others.  Let God reward you openly instead, be patient.  Do not purposely put any demands or pressure on leadership.  This is a love walk with you and Jesus, amen?

As we mature in the LORD, we must understand these things.  Pray for godly leaders and appreciate their love an concern for you.  If they are truly godly leaders, they must listen to God on your account.  AND, if you say they are your leaders then they are held accountable and responsible for what they do on your behalf.  Learn to appreciate them, learn to truly love them.

We all need to do an inventory of our own heart and motives.  Do we really show that we prefer one another?  Do we look at the church as a means of success by seeking prominence stepping on every head we encounter?

God in his mercy has set up the church on the foundations of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as our chief Cornerstone.  The LORD is sending out his plan of action for the church of the Living GOD.  To live is Christ and to die is gain! Are we really the true church of the living GOD?

“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone. In whom all the building fitley framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the LORD: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit,”   Ephesians 2:20-22 KJV.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

The Test of Spiritual Fog

Motives are being tested among my ranks at this time.  I reveal rank and authority to whom, I will.  Not all will see or recognize your rank and order.  This is a time of revealing.  Loyalty is mandatory.

Fishermen throw out their nets and expect a great catch.  The fishermen do the job of hauling in the nets and separating what is in the net.  There are true fish but there are also bad fish and creatures that cannot be eaten or used.  There are also things in the net like trash.  Just because there is a large haul doesn’t necessarily mean everything you’ve done is successful.  The truth comes out with what remains.

Make no hasty decisions.  When you cannot see clearly and fog settles down on your ship,  it is the time to stop and wait.  WAIT until the matter is sounded, until the fog lifts.  When nothing is normal, stop, look at the consistency of Gods word to you up to that point.  Go back to what you KNOW is true and wait for God to show you more.

When this fog comes on our ship in the ocean of life, it will test our resolve.  Waiting is so important, as many are impatient.  If you cannot wait for things to clear out you could be off course or even ship wrecked.

There were three old time ships leaving from their docks with orders from above.  They all relied on the maps and star’s for direction.  After awhile, all three ships entered a fog that lasted many days and nights.  All three ships and crew continued to wait.  The Chief Captain had the orders for all three ships.  He was in the middle ship.

As the fog continued for weeks, the first ship and crew, became antsy and pressured.  The Captain of that ship decided to go on their own.  The crew pressed the Captain and said they could make it.  Finally that Captain gave heed to the crew and sounded an alarm for the other ships to hear.  The first Captain said he would move out and go through the fog expecting to find their way.  The Captain of that ship and crew rebelled against the warnings and the set commands that were issued to the Chief Captain of the middle ship.

After a longer stay in the fog, the third ship Captain was pressured by the crew to go it alone and decided to take a different route and to move through the fog.  The middle ship Captain warned them of the danger of moving without sight and stars.  When pressured the third ship Captain feared because of mutiny, he gave into the crew instead of staying on target with set orders.

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry,”   1 Samuel 15:23.

The first ship ended up way off course due to a terrible storm.  Lives were lost and the months that continued could have only cost them a few weeks.  The third ship ended up ship wrecked by hitting rocks when there was no visual to see where they were.  Great was the destruction of that ship and it cost many lives.

The middle ship Captain who had the authority over the whole mission, warned the other ships and crews.  The Chief Captain of the middle ship told his crew to stay on target and kept telling them to trust God and not move until the fog lifted.  The Captain of the host continued to wait; finally the fog lifted after a few weeks and they were able to pull up the anchor and safety arrive to their destination.

The moral of the story is: When you have been called and sent forth into the sea of life and things get foggy and unclear, it is not the time to make hasty decisions.  It is the time to stop, put your anchor down and wait for the LORD to give you clarity.  Stand there and trust that the LORD will give you clear direction.  No matter how much pressure is put on you, by man or other things, continue to resist and stay on target.  Many are so impatient when in waiting mode.  It is a major part of our Christian walk to be sure HE stays Chief Captain of our ship.

And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear,   Hebrews 12:27-28 KJV.

It doesn’t always “feel” good when we wait.  We must learn discipline to wait on the LORD as our Commander and Chief.  In His time he will give us our release.  When we develop discipline, this is the main issue we must master because He wants us to know our own heart.  The LORD knows the rest of the story, however He wants“US” to know if we believe him.  Why?  He wants us to see our own heart.

If we cannot wait on God, we will get into trouble.  This is a time of testing for many.  Stand on what God has already told you.  There are times and seasons when we must trust even though we can’t see a thing.  It is very much like a spiritual fog.  Pull back from all distractions and wait on the LORD.  Don’t move and don’t get off target for soon you will see and have the break through.

The cost of service sometimes means you don’t do anything but wait.  No matter how long it takes.  When nothing is normal; Stop, look at the consistency of God.

Remember his works and word he taught you up to this point.  Go back to what you KNOW is true and wait for God to show you more.  Then HE will say all is clear!  The LORD wants to command a blessing over us!  Amen?  Amen!

See Acts 27 KJV

“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small help, whither soever the governor listeth.  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things, Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries?  Either a vine, figs?  So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?  Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace,”   James 3:3-18 KJV.

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey