We again welcome you into the second service as the lord leads us in the this journey of sanctification. The rapturing heart being the topic is set before us to understand that what God needs from us is our heart! It takes a pure in heart to see God, and if rapture is to see God, then we have need for our hearts to be made pure.
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 5:8-10, Acts 24:14-16, 1Timothy 4:12, Galatians 5:16, 1John 3:1-3, Luke 9:51-55, Romans 12:20, John 14:17, John 16:13, John 14:26, Genesis 4:3-9, Genesis 14:1-14, Genesis 39:2, Exodus 32:30, Jeremiah 28:1-9, 1Corinthians 6:1-7, John 6:63
Paul, in the book of Act gave us a standard of a heart that God wants, and such is that which is of a pure conscience to God and man. This means that, for someone going in rapture, your faith should be greater, you need a rapturing faith that encapsulates being pure in spirit, faith, charity and conversation more than anyone else. And of course there is a difference between a wise and foolish virgin, while both are pure, the wise virgin have greater purity.
Purity is a daily exercise if you must have a rapturing heart; don’t depend on yesterday’s purity or whatever spiritual exercise you’ve done in the past. Watch your daily attitudes, checkmate your life using the Bible for your standard. How’s your love towards God? How’s your discipline towards God? How’s your prayer life? Brethren, the Spirit of God that we have overcomes evil with good.
Which Spirit do we carry?
- The Spirit of Truth: John 14:17 made us to understand that the world cannot receive this Spirit. So we can deduce that you have this Spirit of God when you love the truth despite the fact that you are offended, chastised and corrected. If the Spirit of God dwells in us, then we will speak the truth irrespective of whatever or whoever. Hence, you can’t have that Spirit and go to hell, for the kingdom of God is built with the pillar of truth. As long as the kingdom of God stands, this truth can never change, however if you are of God, the truth will come to you. God himself is truth! And if we are being built by the same word of truth, then we have a security in Christ that no falsehood can overcome us. This goes to show that all we have to do as brides is to always please our groom.
At a point when Cain and Abel were to bring an offering unto God, Cain did not have the understanding of what an offering to God should be, and because he wasn’t accepted, he rose up against his brother and killed him; it has not changed today, a carnal man will always persecute a spiritual man. But then, we need to understand the word of God to be able to present an acceptable life unto God.
- The Spirit of Peace: the truth is, we cannot be right every time, we need to be peacemakers, and do everything possible to let trouble pass away. Abraham displayed who a wise virgin should be, when Lot had issues with him, he opted for him to pick first the land he wished, and he wouldn’t mind having a desert as a place of abode. Joseph, after all his brothers did to him, accommodated them and took care of them. David wouldn’t pay back for whatever Saul was doing, he still served him. Issues could come up anywhere, mind the way you handle things. In a simple term, “one going in rapture is solely watchful”
Don’t bother fighting for God, you can’t. Don’t even avenge for yourself. God knows how to avenge for himself. The Spirit of God goes with patience, tolerance, forgiveness, long suffering. Don’t forget that “God test!” Don’t get too familiar with God till you’re too rigid to turn when He moves into another way. Stephen still prayed for forgiveness to those who stoned him.
One of the reasons why we are not blessed, and why we no longer have miracles in our assemblies is because of the condition of our hearts. If we can resolve a right heart with God, we will begin to see results in our prayers.
The days of miracles are not passed, God is still very much alive and potent, but the problem is the condition of our heart. We have to create an atmosphere for God to manifest freely. There have been little things that we ignore but are the greatest hindrance to our progress spiritually and physically: we presume what is not true, yet we hold to it and keep distance from brotherhood. We should not forget that there’s a spirit behind everything and then may we reiterate again that we need to “watch!” Put your heart in a condition where God can have his way and you will not fail whether or not you understand whatever He is doing.
Also, we need to respect God’s choice, if we want to obtain mercy. Whoever God has placed us under, we need to humble ourselves and respect him, don’t compare, remember God do choose the base things of the earth. Rather than comparing, pray for that good quality you’re seeing elsewhere for you pastor. The ways of God are not our way. Be patient, be humble and learn. God has reasons for his choice, you do yourself good by queuing behind him.
Do your best to allow God work in your life and in your assembly by making your heart pure, humble yourself to obey the word of God. The Holy Spirit did not come automatically on the day of Pentecost, the apostles were in one accord waiting for that Spirit to descend. We can still see God mightily in our assemblies, we can still see his miracles in our lives. Set your heart right with God.
Shalom!