Bitterness the Poison In Our Souls

Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it

—Heb 12:15 Amplified

How do people become bitter?
Bitterness comes from unmet expectations, past hurt, continuous injustice, breach of trust, slander, violations against the human soul such as broken boundaries, and other people who are bitter. Bitterness or resentment will cause you to fail to secure God's grace! God's grace in this scripture is charis: favor, goodwill, loving-kindness, and mercy of God. We need to sow mercy (undeserved love) into others so we can reap it in ours. Please read over Hebrews 12:15 carefully. Bitterness will cause us to live in torment and becomes a spiritual contamination in your life that contaminates others. Everywhere we go it will cause trouble. We won't be able to get along with others because if we feel they touch us wrong we will overreact because bitterness is a festering wound. Imagine a wound with pus coming out of it. That's what bitterness looks like in the spirit. Let's look at this word defile it means to: to dye with another color, to stain, pollute, and to defile with sins. As God's bride, our wedding dress needs to be without stain. When other people are bitter it is our responsibility to guard our hearts and keep ourselves without stain. Let's see how we can become bitter or defiled.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32

Like I mentioned before bitterness can come from other people. The number one way to get contaminated by bitterness is evil speaking. When I looked up the word "evil speaking" in the Greek it is the word blasphemia which means injurious speech, slander, impious and reproachful speech. In today's terminology, abusive speech or reviling is the number one way to become resentful. Deep resentment or bitterness is also the root of anger (violent emotion), clamor (loud and confused noise especially that of people shouting in an intense manner) wrath (inflaming wine which either drives the drinker mad or kills him with its strength)!

The devil is never content to keep his misery to himself. He likes to destroy the purity of our heart by filling it with anger, resentment, violence, and lust. He hates the purity in children. That's why he works so hard to destroy the innocence of children by trying to expose them to drugs, alcohol, evil speaking(music), violent content, and pornography. It's our job as parents or guardians to guard their hearts by guarding ours. The devil wants us to stay in the sin of resentment or bitterness so he can dwell with us. "Be angry, and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26) This word "place" means opportunity and power as well as habitation. When we stay in the sin of bitterness or resentment we have rented out space to the devil in our minds and hearts. When we don't forgive it grieves the Holy Spirit. God's word exhorts us to "forgive one another as Christ forgave you." Before the sun goes down every day we should make it a habit to forgive and let go of bitterness. 

The Nature of Bitterness

Bitterness is a weed that springs forth from the heart continuously wanting to be watered by new offenses, and new people. Unfortunately, this weed is a blind spot in many people's lives. It is often hard to see because it tends to live in the minds, and hearts of those who have harbored a grudge. They nurse it continuously in their conversations by repeating the matter in their minds. Soon this weed starts to affect the personality of the person making them cynical, sarcastic, suspicious, critical, negative and having a sour attitude. They also eventually become hardened, unresponsive to God, alienating them from people until they find themselves alone. Bitterness is a stronghold caused by thoughts that slither around in the minds of the offended making them get lost in their darkened thoughts for vengeance or retaliation.

It often punishes others for the mistakes of someone who had committed the wrong. That includes not helping others when being asked for help or being grudging about giving of themselves. You can tell someone is bitter by the way they bring up those who have offended them. They blame the person for what is happening in their life now and slander them behind their backs. They displace the anger they feel onto people who remind them of the offender. They assume that everyone will treat them the same way, and never give that person a chance to prove themselves. They recreate the offense to prove to themselves that they have every right to be angry thus keeping bitterness alive in their hearts. Bitterness gives them a sense of entitlement to hurt others just like they have been hurt. They often make excuses for mistreating others. Love and compassion are non-existent in the place of bitterness. They cannot co-exist. People that are bitter are often critical, judgmental, over-sensitive, and find it hard to be kind to others. After all, everyone is out to hurt, offend or disappoint them. Some times the person sulks in long periods of self-pity citing every offense as a reason for their present woes.

Unforgiveness has very similar aspects to bitterness. However, bitterness tends to mask its true feelings behind flattery, a fake smile, and hidden hostility. Unforgiveness makes a solid decision to blacklist the person and move onto other things. Bitterness spreads like cancer polluting the waters of that person's spirit. Eventually, they vomit up the bitter waters of their soul in their conversations defiling the hearers, and sowing discord wherever they go. This is especially dangerous if you are sitting under someone who is bitter, and ministers out of a place of bitterness. You can be sure that they will continually bring up past events, and offenders to justify present actions. The focus is continually on those who are offending them, and never on their own character flaws. If perchance that person gets others to take on the offense; division, and strife ensue. The root of bitterness is pride. It can not get past the fact that someone actually rejected them, offended them, hurt them, corrected them or moved on in their lives.

Bitterness is like a tea bag it seeps in the hot water of every conceivable imagination, and lie inspired by hell. Soon, those who are bitter start to become paranoid, suspicious, and find fault in others. You will often see these people either writing blogs or making videos of other ministers they believe are part of the great conspiracy against all Christians or heavily involved in finding secret government plots. They become known for all kinds of conspiracy theories and often will run from any submission to authority. Their hurt drives them from any commitment or intimate friendship with anyone. I'm not trying to make a blanket statement here, just understand there are various degrees to unforgiveness, and bitterness is its fruit.

If any of this has any striking similarities then understand that most everyone you know has been hurt at one time or the other including Jesus. We can't stay in that hurt and live there. My friends, if you recognized any of these behaviors please realize that we have no right to stay in the sin of unforgiveness or keep a record of wrongs against us. We are not to be "conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); rude (unmannerly) and acting unbecomingly. We do not insist on our own rights or our own way, we are not to be self-seeking; touchy or fretful or resentful; we should not take account of the evil done to us [or pay attention to a suffered wrong.]" (1 Corinthians 13:5) Amp. my version

Perhaps you know someone like that then here is my advice: Bind the lying spirit that continues to whisper in their ear, and ask God to loose their will from every evil spirit that is controlling them either emotionally or mentally. No one can really free a person from this unless they are willing to let go of it.

Why you should let go of bitterness
1. You will actually not be able to move on or grow up spiritually if you don't let go of offenses, hurt and unforgiveness. It will actually keep you in a backslidden state.

2. Your prayers will be hindered. You will cease to walk in favor.

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25-26)

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)

3. We can not embrace our future if we stay in the past.

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

4. We give power to the person to continually hurt us by repeating the matter over and over again in our hearts. We also give our power and authority over to the devil to keep us in bondage to him. It becomes a chain around our necks.

5. We are not hurting the person that hurts us. We are actually hurting any chance of having a healthy, and happy relationship in the future.

6. We need to realize that most people deserved to be judged but that is something God decides not us. We also need to understand that we also deserve to be judged but God mercy on us.

For we know Him Who said, Vengeance is Mine [retribution and the meting out of full justice rest with Me]; I will repay [I will exact the compensation], says the Lord. And again, The Lord will judge and determine and solve and settle the cause and the cases of His people. Hebrews 10:30 Amp.

7. Jesus said, that if we want to be forgiven then that same privilege must be extended to others.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors.

14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.

(Matthew 6:12, 14-15)

8. Retaliation or passive aggression is the same as taking vengeance. God knows our hearts, and this behavior is not from God.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)

9. Letting go of the seed of anger when you are initially offended or hurt. We can not afford to give the devil a foothold into the door of our life. It actually gives the devil the right to torment us. See the parable of the unforgiving servant in (Matthew 18:21-35)

10. The only way to overcome evil is to do good to those who hurt us.

Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:20-21)

Getting Free From Bitterness or Unforgiveness:
1. Please realize that no one "owes" you anything. This would make them debtors and Jesus called us to forgive our "debtors." People don't owe us anything because they are not our source. When we make other people our source we make them idols in our lives. People were never meant to be the source of our peace, acceptance, love, joy, and approval. That goes against our original design. When we make other people our source we give over our power to them. Then they decide for us when we should be happy, have peace, feel loved, feel adequate, feel secure and know our worth. In essence, this is the root of all codependent behavior. It stems from a mindset of entitlement or feeling like people "owe" us.

2. Pray for those who have hurt you. This is a kingdom secret! This will cultivate the ground of your heart and make you ready to truly release the person from your heart. At first, you may not feel like it but do it in faith and your heart will follow.

But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

3. Ask God, by the Holy Spirit, to search your heart and reveal hidden hurts or resentments that may be buried.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

4. Forgiveness is an act of our will. Ask God for the grace to help you do this task and then make a list of people who have hurt you and talk to God about what they did.

For example, you can pray the following:

I forgive _________for____________ and I release them to you. I refuse to bring this up anymore or think about it. I shall not repeat the matter or rehearse it in my mind or heart. Do this until all feelings of hurt are gone.

Here is a checklist of possible people you need to forgive:

1. Parents

2. Siblings

3. Ministers

4. Yourself

5. Abusers

6. People who have used you.

7. Employers

8. Friends

9. Children

10. Other family members

11. Strangers

12. God

4. After we have prayed and forgiven them we must be willing to destroy the mental and emotional records of those who have hurt us.

5. We must be willing to go to that person and make things right in person. We are not responsible for the response of others.

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go your way. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)

Special Note: Some people are best left alone if they are holding a grudge against you, and will not relent in their abusive behavior towards you. Just stay away. Forgive, forget, and pray for them at a distance. It is not necessary to stay in relationships that are toxic to prove you forgave them. Also, forgiveness does not mean self-martyrdom which means you continue to allow them to hurt you to prove you are good Christian. Even Jesus knew when to keep his distance from vindictive religious folks.

If you are in an abusive relationship or marriage please read:
When to Leave An Abusive Relationship If you find this article helpful or would like to donate to our ministry please do so on our home page by visiting our website:
Jaziz Gutierrez
Official Website: https://www.jazizgutierrez.com/
Facebook: School Of Impartation and Living
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10 Reasons You Are Free From Sin

In time of intimacy and worship I heard the Lord say. There are many of my people that are still in slavery. I thought, “there is?” Yes, the Lord continued “they are not walking in the freedom that I have already purchased for them.” I felt sad to hear this news. I thought about this and saw people whose hands were hanging down from the chains unable to be lifted in worship to Him. Their head was hanging down and their countenance was downcast. Why is that?

Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law...

This lack of revelation is causing people to feel as if they can't live for God because they genuinely think that they have no power over sin in their life. That is a lie! The devil always enters our lives through lies and deception. It is for this reason I believe that many people have given up and cast of the restraint of God's conviction in their lives. Some people have cast off restraint because they don't fear the Lord and others because they love their sin more than they love God. The bible says, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Matt. 6:24

Unfortunately, going down the highway of life without restraint is like getting on the highway without a seat belt. Little do they know that if they were to collide with the enemy's plan that they would become a casualty or become injured. When we cast off the restraint of God's laws and His conviction we are no longer protected. If you have ever been in an accident you know that wearing your seat belt can save your life.

Another example of restraint would be the story of my dog. We picked up a stray dog one day outside a thrift store. The young puppy was starving. My daughter had observed him eating cigarette butts because he was so hungry. This of course broke my heart and we lured him into the car with what little food we had on us. We have a fenced yard on ¾ acres outside of the city. We thought that this would be enough running room for him. In a matter of weeks he learned how to dig himself out of the yard. Time and time again we would have to fetch him from down the street. I must admit too that our dog was not only content with running away he also had some dominance issues. He thought he was a lot bigger in his mind than he was in his body. When I heard the dogs barking down the street I knew our dog “Porkchop” was going fence to fence teasing the other dogs. He probably was saying to them, “Hey look I’m out here and you’re in there.” Well one day his boasting came to an end when he got picked up and locked up at a local animal shelter. Now the animal shelter refused to release him to us without fining us $140.00. Ouch! My daughter started to cry and the attendants felt so bad that they made a deal with us, “We will license him, give him shots, neuter him and give him a new identity chip that will let others know he belongs to you for the same price.” We took the bargain.

In the same way God has rescued us and he bargained for our souls because we were locked up in our own personal prison. We were like "Pork Chop" running wild off the leash completely unaware or without the revelation that casting off restraint would one day lead to bondage. Jesus has set at liberty the captive! He paid the fine to keep us from being euthanized and He gave us a new identity. He gave us His identity. He circumcised our hearts and gave us new ones. Well thank God, that we don’t have to be like a dog who can get hit by a car because it got off the leash. God has given us the tools and keys to living free. He has revealed to us how we can end our struggle with sin through His Word.

Here are the scriptures that will keep you from Satan's lies and free from sin:

1. First of all, we must realize that we have been given a new nature. It is His nature. No matter what your family background, generational sin, addiction, or habit we take on the nature of Christ as he works from the inside out perfecting in us the spirit of holiness.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor. 5:17

2. The Holy Spirit now lives in us giving us the power to become His witnesses. We now have every good and perfect gift to impart grace to others. Not are only our chains broken we can break them in others.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

3. The Grace of God has now given us the power to overcome sin and walk in our new nature. We are no longer slaves to sin. God has a made a way of escape out the prison cell of sin.

For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Romans 6:23

4. The Word of God has been given to us so that we can renew our old thinking patterns and mindsets can be changed.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

5. The blood of Jesus was enough to cleanse us from every sin and deliver us out of darkness so we can walk in the light!

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Col 1:13-14

6. We know we are accountable to God and will one day appear before Him. This healthy knowledge called the fear of the Lord makes us clean. It causes us to put our seat belt on before we get on the highway of life.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Psalm 19:9

7. God himself purifies us by dealing with all areas of our being. We call that sanctification. Our job is to separate ourselves for His service and we call that consecration. If we do our part he will present us blameless at His coming.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

8. Most importantly, the love of God has been poured all over our heart. Now we can simply obey God out of love for Him.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10

9. Our faith in the finished work of the cross is counted towards us as righteousness. Therefore, we can walk holy before God by faith.

For what does the Scripture say?“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." Romans 4:3

10. Don't worry, God will finish what he started in us!

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Phil.1:6

Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12:22

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Is the bible divinely inspired or is it idolatry? My answer to Michael Dowd.

Question: What are your thoughts on this? I am curious, in the bible does it say that it was divinely inspired?

Answer: Yes. 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

How Powerful Is The Devil?

This question was submitted to me via Facebook and I did not change the wording. So here it is...

Q1. Just how powerful is the devil? I know the story of Job (I think) where God loves him so much that he allows the devil to ruin his life in a game to see if he would lose his faith. He doesn't. Aside from God's very questionable behavior, just how powerful is the devil?

A1. Not powerful but crafty. Here is why. Before Jesus went to the cross Adam and Eve had given all the authority they had been given by God to the Satan. When Jesus died he wiped out the judgment that the judge and jury had made against us. The bailiff (devil) now had no power to enforce the law and the keys to the prison cell were taken from him. Not only do we walk out of court completely declared innocent by the blood of Jesus but we get handed the keys to set others free. We also get handed a badge that restores the authority we have on the earth.

Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
Colossians 2:14-15

Now Jesus did have to get back we what we lost through sin and disobedience in the garden. One of the things we lost in the garden was our authority. Here is the devil reminding Jesus of that.

And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Luke 4:6

In my study to answer this question I noticed that Jesus had declared gaining his authority back after he had overcome the same temptations that Adam and Eve had succumbed to in the garden in the wilderness. Here Jesus displays his authority over every devil.

Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” Luke 4:36

Jesus gave over this same kind of authority to us whenever we use His name. It is kind of like when the police say, "Stop LAPD." They are referencing whose authority they are acting in. We just say stop in the name of "Jesus"!

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:17-19

Here is where Jesus give us the keys that were once held by Satan

And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Because Jesus wiped out the judgment of the law against us death and the grave also lost its power over us!

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians 15:54-56

Q2. Is he like God? Omnipotent, omnipresent and etc?

A2. No Satan is not like God at all. He is a fallen angel. Angels are not omnipotent, omnipresent or anything like that. Satan was a musical cherub (winged angel) created and appointed by God.

You were in Eden, the garden of God;
Every precious stone was your covering:
The sardius, topaz, and diamond,
Beryl, onyx, and jasper,
Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold.
The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes
Was prepared for you on the day you were created.

14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers;
I established you;
You were on the holy mountain of God;
You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones.
15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you. Ezekiel 28:13-15 Read 28:13-19

Satan fell from heaven because of pride and wanting to be exalted above God. He was brought down to hell. In the end people will gaze upon him and say, "Is this the thing that was causing so much trouble?" My version

“How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
‘I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’
15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

16 “Those who see you will gaze at you,
And consider you, saying:
‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
Who shook kingdoms,
17 Who made the world as a wilderness
And destroyed its cities,
Who did not open the house of his prisoners?’ Isaiah 14:12-17

As you can see from the below scripture angels don't know everything. Not even when Jesus will return. Therefore, they are not all-knowing and that includes Satan.

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. Matthew 24:36

The scripture declares that if the rulers of this age or the kingdom of darkness knew that crucifying Christ would be their demise they probably wouldn't have killed Him. This is also proof that the devil does not know everything.

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 1 Corinthians 2:7-9

Jesus was made higher than angels because He created them and given a place in heaven next to God.

In these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; 3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. Hebrews 1:2-4

The angels are to worship Jesus.Their purpose is to minister to us because we have become heirs of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice.

“Let all the angels of God worship Him.” And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire." Hebrews 1:6-7

Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14

Satan must obey! Jesus was able to defeat Him with God's Word! See how the angels came to minister to Jesus after the battle.

Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”

11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:10-11

Satan is not all-powerful. As you pointed out he had to ask God for permission to touch Job. There are other examples of this.

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. Luke 22:31

As you can see Satan had to ask permission to test Peter. We belong to Jesus the only way the devil can have access to our lives is if we give it to him just like Adam did. 

If you find this article helpful or would like to donate to our ministry please do so on our home page by visiting our website:
Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.JazizGutierrez.com
Facebook: School Of Impartation and Living

We Must Decrease That He May Increase

Thus says the Lord:
 Jeremiah 6:16
Love is so attractive and in essence that is who He is. If we are to have revival we must become love. We must decrease so He can increase. So my friends there lies the root of the problem. We have increased ourselves so much in the sight of others that they don't see Him anymore! The only solution is to take up the cross and deny ourselves. We must put away selfish ambition and empty conceit; esteeming others higher than ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 We must humbly concede all of our plans to God so that He can take over our services and ministries. Then we must become like that humble man (William Seymour) at Azusa Street who buried his face between wooden crates and prayed for God's presence to visit His people.
Love is so attractive and in essence that is who He is. If we are to have revival we must become love. We must decrease so He can increase. So my friends there lies the root of the problem. We have increased ourselves so much in the sight of others that they don't see Him anymore! The only solution is to take up the cross and deny ourselves. We must put away selfish ambition and empty conceit; esteeming others higher than ourselves. Philippians 2:3-4 We must humbly concede all of our plans to God so that He can take over our services and ministries. Then we must become like that humble man (William Seymour) at Azusa Street who buried his face between wooden crates and prayed for God's presence to visit His people.

“Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.

What people are really looking for is the presence of God. Not another song, another motivational speech, conference or guest speaker. They just want Jesus but we get in His way because we want to be seen. This world just wants to see Jesus but they see human flesh and are turned off by it.

Our mantra should be the cry of the Welsh Revival "bend us." Their plan of action:

1. Confess all known sin

2. Deal with and get rid of anything ‘doubtful’ in your life

3. Be ready to obey the Holy Spirit instantly

4. Confess Christ publicly

If we as a church were to truly just put into practice the 1st principle and humbly confess our sin; that alone would cause a great move of God! Before we can ever experience the times of refreshing we must come with penitent hearts. However, if we go around and act as if we are in need of nothing, we will not experience the very thing we need the most. The current mantra is: we have no sin, we need no conviction and we need no law! We are fine the way we are. The lukewarm church in Revelation also held the same view they did "not know that they were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." Yet the counsel of God remains the same, "I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see." (Revelations 3:18) It is only through the baptism of fire that may obtain the precious gold crown that Jesus wants to bestow on us.

My friends we can not wear a crown if we won't carry the cross. We have become ashamed of the gospel and rarely preach being crucified with Christ. We have replaced these biblical principles with modern doctrines that have steered us away from taking personal responsibility for the awful shape we are in. Yet, the bible warned us long ago... For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. ⁴ But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
(1 Thess. 5:3-4) 

Could it be that the pregnant church has not given birth to revival because of the lack of repentance? Jesus warned us “Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many." Matthew 24:4-5 It is those who come in His name that we need to be worried about in these Last Days. Jesus tells us how we will know they are false prophets, "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. ¹² And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold." Matthew 24: 11-12 These are the mark of false prophets. They are lawless and Jesus will say to them in that day, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" These ministers thought they could work mighty signs and wonders yet be living outside of God's laws and principles. There will be no such thing! Our sin will never enter into the Holy of Holies; nor will we, be able to flaunt our works before a holy God.  

My friends, is there anything doubtful in our lives? Any sin? Let us confess to God what is causing us to stumble. Forgiving others who have hurt us. Laying down our pride. Picking up our cross and denying ourselves. Esteeming others higher than ourselves. Loving others unconditionally. It is what Jesus did. "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8 

Oh Father, make us humble bondservants. Give us the mind of Christ. Give us that love. Help us decrease. Increase in our lives. Father let us never be ashamed of preaching the cross that you so humbly died on. Bring revival to our nation and to our lives in Jesus name.

Excerpts from my book Be Attitudes of Revival

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Top Ten Marks of a Great Church

For a new breed of Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Teachers and Evangelists are going to lead by example this generation of Jesus lovers ~ jh
 

Harvest - Look for a church that is interested in winning souls and building the kingdom of God not their own personal kingdom.  Souls are not a means to profit or to build your own ministry. People know if you are recruiting them for personal gain or because you genuinely care for them. To seek and save that which is lost was Jesus' mission statement and it should be ours.

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest. Luke 10:2

Equipping - Look for a church that is willing to train you to do the work of the ministry or be the one willing to teach others to do it.  The primary focus of the fivefold ministry is to get others busy doing the work of the kingdom not to do everything yourself. Learn to delegate and help people step out of their comfort zones.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: Ephesians 4:11-13

Worshipers - Look for a church that is not afraid to be intimate and expressive towards God in their worship! However, if you are in an uptight church break the ice and see how God responds to those who aren't afraid to passionately pursue Him. Stop being a fringe dweller. No one ever gets anything by watching on the outside looking in. No more window shopping or dangling your feet on the side of the pool. It's time to get wet!

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

Other Oriented - Get away from ego centric living where the main focus of ministry is getting personal words, feel good messages, seeing the latest conference speaker, continually having to be affirmed and prayed for. We need to maintain a strong walk with God on our own personal time. Church should be about equipping others so we can demonstrate His love to this world and being taught the word of God so we can be skillful.

Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Matthew 25:34-36

Sending - If you are sitting in a church and waiting for an ordination or recognition to be sent then...sit on the pew no longer you have already been commissioned, ordained and empowered by Jesus! Even if no one ever recognizes your ministry just remember that Jesus already sent you.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:14-15

Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit - This one is huge! Try to be in a place that is willing to break from the routine of the service to make room for the Holy Spirit to move.  Avoid making what you want to say more important than what God wants to do. We were all created to work as a team not lifting up one gift above the other and allowing for diversity in giftings. Our main job is to make a place for God's presence to dwell; everything else is secondary.



There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: ⁸ for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, ¹⁰ to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. ¹¹ But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Prayer - Prayer is the ground of preparation, empowerment and demonstration! Things to look for in prayer meetings: Are the prayers being offered for others or it is it more self serving and need oriented? Is it a place of humility and worship or are people making long prayers to be noticed? Are people really praying or sitting around chatting and socializing? More importantly has prayer become a perpetually place of preparation where nothing is being done to walk out the prayers? Is it replacing all other aspects of Christianity such as sharing your faith, worship, preaching the word or ministering to others? Be careful for these pitfalls.

My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer Mark 11:17


“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward." Matthew 6:5

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Matthew 6:7
 
Unaltered Word of God - Look for a place that will not water down the gospel to please the crowds. The end result should always be doctrine that leads to godliness, character and a loving attitude. By nature we will always try to take the easy way out so make sure you are in a place that is challenging you to a higher level and causing you to grow. Also remember that all messages must be seasoned by grace. The method or delivery is just as important as the message. It must be conveyed with the same emotion that God would have in that situation. A messenger that has not been tempered by mercy can do much damage to the hearers and a messenger that has not been tempered by justice can just as damaging.  One will kill by the letter of the law and the other will forget the fear the Lord falling into lawlessness.

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 1 Timothy 6:3

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, ⁴⁷ and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. ⁴⁸ And you are witnesses of these things. Luke 24:46-48

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. Matthew 23:23

Power and Demonstration - Don't be a follower be a leader! Signs and wonders should follow you wherever you go.... Only the power and demonstration of God's spirit will be able to break down spiritual strongholds, release the captives and bring freedom to the oppressed. Power confrontations are necessary in an age where the false prophets of Baal are trying to keep their altars lit by calling on their false deities. Be in a place where you encouraged to walk in the power of God. The resurrected Christ lives in you and you are equipped unto every good work!

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. Mark 15:-17-18

 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

Love - Wherever you go BE LOVE. Choose to infuse others with the love of God no matter what is going on. It is risky but don't be afraid to be transparent and forgiving with those who may not catch on to the unconditional love of God.  However, if you find yourself in a place that preaches hate from the pulpit, slanders each other and kills their wounded then run! The Holy Spirit will not stay in place in which He is grieved. Strife, division, gossip and slander is not work of God and it kills revival. It is spiritual cannibalism. If you find yourself in this situation pray for and love them from afar. You don't want to become what is next on the menu.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! Gal.5:14-15

If you can't find these things where you are currently attending then...

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE

Now go be the great church we have talked about!

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Walk In The Power of God!

Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. ⁵ For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
Judges 13:4-5

We have all been taught the story of Samson in Sunday School. As children it was quite impressive to hear of a man with so much strength and power. We also were taught that Delilah through constant pressure and persistence finally caused Samson to tell her the source of his strength. His lack of discernment becomes his downfall and he ends up losing his vision being imprisoned by the enemy. Since this story is told to children we leave out all the gory details and just tell the kids about how Samson finally got victory over his enemies when he pushed over the pillars at their gathering killing them all.  

However, there is a great lesson in the story of Samson that has been overlooked that is key to walking in great power....CONSECRATION! Consecration means to be set apart for God's purposes. Samson was set apart by birth. The other day I was reading a post online and someone made an interesting statement about the powerlessness of the church. I thought about it and it came to me...the reason for the powerlessness in the church is that they been like Samson. They given over to the seduction of Delilah and have not kept their consecration to the Lord. The truth is the church has lost its vision and direction because it has been taken captive by the enemy. All over the world believers have given in to compromise and now have no power to escape their captivity. Yet, the key lies within their very reach. 

In Mark 9 there is a story of a boy who was demonized. The disciples tried to cast the devil out but they could not. Later on, "when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”²⁹ So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." Mark 9:28-29 I used think that this meant that demons somehow knew that we were fasting and praying giving us power over them. The fact is demons don't care if you don't eat or pray. What they do care about is when a Christian consecrates themselves through prayer and fasting. See a lot of people use fasting as a means to diet and prayer to tell God about all their problems. However, to be truly effective you need to set time aside to seek God alone, denying yourself in abstinence and staying in a place of intimacy with God.

Until recently when I started going to prayer mountain to fast and pray during our event called "Come Away My Beloved" I had no idea how disconnected from the presence of God I was. You have no idea how the constant demands of our time, attention, and distraction take their toll on our relationship with God until you get away from it all. I didn't quite get the importance of this even though I read that Jesus made a habit to get alone and pray. Even in that wilderness experience he was putting death and overcoming the devil. It was after that Jesus returned in power. (Luke 4:14)

Which leads me to the second key: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5  This word abide means to stay within, remain and dwell in God's presence. My friends don't expect to walk in great power if you never pick up your bible, pray or spend time in worship. Now a lot of people spend time in devotionals reading other people's material, give God their 5 minute prayers and sing songs to the Lord in their car. Praise God but that is not going to cut it. "Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone." John 6:15  Jesus spent time alone in prayer. He did not go to prayer meetings so everyone can see how spiritual He was. He did take his disciples with him but would still pray alone. I do believe in corporate prayer but not as a substitute for praying alone. "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" Matthew 6:6

Spending time alone with God is key to walking in great power! I know it is not easy because we are constantly in place of being able to be contacted by others and distracted. If someone messages us on Facebook it goes to our phone. Our e-mails go to our phones. There is texting, instant messaging, cell phones, IPOD's and all kinds of gadgets that interrupt our time. If you go anywhere there is music in the background and TV's. You almost have to leave the city and find a mountain like Jesus to be alone. I heard this from a Pastor and I believe it to be true, "Get anyone in a place of solitude and silence and they will hear from God!" I am going to add to that. Get anyone alone in a place of solitude, silence, prayer and worship; living their life in consecration...YOU WILL SEE GREAT POWER!

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Jaziz Gutierrez
http://www.loverevivalrevolution.com

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