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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 Winds of Adversity

“Though the winds were strong against you, you shall master my winds by My design. As an eagle is designed to soar and a soldier designed for war, so I have designed you to flow in your element.”

I witnessed two eagles soaring in the midst of violent winds.  The winds were so strong they pushed my truck over into the other lane a bit.  What was amazing was the eagles soared with none of the blowing effecting them.  They seemed to flow effortlessly with the winds.  The winds did not conquer them, they conquered the winds.

Hear what the LORD says:  “Though the winds were strong against you, you shall master my winds by My design.  As an eagle is designed to soar and a soldier designed for war, so I have designed you to flow in your element.

A fish cannot swim without water and neither can you learn to soar without the element of trouble.  For on the winds of adversity you shall learn to ride and abide.  Even the waters shall rise to try to undermine your foundations.The storm of winds in fury shall blow.  Toss the excess overboard, lighten the load, cast your cares on Me, release the burden and trust Me with all your heart.  I have created you for such adversity.  You have been made to thrive in the midst of storms and troubles.  Thrive My beloved!  Rebuke the demonic winds and storms!  You shall rise says your God.”

I saw a coconut tree being blown from fierce winds.  The tree was blown side ways and the palm leaves and coconuts were blown off.  The tree never uprooted, but was stripped of leaves and fruit.  However, when the winds of adversity blow strong, your roots are going deep.  You are stronger than you think.

“There are many new people gathered.  Many stepping on each other to gain advantage.  You must beware of the leaven of hypocrisy.  Everything that is hidden will be made known.  Pretenders that are clean on the outside are made clearly manifest to Me, says the LORD.I delight in restoring dead things to life.  I AM a God of restoration.  My strongest rebukes came to the religious hypocrites;  Those who thought they were right with Me could not see.  The climbing to pinnacles of success brought them honor in a “self righteous” sense.  But these pinnacles shall crumble.The highest place is at My feet in brokenness.  In your brokenness you release fragrance I will fill that void with love in your heart.  For those that lift themselves up shall be brought low.  But those that are at My feet, I shall lift up into My face says the LORD.”

 

In HIS Grace and Mercy,
~ Sherry Edwards Mackey

The Fragrance of Forgiveness

As she pressed into that house the religious scoffed and mocked her. Some even knowing her personally scorned her even though they were as guilty as she. But in the pious pride of the establishment, they kept the mask of hypocrisy on.

Hear the word of the LORD:

“I came for the sick, the weak and the outcast.  In the midst of religious hypocrisy I sat at the table, divinely appointed for such a time.  A sinful woman who desperately pressed into that house, against all hope believed in hope for her future.

As she pressed into that house the religious scoffed and mocked her. Some even knowing her personally scorned her even though they were as guilty as she.  But in the pious pride of the establishment, they kept the mask of hypocrisy on.

The woman offered the most expensive thing she had.  She offered the perfume and she broke open the alabaster box and her tears bathed My feet.  She worshiped at My feet, her glory wiped My feet.  She identified with the only hope for her soul.  She wanted true unconditional love.

The perfume that was once used for attracting men to fill the void of her heart, was now applied to My feet.  Her reputation in the community was that of trash, yet she made a mark on My heart in her great love.  She was forgiven of many things therefore she could only come up.

Did I know what kind of woman she was?  Her remembrance went down in history for a memorial.

The highest place is lowest place at My feet in brokenness.  In your brokenness you release fragrance.  I will fill that void with love in your heart.  For those that lift themselves up shall be brought low.  But those that are at My feet, I shall lift up into My face.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him.  And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.  And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying this man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.  And he saith, “Master, say on!”

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty, and when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.

Tell me therefor, which of them will love him most?  Simon answered and said, “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.”   And He said unto him, “Thous hast rightly judged.”

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, “Seest thou this woman?  I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

Thous gavest me no kill: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.  My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.  And He said unto her,  “Thy sins are forgiven.”

And they that sat at meat with Him began to say within themselves, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?”

And He said to the woman, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”   (Luke 7:36-7:50KJV)

 

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