Apostle Talk: Future News Now!

Leadership, prophetic, & apostolic teaching. Written and podcast.

THE FALSE COVERING MOVEMENT

APOSTLE TALK – Future News Now!
WWW.REALMIRACLES.COM
with Prince Handley

Prince Handley

THE FALSE COVERING MOVEMENT
(You can listen to this podcast NOW by clicking here: www.apostle.libsyn.com)

DESCRIPTION:

Never let a person … or a ministry … or a church … be your covering! Many people who had a powerful call of God on their lives have been deceived by the “false covering” (false discipleship) movement. Their anointing was diluted, the fire of the Spirit was quenched, and many millions of people were not reached for Christ! This teaching will expose the teachings … and the calamity … of the false discipleship (false covering) movement, and will protect you so that you can have a VITAL ministry!

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THE FALSE COVERING MOVEMENT

In the late 1960’s and into the 1970’s there arose a damaging movement to the Body of Christ called “The Covering” movement. Another name for this group was the “false discipleship” movement. Satan realized he could NOT stop the great outpouring of the Spirit, so he devised a means whereby he would use a sector of the church – and some Christian leaders – to slow it down and divert it: diffusing its power and intended Kingdom result!

There were several popular teachers involved in this movement; however, not many were brilliant expositors. They teaching went to excess so far as to be used by Satan to quench true evangelistic and prophetic ministry with the result that false prophetic ministries came into being.

Some of the excesses were as follows:

I knew a pastor who was near death in the hospital. A person was taking the pastor flowers and was told they must first submit the idea to elders.

I knew a young man who left the Midwest and came to the West Coast of the USA extremely discouraged. He had a flourishing and powerful youth ministry. He felt the Lord leading him to start a church; however, the pastor and elders of his church told him not to start it. A well known pastor friend of mine called me and asked me is I would come counsel the young man. I had just returned from a very exhausting six weeks in Africa and told my friend I would pray about it. On the third day, I called my friend and said, “The Lord wants me to counsel the young man.” I went to the pastor’s home, and during dinner the Spirit came upon me. I spoke to the young man and give Him the Lord’s directive: “Go back there and start a church!” That church has, I think, over 10,000 people now and has been sending missionaries all over the world.

I knew a powerful pastor who also had a ministry gift of evangelism. This pastor had ministered for years and moved into a new geographic area. He felt God leading him to evangelize at the local university. During the time of his getting acquainted in the new city he was fellowshipping with some brethren in a local church. He thought it would be nice to invite them to evangelize with him.

The elders of the church were involved in the “covering” movement and told him NOT to evangelize at the university. When he asked them what they would do IF he did so, they answered, “We will come against you with everything we have in the name of Jesus!” This man was one of the greatest pastors I have ever known, and who also worked with some of the best missionary organizations in the world.

Many young people, and older people coming into the call of ministry, were kept from fulfilling the will of God in their lives, as well as hindered from being used to maximum potential by the Lord.

During the 1970’s the Lord sent me to around the USA and also to other countries to expose this false teaching. Lots of precious ministries were saved from shipwreck. I can think of pastors who each have thousands of people in their congregations now who were under the bondage of the “false” covering movement, and who saw the light as God used me to expose it. These young men and women went on to OBEY what the Lord was telling them and started their own ministries with the result of cities and nations being reached for Christ.

They came out of spiritual bondage – the trap of Satan – into FREEDOM of ministry!

The examples I gave you previously are just of few of the multitudinous extremes of this Satanic strategy.

The reason that Satan tries to get people deceived into the “false” covering trip is because he was once the “anointed cherub who covers” … and NOW he does NOT want anyone under the covering of Jesus Christ. (Ezekiel 28:14-15)

Man is NOT your covering; neither is a ministry or a church. If you think so, try this … The next time you start to get into a wreck or have an accident, see whose name you call on: the church, a minister, or … JESUS!

When the BLOOD in the Tabernacle was placed by the High Priest upon the mercy seat in the Holy Place it effected atonement. The Hebrew word for “atonement” is “caphar” and is a primitive root which means “to cover, (figuratively) to cancel, to cleanse, be merciful, to forgive, and to purge.”

Once a year the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies with the BLOOD of the sin offering of atonements. It was most holy unto the LORD. The Hebrew word here used for “atonements” is “kippur” and means “expiation” (in the plural), or “a satisfaction, or to appease for guilt or sin by sacrifice.” (Exodus Chapter 30) “Caphar” and “kippur” both derive their meaning from the same Hebrew root form.

It is the same word from which the High Holy holiday Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) derives its meaning.

Make sure that the BLOOD of Jesus the Messiah is your covering.

Lucifer was once the “anointed cherub who covers” and had authority and responsibility to protect and defend the holy mountain of God. Ezekiel 28:13 alludes to the possibility that part of his duty was to lead Heaven’s choirs in the worship of God. However, the scripture shows he wanted glory for himself and was cast down. Many in the “false” covering movement want “glory for themselves.” They are taking the position of God telling the people of God WHEN, HOW, and WHERE they can minister … even to the extent of telling them NOT to minister.

It’s interesting to note that in the Revelation of Jesus to John on the island of Patmos, the Lord commended the Church of Ephesus by saying:

“But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I (Jesus) also hate.” (Revelation 2:6)

He also told the Church of Pergamos: “You also have hose who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.”

The word “Nicolaitans is a combination of two Greek words: nikos (meaning conqueror or victory) and laos (meaning people), which combination means “people conquerors, or conquering the laity.”

Christ is saying here that he hates the ministry of “people conquerors.” What the Holy Spirit starts, He wants to complete. Jesus purchased His people with His own BLOOD, and He does NOT want people – especially those who call themselves ministers of the Gospel – putting Christians in bondage and trying to own or control the people … and the work the Holy spirit wants to do through them.

As ministers of the Gospel, we are to encourage and direct those the Spirit is calling and sending.

Do NOT let men take the place of the Holy Spirit in your life and ministry.

Let Jesus and His shed BLOOD be your covering. Align yourself through faith with His WILL and His PROTECTION.

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If you have been helped or received a miracle as a result of this study, email us and let us know what God has done for you. You may contact us by email at: PrinceHandley@gmail.com

Remember to tell your friends about the Apostle Talk podcast.

You can listen to this podcast NOW by clicking here: www.apostle.libsyn.com

Or … you can subscribe to Apostle Handley podcast and receive previous shows and all new ones automatically downloaded for you. Click here for instructions: SUBSCRIBE

You can also search for “Apostle Talk” in directories like Blubrry. Note the spelling of “Blubrry.”

COMMENTS TO: princehandley@gmail.com
Skype: princehandley

Time: 10 minutes, 55 seconds

Size: 10.0 MB

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International A.C.T.I.O.N. Seminars (overseas), Email to: apostlehandley@gmail.com

Real Miracles, Healing, Prayer, Ministry Studies & Help for You: www.realmiracles.com

Free Bible Studies by Email (New Testament Introduction), Email to: worldservicesinc@gmail.com

Jewish Rabbinical Studies (tell your Jewish friends): http://www.realmiracles.com/rabbinical.htm

The University of Excellence (Advanced Studies in Missions, Leadership, and Church Growth), Email to: universityofexcellence@gmail.com

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2006/11/25 Posted by Prince Handley | SPIRITUAL PROTECTION | | No Comments Yet

FINAL DAYS OF PLANET EARTH

APOSTLE TALK – Future News Now!
WWW.REALMIRACLES.COM
with Prince Handley

Prince Handley

FINAL DAYS OF PLANET EARTH

We know we are living in the last days of Planet Earth because of the following Bible prophecies being fulfilled now:

■ Hundreds of Jews are immigrating to Israel every week after being scattered among the nations for over 2,000 years.

■ European Union (EU) and the Confederacy of Arab Nations are operating. A union of 10 will finally form, from which will be chosen the coming World Leader: the anti Messiah (or, anti Christ).

■ God’s Spirit is being poured out on all ethnic groups with thousands of people meeting the Messiah Jesus daily.

■ Russia is planning a coalition with Iran (that will subsequently involve two North Eastern African empires) to capture the chemical and mineral riches of Israel.

■ Signs of the last days, which Jesus foretold, are all happening NOW! These specific signs are described below:

1. False messiahs and false prophets.

2. Wars and ethnic groups fighting other ethnic groups.

3. Famines.

4. Diseases.

5. Earthquakes.

2006/11/24 Posted by Prince Handley | EARTH'S LAST DAYS | | No Comments Yet

POWER KEYS FOR SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS

APOSTLE TALK – Future News Now!
WWW.REALMIRACLES.COM
with Prince Handley

Prince Handley

POWER KEYS FOR SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS
You can listen to this podcast NOW by clicking here: www.apostle.libsyn.com

DESCRIPTION:

Power keys to help you WIN and live a productive life: with health, anointed relationships, successful promotion, and the power and wisdom to lead and succeed. Prosper with Bible MIRACLES … real miracles … and control your circumstances. Contain and defeat attacks from Satan and demons so you will do the work Messiah Jesus has called you to do.
EXPERIENCE TOTAL VICTORY!

POWER KEYS FOR SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS

I have now been ministering for over 40 years. Through these years I have discovered seven (7) Power Keys for successful relationships. If you will adhere to these keys outlined in this newsletter, you will have an unshakeable foundation for your life, your family, and your ministry.

KEY 1 – BE COMMITTED FIRST TO GOD.

This commitment starts with daily Bible reading and study. God will lead you in whatever commitments you need to make to, or with, people.

KEY 2 – GIVE POSITIVE SUPPORT TO THE ONES TO WHOM YOU COMMIT.

Tell the people you’re committed to: God will fight for us! Criticize the devil … NOT people!

KEY 3 – BE ENCOURAGED IN HOW GOD HAS WORKED THROUGH YOU, AND THROUGH OTHERS, IN THE PAST.

Forget disappointments: in people or events. Do NOT look back, except at the successes and the good.

KEY 4 – MAKE SURE YOU ARE IN CONTROL – ALWAYS CONTROL:

Thoughts

Activities – have a plan! Remember to plan for recreation and rest

The devil

Associations

KEY 5 – GIVE – HAVE FUN GIVING – A LIFE OF SERVICE.

Stay under the anointing by giving out to others in the name of Jesus. As you minister to others, you will be ministered to! Look for needs to meet: people who need healing; people who need help, counsel, or prayer – and then meet the need.

As you pray for others, or help them, or minister to them, you will between them and God. You will be under the anointing! As you pray for the sick, the healing power of Christ will flow through you. As you encourage others, you will be encouraged. Also, you will reap what you sow. As you give to the poor, God will give back to you!

KEY 6 – BE RESPONSIBLE – HAVE A BASE OF OPERATIONS.

Always have a place where people can contact you: where the LIFE of Christ can flow through you to help them or to follow up with them – you want them to GROW and become POWERFUL and PRODUCTIVE in Christ!

KEY 7 – PRAY IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND IN YOUR LANGUAGE.

Build yourself up continually in your relationships with God and with people by praying! Start and continue your day praying in tongues and in your language. Let the Holy Spirit build you up and, also, pray intelligently in matters for which you do NOT know what to pray.

See Jude 20 and Romans 8:26-27. Study Lesson Two How To Talk To God in the Bible Studies (Go to www.realmiracles.com and select Bible Studies from the BLUE navigation bars on the left of any page.) Also, study DCC Lessons 8 through 14 in the Advanced Studies.

SUMMARY

You need to have strong relationships with God and with those people with which God will lead you to work. Appreciate the people with which God has chosen you to work. However, do NOT try to force relationships: do not make commitments to every person you meet. God will show you those people to whom you should be committed when you are FIRST committed to Him!

Give positive support, or reinforcement to those people to whom you are committed – whether:

They are OVER YOU in a position of authority;

You are OVER THEM; or,

You are on the same level (working or ministry associates).

Remind each other that God will fight for us! Give your associates REWARDS from time-to-time for:

The good work they do;

Their consistency and faithfulness; or,

Their availability.

These rewards do not (always) have to be monetary. Sometimes a pat on the back, or a word of encouragement, is really meaningful: letting them know the good they are doing is not going unnoticed. Let people KNOW you are THANKFUL and APPRECIATIVE of their association with you. Maybe an invitation to dinner, or just spending time alone with them or their family, whether it is a few minutes or a day or two.

It is also important for a man to give positive support to his wife. There are so many ways a wife serves a husband in his ministry that may go unnoticed by him. We need to appreciate those nearest to us, and never to take them for granted. This is where family altar is so important: do not neglect ministering to your own family! They may be your GREATEST DISCIPLES! Read and discuss the Holy Bible together, and then pray together.

It is good to spend time refreshing your mind thinking about all the successes God has given you in the past. God has NOT brought you this far to make you fail. God is FOR you! One time the disciples of Jesus were in a ship in the middle of the sea where the waves were rough and the wind was strong. They became fearful until Jesus came to them on the water and told them not to be afraid. They FORGOT that the Lord had commanded them to GO to the other side. He did NOT intend them to sink or to fail. Jesus intends for you to SUCCEED!

Take time to study in the Holy Bible how others have succeeded: Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Mordecai, and the Apostles. Study Militant Church History by Apostle Handley and see how many other Christians have become successful in the Church. They were HUMAN just like you! Do not meditate on past failures; it is a trick of the devil to form a failure image on your mind. Forget past failures – do not look back, except at the SUCCESSES and the GOOD! (Philippians 4:8.)

Looking back at past successes (and NOT looking back at past failures) is easy if you learn how to CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS. Do NOT allow Satan to put bad images on your mind; and do not allow him to use the bad imaginations (image-thoughts) you can put on your mind. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds); casting down imaginations [of your own and arguments of others], and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every though to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report: if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8.)

To be a good steward you must be IN CONTROL of the areas, domains, facilities, and personnel:

Over which God has placed you; and,

Over which God has given you power and authority.

The reason you must exercise control is so that you may carry out the work God has given you to do. You must do it the way God has told you to do it. You must CONTROL not only your thoughts, but also your ACTIVITIES. Have a plan.

Know where you are headed: each day and in the future – to the end of your life. You must be flexible and follow the leading of the Spirit. God may want you to change your plan(s) at times, but spend time alone with God so that you can hear from Him and establish your goals: both short-range and long-term (lifetime).

Each day when you arise (except your Sabbath day of rest) have a list already made out with the activities you want to accomplish numbered in order of importance (or, priority). To help you do this, every night, or whenever you find convenient time – although forming the habit of making out your list at the same time every day is best – write down on a sheet of paper the THINGS TO DO – or, activities – for the next day.

After you have made your list, go back over it and assign numbers (starting with 1) to the most important thing, and then the things of lesser importance. Then, make out another list, writing down the activities in order of importance: 1, 2, 3, etc. You may not accomplish all the things you have written down for the day; however, you will have accomplished the MOST IMPORTANT things. Again, allow for flexibility: the Holy Spirit may change your plans the next day; or, you may find the next day that Item 4 on your list should be exchanged for a position of higher priority with, for example, Item 2.

You must CONTROL the devil, Satan. Jesus said, Behold, I give unto you POWER over all the power of the enemy. (Luke 10:19). Jesus gave you POWER:

Over the demons (see verse 20);

Over the power of the devil;

Over Satan, himself.

This is part of the Covenant of Freedom which Jesus Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah of Israel) purchased for you with His own BLOOD! You are FREE: free from the devil, sin, and the world; and you are free to live holy and serve God!

In Matthew 12, verses 22-29, Jesus said, I cast out devils by the Spirit of God. How can one enter into the house of a strong man [or, the house of the devil], and spoil his goods, except he first BIND the strong man? And then he will spoil his house. The binding and loosing power of the Church is one of the teachings of Jesus. Jesus said, Whatever you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven: and whatever you will loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18.)

Finally, you must exercise control over your associations. This does not mean you have to control your associates; but rather, be in control of the decision making process with regard to the person(s) with whom you will be associated and those with whom you will NOT be associated.

Remember KEY 1, be committed first to God and then God will lead you in whatever commitments you need to make to, or with, people. There are some people with whom it would NOT be profitable in the Spirit for you to be closely associated. This does not mean you do not love them, nor that you do not communicate with them or even work together with them, at times, in the work of the LORD. It does mean, however, that they are not your close associates.

One crucially important area to watch for is association with gossips. Never associate closely with gossips; never have them work for you. Love them and tell them about their sin. If a person gossips about other people, you can be sure that under the right circumstances that person will gossip about you!

By knowing this fact ahead of time and operating wisely you can save yourself (and the Lord’s work) from much harm. Be well advised (or, forewarned) to stay away from busybodies, gossips, and slanderers. Especially, have no close association with them, except to minister to them and help them.

Jesus ministered to thousands. He also had eleven disciples He poured his life into (the twelfth one was a devil, preordained by the Scriptures). However, Jesus also had a very close relationship with an inner circle of three: Peter, James and John. God has given you the FREEDOM TO CHOOSE and He will also give you the LEADING TO KNOW with whom to be closely associated.

Do NOT try to have associates just to have associates. If God wants you to have some close associates He will cross your path with those of like mind and faith; those with whom you can:

Have wonderful fellowship;

Have common faith to believe God for great things;

Share personal needs, wants, or dreams (aspirations).

There may be times when God would have you (lead you by His Spirit) to dissolve relationships that are already established. You must be very careful to listen and obey God in these times or your ministry could suffer greatly.

When you dissolve a relationship with someone, it does not mean you do not love them, nor that you do not communicate with them (unless God is leading you NOT to communicate with them). Remember, the key is: Be committed first to God!

Be responsible. Be available to help others in whatever way God leads you. You may have to sweat and work hard. You may shed tears at times, but you will have the JOY of the LORD, and that will be your strength.

Serve God because you love Him and you are thankful for what He has done for you – and for what He is doing for you even NOW that you MAY NOT SEE or know about – and then thank Him for what He will do for you in the future! Pray in your language and in tongues: ask for only the associates God has chosen for you.

PUT GOD FIRST AND GO FORWARD!

If you have been helped or received a miracle as a result of this study, email us and let us know what God has done for you. You may contact us by email at: PrinceHandley@gmail.com

Remember to tell your friends about the Apostle Talk podcast.

You can listen to this podcast NOW by clicking here: www.apostle.libsyn.com

Or … you can subscribe to Apostle Handley podcast and receive previous shows and all new ones automatically downloaded for you. Click here for instructions: SUBSCRIBE

You can also search for “Apostle Talk” in directories like Blubrry. Note the spelling of “Blubrry.”

COMMENTS TO: princehandley@gmail.com
Skype: princehandley

Time: 17:33
Size: 16.0 MB

2006/11/23 Posted by Prince Handley | LEADING WITH POWER AND LOVE | | No Comments Yet

THE POWER OF A SEPARATED LIFE

APOSTLE TALK – Future News Now!
WWW.REALMIRACLES.COM
with Prince Handley

Prince Handley

 

THE POWER OF A SEPARATED LIFE

After I became a Christian I committed quality time to memorizing scripture. One of the key Bible portions I memorized was as follows:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And, what communion has light with darkness?

Wherefore come out from among them, and you be separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

And I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” [2 Corinthians 6:14, 17-18]

I didn’t have to leave my friends when I became a Christian; they left me! When my lifestyle became different and my interests were focused in Godly avenues, there was no common ground. However, I still witnessed to my friends, and prayed for them, and loved them with Christ’s compassion. Thankfully, many of them are now Christians who serve the Lord, including my immediate birth family, uncles, aunts, cousins . . . and now all of my children and grandchildren.

What a beautiful promise! God will be a Father to us: He will protect us, provide for us, and be personal in His relationship to us. Do you want to have a REALLY CLOSE walk with the Lord? Then learn and practice the beauty of a separated life.

In this newsletter we will study the PURPOSE, the PRIVILEGE, the PROTECTION, and the PRODUCTIVITY of a separated life.

THE PURPOSE OF A SEPARATED LIFE

Why live a separated life?

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which has called you is holy, so you be holy in all manner of behavior; because it is written, ‘You be holy, for I am holy’.” [Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:15-16]

THE PRIVILEGE OF SEPARATION

Why is it a privilege to live a separated life?

“For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold, from your vain manner of living which you received by tradition from your fathers; but you were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who truly was foreordained BEFORE the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for YOU.” [1 Peter 1:18-20]

“According as He has CHOSEN us in Him BEFORE the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” [Ephesians 1:4]

THE PROTECTION OF SEPARATION

Living a separated life of holiness unto the Lord provides extra angelic protection for the believer.

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those that fear Him and delivers them.” [Psalm 34:7]

“Because you have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, your habitation; there shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For He shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” [Psalm 91:9-11 - read the whole Psalm]

“And he answered, fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” [2 Kings 6:16-17]

Other examples: Daniel in the den of lions and the three Hebrew teenagers in the furnace of fire. These were Hebrews, who as teenagers had separated themselves unto God.

THE PRODUCTIVITY OF SEPARATION

Why is it productive to live a separated life?

“Let everyone that names the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor.

If a person therefore cleanses himself from these [the works of dishonor and iniquity], he shall be a vessel unto honor, set apart, worthy, competent and profitable for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.” [2 Timothy 2:19-21]

The greatest blessing you can have on earth is to walk with God!

Enoch walked with God, and he was not found anymore here on earth because God took him. [Genesis 5:24]

Elijah walked with God, and when it was time for him to go to Heaven, he was taken up by angels in a chariot surrounded by fire. [2 Kings 2:11]

You say, “But Apostle Handley, these were SPECIAL people.” Yes, and so are YOU . . . if you WANT to be. They were special people because they wanted to be special people.

The question is: “Do you WANT to be SPECIAL?”

The Holy Bible shows us that Elijah was just like you and me. He had the same emotions, the same temptations, and the same faculties. “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” [James 5:17-18]

As we approach the last days of Planet Earth and the return of Israel’s Messiah we should all the more want to live a separated life. The Apostle Peter told us ahead of time:

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of people should you be in all holy manner of living and godliness . . .” [2 Peter 3:10-11]

The Apostle Paul assigned Titus, a young preacher, the responsibility of pastoring and appointing elders in Crete and explained to him that it was profitable for believers to maintain good works. “This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that those people who have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” [Titus 3:8]

Paul also taught Timothy, who he placed in charge of the church at Ephesus, that there is great gain in living for God. “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” [1 Timothy 6:6]

If we are going to live a separated life so that we will be prepared to be used by the Master, then we have to be like a soldier. “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, so that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” [2 Timothy 2:3-4]

Holiness is the principle that separates the believer from the world. Holiness is a quality of personal conduct that consecrates us to God’s service. The Apostle Paul urged the believers in his day . . . and urges us today through the scripture . . . to walk in holiness and thereby please God.

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.” [1 Thessalonians 4:3-4]

Notice, in the verse above, that YOU are to POSSESS your vessel: you are the owner . . . you are in control. Don’t say “The devil made me do it!” Don’t say, “I couldn’t resist!” Have you been struggling with a certain temptation? Then get on your knees and CRY OUT to God. Ask Him to deliver you and sanctify you. The Bible says, “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” [Psalm 50:15]

God is not dangling temptation in front of you to tempt you. “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt anyone.” [James 1:13]

God has made a WAY for you to exit temptation, but you have to WANT to exit! “There has NO temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.” [1 Corinthians 10:13]

In the original Greek of which this passage was written it is actually saying that God will do the same as cut a path through a rock for you to make a way for you to escape . . . IF you WANT to escape! Cry out to Him and He will deliver you! God loves you and wants to help you. He also wants to use you to help others!

God may allow you to be tested from time to time, but only to see if you are worthy of Him investing His future talents and gifts in you so that you can be used for GREAT WORKS. What if after you have been used greatly, you mess up and ruin your testimony? Or, what if you make God or His people look bad?

Set apart a time for prayer and fasting to consecrate yourself to His service. Pray for a consecrated life: a life set apart in holiness and separation so you can be a vessel unto honor . . . worthy, competent, and profitable for the Master’s use . . . prepared unto every good work.

The more you are in the arena and productive for God, the more you will be shot at! And there will be different times you will need to draw on God’s strength through prayer and fasting. But always remember, your best defense is a good offense. Keep reaching people for Christ . . . keep under the anointing!

CONCLUSION

In this newsletter we have studied the PURPOSE, the PRIVILEGE, the PROTECTION, and the PRODUCTIVITY of a separated life.

Why live holy?

2006/11/16 Posted by Prince Handley | Uncategorized | | No Comments Yet