Have You Paid the Cost?

Earlier this week in our Evangelism class, an interesting question was asked. "Is appropriate to say that salvation is not free, though this is what we often hear in church?" I too have heard expressions like, "Salvation is free, but the anointing will cost you something." Well, from my point of view, salvation is not free either.

In response to the question, I posed this scenario to the class: If my husband bought me a $10,000 ring and gave it to me, it would be a gift to me, but it by no means came free. His sacrifice would be required in order to purchase the ring, and he would gift it to me only because of the value I have become to him personally. On the other hand, if my husband went to the Pawn shop and picked up a ring for 35 cents, I would be terribly upset, even though the ring didn't cost me anything personally. Why? Because it has no value, and he has not made a sacrifice symbolic of my worth to him. Hmmm....

God brought this back to my remembrance this morning, when He began dealing with me about a very familiar passage of Scripture...

2 Sam 24:18 Then Gad came to David and said, Go up, rear an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
2 Sam 24:19 So David went up according to Gad's word, as the Lord commanded.
2 Sam 24:20 Araunah looked and saw the king and his servants coming toward him; and [he] went out and bowed himself before the king with his face to the ground.
2 Sam 24:21 Araunah said, Why has my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing floor from you, to build there an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
2 Sam 24:22 And Araunah said to David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Behold, here are oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and the yokes of the oxen for wood.
2 Sam 24:23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king. And Araunah said to the king, The Lord your God accept you.
2 Sam 24:24 But King David said to Araunah, No, but I will buy it of you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God of that which costs me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
2 Sam 24:25 David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord heeded the prayers for the land, and Israel's plague was stayed.

Have you paid the cost? Ahhh.... I just keep hearing God ask this question of His people. We live in such a "microwave" world these days. Even within the Body of Christ, everyone wants everything quick and free. God has been dealing with even our local body about WAITING on Him and basting in His presence. Where is the sacrifice in the Body of Christ? Where is the loyalty to the Father, despite the consequences?

God began to show me people with roots growing from their feet. Those who were willing to die and tarry had deep roots. Their arms (branches) grew long. Their leaves were full, and the fruit they bore was abundant. Then, I saw other people who refused to die to self, refused to wait on God and refused to be still. Their roots were shallow and rotten, and they quickly fell over, because they refused to be grounded!

Ahhh... God is not looking for microwave servants. The Body of Christ needs seasoned Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. We need gifts that have been proven. We need servants with a testimony. Where are those who have been tried by fire? Where are those who lost it all, but stayed loyal to ministry? These are those whom God is calling to RISE UP.

God asked me, "Why do you think the prophets of old had to suffer persecution from the people? Why do you think I allowed them to suffer?" Yes, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Hosea, Jonah and all the other GREAT prophets suffered, and many times at God's command. It was to build character. It was to allow them access to what God saw and fealt. YES, they had to PAY something for the power and authority they walked in. They were gifted, but a sacrifice was still required in order to perfect the gifts.

Saints of God, let's not be weak in this season. Let's stop looking to God to fix everything for nothing. We can't expect to have huge, impactful churches and ministries when we haven't paid the price: sweat and tears, fervent prayer, fasting and obedience. How can we expect diamonds from God when we only give Him a life worth 2 cents? Ohhh!

What are you willing to pay? God spoke this before, and I hear it again. "It will cost your life."

A Season of Abstinence...

The Lord spoke very clearly to me this morning. He said, "Behold, I am calling many to a season of abstinence. Because my people have failed to seek my face. Many have trusted the prayers of another and attempted to glean from the fasts of others. They trust the anointing on my people, yet they refuse to seek Me. They seek the Prophet yet, they have not sought my face. Their physical churches and ministries have become idols before Me. They love my people, but do not know Me. As I did in the days of Hosea, so shall I do in this hour. Their idols will no longer be able to deliver them from calamity and destruction. The prophets will prophesy judgment rather than blessings. They must cry out to Me. They must seek Me. They must pant after Me. When the people they idolize fail to comfort for a season, my people will turn back to Me. Again, I will receive the worship and reverence. Proclaim unto my people a season of abstinence. Do not be amazed when the old no longer prospers. The methods of the past will not prosper in this hour. I am a jealous God. My people will receive redemption through none other than my Son and deliverance through none other than me - the Father."


Hos 3:1 THEN SAID the Lord to me, Go again, love [the same] woman [Gomer] who is beloved of a paramour and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins [used in the sacrificial feasts in idol worship].
Hos 3:2 So I bought her for fifteen pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley [the price of a slave].
Hos 3:3 And I said to her, You shall be [betrothed] to me for many days; you shall not play the harlot and you shall not belong to another man. So will I also be to you [until you have proved your loyalty to me and our marital relations may be resumed].
Hos 3:4 For the children of Israel shall dwell {and} sit deprived many days, without king or prince, without sacrifice or [idolatrous] pillar, and without ephod [a garment worn by priests when seeking divine counsel] or teraphim (household gods).
Hos 3:5 Afterward shall the children of Israel return and seek the Lord their God, [inquiring of and requiring Him] and [from the line of] David, their King [of kings]; and they shall come in [anxious] fear to the Lord and to His goodness {and} His good things in the latter days.

Unto Whom Have You Entrusted My Presence?

1 Chr 15:1 DAVID MADE for himself houses in the City of David, and he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
1 Chr 15:2 Then David said, None should carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the Lord chose them to carry the ark of God and to minister to Him forever.
1 Chr 15:3 And David assembled all Israel at Jerusalem to bring up the ark of the Lord to its place, which he had prepared for it.
1 Chr 15:4 And David gathered together the sons of Aaron and the Levites:
1 Chr 15:5 Of the sons of Kohath, Uriel the chief, with 120 kinsmen;
1 Chr 15:6 Of the sons of Merari, Asaiah the chief, with 220 kinsmen;
1 Chr 15:7 Of the sons of Gershom, Joel the chief, with 130 kinsmen;
1 Chr 15:8 Of the sons of Elizaphan, Shemaiah the chief, with 200 kinsmen;
1 Chr 15:9 Of the sons of Hebron, Eliel the chief, with 80 kinsmen;
1 Chr 15:10 Of the sons of Uzziel, Amminadab the chief, with 112 kinsmen.
1 Chr 15:11 And David called for Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and for the Levites--Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab,
1 Chr 15:12 And said to them, You are the heads of the fathers' houses of the Levites; sanctify yourselves, both you and your brethren, that you may bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it.
1 Chr 15:13 For because you bore it not [as God directed] at the first, the Lord our God broke forth upon us--because we did not seek Him in the way He ordained.
1 Chr 15:14 So the priests and the Levites sanctified themselves to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel.
1 Chr 15:15 The Levites carried the ark of God on their shoulders with the poles, as Moses commanded by the word of the Lord.
1 Chr 15:16 David told the chief Levites to appoint their brethren the singers with instruments of music--harps, lyres, and cymbals--to play loudly and lift up their voices with joy.
_____

My Father really dealt with me last night about the disrespect we have for His glory and His presence. He gave me this Scripture and began to express His anger about so many things we have done in the Body of Christ to disrespect His presence, His anointing and His glory. I literally cried and hurt in my body over the disrespect and neglect the Lord showed me.

When David prepared to have the ark of the covenant placed in the temple, he stated called on the Levites, the CHOSEN priests of God, to carry the ark. This is so significant. The Levites were dedicated at birth and raised in total and complete holiness to serve the Father. The ark of the covenent represented God's presence - His glory. David was determined to follow the will of the Father in handling His presence.

Prior to this, David states in verse 13, God brought judgment upon the people because they did not handle the anointing the way God ORDAINED. Hmmm... The people did not seek His presence nor handle His glory as they were instructed. So, not only did the Father refuse to show up on their behalf, but He allowed calamity to come against the people.

Yes, God dealt with me so heavily about this last night. He literally spoke to me for hours about why His presence is lacking in the earth. God said it's because His chosen people have entrusted His presence and His anointing into the hands of UNHOLY VESSELS. My God! Yes, we have allowed the world to taint the presence of God. We have given them access when they were not entitled.

For some of us, God has anointed our children and chosen them from birth, just as He did the Levites. Yet, we allow the world to taint them. They watch and listen to anything the world feeds them. Then, we allow secular artists and worldly influences to come into the church and teach them. God is not pleased.

Then God began to show me Pastors. Pastors who have prayed and labored over a vision. God anointed them and birthed ministry to them. These leaders then turned around and placed His ordained works into the hands of worldly people. They seek worldly financial advisors. They place leaders on boards simply because they are family members, knowing that have no relationship with the Father. God is not pleased.

What about the many of us who have been called into ministry, but allow the world to shut our mouths? Yes, THIS ONE STUNG ME. God told me He has anointed some of us. He has called many of us. He has placed His hand of favor over us. Yet, we take the very anointing and presence of God that is within us, and make it subject to man. Yes, we allow the world to shut our mouths. We allow unholy vessels to tell us we are not worthy.

Unto whom have you entrusted my presence? To whom have you given access to my glory? God is saying we must follow His protocol and protect the anointing. We must value His presence again. "Cast not your pearls before swine," says the Father.

Saints, we must stop accepting everything that comes within church walls. Notice in the Scripture that the LEVITES chose who would praise and worship God in the temple. They were appointed to anoint singers and dancers. STOP LETTING THE WORLD DICTATE WHAT WE DO IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE!!! God's way or no way! Just as the Father chose the Levites, today He has chosen who will carry His anointing and carry out His work. We must realize - NOT ALL ARE CHOSEN. When will the Church stop lying to people? Not everybody is anointed. Not everybody is called. We cannot entrust the anointing to unclean vessels. Let God be true, and every man a liar. If we really value His presence, we will protect it from unclean access.

Saints, so many are wondering why we are praying without results. Why is God's presence not coming forth during praise and worship as it should? Why are the prophets not hearing and the seers not seeing. I keep hearing God say "Tainted, they have been tainted." My God! Sanctify yourselves.

People of God, I am begging you. Get holy. No, you can't watch everything. No, you can't hang out with everybody. No, you are not everyone's friend. No, you can't listen to what you want. No, you can't end your fast just because your family is having a cook-out. WAKE UP! It is time to make a choice. HOLINESS. SANCTIFICATION. Set yourself apart. Get in God's face, and have respect for His presence, for His glory and for His anointing.

AMEN.

Access to the Source

Mark 5 (AMP)
27 She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garment, 28 For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health. 29 And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and [ suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment.


As I was meditating on this very familiar passage of Scripture, the Lord began speaking to me about the state of the Church. So often, we are looking for God to make cosmetic "fixes" in our lives, yet we neglect to grant Him access to the source of our ailments - the root of our problems. This woman with the issue of blood suffered from a hemorrhage, yet this was only the end result of a larger, medical problem, which could be be accessed by the doctors. Because of her faith, not only was the flow of blood stopped, but it ceased FROM THE SOURCE.

How many times do our prayers request only cosmetic evaluation and change? Hmmm.... Yes, I'm guilty. "God, help me pay the gas bill. Father, please help me to lose weight." Instead of asking God to heal the source, I only want Him to deal with the end result. Ahhh... When will we begin to look at ourselves and believe God to heal the source? Yes, instead of praying for rent money, some of us just need to grant God access to the gluttony that makes us eat out every night...the covetousness that makes us want to buy the cutest shoes and the nicest purse...the poor stewardship that makes us get our hair and nails done before paying the tithes. Yes, give Him access to the SOURCE...your heart! Instead of praying for weight loss, "Lord, deal with my laziness. Help me to be a better steward over this temple. Grant me wisdom to know how to care for this body." Openness to the Father must come before He can restore HOLINESS in the vessel.

To God be the glory!

What Honor Have I Received?

I must be transparent and open in this - God has been dealing with me about being a "people-pleaser." Yes, I've always had one of those soft, compassionate personalities - one where I want everyone to be happy and be at peace, as much as possible. Yet, God is bringing me to a new level a maturity in this.

Religion has taught many of us to be at peace at all times...refrain from stirring the waters and causing strife. To some point this is good advice, yet we are in a season where the enemy must be exposed. This means some will get mad. Some will not like me. Many will slander my name and threaten my well-being. Yet, God's judgment must come forth. His heart must be communcated to His people. This is not a season to be popular or well-liked. It is a season to be favored of the Father rathen than man.

John 5:44 How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise {and} honor {and} glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise {and} honor {and} glory which come from Him Who alone is God?

Again, I must be transparent. God has rebuked me many times for getting so upset when people don't receive me. The Lord had to remind me..."They are not rejecting you, but they are rejecting Me, your Father." None of us are above correction and rebuke, but be encouraged. If you KNOW you hear the Father and are working according to His will, EXPECT FRICTION. Even in the Body, there are many who will doubt.

Too many have ministries that are highly esteemed by men. Yet, the leaders don't hear the voice of God. They cannot discern spirits. They are not in tune to God's plan. Are we to expect these who walk in darkness to lead the Body into all truth? God forbid.

We must learn to trust that God that lies within us. We must learn to understand our gifts and use them for the Body. It is not about us, but the Kingdom. It's all about pleasing the Father. Let God be true, and every man a liar.

Evangelism Redefined

a homeless man sitting in the street

enduring the cold and extreme summer heat

he heard the Gospel, thought his life was once whole

but his salvation was not complete - purity was never his goal

being homeless is not a sin

but he also smoked and drank

and prostitutes were the distraction

that kept his paycheck from the bank

he'd met an evangelist

on the corner one day

who preached the love of God

said Jesus was the only way

he'll come into your life

and freely cleanse you from sin

all the poverty and pain

you'll never feel again

all that you've endured, he said

was only for a season

the Father was pulling you toward Himself

all for a divine reason

wealth is stored up for the saints

now your prosperity is near

just repeat this little prayer

and your life will change right here

so the man visited the evangelist's church

and was treated so well at the start

he became a mascot for the entire congregation

but there was no change in his heart

you see, we're all about God's business

the members began to proclaim

come one, come all into the house of the Lord

just come as you are, in Jesus' name

as the man visited week after week

he gave offerings with expectation

you see, he'd been told it would help him to prosper

and seal his soul's salvation

for two weeks members fed him meals

loaned him suits and fine clothes

but when his offering didn't increase

their attitudes began to fold

a new trophy was brought to church

and the old man put to shame

the new trophy had a fine job

and gave thousands in Jesus' name

so one day after service

the pastor requested a chance to speak

after all we've done for you, he said

still God you will not seek

but I don't know what to do, said the man

I want to draw closer to God

loaned suits, a hot meal and a quick little prayer

seems to be all I ever got

at the beginning, I was treated so kind

I admit my flesh was pleased

but no one here ever taught me

the importance of staying on my knees

they said to me "come as you are"

never mentioned any of my sins

in fact, preacher, you must know

they looked over my faults with a grin

they told me all about grace and love

they said I didn't even have to change

said I could do and have all I wanted

so long as it's in Jesus' name

how dare you blame the saints of God

you're nothing more than an infidel

we gave you what you needed, but you failed

you're the one who has chosen hell

no place to stay, no job and no home

you don't pay any tithes and you're all alone

you're no longer wanted in this church of mine

you've really disgraced our church this time

so just that quickly, he was back in the streets

his clothes are still torn, he has nothing to eat

and now his dispair is worse than before

he's bitter toward the Church, and God he trusts no more

when you see this man on the corner

don't blame him for being so cold

this time, just tell him the truth

by the Holy Spirit, be bold

don't promise that all his troubles

will instantly be washed away

don't feed him lies and false hope

don't give him a formula to pray

explain to him that hell is real

and there's only one way of escape

accept the work of Christ on the cross

and enter through the straight gate

instead of promoting your ministry and church

teach him to seek the Father

show him how to search the Word

by which his faith will stretch further

and should he visit your church congregation

make him part of the fellowship

don't make him a trophy or mascot of hope

and don't judge him because of his hardship

but show him the love of Christ

and how to grow in God

be sincere and teach him truth

that amongst saints, he won't feel odd

don't tell him "come as you are"

but teach holiness, purity of heart

only then, o Body of Christ

can you say you have done your part

what we must always remember

evangelize as the disciples saw

yes God is gracious and merciful

but mercy comes because of the Law

whom He chastises He loves

yes, God will take care of His own

but He's also a just judge

and will punish from His holy throne

Preparation for the Proper Foundation

For the last month, God has been dealing with me about worship. The clarion call for His people in this season is to develop relationship with the Father. So, many of us have focused on worship and intimacy with Him. Yet, God has even more to say to His people. Hallelujah! I am so thankful for a Father who chastises those He loves!

During these last few weeks, the Lord has been dealing with me through the book of Ezra. Of course, I found this very interesting. Many of us NEVER pay any attention to this book, yet it offers so much insight on true worship and dedication to the Father. The book begins with a decree from Cyrus, the King, to build a house for God in Jerusalem. So, he instructs the Jews who remain after the Babylonian captivity to go back to the holy city and build a temple to Jehovah. Cyrus gathers all the temple materials that were brought out of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar during the capture of Jerusalem. Until this day, they were used in the temple of idols for the worship of false gods.

Now, just in this little bit of information shared during the first chapter, the Lord began to speak to me. So many of us often quote that we are “taking back what the devil stole from us.” The Lord showed me that a season of restoration is coming forth, but not as we may expect. “The church has allowed the world to steal from ME,” said God. This stung me when I first heard it, but God began to show me even more. The basins, bowls, vessels, jewels and fine metals that were stolen from the temple in Jerusalem were all commanded and ordained for worship. They WERE NOT FOR THE PEOPLE, but they were brought into the temple to bring glory to the Father. In the church, HOLINESS has been stolen by the world. The church has allowed the world to dictate music, to dictate the order of service. The pulpit has become a political platform, a fundraising podium and a comic relief, rather than a station for the dissemination of God’s Word. The church bows to the world and allows it to dictate song and dance. My God! How many more preachers will start service at 11:00 and end by noon, just in time to catch the game? “Holiness,” says the Lord, “is being restored.” Church, no longer can we allow the world to dictate how we serve our God. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

In the second chapter of Ezra, a count is taken of all those who returned to Jerusalem. In addition, a determination of the priestly lineage was also determined. Though they were all CALLED back to the holy city, not all were CHOSEN to take of the priestly sacraments. Again, God is speaking. Those who were of priestly lineage, but had taken spouses of unholy nations, no longer found their names in the book of the priests. Saints of God, we cannot expect to do what we wish and return to God desiring the same position and the same anointing. The day has come when some will need to SIT DOWN. God is not using everybody. This is a season where gifts and talent alone will not suffice. The Father is raising up those who have a heart for Him. He is anointing the lips of those who desire to worship rather than those that can just sing. He’s anointing the feet of those ready to dance in battle rather than those who have professional training, but no anointing. Yes, get ready for the shift. The world’s ways will no longer dictate the move of God’s people.

As chapter 3 opens, the Word says the people gathered together as “one man.” Glory to God! Unity is restored. Once again, God’s people came together with one mind and a willingness to move on one accord. Unity is being restored to the Body of Christ. Hallelujah! Now, take note of what happens next…

Ezra 3:2 Then stood up Jeshua son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and they built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings upon it, as it is written in the instructions of Moses the man of God.
Ezra 3:3 And they set the altar [in its place] upon its base, for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord morning and evening.
Ezra 3:4 They kept also the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the ordinances, as each day's duty required,
Ezra 3:5 And after that, the continual burnt offering, the offering at the New Moon, and at all the appointed feasts of the Lord, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the Lord.
Ezra 3:6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid.

Notice that the altar was built before the temple. Not only that, but the altar was built BEFORE THE FOUNDATION WAS LAID. Oh, God really dealt with me about this. He said the problem with many “church folk” is that we are standing on foundations that were built outside of worship! My God! I had to ask the Lord what He meant. He showed me that most of us still rely on tradition and religion. We still depend on what we were taught my grandmother and granddaddy. We are more devoted to the church body than we are to Him. We’re more concerned about the denomination than the souls of His people. Instead of changing what we think and believe, we want God to conform to the mold we have created for Him. Why? Because a foundation has been laid that was never destroyed. Yes, some of us need to throw out all our ideas. Lay down the titles. Throw out the denominations. Put away the tradition and superstition. JUST SEEK GOD. This is a season for NEW REVELATION. Religion is being challenged…not to create strife, but to bring us into a new season with the Father.

Even in our personal ministries and endeavors, God is saying “Worship me before you lay a foundation. Seek me before you begin to build.” People of God, we must be so careful in this season to keep our motives pure. This is not the time to make any decision without seeking the Father. Even if a thing seems good, do not establish anything before seeking God. We do not have time to build temples in which the Father refuses to dwell. How many times will we establish ministries, set up boards, create activities and take part in events without seeking God first? Why do we insist on completing our own agendas, then “inviting God in?” No. Invite Him first, and let Him tell His people what to build. Just as the people did in this passage of Scripture, we must build the altar first. Worship. Seek God. Then, build a foundation. Last, build the temple. The established work comes at the end, not the beginning. Yes, Lord!

Ezra 3:10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their vestments with trumpets, and the Levite sons of Asaph with their cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the order of David king of Israel.
Ezra 3:11 They sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, For He is good, for His mercy {and} loving-kindness endure forever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid!

After the altar was erected, and the worship was accepted by the Father, the foundation was laid. The people knew it was accepted by the Father because their offerings had been received, not rejected. Therefore, praise was in order when the foundation was laid. People of God, when we get into God’s will, the works we complete for His kingdom will ignite praise rather than strife…unity rather than confusion. To GOD be the glory!

Ezra 4:1 NOW WHEN [the Samaritans] the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles from the captivity were building a temple to the Lord, the God of Israel,
Ezra 4:2 They came to Zerubbabel [now governor] and to the heads of the fathers' houses and said, Let us build with you, for we seek {and} worship your God as you do, and we have sacrificed to Him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.
Ezra 4:3 But Zerubbabel and Jeshua and the rest of the heads of fathers' houses of Israel said to them, You have nothing to do with us in building a house to our God; but we ourselves will together build to the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, has commanded us.
Ezra 4:4 Then [the Samaritans] the people of the land [continually] weakened the hands of the people of Judah and troubled {and} terrified them in building
Ezra 4:5 And hired counselors against them to frustrate their purpose {and} plans all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius [II] king of Persia.

Now, don’t be surprised when the enemy sees the success and tries to get his hand in God’s work. This is where so many of us miss it. Some of us are going to have ministries coming forth with a success like never before. People with a true heart for God are gathering and getting works completed for God’s glory. Beware of allowing the world to take part and corrupt the work. Saints, this is a season when you may have to turn help away. You may have to deny the loan from the bank that supports homosexuality. You may have to tell your sister or brother in the natural that they can’t preach in the pulpit until their lives become holy. Jesus said that his followers would have to deny mother, father, sister and brother for His sake. That time has come. No unholy thing should touch what God has anointed to be built. This is the season of HARD DECISIONS, yet holiness cannot be compromised. Many must sit down and be turned away…OR EXPOSED.

As the book of Ezra concludes, we see that many years pass before the temple is finally built. Opposition comes in many different forms, delaying the building of the temple on numerous occasions. God is telling His people not to be discouraged. No matter how long it may take a thing to be established, as long as the pure worship, in spirit and in truth, is not quenched, the battle has not been lost. The enemy is bringing forth an attack as many of us have never seen before. Be prepared to STAND.

Most importantly, always build the altar before setting a foundation. Any foundation set on anything other than relationship with God will either fall or serve as the base to another altar that must be torn down! If disobedient, do not be upset when God’s people bring exposure and destruction to the work created in idolatry. To God be the glory!