We discussed how we are changed by seeing the Lord’s glory in His ministries and gifts, but there are overall aspects of His nature that reveal His glory, and as we behold them we are likewise changed by them. The biggest of these is His love. The others are His peace, patience, faithfulness, and all that makes up the fruit of the Spirit. So to grow in wisdom and stature as He did, we must be growing in both the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit.

We have been considering how the kingdom economy is based on love and examining how the love defined in I Corinthians13 would affect our trade in a kingdom economy. Last week we discussed how love “does not brag” (see I Corinthians 13:4), and how that might affect our advertising or marketing. Next, we are told that love “is not arrogant” (see I Corinthians 13:4). Could we possibly have the best products or be the best at something without becoming arrogant?

Last week we discussed one of the primary ways that the church confronts darkness, which is through illumination or education. This is a basic way that we are called to be “the light of the world.” Now that the church in America thinks there is little chance to have righteous laws passed on some basic moral issues, we are now confronted with a state that most of the church worldwide has always existed in—we must use the power of prophetic proclamation of the truth.

After the incredible and miraculous victory over Jericho, Achan's sin had caused a defeat for the entire nation of Israel before the tiny little village of Ai. Without question, this shook their confidence. If any pride had entered the camp after Jericho, it was dispelled at Ai. They were again made aware of the total dependence on the Lord for victory and their total obedience to His instructions. They would not win by their own might and power, but by His Spirit. There were other similar lessons about this that they would learn during their conquest of the land.

For the last two weeks we have discussed how the Jordan River, which represents death, overflowed all of its banks all of the days of the harvest. We also discussed how we are going to have to learn to deal with much death in our times, but keep on functioning and pursuing our purpose.

I want to take a break from our ongoing study of the last days to share with you some of the things that I believe we can expect, and therefore need to prepare for, in this coming year.

As I have mentioned before, what I am trying to accomplish through this Word for the Week study of the biblical prophecies of the end times is to not just understand what is going to happen, but also why. Then we will apply this knowledge to our daily lives so we can be free of the evil that will cause the wrath of God to come, as well as liberators of others.

I have been receiving communications from around the United States and Europe that are all reporting the same thing—they are seeing healings and miracles on a level like they have never seen before. This is a time of a great visitation of God to His people. Even so, I remain convinced that what we are now experiencing is a birth pang, a spiritual contraction that is preparing us for the birth of an even greater move of God, which I expect to take place this September/October.

       How can we not love the body of Christ? It certainly has flaws and shortcomings, but it is also the most unique and interesting entity on the planet when taken as a whole. This is why I have pursued (and am thankful to have done so) relationships with those in denominations and movements across the spectrum of the body of Christ. I have learned much from almost all of them. I disagree with many of them on some things, and some of these disagreements are great, but that does not negate appreciating the good things about them.