FRANCIS FRANGIPANE MINISTRIES

Return To Your Dwelling Place In God
By Francis Frangipane

Ultimately, I believe there are only two acceptable, core attitudes we should have toward the Almighty. The first attitude is heartfelt abandonment. This is the result of having found the Lord's Presence in a new unfolding of His glory. Heartfelt abandonment will always be accompanied by transcendent awe, unspeakable joy and irrepressible love. All of these are the result of having laid hold of the Lord; they are the consequences of His presence.

The second core attitude we must possess comes in the seeming absence of God's presence. It is a relentless longing, an unquenchable thirst, to find Him whom your soul loves. Abandonment and longing are the two tracks that lead us into our destiny in God and guides into true spiritual fulfillment.

The deception we battle about seeking God is rooted in the fact that, like ancient Israel in Babylon, we have lived too long in exile from our inheritance. In our apostatized condition we have legitimized superficiality and allowed shallowness to become our acceptable norm. Thus, the call is issued from heaven: Return to your dwelling place in God! For the Promised Land of the church is the dwelling place of God's Living Presence.

You say, according to II Chron. 7:14, "But we have humbled ourselves and prayed; we are turning from our wicked ways. Why has He not healed our land?" He has not heard our prayer because we desire our healing more than we desire our God. You see, there is yet one more imperative 2 Chronicles calls us to fulfill. In the context of repentance and prayer, He said, "...and seek My face."

Beloved, when the Lord called David to seek His face, David responded, "Thy face, O God, I shall seek" (Ps 27). This is the essence of one who has "a heart after God." We seek God for His heart, not merely His hand. We have asked Him to extend His hand, to touch and heal us. But the Lord, in His great love for us, desires we seek His face.

Thus, the Holy Spirit bids us to draw near to God. His word promises that, as we draw near to Him, He will Himself draw near to us. It is the nearness of His Spirit which descends upon us and, through us, heals our land.

Again the Lord speaks, "I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me" (Hos 5:15).

Together, using the very words provided us by Hosea as our template, the Lord even gives us words with which we respond, "Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but H e will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us. He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day that we may live before Him" (Hos 5:16).

Yes, even the prophet Hosea encourages us with his words as well, "So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth'' (Hos 5:15-6:4).

Is this not the very cry of your heart, that the living presence of God would saturate the dryness of your soul? Come to us, O Lord, like the rain watering the earth!

Therefore we conclude, it is time to seek God. We urge every pastor to guide their church and every parent to lead their family into an attitude of seeking God. Consecrate a room in your church or home and call it the "tent of meeting." It is right, beloved, and timely, to seek after God.

"Moses used to take the tent and pitch it outside the camp, a good distance from the camp, and he called it the tent of meeting. It came about that everyone who sought the Lord would go out to the tent of meeting which was outside the camp"(Ex 33:7). Everyone who sought the Lord entered the tent of meeting. Dear friends, the Holy Spirit shall help us. For the mission of the Spirit is, summarily, to lead us into the presence of Jesus. And this He will do until Christ is as real to us as the world was when we were sinners.

The Promise of God
Is it possible that we can be delivered of a superficial life? Yes. For the Spirit He has given us, dwells within us and He "searches all things, even the depths of God" (I Cor 2:10).

If you are weary of a life without God's fullness, then seeking the Lord may be a turning point in your walk with Him. Our hope rests in the integrity of His immutable word: "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. And I will be found by you" (Jer 29:12-14a).

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, my soul yearns and even longs for Your courts. Guide me into Your holy Presence, dear Lord. Let me find You again in a new way. I cannot live without Your constant love. I am desperate for You Jesus. Restore my longing for You until I find You, and in finding You, abandon myself totally into Your love. Amen.

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Transformed In His Presence
If It Is God You Seek, It Is God You Will Find.

Go deeper in your walk with God and allow yourself to be transformed. Begin the journey with 180 daily readings drawn from Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God and other classic works by Francis Frangipane. These deep insights are reformed into short, focused devotionals, armed with Bible verses and blank lines for journaling.

Francis Frangipane challenges readers to embrace a life-changing path of seeking God and knowing Him. This daily devotional will challenge, provoke, and empower readers to pursue holiness and Christlikeness.

Book - $12.00 (Retail $13.00)


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Strength for the Battle
This hardcover book of daily readings will help you learn that the battle begins with holiness as you examine the three arenas of spiritual warfare that every maturing Christian will face: the mind, the church, and the invisible spiritual realm. You will find strength to stand against the enemy by focusing on:

• Areas of darkness in their hearts that the Lord wants to expose
• Unity and love – two keys that unlock the power of God to move
• Jesus and the power He gives to contend in the heavenly realm

Quotes and excerpts taken from several of the Francis Frangipane’s best-selling books including The Three Battlegrounds, The Power of Covenant Prayer, and Spiritual Discernment and the Mind of Christ.

180 daily readings to equip you for the battles you face.

Book - $13.50 (Retail $15.00)

Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
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Receive daily posts from Francis:

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Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
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A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

December 22, 2023
The Gathering Together of the Saints
By Francis Frangipane

True Christians from all backgrounds share an expectation of the second coming of Christ (1 Thess. 4:16). Although debate surrounds the timing of this event, Scripture assures us that it will occur when Jesus Himself returns.

Before we are "caught up" to meet the Lord, however, there will be an unusual season of grace in which the living church of Jesus Christ, like a bride, makes "herself ready" (Rev. 19:7). In this unparalleled season of preparation, while we will not become perfect, we shall realize a new level of holiness of the quality in which Jesus Himself walked (1 Thess. 3:11–13; Eph. 5:26–27;
Phil. 1:9–10).

The result of this new spiritual fullness will be a new level of unity. Faultfinding and gossip will disappear. In their place will be intercession and love. Wholeness will return to the body of Christ. This also means that the ambition and division we see today between congregations will be identified as sin, which will be repented of before Jesus returns.

The truth of this message must be made clear, for most Christians consider oneness within the body inconceivable. They have not discerned nor warred against the enemy's lies, which have conditioned believers to accept strife and sectarianism in the church. It is my passionate conviction that the church will be free of strife and carnal divisions—it will be a bride "having no spot or wrinkle," made ready for her bridegroom (Eph. 5:27; Rev.19:7).

According to Scripture, "in a twinkling of an eye" our bodies will be changed (1 Cor. 15:52). But our character, that is, the essence of who we have become, will remain intact. There will be no regrets or wondering how "those from that church" made it, for the living bride will be a church built together in love, meeting in separate buildings but serving the one and only Lord. These true disciples of the Lord Jesus will be known for their intense and holy love for one another —not merely in their individual local assemblies but within the context of a citywide church.

It is highly significant that when the Son of Man appears there will be a "gathering together" of the saints. (2 Thess. 2:1; Matt. 24:31). What ultimately will be consummated in our gathering together physically to the Lord will be precipitated by a spiritual gathering together of His body on earth. Concerning the era known as the "end of the age," Jesus taught that the "good fish" shall be "gathered . . . into containers" (Matt. 13:48). And in the context of spiritual warfare, Jesus warned, "He who does not gather with Me scatters" (Matt. 12:30).

In the tenth chapter of John, the Lord makes His goal clear: there shall be "one flock with one shepherd" (v. 16). He reveals that it is the wolf nature that "snatches [the sheep] and scatters them" (v.12); and it is the hireling nature that allows the scattering to occur. But His promise to His sheep says this:

"Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock . . . and they will be fruitful and multiply. I will also raise up shepherds over them and they will tend them; and they will not be afraid any longer. . . nor will any be missing." —Jeremiah 23:3-4

The pastors of the last Christian church will be under-shepherds to the Lord Jesus; they will be anointed to gather together His remnant and under that anointing shall be "fruitful and multiply."

Indeed, right now, in the context of humbling ourselves and submitting our hearts to His will, we are participating in being "gathered together." This process will progressively increase until the barriers between Christians are melted by the overcoming nature of Christ's love. Before Jesus returns, we will truly be "one flock with one shepherd." We will be a holy and blameless sheepfold, meeting in different buildings but baptized into one body.

Do Not Criticize the Breach, Repair It!
Thus says the Lord God, "Woe to the foolish prophets who are following their own spirit and have seen nothing. O Israel, your prophets have been like foxes among ruins. You have not gone up into the breaches, nor did you build the wall around the house of Israel to stand in the battle on the day of the Lord." —Ezekiel 13:3–5

God needs people who, when they see a gap in the wall of the citywide church or amongst the body of believers, will go up into the breaches and rebuild the wall so that the church will stand in the day of battle. In every city, each of us needs the other churches if we are going to stand in the day of battle.

You may be thinking, "You don't understand; some churches barely believe in Jesus." The Word tells us that "without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater" (Heb. 7:7). If you are truly "greater," without a hint of pride, you will seek ways to be a blessing to other churches. Your Christlike love will cast out fears. You will sincerely have a burden to see the entire body of Christ brought forth, not just your local assembly; you will respect the diversity of ways through which Christ reveals Himself in the church. In truth, Jesus said that the greatest among us would become the "servant of all" (Mark 9:35).

If a church in your city holds to and confesses Jesus as their Lord and Savior, then that church is needed to complete God's work in the city. As you join one another for daily or weekly prayer, you will be blessed and surprised by God's preparation of others. Do not come with an attitude to teach or lead but to love and serve. In this, God is not looking for leaders but followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If we do not adjust to His will, we will be unable to stand against the enemy. Indeed, the day in which we live is not a day of peace; it is a time of war. God is gathering us together not only to Him and each other but also against the spiritual forces of wickedness in every region. Therefore, the breaches between us must be filled, the walls built, and we must learn to stand together in the day of the Lord.

You Be the People
You do not have to go to Bible college to find fault with the church. In fact, if you remember, you could find fault with the church even before you were a Christian. You do not need skill to find fault. But if you want to be like Christ, you must be willing to lay your life down for people's sins. You must be an intercessor who "stands in the gap." The "gap" is the distance between the way things are and the way things should be. You stand in that space, cast down the accuser of the brethren, and intercede! Have you seen something that is wrong? It is only because Jesus wants you to stand in the gap and pray to see it changed.

Some of us have cried for years, "Where are those who will lead us into Christ's fullness?" We have assumed that God had others in mind. What the Lord is saying, however, is, you be the men and women that others are looking for. You be the peacemakers, the sons and daughters of God who bring healing, honor, and order to His church.

The responsibility is upon each of us. There is a tremendous job ahead, but the Lord Himself has promised, "Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the paths in which to dwell" (Isa. 58:12).

Let us lay our lives down in committed faith, believing that in our lifetimes, on this earth and in our communities, the corporate church of Jesus Christ will be restored, united, and made ready as a bride for her Beloved!

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Three Battlegrounds available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

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The Three Battlegrounds - Newly Revised
Any time the Spirit of God's kingdom is truly manifested in the earth, it will ultimately confront the strongholds of hell. Indeed, wherever evil spirits have either a foothold or a stronghold, you can expect that the overcoming church will be engaged in warfare, and expect also that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church that Jesus builds.

In this book, Francis Frangipane explores three arenas of spiritual warfare that the maturing Christian will face: the mind, the church and the heavenly places. It provides a foundation of insight, wisdom and discernment on the nature of the battle and the keys to victory.

Book - $14.00 (Retail $15.00)
Ebook - $14.00 (Retail $15.00)


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The Three Battlegrounds - Audio Book
An audio reading of one of Francis' best selling books on spiritual warfare by the same title. Professionally read by Stewart Spencer.

Any time the Spirit of God's kingdom is truly manifested in the earth, it will ultimately confront the strongholds of hell. Indeed, wherever evil spirits have either a foothold or a stronghold, you can expect that the overcoming church will be engaged in warfare, and expect also that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church that Jesus builds.

In this audio book, Francis Frangipane explores the three arenas of spiritual warfare that the maturing Christian will face: the mind, the church and the heavenly places. It provides a foundation of insight, wisdom and discernment on the nature of the battle and the keys to victory.

Note: this recording was not read from the revised edition and was originally recorded on cassette.

CD Audio Series - $12.00 (Retail $14.75)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $6.00 (Retail $12.00)

Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

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You can support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/donate
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

In Preparation for God
By Francis Frangipane

The last, great move of the Holy Spirit will be distinguished by men and women who have been prepared by God for God.

We have given ourselves in prayer for revival; we have studied and discovered the Lord's heart for the lost. Without compromising the gospel's basic truths, grace has taught us to make Christ's message relative to our times and needs. For all our preparation, though, we have yet to prepare our hearts for God Himself.

We long to be sent by the Almighty for the sake of some great task – a miracle that turns a city to repentance or some significant act of service. However, the greatest task awaiting the church is not to be sent by God but to actually come to Him.

Indeed, we have assumed a strange role: We think we are the Lord's bodyguards. Armed with the doctrines of our faith, we are set to defend Christ against blasphemy, heresy, or misinformation. Yet in seeking to face and confront the heretics of our age, we have positioned ourselves with our backs toward the Almighty. If we would but turn and glance toward Him, we would see He does not need us to protect Him from man, nor has man ever been a threat to the Most High. Indeed, if we would cease striving, even for a moment, we would find His gaze has never left us. He awaits our undivided love.

As much as our desires for revival and spiritual awakening have come to us from God, these passions are but the beginning of a renewed mind, not the end. At the end of the age, the season of preparation is not for the sake of the harvest, as important as the harvest is; our preparation is for the Lord. The turning of our hearts toward Him must transcend momentary times of need and even our scheduled hour of prayer. It is time to enter the place of undistracted devotion. For it is the constant gaze of the church that draws God's highest pleasure and releases the greatest harvest.

A Simplified Focus
"For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2-3).

Over the years we have developed a host of programs, outreaches and ministries all designed to bring people into church and make them better Christians. A number of these efforts the Lord has blessed; some He has accommodated and used; while still others, in truth, He has simply ignored.

However, the closer we draw to the end of the age, the less the church will be able to depend upon anything other than Christ Himself. Even now the anointing upon our myriad activities and programs is quietly diminishing. In spite of the multiplicity of our ideas, before Jesus returns the church will know simply and unequivocally: there is no substitute for God.

As the day of the Lord approaches, the Holy Spirit will increasingly refine our focus and lift our attention to our greatest purpose: the revelation of Christ within us. It is the fruit of Christ revealed through the church that the great, end-time harvest is timed.

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Days of His Presence available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

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The Days of His Presence

While we should be mindful of end-time events, we must not become fearful of them. Indeed, to become overly focused upon the signs of the end can be a distraction. Signs point to something bigger than themselves. Rising before us is a glorious sunrise. Let us not become so absorbed with the movement of fleeing shadows that we miss the awe of the One who is dawning upon us. Many have written about the shadows; this book is primarily about the increasing light.

Book - $8.71 (Retail $13.00)
Ebook - $8.71 (Retail $13.00)


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The Days of His Presence -
Companion audio teachings
As the day of the Lord draws near, though darkness covers the earth, the out-raying of Christ's presence shall arise and appear upon His people! This is a companion audio album to the book by the same title. Listen to these original radio messages on their own or as you read the book; either way you will be powerfully impacted.

Message titles:
Days of His Glory | Christ in You | Behind Our Walls | Priority of His Passion | In God's Tabernacle

CD Audio Series - $16.50 (Retail $22.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $8.25 (Retail $11.00)



Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

Follow Francis on Instagram
______________________

You can support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/donate
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

The Coming Baptism of Light
By Francis Frangipane

As Christians we tend to come from unique schools of thought concerning the end times. Some believe the Rapture could occur at any moment; others see the church going through some if not all of the tribulation. Still others are trusting that, whenever the Rapture occurs, they will be prepared.

The Bible itself focuses on dark and foreboding events occurring during the last hours of the age. I do not want to minimize that focus, for it is real. Yet there is more on God's calendar that the Rapture or tribulation. I believe there will be a baptism of light for those who truly follow Christ.

Evidence of Christ's Presence
Consider: Immediately prior to the Transfiguration, Jesus told His disciples something remarkable. He said, "There are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power" (Mark 9:1). Jesus plainly stated that some of His first-century disciples would see the "kingdom of God after it has come with power."

Jesus was not speaking of the Rapture or even the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He was speaking of the Transfiguration. Indeed, all four Gospels tell us about a week later Jesus took Peter and James and John up to a high mountain where "He was transfigured before them" (Mark 9:2).

What Jesus revealed to the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration was a picture of the end-time manifestation of the glory of God in the kingdom church. Jesus truly showed "some" of His disciples -- Peter, James and John -- what the Kingdom of God would look like "after it has come with power" (Mark 9:1).

Stay With Me
The Transfiguration is a picture of what I call the "baptism of light." It is Isaiah 60 fulfilled. It is the kingdom cleansed of tares, where the "righteous will shine forth as the sun" (Matt.13:43). It is Daniel 12:3, where "those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven." It is the bride of Christ putting on her fine linen, "bright and clean" (Rev. 19:8).

But it is not the Rapture. I believe in the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18). The baptism of light is before the Rapture. In the Rapture our bodies will change, the mortal putting on immortality, etc. During the Transfiguration, Jesus' body stayed essentially the same, other than it was radiant with light. He still suffered and died. In the Rapture we will never die.

The baptism of light is the culmination of what Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18).

The word translated "transformed" is the same exact word translated "transfigured" in the Gospels.

The Transfiguration. The baptism of light. You see, this is what awaits the overcoming church at the end of the age.

As Jesus said, "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me" (John 17:22-23).

This is why when we see darkness covering the earth a part of me is encouraged. For it is in context of deep darkness covering the people that Christ utters His command: "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you" (Isa. 60:1-3).

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Days of His Presence available at www.arrowbookstore.com.


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View this message in your browser.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Days of His Presence

While we should be mindful of end-time events, we must not become fearful of them. Indeed, to become overly focused upon the signs of the end can be a distraction. Signs point to something bigger than themselves. Rising before us is a glorious sunrise. Let us not become so absorbed with the movement of fleeing shadows that we miss the awe of the One who is dawning upon us. Many have written about the shadows; this book is primarily about the increasing light.

Book - $8.71 (Retail $13.00)
Ebook - $8.71 (Retail $13.00)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Days of His Presence -
Companion audio teachings
As the day of the Lord draws near, though darkness covers the earth, the out-raying of Christ's presence shall arise and appear upon His people! This is a companion audio album to the book by the same title. Listen to these original radio messages on their own or as you read the book; either way you will be powerfully impacted.

Message titles:
Days of His Glory | Christ in You | Behind Our Walls | Priority of His Passion | In God's Tabernacle

CD Audio Series - $16.50 (Retail $22.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $8.25 (Retail $11.00)



Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

Follow Francis on Instagram
______________________

You can support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/donate
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

Where the Spirit of The Lord Is
By Francis Frangipane

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:17).

There are, perhaps, many evidences that tell us the living presence of the Lord is near, but the most prevailing sign of God's Spirit is seen in the transformation of those surrendered to Him. True Christian liberty does not mean we have freedom to do what we want; it means we have freedom to do what God wants. In other words, we have freedom to be "transformed... from glory to glory."

When you were born again, the Spirit of the Lord Himself entered your life. Your liberty now is to live life, not as a mere human, but as one who lives with the transforming power of Christ within you. Indeed, situations that would have otherwise robbed you of hope, joy and courage, now become opportunities to exercise faith, employ love and trust God in prayer.

The writers of the New Testament lived as "more than conquerors"; they did so through the power of Christ who loved and empowered them to overcome. Likewise, you need to tell yourself: "The Spirit of the Creator, my Redeemer God, lives within me. This circumstance that would otherwise destroy me, is subject to the power of Christ within me. I am not backed into a corner; I'm a victor. I'm more than a conqueror in Christ. The Spirit of the Lord is in me, and it's impossible for anything, even death, to hold Jesus back."

Jesus began His ministry quoting Isaiah 61:1. He said, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives, and freedom to prisoners." This is the very heart of Christ's ministry. To heal the brokenhearted; to free prisoners is the very reason Christ came. This is why the message Jesus brought was called the "good news." Jesus came to bring good news to people who were struggling. He said, "I am not condemning you for your failures. I have not rejected you because of your sins -- I've come to set you free from them!"

You see, we all go through experiences that have the potential to break our hearts. But Jesus comes specifically to the brokenhearted, to those burdened with heartsickness. In His hands are bandages; He has healing oil. He is fulfilled by healing our broken hearts. That's the liberty of the Spirit -­ healing for broken hearts!

He comes to the captives, not to condemn them for doing things that now hold them hostage, but to free them. Jesus sees people spiritually "incarcerated" because of things they did in their past; He knows that they are being held hostage to their sins and to their regrets. Yet, He comes to liberate them, not judge and scold them!

Is there an area of your heart where you feel captive to something you did or to something that happened to you and you can't get free of its memory? You can scarcely sleep or think of the past without remembering and reliving it. Outwardly, we dress ourselves up, we act in a way as to cover the areas of oppression within us, but these oppressions continue within. And the enemy can exploit those areas because he knows that they're there. Indeed, he helped put them there.

Proverbs 9:17-18, according to the Amplified Bible, gives us an insight into these areas. It reads, “Stolen waters or pleasure are sweet, because they are forbidden. Bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knows not that the shades of death are there." Then it explains itself as only the amplified can do. It says, "Specters haunting the scene of past transgressions."

The word "specters" means "demons" or "evil spirits." This Scripture reveals that the enemy haunts our regrettable experiences, our past transgressions. How do evil spirits accomplish this? They build abodes utilizing our fears, sins and deep disappointments. They create a shield of darkness around our failures which is as dark and deceptive as the realm of hell itself. This darkness is his domain within in the human soul. His deception is this: "Because of what you've done, you have no hope of freedom and you must live with the burden of a continual, unbreakable curse."

These are lies because Jesus came to set captives free. Did you do something wrong? Maybe you did. And true, you can't change the past itself, but Jesus can free you from the consequences of the past. Jesus comes to change our reaction to our past failures and transgressions. He gives hope where there was no hope. Though we are likely to fail again, He gives us the courage to pick up our heads; trusting in His forgiveness, we overcome the enemy.

Even though we know Him as Lord, and we want to know him as King, He never stops being Savior. Somebody said that the sole occupation of the Son of God is rescue and resurrection. How many here need rescue once in a while? (How about every day?) He says in effect, "I'm not going to look at your problems condemn you for them. I'm going to die for them. I'm not going to look at what you've done wrong and hold it over your head; as you open up and confess it as sin, I'm going to free you from it." He is a wonderful, wonderful God.

Are spirits haunting the scene of your past transgressions? They are if you have some dimension of your soul, some memory that you can't look at without knowing completely that you've been forgiven. Perhaps you are struggling with a great injustice done to you, where you can't at least say, "Father, I forgive them."

The Need to Give Forgiveness
Part of the way the enemy haunts the scene of past transgressions is through our unforgiveness: "What happened to me was unfair. What they did to me was cruel." Satan manipulates these unforgiving thoughts, so we become relentless in our anger about what happened. What happened was bad enough, but it's still hurting us. You might have been a loving, outgoing individual, but now you're angry. Besides being unable to trust the one who hurt you, you can't even trust anyone who reminds you of that person.

Jesus is saying, "If you will come to Me, I will release you into a destiny that you can't have apart from Me." However, Jesus is also saying that you must forgive, even as He forgives you. And it's not just because He wants to reach out in love through us to other people. That's part of it. But the big thing He's concerned about is the condition of your soul. Part of our healing, part of our deliverance, part of being able to slam the door on the spirits that seek to haunt the scene of past transgressions is to be able to say, "I forgive it."

See, we may not be able to change what happened, but we can change our reaction to it. By doing that, you can walk out and begin to experience healing. Listen, none of us have done everything right. None of us have done everything even close to right. We must face the fact that we need forgiveness and that we need to forgive.

Now listen to me very carefully: When you forgive, it does not mean that you trust that person again. Someone hurt or abused you. Someone was unjust or cruel. If they repent, you may give them another chance; but to forgive does not necessarily mean to trust again. It means to love again. It means to let life happen again. And to whatever degree it's going to grow, let it grow.

Yet, if you're thinking, "Okay, I'm just going to automatically trust again," you might end up getting hurt again. We have to learn how to love the offender and let the relationship take its course in healing, because maybe the other person hasn't repented yet. You have to be free to love through forgiving, but you need to be careful about whom you trust, particularly if somebody is constantly violating your trust without repentance.

Trust is something that either exists or not, depending on the worthiness and history of the partners involved. Proverbs 18:19 says, "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle." So the command is not to trust everyone, it's to love everyone. And you need to make a distinction there because maybe you're not ready to trust the person, but you must be ready to love them. If you want to shed that heavy and wounded feeling, and if you want the liberty Jesus comes to give us, then you need to begin to release those around you. This is the great gift Christ gives us: a transformed life; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty!

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I Will Be Found By You
Perhaps this compilation of teachings from Francis Frangipane will become his most important book yet. The essence of I Will Be Found by You is a living promise from God. If we seek Him in earnest, He has purposed to reveal Himself in ways that will transform us and impact the world around us. In truth, when we consider the extent of impossible conflicts in our world, only one remedy exists: we must have more of God! If you desire more of God's presence in your life, more of God you shall certainly have.

Book - $9.10 (Retail $13.00)
Ebook - $9.10 (Retail $13.00)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Setting Captives Free - Audio series

Francis describes the blessings and curses that are on our lives. He shares his extensive research into issues of spiritual warfare and experience in setting people free from curses that stifle vision, create doubts and inhibit spiritual maturity.

Message titles:

Freedom From Curses | Gaining Discernment
Breaking Curses | Indwelt by God | The Reward of Leadership | He Won't Give Up On You

CD Audio Series - $18.00 (Retail $24.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $9.00 (Retail $12.00)

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other resources by Pastor Francis
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Are You Having an Identity Crisis?
By Francis Frangipane

It is our conviction that Christ's life not only atoned for the sins of mankind, through our union with Him, a second Genesis began. Paul explains, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit" (1 Cor. 15:45).

The word Adam means "man" and is representative of "mankind." There are now two Adams or two species of man. The first species is the descendant of sinful Adam. His thoughts orbit around his carnal or "natural" desires. He carries both the DNA of Adam's nature and the consequences of Adam's sin. He is, indeed, a "living soul," who is controlled by fears, physical needs, intellect boundaries, pride, culture and sin.

The second species or race of man is Spirit-centered. His thoughts, dreams and experiences originate primarily from the Holy Spirit, who lives in union with him. The highest aspiration of the Spirit-centered man is not on attaining natural successes, but upon attaining conformity to Christ. While the first man lives to experience what the world around him can give, the last species of man, the Christ-man, lives for what he can give to the world: he is a "life-giving spirit." The first Adam engendered descendants with problems; the spiritual descendants of the last Adam, Christ, provide the world with answers.

New Creatures
While men divide over many things -- culture, skin color, language or social status -- from God's view mankind is only truly divided into two subsets: those controlled by their souls and those controlled by the Holy Spirit. One race is dead in sin; the other is alive in Christ. One species of man is destined to perish; the other will live forever. Just as the first Adam passed sin, weakness and death to his children, so the second Adam, Christ, passes virtue, power and eternal life to the children of God.

"Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Cor. 5:17).

"For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation" (Gal. 6:15).

We are not merely creatures of flesh temporarily acting spiritual, but we are spiritual beings temporarily living as men of flesh. If you have received Christ into your life, you are part of the second Genesis. You possess a new nature that, like Christ's, shall live forever.

Identity Crisis
Yet too many of us suffer from an "identity crisis." We are confused about who we really are. We attend church, but internally we are still deeply identified with the traits and expectations of the first Adam. Paul rebuked the church in Corinth, which suffered with fleshy attitudes, saying, "Are you not walking like mere men?" (1 Cor. 3:3).

Hear me well: If you have received Christ, you are no mere mortal. The very same power that raised Christ from the dead, abides also in you. While you may experience many of the same trials that the descendants of the first Adam face, you are buoyed by God's Spirit as He faithfully works all things for good in your life. On the other side of your trials is not death, but resurrection!

"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you" (Rom. 8:11).

We may look human, but abiding within us is a treasure more valuable the earth itself: resurrection power.

"But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power" (Acts 2:24).

Just as it was impossible for death to hold Christ in the grave, so it is impossible for the substance of "death" still in us -- our sins and failures -- to hold Him as well. Christ conquers death as readily as light drives out darkness. Indeed, in all things we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37 NIV).

Seated With Christ
I was once engaged in a particular struggle, and a friend asked me, "How are you doing under the circumstances?" I answered, "I'm not under the circumstances; I'm seated with Christ in heavenly places. My Father is God. There is no weapon formed against me that can prosper. I'm born again from above, a new creation; I am a partaker of the Divine nature."

Everything I answered came directly from God's Word and represents the reality granted each of us by faith in God's promises. Faith unlocks the power of God's promises. My friends, none of us need be under circumstances or "the weather," or pressures or curses; you are alive together with Christ (Col. 2) and positioned in the shelter of God's domain. Yes, we face conflict, which God uses to perfect our character, but He also "always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place" (2 Cor. 2:14).

Beloved, if you are not using God's Word to define and shape your spiritual identity, you will, in fact, be under circumstances and clouded by the oppression that abides on the first Adam. You may still be a Christian, but you will suffer from your identity crisis. This is why Paul said, "Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth" (Eph. 4: 24). You must accept, believe, and then apply the word of God until you are fully established as a new creation.

"Those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom. 8:29).

The quest to walk in your new nature is the crux of your primary battles in life. This is not just a war between your virtue and your vices. No, it is a war between your identity after the flesh and your true identity as a new creature in Christ. Faith, John tells us, "is the victory that overcomes the world" (1 John 5:4).

You see, you are a citizen of a new realm. As such, you must learn the customs and understand the language. In the kingdom of God, everyone believes what God says about them. When God speaks, His words create realities. Our faith accepts the grace and truth of God's Word and, in so doing, our lives are transformed.

Yes, we will still fail, but Christ is greater than our failings. True, we will still err, but in all things God works good. Indeed, we pass through hard experiences that God uses to transform us. (see Phil. 3:10), yet He also brings us through such things so we can possess eternal life!

Consider Paul's analysis of his personal journey:

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20).

Again, he wrote:

"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day" (2 Cor. 4:16).

Let us ask ourselves: Is our spiritual consciousness focused upon what is outwardly "decaying" or are our hearts lifted to that part of us that is "being renewed day by day"? Are we living as mere men or as new creatures fashioned after the likeness of Christ? Would you agree that it is time to get over your identity crisis?

Lord, forgive me for dwelling in the basement of my old nature rather than the penthouse of Your love and promises. You have chosen me to reveal Your life; You've given me Your Holy Spirit and spoken to me through Your Word. I am Your child, born from above and destined to inherit Your glory. I worship You, my Lord and King.



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I Will Be Found By You
Perhaps this compilation of teachings from Francis Frangipane will become his most important book yet. The essence of I Will Be Found by You is a living promise from God. If we seek Him in earnest, He has purposed to reveal Himself in ways that will transform us and impact the world around us. In truth, when we consider the extent of impossible conflicts in our world, only one remedy exists: we must have more of God! If you desire more of God's presence in your life, more of God you shall certainly have.

Book - $9.10 (Retail $13.00)
Ebook - $9.10 (Retail $13.00)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Personal Revival - Audio series


What is true revival? True revival is this: people genuinely becoming like Jesus.

Message titles:

Growing into Christ | Hearing is Better than Seeing | Making God's Presence a Priority
A Tender Heart | Discover Yourself in Him


CD Audio Series - $13.15 (Retail $18.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $6.75 (Retail $9.00)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
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Receive daily posts from Francis:

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Comments and Questions
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A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

The Stone That the Builders Rejected
By Francis Frangipane

Becoming Wise Master Builders
Paul said, "Like a wise master builder I laid a foundation" (1 Cor. 3:10). The eternal foundation of the church is the Lord Jesus Christ; we rest and then build upon Him. It is wisdom to build the Lord's house with only Jesus in mind, as conformity to Him is our primary blueprint.

Jesus said, "The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief cornerstone" (Luke 20:17). We cannot separate what Jesus says from who Jesus is. Christ and His Word are one. To the degree that we fail to obey and teach what Jesus taught, we are actually rejecting Him as Lord of the church.

Listen to how the Lord associates Himself with His teachings. He said, "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day" (John 12:48). Again He warned, "Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory" (Luke 9:26). And again, He exposes our hypocrisy, saying, "Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).

You see, Christ and His Word are inseparable. Jesus was not a man who became the Word but the eternal Word who became a man. His very core nature is the Word of God. And to reject or ignore what He says is to reject or ignore who He is.

We cannot build the house of the Lord if we do not honor and build upon the full spectrum of Christ's teachings. Unless we are teaching our converts "all that [He] commanded," we are not making disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). Instead we will always be trapped in spiritual infancy and religion.

Therefore let us honestly ask ourselves: In the building plan of our churches, how much of an emphasis are we placing upon the words of Jesus? Is there a process in which new converts can become true disciples of Christ?

If you are like most congregations, there is probably little focus given to systematic study and application of Christ's teaching. You see, if Jesus is truly the designer and builder of this house, then we must come to Him for the architectural plans. The building code of the kingdom must be obedience to the words of Christ.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock" (Matt. 7:24-25).

Beloved, there is a storm coming; even now the sky has darkened and the first drops are falling. If we will endure, we must be built upon the rock. Please hear me: you cannot build your house in a storm. It is through the Spirit and words of Christ that the house of the Lord is built. This is exactly what Jesus meant when He said, "I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18 KJV).

The Apostolic Foundation
Obviously, I am not in any way against the rest of the Bible outside the Gospels. Each year I seek to read the Bible through, often reading on my knees. I love all of God's Word. Yet I am convinced that many of us in the church have lost sight of Jesus in the blur of Christianity. He is still the stone the builders have rejected. We must return and make His life and teachings the cornerstone again.

It is not as though I am alone in my view: all the New Testament writers are in absolute agreement with my emphasis upon Christ. Indeed, Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:3-4, "This is the sort of thing you should teach, and if anyone tries to teach some doctrinal novelty which is not compatible with sound teaching (which we base on Christ's own words and which leads to Christ-like living), then he is a conceited idiot!" (PHILLIPS).

When we seek to build upon a foundation other than Jesus, the results are everything but Jesus! Only Christ can create Christians. If we focus on our "doctrinal novelties," seeking to be just different enough to attract more people than the church down the street, we have missed the entire purpose of both the Gospel and the ministry of Christ!

Look at what John taught:

"Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God" (2 John 1:8-9). The priority of this hour is for the church to abide in the teachings and Spirit of the Lord Jesus. From this foundation, the house of the Lord will be built.

We have had our pet doctrines and particular emphasis. We have been like Peter speaking to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration: "Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles" (Matt. 17:4). We are so ready to offer a plan to God instead of simply hearing and obeying Jesus. I believe the Father Himself has had enough of our ideas and advice. In His love He is interrupting our programs with the same word with which He interrupted Peter: "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!" (v.5).

Lord Jesus, help me to return with my whole heart to Your words. Lord, I desire to abide in You. I recommit my life to You that You alone would be the focal point of all Your people.



Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, When the Many Are One available at www.arrowbookstore.com.



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When the Many Are One
Our best efforts will not stop the flood of problems in our cities if we remain isolated from each other. In a season when external forces are causing disunity and division, Francis Frangipane calls us back to oneness with Christ, and through Him oneness with other Christians. With the character and power of Christ in our midst, the Church can again bring transformation to our communities, our nation, and our world.

Book - $9.75 (Retail $15.00)
Ebook - $9.75 (Retail $15.00)


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The Power of a Unified Church
- Audio series

Christ centered unity among Christians is the missing component for national revival. How can we make that statement? It comes from Jesus Himself, who prayed "that [we] may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me" (John 17:21). Again, Jesus said a house divided can't stand. We should have variety, but without division, living as people who love God and are known for their love for one another. Unity in the church is the door to revival in the world.

CD Audio Series - $16.50 (Retail $22.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $8.25 (Retail $11.00)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
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Receive daily posts from Francis:

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Comments and Questions
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Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

The War Mode
By Francis Frangipane

I was seventeen years old, a senior in high school, and was slouching into my desk when an angry student almost twice my size entered the room. In a storm of spit and fire, he burst toward where I was sitting, grabbed me by my neck and began rearranging my facial features with his fist.

Someone had written a derogatory remark about him on the inside of his notebook and signed my name to it. Obviously, there was more going on in the Big Guy’s life than anyone realized. Whatever other frustrations had been accumulating in his heart, his immediate goal was to release his fury on the latest offender, whom he considered to be me.

I should also mention that at the time I was five foot nine and weighed about 135 pounds. I was not a confrontational guy and had, in fact, developed several clever ways of avoiding conflict while still appearing relatively cool among my friends. However, it does not matter what one’s philosophy is concerning physical violence when one is actually in a fight, especially with an angry giant. Big Guy was looking for blood. I quickly realized that if this attack was going to end, it would be because I put my whole heart into fighting back.

Once I accepted that I had no choice but to fight, something amazing happened inside me. Instead of my fear getting worse, it actually left. The energy that had been expended through fear was suddenly mobilized for my defense. At that moment, unexpectedly, I discovered another dimension of my soul: the war mode.

Frankly, I did not even know I had a war mode, but when Big Guy reached down to pick me up for "round two," my fight instincts clicked into action. It had been easy for him to throw me around when I was not resisting, but now I sprang upward with a punch that landed squarely on his nose. He fell back a step. I hit him again two or three times and then jumped on him while he was off balance, knocking him to the floor. I admit it is possible, on reflection, that he stumbled over a chair and my punch had nothing to do with his fall, but it did not matter. When his back hit the floor, there was a 135-pound Sicilian on top of him.

By now, students were pulling me off of him. Blood was pouring from his nose, and his friends were calling me a bully. When the teacher entered the room, it plainly looked as though I was the aggressor and Big Guy the victim, cowering beneath my relentless assault.

I nearly failed to graduate because of the incident, but I did not care. Something inside me had changed. I had found the war mode. I still did not look for a fight, but I was not afraid of one either.

Passivity Is Not Peace
Why am I telling you this story? First of all, it is not because I think physical violence is the answer to our problems. Unless we are in the military or law enforcement, physical violence is not God’s answer to what troubles us. I related this incident to emphasize that there is a "war mode" that exists in each one of us. You may be facing a foe bigger than you -- maybe it’s sin or demonic attacks, or perhaps your kids are drifting away from God, or your community or church is declining spiritually -- but a point comes when living under oppression is no longer acceptable to you! It is at the moment you say, "Enough!" that God begins to activate the war mode inside of you.

Paul said the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are mighty! (See 2 Cor. 10:4.) We need to take up the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17). Fighting for righteousness is not an advanced stage of spiritual development; it actually is basic. Everyone needs to learn how to pray, to take spiritual authority, and to speak the Word of God with faith. We cannot be intimidated by our enemies’ threats as we stand against the advances of darkness.

You see, too many have settled for a false peace, which is the result of compromise and fear. God wants us to have true peace, which comes from faith in Christ and victory over evil.

Today many are weary with world events. Part of this weariness is because our hearts are divided. We need to get over our reluctance in facing our enemies. Stop worrying about making the devil mad and get mad yourself -- be angry, but do not sin! There is a legitimate "time for war" (Eccles. 3:8), and we are in it.

The sooner we switch into war mode, the faster we will tap into the moral resolve needed to defeat personal oppression and secure victory. As we are changed, so we can begin to influence the world around us. So rebuke passivity and take authority over self-pity. God will give grace to prevail.

Consider also Isaiah’s revelation about the Lord. The prophet wrote:
"The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against His enemies" (Isa. 42:13).

The Lord is a warrior and He desires you to become a warrior as well. Shake off the weariness and get back into the Word of God. If you were knocked down, get up. It’s time to reactivate your war mode.

Master, I submit to Your anointing for warfare. I renounce being a coward or embracing a false peace based on compromise. I submit to the fighter in You, who can sanctify the fighter in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, This Day We Fight! available at www.arrowbookstore.com.



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This Day We Fight!
There is a time for peace and a time for war. We are in a war, and you better not put down your weapon or you will become captive to sin, fear or unbelief.

Francis tells us that the call of God is a call to war. Yet, the enemy uses human passivity to seduce God's warriors. This book is anointed to help the reader get their fire back. The Holy Spirit is ready to impart a fresh anointing to God's people - an anointing that will activate the "war mode" in the church.

Book - $11.25 (Retail $15.00)


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The War Mode - Audio Series

The reason most people fail is not because God hasn't provided for them, it is because their spiritual life is lukewarm and passive. It is time to get your grit back! These messages will break the spell of passivity while helping you to develop a war-mode mentality. In this day of advancing evil, it is time to wake up and fight!

Message titles:
From Sheep to War Horse | You Have Authority *
Ready for Battle * | Without Fear | Love-motivated Prayer (*Note: These two messages are also included in the audio/video series titled Your Authority In Christ.)

CD Audio Series - $19.50 (Retail $26.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $9.75 (Retail 13.00)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

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You can support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/support.html
______________________

Comments and Questions
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Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

A Word to the Women of God
By Francis Frangipane

My Mother's Prayers
I personally know the power of a woman's prayer: my mother’s. In the late sixties, I was a very lost young man living in sin and rebellion. Judging from my appearance, I looked hopeless. Yet in spite of my outward condition, my dear Catholic mother stood before God for me. Resist as I did, in spite of my sin, divine power was uniquely released to my heart through my mother’s prayers. The calling of God began to hunt me down. My mom’s cries were relentless and unceasing; often she would pray through the night for me. She was pregnant with prayer for her son. In 1970 God finally answered, and during the Jesus Movement revival, I came to Christ.

Years later I asked the Lord about the Jesus Movement revival. As you may know, it has been part of my assignment to help engender citywide unity and establish prayer, things that precede revival. Yet, to my knowledge, no citywide unity or organized prayer fueled the Jesus Movement. So I asked the Lord how revival could occur without a prayer movement at its source. The Lord quickly corrected me, saying that there was a great prayer movement: He had heard the prayers of a million praying mothers, each crying to Him for their children.

From all denominations, in a "unity of desperation," God heard the cries of believing mothers. His heart was touched, and as a result, multitudes of sinful kids found repentance and salvation in Jesus Christ. This is the army God desires to release again today, but now with more vision, more power from the Holy Spirit, and with the support of men as well!

Women of God, the fact is, Heaven needs you! You have been created by the Almighty to birth breakthroughs on planet Earth! God has uniquely designed you with a latent ability to release life through your intercession. Together with you, we men are learning to pray, but you have a special grace to release new spiritual beginnings. Whether your prayer focus is for your husband or church leadership, whether you are interceding for your children, city or nation, you possess in your spirit the seed-realities that, through prayer, can release God's life into the world.

Yes indeed, a battle rages; there still exists "enmity between [the serpent] and the woman" (Gen. 3:15). Satan especially hates you because it was your seed that bruised the serpent's head. It is amazing to me that God chose to bring His Son into the world, not through the heavens nor even through a woman impregnated by man, but through a woman made pregnant by God! God Himself came to earth through the woman's power to give birth!

Today the Lord is giving women a new grace, a new confidence against the powers of hell. Out of their oneness with Christ, these godly women will prayer-birth powerful ministries on earth, both male and female. They will release new beginnings to the body of Christ.

I also want to commend and personally thank the many women's ministries and prayer groups that have stood with me, interceding for my life, my family and my ministry. Many, many times I have suddenly experienced divine protection or unexpected spiritual breakthroughs. When I questioned the Lord, He's said, I'm answering the prayers of [such-and-such] ministry. To each of you, I say a special thank-you. In a unique way, you have been a mother to me. May the Lord multiply His grace toward you and give you the desires of your hearts!

Finally, Revelation 12:1 speaks of a "woman clothed with the sun." This word is not only talking about Israel or the church. It also reveals how the Most High sees spiritual women: They are honored and crowned with distinction -- pure and clothed with the glory of God. With confidence, they tread upon the powers of night. Dear army of praying women, it is your inherent destiny to birth that which shall rule the nations.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, This Day We Fight! available at www.arrowbookstore.com.



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This Day We Fight!
There is a time for peace and a time for war. We are in a war, and you better not put down your weapon or you will become captive to sin, fear or unbelief.

Francis tells us that the call of God is a call to war. Yet, the enemy uses human passivity to seduce God's warriors. This book is anointed to help the reader get their fire back. The Holy Spirit is ready to impart a fresh anointing to God's people - an anointing that will activate the "war mode" in the church.

Book - $11.25 (Retail $15.00)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Writers Workshop Series One and Two

A new generation of writers is being raised up, individuals with something important to speak to the body of Christ. These two resources are filled with practical information for writers - new and seasoned. Learn more about the editing process and the differences among publishing choices. Many have testified to the impartation they received from these anointed messages.

For pastors - learn how to transform your sermons into training material, and even books, to further your effectiveness of the gospel.

Purchase together or separately!

Series One Audio CD Series $27.00 (Retail $36.00)
Series One Audio Series MP3 Download $13.50 (Retail $18.00)

Series Two Audio CD Series $22.50 (Retail $30.00)
Series Two Video DVD series$36.00 (Retail $48.00)
Series Two Audio Series MP3 Download $11.25 (Retail $15.00)

Series One & Two Audio CD Series Package - $49.50 (Retail $66.00)

More writers resources available on our Special's page.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The New Creation
Audio series

Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, but if you don’t love yourself, neither will you love your neighbor. Self-hatred is not repentance. This series blasts the doors open on what it means to be a new creature in Christ. These are liberating messages.

Message titles:
From Self-Hatred to Glory | This One was Born There | Finding Your Life in the World | The Gift of Eternal Life

CD Audio Series - $15.00 (Retail $20.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $7.50 (Retail 10.00)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
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A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

Into a Place of Abundance
By Francis Frangipane

Prior to releasing a new product to the general public manufacturers put their invention through a series of tests to see how their product handles stress and other issues. Typically, they will test their product in a smaller control group before presenting it the general public. This time of testing is sometimes called "beta." It means it’s still being tested repeatedly for effectiveness and functionality. Did it do what they projected it to do? Manufacturers don’t want to spend a fortune in promotion without knowing their product will work outside the lab. They test it under stressed conditions. Once it passes the tests, then it is released.

A New Creation
God has a new product in mind. At the end of the age He intends to reveal a new species of man, a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). The new man comes equipped with a Christlike heart, a heavenly mind and an eternal spirit. For now, however, the new man still looks like the old man and prior to releasing the new man we will face levels of testing. The more tests we pass, the more God releases us to the general public.

Right now, I would say most of us are in the "beta" stage. God is testing us to see if we can keep our hearts from bitterness or anger. Do we keep the faith even when we go through times of darkness or fear? The Lord desires to see how well we abide in Him when we are outside of church (the "lab"). These small test groups may consist of co-workers or church folks; they may be family members or neighbors. Are we maintaining the fruit of the Spirit?

It is also important to note that when God tests us, He does not descend into our thought-life with a loud public announcement, warning, "This is a test. This is only a test." A true test examines what we are like under stress and in real life conditions; it appears in our lives without forewarning that it is coming. You see, God isn't testing how well we can outwardly look "Christian." He is examining the quality of what we actually are inwardly. Even more than possessing right answers, He desires we possess right attitudes and responses. He wants to know if we can function under adverse conditions, spiritual warfare and stress.

Consider Job
Let us underscore this truth about God: He will test the quality of His work in us. Remember the Lord's conversation with Satan? God asked, "Have you considered My servant Job?" The Lord described Job as being unique in all the earth: "a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil" (Job 1:8).

The implication in that question, "have you considered . . . Job," is that God had worked some deep things in Job and now it was time for this inner transformation to be tested.

Let us also note that Satan had "considered" Job. He had a dossier on him filled with information. When Satan sought to attack Job, the devil couldn't get near him. God had placed "a hedge about [Job] and his house and all that he has, on every side." Probably for many years Satan had examined Job but couldn't touch him because of the impenetrable protection Job and his family enjoyed. For all the devil tried to do to stop it, God had "blessed the work of [Job's] hands, and his possessions have increased in the land" (vs 10).

Yes, Satan had "considered" Job. We too would do well to consider the story of Job and the revelation it provides us concerning our tests and their outcome. If we walk with God in integrity and intercession, as did Job, we can trust that the normal status of our lives will be completely protected and hedged "on every side."

The second thing we should recognize is that if we do come under severe spiritual attack, it is because God is testing the quality of His work in us. He knows the capacity to overcome is within us, otherwise He would not have allowed the enemy access to us.

The third thing to note is that, while tests in the world are usually accomplished in labs or controlled environments, God's tests come in the real world. Thus, we might not realize that what we are going through is a "test," for the test will be a real life experience.

Additionally, the test often comes just before we are released into a "double portion," which is what happened to Job.

We often won't know what the test is until much later. Job's test was not whether he would "rejoice always" or maintain his good works; nor was he made vulnerable because of fear or unbelief, as some think. The great test in Job's life was whether or not he would curse God. For all he went through, Job passed his test.

The Outcome Is Greater Than We Can Imagine
God took Job, the most righteous man in the world, a man of great influence, and brought him through a terrible test. One might say the costs of Job's test far outweighed his reward, even though Job did receive a double portion. Yes, Job's wealth and influence increased greatly, but that was not the end of the story: God has since used the life of Job as an example for billions of people. Before the test, Job's range of influence touched his culture; afterward, Job's integrity has inspired nations throughout the epochs of time.

Likewise, the Lord tested Joseph, Moses and David; He tested Israel in the wilderness. Jesus Himself endured tests, not the least of which was His time in the desert.

Let us understand, if we want to advance spiritually, God will lead us through fiery ordeals that test us yet bring us through to a greater place. Most of us are still in "beta,' being tested in relatively small ways. Still others have gone through significant battles, but God is about to bring many into a double portion.

For us who are followers of Christ and whose goal is conformity to Him, God gives us one answer to every test we experience: become like Jesus in the test. When the devil realizes what he is using hoping to destroy you is actually being used by God to perfect you, Satan will withdraw his attack.

As it is written:
"For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins. You made men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance" (Psalm 66:10-12).

The test is the door to abundance.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
View this message in your browser.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Writers Workshop Series One and Two

A new generation of writers is being raised up, individuals with something important to speak to the body of Christ. These two resources are filled with practical information for writers - new and seasoned. Learn more about the editing process and the differences among publishing choices. Many have testified to the impartation they received from these anointed messages.

For pastors - learn how to transform your sermons into training material, and even books, to further your effectiveness of the gospel.

Purchase together or separately!

Series One Audio CD Series $27.00 (Retail $36.00)
Series One Audio Series MP3 Download $13.50 (Retail $18.00)

Series Two Audio CD Series $22.50 (Retail $30.00)
Series Two Video DVD series$36.00 (Retail $48.00)
Series Two Audio Series MP3 Download $11.25 (Retail $15.00)

Series One & Two Audio CD Series Package - $49.50 (Retail $66.00)

More writers resources available on our Special's page.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The New Creation
Audio series

Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, but if you don’t love yourself, neither will you love your neighbor. Self-hatred is not repentance. This series blasts the doors open on what it means to be a new creature in Christ. These are liberating messages.

Message titles:
From Self-Hatred to Glory | This One was Born There | Finding Your Life in the World | The Gift of Eternal Life

CD Audio Series - $15.00 (Retail $20.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $7.50 (Retail 10.00)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

Follow Francis on Instagram
______________________

You can support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/support.html
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

The Days of God's Kingdom
By Francis Frangipane

As we approach the fulfillment of many end-time prophecies, we must not allow ourselves to be moved by fear or unbelief. Increased wars, lawlessness and ethnic conflicts are signs that point to something more significant than themselves. Recall, the Lord’s word, He said, "So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near" (Luke 21:31).

Indeed, the turbulence we behold in the sea of humanity is caused by a storm in the heavenly places: The Kingdom of Heaven is drawing close! The signs around us are actually the effects of a confrontation between the Kingdom of God and the domain of hell. And while wars and rumors of wars fill the headlines, so there is another people returning to their homeland: the Kingdom of God.

For while great pressure is being exerted upon nations to exalt their ethnicity, so also there is a return in the true church to the purity and power of our origins in Christ. Like no other time in history, our identity in Christ must be greater, more compelling, and more real to us than any natural bonding we have in the world.

Jesus warned His disciples of this day, saying, "Nation will rise against nation" (Matt. 24:7). Thus, it should be no surprise that, in the original language of the Scriptures, the Greek word for "nation" is ethnos, from which we derive our word ethnic. Christ foresaw that ethnic conflicts, racially-based violence and religious wars would reach unparalleled heights at the consummation of this age.

Remember, it was in this very context of international upheaval that Jesus said, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come" (Matt. 24:14).

The Last Great Move of God
Before we spend another trillion dollars on irreconcilable ethnic problems, we, the church, need to position ourselves as agents of redemption and healing, as it is revealed in the Kingdom of God.

I readily admit, not all unity is born of God. For some, unity means emptying one’s faith of core truths of the Christian message. We do not want unity without faith. But there is a realm Paul describes as maintaining "the unity of the Spirit . . . until we all attain to the unity of the faith" (Eph. 4:3, 13). And in the building, healing process that is occurring among leaders, we can extend grace as we submit to one another and learn from each other.

Here is what we agree upon: Jesus Christ is our Lord and savior. Our lives are rooted in the soil of His heart. His word defines our way and God’s kingdom is our homeland. Together, we are corporately beginning to manifest the Kingdom of God. This is exactly what was revealed to John. He wrote,

"Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth'' (Rev. 5:9-10).

We were purchased by Christ for God, not to be isolated from each other by religious pride but to become a "kingdom and priests to our God." We are a new creation; God has begun a second Genesis---a culture whose DNA consists of men from "every tribe and tongue and people and nation," hand picked, called by name by the good Shepherd, and united with each other with values that transcend the boundaries of our ethnicity.

It is vital for us, as Christ's church, to return to what Jesus called the "Gospel of the Kingdom." The Gospel of the Kingdom makes disciples, not just converts. But while the Gospel of the Kingdom requires more, it gives more. For it is the gospel as Jesus lived it---full of power, love and reconciliation. And its "good news" is not simply that someday we will go to Heaven, but that this day Heaven is coming to us.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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Strength for the Battle

Pursue holiness, engage in effective spiritual warfare, and find strength to stand against the enemy.

This balanced, biblical view of spiritual warfare will arm you with the discernment, wisdom, and insight you need for taking ground in your life and contending with unseen spiritual forces all around you.

180 daily readings to equip you for the battles you face.

Sample pages: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Hardcover book - $9.75 (Retail $15.00)
Ebook - $9.75 (Retail $15.00)



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Days of God's Kingdom
Audio / Video series

Our goal as Christians is to gain greater insight and revelation into the nature of God’s kingdom, and our access to it now. The problem, and it is major, is that many Christians are confused and living in fear for the future. They do not see the power and life of the kingdom. Yet, Jesus not only came to bring us to Heaven when we die; He came to establish Heaven where we live. Indeed, the Lord repeatedly points us toward attaining and living in the reality of God’s kingdom (John 3; Matt. 6, etc.). While the judgments of God will continue all around us, the Most High calls us to focus steadfastly upon His unfolding kingdom, which is a realm that cannot be shaken (see Heb. 12). Audio Sample

Message titles:
The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand | Shake and Bake | Seeing the Multitudes | Society of Redeemers | Faith Versus Fear | Have You Seen My Servant? | Overcoming the Voice of the Accuser

CD Audio Series - $31.50 (Retail $42.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $15.75 (Retail 21.00)
DVD Video Series - $63.00 (Retail $84.00)
MP4 Video Series Download - $31.50 (Retail $42.00)



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

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______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
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Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

October 6, 2023
When Money Becomes Our Servant
By Francis Frangipane

Many ministers hate discussing finances; others are obsessed with it and teach about it all the time. Because Jesus Himself referenced it, we must put the issue of personal wealth into perspective. In the great overview of topics the Lord desires we learn, He has both promises and warnings concerning the issue of money.

The fact is, in Jesus' teaching there isn't a subject Jesus used more often than that of money or wealth. He compared heaven itself to a treasure in a field and He said if we would be generous in our giving, whatever we gave would be multiplied and returned, "pressed down, shaken together [and] running over" (Matt. 13; Lk 6). He warned it was easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter heaven, yet He promised that "There is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times as much at this time . . ." (Lk. 18:29-30). We are not to lust for wealth, but Jesus also promises that those who give all, that they will gain much more than they give.

God measures our character by the integrity we possess concerning money. Jesus said, "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the {use of} unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true riches to you?" (Lk. 16:10-11).

Who knows, but that God has powerful spiritual gifts awaiting many. However, He is waiting for them to prove themselves trustworthy in the "very little thing" as use of finances.

The world today worships wealth and reverences it as a god. Thus, Jesus also warned us "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other, or else he will hold to one, and despise the other." He emphatically concluded, "You cannot serve God and mammon" (Lk 16:13). At various times, I have heard Christians rail against the greed of the wealthy, only to discover later that some of these very Christians do not tithe. They themselves were just as bound to the control of Mammon, only on a smaller scale; their anger was not born of righteousness, but jealousy.

Jesus Himself Needs Us to Give
I know when we picture the Son of God, it is almost inconceivable that He would need us for anything, especially finances. We are aware when He paid taxes, that He sent Peter fishing. In the mouth of that first fish, Jesus said there would be a coin for the taxes. Yes, if Jesus needed money, it would come supernaturally. However, this is not the full extent of how Jesus' ministry functioned. It was within the wisdom and plan of the Father that faithful people helped meet the financial needs of Christ's ministry. Luke speaks of this very thing:

"And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God; and the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means" (Lk 8:1-3).

Many of the people that were taught, healed and delivered by Jesus, in response, supported His cause with finances. True redemption always comes with a price. As it was then, so it is today: God does not spare us the responsibility of giving, whether it is of ourselves or our funds, to the cause of redemption. In spite of my personal needs, each month I make it a point to faithfully give to others: My home church; local parachurch ministries; various national leaders; foreign evangelists and, of course, the poor.

Each of us should seek God concerning how much He desires we give and to whom. I know a number of very honorable ministries that struggle to fulfill God's assignment because of financial lack. However, I also know of several ministries that have an unrighteous affection for wealth; a few regularly receive our mailing. If you are personally lusting for wealth, let me remind you that Jesus' most frequent and pointed rebukes were aimed at religious leaders' inordinate quest for money. He charged them with the sin of robbing widows (Matt 23:14) and of swearing by the offering on the altar, rather than the altar itself (Matt 23:16-18). Boldly, He confronted those who were outwardly righteous, but inwardly "full of robbery and self indulgence" (Matt 23:25).

Jesus called the manipulation of people to get their money "robbery." He accused religious leaders of being motivated by "self-indulgence." Beloved, God is going to expose this spirit of self-indulgence in the body of Christ, wherever it manifests. Yet, let us not be quick to condemn other people; rather let us carefully examine our own hearts. Even if all we have is a little, the Lord desires us to be joyfully generous, so that He will have for His church an "abundance for every good work." Let us not be selfish or deceived by money. In a real sense, money is not a blessing; it's a test.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Strength for the Battle

Pursue holiness, engage in effective spiritual warfare, and find strength to stand against the enemy.

This balanced, biblical view of spiritual warfare will arm you with the discernment, wisdom, and insight you need for taking ground in your life and contending with unseen spiritual forces all around you.

180 daily readings to equip you for the battles you face.

Sample pages: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3

Hardcover book - $9.75 (Retail $15.00)
Ebook - $9.75 (Retail $15.00)



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Discernment and the Mind of Christ -
Audio / Video series

So often in the church these days, criticism and judgment masquerade as spiritual discernment. True discernment however, is as simple, and as profound, as possessing the redemptive mind of Christ.

Message titles:

The Discernment We Need | The Mind of Christ
The Holy Spirit’s Voice | Think Redemption

CD Audio Series - $15.00 (Retail $20.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $7.20 (Retail 10.00)
DVD Video Series - $22.50 (Retail $30.00)
MP4 Video Series Download - $11.25 (Retail $15.00)



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

Follow Francis on Instagram
______________________

You can support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/support.html
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

September 29, 2023
Protected From the Accuser
By Francis Frangipane

How do you handle criticism? How does one protect himself from the "scourge of the tongue" (Job 5:21)? If you are going to be successful in the Lord's work, you must find God's hiding place from one of the most painful weapons in Satan's arsenal: the critical tongue.

The fact is, for better or for worse, people are going to talk about you. You cannot do the will of God without causing changes, and changes will always cause some to stumble. In fact, Jesus said we were to beware when all men speak well of us. He said we cannot serve two masters; if we are to truly please Him, we cannot be distracted by trying to please everyone else.

At the same time, there is a demonic strategy that is set against those who teach God's Word and minister to His people. The enemy's campaign is not only aimed at destroying the shepherd; he also seeks to scatter the sheep. If Satan's attack is successful, everyone involved will come out of the battle with less love and a hardened heart.

I find it amazing that individuals can react so differently to the same teaching. One will be uplifted and encouraged while another may not only miss the Lord's blessing, but also actually be offended by an isolated statement.

It seems that for every person who takes the hammer and chisel to make an idol of a preacher, there is someone else with a hammer and spikes ready to crucify him. Unless that man is sustained by the Lord, the pressures against him can be overwhelming.

Most people fail to remember that a minister is just like any other Christian. He or she is not Superman; bullets (and words) do not bounce off his chest. He is not invulnerable to cruel and malicious talk. He is an imperfect person called to serve the living God in the body of Christ; but he is nonetheless just a person.

For most, church is a place where people go to express their worship of God, to be taught, and to have fellowship. But to the man or woman of God, the church is God's garden. Most of the real work a pastor does is not in the pulpit but in the unheralded service of cultivating love and trust in personal relationships.

In God's eyes, the church is much more than a meeting place of casual acquaintances or doctrinally united believers. To the Father, the church is a living temple, a human house for the Spirit of His Son. The Bible says that when He placed us in our particular church it actually gave Him pleasure (1 Cor. 12:18). Together with the Holy Spirit, the pastor and elders work to bring the church into a right relationship with God's love and then to spread that love throughout the entire citywide church.

God has provided honorable ways for people to transfer from one church to another. If someone wants to leave a church to start their own, there are proper ways to receive God's anointing and be sent. (See Acts 13:1-3.) It is not necessary to find fault and cause a church split. When things are done correctly and in order, people are edified.

But when relationships are severed and destroyed through malicious gossip, or when a developing trust is turned into mistrust through backbiting and criticism, God Himself is angered (Prov. 6:16-19). And if God is offended, how much more difficult is it for His servants to remain aloof from the conflict that sin causes.

The Answer
So how does a man or woman of God find the balance between his basic need to survive and his responsibility to please God? The answer is to put on Christ's love.

A number of years ago I went through a difficult time during which a handful of people made me the target of ongoing criticism. There is a type of constructive criticism coming through people who love you that teaches and helps you to prosper, and there is a different type of criticism that comes through an embittered spirit that is not meant to correct you but to destroy you. It was the latter relationship that I had with these people.

To be honest, I am sure that there were areas in my life that were out of balance; some of their complaints were justified. Much of what they had to say, however, was said to others behind my back. Our congregation was being destabilized by these individuals. Try as I did, nothing I could say or repent of would silence them.

For three years I sought the Lord, yet He would not vindicate me of their accusations. Instead, He dealt with me. He reached deep into the very substructure of my soul and began to touch hidden areas of my life.

At issue with the Lord was not my sin, but my "self." The Bible says our sins are ever before us (Ps. 51:3); these I could see. But I had no perspective on my own soul. The Lord allowed this criticism to continue until it unearthed something deeper and more fundamentally wrong than any of my doctrinal interpretations or sins. It unearthed me.

The Holy Spirit began to show me how easily I was manipulated by people's criticisms, and especially how much my sense of peace was governed by the acceptance or rejection of man. As much as I prayed, God would not deliver me from my enemy. He saved me by killing that part of me that was vulnerable to the devil, and He did it with the accusations themselves.

I will never forget the day it dawned on me that both God and the devil wanted me to die, but for different reasons. Satan wanted to destroy me through slander and then drain me with the unceasing activity of explaining "my side" to people. At the same time, God wanted to crucify that part of my soul that was so easily exploited by the devil in the first place!

It was a pivotal day when I realized that this battle was not going to be over until I died to what people said about me. It was probably at this point that I finally and truly became a servant of God.

Today I stand in awe of what the Lord did during those terrible yet wonderful months. He knew a time would come when the things I wrote would touch the lives of millions of people. To inoculate me from the praise of man, He baptized me in the criticism of man until I died to the control of man.

Do not misunderstand me: I still honestly pray about things submitted to me by others, and I am accountable to other leaders. I even have staff people whose assignment is to give me a critical analysis of my life and work. But I am no longer ruled by man. I live for God's pleasure, and if I happen to please man, that is His business, not mine.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Shelter of the Most High, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

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The Shelter of the Most High

Is there a spiritual place, a shelter, where God actually keeps us, "and the evil one does not touch" us (1 John 5:18)? Yes, there is a place in the heart of God where we can find immunity and protection, where we are literally surrounded by the Lord's presence. Once we enter this place, nothing can defeat us. Twenty-one profound chapters, each highlighting a different dimension of our Father's love and protection, each well able to escort you into the warmth and safety of the shelter of the Most High.

Book - $8.45 (Retail $13.00)
Ebook - $8.45 (Retail $13.00)


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The Shelter of the Most High
Companion - Audio series

As trouble escalates in the world, we are all looking for a place of immunity and protection. In The Shelter of the Most High, Francis gives trustworthy, biblical evidence in the midst of all our uncertainties and fears there is an available shelter from God to shield us. Once you've found this place, nothing you encounter can defeat you. From wherever you are, you can reach - and remain in - the shelter of God.

These thirteen companion audio messages expand upon the material covered in the book, The Shelter of the Most High.

Companion Teaching-Audio CD Series $26.25 (Retail $35.00)
Companion Teaching-Audio MP3 Series $13.13 (Retail $17.50)

Both the book and the companion audio CD series $31.20 (Retail $48.00)

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Special Package

Both the book and the companion audio CD series
for only $31.20 (Retail $48.00)

Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

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______________________

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______________________

Comments and Questions
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A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

A Forgiving Heart
By Francis Frangipane

During the last hours of this age, there will be two opposing factions in the world: those whose hearts are wrought with bitterness, resentment, and hatred; and those whose love has actually increased and who are experiencing the power of the kingdom of God. Jesus foretold these conditions in Matthew: "At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. . . . Because lawlessness [iniquity] is increased, most people's love will grow cold" (Matt. 24:10, 12). But then He added: "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come" (v. 14).

What is this "gospel of the kingdom"? It is the whole truth that Jesus came to bring -- not only that which saves us from our sins, but also that which creates us in His image. It is the full gospel with all its requirements and all its rewards -- the full price for the full power. It is the most glorious pearl that man can possess: the presence of God in glory revealed within and among us.

Thus if we are to attain this great love, we will continually be forced to make the choice between mercy and unforgiveness. If we do not walk in a forgiving attitude, we will certainly become prey to an embittered spirit. If it is indeed God's plan to allow wickedness and holiness to grow to full maturity, then we must guard our hearts beforehand from reacting in bitterness and unforgiveness. The increasing lawlessness will certainly give us occasions to lose love.

Yet just to survive in this cruel world, we often withdraw from the vulnerability of love. We cannot choose cautious, selective love and also walk in the power of God's kingdom. To counter pain, we unconsciously shut down our love, for it is love that makes us vulnerable. God wants us to be a people whose love is growing hot, not cold.

Jesus did not say we had to trust our enemies, but He did say that we had to love them. You ask, "Why?" One reason God allows difficulties is to test us. He wants to see if our Christianity is merely an intellectual pursuit or if following Him is truly the highest passion of our hearts. Thus He tells us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

Some of you have gone through rejection and betrayal, but the Lord says you did not fail. You have continued to love. Although you went through great pain, you have forgiven those who have hurt you. You passed the test.

Some of us still have certain individuals in our lives who we have not forgiven and whom we do not love. Perhaps you are right; they do not deserve your forgiveness. But what you do not realize is the consequence of your anger.

Live in the Here and Now
As long as you refuse to forgive, a part of you is trapped in the past where you are continually being reminded of your pain. Even the calendar season in which you were hurt stimulates depression and foreboding! Until you forgive, you will not be fully released to go on with your life.

There is only one way we can have true fellowship with God and that is in the "here and now." But when your mind is harboring unforgiveness, you are neither in the "here" nor in the "now." When you live in the past, you are cut off from God. What they did to you is over. It is done. It does not have any real existence or life of its own except in your mind.

There within you the conflict continues to live. And as long as it lives, you are still being hurt by it. The person who wounded you may have long since died. That person cannot be blamed, for you are the one who keeps your wounds alive!

Not only is the quality of your spiritual life affected, but your physical well-being pays a price as well. As long as you keep holding onto the burden of what someone did to you, each time you think about that person your stomach acids churn and your anxiety increases. Your body is continually put under stress.

Choose to Love
If you do not forgive those who have hurt you, you will lose a measure of your capacity to love. Whether they deserve forgiveness or not, you deserve a better life! And God wants to give you a better life. But you cannot enjoy abundant life while carrying unforgiveness, for you are shackled to something that hurt you, and your own unforgiveness tortures you.

How do you get out of that prison? How do you find the protection of God for your soul? God calls you to forgive. You must see the hands of God reaching to you in the midst of your pain. He wants to redeem that conflict, using that specific adversity to perfect character in you. It will be this event that He will use to make you like Christ.

Each time you say, "Father, I choose to love; I choose to forgive; I choose to forget and to not hold bitterness and unforgiveness against that person," you are taking on Christ's nature. Rejoice! Jesus is taking over your heart! You are entering the shelter of the Most High God.

Master, I see in Your forgiveness of me the pattern for my forgiveness of others. Lord, You forgave the Pharisees who lied about You; You pardoned the soldiers who mocked and crucified You; You encouraged Your disciples' hearts to not be troubled, knowing they were about to deny and betray You.

Yet You not only forgave them, but You also died for them. You opened Your heart as wide as the universe and welcomed all to be reconciled to God. Grant me the power to forgive, to lay down my life for others, and to know the love that compelled You to such righteousness! Amen.

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, The Shelter of the Most High, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

September 15, 2023
Loving the Truth
By Francis Frangipane

"No lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless" (Rev. 14:5). To become blameless is to be free from falsehood; it is to be delivered from sin and the deception that protects sin.

Yet this process of deliverance is not attained if we are only casually committed to the Lord Jesus. We must be dedicated to the way of truth. Indeed, each of us has been conditioned by decades of unbelief, fear, and an unbridled thought-life, which has reinforced deception.

Christians who tend to automatically assume they are the "chosen of God," have reassured themselves that they could not possibly be deceived. The very thought, "I cannot be deceived" is itself a deception! Let us stay humble and not presume that the calling of God and the choosing of God are alike. "Many are called," Jesus taught, "but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). Many tests await the called before they are equipped by God and become His chosen; not the least of these tests is becoming free from deception.

You see, our natural minds were fashioned in a world where the concept of honesty must be enforced by laws. Within our world the bias of our communications media intentionally distorts the facts, advertisers promise the impossible, and people are held spellbound in the fantasy worlds of movies and books. The lie is everywhere and somewhat in everything, and we must accept the possibility that even in those things of which we are sure, there still might be elements of deception.

We do not realize it, but we need revelation to know the truth. People who may appear kind, nice or flattering have proven unkind, cruel and deceitful. And we must admit that we often attempt to appear better than we are as well.

This effort to appear one way while inwardly being another has created a world in which the truth is not apparent, where things that are plainly seen by one can be invisible to another. Deception and confusion so fill this world that in order for us to discern what is right, Scriptures command us to "seek" for, "love," and "buy truth" (Prov. 2:1-5; 2 Thess. 2:10; Prov. 23:23).

Jesus prayed, "[Father] sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17). He was saying, "Father, purify them of the lies and illusions of this age through Your penetrating Word." In Ephesians, Paul tells us that Christ sanctifies the church by cleansing her "by the washing of water with the word . . . that she would be holy and blameless" (Eph. 5:26-27).

This then, embracing the Spirit of Truth and allowing the Word of truth to break the patterns of falsehood and deception in our lives is the process through which we become Christlike -- and this process begins in earnest when we not only hear the truth, but when we love it.

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

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View this message in your browser.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God



This is the first book ever written by Pastor Francis. It came after three years of studying and repeatedly reading the Gospels. The thrust of these messages is geared towards those who desire the holy, powerful life of Jesus Christ. It is a penetrating study of the human heart and how God prepares it for His glory.

Book - $8.40 (Retail $12.00)
Ebook - $8.40 (Retail $12.00)

Audio Book on CD $11.06 (Retail 14.75)
Audio book on MP3 $6.00 (Retail $12.00)


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God - Companion Teaching Series

This is a companion to the first book ever written by Pastor Francis. It came after three years of studying and repeatedly reading the Gospels. The thrust of these messages is geared towards those who desire the holy, powerful life of Jesus Christ. It is a penetrating study of the human heart and how God prepares it for His glory.

These companion messages expand upon the material covered in Francis' book, Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God.

Message titles:
The Beginning of Holiness | The Spirit of Grace| God's Power in a Holy Life | Fleeing Falsehood | The Sweet Taste of Holy Fruit | The Radiance of Holiness | Purity of Heart

Companion Teaching - CD Series $26.25 (Retail $35.00)
Companion Teaching - MP3 Series $13.13 (Retail $17.50)

Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

Follow Francis on Instagram
______________________

Support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/support.html
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

September 8, 2023
Repentance and the Way God Calls Holy
By Francis Frangipane

Many are calling for prayer for our nation. To that message I would like to add a call to repentance as well. Indeed, 2 Chronicles 7:14 not only calls us to pray but to follow through by humbling ourselves and aggressively turning away from evil. In that spirit, we then seek God's face. There is far too much compromise among us. We need a breakthrough into brokenness. A move of God is coming, but it will only be as deep as our repentance prepares us.

The purpose of this message is to take us beyond simply feeling sorry we sinned. God wants to bring us into an attitude of repentance that goes deep, that persistently turns to God's grace until the fruit of righteousness comes forth in our lives.

The Baptism of Repentance
The Bible tells us that prior to the beginning of Christ's ministry, "there came a man sent from God, whose name was John" (John 1:6). John was sent by God to bring Israel into a baptism of repentance. This call to repentance was not the last event of the old covenant; it was the first event of the new covenant. John was the forerunner to Christ's ministry. His unique purpose was to immerse Israel in an attitude of repentance (Acts 19:4). Called to go before Christ, his task was to "prepare" and "make ready the way of the Lord" (Mark 1:2, 3).

Some measure of repentance always precedes the coming forth of Christ in a person’s life. To "prepare" and "make ready" is the purpose of repentance. Let's be sure we understand: John's call to repentance did not merely make men sorry; it made men ready.

True repentance is to turn over the soil of the heart; it is to prepare the heart for a new planting of righteousness or directives from God. It is a vital stage where the kindness of the Lord works with us enlarging our capacity to walk in greater spiritual maturity. To repent is to "change one's mind." Such change can come quickly or it may take time and effort. Either way, the goal is to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matt. 3:8).

Indeed, the idea of "keeping with" our repentance means we do not cease turning from pride until we delight in lowliness. It means we continue to repent of selfishness until love flows naturally from us. And we do not stop mourning our impurities until we are pure.

The apostle John tells us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Do not hide from your sins; confess them. God's grace and the sacrifice of His Son are enough to cover and forgive any and every sin, but we must ask for forgiveness, humbling ourselves from the heart. Be honest about your sin and He will cleanse you of it.

An exhortation: persist in your repentance, never doubting the generosity of God's mercy. God does not require of us more than He demands of Himself. If you sin 490 times in one day, after each time cry to Him for forgiveness. He will both forgive you and cleanse you of sin's effect.

During one period in my life I repeatedly stumbled over the same problem. Grieved and doubting in my heart, I cried, "Lord! How long will you put up with me?" In a flash of grace and truth He answered, "Until I have perfected you."

The Scriptures tell us, "Reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Prov. 6:23 KJV). Repentance is not burdensome except to those who refuse correction. The way of reproof is the way of life! Jesus said, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent" (Rev. 3:19). It is not God's wrath that speaks to us of repentance; it is His lovingkindness. We have been promised, "He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6). As long as we desire to be like Him, His rebuke will be a door into His presence.

If, however, you recoil at the word repentance, it is because you do not want to change. You need this message. When the thought of repentance is not shrouded in gloomy images of sackcloth and tears, when correction inspires rejoicing and shouts of praise to God's grace, know that your spirit has truly become pure. It is at this point you are walking the way God calls holy.

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Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
View this message in your browser.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God



This is the first book ever written by Pastor Francis. It came after three years of studying and repeatedly reading the Gospels. The thrust of these messages is geared towards those who desire the holy, powerful life of Jesus Christ. It is a penetrating study of the human heart and how God prepares it for His glory.

Book - $8.40 (Retail $12.00)
Ebook - $8.40 (Retail $12.00)

Audio Book on CD $11.06 (Retail 14.75)
Audio book on MP3 $6.00 (Retail $12.00)
Companion Teaching - CD Series $26.25 (Retail $35.00)
Companion Teaching - MP3 Series $13.13 (Retail $17.50)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Your Authority in Christ - Audio Series



Do you understand who you are and what you can do as a believer? Our faith empowers us to act in accordance to God's will, but we must know the authority God extends to us.




CD Audio Series - $10.25 (Retail $14.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $5.25 (Retail 7.00)
DVD Video Series - $20.25 (Retail $27.00)
MP4 Video Series Download - $10.13 (Retail $13.50)

Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

Follow Francis on Instagram
______________________

Support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/support.html
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

A Jealous God
By Francis Frangipane

Have you ever sensed spiritual resistance, as though some power much greater than you was deliberately opposing your success? We often assume it is the devil who is fighting us. Allow me to suggest that, on some occasions, what is standing in your way may not be an enemy at all; it may actually be the jealousy of God.

Is the Almighty jealous for us? Yes. The Lord describes Himself often in the Bible as "a jealous God" (Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 4:24, 5:9, etc.). We should expect He would be jealous since we have actually been created for His pleasure. While His covering, nurturing love accepts us as we are, a time comes when He begins to confront the false gods, the idols, that rule in our hearts. Indeed, anything in us that denies Him full access to our souls -- anything that stands between our hearts and His -- becomes His enemy.

The revelation that His jealousy will fight against our hidden idols can be frightening if we are intent upon sin, yet it can also be liberating if we desire intimacy with Him. For He will not allow us to find enduring fulfillment in something apart from Him.

Listen to His command in Exodus: "Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst. But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim -- for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex. 34:12-14).

Oh, let us hear God's heart in trembling fear. The Lord's very name is Jealous. Jealousy is central to His nature. Indeed, it is an abomination that false gods should occupy our hearts, for we are the temple of God.

A Land of Idols
Israel committed many sins, but the worst of them involved idol worship; idolatry, beyond all others, tried God's heart. How does that relate to us, you ask? We don't have other gods in our society. Yes, we do. Though they are not standing openly in our city squares (usually), the idols in our land are just as demanding. In fact, our nation is full of false gods that influence both our actions and our thoughts. Since we each were created to worship God in focused purity, God must confront the idols in our hearts. Indeed, from His view idolatry is unfaithfulness.

Recall the Lord's word: "No one can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24). One of the most dominant idols in our culture is obsession with wealth. Even though our currency says "In God We Trust," it is more often the dollar we rely upon, not God. In fact, while billions of the world's poor starve, we are addicted to spending our wealth selfishly upon ourselves.

Jesus also said in Matthew 6:24, "You cannot serve (bow before) God and wealth." God, not money, must be our master. If we tithe, give to the poor, and do not let money rule us, wealth can certainly become our servant, and thus a blessing to us and others. But if we allow finances to rule us, mammon can easily become a false God adding stress and greed to our existence. Yet remember: Jesus did not say we couldn't have money; He said we couldn't serve money. The voice of mammon must be subdued if the Lord alone is to be our Master.

Betrothed to One Lord
Consider the powerful influence that entertainment, sports, fashion and the drive for success and materialism have over American society. If the Lord has to compete with our passions, then we are harboring idols in our hearts. Fear also is a powerful idol that rules many souls, especially during these times.

We must see God's jealousy as His desire to love and shelter us through life. He is without the dark, evil elements that human jealousy has. But even with our finite understanding, we know jealousy is response to unfaithfulness in a loved one. Once human jealousy awakens, it easily can become a consuming fire. If this has happened to you, then you know somewhat how our unfaithfulness affects the Lord's heart. Paul certainly was thinking about this when he wrote, "For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin" (2 Cor. 11:2).

James 4:5 says, "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us." Yet James also said, "You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4).

The Lord jealously desires our spirit; He calls us into oneness with Him, where we live fearlessly and radiantly as His bride on the earth. Sometimes, as I seek the Lord, I call Him by His name "Jealous." It has a profound effect on my heart. I know He knows me and loves me. As I surrender to Him, I actually advance deeper into the secret chambers of His love. Yet should I pursue other things at the expense of my time with Him -- even this writing itself -- I feel the fire of His jealousy. I am hemmed in and unable to advance anywhere except toward Him.

Lord, I repeat the words of the Psalmist: "Draw me and I will run after You." Master, I confess, I am like a dog on a leash, pulling from one side to the other. Train me to walk at Your side. Help me to rest in Your love. Thank You for jealously desiring that we should walk together through life. Amen.

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I Will Be Found By You

Perhaps this compilation of teachings from Francis Frangipane will become his most important book yet. The essence of I Will Be Found by You is a living promise from God. If we seek Him in earnest, He has purposed to reveal Himself in ways that will transform us and impact the world around us. In truth, when we consider the extent of impossible conflicts in our world, only one remedy exists: we must have more of God! If you desire more of God's presence in your life, more of God you shall certainly have.

Book - $9.10 (Retail $13.00)
Ebook - $9.10 (Retail $13.00)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Your Authority in Christ - Audio Series



Do you understand who you are and what you can do as a believer? Our faith empowers us to act in accordance to God's will, but we must know the authority God extends to us.






CD Audio Series - $10.25 (Retail $14.00)
MP3 Audio Series Download - $5.25 (Retail 7.00)
DVD Video Series - $20.25 (Retail $27.00)
MP4 Video Series Download - $10.13 (Retail $13.50)

Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

Follow Francis on Twitter

Follow Francis on Facebook

Follow Francis on Instagram
______________________

Support Advancing Church Ministries at www.frangipane.org/support.html
______________________

Comments and Questions
eword@frangipane.org
______________________

Mensajes en español

A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations were
taken from the NASB.

Christlikeness Introduction

The Church and the Harvest
Today, perhaps more than at any other time in history, nations stand at a crossroads. In the midst of terror attacks, blatant rebellion and worldwide conflicts, is there yet one more "great awakening" in God's heart that will sweep multitudes into His kingdom? Or is the future irreversibly clocked, ever ticking toward catastrophic conflicts and doom? I, for one, am convinced that the Lord's heart burns for the nations. I believe that a great harvest season awaits us.

It is easy to see sin and predict doom. Yet the very fact that God gives us the privilege of prayer tells us He desires we participate with Him in the transformation of our world. Indeed, even when a nation seems fully in the grip of evil, the heart of God is searching for one who would "stand in the gap before [Him] for the land." God's heart is to redeem, "not destroy" (Ezek. 22:30).

What a tremendous insight into the nature of God, that if just one person embraces Christlike transformation -- if he or she stands in the gap in unoffendable intercession -- that individual can alter the future of a nation! Before you think I am exaggerating, both the Bible and secular history tell us this is exactly the case. Singular individuals have stood for their families, churches, cities and nations, and throughout time God has used them to alter the course of history (Heb. 11; Eccl. 9:15).

The key to unlocking this great power from God is to live life with one compelling goal: to obtain the likeness of Christ. Everything about our ICIT course is designed to focus our faith upon Jesus Christ. The priorities we present, if properly assimilated, will empower each of us to possess true spiritual transformation.

Our vision at In Christ's Image Training is to train and release hundreds of thousands of Christlike pastors, leaders and intercessors into countries throughout the world. We are entering the season of our greatest transformation; it is accelerating toward us. God wants to use us to reach our families, neighbors and beyond. But first He must renew and transform our hearts. Do not doubt that the Spirit of God can do a deep and thorough work in you. At the end of the age, the Lord has promised His work of raising up people and reaching the nations will be accomplished "thoroughly and quickly" (Rom. 9:28). Take faith! He assures us He will "hasten" our transformation "in its time" (Isa. 60:22).

Now is the time to be prepared and trained: In Christ's Image Training. We have extended registration through Monday,
August 28, 2023 to accommodate those enrolling at the last minute.
 

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In Christ's Image Training
Registration extended through August 28

Sign up today for the next
In Christ's Image Training class.

Registration extended through
August 28, 2023
Online course begins on
September 1, 2023

In Christ's Image Training is a six-month, online course developed by Pastor Frangipane. These are proven truths that break chains and lead to power in our Christian walk.

The course comes right to your home via email and audio messages and is designed to lift one's focus toward the actual presence of Jesus Christ. The course not only includes 48 lessons and 39 audio messages (sample audio), but the discerning student will actually find the Lord using the weekly lessons to stage opportunities to deepen the truths found in the training.

1) Go to our overview page and read through the Level I page, FAQ page, Level I Syllabus page and Tuition page.

2) Choose an enrollment plan.

3) Next, complete and submit the Level I Registration form before the end of the day, Monday, August 28, 2023.

4) Class begins September 1, 2023.

For more info, see www.frangipane.org/icit-overview.html

Training also available in Spanish / Español

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Receive daily posts from Francis:

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A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc.
Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

What Are You Becoming?
By Francis Frangipane

It is insightful to me that when Luke listed the twelve apostles, when he came to Judas Iscariot, he identified him as the apostle "who became a traitor" (Luke 6:16).

Let me start with a question, a sincere question that may be the most important question you can ask yourself: What are you becoming? Judas Iscariot was an apostle "who became a traitor." This was a man who had been used mightily by the Lord to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers [and] cast out demons" (Matt. 10:8). Judas knew the excitement, joy and power of personally walking with Jesus. He saw miracles, signs and wonders.

Yet Judas had a serious character flaw, a moral weakness. The Scripture reveals that, despite the fact that God was using him, Judas "was a thief" (John 12:6). He used to pilfer the money box. It is significant, my friend, that Jesus allowed a thief to carry the money box. Sometimes we think the Lord is going to challenge us on every issue, but there are times when His silence about our repeated sin is His rebuke. Judas knew what he was doing was wrong, but since Jesus didn't directly confront him, Judas minimized the severity of his iniquity. Perhaps he rationalized that if pilfering was truly bad, God would not still be using him to work miracles.

How a little leaven leavens the whole lump! A relatively minor sin that we do not attend to can lead to a major sin that destroys our lives. The Bible says that Judas "became a traitor." He started out in ministry loyal to Jesus, but then he began lying about the finances until his deceitful exterior completely hid a very corrupt and darkened heart. Judas was a thief who became a traitor, eventually taking his own life. His compromise with sin went from bad to worse and it destroyed him.

Today Christians look at the world and see injustice, immorality and corruption. The anger we feel because of these things is not only understandable, it's justified. Why shouldn't we be angry at what we see? Indeed, in many instances we are actually watching hell manifest itself through people and situations in the world!

Knowing we would grieve over the evil in the world, God's Word tells us, "Be angry, and yet do not sin" (Eph. 4:26). We must discern at what point anger degrades into sin. Paul continues, "Do not let the sun go down on your anger." We can be legitimately angry about things that are truly wrong, but our indignation must find a more noble, redemptive attitude of expression.

I do not mean we shrink into passive indifference; I mean we rise into aggressive intercession. We feel the same passions against unrighteousness, but we learn how to pray the mercy prayer: "Father, forgive them."

I’m thinking of Stephen who while being stoned to death saw Jesus and prayed, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (Acts 7:60). Every time we face an injustice may God give us a fresh revelation of Jesus, that we would not pray for judgment, but for mercy. Out of Stephen’s prayer for mercy, grace was released. It tracked down Saul until Saul too saw Jesus.

You see, when we don’t deal with the anger we feel, if we don’t respond to injustice with mercy and intercession, we soon find ourselves becoming something we never intended. Let me say it again: Judas became a traitor.

Judas mutated from an apostle doing miracles into living a double life. Our anger, left unattended, will do the same to us. It causes us to degenerate into something we never planned on becoming: "Christian Pharisees." Paul warned about letting the sun set on our anger as though we had just 24 hours at most to deal with issues. I must admit, there are issues in life that have taken me months of wrestling with them before my indignation was lifted and transformed into intercession. So stay with the struggle until you heart is not embittered, but empowered.

Today America is overstocked with angry Christians. What can we do? We must turn indignation into intercession. We must make our heartache work for us, aligning ourselves with Christ in the prayer of redemption – actually praying for those who persecute us.

Thank God, Jesus didn't look down from the cross at the Pharisees and say, "You need to be taught a lesson. It's the principle." No. He prayed, "Father, forgive them." And then, amazingly, He covered their sin, saying, "They know not what they do."

The sense of Christian indignation infiltrating the church has not come from Heaven. Don't dismiss your anger as a little sin; it disqualified Moses from entering the Promised Land! You see, there are things at stake that are bigger than our indignation about right and wrong. The world is watching how we relate to those who are morally wrong, even when we are biblically right. And they are watching to see if we sound like the Savior or like the Pharisees.

Yet there is one thing more crucial than how the world sees us, and that is how Christ sees us. He is watching what is happening to our hearts. He asks each of us a simple question: Do you know what you're becoming?

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This preceding message is adapted from a chapter in Francis' book, The Power of One Christlike Life. To order, please visit www.arrowbookstore.com.

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In Christ's Image Training


Sign up today for the next
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In Christ's Image Training is a six-month, online course developed by Pastor Frangipane. These are proven truths that break chains and lead to power in our Christian walk.

The course comes right to your home via email and audio messages and is designed to lift one's focus toward the actual presence of Jesus Christ. The course not only includes 48 lessons and 39 audio messages (sample audio), but the discerning student will actually find the Lord using the weekly lessons to stage opportunities to deepen the truths found in the training.

1) Go to our overview page and read through the Level I page, FAQ page, Level I Syllabus page and Tuition page.

2) Choose an enrollment plan.

3) Next, complete and submit the Level I Registration form before the end of the day, Thursday, August 24, 2023.

4) Class begins September 1, 2023.

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Training also available in Spanish / Español

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The Power of One Christlike Life

Updated and revised, The Power of One Christlike Life carries a cargo of gold from the heart of a man after God's heart. This book by Pastor Frangipane contains the nectar of his walk with God. It is packed with revelation about the nature of God in Christ, and how the key to everything spiritual is found in the pursuit of Christ's likeness.

View Francis introducing this book


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The Abundant Life - series

Ask almost anyone and you will find their deepest desire is to live a life of abundance, a life filled to the brim with grace from God and love from those around them. Drawing on God's everlasting truth, Francis Frangipane guides us into that life.

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The Afflictions of Love
By Francis Frangipane

Wounding is inevitable if we are following Christ. Jesus was both "marred" (Isa. 52:14) and "wounded" (Zech. 13:6), and if we are sincere in our pursuit of His nature, we will suffer as well. How else can love be perfected?

Yet, let us beware. We either become Christlike and forgive, or we enter a spiritual time warp where we abide continually in the memory of our wounding. Like a systemic disease, the hurtful memories destroy every aspect of our reality. In truth, apart from God, the wounding that life inflicts is incurable. God has decreed that only Christ in us can survive.

Intercessors live on the frontier of change. We are positioned to stand between the needs of man and the provision of God. Because we are the agents of redemption, Satan will always seek the means to offend, discourage, silence, or otherwise steal the strength of our prayers. The wounding we receive must be interpreted in light of God's promise to reverse the effects of evil and make them work for our good (Rom. 8:28). Since spiritual assaults are inevitable, we must discover how God uses our wounds as the means to greater power. This was exactly how Christ brought redemption to the world.

Jesus knew that maintaining love and forgiveness in the midst of suffering was the key that unlocked the power of redemption. Isaiah 53:11 tells us, "By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, as He will bear their iniquities."

Jesus possessed "revelation knowledge" into the mystery of God. He knew that the secret to unleashing world-transforming power was found at the cross. The terrible offense of the cross became the place of redemption for the world. Yet, remember, Jesus calls us to a cross as well. (See Matthew 16:24.) Wounding is simply an altar upon which our sacrifice to God is prepared.

Listen again to Isaiah's prophetic description of Jesus' life. His words, at first, seem startling, but as we read, we discover a most profound truth concerning the power of woundedness. He wrote,

"But the Lord was pleased to crush Him, putting Him to grief; if He would render Himself as a guilt offering, He will see His offspring, He will prolong His days, and the good pleasure of the Lord will prosper in His hand" (Isa. 53:10).

How did Jesus obtain the power of God's pleasure and have it prosper in His hands? During His times of crushing, woundedness, and devastation, instead of retaliating, He rendered Himself "as a guilt offering."

The crushing is not a disaster; it is an opportunity. You see, our purposeful love may or may not touch the sinner's heart, but it always touches the heart of God. We are crushed by people, but we need to allow the crushing to ascend as an offering to God. The far greater benefit is the effect our mercy has on the Father. If we truly want to be instruments of God's good pleasure, then it is redemption, not wrath, that must prosper in our hands.

So, when Christ encounters conflict, even though He is the Lion of Judah, He comes as the Lamb of God. Even when He is outwardly stern, His loving heart is always mindful that He is the "guilt offering." Thus, Jesus not only asks the Father to forgive those who have wounded Him, but also numbers Himself with the transgressors and intercedes for them (Isa. 53:12). He does this because the Father takes "no pleasure in the death of the wicked" (Ezek. 33:11), and it is the pleasure of God that Jesus seeks.

Is this not the wonder and mystery, yes, and the power, of Christ's cross? In anguish and sorrow, wounded in heart and soul, still He offered Himself for His executioners' sins. Without visible evidence of success, deemed a sinner and a failure before man, He courageously held true to mercy. In the depth of terrible crushing, He let love attain its most glorious perfection. He uttered the immortal words, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

Christ could have escaped. As the Romans came to arrest Him, He told Peter, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matt. 26:53). In less than a heartbeat, the skies would have been flooded with thousands of warring angels. Yes, Jesus could have escaped, but mankind would have perished. Christ chose to go to hell for us rather than return to heaven without us. Instead of condemning mankind, He rendered "Himself as a guilt offering" (Isa. 53:10, emphasis added). He prayed the mercy prayer, "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34).

Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also" (John 14:12). We assume He meant that we would work His miracles, but Jesus did not limit His definition of "works" to the miraculous. The works He did—the redemptive life, the mercy cry, the identification with sinners, rendering Himself a guilt offering—all the works He did, we will "do also."

Thus, because He lives within us, we see that Isaiah 53 does not apply exclusively to Jesus; it also becomes the blueprint for Christ in us. Indeed, was this not part of His reward, that He would see His offspring (Isa. 53:10)? Beloved, we are the progeny of Christ.

Read these words from Paul's heart:

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions" (Col. 1:24).

What did the apostle mean? Did not Christ fully pay mankind's debts once and for all? Did Paul imply that we now take Jesus' place? No, we will never take Jesus' place. It means that Jesus has come to take our place. The Son of God manifests all the aspects of His redemptive, sacrificial life through us. Indeed, "as He is, so also are we in this world" (1 John 4:17).

Paul not only identified with Christ in his personal salvation, but he was also consumed with Christ's purpose. He wrote, "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Phil. 3:10).

What a wondrous reality is the "fellowship of His sufferings." Here, in choosing to yoke our existence with Christ's purpose, we find true friendship with Jesus. This is intimacy with Christ. The sufferings of Christ are not the sorrows typically endured by mankind. They are the afflictions of love. They bring us closer to Jesus. United with Him, we increase the pleasure of God.

Father, I see You have had no higher purpose for me but to manifest through my life the nature of Your Son. I surrender to Christ, rendering myself not merely as a judge or critic, but as an offering for those who have brought wounding to my soul. May the fragrance of my worship remind You of Jesus, and may You forgive and cleanse the world around me.

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This preceding message is adapted from a chapter in Francis' book, The Power of One Christlike Life. To order, please visit www.arrowbookstore.com.

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The Power of One Christlike Life

Updated and revised, The Power of One Christlike Life carries a cargo of gold from the heart of a man after God's heart. This book by Pastor Frangipane contains the nectar of his walk with God. It is packed with revelation about the nature of God in Christ, and how the key to everything spiritual is found in the pursuit of Christ's likeness.

View Francis introducing this book


Book - $8.10 (Retail $13.50)
Ebook - $8.10 (Retail $13.50)

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Victory Over Pain - series

Everyone will experience emotional pain and wounding sometime in life, but not everyone knows how to deal with the effects of pain. Our unattended wounds can trap us in the past, literally imprisoning us within a stronghold of heartache, regret or anger. Francis Frangipane tells us that we can be freed from the past and reveals how the very wounds we experience can deepen our spiritual life.

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MP4 Video Series Download - $11.25 (Retail $15.00)

Visit Arrow Bookstore to order these and
other resources by Pastor Francis
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Copyright (c) 2023
All rights reserved.

A Heart Without Idols
By Francis Frangipane

When we first come to Jesus, He accepts us just as we are: problems, sins and all. As our needs are met, however, we gradually discover that God is seeking something from our lives. What He seeks is our worship. But true worship is the consequence, the result, of seeing God as He is. It springs naturally from a soul purified by love; it rises like incense from a heart without idols.

The God Whose Name is Jealous
Christ does not personally destroy the idols of sin and self within us. Rather, He points to them and tells us to destroy them. This message is about repentance. If you withdraw from the sound of that word, it is because you need a fresh cleansing of your soul. In fact, we are talking about a type of repentance that is uncommon to those who only seek forgiveness but not change. We are speaking of deep repentance—a vigilant, contrite attitude that refuses to allow sin or self to become an idol in our hearts.

In Exodus we see Christ's view of idols. He warns,

Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst. But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim—for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. —Exodus 34:12–14

There are many aspects to the nature of Christ. He is the Good Shepherd, our Deliverer and our Healer. We perceive God through the filter of our need of Him. And thus He has ordained, for He Himself is our one answer to a thousand needs.

But how does Jesus see us? Looking through His eyes, the church is His bride: bone of His bones and flesh of His flesh (Ephesians 5:22–32). He has not saved us so we can live for ourselves again; He has saved us for Himself (Colossians 1:16). True salvation is a betrothal. He purifies us for our marriage. From His perspective, our independent ways are idolatrous. They kindle the fires of His jealousy.

An idol is not an occasional sin; it is something that rules us and makes us its slave. For some, fear is an idol; for others it is lust; for still others it is rebellion or pride. Whatever challenges Jesus' right to our hearts becomes His enemy, which He will confront. Because of His jealousy toward us as His bride, in regard to these false gods, the Lord demands we destroy these idols ourselves.

From the above Scriptures we see that Jesus does not want us to "carefully" take down that hidden altar of sin so we will not break it; rather He commands that we "tear down" what is offensive. He is not politely asking us to dismantle, bolt-by-bolt, our pillars of pride; instead, He demands that we "smash" them to pieces. When He shows us an inner idol, we must demolish it completely. We cannot secretly harbor the slightest intention of ever using that idol again. It must be destroyed.

You may feel you are not worshiping any idols. You do not stand, morning by morning, before a statue of Baal and praise it as your god. Indeed, we do not worship the idols of the ancient heathen. Like everything in our modern world, man has sophisticated idolatry as well. Paul talks of the antichrist who will appear in the last days as that one "who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God" (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Where is the temple of God on earth—is it a building? Perhaps, but in no other place in Paul's teaching does he refer to the temple of God as anything other than the church. Yet, even if Paul is referring to a man seated as a god in Jerusalem, somewhere in that man's life he had to first think of himself as "being God."

Let us perceive the antichrist as did the apostle John, who saw it not only as one who was coming but also as a spiritual enemy that sought to infiltrate and then replace true Christianity (1 John 2:18; 4:3). The antichrist spirit is a religious spirit; it is manifested in that thinking which refuses to be taught and corrected by Christ or anyone else. The spirit of antichrist is resident in much of the church today, opposing the move of God, displaying itself as being God.

Simply put, the spirit of antichrist is that spirit which exalts self as deity. You see, the spirit of antichrist is much more subtle than someone suddenly announcing to the world he is the Creator. Again, our world is far too sophisticated for that. For us today, we must look for the influence of antichrist in our religious traditions: are those traditions founded upon Scripture or upon man? And then, beyond our traditions, in the immediacy of our own hearts, we must discern the disposition of the antichrist spirit in the thought structure of our flesh nature. Is there something in your soul which opposes and exalts itself above God, taking its seat in the human temple of God, displaying itself as being God? The resistance in you against God is an idol. It is the most powerful idol in the human heart.

But the false god of self-rule does not stand alone in man. The ancient god Mercury would be hard pressed to keep pace with today's gods of Anxiety and Haste. The world has taken its bloodlust out of the ancient Roman arenas and put it into violent movies. They have taken the goddesses of fertility from the Greek hillsides only to idolize sex in our theaters and televisions. What mankind has done is move the pagan temples from the high places of the countryside to the hidden places of the human heart.

If we exalt money, status or sex above the Word of God, we are living in idolatry. Every time we inwardly submit to the strongholds of fear, bitterness and pride, we are bowing to the rulers of darkness. Each of these idols must be smashed, splintered and obliterated from the landscape of our hearts.

"I am a Jealous God"
"You shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God!" (Exodus 34:14) The Lord did not say He was, at times, jealous; He said His name, which reveals His nature, is Jealous. Right next to His name "I Am" is His name "Jealous." His love is not some ethereal principle of "higher cosmic consciousness." His love is focused upon us, actually jealous for us as individuals. He "calls his own sheep by name" (John 10:3). Jesus knows your name. He loves you personally. The fact that Christ is jealous for us as individuals, caring and providing for each aspect of our lives, and that He suffered humiliation and death on the cross to pay for our sins, demonstrates how great a love it is with which He loves us. He gave all. He deserves all.

His jealousy for us is perfect. It is not the same as human jealousy: petty, possessive and insecure. He is not sitting in Heaven wringing His hands, wondering what we really think of Him. His jealousy is based upon His pure love for us and His desire to bless us and fulfill our lives in Him. He understands us, yet knowing our weaknesses, He still "jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us" (James 4:5). His promise to us is faithful: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). He refuses to stop loving us. You may think of yourself as a sinner, as unlovable—as though no one wants you, but Jesus desires you.

Early in my ministry, upon occasion I gave up on certain individuals, people who seemed to me hopelessly unreceptive to God. As the years passed, I would later discover these same individuals were now walking with God. Jesus is faithful. He loves you with a love that is jealous for you as a person.

God knows, however, that in order for you to experience His love, the idols of self and sin must be destroyed. And to prove our intentions and love for Him, He tells us to smash these idols. Would you be holy? Then remove the idols of self and sin from within you. For holiness exists in a soul purified by love; it exudes like incense from a heart without idols.

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This preceding message is adapted from a chapter in Francis' book, Holiness Truth and the Presence of God. To order, please visit www.arrowbookstore.com.

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Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God


This is the first book ever written by Pastor Francis. It came after three years of studying and repeatedly reading the Gospels. The thrust of these messages is geared towards those who desire the holy, powerful life of Jesus Christ. It is a penetrating study of the human heart and how God prepares it for His glory.


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DNA of a Christ Follower - series




Is a Christian's "calling" a list of tasks to accomplish, or is it something higher, deeper and more eternally significant than we dare to imagine? Discover the way God has built into our very being everything He desires for us.

 

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