Tree of Life Christian Fellowship East

609-618-8942 or 609-879-9113
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver Proverb 25:11

Newsletter
Jude: 3-4: Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. America 2012: As any observant person will notice our political system seems quite broken doesnt it? I have heard it said many times that there seems to be no difference anymore between the political parties. The Republicans look like the Democrats and the Democrats look like the Republicans. It truly seems as if they are both the same, with the exceptions being rare. If we are being honest with ourselves we shall find the same thing is true (to a more destructive end) with the American Christian Church! The Great Whitewashed Ones! It has been all through history that when one nation made war with another that one of the strategies often employed; with much success, has been to infiltrate with the use of spies and imposters. The one side will take a certain one, and will be

taught to not only look on the outside like the opposing side but act, talk, and in every way imitate the opposing side. To overthrow the opposing side from within. Nehemiah 4:11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. This is not only a military strategy and one used in our political system, but also a method used by our Lords enemy the fallen one. If we look at the scriptures, we notice that Jesus warns us of this very strategy Matthew 18:25 says this directly, But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat. This I believe was not meant as a lovely parable of the end judgment alone, but a grave warning from God as to our greatest danger. Our God in these last days does not want us deceived nor to be ignorant of any of our enemies devices! Presently, we see our nation and the church of Christendom very far removed from its glorious beginnings. I see churches packed on Sundays; I see floods of men, women, and children hungry for God. Or so it seems? However, we are not the judge of this. But we are to judge the fruits that the church produces. Could it be that why we see the church have little to no effect on our nation or why the churches are filled with seat warmers but produce little heavenly real lasting fruit. Has Gods great enemy infiltrated the church to its highest levels? I believe that this is Gods warning for todays church. I am by no means indicting the entire church nor do I seek to pour condemnation on any of Gods beautiful work, To the contrary, I seek to point out the false so the real church would be manifest to all who seek the Lord in spirit and in truth. Our Lords warnings began with His words to His disciples in Matthew 7:14 -16, Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? In this is the infestation described in which I believe that many of our churches have been infiltrated. By the leaders, false prophets, or have at least been taught a watered downed false gospel. Diluted down with compromise so that it holds no

real power to the hearer! Jeremiah 8:20 holds this very cry in his issue to God, The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved! You might be asking yourself this writer is off his rocker, or that he has no love. But if you will look closely you will see what the Holy Spirit is attempting to get at here. We shall now look at the fruits of a Christian or the signs that you are abiding in Gods New Creation. I am only going to endeavor and examine but seven fruits of the most obvious, that we would see if the church you are in is abiding in the New Creations or may be some other. This list is in no order, but I will list them as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Circumcision of the heart (Romans 2:29) Love you enemies and the unfriendly (Matthew: 5:44-46) Circumcision of the ears or Hearing Gods Voice (Acts 7:51) Patient in Sufferings (Hebrews Chapter 3 and Revelation 1:9) Will not be offended with Jesus (Matthew 11:2-6) Sweet Smelling Savour (Ephesians 5:2 and 2Corinthians 2:14-17) Living Epistles 9 (Corinthians 3:1-6)

We will begin as God permits to examine the first of these 7 signs that tell if the new creation life is manifest in the believer or if the lampstand placed is abiding or ready to be removed!

The first sign of the new creation life is observed in Romans 2:28-29, For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

What a great gulf exists between these two circumcisions! Like the vastness between the first Adam and the Lord from heaven only bridged by the man Christ Jesus! The first circumcision was an outward sign of an inward faith towards God; first given to Abraham who looked for a city with foundations whose builder and maker was God. However, without exaggeration we must apply this, as Paul does in the book of Galatians to the Church. Just as the circumcision was a cutting away of the outward flesh, and many Jews holding this standard as there righteousness. So as Christians we fall from grace into serving God in our flesh or the Old Man. If you have not been born from above you will never be able to see the difference between serving God in the flesh or if in the spirit. Only by walking through the land of the new creation can you see the great massive difference. The most crushing self-absorbed form of this found in many Christian Churches is mentioned in Colossians 2:8-23. Its the touch not, taste not, handle not doctrine. This is the modern day version of the circumcision of the flesh. Circumcision of the heart is the cutting off of the old man our flesh and all its deceitful works, NOT by abstinence but by the Holy Ghost. His very Spirit and River of Life dwelling in you, damming up the rivers that proceed from your own wicked human hearts. See our flesh is very religious and pious and will if left undealt with attempt to imitate the Christian life. This is where we are in todays American church world. We must understand fully that, in our flesh dwelled no good thing! Romans 7:17, Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. And that our human hearts are deceitfully wicked beyond all things and God knows it. Jeremiah 17:9, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? This is not said to condemn you, but this truth shall make you free! Free from the deceit that somehow we can learn to live the Christian life. NO, NO, a thousand times NEVER! (Galatians 2:20), Its not I that live but Christ Jesus who dwelleth in me. He is the One living the Christian life in and through us, its not to imitate the things that Jesus did but to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice and pick up your cross and follow Him. Picking up your cross means to be dead and to allow another Life (His Life) to have the Preeminence in us. That is Christianity, not by our own strength and will

power putting off the filth of the flesh, but by the power of His endless life. This is how the Apostle Peter said it, (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: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. We must be dead to ourselves, and in abiding in the Lords death that we shall be free from the power of this world. If you are truly born from Above and Gods Spirit abides in you this present world and its lusts will hold no power over you. If our affections are on heavenly things than the eyes of our spiritual circumcised heart will be single for Him. But if we are following an earthen Christianity living after the doctrines of men we will be the servant to sin and be in love with this present world. You see 1,000 sermons cannot save you, attending a million church services will not make you righteous or holy. God by the man Christ Jesus by His fathomless mercy and grace must touch your inner man (spirit not soul). No sinners prayer can convince God that you are born again. It must come from Him and His will alone, and not the will of the flesh (John 1:12 -13, But as many as received him, to them gave ho power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on him name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.) nor the will of mans convincing words to persuade you to love Jesus! God must reveal Himself to us by His Spirit, Sovereignly!! This is the circumcision of the heart, made without hands. (Romans 7:6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. This we cannot imitate, the law can be the Old Testament law or a New Testament form and Doctrine. We can just be as much serving man in our uncircumcised flesh in New Testament doctrine as if we still lived under the 10 commands. (Romans 7:14), For we know that the law is spiritual; but I am carnal, sold under sin. This may be the church you are in? Are we real spiritual Jews

(out worlders) changed into His likeness and image from the inside? Having the caul of our hearts cut back, serving God with our spirits and not in our flesh. Read the book of Galatians, and you will see this all over. How Paul dealt with this very thing. We see Peter, how he separated himself and slipped back into and under error. God help us all! Paul didnt say, well peter its not nice and you will hurt their feelings if you dont eat all together like good Christians should. No! The scripture said, (Galatians 2:11), he withstood Peter to his face and rebuked him for pleasing men!! You see how easy it is for us to fall into serving God in a form of Christianity in the letter of Gods Word only. Furthermore, God has intended that His Spirit of Life separates us in the inner man from our own very nature and our own human heart. Without the Spirit of God dividing us on the inside, supernaturally awakening our spirit man to serve Him in Spirit and Truth, we will be deceived and become the Synagogue of satan! Revelation 2:9, I know the works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Please feel free to contact me @ 609-879-9113 or email me @ dougsmith97@comcast.net.

In His service, Pastor Douglas Smith

Jesus Christ is Lord!!!