I know the LORD and trust Him with all of my heart, all of my mind, all of my soul, AND with all of my strength! This is not hyperbole but is buried deep within my soul. I can honestly say that every promise God has ever made me during my lifetime has been fulfilled. Through the years, I have maintained faith in God’s promises and held to my faith in uncertainty only because God, the LORD, had spoken.
The Faith Journey I embarked upon has been the best thing in my life. First, He allowed me to KNOW Him and then HEAR His voice! Next, He taught me how to TRUST Him and ultimately how to OBEY Him! There has been so much learned along the way. PEACE is underrated until you have experienced the PEACE of the great “I AM THAT I AM.” Through this incredible journey, I fell madly, radically in love with God! Loving Jesus brings clarity to ALL matters.
Over thirty years ago, God commissioned me to write a book. Of course, I said yes and started to write even though I knew nothing about getting a book published. God assured me that He knew everything that I needed to know. Even though the years have passed, I continued to trust God. I even realized that my students often laughed at my insistence that “God said it and I believe it.” I eventually wrote that book, which will be published on Wednesday, May 7th, 2025! Please read the messages that are included. Trust the revelations provided, no matter how they appear to the natural mind. We are spiritual beings and we must follow in spirit and truth! The book is called, “A Call from God for Change.”
He said it, I believed it, and God delivered! Thank you, LORD God, my Savior and my very best Friend! Now, to all Christians, Trust God at all times. Feed your faith daily by seeking His face and avoiding the enemy’s whispers in your ears. Guard your spirit always before the Lord.
https://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.png00Minister Zelma McKinneyhttps://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.pngMinister Zelma McKinney2025-05-07 10:56:242026-08-11 13:51:42Thoughts: Trusting God Never Fails
We have been taught by the world that “tolerance” is a good thing. We have come to understand that we must be willing to give and take or to compromise for the overall good of those with whom we live, work, or play. It is through compromise that Satan moves in our hearts to distort our views of right and wrong and ultimately offers us a “new” form of righteousness that is not of God. God has taught me that His ways are not negotiable. He is not democratic. And more to the point, He is NOT tolerant of sin! This is not to say that we will not make mistakes. We will, and we do. However, we must come before God with a truly repentant heart and seek forgiveness from the Lord. He will not listen to our spoken words, but will look into our hearts for our true intent instead. There He will find the truth! With this truth, if we are indeed truly repentant, He washes away the stains of our sins and continues to grant us access to His presence.
As you read and “pray the scriptures” below as you have been taught by me…look for the words of truth spoken by God to King Solomon. He loved him unconditionally, BUT He was clear with His expectations of him and all the people of Israel. God refused to tolerate sin or disobedience. He does not want or need our false prayers and sacrifices without us giving Him total access to our hearts. He does not need us to partially dedicate our lives to Him…He wants ALL of our hearts! He does not need our songs of praise…He wants ALL of our hearts!
Scripture for Consecration:
After King Solomon had completed the building of the Temple for God, look at what the people and God did. (vs 1-11).
God’s Reaction to Solomon’s prayer after the dedication of the temple. God will NOT be mocked and is an ALL consuming Fire as verified by the scriptures below:
1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house. 2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. 4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the Lord. 5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the Lord, which David the king had made to praise the Lord, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the Lord: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat. 8 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. 9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 10 And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the Lord had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. 11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord, and the king’s house: and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of the Lord, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
God knew the heart of the people and He then made sure King Solomon understood. He explained that He had indeed heard the great prayer offered by King Solomon and saw the many sacrifices offered for the establishment of the new temple that was built for the Lord. BUT, He still made it plain that He was NOT tolerant of sin! The promises of God are true, but there are conditions to be met. O LORD, have mercy on our souls. Be wise in your reading and understanding of these scriptures.
God appears to Solomon and gives him some conditional promises
12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. 13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. 17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments; 18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel 19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; 20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. 21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and unto this house? 22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them. (2 Chron 7:1-22)
https://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.png00Minister Zelma McKinneyhttps://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.pngMinister Zelma McKinney2024-03-01 11:30:182026-08-11 13:55:37Words of Wisdom: Tolerance Is Not Allowed
May all evil spirits be bound in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ as this Prayer is read.
Dear Heavenly Father, how great is your name; how amazing is your Wisdom; how Powerful is your Love! Every day you “stir up”my mind, my heart, and my soul and reveal even yet a deeper part of your Wisdom. Thank you, LORD! The depth of the name “Dissect My Soul” is overwhelming to my tiny little spirit. I received the name and I ran with it, LORD, just as you asked. I knew that it removed all the impurities and prepared my heart to be one with you, LORD God. But, O My Savior, my Friend, it is so much more! I now see, LORD, that until the heart of man is “dissected, changed, or altered” from its original state, that your love cannot penetrate. You want to possess our souls completely. You, Lord Jesus, want to be one with us as God is one with you! You, O Lord, want to guide and direct us as God, the Father, guided and directed you while you were on earth. The same love you received as you fulfilled the mission of God is the love you are prepared to pass on to all that will receive you. To receive your love, Lord, is to obey you and submit unto you. Amen.
Help me, Sweet Jesus, to surrender all of me to you each day. Help me to move forward every second of my day submitting my will unto you so that your perfect will can be done in my life. Help me, Lord, to obey you because I am in Love with you and not because it is the “Christian” thing to do. Help me, O God, to look beyond me and always see you. Let my meditations, motivation, and my heart’s desire be surrendered unto you forever and always. Please, LORD God, Dissect My Soul! I know, LORD, that I cannot do these things for myself. I cannot save me, O LORD. I cannot perfect my ways and submit my mind in any way. It is you, O God, that MUST perfect me. I am incomplete without you, and I am “perfect” with you. How grievous is the sound to my ear that says we cannot achieve perfection in this life. God forbid and have mercy on us all, Lord God! Would you allow the Holy Scriptures to declare that I can be perfect, LORD, and they not be available to me? Is this a mind game, Lord Jesus? O how I trust your every word. Amen. How true are your promises, LORD God! When you dissected my soul, you taught me how to trust you and to lean absolutely on you and you alone. You created a holy union between my sprit and your Holy Spirit. You then filled me with the Holy Ghost. It is the Holy Ghost that has your everlasting love. This love then flows from the Holy Ghost into me! It is this Holy Ghost power that regenerates my spirit. It is the Holy Ghost “Love” that gives me new life and the ability to declare that I am born again! I am not clean enough or pure enough, and never will be, to approach you alone. I must be filled with Your Holy Ghost. O God, how marvelous are your teachings and your wonders. It is through the Holy Ghost that I become filled with your love! These things are all products of obedience to your will. They result from me giving you total and complete access to my heart and my very existence. O LORD, I have had the key all along and have not used it to the capacity for which it was intended. Forgive me, Lord Jesus. I accept you as my Lord and Savior and as my very best friend. I will go forward in your wonderful name declaring to all that will listen that you are calling, begging us to allow you to dissect our souls. Amen!
Father God, do I back down? Do I erase these words that highlight my personal walk with you, LORD? Should I be fearful of those who will say that I am claiming to be better or greater than others? That, dear God, is not what I am saying. Do I abandon what you teach me and reveal to me in order for others to feel better about themselves? My prayer is to you, O God! It is you that I fear and obey. It is you that I love with all of my heart. O LORD God, Dissect My Soul! Help me, LORD, to carry out your mission and fear not the forward looks of the enemy. I stand in the strength and the power of the Holy Ghost.
I pray, Lord, for all those that might read this prayer. I pray, Lord, that they will understand and receive. I ask, Lord Jesus, that you penetrate their understanding and pierce even the lining of the covering that leads to the soul itself. There, there, O God, I pray that you will perform your spiritual surgery to make them…and make me more complete in you. Take us all beyond where we are and help us to know that you and you alone are God. Bind Satan and all the followers of evil so that your people might be free. Let all who read this, Father, be set free to worship you in spirit and in truth! May the Holy Spirit of God be forever praised and worshipped. Amen, Amen and AMEN!
https://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.png00Minister Zelma McKinneyhttps://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.pngMinister Zelma McKinney2023-09-01 12:30:432026-08-11 13:57:15Prayers: The Love of God Almighty
God is LOVE. God knows all things. God is the creator of the universe. All nature and animals were created by God. The heavenlies, the sun, the moon, and even the stars were created by God Almighty! The birds in the air and the beasts that walk this earth had a beginning and were created by God. The fish in the sea were created by My God Almighty. If God created ALL things, and is a pure and Holy God, where did evil come from?
It stands to reason that “something or someone” that God created released evil upon the earth…and it was not God as He was not created and always has been. The bible tells us that Lucifer/Satan/Devil, or any other name you want to use, brought disobedience, also called sin, into the world. God created mankind to love and obey him. Jesus Christ in His love for us has given us a way to return to the love of God and claim our rightful place in the Kingdom of God. He has shown the world that all we have to do is LOVE HIM and HIM Alone. He tells us that He will not only be our Father and God, but that he will be our FRIEND! He only requires us to abandon ourselves to His will and “Abide” in Him. We do not need to have any prior training or knowledge. We just need to gather all that we think we know and come humbly to Him asking that He “Dissect” our souls! This act of absolute surrender will usher in LOVE. This will bring WISDOM who has the very heart of God. God will move heaven and earth for the promotion, protection, and safety of the Holy Ghost, which is WISDOM. Let all who have an ear to hear, hear what thus saith the LORD God Almighty. Surrender today so that you may “Receive ye the Holy Ghost!” Tomorrow is not promised. Amen.
Scriptures for Consecration: (Emphasis added where bold letters appear)
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11)
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:3-6)
23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. 25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:23-26)
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abidethin me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments,ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:1-14)
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. 4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee. 8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. 9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. 10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. (John 17:1-10)
https://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.png00Minister Zelma McKinneyhttps://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.pngMinister Zelma McKinney2023-09-01 11:29:592026-08-11 13:57:45Words of Wisdom: The Love of God Almighty
Scripture Reference for Understanding, Meditation, and Consecration:
Many believers say that they love the Lord. However, according to God, they lie with their lips as their hearts reveal the truth and expose the lie. Do they intend to lie? I believe most believers do not intend to lie, but rather they have no spiritual conception of what it means to truly love and follow the LORD. I will continue to have faith that change is possible. Unfortunately, the needed change has to begin with the Church. Church Leaders and Pastors must first submit to “absolute surrender” of their own hearts, and then to be bold and brave enough in Christ Jesus to teach and show their congregations how to follow them as they follow the LORD.
Paul encouraged the new believers to follow him as he too understood that he had to follow Jesus Christ. God has revealed that most “leaders” of today are NOT within the will of God, and yet they want others to follow them. God will hold such “leaders” accountable for every soul that has been led astray. See the scriptures below to see what Paul had to say on this subject: (Highlights added below for emphasis and direction)
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. (1 Cor 4:15-16)
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. (1 Cor 11:1-2)
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Phil 3:17-21)
Once a Believer has “tasted” of the Glory of God, stood in His Presence, or witnessed the visual Glory of God, and yet refuses to obey the words of the LORD, there is no way God grants HIS peace to such a soul. This is stated in both the NT and the OT. There are those that would lead God’s people to believe that they can live how they want and not obey the LORD. This is a lie from the enemy of God.
The scriptures say that it is impossible to have tasted of the Glory of God and to walk away and then come back! The true issue here is understanding what it means to “taste” the heavenly gift of God or to be “filled” with the Holy Ghost. Not everyone who confesses with the mouth is “born again” of the Holy Ghost! There MUST be an outward change that is reflective of the conditions of the heart of man. This heart evaluation is conducted only by God Himself. God does not care what we say with the mouth…it is the heart of man that reveals the truth! Therefore, when man has truly “known” God and experienced His Glory or stood in His Presence, this means that such a man is absolutely aware that GOD is GOD. Do you think that God would allow anyone to know Him and choose to walk away in disobedience and serve His enemy and then allow such a one to come back to HIM? God Forbid! My LORD says that it is far better to admit that we have NEVER known Him in His Glory than to remain ignorant by believing that we do know Him. When we come to terms with the fact that we have NEVER been “born again” or “filled” with the Glory of the LORD, we are then free to seek the LORD in helping us to be what He desires us to be. We then are able to be forgiven for the many mistakes we have made! See the scriptures below to see what God has to say on this subject. Obedience to God is the key. Repentance…true repentance is required! There is no way around this requirement. (Emphasis added below for clarification)
20 And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word: 21 But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. 22 Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it. (Num 14:20-24)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (Heb 6:4-6)
God expects mankind to obey HIM. Plain and simple. He expects all “souls” that dare to be called by His name to follow him “wholly” and completely. There are those who will say it is impossible to “wholly” or completely follow the LORD. Those who teach this flawed theology are liars according to the Word of God! The scriptures below show us what God has to say about “wholly” following Him:
11 Surely none of the men that came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; because they have not wholly followed me:12 Save Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite, and Joshua the son of Nun: for they have wholly followed the Lord. (Num 32:11-12)
6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. 7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the Lord my God. (Josh 14:6-8)
10 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments.And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night. (1 Sam 15:10-11)
4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments: 5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel. 6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: 7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: 8 And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house? 9 And they shall answer, Because they forsook the Lord their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the Lord brought upon them all this evil. (1 Kings 9:4-9)
7 Go, tell Jeroboam, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Forasmuch as I exalted thee from among the people, and made thee prince over my people Israel, 8 And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes; 9 But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back: 10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone. (1 Kings 14:7-10)
When God Himself speaks and tells a man to “follow Him,” it is not asuggestion but a charge or command. The spirit of the person that is so charged “Knows” God and who He is when these words are spoken. It is the spirit of man that responds obediently and “follows” God. As Jesus called His disciples, they were strangers, yet they walked away from everything in their lives and “followed” Him. The Gospels share these accounts differently and they have been included here so that you can see the variation in the pattern and understand the will of God and His expected obedience from those He has chosen to follow Him. God expects us to have absolute faith in Him and to put nothing before Him in our lives. This is the only way we can follow Him! See the scriptures below that validate my words. (Emphasis is added for clarification)
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. (Matt 4:18-22)
18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. 19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. (Matt 8:18-22)
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. (Matt 9:9)
27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.28 And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. 29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. 30 And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. (Matt 9:27-30)
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.(Matt 10:38)
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matt 16:24)
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. (Matt 19:16, 21-22)
13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (Mark 2:13-14)
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
In trying to live for Jesus Christ, it is NEVER about doing good deeds or even trying to live by the scriptures. GOODNESS is not enough, saith the LORD God Almighty. Our willingness to do the right thing as we intellectually understand the scriptures will never be enough if we cannot translate our actions into “following” the LORD! When we have absolutely surrendered our hearts and personal will unto the LORD, we automatically follow God. He does not need to ask us to do so…we follow Him. When we refuse to follow Jesus Christ, we are admitting to God that we have not yet surrendered our hearts to His will, and that we have NOT been “Born Again.” To be “Born Again” is to have the Spirit of God unite with and give life to our natural spirit. Communication with God is always “Spirit to spirit.” This transformation is needed to “see” or “enter” the Kingdom of God, thus declares the scriptures.
When we have absolutely surrendered unto Jesus Christ, we delight daily to be in the presence of God. We follow Him around to see and hear His voice. We are content to sit silently at the feet of our LORD. When we cherish our possessions above following God, we MUST honestly admit to ourselves that we have NEVER known the LORD! (Emphasis is added to the scriptures below for clarification):
17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.(Mark 10:17-21)
27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. 28 And he left all, rose up, and followed him. (Luke 5:27-28)
57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.(Luke 9:57-62)
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The thingswhich are impossible with men are possible with God.28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. (Luke 18: 18-28)
43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. (John 1:43-51)
When we allow God to control us, we begin to see Him for who He is. We are able to distinguish between light and dark and good and evil. Jesus is the light of ALL things pertaining to God. Walking in disobedience before the LORD is walking in darkness. It is impossible to walk simultaneously in the light of God and the darkness of Satan, AND actually be within the will of God. We must choose.
It is easy to discern the spiritual walk of man when he demonstrates a lack of knowledge of the Glory of God. When we are ridiculed for our work in Christ Jesus, it becomes clear that this is coming from the spirit of darkness. The bible teaches us that if we KNOW the Lord, we will also recognize others that KNOW Him. To be persecuted by those who claim to know God gives “true” believers the right to say as Jesus said, “Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.” This does not make such a one special or unique. Nor does it mean that such a believer is equal to Jesus. It simply qualifies such a one to rejoice in the knowledge of the truth of who God is.
On a personal level, the statement of the Lord above allows me to proclaim that I have KNOWN the LORD! Should I abandon that which I know just to please others? Is it more acceptable for me to make others comfortable and risk God believing that I am ashamed of Him? Should I diminish my relationship, or walk, with God for the sake of others? O LORD, I cannot walk away! It is the devil himself who would require me to compromise on knowing my LORD. I cannot forget the testimony of my LORD, or reject the revelations of what God has taught me. I will never ignore my experiences that have brought me this far. I judge no one, but I will not allow the judgment of me by others to cause me to grieve my Lord and my God. O LORD, have mercy on me.
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. 14 Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. 15 Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. 17 It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. 18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. 20 These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. (John 8:12-20)
22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:22-27)
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:26-27)
There are great blessings in store for all who “follow” the LORD. God seeks the heart of man that He might be glorified. We show no glory to our God when we refuse to follow Him. We MUST love him with all our heart. There is no other way! The scriptures declare that those that truly belong to Jesus are those that have been given to Him by Father God. Because God knows the heart of man and those that are “true” believers, these are the “followers” that cannot be plucked from the hand of GOD. These “followers” are those that will receive eternal life! The disobedient cannot claim the promises of God. We must fall in love with Jesus Christ. Not everyone that says “Lord, Lord” is a follower of the LORD. See scriptures below that rewards those that willingly, without question, “Follow the LORD.”
28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (Matt 19:28-30)
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Luke 9: 23-25)
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (Luke 18:29-30)
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. (John 12:23-26)
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one. (John 10:28-30)
https://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.png00Minister Zelma McKinneyhttps://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.pngMinister Zelma McKinney2022-09-01 11:29:202026-08-11 14:03:00Words of Wisdom: I Am Following Jesus Christ
Today, God spoke an awesome truth that, although I knew, I realized I did not know it as God wanted me to know and understand it. I now share this teaching with you. You might receive the words with your mind and miss the blessing, so seek the face of God for the true spiritual implications of the referenced scriptures and explanation provided.
A portion of my study today was in Deuteronomy 26. This led me to other chapters about the intent of God and the role He expects to play in our lives. It has never been the intent of God for Him to simply be the God of our fathers, but rather that He should be Our God! He made the first correction of this problem with the Israelites as presented in the study of the book of Deuteronomy. Even before we accept Him as our God, He showers us with His Love and protection. Then…He expects us to make a choice as He did with Israel. We have to make a choice to accept or reject Him as our God. When we choose God as OUR God, we enter into a covenant relationship with Him as Father and Keeper of our souls. This covenant relationship hinges on our willingness to repent and obey His laws.
God had to move Israel from a dependent relationship with Him to a personal relationship of choice. Those who agreed to repent and obey became his people, and He became their God! This new relationship allowed them to enter into a covenant with God whereby they became beneficiaries of the blessings or curses explained.
As we read the holy scriptures today, we face the same choices. We must look at the bible as a detailed “history” of the workings of God as He dealt with His people. We see many gods spoken of in the bible, and we have to decide what we believe and do not believe. If we conclude that Jehovah God is GOD, we must “choose” Him as our God. When we choose Him, He requires of us the same thing as He did with Israel. We must accept His “Truths” as our way of life. We must agree to follow and obey His Truths. We must repent if we have failed to follow Him after knowing what we should do! When we repent, He searches the heart to see if our words are valid. It is the heart that is judged and not the mouth. When we are true to God, He grants us the right to be called the “children of God.” As you expect your earthly children to follow and obey you, so it is with our LORD.
All relationships with God hinge upon the truthfulness of our repentant hearts. The promises of the bible do not belong to us until we become “People of God” and He becomes our GOD! In addition to the scriptures below, please read, study, and pray through Deuteronomy 26-31. Amen.
Scripture References:
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:5-10)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:1-10)
https://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.png00Minister Zelma McKinneyhttps://dissectmysoul.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/6redo1-copy8-300x84.pngMinister Zelma McKinney2021-03-01 21:05:572026-08-11 14:12:30Words of Wisdom: Children of God
