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Volume 33   Number 32 Aug 9, 2009

        Matthew 28:18-20: Jesus came and spoke to them (the disciples), saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen
        In the church realm there are at least three types of people being described.
        (1) There are the SPECTATORS, those who come and watch. It is much like watching a ball game, because they don't want to participate but like to watch..
        (2) There are the BELIEVERS. These people believe in the game, they even come to participate in some fashion, and they enjoy the game. However, when they feel it is time to go, they will leave even if the game isn't over.
        (3) There are those whom the Bible calls DISCIPLES. They have become a part of the game. They not only believe in the game, but they totally identify with the game.
        To be a disciple is to become like the one who disciplines or disciples you. That is what we are called to do. The problem in the church today is that many believers do not want to be a disciple, much less make disciples. When we ask why God is moving in other countries so mightily, it is because they are not afraid to be disciples, and they are also following the biblical principle of making disciples.
        Proverbs 25:28: He who has no rule (restraint, discipline, or self-control) over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down and without walls. Do you know anyone who is broken down and without walls? The average churchgoer could qualify.
        We talk about the day of God's power, but we must understand and recognize that there must first come a day of DISCIPLINE, then a day of ACCOUNTABILITY, before we see a day of POWER.
        Don't say you will do something and then not do it. Don't make a commitment to something or someone and not follow through. If you don't do what you say you will do, then your words are empty and of no value. Not only will God not honor your words, but the enemy knows your words are empty, resulting in no authority and no integrity.
        This is exactly what happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11: But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."
        Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
        Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said, "Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?" And she said, "Yes, for so much." Then Peter said to her, "How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out."
        Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
        Ananias and Sapphira were living in the day of power, yet they had no discipline and no conviction. They lied about what they had and unfortunately paid the price, which was death. If we want to experience the same power as the early church, then we need to recognize the same consequences. We say, "Trust God," but now the question is, "Can God trust us?"
        1 Samuel 15:22: Samuel said, "Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice..." We must understand that Knowledge + Obedience = MATURITY.
        James 3:3: Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Never has there been a time when the people of God need the harness of the Lord. This is also called a yoke or being yoked with the Lord.
        There is a story about the Clydesdale horses. They say it takes four years of training to get them ready and prepared to pull the carriage so gracefully. We need to realize that God is preparing us to bring His glory into every place and to be the ones bringing the presence of the King of kings.
        Recently Sharlene had a dream about the harness of the Lord. In the dream she saw beautiful, strong stallion running freely inside a large corral. He was full of strength and power but ran aimlessly from one side of the corral to the other. In the middle of the corral Jesus was standing holding a harness. There was a look of longing in His eyes for this stallion to come to him and submit to the harness of the Lord. As Jesus patiently waited, eventually the horse came Him, but just as Jesus was about to put the harness over his head, the horse jerked away and ran to the other side of the corral. In the dream, Sharlene saw this happen several times, and all the while Jesus was patiently waiting. Without the harness of the Lord, this beautiful stallion was of little use to his Master.
        In the natural, a harness allows a horse to pull various vehicles, such as a carriage, wagon, sleigh, etc. A harness is a set of straps and fittings by which a horse is fastened to a cart or carriage and is controlled by its driver. Through the harness, the horse is controlled and kept in check.
        A bridle is the headgear used to control and direct a horse and consists of buckled straps to which a bit and the reigns are attached. And the reigns are long, narrow straps attached at one end to the bit and are used to guide, direct, control, and restrain the horse.
        When a horse submits to the bit and harness which his master puts on him, he becomes useful for many different purposes. He responds to the gentle commands of his master who can trust the horse to respond and obey. In fact, not only is the master pleased at the horse's response, but the horse is pleased, because he knows he is useful and of value to his master.
        There are many believers today who are much like a wild stallion, running from one church to another, from one place to another. They have refused to allow the Lord to put His harness on them to bring them to a place of obedience, restraint, and usefulness. Have you allowed the Lord to put His harness on you? Psalm 23:3 says: He leads (guides, directs, commands) me in the path of righteousness for His name's sake.
        John 1:12: As many as received Him, to them He gave the right (power and authority) to become sons of God, even to those who believe in His name. The word SONS is "huios" or express image of God. This is training time for reigning time.
        Everybody wants to go up, but not so many want to GROW up. Everybody wants to be free, but not so many wants to be DISCIPLINED for His purpose. Remember that everything Jesus ever did, He never did. It was the Father working through Him.