Definite Dealings

Last Wednesday I had to minister to a group of believers online. I used to follow a certain line of ministry teaching in sequence, but that burden was already released. Now, I need to look to the Lord for what He would like me to minister. As I prayed and considered, the Lord gave me the burden of "Clearing the Past". As I ministered, I felt very strongly the anointing of the Holy Spirit and they all listened to receive the word of God with much hunger, thirst, and conviction. After the message, I was fully satisfied, released, and even supplied myself. What I ministered was not only for them but also for me too. I also need to deal with things that need to be dealt with.

First, the example of dealing, clearing up the past, was taken from the life of the believers in Thessalonica who turned away from the idols to serve the living God.

1Th 1:9For they themselves report concerning us what kind of entrance we had toward you and how you turned to God from the idols to serve a living and true God.

Not merely physical idols we need to turn away from, but also the spiritual, mental, and materialistic idols in the hearts. Anything that replaces the true and living God in our hearts is our idol. In fact, everyone has something or the other to deal with definitely so as to serve the true and living God.

Second, Zaccheus's testimony of returning back his unrighteous tax collection to whomever he owed as a result of the Lord Jesus' visiting him and bringing his family to salvation enlightened us so much. Many Christians have entangled themselves in money matters, borrowing and not returning back, or not being faithful and righteous in money matters. If money is not handled righteously, and unrighteous money is not definitely dealt with and set right, there will not be any testimony shining from that Christian as there already was a leakage of life and loophole in his being. No wonder, many Christians are rendered "useless" as far as the testimony of Jesus is concerned.

Lk 19:8And Zaccheus stood and said to the Lord, Behold, the half of my possessions, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore four times as much.

Lk 19:9And Jesus said to him, Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.

Third, the new believers in Ephesus, after believing into the Lord Jesus Christ forsook all their past living. They dealt with their sinful past definitely by burning all the magic books and the sinful things irrespective of the cost. That was, indeed, an excellent testimony! Anything not Christ or according to Christ and the Bible should be dealt with definitely and eradicated, burned off completely leaving no trace of it behind. This will give no ground to the enemy among the believers. Rather, it will strengthen the move of the Lord and the word of the Lord will prevail.

Ac 19:17And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks, dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

Ac 19:18And many of those who had believed came, confessing and making known their practices.

Ac 19:19And a considerable number of those who practiced magic brought their books together and burned them before all; and they counted up the price of them and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Ac 19:20Thus, the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Today morning, as I was spending time with the Lord in prayer the first thing the Lord told me was to delete two apps from my mobile and block a mobile number. Initially, I tried to reason with the Lord as these were not necessarily sinful and in fact, they can be useful in some cases. But the Lord commanded me to delete them. Without further reasoning and hesitation, I took my mobile and deleted the two apps and also blocked the number of a brother who has not been mentally stable and has been trying to call me many times which did not make me feel at peace. After taking action on what the Lord commanded me, I felt so much release and freedom from the enemy's oppressive and offensive attack through these means.  But I still pray for the recovery of this brother. I felt the best shepherding I can render to him at the moment is simply to intercede for him so that the Lord would help him and recover him back to normality. I can do nothing for him now, except pray for him.

Later, in the evening as I went to pray personally, the Lord confirmed to me that with the obedience I responded to Him, the same obedience will be responded to me by the ones I have been shepherding, especially the young people. I cannot lead people to what I have not been through. I can lead people to that spiritual experience that I have already attained, never beyond. A teacher cannot teach what he does not know, he can only teach from what he already knows. I got great relief and comfort inwardly concerning a particular sister that I have been praying for and fellowshipping with, to help her out of the situation she was entangled in. I had the confirmation that the Lord had released her. May the Lord release her completely and thoroughly, even unto eternity.

This basic lesson of clearing the past, setting things right, and definitely dealing with any matter, person, or thing that needs to be dealt with, is a must for every Christian of all ages.

This is how the Lord can sanctify us wholly and preserve us completely.

1Th 5:23And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord, sanctify and preserve me and all the saints for You!