From Mark Skinner

{I've had some very good time with the Lord this morning where I was needy and He ministered some life giving help to me. When I arose I read email from Bobby Burns and Brian Fields about warning. I intend to publish those next. Been hearing it a lot lately! Could very well be a mercy warning from our King, as Mark's story below clearly communicates. I encourage you to read it in it's entirety, meditate on it, and take heed (better rendered ACT! if the Lord gives you leading, by His most Loving, Holy Spirit.) His Grace be Yours. -=db=-}


For His Glory!

January 27, 2007


Greetings from CrossRaods/A Step Up!
Outreach Ministries

"So when all these things begin to happen, stand straight and look up, for your salvation [Greek-deliverance] is near!" --Luke 21:28 NLT

In 66AD as the Roman armies surrounded Jerusalem, there were those who knew immediately that this was the time Jesus had warned about, over thirty years previous. Those who were "alert" made immediate plans for fleeing Judea and seeking out the safety of the surrounding high country. When the Roman armies left...well that brought about the second test of obedience and faith. Was Jesus wrong? Were the people in Jerusalem who'd stayed behind now justified in their ridicule and skepticism? Some thought so, and left the safety of the mountains to resume their secular lives in Judea.

Others however, were not deterred. They trusted their "spiritual eyes" more than their imperfect "physical eyes." They remained in the hill country, enduring persecution and scorn from their Jewish friends and relatives, who saw them as "fanatics" and misguided. But, we know the rest of the story...

The Roman armies returned and eventually in 70AD, Jerusalem suffered the destruction that Christ Jesus had foretold. It was a destruction such had, never occurred in the area before, nor since.
Before the actual destruction, the conditions inside the city (behind the walls and gates) became such as we might read about in a horror novel or see in such a movie. Starvation ran rampant, mothers ate their children, all sense of moral obligation or loyalty was ignored. What a terrible fate, and yet...it did not occur without warning!

Those who were obedient, were spared. What was the obedience in this case? Faithful followers were to warn those around them of the prophetic words spoken by Jesus. As the events foretold began to occur, they were to continue to warn others as they made their own escape ready, and followed through with that evacuation. Those who obediently followed this commission were sparred AND all who listened to them and followed suit, were spared as well.

This of course brings us to the greater fulfillment of Jesus prophetic warning. Our day is without a doubt, that "end of the age," "last days," "end of times," etc. As true Christians recognize the events foretold coming true, are we raising our heads up and accepting our commission from our King, Jesus Christ? Are we separating ourselves from the "world" that surrounds us, which is controlled by Satan and destined for destruction? What's more, as we figuratively do, "live apart from the wickedness of the world" are we warning others of the impending judgment . Are we "living" AND "speaking" the wonderful truths of Christ and His Kingdom?

The New Testament is full of instruction and encouragement for modern day followers of Christ, regarding "encouraging one another" to be and act accountable to what we know, and to live and teach the glorious Salvation of Christ.

If we are not "rooted" in a "biblically active" congregation, then we can neither encourage nor be encouraged. However, if we limit our "Christian activities" to only those events and opportunities which occur "inside" the walls of our churches, how will we ever fulfill our greater commission of reaching a lost world?

The time is urgent for genuine Christian balance. Iron sharpens iron...but for what purpose? Is it only for a stable and "comfortable" foundation, of our own? The irony here is...as long as we "justify" our resistance to get out of our comfort zone, remaining comfortably isolated from the lost and unrighteous of this world, we will stay constantly "needy" for the encouragement of others...UNREASONABLY NEEDY!

I'm reminded of the condition of the "Dead Sea." The reason this notorious body of water has so accurately maintained its name.."Dead," is due to the fact that it has no OUTLET...
The life giving nutrients and other qualities of the waters which run into the Dead Sea are rendered worthless by the build up of salt, sulphur, sludge, etc. which continue to flow in to this "dead end" water way. Of what value is it for God's Holy Spirit to "fill us up," when we voluntarily have no outlet? The negatives of our flesh, the daily routine of living among the wickedness of this world, continue to render our "Holy Spirit High's" short-lived, for we fail to grasp the purpose for which they were given.

"I'm inadequate, insecure, uncomfortable, ignorant, untrained, not worthy, ill-equipped, speech impaired, yatta, yatta, yatta...It won't wash!None of us are able to do anything, but by the power of Him who would equip us for every good work! I'm an imperfect disaster, when left to my own abilities...THE ONLY INGREDIENT REQUIRED OF ME, IS UNCONDITIONAL WILLINGNESS! RECEIVE AND OBEY!

As we continue to encourage one another in this coming season of 2007, I pray that we all seek out the direction of His Spirit, as to HOW we should encourage....and to WHAT. May our accountability, "mature" so that we not only console one another but we "insist" of one another the willingness to truly "serve" our King, while their is yet still time for it!

Don't know how or where to serve......ASK! and keep asking until you get an answer!

God's Grace and Patience to us all...

In That Grace,
Brother John Mark Skinner
& The Entire CrossRoads/A Step Up Team