Holiness and Accountability - For Bride Candidates Only

Some links of interest:

Christine O'Donnell: "I Dabbled Into Witchcraft"
Physicists Cross Hurdle in Quantum Manipulation of Matter
Budget cuts force CERN to shut accelerators for year

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The holy day Yom Kippur was a wonderful day of rest, at home alone with the Lord very quietly, with prayer, Bible reading and fasting. For me and some other's I know, observing the day in such a way was required.

In this season, I have a firm conviction that what the Lord has "winked at" in our lives will no longer be so. Where there has been a casual consideration of holiness in the past attention is to be given, if we really want to be found worthy of the Bridegroom at His coming. If this is not your heart's desire, you need read no further here. The Lord Y'shua will have a worthy Bride. Every consideration should be given to this! If you have in your mind some standard for righteousness other than His, it must not be so!

He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.
John 14:21

If you've recently been drawn to the blog and perceive that I've being given insight into the serpent's schemes, I want you to know that there has been no shortcut taken or "cheating" to get here. I arrived in this season through multiplied trials of character and seasons of discipline in diverse matters to bring forth obedience and subjection. By nature, I'm a stubborn and rebellious man. The Lord has been kind and immensely generous towards me with much mercy and exceeding grace. If you perceive this is so, please take what I write here very seriously and urgently.

Two main things must be addressed here, and I feel these are matters that will cause many saints to fall short. 1) Men and women in their relationships with each other and with regard to gender roles in the church. 2) Personal behavior with regard to sexual conduct and intimacy. I'm going to be very blunt because I'm addressing you as adults.

On matters of personal behavior with regard to sexual conduct and intimacy, men and women have some temptations and weaknesses in common, and, some unique to a gender. I'm not going to go into detail here, but if your conduct involves guilt and shame or a cover of secrecy, that's an obvious sign to you. No one I know is exempt from such temptation. I'm certainly not. There is an opportunity here to become an overcomer, to have victory in the development of trust in the Lord's provision. When you know how the Lord has something better in mind for you, seek Him for it, Who was tempted like we are, yet without sin. This address is brief, but please don't take it lightly. If you have not yet been convicted in your heart even though you have an awareness that your thoughts and deeds are not subject to Him, pray and have others pray with you for a heart of repentance.

On matters of gender roles in the church and relationships between men and women, I've been led in times past to post studies on TheOpenScroll.com. I'll refer to them here, and make a few brief comments. First, this is to the men. Men, we are the more accountable, as Adam was held the more accountable in the garden of Eden. Accept the Lord's grant of authority and seek His help with passion to fulfill your obligation with love and mercy. Now, to the women. Don't usurp the Lord's authority that He has appointed the man. Do seek from the man what has been been commanded you to seek, and seek from the Lord according to His commands, and accept His provision with grace. Men and women, do what is right in the sight of the Lord regardless of how others respond. This requires courage and a strength of conviction.

Your obedience will be noted, and you will be tested. When it really counts, will you be found hanging your head in shame at hearing the following words?

Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

Luke 6:46

I'm going to share a few specifics then offer some links to what I've written elsewhere.

Few in the church take the matter of headcovering seriously. Even if obedience in this matter were optional, which it isn't, wise saints would carefully observe the practice and receive the blessings of obedience. If you don't observe the practice, men and ladies, consider whether you can dismiss commands the Lord gave to the church without consequence. I didn't grow up with this being modeled correctly and taught rightly. I dismissed it like most folks for many years until the Lord confronted me on it and challenged me to obey. He did not single me out. Other saints have a similar testimony. If you've been waiting for the Lord to come to you and bring to your attention neglected matters of personal obedience, perhaps He is right now? (Learn why: Headcovering)

3) But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.
4) Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head.
5) But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.
1 Corinthians 11:3-5

Husbands and wives, the Bible resolves the matter of arguments and conflicts between you quite simply. There is one head between you two, the man. If you think this is a matter of fairness, don't be deceived. It's not. There is no compromise, or taking of turns. Obviously, I'm not interested in anything beyond speaking the truth in love. When presented with statements like these, many men and women rise up with flaming hatred and murderous thoughts. That's rather telling, isn't it? Am I just some authoritarian fossil, control freak or wicked fool with a chip on my shoulder? Perhaps not. (Learn why: The Obedient Family)

22) Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
23) For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.
24) But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.
Ephesians 5:22-24

With regard to gender roles and propriety in the assembly of the saints, men, do you sit at the feet of women who teach the scriptures?

11) A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.
12) But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
I Timothy 2:11-12

34) The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
35) If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church.
I Corinthians 14:34-35

Little distinction is made between men and women in the church. Men wear pants and women wear pants, but today, most saints follow women, directly and indirectly by the exercise of control over men. Many joke about this, but it will be judged. This is no battle of the sexes. It's a supernatural battle for your soul and mine. (Learn why: Propriety in the Assembly of the Saints)

Where the Lord may seem to have overlooked some matters of our disobedience in the past, you can bet on mercy being withdrawn in this season. We will get what we deserve - the Lord is not mocked. In the fear of God, take account of your life, my friend.