You have spiritual experience and now you think you can lead?

Your spiritual experience or spiritual gifts do not give you spiritual authority. One may have seen demons or angels. One may have been shown the throne of God. One may have encountered the spiritual realm. One may have dreams and visions. One may flow in other supernatural gifts. But these do not give one spiritual authority. Just because a Christian is allowed spiritual experience does not mean they are spiritual either. These things do not make one a spiritual leader. What are their fruit?

Jude 1:8 (NLT) In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings

But why would God allow a greater spiritual experience for some and not necessarily others? In many cases, the spiritual experience is allowed to many Christians to help them with their unbelief. It is because of their weaker faith and to help them believe. But rather humbling themselves, many assume they are more spiritual and can become puff up with pride. 

Therefore, many with prophetic gifts assume they have spiritual authority because they speak for God. But many with the prophetic gifts do not yet have spiritual authority. They may just have a message or word from God. This is not to say that some do not have authority. When one has a message from God, then that Word has authority but we are to submit to that message. We are to submit to God. Authority is granted as one submits to authority. But many messengers use this gift to take authority upon themselves after the fact as though they are the message. 

The mark of spiritual authority is the anointing on a person. The greater the anointing the greater the authority. And with the anointing the spiritual gifts work and operate in concert to edify the church. 

For example, The spiritual gifts are like tools for a builder. The builder must know how to design and build a building and the tools are used to help him build. But many have tools and boost of their tools but they do not know how to build. However, some might have a hammer and they want others to follow him because he has a hammer. But God has given some hammers, some shovels, some saws, some axes, and etc. But those with these tools must find the project manager who has the anointing to lead the group to build as Jesus is giving the plans to the project manager. Many project managers may have the tools or may have tools coming therefore the workers must wait for the timing to build. But just because some have been given the tools early, they think they can start building on their own. And sadly, many focus too much on their tools and compare how the others do not have any tools. 

Isaiah 10:15 (AMP) Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw magnify itself against him who wields it back and forth? As if a rod should wield those who lift it up, or as if a staff should lift itself up as if it were not wood [but a man of God]!

What is my point? My point is although many Christians are attracted to spiritual things, we are not to follow the spiritual things. We are to follow Jesus. We are to subject ourselves to God. The spiritual gifts and things are there to help up draw closer to God. Scripture says the gifts will pass away. 

Many internet ministries and churches have started on the authority of peoples' dreams, visions, prophecy, or spiritual experiences. There are too many Ishmaels that have been born. You must follow where God has told you to follow HIM. This can be marked by the anointing of a ministry or person and not the necessarily the gifts. Yes, the gifts should be there but the gifts are there to confirm the anointing. The anointing and gifts are there to " stimulate and promote the faith of God’s chosen ones and to lead them on to accurate discernment and recognition of and acquaintance with the Truth which belongs to and harmonizes with and tends to godliness resting in the hope of eternal life."

You shall know them by their fruit and not necessarily by their gifts. 

1 Cor 13:13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Fire of God International Church 
Pastor Steve Yong Kim

July 15, 2013

Characteristics of Judas/Betrayer

But you had sent Balaam?

My wife and I have been asking God for a couple years now why HE had sent the Angel of the Lord to stop Balaam when it was HIM who had sent him in the first place? Many know the story because God had used a donkey to speak to one of His servants. But it is more than just a story about a donkey able to speak. It is a story of a calling and the road to corruption.

Numbers 22:20-23 And God came to Balaam at night, and said to him, If the men come to call you, rise up and go with them, but still only what I tell you may you do.21 And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went, and the [a]Angel of the Lord stood in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his donkey, and his two servants were with him.23 And the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way and His sword drawn in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey to turn her into the way.

The men of Moab had come a couple times to entice Balaam to speak a cursing on God's people. They had initially brought wealth to bribe him. In verse 7, the people of Moabite had come with rewards of divination or fortunetelling. But since God did not give Balaam permission, the Moabite princes had up the ante. However, in Numbers chapter 22, verse 20, God actually gives Balaam permission to go with the men of Moab. But God had given him strict instructions to only do and say what God allows.

But why after two verses, in verse 22 was God's anger kindled against Balaam? Why did God send the Angel of the Lord to stop Balaam when it was God who had just given permission to go?

When God had gavin Balaam permission to go, we can perceive this as a calling for those in the ministry. Many are called to preach, evangelize, teach, help, and so forth. Many have been called receiving spiritual gifts for healing ministries, missionary work, deliverance, prophecy, and so forth. However, many of God's own people are stuck. Many are defeated and many are dismayed. They think the devil has got in the way. Yes, the devil is used but God had given the devil permission to come against Job. Many today are being stopped by God HIMSELF against their ministries. Why? All answers are in the bible.

2 Peter 2:15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong.

2 Peter 2:16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice.

Jude 1:11 What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.

Yes, God gave Balaam permission to go. Just as today, many have been given a calling and permission to start ministries or other works of God. But Balaam saw an opportunity to use God's calling to become rich. In the morning, Balaam's heart was wrong and God's anger was kindled. Many today have their own spiritual donkey at work against their journey in God's work. They may think they are doing God's work, but they are doing it to earn money. They have become corrupted. It may not always be for money. Some are doing it out of pride, for their own glory, to prove themselves to others, and so forth. They are trying to live their personal dreams through God's work. God had told all of us to follow precise instructions in what we say and do. But many have self willed spirits and are doing their own thing. Therefore, we have ichabod (1 Samuel 4:21, The glory of God has left) in our churches.

There are many corrupted servants who prophecy and interpret dreams for money. There are many who hold conferences speaking end times stirring up the emotions of God's people to earn money. Many have gone the way of Balaam. Yes, God may have given permission to go but they had left with a wrong heart. Woe to them!

Numbers 22:7 (AMP) And the elders of Moab and of Midian departed with the rewards of foretelling in their hands; and they came to Balaam and told him the words of Balak.

May the eyes of God's people be opened to HIS TRUTH so that they may be set free from the enemy and the ways of their flesh/fear. Have mercy on your people, Oh Lord, and restore the joy of our salvation!!

Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont, CA USA
August 28, 2014

Hosea and Balaam

Hosea and Balaam

Do NOT tell anyone that I am the Christ of God!

Luke 9:18-21 AMP Now it occurred that as Jesus was praying privately, the disciples were with Him, and He asked them, Who do men say that I am? 19 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life. 20 And He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? And Peter replied, The Christ of God! 21 But He strictly charged and sharply commanded them [under penalty] to tell this to no one [no one, whoever he might be],

Why did Jesus command His disciples not to tell anyone that HE is the Christ of God? In the other versions, it states that Jesus had warned or strictly commanded them not to tell anyone. In the Amplified, HE strictly charged and sharply commanded them under penalty. Under penalty! After all, the Messiah had come to deliver HIS people. HE was performing miracles, feeding thousands of people, and healing people. Why wouldn't HE want the other people to know His true identity?

If we continue reading the context of the chapter, we see that Jesus said the Son of Man "suffer many things and be deliberately disapproved and repudiated and rejected on the part of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be put to death and on the third day be raised again." Jesus is basically stating that in order to be known in the fullness as the "Christ of God" HE must first suffer many things, be rejected, persecuted, and be put to death. Yes, although HE is the "Christ of God," the journey was not finished. Is an olive tree defined by a seed? An olive tree bearing olives is an olive tree. It is a full mature tree. A young olive tree not mature enough to bear fruit is still defined as an olive tree but it has not come to its fullness as an olive tree.

The name "Christ of God" is defined from beginning to end. In order to possess this title and the fullness of it, Jesus had to finish the path and purpose of why HE had come. Yes, HE was performing miracles. HE was feeding thousands. He was healing people. But still there was unfinished business. Too heal and feed people is only temporary. HE had come to bring eternal life. But to conquer death, HE had to suffer greatly and obey even unto death so that many many would live.

Now, let us look it at from Peter's angle. It was Peter who had answered, "Your are the Christ of God!" Why wouldn't Jesus want Peter to tell others that HE was the "Christ of God." Peter was a follower of Jesus. Jesus did not want people to know Peter was following HIM because Jesus already knew Peter was a denier of HIM. Jesus knew HE would already deny HIM one day. Why would Jesus want Peter to boast who he is following but yet would deny HIM? Today is no different. Many Christians boast they are "Christians". They boast that they believe in Jesus but yet many deny HIM every day. Many cheat on HIM. Jesus does not want us to boast that we are followers of HIM when in fact many are but living lives as though their father is the devil.

Jesus said if you are going to follow ME, you will have to deny yourself. We must deny ourselves but so many deny HIM. HE said to take up our own crosses and follow HIM. Jesus was willing to take up HIS cross knowing HE would suffer much. Do you know you will suffer much if you take up your crosses daily? Are you ready to obey unto death as well? Then at least die to yourselves.

If Jesus lives in us now, then if we are to say we are "Christians" or that we believe in HIM and we follow HIM, then before we boast of ourselves as "Christians" in public to our friends and family, we must first suffer with HIM having gone through much persecution, rejection, suffering, and most of all, have died to ourselves. Yes, you are a Christian once you have repented and accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior but are you sure you want to boast about it so soon to the world when many are so much in the flesh making Jesus look bad? Many are very bad ambassadors of heaven.

I hear many lukewarm Christians are turning to paganism. Why? They say in paganism, they are talking about loving, forgiving, helping others, and so forth. Today's Christianity has a lot of people bragging about being saved but such carnal Christians are stumbling one another and offending many others. Many people are getting hurt by Christians and thus they are rejecting God because such carnal Christians are stumbling weaker believers and the world. This is why Jesus had warned under PENALTY, do not go around misrepresenting Me when you are not like ME. Do not say you are following ME when you are denying ME!

Luke 17:1-3  One day Jesus said to his disciples, “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 So watch yourselves!

A Christian can have the anointing to bring healing, feed people, and perform miracles. But have you died to yourself bearing HIS Fruit to say Christ is in you and you can really say you are a Christian in its fullness? Be careful how you represent and follow HIM. There will be consequences.

May you all come to the fullness of God.

Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
August 14, 2014

Choose to Love

For many years, the Holy Spirit has led me to ask HIM for His Heart and His Love. For us to do HIS work and come to the fullness of HIM, we must come to possess His Heart and Love. Some Christians may ask, why won't God just give us all of His Heart and Love to us now instantly so we can possess and Love with His Heart? It is like asking, why won't Jesus just come now and stop all the fighting, hating, killing, jealousy, murder, cheating and etc?

IF Jesus would come now, would that stop all the evil and sin in the world? It would only stop if HE would judge and destroy the wicked. Many are asking God to come now and stop all this but perhaps God is asking us to stop it by our choice and through prayer. His delay is His mercy and grace for the world to repent.

Lucifer was in God's presence. He was the worship angel or leader. He experienced God's love and glory. If we can only experience His love and glory, would that be enough for us to stay faithful to HIM? Obviously, for the devil, it was not enough.

Why would God not just give us all of His Heart so it can be easier on us to be more patient, to love without failing one another, to forgive when it is so hard to forgive, and to show mercy when we do not really want to show mercy?

If we ask for God's Heart and if HE just gave it to us all now, then yes, we would have the ability to possess enduring love, we would have His ability to forgive, we would have the ability to have His type of patience, but the question still remains.......Will we choose to Love with His Heart even though we may possess it.

Therefore, God will test you as you ask. If you want to possess all of His Heart and Love, then you must choose to Love. You must choose to have patience. You must choose to forgive. You must choose to show mercy.

If you choose to Love even though the circumstances may be difficult, if you choose to love even when it will cost you, if you choose to love even if they do not love you back, and if you choose to love even your enemies, then God will give you the Grace to Love with His Heart. Then as you choose, HE will give you a little of HIS Heart and His Love until you come to the fullness of God. Each day, you must choose to love, forgive, be patience, show mercy, and etc. You must choose to bear HIS fruit.

If you plant a seed to grow a tree, the seed will not turn into a tree with fruits overnight. It will take many years through the different weather situations. But the olive tree is very resilient. It will choose to grow to bear fruits.

Life and how you will achieve victory to be His Overcomer will be your choice to receive His Grace or not. The word salvation is "Sozo." This word does not only mean saved to go to heaven, it means victory, delivered, prosperity, overcoming, health (cured), joy, love, and much more NOW. The Kingdom of God is NOW!

Glory to God
Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fremont, CA USA
Fire of God Church

Desire HIS Presence by spending more time with HIM

Desire the gift to speak in tongue, to sing in tongue and to dance in the Holy Spirit so that you may pray unceasingly and to dance and worship before HIM. I impart those gifts onto you! Fire of God!!! Fire of God!!! Holy Fire!!! May you find HIS Rest.

Joel 2:28-32“Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
29 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.
30 And I will cause wonders in the heavens and on the earth—
blood and fire and columns of smoke.
31 The sun will become dark,
and the moon will turn blood red
before that great and terrible[f] day of the Lord arrives.
32 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved,
for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape,
just as the Lord has said.
These will be among the survivors
whom the Lord has called.

Repent!! The condition for the pouring out of the Spirit is repentance! For HE is returning for the Overcomers!! He is returning for the Victors! He is returning for the Meek! He is returning for those who have forgiven others! He is returning for those who have been humbled! He is returning for those who are possessors of HIS Presence bearing enduring fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Repent! Ask God to search your hearts! Ask God to show you what needs to be repented and surrendered at the foot of the cross. Ask HIM to help you fully surrender! Ask HIM for a SPIRIT OF REPENTANCE!

HE does not desire a sacrifice from you. The sacrifice HE desires from you is a broken spirit. HE will not reject a broken, contrite, repentant heart.

Through repentance the veil is removed so that you may enter more deeply into HIS Presence. Stop the sin! Stop the fighting! Stop the outrage! Stop the complaining! Stop the anger! Stop the bickering! Stop the jealousy! Stop moving backwards! We are called to move forward from glory to glory not glory to backwards and then in circles!

Stop the sin or you will lose HIS Presence! Die to yourselves! With every once of your will, call upon HIS Name for mercy and grace.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Grant us oh Lord a pure heart, a willing spirit to fully obey you, and restore your people the joy of Your salvation!! Fire!!!

Pastor Steve Yong Kim
Fire of God Church
Fremont CA USA