Henry Gruver #3

WELCOME READERS! THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO READ.

"Which mountain have you been climbing?…Have you been releasing others? Have you been sending them forward? Have you been dispatching and transmitting and conveying and transferring and delivering them? Then you have been remitting sins! If you have been making others responsible, placing them under obligation, repressing, restricting, restraining and prohibiting them…You have been retaining them!…You can be either a blessing or a curse. Choose the blessing and live.” (HG)



How can we puny little mortals assume such a lofty position that we can “forgive” sins? We attain our position by faith in Jesus’ completed work on the cross. (Colossians 1:13, 14, “[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins.” AMP); (Colossians 2:10, “And you are in Him, made full and have come to fullness of life—in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and reach full spiritual stature. And He is the Head of all rule and authority—of every angelic principality and power.”(AMP)


By faith we also operate in God’s declared relationship with us—we are sons, brothers of Jesus. It is our right: John 1:13, “They did not become His children in the human way. They were not born because of the desire or wish of some man. They were born of God.” ICB; Galatians 3:26, “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.” AMP; Hebrews 2:11, “For both He Who sanctifies—making men holy—and those who are sanctified all have one [Father]. For this reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren…” AMP; Ephesians 2:19, “Therefore you are no longer outsiders—exiles, migrants and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens; but you now share citizenship with the saints—God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself; and you belong to God’s [own] household.” AMP.


Jesus’ inheritance is also ours: Galatians 4:6,7, “And because you [really] are (His) Sons, God has sent the (Holy) Spirit into our hearts, crying, Abba (Father!) Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.” AMP; Romans 8:17, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…” KJV.


Don’t look at the situation, look at your position as a joint heir with Christ and keep remitting, remitting, remitting. Never give up! Just keep on remitting.


We must get rid of any conscious sin in our lives. We cannot remit sins unless we have forgiven the person whose sins we are remitting.. We have to be cleaned up and sold out, and not just on Sunday or Wednesday evening. Psalm 66:18, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” NIV We must have hearts that are dedicated entirely to God. When we do sin, confession should come quickly as the Holy Spirit convicts, and our attitude should reflect a sincere desire to be 100 percent sold out to God and His purposes.


However, we must not be afraid to move forward in what God has told us to do, because He will go ahead of us, and He will convict us of any unconfessed sin. Have complete faith that God hears you, and that the communication lines are open between you and God. By faith you can know that your human weaknesses will not hinder what God wants you to do, if you have done everything possible to clean up your life. (Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” KJV)


God is a loving, caring Shepherd, but He also has a plan from eternity past. He expects us to make His will a priority--always: Isaiah 46:9b, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me…I say my purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” NIV



HOW ARE YOU RESPONDING TO THESE POSTS? IS THIS A NEW SUBJECT FOR YOU? COMMENTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

SEE YA WEDNESDAY! 

#2 - Henry Gruver's Remitting Sins

What is the real issue here? Taking out strongholds in the land, or moving in the love of God for souls in that land? Is our motivation from the love of the Father for the souls? Do we love those souls? Do we want to tear down strongholds to permanently free those souls? That is the purpose for remitting sins. That is the proper motivation for engaging in spiritual warfare: Holy Spirit given love for souls.

Are you discouraged with the results of your prayers? Are you reaching the people around you, or not? Are you penetrating the hard shell so that people will repent, or do you feel like you’re wasting your time with praying and witnessing? Begin remitting sins and you will see dramatic changes in those around you.

You may want to study this list of synonyms and antonyms for the word remit, as found in Strong’s Concordance and Vine’s Expository Dictionary:

Synonyms - The Mountain of Good	Antonyms - The Mountain of Evil
good	evil
discontinue, restrain	hold, prohibit, exact
absolve, release	withhold, reserve, avenge
pardon, acquit, consign	impose duty, on tie up, retain
surrender, leave off, moderate	persist, continue, control, restrict
mitigate, desist, soften, deliver, relent	command, dominate, take revenge
convey, excuse, overlook, exempt, forward	get the upper hand, bind, sway, keep
alleviate, dispatch, transmit, transfer, relax	suppress, make responsible, repress

”Which mountain have you been climbing?…Have you been releasing others? Have you been sending them forward? Have you been dispatching and transmitting and conveying and transferring and delivering them? Then you have been remitting sins! If you have been making others responsible, placing them under obligation, repressing, restricting, restraining and prohibiting them…You have been retaining them!…You can be either a blessing or a curse. Choose the blessing.


See ya Saturday

                                                                                                               

Check Book Reviews page for
Mary DeMuth's new book

The first of Henry's books

Henry Gruver has become known as a Prayer Walker to the World. He started walking with the Lord on the Skid Row streets of Phoenix, Arizona, when he was 18 years old. Today, in his seventies, he is still walking with his God. Wherever his Heavenly Father leads him, he prays. He has walked everywhere--in the Church, where two or three are gathered together because of Jesus, on the highways and byways around the world, encouraging anyone God puts in his life. He sits among the elders of the land. (Prov. 31:23) He sits among them, walks among them, and observes and "watches unto prayer" for the Church and the world. [Back cover copy.]

I first met Henry and Judith Gruver in 1991, as they conducted prayer walking meetings in my city. They taught me the basics of spiritual warfare I use to this day. Occasionally we touch and I learn about some of the victories and challenges of their lives.

Henry has spent the past few years in Japan, prayer walking heathen temples, spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Gruvers have published several books and produced countless CDs.  In 1999 I wrote the article below, based on the Gruvers' book, Prayer Walking--A Prayer Walker's Handbook. For a copy of this book, or any of their books and CDs, Contact Joyful Sound Ministries, P.O. Box 144, Woodbine, IA 51579, 712-647-3104



 

Remitting Sins

My Summary from Henry Gruver's Prayer Walking (1998)

          When I say “intercession,” what comes to mind? Intercession means different things to different people, but In this article it means "to make a request on someone's behalf, to plead for help on their behalf."

Remitting of sins is one of the most powerful intercession tools in our arsenal against the enemy of our souls.

          Maybe a personal story will help explain the term. Last Sunday I sat next to a woman who introduced herself as Vicki. Without warning I began crying and great sadness settled over me.

          “What is it, Lord?” I prayed. "Vicki operates in deep sadness and worry," He explained. "She is unable to pull herself free from her depression."

          "I'll intercede for her," I said in my heart. I cried in her place because she was unable to cry for herself. Vicki did not realize what I was doing but the Holy Spirit did. I believe He applied my tears to her situation and healed her as the service continued. I also silently remitted Vicki's sins, calling her to the perfect will of God.

          The Holy Spirit had me silently claim certain Bible verses for Vicki as long as we sat together in the service. Later I silently released the goodness of the Lord over her and asked our loving Heavenly Father to send someone into her life to minister to her needs.

What is remitting of sins?

          Space forbids an exhaustive study here, but please allow me to whet your appetite. You can personally do your own in-depth “dig” to discover the precious jewel of remitting that has been neglected so long.

          Jesus taught his disciples to remit sins, but Christians have not practiced it through the centuries.

          One reference to remitting is Luke 1:76-79, [Zechariah’s Song]…for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins… NIV Jesus said we would be doing what He did. (John 14:12, “…anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing…” NIV).

          You can consult Strong’s Concordance NT859 (Either online or paper copy.) It gives the meaning of remit as “freedom; figuratively, pardon; dismissal, release”. Using The King James version, this same Greek word is translated “remission” in Matthew 26:28; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:77; 3:3; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 5:31. The same word is translated “forgiveness” in Acts 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Hebrews 9:22; 10:18. Strong’s NT3929 is referenced, meaning “a passing by of debt or sin,” Romans 3:25.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary explains remitting by using examples from the Bible.

•  Joseph did not actually restore the butler to his office and hang the baker, but Joseph, under the power of the Holy Spirit, said it would happen and God carried it out (Genesis 41:13, “And just as he interpreted for us, so it happened; he restored me in my office, but he hanged him.” NAS)
•  The prophets did not actually accomplish things when they declared that certain events were about to take place, Jeremiah 1:10, Ezekial 43:3, etc. They spoke in faith, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and God brought their prophecies to pass.
• In the same sense we declare people’s sins remitted and God carries out His promise to remit their sins.

Continuing in Vine’s, remitting is a passing over, primarily letting go, dismissal. It is also forgiveness: “deliver, forgive, (freely) give, grant.” Strong’s NT5483 is referenced in Vine’s, which means “to grant as a favor; i.e., gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue.”

The last comment in Vine’s is that remitting includes, “to bestow a favor unconditionally”, as seen in Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 2:13; 3:13.

Remitting of sins is not absolution.

“By remitting [sins of individuals] you lift the heavy load of condemnation off the people. God will still have to deal with them. They will still have to personally confess their sins and be converted. Remitting is only lifting the burden of condemnation off people so they can breathe again…then you must release the goodness of the Lord unto them, according to Romans 2:4—‘  the goodness of God leadeth…to repentance.’ When you have done that, cry out to the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers…to harvest the souls that will respond to the Gospel.

Look for another portion of Henry's teaching Wedneday, February 22. I'm posting this long article in shorter, more digestible bites. 

Does this make sense to you? A brief comment in the Comments section will let me know you are reading/responding.

I promised to post the remaining words of Kathi Pelton's article, but first a thought that's leaping around in my head.

It's amazing!!!!! We can realize we have sinned, repent and quote IJn 1:9, and God will completely forgive us. We're as white as snow because Jesus paid for alllllll our sins on the cross.

Humans may forget to forgive, forget to forget, try to spread guilt and gossip, but God dances around the throne, completely delighted in us. He sees us through Jesus' blood, as if we'd never sinned! I will not worry about people's comments-- God sees me "as pure as the driven snow,"  because I have obeyed Him and confessed my sins. No strings attached.

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Wordle cloud based on Kathi Pelton's article. Wordle.net

Kathi Pelton, continued.

Bless Your Nation

I am dumbfounded when I hear Christians speak about our U. S. president. I have heard derogatory words—jokes, anger and even curses over his life. How does this help? I repeat—Release God to do His will!


When you hear a believer speaking curses or making jokes about someone or something they disagree with, don't hesitate to tell them about the power of blessing.


The experience with our child involved one of the hardest choices we ever faced. Our child's destiny was threatened, as well as a wonderful walk with God, and a close relationship with us. If we had stood against the two of them, we would have lost them both. By blessing them we gained another child. God promises more people after God's own heart if all believers in our nation begin to bless our leaders.


Our generation needs more mercy, as Jesus commands in Lk 6:36. Let us make a commitment today to show mercy as our Father God shows mercy.


I speak a blessing over you and your loved ones!


Permission granted/encouraged to reprint this article and send it around the world. Post them on your website and emails. We make only one request: Keep the Elijah List website, email contact and author contact information intact.

Elijah List Publications, 528 Ellsworth St. SW, Albany, OR 97321, www.elijahlist.com, info@elijahlist.net

Kathi Pelton, author, 541-926-3250, jkpelton@scglobal.net


We need your blessings--the ones you use to bless your family, friends, anyone, whether you agree with the person or not. Help us out. Post them in the Comments.


Here's the one I use "a thousand times a day."
I remit _____'s sins, I call them to repentance, I call in the goodness of the Lord, and people who will teach them the truth.



Saturday I'll post comments by prayer walker Henry Gruver about remitting sins--An exciting concept that's been neglected by the Church in the past centuries.









 

Why do people shun church? I know--Everyone has his/her own excuse. How can we change this attitude?

Would Jesus feel comfortable in today's churches?

Someone gave me this article Monday. It first appeared on the Elijah List website. I had to share it, because knowing and practicing the principles Kathi Pelton outlines will help change our worldview, to move our thinking to more in line with Jesus' goals and motivations, to make Him more comfortable in our churches..

Bless Them?
by Kathi Pelton

"Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore." Ps 113:2

We Christians use the word blessing often. We talk about the blessings of our day, our family, our church. We pray blessings upon people we love and ministries that are doing  powerful work. We often call out "God bless you" when we leave someone's presence. Sometimes we stretch our faith and bless our enemies.

Jewish people habitually bless everyone they know and worship with. They use hundreds of blessings. All Hebrew blessings begin with "Blessed art thou." (Birkhotatah). It's often called the Shem umalkhut), which means "The Name and the Sovereignty," recognizing Adonai as King over the entire universe.

The Name and the Sovereignty

A few years ago one of our children began a dating relationship we disagreed with. I went to the Lord, seeking His counsel on how to handle the situation. The Holy Spirit said, "I want you to bless them." I began to rebuke this voice immediately. How could the Lord bless such an unhealthy relationship?

I went back to prayer, and heard it again: "I want you to bless them."

Thoroughly confused, I told my husband what I was hearing and asked him if he sensed anything. He began chastising me! Together we took a firm stand against all aspects of this relationship, but no matter how I tried, I could not hear a different message.

We prayed with our local ministry team. They heard the same message from the Lord that I had. Gradually we realized God didn't want us to stand against what was happening. He wanted us to stand in agreement with His kingship over our lives.

Although this situation went against everything we thought proper and righteous, we began to pray blessings upon our young couple. Along with out prayers we spoke blessing over them. We released the name and sovereignty of God over their lives and relationship. Without realizing it we invited the Holy Spirit to begin moving the way He desired.

The life-changing process for our children continues to this day.

Blessing Those We Don't Agree With
I repeat, we often look at blessing as agreeing with the person to whom we are releasing the blessing. But there is a difference. We are not required to agree with everyone we bless.

How did Jesus define blessing? "But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you. If anyone slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other cheek too. If someone takes your coat, do not stop him from taking your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you, and when someone takes something you own, do not ask for it back. Do to others what you would want them to do for you." Lk 6:27-31

"If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Even sinners do that! If you lend things to people, always hoping to get, what praise should you receive? Even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because He is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy."   Lk 6:32-26

Knowing this truth makes blessing people we don't agree with far easier for us, and for God. Can we agree with Him and ask His sovereign power to begin moving in our "enemies' lives? We spend spend soooo much time and energy trying to figure out our next move, thinking of strategies to see our "enemies" confounded; on how to get the prodigal children to return home. Perhaps we need to bless them!

I think we spend a lot of time trying to give the Holy Spirit counsel on how He should move and what He should do.

I have personally heard parents pray misery upon their children, to stop their appetite for sin. Why not leave the work and the how-to up to the King of the Universe. He made the children. He knows their every thought!

Let's open the way for blessings and recognize God's name and sovereignty for our straying children, our enemies, our government, our leaders, anyone we don't agree with. Even ourselves, just in case we are the ones in need of His sovereign work in our lives.

[Join us Wednesday, when Kathi Pelton continues her comments on blessing our nation, and concluding the article. You will find Elijah List information and Kathi's contact information.]

There will be a link to another article entitled "Remitting Sins" by Henry Gruver.

Use the Comments to share with me and the reading audience any blessings you habitually pray over the people in your life. (Respectful posts, please.)

SEE YA WEDNESDAY!