Jewels From JudyThursday, May 21 2009
A Prowling Lion: A Revelatory Dream About The Church, Her Leadership, And The Defenseless: In this vivid dream I was coming out of a building with a group of people. We had been at some sort of conference or seminar, but I didn't recognize anyone in the group. As we were walking out of the building, we came under a long awning. Right in front of us a large but thin and mangy looking male lion was on the prowl. He boldly strolled down the middle of street. He saw the group, but paid no attention to us. As he looked for prey, the lion saw some unsupervised children playing in the street. They were directly in front of him and to our left. As he started to stalk them, they all scattered to get away from him. The lion picked out one young boy as his victim and I could see that he would have quickly kill the child if someone didn't stop him. I yelled loudly; it was not a word but a noise. The lion turned toward us and the group groaned, gasped in fear, and shirked back. I was shocked by their lack of concern for the child and even more surprised by their collective cowardice. It was clear they were more distraught by my bringing the lion's attention to our position than for the child's wellbeing. When the lion saw the group was not going to stop him, he quickly turned back to his original target and again went after the child. The lion was quickly approaching the child when I let out the loud noise for a second time. Again the agitated lion turned from his pursuit of the boy and threatened us. The group had the exact same spineless reaction as the first time. The predator saw we were no real threat and turned back to hunt down the boy. I felt I had to do something to distract the lion from the child. Since the group didn't share my conviction to help him, I decided I needed to leave them and divert the lion's attention away from the child. Stepping out from under the awning, I crossed the street making noises to get his attention. The mangy lion suddenly turned and charged me! Even from a distance his eyes penetrated mine. I quickly ran back under the awning and rejoined the safety of the group. As soon as the lion saw this, he turned his attention away from me and again targeted the boy. For the fourth and surely final time, he lunged at the child. I knew if I cried out one more time the group would abandon me to the lion, but if I didn't the boy would be devoured right in front of us. I was so distraught and in such a disparaging state of mind; I had no idea what to do to save him. Suddenly, from somewhere above the awning, another lion leaped in with a man riding on his back. This lion was majestic! He was beautiful, very fit, had clean, gracefully flowing fur, and was adorned with a golden saddle inlaid with many large jewels. The man riding the magnificent lion swiftly withdrew his sword and killed the mangy lion before it could come any closer to the child. Praise God! I woke up feeling such satisfaction, deep relief and tremendous, exuberant joy! I was thanking God for that child's salvation. Interpretation: The group of people "under an awning" would appear to represent an assembly of people under the same protection. Most likely a church group, but there was no clear leader. It may have been because we had come together for a conference or seminar. We had been inside learning, but when we came out and were faced with the enemy, we as a group did not know what to do. (See2 Timothy 3:7). It could be that the group is more symbolic of the Church in general. (Referring here to believers of all Christian denominational backgrounds.) Another thought is that when an attack comes or an emergency arises we as a society are dependent on each other for help. No matter where we are when an urgent situation or disaster strikes, we are dependent on those around us to work together or greater harm will be the result. Together we are strong, divided we are weak and more so for those unable to defend themselves. The word of God is full of Scriptures commanding us to care for the fatherless and the widow, yet that is a command often overlooked by the Church. In the ministry I have learned that I cannot help orphans myself - I need others to help me defend them. (See Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3; Matthew 25:40). The mangy lion is Satan roaming the earth to see who he can devour. (See 1 Peter 5:8). He was boldly walking down the middle of the street for anyone to see which reveals that he has been left unchallenged for the most part. When he was only slightly confronted, the lion threatened the group in such a manner that not only frighten them, but also caused them turn on the person who exposed the enemy's ploy. (Kill the messenger!) Theirs was a typical human reaction when comfort and safety are threatened, and he knew it. The lion never really made a truly aggressive attack toward the group. The menacing manner in which he came towards us was more to intimidate us to inactionthan to actually harm us. I believe he was making sure we were not going to get between him and his intended victim. He was concealing that he was, in reality, afraid of the group and stopped us from confronting him by using intimidation. This would reveal that many demonic attacks are designed to frighten and intimidate us just enough to keep us from taking action against them. Satan and his demons are then free to ravage the weak. He hopes they can appear so frightening that we will totally withdraw our assault against him and his cohorts. We are further led to believe, generally by our own flesh's desire for our own care and comfort, that if we do not challenge the approaching lion and stay in our area of comfort, we will be alright. This does not reflect the life Christ called us to live to be more than conquerors! (See Romans 8:37). While we do need to stay together, and there is comfort in that, we also need to put aside our own self-interests and come together to protect those who are too weak to protect themselves. The mangy lion was distracted from his intended kill by only one voice. Can you imagine how quickly he would have fled the scene had everyone joined together and started yelling at him? If he would have gotten that child, he surely would have returned for more! Perhaps this is why he was so bold in the first place. After careful reflection of this dream, it seems evident to me that the devil represented by the mangy lion was accustomed to coming straight into our cities and prey on street children. They were easy prey and he had not been challenged by those able to stop him. We need to learn to attack the enemy on a united front and protect God's children! The unsupervised children seem to be symbolic of; A) Lost sheep (See Luke 15:4-7 and Matthew 18:10-14). The boy singled out by the lion seems to be a child at his weakest, but I believe any of those children would have been an easy target. Children also represent our future. As a whole, we are all singled out for attack when we are children. Many people have to deal with a trauma that took place in their childhood that continually seeks to destroy their life. The loud noise I made was a type of intercession. When Regal Lion and the man of God heard it, they understood that they needed to intervene and they took action. (See Romans 8:26, 27). The shout I made sounded more like a trumpet that was blown or an alarm was sounded. (See Joel 2:1). There is a military term called, "Bounding Overwatch". This is when one team stays out of the enemy's sight and keeps to the rear and/or side of who is being guarded. If that person or group is threatened, then those in Bounding Overwatch come to the rescue. Woot!!! Leaving the group to distract the mangy lion was a foolish and dangerous thing to do. Much to my dismay, even though the enemy was thin and mangy, I was no match against him on my own. (See Jude 9). Though I recognized something had to be done, in the end I realized I was not going to be able to save that child without help. I also realized that my death would not help the child either. When we move on our own to confront the enemy we can become the prey. God does not call us to walk alone in the middle of a battle. If we are to leave a group we are not to leave during times of conflict but during times of peace. Even though the group did not come to the aid of the child or react the way I thought they should, I became the target when I stepped away from the safety of fellowship. (See Proverbs 11:14, Hebrews 10:24, 25). I was protected when I came back under the awning and stood with them. The children being scattered is what made them easy prey. (See Matthew 26:31) The Regal Lion and the Man riding Him were the heroes! Honestly the sight of them took my breath away they were so magnificent! At first I wondered the man and the lion were both Jesus. However, as I reflected on this dream I believe that the regal lion was Jesus; the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and the man was one who has been chosen to serve the Lord as a protector of His flock. This "man of God" is symbolic of those who ride or operate in the power of God, who have been chosen by Him, have learned to wield the sword of the Spirit, and know how and when to protect the lost sheep. When the majestic Lion of the Tribe of Judah came in carrying the man of God, the man drew his sword, which is the word of God, and swiftly ended the attack of the enemy! (See Eph 6:10-18). Christ, the Word made flesh, in the man is what brought the victory! It takes men and women of God who not only know how to wield the sword to beat such a foe, but they must be given the authority by God to ride atop the Lion of Judah to defend those who are lost as well as those in the Church. It would be dangerous to sit in thatsaddle presumptuously. This is a place only the King of kings can grant! It would also seem prudent to point out that it would be unwise to be in direct opposition to such a God-appointed person. I believe the ending of this dream reveals that it will take strong leaders who operate in godly power to teach the body of Christ how to wield the sword and to show that the body of Christ that we are already more than conquerors. (See Romans 8:37). This way it won't matter what we are engaged in doing or what group we are among when attacks come. We will all (Christians of all denominations) know what to do and we will be more than able to stand victorious in Christ. (See Matt 11:12). The enemy being utterly destroyed, not just distracted, was the work of a true commander. Those who ride in Christ's authority take note. In the Father's abiding love, Judy Bauman Dream - 1/25/05 Tuesday, May 05 2009
A Word From The Father's Heart To Yours: As In the Days of Noah Come and sit and allow Me to renew your mind concerning the days that are ahead. [I have kept you sequestered for the most part so that you can hear My voice and not the voices of man in the church - whether in person, in the media or on the internet. So pay close attention as I teach you.] Matthew wrote Jesus' words, Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:12-14 Child, the church will and already is growing cold with a great coldness. It is largely because they have embraced fiction as Scripture. The Gospel of the Kingdom is not entertainment. Every time My Son began a story with, "The Kingdom of God (heaven) is like." He did not share a story of entertainment but of extremes. On one hand there is the one who comes to Me as a child, the one who waits with extra oil, the one who trusts in God, the one who reaps a harvest, the one who comes to the wedding banquet dressed by the King. On the other hand there is the one who has a millstone tied around his throat and is cast into the sea, those shut out of the kingdom, the one who trusts in riches, the one who squanders the seed, the one who refuses to dress appropriately for the wedding. As in the Days of Noah, so shall be the coming of the Son of Man. Behold darkness covers the earth and gross darkness on the people. My Son and several of His disciples have all warned that as you approach the end of this dispensation there will be perilous times. He also made clear those times would proceed His coming - did He not? Did He not say that His coming would be for all to see? Does lightning hide itself at its approach? Jesus said, "For just as lightning comes from the east and flashes in the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Se Matthew 24:27; Luke 17:24) When Jesus returns it will be a glorious event and all that have caused My church to grow cold for giving false hope shall be gathered with the tares. My Son's coming shall shock the earth, but it will not be a secret thing. Immediately after the tribulation of those perilous days, when the Son of Man appears, it is then that He will shout and the voice of the archangel will be heard. My trumpet will sound on that Day. Do not be overcome by the darkness or cold love. Be My sons of light. Be My sons of day. Do not slumber in laziness and drink the cup of slothfulness, but arise, shine and let My glory be seen upon you. As in the days of Noah, My Spirit shall not strive with man forever. Scripture references: Tuesday, April 21 2009
An Exhortation From The Lord To You: Come! Walk On Water! When I walked this earth, I told My disciples, "When the prince of this world comes, he has nothing in Me." (John 14:30) Why was that? It was because I was completely submitted to My Father's will. I was committed to His purpose and plan. I was led by His Spirit - the Spirit of truth. I have given you the blueprint! Look at it. Follow it. Do not do anything that the Father hasn't shown you. My Father will never mislead you. He will lead you into places you did not know you could go - but if He has called you to a place for a purpose - He will fulfill it. It is My Spirit which will cause you to enjoy kingdom victory in that place. (See John 5:19; 8:28-32; 20:21; Acts 1:8). Do not step out of the boat unless I invite you. BUT, if I invite you - COME! Come immediately. Don't delay. Come! You know My voice - don't you? My sheep know My voice. You are my sheep. I have called you by name. Stop doubting. Stop having such small faith. You have My Spirit to teach you. You have My word to confirm to you what is truth. Speak My truth. Speak the words I give you. Don't delay - get out of the boat! Is it not your desire to walk on water? (See Matthew 14:22-33; John 10:3-5; 14:26). Yes? Then come, Beloved. It is by My power and My grace that you are able. Your abilities are perfected in and by My grace. My power is made perfect in your weakness. (See 2 Corinthians 12:9) Will you come? Lovingly, Given and first shared July, 2, 2006 revised April 21, 2009 Tuesday, March 31 2009
My child, the work I do in you is not the work of the world. I see those things that must be cut out. Those things that hinder and those things that cause you to react in ways you do not understand - they must come out of you for you to walk forward in My will for your life. Trust Me with the knife as I Am the Master Surgeon. I can cut those cancerous ways out of your being and make you new again. When I Am the One you turn to for help, you will see a change. Some say that leopards can't change their spots. This is true, but I can change them if it is My desire! It is neither by your might nor by your power, but it is by My Spirit. Let Me cut out the cancer in your soul. Let Me cut away the malignant growth. Let Me cleanse the deep and infected wounds and remove all traces of gangrene. Do you not know that gangrene comes from the lack of blood to living tissue? Let Me apply the blood of My Only Begotten Son to your deepest of wounds. Let Me apply the Balm of Gilead. Let Me give you the heart transplant you so desperately need. Let Me inject My DNA into the depths of your being. Do not fret if this takes multiple surgeries. You are indeed going from glory to glory. This is a process, beloved child, and I know exactly how much you can take at any given time. I will bring you into My operating room when I know it is the precise time - not too soon - not too late. I will bring you in as many times as it takes to cut away the deadness of your wound. I will only cut as deep as I know that you can recover, and then I wait until you are truly ready again. This kind of work takes time. Do not worry about your schedule or how far along you are in the process. I Am familiar with all your ways. You truly can trust Me. Let Me touch that wound and bring restoration as you have never imagined. Bind yourself to My Son. Bind yourself to My will. Bind your body to the perfect work of the cross. I will loosen the enemy's strangle-hold; I will skillfully cut away his influence and remove his talons from the death-grip they have had on you. Trust Me. All of the rejection and fear and demonic oppression will no longer hold you back from My very best for you! I will never abandon you. Though your earthy father and mother forsook you, I never will. I will bring you near and draw you to Myself. My arms will never drop you and none can steal you from My embrace. Go to sleep and breathe deep from the depths of the well of My love for you. Rest My love. Be still and know that I Am your God and your Father. When you awaken from your slumber I will have made a permanent change in you as I have replaced your wounds with My comfort, My love and My desire for you. Let My will be done in you, My precious earthen vessel, as it is in heaven. Trust Abba to care for you in the way that I know best. With everlasting love, Scripture References: Personal Note: Tuesday, March 17 2009
Fire Of Hope: A Vision Followed By A Word From The Lord First: I saw myself standing in the middle of a room with words that were stringed together circling my head. As they were going around me, some would go in my ear and through my head then out of my mouth. They were words of every kind - words of encouragement and words of life; words of criticism and death. The words that I took in, whether good or bad, eventually came out of my mouth. The words of encouragement, comfort, and edification were from the kingdom of God and brought forth life. They originate from faith, hope and love. They came from the One who loves me. The words of criticism, condemnation and discouragement were rooted in fear and originate from the kingdom of darkness and they brought forth death and discontentment. The words of death were determined to bring havoc and confusion. They were from the one who hates not only me, but everyone, as we are made in God's image. Second: I saw myself begin to dance in flames of the love of God. As I danced all of the words caught on fire. Those of Satan's domain were burnt up and created a sickly green flame accompanied by a strong odor of sulfur; but the words of the Lord were on fire with flames of yellow, orange, red and blue. These words were not consumed by the fire and their flames danced with the rhythm of the music. They gave off a wonderful lasting scent of flowers and delightful herbs. A voice came out of the flame I was dancing in and said, "In Me is faith, hope, peace and love. I Am the Flame of Hope. I burn away anxiety, oppression, fear, confusion, condemnation, doubt, worry, discouragement, distraction and critical words." All the words were aflame. The words of death were completely destroyed. However, those that were of the Lord were not consumed. Like the burning bush was with Moses - direction, purpose and destiny was brought forth from the flame. "Dance in the fire of My love and let Me burn up everything that is not of Me and let Me leave everything else ablaze with the Fire of Hope." Insights: One thing I felt cautioned about was if I did not resist and oppose the words of death, they would end up coming out of my own mouth. As the Lord spoke the world into existence, I felt warned that speaking words of death would bring destruction in my life and the lives of those around me. I also sensed the words of life I spoke would bring great blessings to me and to all touched by my words. This was not as much about me as it was the Church - the Body of Christ who I represent in this vision. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Other Scripture References: Tuesday, March 10 2009
On April 8, 2002, I had a dream that I believe holds important insight for the Body of Christ at this critical time. While the world would have us focus on it and its troubles, I believe the Lord desires to have an audience with us. Dream: In this dream I was in a third world country as a missionary with three other women. We planned to be there for some time as we had rented a place close to where we were to minister. The dwelling was connected to others like it; all of them were dilapidated and surrounded by a chain-link fence. As I walked to a local café for a job interview, I saw clothing and bed sheets hanging above the street drying. The clothes were dull in color, but one sheet was light blue. When I came into the café I noticed a puddle of fetid water in the middle of the dining room floor. I went out to the alley where earlier I had seen a mop and brought it into the café and cleaned up the mess. There was no bucket to rinse out the mop, so I took it back out to the alley. A frail, old man walked toward me in the alley. It was now night. He looked as if he had expected to find me there. With broken English and a weak voice I barely heard him say, "My life's work is about to be confirmed." He slumped over and looked as though he were about to die. I moved to catch him, but he was not as concerned about his failing health as he was to relay the message. I leaned in closely to listen. He looked directly into my eyes with determination and declared, "We must seek His face!" He reached toward me gently taking my hands and placed them on either side of his cheeks so that his face was cradled between them. He had deep lines in his face like the lines in Mother Teresa's face. As I held his face, he intently looked into my eyes and asked, "Where is my face?" I answered, "It is on your head." He then asked, "Where is my head?" I replied, "It is on your body." Then he resolutely stated, "Remember this!" His eyes remained fixed on mine and his face was still resting between my hands. Suddenly, his eyes turned into lion's eyes and his face morphed from a man's face into a male lion's face!!! I could feel his thick mane in my hands! Everything faded from view and all I could see were the lion's eyes and face. For a moment terror hit me, but just as quickly I knew I was safe. I realized that this was not the lion that seeks to devour, but rather the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! (See 1 Peter 5:8 and Revelation 5:5). Slowly the Lion's face faded, but the Lion's eyes remained and stared directly into my eyes without breaking its intense gaze. I awoke, but as I lay there in the darkness I could still see the Lion's golden eyes piercing my soul. The Holy Spirit said, "Get up and write it down." I assured the Lord I would not forget it. He asked me four times before I got up and wrote down this dream. (See 1 Samuel 15:22; Habakkuk. 2:2) Interpretation: Location And Componants: Third world country - While this was clearly a poverty stricken area, earthly poverty can also be viewed as Jesus revealed in Revelation 2:9 and 3:17. We can think we are rich when we are poor in the Lord's eyes, and on the other hand we can think we are poor but actually be rich. Three women - May be symbolic of Christ's 'inner circle' of friends. The Missionary - In this dream I believe I represent believers willing to go where the Lord sends them. (See Isaiah 6:8). Note: At the first posting of this dream in 2004, I was not yet sent out as a missionary; in the past two years the Lord has sent me to Uganda five times and India once. Missionaries should never send themselves into the field or go because they are being pressured by well-meaning invitations. We need the Lord to open the door and send us. Fences Dwelling Place - Denotes a protected close-knit community. It was clear that we were to live and work (dwell) with the people to whom we were sent. (See Acts 18:3 and 1 Corinthians 16:19). It reflects the Lord's example throughout the Gospels of living everyday life with His disciples. My sense was that we had signed a lease to stay for three to six months. Dull Clothing - The people had not yet exchanged their earthly garments for heavenly ones. (See Isaiah 61:3; Colossians 3:12-17; Revelation 19:7-9). Blue Sheet - Its significance confirms this dream holds heavenly revelation. A Café - A favorite and familiar place to me. When I was young, my parents owned and operated a café, hotel, and restaurant. I love the fellowship of a small café where locals gather, and I see it as a place to minister outside of the church building. Job interview - The apostle Paul was a good example of working in marketplace ministries. My goal was not so much to make a living there as it was to be positioned to meet the local people who frequented the café. (See 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10). Fetid water - This puddle of filthy water seemed symbolic of a lack of excellence in the workplace and places of fellowship - just accepting a mess rather than taking action to clean it. The Mop - Was already filthy, but it was the only tool available to clean where the people ate. No Bucket - Not having all the tools needed to do the job with excellence. Cleaning - I remember feeling compelled to clean the mess on the floor even though I had not yet been hired. Over the years the Lord has trained me to be obedient to clean a mess even when I have not made it. Because of this act of obedience, I was in position to make a divine connection and receive kingdom impartation. Alley - Although it would seem to symbolize a place of fear (meeting someone in a dark alley) to me an alley representsa place of discovery. I spent a great deal of my childhood in exploration in the alley behind my parent's hotel. Many treasures can be found in an alley if you know where to look! (We must be careful giving universal meanings for places and things in dream interpretation.) Nighttime - Speaks to me that the "hour is late". This fact is daily becoming more and more evident. Below is a link to a word the Lord gave me for the Church concerning this hour. This is a meaty word and is not for the faint of heart (see Hebrews 12:4-11): Old Man - As a rule I respect the elderly and lookout for their wellbeing when it is within my power to do so. The old man looked and sounded like the older of "the two witnesses" in the movie, The Omega Code. Symbolic of the "witness" of the church as it exists today; the old man had refined the most important truth he had learned in his entire life into one final statement. I detected a hint of regret in his voice as he spoke, yet he was determined to make sure I understood. I had the impression that he had known and even served the Lord for years, but had not fully understood this simple but profound truth until the very end of his life. He may have been busy doing the work of the Lord, but did not spend time developing a intimate relationship with Jesus. Because he had specifically shared this revelation with me - I have felt a great sense of responsibility to clearly convey this message. We are to seek God's face then pass that wisdom onto the next generation like a runner who passes a baton in a relay race. He relayed the purest and most simple truth - "We must seek His face!" It is very important wereceive and live out the impartation from the passing generation, and then prepare to relay it to the next. However, we must be careful not to mix the new wine and the old wine skins. (See Psalms 78:5-8; Matthew 9:17 and Hebrews 12:1) Near Death - Represents the "old way" of doing things in the church is dying. The admonition given to us by the church now passing is: "WE MUST SEEK HIS FACE!" If we hold dear this charge, this new emerging church will be known around the world by the intimacy it shares with the Father, the Bridegroom our Lord Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. (See Isaiah 43:19) Holding His Face - The old man dynamically illustrated that when we seek God's face we are to hold on and not let go of Him even when it looks scary. We have to learn to recognize and discern the Lord in all situations. In Revelations 19:12 it states that Jesus will come back bearing a name that no one knows but Himself. This means thatwe must know Him by the Spirit. God reveals Himself and His ways through His names. What is this name that we do not know? That is the point, we do not know and we will not know. We must passionately pursue Jesus to intimately know Him by His Spirit. We need to understand the significance of the warning Jesus gave through the parable of the five foolish virgins. (See Matthew 25:1-13). The Order of His Questions - To get to the face I had to look to the Head, to find the Head I had to locate the Body. In interpreting this dream the Lord instructed me to, "Go to your husband and then to the Body of Christ and ask what it means to them personally when they hear, 'We must seek His face.'" I have now compiled those insights and incorporated them into this interpretation. More than that I knew it had to do with true submission as God meant it, not man. THE HEAD - Has two significant parts: Christ is the Head of the Church -Jesus is the Head of His Body! We tend to look at those in ministry as the head, but this is biblically incorrect. Ministers are more like a hand that grooms, tends and cares for the Body of Christ. Let the "hand" not obscure "the face"! We as the Church are to be subject to Christ to attain unity of the faith. Anyone trying to take Jesus' place as Head will be removed. (See 1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12:4-8; Ephesians 4:11-13; 2 Peter 2). The husband is head of his wife. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Wives are to be subject to their husbands as the Church is subject to Jesus. When the old man asked me where his face was I knew he was referring to both Christ as the head of the church and my husband as my head. (See Ephesians 5:21-33 and Colossians 3:18-21). THE BODY The Body of Christ - Are the individuals who believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was born of a virgin, was crucified, died, buried, and on the third day He was resurrected. Those who believe in Him and have called upon His name are born anew into the Body of Christ and make up The Church. Each member, whether male or female, is part of the Body of Christ, and is in effect, a son, a friend, a soldier, an ambassador of Jesus Christ, and a temple of the Holy Spirit. (See Galatians 3:28; 4:4-7; Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 2:18-22; 5:32; 2 Timothy 2:3; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 5:20). The Lion's Eyes and Face - Because I spiritually recognized Who was piercing my soul, and because I know His great love for me as a believer, the natural fear passed through me. Perfect Love casts out fear! (See Hebrews 4:13;Revelation 1:14; 1 Corinthians 3:9-16; 1 John 4:18). Obedience - When the Lord asked me to get up and write this dream, I was lazy and slow to obey. I was certain I would remember it. Three days after the dream I wanted to prove this to the Lord, so without looking at my notebook I typed the dream in a word document. Feeling sure of myself that I remembered all the details I then consulted my notes. I did recall most of it, but much to my dismay I had forgotten the whole sequence of the man's face turning into a lion! How could I have forgotten this? Pride! I thought I knew better than God! In this, the Lord showed me that I need to be - and we as a Body need to be - quick to humble ourselves and obey the Lord immediately when He asks us to do something. I believe it is important to be transparent and include this as obedience is vital to our being positioned to receive impartation from the Father. (Daniel 4:37; Romans 7:19; Hebrews12:6-11; Habakkuk 2:1). We Must Seek His Face, Church! In the Father's love, Rev. Judy Bauman Note 1: Four months after I had this dream the Lord put a book into my hands written by Dr. Dale A. Fife, The Secret Place; Passionately Pursuing His Presence. I highly recommend this book and to follow it up with his second book, The Hidden Kingdom. If you are serious about seeking God's face, these books will bring fullness to your search. I want to encourage you to take time with the Scriptures referenced both here in this article as well as Dr. Dale's books. God's Word holds the key and is The Standard. Note 2: Four years after reading, The Secret Place, I was ordained into Mountain Top Global Ministries headed by Dr. Dale Fife! God's ways are so awesome! He is full of surprises when we seek His face! Wednesday, February 25 2009
The Father's Love: A Time of Freedom It was February 12, 1997, and from every angle my life looked fine; however, I was miserable. I had been trying to "be a good person" and live my life in a way that would please my fellow man, but my good community works did not fill the void in my soul. The more I looked to the world for solace, the more lost I became. My sorrow began when I was ten and my father suddenly passed away. Then nine years later my mother succumbed to cancer. I blamed God for my terrible losses because I felt He could have stopped them in the first place. Confusion had set in when my dad died but as I watched my mother's life ebb away, my anger burned hot against God. No one taught me what Jesus said about such things: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10) Because I did not know this I held onto the lie that God had killed my parents. I heard God was kind and loving, but I saw Him as a big bully just looking for someone to pick on - like the Greek god, Zeus, who threw lightning bolts at people - and I was a target! Why would I go to God for help or comfort? In my anger I gave my affection to the world. Many years were spent subconsciously trying to escape the pain as I partied away the days hiding my heartache - mostly from myself. Then in 1982, I had a profound revelation of the personage of Jesus, and accepted Him as my Savior. He delivered me from the addictions that dulled my senses and He gave me the ability to walk in the light of His love. Three years later, because of a spiritually shattering divorce, I slipped away from Jesus and fell back into a milder version of the lifestyle from which the Lord had freed me. The Holy Spirit was convicting me of sin and persistently worked to draw me to the Father, but because I ignored Him I suffered continual guilt, shame, depression and condemnation. When God delivers us from sin and we turn back to it, the penalty is far greater than we can imagine. It is not God's doing. Sin is its own punishment. On the morning of February 12, 1997, I was nursing a hangover and happened to notice on the calendar that it was the first day of Lent. Lent is known throughout the Christian world as a time of reflection and often personal sacrifice prior to the commemoration of Jesus' death and subsequent celebration of His victorious resurrection. When I was a child I remembered adults giving up things for Lent - only to see them renege on their commitment a few days later. Consequently, I never saw the importance of participating myself. However, something went off inside me! There was something very different about this Lent - it was the opportunity I needed to declare my heart's intentions to the Lord. I wanted to change, but honestly, I did not know how to initiate it. Deep down I knew that God was the only One who could help me. He had done it in 1982 and I could only hope He would be merciful to me again. The Lord had been drawing me to Himself and I could ignore Him no longer. Wanting a new beginning I looked up to heaven and said, "God, I am going to give up alcohol for Lent." In that moment I knew this was a serious vow to God. When I said this to the Lord, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, "And you will fast the last three days." This startled me! It was as if someone had been standing right next to me and spoke into my ear! I knew it was the Lord because it would never occur to me to do such a thing! I had never fasted a meal let alone three whole days! In my disbelief I let out an fearful retort, "We'll see about that!" God's love surrounded me and calmed my fears. It was amazing. His love amazed and still amazes me! Ten days into my vow my resolve weakened. Unsure I could make it the full length of Lent, I called a friend for moral support. This Christian woman had recently befriended me, and though I did feel a sense of conviction around her, she never once used any condemning words or actions towards me. She knew how close to extinction my faith had wandered over the years. She asked me point blank, "Judy, do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?" In the face of this direct question I could deny Him no longer, "Yes." I answered. She asked if I had accepted Jesus as my Savior. "Yes." Well then," she continued, "Do you believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God?" Again I gave an affirmative, "Yes." She asked if I had a Bible. I told her I did, but gave her the excuse that all my books were still packed away somewhere in my garage. She said, "Well ~ you better go find it." With that she hung up! I knew she was right, so I went out to the garage and found it at the top of the first box I opened!!! I had to laugh because those boxes had been shuffled around and moved numerous times. God can be so funny at times. Taking my Bible inside I asked, "What do I need, Lord?" The word, "Healed" came to mind. I looked in the concordance and one Scripture stood out to me in Psalm 107. As I read it I was amazed. I was reading my testimony! Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains, for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High. So He subjected them to bitter labor [worry]; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men, for He breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and He saved this from their distress. He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy. Psalm 107:10-16; 19-22 (Emphasis mine) I understood in that moment that Jesus was there to set me free. He was not there to condemn me. The Holy Spirit opened up the eyes of my understanding and I understood exactly how I had gotten trapped and exactly what I needed to do to be set free. I cried to the Lord! A great turning took place in my heart at that moment. I repented of sinning against God Almighty and being disobedient to His Word. A great freedom and peace flooded my soul! About a week later I wrote a song to testify to God's mercy in my life. It can be found at: http://www.thefathersloveim.org/i_cried_to_the_lord The last three days I did fast. This was a powerful time for me and at the end of that fast I enjoyed a sense of love and belonging like I had never known. I knew I had been adopted by God! I was now a child of the King of kings! I also knew that I need not ever be chained by addictions. God made His love known and if He did it for me, He will do it for you! Experiencing the Father's love is what so many people in the world are missing; it is the revelation of this love that He has given me to share. Jesus met me in my kitchen that day and swooped down and rescued me. Perhaps the Lord is speaking to you right now about an addiction you have been fighting. It is time for freedom!!! The Lord awaits you to turn to Him in your trouble so He can save you from your distress. He will cut through your iron bars! As we enter into the Lenten season, I believe the power of God is available for you to be set free from the things that have kept you bound. His is willing to meet your right where you are. Jesus died to deliver us from the evil one! He loves you and there is nothing you have done that His perfect love cannot cover. There is no amount of sin that exceeds the power of the Father's love! It is important to note that Jesus is approachable anytime - not just at certain times or seasons, so if you are reading this at a time other than Lent, please do not let that stop you from coming to Him right now. We can come to Jesus anytime. He stands watching and waiting for us to turn our eyes upward so that He can deliver us from destruction. He died so that we could be free. He stands at the door of our heart and waits for us to open it to Him. If you have not already done it, I encourage you to open it to Him. Then watch as the adventure with Him unfolds before you! In the Father's abiding love, Judy Bauman Scriptures to ponder: Tuesday, February 17 2009
The Crosses Return - A Dream within a Dream Recently, I have felt prompted to release specific dreams and visions from when I first committed my life to the Lord. The night I had this dream I had spoken to my brother on the phone. He was in a terrible place at the time and told me that he had a dream the night before that he was standing in a huge open field at night and could see many stars, but he knew there was something else there. My brother said he asked the Lord what it was He was trying to show him, but he couldn't see it. He reported awaking from that dream disappointed. Before I went to sleep that evening, I asked the Lord if He would show me what He was trying to show my brother. In His graciousness - He did. Praise Him! July 14, 1997 I dreamed that I was traveling with a group of people. It seemed to me that we were a ministry team and knew each other very well in the dream, but when I awoke I had no idea who they were. In the dream, I was exhausted and asked the person we were visiting if I could take a nap in the back room. I went to lie down and soon was in a deep sleep. While I took this nap, I began to dream. (So it was a dream within a dream) As with my brother, I was standing in a huge open field and the night sky was full with stars. I looked up and saw one star that looked very bright and was twinkling in a dynamic manner. I carefully watched it and noticed that it was getting larger. I concentrated on this star trying to fathom and comprehend what the Lord was showing me. Then I realized the star appeared to be getting larger because it was actually moving closer to the earth. It got to be so radiant that I could hardly look at it. As it came nearer to me, I realized it was not a star at all, but an extremely bright and luminous gold cross. One reason it flickered was because it was rotating on its axis. I could see there was something wrapped around it, but I couldn't tell what it was at first. Then I realized the only reason I could gaze at the cross at all was because it had grape leaves draped over it. It reminded me of South Dakota Gold. (See a similar example cross My cross was solid gold.) The grape leaves kept me from being blinded by the intense brilliance of the cross. The other reason it flickered brightly at times was that as it was coming towards the earth, it also seemed to be growing larger and then getting smaller. Even though it was a considerable distance from me, as it came closer, I could see that it split from being just one cross, to three crosses, then to seven crosses and back again! The One Cross was always in the center. The crosses on the right side went behind the center cross and the crosses on the left side went in front of it in a straight line. They then moved in the opposite direction outwardly. This is how the three became seven crosses, and then they became three crosses again, then back into the One Cross. The whole time they were each spinning on their own axis. The crosses moved in this fashion the entire time they approached the earth. They each had grape leaves draped over them and I could see the stars in the background. It was a magnificent sight! When I woke up from the 'nap' (I was still sleeping and dreaming) I went in and told my missionary friends about this dream. They each in turn shared with me what they thought the dream meant. I was a bit troubled because none of the interpretations bore witness to what I was feeling about the dream. It was not contentious in any way, but they all seemed to be guessing and my sense was that they were guessing incorrectly. Then I awoke from the dream. Interpretation: I do believe the simplest interpretation of this dream is that Christ is returning to the earth. He is steadily moving towards us and even though the crosses were still far off, I could see their approach and felt the urgency of teaching the Gospel before Jesus' return. Since I had this dream only five days after totally surrendering my life to Jesus, looking back on it I see His will in calling me to the mission field. God Almighty is symbolized in the One Cross representing Unity and Primacy as the All Sufficient One. The cross is symbolic of the method used to slay the Lamb of God. It is the instrument of death to the flesh. The Three Crosses reflect God's divine completeness and perfection. He is The Way, The Truth, The Life. Three represents the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is Omnipresent, Omniscient, and Omnipotent. He completes all time in the past, present and future. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; Peter, James, and John. Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days, and he foreshadowed Christ's resurrection on the third day. Jesus validated Jonah's testimony in Matthew 12:40 and again in 16:4. It also states in 1 John 5:7-8, "For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. There are three who bear witness on the earth: the Spirit, the water and the blood. These agree as one." The Seven Crosses denote spiritual perfection found in the Seven Spirits before his throne, and signify He is coming in fullness, strength and perfect power. The Seven Spirits are the Spirit of the Lord, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Might, the Spirit of Knowledge and the Fear of the Lord. This is the sevenfold anointing of the Messiah. The Lamb of God slain before the foundation of the world, the Lion of the tribe of Judah is the only One who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. He was seen having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. He alone is worthy to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Amen! These are the sevenfold ascriptions to Christ (See Isaiah 11:2 and Revelations 1:4; 4:5, 5:1-14). For greater understanding of what this means in our time I recommend Johnny Enlow's book which came out in 2008, "The Seven Mountain Prophecy." In this dream, the grape leaves were used to veil the brilliance of God, so that I could see His return is near. The crosses were draped and shielded from full view to keep from blinding me. We know in part and prophesy in part. We know not when He will return, only the Father knows (See Mark 13:32). We are to be doing our part, but only in obedience, carrying out the Great Commission (See Matthew 28:18-20). We are to be aware that He is coming back as He promised He would do; however, we must also understand that He is slow in His return, as He doesn't desire anyone to perish. (See 2 Peter 3:1-18). We are each responsible to be about our Father's business until Christ's return. The key is to walk in obedience and wisdom. Even Jesus had to wait and grow up before He could walk fully in His ministry. Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches. Grape leaves bring nourishment to the fruit of the vine. Grapes are the fruit which Jesus used in proclamation of the new covenant. We drink from the cup in remembrance of what Christ did for the remission of our sins. The grapes also represent Jesus' first miracle and the fruit of the Spirit. The dream within a dream seems to be symbolic of going deeper for revelation. In this part of the dream I was so exhausted. To this day I remember how tired my body felt as I asked the host if I could take a nap and how deeply I was sleeping. This brings to mind when Jesus said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (See 2 Corinthians 12:9). This also reminds me of when Jesus (the Carpenter) told His disciples (the fishermen) after an exhausting night of fishing to let out the nets and get ready for a haul. Deep calls unto deep! (See Luke 5:4-10 and Psalm 42:7) The Lord revealed His grace to me in a personal way through this dream. To ask God to show me something - and for Him to do it - seems an amazing example of His love and grace. I just realized that I had been serving Christ for about five months when I had this dream, and it is interesting to me, as five is the number of Grace! All glory and honor to our God! Another thing that I now see that I had not seen before is the significance of the date of this dream. July 14th or 7/14 is relevant to the Scripture that has been an essential word for our day found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land." The people on the team were people I had not met. Not surprising, since at that time I knew very few Christians. Now I have met many people since being in ministry and love their company. However, I ran into one consistent block which is that the Lord did not allow others to interpret the dreams He gave me. Then in 2004 when I asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, He told me to get out my journals, beginning from 1997. I was then to type them and afterward He would be the One to give the interpretation. This lines up with Genesis 40:8. It is my belief that you cannot operate in the gift of interpretation of dreams if you seek others to do it for you - as I did for many years! After allowing the Lord to develop this gift, He has led me to different believers, not only for confirmation, but to help others understand their dreams. (See Proverbs 11:14). For the most part I am to sit with Him in the Secret Place and let Him tell me what their meaning. Praise God! Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ, Rev. Judy Bauman Friday, January 09 2009
An Exhortation From The Father's Heart To Yours: Jesus Was Not Forsaken! So many in My church are wearied and some believe I have abandoned them in their time of need like I did Jesus on the Cross. The teaching taking place in My Body that states that I forsook Jesus on the Cross because I cannot look at sin is an erroneous teaching. Did I look upon and see Adam's sin and nakedness in the Garden? Did I send Jonah to Nineveh because I had not seen their sin or because I did see it? What about Sodom and Gomorrah? What about the sins of the elders in My holy Temple, or Eli's sons who were seen sinning in the doorway of the Temple? How did Jesus know about the sins of the woman at the well? I saw them, and because I saw them, Jesus saw them. The list of sins that I have seen in all of mankind is exceedingly long, Church, so to say that I cannot look upon sin is simply not true. Have I not looked at and seen yours? I looked upon sins for many centuries before sending My Only Begotten Son, so to think or teach that Jesus was forsaken on the Cross because I cannot look upon sin is a fanciful and false teaching. It came from man trying to explain why Jesus would cry out in His final hour, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" Instead of consulting Me about what happened, they sought their own wisdom. Man's wisdom will never produce righteousness. So where was I when Jesus cried out on the Cross? I was with Him! I never left Him nor forsook Him. His body was in anguish, His emotions were on trial. He was distressed and distraught in the Garden of Gethsemane even before the crucifixion began. Those final moments were so excruciating that even He, the Son of God, could not hear or feel Me. Because Jesus believed that I left Him did not mean that I had left Him - as it is with you in your hour of anguish. My Word overrides your feelings. My Word says that I will never leave nor forsake you. Learn to trust My word over your feelings or ability to understand. Jesus was fully God and fully man and in that hour He suffered yet did not sin. This is Gospel. This is why He is the perfect sacrifice. But he cried out that I had left Him when I did not. Jesus was man and He got thirsty and hungry. Jesus was weary at times. Jesus was one person in the human race just like you. He thought I had left Him in His worst hour. This was not a sin for Jesus to think I had left Him, nor is it a sin if you think this in your hour of distress. I release you from that guilt now! This is why the teaching that I cannot look upon sin is so dangerous because it relays the message that I will not help or even look at you if you are in sin. I do My best work in people's lives when they are smack dab in the middle of a life of debauchery or legalism! This I have demonstrated over and over again. If you need proof just look to the lives of Mary Magdalene or the apostle Paul! Perhaps your own life is all the further you need look. Remember - I loved mankind so much that I sent My Son to die to be the Atonement for your sins - sins that I saw and still see. Sin has never kept Me from reaching out to you and when all sins were placed upon Jesus, they did not keep Me from Him. The enemy of your soul, Satan, cannot keep Me from loving you or being with you in your time of need, but he can keep you from believing I Am there. Lift your shield of faith and quench the fiery darts of doubt. Come boldly to My Throne of Grace in your hour of need and receive mercy. I Am the One who loves your soul. Who are you going to believe - the enemy of your soul or the Lover of your soul? Scripture References: Thursday, January 01 2009
An Exhortation From The Father's Heart To Yours: A Season of Fruitfulness 2009-2012 Part One October 16, 2008 You have entered into a new season of fruitfulness in a dynamic way. Do not be dismayed or distracted by living in the past when it comes to pruning. If you want to be fruitful for My kingdom then you must be pruned each season. The fruitfulness of your life and relationship with Me will be greatly diminished in the coming season if you do not release the pruned branches and let the new growth come forth in its time with its fruit. Many take a branch that I have loped off and try to stick it back in the Vine. Do you not know that once I have removed it, it will no longer live or thrive? At that point one would be guilty of dead works and will fall into judgment (see Matthew 7:21-23). So let it go, release it to Me, and grow into the fruitfulness of this season with Me! Did Jesus tell you that you are the branches and He is the True Vine? Is not your Heavenly Father the Vinedresser? Do you trust your Father to know what you need, or do you trust yourself more? If you are not pruned back and trained by My skilled hand, then you will become unruly and unfruitful. Because the pruning needed is important to the growth of the branches of the Vine, it takes One who is courageous, has a trained hand and eye, and has your fruitfulness in mind when cutting. I know, says the Lord, the exact number of buds which should remain for the maximum fruitfulness in the coming season. I correct, train and discipline those I love. What you believe to be productive growth in the past season, I see as what needs to be pruned back to the Vine for the fruitfulness of the next season. Are you growing fruit for My kingdom or yours? If it is for yours, that fruit will not remain in the age to come; but if it is for My kingdom, then you will allow Me to prune you because you will know it is My love for you that guides My hand. Understand that when the grapevine is expertly pruned back it often "bleeds" heavily. This is normal. I cut back those branches that have grown far and wide. To your eye they look strong, but to My expert eye I know that the sweetness of the grapes will be compromised in the coming season if they are not removed. If the branches from the previous season's growth are allowed to develop as they are, they may appear to be fruitful to your eye, but I know the fruit grown in a season with no prior pruning will produce fruit that is sour, dry or bitter. Child, I know the pruning is difficult, but you can endure it and you will be so much better off for submitting to My hand. Fighting the pruning will only traumatize you more. Let Me take from you that which is hindering and allow Me to bring forth new growth you have only imagined. Be clear that if I have pruned a business, person or a ministry from you, it is for your good and theirs. It does not necessarily mean that what has been pruned from you has been pruned from Me. If I have pruned someone or something away from your life, it does not mean it is dead. It is just dead to you. Be very careful not to apply this word to things outside of My word. (i.e.: trying to justify divorce or a lack of integrity and honesty in the workplace or ministry.) Now with all this in mind, please allow Me to address some things for the coming year. 2009/5769* is a year for the manifestation of fruitfulness for My Kingdom. As there are nine noted "Fruits" of My Spirit, there are also nine "Gifts" of My Spirit. This will be a year of fullness for those who have been trained by My pruning and discipline to walk in My fruit and manifest My gifts. Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. NIV Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. NKJV I chose and appointed you to go bear fruit. Whatever you ask Me in Jesus' name I will give it when you ask according to My will. It is My will which is to be done on the earth as it is already being done in heaven. Come boldly to My Throne of Grace to receive mercy in your time of need. Do you not perceive the great cost and price Jesus paid to rend the veil to the Holy of Holies so that you are allowed to come boldly to Me in your time of need? I am telling you to come boldly! When you come boldly you reveal your trust in Me and prove that you believe My Word over your feelings. The spiritual fruitfulness, or lack thereof, in this present season will touch and reach into 2012. Divine order in My Body will begin to take shape in 2010. In 2011 those who are of the leaven of heaven 1 will be revealed. Conversely those claiming to be Mine but partake in the leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herod 2 will be exposed. Leaven will be exposed in the hearts of all and will reveal order or disorder, righteousness or unrighteousness, faithfulness or faithlessness. Those full of love for Me will triumph over hatred and treachery. This exposé will set up My perfection of government in 2012. The degree of trust in Me that you exhibit in the present pruning will determine the levels of harvest in coming years and specifically in the next four years. Expect a greater pruning in 2011 and consequently a huge harvest to come in 2012 - if and only if you allow Me to cut away the long branches which will grow from this present pruning. I tell you this ahead of time so that you will not hold onto what I am about to release to you. Allow the healing from this pruning and see what fruit - what glorious fruit I will bring forth! Part Two As you fully give yourself to the pruning of this season, you will find yourself bearing all nine fruits. Love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control are all within your reach when all that encumbers you is pruned back and removed. Let Me clean away the dead, dying, and yes, living branches to make way for the new, the sweet and the satisfying fruit to come. Then and only then will you be able to walk fully in the gifts of the Sprit. As you see need, each gift will be made manifest. Whoever needs a word of wisdom will find her. Knowledge will be accessible by the same Spirit. Faith will come as you move forward. Going back is not an option when you have reached a place where you know, you truly know, you will not retreat but you will go forth in faith. Not faith in yourself and your abilities, but faith in Me. The gift of healing that so many desire will be given to those who trust and have faith in My Spirit to do the healing and look to Me to touch those who are ill and tortured. To those needing healing I say look to Me and stop hunting down man - roaming from meeting to meeting. I will bring you to where you need to be in order to receive from Me the healing you desire. Be still and know that I Am God. When all the voices are quieted, you will then be able to clearly hear Me and know what I Am saying to you. The working of miracles will be the norm as you walk in My Spirit and allow Me to lead you. My prophetic words will flow from My Throne Room of Grace. You will discern spirits both good and bad and you will avoid many pitfalls as you walk in My discernment. You will meet others who walk under the banner of My love and there in that gathering you will find a Body moving as one. One will speak an unknown language and another will share what I have spoken. Songs will come in one language you know not and be sung in one you do know. So beloved, do not despise the pruning you are going through. I will prune EXACTLY what needs to be removed so that the fruit of the coming season will be sweet and delicious and will give life to all who partake. Happy New Year, 1) The leaven of Heaven = is the yeast of the Love of God that causes us to rise up and be sweet to those around us. To be the taste of heaven here on earth that comes out to those around us through our relationship with Jesus - the Bread of Life. Matthew 13:3 - He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeastthat a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough." 2) The leaven of the Pharisees, Sadducees and Herod = Leaven of the Pharisees is the puffed up, full of hot air, prideful religious spirit that seeks to usurp God's grace with works. It seeks the accolades and praise of man. This spirit was the most active spirit that nailed Jesus to the Cross (see Matt 12:14 and John 19:6) though this spirit worked in concert and in union with the spirit of Herod to accomplish this goal (see Mark 15:15-20). The spirit of Herod does not value life, is worldly, self-centered, based in sensual pleasure and is secular in nature (see Matthew 2:16; 14:1-12). The spirit of the Sadducees' is false religion. They believe there was no resurrection (see Mark 12:18). They later persecuted the early church (see Acts 5:17, 18, 40). Matthew 16:6 - "Be careful," Jesus said to them. "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." 11 "How is it you don't understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Mark 8:15 Then He charged them, saying, "Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." Scripture References: Part Two - 1 Corinthians12:4-14; Galatians 5:22-26 *2009/5769=Gregorian Calendar Year/Hebraic Calendar Year |
