Word for Today: May 21, 2021: UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE: SETTING APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

Beloved of the Lord,

Setting Apostles and Prophets and other member of the Body of Christ is not a "light" thing to God. The qualifications for a deacon are men full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit.

Imagine the qualification of what God desires in those HE CALLS TO BE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS AND WHERE HE DESIRES THEM SET IN HOUSE!

To set people over areas requires a great amount of time and waiting upon the Lord for His directions, and of course a counsel of elders.

These are not arbitrary positions nor are they positions for men to choose without the witness of the Holy Spirit. I am reminded of when the Lord chose Paul and Barnabus and what the spiritual atmosphere for their "setting apart was."

Many men and woman are feeling the call to bring the Apostolic and Prophetic together in unity to help bring the church into unity. This is not new, it has been tried from the 80's to now.

Many good men and woman tried, but it failed for many reason, but that doesn't mean God doesn't have the genuine gathering of the 5 fold ministry in unity with one another a mature body of believers.

God is going to manifest true love and unity as we first fall in love with Jesus and enter the marriage supper of the Lord season with him. Then He will knit us together as one with each other. It will happen and it is happening now.

The question is not if God will do it, but how, when and where, and what tools will he use.

This I know it will not be done by the methods, tools, mindset of the passing church age. It will come together supernaturally by the Lord's intervention in this wise virgins, bridal company, sons of God. It will happen.

The key is not to build it in the mixture of our fleshly understanding of the church age of Kingdom things.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.

I mention this because of how the Lord chose to set people part, WHILE THEY WERE WORSHIPPING AND FASTING. These are two vital kingdom principles as God allows us to work with Him to establish HIs Kingdom on the earth.

Amos 9:11 says " In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David, the fallen hut or booth, and close up its breaches; and I will raise up its ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old,.

What does David's Tabernacle represent, "The place to meet end dwell IN THE GLORY OF GOD AND HIS MANIFEST PRESENCE.

It was the place David went to seek instructions, direction, whether to go to war and fight. He never did anything without first ministering to the Lord with pure holy worship and many times with fasting.

If we are building another apostolic or prophetic organization then we are will look at men like Samuel did when he met David's older brother.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Brethren, Who can say Samuel was not a genuine prophet of God? Who can say He did not hear God's voice. Samuel was a seasoned prophet of God, yet when it came to "establishing governmental rulers he "missed the mark, by looking on the outside appearance and he did not see the heart.

There is a move of the Spirit of God from the glory realm, the 3rd heaven realm that the Lord is going to bring the Body of Christ together including Apostles and Prophets in correct divine alignment.

1 Corinthians 12:28 says, And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

I want us to notice the first 5 words, AND GOD HAS SET SOME.. This is critical for us as we move forward in Kingdom understanding.

Right now there is a "unity and desire for the body of Christ to be one with the Lord and one with one another to impact the nations."

That desire is from God. The difficulty will come on "how we do it, and what methods we use" to bring that about. In the church age we have "set people" in position by anointing, gifts, and character too, but were they truly chosen by God for that time, that moment and that place?

Beloved, Many were not. Many were placed in positions prematurely without the substance and quality of the Lord Jesus in them.

Many were set as Apostles because the had "natural gifting" to build things, put things in order, with gifts of administration like you see in the world.

Many were chosen because they planted many churches, discipled many people, raised up sons in the church age mentality and purpose, but do those they disciples know Jesus intimately, are they his bride?

Are the ones we may thing should be over regions a true "in lover" of God? Do they love the work of God more than the God of the work.

Samual thought for sure Eliab was going to be the next King. He had all the outer attributes and qualities of what a King should have.. BUT WHAT HE DIDN'T HAVE WAS A HEART OF A KING WHO WAS A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART.

Beloved, there are many gifted men and women in the Body of Christ who have been set in place, put themselves in places with great gifting and the ability to work hard, but they are not passionately in love with Jesus anymore. They love the work more than God.

How can you tell the difference. I didn't say they did not love God. What I said, is that they love the work of God more and it has become an idol in their heart to "produce something" for God.

Revelation chapter 2 speaks about Apostles in the last days and what God desires and what he does not desire in his leaders.

These scriptures are the VERY FIRST WORDS OF JESUS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. THEY ARE THE VERY FIRST WORDS AND CORRECTION JESUS NEEDS TO BRING TO THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.

2 I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars.

3 I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary.

4 But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

5 Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.

6 Yet you have this [in your favor and to your credit]: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans [what they are doing as corrupters of the people], which I Myself also detest.

7 He who is able to hear, let him listen to and give heed to what the Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). To him who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant to eat [of the fruit] of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

VERSE 2 IS POWERFUL

2 I know your industry and activities, laborious toil and trouble, and your patient endurance, and how you cannot tolerate wicked [men] and have tested and critically appraised those who call [themselves] apostles (special messengers of Christ) and yet are not, and have found them to be impostors and liars.

In the last days, "working for God" is going to be promoted above being with God and abiding in their first love. Their work will be more numerous than the beginning.

That is scary because that means there is the means to build quickly and a lot for him apart from our first love.

The second thing is they have tested and critically appraised those who call themselves apostles.

Notice the term "CALLED THEMSELVES APOSTLES." Are we putting people in Apostolic positions because the claimed the title and we believe them.

Are we CRITICALLY APPRAISING THOSE THEM? If Samual the great prophet of God can miss it, so can those who are trying to place people in positions if it is not done with true worship, intercession, fasting and a witness of truly seasoned apostolic men and women who have the substance and quality of the Spirit in them like Peter, James and John.

Beloved, there is a divine work of bring the body of Christ together and bringing true Apostolic and Prophetic order to God's house, but not like the church age, not with the church age mentality and tools.

The house the Lord is building is a spiritual house made of living stones, not dead ones. A house being built that can contain the glory of God. A house that will come down like a New Jerusalem city all adorned as a Bride ready to rule and reign with him.

There will be a man made mixture attempt to produce that very house, city and government that will work and be successful to the natural eye, but it will be full of mixture of flesh and spirit.

Prayerfully those who are putting their hands to that plow will recognize that early enough to stop doing that and truly allow the Lord to bring them up into the glory realm for his instructions and directions of what to do individually and collectively as David did in His tabernacle.

David knew there is no "governmental order" without the ark being the center of everything. The ark was the place of God's glory. It was the place David taught the people to come to, minister to, listen for, and wait upon.

Where is that in the present mixture "apostolic and prophetic" gathering of trying to bring regions together?

There are many good men of God, woman of God over the whole earth trying to do this, but it is full of the old wineskin and old wine of the church age.

The setting of Apostles and Prophets as the Holy Spirit spoke in Acts 14 testified of God's choice and placement that was easily seen and agreed upon.

I know there were times the Apostles came together with the elders to place people, but it was done in true worship, holiness, and waiting upon the Lord to bear witness of his choice.

I pray that is what we will truly do now as "more and more" new apostolic and prophetic governmental order many are trying to bring to churches and regions.

Another consideration is how the Lord chose to replace Judas. Acts 1: 21-26 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

23 So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

Notice there hearts were in the right place, they prayed and asked the Lord, "You know everyone's heart" show us which of these two you have chosen." Then they cast lot's

Beloved, on face value this looks good. They studied the scriptures and remembered what Jesus said, then they made a choice to fill that "lot" that portion that Judas had."

Yet, the "method they chose" was that truly the Lord way of selecting apostles? It was never done again this way? The other thing that is interesting we never hear another word about Matthias.

Was his selection truly by the will of God or the will of man mixed with some of the Holy Spirit? I believe it was. I also believe that is the danger we now face in "placing people" over regions.

I believe the building of the house, the selecting and placement of people in this kingdom age will not be done in anyway we have seen before or known. The result will be God bringing the house in apostolic and prophetic order but not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God.

I think they felt that they needed to select someone – rather than wait for the Lord’s selection because we never hear of their selection after that.

What I have studied and prayed about this placing people in Apostolic positions God still chooses. Who did God want to replace Judas and take that "lot" or place, I believe it was the Apostle Paul.

Could it be that the Lord’s selection was Saul who came to be known as Paul the Apostle was God's choice? He witnessed the entirety of Jesus ministry so much so, he wanted to destroy it.

He had a true and supernatural conversion and was a genuine witness of Jesus raising from the dead. Jesus met him on the Damascus road.

While we never hear anything more about Mathias in the bible, we hear everything about Paul, a man in love with Jesus, who gave his whole life to Him in a way few men would be able to do so.

We never hear any more about Mathias, the one chosen by lot, but listen to what God says about his chosen instrument Saul of Tarsus.

10 Now there was in Damascus a disciple named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he answered, Here am I, Lord.

11 And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there].

12 And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias enter and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.

13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard many people tell about this man, especially how much evil and what great suffering he has brought on Your saints at Jerusalem;

14 Now he is here and has authority from the high priests to put in chains all who call upon Your name.

15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;

16 For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name’s sake.

Notice what the Lord says, Go, FOR THIS MAN IS A CHOSEN INSTRUMENT OF MINE... OF MINE TO BEAR MY NAME BEFORE THE GENTILES, KINGS AND THE DESCENDANTS OF ISREAL..

FOR I WILL MAKE CLEAR TO HIM HOM MUCH HE WILL BE AFFLICTED AND MUST ENDURE AND SUFFER FOR MY NAME SAKE.

May I ask a simple question? Where in the Bible did the Lord give a witness, a word about the call and selection of Mathias? I can't find any. Why is that? Who chose him, the Lord, or the mind of man trying to "put the house in order."

If there are 24 elders and if 12 of them are the apostles would one be Mathias or Paul?

I am writing this post today for those of you truly entering the kingdom age and have in their heart a desire to be united in the true love and unity of God.

God is going to unite his remnant people. God is going to form us into a wheel within a wheel to be like Joel's army in Joel chapter 2. The Lord will utter his voice before that army and great is the army that executes his word.

The Lord is going to unite his remnant first as a bride "in love" with him, and filled with the pure holy love of God that will release his glory in them and through them.

The Glory of God will manifest and cause us to be one with him as married to him as a Bride/Priest and they will be released in King/Sonship authority and power on the earth one with the Lord.

For the Lord to build His house, His new Jerusalem city, the builders of it with him, must first have a Bridal/Priestly heart like David.

God chose David to rule because "HE WAS A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART." HE WAS IN LOVE WITH GOD AND WAS CALLED THE SWEET PSALMIST OF ISREAL.

A PASSIONATE WORSHIPPING HEART THAT CONTINUALLY SEEKS GOD AND KNOWS HOW TO MINISTER TO HIM EVERY TRUE APOSTLE AND PROPHET MUST HAVE IF THEY ARE GOING TO WALK IN KINGLY/SONSHIP POWER WITH JESUS TO TRANSFORM THE EARTH.

IT IS A TWO SIDE MATURE NATURE GOD NEEDS IN HIS 5 FOLD MINISTERS BUT IN EVERY SINGLE MATURE SON AND DAUGHTER THAT DESIRE TO BE MARRIED TO HIS FIRST, MINISTER TO HIM FIRST AS A PRIEST AND THEN WALK HAND AND HAND WITH HIM IN POWER AND AUTHORITY AS KINGS AND SONS UPON THE EARTH.

I close this post reminding of Jesus words in Revelation 2. I know your works, they are more numerous then the beginning, and you try those who say they are Apostles are not, but are imposters, BUT NEVER THE LESS I HAVE ONE CHARGE AGAINST YOU, YOU HAVE DESERTED ME, THE LOVE YOU HAD FOR ME AT FIRST. CONSIDER THE HEIGHTS YOU HAVE FALLEN, AND REPENT AND DO YOUR FIRST WORK, OR ELSE I WILL COME AND REMOVE THE LAMP STAND FROM THE MIDST OF YOU.

1 SAMUAL 6 "When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

BELOVED LET US NOT SET PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE OF GOD WITHOUT THE TRUE WITNESS OF GOD, THE TRUE SELECTION OF GOD.

WAIT ON GOD, SPEND TIME TRULY IN WORSHIP, FASTING WITH SEASONED AND SUBSTANCE FILLED SONS MATURE ELDERS AND LET THE HOLY SPIRIT SAY, LET THE LORD SHOW IN DREAM AND VISIONS WHO HE IS CHOOSING.

REMEMBER BELOVED OF THE LORD, "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. PSALM 127:1