The Taking of The NAME

GOD is a GOD of order. HE does everything with foreknowledge, knowing both the cause and the effect. GOD is CREATOR. GOD is FATHER. HE is SPACE. HE is TIME. HE is MATTER.

GOD is the SUBSTANCE of everything that we hope for in and
through JESUS CHRIST, YESHUA, ONLY BEGOTTEN of the FATHER, MESSIAH, THE ANOINTED ONE of GOD.

In Genesis, GOD as CREATOR, establishes HIS universal laws of order. HE establishes times and seasons; days and years. HE literally allows the HOLY SPIRIT-inspired author of Genesis to pull back the curtain on creation. As GOD conceived it. As HE spoke it. And, as HE established it.

The laws, patterns and cycles put forth in Genesis (1 and 2, in particular) is still honored by GOD even though we may not honor them.

Since HE establishes all things with foreknowledge and,after the Council of HIS OWN Holy, Infallable Will, it has to be clear to us that today's society (whatever today is), was fully in mind before the foundations of the world. Let me help you understand what this means, Nothing has changed in GOD'S mind, regardless of how much we perceive things to have changed in our minds, or in our society.

The creative and universal laws of GOD were established in CHRIST long before there was ever an earth for man to dwell in. When LIGHT was spoken into existence and the order of GOD established in the earth, in and through JESUS CHRIST (yes, HE was present during creation as THE WORD), and by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, HE had already anticipated and accounted for the fallen nature of man.

We have to get over the notion that GOD has somehow changed because society has changed. HE has not!

GOD reveals HIS undeniable perfection to us. HE reveals HIMSELF through HIS WORD. The creative miracles of Genesis were performed by GOD in spite of the fact that HE knew we would sin, not because HE did not know.

Even as CHRIST-ians, we all too often take HIS Grace as a license for sin. We tend to act as if the rules have somehow changed because JESUS CHRIST fulfilled the law and redeemed us. This is, at least, ignorant...at worst, rebellious.

The grace of GOD to us, through HIS ONLY Begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST, is given for us to be able to abide and walk in the completed work of CHRIST. The law of grace demans a higher standard, not a lower one.

When JESUS CHRIST fulfilled the law, HE simultaneously became the Law. We are not let "off the hook" in any way, in fact, the bar has been raised. Yet, GOD in HIS Eternal Wisdom and with Foreknowledge, gave us grace through JESUS, MESSIAH, to live according to the new Standard. This "new" Standard existed before the beginning of measurable time; it was not an afterthought to it.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20.7 and Deuteronomy 5.11, KJV)

This Scripture is not about us yelling, "JESUS CHRIST!", when we stub our baby toe on the bed post, or get upset at our children. That is a use of HIS NAME. And, no, we should not use HIS NAME in that manner.

This Scripture is about the taking of HIS NAME, which is very different from using it.

When a wo-man marries, she takes her husband's name (or, at least she should by GOD'S law). As his wife, her GOD-given role and function to her husband is to be a support to him in the HOLY SPIRIT-led fulfillment of GOD'S assignment for his life. Ideally, she represents him and their household (publically and privately) in a way that is glorifying to GOD and edifying to her husband. She bears fruit of the seed that GOD sows into her husband (the one GOD created her exclusively from and for). She nurtures both husband and seed. She does him good and not evil all his days, and does not bring shame to his name. To do otherwise, would mean she has taken her husband's name in vain (without evidence of a marriage -- without bearing fruit -- without functioning in the role she was created to function in).

As the Bride of JESUS CHRIST, our role to HIM is the same as that of a human bride. By the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, we are to:

1. Represent JESUS CHRIST and the Household of GOD (publically and privately) in a
way that is glorifying to GOD and edifying to our HUSBAND, JESUS CHRIST.

2. Bear fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT. [But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Gal 5.22-23)]

3. Nurture both HUSBAND and HIS Seed: We are to exalt and worship JESUS CHRIST, and love HIS People.

4. Bless JESUS CHRIST and curse him not.

5. Bring glory and honor to HIS HOLY NAME and to the House of our FATHER, GOD ALMIGHTY.

6. Surrender continually to the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT, so that in all things, we are Living Epistles borne of the LIVING WORD (JESUS CHRIST) and the LIVING WATER (HOLY SPIRIT). NOTE: The LIVING WORD and The HOLY SPIRIT must be present at all times in the creative process of GOD. HE does nothing apart from the TWO working together.

7. Hallow (consecrate and reverence) the NAME of JESUS CHRIST before all men, including those in HIS House.

If we fail in any aspect of the role and function we have been given as the Bride of JESUS CHRIST, then we can be certain that we have violated and insulted GOD (not just HIS Law, but HIS Person) by taking our LORD'S (HUSBAND'S) NAME (JESUS CHRIST, NAME above all names) in vain, and GOD ALMIGHTY, THE EVERLASTING and ETERNAL FATHER, will not hold us guiltless.

Your Own Private Eden

We are not here/alive/on earth for ourselves. When we get a hold of this revelation alone, we will see greater manifestations of the miraculous power of the HOLY GOD in our lives and in the lives of others.

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Genesis 2.15)

~~~

[Keep in mind that just as we were created in HIM (JESUS CHRIST),
wo-man was created in the man.]

We have been mercifully put here (and left here) as caretakers of GOD'S Garden...the Garden of Eden (the Garden of LIFE).

A man is responsible (by the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT) for hearing from GOD and carrying out HIS Plans. He is responsible for reclaiming territory and establishing a holy legacy in the earth. Why? Because GOD created him for this purpose. Ideally, a man's legacy starts with and continues to/through his family.

A man's wife (his wo-man; the one created specifically from and for him) is responsible (also by the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT) for nurturing and supporting the man, for the purpose of upholding the legacy of GOD established through her husband. Why? Because this is what GOD created her to do.

It is, all at once, both a lateral and progressive relationship. There is great order in it, and yet there must be because GOD is order.

Together, male and female (a man and his wife) are guardians of the slice of the Garden of GOD'S Life that has been assigned to them. Every marriage should abide it its own private Eden.

As the BRIDE of CHRIST, we are guardians of the LIFE of GOD.

HE has made available to us HIS Life Flow, WHO is the HOLY SPIRIT -- The LIVING WATER of the LIVING, and very alive, ALMIGHTY GOD. This MIGHTY RIVER flows to, through, and proceeds from of the Garden of GOD bringing life.

GOD cannot be present and life not exist. It is HIS NAME -- HIS NAME is LIFE. It is HIS CHARACTER. It is HIS Composition. Life is the DNA of GOD. Life cannot now nor will it ever proceed from any other force or source.

A man and his wife bring forth the fruit of GOD (children) through their marriage. They must, then, continue the legacy of the Kingdom in every aspect of their marriage so that the glory of GOD can be revealed in their children.

The modern-day church has, for too long, been mired down in its own selfishness and short-sightedness. If we were as concerned about our children, each other (as far as humans go) and most importantly, about the PERSON, CHARACTER, NATURE, and DESIRE of GOD, all of the issues we "struggle" with would fall away. They would have no choice but to do so; we are, after all, married to THE WORD of LIFE.

2009 The Year Of The Bride

I have heard many people say many things about this New Year (2009). Some accounts have agreed with other accounts, and some have not.

I do believe that GOD, in HIS Sovereignty, reveals things to us that are specifically, and only, for us at a point in time, and maybe even forever. In fact, the majority of the time when GOD speaks a Word by HIS HOLY SPIRIT, HE intends for us to chew on it a bit first before regurgitating it to others. Sadly, I am not convinced that we understand and practice this as much as we should, but I am hopeful that the LORD will have HIS Way in all things. On the other hand, HE is also faithful to give us words that are to be released for the edification of other individuals and the Body of CHRIST, in general.

The LORD, by HIS HOLY SPIRIT, did tell me something about 2009 that HE has now released me to share. "2009", saith the LORD, "is the year of MY Bride".

HE went on to tell me that 2009 is the year that the Bride of CHRIST will enter into the bridal preparation chamber in earnest. 2009 is the year when the Body of CHRIST (the Church) will begin to receive the fullness of the revelation of JESUS CHRIST as Bridegroom. She will also receive greater wisdom and revelation in her own role as HIS Body and HIS Beloved.

2009 will be a year of intimacy with the LORD. It will be a year of HIM drawing us closer to HIM by the HOLY SPIRIT, so that HE can better use us to draw others.

On the one hand, this is a time of great rejoicing, as all times in the LORD should be. But, if we are not careful to comprehend how HE moves and when HE moves we could risk expecting something out of 2009 that HE never intended to bring forth...this would lead to great disappointment, and there is no disappointment in HIM.

For those already positioned for deeper intimacy, you will experience a drawing and revelation of the LORD as HUSBAND/BRIDEGROOM as never before. I do not mean in some stale, religious form or fashion. I mean person-to-person, one-on-one a beautifully new revelation of JESUS CHRIST by the HOLY SPIRIT. This revelation will quiet your heart-cry for more of HIM.

For those who have not yet embraced the possibility of this intimate encounter, you will experience a drawing that must first reveal to you the hindrances to your entering into the secret place of the LORD. It is a new thing and we have no frame of reference for it. Therefore, any traditions, persons, places, and things that are on the throne of your heart (instead of JESUS CHRIST) will be revealed to you by the HOLY SPIRIT of THE LIVING GOD...it will be your decision to surrender to HIM.

Everything GOD does is based on unity/oneness/marriage. In this year, HE is calling us to renew our vows to HIM and enter into the fulness of the power and authority that can only result from intimate worship -- from this day forward.

How Do You Represent JESUS?

And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5.18-19, KJV)

How do you represent JESUS? Are you a true Ambassador?

Do you realize and truly walk in the totality of CHRIST'S sacrifice? HIS Salvation? HE died to abolish the sin nature that we had been corrupted with. HE loves us, but HE died to kill us...self...flesh. As it is written in Romans 6.6:

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

And again in Galatians 2.20:

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Do you know what this means? Covenant dictates that HE gave HIS life in exchange for yours. You don't get to keep your (former) life and live HIS, too. It's one or the other. You no longer belong to you, you belong to CHRIST. Same vessel (body) -- different SPIRIT -- THE HOLY SPIRIT. Problem is, HE could not violate our will, so HE let us keep it.

Because of freewill, we have a good memory of the "old" self/sinful nature, but are no longer to be conformed to it or operate in it. JESUS commands us to renew our minds so that we can walk in the spirit in the reality and truth of the Kingdom, even though we are still confined to a body of flesh. HE basically tells us that HE'S done the hardest and most essential part, but it will be up to us to comprehend HIS completed work, believe it and walk in it. How? By the renewing of our minds using HIS Holy Word (The BIBLE) as our Textbook, and through constant fellowship of HIS HOLY SPIRIT (The TEACHER).

When a baby is born into the earth through it's mother, the mother and father have to take responsibility for teaching that infant practically everything it will eventually know and act on. For the most part, that child is a "clean slate" upon which the pictures of the parents lives (values, thoughts, behaviors, speech, etc.) will be displayed.

Not so with us who are born again. JESUS has wiped the slate clean for us spiritually and wants HIS imprint to be on our souls, but we still have the old slate of the soul (the freewill being the gate or seat of the soul) to contend with.

We have the divine challenge of repenting or changing our own minds.

We have to turn from memories to miracles.

From death to demonstrations of GOD'S power.

Once born again, the truth is that you were immediately converted into a representative of CHRIST. Until you repent or change your ways/thoughts, however, you will not believe it or act on it.


HOW DO YOU REPRESENT JESUS (THE GIFT OF GOD)?

JESUS is a gift from our Holy and Heavenly, FATHER GOD. HE is a present.

If you are born again, then you are a re-present -- a gift resulting from the Original GIFT.

As a re-present-ative, you have been given the ability by the sacrificial death of the LAMB and, by the Resurrection Power of the HOLY SPIRIT to re-present the original gift of JESUS CHRIST to others.

**********
There is a societal practice talked about about quite a lot during the holidays.It is called re-gifting. Whereby instead of returning a gift due to dislike or duplication, they give the gift to someone else. They give the gift again, but in a different package to a different person and without compromising the purpose and integrity of the original gift.
**********

The principle of re-gifting is the same (and even more important) for us as it relates to the FATHER GOD and the gift of HIS Only Begotten SON, JESUS CHRIST.

THE FATHER made it possible for each of us to receive the original GIFT, but with the Original GIFT of JESUS CHRIST came THE FATHER'S expectation that we will re-gift or re-present JESUS to others through different packaging (our unique, earthen vessels) without compromising WHO JESUS IS. As a re-present of JESUS and a re-presentative for HIM, you are empowered and equipped of the HOLY SPIRIT to share the GIFT through the unique packaging of your bodily vessel that GOD created for HIS OWN glory, pleasure and delight.

The FATHER gave birth to the Original Holy PRESENT, JESUS MESSIAH. When we confess HIM, we become re-presents (we contain the Original, but in different packaging).

Now is the time for us to re-present the gift of JESUS to the lost, dying, and desperate world around us. Whether your world is your own home, your community, your school, your family, or some other sphere of influence is not the point. The point now is, and forever shall be, that as a born again Believer, JESUS has wiped your slate absolutely clean. You have the GIFT of JESUS CHRIST living in you....now RE-PRESENT!