Tag Archives: Truth

Called To Guard the Light

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

To be Christian is to share blood ties with every human because Christ shed blood for the redemption of all men without partiality. Christ gave His life as a ransom for all pagans and savages, and in case you have not been enlightened, by the standards of GOD that is all humans before atonement. I used that verbiage because the wealth of so many associated with Christianity has been built upon the exploitation of those considered pagans and savages. To truly know Christ is to know that all people are lovable and equal in their need for His amazing grace. The scripture does not say that GOD so loved Christians or Jews or Whites or Blacks or Republicans or Democrats that He gave His only begotten son, it reads:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John3:16 KJV)

The word world used in John 3:16 is a reference to all the people which live on earth. This is covered in the whosoever used in the same verse, defined by Merriam Webster as whatever person, no matter who. Christ stated that the evidence of someone living subject to His teachings is that they love as He loved (John 13:34-35). Anyone that does not love whatever person, no matter who has not received the teachings of Christ and therefore should not be considered a Christian by themselves or others. This may sound harsh but I encourage you to read the words of Christ in Matthew 25:31-46 .

The hard and indifferent hearts shown to the world by so many who associate themselves with Christ the Savior is damaging. Christ says if we do not gather with Him, then we scatter abroad. If we confess His name and then refuse to love, our witness pushes people further away. Anyone who watches the news or spends any time on social media can identify the hate which is being perpetuated in the world today. We cannot be afraid to call it what it is and denounce it.

I was reading an article my daughter sent me recently, which she said reminded her of an ongoing conversation we have had regarding the disunity in Christian organizations. She sent me a link to a letter posted by the pastor of Cornerstone Church in Atlanta, explaining why his ministry has left the Southern Baptist Convention. He provided a very detailed, gracious, and heartfelt explanation. In expounding on how he came to this decision, he spoke about the issues he witnessed with those professing they wanted unity without a willingness to acknowledge or tear down the walls which divide. It reminded me of the work Paul was trying to accomplish in his letter to the Ephesians. In trying to bring the Church in Ephesus together as one body, chapter 4 emphasizes Paul’s belief that there had to be permeating truth which all submitted to. Paul understood the Satan tries to keep people lost by mingling darkness with light, blurring the true with the false.

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (Ephesians 4:14-15 KJV)

On the topic of unity in the Church, I recommend studying the book of Ephesians. The Apostle Paul gives us a field manual for living in an age of misinformation.

Essentially it is the things we have in common which facilitates our bond of unity. As Christians, that would be our emersion in the two great commandments which Christ gave.

“The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31, NKJV)

GOD is truth. As Christians, we should love truth with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. If we deny truth, or are in different to truth, then we are failing the first of the great commandments. This will cause division between us and GOD, as well as those like Him. Those like Him being the Church born in the image of GOD. As Christians, acknowledging and submitting to truth is the mechanism which works in us to destroy the falsehoods which divide us from GOD and one another. The founding virtue for sustainable life is a love for truth. Salvation has come to man in the form of the Light of life, this light is the truth.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NKJV)

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 NKJV)

To be captive is to be confined or held in a particular space as a prisoner. The truth comes and liberates us from being imprisoned by the powers of darkness in false ideas, beliefs, and ways of thinking. The Truth has come and freed us with the power to choose and given us the motivation to choose righteously. The truth provides us the freedom and means to have an enduring unity with GOD and His children. As we live by the rule of love in light of truth, we find we are compelled to see the same conclusions to the circumstances of this life. Though we may differ in approach, as our callings and talents are different, we aspire to see the same end, that love prevails, and GOD is glorified, and evil is abolished. The Lord has gone to great lengths to ensure that His will is known. When the truth is known and there is still opposition to the Lord’s will, evil is at work plain and simple. If our hearts are surrendered to GOD then our hearts are pure and we will see the truth, but if we are opposed to GOD or unsettled in our decision to obey, the devil will exploit that to create confusion. The devil will often try to cloud matters with campaigns of misinformation and lies. The devil will also employ campaigns of fear to incite panic towards stampedes of irrational thoughts and beliefs to cause truth and love to be trampled underfoot. 

The problem with the world is a lack of knowledge. As we continue to publish the gospel of truth in the context of current day, there is hope for those still in the world. A problem I encounter often with confessing Christians is a lack of repentance from sin due to a love of this present world. Christ sees it as adultery, and it will bring dire consequences if the Church will not repent.

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. (Revelations 2:1-5 NKJV)

I believe the first love is a love for truth, and the first works are the works of repentance driven by a zeal for truth. This process keeps us moving toward GOD and driving us away from that which is false. I struggled with this at first, as I read the beginning of this address to the church of Ephesus, they looked like such a strong congregation, but it is similar to many Christian organizations today that are busy doing a lot of good things for the kingdom yet in their midst are still things yet to be acknowledged and repented of. Failing to confront error and falsehoods for the sake of avoiding division is like ignoring the presence of cancer that has come to consume the whole body. It is better to part with the root of the division and trust GOD to heal the body than to conceal it and let the whole body be destroyed. When we are graced with the light of truth, it is given for us to do the work which is only possible while the illumination is present. There is a darkness which comes afterwards where nothing good can be achieved.

35 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. (John 12:35 NKJV)

Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” GOD is truth and light, to continue abiding in truth and light we must keep our hearts pure. This means our affections must remain with GOD and the things that pertain to His kingdom. Satan will always come offering us wealth, power, and pleasures to seduce us away from the acknowledgement of truth. Truth is acknowledged through obedience, which is submission to truth. We are responsible for what we know, don’t let anyone beguile you with empty promises or meaningless words. The apostacy or falling away of the church is what happens when people are lured away from obedience to GOD to allegiance with this world in the pursuit of the pleasures of carnal living.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. (Ephesians 5:6-11 KJV)

If we are not willing to address and reprove the works of darkness when we see them in our fellowship of believers or the church abroad, then we are complicit with the contamination of the body of Christ and partly responsible for His name being evil spoken of. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have been sharing the gospel with someone needing salvation and they have given me accounts of how the unfaithful Christians have failed to represent truth and righteousness, or how the church has seldom collectively denounced the unrighteousness of errant public figures or oppressive states associated with Christianity. Sometimes it’s not pretty but remember, Christ says He came not to bring peace but a sword. Sometimes to facilitate unity there must be some division. When lines are blurred it is difficult to know where people stand. Separating light from darkness creates the contrast needed to make lines and definitions clear. Light and darkness both exist in the earth. The light is called morning and the darkness is called night. To tell the time people must be able to distinguish between light and darkness. As Christians, we are called to guard the purity of the light.

Be of Good Cheer, Christ Makes Us Overcomers

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

I watched a Netflix special yesterday called, “The Social Dilemma.”  This docudrama did a great job of presenting the conundrum we face today as a result of the devil’s work. The devil’s work is obscuring truth. In fact, toward the end of the film there is consensus amongst the experts interviewed that the problem we face today with the growing division is the difficulty civilization faces trying to ascertain truth. The hopelessness in their tone was palpable. Christ taught that if we meditate in His word to know His will unto obedience then we would know the truth and the truth would make us free. We live in a world where the wealth of most nation has been built on the bondage of people. This bondage has consisted of fetters on the body and the mind. This bondage is perpetuated through the suppression of truth. This suppression has taken the form of book burnings, censorship, deceit through omission of facts, and deceit through diluting of facts. The strength of deception is idolatry; a desire for something above the desire for truth. The only way to find true north and to stay on course in such a whirlwind of deception is to maintain a pure heart through the power of Love.  True love that cares for all others as much as for one’s self. The establishment of this love in the hearts of men is the mission of the gospel. The Bible teaches us that love is the fulfillment of the law since love commits no evil against its neighbor. If we don’t have the power to love, then we are doomed.

The light of the Gospel allows us to see love and to differentiate it from selfish and destructive behavior. When we make a determination to deny the expression of selfishness from our lives, we make a way for love to be glorified in us. Love is more powerful than selfishness and truth is more powerful than deception. GOD is love and truth, and Christ is the expression of GOD. Salvation is the process of submitting to the rule of love and truth from your heart. It takes time for the spirit of GOD to walk us through the deceptions we have been contaminated with. The Lord walks us through our soul, liberating us by identifying and dispelling falsehoods and establishing truth. He is fully committed to this work in us and gives us grace and mercy throughout the process, but we must be committed as well. This is why we must daily take up the cross. In other words, this is why we must daily make a fresh commitment to yield to the work of salvation.  Teaming up with GOD in this way will eradicate sin from our lives…permanently! If we continue in sin, it is due to ignorance, the lust of pride, or unbelief. This is a very simple view of salvation, but it is needed because evil has made it so complex. My sincere prayer for you is that you will have peace and joy through unity with GOD by embracing the full gospel of Christ.

Shining Light On “Matter”

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

If a sheet of paper is sold but is never printed upon to be seen or read, how much did it really matter. If that paper is used to relay a message of hate or death, did it ever become something of value. I know these are somewhat relative questions, but I want you to ponder the message of your life. Your life is like a blank sheet of paper produced to deliver a message to all who encounter you. What is the message you were created to deliver? What is the impact of the message you display and how well do you know the author? The late Dr. Myles Munroe once said, “Where purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable.” If you haven’t pondered the questions above regarding your life, then by definition you have not made your life “matter.” Matter is defined as the subject under consideration. There are many others with considerations for your life, but what is most important is the message the Creator has given you to share. Purpose can only be discovered in the mind of the Creator because He holds the reason why you matter. Matter is also defined as the substance a physical thing is composed of, however without the first definition I gave, the second one really doesn’t matter. As sign can be composed of wood, metal, or plastic, but what really makes it matter is the message it signifies like, Stop, Entrance, Exit, or Dead End.

Before you dismiss your existence as a mere accident, irrelevant, or without purpose, consider these facts. For you to be reading this the following occurrences had to take place precisely. You had to be selected from 6,000,000 eggs to make a group of 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 by 40 weeks; From that 1,000,000 or 2,000,000 you had to be selected from a group of around 300,000 within the next 12 or so years; then of that 300,000 or so you had to avoid being apart of the 1,000 eggs eliminated every month for the next 144 months (if your mother gave birth to you around the age of 24). Each month, while trying to avoid elimination, of the remaining hundreds of thousands of eggs, only 1 egg will be selected for a chance to be fertilized. When you were chosen to be that egg, there still had to be coordination between two people who had undergone the same selection process, and they had to meet at the right moment in all of time, and at the right place in all of space and then come together during an opportune moment which lasted about 10 to 24 hours. Why that egg, union, and earth day was chosen for you is revealed through a relationship between you and your Heavenly Father, the Creator. The key words in all that I have shared are “chosen” and “selected.” These words infer purpose because the coordination of your life took a mastermind, not chance.   

For something to have matter, it is only because it first mattered. Purpose proceeds creation. Love is what nurtures and reveals that purpose. GOD is love. Fulfill your purpose by seeking GOD through studying and applying the principles of love which are revealed through holy scripture and creation.  

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV)

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse… (Romans 1:19-20 KJV)

Our lives matter more than we or others tend to know. By walking in the discipline of Love, we ensure the time we have is leveraged for the best outcomes.

Finding GOD Today

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

Here is here

There is a veil which separates us from the reality and truth of GOD, it is the carnal mind. The carnal mind holds us captive to our five senses and our experiences in this natural world. However, we can transcend the limitations of the natural world to experience the things of the spirit if we allow the truth of GOD to influence our awareness. I am not speaking here about hallucinations or having a vivid imagination. I am referring to experiencing the eternal things of GOD which this physical world is just a shadow of. It really doesn’t have to be this deep metaphysical concept. Just think of the things which are invisible to the natural eye with out the use of a microscope, telescope, or light manipulation. There are things in the air around us all the time which are beyond the threshold of natural perception.

I have not had a vision like John on the isle of Patmos when he was given the book of Revelations. I have not seen a spectacle like the three disciples did when YESHUA was transfigured before them, as He was described in Matthew 17:2, “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.” What I have experienced is answered prayer which was to specific and timely to be called a coincidence. I have experienced enlightenment of the Spirit, understanding and wisdom gained without being taught by another man. I have experienced newness of life and deliverance from sin by the resurrection life of Christ springing up inside me. I know I have been made free indeed. I have had servants of GOD give me a word of knowledge relating to specific things in my life of which they had no way of being aware of without the intervention of GOD. I have experienced the presence of GOD in a tangible way that I can only describe as my soul being held in a peace and joy which brought a stillness which gave me rest, rejuvenation, and strength like cool water, shade, and a nice breeze on a scorching desert journey. I have had that presence accompany me as I journey through life in a much more personal way than the glory cloud which accompanied the children of Israel in the wilderness. In my experience, as well as the children of Israel’s, the accompanying body was the presence of GOD. The difference is that I have embraced the truth of GOD’s love in the manifestation of His presence which allows me to hold the experience in a more intimate way, even though the pillar of fire and the glory cloud which accompanied them was actually visible to the eye.

The love of GOD opens the heart to His enduring reality. Often, if you are not looking for something, you will not see it even though it is present. Your lack of focus on something can obscure it from your sight. The truth of GOD, when held with a focus on His love, brings a lot of things into focus which have always been present though seemingly invisible. I cannot tell you how many testimonies I have heard from those now awakened to GOD’s love now able to see His hand working in their past. The reality of GOD’s love frees you from the rapid pace of this world, which is driven by burning lust and winds of distraction, to a rhythm slow enough to appreciate the abundance of GOD’s presence in every moment. This is the reality behind these statements of YESHUA;

“28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29 KJV)

“9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:9-10 KJV)

Don’t be deceived. If you have not surrendered to the obedience of GOD’s word, you have not truly accepted the reality of His love. Your disobedience testifies that you don’t fully trust Him. You are still trying to live by your own methods instead of surrendering to the fact that you didn’t give yourself life, so you alone can’t sustain your life. How can you trust what you do not know? How can you know what you are not seeking? How can you seek what you do not desire? This is where the deception of the devil is revealed. The great deceiver convinces us that our desire is for natural things, which yields fleeting pleasures which keeps us chasing. This misdirected focus and chasing becomes the source of blindness and bondage. There are moments when the deception fades and people see they are lost due to a broken heart, emptiness found in something pursued, or tragedy, causing them to pause from their busyness and contemplate their life. Times like now.

If you have not already, it is time to turn your focus to GOD. Time to stop and ask GOD to reveal His love to you. Time to ask Him to help you process your pain and disappointments with life. Time to ask Him to rescue your heart. Time to surrender control of your life to the one who created you for His love. If GOD didn’t allow us to see the kind of mess we make outside of His guidance, we would never turn to Him. The turmoil we see in the world today is the result of men loving darkness more than light and following lies rather than truth. It would be even worse if not for the mercies of GOD. There is a refuge for our souls in GOD. In the turmoil of today there is still a peace and rest available in His presence. Begin each day by asking GOD to reveal Himself in the moments around you and allow the truth of His love to create expectation and hope. Never doubt that GOD loves you and gave Himself in the person of Christ to win your heart and your trust. GOD’s love for you is always present and real whether you sense it or not. Know that whenever you inhale, His love is present in that breath. Let your inhale be a “Thank You” and your exhale an “Amen.” As we grow in the awareness of GOD’s abiding presence, our lives become a continuous ceremony of worship.

The Light Makes the Choice Clear

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

No CHoice

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:6-17 KJV)

If you confess to be a child of GOD in Christ, the scripture cited above reminds you that the light of the life of Christ in you should be reproving the darkness that is around you. This word “reprove” was translated from a Greek word “elegeho” which means to convict, admonish, and rebuke by convincing of error and sin. Here is a look at what these words mean:

Admonish=> to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement in a gentle way.

Surely you can advise and encourage one of your family members in Christ to live better if you see them straying from the path of love and righteousness.

Convict=> to convince of error or sinfulness by presenting sound biblical principles.

Have you been in GOD’s presence and His word enough to rightly divide darkness from light by the sword of the spirit? As children of light our responsibility is to liberate those taken captive by darkness through giving the light of Truth.

Reprove=> To reprimand sharply from a place of authority.

Have you given your friends and family authority to call you out when you are behaving contrary to who and what you profess to be, because you care so deeply about the testimony of Christ, which you represent, or do you get angry in pride and retaliate? By confessing that Christ is your Lord, you acknowledge that the WORD of GOD is the final authority in your life regardless of the vessel presenting Him.

When our merciful GOD says enough is enough and pours out His wrath on those who have their hearts set on doing evil, will you be a partaker with them? People often think of taking the Lord’s name in vain as saying His name in an irreverent way. While that is offensive, it is far worse to call yourself a Christian yet not be truly dedicated to living as He lived. YESHUA admonished, convicted, and reproved people demonstrating that it is a requisite of love. The motive is not to put people down or to glory in their faults, so that you can feel better about yourself. The motive is born out of a desire to see people realize their true potential and live their best life possible and to safeguard them from condemnation.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1 KJV)

The correct understanding of the verse above is that you will avoid condemnation if you are not walking in the flesh, but after the spirit. Don’t be deceived by words with no root in truth coming from those who just want to make merchandise of you. Embrace those who love you enough to tell you the truth and love others enough to be an example of Light. Cultivate a love for TRUTH which illuminates the path to LIFE.

The devil is always trying to deceive and distract and to lure us away from the call of GOD. Right now, there is a call to choose sides and align yourself, but not along political, national, or racial lines. Our GOD is calling all people to choose Him and to align themselves with His word and His spirit. That is the real choice before us all. Only allegiance to GOD can deliver us from this present evil. The answer is not trying to unify with each other, the answer is everyone unifying with GOD who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Unifying with GOD will automatically bring all those who answer His call together. Let no man deceive you with vain words. As many of you contemplate casting your ballot in November, don’t go another day without casting your cares on YESHUA the Christ. Put your hope in Him alone for your life and your future. As He represents you in heaven, make a determination to represent Him in the earth. Who are you promoting and campaigning for? If it is not Christ, you have chosen the wrong side.

 

 

Counterfeit Manhood

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Hoodlum

Men primarily remember King David for two acts in his life. One, for slaying the giant Goliath, whom everyone else was afraid of. Two, for his adulterous relationship with the beautiful Bathsheba. Though these two events are often recalled in men’s ministries and are often highlighted in recounts of King David’s life, Christ isn’t recorded mentioning either of these two events, nor are they mentioned in any of the letters of the New Testament. Why do men glory in those aspects of David? It is because most men struggle to understand the calling of manhood, and as a result of this, they adopt the consensus view. The popular view, often adopted for the safety of the crowd, has been authored by the devil. In order to steal the glory of GOD from men, the devil offers them a counterfeit. Understand, the devil is a counterfeit dealer. This is how people get destroyed for a lack of knowledge; because they lack knowledge of what is genuine and true.

In this case, men lack knowledge of the true image of GOD. This is relevant because men were created to live in GOD’s image. A lack of knowledge is also why religious men are perplexed at the idea of King David being a man after GOD’s own heart. After all, King David committed murder and adultery. Too often, religious men don’t know the heart of GOD. This is a result of men seeking GOD’s benefits more than His laws and precepts; just like the multitudes sought the loaves of YEHSUA more than His words. GOD’s word’s, laws, and precepts reveal His heart and mind. Due to men having accepted the counterfeit manhood offered by the devil, we find ourselves in a world filled with a lust for power and external beauty. This post is not about “The Godfather” as much as it is a look at why so many men embrace what he embodied. There is also significant admiration for the character Tony Montana in the movie “Scarface”.

GODfather

If you look across the spectrum of men, to include the religious and non-religious, you will find that the majority of men view success as the accumulation of wealth, power, and external beauty. In the non-religious sector, you will see the picture of success being the billionaire maverick with his power and trappings. In the religious sector you will find the picture of success attributed to the pastor with the mega-church and large campus. Some in the religious arena have gone as far as to conform the testimony of Christ, saying He was rich with the goods of this world, and had many wives. The lies of the devil are so infused into this world that it is like a strong current sweeping all away. This is no doubt why YAHWEH sent salvation as an anchor of truth, a rock, and a firm foundation, on which we have been called to build our identities, our values, and our lives.

“Let us look at the first example of the man whose identity is tied to his money. What happens to this man when his business fails due to a change in the market? He becomes laden with insecurity as a man. A man afflicted with insecurity will often project those feeling on others by assuming that others think less of him. What will this man do to maintain his financial prowess? Almost anything! Many men have had their consciences seared in the pursuit of financial riches, or trying to maintain financial wealth. Whatever controls your identity has mastery over you.

If you derive your sense of self-worth and identity from temporal things, you will never be a sound, stable person. For a man to make a good husband or father, he must be a stable person; this means his identity and values must have a firm foundation.”

The quotation above was taken from chapter 7 of my book, “True Heritage: Recovering From Spiritual Identity Theft ” There is a chapter entitled, “The Firm Foundation.” In this chapter I write about the problems men and women face when their identities aren’t anchored in the Truth of GOD, and the benefits reaped from a life securely resting in GOD’s hands.

To obtain this salvation we must be willing to release all the false things we have come to be identified with. This step toward salvation is the one which causes so many to draw back. Some have deceived themselves into thinking they have taken this necessary step; however, it is obvious they are still adrift in the currents of the world by their fears and lust and conversation.

Men often extol King David however Christ says there has been none born of flesh greater than John the Baptist. Men do not have much affection toward living in the wilderness dressed in camel’s hair with a diet of locust and honey. The carnal mind will cause you to see those components of John’s life instead of the anointing, the holiness, and favor from GOD. Much in the same way the carnal mind misses King’s David abandon to GOD, and his soul wrenching transparency, and his burning thirst for truth. David wanted to be GOD’s man, nothing more or nothing less.

If we are ever to be fulfilled, mature, and the people we were ordained to be, we must learn to take our hunger, thirst, and questions to GOD in humility. We must be ready to center ourselves in the truth of GOD and put our faith in Him, no matter the calculated cost. No matter how we see the cost, we must also understand we do not have the mathematics or expressions to fully quantify the rewards of trusting GOD. The things of creation were never meant to totally satisfy you because they were given as trinkets to draw us unto the Creator. Creation gives moments of satisfaction however communion with the Creator Himself is everlasting peace and joy.

When the things of this world are folded up and put away, like a completed game of monopoly, only those willing to become as bankrupt to the world, living in spirit and truth to gain Christ, will be considered the true winners.

 

That Didn’t Hurt!…Really?

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clay and the potter 2

“That didn’t hurt!” Not acknowledging the pain may stroke your pride but it doesn’t bring true healing. It doesn’t remove the poisonous venom of the serpent which bit you. Black people do not take power back from white supremacist by fondly calling each other the “N” word. Neither does women take power back from misogynist by celebrating their sexual prowess. Each of those methods of restoration are still sourced from the serpent’s bite and neither removes the poison. Both methods are man’s attempt to heal himself and be his own savior.

“Until we learn to trust God, we will be dominated by the selfish orientation of self-preservation. If we cannot accept that we are dearly beloved of God, and precious in His sight, there is no way we are going to stop promoting our false selves in pride. There must be hope in God’s love and trust that His intentions are always good toward us. We have to open ourselves to a love relationship with God that includes His chastisement and correction, which are necessary for our fulfillment. It is impossible to please God without the faith that works by the knowledge of His steadfast love. You will never surrender to the potter until you trust His loving hands, and you will never know freedom until He touches you.”

That was an excerpt from my book entitled, True Heritage: Recovering From Spiritual Identity Theft. The pathway to healing is allowing the one who made you to touch your wounds, and then living your life in the reality of His presence and light. The pressures and blows of this world can disfigure you. Don’t try to hide your disfiguration under transparent coverings or with make-up that runs with your tears. You were made in GOD’s image so let Him be your standard and ask for His touch whenever you are hurt or find something in yourself which falls short of His glory. His gift is beauty for ashes, restoration for humility and repentance.

Understanding the Hunger of the Soul

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

The hungary soul

It is a reality that we were made for GOD. YAHWEH created us to fill us with His love, so inherently we have an infinite capacity for Him, because He is an infinite being. What happens when we are not in relationship with Him and are incapable of receiving all the love He has for us? We end up with a hunger which seems insatiable. This displaced hunger is the root of all addiction and the strength of the bondage to sin. Men try in futility to satisfy their soul with things created instead of the Creator. Because creation is from GOD it brings some satisfaction, however it is not fulfilling because only the Creator can fulfill the soul. The devil exploits the condition of man’s disconnect from GOD to bind him to sin. The devil deceives man into thinking that sin can satisfy him, but it only leads to bondage. Men become slaves to sin because in order to maintain the fleeting satisfaction, they must continually indulge, or the dissatisfaction of their lives resurfaces. True freedom is not to need anything from this world system in order to have peace or joy. Of course we need the basics of creation to maintain healthy lives, however you can look at the extremes of materialism around you to see there is something deeper at work than a sober pursuit of a means to live healthy and securely.

Through ignorance and deception, men have taken the deep longing for GOD and aimed it at pleasures and symbols of validation to satisfy the soul, and it doesn’t work. It doesn’t work because the things of this world are temporal and fleeting. Look at the teaching of the Apostle Peter related to this matter,

13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 20 He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. (1st Peter 1:13-21 NKJV)

It is evident throughout history that the men before us sought the wealth of gold and silver more than the wealth of the knowledge and wisdom of GOD, and it resulted in their moral decay and destruction. There are numerous examples around us today of those wealthy in the things of this world yet with out true peace and joy. Unfortunately, even in the face of countless examples, many still are deceived into thinking the acceptance of people and the gathering of material things can heal the heart. We must learn to live in the revelation that our soul salvation is in GOD alone, for it is only then that you can be free. The powers of darkness will continually try to ensnare you with the “trappings” of this world.

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (1st Timothy 6:9-11 KJV)

This is the line of thought behind popular Buddhist teachings, the concept of detachment from lust and desires in order to find peace and contentment, however it misses the mark of truth because the resting place of our soul is not any state of Nirvana but in the abundance of the life of GOD. The fire or suffering of the soul is not quenched through the delusion of “I don’t need anything,” the fire of the soul is quenched through the living waters given through YAHWEH the Messiah.

6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)

9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:6-14 KJV)

The answer is not in overindulgence or complete denial, the answer lies in the fulfillment of the soul through the life that is in YESHUA the Messiah, which liberates us to live in enlightened moderation, righteously without dependence. The cross is where we detach from the slavery of insatiable carnal desires to reach our predestined state of fruitful branches, attached to the tree of life which supplies all we need for the soul to flourish, through the conduit of the Spirit.  This is the true salvation of the soul through YESHUA HAMASHIACH, Jesus the Savior.

 

 

Witnessing Revival

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

Revival

We have to get away from the mythology of history and the mythology of the gospel. The problem in the church today is that they are preaching a mythological Jesus Christ. Mythological means represented more by tradition and acceptance than truth. The majority of church goers don’t identify with the real Christ, because just like when He walked the earth in the flesh, often the leaders and the elders in the church reject Him, and turn the people against Him.

“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.” (Matt 27:20 KJV)

The Jesus often preached today, is more like Barabbas, someone that fits better within this political climate and has more appeal to the people. The mess we see in the world today is what happens when there is more darkness than light. There is not much light coming from the church because there is not much truth coming out of the church. The truth is, most people want nothing to do with GOD other than His blessings. That’s why there is all this talk of preaching a gospel centered on a Savior that is just loving and accepting. One that only blesses. That is not characteristic of GOD, nor ever was. YESHUA the Christ wasn’t popular, beloved, or well received. Here is the truth:

“He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” (Isaiah 53:3 KJV).

It is because He spoke the truth without respect of persons, and He refused to comply with this world. He was uncompromising in His spiritual and divine nature, which made Him alien to the carnal masses. Xenophobia isn’t a new phenomenon. You leaders and elders of church congregations, who are preaching this non-judgmental, all accepting, bait and switch gospel, aren’t serving Christ, you are serving your own popularity. Love is not measured by how it makes people feel, it is measured by how much it resembles GOD in word and deed. The Savior came to earth as pure love and He was rejected by mankind. Stop trying to package the gospel in a way that entices people. People appetites are carnal, and you are making the gospel carnal in order to get numbers. What good are you doing people if they are accepted by you but rejected by GOD, because they are not spiritual.

“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John 4:23 KJV)

There is revival happening in the land. It is a revival of spirit and truth. The worldy and the carnal will not partake. The only ones who can partake are those who surrender their lives on the cross, out of love for the lamb of GOD, the Lion of Judah, YESHUA HAMASHIACH, Christ our Savior. If anyone offers you any other solution or means of salvation, they are trying to get something from you. It may be your money, your gift, or just your approval. This world can only change for those who are willing to change from the world. The world can only change as the people change. This is why Christ calls for the surrender of your life. He wants to do a new work in you that will change you and the world for the better.

Being About Your Father’s Business

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Faith in business

The injustice in the world today is nothing new and neither is the source. The book of knowledge and wisdom tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil. This truth indicates that those in business are closest to the root of the problem, since business is the means by which money is exchanged. 1st Timothy 6:10 is the origin of this often misquoted maxim.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Tim 6:10 KJV)

The phrase “love of money” in this verse comes from the Greek word “philarguria”, which translates to fondness of silver. This word comes from part of the same root as the Greek word “Philanthropia”, which translates fondness of mankind, and is where we get the word philanthropy. If you look at the meaning of each of these words, then it becomes clear what the bible is trying to relay in the verse cited above. It also becomes clear why there is so much chaos in the world today.

The cited scripture is not in reference to everyone. It speaks of people erring from the faith. We know the faith in reference because this quote comes from a Christian bible. True Christianity is based on faith in the testimony of Jesus Christ, who gave His life to save mankind. So, without question, we know that Christianity is founded on a love for mankind. This understanding explains why the love of money is then considered erring from the faith. Those who confess to follow Christ should exhibit a love for mankind instead of a love for money.

To my Christian brothers and sisters, what is reflected most in your business? Is it the love of mankind or a love of money? Do you put what is humane and equitable before what is financially profitable? History is polluted with the business of putting money before humanity. Just look at the history of America. We know that the love for Africans did not exceed a love for the profit to be made from their enslavement. We know the love for Native Americans did not exceed the love for the profit to be made from their lands. Is this just a recollection of America’s sins from the past or is this sorrow piercing so many through today evidence that America has not yet repented? America as a government never erred from the faith, because America as a government never employed the teachings of Christ. Christ gave His life for the sake of ALL mankind. The business of this country has always been for the sake of a few.

This a call for the Christians of this nation. Those who profess to live according to the one which put His love of mankind before His own life. You are the light of the world. If your light is hidden from your business, then we lose the light where it is darkest. Business is where decisions are made which impact our whole civilization. The way to remove the chaos from the boardwalks, is to promote a love for mankind in the boardrooms. The corrosion of society stems from morally bankrupt capitalism. All human endeavors must be rooted in the purpose of making life better for all, or humanity will fail as a whole. These words may not find a home in every heart, but my hope is that they will resonate in hearts where the faith of Christ is resident.