I’m going to start here:

Matthew 7:21–23 (KJV)
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

What Jesus means by “knew” here is, He was never in a covenant relationship with whom He’s rejecting. There wasn’t INTIMACY.

📌Knowing God biblically always includes relationship + obedience (ref. John 10:27)

INIQUITY
This is LAW-LESS-NESS. Living as though God’s authority does not apply.

•Rejecting God’s standards
•Living according to one’s own will
•Practicing religious activity while ignoring obedience

This is why Jesus says these people did miracles but were still rejected. This is why TRADITIONS within the church are rejected as well. Jesus rebuked the religious folks for their traditional behavior while still denying the Spirit of Truth. Today, it’s a Sunday to Sunday [Sabbath to Sabbath] work for many WITHOUT operating in obedience to Yaweh [rather in or out of the temple] & allegiances are divided (idols of self & cultural “norms”).

2. SIN (which is something we do, sometimes unknowingly due to our human nature, and what we must repent for, daily–making intentional efforts to avoid yielding to our flesh over Holyspirit)
INIQUITY are different levels of rebellion.

In short, SIN means:
•To miss the mark
•To fall short
•To make a mistake or error
Picture an archer missing the target.
📖Ref. Romans 3:23

Sin can occur through:
•weakness
•ignorance
•temptation
•human failure
Example: Peter denying Jesus (Luke 22:61–62). This was sin, but Peter repented. He made a turn AWAY from the mindset & whatever else that caused him to deny The Truth, The Way & The Life ✝️

⚡️INIQUITY on the other hand is
☠️Perversity
☠️Moral distortion
☠️Pre-meditated wickedness
☠️Twisting what is right
☠️A bent or twisted heart condition.
‼️Iniquity is deeper than sin.
It is sin that has become a pattern or nature‼️

Another key fact about INIQUITY is that those who are in it, often times don’t see that they’re in error bc PRIDE has them blind & deaf to their “good works” & abuse of God’s grace…

IF SIN isn’t repented of, then INIQUITY is developed while excuses, lies/deception continues to feed the behavior as it grows & spread 🖤Repeated sin hardens the heart, producing iniquity. Untreated, spiritual cancer looks like what we see cancer do in the natural. Another example Holyspirit gave me was, HIV/AIDS. ☠️☠️☠️

CONCLUSION:
Along with divided allegiances, Jesus is addressing THOSE PRACTICING LAW-LESS-NESS‼️‼️Those who are habitually practicing spiritual works but, lives without submission to God’s authority. They have religion without righteousness. A form of godliness and denying His Spirit/power (Ref. 2Tim3:1-5; Titus 1:16)

THE SOLUTION is a simple challenge: repentance + surrender + true relationship with Christ.

What does “the mercy of God” really look like?

THE MERCY OF GOD LOOKS LIKE RELATIONAL LOYALTY—

God’s mercy is shown through His covenant commitment to us. According to God’s Word, mercy is not just emotional kindness. Its deeper than that–It is faithful covenant love that God continues to show us–even when we fail.

God’s mercy towards us #reflects His loyalty to His covenant, His undeserved kindness & His faithfulfulness [despite the adulterous behavior of His Bride]. Exodus34:6 Lamentations3:22

Noted: “His mercy endureth forever”means:
✅️God’s covenant love is perpetual, unending, and beyond time.
✅️Not temporary mercy.
✅️Not conditional kindness.
✅️Everlasting covenant loyalty.

In connection to what I read recently in 1 Corinthians 10, just bc something was done, for years, doesn’t mean God approved it and was pleased with it. God can use ANYTHING & ANYBODY but, He doesn’t approves everything & everybody!! He’s been patient and has been giving us time to MAKE ADJUSTMENTS 🙏🏾✝️ TIME IS MERCY

God’s patience is expressed through the biblical concept of long-suffering. [Slow to anger; Delayed wrath]

God does not react quickly with judgment.

Exodus34:6 #Numbers14:18 #Psalm103:8

📖“The Lord is not slow concerning His promise… but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (Ref. 2 Peter 3:9)

1. God delays judgment
2. God gives opportunity for repentance
3. God remains faithful even when people fail— His patience is not permission to continue sinning‼️

God gives us all time to repent. That’s His love & patience towards ALL — even towards those who mock Him, curse Him, and disrespects Him to His face!!

He’s giving The Church time to change her adulterous [Babylonian] behavior–COME OUT!! The Lord loves ❤️ us soooo much and so unconditionally & it grieves Him to pass judgment but, He wouldn’t be God if He was a liar & didn’t honor His Word. Therefore, many are translating His grief through lament, warnings, intercession 🙏🏾 travailing for His impending judgment…

Perfect example:

“The Book of Jeremiah announces impending, inevitable judgment on Judah and Jerusalem—primarily through the Babylonian invasion—due to deep-seated idolatry, covenant infidelity, and social injustice. Jeremiah describes this judgment as a devastating “boiling pot” from the north, a “roaring blast” or “destroying wind”, and a, destruction akin to shattered pottery.”

✝️Judah — Symbol of God’s Covenant People
In Jeremiah, Judah [name meaning “God be praised”] represents:

• God’s covenant community (those who claim relationship with Him).
• A people entrusted with truth but falling into idolatry.
• Religious culture that outwardly worships but inwardly rebels.

Judah becomes a warning about covenant unfaithfulness:

1. Idolatry
2. Political alliances instead of trusting God
3. Religious hypocrisy

✝️Jerusalem — Symbol of the Spiritual Heart or Center of Worship ; Often interpreted as “foundation of peace” or “city of peace.”

Jerusalem represents:

• The spiritual condition of the people
• The heart of worship
• The seat of leadership (kings, priests, prophets)

📌Jeremiah’s prophecy shows:
You can have the Temple, the city of God, and religious identity — yet still be spiritually corrupt. The people believed religious association guaranteed safety, but God exposed their idolatry and injustice.

An altar is a place of sacrifice, covenant, and spiritual allegiance. Its where something dies so covenant relationship may live.

It symbolizes a place of worship

If you’re going to create an altar, prepare for the fire!
➡️An altar without fire is incomplete.
➡ Fire validates the offering

An altar always answers two questions:

1. Who is being honored?
2. What is being surrendered?

With that said, what happens when The Refiner’s Fire 🔥 comes in??

1. The sacrifice is consumed and
2. Separates pure from impure

Bc the altar is where immpurity is exposed, mixture is removed, authenticity is tested and motives are purified;

If an altar of Baal (false god) is created vs a holy altar sacrificed to God [one that produces a “sweet aroma”/worship to Him], IT WILL NOT ENDURE THE TESTING OF THE REFINER’S FIRE (Holyspirit/Yaweh)

“These men have set up their idols in their heart…” -Ezekiel 14:3

The physical structure of an altar & what’s placed on it and offered as a sacrifice, symbolizes our heart–the inner place of surrender, covenant, and worship. The Greek meaning for “heart” is inner self; conscience. It is the control center of allegiance and worship.

🔥The altar determined the spiritual condition of Israel.
🔥The heart determines the spiritual condition of a person.

Idolatry begins internally before it manifests externally. This is why The Fire of God is necessary & so powerful! Fire in the heart:
🔥Tests faith
🔥Burns away impurities and motives &
🔥Strengthens what is genuine

The altar of the heart must endure refining. What remains and endures the power of God, reveals purity. (1 Peter 1:7)

Leviticus 6:12-13 is a symbolism of how the continuous fire signifies constant, unceasing worship, atonement, and the perpetual presence of God, ALONE among His people–

When one set up an altar, it’s not just a structure, yall! It’s a prophetic picture of THE HEART!
The bow/kneeling to that physical altar mirrors the inner altar bc
➡️The altar of the heart determines the authenticity of worship.
➡️Whatever sits on the altar (table) of your heart, is what you truly worship‼️

📖“The true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth…”-John 4:23-24

Quoted from a sister/friend while we were in conversation this AM:
“The enemy doesn’t mind if we’re doing good things, as long as we’re not obeying God” #ironsharpensiron ✝️❤️

Bc disobedience to God is an open door/gateway for Satan. He loves when we do & say ANYTHING God didn’t say do–regardless of how innocent it seems.

“OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE” – GOD

So while we do things & it seems good, get applauded and it gets much recognition from ppl, God will not accept it‼️ (Ex. He rejected Cain’s offering)

Them: “They have a good heart” or “They had good intentions”

God: “The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things, who can know it? , I the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

(Amplified version) “The heart is deceitful above all things
And it is extremely sick;
Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives“I, the Lord, search and examine the mind, I test the heart,
To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds”

So everytime we claim “their heart or our heart was in the right place” in doing something, God’s saying, “I’m the judge of that!” (This really checked me this morning 😮‍💨☺️) Bc our heart is deceitful! We do things w/ the belief “it’s good so God will honor it” but, if it’s not in obedience to God, wholly & with the heart towards Him with faith IN HIM (meaning, it’s gotta be in His Will), HE WILL REJECT IT!!

And it’s why many are more tired, more worn & depleted than they should be; yoked and entangled in things they shouldn’t be in; lacking more than God promised us to have–bc some of us are using God-given time & energy to do everything else EXCEPT what He said to do! [Then looking for Him to bless & multiply it] smh–NO HE WON’T!

I heard someone say on the radio yesterday, The Promise Land is ours–but, there was a fight against giants in order to claim [take territory] and possess it! This fight we’re in is against our flesh–bc The Adversary knows how to suggest things, present them as good, to get us to agree to do what he’s saying & AGAINST what God says. (No new tricks). We must know how to model Christ, crucify this flesh & resist the enemy.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” -James 4:7

“Submit” in this verse means to place oneself under God’s authority, aligning one’s life with His will as a conscious, decisive act

However we don’t always do that & be right there, calling evil “good” & good “evil”–bc of our heart conditions. [There are grave consequences for that too, if we don’t repent]
Jesus says, “IF you love me, you’ll keep MY Commandments.” (John 14:15) It’s not about doing “GOOD THINGS” it’s about doing GOD’S THINGS🎯💯

🙏🏾May the fire on the altar of our heart be ignited & burn 🔥 passionately [even more] as our fuel & driving force for doing all that He called & assigned us to do–NOTHING MORE. NOTHING LESS 🙏🏾❤️✝️AMEN

“When you play big it makes other ppl feel small”- Pastor Dharius

Pastor Dharius Daniels shares 5 WAYS TO HANDLE JEALOUSY in his teaching on Cain & Abel

God accepted Abel’s sacrifice/blessing and rejected Cain’s [Gen. 4:2-5]

1. Don’t confuse hiding for humility #falsehumilty

2. Don’t go too far in the field #discernwhentokeepdistances

3. Don’t over react to the attack #donttakeitpersonally

4. Don’t let loyalty blind you to reality #discerningdeception

5. Don’t answer every accusation. Let your life speak!

While I was listening to the message & reflecting on when I gradually started shrinking, ppl pleasing & allowing the enemy an open door (legal access) to muzzle my mouth and attack my confidence. Holyspirit had to build me back up and one of the scriptures He used was Hebrews 10:35-36.

We WILL NOT be accepted, on most occasions, by those who grew up with us and are close to us, relationally. Early on when I first came to Christ and started studying His Word, I was encouraged by Joseph’s story & testimony because I’ve always been a dreamer of prophetic happenings as well (and didn’t quite understand my dreams at the time).

✅Joseph was thrown into a pit b/c, he didn’t understand that by telling his family what the Lord gave him that it was going to cause him to, literally, be casted away & mishandled by his brothers. (Gen. 37)

✅David was overlooked by his brothers & father (1 Sam.16:1-13) and sought after by King Saul, who kept trying to kill him (from 1 Sam. chptr 18 through chapt 22 or 23)

✅Jeremiah was literally thrown in prison, just for obeying God and saying exactly what the Lord told him to say to kings, high priests, scholars & the rebellious (Jeremiah 37 & 38)

✅Jesus was mocked my his brothers and not seen by those who walked with him, regularly—and often misjudged, misinterpreted, and misunderstood by scholars & priests (4 the Gospels)

🎯Commonality: NONE OF THESE PPL CHOSE THEIR CALLING! GOD INTENTIONALLY CHOSE, ANOINTED & APPOINTED THEM!

Like Jeremiah, I never felt worthy enough & I felt like I’ve been too young for what I’ve been called to do–

🎯If jealousy can come from relatives, we should be wise enough to know that it will come from ANYBODY! Remember how Saul flipped on David? Wisdom tells us that who someone WAS shouldn’t blind us to what someone has BECOME #discernment.

🎯And sometimes once we’ve recognized the shift, we start trying to dim our light & shrink back to “keep the peace” or “fit” in—bc honestly, “I don’t really wanna do this anyway”, right? But, when we become as Jonah and not wholly fulfill an assignment for personal, fleshly reasons, WE HAVE A MIGHTY GOD TO ANSWER TO‼️ So initially, it’s more detrimental to the called & chosen to NOT do what God says for the sake of ppl. [I also just thought about Elijah who ran away from Jezebel, hid, and wanted to die, AFTER God used him to call fire from heaven to burn up the demonic altar; 1Kings18 and 19]

✨️God keeps exposing me to myself and perhaps I can be of some sort of encouragement to others 🙏🏾 At the end of the day, the real “enemy” is the “inner-me”👀

Here’s 1 way to silence that noise & keep conquering giants…

REMAIN CONFIDENT IN CHRIST—THE ONE WHO’S MIGHTIER IN YOU [1 John 4:4]—WHO HAS EQUIPPED YOU FOR THE JOURNEY & ASSIGNMENT; regardless of how uncomfortable it feels! We’re held accountable for it. (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Colossians 1:12)

#DavidvsGoliath #MosesvsPharoe #TheKingdomofHeavenvsDarkness #Conquerors #ItsAFixedFight

📍The adversary desires to plant bitter emotions within us, as a legal access, by getting us to get into our feelings about things God reveals to us, hoping we disobey God and abort the mission. (SN: Delayed obedience is still disobedience). However, I’m learning that God has to be able to trust us, first and foremost, additionally He has to be able to trust us with visions and messages while teaching us how to PROPERLY handle Cains—love them still, pray for them still, be generous to them still, give them what He says still (until He says, ‘Shake the dust off of your feet…’)—knowing when & how to keep healthy distances.

📍Our responses to what Holyspirit says is an exposure of our heart more than anything ppl are saying to us –& sometimes, God is giving us a command to “endure hardness and tread uncharted territory” to see our effort(s) towards executing that command—as well as our verbal response towards what He said.

Me: “Lord, here is my Isaac! You can have it all!”😭🙌🏾❤️✨

I believe these are the times where EACH church (vessel/based on the book of Revelation) is being tried in the fire 🔥& exposed—and more than anything, we should continue to endure this journey fervently & with #radicalobedience and intentionality, in hopes of becoming more like the persecuted [Rev.2:8-11] and faithful [Rev. 3:7-13] churches😇✝️