– On culture building related to young ones in our midst – get rid of the old wineskin
Please read Matt. 16:1-12.
Let us have a basic discussion about our vision for the young ones in our ministerial efforts in order to expose the Devil’s schemes, subdue its power in our midst, eradicate its subtle and subversive ways of deception, remedy its damages and the confusion, disarray and disunity that comes as a result of the unwise ways of man’s pride.
It is time to pull down the false altar some have in their lives that their children are their idol-their first and most important care, rather than the interest of God in the will of Father for us as sons, even as a vanguard of His restoration in our generation and for the generations to come. (Judge 7, the story of Gideon.)
Peter’s great blunter was when he tried to HELP THE LORD. Let us remember.
To do that, allow me to continue on the topic I touched on a bit, a subject which few of us seem to really register in our hearts with needed understanding of its importance. (So far only Noah had a discussion with me. I think he seems really got it and it will certainly change the way how he appreciate and appropriate relationships.)
(The first round of my sharing is attached at the bottom.)
The topic is “what are we trying to build or plant: innocent or wise?”
To translate that into other terms so we can easily grasp its importance: sons of Adam or sons of God? To endorse– even practice–dysfunctional relationships, or help to heal and build up godly ones and become a holy people unto God?
That is THE question.
The marking characteristic of a shallow, self-conceited, popular Christianity is that it propagates false ideals and identities to God’s people, resulting in a wrong kind of a set-apart people of God. It is therefore by its very nature and action a replacement of God’s true church. If it does not overtly rebel again God’s way, it blurs or veils it so others cannot get in. In terms of raising young ones, it prides itself in keeping them safe and innocent, rather than equipping and disciplining them with wisdom and Kingdom capacities, spiritual as well as natural. This is one of the major clashes of deadly religion vs the living ways of God in terms of man’s educational efforts. It is obviously built on a wrong foundation. Would not some of us readily confess that we would not be where we are with God today had we not somehow been misled, wounded, if not plagued by such a dysfunctional Christianity?
https://kingdomage.org/dream-07-29-2009-family-reunion-and-moving-our-house/
It certainly is not a new clash, certainly not just unique in our generation, but rather one that is persistent in history, from one generation to the next; from one people to another, from one community to another. Think about it: this has been the case from western Christianity to the rest of the world, even in the name of God. Catholics did it; I think for the most part, the Protestants did it as well. Otherwise, wouldn’t we have a different kind of Christianity today? I think one of the main reasons for such a failure or delusion is that it does not really know how to–or even care to–properly raise up and equip the young generation in Godliness, with His love and wisdom.
The core and the foundation of a culture is always about education and the building up of young hearts and young minds. Look not far, just think about the core operations under the Law of Moses, or the way of discipleship in the ministries of Jesus and his apostles. Jesus calls his disciples “my littles ones”, apostles treated young believers as new born babes. They said “you must be born again.” “Do not forbid the little ones (more than the young age, rather those who hunger and thirst for righteousness) to come to me.” The question is, what kind of culture and life are they born into? What kind of fellowship or discipleship will they come to? It seems that few, to my knowledge, have been thinking about His teaching along this line. The new wine is ready to be poured into the old wineskins. Even worse, many spiritual busy bodies are determined to fix an old garment, despite how torn, smelly, toxic and contagious it is.
Obviously Jesus was not interested in keeping the old wineskin or fixing the old garment of the Jewish life and traditions of his day. On the contrary, he was calling for a new people to be “born again”, to “see” and “enter the Kingdom of God”. Are we sure we are there?
In this light, let us be extremely aware of the spirit of Pharisees who use weak and undisciplined souls and childish minds to lure us off the way of righteousness and the needed wisdom and practice required for the greater work of the Lord in our midst, especially in our efforts for our culture building amidst our young ones. We will more than safe guard, but will deal with and even dispel anyone who wants to touch the apple of our eyes. For us, this should be a service at the “altar of incense” before the veil that is leading us to the Ark of the Lord.
It seems to me that, when engaging young ones’ education, few of us have a clue of what is truly at steak. It is now time to gain some fundamental enlightenment of our vision and our practical approaches for its accomplishment. Questions along this line are more than welcomed, help and support would be highly appreciated, and further discussions, even discipleship, in and for this ministry will be readily provided if willing and qualified. But if such understanding and agreement is not even witnessed, then improper opinions, attitudes or interferences will be quickly and sternly dealt with. You can hurt my arm, even cut my finger off, but please don’t touch my eyes..:) This is how I see it, and I will work diligently with others to build it up.
In this light, can I offer some personal advice?
Not all thoughts and decisions have the same weight in the sight of God or in life. A talk at dinner certainly is not one in a court room. If someone brings what belongs to the judiciary to our family chatters and acts as if our wife or children is the judge, would we not think such juries are lawless, or even foolish?
I know I would…:) Because that is what these adjectives are given for! Interesting assessment, huh?
Family tables made to be federal courts; heads of families appointed as our final judges? What kind of citizenry is this? What kind of government is this? Even a little tribal people wouldn’t do such a thing. And for obvious reasons: firstly, it would ruin the relationships we cherish and tear down the community we love. It is a perfect recipe for disaster in relationships and public affairs.
I have to say, after some roundabouts in what is called Christianity in my past, I think I have a basic idea of what such a thing is and what it leads to. No wise leader or teacher of good life would be careless to let the weeds grow in their garden of relationships. I am so glad that I witness in our midst a totally different picture. Cessation from our past ways, in everyone, from the elderly to the younglings, are eager to move forward into the NEW ways and try to help to build our community up, especially in terms of the culture building for the young generation. One thing, however, concerns me deeply, and that is the scattered way in which we are engaging in this. Each one seems to have their ideals set and their minds made up. My blunt question, then, is this: where is the proper counsel and discipleship in such a school for the parents? Young fathers and mothers who are persistent in their confidence, hopefully innocently and not pridefully, say “I know how to educate MY children.” Let us change shoes a bit: if you were in my position, what would be your discernment and discretion of this? Can I even begin to “interfere” such a mind or feel free to solidly engage in helping their young ones? It seems to me that would be unwise. Though I would be able, I would not be willing to help their efforts. The number one reason is that in doing so, I would be telling others that I have endorsed such a way building up young ones. I will apply patience and waiting for the Lord’s initiative. But I will certainly not work with them in my “appointed” efforts..:)
I hope this kind of discernment does not bring about a sense of disparity, and rather encourages change and engagement in us. Some would ask: But how should I start? Good question!
Dealing with such weeds is actually very simple. Call it out for what it is, and determine to begin to eradicate it: first from our own perceptions (the pride of our own understanding and opinions, not to mention the emotional disarray we sometimes stir up), and then to help others come to the same understanding. Without sound and enlightened agreement, it would a fantasy for us to think that a group of people could build it together, much less thrive in it.
And it is not that hard to make such a judgment or discernment. A straw is very much different from a beam. What about a field of grass and a forest of mighty trees? They are very much different. Another example: a flock of chicken is certainly different than a company of eagles. As a builder or a hunter, should we not ascertain the difference, then decide what to do with them? That is always what Jesus and his apostles did. Shouldn’t we each be a wise and capable gardener and builder in the “Kingdom Business”? I hope so. That is what our discipleship is all about.
In this light, let us be aware of our thoughts and words, and make sure our “judgments” on major counsels and decisions in life are really from the Lord. Let us make sure we know the roles each one should enjoy in the work of God. Let us learn to start practicing the basic disciplines of a good life, a godly life. Our children, our finances; these are the top concerns of a wise and responsible parent, but don’t these need to be orderly and productively rearranged by our Lord according to “His righteousness” and “His covenantal blessings”? I think so.
Now let us see it from another angle. What does it mean to be immature in the Lord? Simple and plain, it means such a heart is still incapable of making sound judgment. If we do not have a clean conscience and find ourselves in a stage of immaturity, why should we expect our words to carry the same weight or have the “right” to be honored and prioritized in spiritually important matters? To expect this, and feel offended or diminished if our expectations are not met, sounds like an attribute of a heart of Jezebel or Korah to me. Should not we firstly posture ourselves as true disciples and be excited to dialogue and learn from others in order to gain the capacity and process understanding and counsel in the wisdom and the safety God provides? Some of us have very little self-discipline in our spiritual walk; even a small trouble will quickly expose lawless ways of life. Maybe it is time we evaluate our season of maturity and our proper roles in a healthy body of Christ, and truly learn to receive and give.
If we find ourselves in a less matured place, is that a good or a bad thing? That depends on us. Do we truly have a humble heart? Or do we have false humility and human goodness, the main characteristics of a religious spirit? If we do indeed carry an unhealthy and toxic attitude, then we obviously have a problem. Not with anyone else, but with God and our true selves (the better angel in us). Let us stop feeding the wrong wolf; let us take some baby steps towards becoming pure and tender sheep. Such a sheep would be a delight for a shepherd to carry with him in his bosom or on his shoulders..:)
Jesus, Peter, and Paul tell us to expose such perverse and false ways in our midst, provided we have a functional spiritual leadership. And for good reason. If these basics for the spiritual formation of a wise and willing people are rejected, what else they can do? They WILL certainly move on to those who receive them. Let no one lie to you that God would think they are doing anyone wrong. To the contrary, it is their prerogative to do that. And sadly I had done that few times in the past when others rejected that it as the basic tenure of our spiritual services to God as His sent ones. If God in heaven can’t make a dint, what can his servant on earth do? Don’t be religious on this one. Stop attend to, not mention apply unwarranted or invalid judgment.
Some of us take issue with these very basics of discipleship of Kingdom operation as if they never even read the Bible, nor attended to Jesus’s way of ministry. They put up a fight every step along this way of progress. What kind of spirituality is that? When will we get over this, and step up into maturity? Are we even willing? There are only two basic reasons for this: either he is slow to learn, or he is too prideful to learn. Not much grace should given to latter. But we should have endless patience and willingness to help the former as God’s servants.
The aim is clear: maturity, unity and greater effectiveness in the work of the Lord.
Let us learn to meet it.
——
First Round of Sharing
(A thought shared on Jan 7, 2023 at 7:11am. Edited now on Jan 9, 12:12pm as I recover the date..:) )
A heart of innocence or a heart of wisdom? I’d rather choose latter, and be a child of God wiser than the serpent, not a child of Adam, blissfully ignorant of the one with whom he walks and always distracted by his “curiosity” of knowledge.
Wisdom comes from learning, learning requires listening, listening has to be paired by constant practice, and practice enables us to truly know something. By knowing, we are then capable of understanding and discretion.
Many are the teachers that can inspire or encourage us, but few are capable, not to mention willing, to take the pain to see us “suffer” through a trail of failures and successes, joys and sorrows, blunders and cheers, to become an ocean from a stream, a mighty forest from a gentle shoot, a father of a culture from a patriarch of a family, a priest in the lineage of a heavenly entrustment from a counselor of a lost or broken soul, ect.
For example, only in recent years, after I set my heart on my “destiny”, even to represent the Father as a feeble and struggling son, I began to “know” more about the true hardship the Son endured. It wasn’t merely an external struggle, this only provided the stage; it was rather an internal struggle. A simple example is when He asked the CUP to be taken away. It was not a test leading to his ministry like that which He had in the wildness; rather, it was one that took place after all the miracles had happened, after most of the disciples had been set on a good foundation for Kingdom life; one that was the gateway to the Father’s glory and His glory-“for this reason I have come”. He knew well that His destiny was to put obedience into action, which climaxed at this moment of plea–what we usually call “the dark hour of the soul”.
“Not my will, FATHER, but thy will be done!” It was not an obligation to a superior or a calculated duty committed unto the claim of a reward; but a heart of pure love and firm security that lent one the confidence to have a discussion with His Father as an equal.
He chose to obey, more than merely having no doubt, and surely beyond a passive or passionless agreement. “He passionately embraced or kissed the Cross”. Have you really loved someone so deeply and profoundly that it would be an insult to your dignity and a defilement to your devotion to even think of gaining something back, and desiring only to impress the one you love when you knew in your core that you are wholly and fully loved?
This reminds me the few precious occasions when Father poured out His love to me like a mighty fire, when my Brother assured His life to me like a gentle stream, when the Spirit seized me in power and endowed me with insight.
Father, I would be so thrilled and so thankful to do thy will. How wonderful that I can do something for you, and even better, that I can do it with you.
So tell me, please! Whatever it is, whenever it is, and no matter how long it takes, or how difficult it will be!
“Send me!”
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“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.
Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a level path Because of my foes.
I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:4, 11, 13-14 NASB1995
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“He established it for a testimony in Joseph When he went throughout the land of Egypt.
I heard a language that I did not know: Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me! I, the Lord, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!
But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat,
And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.””
Psalms 81:5, 8, 10, 13, 16 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.81.8-13.NASB1995
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“How lovely are Your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts!
My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
The bird also has found a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young,
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts, My King and my God. How blessed are those who dwell in Your house! They are ever praising You. Selah.
How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion!
Behold our shield, O God, And look upon the face of Your anointed. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You!”
Psalms 84:1-5, 9-12 NASB1995
https://bible.com/bible/100/psa.84.1-12.NASB1995
——
A further context for this sharing:
Things are a bit stirred up in the heavenlies during our last Tuesday morning meeting. There was a demonic spirit mocking at me, challenging me whether I would “dare” to deal with an undisciplined child in our midst. “It will be cesspool of trouble for you. You know it!” The demon hovering few inches above the top of the young lad and smirked at me with a glee. A mocking spirit indeed. After few tries of restraint, the Lord instantly told me to route it out, even more, to so deal with it that this will never trouble our family again. After I stopped the child, the demon fled out the house like a frightened bird. Then the enemy began to stir up another one trying to disrupt the flow of the spirit: obviously it didn’t like the idea for Justin and Nicole to bless Sister Rachael as co-laborers in God’s vineyard, especially related to our educational efforts for young ones. The situation was quickly remedied that evening through Elijah when he was moved by the Lord to bless Brother Justin as a spiritual father in our midst, thereby initiating Justin’s spiritual role in our apostolic ministry.
But at that moment, I expected Justin or Nicole to react in certain way that I might seize the opportunity to openly address it and help to at least eradicate it from their household. I don’t quite remember, but prior to that, during our Monday night chat, Nicole asked me to help her to deal with some demonic influences in and around her life. I did not expound much, because such things often could not be learned merely by conversation and teachings. Experiential context is needed to initiate effective enlightenment and impart practical knowledge and grace.
Bless the Lord, but to my surprise, they were not troubled at all. That, however, stopped me from effectively exposing and dealing a death blow to this evil entity (a spirit of rebellion and defiance in our midst). I detected a bit of a stir but did not register it as serious. Then I listened to John’s vision, shared just before his departure. I realized a great clash is at hand.
And we now declare war against this evil. With this communication, I now initiate and release the grace of God to crush it and subdue it, especially for the benefit of young ones in our midst. We will stop such a spirit from roaming around, disturbing and destroying young lives without any check or resistance. This spirit is the root cause for the weariness and fear that oppresses many parents and families in our midst and in this nation. It is certainly a strong man. So let us apply spiritual diligence and fierceness to crush its serpent head and its scorpion sting. Let us learn together and agree together to put an end to this.
Note this: it is certainly part of the spirit of this age, a gateway for demons to bring destructive ways into a family.
