LOVE TEST!

LOVE always refers to the other (never self).

If a wife, is constantly praising and putting her husband in good light - she loves him.
If a child, who grows up and constantly talks about his parents in positive ways - they are loved.

Self, only talks about self, it praises myself, it magnifies me.

LOVE does the exact opposite.

For a real good example, look at JESUS.
JESUS only referred to the FATHER in everything and what we find is
the FATHER doing the exact same thing!

Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." John 5:19

Next verse!

For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. John 5:20
There are tons more, but to keep this brief, we will show just a few verses.

Then the FATHER only looks at the SON:

And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Mark 1:11

There are other verses as well, like when JESUS was on Mount Transfiguration, but you can look them up on your own, I think you are getting the idea here.

What you find is TRUE LOVE, only looks at others, and not self. So, what happens when the SPIRIT comes? The same thing! The SPIRIT only refers to JESUS!

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. John 16:13-14

How do you judge if something is from GOD or not?
How do you judge if it is a true work of GOD or not?
How do you judge if your thoughts were from GOD or not?
How do you judge if your vision, or angel experience was from GOD or not?

Simple!

Follow LOVE!

Do they talk about themselves? Do they elevate themselves? Do they boast of themselves
or elevate man? Because its supposed to be all about JESUS!
The angels when they came to the shepherds and Mary/Joseph didn't herald their own agenda, or talk about themselves (except to introduce themselves) but always talked about JESUS and HIS KINGDOM (a Kingdom of GRACE) and shared the GOOD NEWS to them, all of what the FATHER had planned and what JESUS will do!

We've seen so many (so called) ministries, crusades, healing revivals, and although can't speak for all of them, many of them elevate man, money, healing, angels - not JESUS! Oh, they may refer to HIM once and a while, but they prefer to tell you what the angel says or what the preacher is saying (and often its himself, or his ministry, or his lack of money).

No, LOVE doesn't have its own agenda, LOVE speaks about others, and elevates/lifts up the other.

LOVE does not boast. 1 Corinthians 13:4

If its any other Jesus, or any other gospel (see Galatians 1), or even an angel giving you something other than LOVE, specifically lifting up / exalting the GRACE of JESUS, the LOVE of JESUS - run!

Because the True SPIRIT (SPIRIT of TRUTH), will not talk about HIMSELF, no, HE will take from what is JESUS and make it known to you - HE talks about JESUS and HIM only!

Let love be your wisdom, its the key to the spiritual gifts too.

The Gift of wisdom flows out of LOVE. (see 1 Corinthians 14)

-eric

Lakeland Revival? Post

Had a question, come our way last year, and thought, maybe some of you hadn't seen it or even know what we are talking about so let me explain.

There was a so called revival in Lakeland Florida, where those attending claimed to see lots of healings and amazing things. Line ups were out the door, and you could attend or pay a fee, and watch it live via the internet, some of it made it on television also.

But there was lots of controversy around it as well. I know, I asked the LORD to show me if it was 'right or not', and got some neat answers, that I will share in this post.

The leaders, made lots of money on this revival, as it took in loads of cash. They also at times came across real hard on sick people needing prayer. I watched a few episodes and saw the preacher kick the one looking for healing, knocking him flying. I assume kicking out the devil, so the guy could be healed!

That guy never got his healing, and many others complained that 'nothing happened'.

Also alot of talk about angels, and angels leading the serivce. Now, I've seen angels on more than 1 occasion, and they only lift up JESUS and HIS KINGDOM, and don't talk about their own agenda and don't become center stage. In fact love doesn't do that, love always defers to the other person. JESUS always refered to HIS FATHER, the FATHER always spoke of the SON, and the SPIRIT always lifts up JESUS - you see, that is what love does, it doesn't talk about itself, but only others. So, use the LOVE test, if something is right or not. Read my love test post as well.

Anyway, you can google Lakeland Revival - I prefer to call it the Lackland (Lack) Revival.
Here was the question posted and our answer below:

Question:
I was wondering if anyone on this forum went to the Florida outpouring that went on in lakeland florida spring/summer 08

Answer (we received from the LORD):


The bible says test everything ( I Thess 5.21) and talks many times about false prophets.

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. Matthew 24:24

Now, saying that its all dangerous and to avoid all things Spiritual would also be wrong because we worship and follow The LORD who is Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17)
And we are spiritual beings as well.

For the record, I've seen many healings, demons cast out and
other amazing things (praise GOD) because JESUS is the true
HERO - a real deliverer!

But, some things that trouble me are as follows:
1) are we chasing signs and wonders, or are the signs following us? Mark 16:17
2) do we need to go somewhere to get more of something, or is JESUS
really with us/ in us and that is MORE than enough? JESUS warned about going here and there hearing that 'HE was there'. Luke 17:23 & Matthew 24:23
3) From what I saw (on tv/internet) parts were very rough (hard on some folks) but
the SPIRIT is gentle (first shown to us descending like a dove) and JESUS was
gentle (the only time HE got tough was on the church going pharasees & that was still out of love).
4) Talked alot about money, angels etc.. but not from what I heard JESUS only.
(because that is who the HOLY SPIRIT ever only talks about).
5) Look at the fruit (because that is how we judge properly) "love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, gentleness, meekness, faith, and SELF CONTROL"

I have my doubts....

JESUS ONLY!

-eric

Presumption could kill you, but FAITH will save you!

Presumption

A conclusion made as to the existence or nonexistence of a fact that must be drawn from other evidence that is admitted and proven to be true.

FAITH

Knowing in advance, a certain outcome will be achieved based solely on the
integrity and ability of the ONE making the promise.

Trying to See without knowing is Presumption
Knowing without Seeing is FAITH.

One has all to do with, trying to understand using facts.
The other (FAITH) has all to do with, knowing something and that
knowledge is based upon the TRUTH or INTEGRITY of JESUS.

FAITH, only works in LOVE, it doesn't work any other way. (Galatians 5:6)

It doesn't work, with facts, effort, manipulation, stress, prayer, what you see,
what you sense, going to church, repeating scripture, meditating, or shouting or screaming.

No, FAITH doesn't work that way, it only works through LOVE.

It grows and manifests (shows itself, becomes visible) through trusting LOVE.

You can lock your door at night, and assume everything will be alright; that's
presumption.
You can lock your door at night (or forget to by accident), and know everything
will be alright because JESUS is with you/protecting you(LOVE PROTECTS) and that is FAITH.

FAITH comes as a 'knowing', and its not based on anything you can see, because GOD and
HIS promises are invisible and often contrary to what you see. If you can see it, its not FAITH. Because FAITH works through LOVE, and LOVE you can't see. You can see the effects of LOVE but can't bottle up and study 'love' itself.

WHY?

Because the GOD kind of LOVE, the highest LOVE of giving up self, for the benefit of others,
is actually GOD HIMSELF - LOVE is a person - GOD is LOVE! 1 John 4:8

A real life, recent example:

The other night I woke up in the early morning and couldn't get back to sleep.
I know that the LORD says that "HE gives HIS beloved sleep", (Psalm 127:2)
and I know by GRACE that I am HIS beloved (and so are you too!).

So, I did the wrong thing, I complained to the LORD, that I need sleep and asked why couldn't I fall back to sleep?

Then I heard HIM say: "Trying to see, without knowing is presumption."
I was trying to see me falling to sleep, by arguing with GOD and forgetting
that it was all about LOVE. You see LOVE is wisdom, LOVE is knowledge - LOVE knows
exactly what to do, and how to do it.

Instead, I thanked the LORD that HE LOVED me, (I knew HE loved me)
and that it was HIS plan to let me fall back aslee..p..... (I was out)!

FAITH works by simply trusting HIS LOVE, and then you get a knowing (on the inside)
that it is done (even though you don't see it or sense it with your senses).
FAITH has nothing to do with your senses. It has nothing to do with what you see.

More on that later...

-eric

New Christian Question on Prayer and "how long".

Long prayers, special prayers? Here is a question that we answered about 3 months ago and thought it might help someone.

Question (that was fired in):

Every Christian should be doing Prayers daily and giving thanks but i have never had a long prayer before..i just give thanks..People say tat they have long prayers because they have a conversation with God

I want to have a long prayer too..i don't mind starting slow but how does one do a sincere prayer and slowly make it long?

---------------------

Answer (we gave) after asking the LORD:

JESUS said:

When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Matthew 6:7

Prayer is simply conversation. Conversation with JESUS.

Ok, what kind of conversation do you like?

Long boring conversation, pre mediated and all spelled out?

Or spontaneous, lively (short or long) it doesn't matter, because it is
real, it comes from the heart!

That is exactly what GOD wants in prayer.

Lively, real, spontaneous -from the heart.

-eric

Question on "The differences between the Jehovah Witnessess and Christians"?

Growing up, going to Christian school and ultimately Christian college, and being a youth leader for years as well, I was taught that the J.W's are a 'cult', as they do not teach or believe in the deity of JESUS (meaning: JESUS is GOD, which I would assume most of us here in Christians believe).

But...

As much as that above statement is 100% true, what I've received from the LORD
in revelation is this:

Everyone from bikers, to theives to the J.W.'s to the average church going christian,
is all the same.

Same?

Yes, we've all sinned and GOD has placed us all in/under sin.
We all have our own laws, even bikers and thieves do.
We all have our own ways of worship or prayer to 'whom ever is GOD/god' to them.
We all have our own special days, holy/special books, special occasions/times.
There is a code of honour even among thieves, there is only certain things they will do and not do. The same said for every religion out there - including the christian religion.

Here is where I am getting at.

They all have they're own laws/rules.
Paul argued that those that claim they have 'no law', are still a law to themselves.
They still hold onto some integrity if you will. Romans 2:14-15

The problem?

We are never good enough - no matter if we are bikers or the 'christian guy' that
goes to church (building) everytime the doors are open - or better yet, have the keys
to open the building up! They are no different.


But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. Galatians 3:22-23

JESUS and HIS GRACE (alone) is what this 'faith' is, trusting JESUS (only).

These laws (whether they are your current church laws, or the bikers laws, or JW laws) all 'lock us up' in sin (we are controlled by it, dominated by it) until we throw ourselves at JESUS (GRACE) alone. Leaving behind all those rules, laws, traditions and take HIM as a person. The more you give up, and die to, the more of HIS LIFE will flow through you.

I see it as all the worlds religions (some of them seemingly very good), and all those that we judge evil or wrong (because ours is never wrong) on one side - and JESUS alone on the other.

Religion/ rules/ traditions/ laws/ my effort here - - - - JESUS here.

What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. Romans 3:9

For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Romans 11:32

It is Great GRACE
It is Amazing GRACE!

-eric

Amazing "the trees of the fields will clap their hands"

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

This may be a hard picture to see, what we are about to explain to you, but those that have been to our home can maybe understand a bit better, but believe me, what we are saying is very neat.

Luke our oldest son, said "wow, thats almost creepy". We think its wonderful, but what do you expect from a 14 year old?

In this photo (of our kitchen) we have on the right on the edge of the counter our small kitchen stereo where we play lots (almost everyday) Christian music - Newsboys, Toby Mac, Petra, KeithGreen, TFK , Disciple to Chris Tomlin and many of the newest tunes as well.

Anyway, you get my point, lots of music actually lots of praise and christian music!

The plants are on the opposite side (directly across) from the mini stereo.

If you can actually look at these plants they are all leaning (there are about 5 of them and all different) towards the stereo - towards the music! They are growing and, reaching, if you will to the praise!

The picture doesn't really do it justice, but its real neat to see!

We know that in heaven, the plants and flowers sway with music and the entire place
is alive with joy and melody and song.

We also know that George Washington Carver, (look him up on google, if you never heard
about this incredible man). Invented hundreds of products and held patents on the peanut
and many other items. Was best friends with Edison, who in the early 1900's asked Carver
to work for him, offering him $100,000.00 to do it.

Carver, was a devout believer in JESUS, and as a scientist would talk to the LORD (Prayer)
and also talk to the plants and talk to the LORD about HIS creation and the plants.

Carver said it something like this: 'what you love, opens up to you, and reveals itself to you'.

Anyway, there is much to learn about love and joy - two fruit of the SPIRIT.

Which means they are part of GOD'S SPIRIT (what HE is like, a part of HIM).

-eric

Katja's Cat Dream - telling us exactly what to do!

It seems often, Katja (my wife) has dreams and they usually have meaning.


Then in many cases, we ask the LORD to interpret the dream, and HE by HIS never failing GRACE, shows us what they mean.

This time, the dream came before our request.

Let me explain...

My wife, has been open, to doing some part time work here and there and stumbled on an opportunity, with a company that had 8 products in their product line.
We had a meeting with the gentleman, and he was pleasant and encouraging us to invest, for some inventory and start to market his product (8 products - remember? that's a key).

But I am getting a head of myself, as I am telling you about this meeting, before I told you about the dream, because in this case, the dream came first!

Cat Dream

In her dream, she is in her old work's cafeteria, eating and enjoying her lunch, when a big white cat (larger than normal) walked into the lunch room, and started to 'spray', all over the walls in the place! This of course both shocked Katja, as well as disgusted her, and this sight (in her dream).

Later, she sees 8 cats (normal sized) all chained together!

Order of events as they occured:

1. Weird Cat Dream
2. Prayed for Intrepretation
3. Met a man, with 8 products and heard his business opportunity.
4. Got Intrepration from the LORD JESUS

Ok, so Katja has this dream and we pray, but hear nothing (from the LORD).

Then, we have this business opportunity and that night I (Eric) awoke and in the middle of the night asked the LORD if Katja should go ahead with this opportunity or not.

The LORD spoke to me and said - that was what the dream was for!

You see, we have to be in step with the LORD, and HE is always right on time, often miles ahead of the world or obviously our own thoughts. The scripture says "before you call I will answer, and while your speaking I will hear". Isaiah 65:24

Here is the intrepretation as the LORD JESUS told us:

The big white cat represents the owner of the product line and business opportunity. The old (x-job) in the cafeteria, represents where she gets 'fed'. The big cat, is white but does bad things (spray all over) because you can't see its true colors, all that you see isn't what you think.

He is spraying because he is in charge, and he will do things that you wont like. Maybe those things might be ok in the sense that they are not illegial, but the point is they wont be helpful to Katja. She will be shocked and disgusted. But a cat spraying is not something a cat can't do or is necessarily evil.

The 8 normal sized cats chained, represented the 8 products in the product line that he (the big white cat) controlled, hence the chains.

Bottom Line:

When HE (the SPIRIT of TRUTH) comes, HE will lead you in to ALL TRUTH!

We are constantly looking to the SPIRIT of GOD, to lead us into ALL TRUTH, and we are learning that ALL TRUTH is ALL TRUTH...All is All - correct?

Bless the LORD!

-eric