| May 7, 2018 "The Spirit of WITHHOLDING is Crippling Many. How About You?"
Chad Taylor, Thomasville, Georgia From the Desk of Steve Shultz:  If we tell the Lord and others that we intend to give an extravagant gift, or even just a really good one...and then decide we could use some of that money for ourselves instead, WE ARE IN DEEP TROUBLE WITH GOD.
We have free will with God and we can give whatever we choose. The problem comes when we CHOOSE to give a generous amount to the Lord and we make that commitment. We might even tell others about it too, thus heaping GLORY to ourselves that only belongs to God. Having received God's glory for ourselves, then if we withhold some of the money for our own use...are you seeing the problem? By this story we learn, "If you're going to give, then give...give every penny you promised." But if you get the glory for giving, and then you choose to hold some back...God is SHOWING US that this could even be a "sin unto death" for you. In short, for goodness' sake, don't do that! Now, armed with that story, you go ahead and read this by Chad Taylor. (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.) Note: Do these free emails bless you? Would you consider your part in the financial support of ELIJAH LIST MINISTRIES? Here's a button you can click on if you are able to help us: Please forward this word to your friends! Encourage them to subscribe to the Elijah List right here: http://elijahlist.com/subscribe. Enjoy! Steve Shultz, Founder and Publisher
The Elijah List & Breaking Christian News
http://www.elijahlist.com ************************************* "The Spirit of WITHHOLDING is Crippling Many. How About You?"
Chad Taylor, Thomasville, Georgia  I saw the words like a giant banner as I prayed recently: "Ananias and Sapphira, the spirit of 'restraint' and 'withholding' is crippling the Body of Christ from moving!" The story is found in Acts 5:1-10 when Ananias (which means "favored one") and his wife Sapphira (which means "sapphire" as in the high priest's breastplate) sold a piece of property, then conspired to lie to the apostles about the price. What follows is one of the most controversial stories in the New Testament as both are struck dead, one followed by the other. Embezzling Against the Spirit of God Clearly, by the meaning of their names, they were both favored and blessed by God prior to this series of tragic events. Ananias "the favored" one and his wife "the priestly sapphire" came into a substantial amount of money from the sale of their land. As the story continues, they both willfully conspired to hold back a portion of the money and then bring it in part to the apostles. The word "held back" in verse three is the Greek word "nosphizó" which means: "To set apart or separate oneself, or withdraw covertly and appropriate to one's use..." It's also where we get the root meaning of our modern day term, "EMBEZZLE." Ananias and Sapphira were actually embezzling against God by submitting to the spirit of "nosphizó" which led to their untimely death! I saw this spirit of "nosphizó" casting a dark foreboding shadow over the Body of Christ that was inevitably crippling her – killing her vision, dreams and ministries. Our stubborn unwillingness and fear to give all, no strings attached, and to lay down our lives has had a tragic cause and effect. Jesus said in Luke 16:11, "If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of Heaven?" Proverbs 3:27-28 admonishes us, "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,' When you have it with you." This is the spirit of nosphizó. No Holding Back The same "nosphizó" or, "holding back" from God cross referenced with Acts 5 is found in Joshua 7:1, the sin of Achan: "But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things or things set apart for the Lord; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel." This spirit of withholding, restraint and broken promises is the Achilles heal of the Bride of Christ. It has dramatically slowed down, stymied and quenched the work of the Lord. This explains why many ministries, marriages and churches are failing and our cities are under spiritual and moral siege. The spirit of nosphizó, "to set apart or separate for oneself, or withdraw covertly and appropriate to one's own use..." has been given permission to reign. We see this same anger from the Lord in Acts 5 when Ananias and his wife keep back a portion of what was intended to be for the Lord's work and ultimately evangelizing the world. Peter's response is profound, "Ananias, why have you let satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren't lying to us but to God!" A Commanded Blessing This debilitating, disabling, devitalizing spirit of nosphizó is being exposed in this season and the promise of Jesus found in Luke 6:38 will explode our wildest expectations! "Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." The words, "It will be given to you" is the Greek word, didómi which means, "COMMAND!" God will command a blessing to be released as we resolve to "give all, not hold back, and to take up our cross and follow Jesus!" The words "pressed down" actually mean, "noble, honorable character." God will make us noble and honorable in character as we catapult His Word to the uttermost parts of the world! The restraint, the holding back, the fear of giving all, is being broken and in minutes, hours and days we will see the increase – good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. Increase that, "eye has not see nor ear heard" to cause a quantum leap in missions, the equipping and the sending of missionaries. The Great Commission is so desperately needed in these latter days. The shadow of nosphizó will no longer dog our steps and hinder our progress – causing the Body of Christ to limp at best, ineffective and bankrupt. The word "shaken together" in the Scripture above is "saleuó" which means to, "stir up, to agitate, shake up..." God is shaking us, awakening us to the awesome opportunities that lie immediately ahead to fund, empower and enable His work! Carpe diem! (To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.) Chad Taylor
Consuming Fire Ministries
Email: info@consumingfire.com
Website: www.consumingfire.com Chad Taylor is known around the world for his two critically acclaimed books, Why Revival Still Tarries and The Cry of the Harvest. After 15+ years as a prophetic voice to the nations and a full-time minister on television, radio and conferences, his passion and attention is often found elsewhere; with the broken, bedraggled, and unreached masses that are yet to be touched with the matchless love of Jesus. Chad has been called Prophet, Evangelist and a modern-day Revivalist but you will most likely find Chad under a bridge, a street corner and an inner-city basketball court than the meeting hall and if you're in his company long enough you will be as well! Chad currently resides in Georgia with his wife and three children. ************************************* To receive daily, encouraging prophetic emails from The Elijah List to your in box CLICK HERE or go to: http://elijahlist.com/subscribe Visit our webstore and check out Alveda King's book by Elijah List Publications: America Return to God: www.americareturntogod.com Also check out Steve Shultz's Revised and 2nd Edition book Can't You Talk Louder, God?: http://www.elijahshopper.com/cant-you-talk-louder-god-secrets-to-hearing-the-voice-of-god-revised-and-updated-edition-by-steve-shultz/ Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep Elijah List website, email contact info, and author contact information intact. Elijah List Publications
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