From: jesus_is_lord To: List Member Subject: A wise masterbuilder Date: Thursday, April 12, 2001 5:14 AM jesus_is_lord --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Christian Friends: Greetings in the name of the ONLY wise God and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is about 1:30 am. No, I have not been up all night. I was in the bed asleep and I suddenly jolted out of the bed with a word from the Lord in my mind. I did not wake up, sit on the side of the bed, and get up. I jumped out of the bed before I woke up but I understood the word. A clear word. ******************WHAT ARE WE BUILDING?************** Everybody in this world is BUILDING something. The wicked man is BUILDING his house (his life) upon the sand. The righteous man is BUILDING his house upon the word of God. The righteous man is also BUILDING the word of God INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES--brick by brick, doctrine by doctrine, precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little there a little. We can build into people's lives right within our own churches. Many people in churches are not spiritually mature. They do not even know how to LIVE FOR Christ--they've never seen it done. How can they understand except some man guide them? We are oftentimes told what NOT to do, but we don't hear much on what we SHOULD do. How we SHOULD live unto Christ. The wise masterbuilder can help these people. Sinners also need our help. They are in the dark and they need illumination. Jesus says to His people, "YE are the light of the world" A wise masterbuilder will bring light to the dark places. God has arranged it so that sinners are to see the high-level life in us. What they call the "high life" is the "low-down life". True Christians live the high life. "a city that is SET ON A HILL cannot be hid" In the spiritual, we live higher because we have the word of God while they have the word of the devil. In the physical, we live higher because we obey the pure doctrine of the Lord while they obey the doctrine of the devil (fornication, uncleaness, etc.). People have to LIFT their eyes up from the degradation to view our lives. We are on a hill. I was in a convenience store the other night and a man said to me, "Are you a church lady or do you just look like one?" I told him that I am a church lady of a truth. I look like one, act like one, and am one. Those whose lives are built on the word of God live ABOVE the world. We are on a hill and people look up to see our manner of life and doctrine. But there is a problem. Many who profess Christ do not live ABOVE the world. They live just like the world. Outside of going to the church house, their lives are not much different from the sinner's life. They watch the same hellivision shows, wear the same short skirts, go to the movie theatre, enjoy the same amusements, and don't even know how to live FOR the Lord. The world does not look UP to them in any respect--though they are supposed to be a city set on a HILL. They live like the world and the world knows its own. The sinner man will tell you in a heartbeat, "The church is full of hypocrites"--and he is absolutely RIGHT! Many profess Christ but are building their lives on sand. Let no man deceive you with vain words--children of disobedience will not inherit the kingdom of God. Ephesians 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 5:4 NEITHER FILTHINESS, NOR FOOLISH TALKING, NOR JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 5:6 LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU WITH VAIN WORDS: FOR BECAUSE OF THESE THINGS COMETH THE WRATH OF GOD UPON THE CHILDREN OF DISOBEDIENCE. 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: WALK AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT: 5:9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 5:10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. We must lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us and start looking unto JESUS (Heb 12) and His word. Cut off the filthy communication of hellivision (which only feeds our lusts) and get into the word. Learn what it means to pray--I'm not talking little baby prayers like, "Lord, please do this and please do that." I'm talking about praying in the Spirit. Ah, but that takes effort and discipline on our part. Nowadays we want a "painless Pentecost" as Ravenhill put it...we are powerless as a result. The power will elude all those who determine to hold on to the rudiments of this vain world. ********************WE NEED POWER******************** The Bible does not teach us to be soft, pliable and unknowledgeable of the word. We are to labour in the word and doctrine so that we can lay it brick by brick in other people's lives. We should be so exacting in this high and holy work. Paul called himself a WISE MASTERBUILDER. He KNEW how to do the Lord's work. We should all endeavour to be wise masterbuilders. We do not have to be ignorant. We can KNOW the will of the Lord and we can KNOW how to do His work. Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but UNDERSTANDING what the will of the Lord is. Our understanding will not come from our own corrupt human being reasoning. It is the Holy Ghost Who will give us understanding and it is He that will endue us with POWER to be His witnesses. People talk a lot about the Holy Ghost, but I perceive few actually experience His POWER. He gives us POWER to witness. I do not guess about whether or not I have the Holy Ghost. I know that He empowers me to do the work of the Lord. He has made me an annointed witness. Acts 1:8 But YE SHALL RECEIVE POWER, AFTER THAT THE HOLY GHOST IS COME UPON YOU: AND YE SHALL BE WITNESSES UNTO ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The charismatics say you have to jump like a kangaroo to show you have the Holy Ghost while on the other end of the spectrum you find "fundamentalists" who will list you some scriptures to show that the Holy Ghost exists. The presence of the Holy Ghost is real and palpable in my life. My faith is not dried up and confined to a piece of paper stating my belief system. The Holy Ghost is in my life and He is moving me--and I know it. The kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in POWER. God gives us POWER to witness and power to live for Him. I often I hear the sentiment, "We fall down and we get up. We fall down and we get up." That is sickening to me. Jesus did not die for me to keep serving the devil. The kingdom of God is not in word, it is in POWER. I've been reviewing the ten commandments lately and I realized that though I once habitually broke them, I do not habitually break them anymore. I do not serve any other gods, I do not make graven images to myself, I do not take the name of the Lord in vain, I remember the sabbath, I honour my parents, I do not kill, I do not commit adultery, I do not steal, I do not bear false witness, I do not covet. I was once guilty of all these things, no exceptions. The kingdom of God is not about me simply saying "I am holy" or saying "I have imputed holiness". The kingdom of God is in REAL and OBSERVABLE POWER as I live a righteous life yielded to the Holy Ghost. Help us, Lord. **************BECOMING A MASTERBUILDER*************** May we have to strive to become wise master builders in the service of the Lord... And every man that STRIVETH FOR THE MASTERY is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. I Cor 9:25-27 A runner will practice for HOURS EVERYDAY to run in a human being marathon. I mean he'll be jogging miles and miles and miles EVERYDAY no matter how tired he is. He wants to be the best and he will make time for practicing. And then when he is not running, he is reading running magazines and talking to other runners looking for tips. He'll go to specialty shops for the best running gear. He's always looking for a meet to run in. He is striving for the mastery of his sport. He is temperate in his eating habits and is under control, he knows what his focus is--running--and he does all this for a CORRUPTIBLE crown. We can take a lesson from this vanity. We are to be EXERCISED in the things of the Lord EVERYDAY and EVERY MINUTE. Acts 24:16 And herein do I EXERCISE myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men. 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and EXERCISE thyself rather unto godliness. 4:8 For BODILY exercise profiteth LITTLE: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. Hebrews 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have THEIR SENSES EXERCISED TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL. Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are EXERCISED thereby. The wise masterbuilder exercises and works out in the spiritual realm. Everything is to be beneath the Spirit's control. None of this, "I'll watch me some necked (naked) women on hellivision and then go to Bible study." None of this, "My favorite soap opera star died today." No, "I love me some Elvis Presley." But rather... A WISE MASTERBUILDER has a life of prayer, fasting, reading/memorizing/meditating on the word, exercising spiritual gifts, listening to good preaching, speaking the word to others, performing the household duties assigned to them in the word. A WISE masterbuilder is a companion of all them that fear the Lord. They desire tips from other masterbuilders. And finally-- **************A WISE MASTERBUILDER............BUILDS!************* Nowadays a Christian has so many options--bookstores are full of resources for us to partake of and there's always some event we can attend. In fact there is enough Christian literature in the world to occupy our minds till we die. But when are we taking time to build? I am not against reading good and profitable volumes. I have a good Christian library with various types of materials that I read from time to time. But if I read that stuff and don't do anything with my knowledge, I am NOT a wise masterbuilder. A builder has to build something. He does not go to school for all of his life and never build a building. He gets some basic training and starts building while keeping his edge by continued learning. The word that the Lord gave me this morning is this--we must BUILD up GOOD doctrine into other people's lives--brick by brick. It will protect new converts from wolves, it will make a good pathway for other righteous men to add to their learning, and it will set them on the path of understanding for their own self--we teach them so that they don't need us anymore, they will become wise masterbuilders their own selves. This is how our ministries are be multiplied. I've had people remark to me, "Sister so-and-so sounds just like you!" When you put that good King James Bible doctrine in people, the Holy Ghost ministers it to their understanding and they start walking in the way of understanding. The Holy Ghost keeps drawing them into the word and they get strong. Many women come and visit with me. Sometimes they spend the night. The Lord makes me happy to bring my sisters up close to me so that they can see how I live and serve the Lord. When they come I ask them their testimony. I ask them to pray. We open up the word and I ask them to interpret. They share their issues and we turn to the word for the answer. When they leave here they are changed. They are enlarged in the things of Christ. When people leave our presence, they should be better off than when they came to us. Proverbs says, "A true witness delivereth souls". If we are true to the word, people will be delivered. I've had people comment on the way they've seen me and my husband interact. We had problems for a lot of years, but now we are both saved, my husband respects and loves me and I submit to my husband. The Lord told me to submit back when things were HORRIBLE, but I had to do it. I almost gave up, but the King KEPT me. Jesus is a KEEPER if you want to be kept. He soon thereafter turned my captivity and now my marriage is helping other people to know the Biblical model for marriage. I am a living witness, if we bow down underneath the commandments of the Lord, we'll be straight and others will be delivered. Being a wise masterbuilder is a real and obtainable goal. I was lumped in with the worst of sinners but by the POWER of the living God, I was converted in 1991 and now as a wise masterbuilder I am laying bricks. We can be wise masterbuilders. This thing is for real, not just something that we say we are, but that we are of a truth--powered by the Holy Ghost. ******************REMEMBER THE BUILDING'S FOUNDATION************* I Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. As we build, we must always remember our foundation, the Lord Jesus Christ. Many churches put on their letterhead, church bulletins, etc. "Founder: Joe Schmoe". To me, it should say, "Founder: Jesus Christ". Get the focus off of corrupt man and on to Jesus. **********************LABORERS TOGETHER WITH GOD******************** We are laborers together with God--therefore we need GOD'S DOCTRINE. How "can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3. I'm walking with God. I agree with Him. I'm doing God's work, I must agree with His word. How can a man do God's work and not know His word? Yet Christians all over the place are trying to do just that! It is a horrifying sight, indeed. "Well, er...I think" Wrong. The answer should be, "The Bible says...". We have to get in the Booke (King James 1611). I pray that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into His harvest. As we go forth, we MUST take heed how we are building in God's name. We will give account one day for our stewardship. Yea, the day is coming when ALL our work will be made manifest--we'll either receive a reward or we will suffer loss. 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 3:13 EVERY MAN'S WORK SHALL BE MADE MANIFEST: FOR THE DAY SHALL DECLARE IT, BECAUSE IT SHALL BE REVEALED BY FIRE; AND THE FIRE SHALL TRY EVERY MAN'S WORK OF WHAT SORT IT IS. 3:14 IF ANY MAN'S WORK ABIDE WHICH HE HATH BUILT THEREUPON, HE SHALL RECEIVE A REWARD. 3:15 IF ANY MAN'S WORK SHALL BE BURNED, HE SHALL SUFFER LOSS: BUT HE HIMSELF SHALL BE SAVED; YET SO AS BY FIRE. Lord, please make us wise MASTERbuilders. Make us exacting in this work. ******************LAYING ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT******************* Proverbs says that a true witness DELIVERETH souls. There are people in BONDAGE and they need some help! But if we are immersed in sin we can't help others-- Hebrews 12:12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 12:13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: If we are wise concerning this world (its news, etc.) and ignorant of the word of God, we need to become fools that we may be wise. I Corinthians 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. IF ANY MAN AMONG YOU SEEMETH TO BE WISE IN THIS WORLD, LET HIM BECOME A FOOL, THAT HE MAY BE WISE. 3:19 FOR THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD IS FOOLISHNESS WITH GOD. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. *************************ONCE AGAIN********************* The wise MASTERbuilder BUILDS into people's lives. He lays the bricks of sound doctrine so that the seeker and the babe are led to a clearer understanding of King Jesus and His doctrine. When we build good doctrine into their lives they are protected from cultists--and conversely a righteous man can come along and add understanding to them. As they grow, these precious souls will go on to disciple others just as we have discipled them. **************************CONCLUSION******************** Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, BUILDING UP YOURSELVES ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH, praying in the Holy Ghost, 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not. for Jesus' sake, sis. tracy -- http://www.jesus-is-lord.com ...I do send thee unto them; and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. Ezekiel 2:4, 6 ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to jesus_is_lord-unsubscribe@listbot.com