The Letters

“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15

What we believe determines the course of our lives. 

We all make decisions based upon what we believe, and we always act in accordance with what we believe. Every decision, large or small, is dictated by a belief-system. And many times these beliefs can be deeply rooted, even on a subconscious level. Many of them are so deeply rooted, in fact, that we do not even know that they are there, and so we don’t resist or counter them. We just live in them and continue to believe the way that we do, suffering the consequences in our lives, and having no idea what is causing them. We do not even question our perception. If something comes to challenge our wrong belief-systems (as it inevitably will), then we get uncomfortable, and can even become offended and angry. We may not even know why we are upset. When truth collides with a belief-system that has been constructed over many years of wrong thinking, there can be an explosive inner conflict. Light and darkness are incompatible with one another, and there is a reaction. The reaction and defense mechanisms are designed to keep the wrong belief-system hidden and intact. Mainly hidden from the person affected by them. 

II Corinthians 10:4 refers to these wrong firmly rooted and established belief-systems as “strongholds.”

Religious strongholds, especially, can be difficult to identify, uproot, and change, but not impossible. This is true because religious fear prevents people from challenging these perceptions and beliefs. Religious fear is one of the strongest manipulation tools of the enemy, and it is diametrically opposed to faith. 

Beliefs govern our behaviors. For example, we put gasoline in our cars, even though it is more expensive than water. Why? Because we believe that the car will run better on gasoline than it will on water! This perception, of course, is true. 

The above example may sound extreme, but this principle applies in many areas. We make decisions based on what seems right to us, rather than finding out why we do and say certain things. We make assumptions about many things, even regarding God and His character that are untrue, because we have been conditioned to believe certain things, by religion and by society. For example, the secular media has the power to sway and change an entire culture because of what people are willing to believe and embrace, because they have little or no foundation of truth. In order for freedom to come, truth must be heard, received, internalized, and engrafted into the heart.

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” II Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬ ‭

What is the glory of the Lord? It is His presence that contains His nature, His qualities, His image. 

For example, an image of poverty is a product of the world, and of the curse. It is not of the Father. God’s image is the picture or blueprint of everything good; love, joy, peace, mercy, righteous judgment, wisdom, fullness, wealth, and many other things. Moses asked to see the glory of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord appeared in a cloud and revealed His attributes. 

“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭34‬:‭6‬ ‭

Man’s (corrupt) image must be transformed. A new image must be constructed through the hearing of truth, and as a result of that image, lies and deception will become apparent in contrast, and be identifiable. An image of truth, framed by His Word, will provide a benchmark in which we can posture ourselves. We can then identify and resist imaginations and thoughts that are contrary, and tear down what is false. This is the true “deconstruction” movement. The devil has a counterfeit that is sweeping through the church right now. The enemy always comes alongside a true move of God and attempts to turn that which is lame out of the way.

Our believing and thinking can be right in one area and off base in another. 

Where there is no benchmark, a stronghold can exist. 

God’s Word (light) is that benchmark. 

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31:32

The Word is a seed, and as we continue to allow it to do its work, it will change what is impossible for men to change. It will change us from the inside out. 

Jesus has told us to “repent ye, and believe the gospel.” The gospel is the “power of God unto salvation.” Salvation from every work of darkness. The gospel is where we look into the perfect law of liberty that sets us free. God is not telling us to repent of our behaviors without changing first what we believe. That would be backwards. It would be putting the “cart before the horse.” 

Make the tree good and the fruit will be good.

The people were bound in a belief system constructed by legalism. It was rooted in self-righteousness (a form of idolatry), and God was saying that the Kingdom of God had come into their midst, and that through the knowledge of grace and truth, it was time for a change. Repentance is a change of belief. 

A change in behavior will follow.

What we believe can either bring life or death, blessing or cursing. 

In I Kings 13, There was a young prophet who had received instruction from the Lord to declare judgment over an idolatrous altar that King Jeroboam had set up. The Lord had also told the prophet not to eat or drink anything in that place, and to leave by a different way than how he had come. However, as the young prophet was departing, an older prophet came to him subtly, and told the young prophet that the Lord had sent him to invite him over to his house for dinner. At first the young prophet declined, but after the older prophet replied that the Lord had sent him with this word and instruction, the young prophet went with him. The young prophet disobeyed what the Lord had spoken to him because an “older and more seasoned” prophet gave him a contradictory word. He ate and drank at the home of the old prophet, but as he left, a lion met him and killed him. His disobedience had drastic consequences. But why did he do it? Why did he disobey what God had told him? There was danger, and God had tried to protect him, but he didn’t listen. Instead he believed a lie, and it cost him his life. 

Do you know that many are doing this very same thing today? 

Has God has put something on your heart? Maybe someone, possibly a parent, a pastor, church-people, or even another minister or prophet, does not believe or see what you see. They may oppose you, and maybe even persecute you, and instead of standing firm on what you know to be right, you begin to question yourself, and then you compromise. Soon you are not experiencing God’s presence like before, and you are unsure as to why. Understand that I am not talking about someone bringing correction or wisdom, when you know deep down in your heart that they are right (to rebel against wisdom and correction is foolishness). I am referring to when you know what God has said to you, and what He has revealed to you in His Word, but yet you question it. You are insecure in your ability to hear, especially if it goes against traditions and opinions of others, even some whom you respect. 

The young prophet had more confidence in another prophet than he did in his own ability to hear and obey God for himself. 

Many complain about abusive and manipulative pastors and leaders (and there are many that would fall into that category), but yet they allow themselves to be manipulated, abused, and controlled. This is because of what they believe about themselves, about God, and others, but it is not right. They have little confidence in their own ability to have a relationship with the Lord and to hear His voice for themselves. They are always running to a prophet or minister rather than believing that God can and will speak to them, and that they can trust Him in their own relationship. A person like this is easy to control and manipulate (there are many of these also). The old prophet in I Kings 13 deceived and manipulated the younger prophet. He lied to him. But that was not an excuse. The young prophet had a choice, and he chose to believe the older prophet rather than what God had said to him, and he did this to his own detriment. 

I know a man who “confessed his sin” to the wrong people, and his life (and the lives of many others), is now a living hell. Just because something comes with a religious label does not mean that it is right and good. Some of the most subtle and cunning manipulators wear a religious cloak and carry a Bible. 

The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 

I warned this person, but they rejected my warnings. The Spirit will guide us into all truth. He will reveal the scriptures, and give us wisdom as parents. He will give us ideas in the marketplace, and in every situation, if we will allow Him. But we must still choose what we will believe. 

God is doing work throughout the church right now. He cannot allow things to continue the way that they have been. New wine. New wine-skins. Don’t assume that what was acceptable years ago, works today. 

I was not expecting this, but as I was finishing up this letter. The Lord dropped this word into my heart to share with you. 

“Many have called out to me for revival, but they are looking for it to come in a certain way, and in the process, they are missing what I am doing. They have preconceived ideas on what “revival” should look like and feel like. I have said in my Word that everything that can be shaken will be shaken, so that what CANNOT be shaken may remain. I am doing an exhaustive, internal work that must be done. Many have become disillusioned and weary, and others offended, and some will, and have, even walked away from me because they are unwilling to look where they have not looked before.

Some have perceived the way that they feel as abandonment from me, but that is not the case at all. When my people wandered through the desert under Moses, there was a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day. They had to follow the pillar as it moved. To some, even though I have spoken to them, they struggle deeply in believing what I am showing them because it exists outside of their “theological box.” It goes contrary to what they have thought or assumed, about me, and in regard to what my Word says. But this is why I am doing the work that I am doing throughout my church right now, because some of the things that my people think and believe need to change.” 

But some might say, well, “What if people go ‘off the rails,’ and what if mistakes are made trying to walk things out that they are unfamiliar with? Isn’t it better to ‘play it safe?’” But my grace is sufficient to bring those things that are out-of-the-way back into alignment and proper order, and this is also another belief that needs to change. The perception that I am ‘ready to pounce’ when my people make mistakes in good faith. That is far from the truth. So VERY far from the truth. My anger is reserved for my enemies, not my people, and even with my enemies I am long suffering, and of great compassion, and full of mercy. Many of my own people do not even know me. I am not saying that they are not saved, but they do not know my heart or my ways. This has to change, for how can my people represent me to a lost and dying world if they do not know me themselves?

You cry out, ‘Bring in the people!’ ‘Bring in the harvest!” And I have heard your cries, and I have heard your prayers, but judgment must first begin in the house of God, in YOUR house! So that I can answer your prayers, and the cries of your heart. 

In regard to walking in that which is new and unfamiliar, when someone ‘puts me to the test,’ or more accurately, ‘proves’ me, in order to find and walk out my will, it is not ‘tempting me.’ For example, Gideon set out a fleece in order to make sure that he was hearing correctly from me. Abraham proved me in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah. I said in Malachi to prove me in regard to tithes and offerings. Tempting me is when people go their own way and do things that I have told them not to do, knowing full well, and testing the limits of my grace and of my patience. The motive is completely different, and it is the motive that matters. In the New Testament, my Word says to PROVE ALL THINGS, and to hold fast to that which you know is right and true. 

I WANT my people to live on the cutting edge of their faith! I WANT them to push the envelope! I WANT my people to prove me! Hebrews chapter 11 is full of those who pushed the envelope. They did not ‘play it safe,’ but rather stepped out in faith, trusting me. When Peter stepped out of the boat, he was the only one. The other disciples ‘played it safe.” Peter walked on water! He took a few steps, but when his faith faltered, did I let him go under? Did I, in anger or displeasure, push his head under the water? No, I did not. I reached forth my hand and pulled him to safety, and I will do the same for you!” Though Peter was impulsive, He was a man of great faith, and I used him to do much for my Kingdom, as I will with you!”