tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35637944882583947562024-02-20T16:50:07.294-08:00Kriston's Breaking The Mold BlogBlog of Kriston CoucheyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-54668060298808573762015-03-26T17:02:00.002-07:002015-03-26T17:02:30.147-07:00THE END GAMEI have no tolerance for the denials of one who would deny Jesus Christ is the fulness of God come in the flesh and he died for the sins of the whole world. Yet he did not stay in the grave he arose and gave us his Spirit by which we cry Abba Father and now are joint hiers and brothers to our first born brother Jesus Christ.
What I preach is the culmination and purpose of God, that He may have many sons be brought into glory, that what all creation is groaning for is about to be accomplished, the revealing of God's sons, you and I, who are one with the Spirit of God and live in Him.
I declare the boundless love of God in Christ by which we...
"...may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God."
That this is the day (age) of this fullness, and that creations cry will be accomplished, the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ is coming forth in His people. We share in His divine nature having within us this divine treasure in earthen vessels, In the light of this, i don't care what you believe about seven days of creation, or the rapture, or the seven supposed years of tribulation.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-87479699070488201372014-09-26T07:55:00.001-07:002014-09-26T07:55:48.157-07:00MY TESTIMONY<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-64807595783404854692014-09-02T19:22:00.000-07:002014-09-02T19:22:33.182-07:00THE REVELATION OF ONENESS<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-37603980621058381152014-08-19T12:35:00.000-07:002014-08-19T12:35:51.098-07:00FEAR NOT<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-72304673662248061062014-08-15T12:52:00.002-07:002014-08-15T12:52:45.185-07:00IDENTITY<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-40154559964518118722014-07-28T07:06:00.000-07:002014-07-28T07:06:30.402-07:00RECEIVING APOSTLES PART II<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-53705582732956420002014-07-28T06:59:00.000-07:002014-07-28T06:59:29.494-07:00RECEIVING APOSTLES<div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-73240716358160584752014-05-23T10:24:00.004-07:002014-05-23T10:24:43.614-07:00KINGDOM AGE SHIFTThe Spirit of God showed me that a great travesty in the Body of Christ is that many of his children have given their fealty and allegiance to institutions that have themselves become enemies of other people and institutions. In so doing His children have made themselves enemies of people that God is not enemies with.<br />
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Most confuse sentimentality and patriotism with godliness, but these in fact are an abomination to God when they cause Christ representatives on the earth to be at war with those God is not at war with.<br />
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Political parties and world governments are world systems that no believer has any business pledging fealty to or allegiance to if they truly want to preach the gospel of the kingdom. God does not condemn anyone who does so, He doesn't condemn anyone. But you limit yourself to the powerless Christianity that the western world now enjoys when you do so. This powerless way of life for most of the church has become the rule not the exception.<br />
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There is a great difference between loving loyalty to a people (men) and loyalty to an institution or system built by men. I will also add, another great travesty is when God's children make these institutions their enemy; they are God's enemies or His children's enemies, even if they choose to make God's children their enemies.<br />
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THE PURPOSE FOR MAN'S GOVERNMENTS<br />
Man's government is given authority by God as a mandate from God to restrain evil by punishing wrongdoing. This is not the body of Christ's mandate nor is not compatible with the Mandate the children of God have been given. <br />
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God gives us the Men's government and leaders for another purpose as well, That as his children we might turn our hearts from hope and trust in the rule of law and( in the case of the USA) the written constitution to Him. The rule of law and written laws and rights are not the path of righteousness. They are boundaries for fallen men to protect them from fallen men. But you are of a holy and unfallen, and unshakable kingdom.<br />
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We are told to honor and not speak evil of our leaders. The leaders we have are showing forth by bringing to logical conclusion what government of men is and has the potential to be. These nations are not the kingdom, which is a state of being within the heart consisting of righteousness, Joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.<br />
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Righteous behavior is based upon the Spirit's power and not upon obeying laws. We have made a nation in the USA where the logical conclusion of rule of law of representative government is that people if they so choose have a right to evil. The rule of law is that the majority makes the rules and the whole is affected. As a Christian, your hope is not in a constitution or rule of Law, but in Christ, who makes you holy by his power. This is a battle you will not win because you were never called to fight a battle to establish the rule of law, but to build Christ within people. That is why you have leaders appointed by God to show you that the rule of nations and fighting and frothing over them is a fruitless endeavor.<br />
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YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT<br />
The culture of heaven is a culture of changed hearts, not changed temporal government. Changed hearts will change the way they govern. You want to change the culture you preach Jesus Christ, the only change that lasts.<br />
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Many are missing their full inheritance not because God is taking it from them, but because they choose a portion that is less then God's best. God honors His image in you enough to let you have what you want.<br />
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In His Love<br />
Kriston CoucheyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-74472985590270024032014-05-15T12:38:00.001-07:002014-05-23T10:27:10.822-07:00MANIFESTING HIM<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I have become convinced that even though angelic and spiritual beings stand in the presence of God continually there are aspects of who He is that are only being revealed through Christ upon the earth, and in particular His sons who have become one with the very presence and essence of Christ; manifesting the manifold wisdom and character of God to the universe. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I know from experience that being in His presence and experiencing and moving in His power does not mean that I understand or comprehend the heart of God in the midst of it. Men and women can move in great power and miracles and still have a wrong perception and portray inaccurately the nature and heart of God. We along with all of creation both animal and heavenly beings are in for a display of who God is as He is revealing the nature and character of Father Himself in Christ Jesus through you and I His sons.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">My experience with angelic beings is mostly receiving rebuke and correction. One spoke to me in the night with a message from Father saying "stand with and before Me with confidence", while i understood the message was to have me put aside the feeling of guilt and shame, It took me years to understand the heart of God and WHY He said it to me.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">It took me time to understand that God was not demanding of me to get rid of my baggage to stand in His presence, He was inviting me to become one with His so that He could remove my baggage. I am convinced there are saints and angels in heaven that are coming to the same understanding of God's tremendous grace as we have revealed to us the true nature of God and come to more fully comprehend things as He does.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I don't believe the angel delivering the message to me fully understood WHY Father wanted me in all of my guilt shame to stand before Him confidently. But i think he does now, because i have had revealed to me the grace of God that is not holding sin against me, nor has He ever. It takes the people of God having the revealing the Love God has in Christ toward us in all of it's height, breath, and depth in order that all of creation in both heaven and earth may comprehend it fully as well.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Not only now has He given me the WHY behind this correction, But He has taken away ALL fear and doubt to stand before him and IN him and Him IN Me. The true revelation is the perfect Love God has for all creation. THAT is what He is revealing to us and through us to the universe and all of it's inhabitants. It is Perfect Love that has cast out all fear to proclaim that I am one Spirit with God, joined to Him, not by my choice, but by His choice. We are called to live fearless and free at ONE with Him; in confidence.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Kriston Couchey</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-81477149228483433052014-04-22T12:43:00.001-07:002014-04-22T12:49:55.923-07:00MANAGING YOUR IDENTITY<div class="separator" style="background-color: black; clear: both; color: #999999; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBeJ03sqRK2Cimbq1XaCKFZT4djZirm5TvlXlWYQhJ91up8w4y5mVSd6hvZCwJ6CWWc_Sh2wQ2YgVkcQC8H1odk7JeWtDvQuLsnS81eqs5xemiSAvp5sDJEIW6jIknhY-pjPFWpVJBBY/s1600/Identity.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBeJ03sqRK2Cimbq1XaCKFZT4djZirm5TvlXlWYQhJ91up8w4y5mVSd6hvZCwJ6CWWc_Sh2wQ2YgVkcQC8H1odk7JeWtDvQuLsnS81eqs5xemiSAvp5sDJEIW6jIknhY-pjPFWpVJBBY/s1600/Identity.png" height="320" style="border: 1px solid rgb(51, 51, 51); padding: 4px;" width="237" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><b>Kriston Couchey</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><b><u>SON OF GOD SON OF MAN</u></b><br />Jesus was the ultimate identity manager. He was a Jewish male, but identified himself in various ways and didn't disagree with others who also identified Him as being a Rabbi, Prophet, Son of David, Messiah, and Son of God. But, for much of his earthly ministry Jesus identified Himself simply as the "son of man."<br /><br />The scholar Reza Aslan makes observations about Jesus' claims of his identity that I have encapsulated in the following paragraph that resonate with me. The term "son of man" had never been used by anyone in recorded history as a title of identity until Jesus did so. The term "son of God" or "son of the gods" was a term commonly used to refer to the kings of nations in Jesus's day. Even the Jews used the term "Son of God" to refer to David and the kings that followed him, not as an equation to deity, but to establish the king's inherited right to rule the nation. Jesus was recognized by some as being the Son of God, but He told them to keep it quiet. It was not until his last journey to Jerusalem that Jesus publicly accepted the title "Son of God". For to do so was to claim the right of ruler-ship and commit the crime of sedition against Rome which was punishable by crucifixion.<br /><br />The Jews said to Pilate: <b><i>"</i></b><b><i>He made Himself out to be the Son of God."</i></b> But, when Pilate tried to release Jesus They said: <i><b>“If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be</b></i><i><b> a king opposes Caesar.” </b></i>Jesus carefully managed his identity for the sake of fulfilling redemption's plan; Jesus used the term " son of man" for a couple of reasons: </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br />#1 He was identifying himself with men to reach them with God's Love.<br />#2 His time had not yet come to be crucified. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><u><b>I AM WHO I AM</b></u><br />The apostle Paul wrote of identity in Christ:<b><i>"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free</i></b><b><i>, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus." </i></b><br /><br />He also went on to say:"<i><b>To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law)... ...</b></i><i><b>I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. </b></i><i><b>I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."</b></i>Paul even used his identity as a Roman citizen at one point to get out of a sticky situation. While Paul identifies himself with different groups to further the gospel, unwisely using or embracing identities can also hinder the gospel as much as it can advance it.<br /><br /><b><u>MANAGING OUR IDENTITY</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">The only identity that mattered about Jesus was that He was the son of God, the Christ, and the king of God's kingdom. Paul's only identity that mattered was that He was a son of God, in Christ, and a citizen of the kingdom. Your only identity that matters is being a son of God, in Christ, and a citizen of the kingdom.<br /><br />No other identities according to Paul exist in Christ. The is NO Jew, Greek, American, Russian, Israeli, Democrat, republican, conservative, liberal, or any other designation that matters in Christ. This calls for wisdom on the part of everyone who has been joined to the Lord in how they manage their identities. <br /><br />I have been identified with many Christian "identifying" and "defining" movements from the past; apostolic, prophetic, charismatic, evangelical, organic, institutional, home-church, grace preaching, etc. The term Christianity is also an identifier that is involved in dividing or unifying people. I could probably put together a good sermon from what I have learned from each of these, yet my main identity is not these. I will use these past identities to preach about our son-ship, unity in Christ , and our citizenship in the kingdom to reach these various groups, but I will never use these as a means of division. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br /><b><u>IDENTITIES THAT DIVIDE</u></b><br />I am a United States Citizen by birth. This identity automatically sets me at odds with people whose own identities are at odds with the United States. The best path to breaking down that barrier is to embrace an identity as a Kingdom citizen that is not perceived to be an enemy of those whose identities set them at odds with the United States government and its people. I am very careful to not emphasis this identity in situations where it will hinder the gospel and it propagation.<br /><br />In the same way as a national identity can hinder the gospel, there are voluntary identities I can NEVER take on in Christ because they immediately disqualify me from ministering Christ to those opposed to them. The Spirit has spoken to my heart clearly that is it pertains to parties such as conservative or liberal, or nationalist movements that demonize or attack others. If we are persecuted for political persuasion it is no glory to God. If my being a conservative keeps a liberal from listening to the gospel I share I will not be one, and vice versa. That is why I take care to not get involved in fruitless political wrangling.<br /><br /><b><u>CHRIST YOUR IDENTITY</u></b><br />In the end, Christ is our identity and His kingdom and advancement of it is the measure of whether and how an identity should be used to advantage his kingdom. If taking one on causes offense that would keep one from embracing life in Christ it is nothing and needs to be kept in its proper place. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><br />In Him and his Love</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Kriston Couchey</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-13125461810310029172014-02-06T05:17:00.002-08:002014-02-06T05:17:22.792-08:00AS HE IS SO ARE WE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-87220287781665482652014-01-22T22:51:00.003-08:002014-01-22T22:51:52.069-08:00THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD<h3 class="post-title" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;">
<a href="http://apostlesprophets.blogspot.com/2014/01/thedemonstration-of-goodness-of-god.html" style="color: white; display: block; text-decoration: none;">Kriston Couchey</a><a href="http://apostlesprophets.blogspot.com/2014/01/thedemonstration-of-goodness-of-god.html" style="color: white; display: block; text-decoration: none;"><br /></a></h3>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Before the founding of creation the Ever Living One had the full knowledge of the fall of man and the depths of bondage and depravity to which he would sink. Yet, this was not an obstacle to Him. At no time had He rejected or turned away from mankind. It was not God that hid from Adam in the Garden, it was Adam who hid from the light of God’s presence. Scripture declares it was we who were “<b><i>…</i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds…”<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">It is we who became enemies in our minds toward Him as we became bound by sin and the carnal nature. We alienated ourselves from his boundless love and light as man turned to darkness to hide. The shadows of sin, sickness and death were cast upon creation as mankind opened the door for spirits of wickedness to reign over the creation that God created for His pleasure. Yet God never turned away from or rejected mankind. Before the foundation of the world He made provision through the slain lamb for man’s redemption from sin and reconciliation to Himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Because of man’s sin, the boundless Love and Light of God had become a source of fear to men rather than a refuge. Like the Israelites at the fiery mountain where God descended to meet with them, mankind ran in fear because their hearts and minds were darkened. Men no longer understood and perceived the true heart of God toward them. Man began to create gods from his own imagination in his own image. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">These gods demanded blood to appease offense and required offerings to accept and bless men. Religion had begun. Yet God never had ANY desire for sacrifice or offerings from men to appease for wrongdoing or to gain acceptance.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><br />King David writes in<b><i> Psalm 40 5-6 You had no desire for offerings of beasts or fruits of the earth; ears you made for me: <u>for burned offerings and sin offerings you made no request</u>.</i><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Sacrifices and offerings God never needed or wanted, nor does He require them. David saw past the ritual and regulation that could never substitute for a heart of humility before God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">He writes in <b><i>Psalm 51: 16-17 <span class="text">You do not delight in sacrifice,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">or I would bring it;</span> <span class="text">you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.</span> <span class="text">My sacrifice,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">O God, is</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">a broken spirit;</span> <span class="text">a broken and contrite heart</span> <span class="text">you, God, will not despise.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">If God did not want or need sacrifice to forgive sin or accept men, then what was the purpose of the cross?</span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">THE TRUE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,</span></i></b><span class="highl"><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"> yet <u>He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death</u>, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach-</span></i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The purpose of God in sending Christ to the cross was not to change His heart toward men from one of unforgiveness and offense to acceptance though blood sacrifice. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting or holding our sins against us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The cross was for the sake of revealing the heart of love God always had toward us. His body was broken for YOU to bring you healing and deliverance from death. His blood was shed for YOU to cleanse and set you apart for Him. The cross was the place where God in Christ defeated and overcame sin, sickness, death, the devil, and all his works. He redeemed us with the precious blood of Jesus from the empty way of life we once lived.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Through the cross we have died with Him, and by His resurrection life we now we are alive in Him by His Spirit. The old has passed and the new has come. You no longer live, but Christ now lives in you. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">The death of Christ was not a demand for blood that God had to appease Himself, it was the demonstration of His Love, Mercy, and Goodness that men may be released from the power of darkness into His Glorious light.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">In Him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.1200008392334px;">Kriston Couchey</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-40921575522873129062014-01-09T15:59:00.003-08:002014-01-09T15:59:26.421-08:00THE FIRST WORD<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Kriston Couchey</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">THE EVER LIVING ONE – BOUNDLESS LOVE
AND LIGHT<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">How can
mere words describe the glory and transcendence of the Ever Living One? He has
no boundaries and there is nothing and no one else that exists apart from Him. He
is I AM. There is no space outside of Him, no universe that contains Him. We
who are limited by time and space have no words to adequately express the
nature and substance of the One that founded creation with its boundaries of
time and space within the depths of His own being. For time and space and all
that exists are the garden of delights He has made within Himself that He may
taste the fruit of communion with the living multitudes that eternally emanate from
the birthing chamber of His heart. He is Pure boundless Love, Pure boundless Light.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">To use
terms that describe the Ever Living One as being “Him” and as having a “heart” fall short of
the truth; as if one with closed eyes senses that night has turned to day
because absolute darkness has been replaced with a dark red glow seen upon the
inside of shut eye lids. So it is with
our perceptions of this Ever Living One. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The Ever Living
One sees the confines of time and space from beginning to end as if one would
gaze upon a painting; viewing one edge of the canvas to the other simultaneously.
We could use the term “before creation” to describe His precreation existence,
but to speak of “before creation” and even use the term “precreation” implies His
existence and activities are subject to creation’s time and space limitations;
when in reality He is the creator and master of time and space. I will use the term “outside of time” as is
necessary when referring to the eternal activities of The Ever Living One; and
yet this term will also fall short as creation is “contained ” within the One whose activities
appear to take place “outside” of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">THE FIRST WORD OF CREATION<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Creation
was fully known in the thoughts of the Ever Living One apart from its formation.
The equations of His creative thoughts were motivated by the passion of His
heart to commune with those of like nature and substance. It was the creative
power of His voice that caused the frequencies of matter to be formed in the
womb of His eternal existence. The four pillars of creation within His being
originate from the passion of His heart, the thoughts of His mind, the resonant
power of His voice and the fertile ground of His womb where creation is formed
within Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">As His
thoughts surveyed creation He knew that deception would darken His creation and
those formed in His image would hide in the shadow of deception that would inhabit
time and space. Knowing full well that what was formed of Him in His image
could not be unmade, He made provision before or “outside” of the foundation of
creation. He would bring light to all the places of darkness shadowing creation;
especially the shadow of death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">And so He
spoke the first word of creation. And the word proceeded forth from Him and
became flesh. And the Word He spoke contained and was the fullness of the Ever Living
One with boundless Love and Light. That Love and Light appeared at the junction
of two ages in a shadowed world of His creation. That Word was the Son and the sum of the Ever
Living One; and the Son expressed that first word suspended upon a tree between
two thieves. As He spoke that word all of creation quaked as the frequencies of
the eternal voice declared “IT IS FINISHED!” And so that first word declared to
creation that the removal of darkness was complete, accomplished, fulfilled; as
the lamb was slain before the foundation of creation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">The light
had come into the middle of created time and space and had planted a seed that
would grow to envelope all of creation in the fullness of time; yet outside creation
all was complete, accomplished, fulfilled, and finished. All was complete
“before” creation had even begun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">THE WORD A SEED <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Outside of
creation darkness was once for all defeated, yet all creation groaned to see
the completion of that which was already finished outside of creation. The
First Word became the seed whose origin was from outside of creation, in this
seed the fullness of the Love and Light of the Ever Living One was complete,
accomplished, finished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Before and
outside of creation the thoughts of the Ever Living One turned to another
junction of ages. The completion finished from outside creation was now
revealed in time and space as many sons containing the boundless Love and Light
of the Ever Living One shone Love and Light into the darkness and the shadows
of deception. Love and Light completely filled creation and there was nowhere
for darkness and shadow to hide. The sons of the Ever Living One brought completion
upon the earth as it existed outside of creation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">And outside
of creation the first Word spoke “Let there Be…” And creation began…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">In Him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Kriston
Couchey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-82005439738707119272013-12-19T05:29:00.001-08:002013-12-19T05:29:22.038-08:00CHANGING THE GUARD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-67986139497556323572013-12-15T20:33:00.000-08:002013-12-15T20:33:15.645-08:00SPIRITUAL DEPENDENCY<h2 class="title" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', 'lucida grande', 'lucida sans unicode', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.85em; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">
SPIRITUAL DEPENDENCY</h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Kriston Couchey</strong><br /><strong><br />A Spiritual Experience</strong><br />I was asked by a friend to come to a weekend Christian gathering she and her husband were hosting in Central Minnesota. I was not a speaker at the meetings, but the Lord gave me a word for it. I felt Sunday would be the day to go to this meeting to honor the hosts who were to speak that day. As the weekend approached, there was a conflict that came up for that Sunday. But I kept my peace in God, and was confident He would work things out.<br /><br />Friday, I called a local pastor for some information that resolved the conflict. I mentioned the meetings, and that I wasn’t sure if I was going Saturday or Sunday. He asked to pray with me for clarity. I didn’t feel any need for him to pray, but he was being nice, so I said, “Yes”, and he prayed. It was a generic prayer that asked God to give clarity and direction. I thanked him and hung up.<br /><br /><strong>Something Is Wrong</strong><br />Saturday, my sense of God’s presence was gone. I tried to rest in God but he was nowhere to be found. I felt as if I had tunnel vision and was in a spiritual stupor. All day as I went about business I sought God for clarity and direction but the unction and fire of God was missing. The day passed and I didn’t go to the meetings because I had no unction to do so. I decided to go Sunday since the day had gone by and I found no peace.<br /><br />I got up Sunday to the same thing. On the two hour journey I began to fight for my rest in God. I was unable to find it and became frustrated, wondering what was wrong. The thought then came to me that the problem was the pastor’s prayer. I prayed, breaking off and rejecting the prayer said over me.<br /><br />Suddenly peace and rest from the presence of God overtook me, and the literal feeling of tunnel vision left as my spiritual perception returned. I went to the meetings, was blessed greatly, and was asked to give the word, which I had told no one I had.<br /><br /><strong>So what was that?</strong><br />The Lord revealed to me over the next few days what had happened. It was not witchcraft from the pastor. It was not demonic oppression trying to keep me from giving a word. God was not mad at me or withholding Himself from me.<br /><br />It was a simple principle called dependency. I had accepted a prayer for me for something I already had established in my life; the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. In effect I had turned from the inner peace and rest of the Lord in my own spirit. I turned to a man to receive what he had to offer in its place. I cut the cord with the Lord and handed it to a man. (Sounds like one of those dismal country songs lamenting the destruction of a relationship)<br /><br /><strong>Babies are dependent, Not adults</strong><br />When I was a baby I was dependent upon others to teach me, feed me, protect me, and correct my mistakes; in order that I might learn how to become a full functioning human being. A prayer for clarity might be appropriate for an immature believer who has not learned to “hear” the voice of the Spirit. But when a believer grows they no longer need someone to keep propping them up and giving them direction unless they have been taught to get direction from a man instead of the Lord.<br /><br /><strong>Current Pastoral leadership-Spiritual Dependency</strong><br />I experienced a very similar experience when the Lord told me to go to the wilderness. The very next day I quit worship leading, jail ministry, intercessory group, etc.<br /><br />Most importantly I came out from the inappropriate subjection to a pastor. That pastoral tie being severed was like a fresh breeze from heaven. The level of revelation and vision I received after that was like waking from a dream. In my opinion, current pastoral leadership models are at best inappropriate and stunting, and at worst controlling and slavery.<br /><br />Feeling like you are looking through a tunnel and have little peace? How about tying a cord to the Lord and cutting it from a man?<br /><br />KRISTON COUCHEY</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-7422199760048442052013-12-15T20:12:00.002-08:002013-12-15T20:14:22.023-08:00My Highest Purpose Fulfilled<h2 class="title" style="background-color: black; color: white; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">
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<strong style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: small;">My Highest Purpose Fulfilled </span></strong></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any one exposed to and receiving prophetic ministry has probably received "destiny" words that give promises and clarity concerning the purpose for which they were created. My understanding of a spiritual destiny being fulfilled used to be the obtaining of the highest place and authority the Lord has promised.<br /><br /><strong>The Road to your Destiny</strong><br />Unlike the world's idea of success and fulfillment, the way in which a believers purposes are fulfilled is by coming to the place of realization that position and authority are not the highest purposes of a Christian. Many (including myself) have pursued and clung to the hope of a great destiny without realizing we are simply repeating the request of the Sons of Zebedee.<br /><br /><i>Matt. 20:20 Then came to him the mother of the sons of Zebedee with her sons, worshipping him, and asking a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wouldest thou? She saith unto him, Command that these my two sons may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on thy left hand, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I am about to drink? They say unto him, We are able. </i><br /><br /><strong>There Is a Cup To Drink</strong><br /><br />There is a cup to drink; a cup of death to self-exalting dreams. We ask God to fulfill our destinies and are shocked when the first thing He asks is for us to stop ministering to people and working for Him and come away with Him into a wilderness of obscurity and intimacy.<br /><br />We find we are powerless to do anything apart from Him and the passion He places in us. We become dependant on Him and His great mercy in the midst of our failure. We are no longer concerned with a great destiny anymore, but we begin to live to please Him in all things. We learn to trust what He says in spite of what our failure and sin would say.<br /><br /><strong>Realizing our Highest Purpose</strong><br /><br />After walking with the Lord as our sole source and comfort, we realize that our highest purpose was not to become great in position and authority, but it is now to become great in our Love and Obedience to Jesus, the Lover of our souls.<br /><br />Our Highest purpose has now become to stand before Him blameless and holy, willing to give all for Him. The lesser purposes of place and authority can be released to us with the confidence that these will no longer be the driving force of our lives.<br /><br />In Him<br /><br />Kriston Couchey</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-29019237962649680972013-12-15T19:59:00.003-08:002013-12-15T20:17:15.381-08:00CHURCH STRUCTURE AND ROLES OF THE PASTOR<h2 class="title" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', 'lucida grande', 'lucida sans unicode', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.85em; line-height: 1; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Friday, February 2, 2007 2:57:31 PM</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Early Church Structure</span></strong><br />
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III John 9 I wrote unto the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, did not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will cause his deeds to be understood, speaking against us with malicious words, and not content with this, he does not receive the brethren and forbids those that desire to receive them and casts them out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God, but he that does evil has not seen God. 12 Everyone gives testimony of Demetrius, even the truth itself; and we also bear witness, and ye have known that our witness is true.</span><br />
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When reading these verses from 3rd John, we have to ask the question: who is in charge of this church? Is Diotrephes? If he is, then John tells Gaius to not follow him by saying, do not follow that which is evil, but that which is good. The lines of authority are not matching up with today's idea of what the church is. Would an apostle today tell a congregation to not follow their pastor?</span><br />
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But If Diotrephes is not the leader, then who is? Is Demetrius? If so, why is he not rebuking and casting out Diotrephes with his pastoral authority? Why are leadership roles so ambiguous in this scripture?</span><br />
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<strong>Promised Land Structure</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.</span><br />
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For the Israelites, there was no king, and the people seemed to be quickly straying into worship of Idols and practicing the sins of the Canaanites. The question is who was in charge? The answer is GOD WAS IN CHARGE!</span><br />
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Which way did God prefer it, Before the king or after? Before!</span><br />
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Certainly the people had elders who gathered to seek God for major decisions, but on the whole each one was responsible before God to live a life pleasing to Him.</span><br />
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The same answer goes for the early church. GOD WAS IN CHARGE! Not Diotrephes, Nor Demetrius, but God. Either one may have been considered an elder. Either one could have been a pastor. But being a pastor did not make one in charge.</span><br />
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There was no one given that role but GOD!! These two were simply part of a congregation of believers. Each person had a place and a gift in that assembly. But apparently when one pursued a preeminent role, it was enough that John the Beloved decided he was going to come and set him straight, and sent a letter to a trusted friend giving him the heads up.</span><br />
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Adam and Eve were in the garden alone and expected to make decisions on their own regarding the tree in the middle of the garden. Who was in charge? GOD!</span><br />
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Freedom is more dangerous and makes one solely responsible for his or her own actions, but God prefers freedom.</span><br />
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What role did the mature in the faith take in the early church congregation? They were called elders, simply those who had maturity and could make sound spiritual decisions and teach what they had learned about following Jesus to the rest who were on their way to being mature (elders).</span><br />
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EARLY LOCAL CHURCH DISCIPLINE AND DECISIONS (Clues to the structure of Early Church)</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunday, February 4, 2007 1:33:31 AM</span></div>
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<strong><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gal.6:1 Brethren, if anyone is overtaken in a fault, ye who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfil the law of the Christ.3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.<br /><br />I Cor 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go unto judgment before the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more the things that pertain to this life? 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set as judges the most humble who are in the church.<br /><br />Matt. 18:15 Therefore if thy brother shall sin against thee, go and reprove him between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a worldly man and a publican.</span></i></strong><br />
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I want you to notice some things here about these three references to dealing with the faults of, or making judgements concerning brethren:</span><br />
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Not once is a pastor mentioned or even addressed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paul puts a premium on being meek and the most humble when dealing with others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br style="line-height: 16px;" />Remember when Jesus left His disciples he didn't give them a blueprint or instructions on church structure. He gave them one command.<br /><br />To LOVE ONE ANOTHER as He had loved them. He told them previously that Loving God and Others was the fulfullment of the law. I tell you that this kind of love is also the fulfillment of the church.<br /><br />All new "Structures", will be judged by their ability to express Love efficiently and in a way that does not give great cause for questioning motives or intent.<br /><br />Many will not be able to flow in the new Order of things simply due to their inability to operate in a structure whose mortar is Love. The lack of love causes men to try to keep structures together with control.<br /><br />I've observed a friend try to write down and redesign a new structure the church should take, and he ended up in frustration.<br /><br />How do you redesign and restructure a family? A family that is already built on the Love of Father expressed through the Son.<br /><br />It's structure has not changed just because someone else has come in and made it a dictatorship, democracy, or a business.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thoughts on Pastoral Roles in the Church</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><strong>"I know of three places here in Minnesota where moves of God took place in loosely organized groups of people. God moved until in each case they decided they needed a king (pastor) to lead them. Then of course The move of God stopped."<br /><br />"I am not against pastors or thier functioning in the church. The question I have for them is where is your place in the body?<br /><br />Many pastors have pure hearts and motives to serve people, but like the Israelites wanting a king, people place them in roles they are not meant to take.<br /><br />In one of the places I talked about where there was a move of God, one of the existing leaders took over as "The" pastor. Until then he was one of the voices The Holy Spirit spoke through. Well now they have one voice, one perspective and one opinion. The anointing still flows, but now its just one man's and anyone with a similiar anointing.<br /><br />So now if a person with a different anointing has new or different perspectives, they can be labeled as divisive and rebellious if the pastor does not have the vision to see it.<br /><br />How can a church grow and move with the Wind of the Spirit when it is subject to one man's control? It can't! A wise man will be like Gideon (Judges 8:22-23), and refuse to rule over the church.<br /><br />That is why there are various gifts that are encouraged to be exercised and judged by the congregation. You will find sometimes a major direction change God will give will be through the mouth of the least of the saints. This is for prides sake. Hearing God in His people is a precious thing, and pastors have mocked people who dared think they heard God.<br /><br />My heart breaks for the people sitting silent and listening with anointings dry and empty. They are untrained for the work of the ministry, and unable to hear clearly from God anything other then what the pastor is teaching.<br /><br />I am firmly convinced a pastors role is to nurture believers to a certain level of maturity and then they let them go. In my opinion pastors are not to be the focal point of a congregation, but they are one of many mature believers (elders) who are just as valueable as a pastor. Yes, there are levels of spiritual authority, but authority to do what? And how is it used?<br /><br />A parent has authority to teach, nurture, and discipline a child, but you would think it odd if a child after 20 years still was diapered and hand fed by thier parents, yet in the church that is standard operating procedure. We become dependant on a man and are unable to mature further because we give place to a man and expect him to hear God for us. The same temptation is there for all the ascencion gifts.<br /><br />I believe apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, and evangelists functions are to cease one day according to:<br /><br /><i>Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.</i><br /><br />With this in mind it is important for all who consider themselves leaders of God's people to make sure they are not taking an inappropriate place and simply work toward the goal of training people to do the work of the ministry, and helping them grow to the stature and fulness of Christ.<br /><br />I am just speaking the truth as I believe the Lord has revealed it to me. I am prepared to put these truths to the test even more in the future as oppurtunity arises.<br /><br />The heart of it all; laying down your life for the sheep, your ministry, your gifts, your pride, in order to come alongside and be a lowly servant to God's people.<br /><br />I think in certain situations, the best thing for a pastor is to get a job, sell the building, and start giving all the collections to the needy in the church. This would really shake up peoples perspective on leadership and what church is really about. A pastor doing this might even get excommunicated.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Ministry Changes</strong><br /><br />In Jesus' day He confronted, offended and threatened the religious mind and system. So also in this day the revolution of true kingdom ministry will confront, offend and threaten the "system" of church life today.<br /><br />This revolution will affect every aspect of what some would call 5-fold ministry. These changes will be born out of a love and humility that has a clear vision of the heart and purposes of the Lord. Those willing to walk in this Love and humility will be willing to change the manner in which they operate in order to serve the body in a manner pleasing to the Lord. Here are some of the changes you can expect.<br /><strong><br />Ministry of the Apostle</strong><br /><br />Though there are many different spheres of apostolic ministry, here is a general description of today’s apostolic ministry.<br /><br />Today’s apostle can be equaled to a president of an organization. On a larger scale the apostle has a multitude of churches under their authority. High visibility Apostles today relate to those who are willing to cut a covenant with them by either signing a contract or agreeing to a covenant with them which makes them "part" of the network of apostolic leadership.<br /><br />Some apostles on local levels serve the role of traditional pastors. Their network is the people who are under them and are in covenant with them by membership or tithe.<br /><br />The role of apostle is going to change most dramatically because of true revelation on the ministry of apostle that has not been manifest yet. Walking the way of the crucified life will transform apostolic understanding greatly.<br /><br />One great understanding will be the restoration of walking in the "ONE" covenant already made by the blood of Jesus. Extra covenants will be seen for what they are, divisions and separation of brethren.<br /><br />A release of regions to complete freedom and reliance upon the Spirit will be the result of conviction and repentance over the way in which the Lord's church has become the possession of men. An understanding of laying down your life for the sheep and TRUE servant hood of the bride will break the chains of the unbiblical "covering" doctrine, denominationalism, and current apostolic networks. This will release the Spirit to cross-pollinate what men have boxed and limited.<br /><br />Locally there will be a premium on hearing the Lord for yourself and not looking to "Moses" or the pastor, prophet or apostle for direction. Apostles will fight for the freedom of the body to express the mind and heart of the Lord corporately. Services will be more worship and Spirit led preaching, prophesying, and teaching rather then the organized strictures of man controlled order. Apostles, prophets and pastors will serve alongside other mature individuals as facilitators and watchmen for the enemy’s attacks, rather then the sole sources of inspiration and teaching. You may not even know who an apostle or pastor are in a typical meeting as the Lord will simply have His way.<br /><br />Apostles will learn to relate as friends and equals, not as "teachers" or censures. Team leadership and corporate body ministry will be the heart of apostles. Their greatest joys will be to see others step out boldly in ministry gifts and calls, even to their own decrease. They will be firm with those who desire is to draw men unto themselves. They will see clearly wolves whose intent is to devour or divide the sheep and deal swiftly with them.<br /><br /><strong>Ministry of the Pastor</strong><br /><br />Today’s ministry of Pastor is one of CEO and religious service director. Salaried and employed by the people, the pastor is responsible to feed the sheep. This feeding is not done by simply leading them to green pastures and still water where they can graze and drink. But today the pastor is the hand that harvests and spoon feeds the sheep.<br /><br />Tomorrow’s Pastor will relate on a more intimate level as a loving friend whose concern for individuals will be shown by personal love and edification. They may not be recognizable as a "pastor" in a group setting at times. They will have the ability to feed people by directing them to "feed" or graze from the green pastures of corporate body ministry, and to drink peacefully from the Holy Spirit's water of Life.<br /><br />Pastors will have a place at times for corporate speaking; but then again, all of the body will have a place to do this.<br /><br /><strong>Conclusion</strong><br /><br />The Lord is not interested in titles, He is interested in results. If the results we see today do not measure up to what He is desiring it is because we are not seeking the results He is, or we are trying to accomplish His desired results in our own flesh, or in our own way. We need to pray to the Lord to see clearly what we are doing to stop Him from accomplishing His will. We may be surprised to find out that the very things we are doing to try to serve Him are hindering Him from doing what He wants to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kris Couchey</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09609622128046142405noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3563794488258394756.post-60400966082147196782011-08-09T07:56:00.001-07:002011-08-09T07:56:55.310-07:00SEEDTIME AND HARVEST<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/PsG5BYr4Rxs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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