Originally this letter was written to encourage the leadership of a church renewal movement inside the PCUSA (the year 2006). I choose to release this letter now. I am ever mindful that the days are short – understanding that the spirit of the Anti-Christ has been unleashed.
Dear Ones, This has been a week where God has narrowed my walk – not to restrict my freedom in Christ, but to protect my heart from half-truths. Basically, he inquired of me “To what teachings do you hold fast to?” “From whom do you seek wisdom and knowledge and truth?” “Whose words do you hold in your heart and cherish?” “Are you making choices based on God’s truth or simply taking action in response to words from the mouths and hands of man?” In particular, there was a verse I had to talk to the Lord about. When I read it, I knew my heart was not pure and I was wrestling with this truth. Perhaps you are too. 2 Timothy 3: 12 says this, "Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." You see, at the time my eyes were opened to this scripture I was also reading a book on Christian martyrs. Through their testimonies, written in black and white, I could see a clear picture of how God sustained each one of them through all persecution, torture and means of death . . . just like he did for Stephen. The common denominator remains. They truly love(d) Jesus, keeping their eyes upon him. This is the way I want to live too - - gazing upon my savior Christ Jesus. I am thankful for God’s correction and the preparation of my heart for things to come. I want to hold to truth alone. It is Christ alone who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Please listen to God’s word, receive it, and pray for one another, as we possibly enter into a season of persecution for the gospel of Jesus Christ.Your sister in Christ, Brenda
A KINGDOM PARABLE Matthew 13: 3b – 9; 18 – 23
3b "Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 Let anyone with ears listen!"
18 "Hear then the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet such a person has no root, but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing. 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."
HOW TO PRAY Colossians 2: 6 – 7
6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
- Father God, I ask that you would strengthen my brothers and sisters in the faith. They are weary and sometimes fearful of what man can do to them.
- I thank you for giving us your Son. Lord, we are not worthy of praise. . . only you. It is unfathomable how much you love us! To think, that while we were yet sinners you sent your only son Jesus Christ to make a way for our salvation. THIS IS LOVE!
- Lord, please purify us and help us to desire only your Son.
- Lord, I also ask on behalf of the entire leadership of the beloved church that we would be rooted in Christ Jesus alone. I beg for greater faith, O God.
- Help our unbelief and change our hearts. May we be bold for Christ and never shrink back.
- Thank you for this opportunity to show you our love, and to draw closer to you through trials that purify our faith.
- Whom do I have in heaven but you? O my soul sings! I love you Jesus. You are My Everything.
This I pray in the precious name of JESUS.
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT Colossians 2: 8 – 15
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, 14 erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.
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