Deliberate Love
Priscilla Van Sutphin
Dec 23rd, 2005
Prov 3:3-7 Amp Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. [Col 3:9-12.] 4 So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man. [Luke 2:52.]
5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. [Prov 8:13.]
Matt 5:43-46 AMP You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy; [Lev 19:18; Ps 139:21,22.]
44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Prov 25:21,22.] 45 To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike]. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?
Prov 25:21-22 NKJV If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Fire: symbol of presence, burning judgment of God, purifying and testing.
“Do you see it? Do you see that when you deliberately CHOOSE to love rather than to hate; to forgive rather than take vengeance, that it brings fire on the heads of those you purpose to love? When You hold on to your rights to not forgive, you are not doing anything but binding yourself and them to bitterness, hatred and resentment! So YOU MUST PURPOSE in your heart to forgive and to love those around you, regardless of what they have done to you. “
At this point I remembered a story I read in a brother’s newsletter on the persecuted church in China, and how this young woman was arrested for participating in a house church. She was put in prison, but within 6 months there, the whole section of that part of the prison was converted! Then they felt she was too much trouble so transferred her to another part of the prison, and again she set to PRAYING in that section of the prison, and eventually a couple of the guards in the yard were saved along with that whole section of the prison. It truly was a humbling thing to read. How her heart was set on pilgrimage. Her heart was like Jesus’ so much that every time she could she was worshipping God and praying for the others to KNOW Him. She was more concerned for their salvation than her own comforts and life.
Then I remembered the story of another person who was asked to go to Europe with a lady, but didn’t get a visa, that was required because she was NOT a U.S. citizen though having lived her a long time. She had not checked proper resources, so ended up the whole week in prison. In that prison were
Many from other nations as well. However this one was complaining how she’d been gypped out of her ability to preach, and do what she came for. She totally missed her opportunity, because she was too busy looking at her own dilemma, instead of rejoicing and using the circumstance to bring true glory to God. It is an age old story in perspective.
Then I went back to listening to what else the Lord might want to say.
“Diffuse, and marvelous are My ways with the sons of men! I am always looking for opportunities to show and demonstrate My glory and LOVE to the nations. But people get distracted from the true purpose of My KINGDOM,
by trying to build one of their own. Are you here on earth to learn to love and to share that love with others, or to serve yourself? For the Son of man, came not to serve Himself, but to do the will of the Father. Thus those who truly LOVE others, will be concerned for their ETERNAL life, and not just for what is going on in this life. This world is passing away, but My LIFE, and MY LOVE, and MY WORD will never pass away! I AM the ETERNAL ONE! My LOVE endures FOREVER and EVER, and EVER!!!
Will you ask ME for perspective in the midst of trials and troubles and ask for MY WISDOM, so that you will get a new perspective, a new PARADIGM
shift for what I AM wanting for you to understand, learn, or do? It rains on the good and the wicked in this life. It is HOW you go through the trials
that makes a difference. Will you stop praising ME? Will you stop worshipping ME in spirit and in truth? Will you continue to PRAISE ME, even when the going gets rough? Will YOU CONTINUE TO PROCLAIM MY GOODNESS in the midst of storms and losses, and changes in the world, that will rattle the best of the people of this world? For I am training you in the midst of the trials. I want you to COME TO ME, for MY PERSPECTIVE on what is going on. LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE, and pick up MINE! ASK and you shall receive, pressed down and flowing over will I give into your bosom, SO THAT, MY KINGDOM will be EXALTED.
The Son of man never exalted HIMSELF! If I , Your KING and SAVIOR, never sought the approval of man, nor to be exalted, then why do you continue in your idolatry to man and things in this life? Why do you seek after accolade and self aggrandizement? Is it not that YOU want to be in charge and on the throne instead of ME? Do you think I am unfair? Do you think you’ve had it too hard My beloveds? I tell you that many nations are in WANT and famine, and lost without HOPE. Do NOT give in to the discouragement for it leads to FEAR! DO NOT give in to the enemy’s traps to keep IN THE WORLD. YOU ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD! YOU ARE IN MY KINGDOM NOW. THIS IS NOT YOUR HOME! THIS IS ONLY YOUR TEMPORARY ABODE!
I AM WITH YOU, and I will soon be with you even MORE! I am going to POUR, and POUR, and POUR! So make a choice this day whom you will serve!
Will you serve self and mammon? Or will you serve ME? I would that all My people were prophets! I would that you were all given to time spent with ME, over time in this world and all it’s possessions. For I am far more lovely than anything in this world. I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. If you are IN ME. Then you are a recipient of ETERNAL LIFE, MY ways, and the TRUTH that comes with true relationship.
If I was your husbandman, and I am, - but I mean in this world, and you ignored me and abandoned me for doing so many other things, then how would I know that you loved me? If you never communicated with me, how would I know how you felt?
Believe me when I say, I hear every whispered “I love You” given me, from your mind, or from your mouth! Nothing is hidden from ME. I AM never , never, never, not there for you! I am ALWAYS LISTENING! All you have to do is turn your mind towards ME, and I will keep you in perfect PEACE.
So come away My beloveds, and make your heart known to ME! I LOVE YOU immensely and will never leave you nor forsake you. My heart is EVER turned towards you, NO MATTER WHAT MISTAKES YOU MAKE! My GRACE is SUFFICIENT for you!”
Priscilla Van Sutphin
Upstream Ministries, www.upstreamca.org tearsofthefather@comcast.net
Ps 102 - Jude Priscilla
Van Sutphin
Yahweh
Dec 18, 2005
Psalms 102 - Amplified - A Prayer of the afflicted; when he is overwhelmed and faint and pours out his complaint to God.
1 HEAR MY prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You. 2 Hide not Your face from me in the day when I am in distress! Incline Your ear to me; in the day when I call, answer me speedily. 3 For my days consume away like smoke, and my bones burn like a firebrand or like a hearth. 4 My heart is smitten like grass and withered, so that [in absorption] I forget to eat my food. 5 By reason of my loud groaning [from suffering and trouble] my flesh cleaves to my bones. 6 I am like a melancholy pelican or vulture of the wilderness; I am like a [desolate] owl of the waste places.
7 I am sleepless and lie awake [mourning], like a
bereaved sparrow alone on the housetop. 8 My adversaries taunt and reproach me
all the day; and they who are angry with me use my name as a curse. 9 For I
have eaten the ashes [in which I sat] as if they were bread and have mingled my
drink with weeping 10 Because of Your indignation and Your wrath, for You have
taken me up and cast me away.
11 My days are like an evening shadow that stretches out and declines [with the
sun]; and I am withered like grass. 12 But You, O Lord, are enthroned forever;
and the fame of Your name endures to all generations.
13 You will arise and have mercy and loving-kindness for Zion, for it is
time to have pity and compassion for her; yes, the set time has come [the
moment designated]. [Ps 12:5; 119:126.] 14 For Your servants take
[melancholy] pleasure in the stones [of her ruins] and show pity for her dust.
15 So the nations shall fear and worshipfully revere the name of the Lord, and
all the kings of the earth Your glory. [Ps 96:9.] 16 When the Lord builds up
Zion, He will appear in His glory; 17 He will regard the plea of the destitute
and will not despise their prayer. 18 Let this be recorded for the generation
yet unborn, that a people yet to be created shall praise the Lord.
19 For He looked down from the height of His sanctuary, from heaven did the Lord behold the earth, 20 To hear the sighing and groaning of the prisoner, to loose those who are appointed to death, 21 So that men may declare the name of the Lord in Zion and His praise in Jerusalem 22 When peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to worship and serve the Lord. 23 He has afflicted and weakened my strength, humbling and bringing me low [with sorrow] in the way; He has shortened my days [aging me prematurely]. 24 I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days, You Whose years continue throughout all generations.
25 At the beginning You existed and laid the foundations of the earth; the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They shall perish, but You shall remain and endure; yes, all of them shall wear out and become old like a garment. Like clothing You shall change them, and they shall be changed and pass away. 27 But You remain the same, and Your years shall have no end. [Heb 1:10-12.] 28 The children of Your servants shall dwell safely and continue, and their descendants shall be established before You.
Jude
1 J UDE, A servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and brother of James, [writes this letter] to those who are called (chosen), dearly loved by God the Father and separated (set apart) and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, [soul] peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God].
4 For certain men have crept in stealthily [gaining entrance secretly by a side door]. Their doom was predicted long ago, ungodly (impious, profane) persons who pervert the grace (the spiritual blessing and favor) of our God into lawlessness and wantonness and immorality, and disown and deny our sole Master and Lord, Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one).
5 Now I want to remind you, though you were fully informed
once for all, that though the Lord [at one time] delivered a people out of the
land of Egypt, He subsequently destroyed those [of them] who did not believe
[who refused to adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him].
6 And angels who did not keep (care for, guard, and hold to) their own first
place of power but abandoned their proper dwelling place--these He has reserved
in custody in eternal chains (bonds) under the thick gloom of utter darkness
until the judgment and doom of the great day.
7 [The wicked are sentenced to suffer] just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the
adjacent towns--which likewise gave themselves over to impurity and indulged in
unnatural vice and sensual perversity--are laid out [in plain sight] as an
exhibit of perpetual punishment [to warn] of everlasting fire. [Gen 19.]
8 Nevertheless in like manner, these dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn
and reject authority and government, and revile and libel and scoff at
[heavenly] glories (the glorious ones).
9 But when [even] the archangel Michael, contending with the
devil, judicially argued (disputed) about the body of Moses, he dared not
[presume to] bring an abusive condemnation against him, but [simply] said,
The Lord rebuke you! [Zech 3:2.]
10 But these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to
be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand
physically [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts--by
these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish).
11 Woe to them! For they have run riotously in the way of
Cain, and have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain [it offers them,
following] the error of Balaam, and have perished in rebellion [like that] of
Korah! [Gen 4:3-8; Num 16:1; 22:1-24:25.]
12 These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they
boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples
providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by
the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time--twice
(doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots;
13 Wild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own
shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has
been reserved forever.
14 It was of these people, moreover, that Enoch in the seventh [generation ]
from Adam prophesied when he said, Behold, the Lord comes with His myriads of
holy ones (ten thousands of His saints)
15 To execute judgment upon all and to convict all the
impious (unholy ones) of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed [in
such an] ungodly [way], and of all the severe (abusive, jarring) things
which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.
16 These are inveterate murmurers (grumblers) who complain [of their lot in
life], going after their own desires [controlled by their passions]; their talk
is boastful and arrogant, [and they claim to] admire men's persons and pay
people flattering compliments to gain advantage.
17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions which were made by the apostles (the special messengers) of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). 18 They told you beforehand, In the last days (in the end time) there will be scoffers [who seek to gratify their own unholy desires], following after their own ungodly passions.
19 It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions
and causing divisions--merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded
people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual
life.
20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith
[make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy
Spirit;
21 Guard and keep yourselves in the love of God; expect and patiently
wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)--[which will bring
you] unto life eternal.
22 And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have
mercy who waver and doubt.
23 [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality. [Zech 3:2-4.]
24 Now to Him Who is able to keep you without stumbling or
slipping or falling, and to present [you] unblemished (blameless and faultless)
before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy and exultation [with
unspeakable, ecstatic delight]--
25 To the one only God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory
(splendor), majesty, might and dominion, and power and authority, before all
time and now and forever (unto all the ages of eternity). Amen (so be it).
Ps 112 Pretense
Priscilla Van Sutphin
Dec 21, 2005
Psalm 112 CJB
1 How happy is anyone who fears Adonai, who greatly delights in his mitzvot.
2 His descendants will be powerful on the earth, a blessed generation of upright people.
3. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness stands forever.
4. To the upright he shines like a light in the dark, merciful, compassionate, and righteous.
5. Things go well with the person who is merciful and lends, who conducts his affairs with fairness;
6. for he will never be moved. The righteous will be remembered forever.
7. He will not be frightened by bad news; he remains steady, trusting in Adonai.
8. His heart is set firm, he will not be afraid, till finally he looks in triumph at his enemies.
9. He distributes freely, he gives to the poor; his righteousness stands forever.
His power will be increased honorably.
10. The wicked will be angry when they see this; they will gnash their teeth and waste away,
the desires of the wicked will come to nothing.
PRETENSE
Josh 24:27 AMP And Joshua said to all the people, See, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the Lord spoke to us; so it shall be a witness against you, lest [afterward] you lie (pretend ) and deny your God.
Zeph 1:5-7 AMP And those who worship the starry host of the heavens upon their housetops and those who [pretend to] worship the Lord and swear by and to Him and yet swear by and to [the heathen god Molech or] Malcam [their idol king], 6 And those who have drawn back from following the Lord and those who have not sought the Lord nor inquired for, inquired of, and required the Lord [as their first necessity]. 7 [ Hush! ] Be silent before the Lord God, for the day [of the vengeance] of the Lord is near; for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, and He has set apart [for His use] those who have accepted His invitation. [Hab 2:20.]
Jer 3:12-17 NIV 'I will not be angry forever. 13 Only acknowledge your guilt you have rebelled against the LORD your God, you have scattered your favors to foreign gods under every spreading tree, and have not obeyed me,'" declares the LORD. 14 "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband. I will choose you "one from a town and two from a clan" and bring you to Zion. 15 Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. 16 In those days, when your numbers have increased greatly in the land," declares the LORD, "men will no longer say, 'The ark of the covenant of the LORD.' It will never enter their minds or be remembered; it will not be missed, nor will another one be made.
Matt 23:14 AMP Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you swallow up widows' houses and for a pretense to cover it up make long prayers; therefore you will receive the greater condemnation and the heavier sentence.
This whole sentence above, was ADDED and not in original Greek. However the following was not added
Matt 23:15 AMP Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes one [a proselyte], you make him doubly as much a child of hell (Gehenna) as you are.
Matt 23:28-29 AMP Just so, you also outwardly seem to people to be just and upright but inside you are full of pretense and lawlessness and iniquity. [Ps 5:9.] 29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,
Luke 20:47 AMP Who make away with and devour widows' houses, and [to cover it up] with pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation (the heavier sentence, the severer punishment).
1 Cor 1:28-30 AMP And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are, 29 So that no mortal man should [ have pretense for glorying and ] boast in the presence of God.
30 But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [ revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as ] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin].
Gal 2:13 AMP And the rest of the Jews along with him also concealed their true convictions and acted insincerely, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy (their example of insincerity and pretense).
Phil 1:18 AMP But what does it matter, so long as either way, whether in pretense [for personal ends] or in all honesty [for the furtherance of the Truth], Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I [now] rejoice, yes, and I shall rejoice [hereafter] also.
1 Peter 2:1 AMP SO BE done with every trace of wickedness (depravity, malignity) and all deceit and insincerity (pretense, hypocrisy) and grudges (envy, jealousy) and slander and evil speaking of every kind.
Ps 83 -1 Cor 4 Amp
Priscilla Van Sutphin
Dec 22, 2005
I asked the Lord what psalm to put with this and He said 83:
Psalm 83 NKJV - Prayer to Frustrate Conspiracy Against Israel A Song. A Psalm of Asaph.
1 Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God!
2 For behold, Your enemies make a tumult; And those who hate You have lifted up their head.
3 They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones.
4 They have said, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more."
5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You:
6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek;
Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. Selah
9 Deal with them as with Midian, As with Sisera, As with Jabin at the Brook Kishon,
10 Who perished at En Dor, Who became as refuse on the earth.
11 Make their nobles like Oreb and like Zeeb, Yes, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
12 Who said, "Let us take for ourselves The pastures of God for a possession."
13 O my God, make them like the whirling dust, Like the chaff before the wind!
14 As the fire burns the woods, And as the flame sets the mountains on fire,
15 So pursue them with Your tempest, And frighten them with Your storm.
16 Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your name, O LORD.
17 Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish,
18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.
1 Corinthians 4 Amplified
1 SO THEN, let us [apostles] be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God. 2 Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust]. 3 But [as for me personally] it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you [on this point], and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. 4 I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord [Himself] Who examines and judges me.
5 So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.
6 Now I have applied all this [about parties and factions] to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us [as illustrations], you may learn [to think of men in accordance with Scripture and] not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up and inflated with pride and boast in favor of one [minister and teacher] against another.
7 For who separates you from the others [as a faction leader]? [Who makes you superior and sets you apart from another, giving you the preeminence?] What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it [from someone], why do you boast as if you had not received [but had gained it by your own efforts]?
8 [You behave as if] you are already filled and think you have enough [ you are full and content, feeling no need of anything more]! Already you have become rich [in spiritual gifts and graces]! [Without any counsel or instruction from us, in your conceit], you have ascended your thrones and come into your kingdom without including us! And would that it were true and that you did reign, so that we might be sharing the kingdom with you!
9 For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last [of all, like men in a triumphal procession who are] sentenced to death [and displayed at the end of the line]. For we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world's amphitheater] with both men and angels [as spectators].
10 We are [looked upon as] fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are [supposedly] so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are [so very] strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt!
11 To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we [habitually] wear but one undergarment [and shiver in the cold]; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless.
12 And we still toil unto weariness [for our living], working hard with our own hands. When men revile us [wound us with an accursed sting], we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it.
13 When we are slandered and defamed, we [try to] answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world [the offscouring of all things, the scum of the earth]. 14 I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children. 15 After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel).
16 So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me. 17 For this very cause I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding and course of conduct and way of life in Christ, such as I teach everywhere in each of the churches. 18 Some of you have become conceited and arrogant and pretentious, counting on my not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you [and] shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will perceive and understand not what the talk of these puffed up and arrogant spirits amount to, but their force ( the moral power and excellence of soul they really possess).
20 For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul). 21 Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?