Have any of you really been face to face with evil? I do not mean just a bad guy but pure unadulterated evil. Have you ever seen lips curl or hear a snarl coming from the throat of someone? Have you ever witnessed anyone talking to themselves or having what appears to be an external fight or argument with someone who isn't there?
I have seen this on the streets of a well known city. Of course, everybody needs Jesus but these poor delusional and bound souls need deliverance and Christ. These and many others from all walks of life are about to hit. If we do not lead them to Christ's kingdom, the enemy will keep them in his.
In this day and age of uncertainty, government corruption, and world unrest, the writing is on the wall…Revelation 13 is fast approaching. Although the last move of God will be a movement of prayer, there is a coming harvest, a wave of new people as they look for help, peace, and escape from the savages of a run-amuck society. Are we ready for the influx?
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest [John 4:35 KJV].
Because of a tumultuous world, there will be men and women coming to the church from the streets, looking for answers and guidance. However, these people could have a rough and raw demeanor. They might be bound in many areas. They may not have poise, be well dressed, or speak with eloquent Christianese. In fact, their speech will probably be ragged, rough, and may be profane. What will we, as a body, do with them?
There are some churches that are experiencing this phenomenon already. However, for us to handle the influx of the harvest that is coming, whether they come to us or we go to them on the streets, the body will need a heavy dose of the Holy Spirit. A Word from the Lord.
“My children, unless you embrace me and seek my face, you are not ready for the harvest that I am about to send you,” says the Lord.
“Will you spurn my children? Will you turn them away? Will you shake your heads in disgust or will their pit remind you of the pit from whence you came? Instead, will you share my love for them as I have commanded,” says the Lord. “For I am not willing that any of my children perish. But do not worry; my love for you is great, and my grace is sufficient for you. So, receive them.”
Now there is nothing wrong with going to church for personal feeding, growth, and revitalization through the many ministries that offer help in sending us out into the world to win the lost. . .but now is the time for our focus and efforts to be on the last mandate given to us by Christ, when He said, “. . .Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature [Mark 16:15 KJV].” If ever we needed to cry out to God, now is the time.
Now is the time to humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways [2 Chronicles 7:14]. Now is the time to love the Lord with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength [Mark 12:30]. Now is the time not to lean on man and his understanding but on the Lord so He can direct our paths [Proverbs 3:5, 6]. Now is the time for the messengers of God's to prepare ye the way of the Lord (Matthew 11:10). Christ is coming soon.
“Lord, give us the grace and power to stand in this hour and to repel the arrows of the enemy. Lord, give us the wisdom, the stamina, and the understanding to bring in your harvest, before you send Christ for His Bride and her spirits. Lord, make our light so shine before men that the harvested will cry out 'ABBA FATHER.' And deliver us Lord, from that terrible coming hour, in Jesus name, amen.”
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
THE NEW WORLD ORDER AND CHRISTIANS
This last Sunday my pastor spoke about why Christianity grew so fast in the days when Christ walked the Earth. He said that it was because everything the Apostles did flowed from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They walked, talked, dined, and preached right alongside of Him. What was their goal, their focus? It was the salvation and redemption of man.
His concern as well as mine was about the lack of discernment caused by the spirit of confusion that the enemy released in the world today. Remember that I talked about the lack of discernment somewhat last week.
The church has had 2000 years to grow and spread the Gospel. Let’s face it, as a whole we’ve failed miserably. For example, how many denominations do we have? How many times have even some of those split? To name a few, we have Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Assembly of God, Vineyards, Calvary, Episcopal, and on and on, and each with their own doctrine.
Many in the body of Christ are still on milk. They haven’t even graduated to meat yet [1 Corinthians 3:2]. Much of the body is more concerned for what the church and God can do for them as opposed to what they can do for the body or for God. How many people have we led to Christ lately? Have we even seeded or watered anyone? At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I include myself in those questions.
It is not my opinion that we should never ask God for anything or ask for something for ourselves. On the contrary, my point is that the quickest way for God to bless us is to bless someone else [2 Corinthians 1:4].
Christianity, once the fastest growing religion (and I use the term loosely), appears to be heading for minority status in the world today – and that is pretty much by design.
The troubled times in which we live and knowing how human government is going to end, we are in need of a voice, an Issachar [1 Chronicles 12:32] if you will, who can lead us out of this confusion and morass and prepare us for Christ’s return. I do not speak about the voice of Henry Spaak [1], who said, “. . .Send us such a man and be he god or devil, we will receive him.” I do, however, talk about the true prophets of God who will point to the coming of the “new heaven and a new Earth,” whereas, the false “prophets of peace” will point to the false message of a “New Age of Peace and Prosperity” here on Earth.
A while back, Mortimer J. Adler (of the Aspen Institute) wrote an article entitled “World Peace in Truth.” He postulated that 1) World peace was impossible without world government. 2) World government is impossible without a sense of world community and 3) World community will be impossible to create without a unity of truth. More to the point, for there to be world peace, everybody has to believe the same thing.
Thus, Christianity will not capitulate and will not stop preaching a new heaven, a new Earth, or about Jesus. Therefore, Christianity stands in the way of the unity in truth, which is necessary for the three points mentioned above. Consequently, Christians are the biggest threat to the survival of the world and they’ll have to eliminate us. The worldwide persecution and extermination has already begun. The world has persecuted Christians for centuries but not on the scale that will come, and in fact has already started.
As a side bar and to add to the mix, can you picture the Muslim faith capitulating with a co-mingling of faiths? They want a Caliphate.
The prophetic Word of God is vital in this hour. The message of prophecy is simple – God is in control. He has not been caught off-guard, and today’s events are only signs of His soon return. Thus, when we see the signs of the times, we will know exactly what to do.
1) DO NOT FEAR: Do not fear those things that are coming upon the Earth. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 2:19].
2) GET YOUR EYES OFF OF THIS WORLD: The Word of God is clear, our hope and call is not in this world. We are clearly not called to restore or save the world. v10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. v11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, v12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? v13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [2 Peter 3:10-13; Colossians 3:2]
3) SET YOUR EYES ON THE SKIES: Our focus will be on the lost and dying as we discern the lateness of the hour. The world sees the same crisis as we do, only they will look to themselves to build a New Age of Peace and Prosperity. Whereas, we will look to the skies because our redemption is nigh at hand. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. [Luke 21:28; Colossians 3:1-3]
We cannot be silent anymore. There is a dying world out there. We must discern the signs of the times, and realize the hour in which we stand. We must cry out: My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. [Jeremiah 4:19]
[1] Former Secretary General of NATO in 1957.
His concern as well as mine was about the lack of discernment caused by the spirit of confusion that the enemy released in the world today. Remember that I talked about the lack of discernment somewhat last week.
The church has had 2000 years to grow and spread the Gospel. Let’s face it, as a whole we’ve failed miserably. For example, how many denominations do we have? How many times have even some of those split? To name a few, we have Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic, Assembly of God, Vineyards, Calvary, Episcopal, and on and on, and each with their own doctrine.
Many in the body of Christ are still on milk. They haven’t even graduated to meat yet [1 Corinthians 3:2]. Much of the body is more concerned for what the church and God can do for them as opposed to what they can do for the body or for God. How many people have we led to Christ lately? Have we even seeded or watered anyone? At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I include myself in those questions.
It is not my opinion that we should never ask God for anything or ask for something for ourselves. On the contrary, my point is that the quickest way for God to bless us is to bless someone else [2 Corinthians 1:4].
Christianity, once the fastest growing religion (and I use the term loosely), appears to be heading for minority status in the world today – and that is pretty much by design.
The troubled times in which we live and knowing how human government is going to end, we are in need of a voice, an Issachar [1 Chronicles 12:32] if you will, who can lead us out of this confusion and morass and prepare us for Christ’s return. I do not speak about the voice of Henry Spaak [1], who said, “. . .Send us such a man and be he god or devil, we will receive him.” I do, however, talk about the true prophets of God who will point to the coming of the “new heaven and a new Earth,” whereas, the false “prophets of peace” will point to the false message of a “New Age of Peace and Prosperity” here on Earth.
A while back, Mortimer J. Adler (of the Aspen Institute) wrote an article entitled “World Peace in Truth.” He postulated that 1) World peace was impossible without world government. 2) World government is impossible without a sense of world community and 3) World community will be impossible to create without a unity of truth. More to the point, for there to be world peace, everybody has to believe the same thing.
Thus, Christianity will not capitulate and will not stop preaching a new heaven, a new Earth, or about Jesus. Therefore, Christianity stands in the way of the unity in truth, which is necessary for the three points mentioned above. Consequently, Christians are the biggest threat to the survival of the world and they’ll have to eliminate us. The worldwide persecution and extermination has already begun. The world has persecuted Christians for centuries but not on the scale that will come, and in fact has already started.
As a side bar and to add to the mix, can you picture the Muslim faith capitulating with a co-mingling of faiths? They want a Caliphate.
The prophetic Word of God is vital in this hour. The message of prophecy is simple – God is in control. He has not been caught off-guard, and today’s events are only signs of His soon return. Thus, when we see the signs of the times, we will know exactly what to do.
1) DO NOT FEAR: Do not fear those things that are coming upon the Earth. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. [Matthew 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 2:19].
2) GET YOUR EYES OFF OF THIS WORLD: The Word of God is clear, our hope and call is not in this world. We are clearly not called to restore or save the world. v10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. v11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, v12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? v13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. [2 Peter 3:10-13; Colossians 3:2]
3) SET YOUR EYES ON THE SKIES: Our focus will be on the lost and dying as we discern the lateness of the hour. The world sees the same crisis as we do, only they will look to themselves to build a New Age of Peace and Prosperity. Whereas, we will look to the skies because our redemption is nigh at hand. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. [Luke 21:28; Colossians 3:1-3]
We cannot be silent anymore. There is a dying world out there. We must discern the signs of the times, and realize the hour in which we stand. We must cry out: My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. [Jeremiah 4:19]
* * *
[1] Former Secretary General of NATO in 1957.
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
A FRACTURED AND DYING CHURCH
Part Two: The Phantom Leg
Research has shown and science has concluded that amputees have a heightened sensitivity to pain felt by others. For example,
“When I hear my husband’s power tools, or see a knife, I often get a sharp pain through my phantom leg,” says Jane Barrett, who has experienced synaesthetic pain since losing her leg in a motorcycle accident [1].
Is this what is happening in some of the body today? Are there many believers out there who have a heightened sensitivity to the Spirit because they are feeling the pain of the phantom leg of the body? Ephesians 4:16 says that the body is jointly fit together. I can feel that there is disconnect in the body, a phantom leg if you will. Christ is the head of the body but the church leaders are the head of the church through Christ. I believe that most churches do not jointly fit together like God intended the church to be.
Many souls if not most, have lost sight of their identity, destiny, and perceived significance to God. I am so convinced of this that I wrote a book [2] about this subject for the body and for the times in which we stand.
Anyway, that soul goes to church expecting to serve the body, and unless God gifted him or her in helps, service, or possibly music, the chance of them serving is practically nonexistent. Their fire goes out and I am sure that some eventually disconnect from the body or sit in the pew as a dying ember with no hope of serving God and the body, the body in which they want and desire to serve. Or they leave the church. They’re a hand looking for an arm. They feel the pain of disconnect or of the phantom leg syndrome.
This begs the questions, if the only positions of service in the church is with helps, service, and choir, what do those gifted in prophecy do? What do the people with a pastor’s heart do? What do the teachers do? So forth and so on.
Some of us sit back and can actually feel the pain of disconnect. We can actually feel the pain of the phantom leg when someone in the body cannot serve God and dies on the pew. What is the church doing? What are we thinking? We can feel the pain of disconnect from the body of Christ. Many see this and yet. . .many don’t.
Although we all call the building in which we congregate, the church, we as believers, also know that the church is the body of Christ. All truth is parallel; for every natural truth there is an equal and corresponding parallel spiritual truth. How often do we all think about this phenomenon? This was my reasoning behind A Fractured and Dying Church.
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: [1 Corinthians 12:20-22 KJV]
Whether the leaders consider us feebler than their limbs depends on our own growth in faith. Does God love those any less that might not have grown to the height of faith as another limb? Heavens no. Verse 22 states that we are just as necessary to the body as the higher esteemed parts. As verse 20 says, we are many members, yet but one body. One is just as important as the other, for without just one part, the body would be incomplete.
In example, can you image a leg without a foot, an arm without a hand, or a body without bones? Conversely, can you image the body of Christ without an apostle, without a prophet, without a pastor, a teacher, or without an evangelist? Let alone a body without the Spiritual gifts as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.
Just think of what the body could accomplish if the head along WITH the eyes, the hands, and feet all moved as one. It’s amazing what people can accomplish when they do not care who gets the credit.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; [Hebrews 10:25 KJV]
There are two trains of thought on this Hebrew verse [2], but please allow me a third interpretation. You may or may not agree with me but that’s OK, we can still be friends.
Given that all truth is parallel and that the pew is a wasted resource in the church, I portend that this verse speaks of the body basically gathering together spiritually, as a body jointly fit together and moving as one - total unity of Christ’s Spiritual body. This is hard to accomplish when the leaders do not use the pew to its fullest extent. (Or even if the pew doesn’t jointly fit together with each other. It’s NOT all the leaders fault.)
Don’t we all serve the same God? Aren’t we different members but one body? Aren’t we one Spirit with God? What about discernment? (There is a huge lack of discernment in the church today even to see that there is a problem in this area.) Don’t we have enough faith in God to teach the pews and then send them out or to work for the church and actually become a part of the body, and then leave them in God’s hands, or don’t we think that God is up to the task? When the leaders want us to look to them instead of God, to me, this is witchcraft.
The Old Testament foreshadows this concept in Ezekiel 37:1-14 when the Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones that they may live. We are all dead until the breath of God (the Holy Spirit) comes into us as a born again Christian - and not till then. How can we work together and accomplish great things for Christ when the leaders and the pews are so fragmented and not used? Lack of unity.
Until the leaders of the church start using the pews to their fullest, it is this writer’s opinion that the church (the body) will remain fractured and continue to be a burning ember threatening to put itself out.
However, in defense of the church leaders, I totally understand that the Lord mandated to them the responsibility of the congregation. I get it. They have to be careful who they put in front of everybody. God will hold them accountable for the pews blood [Ezekiel 3:18, 19]. Nevertheless, how many schools, how many meetings, how many sermons, must the pew personally go through for the church to use them? How long is the indoctrination period? How many days, months, or years must the pew wait for the church leaders to use them?
So what can the pews do to regain their hope of service for God, to keep the flame going, and to catch on fire once again? I hope I don’t disappoint you but it all boils down to basics. There is no magic formula accept for loving Christ with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself [Mark 12:30, 31]. However, here are some practical tips.
* Do not grow weary.
* Determine not to let the fire, dream, or passion die.
* Pray for our leaders.
* Pray for one another.
* Seek God until His power overpowers the religion that wants us bound. Overcome evil with God.
* Bless and not curse.
* Remember that God has a plan for each one of our lives and that His timing is perfect [Jeremiah 29:11]. I’ve been a Christian for 62 years and God just recently (in 1995 after 44 years of being a believer) mandated that I write solely for Him. Since then, the Lord gave me three books, one of which I’ve published. The second book I will publish shortly. I am waiting on the ISBN now.
* Learn what we can from the church leaders and strike out on your own. Get off the pews and hit the streets and develop a talent, like writing. Find a church that will gladly use your giftings. There are different mantels on different churches.
* Develop the three foot rule in public; anybody within three feet hears about Jesus and what He did for you. The best way to evangelize is with personal testimony, NOT by shoving the Amplified Bible down somebody’s throat.
* Get with other like-minded brothers and sisters either in church or on the outside that are in your sphere of influence and activate Acts 20:20. (Acts 20:20 is about home meetings. Shoot for five to seven people, tops. If more come, split into two groups.)
* Although you may not be serving your church with your gifts, still do not forsake the assembling of one another. I have watched others worship God and it is a blessing. It has brought me to tears a couple of times. People might not believe what you always say, but they’ll always believe what you do.
* Be the best foot you can be. Be the best hand you can be. Be the best. . .
* FOCUS ON GOD especially in these days, not on what the enemy is doing!
* DO NOT give up hope of serving God. Your mere existence serves God because you are unique and He loves you. There’s no one like you. Reconnection and fitting our joints together starts with you and it starts with me.
* Pray, pray, pray [1 Thessalonians 5:17]. Conversation with God is prayer and if we focus on Him, it’s fairly easy to do.
* Seek God. Develop an intimacy with Him not just with an acquaintance mentality.
* 2 Chronicles 7:14.
People will flock to you if you just practice the love of God and seek Him passionately, and after all, isn’t He the most important one in our life and our soon to be husband?
[1] Article on Phantom Leg
[2] Back to Eden for Kindle Back to Eden for Nook
[3] Interpretation One: Paul exhorts them not to apostatize the church. Interpretation Two: refers to gathering together in public worship.
Research has shown and science has concluded that amputees have a heightened sensitivity to pain felt by others. For example,
“When I hear my husband’s power tools, or see a knife, I often get a sharp pain through my phantom leg,” says Jane Barrett, who has experienced synaesthetic pain since losing her leg in a motorcycle accident [1].
Is this what is happening in some of the body today? Are there many believers out there who have a heightened sensitivity to the Spirit because they are feeling the pain of the phantom leg of the body? Ephesians 4:16 says that the body is jointly fit together. I can feel that there is disconnect in the body, a phantom leg if you will. Christ is the head of the body but the church leaders are the head of the church through Christ. I believe that most churches do not jointly fit together like God intended the church to be.
Many souls if not most, have lost sight of their identity, destiny, and perceived significance to God. I am so convinced of this that I wrote a book [2] about this subject for the body and for the times in which we stand.
Anyway, that soul goes to church expecting to serve the body, and unless God gifted him or her in helps, service, or possibly music, the chance of them serving is practically nonexistent. Their fire goes out and I am sure that some eventually disconnect from the body or sit in the pew as a dying ember with no hope of serving God and the body, the body in which they want and desire to serve. Or they leave the church. They’re a hand looking for an arm. They feel the pain of disconnect or of the phantom leg syndrome.
This begs the questions, if the only positions of service in the church is with helps, service, and choir, what do those gifted in prophecy do? What do the people with a pastor’s heart do? What do the teachers do? So forth and so on.
Some of us sit back and can actually feel the pain of disconnect. We can actually feel the pain of the phantom leg when someone in the body cannot serve God and dies on the pew. What is the church doing? What are we thinking? We can feel the pain of disconnect from the body of Christ. Many see this and yet. . .many don’t.
Although we all call the building in which we congregate, the church, we as believers, also know that the church is the body of Christ. All truth is parallel; for every natural truth there is an equal and corresponding parallel spiritual truth. How often do we all think about this phenomenon? This was my reasoning behind A Fractured and Dying Church.
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: [1 Corinthians 12:20-22 KJV]
Whether the leaders consider us feebler than their limbs depends on our own growth in faith. Does God love those any less that might not have grown to the height of faith as another limb? Heavens no. Verse 22 states that we are just as necessary to the body as the higher esteemed parts. As verse 20 says, we are many members, yet but one body. One is just as important as the other, for without just one part, the body would be incomplete.
In example, can you image a leg without a foot, an arm without a hand, or a body without bones? Conversely, can you image the body of Christ without an apostle, without a prophet, without a pastor, a teacher, or without an evangelist? Let alone a body without the Spiritual gifts as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.
Just think of what the body could accomplish if the head along WITH the eyes, the hands, and feet all moved as one. It’s amazing what people can accomplish when they do not care who gets the credit.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; [Hebrews 10:25 KJV]
There are two trains of thought on this Hebrew verse [2], but please allow me a third interpretation. You may or may not agree with me but that’s OK, we can still be friends.
Given that all truth is parallel and that the pew is a wasted resource in the church, I portend that this verse speaks of the body basically gathering together spiritually, as a body jointly fit together and moving as one - total unity of Christ’s Spiritual body. This is hard to accomplish when the leaders do not use the pew to its fullest extent. (Or even if the pew doesn’t jointly fit together with each other. It’s NOT all the leaders fault.)
Don’t we all serve the same God? Aren’t we different members but one body? Aren’t we one Spirit with God? What about discernment? (There is a huge lack of discernment in the church today even to see that there is a problem in this area.) Don’t we have enough faith in God to teach the pews and then send them out or to work for the church and actually become a part of the body, and then leave them in God’s hands, or don’t we think that God is up to the task? When the leaders want us to look to them instead of God, to me, this is witchcraft.
The Old Testament foreshadows this concept in Ezekiel 37:1-14 when the Lord commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones that they may live. We are all dead until the breath of God (the Holy Spirit) comes into us as a born again Christian - and not till then. How can we work together and accomplish great things for Christ when the leaders and the pews are so fragmented and not used? Lack of unity.
Until the leaders of the church start using the pews to their fullest, it is this writer’s opinion that the church (the body) will remain fractured and continue to be a burning ember threatening to put itself out.
However, in defense of the church leaders, I totally understand that the Lord mandated to them the responsibility of the congregation. I get it. They have to be careful who they put in front of everybody. God will hold them accountable for the pews blood [Ezekiel 3:18, 19]. Nevertheless, how many schools, how many meetings, how many sermons, must the pew personally go through for the church to use them? How long is the indoctrination period? How many days, months, or years must the pew wait for the church leaders to use them?
So what can the pews do to regain their hope of service for God, to keep the flame going, and to catch on fire once again? I hope I don’t disappoint you but it all boils down to basics. There is no magic formula accept for loving Christ with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving your neighbor as yourself [Mark 12:30, 31]. However, here are some practical tips.
* Do not grow weary.
* Determine not to let the fire, dream, or passion die.
* Pray for our leaders.
* Pray for one another.
* Seek God until His power overpowers the religion that wants us bound. Overcome evil with God.
* Bless and not curse.
* Remember that God has a plan for each one of our lives and that His timing is perfect [Jeremiah 29:11]. I’ve been a Christian for 62 years and God just recently (in 1995 after 44 years of being a believer) mandated that I write solely for Him. Since then, the Lord gave me three books, one of which I’ve published. The second book I will publish shortly. I am waiting on the ISBN now.
* Learn what we can from the church leaders and strike out on your own. Get off the pews and hit the streets and develop a talent, like writing. Find a church that will gladly use your giftings. There are different mantels on different churches.
* Develop the three foot rule in public; anybody within three feet hears about Jesus and what He did for you. The best way to evangelize is with personal testimony, NOT by shoving the Amplified Bible down somebody’s throat.
* Get with other like-minded brothers and sisters either in church or on the outside that are in your sphere of influence and activate Acts 20:20. (Acts 20:20 is about home meetings. Shoot for five to seven people, tops. If more come, split into two groups.)
* Although you may not be serving your church with your gifts, still do not forsake the assembling of one another. I have watched others worship God and it is a blessing. It has brought me to tears a couple of times. People might not believe what you always say, but they’ll always believe what you do.
* Be the best foot you can be. Be the best hand you can be. Be the best. . .
* FOCUS ON GOD especially in these days, not on what the enemy is doing!
* DO NOT give up hope of serving God. Your mere existence serves God because you are unique and He loves you. There’s no one like you. Reconnection and fitting our joints together starts with you and it starts with me.
* Pray, pray, pray [1 Thessalonians 5:17]. Conversation with God is prayer and if we focus on Him, it’s fairly easy to do.
* Seek God. Develop an intimacy with Him not just with an acquaintance mentality.
* 2 Chronicles 7:14.
People will flock to you if you just practice the love of God and seek Him passionately, and after all, isn’t He the most important one in our life and our soon to be husband?
* * *
[1] Article on Phantom Leg
[2] Back to Eden for Kindle Back to Eden for Nook
[3] Interpretation One: Paul exhorts them not to apostatize the church. Interpretation Two: refers to gathering together in public worship.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
A FRACTURED AND DYING CHURCH
Part One: A Dying Ember
It’s been 2000 years since Christ hung on the Cross and we are no closer to unity than we were in Ephesians 4:13 or Acts 20:20 when Paul taught from house to house. Because of schisms in the church, it split into thousands of denominations. Even some of those split off into their own denominations. For ages, the Church argued their doctrine to the point of splitting and then started their own church. Then those split and started another church or two, and so on. . .and so on. . .and so on, until the church today, totally fractured and split, went their own separate ways in many directions, with no unity of spirit.
We are a far cry from the original church. The Messianic Jews believed two things: Scripture and Jesus. Period. Not whether the Sabbath was on Saturday or Sunday, and not whether it was dunking or sprinkling. What happened to us?
For many centuries the pulpit kept the written Word from the congregant and the lay person. The belief was that the Scrolls were solely for the Rabbi, and later the Word of God was only for the priest’s eyes. In fact, at one time, it was even illegal in 1500’s Britain to reproduce the Bible in the English language. To get away from the religious oppression, 102 passengers voyaged to the Americas with the 1599 Geneva Bible [1] in hand. . .written in English.
Christ’s death on the Cross saved mankind from all bondages resulting in a 100% victory over every circumstance in their lives. However, witchcraft has subtly invaded the church. Even after all this time, the enemy is still chewing on the church one bite at a time and continues to fracture the church even further. You call it gradualism. Will we be ready for Christ when He comes for His Bride?
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish [Ephesians 5:27].
Because of the churches oppression of its people, the pew is full of spotted, wrinkled, blemished, and a dying people. Now I don’t like making a blanket statement about anything but I’d guess that more times than not. . .this is true of the church. Many churches have become nothing more than a click, a group to which few, if any, will ever belong.
Consequently, there are many Christians who burn with a fire in their soul wanting to serve the Lord and walk in his gifting and calling. However, the church dictates that the people always need to go to one more class, one more school, one more study, one more group, and yet again, jump through one more hoop. Nine or ten years later, they are still sitting in the pews with the fire in their gut that’s simmering in a low burning ember that threatens to extinguish itself.
The Holy Spirit tries to blow on the amber to reignite the flame, but the believer’s faith is already too weak to receive it, and because of the inactivity, another faith wanes. Their faith becomes a dying ember. Most believers put up a good front by openly declaring; “I’m doing great, bless God, Hallelujah,” while on the inside, they are dying unfulfilled in their soul and service to God.
Given the church today, what can we do to fight the oppression, intentional or not, of the church and the infiltration of witchcraft. I think the church means well but we’ll learn more about that next week. I have found though that too many times the reason behind the oppression is that if the people, having jumped through all the hoops, do not look enough like the pastor and staff, then that person(s) sits in the pew unfulfilled.
Question: Aren’t we supposed to conform to the image of Christ [Romans 8:29] and not the pastor and staff [Romans 3:4]? Do we look for the man of God, or do we look for the God of man? Just saying.
How do we rectify all of this? What can we do as a congregation to get off of the pew(s)? This, due to a limited space constraint, will have to wait until next time to find out. However, let me leave you with this, “Is the pew culpable and partially to blame for a dying church?”
God bless each and every one of you. Until then. . .
[1] The 1599 Geneva Bible was the first Bible printed in English for public use and it is the Bible that the Pilgrims carried with them to the New World on the Mayflower.
It’s been 2000 years since Christ hung on the Cross and we are no closer to unity than we were in Ephesians 4:13 or Acts 20:20 when Paul taught from house to house. Because of schisms in the church, it split into thousands of denominations. Even some of those split off into their own denominations. For ages, the Church argued their doctrine to the point of splitting and then started their own church. Then those split and started another church or two, and so on. . .and so on. . .and so on, until the church today, totally fractured and split, went their own separate ways in many directions, with no unity of spirit.
We are a far cry from the original church. The Messianic Jews believed two things: Scripture and Jesus. Period. Not whether the Sabbath was on Saturday or Sunday, and not whether it was dunking or sprinkling. What happened to us?
For many centuries the pulpit kept the written Word from the congregant and the lay person. The belief was that the Scrolls were solely for the Rabbi, and later the Word of God was only for the priest’s eyes. In fact, at one time, it was even illegal in 1500’s Britain to reproduce the Bible in the English language. To get away from the religious oppression, 102 passengers voyaged to the Americas with the 1599 Geneva Bible [1] in hand. . .written in English.
Christ’s death on the Cross saved mankind from all bondages resulting in a 100% victory over every circumstance in their lives. However, witchcraft has subtly invaded the church. Even after all this time, the enemy is still chewing on the church one bite at a time and continues to fracture the church even further. You call it gradualism. Will we be ready for Christ when He comes for His Bride?
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish [Ephesians 5:27].
Because of the churches oppression of its people, the pew is full of spotted, wrinkled, blemished, and a dying people. Now I don’t like making a blanket statement about anything but I’d guess that more times than not. . .this is true of the church. Many churches have become nothing more than a click, a group to which few, if any, will ever belong.
Consequently, there are many Christians who burn with a fire in their soul wanting to serve the Lord and walk in his gifting and calling. However, the church dictates that the people always need to go to one more class, one more school, one more study, one more group, and yet again, jump through one more hoop. Nine or ten years later, they are still sitting in the pews with the fire in their gut that’s simmering in a low burning ember that threatens to extinguish itself.
The Holy Spirit tries to blow on the amber to reignite the flame, but the believer’s faith is already too weak to receive it, and because of the inactivity, another faith wanes. Their faith becomes a dying ember. Most believers put up a good front by openly declaring; “I’m doing great, bless God, Hallelujah,” while on the inside, they are dying unfulfilled in their soul and service to God.
Given the church today, what can we do to fight the oppression, intentional or not, of the church and the infiltration of witchcraft. I think the church means well but we’ll learn more about that next week. I have found though that too many times the reason behind the oppression is that if the people, having jumped through all the hoops, do not look enough like the pastor and staff, then that person(s) sits in the pew unfulfilled.
Question: Aren’t we supposed to conform to the image of Christ [Romans 8:29] and not the pastor and staff [Romans 3:4]? Do we look for the man of God, or do we look for the God of man? Just saying.
How do we rectify all of this? What can we do as a congregation to get off of the pew(s)? This, due to a limited space constraint, will have to wait until next time to find out. However, let me leave you with this, “Is the pew culpable and partially to blame for a dying church?”
God bless each and every one of you. Until then. . .
[1] The 1599 Geneva Bible was the first Bible printed in English for public use and it is the Bible that the Pilgrims carried with them to the New World on the Mayflower.
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