THE FOURTH DIMENSION

 

What is the fourth dimension?  There are basically three dimensions—length, height, and depth in the world we live in.  The fourth dimension is time.  As it pertains to our spiritual walk, Pastor Tony Scott describes the third dimension as our five senses and the fourth dimension as walking in the Holy Spirit. 

When we are living in the fourth dimension, we are living in the Kingdom of God where our spirit is the driving force and not our physical body.  We are, essentially, spirits living in a human body.  Before Adam and Eve sinned and disobeyed God, they were living in the spirit.  They were living in glorified bodies.  Adam and Eve were only aware of God’s presence.  When they sinned, they became aware of their presence and their own flesh.  They only became self-aware of themselves after their disobedience.  They no longer were in total union with God.  Their flesh then became their primary identity in contrast to total communion with God because their spirits no longer dominated them.  Living in the fourth dimension we are living as spirits in a physical body.  In so doing, we are returning, in part, to the Garden of Eden so to speak or the Kingdom of God as we were created to be.

Living in the fourth dimension we are living from heaven to earth.  “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:10 We are supposed to be living as citizens of heaven.  In this dimension or realm, our minds are renewed.  Our spirits are joined with Christ.   We become Christ minded.  We become the salt of the earth. 

We must live out of our spirit.  Man is a spirit being having a human experience.  Adam and Eve, after the fall, started living out of their senses.  God operates in the fourth dimension.  We are Kingdom subjects. (Pastor Tony Scott, Manna-fest Program)

Colossians 1:3-6 NIV

 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”  Luke 17:20-21 NIV

 And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  Luke 9:2 NIV

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”   

 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  John 3:3-5 NIV

  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Romans 14:17 NIV

 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

If we are walking in the Spirit, then Christ Himself is living in us.  He is accomplishing His purpose in and through us.  We are the containers, the vessels He dwells in. 

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  Galatians 2:20 NIV

Marcella Ward August 25, 2021             

CHECK LINK BELOW TO WATCH PASTOR SCOTT'S TEACHING ON THE FOURTH DIMENSION 

https://youtu.be/i5l304x7ymY

 

ASYMPTOMATIC CHRISTIANITY

                                                       ASYMPTOMATIC CHRISTIANITY

 

Have you ever heard the term asymptomatic?  According to Merriam Webster’s Dictionary it says: not causing, marked by, or presenting with signs or symptoms of infection, illness, or disease.

We hear the term used more often now because of the pandemic.  But I would argue that it can also be applied to Christians who claim to be Christians but lack the evidence or “symptoms” or signs manifesting their true identity as a follower of Christ.

You probably have heard the saying, “If you were brought before a court of law, could you be convicted of being a Christian?  What would be the evidence that you are a Believer in Christ? 

“So, how do I know if you are a Christian? How do you know if I'm one? There must be evidence. Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:20). If someone examined your life, would they find any spiritual fruit—hard evidence to prove that you are a true follower of Jesus Christ?

Or, let me put it another way: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? By "evidence," I don't mean how many Bibles you own, or how many bumper stickers you might have on your car with Christian sayings on them. I mean hard evidence. If your family members, neighbors, and coworkers were interviewed and asked the question, "Is (your name here), in your opinion, a real Christian?" we might not be happy with the response.

The only way others can tell whether you are a Christian is by your works. While all the good works in the world won't save a person (Titus 3:5), they are reasonable evidence that someone is saved.”  (Are You A Christian? Greg Laurie Harvest Ministries November 24, 2009)

It is by our works.  It is by what people see or hear from the Believer.  Jesus did not only preach to the people but He showed His love and compassion in action by healing people and meeting their needs.  He went out to the people.  He went out to the streets and interacted with people.  Jesus is the embodiment of God on the earth.  Jesus showed us how to live and how to love.

Galatians 5:14-18; 22-26 NIV

 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; 
Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 
Where there is injury, pardon; 
Where there is doubt, faith; 
Where there is despair, hope; 
Where there is darkness, light; 
And where there is sadness, joy. 

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console; 
To be understood, as to understand; 
To be loved, as to love; 
For it is in giving that we receive, 
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. 
Amen.

1.  Christians speaks out rather than be silent about moral issues even when it is not “politically correct” to do so.

2.  Christians do not hide from the truth or are ashamed of who they are in Christ.

3.  Christians do their part to come against the “powers that be” when it comes to standing up for issues such as pro-life; Biblical marriage; freedom of speech; etc.

4.  Christians exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit--- love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

5.  Christians, though not perfect, are “a work in progress.”

Yes, we are all “a work in progress.”  Thank God for His grace and His mercy.  We don’t deserve His love and we will never be worthy of it but because God loved us first, we are clothed in the righteousness of God in Christ because of His death and resurrection.

Let’s not be asymptomatic Christians but lights shining in the darkness in which others will be attracted to us because they see the love of God in us that is uncompromisingly dedicated to bringing the Kingdom of God on the earth. We live in the realm of the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”  John 18:36 NIV

WE ARE KINGDOM DWELLERS!

 Marcella Ward August 4, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                             

 

 

 

ANGELS

 

                                                                      ANGELS

What does the Bible say about angels?"

Answer: “Angels are personal spiritual beings who have intelligence, emotions, and will. This is true of both the good and evil angels (demons). Angels possess intelligence (Matthew 8:29; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Peter 1:12), show emotion (Luke 2:13; James 2:19; Revelation 12:17), and exercise will (Luke 8:28-31; 2 Timothy 2:26; Jude 6). Angels are spirit beings (Hebrews 1:14) without true physical bodies. Although they do not have physical bodies, they are still personalities.”              

What is the purpose of Angels?

Answer:  “Angels are spirits created to serve God’s purposes. “

To serve the people God saves.

To deliver messages

To wage spiritual battle

To worship God.

To serve.

To execute judgment

To aid in the transmission of God’s Word.     (Got Questions.com “What does the Bible say about Angels?”/”What is the purpose of angels?”)

The first sphere of Angels are said to be direct servant of God: Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.  The second sphere.  The second sphere are angels who rule over the earth: Dominions, Virtues and Powers or Authorities. 

The Third sphere are angels whose primary job is to help humans. They are guides, messengers, and protectors---

“Principalities or Rulers: These are angels assigned to protect groups of people (like a country, those of faith, the church). They rule over other angels and send them on missions in order to accomplish their protection role. Because of this, they are typically depicted wearing crowns and/or holding scepters.

Archangels: Archangel means “chief angel”. Michael is the only Archangel specifically mentioned in the bible, and the term is only used in the singular (meaning, it’s possible that Michael is the only one). In Judaism, there are seven Archangels.

Angels: Angels are the foot soldiers of the angel hierarchy. They send messages or carry out the tasks assigned to them by other angels. Personal guardian angels are these kind of angels.” (Nine Types of Angels You Should Know About Erin Cossetta, April 24th 2018)

Should Angels be worshiped?

And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.  If you worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’^]” Luke 4:6-8 NIV

 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. ⁹ But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Revelation 22:8-9 NIV

Should we pray to Angels?

 “Angels are God’s messengers. God has used them to communicate His words and His will, and to carry out various assignments. Praying to angels actually reverses the chain of command, making angels the deciders, the ones who authorize what should be and shouldn’t be. As God’s messengers, angels do His bidding. Angels are not our messengers, or go-betweens to God.”

“While angels are ministering spirits and are here for good, ultimately, we aren’t to pray to angels. We don’t need to because we have Jesus Christ and we have direct access to the Father through Him. Place your trust and faith in Christ alone for your salvation, for He is our Savior. Everything we need can be accessed through Him.”   (“Is it OK for Christians to Pray to Anels?”/Leslie White/Beliefnet)

Do Christians have the authority to command Angels?

 but when we cried out to the Lord, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt.

“Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory. Numbers 20:16 NIV

Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.  Daniel 3:28 NIV

Do we have guardian angels?

 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.  Matthew 18:10 NIV

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; Psalm 91:11 NIV

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?  Hebrews 1:14 NIV

Angels are fellow servants:

 Angels are servants of God that help carry out His commands.  Angels are also messengers of God. Do not be afraid, for I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified'" (Matthew 28:5)

he Bible tells us specifically to worship God and not angels. "At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!'" Revelation 19:10 (All About Spirituality—“Angels”)

Angels help us to implement the Kingdom of God with Christians.  The angels make manifestation of the Word of God and truth.  The angels are activated by the Word of God so when we speak His Word, they are activated because these are the words being spoken in Heaven---They Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.  (“The Agenda of Angels” Kevin L. Zadai)

Angels will be dispatched to serve us for the last move of His Spirit here on earth.  Before the Second Coming of Christ, there will be a great Harvest of souls.  Angels help us in our walk to carry out God’s perfect will in our lives. 

Psalm 139:13-16

For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
      I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
      My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
     Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

According to author Kevin Zadai, he saw angels in heaven reading believer’s books in order to help them carry out God’s destiny in their lives.

Even though we should not command angels to do our bidding, we can pray to God and ask Him to command the angels to help us if it be His will at that time.  Also, a warning to those who would follow New Age beliefs about angels.  These beliefs would create false idols of angels and seek relationships with them.

This is just a brief overview of angels.  In my next blog I will be talking more about the manifestation of angels throughout the Bible as well as encounters in everyday life including my own family’s.