KEYSTOLOVINGUNITYINFAMILYANDFELLOWSHIP. Copyright8/23/'96 ThisisanASCIItextforuneditedandunchangeddistribution onthenetandwwwbyLeeTyler, P.O.Box620763,SanDiego,CA921620763; oldservant8@aol.com;oldservant@gmail.com;Jabez1Chr4@hotmail.

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TheprinciplesAmyCarmichaeltaughtinherbook,TheGoldCord,are applicabletofellowshipsandfamilies.Herbookshowsthedetailsand practicesofafellowshiporfamilythatwantstofullyexperiencethe followingScriptures. "Behold,howgoodandhowpleasantitisforbrethrentodwell togetherinunity!Likethepreciousoiluponthehead,thatrandown uponthebeard,uponAaron'sbeard,thatrandowntothehemofhis garments;AsthedewofHermonthatdescendsonthemountainsof Zion;fortherehasJehovahcommandedtheblessing,lifefor evermore."Psalm133 "I,theprisonerin[the]Lord,exhortyouthereforetowalkworthyof thecallingwithwhichyouhavebeencalled,withalllowlinessand

meekness,withlongsuffering,bearingwithoneanotherinLove; usingdiligencetokeeptheunityoftheSpiritintheunitingbondof peace."Ephesians4:13 "AnewcommandmentIgivetoyou,thatyouLoveeachother;asI haveLovedyou,thatyoualsoloveeachother.Bythisshallallknow thatyouareMydisciples,ifyouhaveLoveforeachother."John13:34, 35

Amywrote: "Nopurerjoycanbe ThantobeoneinThee; Boundbyonegoldencord OflovetoourdearLord. Together,together,together, MadeoneinThee, AlloneinThee, Comeletusflowtogether.

 Comeletusflowtogether TothegoodnessoftheLord Together,together,together, Alleluia. Thansongofsweetwildbird, Deepinthegreenwoodheard, Moresweetthemelody Ofsuchaunity. Allsinging,allsinging,allsinging, MadeoneinThee, AlloneinThee, Comeletusflow,allsinging.">a SuchsingingisanevidenceofthefillingandunityoftheSpirit inthebondofpeace"speakingtooneanotherinpsalmsand hymnsandspiritualsongs,singingandmakingmelodyinyour hearttotheLord..."(Eph.5:19)

 "Thereisapeerlessjoyincomradeshipthattheyearscanonly proveandstrengthen.Thisjoyhasbeenours.Weknowthat theLord'whoknitustogether,shallkeepustogether'........ Comfortandjoymeetinthisvitalunion, Shelterinstormandpeacefulnessinstrife; ThustobeknitinThypurelove'scommunion Itisourlife,OLord:itisourlife.">b SowroteAmyCarmichael,theauthorofGoldCordandfounder oftheDohnavurFellowshipinTirunelveliDistrict,S.India,that continuestothisdayandbeganinthe19thcentury.Shenever setoutorintendedtodomorethantoservethosesuffering abouther,sharethejoyofhersalvationintheLordJesus Christ,andrescuechildrenfrombecomingtempleprostitutesin worshipofHindusexgodsandgodesses.Asshedidthese thingstheLordprovidednotonlyhermaterialneeds,but preciousandwonderfulcoworkers,Lovewarriors,anda

fellowshipwasbornthatevidencedthesupernaturalpeace, harmony,unity,sharing,service,andunselfishcompassionate cherishingthatispossibleonlyinandbyJesusandHisSpirit. Intheprocess,likeHudsonTaylorofChinaInlandMission, GeorgeMullerofBristolEnglandandmany,shedecidedthat shewouldnotaskanymortalforfundsorsupplies,norletany mortaloutsideofthefellowshipknowtheirneedforfundsor supplies,evenwhenthefellowshiphadgrowntoover500 residentswithanonsitehospital.SheandthoseoftheGold CordagreedtoaskonlyJesus'Fatherforthefundsandsupplies theyneeded,andinanageofnolongdistancephoneservice, nocomputersandnoquicktelecommunications,Jesus'Father providedthemwithalltheirneeds,providingthefellowship withtensofmillionsofdollars(atourcurrentrateofexchange) overtheyearsbeforeshewentontobewithJesus. DuringherlifeatDohnavurintheGoldCord,therewas

realizedthatblessedunityoftheSpiritinthebondofpeace anointedwithafillingofthespiritthatspilledoverinsongand thanksgivingswhentheygatheredtogether,maleandfemale, oldandyoung,ofmanyraces,ofmanynations,ofmany stationsinlifeandoverthedecades.Itisoneofthegreatest andbestdocumentedproofsthatGodis,thatJesusisaliveand presentinourmidst,andthatGodlovesusenoughtobe intimatelyinvolvedinourpersonalandcorporatelives.And soIofferherasatried,testedandtrueexpertonlovingunity inafamilyandinafellowship. ThekeystoaharmoniousChristianfamily liesintherelationshipeachmemberhaswiththerisenand soontoreturnLordJesusChrist.Thekeystosuchfamily harmonyareessentiallythesameasthekeystoany harmoniousandLovingChristianfellowship.LovingJesus withallourhearts,allourstrength,allourmindsandallour soul(personality)firstandforemostmanifestsitselfin

lovinganddevotedobediencetoJesus.Suchlovingand devotedobediencemanifestsitselfintheunselfishandself denyingcompassionatecherishingofallwhoLoveJesus, whichwouldincludethehusband,wifeandchildrenina Christianfamily.Let'slookatsomeofthe charactertraitsthatJesuswillworkinusifweaskandlet Him,charactertraitsthatwillmakeforaLovingand harmoniousChristianfamily. Amyfoundcertaincharactertraitsessentialtotheharmonyof thefellowshipoftheGoldCord:"truth,willingnessforhard work,afreedomfromthedominanceofmoney,andvery lovinghearts...TheywereloversoftheirLordandservantsof Hissick;theylovedoneanotherfervently,andmoneyhadno poweroverthem.">cWhatabouttheleader,thehusband inafamilyortheleaderofafellowshipofbonded souls,boundtogetherinSpiritbyasharedvision?Hewould havetobeamanofthatvision,"onetowhomthesame

heavenlyvisionhadbeenshown,sothathecouldnotbe turnedbackfromitorcausedtodoubtwhathehadseen.">d "Onlyonewhowassomasteredbyhisconvictionsabout buildingingold,silver,andpreciousstonescouldholdon throughwhatwassuretohappenwhenthereseemedtobeno materialofthatsortathand,andthedriving"must"of apparentnecessitytoacceptwoodandhayandstubblewas uponhim.ButwhenconvictionsareinwroughtbytheSpiritof God,theyarenotconqueredbyopposition,orshakenby criticismorfailure,orbrokenorweakenedbydisappointment. TheleadersentofGodwouldnotloseheart.Forhimwe prayedpersistently.">e TheLeader,yeatheband,cannotbegiventoselfindulgent comfort.Alifeofsharingisalifeofselfdisciplineandself denialbecauseselfdoesnotliketoshare.Inabonded fellowshipormarriage,aftersharing,lovingservice

toyourpartnersisthenextkeytosuccess.Sharingandservice arenotnaturallycomfortableandoftenallowthoseexercising suchvirtueslittleornocomfort."Comfort,thatstealthything thatentersthehouseasguest,andthenbecomesahost,and thenmaster.Ay,anditbecomesatamer,andwithhookand scourgemakespuppetsofyourlargerdesires.Thoughits handsaresilken,itsheartisiron.Verily,thelustforcomfort murdersthepassionofthesoul,andthenwalksgrinningtothe funeral.">fThedesireforpersonalcomfortisanenemyof unityinafamily/fellowship. Inmostoftheworldtodayanyoneconsideringbeingapart ofaGodlyfamilyorcontroversialfellowshipmustbe preparedtosufferridicule,harassment,socialandemotional trials,andevenphysicalsufferingashappenedtomyfriend Kaneandhisfamily. "Deadtotheworldanditsapplause,

Toallthecustoms,fashions,laws, OfthosewhohatethehumblingCross">g "Idonotwantpeoplewhocometomeundercertain reservations.Inbattleyouwantsoldierswhofearnothing... weprayedthatanyonewhocouldbekeptbackshouldbe keptback.Weevenfoundourselvesaskingthatevery belittlingstorythatcouldshakecourageordesiremightbe toldtosuchaoneanythingratherthantohaveonewho wasnotmeantforus.">hItisbesttohavewithyouonly thosewhomtheLordhaschosenandcalledtobewithyou, especiallyinsuchacomplicatedanddelicateassociationasin acomplexChristianfamilyorcontroversialfellowships.If oneshouldjointhefamilywhowasnotcalledtoitbytheLord, thefamilywillexperiencemanyofthestrugglesJoshua experiencedwiththeCanaanites,buttheLordwillhonor unifiedprayerandfastingbytherestofthefamily eveninsuchcircumstancesandcanturnittoHisgloryafter

manytrialsandmuchstruggle,evensuffering. TobuildsuchaLovingandharmoniousChristianfamily,the membersofthefamilymustanswertheSpiritualcallto buildsuchafamily,byChrist'sinnerworking.>1Ifthereis anymemberofthefamilywhodoesnothavethecallingto suchafamily,the"called"membersneedtofastandprayin agreementforsuchanuncalledmembertoreceivethe "call">2.Theymustbeopentotheleadingandinner workingofJesus,nomatterhow"unpractical">3.That involveseachmemberdyingtothemselvesandtheirown personaldesiressothatJesuscanbirthhisLifeanddesires inthem>4.AlackofzealandcommitmenttothisLoving harmonyisfataltosuchacalling."Tisdeath,mysoul,tobe indifferent"whenHehascalledustoLoveeachotherwith allourmight>5"OurMasterhasneverpromisedus success.Hedemandsobedience.Heexpectsfaithfulness. ResultsareHisconcern,notours.Andourreputationisa

matterofnoconsequenceatall"whenweareobeyingHis clearandexplicitWord.>6 ThemembersofsuchafamilyshouldanswerthecalltoLove indeedandnotsimplyinword.WeneedaLovethatis willingtohavebothdirtyhandsandcallousedhands.>7 Atthesametime,theseselflessworkersofLove,should learntowaitontheLord,listeningtoHisSpiritspeakfrom withinastheyquietlywaitonHimandmeditateonHis Word.Thisinvolvesapatientwaiting,notthehurriedor busywaitingoftheWesternworld.Thisinvolvesthequiet, oftensilent,waitingandlisteningwherewearenotspeaking toHim,butspendingsignificanttimewaitingonHimto speaktousbyHisSpiritandWord.>8Thismeansthe puttingasideofouragendaandthewaitingonHimforHis agenda.Thismustprecedetheprayersofpetition, intercessionandthepouringoutofone'ssoultotheLord. ThosewhowaitontheLordlearnhowbettertoprayand

speakwiththeLord. "ThatwhichIknownotteachThoume, Who,blessedLord,teachethlikeThee? Leadmydesiresthattheymaybe AccordingtoThywill. Kindlemythoughtsthattheymayglow, Andliftthemupwheretheyarelow, Andfreshenthem,thattheymayflow AccordingtoThywill.">9 FirstandforemostinthecharacterofthosecalledtoLoving andharmoniousChristianmarriageisloyaltytoJesus,even tothepointofbeingwillingtolaydownandsacrificeyourown lifeforHimandHiswill.>10Ifallinthefamilyhavesucha devotedloyaltytoChrist,thenitisnotdifficultforthe husbandstoLovetheirwivesasChristLovedtheassemblyof saints,anditisnotdifficultforthewivestoLovinglyfollow

theleadoftheirhusbandsastheyfollowtheleadoftheir Lord.Themostimportantexpressionofthefamily'sLove isunhinderedprayertogetherforeachother.>11Such prayershouldspringoutofthefaitheachmemberhasfrom hearingandheedingtheWordintheirlives.Thatfaith expressesitselfindeepandmeaningfulsharedconvictionsof whatisimportantandright.Thatfaithexpressesitselfin unity,harmonyandorderlinessbasedonsharedconvictions andsharedprioritiesandsharedgoalsdevelopedinprayerand intheWord.Suchafaithwillhavethepeacethatpassesall understanding,castingallourcaresonHimbecauseHecares forusandtrustingHimwithourfuture.Suchafaithandpeace enablesustoexperiencejoyintheLord,"immortallight heartedness...aspontaneousgaiety"forwithoutasenseof humornoonewouldwellsurviveacomplexfamily.>12 "..thisbeautifulhappy...loyalty...isthebasicqualityof vitalunity">13inaChristianfellowshiporcomplexfamily.

Astoeachotherthereisaruletobecarefullyfollowed,"the absentmustbesafewithus.Criticism,therefore,[must]be taboo.">14Noteven"TheEssenceofBut"canbeatolerated (sheissonice,but.......hewouldbesogoodforthat,but... ....)>15Suchselflessnessbefitsthosewhodetermineto "beemptiedofgloryandrightandname">16 Theyhavediedtotheirownglory,diedtotheirownrights,and diedtotheirownname(reputation).Theyhaveyielded themselvestotheirJesusasinstrumentsofHisrighteousness forHisenergizing,Hisglory,HisrightsandHisName.Forsuch servantsoftheKing,"therewasonlyonewayofserviceit wasthewayoftheIncarnationamanmustmakehimself onewiththosewhomhewishedtoserve.">17Amemberof thefamily/fellowship"mustmakehimselfonewiththose [membersofhisfamily]whomhewishedtoserve".Thismust betruefirstofthehusbandleader,ifachildofGod,andthen ofeachandeverymemberofthefamily/fellowship,ifthe

family/fellowshipistoknowthatblessedandLovingunityHe wantsforus. "...likeafamily...Wewerealways,asitwere,partsofone another...eachmemberlivesforthegoodofthehousehold, andweworkedtogetherinthisway...Wefound,aswe wenton,thatourwayoflifewaslikeatransparentshield aboutus.Peoplecametousthinkingitwouldbepleasantto joinus.Wecouldnotdiscerntheirmotives.Buttheylooked awhileand,iftheywerenotinsympathy,theywentaway. Longafterwards,whenourFather'spurposewasrevealed, wethankedHimforleadingusso.'Ileanuponnobroken reed,nortrustanuntriedguide'..."Farfewerarechosen thanarecalled,formanythoughttobecalledmaybe "brokenreeds"and"untriedguides"andmaybesiftedout bypatientwaitingupontheLordforHistiming.Thosewho wouldliveintheblessedunityandharmonyoftheSpirit mustdiligently"endeavor"tokeepitwiththewisediscern

mentoftheLeadingoftheSpirit.>18"Thismethodofdivine leadingbythehourandbythemomentleavesthesoul freeandunencumbered,andreadyfortheslightestbreathof God.MadameGuyon">18a Surelytherewillbedisappointmentsinanyfamily/fellowship, butthekey"isrefusaltobeweakenedorhardenedorsoured ormadehopelessbydisappointment.'Hisonlyabsorbing passionwastopresson'...AndgoingonwithHim,wefind thatinHimisthesecretofcontinuance,andthesecretof recoverytoo,afteranydisappointment,afteranydefeat.">19 Soafamilymayweather,endureandevengrowfrom defeats,disappointmentsandsetbacksitexperienceswithin andwithout.Beingcomfortedthroughthecrisis,thefamily thenisequippedandenabledtocomfortthosewhosufferin likemanner,expandingtheirministrytoeachotherandto thosearoundthem.>20

IfthemembersofaChristianfamilylive togetherlongenoughgrowingintheLord,theywilllearnthe lessonof"willingacceptanceofdaily,nightlyperplexityand disappointmentwithoutexplanation.IntheGospelssucha matterwasalwaysdealtwithinstantly...Herewasdelay. Andwewerenottoldwhy,andhavenotyetbeentold.We learnedtoacceptthesilenceofourGod....Insuchdayswe proveeachother.Forthedemandsaregreatestthen.And tofindthatnothingistoomuchtoaskofoneanotheristo knowwhatourgoldcordcanbe,agoldenthingright through.">21Insuchtimesoftrialinafamilythetwolegs ofconvincedfaithinJesusandunselfishcompassionate cherishingarecriticalandsufficient.ThankGodHeisin controlofallthingsandwecantrustHimforthatinthose timesoftrialandwecancarryonbearingLovinglyand joyfullynotonlyourownburdens,butalsotheburdensof ourpartnerswhentheytriporstumbleorneedahelping hand.GodisLoveandthegreatestthingtodointheworld

istoLove,unselfishlycompassionatelycherishing,our neighbors,ourpartnersandthechildrenofGod,evenwhen Godissilent,ordoesn't"makesense".Hedoesn'taskusto understandHiswill.HeasksustotrustHim,evenifitmeans towalkonwaterwithHim,spendthenightinthelions'den, orpassthroughthefieryfurnacewithHim. "Strengthofmyheart,IrestinThee, FulfilThypurposesthroughme... Watersoflove,oh,pourthroughme; Imusthavelove,ImusthaveThee. Lord,givemelove,thenIhaveall, Forlovecastsouttormentingfear, Andlovesoundsforthatrumpetcall Tovalianthope;andsweetandclear Thebirdsofjoysinginmytree, Loveofmyheart,whenIhaveThee.">22

ThisgreatLoveforJesusandoneanother,workedandwilled inusbyJesus,enablesustoenterintoDavidJonathanbondsof commitmentandLove. "AndDavidsaid...'Ihavefoundfavorinyoureyes'... AndJonathancausedDavidtoswear[theirloyalty oath]again,becauseheLovedhim;forhelovedhim asheLovedhisownsoul...Jonathansaid,'theLord [be]betweentheeandmeforever...">23 TheLordistheBonderwhobindstogetherthoseunitedwith HiminHisLove.Theenemies'goalistobreakthebond betweenthosebondedinLove,andtobreakthebond betweenHewhoisLoveandthosewhoLove.Sosucha bondmustbefoughtfor,oftenonadailybasis,aslongaswe areonearthinourmortalbodies. Forthisbondedfellowshipinafamilyor fellowshiponeneedsalifeofunreserveddevotion,alife

withoutfencesbetweenthoseinthefellowship.Thisisa dailywalkanddisciplinewhichrequires"thatthelineso oftendrawnbetweenspiritualandsecularhasnoplacewith usifwefollowHimwhonotonlywithdrewtothemountain, butalsowentaboutdoinggood...'Putontheapronof humilitytoserveoneanother'(1Pet.v.5).">24Itmeansnot beingoutofbalancelikeMarthawhodidn'tknowwhenit wastimetostopworktolistentotheLord,butbeing balancedlikeMarywhoworkedaroundthehousebutknew whenitwastimetostopsuchworktolistentoJesus. WewhobuildourfamiliesandfellowshipsintheLordare likeNehemiah'sbuildersofthewallwhoworetheirswords incaseofanattackwhiletheyworkedonthewall.Thatwall wastoprotectboththeirlovedonesandthebelovedTemple wheretheyworshippedGod(Neh.4).Weinfellowshipare thetemplesofGod(1Cor.6)beingbuiltintotheTempleof God(Eph.2:21,22)onamomentbymomentanddailybasis

wherethesecularandthespiritualareconstantly intermixedinourdailylives.Weneedtohavetheswordof theSpiritandthefullarmourofGodoninourdailylives,even inthemostsecularandmundaneofouractivities,becauseall shouldbedoneasuntotheLord.Ifitisn'tdonethatway,we areaddingwood,hayandstubbletoourexistence."TheSpirit cansitattheMaster'sfeetwhilethehandsarefilledwithwork forothers.ComeuntoMeandresttakeMyyokeupon you.">24Mowingthewidow'slawnorwashingthedishesof thedisabledisagreattimeforprayer,praiseandsingingin theSpirit. Suchabondedgroup,familyorfellowship,"whoseone purposeistobespirituallyreadytogoalllengthswiththeir Lord">25mayhavetoexpressthatreadinessinchanging diapers,caringforthesick,feedingthehungry,riskingone's lifeforanotherallthetimewithanearopentotheSpirit andaheartfilledwithpraiseandthanksgivingwaitingfor

theopportunitytoexpressitself.Nooneshouldbe surprisedthenifonebreaksintopraiseholdingadirty diaper,ifonesingstotheLordwhilevisitingtheimprisoned, ifonethanksGodoutloudwhiletendingthesick,orifone speaksoutinprayerinthemidstofhelpingoneincrisis. Howcanafamily,afellowship,beleadanddirectedbythe Lordinaunifiedandharmoniousmanner,especiallywhen undergoingtrials?Forthoseinthefamily/fellowshipwhoare Spiritfilled(Eph.5)andofferingHimtheLoveofobedienceit hasbeenfound"...possibletobedirectedasacompanyso thatwecanmovetogetherinaharmonyofspiritthatis restfulandverysure.Acompanyhastowaitlongerthanone ortwomighthavetodo,butifallbesetondoingtheirLord's willandbetrulyoneinloyaltyandtheNewTestamentkind ofaffectionthatmakeseachonefeelsafewitheachother one,ifallflowtogethertothegoodnessoftheLord, unanimityiscertain.ItisnotdifficultforourFathertomake

Hischildrentobeofonemindinanhouse...Andwehave alwaysfoundthatbeforetheultimatewordmustbespoken, divergentthoughtshavevanished,..Theintervalissureto beperplexedbyatemptationtothefutilefussoftalk. Recognizethisforwhatitis,theinfluenceoftheadversary (forhurryofspiritconfuses)andbeforelongthesamequiet wordwillcometoall.Iftheinmostlawofsuchacompanybe holypeace,itmustbeso.">26Thispeaceisbornoutof theferventandeffectualprayingofthosewhohave consciouslycastalltheircaresandanxietiesontheLordand decidedtomake"everythingandanything"knowntoGodin prayerthathasbecomeanissueorconcernintheirlives,with supplications,andthanksgivingstoGod(Phil.4). Whatistheframeofmindofthosewho,inasettingthatis notoriousforconflictandjealousyliketheaverageAmerican family,areabletorisetosucharemarkableandgloriousunity andharmonythattheycanmoveasonetothegloryofGod?

SurelytheyknowthattheirnaturalnaturewascrucifiedwithChrist theyknowthattheyandtheirrisenChristwilldienomore sotheyreckonthemselvestobedeadtothesinfulimpulses andinclinationsoftheirnaturalbodyandmind.Freedfrom havingtoobeytheirnaturalbodyandmindtheynolonger offerthemselvestothewilloftheirnaturalbodyandmind, butratherofferthemselvestoJesustobeused,motivated andworkedinHiswill.>27"Thereisnolifeexceptbydeath ...AlwaysbearingaboutinthebodythedyingoftheLord Jesus,thatthelifealsoofJesusmightbemademanifestin ourmortalflesh...">28 Whataboutnewcomerstothefamily/fellowship?Questions arise.Shouldnewcomersbeaccepted?Why?How?Canwe affordyetanothermouth?Dowewanttosharewithyet another?IfwebelievethatwhoeverisbornofGodisledof God,thatifthesameGodleadsonetoapplythatsameGod wouldconfirmthatleadingbyleadingthefamily/fellowship

memberstoacceptthatoneinapeacethatpassesunderstan ding,givingthemamiraculouspeaceofmindaboutit.Godis nottheauthorofconfusion,butofpeaceandharmony,Hisseal. HisworkbearsHisseal."...Hegrantedacertainassurance bothtoherandtous,sothathercallshouldbeamongthe thingsthatcannotbeshaken.">29 SoAmyandthefellowshipoftheGoldCordmadeadecision. "'Resolvedtogethertoacceptallwhoofferwhoaremanifestly calledoftheLordtojoinus,whethertheyhavemeansornot.'. 'Mayyouobtainstrengthandsupporttowalkinpathsunworn, attheedgeofprecipiceswhereGodalonecankeepusin safety'....Neverdowegofaronanypathofperplexityor painwithoutseeingthefootstepsofHimwhoisinvisible, leadingonbefore...'Thestepsoffaithfallontheseemingvoid andfindtherockbeneath';buttherockishardlyeverseentill afterwards.">30

"Beloved,shouldthebrookrundry Andshouldnovisiblesupply Gladdenthineeyes,thenwaittosee Godworkamiracleforthee. Thoucanstnotwant,forGodhassaid HewillsupplyHisownwithbread...>30 "Theversewhichyouwantmorethananyother,andwhich youhadbettermakeyourwholeBibleforthepresent,isthat wonderfulpassageinDeuteronomyIledthee,andSUFFERED YOUTOHUNGER,andfedtheewithfoodthatthouknewestnot, toteachtheethatmandoesnotlivebybreadaloneno,not bywhatyouandIthinkanecessaryoflife,thatwithoutwhich wecannotlivelove,success,fulfilleddesireBUTby everythingthatproceedethoutofthemouthoftheMostHigh, whetherthatword...befailureorsuccess,loveorheart hunger,uselessnessoraboundinglabourbyTHATdoesman live.Ourlifeisdistinctlyasupernaturallife,andweare

alwayslongingforanaturallife,andGodhasletusgohungry ofthenaturallife,inorderthatwemayenterintothe supernatural,andourwishbetakenupinHis.">31 Aswiththerichyoungrulerwholovedwhathehadmore thanwhatJesushadtooffer,therecomesatimeinthelifeof everyhusbandandwifewhentheLordtriesthemtoletthemsee wheretheyareintheLordwiththeirpossessions.Thequestionis, "Willtheybepossessedbytheirpossessions?"or"Willtheybewise andgodlystewardsoftheirpossessions?"Whereourtreasureis, thereisourheart,whateverourtreasuremaybe.TheLord callsusto2Corinthians8and9;Acts4:3237;2:4447. RKJVActs2:44Andallwhobelievedweretogetherandhad allthingscommon.45Andtheysoldtheirpossessionsand goodsanddistributedthemtoall,accordingasanyonehad need.46Andcontinuingwithoneaccordinthetemple,and breakingbreadfromhousetohouse,theysharedfoodwith

gladnessandsimplicityofheart,47praisingGodandhaving favorwithallthepeople.AndtheLordaddedtothechurch dailythosewhowerebeingsaved. RKJVActs4:32Andthemultitudeofthosewhobelieved wereofoneheartandonesoul.Andnotonesaidthatanyof thethingswhichhepossessedwashisown.Buttheyhadall thingscommon.33Andtheapostlesgavewitnessofthe resurrectionoftheLordJesuswithgreatpower.Andgreat gracewasonthemall.34Forneitherwasanyoneneedyamong them,forasmanyaswereownersoflandsorhousessold [them]andbroughtthepricesofthe[things]thatweresold, 35andtheylaid[them]downattheapostles'feet.And distributionwasmadetoeverymanaccordingashehadneed. RKJV2Corinth.8:7Butevenasyouaboundineverything,in faith,andinword,andinknowledge,andinallearnestness, andinyourlovetous;youshouldaboundinthisgracealso.

8Idonotspeakaccordingtocommand,butthroughthe eagernessofothers,andtestingthetruenessofyourlove. 9ForyouknowthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,that, thoughHewasrich,foryoursakesHebecamepoor,inorder thatyoumightbemaderichthroughHispoverty.10Andin thisIgive[my]judgment;forthisisprofitableforyou,who beganbefore,notonlytodo,butalsotobewillingayearago. 11Butnowalsofinishthedoing[ofit],sothat,as[therewas] areadinesstowill,soalsothefinishing,[giving]outof[what] youhave.12Foriftheeagernessispresent,[itis]acceptable accordingto[what]onehas,[and]notaccordingto[what]one doesnothave.13For[itis]notthatothersmay[have]ease, butyoutrouble;14butbyequalityinthepresenttime;your abundancefortheirneed,thattheirabundancealsomaybefor yourneed;sothattheremaybeequality;15asitiswritten, "He[gathering]much,hehadnothingleftover;andhe [gathering]littledidnothaveless."

RKJV2Corinth.9:6But[Isay]this,Hewhosowssparingly shallalsoreapsparingly,andhewhosowsbountifullyshall alsoreapbountifully.7Eachone,ashepurposesinhisheart, [lethimgive];notofgrief,orofnecessity,forGodlovesa cheerfulgiver.8AndGod[is]abletomakeallgraceabound towardyou,thatineverything,alwayshavingallself sufficiency,youmayaboundtoeverygoodwork;9Asitis written,"Hescattered;hehasgiventothepoor;his righteousnessremainsforever."10NowHewhosuppliesseed tothesower,andbreadforeating,mayHesupplyandmultiply yourseed,andincreasethefruitsofyourrighteousness11you beingenrichedineverythingtoallgenerosity,whichworksout thanksgivingtoGodthroughus.12Fortheministryofthis servicenotonlysuppliesthethingslackingofthesaints,but alsomultiplyingthroughmanythanksgivingstoGod,13 throughtheproofofthisministry[they]glorifyGodfor yourfreelyexpressedsubmissiontothegospelofChrist,and thegenerosityofthefellowshiptowardthemandtowardall,

14and[in]theirprayerforyou,wholongafteryou,because oftheexceedinggraceofGodonyou.15Thanks[be]toGodfor Hisunspeakablefreegift. Itisnotnaturalornormalforhumanstoliveoutinpractice 2Corinth.8and9andActs4:3237;2:4447.Ittakesthe enabling,leadingandinnerworkingandinnerwillingofthe HolySpirittobeabletolivethesetruthsoutindaily practice,andIbelieveittakesthefillingoftheHolySpiritto beableliveouttheActs2and4experienceofhavingall thingsincommon,notclaiminganythingasourown,in fellowshipwithothersaintsandforsureforthemembers ofacomplexfamily.Infact,anymemberofa complexfamilyorofatightknitChristianfellowship,no saintshouldberequiredtopracticethecommunal experienceofActs2and4iftheydonothavetheLord's innerpeaceaboutit,freefromdoubts,fearsandmisgivings. Thesharingandequalityof2Corinth.8and9are

commandedandrequired,butthatcommunalsharing,I believe,canonlybemaintainedinpracticebythosewhoare filledwiththeSpiritandemptiedofself. Amongsaints,Heestablishedtheequalityrule,the precedentforwhichHeestablishedwhenHeprovidedthe mannainthewildernessfortheliberatedIsraelites.His equalityruleisstatedquiteclearlyin2Corinth.8:815 wherehestates,inpart,"ForIdonotmeanthatothers shouldbeeasedandyouburdened;butbyanequality,that nowatthistimeyourabundancemaysupplytheirlack,that theirabundancealsomaysupplyyourlackthattheremay beanequality." ThatisHisrulefortheAssembly,forthesaints.The practicalapplicationofitis1Jn3:16,17"Bythisweknow Love,becauseHelaiddownHislifeforus.Andwealso oughttolaydownourlivesforthebrethren.Butwhoever

hasthisworld'sgoods,andseeshisbrotherinneed,and shutsuphisheartfromhim,howdoestheLoveofGodabide inhim?"TheattitudeofJesusinusintheBodyofChristis not"Ioweyou"or"Youoweme".Ourattitudeistobe"My abundanceisforyourlack,brother,thatwemaybeequal.I seeyourneedbrotherandIsharewhatIhaveforyour need."Hearthis:"Nowthemultitudeofthosewhobelieved wereofoneheartandonesoul;neitherdidanyonesaythat anyofthethingshepossessedwashisown,buttheyhadall thingsincommon...Norwasthereanyoneamongthemwho lacked...andtheydistributedtoeachasanyonehadneed." (Acts4:3237;2:4447).ThatwasHismodelforlocal assemblies. Whatashamethelocalassembliesdon'tpracticethis! Whatatestimonysuchafellowshipwouldhaveinthis selfishandselfcenteredsociety/world!Butthereisno excuseforagodlycoupleinaChristianmarriagetofailto

practiceboththeprincipalofequalityandtheprinciplesof "notclaimingashisownthepossessionsthathehas",of "havingallthingsincommon".Theassemblyisonebodyin Christ,butahusbandandwifeareonebodyintheassembly andintheflesh!Howgreatthemaritalfailureofaso calledChristiancouplewhoeachclaimastheirowntheir possessionsandrefusetohaveallthingsincommon"!Theirs isapaganmarriage. DidIhearyouthink"Butwhataboutthoseinmyfamilywho don'twork,whorefusetowork?TheWordsays"Ifanyone doesnotwishtowork,neitherlethimeat!"(2Thess3:614). Readthatagain!"IfanyonedoesNOTWISHTOwork,neither lethimeat!"ThosewhoarenottoeatarethoseWHO WONTWORK,WHODONOTWISHTOWORK!Inpractical reality,inaGodlyassembly,thatmeansthatanysaintoutof workbutseekingworkandwillingtoworkwouldbethe beneficiaryoftheprinciplesof"notclaimingashisownthe

possessionsthathehas",of"havingallthingsincommon". Hewouldbeeligibleforandtherecipientofthesharingand providingofthesaints.InaGodlymarriage,ifonemate wereunemployedbutseekingworkandwillingtowork,the principlesofequalityand"notclaimingashisownthe possessionsthathehas",of"havingallthingsincommon" wouldbefullyinforce. "WhenasoulsetsouttofindGoditdoesnotknowwhither itwillcomeandbywhatpathitwillbeled;butthosewho catchthevisionarereadytofollowtheLambwhithersoever Hegoeth,regardlessofwhatthatfollowingmayinvolvefor them.Anditisastheyfollow,obedienttowhattheyhave seen,inthisspiritofjoyfuladventure,thattheirpath becomesclearbeforethem,andtheyaregiventhepowerto fulfilltheirhighcalling.Theyarethosewhohavethe couragetobreakthroughconventionalities,whocarenotat allwhattheworldthinksofthem,becausetheyareentirely

takenupwiththetremendousrealitiesofthesouland God.">70 AmIpreparedtocountthecostandpayitwithmylife? AmIwillingtoletthefollowingbetrueofmeandmylife? 1.LovingJesuswithallmyheart,allmystrength,allmy mindandallmysoul(personality)firstandforemost 2.Unselfishandselfdenyingcompassionatecherishingofall whoIknowwhoLoveJesus 3.Truth,willingnessforhardwork,afreedomfromthe dominanceofmoney,andaverylovingheart. 4.BoundtogetherwithothersinSpiritbyasharedvision 5.Thedesireforpersonalcomfortismyenemyoftheunityin myfamily/fellowship. 6.Personallydeadtotheworldanditsapplause, Toallthecustoms,fashions,laws, OfthosewhohatethehumblingCross 7.ImustanswertheSpirit'scalltobuildagodlyfamily,by

Christ'sinnerworking 8.Imustbeopentotheleadingandinnerworkingof Jesus,nomatterhow"unpractical">3. 9.Imustdietomyselfandmyownpersonaldesiressothat JesuscanbirthhisLifeanddesiresinme>4. 10.AlackofzealandcommitmenttothisLovingharmonyis fataltothecallingofagodlyfamilylivinginunityand harmony. 11.IneedaLovethatiswillingtohavebothdirtyhandsand callousedhandswhileprayingormeditatingontheLord. 12.LoyaltytoJesus,eventothepointofbeingwillingtolay downandsacrificemyownlifeforHimandHiswill 13.Themostimportantexpressionofthefamily'sLoveis unhinderedprayertogetherforeachother.Iampraying. 14.ThereisaruleIcarefullyfollow,"theabsentmustbe safewithus.Criticism,therefore,[must]betaboo.">14Not even"TheEssenceofBut"canbeatolerated. 15.Ihavediedtomyownglory,diedtomyownrights,

anddiedtomyownname(reputation).Ihaveyielded myselftoJesusasaninstrumentofHisrighteousness forHisenergizing,Hisglory,HisrightsandHisName. 16.Asamemberofthefamily/fellowshipI"mustmake [myself]onewiththose[membersofhisfamily]whom[I]wish toserve" 17.Wewerealways,asitwere,partsofoneanother...each memberlivesforthegoodofthehousehold.Mycommitment. 18.Thosewhowouldliveintheblessedunityandharmonyof theSpiritmustdiligently"endeavor"tokeepitwiththewise discernmentoftheLeadingoftheSpirit.Mycommitment. 19.Thekey"isrefusaltobeweakenedorhardenedorsoured ormadehopelessbydisappointment.'Hisonlyabsorbing passionwastopresson'..Imakeitmyabsorbingpassion. 20.Iwilllearnthelessonof"willingacceptanceofdaily, nightlyperplexityanddisappointmentwithoutexplanation." 21.Findingthatnothingistoomuchtoaskofoneanotheristo knowwhatourgoldcordcanbe,agoldenthingrightthrough.

Makemethatgolden.Enablemetosay"No"lovinglyandgently whenaskedtosomethingdoubtfulorwrong. 22.Theenemies'goalistobreakthebondbetweenthose bondedinLove,andtobreakthebondbetweenHewhoisLove andthosewhoLove.Sosuchabondmustbefoughtfor,often onadailybasis,aslongasweareonearthinourmortal bodies.Makemeafighterforsuchabond. 23.Forthisbondedfellowshipinacomplexfamilyor fellowshiponeneedsalifeofunreserveddevotion,alife withoutfencesbetweenthoseinthefellowship.Thisisa dailywalkanddisciplinewhichrequires"thatthelineso oftendrawnbetweenspiritualandsecularhasnoplace." Makethislifearealityinme. 24.Letusbedirectedasacompanysothatwecanmove togetherinaharmonyofspiritthatisrestfulandverysure. Makeitsoinme,Lord. 25."'Resolvedtogethertoacceptallwhoofferwhoare manifestlycalledoftheLordtojoinus,whethertheyhave

meansornot.'".Byyouralmightygracemakethisrealinme. 26.RKJVActs2:4447Andallwhobelievedweretogetherand hadallthingscommon.Andtheysoldtheirpossessionsand goodsanddistributedthemtoall,accordingasanyonehad need.Andcontinuingwithoneaccordinthetemple,and breakingbreadfromhousetohouse,theysharedfoodwith gladnessandsimplicityofheart,praisingGod. Makemesoinmyfamilyandfellowship,HolyFather. 27.RKJVActs4:32Andthemultitudeofthosewhobelieved wereofoneheartandonesoul.Andnotonesaidthatanyof thethingswhichhepossessedwashisown.Buttheyhadall thingscommon. Please,Father,givemethisheart,soul,mindandway. "MYVOW. WhatsoeverThousayestuntome,byThygraceIwill"[to]"do it.>71 MYCONSTRAINT.

Thylove,OChrist,myLord. MYCONFIDENCE. ThouartabletokeepthatwhichIhavecommitteduntoThee. MYJOY. TodoThywill,OGod. MYDISCIPLINE. ThatwhichIwouldnotchoose,butwhichThyloveappoints. MYPRAYER ConformmywilltoThine. MYMOTTO. Lovetolive:Livetolove MYPORTION. TheLordistheportionofmineinheritance. "Teachus,goodLord,toserveTheemorefaithfully;to giveandnottocountthecost;tofightandnottoheedthe

wounds;totoilandnottoseekforrest;tolabourandnotto askforanyreward,savethatofknowingthatwedoThy will,OLordourGod.">71 ########################### **RKJV:OnLineBiblecomputerprogramof "OnlineBiblef",KenHammil19087414298;[EMail: khamel@aol.com]. >aGoldCordTheStoryofaFellowship,193357,TheSociety PromotingChristianKnowledge,London;HolyTrinityChurch, MaryleboneRoad,N.W.1;NewYork:MacmillanCompany; ChristianLiteratureCrusade,FortWashington,Penna.p.344 >bGoldCordp.332 >cGoldCordp.278ff >dGoldCordp.280 >eGoldCordp.280ff >fKahlilGibranGoldCordp.336

>gGoldCordp.86 >hGoldCordp.59 >1GoldCordp.7 >2Matt.17:1921;18:1820. >3GoldCordp.8 >4GoldCordp.8theseedfallingtotheground,dying andrebornasafruitfulplant. >5GoldCordp.10 >6GoldCordp.37 >7GoldCordp.42 >8GoldCordp.48 >9GoldCordp.48ff >10GoldCordp.49 >11GoldCordp.50 >12GoldCordp.50 >13GoldCordp.50 >14GoldCordp.50 >15GoldCordp.51

>16GoldCordp.52 >17GoldCordp.52 >18Ephes.4:13;Romans8:9,14;Phil.2:12,13,14. >18aGoldCordp.284 >19GoldCordp.75ff >202Corinth.1;GoldCordp.165 >21GoldCordp.154 >22GoldCordp.156 >231Samuel20 >24GoldCord158,159 >25GoldCordp.160 >26GoldCordp.183ff >27Romans6andPhil.2:12,13 >28GoldCordp.220 >29GoldCordp.252 >30GoldCordp.233 >31GoldCordp.258 >70GoldCordp.161

>71"Iwilldoit"changedto"Iwill[to]doit."tobeinharmony withJames4:1317,"IftheLordwills,Iwilldoit." >72GoldCordpp.161,162