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Showing posts with label purity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purity. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 31

A Prophetic Word to the Church

A Prophetic Word to the Church

DEDICATION:  
It is the heartfelt prayer of all of the Toward The Mark Team that this blog will serve to—in a big way—encourage, preserve, and ensure the role of Godly integrity in the lives of all who read it.
Dr. Myles Munroe once made this very sobering statement: 
“Wouldn’t it be terrible to wake up one day and realize that you spent forty years pastoring a church when you should have been driving a bus for a living? Or how about waking up one day after driving a bus for forty years to realize that you should have been pastoring a church?”
Please, never accept a leadership position in God’s Church for the pay or the recognition. Accept it only because it is your divine calling! God always provides for the fulfillment of His vision for our lives! This is especially true for those who have been called by Him to love and to feed His sheep. Based on the present condition of not only the church, but also the massive amounts of people that are going unreached in this country, I am of the opinion that about 95% of those occupying leadership positions today should be doing something else with their lives. As harsh as that may sound, here is why I say it. America has within just the last 30 years made the tragic transition from being a Christian nation to becoming a religious and an extremely materialistic society. This situation can only turn around as the right people, folks who are operating inside of their gifts and callings, assume church leadership. But how are we to know the difference?
In 1990, totally grieved about the treatment that I had seen so many of God’s people having to endure at the hand of “professional religious leaders,” I began to earnestly fast and to pray for them all. While in prayer, I received a timely word from the Lord. Remember, this Word came to me back in 1990. This is what He said:
“Be encouraged; it won’t be long now. I am dismantling the Church as you have known it, and am raising up a new breed of leader. The pruning process that is occurring even now will yield a fresh, new, and abundant crop of men and women who love and seek Me with their whole hearts. Their affection will not be divided! They have both seen and endured the painful wrath and tormenting flames of religion’s harsh taskmasters, and through it all have emerged victorious. This will be that generation that will be called My Bride. They will walk in purity and will be without spot or wrinkle because I will remember their sins no more. Untainted any longer by sin and the terrible stench of religion, they will be a sweet-smelling savor to Me and all who receive them. I will take pleasure in all of their exploits and will bless all they put their hands to because I know them intimately and because they know Me intimately (Because I am in them and they are in Me). Just as I called forth Lazarus from the grave, I will soon call these forth from the factories, from the job sites, from the kitchens, from caves, home offices, and all four corners of the earth. I will call all of those who have endured deafening loneliness for My Name’s sake, and while I have had them hidden in caves, they have trusted in Me, rested in Me, and waited on Me without fail. These are the joy of My heart and will be easily recognized by all who see them. They will be girded about in the spirit with the towel of loving and selfless service to others!”
*Find this Word to the Church, along with more of what we find when we look between the lines, in our book, "THE CRISIS OF ERODING INTEGRITY."  More info and availability @ Toward The Mark's website.  In Christ Jesus, Keith & Brenda Shealy


"I am dismantling the Church as you have known it, and am raising up a new breed of leader." - Keith Shealy

"But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."  (John 4:23-24)


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Thursday, April 30

The Word Of The Only Wise God ...

"Just one Word from God will change your life FOREVER!"~Keith (and BrendaLee) Shealy

GOD SPEAKS in Truth to those who seek Him with their whole heart. But, what is the Truth He speaks in, or through? Jesus teaches us that The Word of God is Truth. So then, what is The Word of God, really?

            Whenever I have asked this question to a group in various settings, the responses were most often the same. The individuals would raise their Bibles in the air saying, “This is God’s Word!” As true as that is, however, that response still falls short of God’s original purpose for giving us the scriptures. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1)." “His name is called The Word of God (Revelation 19:13)." Jesus is The Word of God! God gave us His written Word, not as "an end" in and of itself, but as a means to an end! His ultimate goal is that we have an intimate relationship with Him by being transformed through The Word of Truth. As Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free."

            That statement raises the question, "How does The Truth make us free?" The following verses are but a very small sampling of many Scriptures throughout The Holy Bible that can answer that question for us, in part or in whole. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Joshua 1:8)." “Be filled with The Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and The Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:18-20)." “My mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches (Psalm 63:5-6)." "(God is) my Maker, Who gives songs in the night (Job 35:10)." “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by The Word of God (Romans 10:17)."

            In order to be made free by the Truth of God’s Word, we must, in faith, submit our time to The Spirit of God by reading His Word, memorizing it, thinking upon it, singing it—all through the day and through the night. Through the continual planting (reading, speaking, hearing, memorizing, meditating, and singing) of God’s Word into the soil of our souls, the transformation of our souls takes place. The Truth makes us free. We do not know how this happens, neither do we need to understand this for it to take place. "And He said, So is The Kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear (Mark 4:26-28)."

            So, we can draw a parallel between The Truth that is able to make us free and our being able to watch a plant grow without ever knowing how it is happening. We accept it by faith and live in obedience to God’s Holy Word. Similarly, this concept of The Truth making us free is also found in John 6:63, "It is The Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.” The definition of the word “quickeneth” or “to quicken” is to make alive. Hence, the words of The Gospel that Jesus Christ preached, when administered into our spirit by The Holy Spirit, will bring the Life of Christ Jesus into our being. So, when we sow of The Spirit into our souls day and night, then no matter what may come upon us, out of the abundance we have sown shall come forth praises and thanksgiving to God, with godly deeds revealing the character of Christ. Jesus said, "He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water (John 7:38)."

            As we faithfully meditate on the written Word of God, the time will come when we will enter the most wonderful place of all—the place where we actually hear the Spoken Word or Voice of God. This is where the fullness or abundance of Life truly begins! You see, it is really very simple; reading The written Word of God under the tutelage of The Holy Spirit prepares us to recognize and hear the voice of God when He speaks to us! This is what Jesus meant when He said, "It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)." This is also what is meant by “ye shall know The Truth, and The Truth shall make you free.” The written Word of God is simply the doorway into our being able to recognize and hear The spoken Word, the Voice of God Himself. This ability to hear God’s Voice is part of the most valuable prize of all, a close and intimate relationship with the true and living God!

            Do you see why it is so important that we learn and obey the written word? Because it lays the groundwork for our being able to hear our Father when He speaks to us. It is only by His Spoken word or Voice that we can receive His anointing and be led into all good things. Only through our pursuing this kind of intimate relationship with God can we obtain a true life of integrity! "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105)."

            If we want the abundant Life that Jesus came to provide for us, then we have got to be diligent in seeking after Him with our whole heart! We must be diligent to position ourselves for listening to hear His Voice and for obeying His every Word! "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have Life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10)." Our ultimate goal, every day, is to constantly grow in knowing The written Word of God so we recognize His Voice above any other! Jesus said, "My sheep hear My Voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal Life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My Hand (John 10:27-28)." Those who study to hear The Word of The Only Wise God, and who also listen to obey the Voice of our Father God, will always send up a sweet-smelling aroma that will bring pleasure to the Heart of our Almighty Heavenly Father!

Listen IN to podcast #TTM012 for the key to Overcoming spiritual deafness and Hearing God's Matchless Voice...

            If you have not invited Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior in your life, stop right where you are and pray this in communication with God, "Father God, in the precious Name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and The Lord of all lords, I lay my life at Your Feet. I come before You, confessing that I am a sinner, and I ask for You to forgive me of all my sins - those that I know I have committed, as well as those that I am not even aware of.  I ask that You come into my heart and be my Lord. I lay my life, and everything in it, at Your Feet, and ask that You please take me and begin to change me to be like YOU. I ask that You redeem the time that has passed, and allow me the opportunity to become exactly what You have predestined me to be, from before the foundation of the earth. I commit my life to You now, and thank You for receiving me as Your own. In the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, I pray, Amen."  And AMEN!

            Every one of the sons and daughters of The Most High God need, and do well to heed, the words of wisdom from Apostle Paul's writing in Philippians 4:8-9, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Selah... Amen (Let it be so as we pray in The Name of Christ Jesus)!


Check out our Milestone Podcast #100 "You Were Born To Triumph!":

            THANK YOU for choosing to plug in at the Pressin'IN Blog of TTM!

       One great Truth Keith shares from all he has learned through 40 years of walking in oneness with God is, as Jeremiah says best, "Blessed is the man that trusts in The Lord, and whose hope The Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8)."

       We must challenge ourselves to watch for and record the breakthroughs God helps us to press in to pursue and recognize, daily, as James 4:7 promises, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7)."

       Halleluia! We look forward to hearing how we can stand with you in celebrating your wonder-full life with Jesus Christ being mentored by The Holy Spirit! God bless you,
...and the TTM Family!



            This blog, and each Pressin'IN message, is lovingly shared with our heartfelt thanks to our prayer and financial support partners! If not for our small group of faithful sponsors, and our joint passion for and bond with our ministry team, this work would not be made possible. Please be forward to share this with everyone God moves on your heart to connect with on this front. There are likely many people you know who need to hear this "Word of God" message, who will prayerfully, by your sharing it, be turned to God and all He has for their lives. We love and appreciate you very much!
Every gift is appreciated and helps.
Mail Tax-deductible Check Donations to:
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We INVITE YOU...
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~ 
Keith and Brenda "Between The Lines" Podcast on TTM's Libsyn Channel






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Thursday, September 12

AWARD shows ... and idols?

What is the purpose behind "AWARD shows"? For the most part, award shows, hit charts, and the like are venues for parading and celebrating sinfulness. They provide public recognition for those who Satan has deceived into misdirecting their God-given talents. A platform of opportunities to magnify God in the eyes of all who watch is rather programmed for self-centered misuse of one's gifts. These worldly programs also set up fleshly idols in the eyes of the viewers, especially the “get ‘em while they’re young” shows, pitting young souls against one another in front of millions of viewers.
            What is the goal of the contestants? Each one of them hopes for the coveted label of idol. That was also the quest of Lucifer. The result for Lucifer was he earned his way to the final decision of "The Judge", to quote another popular TV show, “You’re fired.”
            The use of that word “idol” is very revealing. For thousands of years, idols have been used by Satan to sway the hearts of men away from God and into bondage, thereby keeping them from pursuing their specific role in God’s plan for Creation. The objects humans worship such as idols, graven images, famous or infamous people, charms that are perceived as having some magical power, and so on, are no different from the bait the award shows offer, as mentioned earlier. Rather than being worthy of adoration, however, idols are nothing, “We know that an idol is nothing in the world (1 Corinthians 8:4).”

            You may be thinking or saying to yourself, “Hey guys, hold on a minute. I don’t worship these people. I only watch those shows for entertainment.” Perhaps you are merely interested in the music, but stick with us on this and consider the wisdom in the Scripture, “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools (Ecclesiastes 7:5).” The music of a person seeking the status of “idol” most certainly falls under the classification of “the song of fools”. So, with that in mind, I encourage you to choose the better part and hear the rebuke from a wise man named James, an Apostle and half-brother of Jesus Christ, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God (James 4:4).”

            According to the James 4:4 Scripture, friendship with the world is spiritual adultery, making a person the enemy of God. Another wise man, the Apostle John, wrote, “The whole world lieth in wickedness … keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:19, 21).” John told us that the whole world lies in wickedness, not just some of the world. He specifically mentioned that we are to have nothing to do with idols. Then, yet another wise man, Apostle Paul gave this admonition, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).” The good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God, then, is to be found in the renewed mind that is not conformed to this world.

            The combined message from these three wise men can be put into the following summary… Don’t be conformed to this world because the whole world lies in wickedness; But if you are conformed to this world and don’t keep yourself from idols, then you are a friend with the world, an enemy of God, and a spiritual adulterer.

            In light of those stern words, observe the promise God made to those who choose to heed the warnings defined therein. That is, God’s promise is for those who turn away from the ways of the world in order to pursue friendship with Him, to pursue the renewed mind that is not conformed to this world, in 2 Corinthians 6:16-18, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of The Living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith The Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith The Lord Almighty."

            This is such a wonderful promise of God! He will receive those who come out from among the world and remain separate unto Him, not touching that which is unclean. The Lord Almighty will be their Father and they will be His sons and daughters. So, then what will happen to the idols? The prophet Isaiah told us, in Isaiah 2:17-18, "The LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. And the idols he shall utterly abolish (destroy)."


            If you have not invited Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior in your life, stop right where you are and pray this in communication with God, "Father God, in the precious Name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and The Lord of all lords, I lay my life at Your Feet. I come before You, confessing that I am a sinner, and I ask for You to forgive me of all my sins - those that I know I have committed, as well as those that I am not even aware of.  I ask that You come into my heart and be my Lord. I lay my life, and everything in it, at Your Feet, and ask that You please take me and begin to change me to be like YOU. I ask that You redeem the time that has passed, and allow me the opportunity to become exactly what You have predestined me to be, from before the foundation of the earth. I commit my life to You now, and thank You for receiving me as Your own. In the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, I pray, Amen."  And AMEN!!!

            Every one of the sons and daughters of The Most High God need, and do well to heed the words of wisdom from Apostle Paul's writing in Philippians 4:8-9, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Selah... Amen (Let it be so as we pray in The Name of Christ Jesus)!

Check Out "Yours Is A WonderFull Life...No Doubt" podcast:


THANK YOU for choosing to plug in at the Pressin'IN Blog of TTM!

      We must challenge ourselves to watch for and record the breakthroughs God helps us to press in to pursue and recognize, daily, as James 4:7 promises, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)

      Halleluia! We look forward to hearing how we can stand with you in celebrating your wonder-full life with no doubt! God bless you,

...and the TTM Family!


Every gift is appreciated and helps.

Mail Tax-deductible Check Donations to:
Toward The Mark, Inc., P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.





We INVITE YOU...
 see and hear, follow and share, more TowardTheMark messages of the Gospel Jesus Christ preached:




~  Keith and Brenda "Between The Lines" Podcast on TTM's Libsyn Channel








Toward the Mark, Inc. © 2005 - 2019 | Privacy Policy and Terms of Use apply |
(757)251-2440 TowardTheMark.com | Resources@TowardTheMark.com