Hear God's Heart and Honor Him

March 3, 2003

Dear Friend of Mary Craig Ministries,

We are in a time when cornerstones are under scrutiny, a time when structures and their supporting foundations are being tested. During this time, those who have built upon sand, who have said "to a tree, ‘you are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘you gave birth to me’" (Jeremiah 2.27) will discover that Jesus spoke the truth when He said,

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." (Matthew 7.24-27)

Paul said that

"no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any one defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are." (1 Corinthians 3.11-17)

We are to have no other gods before the one true God, i.e., no other origin, author, creator, or parent. Every foundation and the building structured upon it are being tested against the Absolute Standard of God and His Word. Counterfeit spiritual authors, parents, origins, sources must be renounced. We are approaching a day of reckoning, and we must prepare. We must have things in their proper order, in their proper place. Let’s honor God that He might honor us.

Origins, authors, creators, parenting structures are being confronted, tested, judged according to the measure of God’s standards, God’s measuring rods and plumb line. God is a God of covenant, a God to be honored, a God of true and just measures.

Jesus Christ is the Stone of Israel. (Genesis 49.24) As structures…moral, spiritual, physical…are being tested and measured against Christ, God is putting things in order, making adjustments, bringing correction. Christ is the foundation (Isaiah 28.16; Colossians 1.16), the Alpha, the Origin, the Creator. Counterfeits seek to cast away restraint (Revelation 17.4, 18.3; 1 John 4.6; Psalm 2.3, 4). Those whose hearts depart from the Lord come under the curse of God (Jeremiah 17.5) and cause themselves to stumble (Jeremiah 18.15).

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone (1 Peter 2.6), indeed the chief cornerstone (Psalm 118.22). The correct cornerstone must be laid precisely. The cornerstone of our nation’s Capitol was laid "masonically." Is it any wonder that our nation’s foundations are being shaken? I stood at the cornerstone of the Capitol just a few years ago and prayed that Christ be the cornerstone, that Christ be given His proper place, that lip service become truth, that the foundations of the "fathers" be tested. Change is in the wind.

Jesus Christ is a tested stone (Isaiah 28.16), tried, sure, a chosen stone (1 Peter 2.6), a living stone (1 Peter 2.4). Thus we pray life into situations (1 John 5.13-16). We pray love into situations (Romans 8). We pray the goodness of God into situations (Romans 2.4, 12.9-21).

The disobedient stumble over Christ the Stone, rejecting Him.

Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘the stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. (1 Peter 2.7, 8)

To Abraham Lincoln, the Civil War was God’s scourge and judgment, In this time of gods and generals, perhaps we would do well to consider the presidential perspective reflected in his Second Inaugural Address from 1865:

…Neither party expected for the war…Both read the same Bible, and pray to the same God; and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the seat of other men’s faces; but let us judge not that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. ‘Woe unto the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!’ If we shall suppose that American Slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war, as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a Living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope — fervently do we pray—that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.’ With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan—to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations. (Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address)

We are to come to Jesus as living stones chosen by God and precious, being built up into a spiritual house to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We are to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light as those who have obtained the mercy of God. Our conduct is to be honorable, with good works that unbelievers can observe to the point of glorifying God in the day of visitation (1 Peter 2.4-12). Indeed, we are to live as free, yet not use our liberty as a cloak for evil. As bondservants of God we are to honor all people, love the brethren, fear God, and honor the king. (1 Peter 2.13-17)

Shortly after emancipation had been proclaimed, some former slaves fell before Lincoln, calling him "Messiah" and kissing his feet. Embarrassed, Lincoln responded: "Don’t kneel to me. That is not right. You must kneel to God only, and thank Him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy. I am but God’s humble instrument…you are free—free as air. You can cast off the name of slave and trample upon it; it will come to you no more. Liberty is your birthright. God gave it to you as He gave it to others, and it is a sin that you have been deprived of it for so many years. But you must try to deserve this priceless boon. Let the world see that you merit it, and are able to maintain it by your good works. Don’t let your joy carry you into excesses. Learn the laws and obey them; obey God’s commandments and thank Him for giving you liberty, for to Him you owe all things…I…must return at once to Washington to secure to you that liberty which you seem to prize so highly…" (Owen, G. Frederick. Abraham Lincoln. The Man & His Faith. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1976, page 196)

Through judgment comes deliverance. Today we enjoy the liberty wrought in the woes of God’s judgment. We are again in a time when justice rolls down like water, when God is sweeping away a refuge of lies (Isaiah 28). Therefore, let wisdom and knowledge be our stability and the fear of the Lord our treasure (Isaiah 33.6). Let us crown Jesus as King, for He is the capstone (Zechariah 4.7). As the Holy Spirit is poured upon us from on high, the wilderness will become a fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. (Isaiah 32.15-18) Now is the time to:

1. Prepare for Christ, the testing stone.
2. Check all foundations and shore up the structures of your "house," especially the temple of the Holy Spirit.
3. Set the correct cornerstone aright…Jesus Christ.
4. Put things in order, in proper place, as one would for a military inspection with good intent.
5. Humble yourself before the perfection of Jesus Christ, avoiding great swelling words and lofty promises of devotion, love, loyalty, purity, and holiness.
6. Align, agree, harmonize with the Word. Set aside hostilities.
7. Love mercy, do justice, and walk humbly with your God. Honor Him. Keep Him, and keep yourself from idols.

Your prayers and financial support encourage everyone being blessed by this ministry. Your gifts are making a difference in people’s lives. Because of your help through MCM, orphans in Haiti and Madagascar receive mattresses and aid. Unwed mothers and homeless women receive places to stay. Our web site draws hundreds of people seeking help in breaking strongholds and finding healing in Jesus Christ. Just this past week God answered prayers for employment, obtaining health insurance, healing of the mind, paychecks, restoring souls, boldness to witness, the opportunity to share Christ and the gospel, and more.

One young man found his time at Craighouse to be a divine appointment as he saw and heard the testimony of the Antarctica mission, heard the gospel shared and preached clearly, listened to the personal testimonies of five Christians, and received an opportunity to enter into the same relationship with Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He experienced Christian fellowship and concern for his soul. And he is only one. How many more need to hear? How much more could we do? How might you help MCM today?

Please join me today in giving generously, graciously, gladly, and with His guidance. Thank you! And remember to send in your requests to the Lord so we can intercede for you.

To the honor of Christ’s glory,

Mary Craig

P. S. Check out the marycraig.org events page for upcoming events, Bible studies, gospel messages, newsletter articles, and much more.

Also, while perusing through my files, I found this "word" which I received from the Lord September 11, 1998, a "word" you might find very interesting.

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Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. Jude 24, 25 (NKJV)

September 11, 1998

Behold I am He in the midst and you shall see the great works I am doing. I am He of the seven stars and seven candle stands. I am the Faithful Amen and True, Faithful and True in the midst. Behold I come quickly, saith God. I sit upon a white horse and come. I come with the judgment of My mouth to judge the earth with equity.

The wine press of My wrath is ready. Therefore, repent, for I am coming. I will not delay, for My people cry and know not what for. My creation groans. My people know not for what they ask. My creatures know. They know and understand that I am coming to judge the living and the dead in the great and terrible Day of the Lord.

It is My time. I will be glorified in all the earth. I will be exalted, for so My Father honors Me, and I honor Him.

I the Holy Spirit say to you: Bless and do not curse. Cease striving. Bless wherever you walk. Bless whatever you touch. Be the instrument and voice of blessings. Be the instrument of good and not evil. Forgive. Loose people, for I do see you. I the Lord see you. You are filled with anger and uncertainty. I would say to you Shalom. Peace be unto you. My peace. Nothing shall by any means harm you. Come, My people. Let My word judge you. For why should you die? Prepare yourselves—your hearts—for I your Husband am holy. I come for a holy Bride. Come. The peaceful city, Jerusalem. Babylon the Great. Everything is in place. Now it shall appear and come forth. Suddenly it will spring forth.

My people, repent. Come where I am, where you really are, seated in the heavenlies, where the devil will not touch you.

As you say, "He has nothing in me," I shall make it so, for are you not Mine? Did I not purchase and redeem you with My Blood? You are Mine. I am holy—therefore, repent. Be joyous and sing. I am the Lord your God. Give Me My time and My place. See those that thought they were safe and cannot hide from Me. Where can they go from My Spirit? I am the Sovereign Lord. I am the God of Justice. I do what is just and right. My people exploit. My people use My word for their gain. Learn of Me. Think of Me. Let Me enter into you. You hold back.

Put your ear to the ground. Hear the hoof beats. Weep and wail, for I am coming. I am coming. I am bringing equity. I stir the wine press of My wrath. Do I keep what I am doing from My prophets? No. Many do not listen. More do not heed.

Are you taking up the cause of the afflicted? Are you taking up the cause of the storm-tossed ones? Do I not intercede? Can you not intercede? What are you doing? Who is more important than I? Look up! Look out! Look within, and repent.

I am sending the dew. Get in it. I am sending the oil. Get in it. Get drenched in the rain. Be green. Get in the stream of life.

Love all things. (received by Mary Craig)