Converted As A Little One ~ Broadcast Transcript from May 17, 2021 with Angela
I was thinking about how so often our words and actions don’t line up… Its like we have great faith for others, often telling them to shake the dust off and keep walking, only to realize when something of threat comes close to the doors of our own personal lives – we collapse like a lawn chair. This is really revealing to just how ego-centric we are… Its like when someone else is facing something we are not at a loss for encouragement because what they are going through does not affect our lives that much and if it does, it is minimal. I told the Lord I don’t want to be like that… You can label it whatever you want, doubleminded, hypocrisy, lack of empathy and compassion, etc… the label doesn’t matter… What does matter is that our walk aligns with our talk and that we are very clear on something… When we boast or proclaim something, testing shall come to purify our words so they match our steps… Jesus was moved by compassion – He even wept because His heart was so moved by compassion… I know many of you personally are the same way, you already know how to cry when someone else is hurting, that is a beautiful attribute of Jesus within you – a full display of His love actually.
Sometimes when you sit back and observe… You see so many who’s words do not align with walks and you also can reflect on times the same holds true for yourself. I was thinking how they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions… Are intentions enough? I know we would like to think so, but actually, no they are not. The Word tells us the WORD IS CONFIRMED WITH SIGNS FOLLOWING US. We’ll read that in a moment, its in Mathew 16. It seems to me integrity is all but lost these days – it used to be that we held ourselves personally to a higher standard, knowing WHO we are representing in dealing with others – so we need to be asking ourselves if – when we come near to others, do they perceive the Kingdom of Heaven by our interactions with them? Did Jesus come near to them through us or does our word lack integrity, being void, unfruitful?
Jesus cursed the tree and it withered and died outside the gate because it was not producing His fruit for that very reason – it was just a tree taking up space, as an example to us to be authentic on our journey. It would be much more worthwhile for the glory of the Lord, to speak less of our faith and dedication and works and just be faithful, dedicated and fruitful. Boasting on self truly reveals the greatest lack and what we struggle with the most. Its like we try to overcompensate our lack by constantly trying to convince others we have none and what we speak about the most, reveals our greatest weaknesses.
A great weakness within many of us right now is when the rubber meets the road – Do we truly have faith to believe what was written – do we even know what was written? Do we really and whole-heartedly believe our lives are in His hands and NOTHING can separate us from Him, except ourselves of course. But do we really believe we can surrender it all to Him? Will we die, in order that He may live, dwell and move within our beings? We must decrease in order for Him to increase, we must, there is no other way around it.
The final question is… Are we still seeking to save our own lives? And as long as we talk the talk and not walk the walk – we are going to continue to walk in the circles of purification, around and around – missing dwelling in the Promised Land of total surrender and freedom – that our lives are in His capable hands and nothing can harm us any longer, because He always works everything together for our good, as the door keeper permitting and not permitting what is allowed to touch us.
It seems we often say we praise Him in the storm, while avoiding every storm which comes our way – or at least I do that anyway. I feel like I am walking through a minefield daily, looking down to avoid stepping on the next bomb to go off – to spare myself, time and again… But the Lord wants us to keep looking to Him, not taking our eyes off Him and to keep walking forward, as He leads, we follow – NO MATTER WHAT. It is in the “no matter what” times, we fold, isn’t it? But Jesus called us out of the boat, to walk on water towards Him and we will not sink unless we look down at the storm raging beneath our feet instead of fixating on Him.
When we have unbelief and a hardened heart – we no longer believe Jesus is risen and that it is truly finished… He completed all things on the cross – death was defeated, no longer having a sting. Do we get that? Do we truly believe and walk out – that death has no power, is not to be avoided due to fear, cannot just take you out because it wants to? Many of us say yes, but walk out a fear of dying and it shows. Listen, everyone wants to go to Heaven, but no one wants to die to get there – as they say, whoever they are? But lets be honest, its true, isn’t it? We still believe, to live is gain. We still believe, death has a sting to it, don’t we? I know many people who spend almost every moment of everyday avoiding death… The Bible calls this seeking to save your own life. It is likely most of you, like me, realize how silly it is to even try to save your own lives – but we tried, didn’t we?
When the body dies – the Spirit and Soul are born anew and finally free of this prison of death (physical body) which entraps us constantly. The Lord was showing me times in my life I feared death – and everyone does by the way, regardless of what they say – as a matter of fact, you can often tell what someone fears by how they fixate on it in speech, trying to overcompensate for that fear by convincing others they have none, when they are actually trying to convince themselves – but anyway… The Lord was revealing to me times I fear death, as well and the reasons behind it. When we do fear death – we will pretend we have some control over it, like we can command death to come or not come – forgetting just who holds the keys to death and life – Jesus. Jesus took back those keys, remember? So it is silly to try and steal those keys out of His hands, as if we even could.
Some reasons we may fear death are:
Our soul knows in truth we are not ready to meet the Lord – like we have too many things undone yet Spiritually so that dying would not be a gain in our lives, but detrimental. Deep down we know this, whether we want to admit it, our soul knows – so there is a constant battle within fighting and delaying death continually. We need more time to repent, be cleansed and purged, to be made purified and white so Jesus can harvest us in His time.
Other times, we have too much of the World within us yet – so we cling to it with all our might. We have not gotten to that place on our journey yet, in which we are in the World, not of it. During these times we simply have way too much enjoyment or connection to those in the World, forgetting eye has not seen and ear has not heard what great things – better things await us in Heaven.
Something else we do is convince ourselves that we are more important than we really are – like others would collapse without our presence and some even convince themselves they are here to save the lost single-handedly. We believe we are needed for the Gospel message to be preached and without us personally present, many would be lost – the Word actually says we are to make disciples of all men, but remember the Lord has many vessels He inhabits for His perfect design. When we do this, we think way higher of ourselves than we ought to. We have set ourselves up somewhat as little gods, in which the World cannot be saved unless we are in it. Remember – Jesus is the only way to the Father, we are just used to assist Him in a most precious way.
The Bible tells us many are called but few are chosen… Those chosen no longer entertain the sting of death. They have a surrendered life unto the Lord – saying use me Lord for Your glory – without strings attached. No longer pre-occupied with tiptoeing through the minefield, avoiding every storm like it is the one which will bring you down once and for all. The chosen see Jesus as the fourth man inside the fire – no longer avoiding every fire. They realize their names are written in the book of life, eternally and whatever comes their way – life or death, whatever is permitted is in His hands because they are – which is a constant and real struggle I personally deal with, so I really know how difficult this is to hand over to the Lord, but we must do so anyway.
Coronavirus has been a proving ground and an awesome time for us to reflect and take inventory of whether our walks align with our talks. Its revealed who is scared to death of death, who is boasting on how much control they have over death, who will go to great measures like vaccinations and double masks, just to save their lives and who is not completely surrendered with a hardened heart, not trusting the Lord to rule over the flesh, rather than save it.
Let’s read a portion of Mathew 16 – this is right after Jesus died and rose again and as I am reading, lets ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us personally where we fall into this story. Are we still clinging to control? Are we avoiding death? Have we not laid our lives down fully for His usage? We need Him to show us, especially regarding death where our words do not line up with our actions. Why? Because a storm is coming, a time of great testing where Jesus will call the qualified only… That only those who fear no evil will be able to tread – that those who have decreased will shine. Will you go into the fire with Jesus? That is the question… Will you tend to the sick or still fear the sting of death? Do we still say yes Lord with our lips, but avoid being sent when it doesn’t align picture perfect in our logical minds? Most all who claim to be Christ followers will not follow Him into the leper’s den – they are those who I spoke about earlier – they are not moved by compassion, unless they have a guarantee the fire will not burn them. What if going into the fire for the sake of another would burn you a little? Would you still go?
Knowing He calls the qualified only – Have you considered being qualified might look differently than you expected? Here’s an example of a qualification you may not have expected… Please consider this – You’ve been marked with the seal of God on your forehead, called and the Lord is sending you directly into battle. Guess where the battlefield is? A hospital and I know I speak of this often, because it’s a walk I’ve walked. It is a hospital, laden with sick people who are on the brink of death and in this scenario you are the only messenger within miles of this hospital. In this hospital are hundreds of dying people, who are passing from this life to the next and you are the only one being called to reach them as their final call to meet Jesus. Can Jesus move us by compassion enough to enter into the places others fear to tread? But back to the qualification part… What if the only qualification required is a vaccine? Would you go? You see, when being sent you must lay down every single thing which separates us from saying yes Lord, especially confronting what you fear the most. Does that make sense? As Jesus tears down strongholds, anything which is above Him in our minds, must go. I’m going to be honest here, I don’t know if I would go – I really do not think these scenarios can be fully known until that day we are called and sent. People often ask me about the vaccine and if I am going to get it or have. And its like my spirit/heart answers internally before the words come out of my mouth – No and not unless I have to… Its like He already placed what I am to say before I say it… So I’ve been pondering what He means, unless I have too – and this is not to say I have any answers, because I don’t – but I keep wondering if He is calling us to that moment of placing everything on the alter and it may not even be required of us, as He will send the lamb in the bush to be offered up instead – Who is Jesus, He paid it all, already. So the question is not so much will we get it but are we willing to… Just how far and wide will we go to be in total and complete surrender to Him? Or will we still hold back a piece of our lives for ourselves, like we are in control in anyway, form or fashion?
Many of us have already said yes Lord – we will follow You to the end of the Earth, laying our lives down daily, every moment and yet… We still keep a piece of our lives that we still refuse to hold onto loosely – fearing death, don’t we? I only used the vaccine because it is a timely area of contention in which everyone seems to have their own opinion about – believers and non-believers, it sure wasn’t meant to offend or suggest what anyone else should or should not do, according to the leading of the Lord. And like I said – Jesus has already answered for me – I will only get it if I have too… Because I trust fully in Him, should He require that of me – well, I just don’t know – but I sure won’t let my children get it. In the meantime, when people ask I tell them I already have immunity – I giggle because that satisfies them every single time – they just don’t know my immunity is Jesus – no matter what comes my way – HE IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE within me and you and possibly I do have a natural immunity still as well, only God knows the fullness in truth about this.
Most of you all know, I already had coronavirus and at times still struggle with its effects – but I’ve learned so much through this qualifying process and am very grateful. I first off needed a big spanking for spouting my prideful mouth off numerous times, discounting and mocking the fear of others who are scared to death of it and I had even gone so far to think they were delusional it was real and all sorts of disgusting beliefs I had. I make myself sick sometimes when I look back and see how uncompassionate I have been towards humanity, who our Lord loves with all He is. When the Lord places you within the fire, you attain the loving compassion and strength to encourage others as they go through fire, to pull them out with mercy – not mocking. It is within the test a testimony is born and the Lord uses each one of us to give glory to Him in our own shortcomings how Jesus saves. So He used me and now hopefully, many of you will not have to walk out the redemptive discipline of the Lord I received – this pearl I share, may you receive so that it is not required of you. That is my prayer anyway. So for now, this is simply a thorn in my flesh – to keep me humble, my heart is one of flesh so I am moved by compassion continually towards those who are suffering in a greater way now than before. So from that respect, it is a really good thing! And the rest of the testimony most of you know of that goes with this part – because I already shared it.
Oh I guess I better read the Scripture the Lord wanted me to share today.
It is in Mark 16, starting in verse 9:
9 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Now, unfortunately I cannot teach this truth… I can share it, but it is your choice whether to receive it or not for instruction. I wish it was something I could just impart within you all – like a deposit of truth, but I cannot. Just like the disciples who questioned Mary actually seeing Jesus, many do not believe He defeated death and holds all the keys to death and life – so they are still seeking to save their own lives. It seems we have two ditches here – both doing the same thing… One ditch has tons of people looking to take a vaccine to save their lives and another ditch has tons of people avoiding a vaccine to save themselves and both are fear based generally speaking. What if it is neither? What if the Lord wants us to place ourselves upon the alter like Abraham placed Isaac and then just glance over to the right a little – to put our eyes right upon our Lord Jesus as that lamb who saves so that rather than ourselves being offered up – it is Him? To just trust and believe, to look upon Him as our way of escape of all things, especially death and the fear of its sting.
It is only the pure in heart who can see God – seeing Him in the midst of every single thing which tries to rule over us. Everything. You see Mary believed and was intimately involved with Jesus before He died, so that when He rose again she recognized Him immediately. All the other disciples were logically questioning Him to a degree that when He arose, they didn’t recognize Him – they still had unbelief with hardened hearts. I pray that isn’t any of us and I thank the Lord for the trials He sends to purify us so we learn not only to rely on Him but how to rely on Him. He gives us instruction needed to walk out our callings every day. When we embrace the how to’s of sharing the Gospel – which is how Jesus walked the Earth, we can instruct many, just as He did and be used as His hands and feet, even to the point of greater things – wow!
I do not know why some are healed and others are not. It seems I have more questions than answers, but regardless of all the why’s we can believe and have faith in HIM. We can believe that all things are purposed to give Him glory and really – what else matters? Is anything really more important than Him getting the glory only He deserves.
So quite possibly none of this I’ve shared makes sense to you or even made you bristle a bit. I know I fall so short articulating much of what the Lord has pressed within me to share. Please hear my heart on this, the cry of my heart truly is this… Before you boast about just what you will do and not do, please go to the Lord and ask Him what He might require of you. So many right now are boldly declaring things which they truly do not know what they are saying and it is heart breaking. The truth is… We are facing a journey before us we’ve never walked out before and the last thing we should do is lean upon our own understanding with pre-conceived notions. What we think is happening or how it is happening or what we will be facing – because you all, we really do not know. Until we are called to walk something out – we don’t know how we will walk out that trial. We like to think we have greater faith than we have quite often and we like to think our hearts have no hardened areas within them – but we don’t for sure know that, if we are honest. Only Jesus knows. Only He knows what it takes to purify us and cleanse us of self. When we declare something in our own boldness, rest assured we will be tested to insure our actions align with our words. Like I said, what is coming is going to try the best of us, make no mistake about it. We may say we will not do this or do that… But we don’t have babies crying for food out of hunger and not eating for five days. We haven’t lost all ability yet to function here, have we? We aren’t living in alley’s, without phones and such. Some people would sell their souls for the internet alone if pushed to the limit. So this is a wakeup call for us to learn to walk in humility and thankfulness that the Lord doesn’t give us more to handle than we are able with Him. Please don’t walk this path alone, as if you are stronger than what you are… You just never know what obstacles the Lord will place into our lives so we no longer become a stumbling block for others and move with Him now as He breaks all pride within us.
Again… I cannot stress this enough… Please stop saying what you will and will not do – do not tempt the Lord your God that way. We tempt Him when we make ourselves appear to be stronger than we actually are – it is then through our weakness He possesses our souls while we lean into and abide in Him.
Because in doing so… we are walking as blind men and women. Romans 1:22 says it best:
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
One of my greatest fears is we will be caught unaware… That we will miss God showing up, when He comes in a way we do not recognize, just like the disciples did that we read about in Mark. It was not so much they did not believe He would appear, it was just that He appeared in a way they did not recognize because it was different than how they imagined He would appear. Sometimes we get so focused on the darkness we no longer turn towards the light.
Jesus told us to pray we not be led into temptation… Pride is a sure way of being led into temptation, no doubt. All of our righteousness – good decisions, things we’ve overcome, the sin we no longer are engaging in, deeds and service are like filthy rags in comparison to the righteousness of Jesus.
Self-righteousness is wrong all the way around. I used to be so self-righteous it sickens me to think about it. Anything good within us just simply reflects how dead we are to self – we really have nothing to boast about anymore, we are dead – it is no longer us who lives, but Him who lives within us. When we rely on our own righteousness we tend to isolate ourselves and can hardly be used by the Lord, creating a frustration within us… We want to be sent out, but if sent – people reject us because they do not recognize us and no one is healed and made whole – we operate out of our own power, not the Lord’s – its like when those spirits said – Paul I recognize, Jesus I recognize – but who are you? Let’s read it –
Acts 19-
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
This is what happens when we isolate ourselves, trying to do things in the Name of Jesus out of our own power rather than His – we are rejected, it pushes wounds within us and hopelessness occurs. The Lord allows it so that we learn apart from Him we can do nothing and God forbid we start conforming others to ourselves, rather than pointing to Him. Those who are self-righteous, judge others by their flesh achievements and shortcomings because they themselves think themselves to be more Holy or versed in the ways of the Lord – they proclaim verbally without proclaiming it through demonstration… saying follow after me in my footsteps as an example on how to be and what to do and what to say – rather than pointing to Jesus. These are the most difficult of people to deal with – they see everyone as unclean, but themselves. You’ve heard of “being God’s gift to women, right?”… Well they think they are God’s gift to humanity… lol
Our mouths do not need to boast on ourselves when our life reflects the righteousness of Jesus. But those who still have beast tendencies of the ego/pride of this life – want to elevate themselves to make up for their lack and remain hidden. But that’s a whole other story. The whole point is… Whatever you boast of in this season, will be required of you to be tested in during the next one. Mark my words, it shall happen and it is good for the saving of our souls – so be mindful of every word right now that crosses your lips – because a day is soon coming in which we give an account for every idle word spoken – unless we’ve humbled ourselves and repented. Amen?
I know many disregard our part in the salvation process… But remember, the Lord will not go against our own freewill. Our will is strong, our desire to live is so very strong that it needs broken on every level, leaving no stone unturned. We have a choice on whether we surrender fully to the Lord Jesus. By placing our lives into His hands, He will begin to reveal all the ways in which we seek to save our own lives – plucking them out by the roots one by one, thankfully – He has to do this, we wouldn’t even know where to start.
Okay… Before I go… I need to share something sort of instructional the Lord is pressing upon me. If you have your Bibles handy, we are going to read a portion of Mathew 18. Hold on…. Let me put on my “Momma hat and get my fryin pan” because I’m gettin ready to put some of you in time out…. Lololol You all know that I love you, right?
Listen you all – Please, please stop trying to scare people to death to get them to turn to Jesus. When we look to Jesus and His ways we will see the perfect example of the most precise and perfect way to lead others and reach those we love. If Jesus didn’t do it – we shouldn’t either. Period. He leads we follow or we are going on our way, leaning on our own understanding – living a fruitless life most often. The only time Jesus even showed extreme passion was when they were exchanging money in His Father’s house. Outside of that, He didn’t threaten people to surrender to Him or His ways – He didn’t even give satan the whatfor, did He?
I must admit I am frustrated… I have a deep passion placed within me for the little ones and yes, I am often mocked for it as well, so be it. I really don’t care – I must be fully surrendered to the Lord alone on how He’s called me. But anyway, the past week, littles ones (children of the Lord) have been contacting me a lot – crying in tears, scared to death by what people are saying who profess to come in the name of the Lord. Many right now like satan are transforming themselves into angels of light – but their source is wrong. How do we know? We know the source is wrong, when the message does not reflect Jesus’s message and what is said is not aligning with Scripture. Jesus is not tricky… He was very clear on WHAT we are to be conscientious about regarding the last days. IF He thought we would be consumed by something, He warned us in His word and much of what people are warning about has absolutely nothing to do with the Written Word. When we do this – we are on our own… you realize that right? When people do this – they can’t back it up in Scripture, unless they twist it to fit. Which is fine – you be you, Jesus won’t lose one of His own… However – when dealing with little ones, beware… and proceed with extreme care and caution.
Again… people are contacting me in tears, fighting with their spouses, having divisions in their homes – this is not of the Lord and the enemy is thrilled he is able to use compromised Christians to accomplish his desire to kill, steal and destroy.
I was listening to Michael’s sharing of Deuteronomy this morning and finally, I received the greatest of blessing by the Scripture of what the Lord has repeatedly spoken to me in my heart regarding little ones and it couldn’t have been more timely. I was overjoyed and sooooo very grateful.
I always knew the Lord has commanded us to watch over the “little ones” and every single time we study we discuss at the leading of the Holy Spirit to stop eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil – and here today – like a beaming nourishing light, it was confirmed in the Word of God. Here it is, it is in Deuteronomy 1:39 –
39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.
It is plain, simple and easily understood – those who say it is okay for the little ones, children, to be prey are speaking against the Lord’s heart – it also is saying the little ones have no knowledge of good and evil and they are who will enter into the promised land and possess it. If you read on, you will see that all the others must enter in through the wilderness by way of the Red Sea – through a spiritual battle basically.
I’m going to read it again – and let the written words speak in ways I cannot.
Lastly, let’s read Mathew 18, which further explains the consequence of harming a little one… And just to clarify for context sake – a little one is a CONVERTED CHILD OF GOD – the pure in heart, not just a child of God – but a CONVERTED ONE. Converted here means – a change of mind, to turn away from what you once were. So you can see why it pertains to knowledge of good and evil. Converted children, the least of these, no longer hunger and thirst for any evil knowledge whatsoever, eating only from the Tree of Life, Jesus.
Let’s read it –
Mathew 18 ~
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Do you see the correlation to the Promised Land in Deuteronomy and the Kingdom of Heaven here in Mathew? It is the same thing… wow! Thank You Lord!
The woe comes upon the one who offends a converted little child. There is not woe upon a hurt child who cries out to the Father in injury…. The woe is upon the one who wounds the child. And one day, very soon… Jesus will wipe every tear from our eyes and with fire in His eyes look upon the ones who brought painful offence to those who like a child, were harmless as doves, suffering quite often in silence and never ever repaid evil with evil.
Okay…. Well this is a good place to stop – and I thank you for your time, I just had to share this with you all today. Please forgive me if I offended anyone, that truly is not my intention whatsoever. We are all growing in the Lord and loving and learning together.
It is my prayer that we all be instant in season and out of it – that we be salt and light at the leading of the Lord in all our interactions with others. I pray the Lord breaks our hearts for what breaks His and that we consider His ways in all we say, do and think before we speak and share. And that above all else, we lay our lives and wills down for the sake of love Himself so that everything we do is encompassed with a touch of Him, because God is love and in Him are no shadows of darkness, only light. May He alone be our example we follow. Amen.
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