|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IMPARTATION Missionary Esther Thornton, Oregon |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A SWEET
SMELLING SAVOR We are to be "salt and light" to our world.
God wants us to be as a "sweet smelling savour” unto Him; unto other
believers; and unto the world. Bob and I were invited recently to a closed meeting with Henry
Gruver for leaders who are connected with his ministry, or for those who have
hosted him. We had Henry speak at one of our home meetings not long ago. Henry received a high honor recently. He just got an
invitation to pray at the Inaugural Breakfast on Nov. 22, when the new Pres.
Of the U.S. is brought into office. Henry does prayer walks all around the
world. God has given up a Christian President, President Bush, and he
has continually received opposition for his handling of the war. People have
wondered about the weapons of mass destruction that were supposed to be in
Iraq. One of Sedam Hussain’s top generals, Georges Sada, wrote a
book entitled, “Sedam’s Secrets”, stating that Sedam Hussain had 97 airplaces
loaded with all kinds of biological and other types of weapons already to be
launched towards Israel. This general was asleep in his room in the control bunker
where Sedam was. He got up just minutes before a missile from the U.S. struck
the bunker right where he had been laying. When this happened, Sedam pulled a pistol out and shot another
one of his generals in the head. He pointed the gun at the one who had been
sleeping and had just come into the room just minutes before. He said, “I
would have shot you but you are a Christian and would not lie to me.” This happened 3 days before these 97 airplanes were to go to
attack Israel. The top general who wrote the book on this said that the
weapons of mass destruction that Sedam had were moved from Iraq to Syria God has given us our Christian President to protect the U.S.
in answer to the prayers of intercessors, and through him, God is also
protecting His chosen people of Israel. Henry Gruver wrote a book called, “Crosswise - A Prayer Walker’s
Handbook”. And, this is what he says in that book: “We have only enough time
left for one clean sweep around the globe. We don’t have time to keep going
over the same ground again and again. As missionaries, evangelists, pastors,
teachers, Christian workers and intercessors, we only have time to cover a
geographic area once. Then we must move on.. Rom. 9:28 - “For He will finish the work, and cut it short in
righteousness, because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth”. Henry goes on to say in this book: I am reminded of the
“Hallelujah Angelic Praise” tape that was going around back in the 80’s. An
Irish choir was warming up to the tune of Gaither’s “Alleluia”, and someone
turned a small tape recorder on. The choir was singing with no soloists and a
cappella (no instruments). When the recording tape was played back there were
myriads of voices, instruments - including French horns and harps - and a
magnificent male soloist heard on the tape. As I listened to that recording,
I heard an intercession in the midst of it. I could not properly discern the
words because of all the voices and instruments. I could, however, make out
that beautiful tenor voice singing this song, “Hallelujahs ringing all across
the land; all the people singing at the Lord’s command.” In the midst of that glorious singing, all of a sudden there
was this expression that could be heard. I could not make it out, so I asked
the Lord, “Please, Lord, let me understand that voice, something deep down in
my spirit wanted to bear witness with it, but I just couldn’t understand the
words. As I was listening to it again one day, the Lord let mye ars
tune right in to that intercession in the midst of all the singing and
instrumentation, and I heard these words, “Oh, Father, help us to come out of
our carnality, with eyes only for this world. Help us to work in the light of
Heaven, to redeem the time in every land, so the harvest can come in. I sat there and sobbed. “Yes, Lord,” I said, “that’s it!” That
is the cry of the Spirit.” Church, there is no more time to argue over
doctrines. There is no longer any time to dispute about the law. There is no
more time to argue over our many interpretations. His return is drawing near;
and when He comes, He must find us about our Father’s business. Let’s ask ourselves seriously this day, “Are we sweet smelling
savours unto God? And, are we then sweet smelling savours of Christ to the
world? We’re talking today about becoming a sweet smelling savour. Jesus death on the cross was a sweet smelling savour unto God.
He was the spotless lamb. Ephes. 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and
hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet
smelling savour. And, we are a sweet smelling savour of Christ to them who are
saved and to those who are not saved. 2 Cor. 2:15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in
them that are saved, and in them that perish: (This verse is referring to the
gospel that we preach. Believers get better from it and those who do not
receive it, get worse). Philip. 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having
received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a
sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. (This refers to
preachers who are genuine and not bargaining with the Word of God which would
offer an offensive smell). “Triumph” in the Greek is “thriambeuo” and means “to make an
acclamatory procession, to conquer, to give victory.” Col. 2:15 states that
God causes us to triumph because of His work on the cross. The enemy is
defeated. The defeated enemies of Rome were actually paraded through the
streets of Rome, or whatever principle city in the Empire was favored. A Sweet Savour: The advent and presence of the victorious
General were announcd by slaves scattering sweet odors all along the historic
way that ended at the Capital in Rome. The victor was followed by a multitude
of captives, some destined to life, others to death. On reaching the Capitol,
those doomed to death were slain; those assured to life, liberated. The glory
of the conqueror was published by the condemnation of the one group and by
the liberation of the other. The scattering of the sweet odors all along the way was a
savour of death to the captives condemned to death, and of life to the
captives ordained to life. Even though there are five color groups in the world
respecting human beings, in the mind of God there are only two groups - those
saved and those unsaved. And, we are a sweet smelling savour of Christ to
both of these groups - one who receives and one who does not receive. God gave me a prophecy for this year of 2008 on “The Greatness
of His Power”. This is the day and the hour of the mighty outpouring of the
Holy Ghost! Ephes. 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the
sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the
Spirit; But, if we are to operate in the gifts of the Holy Ghost and
in the fullness of His power, there is something that we need to seriously
think about. What kind of fragrance does our life exude or bring forth -
first of all, to God; secondly to other believers; and lastly to the world. Do we realize that it is from our relationship with God that
all the rest of our life comes forth? Without that time with Him, our lives
will be tainted with the world and things that will pass away. Secondly, what does our life bring forth to other believers?
Do they shutter when we come around? Or does the anointing on our lives cause
them to rejoice in our presence? 1 Cor. 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain
the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save
some. The Apostle Paul did not want to cause the weak to stumble by
anything in his life and he was willing to identify with others as far as he
could without sin, in order to win them to Christ. And, lastly, but so important, how are we affecting the world
with the gospel. 2 Cor. 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and
read of all men: We have a solemn responsibility to be a sweet smelling savour
unto the world, for they are dieing in their sins. When Billy Sunday, the famed Evangelist of the early 1900’s,
came to Christ, it was under most unusual circumstances. He was a professional baseball player, with the team then called,
the “Chicago White Stockings.” He was reputed to be one of the fastest men to
ever run the bases. On a Saturday Night, he and three other friends, fellow team
members, walked into a part of downtown Chicago. They stood on the street
corner, listening to a street service. Whenever the message was concluded and the Preacher began to
give an Altar Call, the Spirit of God began to deal with Billy Sunday. After a few moments, he turned to his fellow players and said,
“Boys, I’m going, what about you?” They looked at him somewhat peculiar, not really understanding
what he was saying, “Going to what?”, they asked! He turned and motioned toward the Preacher, signifying that he
was responding to the Altar Call. They shook their heads in the negative, even as he stepped off
the curb, walked across the street, and in a few minutes time had given his
heart and life to Jesus Christ. Of course, the world was greatly blessed by the ministry of
this one man, who saw untold thousands brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus
Christ. What happened to the other three baseball players? In his book of his life story, he went on to tell how those
three men died a few years later from acute alcoholism. They all three died
in the very prime of life, talents wasted, and the most horrible of all,
their souls eternally lost. That day that he accepted Christ, there were very few, if any,
who would applaud what he did. To them, to give up a great baseball career to
preach the Gospel was unthinkable and such a waste. But, his choice was not
just for time alone, but for eternity. What are we living for today? Is it “time” or “eternity”? God
wants us to be a sweet smelling savor to Him and to all men everywhere. I was speaking a few years back in S. Africa, where I felt led
to share a story called, “The 8 Cow Woman”. (other sheet) There is a Macedonian cry: “Come over and help us!” Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There
stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia,
and help us. [10] And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored
to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to
preach the gospel unto them. Have you received the vision? Have you heard the voice of the
Lord? PROPHECY FOR THE BODY OF
CHRIST: Hear ye the words of the Lord. For the lateness of the hour
demands it! There is no time for my body to slumber or sleep. The “clarion”
call is ringing forth! Be aware and discern the times and the seasons. Fear
not to move forward in a straight line. For if you should go to the left or
to the right, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk
ye in it.” 1. Answer the Call 2. Expect greater leading than ever before 3. Claim the highest goals for your time 4. Keep on the mark; don’t get sidetracked 5. Some are desiring the new, but refuse to lay down the old 6. Set aside even that which is good, for that which is best 7. Listen only to His voice and His leading I am preparing my chosen ones for all that lies ahead. You
will not be overtaken by flight. Lay down those things that would pull and
tear at you and walk with light feet - take off the old heavy shoes and put
on the new! For, they are light and high-stepping! And, how beautiful are those feet that preach the gospel and
tidings of great joy! Prepare on the inside; and you will be ready to handle what is
on the outside. Love the lost, as your Father loves them and gave His only Son
on their behalf. Walk in true love and unity with the brethren and prefer them
to yourself. Be genuine in your dealings with all people. I challenge you, My Beloved, to be like Jesus - to give Me
your all - holding nothing back. For I will reward you a hundredfold, not
only in this life, but in the life to come! A dear, Jewish prophet who has now gone to be with Jesus -
David Lee - prophesied to me at one of our meetings that the fragrance of
Jesus would accompany our ministry. And, it did happen! I was to speak at a meeting at the beach
and the leader there smelled roses when he saw my listing in the speakers’
book. Then, a half hour before we arrived for me to speak there, he smelled
roses again! And, one of our leaders smelled roses by our front door one
night that we had a meeting, not knowing of this prophecy. God fulfilled his word to me. But, I ask myself this question: “Am I continually a sweet
smelling savour unto God; unto others; and unto the world? This is what the
Father desires for us as His children. There are so many hurting people in the world. Joyce Meyer
wrote in her book on emotional healing as follows: My father drank heavily every weekend, often taking me with
him on his drinking bouts and physically using me at his will. Many times, he
would come home angry and beat up my mother. One time he beat her because he
said her nose was big. He did not hit me very often, but I believe that
watching him senselessly beating my mother was just as damaging as if he had
been hitting me. My father controlled everything that went on around him…. He
was verbally abusive both to my mother and to me, and eventually to my only
brother, who was born when I was nine years old…He cursed almost constantly,
using extremely vulgar and filthy language. He was critical of everything and
everybody…We were told that we were no good. Other times my father would be just the opposite and give us
money to shop and such things. But, there was no peace in our home. I never knew what real
peace was until I was grown and had been immersed in the Word of God for many
years. Joyce had always felt dirty because of the incest but she came
to know the Lord at age 9 and felt clean. But, she still lacked peace and
joy. The good news is that God not only delivered her from her
upbringing but has given her a large and fruitful ministry and, if I remember
correctly, her father did, eventually come to know the Lord. Emotional pain is worse many times than physical pain. But,
God is there to heal and to teach us all that we need to do, with His help -
love, forgive, accept His new way for us. The greatest thing is that He loves us so much and we are precious in His sight! __________________ “Cross+Wise” - A Prayer Walker’s Handbook - by
Henry Gruver Jimmy Swaggard Bible Commentary “Beauty for Ashes” by Joyce Meyer _________________ Global
Evangelism Fellowship |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
