The Rapture Force

When I was led to do this particular article, I researched it, and do you know what I found?
I found that all those preachers who are busy pointing out other wolves in sheep’s clothing were actually the very thing they were preaching against. Thats right, look up the words wolves in sheep’s clothing for yourself, and notice it is preachers talking about other preachers and putting them down. You will see what it is The Lord was speaking about through Paul. What does this mean to me, when I hear of ravening wolves, hiding as one of the sheep among the sheep? I think of devious jealous snarling angry unhappy people. Who do not apparently have enough to do with their own lives, and are just not busy enough leading people to the Lord. Our great commission according to Jesus is to go out and lead others to him.How can we effectively lead others to the Lord, if we are so busy looking for something bad to report about another preacher or teacher? Or even another brother or sister in Christ. It reminds me of my children when they were growing up and jealous of one another’s attention. Dad he said this, mom she said that ,aren’t you going to punish her or him?

In effect are we not as brothers and sisters in Christ doing the same thing when we take it upon ourselves to point out a wrong word or misspoken sentence someone else might have said? Most often, peoples opinions on others, is based upon their own prejudices, jealousies and or anger.It is a sad state of afairs when in looking for verses online pertaining to wolves in sheep’s clothing. Alls you can find on the issue is other preachers putting down other preachers and teachers.We are all supposed to be honoring one another in the body of Christ. Now I have no problem personally with others prayerfully considering sharing their disappointment with other Christians. Once in a while about someone they once had great esteem for,and they found out through that preachers own words, that he/she was indeed a wolf in sheep’s clothing.This takes serious consideration and time. My issue with the preachers who are talking smack about other preachers is this, they are not working the great commission that Christ told us is our job. That is simply to further the kingdom of God. To grow it and in love and patience teach one another.

If say a person came to Christ through the teachings and or preaching or evangelizing of one preacher, and then that new Christian heard through another preacher even their own preacher, that this person whom at first led them to the Lord, was a crooked so and so, or a wolf and they simply had misspoken something. Would that new baby Christian turn away? Would that new Christian who held such esteem for this person who led them to the Lord, Now hearing that preacher is bad bad bad. Couldn’t that give them serious pause to think, oh man who am I kidding here? I don’t know anything. I was stupid to listen to that or this person. Would that not turn them away forever more? I know within myself if I had heard all that I now know as a new Christian. I probably would have turned away. Thinking I knew nothing and this was a bunch of angry people I would not want to have anything to do with.

A study was done this past summer and filmed on,what other people think of Christians, are they united or divided? The answer by people who are not saved and do not have a clue about it, was they are so very divided. That dear friends is horrible. How can we effectively show the world at large, that we are indeed of one body, if it seems to the rest of the world that we are not united. Philippians 2:2 then fill me with joy by having the same attitude, sharing the same love, being united in spirit, and keeping one purpose in mind.[ISV] 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all like minded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted, humble minded: This is the body of Christ and what it would look like to the rest of the world.

Romans 15:6 That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Jeremiah 32:39 And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them:
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.  I could go on and on with these verses of unity, but this has moved me in another direction than I wanted this article to go. Obviously my next article will be one minded in Christ.

Now what we are looking for in wolves, who are ravening and mad, who hide themselves as Christians among Christians . “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. “Matthew 7:15, KJV “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. “Matthew 10:16, KJV “Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves. “Luke 10:3, KJV “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”Acts 20:29, KJV.

Jesus does not spell out what “fruits” to look for, although in the Olivet Prophecy, He does link the deceptions of false prophets with the lawlessness and lack of love that abounds at the end time (Matthew 24:11-13). However, the rest of the Bible elucidates God’s character and nature, so we already have the tools to evaluate whether a message allegedly coming from God fits with what His Word reveals about Him. God is not double-minded; He will not contradict Himself. In other words test everything you hear everything against the word of God. We are also quite lucky in that the Lord has provided us the Holy Spirit which helps us to have discernment within ourselves. If it sounds wrong compared to what you already know, then search it out, study it up, and learn, always learn about your Father in Heaven, and what he would have you know as truth.

The description here is very apt—wolves in sheep’s clothing. They appear on the outside to be something they are not. When Jesus uttered this, He was probably thinking of false ministers who would insinuate themselves into the church by appearing to be sheep within the sheepfold.

Jesus uses this terminology in regard to His relationship with the church. He is the Shepherd, and we are His sheep. Here we have wolves (false ministers) who look like sheep, but it is hypocrisy. They only look that way on the outside. He tells us we will know them by their fruits. The fruit that is produced will not necessarily appear quickly. But Christ guarantees that over a period of time the church will be stripped of its true spiritual vitality in terms of the character that will be produced within the flock, making the rise of wolves in sheep’s clothing more likely.

What is He saying? The implication is that Jesus is connecting belief with practice. If we believe a certain set of doctrines, we will practice something because of the teaching. A religious creed or the dogma that a group is following will produce a certain kind of conduct by the people. Belief and practice, creed and conduct—Jesus is saying they are vitality connected. In other words, the teacher cannot hide what he is going to produce. Eventually it will come out. Their false philosophies, no matter how attractive they may appear at first sight, will in the long run be exposed for what they really are.

In Closing my brothers and sisters, I wish to warn you a little further of what to look for in wolves hiding among us. (Romans 1:28-32) And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. At all times keep your ears open, your eyes trained on truth. You I trust will know who to stay away from.

It is not our job to show the world who in our own opinion is a false teacher, but to trust the Holy Spirit will warn individuals of who is a wolf in sheeps clothing. To speak ill of someone else who is according to the word, our brother or sister is gossip, and slander.

Love in Christ Jesus,Tammy

Have you ever asked this question,”What is my purpose”? Ask it no more, the answer has been in your bible all along.
Your purpose cannot be found inside yourself for one thing.You must realize that you were purposed before the foundations of the earth were layed out. God purposed you to love you. Meaning God made you on purpose because he wanted to love you and have you love him in return.
Your job is not your purpose,nor is parenting ,though this could be a part of God’s plan for your life,it is not your purpose.

“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to  adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:4-6
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered….”  John 15:4-6

“In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. “  Ephesians 1:11-12
that His people would love Him most of all,This is what we are purposed for. To love Him as well as to be loved by him.
“…’you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:29
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  John 14:15
“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:20-21
“If  you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”  John 15:10-11

-  that we love each other as He has loved us (that means demonstrating God’s love to each other, not conforming to popular culture in order to please each other)

This is his plan for us, once we have realized our purpose now we can become part of his plan.

“…the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” John 17:22-23
“Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I labor….” Colossians  1:28, 29
“Be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”   1 Peter 3:8-9
“You, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  For  all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Galatians 5:13-14

Always be aware there are false teachers out there do not be deceived.
“…charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.”  1 Timothy 1:3-7

Our purpose is not, no matter how much the world tells you,to gain all the goods of the earth,meaning we are not going to win if we have the most toys. Our purpose is not to be popular among men  we are to be as aliens among the people of earth. Not conforming to mans ways but to God’s ways.  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”  Colossians 3:1-4
“He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”  2 Corinthians 5:15
We must die to self and daily pick up our cross.
“…unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also….
“Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name.” John 12:23-28

Once our purpose is realised we are to repent and turn from darkness to the Light
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.   For the promise is to you and  to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39
that we follow Him and share His suffering.

We will suffer somethings at some time, probably not in  the far future for our belief and our love of Christ. Do not fear that,the Lord will sustain you and reward you for your endurance in the end.
“For to you  it has been granted on behalf of Christ,  not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake…”  Philippians 1:29
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth;’ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” 1 Peter 2:20-22
do not be ashamed of  the testimony of our Lord, nor of me  His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling…. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” 2 Timothy 1:8-12
“…the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

And finally, “‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:5 If you do not know how to humble yourself, which honestly was my hardest point when I was not yet saved,then pray tell God you are seeking him.Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: If you seek him with all your heart he is faithful to manifest himself to you.If you knock upon His door in heart felt search, He will open the door to you. No matter your sins or transgressions He will grant you pardon and allow you entrance to His Kingdom.

“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:  that  the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places….”   Ephesians 1:15-20

Thats right friends and brothers and sisters I am pointing my finger at YOU!!!!
God Loves you and desires a wonderful and close relationship with you no matter your religion or past beliefs. God’s purpose for creating YOU! was simply, to love you. When Jesus was on the cross taking on the sins of the world, he thought about YOU!!!!
love in CHRIST JESUS, Prayer Warrior/Tammy

“THOU SHALT NOT TAKE THE NAME OF THE LORD THY GOD IN VAIN:FOR THE LORD WILL NOT HOLD HIM GUILTLESS THAT TAKETH HIS NAME IN VAIN.”Deuteronomy 5:11

Exodus 20:7 “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain.”Twice the Lord says this in the exact same way, in two seperate books of the bible. What does vain mean you ask? In vain, without effect or avail; to no purpose: to apologize in vain. In an improper or irreverent manner: to take God’s name in vain. Without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless.

The reasons I feel we should not take the name of the Lord in vain is 1.We are told not do it,and 2. to call on his name is to have his attention. As a parent I cannot tell you how often my kids said mom mom mom mom and I answered what each time, only to have them say it one more time, and then tell me what they wanted or sometimes forget what they kept saying my name over and over again for. It drove me crazy lol. Also,we know to call upon the name of the Lord is to have his attention. In an emergency we call out Jesus or we call out God Please!!!  He always listens, always has his ear turned to us. If we are using his name as a swear, then thats blasphemy, and thats where he would certainly get angry. His name is HOLY!! His name should be said with reverence, with Love, and with the expectation that he is listening.If you are calling his name for any reason, other than to get his attention, then you are pulling his attention to you for nothing and He tells us he will not hold you guiltless.

  I know some people who will not even spell his name out when they are definately talking about him and or explaining him to others. I do not personally see a reason not to speak his name when you are speaking of him and sharing Him with others. Would you not get angry if millions and hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of people called your name for no other reason than to say it, wouldnt you be sick and tired of it? When I hear the Lords name taken in vain and especially as a swear, it actually physically puts what feels like an arrow through my ear. I have someone in my life who uses the Lords name in vain but most often as a swear word such as GD and or JC. I actually feel my soul shrivel at these times. I had said to this person when they were in my house ,could you please please stop saying that in my hearing, or please just stop saying that? He was angered but worked hard (I could tell) at not saying it.When I first became a Christian, I still was saying the Lords name in vain and quite often. Then I read something that gave me to know not only through the bible that this was wrong. I read The Rapture by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B Jenkins. In that book the rapture occurs, and the people in Heaven with Jesus just simply had to think of Jesus and he was with them, immediately. That really made me think about how us being here on earth is no different, when we call upon his name rather in vain or praying, He turns his attention to us, immediately.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
 
The Body Of Christ – The Definition
Some may initially think we are talking about the physical body of Christ, as in His human form on earth. But the term “Body of Christ” actually refers to the members of His church, throughout history. Who or what is the body of Christ? The body of Christ is the Church, made up of all those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Each Christian, then, is a part of the body of Christ.

Mark 14:22 says, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take it; this is my body.’” This symbolic act is the beginning of the communion service which Christians accept as a remembrance that they are a part of the body of Jesus Christ, due to Jesus’ death on the cross.

Ephesians 4:11-12
11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
The work given us in the New Testament is to build up the body of Christ. The New Testament is saturated with all forms of teachings, exhortations, encouragements and instructions expressly focused on the building up of the church. There are two dynamics that make up this directive. One is evangelism, to bring in the lost from all walks of life and sell them on the reality that we have a great King who is building a greater kingdom for Himself. The other dynamic is to cooperate with God in His work to mold us into a society that is fitting for His Son to abide in and to be that light on a hill to attract those who are in darkness. It’s a full time job for every believer.

Pauls books were expressly written to address specific issues or provide specific directions to many of the early churches including 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians.
Take a thorough scan of the New Testament to notice how deep and central the building up of the body of Christ is to the Gospel.

Ephesians 2:18-22Building up the body of Christ.
18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Ephesians 3:14-21 Jesus glorified in the church for all ages
14For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 4:1-6 There is one God and one church.
1I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Ephesians 4;13-16
13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 5:22-33 Marriage Like Christ and the Church.
 22Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.