Friday, January 31, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Behavior
Proverbs 20:11 Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
If you want to know of your behavior, then look at the behavior of your children. It all runs downward. If you want your children corrected, you must be corrected first. They have your spirits! Authority flows downward, not upward. If you are asking why your children are so rebellious, God is asking the same of you. If you are asking your children, why are they not listening to you, well, God is asking the same of you! The enemy can only get to the children through the parents as authority belongs to the parents. When God disciplines you as the parent, receive and thank HIM for HIS correction.
Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.
So many fight and quarrel in Facebook. They especially strife over the subject of the bible/gospel. Do not get caught up with the nonsense. If you believe you are in truth, then let God defend you. Otherwise, you are defending your pride. We are called to be peacemakers. Quarrelers will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Some people say they are allowed to be righteously angry. We are not allowed to be angry or hot tempered.
Proverbs 20:3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
Proverbs 22:24-25 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
If you want to know of your behavior, then look at the behavior of your children. It all runs downward. If you want your children corrected, you must be corrected first. They have your spirits! Authority flows downward, not upward. If you are asking why your children are so rebellious, God is asking the same of you. If you are asking your children, why are they not listening to you, well, God is asking the same of you! The enemy can only get to the children through the parents as authority belongs to the parents. When God disciplines you as the parent, receive and thank HIM for HIS correction.
Proverbs 23:13-14 NLT Don’t fail to discipline your children. They won’t die if you spank them. 14 Physical discipline may well save them from death.
So many fight and quarrel in Facebook. They especially strife over the subject of the bible/gospel. Do not get caught up with the nonsense. If you believe you are in truth, then let God defend you. Otherwise, you are defending your pride. We are called to be peacemakers. Quarrelers will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Some people say they are allowed to be righteously angry. We are not allowed to be angry or hot tempered.
Proverbs 20:3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
Proverbs 22:24-25 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
Friday, January 24, 2014
God disciplines those whom HE Loves
Proverbs 20:30 NLT Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart.
Proverbs 20:30 KJV The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
Deuteronomy 32:39 (AMP) See now that I, I am He, and there is no god beside Me; I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal, and there is none who can deliver out of My hand.
Proverbs 11:2 (AMP) When swelling and pride come, then emptiness and shame come also, but with the humble (those who are lowly, who have been pruned or chiseled by trial, and renounce self) are skillful and godly Wisdom and soundness.
Leviticus 26:18 And if in spite of all this you still will not listen and be obedient to Me, then I will chastise and discipline you seven times more for your sins.19 And I will break and humble your pride in your power, and I will make your heavens as iron [yielding no answer, no blessing, no rain] and your earth [as sterile] as brass.20 And your strength shall be spent in vain, for your land shall not yield its increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruit.21 If you walk contrary to Me and will not heed Me, I will bring seven times more plagues upon you, according to your sins.
Deuteronomy 8:2 (NLT) Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.
God uses the physical things and experiences of life to mold, humble, and prove our character and faith. In Hebrews, it states, the Lord disciplines those whom HE loves. This word for discipline can be punish and even scourges every child HE accepts and welcomes. But we must submit to the discipline and even Thank HIM! In proverbs, it states that it is a blessing to be disciplined.
Scripture says no discipline is enjoyable as we go through it. But those who have learned of HIS ways can submit and thank HIM. When you are being chiseled by the trails of life and your circumstances, rather than praying to get out, you must pray to discern why you are being disciplined. In the Old Testament, the methods of discipline were war, disease, and economics. He has not changed. You must learn to discern and submit to HIS Corrections.
How do we stay on the straight and narrow road?
Leviticus 26:2-3 2 You shall keep My Sabbaths (Sundays now) and reverence My sanctuary. I am the Lord.3 If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and do them,
Then we will be blessed and find favor. Please read all of Leviticus chapter 26 and know HE is God.
Psalms 119:67, 71 I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.
71 My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Aroused to Jealousy
Acts 17:5 But the unbelieving Jews were aroused to jealousy, and, getting hold of some wicked men (ruffians and rascals) and loungers in the marketplace, they gathered together a mob, set the town in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring [Paul and Silas] out to the people.
How does one know one has a spirit of jealousy in them? In Acts 17:5, the unbelieving Jews, or in other words, the religious lukewarm Christians, were aroused to jealousy. What was their fruit of jealousy? They began to get hold of wicked men or in today's term, other lukewarm Christians. They may have announced their lies to the whole town to the good and wicked people but only the wicked people will answer. Gathering people together in number makes one feel safe and justified and thus they can begin roaring and attacking.
The bible says if you have been wronged, just be wronged. If you are in Truth, then let God vindicate you. But the jealous ones will use this opportunity to send massive emails, massive Facebook announcements, massive internet blogs, and they will roar and attack with gossip twisting the truth of people's personal lives or ministries. They are showing their true fruit and colors.
So many Christians use their free time researching to personally slander others when they can use their time to just draw closer to Jesus. Use your time to know HIM more. True humility will lead you home. Distractions will lead you to deception. You must become nothing! Stop making others look bad so you can look good. Most do not even pray or know the bible but yet one thinks they have authority to speak on ministries or other people? Pride will be one's fall.
Jealousy in our lives will only bring disorder and confusion and vile practices like sending slandering emails, making false announcements, and gossip to accuse God's people. Such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. You must become gentle as doves. Pray for meekness for the meek shall inherit the earth. The meek shall take the Land!
James 3:16 (AMP) For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
How does one know one has a spirit of jealousy in them? In Acts 17:5, the unbelieving Jews, or in other words, the religious lukewarm Christians, were aroused to jealousy. What was their fruit of jealousy? They began to get hold of wicked men or in today's term, other lukewarm Christians. They may have announced their lies to the whole town to the good and wicked people but only the wicked people will answer. Gathering people together in number makes one feel safe and justified and thus they can begin roaring and attacking.
The bible says if you have been wronged, just be wronged. If you are in Truth, then let God vindicate you. But the jealous ones will use this opportunity to send massive emails, massive Facebook announcements, massive internet blogs, and they will roar and attack with gossip twisting the truth of people's personal lives or ministries. They are showing their true fruit and colors.
So many Christians use their free time researching to personally slander others when they can use their time to just draw closer to Jesus. Use your time to know HIM more. True humility will lead you home. Distractions will lead you to deception. You must become nothing! Stop making others look bad so you can look good. Most do not even pray or know the bible but yet one thinks they have authority to speak on ministries or other people? Pride will be one's fall.
Jealousy in our lives will only bring disorder and confusion and vile practices like sending slandering emails, making false announcements, and gossip to accuse God's people. Such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. You must become gentle as doves. Pray for meekness for the meek shall inherit the earth. The meek shall take the Land!
James 3:16 (AMP) For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Synagogue of Satan
Why was the earth made? The earth was made for man. The Lord God created the trees, all living creatures, animals, land, rivers, seas, flying birds, and etc and God gave Adam the authority to name all living creatures. When Adam fell, man was now subjected to death. The earth was subjected to decay and corruption being a unwillingly participant in the curse due to the choice of Adam and Eve. In order to understand spiritual blessings and curses, we must understand spiritual authority.
Satan had come to tempt Eve. Adam held the office and authority but Eve was the helper and influenced his life. Yes, she had eaten the fruit first but scripture says sin came through one man.
Romans 5:12 (AMP) Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [[a]no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned.
Therefore, Adam was responsible and she was under his authority. The NLT and Expanded bible specifically states that Adam was with Eve when she had partaken the fruit (Gen 3:6). It may appear Adam was watching and by not reacting was participating in the disobedience. In fact, he ate right after she had eaten.
Genesis 3:6 (EXB) The woman saw that the tree was ·beautiful [Lpleasing to the eyes], that its fruit was good ·to eat [Lfor food], and that it would make her wise. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of the fruit to her husband who was with her [Capparently he was present but silent while the woman spoke to the snake], and he ate it.
As a result, through one man's sin, death spread to all men. Through one man's sin, instead of life and blessings, a curse was upon them. In fact, this curse was now on everything he had authority over including the earth. The earth was now subjected to decay and corruption. Because of one man's sin or disobedience, many were constituted sinner.
As apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers, fathers, and mothers, such people are GREATLY responsible for the flock that may be put under them. God gives authority to bring proper order and blessings. Such leaders are called to teach and restore obedience to the faith in Jesus Christ to bring life and favor. But the devil and his demons are always looking to steal this authority to bring curses, sickness, and death. The devil is there to steal, kill, and destroy. We must understand spiritual authority. We must understand that obedience brings blessings and life and disobedience brings curses and death.
How can the devil and his demons steal the authority given to us? When we listen to the demons, we submit to them and therefore we give the authority over to them that was given to us by God.
Adam and Eve was given authority over the earth as Adam was able to name all the living animals. The devil came to tempt Eve and when she listened, she had submitted to the devil. When she influenced Adam to partake the fruit, now Adam was submitting to the devil. With one act, Adam had relinquished his authority to the devil. He had submitted to his lies. As a result, rather than staying in the blessings of life and abundance through obedience to God, Adam and Eve had submitted to to curses and death by submitting to the devil's word.
When we look at churches, the pastors are usually assigned by God to lead and teach His people/flock. The pastors are assigned the work to lead God's people home to heaven and get them ready for Christ's return. When the pastors follow and are led by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit, this will lead to life and blessings/favor. This should be true? After all, scripture says, there should be deliverance, freedom, health, blessings, favor, life, etc. But sadly, many churches are struggling with finances, health, and other chaos. They blame it on the devil. In most part, yes, the devil is responsible for the chaos but God will hold the pastors and the leaders responsible for giving the authority over to Satan making His churches "Synagogue of Satan."
Revelation 3:9 Take note! I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and learn and acknowledge that I have loved you.
For example, if the demons tempt the elders, deacons, and the church members with money to influence the pastors and he/she compromises God's teaching, altar, Word, or authority, that pastor has just given the sanctuary or altar over to the demons. If the pastors do not realize this and if they are giving in to the pressures of people and thus compromise God's authority, rather than continuing in God's Word/blessings, he/she now brings curses for his people. Even though they may be raising their hands worshiping and reading and listening to the bible, such churches are now the property of Satan and they are DECEIVED. What is more sad is that the church members may not even realize they are under the subject of the demons since the pastor had sold them out. As a result, curses and death is reigning in such churches and the people are getting sick as they die and people continue to struggle financially. The people struggle because the church struggles.
The churches are suppose to be reigning under the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. The churches are suppose to be praying and praying listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But if the churches are not praying and if they are moving by sight and humanism, then they are being led by the demons and not by God.
This is not to say all disobedience churches are financially struggling as false gospel also brings in many lukewarm believers. But you will know them by their fruit! It is very sad as so many churches are deceived. Am I telling people to leave their churches? Absolutely NOT! I do not have such authority to tell you to leave your churches. But I can tell you that if you are the one reading this message, then it is YOUR responsibility to PRAY for your churches and family. Gods people are losing ground because we do not pray and we are not dying to ourselves.
We must humble ourselves and repent restoring proper order and authority back to God. This does not come overnight. A seed has been planted in us. This seed is the Word of God. What type of soil are you? The seed must grow and it will take years to mature as a tree that will bear fruit. The years of growing are years of testing.
But God has made a way. Although through one man sin came into the world, now one Man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men. The pastors and leaders must listen and follow the Holy Spirit and not to the baby Christians who have money. We must choose obedience and trust God. May our minds be held captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.
Joel 2:12 (AMP) Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored].
Fire of God Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Satan had come to tempt Eve. Adam held the office and authority but Eve was the helper and influenced his life. Yes, she had eaten the fruit first but scripture says sin came through one man.
Romans 5:12 (AMP) Therefore, as sin came into the world through one man, and death as the result of sin, so death spread to all men, [[a]no one being able to stop it or to escape its power] because all men sinned.
Therefore, Adam was responsible and she was under his authority. The NLT and Expanded bible specifically states that Adam was with Eve when she had partaken the fruit (Gen 3:6). It may appear Adam was watching and by not reacting was participating in the disobedience. In fact, he ate right after she had eaten.
Genesis 3:6 (EXB) The woman saw that the tree was ·beautiful [Lpleasing to the eyes], that its fruit was good ·to eat [Lfor food], and that it would make her wise. So she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of the fruit to her husband who was with her [Capparently he was present but silent while the woman spoke to the snake], and he ate it.
As a result, through one man's sin, death spread to all men. Through one man's sin, instead of life and blessings, a curse was upon them. In fact, this curse was now on everything he had authority over including the earth. The earth was now subjected to decay and corruption. Because of one man's sin or disobedience, many were constituted sinner.
As apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, teachers, fathers, and mothers, such people are GREATLY responsible for the flock that may be put under them. God gives authority to bring proper order and blessings. Such leaders are called to teach and restore obedience to the faith in Jesus Christ to bring life and favor. But the devil and his demons are always looking to steal this authority to bring curses, sickness, and death. The devil is there to steal, kill, and destroy. We must understand spiritual authority. We must understand that obedience brings blessings and life and disobedience brings curses and death.
How can the devil and his demons steal the authority given to us? When we listen to the demons, we submit to them and therefore we give the authority over to them that was given to us by God.
Adam and Eve was given authority over the earth as Adam was able to name all the living animals. The devil came to tempt Eve and when she listened, she had submitted to the devil. When she influenced Adam to partake the fruit, now Adam was submitting to the devil. With one act, Adam had relinquished his authority to the devil. He had submitted to his lies. As a result, rather than staying in the blessings of life and abundance through obedience to God, Adam and Eve had submitted to to curses and death by submitting to the devil's word.
When we look at churches, the pastors are usually assigned by God to lead and teach His people/flock. The pastors are assigned the work to lead God's people home to heaven and get them ready for Christ's return. When the pastors follow and are led by the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit, this will lead to life and blessings/favor. This should be true? After all, scripture says, there should be deliverance, freedom, health, blessings, favor, life, etc. But sadly, many churches are struggling with finances, health, and other chaos. They blame it on the devil. In most part, yes, the devil is responsible for the chaos but God will hold the pastors and the leaders responsible for giving the authority over to Satan making His churches "Synagogue of Satan."
Revelation 3:9 Take note! I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and learn and acknowledge that I have loved you.
For example, if the demons tempt the elders, deacons, and the church members with money to influence the pastors and he/she compromises God's teaching, altar, Word, or authority, that pastor has just given the sanctuary or altar over to the demons. If the pastors do not realize this and if they are giving in to the pressures of people and thus compromise God's authority, rather than continuing in God's Word/blessings, he/she now brings curses for his people. Even though they may be raising their hands worshiping and reading and listening to the bible, such churches are now the property of Satan and they are DECEIVED. What is more sad is that the church members may not even realize they are under the subject of the demons since the pastor had sold them out. As a result, curses and death is reigning in such churches and the people are getting sick as they die and people continue to struggle financially. The people struggle because the church struggles.
The churches are suppose to be reigning under the sovereignty of the Holy Spirit. The churches are suppose to be praying and praying listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But if the churches are not praying and if they are moving by sight and humanism, then they are being led by the demons and not by God.
This is not to say all disobedience churches are financially struggling as false gospel also brings in many lukewarm believers. But you will know them by their fruit! It is very sad as so many churches are deceived. Am I telling people to leave their churches? Absolutely NOT! I do not have such authority to tell you to leave your churches. But I can tell you that if you are the one reading this message, then it is YOUR responsibility to PRAY for your churches and family. Gods people are losing ground because we do not pray and we are not dying to ourselves.
We must humble ourselves and repent restoring proper order and authority back to God. This does not come overnight. A seed has been planted in us. This seed is the Word of God. What type of soil are you? The seed must grow and it will take years to mature as a tree that will bear fruit. The years of growing are years of testing.
But God has made a way. Although through one man sin came into the world, now one Man’s act of righteousness leads to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men. The pastors and leaders must listen and follow the Holy Spirit and not to the baby Christians who have money. We must choose obedience and trust God. May our minds be held captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.
Joel 2:12 (AMP) Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored].
Fire of God Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
What is to worship?
John 4:23-24 (AMP) A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. 24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).
What is to worship? We think in most part it may be to sing some hymns or praise songs, perhaps for others, it is to raise their hands, and for others, perhaps to shed many tears. This is in most part an outward appearance or manifestation to worship and these are fine but the question still remains, what is true worship? What is to worship in spirit and truth? What is true worship in the spirit in which only God can determine within the hearts of men? Humans may see the outer appearance of one another as we display physical motions and emotions. But only God can see the heart and determine true worshipers. We must ask ourselves, am I a true worshiper of God? Or am I just a noisy gong and/or a clanging cymbal? Sadly, there are many clanging cymbals in the pews of the churches.
In Exodus chapter 20, the ten commandments were given to the people of God and the second commandment states as follow.
Exodus 20:4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, 6 But showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
This commandment was given to God's people as a warning. This and all the other commandments were given to God's people and not to the unbelievers. The unbelievers are already dead in their sins. Today, most Christians do not think they have idols and they do not think they are worshiping or bowing down to other idols. We in most part think of idols as some wooden image or a figure like buddha . And since most of the Christians are not bowing down to wooden idols or buddha, we in most part think we are safe. But yet the warning was for us and yet many today continue to have divided hearts as we are worshiping other idols.
The word "worship" first appeared in Genesis 22:5 "And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and come again to you." Abraham was heading to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his only son Issac as God had commanded. Issac was to be a burnt offering unto God. Today, we are to be living sacrifices who are burnt offerings. His Fire is to baptize and consume us burning all the flesh and sin away and to be that living sacrifice.
In the Old Testament, the term "bow down" usually preceded the word "worship." In the Old Testament, the people worshiping was described as those who would bow down. In today's church, very few bow down to worship God. But to bow down was a physical manifestation or a symbol to express what was in their hearts. Today, many in our churches do not understand the word "Holy" and we do not respect the altar/sanctuary. Many come to worship HIM late. Many come half hearted. Many come to put on an act. Many come for the approval of men. Many come to church out of obligation. God is seeking those who will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. God is seeking for those who are truly in love with HIM.
What is true worship? Is it to physically bow down? In 2 Samuel 12, King David had despised the commandment of God. King David had Uriah killed and had stolen Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. King David repented and God forgave him but there were still consequences. As part of his judgment, God pronounced judgment and told King David that his child with Bathsheba would die. God struck the child King David bore with Bathsheba. King David fasted, prayed, and laid on the floor hoping God would change His mind. How many of God's people today fast, pray and lay on the floor interceding for their loved ones? On the seventh day, the child died. After the child had died, King David arose from the floor, washed, anointed himself, changed his apparel, and went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. When we have lost a loved one, how many of us arise, wash, prepare and go to worship the Lord? No, many of us cry out with "Why!"
In the book of Job chapter 1, after Job had lost all his possessions, sons and daughters, he arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped. After Job had lost everything, he further shaved his head and fell to worship.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped 21 And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord! 22 In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.
Let us look at the definition to "bow down."
Bow Down: to submit to someone or something; to yield sovereignty to someone or something; to obey someone or something. To show obedience or respect by bending the head down or the body forward.
In the Old Testament, people had bow down to show and symbolize submission, yielding sovereignty, respecting and showing obedience. When King David lost his child, he worshiped God's sovereign decision. King David showed he was totally committed to God. When Job lost everything except his wife, he still worshiped God. Perhaps, this is what it takes for some of us to truly become humbled. When we have nothing left and as we face God, will we respect His Sovereign decision for our lives and worship HIM or will we become angry with HIM? When we are filled with distractions, wealth, family, recreation, self exalting, and self willed, are we truly worshiping God or are our hearts somewhere else?
When we submit or yield and give more attention to someone or something else than God, then we are committing idolatery and we are spiritually bowing down to another. God requires us to give all of our hearts to HIM. God requires us to give all of our surrender to HIM. God requires us to give HIM all of our service. God requires us to give HIM our full obedience. Abraham was about to give God Issac as a burnt offering. Abraham did not question God. He obeyed waking up early the next morning taking Issac. His only son, Issac, was his most precious possession in which he had waited for so long. Do you have the heart to forsake your most prized possession whether it be intangible things or people?
Luke 14:26 (AMP) If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple.
What if God took your child? What if God took your family and all your possession? What if God took everything? Will you still worship HIM? Will you still submit, yield, and obey to HIS Sovereignty? Does God have to take something from you to show you that you have not been worshiping HIM? Will you get angry like Cain because we do not like God's decision?
True worship is when there is nothing in our lives that is above HIM including our families, possessions, time, career, our own lives, or anything. And if God took it all including your family, would you still worship HIM and respect HIS Sovereign decision? God requires a true broken contrite spirit that brings forth the fragrance of Jesus.
Let us make sure whether we are in comfort, trials and/or tests that we have given our full hearts to HIM. May we pass HIS tests to show our faith approved and genuine. True worshipers in spirit and truth are those who are burnt living sacrifices (dead to themselves) for HIM and those who are faithful to HIM in truth following and keeping HIS commandments. Many say they Love God but have they fallen in Love with HIM?
Naked we came and naked we will go. It all belongs to God. Give HIM the Glory and Worship.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
What is to worship? We think in most part it may be to sing some hymns or praise songs, perhaps for others, it is to raise their hands, and for others, perhaps to shed many tears. This is in most part an outward appearance or manifestation to worship and these are fine but the question still remains, what is true worship? What is to worship in spirit and truth? What is true worship in the spirit in which only God can determine within the hearts of men? Humans may see the outer appearance of one another as we display physical motions and emotions. But only God can see the heart and determine true worshipers. We must ask ourselves, am I a true worshiper of God? Or am I just a noisy gong and/or a clanging cymbal? Sadly, there are many clanging cymbals in the pews of the churches.
In Exodus chapter 20, the ten commandments were given to the people of God and the second commandment states as follow.
Exodus 20:4 You shall not make yourself any graven image [to worship it] or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;5 You shall not bow down yourself to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, 6 But showing mercy and steadfast love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
This commandment was given to God's people as a warning. This and all the other commandments were given to God's people and not to the unbelievers. The unbelievers are already dead in their sins. Today, most Christians do not think they have idols and they do not think they are worshiping or bowing down to other idols. We in most part think of idols as some wooden image or a figure like buddha . And since most of the Christians are not bowing down to wooden idols or buddha, we in most part think we are safe. But yet the warning was for us and yet many today continue to have divided hearts as we are worshiping other idols.
The word "worship" first appeared in Genesis 22:5 "And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and come again to you." Abraham was heading to Mount Moriah to sacrifice his only son Issac as God had commanded. Issac was to be a burnt offering unto God. Today, we are to be living sacrifices who are burnt offerings. His Fire is to baptize and consume us burning all the flesh and sin away and to be that living sacrifice.
In the Old Testament, the term "bow down" usually preceded the word "worship." In the Old Testament, the people worshiping was described as those who would bow down. In today's church, very few bow down to worship God. But to bow down was a physical manifestation or a symbol to express what was in their hearts. Today, many in our churches do not understand the word "Holy" and we do not respect the altar/sanctuary. Many come to worship HIM late. Many come half hearted. Many come to put on an act. Many come for the approval of men. Many come to church out of obligation. God is seeking those who will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. God is seeking for those who are truly in love with HIM.
What is true worship? Is it to physically bow down? In 2 Samuel 12, King David had despised the commandment of God. King David had Uriah killed and had stolen Uriah's wife, Bathsheba. King David repented and God forgave him but there were still consequences. As part of his judgment, God pronounced judgment and told King David that his child with Bathsheba would die. God struck the child King David bore with Bathsheba. King David fasted, prayed, and laid on the floor hoping God would change His mind. How many of God's people today fast, pray and lay on the floor interceding for their loved ones? On the seventh day, the child died. After the child had died, King David arose from the floor, washed, anointed himself, changed his apparel, and went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. When we have lost a loved one, how many of us arise, wash, prepare and go to worship the Lord? No, many of us cry out with "Why!"
In the book of Job chapter 1, after Job had lost all his possessions, sons and daughters, he arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped. After Job had lost everything, he further shaved his head and fell to worship.
Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped 21 And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother’s womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord! 22 In all this Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly.
Let us look at the definition to "bow down."
Bow Down: to submit to someone or something; to yield sovereignty to someone or something; to obey someone or something. To show obedience or respect by bending the head down or the body forward.
In the Old Testament, people had bow down to show and symbolize submission, yielding sovereignty, respecting and showing obedience. When King David lost his child, he worshiped God's sovereign decision. King David showed he was totally committed to God. When Job lost everything except his wife, he still worshiped God. Perhaps, this is what it takes for some of us to truly become humbled. When we have nothing left and as we face God, will we respect His Sovereign decision for our lives and worship HIM or will we become angry with HIM? When we are filled with distractions, wealth, family, recreation, self exalting, and self willed, are we truly worshiping God or are our hearts somewhere else?
When we submit or yield and give more attention to someone or something else than God, then we are committing idolatery and we are spiritually bowing down to another. God requires us to give all of our hearts to HIM. God requires us to give all of our surrender to HIM. God requires us to give HIM all of our service. God requires us to give HIM our full obedience. Abraham was about to give God Issac as a burnt offering. Abraham did not question God. He obeyed waking up early the next morning taking Issac. His only son, Issac, was his most precious possession in which he had waited for so long. Do you have the heart to forsake your most prized possession whether it be intangible things or people?
Luke 14:26 (AMP) If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple.
What if God took your child? What if God took your family and all your possession? What if God took everything? Will you still worship HIM? Will you still submit, yield, and obey to HIS Sovereignty? Does God have to take something from you to show you that you have not been worshiping HIM? Will you get angry like Cain because we do not like God's decision?
True worship is when there is nothing in our lives that is above HIM including our families, possessions, time, career, our own lives, or anything. And if God took it all including your family, would you still worship HIM and respect HIS Sovereign decision? God requires a true broken contrite spirit that brings forth the fragrance of Jesus.
Let us make sure whether we are in comfort, trials and/or tests that we have given our full hearts to HIM. May we pass HIS tests to show our faith approved and genuine. True worshipers in spirit and truth are those who are burnt living sacrifices (dead to themselves) for HIM and those who are faithful to HIM in truth following and keeping HIS commandments. Many say they Love God but have they fallen in Love with HIM?
Naked we came and naked we will go. It all belongs to God. Give HIM the Glory and Worship.
Fire of God Church
An International Holy Fire Ministry
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Friday, January 10, 2014
God's Presence and Power
Exodus 33:1-3The Lord said to Moses, Depart, go up from here, you and the people whom you have brought from the land of Egypt, to the land which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying, To your descendants I will give it.2 I will send an [a]Angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanite, Amorite, Hittite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite.3 Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, for you are a stiff-necked people, lest I destroy you on the way.
In Exodus chapter 32, God's people had made the golden calf and suffered a severe plague. Many of God's people today suffer from plague, disease and sickness because they have molded a golden calf in their hearts. We read the bible and we think the OT saints are from another generation and we the modern Christians are a different type of people. But in reality, we are them. We are Adam and we are Eve. We would have made the same mistake as Adam and Eve. The bible is speaking to us. We are that stiffed necked people.
We must understand the difference between God's presence and His power/anointing. They can be two separate things. Although the power and anointing is the evidence of God's presence, the power/anointing can still operate without God's Presence. We do at first receive HIS power/anointing through HIS Presence. In Exodus chapter 33, we see because of the people's sin, God is willing to let them move forward without HIS Presence. But yet, HE was willing to send an Angel before them to give them victory and power. Many Christians, ministries, and churches operate in HIS power/anointing but God may not even be in the house. Their ability to hear God, their ability to drive demons out, their ability to prophecy, their ability to bring healing, and with signs and wonders is due to God sending HIS Angel before them but still HE may not be with us. The gifts and calling are irrevocable. Many Christians operate their gifts in pride not even realizing God's Presence has left them.
How do we know God's presence is still around us? We can feel HIS Presence through the anointing and power but if the anointing and power can still operate without HIS Presence, then how can we know?
Many Christians are zealous for the signs and wonders and Jesus said we are a wicked generation for looking for a sign. Many Christians go to revival meetings to experience something. Very few go to find God HIMSELF and seek God because HE is God. But yet like the prodigal son who had come back home because he was hungry, the Father is very gracious and kind as HE received the prodigal son back even though he had come back for the wrong reason. And for many of us, God out of HIS love still receives us hoping we would grow up to maturity and would seek the deeper things of God which is to have an intimate relationship with HIM rather than what HE can give us.
We must be zealous as Moses. He said to God that unless His Presence goes with them, Moses was not willing to move. But yet, many Christians, ministries, and churches have move ahead of God without HIS Presence. They are now moving on their own with their own agendas using God's Name as authority but in reality they continue to worship the golden calf.
Exodus 33:13 Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people.14 And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.15 And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here!16 For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth?
But God said HIS Presence would only go with Moses. If we have HIS Presence, we have HIS rest, HIS favor, and we are distinguished as HIS people. What is HIS Presence? HIS Presence is HIS Glory. What is HIS Glory. Moses asked God to show him HIS Glory.
God responded in Exodus 34. Exodus 34:5-7 Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. 6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
“Yahweh![b] The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected even children in the third and fourth generations.”
God's Glory is HIS Character. To be abiding in HIS Presence, we must seek to bear lasting fruit for the Father. To bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit is to now HIM. The bible never says we will know each other by the spiritual gifts. Although many many Christians zealously seek spiritual gifts, we are to zealously seek the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT. When we have HIS Presence, we automatically have the power and the spiritual gifts. The spiritual gifts can be granted without repentance but to be in HIS Presence, we need to have repented! We cannot enter the Holy of Holies without being cleansed. It is in HIS Presence, we bear the fruit. Without HIS Presence we cannot bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit and many Christians who are not abiding in HIM are bearing the works of the flesh.
Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP) But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[a]that can bring a charge].
And this is why many Christians, ministries, and churches who may appear to have much power and anointing, God may one day say to them, "I NEVER KNEW YOU!!"
Matthew 7:20-23 (AMP) 20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].
They through their sin had lost God's Presence but were still operating in the gifts and calling. Their power had become corrupted with pride. Just because you see people with power and anointing does not mean God is around. We must know each other by the Fruit of the Holy Spirit. We must be zealous for God's Presence more than the power. The bible says pursue love and desire the spiritual gifts. Yes, pursue God first for God is love and desire the spiritual gifts to draw more closer to HIM.
Most Christians are hanging around the outer courts of the temple with the money exchangers talking nonsense and wasting time. Then there are the few who may be spending time in the Holy Place. But very very few spend time in the Holy of Holies. And only one can go in at a time. It is a road one must take by themselves. It is a intimate one on one relationship with the Lord. If you desire to be the Bride of Christ, you must seek to abide in HIM to enter the Holy of Holies but it will take sanctification and purification. It will be through much repentance and obedience.
Psalm 103:7 (NLT) He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.
Moses had favor and rested in HIS Presence because HE knew the character of God. The people of Israel only knew HIS deeds. Today most of the Christians only know about God. They know about what HE can do but yet they do not KNOW HIM. As a result, most of Israel DIED in their sins. Today, many Christians die in their sins. They die defeated and they die in pain and torment.
God's people are slumbering and sleeping. Awaken Bride of Christ! Do not be deceived by what you can feel and see. You must grow up to spiritual maturity and die to yourselves. Your carnality and flesh will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God! You cannot praise the Lord and then curse men with the same mouth. You must cry out to God and seek HIM with all your heart, mind and soul and come to know HIM. You must continue to abide in HIM and have reverential Fear of God.
God bless and Glory to HIM
Fire of God Church
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
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