Don’t turn a house of prayer into a den of thieves!

Just like in the bible, its the same today. Grievous wolves have entered into the flock of God, and turn prophets into prostitutes for a profit. What can we do?

Matthew 21: 12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

BUILDING A HOUSE OF PRAYER

We need to separate the selling and publishing from the worship. It needs to be done at separate times and separate places. In worship people should be able to give and receive freely.

Why? Jesus turned over the tables in the temple and he said “you have turned my fathers house of prayer into a den of thieves.”

DOES THIS MEAN SELLING IS EVIL?

This doesn’t mean that Christians cannot sell at all. If that’s the case, then anytime two saints got together they couldn’t do any business. Jesus specifically went into the temple, the place that was set up for worship and prayer and made this declaration: my house shall be called a house of prayer, but you made a den of thieves.

Is selling a sin? Is publishing a sin? No, not according to Psalms 68:11 or Proverbs 11:26.

However, selling and publishing do need to be separated from worship and prayer.

HOW DO THIEVES HIDE? WHY DO WOLVES MASK THEMSELVES?

If you look at a group of sheep in the temple and instead of thinking “what can I feed them?” or “what can I give them?” you think “what can I sell them,” then you are a wolf or you will soon become a wolf. A Shepherd is thinking about feeding the flock not making a profit off of them.

Yes it’s okay for shepherds to get paid but the system that God has set up for ministers to get paid is tithing and offering, not buying and selling. Even Jesus had financial supporters (Luke 8:3).

Tithing and offering is the primary way to fund any ministry. It’s not a sin to sell or publish according to Proverbs 11:26, and Psalms 68:11. But those things have to be clearly separated from the house of prayer.

If you have a publishing company then sell it somewhere else, not at the church. Sell through a website. Sell in a public place. Sell at a concert. Not at a church or temple.

Also think about this: when you sell in the temple, wolves smell blood. Their appetite gets turned back on. Thieves think: “I can do that too, even better!” Then they hide in the temple waiting for their chance.

Let’s say you go to a church and you sell a product that is 100% pure. What if a false apostle sees your example, figures out that he is more talented than you, and then decides to sell a product that is 85% pure? Now the church has been corrupted.

That’s why it’s not a good idea to sell products or advertise brands in the church temple or house meeting. Jesus is the brand and Gods Word is the message. Even a 100% pure biblical product can eventually be corrupted by making room for someone with the wrong motives.

WHAT ABOUT CONCERTS?

I have definitely changed a lot of what I’ve done in the past. I used to promote concerts and sell CDs and I would rent churches and regular venues alike.

Nowadays i wouldn’t even sell my book in a church i spoke at. I would not even push it, if someone asked about it I’d tell them to check my website or meet me at my car. I might give some away. When God teaches me something I try to figure out ways to obey, not ways to do the same thing I did before.

In some situations a concert is different, but if it’s at a church and it’s promoted to the church, isn’t it really a church event? If its not, why are tithes and offerings being used to fund a concert venue? If a concert is a church event then it’s a not a good idea to sell there.

If a concert is specifically a publishing event, not at a church then I’d say it’s okay to publish and sell at it.

We need to turn the house of prayer into a house of prayer, not selling, publishing or even branding. Even if it’s a 100% pure biblical product.

BUT WE ARE THE TEMPLE, THE BUILDING DOES NOT MATTER

True, our bodies are the temple of God. But Jesus is also clear that there are church gatherings that are to be set aside for church purposes. He is also clear that his house of prayer was a temple and was to be set aside for certain purposes.

I don’t think Jesus was doing a great acting job. I don’t think he was joking around. I don’t think he was giving a false prophecy. I think he was giving us part of his heart. I think obedience to his heart will help to lead us into the greater fulfillment of his word which is our bodies becoming a house of prayer also.

DOES EVERYTHING WITH A SCRIPTURE ON IT HAVE TO BE FREE?

It would be great if all bibles, books, and musical recordings were free. However, that is not a clear scriptural mandate. I try to focus on what is clear in the Bible.

My focus in this discussion is on the purpose of the temple of God. It’s not a place to rack up profits on products and brands but it’s a place to serve, give, pray, and worship. That’s what’s clear scripturally so that’s enough to make our hearts clean.

IMAGINE

What would happen if all church bookstores were converted into prayer rooms?

What would happen if the motivation for the preacher was not to sell his latest book but to say what God is saying?

What if the church focused on discipling all believers and letting them operate in whatever gifts they had instead of getting some “special” people to pay extra MONEY for “extra” training?

I believe if we start taking God’s word more seriously, soon He will start to take our churches more seriously.

Hungry Wolves Don’t Repent, They Just KEEP ON EATIN’

Why are wolves always telling you to “turn that flashlight off” and “put that gun away…” ? Because they’re WOLVES, obviously. No wolf wants to be stopped or exposed by the Word of God while they’re busy eating the flock.

When hungry wolves get exposed as not having the character or scriptural understanding to be shepherds or leaders as they claimed previously… they don’t repent, like a true leader would.

That’s when they put on their “Sheeps” clothing… “I wasnt really a leader anyway, we’re just regular guys! Don’t follow me at all, just let me keep eating the other sheep.”

Then they try to convince you that grapes come from thorns, figs come from thistles, their collaboration with the ungodly will somehow bring forth good fruit, and that their highly skilled and covetous teeth are to help “reach new sheep and bring them into the fold.”

Spiritual Wolves are only allowed to exist so they can cleanse or purge the sheep that weren’t really listening to the Shepherd’s Voice in the first place.

Matthew 7
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

Identity and Security

Wolves get their identity and security from their pack.

Sheep get their identity and security from their Shepherd.

How Will You Stand When Things Get Even Hotter?

How Will You Stand When Things Get Even Hotter?

If you can’t stand against these little simplistic deceptions and wolves that eat people just because they they don’t read their bible, how will you stand in the day of supernatural deceptions?

Satan is turning his ministers into the Angels of light and false hope right now, and he’s empowering them with an anointing to do great signs and wonders. That’s why the Bible says that many will fall away from the faith.

How will you stand?

By the grace of God? No you won’t, not if you resist growth and sanctification.

The grace of God works to build you up, and continue to sanctify you. It does not stop once you get “saved.” So if you resist grace, sanctification, holiness, and the Holy Ghost, were you ever really saved?

I can honestly say I never understood this Scripture more than I do now, because I have lived it and seen it with my own two eyes:

Acts 20
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

I told you before: Grace Creates Holiness.

Father We Need Shepherds to Replace the Wolves

God raise up spiritual leaders in my generation who will Feed Your Sheep, not Eat Your Sheep. With Boldness in the Holy Ghost and only in Obedience not Testosterone and self-will.
In Jesus name it will be so.

Question: what kind of spiritually blind idiot waits until Judgment Day to find out if what they were doing was right?

Question: what kind of spiritually blind idiot waits until Judgment Day to find out if what they were doing was right?

Answer: the hungry Wolf who wants to keep everyone following them on the broad road to destruction instead of repent.

Don’t wait until judgement day – find out now, from the Word of God! The integrity of the upright shall guide them. His commandments are not grievous. Without Holiness, no man will see the Lord.

How Can You Tell if There’s a Wolf in Sheeps clothing in the flock?

How can you tell if theres a sheep who’s a wolf on the inside in the flock? 1. Other sheep start dying, spiritually. The Beauty of Holiness becomes way less important to them. 2. They start letting other wolves into the gate at night- other wolves w/o sheeps clothing on. They use their influence to partner with or promote unbelievers.

Every Man is the Pastor of His Family

Every man is the Pastor of his family, Teaching and Feeding, Guiding to green pastures, and killing Wolves.

WARNING: Gospel Witchcraft Music and Christian Sorcerer Ministry – How Not to Be a Religious Whore – Week of Swords And Axes Day 4

WARNING: Gospel Witchcraft Music and Christian Sorcerer Ministry
aka How Not to Be a Religious Whore
Sometimes we think of witchcraft and sorcery as something that goes with pointy hats from 2 centuries ago, or chicken blood voodoo in 3rd world countries. We’re too civilized for that right? It’s just Harry Potter books right?

First, what is a craft?

Definition of CRAFT

1: skill in planning, making, or executing : dexterity

2 a : an occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity or artistic skill <the carpenter’s craft> <the craft of writing plays> <crafts such as pottery, carpentry, and sewing>

A craft is a natural skill.

So what is witchcraft?

Definition of WITCHCRAFT

1 a : the use of sorcery or magic b : communication with the devil or with a familiar spirit

So what turns a craft into witchcraft? Here’s a working, simple definition for witchcraft:

Witchcraft is a natural craft that is used to reach spiritual levels in an evil way.

It could be making music which alters people’s spiritual state. It could be building a tower to reach heaven (Genesis 11). It could be making potions… It could be concocting drugs to change people’s mental state… It could be concocting strong drink specifically to get people drunk. (There’s a reason they are called ‘wine & spirits).

Sorcery
Definition of SORCERY

1: the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining

So, sorcery is using the power from those evil spirits to produce results in the earth, by using special abilities, insights, and foresight from demons. If you research Hitler, you’ll see that he connected with demons to make his decisions. Many Presidents and Business leaders have been known to consult with familiar spirits. Many music artists do as well. There’s lots of information out there about that. Do some research

Did you ever wonder why there are so much legal drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol involved in the music industry? It’s because they have to alter their state and connect with spirits to get the insight they need for hit songs and results. Many secular artists are sorcerers, and they don’t even know it, but many do.

Just like Christians have to continually be filled with the Holy Ghost by praying and singing Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs… people connecting with evil spirits are often drunk with wine or altered with drugs. You can look at the events surrounding Whitney Houston’s death, Elvis Presley’s death, Michael Jackson’s death, Amy Winehouse’s death, Heath Ledger, Marilyn Monroe, Chris Farley, the list could go on. All of these deaths were related to drugs and alcohol.

How Real Christian Ministers Respond to Witchcraft and Sorcery

A woman of divination

Let’s look at what happened when people of sorcery and witchcraft wanted to follow and endorse Paul the Apostle:

Acts 16:16 And it came to pass , as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying : 17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved , turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone , they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying , These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.

This sorceress woman followed Paul, declaring that he had ‘a’ way of salvation. That’s a sweet deal, right? You’d love to have an influential and vocally talented sinner following you around, endorsing your ministry? Most Christians would flip at this opportunity.

Let’s look at what she was really saying…

“way” definition – greek “hodos”

  1. a way
  2. a travelled way, road
  3. a travellers way, journey, travelling
  4. metaph.
  5. a course of conduct
  6. a way (i.e. manner) of thinking, feeling, deciding

So in other words the woman was saying that they had “a” way of salvation. It was “among many options”… I’ll put Paul on my mix-tape in the middle of all the other things I say… I need to build a relationship with his market. I’ll interview him on my talk show between all the other religions and idolatries.

How did Paul respond? He did not try to capitalize on her ability, nor did he see any advantage in the money she was able to bring in. Paul was annoyed, vexed, and cast a demon out of her. When her handlers who were making money off of her saw that her demonic power was gone and that their hope for making money was gone, they decided to attack Paul.

Simon the former Sorcerer
Let’s look at the Simon the former sorcerer and how Peter responded to his desire to make money off the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

He wanted the opportunity to give the Holy Ghost to who he laid hands on to. He wanted that “positive message” on His label. He was a former sorcerer (Acts 8), so he had insight that having that type of power could help his business. Did Peter say, “Sweet! You were the biggest sorcerer in this region, I’m an apostle. You have the influence – I need to preach the gospel to people. Let’s hook up and get it done! Where do I sign?”

No, he rebuked that guy so hard that Simon sincerely asked Peter to pray for him that he didn’t burn in hell for vocalizing those wicked thoughts. That’s one of the hardest rebuke in history! Peter’s response is totally different from Christians of today.

Peter rebuked him for thinking that the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, could be reduced to the value of money. This very thought Peter said, showed that Simon was in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.

Now let’s look what happens when the real gospel is preached.

The Fruits of Repentance from Witchcraft in the Book of Acts

Acts 19: 18 And many that believed came, and confessed , and shewed their deeds. 19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

When the real gospel is preached, people will gather to burn their witchcraft. They don’t celebrate it, remix it, reuse it, etc. They definitely don’t augment their witchcraft income with some positive message income. The kingdom of God is not about getting a message out and making some money. It’s about teaching people how to obey and worship God through Jesus Christ. It’s not just in word, but in power.

We have fallen so far away from the heart of God and the purposes of Christ.

Whores and Harlots

So what if I have my wife prostitute her body on 8 mile & Woodward to reach people & bring some income to the family, just like Jesus does with His Church when they partner with the world, copy, & compromise in spiritual adultery to “reach the lost.”

Actually no I won’t do that, because Jesus doesn’t do that. He wants love and repentance, not whores reaching more whores “at any cost”.

When we prostitute our gifts and mix with the world and their witchcraft, we are the spiritual whores.

But Jesus ate with sinners? Please, stop with that old lame and tired cliché excuse, it hasn’t worked for the past 40 years. #1, Jesus preached repentance and spiritual violence. So sinners came to him in repentance to follow Him, not to team up with him and make something happen for their witchcraft business (see Jesus Christ ministry techniques). #2, you have to understand that holiness equals God’s purpose. I was going to talk about purpose and holiness here, but nevermind, # 1 is enough for now because repentance is the ground floor of the Kingdom of God.

But what about the woman caught in adultery? The Pharisees stoned her, but Jesus forgave her, you are a Pharisee! No, you need to stop using that woman to justify your sin and wickedness. That woman was a repentant person. We are not stoning anyone physically. We are simply bringing an axe to the spiritual roots of trees and ministries that promote sin, scandal and foolishness. We are calling for repentance and asking responsible and supposed ministers of the gospel to say and do something different. Put the axe to your tree and cut out the roots of wickedness, so that harlot ministry doesn’t come thru your mouth anymore.

When someone repents of their sins they are no longer wicked. The woman who committed adultery was exposed, and she obviously repented or Jesus would not have forgiven her sins. With what is going today, people are making music and partnering in ministry with UNREPENTANT sinners! If the unsaved artists that Christian artists partner with were repentant…THEY WOULD CHANGE! True repentance brings a change in lifestyle and righteous fruit.

When it came time for the Pharisees to repent for what they did while Jesus was “blogging” on the ground, they just walked away instead. The Pharisees are the only group of people in the gospels that did not respond to the preaching of John the Baptist or Jesus Christ by changing what they said and did.

So in reality, the people that respond to the repentance message with accusations or apathy instead of repentance are the real and actual ‘pharisee’ problem. They hated John the Baptist and crucified Jesus so that they could keep the power and the money and the influence. They are still doing the same thing today.

But, but, but… Christian plumbers don’t have to write Jesus on their pipes? It’s a job. Can’t I just practice my art? Didn’t you read that CS Lewis book? There was so much symbolism in Lord of the Rings.

If you want to lay pipes, lay pipes. If you want to use your craft, or your art to connect to people spiritually, then you need to worship, declare, and glorify God.

If you want to use your plumbing, meat butchering, music playing, singing, speaking, bricklaying, masonry “craft” to make spiritual connections… but you don’t want to exclusively glorify Jesus and his message of repentance and worship, then go join the Masons with the other sorcerors! Connect with the Illuminati, or some false religion. You can’t have it both ways. You can glorify God in Holiness, but not in whoreliness.

CS Lewis not only didn’t repent from his paganism, he used his pagan, witch and magic based stories to pervert the Word of God. So now we actually think that the Lion, the witch, and the wardrobe is the gospel. Intellectual Holy Spirit avoiding Christians that resist the Holy Ghost but follow Dead Men’s Bones (doctrines of dead men) look up to CS Lewis and use him as an excuse for their avoidance of the Cross and the reproach of Christ. When you are a worshipper of Jesus Christ, you have to embrace the persecution and everything that comes along with Him.

Jezebel Teaches Whores how to be Harlots and Prostitute their Gifts

This is harlotry, witchcraft, the essence of Babylon, and the bible shows us that this type of whore-based ministry comes from the doctrine of Jezebel. Jezebel is explained here, and much more in depth with 2 entire chapters covering Old Testament Jezebel style and New Testament style Jezebel here. So I won’t get too much deeper on that in this message.

But I will say this. Part of the reason we make room for Jezebel in the church is because some have a false evangelical mindset which places the great commission above the great commandment. We put the 2nd commandment – loving and reaching out to people – in front of the 1st commandment – loving God in prayer and the Word, Holiness, and obedience with suffering. There’s nothing wrong with the great commission as long as it’s in order.

This is the Season of Confrontation

I have seen a lot with this Jezebel Spirit of compromise attacking Christian music and ministry. My wife and I wrote a book about it, called Killing Idols for REVIVAL. We finished 80% of it in July 2011. As soon as we finished it, it seemed like all hell broke loose. Concepts that we had already explained in depth with prophetic dreams, interpretations, and scripture teaching in the book started happening in the real world at a much deeper level. Guys that we worked with in the past started signing with secular labels and doing secular mix-tapes. We saw preachers dying, more gospel divorces, scandals, etc. Things really amplified, and we hadn’t even published it yet.

God is really cutting Jezebel’s head off and exposing these blind guides that pollute the body of Christ with spiritual adultery, all in the name of “reaching the lost” really “making money.” My wife prostituting herself could help our family out with the bills, but does Jesus send His wife to whore with the world to help reach souls or fund the Kingdom? According to this false doctrine, the answer is yes. They accept it because they don’t know Jesus’s heart.

God is getting something across to us, and we have to have an ear to hear! If you can’t see the signs of the times – Jezebel is getting her head cut off, Judas is hanging himself, and Balaam is just going to hell.

But you, as a person – can repent from those influences, and GOD will have mercy on you. God is anointing His messengers to bring in the final harvest and 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.

This is the Week of Swords and Axes here at SoSpression blog. Why? God is fighting with big swords, pruning His people with small swords, and taking Axes to the poison filled roots of every wicked tree in His Kingdom.

So put #wosaa and #killingidols and #ifeargod on your facebook and twitter; with a link to www.sospression.com. If you have a friend who likes truth, tell them to follow @esosa on twitter or on www.sospression.com

Day 1: Why the Swords, Why All the Axes?

Day 2: If You Are Living Your Best Life Now, You are Going to Hell

Day 3: WOE TO THOSE WHO JUSTIFY THE WICKED AND CONDEMN THE JUST

– Read the book Killing Idols For REVIVAL to see more behind the scenes of the Christian Music Industry, with a biblical understading of how to change it.