Be aware of the counterfeit. It bears the form of what is true. If not for that, it would not be counterfeit. Please know, that there is TRUTH, GOD's TRUTH. It is definite solid and exists (this is the branch - the Word - Jesus). In His truth there is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, & Self Control (these are the leaves / fruit)
When the counterfeit comes, it sounds like the words of Jesus. It LOOKS like the wisdom of God. It comes and speaks of love, of peace, of humanity and being one with God and the universe. It speaks of a higher place in spiritual development for being as god. All of these things are good and true.. even the part where we are to be as gods [Psalms 82:6]; however, these truths are set before us to deceive us and pull us away from the river. What is the river (abundant waters)? The true presence of our Father God received through relationship ONLY through obedience and honoring HIS WORD, Jesus.
There is a definite moral standard to keep if you want the true river. The counterfeit offers spiritual development without being "encumbered" by having to follow the HOLY Spirit. HE is called the HOLY Spirit for a reason. He is HOLY. He will not lead you to an unholy place. He will not lead you toward sin. He will not tell you there is no such thing as sin. He will not tell you what is good for you may not be good for others. He does not say "to each his own". He does not call morality "man-made bondage".
The counterfeit offers you freedom from having to be moral, freedom TO sin.. not just from sin. The counterfeit says, you can have your cake and eat it too. The counterfeit says, love.. love... love... peace.. peace...peace.... one... one.. one. It calls at you and pulls you to dry places.
The River is life, nourishment, healing, protection, & satisfaction. Come to the river. Tune in to the HOLY Spirit ONLY. Know which eagle to face.
I encourage you to pray:
Father God, Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear and my heart to understanding. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son.. amen.
Now read the following:
***personal notes***
Ezekiel 17:1-10
And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, pose a riddle, and speak a parable to the house of Israel, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD:
“ A great eagle with large wings and long pinions,
Full of feathers of various colors,
Came to Lebanon
And took from the cedar the highest branch.***from the root of Jesse***
He cropped off its top most young twig
And carried it to a land of trade;
He set it in a city of merchants.
Then he took some of the seed of the land
And planted it in a fertile field;
He placed it by abundant waters
And set it like a willow tree.
And it grew and became a spreading vine of low stature;***the newborn church***
Its branches turned toward him,
But its roots were under it.
So it became a vine,
Brought forth branches, ***believers**
And put forth shoots.***fruit***
“ But there was another[a] great eagle with large wings and many feathers; ***counterfeit***
And behold, this vine bent its roots toward him,
And stretched its branches toward him,
From the garden terrace where it had been planted,
That he might water it.***looking to the counterfeit for spiritual nourishment***
It was planted in good soil by many waters, ***instead of going to THE SOURCE***
To bring forth branches, bear fruit,
And become a majestic vine.”’
“Say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD:
“ Will it thrive?
Will he not pull up its roots,***the nature and intent of the counterfeit***
Cut off its fruit,
And leave it to wither?
All of its spring leaves will wither,
And no great power or many people
Will be needed to pluck it up by its roots.
Behold, it is planted,
Will it thrive?
Will it not utterly wither when the east wind touches it?
It will wither in the garden terrace where it grew.”’”
John 15:1-8
The Vine and the Branches
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
[Don't you think, Jesus knew all about Ezekiel 17 when He spoke these words?]
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