FRUIT, GIFTS & MINISTRIES      “WORTH CONSIDERING”       5/10/23
Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the Lord hates;  Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him: A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,  And hands that shed innocent blood,  A heart that creates wicked plans,  Feet that run swiftly to evil,  A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],  And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

UNITY FACTOR:   John 17:22  I have given to them the glory (POWER) and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one, just as We are one; 23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected and completed into one, so that the world may know [without any doubt] that You sent Me, and [that You] have loved them, just as You have loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given to Me [as Your gift to Me], may be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.”
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FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:    Galatians 5:22-23,  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness (kindness), goodness, (generosity, gentleness)  faith, Meekness (modesty), temperance (self control, chastity): against such there is no law.  A mature Christian will become like Jesus.  “ In this [union and fellowship with Him], love is completed and perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him]; because as He is, so are we in this world.”   1 John 4:17

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT:   1 Corinthians 12: 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;  9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;  10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

MINISTRIES OF THE SPIRIT:   “ Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them].”  1 Cor.12:4-6. 
 
DEACONS & ELDERS.  Rom.12:1-13
[a] Therefore I urge you, [b] brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [c]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].  3 For by the grace [of God] given to me I say to everyone of you not to think more highly of himself [and of his importance and ability] than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has apportioned to each a degree of faith [and a purpose designed for service]. 4 For just as in one [physical] body we have many parts, and these parts do not all have the same function or special use, 5 so we, who are many, are [nevertheless just] one body in Christ, and individually [we are] parts one of another [mutually dependent on each other]. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; 7 if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; 8 or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, [d] with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.  9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; 11 never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; 12 constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength], 13 contributing to the needs of God’s people, pursuing [the practice of] hospitality.

DEACONS:  “ Now about this time, when the number of disciples was increasing, a complaint was made by the [a]Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews) against the [[b] native] Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 2 So the [c] Twelve called the disciples together and said, “It is not appropriate for us to neglect [teaching] the word of God in order to serve tables and manage the distribution of food. 3 Therefore, brothers, choose from among you seven men with good reputations [men of godly character and moral integrity], full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task. 4 But we will [continue to] devote ourselves [steadfastly] to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 The suggestion pleased the whole congregation; and they selected [d] Stephen, a man full of faith [in Christ Jesus], and [filled with and led by] the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas (Nikolaos), a proselyte (Gentile convert) from Antioch. 6 They brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them [to dedicate and commission them for this service].   7 And the message of God kept on growing and spreading, and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem; and a large number of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith [accepting Jesus as Messiah and acknowledging Him as the Source of eternal salvation].” Acts.6:1-7.

ELDERS:  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors  and  teachers;  12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  13 Till 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:  14 That 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;  15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  16 From 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 (building) of itself in love. Eph.4:11-16.

Yours, in HIS great Love, Ken<><   www.OhanaChurch.Life   –   ken@trinity-aloha.org
 
There is but ONE Church of Christ Jesus and in Love, Honor & Obedience we have ETERNAL LIFE.

Less than half of born-again Christians now believe Jesus lived a sinless life, study shows
A new study shows that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, less than half of Americans who identify as born-again Christians believe that Jesus lived a sinless life when He walked the earth 2,000 years ago, the Christian Post reports. Published in the American World view Inventory 2023, the study was carried out by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University under the supervision of pollster George Barna.

In 1 Cor. 12, Apostle Paul shares his understanding from our Heavenly Creator that we are really each of us sort of like the cells in HIS body.  Each has a DNA road map of the whole body and knows exactly what each cell is responsible to do for our cell or soul to be able to make contact with others.   At my age, 90,  my skin is getting very thin and as I look at my hands typing I can see all of the bones muscles, blood vessel through my skin as my soul/heart writes to you.

But our Eternal Creator is in a totally different dimension than we are as we are now locked into a fetal temporary body and time dimension.  And HIS vision is to give us loving forgiveness for our lack of humility and obedience and to extend to us the grace (power) and mercy to become like HIM.   Now,  I have no idea of what that is all going to be like but I do know that any rebellion in our human body is called cancer and we do all we can to get rid of it or it will kill our human body in which our eternal soul lives.  Is that not just like our enemy, so blind with rebellion & pride that he tries to  kill the very host on which he is dependent.  So our Heavenly Creator is not going to allow the pride & rebellion of that cancer now on earth to be free to contaminate HIS timeless Holy eternal universe and dimension.

So we either learn to walk in the balance of HIS Love, Holiness & Power to be like HIM 1 John 4:17 or our eternal soul will not receive an eternal body as this temporal one wears out.   Each day now I can feel old age settling in at 90.   And an eternal soul without a new body from Jesus,  that would be to experience a darkness so absolute that nothing else could exist.  It would be an existence with total recall or all the opportunities avoided or rejected.  It would be far more painful than fire and that is why fire was used to give us an idea of the pain level of living without a new eternal body.   I would not want this for my worst enemy.    The only reason I can write this note is because I am living in a temporary body that does as I tell it to do.  I learned in High School how to type without looking at the keys so can type just about as fast now as I think.  But without this body this note would be, impossible.   Your Soul is not your Body.   If you are a Christian your Soul has been restored, John 3:16,  to be able to receive an eternal body due to the light and restoration provided by Christ Jesus as your LORD, Rom.10:9-10, Isa.53.    And if you continue to walk in the LIGHT as HE is in the Light you will have deep fellowship with HIM and other Christians and Christ Jesus will make the way for you to enjoy living with God, Rev.21 as it is our Creator’s Vision to have us live with HIM on HIS level of Eternal Life as a Heavenly Family.  But we need to be in the process of becoming like HIM, 1 John 4:17.   As our Creator honors our freewill decisions above all else.   Otherwise love would be a sham and judgment impossible.   If I could only do as programmed to do.  If like that, we would be only robots and only a reflection of the one who created us.  How could that ever become an interactive family????

In the Holy Scriptures they tell us that in our Father’s house there are many places to live and that Jesus went to make a special place for us and that HE would be the head of that family.  So UFO’s and ET’s give me little or no concern.  In fact Enoch and Elijah & Jesus may have had an experiences with an UFO’s.   As the vocabulary thousands of years of years ago would have had a very difficult time of sharing about something as unusual as a UFO even as we find it difficult today.   And I am not saying that I know either, but only that I do not limit what GOD can do because of my personal limitations of understanding GOD’S eternal dimension.   I know that Jesus went to Heaven and back in one morning so for sure HE did not take a slow freight train at the speed of light or HE would have not yet returned.

Concerning the Birthing Process of Matt. 24, Mark 13 & Luke 21 which I believe we are now experiencing.  The key verse is in Luke 21:31-36.   “ So you too, when you see these things happening, know [without any doubt] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [those living at that definite period of time preceding the second coming] will not pass away until [a] everything takes place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.  34 “But be on guard, so that your hearts are not weighed down and depressed with the giddiness of debauchery and the nausea of self-indulgence and the worldly worries of life, and then that day [when the Messiah returns] will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 36 [ to be found worthy and] to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man [at His coming].”But keep alert at all times [be attentive and ready], praying that you may have the strength and ability. “

There are many support scriptures for the understanding that when the Church of Christ Jesus, (The Bride/Wife/Body/Rod of Iron) when completed 1 Cor. 12 will be a perfect match for Joining with her KING,  that she will be caught up, Matt. 24:37-44, Mark 13:35-37, 1 Cor.15:36-58, 1 Thess. 14:17 & 15:11, 2 Thess.2:3-12 with Rev.4:1-2, Rev. 12:5   And being with Jesus the Church (Rod of Iron) will rule with HIM.   So we, as the Body of Christ are now in the birthing process and the contractions to be birthed into the Kingdom of GOD are getting stronger.  As the Church (Rod of Iron) is birthed into God’s dimension we all receives glorified new eternal bodies, rewards for what was done out of love for Jesus 1 Cor. 3:11-15 and in Rev. 12:11, 3 ½ years into the Great Tribulation boot lucifer with his minions out of the heavens and then head for the Joining with Jesus at the Wedding Feast of 3 ½ year to return to earth with King Jesus to set up the Kingdom of God on earth for a 1000 yrs. to be like Eden prior to the fall and to fulfill all of the promises our Creator has given to Abraham and all else.   At the end, there is a final war and the 2nd Judgment of souls with a new heaven and a new earth in righteousness, Rev. 20-21-22.

So have any issues with this, get back to me as I really want to get it right, but please do it with the Bible.   Of course if you don’t really digest the scriptures that are listed you will be wasting our time.  

In Genesis 6:5 we find that God is totally displeased concerning the vain Imagination.   “The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually.”  And in Gen. 11:6 as noted by Moses, “And the Lord said, “Behold, they are one [unified] people, and they all have the same language. This is only the beginning of what they will do [in rebellion against Me], and now no evil thing they imagine they can do will be impossible for them.”

So today we see Thousands dead, many thousands injured and the possibility of a 3rd world war due to the vain imaginations of one man who imagines to restore the old USSR and to be it’s king.

Actually this is what caused lucifer (satan) to defect from being a wonderful archangel to becoming an enemy of our Creator.  Ezek. 28:5-7    “By your great wisdom and by your trade You have increased your riches and power,  And your heart is proud and arrogant because of your wealth;  Therefore thus says the Lord God,  ‘Because you have imagined your mind [to be] Like the mind of God [having thoughts and plans like God Himself],  Therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon you,  The most ruthless and violent of the nations. And they will draw their swords Against the beauty of your wisdom And defile your splendor.  (should read the whole chapter.)

So imaginations can be either GOOD or BAD.   As for Jesus, Heb.12:1-3.  “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [a] witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,  [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [imaginations of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, [b] disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].   Just consider and meditate on Him who endured from sinners such bitter hostility against Himself [consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Or we may end up in Rom. 1:20-24.   “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,  And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.  Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves…..”   2 Cor. 10:5.  “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

So Take Care with Your Liberty 1 Cor. 8:1-3.  “Now about food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge [concerning this]. But knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom].  If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine matters, without love], he does not yet known as he ought to know.  But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].

For many years I have been considering the unity factor as first mentioned in Gen.11:6 and how disunity can prevent the power of the Holy Spirit from having the freedom to confirm the Word of God in Power like when Jesus returned to Nazareth. Matt.13:57-58.   Our Creator God will only allow His  PURE Truth to be confirmed by HIS power,  2 Tim.3:5.   So unless our unity factor includes God’s absolute TRUTH as well as unity,  it will be only an organization but never have the confirmation of God’s Power.  Yet, the church of today is so full of vain (prideful) doctrines and traditions but very difficult to find a church that matches the Book of Acts.  And the church of today seems to have adjusted to being mostly words & doctrine but with little or no power.   And so there is very little faith now in most Christians to do what Jesus did and greater things as Jesus taught us that we should do.  John 14:12,   Mark 16:16-20,  1 John 4:17.  So seems our efforts may be in vain unless we carefully exclude the vain traditions of today’s church in our efforts.   

My vision or imagination here is to find and submit to God’s absolute Truth and to  find souls who are interested in writing another chapter in the Book of Acts,   Acts 29 if you will.   A committed people  that have the imagination and faith to come together in pure truth and unity to allow the Holy Spirit to establish them in the building of that powerful Church that Jesus came to build and sent the Holy Spirit to complete.   A Church without walls and without spot, wrinkle or blemish that has made herself ready to be joined for eternity to her King and Master.  A Church of God’s people who honor only the pure Truth of God’s Word as found in the context of the Holy Scriptures.  And being super aware of the limited understanding and simplicity of the language of those scriptures in sharing the Glory of God.   1 Cor. 2:8-10.   “ None of the rulers of this age recognized and understood this wisdom; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;  but just as it is written [in Scripture],  “Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man,   All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].”  10 For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].

• 50% of employers expect to lay workers off in the coming weeks…
• 20 million American households are behind on their utility bills…
• $13.5 trillion in American wealth has evaporated, as stocks and real estate prices have fallen…
• To make matters worse, food prices continue to rise — with even vegetables up over 80% in the past year.

Just as there were many believers who “came out“ of denominational churches in the 70’s and 80’s to form non-denominational churches, there is a “coming into” ecclesia that is beginning to take place.  Read Isaiah 2:1-5 with prophetic eyes and you’ll see what I mean.  The Israelites “came out” of Egypt, but not everyone “came into” the Promised land.  Most of them died in the wilderness.  Only those who properly aligned with God-endorsed authority, and who walked in faith and obedience to the law of God and who related appropriately with the people of God, entered into the promised land.    In the NT, we’re told to “come out” from among them and be separate.  But we’re also told to “go into all the world.”  What lies in between is Ecclesia.  (You might want to read that again)  Paul “was with them (the ecclesia) at Jerusalem, COMING IN and GOING OUT.”     We’re a “called out” people as God’s true church (Kingdom citizens), but we’re also a “sent” people on assignment (Kingdom ambassadors) to reach the world around us with the love of Jesus.  Problem is, our “churchianity” often masquerades as ecclesia when it’s sometimes a poor representation of what God intends for us. Thank God for divinity in the midst of our humanity, but there is so much more to ecclesia than what we’ve experienced thus far.  As Ecclesia, we gather to be equipped and we scatter to extend Kingdom influence all around us.  We’re transformed as we connect & relate with spiritual family, and we release transformational power in our spheres of influence.  But our Sending authority is only as great as our Gathering capacity.  If we don’t properly assemble and function as ecclesia in cities, regions and nations of the world, we won’t carry the authority to turn the world upside down.   The Ecclesia I’m talking about transcends denominational borders, ministry networks, doctrinal creeds and ministry philosophies.  It’s composed of every ethnicity, gender, age, spiritual gift, and church culture.  There is a networking of networks, a connecting of leaders from different camps, a cross-pollination of spiritual substance in the body of Christ.  There are revelational upgrades from Aquila’s and Priscilla’s awaiting Apollos’.  There are ministry assignments awaiting Paul’s and Barnabas’.  There are Kingdom connections awaiting Peter’s, James’ & John’s with Paul’s and Barnabas’.    The Spirit beckons us to come into proper alignment.  Some will respond, others will choose not to because it’s easier not to try.  And some won’t even hear because their ears are only tuned to what is familiar to them.  Do you hear the Spirit’s cry?      We’re told to “endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit” but how can we keep what we don’t have?  For that reason, the Spirit is stirring hearts to make peace where there is no peace, to build bridges where there is separation, to unite where division has been normalized.  The Kingdom requires it.  The Body of Christ needs it.  The Father longs for it.  Simply put, the World will believe in Jesus as we become One, just like Jesus prayed for us in John 17.   BTW, there’s a difference between the pieces of a puzzle all being in the same box and the pieces actually being connected to form the intended picture.  “To him who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the ecclesia.”

Ken’s Comments:
At first in looking at the above writing, I almost passed it up as just too many words and no pictures.  But then felt a nudge of the Holy Spirit to read it.   And to my surprise I found a kindred spirit with one who was seeing the same things I have been seeing.  “ It is not by our power nor our might that kingdom work is accomplished but by the Holy Spirit that the Church of Christ Jesus is being built. And it seems to me to be being built in spite of our efforts to box it in and make it comfortable and safe for ourselves with our add on vain traditions.   Any more, If I can not find it being done in the New Testament with the context of the New Testament I am considering it a foreign vain tradition for giving GOD’s Glory to some man or some denominational institution.

In the New Testament we find CHURCH is of the people, no paid clergy.   Offering and gifts were collected only for evangelism and to help the poor.  Not one word about building anything.   And the home gatherings were taught in 1 Cor. 14:26-33 to be a forum and interactive and not a theater (with all looking at the back of heads and to a stage as in entertainment.)  Believers came to share and to participate not to watch a show and then go to lunch.   In fact the gathering were on Sat. evenings and included a meal and had no time limit.  And God’s Truth was top drawer and the Holy Spirit was always confirming with setting folks free and healing and delivering all who came, Acts 5:16.   Personally I have seen this happen just one time in my Christian experience of 68 years.  And it was at a gathering that was totally called together by the Holy Spirit and totally unexpected with nothing prepared.

It is very difficult for most of us to wash out the vain (vanity filled prideful) traditions that we have had sown into our lives.   We keep doing them over and over and over thinking that some how God is going to honor them but HE never does.   It is really a definition of insanity.  We have been taught to go to a building called a “Church” when it is really the people who are the Church.   Then we are taught to knell to pray, stand to sing, sit to listen and to pay our 10% and go home believing that we touched GOD and had HIM touch us.  But this is nothing at all like an Acts Church as witnessed by Luke in writing about it.  For sure it is orderly and much safer than the Church of Acts.  But if we really want to touch God and be touched by HIM we are going to need to change back to the original design for the Church as guided by the Holy Spirit.  And HE care little about our comfort zone nor us feeling secure.

When we gather together for Church it should be that the Holy Spirit has us bring with us the fruit, gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit to share with each other.  When we come together it is nice to great one another but basically we come together to have time with our LORD through the Holy Spirit and lift Jesus up.  Eph.4:11-16.  Jesus told us that if even 2 or 3 gathered in HIS name He would be there. Matt. 18:20.   Church is not numbers but relationship.   “ For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”   So are we following Christ Jesus as our LORD.  Or are we following the vain traditions of religious men which doesn’t work ?  Every time in the Gospels where Jesus showed up there was His supernatural ministry of HIS love confirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus told us that we could do what HE did.  Jn.14:12.  So seems we have a bit of house cleaning and learning to do before getting to go home with Jesus.

Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace & Mercy,   Ken<><   www.OhanaChurch.Life