July 3rd 2024, as I slept, I saw a writing by Rick Joyner (seemed like an older writing) and knew it pertained to Ephesians 2, and involved alignment in Lord’s Body, which was greatly disjointed. This prompted me to release this writing. It’s long, and we just know in part, but I hope it blesses you.  For many years the “P” (prophet) word was forbidden to be spoken in many churches in America. This went for the Apostle also. “Pastor” and “teacher” were fine to say— even evangelist was mentioned from time to time. For many years, the “father of lies” has made this possible through false teachings, false humility, and intimidation, leaving a vacuum of Truth (John 8:44). Buzz words such as “Jezebel,” and sayings such as, “You should never call yourself an apostle or prophet,” have kept these gifts at bay, even though the Lord Himself has called them. 2 Timothy 1 states, “I am Paul. I am an apostle of Christ Jesus because God wanted me to be…”. I love that! On a personal note, five years after receiving the Lord (on my mother’s Birthday), I heard the Voice of God in my spirit (as I slept), call and commission me (Song of Solomon 5:2). I referred to this voice at the time, as a Jiminy Cricket voice, not realizing at that time how the Holy Spirit spoke. I couldn’t wait to share this exciting news with my pastor’s wife, who I considered one of my closest friends and “mom” in the Lord. Well, let’s just say, it didn’t go over big, and I was warned not to think too highly of myself etc.. I was very young in the Lord at the time, but realize now how vital it was that I had an intimate relationship with the Lord from the very start, and not just with His leaders. Needless to say, I did not share this wonderful news with my pastor after that! I don’t see people calling others by titles in scripture, but If you’re a fivefold gift and someone asks you your call, or like Paul who was literally called and was moved to state it, don’t be weird—just state it. I realize these calls have been greatly abused and misused, but we must not throw out the baby with the bath water. It’s difficult to believe and scripturally inaccurate, that only one gift (the pastor), or just a few (evangelist, teacher) still remain, while apostles and prophets have been done away with, as some in the Body would believe. I recently heard a man of God say, “Who needs to build a foundation again—Its already been built!” Meaning, there’s no need for the apostle and prophets. Ephesians 2:20-22 states, “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” We must ask then, has the “structure” been built up and JOINED together fully, as written in the Blueprint of His Word? In Him the WHOLE building is JOINED together (Welded-AMPC), which speaks of the foundation welded to building structure—fully joined. If not, then there is no need for the rest of the “three fold“ ministry gifts to exist either. It’s interesting that Hebrews 11:10 states “foundations.” While searching this out (Blue Letter Bible), I discovered a metaphor that made a lot of sense. “laid down as a foundation, the foundation (of a building, wall, city) l. metaph. the foundations, beginnings, first principles 1. Of institution or system truth. So these “foundations” are first principles of truth! Another thing to consider is how a pastor is commissioned without apostolic approval (see Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5-9). Ephesians 4:8-13 states, “Therefore it is said, When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of [a]vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men. [But He ascended?] Now what can this, He ascended, mean but that He had previously descended from [the heights of] heaven into [the depths], the lower parts of the earth? He Who descended is the [very] same as He Who also has ascended high above all the heavens, that He [His presence] might fill all things (the whole universe, from the lowest to the highest). And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [[b]full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him. This states, His intention was the perfecting and the FULL equipping of the saints to do the work of ministry toward building up Christ’s body—the Church. And that the building up of the body of Christ might develop UNTIL we all attain ONENESS IN FAITH, having comprehension of the full and accurate knowledge of God, that we might arrive at really mature manhood—nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own personality, perfection, and completeness found in Him. For years, because of this lie, so many churches have been built on shifting sand and when storms come, the “House“ falls. This Lie has woven its way into the “building structure” of the church, determined to leave the building without foundational “Blueprints” (Ephesians 2:20). Many build with the measuring rod of man, many times handed down from former generations. This measurement is sure to change over years, causing the True “Architect's“ structure to be greatly compromised. This in large part is why so many churches fall. We must use the “Measuring Rod” of The Kingdom of God—His Word and “Blueprint” to build upon HIM, the Chief Cornerstone. Prophets SEE the Blueprints and hand them off to be SENT (apostle) and the Body Builds!💪 This—His vision of the True Tabernacle made without hands (Ephesians 2:20, Hebrews 11:10). This was Satan’s strategy, but it’s being greatly exposed now. It’s a fivefold ministry to EQUIP saints, not just pastor, pastor, pastor, pastor and pastor! “Plurality” of leadership is another snake that has slithered into the church. I’m not referring to elders (plural) here, but rather “Everyone’s a minister.” This can cause great confusion in the Body, if we do not righty divide the Word of Truth (2 Timothy 2:15). The truth is everyone is a minister, but not everyone is called to equip the saints for ministry (some-Ephesians 4:8-13). This Truth has been twisted and greatly misunderstood, as many churches are operating under this teaching. A few years ago, my husband and I witnessed this first hand. We attended a church where everyone was invited up to preach and minister to the congregation, with many having no knowledge of the scriptures. Their message was based on their opinion of love, and not God’s truth, for God is love. One person would get up frequently and read children’s library books on “immigrants!” They were sincere, but as for equipping the saints—sincerely wrong. This is Satan’s specialty! Stroke the flesh and keep them in counterfeit love, bearing No Cross, No Truth, No Death, No True Life, and Sin Free! In 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 it states, all Believers have the ministry of reconciliation, which I believe to be one of the most important ministries. “Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). So we are Christ’s ambassadors, God making His appeal as it were through us. We [as Christ’s personal representatives] beg you for His sake to lay hold of the divine favor [now offered you] and be reconciled to God.” As important and vital this ministry is for EVERY Believer, we must not confuse it with equippers that actually equip Believers TO DO the ministry. In a way, this lie reminds me of what’s going on in America at this time. Over the years people have come into the country, and in the name of love and acceptance, Americans embraced their ways, instead of them embracing the American way, which has its foundation rooted in the Word of God. We have done the same in our church structure by leaving out the vital foundation of the apostle and prophet, so not to cause offense in the name of “love.” STOP—In the “name” of love! Love is not Love—God IS Love, so we must know Him to truly know Love. “Coexist” is replacing True Unity in the Church, and “Plurality” of leadership (Everyone’s a minister) is replacing the Elders and fivefold equipping ministries (Acts 14:23, 1 Timothy 5:17, James 5:14). Many “Buildings” are upon sinking sand and crumbling! Matthew 7:26-27 states, “And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a stupid (foolish) man who built his house upon the sand. And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great and complete was the fall of it.” We must return to the Chief Cornerstone and Architect (Hebrews 11:9-11)! We must build with the measuring rod of heaven (Ezekiel 47) in which a firm foundation in the Word is laid for others to securely build upon. “And the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock (Matthew 7:25). Hebrews 11:9-11 states, “[Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise. For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.” Notice (verse 10) it is God that is both Architect (Blueprints) and Builder (work)! LET’S GET TO WORK—TOGETHER!

Posted by sowingclub at 2024-07-03 15:43:03 UTC