HIS Church

Disillusionment
By Oswald Chambers
July 30

Jesus did not commit Himself to them…, for He knew what was in man. —John 2:24-25

Disillusionment means having no more misconceptions, false impressions, and false judgments in life; it means being free from these deceptions. However, though no longer deceived, our experience of disillusionment may actually leave us cynical and overly critical in our judgment of others. But the disillusionment that comes from God brings us to the point where we see people as they really are, yet without any cynicism or any stinging and bitter criticism. Many of the things in life that inflict the greatest injury, grief, or pain, stem from the fact that we suffer from illusions. We are not true to one another as facts, seeing each other as we really are; we are only true to our misconceived ideas of one another. According to our thinking, everything is either delightful and good, or it is evil, malicious, and cowardly.

Refusing to be disillusioned is the cause of much of the suffering of human life. And this is how that suffering happens— if we love someone, but do not love God, we demand total perfection and righteousness from that person, and when we do not get it we become cruel and vindictive; yet we are demanding of a human being something which he or she cannot possibly give. There is only one Being who can completely satisfy to the absolute depth of the hurting human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is so obviously uncompromising with regard to every human relationship because He knows that every relationship that is not based on faithfulness to Himself will end in disaster. Our Lord trusted no one, and never placed His faith in people, yet He was never suspicious or bitter. Our Lord’s confidence in God, and in what God’s grace could do for anyone, was so perfect that He never despaired, never giving up hope for any person. If our trust is placed in human beings, we will end up despairing of everyone.

There is only one being who can satisfy the deepest aching abyss of the human heart, and that is our Lord Jesus Christ.

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THIS IS WHAT MY MESSAGE YESTERDAY WAS ABOUT! "HAVE NO AIM BUT HIM...FOLLOW HIM...NO PRECONCEIVED IDEAS!" - JH

The Way to Knowledge
By Oswald Chambers
July 27

If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine… —John 7:17

The golden rule to follow to obtain spiritual understanding is not one of intellectual pursuit, but one of obedience. If a person wants scientific knowledge, then intellectual curiosity must be his guide. But if he desires knowledge and insight into the teachings of Jesus Christ, he can only obtain it through obedience. If spiritual things seem dark and hidden to me, then I can be sure that there is a point of disobedience somewhere in my life. Intellectual darkness is the result of ignorance, but spiritual darkness is the result of something that I do not intend to obey.

No one ever receives a word from God without instantly being put to the test regarding it. We disobey and then wonder why we are not growing spiritually. Jesus said, “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). He is saying, in essence, “Don’t say another word to me; first be obedient by making things right.” The teachings of Jesus hit us where we live. We cannot stand as impostors before Him for even one second. He instructs us down to the very last detail. The Spirit of God uncovers our spirit of self-vindication and makes us sensitive to things that we have never even thought of before.

When Jesus drives something home to you through His Word, don’t try to evade it. If you do, you will become a religious impostor. Examine the things you tend simply to shrug your shoulders about, and where you have refused to be obedient, and you will know why you are not growing spiritually. As Jesus said, “First…go….” Even at the risk of being thought of as fanatical, you must obey what God tells you.

Psalms 43-45; Acts 27:27-44

Wisdom from Oswald
We have no right to judge where we should be put, or to have preconceived notions as to what God is fitting us for. God engineers everything; wherever He puts us, our one great aim is to pour out a whole-hearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”

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Obey what God tells you to do, even if others might call you fanatical, and you will gain the understanding you seek.

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THE MIRACLE OF BELIEF
By Oswald Chambers
July 17

My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom… —1 Corinthians 2:4

Paul was a scholar and an orator of the highest degree; he was not speaking here out of a deep sense of humility, but was saying that when he preached the gospel, he would veil the power of God if he impressed people with the excellency of his speech. Belief in Jesus is a miracle produced only by the effectiveness of redemption, not by impressive speech, nor by wooing and persuading, but only by the sheer unaided power of God. The creative power of redemption comes through the preaching of the gospel, but never because of the personality of the preacher.

Real and effective fasting by a preacher is not fasting from food, but fasting from eloquence, from impressive diction, and from everything else that might hinder the gospel of God being presented. The preacher is there as the representative of God— “…as though God were pleading through us…” (2 Corinthians 5:20). He is there to present the gospel of God. If it is only because of my preaching that people desire to be better, they will never get close to Jesus Christ. Anything that flatters me in my preaching of the gospel will result in making me a traitor to Jesus, and I prevent the creative power of His redemption from doing its work.

“And I, if I am lifted up…, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).

Psalms 18-19; Acts 20:17-38

Wisdom from Oswald
Jesus Christ reveals, not an embarrassed God, not a confused God, not a God who stands apart from the problems, but One who stands in the thick of the whole thing with man.
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We are commissioned to present his gospel, not human ideals.

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ARE YOU FED UP WITH THE PASTOR TONY SPELL CONTROVERSY? SO AM I — By Samuel Smith — First, I want to address the critics who try to provoke me for attempting to bring reason and balance to this matter. I have no "skin in the game". I do not know Pastor Spell personally, I have never met him. The American Apostolic movement is a large diverse body. Although I am a rock-ribbed Apostolic, in my eighth decade of life; I am more sure of the Apostolic message than ever. However, I do not move among the Apostolics who share Pastor Spell's interpretation of some of the physical disciplines that he adheres to. I am sure he would never invite me to his pulpit, because of my facial hair. However, I have no problem moving past that, in fact, I respect him for his loyalty to his convictions, and I can easily still support him during this great trial in his life. Because.

I can expect the world to pile on him, but, I am shocked that so many Apostolics would be so eager to judge and condemn a brother in Christ, without fully knowing the extent of the long history of this matter, or at least having some degree of discernment, when to speak, and when to be silent, and wait, without heaping more condemnation and pressure upon a brother in Christ . Some are calling him to resign, never pastor a church again, and even wishing him to go to jail. Some calling him a jerk, and a bully. These hang their hats on one verse, Jesus saying to turn the other cheek; when the correct rendering of that scripture was never meant to tolerate physical harm, but, not retaliate when humiliated. To die for a cause, to die a martyr is one thing; but, to stand by and allow a pervert to r**e and kill your children is another thing. Remember, when a crowd threatened to stone Jesus, he fled; it was not time to die, he chose when He would lay down his life. No man would take it away from Him until He was ready to lay it down for the cause that He chose. You may humiliate me, and I believe I am ready to die for Christ, but, I am not going to allow a bully to kill me and my loved ones just for his fun of it. It is about the cause, about the purpose. It is about the why and the when.

For those who misinterpret Matthew 5:39 "turn the other cheek", what do they do about Matthew 7:1, "Judge not, that you be not judged". What about restoring your brother, if you think he is wrong, according to Galatians 6:1. What is wrong with just keeping your mouth shut until you know all the facts and pray for your brother?

I cannot put myself in Pastor Spell's place to judge him; first, because Jesus said not to. Second, if I feel he is wrong I should go to him to restore him, according to Galatians 6:1. How many of his Apostolic judges, the keyboard warriors, have called him and prayed for him; telling him where they think he is wrong, and offering godly correction? Hmm?

I have followed this story since the 2020 Covid epidemic. No other pastor in America was arrested, put in house arrest for 2 years, made to wear an ankle monitor, his church and house surveilled by police cameras installed in a corrupt neighbors house, and spend thousands of dollars for attorney fees. All that, and afterwards, he was legally exonerated. And the governor's lawyer admitted that he did nothing wrong by keeping his church doors open for worship during the pandemic. Since the end of the Covid epidemic, the facts have come out, that all the nonsense about social distancing, vaccines, closing schools and churches was useless. Pastor Spell was not only legally correct, but ethically correct in keeping his church open. But, I remember many Apostolics piling on him at that time too. They rushed to judgment then also. Shame on them.

The spirit of anitichrist is loose in our world today and the devil is not finished; there will be more attempts in the future by other rogue overreaching govenments to come after our churches; but, thank God, we now have legal recourse the next time, because Pastor Spell's case has provided "legal precedent" for church independence from government overreach. He should be "respected" among all Apostolics instead of "reviled".

Now, six years after Covid and for no good reason, the police still surveil his church and his house with cameras set up on the neighbor's property. These same neighbors who for years have taunted and threatened him, his family and congregation with profanities, vulgar gestures, and threats of physical violence . Finally, Pastor Spell had enough when the threats evolved to ra**ng his wife and killing his grandchildren. Many of his congregation support his claim that there have been multiple complaints made to the complicit police with no results. One photo shows the neighbor standing beside a police car on his driveway, grabbing his crotch and flipping off members of the church across the street.

Finally, Pastor Spell didn't wait for the threats to r**e and kill to materialize, he charged across the street like a real man would to defend his wife and family. Sadly, only a few in this effeminate new age will understand. Pastor Spell was still on the public sidewalk when the kid threw the first three punches; after that, Pastor Spell let loose. We have not experienced for six years what Pastor Spell has experienced, only God knows his heart. But, we are commanded not to judge, but, to pray for our brother.

Now, I want to direct my commentary to the keyboard warriors, who are so willing to involve themselves in this matter, and ask them, where is their "activism" otherwise during this unfolding end-time drama; Nigerians being killed daily for their faith, Pakistanis churches being burned, child-sex trafficking epidemic across our nation, radical Islam growing everywhere in America, and all the nations prophesied to take part in Armageddon, are lining up before our eyes. I never hear a prayer request from any of them who are so quick to cry "crucify" in this instance. I never see a word on facebook about their concern for those suffering for Christ, or prayer for this nation to return to God, or a request for prayer for their lost loved ones. I never hear a peep out of them about revival, the hope of America. Their life-styles are totally worldly, always photos of condos, vacations, cars, houses. pets, and their personal stuff; little thought about eternity. Some of them never miss an opportunity to criticize Apostolics at any occasion. They have no credibility in this instance.

Until one aligns with an Apostolic church and supports it with their attendance, prayer and finance. they are just another nasty voice in the crowd crying "crucify". They like to quote scripture; let me quote two for them: "You will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16). And "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching" (Hebrews 10:25). When they bear fruit of assembling together, praying fasting, giving, and forgiving, then their opinions will matter. Until then, they are just singing from the same songbook of the world.

"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zechariah 13:6).

For more on Samuel Smith: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BbQBuSZay/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE 100% FACT IN LIFE!!!
YOU CANNOT BE DEVOTED TO A PERSON YOU DO NOT HEAR, THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH!!!! PERIOD, NO EXCEPTIONS! YOU CANNOT LOVE AND BE DEVOTED TO YOUR WIFE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH, THAT YOU NEVER HEAR OR COMMUNICATE WITH. THAT YOU NEVER FEEL OR EXPERIENCE ANYTHING WITH. SAME WITH YOUR MOTHER, FATHER ETC!
WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT AND A RELATIONSHIP, HOW CAN YOU LOVE JESUS OR ANYONE THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE THIS LEVEL OF RELATIONSHIP WITH? - JH

The Conditions of Discipleship
By Oswald Chambers
July 02

If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also….And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me….So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. —Luke 14:26-27, 33

If the closest relationships of a disciple’s life conflict with the claims of Jesus Christ, then our Lord requires instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person— our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause. Our Lord never proclaimed a cause— He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself. To be a disciple is to be a devoted bondservant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus. Many of us who call ourselves Christians are not truly devoted to Jesus Christ. No one on earth has this passionate love for the Lord Jesus unless the Holy Spirit has given it to him. We may admire, respect, and revere Him, but we cannot love Him on our own. The only One who truly loves the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit, and it is He who has “poured out in our hearts” the very “love of God” (Romans 5:5). Whenever the Holy Spirit sees an opportunity to glorify Jesus through you, He will take your entire being and set you ablaze with glowing devotion to Jesus Christ.

The Christian life is a life characterized by true and spontaneous creativity. Consequently, a disciple is subject to the same charge that was leveled against Jesus Christ, namely, the charge of inconsistency. But Jesus Christ was always consistent in His relationship to God, and a Christian must be consistent in his relationship to the life of the Son of God in him, not consistent to strict, unyielding doctrines. People pour themselves into their own doctrines, and God has to blast them out of their preconceived ideas before they can become devoted to Jesus Christ.

Job 22-24; Acts 11

Wisdom from Oswald
The Bible is the only Book that gives us any indication of the true nature of sin, and where it came from.

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Jesus Christ was always consistent to God.

Read today's full devotional at utmost.org/today/ and subscribe to our email list for daily wisdom from Oswald Chambers delivered straight to your inbox!

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Isaiah 5:20-27 (NKJV) - Woe to those who call evil good, an | YouVersion Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, And pru

THIS is a Fact! I SPEAK OFTEN ABOUT THE JOURNEY!

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