Why Fast? A Biblical Perspective
​        Christians fast to remember and believe the finished work of Jesus Christ.  Fasting humbles oneself before God to be completely dependant upon God.  There are numerous examples of fasts in the Bible that have been done for various reasons. 
​         The Scriptures illustrate that fasting can be done for repentance (Ezra 10:6; Neh. 9:1), or in time of trouble (Esth. 4:3; Neh. 1:4). Fasting is done to seek God’s guidance (Acts 13:3; Luke 2:37), or God’s deliverance (Isa. 58:6). 
A fast can loose the bands of wickedness, undo heavy burdens and break yokes, thereby generating mercy, generosity and charity (Isa. 58:6-7). Jesus told his disciples that some things come by fasting and prayer, as He referred to their unbelief (Mat. 17:20). 
​            Fasting can be done individually (Neh.1:1-4; 2:1; Mat. 6:17-18), or corporately (Ezra10:6; Deut. 9:9; Ex. 34:28; II Chr. 20:3).  The length of time of fasts ranged from Jesus’ (Mat. 4:2) and Moses’ (Ex. 34:28) forty day fast, to the one night fast that King Darius did when he had Daniel thrown in the lion’s den (Dan. 6:18).   Ester fasted for three days (Esth.4:16), and David for seven days (2Sam. 12:16-18), showing that God does not require a set number of days to fast.
There are many other reasons and examples of fasting in the Bible. So why fast? We have been clearly shown that fasting is pleasing and acceptable unto God by the patriots of old, and even by our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D., Senior Pastor Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry


How to Fast The Science of Fasting
​          The Spirit of the Lord is the ultimate source for how to fast.  If God, the prophets, or your pastor gives you details on how to fast, these are the instructions you are to follow.  If God does not give us the details of a fast, before or during the fast, here are some things that are helpful to know.
​        In today’s modern society, fasting has become a science.  People fast to improve health and extend longevity.  There are clinics of alternative medicine that have patients fast to cure a variety of illnesses ranging from arthritis to seizures. 
As Christians, we are not fasting just for physical health and healing, but we are fasting for God.  However, it is believed that just as Christians have used scientific advancement to further the gospel (i.e. TV and radio ministry); God would have Christians to gleam from the scientific knowledge obtained about fasting.  This article is therefore only written to give you some of the discoveries made about how to fast.  It is not intended to be your personal guide for fasting; seek counsel from your pastor or health care practitioner for guidance and recommendations.
​         What Is Fasting:  Spiritual fasting is not just denying oneself.  Fasting is moving faster to the will of God.  Therefore any movement away from something to grow in spirituality can be considered part of your fast or consecration unto the Lord.  This broadened concept of fasting then goes past just fasting from food.  Fasting from TV, speaking, negativity, unnecessary work, and even spousal physical relationship can be considered part of your fast.
​          Different Types of Food Fasts:  God wishes you to be successful on your fast.  So if details have not been given to you about the kind of fast you are to do, then there are several options.  One can fast from a certain dietary items like sweets.  You can fast by reducing the meals during the day, or one can fast completely from food.
​          Preparing For a Fast:  If you know you are about to enter into a long juice or water fast, preparing the body is important.  Start a week before the fast eating fruits and vegetables.  Also move the bowls by taking mild herbal laxatives, drinking prune juice or black cherry juice.  Black cherry juice is obtained from health food stores.  You might even choose to take an enema just before you start the fast.
​          Rejuvenating Fasts:  Health food experts state that fasting can be one of the best ways to rejuvenate the body.  Freshly juiced vegetables and fruits represent the foundation of a rejuvenating fast.  Fresh juices can be obtained by purchasing a juicer.  In most large metropolitan areas there are companies that sale 100% fresh, non-pasteurized juice.  Be very careful not to drink these juices after the expiration date, because they have not been pasteurized.
In drinking fresh juices, it may not be wise to just drink fruit juices.  The high sugar content of fruit can be hard on your pancreas, and keep your energy levels on a roller coaster ride.  Freshly juiced vegetables have low sugar content, and tend to stabilize your energy during the day.  There are many creative juice blends that you can make while juicing fruits and vegetables.  Most juice machines have instruction booklets included with them giving ideas on good blends.
If you are including smoothies in your fast, one of the best ways to rejuvenate the body is to add a tablespoon of spirilina to your smoothie.  Spirilina contains minerals and vitamins, and in health food arenas is considered to be one of the best fasting supplements for a healthy and easy fast.
​         Detoxifying the Body:  It is important during a fast to release toxins from the body, and allow cells an opportunity to repair.  Drinking six to eight glasses of water a day is one of the most important things you can do to release toxins.
During a clear to semi-clear liquid fast the bowls do not move.  In the average human there is eight pounds of waste matter in the colon and intestinal track. When the bowls stop, the body begins to feed off this toxic waste matter.  Do your body a favor; take periodic enemas during the fast.  You might be surprised at the results you see. 
This last statement needs explaining.  Experts say that fasting crises, such as head aches, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, skin eruptions, and etc, are often caused due to the body's inability to eliminate waste during the fast.  By clearing the bowls with enemas, many of these fasting side effects will stop. (See ‘Preparing For a Fast’ section for further information about moving the bowls.)
​          The final point to make about detoxifying is to not put toxins in your body during the fast.  To avoid toxins, stay away from carbonated drinks, and bottled drinks with artificial flavoring and preservatives.
          ​Liquid Fasts:  A liquid fast is one of the most common types of fasts.  There are many options to liquid fasting, here are a few:  #1) Water Fast; #2) Clear to semi-clear juices [no dairy products]; #3) Smoothies [no dairy products]; #4) Dairy products, broths and protein supplements; #5) Blended whole food.  This list is meant to simply be a helpful guide.  There are many other options and choices; however, the above list will be used to explain the science of fasting. 
For starts, lets say you select a fast labeled with a higher number (i.e. #4 or #5), then all of the liquids with a lower number are healthy for you to partake of in that fast.  For example, if you are on a smoothie fast #3, then juices #2 and water #1 is alright to drink.  However, be careful going from a low number fast to a higher number fast if you have been on that fast for a while.  For example, if you have been on a juice fast #2 for several days or longer, your digestive system has shut down.  If you suddenly tried to change to #4 or #5, (without guidance from the Spirit of God), you could experience severe stomach champs and pain.  This brings us to the next topic of how to come off fasts.
​            Coming Off A Fast:  After three days on the #1 water or #2 juice fast, the digestive enzymes secreted by the stomach stop.  The body does this to conserve energy.  What this means is that if you suddenly put heavy food in your system, your stomach and intestines cannot handle it.  There is a report of a man dying because he ate a meal directly after a forty day fast.  So coming off a fast is serious business.  The normal side effects of coming off a fast incorrectly are severe abdominal cramps, nausea and pain.  Again, let it be said that the ultimate way to come off a fast is guidance from God.  Without detailed instructions from Spirit, here are some helpful hints.
For the #5 blended whole foods fast, it takes a day or less to come off this fast.  Just eat soft foods the first day.  For the # 4 fast with dairy products and meat broths, you can come off this fast in one to several days depending how long your fast was.  In this fast (and the #5), the digestive enzymes may not shut down completely.  Simply eat soft and light foods the first days after coming of this fast.
​           With the #3 fruit smoothie fast, take at least half of the number of days you were on the fast to come off the fast.  For example, if you fasted 7 days, take 3.5 or more days to return to normal eating.  The first day coming off this fast, you can eat small amounts of fruit and soft steamed vegetables. Also continue to drink smoothies.  As the days pass, increase the amount of ingested fruit and vegetables.
​         Coming off the #2 clear to semi-clear juice fast, it should take as many days coming off the fast as days you were on the fast.  On the first day(s) coming off, continue to drink juice, and add clear vegetable broths and light smoothies to your diet.  After your system has adjusted to the smoothies, you can eat small amounts of fruit and soft steamed vegetables.  Increase the amount of fruit and vegetables as the days go by.  Note the time schedule for moving from smoothies to vegetables depends on the number of days you were on the fast.
​           Stopping the #1 water fast should take as many days coming off the fast as days you were on the fast.  For example, if you were on the fast for 3 days, it should take 3 days to come off this fast.  Start the first day by drinking diluted clear juices.  Then you may proceed coming off this fast using the same instructions as coming off the #2 juice fast.
​           Seeking Medical Advice:  For individuals with health problems like diabetes, seeking medical advice from a licensed physician before fasting is advisable.  In the medical arena, it is acknowledged that individuals who are pregnant should not fast.  Finally, always remember, Jesus is our ultimate doctor, for by his stripes we are healed.
​          In Summary:  The information presented in this article is simply common knowledge about fasting.  If you desire guidance or recommendations on fasting, seek counsel from your pastor or health care practitioner.  Ultimately, I believe that God can unction you into a supernatural fast with no side effects like tiredness, dizziness, and head aches.  As stated in the beginning of this article, the ultimate way to prepare for a fast, fast, and come off a fast, is to have an ear to hear, and be obedient to the will of God.  For God ultimately knows how we should fast. 
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D., Senior Pastor Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry


Faith, Strength & Joy
       ​Strength Is a Byproduct of Faith: Faith without work is dead, and work takes strength.  “Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed” (Heb. 11:11).  Strength is therefore a byproduct by faith.
​        Strength Is an Attribute of Joy: Strength is a power that comes when one finds the joy inherent in God’s nature.  When a believer is in a cheerful state of joy and bliss due to the presence of the Lord, the believers strength and courage comes natural.  This can be seen in the story of Jesus walking on the water. “When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled,” (which is the opposite of joy), “but straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, be of good cheer” (Mat. 14:26-27).  This statement of cheer (a joyful state) opened the way for Peter to have the strength and courage to say “if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water” (Mat. 14:28). 
       “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared:  for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).  Strength is an ability that you get from the joy of the Lord. There is something about God’s joy that is inherent in strength.  For when one demonstrates a strength, power or courage that comes from God, a joyful feeling is associated.
​         Joy: The Way to Strength: Joy is the way to strength and power.  Joy is an energy that we must embrace now with all our hearts and souls.
       Why joy?  Joy is the energy that gives us the power to endure.  Joy is an active energy that powers our creative energy.  Joy is the force or attribute that gives us the ability to get abundance.  Without joy there can be no absolute health.  Without joy there is pain and suffering, for pain and suffering is the opposite of joy.
Let us examine this energy of joy and how it fuels your being with strength and energy.  To understand how this works physically, mentally, and spiritually, let’s first look at the opposite of joy which is anger.  Anger in the world (Eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil) gives one strength.  When a person gets angry they bolster up.  They have a rage and a force that can tear another down.  They get unnatural power.  Their adrenalin pumps, and the blood flows to the muscles.  The brain gets super sensitive to the environment, and they are ready to attack.  In this heighten state of anger the body literally consumes its ATP (the energy molecule) at rates that leave the body in a state of fatigue.  This unnatural state of fatigue dampers the immune system, pulls upon one’s vital life force, and in this post-anger state the body slumps and can suffer illness and dis-ease.  If anger occurs often enough, intense pain will result from disease.
So anger fuels the non-spiritual advocate, and joy fuels the spiritual seeker.  So when joy invades the being, neuro-peptides that fine tune the operation of the body are flooded into the blood stream.  This fine tuning causes the body to move in a more harmonious state, and when everything is working together then strength results.  It is like tuning a car up.  The car functions better, uses less gas, and is more efficient. 
        Joy also opens the gates of your mind.  For when the energy of joy flows, you are more receptive and focused on being: being in the moment; being present to the feeling of bless, experiencing the complete presence of this divine feeling.
        When one is in the moment, one can hear God; one’s spiritual eyes are open.  As your spiritual eye opens, you how to be, you know where to be, and when to be, so that you will navigate the matrix of synchronicity.  Navigating the matrix of synchronicity means you will be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing to receive God’s abundance.  Being in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing means that you walk in righteousness.  “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added unto you” (Mat. 6:33), is a scripture that states in righteousness all things shall be added to you.  You will manifest abundance.  So joy is that energy that is the motive force for aligning you up with all that “is,” the abundance of the universe.  Joy gives you the strength to be in the blissful moment; thereby, being present to that which is before you, and ultimately living in the eternal, the eternal moment of right now.  And right now is the right place for righteousness to rain supreme.
When you stand in righteousness and seek first the Kingdom of God (the kingdom of God within you, stated in Luke 17:21), you then may have the imputed strength to be all that is (Psalm 103:1) with in your soul.  In being all that is, you inherit joint heir-ship of Christ and heirs of God (Rom. 8:17), which is everything.
Seek joy!  Don’t let a day go by without thanking God for his joy.  Let the joy of the Lord be your ticket to strength and greatness.  Let joy be a desire of the heart.  Let joy be your motivating force to get out of the bed in the morning, and then let it rule your entire day.
        If you don’t have the joy of the Lord, pray for it.  Affirm with your spirit fervently, “I find the eternal joy of the Lord.”  Meditate on the joy of the Lord; let the idea of joy transform your world into the abundant life of bliss that is inherited in heaven.  Let the joy of the Lord be your guiding light in this great and joyful time of your life.
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D., Senior Pastor Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry



The Importance of Righteousness
“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10) 
“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43)

Overview:
A summation of the importance of righteousness can be seen in two scriptures that Jesus said:  “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matt.5:6).  And “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6:33).  To be filled with the Spirit of God and the abundance of God’s mercies in our life we must possess the righteousness of God.

Definition of Righteousness Implies Its Importance:
We can further understand the importance of righteousness by looking at the root meaning of the word and its definitions.  The Hebrew word for righteousness means straightness.  The Greek translation of righteous implies “to be just.” Righteousness is therefore being in straight alignment with the Spirit of God to be justified (i.e. made right) by God.
To be righteous means that there is purity of heart, innocence and holiness.  Righteousness is being in the right state in which Jesus Christ is the standard.  And with this standard one must stand before God without sin.  If one is not in alignment with the will, the word, the mercy, the love and the spirit of God, one is not righteous.  We must have the righteousness of God to fulfill this order.  Thus righteousness is important because it is what aligns us up to receive the salvation of God, which has been given to us as an unmerited gift by Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:24; 5:15-17).
“In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death” (Proverbs12:28).  “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12).  Righteousness is holy and upright living in accordance with God’s standard.  Righteousness is that which is in accordance with the nature and will of God.  God reveals His nature and will in His word.

Righteousness of God Verses Man:
The importance of God’s righteousness can be seen in that God delivers his people from their enemies and oppressors (I Sam. 12:6-11; Ps. 9:7-7; 51:14; Isa. 45:11-13).  God’s righteousness judgment is spoken of in the Old Testament as his loving-kindness, mercy and salvation (Ps. 40:10; 85:9-10; 98:2-3; Isa.45:8; 46:13; 51:5; Jer.9:24).
God’s character is the definition and source of all righteousness (Gen 18:25; Deut 32:4; Rom 9:14).  God is just and trusted, in other words He is righteous.  In Him, there is nothing false or wrong.  God created man in His own image.  He made man righteous.  When God beheld His work of creation, He noted that all, including man, was very good (Gen 1:3).  But man fell.  He did not obey the will of his Creator, but transgressed it—committing sin.  As a result of the fall, man was separated from God and lost his righteousness.  Man became unable to do that which is right before God.  As it is written “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).  Man cannot be righteous in the sight of God on his own merits.
God is not only righteous, but He is also love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, so that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  From the foundation of the world He had predetermined that we would be accepted in the beloved, through the shed blood of Christ. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of  the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:4 -7).
Righteousness is the quality of rightness or justice.  It is an attribute of God.  As a result of original sin and the fall, man is corrupt and lacking in righteousness (Rom.3:23) and is also incapable of making himself righteous (Rom.3:1920).

Importance of God’s Righteousness to the Believer:
Righteousness is important  because it defines an attribute of God’s people.  The righteous shall dwell in the presence of God.  It is written, “Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright (righteous) shall dwell in thy presence” (Ps. 140:13).  Righteousness is important to the believer because we find safety in it, we have our prayers answered because of it, we can go boldly to the thrown of grace through it, and then we shine in the kingdom of God by it.  These attributes of righteousness can be seen in the following scriptures. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).  And in this safety “The righteous are bold as a lion” ( Proverbs 28:1).  This boldness is what creates “The effectual fervent prayers of a righteous man (which) availeth much” (James 5:16), because “…he (the Lord) heareth the prayers of the righteousness” (Proverbs 15:29).  “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43).

The Opposite of Righteousness & Its Consequences:
The importance of righteousness can also be seen by understanding what the opposite of righteousness is, which is unrighteousness.  Unrighteousness simply stated is sin.  Sin worketh death, and separates us from God.  Sin is disobedience to the covenants of God, and missing the mark of the calling of the Most High.  The original sin or unrighteousness of Adam and Eve caused the fall in the Garden of Eden, and the world has inherited this unrighteousness.  As Isaiah (64:6) stated “all our righteousness are like filthy rags.”  In the book of Judges (17:6) it was stated that “everyman did that which was right in his own eyes.”  We must understand that man in and of his own cannot be righteous or justified in the sight of God (Rom.3:9-10, 20, 23; Gal. 2:16).  Therefore we must have the righteousness of God imputed or transferred into us by faith.  This important concept can be perfectly understood in Philippians 3:9 (directly quoted from the Amplified Bible). “And that I may be found and known as in Him, not having any righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law’s demands, but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which come through faith in Christ, the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.”
“This is the name by which he will be called: The Lord our righteousness.” (Jer. 23:6).  “Christ Jesus is our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (ICor.1:30). “For He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him” (2Cor.5:21).   Jesus paid the penalty of our sin and provides us with His very own perfections, with His own righteousness.

The Ultimate Importance of Righteousness:
The one who by faith is declared righteous will by faith grow in righteousness and do the deeds of righteousness by God’s grace (Rom. 6:12-18; Eph 4:24; 5:9; Phil. 1:11; Heb.11; James 2:17-26: I Pet. 2:24; I John 2:29).  So ultimately righteousness is important because in the final day of Christ, when God judges the world (i.e. your world), the grace of God will bring the justified into a final righteousness (Luke 14:14; Acts 17-31; II Tim. 4:8).
By Barbara Green-Muldrow, Ph.D., M.D. (Co-Pastor Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministy)




Obedience and Order: Part I
    ​“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” (Ps 37:23).  When God orders one how to walk and where to walk, a wise man is obedient to those orders.  Obedience keeps you in the will of God and aligns you with God’s order, blessings and perfection. We must all walk in meekness, seek the truth in love, and follow God’s established order which He has given us for the perfecting of the saints through His apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  When we do this the scripture is fulfilled which says “till we all come in the unity of the faith… unto the perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:2-15).
     Be obedient to the things of God even unto the death of your flesh or carnal mind.  Choose to discipline yourself to the law and order of Jesus Christ in every aspect of your life.  This is not a one, two, three, step-by-step process.  This is a simple truth that all can follow; for the law does not bring you unto righteousness, but the law is the schoolmaster (Gal 3:21, 24).  The schoolmaster will ensure that you grow up in the right order of affairs not to miss your inheritance. 
      Understand that as you order yourself to be disciplined to the things of God, you are not doing the work.  You are not causing yourself to increase.  The increase has already been given to you by Jesus Christ.  What you are doing when you are in decent order is simply saying: “Yes God, I believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ. I have examined myself and I repent of my rebellious ways. I am ready to receive God’s inheritance of son-ship. I am ready to receive God’s love. I am ready to move onto perfection.  I am no longer a child on milk.  I have been to the school and mastered the lesson, and now I am ready to receive meat.”  As you do this with patience in the midst of your trials and tribulations, the love of God will be shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost (Rom. 5:3-5); and love never fails (1 Cor 13:8).  Love never fails because God is love (I Jn 4:8,16).  When the love of God is in you, you will joyfully be obedient to God’s scriptures, precepts and divine law and order, you will carry your cross with peace, and your heart will love every moment of precious life.  When it is all said and done, Jesus summarized obedience and order by simply saying “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). 



A Time of Consecration & Fasting
(This article was written to call a year of fasting in 2004; however, the article is still relevant in that the power of a called fast can be understood.)

         This is a time of consecration to break the yokes and free the captives.  This is a time of fasting to help your unbelief.  When the disciples could not cast a demon out, they asked Jesus why.  He said, because of your unbelief, and that some things come by fasting and prayer (Mat.17:20).
         We are in a time of reaping.  The saints of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry and the Unity of Faith Federation are to reap on all levels – spiritually, emotionally, and in the physical realm.  There is to be health and prosperity.  There is to be a peace and joy of the Lord.  There is to be reaping where you have not sown.  The only thing that keeps the devil off of your back during this time of reaping is to believe the prophet and prosper.
       Believe that it is reaping time, and the enemy cannot foil your prosperity and abundance.  Believe that the inheritance Jesus Christ left for you is at hand, and an “evil heart of unbelief” (Heb. 3:12) cannot rob you of your joy, peace, and abundance.  Believe Pastor Shackelford and the prophetic messages brought forth in the Unity of Faith Federation, and you will receive good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.
       The consecration that the Unity of Faith Federation has entered into is to help our unbelief, for some things come by fasting and prayer.  Specifically, unbelief is cast out when we come boldly to the throne of grace with fasting and prayer.  Specifically, fasting and prayer is an act of God that allows us to deny the flesh to move faster to the awareness that there is nothing to do but be in the body of Christ.
         The world has damaged our belief.  The world has standards and norms that we have bought into.  However, the ways of God are far from the ways of the world.  So God has given us a sacred ritual to enter into that allows us to say no to the number one thing that we believe we need for life – that is food.  Life is in Christ Jesus.  Life is in the spirit of God.  Life is not in the food we eat, nor can food alone give us physical existence.  The spirit is greater than the flesh, and if there is life in the spirit, then sit down to the table of life and not death.  The table of life is in prayer and worship, fasting and meditation.  The table of life is in Jesus Christ.  As the psalmist said, “thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”
         Understand that the ritual of fasting, when coupled with prayer and consecration, helps unbelief.  Understand that as we enter this year with fasting and praying, and as we dedicate this year to fasting and praying, then the yoke of unbelief will be destroyed, and we will boldly go to the throne of grace and reap the abundance that God has for us.
       We urge you saints to believe God and be established, and believe the prophet and prosper.  In fact, this statement is biblically sound.  In II Chronicles, chapter 20 the Moabites (which symbolizes the carnal mind), and the Ammonites (which symbolizes a high place in the mortal mind), and the inhabitants of mount Seir (which symbolizes tempestuousness, carnal emotions and fear), were about to invade Judah.  King Jehoshaphat knew what to do.  He immediately called a fast for all Judah.  Then he went into prayer with the priests.  God spoke to them through the prophet and said, “be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (II Chr. 20:15). Then the Lord gave instructions to go to the place where the enemy was encamped and be still.
       Upon following these instruction, King Jehoshaphat gave a speech to Jerusalem and Judah the next morning and said, “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (II Chr. 20:20).  As the company of men in praise and song went to the cliff overlooking the valley where the enemy was encamped they discovered that God had set an ambush for them.  Apparently, war between the Moabites and Ammonites and inhabitants of mount Seir had broken out, and the army literally destroyed one another.  It took three days for Jehoshapat’s people to remove all of the riches, jewels, and spoils of war from among the dead men.  And on the fourth and final day, they named that place the valley of Berachah, which translated means the valley of Blessings.
       God wishes us to enter into corporate fast this year to destroy the Moabites and Ammonites, and inhabitants of mount Seir which is the carnal mind of unbelief, the fear, and tempestuousness, and the high thoughts of man which thinks it can save us.  These are the thoughts from the world and enemy that causes us to believe the things of man, and not the things of God.  God is saying to us this year, the battle is not yours, but God’s.  God is saying just pray and fast and follow my instructions, and I will lead you to your valley of blessings.  God is saying to us this year, I am coming against the evil heart of unbelief, and I am setting an ambush to destroy all yokes and burdens.  God is doing this by helping our belief in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
         Rejoice as the people of Judah did when they discovered that God said they would not have to fight the battle.  Rejoice, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.  Rejoice, for when you go into your personal battles of life, and despair, and unbelief, know that this valley holds the blessing of abundance on all levels.
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D. and Senior Pastor of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry



Seven Great Principles for Understanding the Bible
PART 1
       The Bible is a sacred book that contains the secrets of spiritual ascension.  Its wisdom is hidden in history, symbolism, allegories and metaphors.  Its Spirit is contained in the writers, authors, and lives of the very characters in the Bible.  You cannot just pick up this sacred book and understand it, no more than you can go to a foreign land and understand the language upon arrival.  To comprehend the Bible you must know the sacred language of Spirit.  You must see it from the perspective of the Divine. You must approach it as the grand Divine dream that it is. 
        This series of articles are designed to open your eyes and ears to this Divine language.  It does not matter whether you are a born again Christian or a skeptic of the Bible, there is something in this article for everyone.

The First Great Principle:
A Multidimensional Book
       The Bible is truly a multidimensional inspired word from the Most High.  It is one of the greatest spiritual guide book every written.  The undeniable proof of this is that it has stood the test of time.  The book is thousands of years old.  Twenty percent of the world’s population lives in cultures that are followers of it, and it has sold more copies that any other book in recorded history.  It is an “All Time Best Seller”.
       So if this book is so great, then why is there so much confusion about it?  Why are there so many different denominations?  And why do many feel that misinformation is given in the Bible about spirituality?  The answer is simple. Spirit inspirited the writings of the Bible so divinely that it says all things to all people.
        The Bible is inspired to meet people where they are in life, and teach them right there.  So a power hungry warrior would see war heroes, like David slaying Goliath, and relate to them.  A capitalist who is only interested in making money, would see the great wealthy men of the Bible, and embrace the book.  A sexist, who feels that women should only be his help mate, would truly use the Bible to solidify his position as head of the house.  All types of people are attracted to the Bible, regardless of their beliefs, culture or social status, and upon being attracted if they humble themselves to the word of God, they will be saved from their wicked ways.
        Paul, the author of half of the New Testament books, summarized the Biblical quality of being all things to all men, by saying this about himself.
I Corinthians 9:19-22
    19   For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
    20   And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the                   law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
    21   To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that 
           I might gain them that are without law.
    22   To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all                     means save some.
Paul’s above opening and closing statement of to “gain the more” and “save some,” captures an important nature of the Bible.  The Bible is written to serve all, so that it will gain the more, and save some by setting them on a spiritual path of God’s righteousness and awakening.  
       So the next obvious question is how does the Bible set more on a spiritual path by saying things that fits everyone’s belief?  It does this by being written on many levels of interpretation.  The allegories, metaphors and symbols say one thing at one level of consciousness, while simultaneously telling a completely different story at another higher level of consciousness.  Regardless of where a person’s consciousness is in life, the sacred Bible can meet a person there and give increase one step at a time.
       At the highest levels of interpretation, the Bible explains in great detail how to navigate the spiritual journey all the way back to discovering the divinity within, and becoming one with the Most High.  The highest spiritual truths given in the Bible can not be deciphered by just picking up the book and reading it.  Even most of the avid followers of Christianity do not come into the higher truths of the Spirit of God. These higher truths and interpretations reveal themselves to the seriously dedicated who are seeking truth, righteousness and nonjudgmental unconditional love.  Most people, including Christians, are seeking security, acceptance, prosperity, social outlet or validation of their beliefs and actions.  And this is all they ever find.
       A final point about this multidimensional book must be made.  Many naysayers believe that the Bible has in part been mistranslated for personal gain.  There are a few isolated verses that have been translated within the context of the biases of a given culture which resulted in the manipulation of selected verses over the ages.  This has been discovered because there are older translations, such as in Greek or Hebrew, which bears witness to a different interpretation.  However it should be strongly emphasized that the sacred supernatural message of God has not been lost, or significantly damaged in any of the translations over the years.  This is because most of the few changes primarily reflect the first line literal interpretation. The deeper spiritual meanings have been repeated over and over again, and for the most part have gone unnoticed and undamaged by those seeking to distort the literal interpretation.
        The key to the preservation of the spiritual message is the way the Bible repeats a concept over and over again.  For example, the process of your spiritual journey into physical reality separated from God conscience back to your higher true spiritual nature, is told over and over again in may different stories.  It is told in the story of the fall of the Angels, and in the description of the Christ.  It is told in the concept of the inner man and outer man, and the ideal of the “I am.”  It is even told in the story of creation involving Adam and Eve.  To get a glimpse of how this story is intricately told from the perspective of Adam, read Part II of this book.

The Second Great Principle:
Here A Little, & There A Little
Isaiah 28:9-10
   9   Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from
        the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
   10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and                            there a little:
       To understand the Bible one must build precept upon precept.  Many great principles of the Spirit of God are missed because people do not realize that the Bible is constructed synergistically.  A principle or precept may be introduced at one point in the scriptures and not have its greatest impact until another section.  In fact, much of the symbolism within the Bible is given to you. For example metaphysically (beyond Newtonian physics) speaking, you are the earth, the church, and the temple of God.  The church or temple is not a building that people gather in to worship.  This point is made clear in the following scripture.  (1 Corinthians 3:16) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you.  If you have not received this precept, then you would miss the principle of meditation and the art of being silent in Habakkuk 2:20 - But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
       The following paragraph is a construction of different scriptures to demonstrate that if one puts line upon line and precept upon precept, the great truths are revealed.  In this example, the principle of our eternal existence, and the perfection of being in the oneness of God is reveled.
       (John 1:1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  (John 1:4) In him (ie. the Word) was life; and the life was the light of men.  (John 1:9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.  (Ephesians 1:4) ...he (God) hath chosen us in him before the foundations of the world, that we should be holy...  (Ephesians 4:6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.  (And Jesus said in  John 17:11) Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are one.  (John 17:23) I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. 

The Third Great Principle:
The Symbolic Bible
       The use of Bible dictionaries and encyclopedias are essential for the novice and Bible scholar to glean deeper meanings from much of the Bible.  Two sources that are required for symbolic interpretations are an encyclopedia or dictionary of symbols, and a metaphysical Bible dictionary.  There are numerous detailed, illustrated encyclopedias and dictionaries of traditional and spiritual symbols that exist in academia and can be purchased.  In addition, another interesting source book which deals specifically with names in the Bible is the Metaphysical Bible Dictionary published by Unity Books.
       Upon reading sections of the Bible, especially the Old Testament and Revelations, look up every word and name that you can find in your source books.  Upon doing this, you will be amazed at the spiritual meaning that is revealed.  Using the following example taken from Ezekiel 10:1-2, you can see how this works. 
       Below the verbatim words from Ezekiel chapter ten, verses one and two are given.  Then following this is the symbolic or metaphysical meaning of selected words in these two verses.  These meanings were taken from several source books.  Next a translation was made by literally replacing the meaning of the symbolic words with their metaphysical or symbolic meaning.
Ezekiel 10:1-2
    1   Then I looked, and behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubim there appeared over                            them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.
     2   And he spake unto the man clothed with linen, and said, Go in between the wheels, even under the cherub,                          and fill thine hand with coals of fire from between the cherubim, and scatter them over the city.  And he went in
          my sight.

SYMBOLIC (METAPHYSICAL) MEANING OF SELECTED WORDS
Firmament - a firm unwavering place in consciousness
Head - seat of life force, mind, intelligence
Cherubim - truth of being; guardian of the sacred or paradise
Sapphire - truth; heavenly virtues
Throne - high place; represents royalty
Clothed or Clothing - A symbol of thought on the mental plane
Linen cloth - purity and righteousness
Wheel - wheel of life, time and fate (worlds with different realities - intuited)
Under -symbol of the lower nature, ie lower mental, astral, etheric, and physical
Hand - a tool; power of God
Fire - cleansing, purification and transformation
Man - cosmic man is the microcosm, a reflection of the macrocosm (earth existence)
City - the many natures of personal existence - intuited

SYMBOLIC TRANSLATION
   1   Then I looked and behold, in a firm unwavering place in consciousness, that was above my intellect the truth of my
        being, which there appeared as heavenly virtue, as the appearance of the likeness of a high royal place.
   2   And he (the truth of my sacred being) spake unto my earth existence which had thoughts of purity and righteousness
       and said, Go between the time and fate of the world, and even under the truth of your sacred being (ie underneath the
       truth of your being is the earth plane or lower consciousness), and fill thine self with the tools and power of God
      (i.e.) with the cleansing, transforming power, from the truth of your sacred being and scatter them (this transforming
       power) over the many natures of your personal existence. And he went in my sight.
Note, that the translations were personalized.  That is the one beholding the event was the one involved in the event.  It is often appropriate to do this with scriptures, especially when you translate the scripture as being personalized for you, about you, and in you. 
       The more you read the Bible, and the more you personalize scriptures about you, and in you, the more you will receive revelations and understanding.  In time you will not even have to look up words, for the spirit of interpretation and revelation will be in you.  In closing of this section, it is strongly emphasized that symbolic interpretation is only a small way to approach the sacred scriptures in the Bible.  Do not get overly absorbed in just interpreting the Bible in this intellectual manner.  This could result in your becoming heady or high minded and take you away from the first principle of the multidimensional nature of the Bible.

The Fourth Great Principle:
Spiritual Revelations
       Individuals that read and study the scriptures on a regular basis are given revelations in the Bible for specific situations.  One might be pondering on a question, open the Bible, and the answer is given on the opened page.  One might receive in a dream, vision, or knowing a particular verse or chapter, and this section holds a secret that helps them on their spiritual evolution. Read and study the Bible in sections as lead by the Spirit.  This will open you to the greatest revelations the Bible has for you at any given time.
       There are some individuals that are gifted with what can be called a revelation ministry.  Through the Spirit of God, they have a gift of simply being able to understand the deeper meanings of scriptures.  This gift of revealing the scriptures is often associated with a person who has been called to one of the five fold ministries, i.e. apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher.

The Fifth Great Principle:
A Book of Spiritual Dreams
       The Most High Spirit of God has used the historical events in the Bible like grand, divine, prophetic dreams that teach personal lessons to anyone and everyone. The life and stories of the great patriots and saints of the Bible can be seen as supernatural dreams for humans living today.  Even thought many of the stories of the Bible are historical events, God orchestrated these events to be divine cosmic dreams that any evolving soul can tap into. 
       A mistake that man has made when looking at the scriptures is that he only sees the history or the myth of a story.  In doing so, man has not been able to reconcile the scriptures, which has caused division (different denominations), and even war.  But if you steps back for a minute, and realize that each story and every event can be treated like a dream, then the scriptures begin to reconcile themselves, and the power of the scriptures are realized.
       The process of biblical “scriptural dream” interpretation begins when: you are divinely led to a biblical story or event; or when someone quotes a scripture that seemed to be a fertile word for what you are going through; or when you simple open the Bible, and immediately see a story that has relevance.  After the “dream-scripture” is discovered, the first step in its interpretation is to realize that this story is an aspect of self.  Always remember that dreams are not something that you have.  Dreams are a deeper part of who you are.  The dream-scriptural stories talk to you, and they talk about you.  Every item, event, or person may represent some aspect of your journey.  Even if the story contains several people, and multiple intricate events, they all may represent an aspect of you.
         The next point to consider is that scriptural stories (dreams) are polyvalent, meaning that they may be about several aspects of you (or others) simultaneously.  Spiritual truth can speak on many different levels simultaneously.  Always remember this sacred principle when interpreting scriptures.  
       As you read a scripture that you have been lead to, look for a deeper spiritual meaning.  For example, some aspect of the story of Job might be about where you are on your spiritual journey right at this present moment.  Ask yourself questions about the scriptural-dream.  Does anything about the dream-scripture remind you of something in your spiritual journey?  What were you feeling as you read or remembered the scriptures?  By simply questioning yourself like this, you call upon the Holy Spirit for assistance.  Know this in your heart, and you will get assistance from God.
       One of the most important things about scripture-dreams is that they are symbolic.  The symbolic nature of the Bible is covered in the earlier section titled “The Third Great Principle: The Symbolic Bible.”  In general, it can be said that the scriptures can be interpreted just like you would interpret any meaningful prophetic dream.  However, remember the guidelines for interpreting dreams is not an exact science.  Do not become such a hard core advocate in your rational scriptural-dream interpretations that you feel you have the only or best interpretation.  If this were true, then scriptures would not be polyvalent. 
       As you exercise the spirit of dream-scripture interpretation your ability to see and understand the scriptures will increase quantum fold.  However, be patient in the process.  The spiritual ability to readily understand the dream nature of scriptures may take years of exercise before God adds an increase.  So the final message here is to lust after nothing, not even the interpretation of your dream-scriptures. All things come and are revealed in due time.  So trust in God, and know it is in divine order.  As you do this, your dreams will escalate your journey to oneness in God. 

The Sixth Great Principle:
Listen to the Holy Spirit
       The Spirit of God can give you the best understanding of what is meant in the Bible.  Often times one cannot understand symbolically, metaphorically or supernaturally the meaning of what is happening unless communicated with directly by the Holy Spirit.  The biblical authors of the different books wrote them through the inspiration of God; therefore, the best way to understand what they wrote is through the inspiration of God.  The key is to develop a personal relationship with Jesus, for in him lies the full God head bodily. 

The Seventh & Greatest Principle:
Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God
        Matthew 6:33 
        But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
        If one is truly searching for the kingdom of God and to know His righteousness, truth will be revealed.  Revelations will come, understanding will flow, and wisdom will abound.  However, revelations and intellectual understanding of the Bible will not in and of itself allow you to grow spiritually.  Metaphysical understanding of this great book means nothing unless these scriptures or “Word” comes alive in you with love.  God is love.  As you seek first the kingdom of God within, you will find the love of God, the peace of God, and the joy of God.  You will discover that “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God:  And if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ;...”(Romans 8:16-17).  You will awaken to the humble reality that the “…the kingdom of God is within you...” (Luke 17:21).  This is what it means to have the Word come alive in you.  For when it comes alive in you, all these things, including understanding, shall be added unto you.
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D. and Senior Pastor of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry




Obedience and Order: Part I
       “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” (Ps 37:23).  When God orders one how to walk and where to walk, a wise man is obedient to those orders.  Obedience keeps you in the will of God and aligns you with God’s order, blessings and perfection. We must all walk in meekness, seek the truth in love, and follow God’s established order which He has given us for the perfecting of the saints through His apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.  When we do this the scripture is fulfilled which says “till we all come in the unity of the faith… unto the perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:2-15).
       Be obedient to the things of God even unto the death of your flesh or carnal mind.  Choose to discipline yourself to the law and order of Jesus Christ in every aspect of your life.  This is not a one, two, three, step-by-step process.  This is a simple truth that all can follow; for the law does not bring you unto righteousness, but the law is the schoolmaster (Gal 3:21, 24).  The schoolmaster will ensure that you grow up in the right order of affairs not to miss your inheritance. 
       Understand that as you order yourself to be disciplined to the things of God, you are not doing the work.  You are not causing yourself to increase.  The increase has already been given to you by Jesus Christ.  What you are doing when you are in decent order is simply saying: “Yes God, I believe in the finished work of Jesus Christ. I have examined myself and I repent of my rebellious ways. I am ready to receive God’s inheritance of son-ship. I am ready to receive God’s love. I am ready to move onto perfection.  I am no longer a child on milk.  I have been to the school and mastered the lesson, and now I am ready to receive meat.”  As you do this with patience in the midst of your trials and tribulations, the love of God will be shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost (Rom. 5:3-5); and love never fails (1 Cor 13:8).  Love never fails because God is love (I Jn 4:8,16).  When the love of God is in you, you will joyfully be obedient to God’s scriptures, precepts and divine law and order, you will carry your cross with peace, and your heart will love every moment of precious life.  When it is all said and done, Jesus summarized obedience and order by simply saying “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (Jn. 14:15). 
Obedience and Order: Part II
       Obedience is a natural flow when discussing order.  For when a person chooses to embrace the order of God, they must be obedient to that order.  Whether one defines order as a direct command given, or defines order as an organized array of rules and statutes, one must be obedient to be in alignment with the order of God.  “Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments, and his statues which I command this day” (Deut 27:10).
       Obedience is a natural flow in God’s kingdom.  “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt5:5) is a statement that says only those who are meek, non-rebellious and humble will be in a position to receive the inheritance.  If you do not have a spirit of obedience, which is a humble spirit of receptivity, you cannot receive or inherit God’s blessings.  "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God…” (John 1:12).
       This concept can be explained in many ways.  “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils, freely ye have received, freely give (Matt 10:8).  You must have an open hand to freely receive and freely give.  Obedience is like an open hand.  Obedience is the ability to receive the order, commands, and statues of God, and assimilate these commands in one’s life to for example heal the sickness in your house.  If you receive God’s order, you will have dominion in the earth and all will obey you.  Jesus commanded the unclean spirit and they obeyed him (Mk 1:27).  He even commanded the wind and water and they obeyed him (Luke 8:27).
       If you cannot obey the simple orders and commandments of the scriptures with all your heart and soul, how can you expect the unclean spirits that are in you to obey and leave your house?   Obedience is therefore necessary at every level of being to assimilate into the kingdom of God.   Obedience is necessary to claim the inheritance of all power in your hand that Jesus Christ gave you on Calvary over 2000 years ago.  “…To obey is better than sacrifice” (I Sam 15:22), because if you choose not to be obedient, you will sacrifice your inheritance.
       There is another upside to the discussion on obedience.  When one chooses to walk the path of an obedient soul, the riches and fruits of the spirit follows them.  Life is made easy, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matt 11:30).  When one chooses to be obedient, personal responsibility which causes stress and distress is taken off one's shoulder.  An obedient soul easily says “for the battle is not yours but God’s (II Chr 20:15).  An obedient soul can believe that “all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).  An obedient soul can cast all your cares upon the Lord, for he cares for you (I Pet 5:7).  These things an obedient soul can do because it takes the spirit of obedience to receive God’s word and believe it.
Let’s look at this point.  Obedience removes the burden of taking personal responsibility for an outcome.  If you are following someone else’s commands and orders, then you know the results you get are not a reflection on you, but a reflection on the one who gave the command.  For example, if you are told to go to the river and draw water, and when you get to the river there is no water, you realize it was not your fault that the river was dry.
       When you are obedient to God’s commandments and you go to the fountain of living waters, the well will never be dry.  So how do you go to the fountain of living waters?  “…Obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments and his statues…” (Deut 27:10).  For example, pay tithes and offerings, worship in spirit and truth, and give good measure.  “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together and running over, shall men give into your bosom.  For with the same measure that ye met with all it shall be measured to you again.” (Luke 6:38).  These are a few of the simple commandments of God, and if you are having a hard time doing these things, “examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…” (II Cor 13:5).
       Obedience is better that sacrifice.  So this day is a good time to choose to obey the commandments and God.  For the scriptures say “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospers” (III John 2).
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D. and Senior Pastor of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry




Order From On High
       Concerning order, the work is done.  There is a complete and perfect order in God’s kingdom.  You get a glimpse of this order in the book of Revelations when the throne of God is described.  You get a glimpse of this order in the parables Jesus tells about the kingdom of God.  You get a glimpse of this order in Genesis as it states: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen 1:1).  For one definition of order is a command given by an authority figure, and the ultimate authority figure is the universal essence of the Most High Spirit of God.
       Concerning order, if there is already an order in the universe, and this supreme, divine order is the realm of the God, then any order that orders our life that is not of the order of God, is out of order.  It can be likened to a current in the ocean pulling a ship in one direction.  If the ship does not align its rudder to steer the ship to compensate for the ocean’s current, the ship will never get to its destination.
       Jesus said it in this way: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise” (Jn 5:19).  Jesus is testifying that his deeds are ordered by his Father.  Jesus is saying there is a supreme life force working in him giving him commands as to how his life is ordered.
       The message concerning order is being made clear now.  Unless you do as Jesus did (our perfect example), and let your life be ordered by the Lord, then you will be like a ship on the ocean with out a rudder to steer.  You will “be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph 4:14), and never see your destination.
       This parable needs further explanation.  God is the author of peace.  God’s currents of life are directing our flow, just as the currents of the ocean and wind direct the ship.  However, God wants each person that is a member in the body of Christ to have a unique ministry and expression in the earth, and God has given each of us a unique rudder.  Now with this said, you can see the order of God as it concerns man.  Each has a unique gift and contribution.  “And he gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph 4:11,12).  But collectively we all come together to make the whole.  Is this not what the scriptures said about the body of Christ: “…the body is not one member but many” (I Cor 12:13-14).
       If we with our individual parts do not subject ourselves to the command or order of God, then our part cannot be part of the whole, and we do not receive the whole.  However as “… the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets” (I Cor 14:32), then we assimilate into the whole, and we are made whole.  This is how the order of God in God’s Kingdom is placed upon and over the order of man.  This is how the order of God becomes our order.  In this order we prosper, because the scriptures say “…I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (III Jn 1:2).  In this order there is peace beyond understanding and joy unspeakable.  In this order we begin to see the kingdom of God which Jesus described as being like a grain of mustard seed, which in deed is the least of all seeds.  But when it is grown it is the greatest among herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof (Mat 13:31-32).  “So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the grown;… and the seed should spring and grow up, and he knoweth not how” (Mk 4:26-29).
       In God’s kingdom Jesus has given us order.  “Love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be children of the Highest” (Lk 6:35).  “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven: Give and it shall be given unto you… for the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Lk 6:37-38).  These doctrines and saying are great pearls of wisdom.  We know “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant man… who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Mat 13:45-46).
       Symbolically, sell all that you have and surrender your life to the precepts, doctrines and order given in the Holy Bible, which contains pearls of great value.  Surrender and “… present your bodies a living sacrifice holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Rom 12:1).  As you do surrender to the order of God, you will discover that: “The kingdom of God comes not with observation…the kingdom of God is within you”(Lk 17:20).  For God has already placed his ‘order from on high’ in you through the redemptive power of his son Jesus Christ; therefore, concerning order, the work is done.
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D. and Senior Pastor of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry



Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues and Hearing God) (I Corinthians 14th Chapter)
       There are many tongues (languages), earthly and spiritual (1Cor 14:10).  Some tongues are actually speaking another earthly language and some tongues are speaking heavenly languages (1Cor 14:2).  Any tongue that is spoken through a person that is not that person’s natural language is a spiritual experience.  It is spiritual because a supernatural force has seized your mind, body and mouth, and you are vocalizing something that is beyond your natural ability.
          If the supernatural ability of speaking someone else’s foreign language graces a foreigner to believe you have been touched by the Spirit of God to speak their language, you have converted a nonbeliever over to a believer (1Cor 14:22, Acts 2:1-12).  If the supernatural tongue is spoken with spiritual authority, and the Spirit of the tongue can be felt by the unbeliever, then you may have a convert.
       Understand something, for the individual who is speaking an unknown tongue, there is edification for them.  This is because that person feels the supernatural power overtake their body and flow unimpeded through their spirit.  This is truly an exhilarating experience.  However, each saint should be open to grow beyond this experience and move to a point in which they have an ear developed within to understand the tongues or languages that speak through them.  Without this development the saint is relegated to and experience or feeling that never develops into sound doctrine by which to discipline and order his or her life.  The interpretation of tongues or heavenly languages edifies a person.  This means it lifts them up in spirit and gives them direction.  These directions are the orderly instructions by which one can live their life by.
       Here is the key.  In 1Cor 14:40, Paul talks about letting all things be done in order.  This discussion came directly after teaching about prophecy and tongues.  Paul says that if everyone spoke in tongues it would appear as madness to outsiders (1Cor 14:23).  But if everyone could interpret tongues and prophesy, then outsiders would be amazed as how the Spirit of God is flowing in unison in the congregation.  This would convert their hearts and they would be saved (1Cor 14:24-25).
       Paul further explains that the spirit of the prophet is subject to the spirit of the prophet (1Cor 14:32), meaning that there is order in God’s movement in the congregation.  What babes in the body of Christ must learn is that to be in one accord with the spirit of prophecy, there must be order at every level.  Paul uses a symbolic example of the law by saying that a woman is to be silent in the church, and is to ask her husband for understanding (1Cor 14:34-35).  Well, we know Christ is the husbandman, and we (the church) are the brides.  However, in this parable using a law of the land, Paul is showing that in the church service there is to be order.  Let no one usurp the flow or order, for God is a God of peace and order, and not confusion (1Cor 14:23).
       This simple teaching brings forth many hidden lessons.  For example, one cannot grow in the Spirit of God (and receive their due inheritance) unless they observe the humble, subjective spirit of due order (i.e. prophet subject to the prophet).  If one does not discipline themselves at every level of life to be in order and to subject to one another, then as they start growing in Spirit they will think they are the only ones that are hearing correctly (1Cor 14:36).  This spirit of pride leads to division within the congregation of the church.
       This might seem ludicrous and crazy.  You might say, “Not me, I know I hear correctly.”  Well here is a test for you to follow.  When in the midst of the congregation, you should always be hearing along the same lines of what is being put forth at that time.  If your daily experiences and inspirations are not in alignment with the messages on the floor, then realize that maybe you are out of order with the flow of the Holy Spirit.  For God often ministers to all his saints the same general message and experiences in a given season (Ecc 3:1).  So be of one accord.  Be united with the Spirit of God in a way that you align with God’s order, and prophesy to your own spirit the order and law of the Most High God, which has been given to us through Jesus the Christ.
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D. and Senior Pastor of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministry




Conscience and Conscious
       How much more shall the blood of Christ … purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Heb 9:14) is a profound and powerful scripture in the Bible.  In the text of this workshop we will examine the importance of this scripture and how it is foundational in ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ. 
       Conscience has not been at the all-time top list for sermons; however, it is a message that can manifest an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and God.  To understand conscience you must first go the dictionary to discover the several different meanings of this word.  The most common meaning is simply a sense of right and wrong.  It is a faculty that leads to feelings of remorse when you do things that go against your moral values.  It is sometimes felt as an unction or desire to do the right thing.  However, upon exhaustively studying different dictionary definitions for the word conscience, a very interesting and little known definition of conscience can be found.  Conscience is a form of consciousness; just like an apple is a form of fruit.
       So to truly understand this important Biblical concept of conscience, we must first fully understand what consciousness is.  To be conscious simply means to be awake and aware of your own existence, feelings, thoughts and surroundings.  Right now you are conscious, because you are awake, reading this book, aware of what you are thinking, and the room you are in.  If you were unconscious you would not be aware of your existence, nor your feelings, thoughts and surroundings.  If you are not conscious in this physical world you can not function, you are asleep, or even worse in a coma or dead.
       Since conscience is a form of consciousness, then conscience also has in its definition awareness of self, thoughts, feelings and even the environment around you.  Simply said “conscienceness” like consciousness is an awakened state.  Herein lies the power of the way the scriptures sometimes uses the word conscience.   To have a God conscience simply means that you are awake and aware of God’s existence, thoughts, feelings, righteousness and surrounding, i.e. his spiritual kingdom.  If you are not conscience in the kingdom of God, you will not function with awareness.  You are asleep, or even worse in a spiritual coma or spiritually dead, and all of your actions are only dead works.
       Without conscience you cannot hold faith (1 Tim. 3:9), and without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). To speak the truth in Christ, your conscience must bear you witness in the Holy Ghost (Rom 9:1).  Even your joy, your rejoicing is the testimony of your conscience (2 Cor 1:12).  Conscience is the faculty that allows you to be aware of your intimate relationship with God.  And when it is all said and done, the end of the commandment is love, out of a pure heart, of a good conscience, and a sincere faith (1 Tim 1:5).
       So the question that can be asked now is, where is your conscience?  Is your conscience (your self-awareness) with your thoughts, your feelings, your mind; or is it with the mind of Christ (Phil 2:5) and the thoughts and loving feelings of God?  Are you most aware of your environment, the body you live in, the car you drive, the address of your physical house; or are you intimately aware of God’s environment, which is called the kingdom of God that is within you (Luke 17:21)?  Are you awake and aware to the reality that God lives in you (1 Cor 3:16); or are you asleep most of the time and cannot feel His presence?  Is the only unction or desire you have to do the right thing coming from your sense of right and wrong, or is your unction coming from the righteousness of God (Rom 10:3)?  Remember the scriptures say that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isa 64:6).  So the next question is: “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God (Heb 9:14)”?
       In summary, conscience is being aware of God’s identity, thoughts, love and kingdom in you.  So when you are conscience you are aware of the “is-ness” of God, the identity of God, living on the inside.  What does this really mean?  It means that the purged conscience of Jesus Christ is available to you.  It is purged of the identity, needs, desires, emotions and thoughts of the flesh.  It is purged of the will of man.  It is purged of sin and lust.  It is purged of all that is not divine.  In this pure or purged state nothing remains but God/Christ conscience.  Said another way, the is-ness of God empowers you to be one with God’s identity.  It empowers you to hear God’s thoughts and feel God’s love, mercy, peace and joy.  It empowers one to have the right to state Psalms 82:6 “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.”
       You cannot know that you are a child of God with out a purged conscience.  This is not a knowing that the mind knows.  Without a conscience experience, you can only be told by the scriptures you are God’s child, and that God loves you.  When you are simply told this, you must accept by faith, and believe this truth; however, when you awaken in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, you know.  The key here is that you awaken.  Awaken from an un-conscience state to a conscience state.  Awaken to realize you were sown in corruption and raised in incorruption, sown in dishonor and raised in glory, sown in weakness and raised in power, sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body (1 Cor 15:42-53).
       So what does this spiritual body or is-ness feel like and look like? It feels and looks like the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (Gal 5:21-22).  It feels like dominion and authority.  It feels like being aware of God’s identity, thoughts, and kingdom in you.  It looks and feels like an intimate relationship with Jesus.  In fact, upon close examination of the word conscience in the scriptures, it can be clearly seen that the entire gospel of Jesus Christ can be taught centered on this concept.  Out of the 31 times the word conscience is used in the New Testament (King James Version) some of the most profound concepts can be seen, such as: worshippers once purged should have no more conscience of sins (Heb 10:2); and that you can exercise your-self to always have a conscience void of offence toward God and men (Acts 24:16); so you can serve God with a pure conscience, and without ceasing have remembrance of God in your prayers night and day (2 Tim 1:3).
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D. and Senior Pastor of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministr




Conscience Break-Through in Prayer
       As the believer begins to awaken, conscience break-through in prayer begins to happen.   Conscience break-through happens consistently when you, the believer, are aware of God’s identity, thoughts, will and kingdom in you.  But if your prayers are sometimes barren and unfruitful, you are blind, and cannot see afar off, and may have forgotten that you were purged from your old sins (2 Peter 1:8-9).  It should be clearly understood that prayer without a pure, purged conscience is blind.  For example, let’s say you prayed passionately, felt an anointing, and got a breakthrough.  Now from this experience you will eagerly enter into prayer again and look for another break-through; however, this time no break-through occurs. You may have prayed just as passionate, felt the same anointing as before, but for some reason the prayer was not answered, and you do not know why.  You do not know why because you are blind, that is, not conscience of God’s thoughts and will concerning this prayer.  God may have had a different timing concerning this matter, or God may simply be trying to increase your patience and trust.  If you were praying blind you would not realize that maybe God has chosen to deliver you in a different way, or teach you how to fix the situation.  To fix a thing you must understand the root of it, behind the veil, from a conscience perspective.
       So the obvious questions now are: How can I avoid spiritual blindness and walk by faith and not by sight?  How “do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).  The obvious answers to these questions are: Develop a prayer life, and pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17).  Examine yourself to determine whether or not you are in the faith, and to prove to yourself that Jesus Christ is in you (2 Cor 13:5).
Another way a believer can mature, awaken and know that God dwells in them, loves them and answers prayers is revealed in Romans 5:3-5.  It states that you must glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope.  When a believer studies to show themselves approved, and forsakes not to assemble themselves, then the measure of faith given to them (Rom 12:3) is activated by hearing the word (Rom 10:17).  This believer then begins to experience through faith God’s supernatural existence, and through experience begins to believe that they are heirs according to the promise (Gal 4:29), as well as a child of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17).  This developing belief and hope can be expressed as “. . .Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Col 1:27).  This hope of glory is a conscience awakening seed, because without hope you would lean to your own understanding and not wait to hear (in a conscience state) from God.  But hope, derived from patience and experience will cause you to stand still, wait upon the Lord and subject yourself.  This dying to the flesh, or being “subject for conscience sake” (Rom 13:5), is what is needed for the blood of Christ to manifest the purged conscience from dead works.  And dead works can be defined as any thing that you do, say, pray or involve yourself in outside of Christ conscience.
       In addition to the above information on conscience break-through in prayer, there are many scriptures on prayer that can be interpreted from a conscience perspective.  Below are a few examples.  James said “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).  A prayer can be most effectual if you are conscience, because faith, a substance (Heb 11:1), is held in a pure conscience (1 Tim 3:9).   A prayer is fervent because a purged conscience has a passionate unction.  A righteous man conforms to God’s will, which requires awareness of God’s thoughts and desires. James also said “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3).  Well if you were truly aware of God’s kingdom in you, you would be spiritually aware behind the veil that lust consumes your prayers, so you would simply not lust.  One of Jesus’ answers is: “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24).  The best way to believe that you have already receive your prayer is to see (i.e. be conscience) in the spirit that the work has already been done.  John said: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). The only way you can tell the truth is in conscience-awareness of God, Christ and the Holy Ghost as is indicated in Romans 9:1 “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost.”
By Lycurgus L. Muldrow, Ph.D. and Senior Pastor of Deeper Dimension Teaching Ministr



Conscience Scriptures Listed
Three Forms of Conscience
1. Man’s Conscience
Romans 2:15
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

2. Evil Conscience
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

3. God/Christ Conscience (A Good, Pure, Purged Conscience)
Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
1 Peter 3:21
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

No Conscience of Sin
Titus 1:15
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Hebrews 10:2
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.

Subjected, Submitted and Exercised Conscience
Acts 24:16
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
Romans 13:5
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
1 Peter 2:19
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.

Conscience and Faith
1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Holding Someone in Your Conscience
2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Seared, Bruised and Imperfect Conscience
Hebrews 9:9
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
1 Timothy 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Joy and Conscience
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Convicted Conscience
1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
John 8:9
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

Protection of the Saints with a Weak Conscience
1 Corinthians 8:12
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:29
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
1 Corinthians 8:7
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1 Corinthians 8:10
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1 Corinthians 10:25
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1 Corinthians 10:27
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1 Corinthians 10:28
But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

Love and Conscience
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Repentance and Conscience

Fear and Conscience

Why Fast? A Biblical Perspective
How to Fast: The Science of Fasting
Faith, Strength and Joy
The Importance of Righteousness
Obedience and Order: Part I

A Time of Consecration & Fasting
Seven Great Principles for Understanding the Bible
Obedience and Order Part I and II
Order From On High
Tongues, Interpretation of Tongues & Hearing God
Conscience and Conscious
Conscience Break-Through in Prayer
Conscience Scriptures Listed

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