Monthly Archives: September 2015

Out There

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For those who seek comfort and solace within the Church, let it be short lived, for healing, encouragement, teaching and preparation, exiting quickly to do the work Christ commanded us.  I cannot begin to tell you how many pastors have declined my offer to teach people to preach and prepare them to disciple to the poor, lost, hungry, tired and alone.  They wince when I suggest teaching people how to prepare to wear the armor of God and train themselves with the Word to face those demons and sin which each of us will invariably encounter.  They call me names and ask for my academic credentials when I  wish to offer my free time to volunteer in preparing the saints for work upon the streets and stairs of this lost world.  They slander my name when I suggest that we must learn to pray unceasingly, as constant prayer keeps us connected to God and the power of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus.  What then shall  we do as a church?  Stay inside, comforting one another, hoping that the lost will come through the doors uninvited?

How sweet the air conditioned, cushioned chairs of my multi million dollar chapel.  How wonderful the music offered for our enjoyment, mentioning Christ to make us feel better about our self indulgence.  How grand the sermons, delivered by polished professional theologians, taking care not to offend those who might leave the greatest endowment.  How wonderfully dressed the parishioners, freshly showered and adorned so that we may meet in comfort for these several hours of communion.  How delightful the yearly weekend mission to build houses for those who would teach us more of the Word then we have taken the chance to know ourselves.

What then of the tax collectors, brigands, adulterers, thieves, drunkards, liars, murderers and cheats?  Are they to hear the Gospel through ESP?  How shall they become free of blindness, sickness, demons and death when the doctors (We Christians) are unwilling to make house calls?  What shall be the result of our disobedience to the Crystal Clear instructions left by God through His Holy Scripture?  Are we to be left outside with the weaping and gnashing of teeth?  Don’t let your pastor coddle you, read the scripture for yourself, be an adult where your faith is concerned?  Don’t scriptures like Matthew 5 cause you to believe that there is something exceedingly clear and substantial about the directions which Christ gives His disciples?  The grey area is of the world for God’s Word never wavers in mediocrity, relativism or the indeterminate.  Choose, for it is in our choices that we see the truth about the Love of God.

Joshua 24:14-15 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

 

In reserve

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Cries of “help me, Lord, the enemy continues to assail me”, can be heard throughout the church.  The forces of darkness continue to pick at our weak spots, old wounds, doorways and footholds, seeking entry that they might destabilize our faith, destroy our joy and steal our abundant life.  Why is it when we are so armored by the righteousness, faith, truth, salvation, Spirit and Peace of Christ, that the enemy is capable of getting within our defenses?  We know emphatically, as indicated in the Book of Job, that the enemy needs permission and allowance to do anything of lasting effect in our lives.  Why then is God giving him access in to our lives?  Remember the enemy is part of God’s Plan for humanity.  For God knew before the beginning of time everything that the devil would ever do, and yet He still chose to create Lucifer.

One day I cried out to Christ.  I say one day but it seemed like a lifetime of days as I sought release from the personal prison of my own sin.  And True to His Faithfulness He showed up, but I was not yet ready for His entire filling of the Spirit, His entire move of sanctification, His overwhelming Grace and Peace.  So, I told Him that He could stay out in my garage and if He needed to talk to me or meet that He must first call, but only when the porch light was on, otherwise to leave me alone.  A few weeks later, I saw a light, a brilliant iridescence coming from the garage and when I went to see, I found it immaculate.  I was astounded and asked that Jesus, come and stay in my guest room, but He couldn’t have a key and He must call but only if the porch light was on, otherwise stay away.  A month had gone bye and I found that the hallway coming from the guest room began to shine, a warm approachable light that made me smile with gladness.

When this happened I told Jesus to take over the master bedroom so that I could enjoy the warmth, cleanliness and hope of the guest room, but He must only come when the porch light was on and I would leave a key that He must return to beneath the mat.  After another week I saw my master bedroom cleansed as the others and my heart broke as I realized how I had been treating the Creator of Life.  I came to Jesus with my set of keys and said, “Lord, here are the keys to Your House, I am going to live in the garage and to please call me if He needed anything.

What rooms are you keeping from Christ?  What areas of sin still remain untouched by the Hand of God, as you struggle to maintain a line between what is yours and what is God’s?  The enemy will be used repeatedly to point out these hidden areas of sin, until we confess and surrender them for sanctification and repair.  If you want to close the doors of enemy access you have but to surrender your whole life to Jesus and He will set you free.  His porch light is always on and He is waiting for you to come to Him for rest.

Regard

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Time for Courage, standing and walking by faith.  Brethren, may the Grace and Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ visit and remain with you this day.  The storm approaches, the cost of Christianity rises in the West, as the enemies of God begin to surround Israel with ill intent.  Have you forsaken prayer or has this time of heightened anxiety brought you more frequently to your knees for saintly intercession?  Are you praying for Israel, daily?  Are you keeping Holy even as God is Holy, remembering and cautiously avoiding spotting by the world?  Have you surrendered to the Gospel and God’s Hand upon you or are you waiting until the last moment to fill your lamp with the oil of the Holy Spirit?  Oh, I see you prefer to play the odds, gamble a bit.  Then, as you are accustomed to the precarious nature of chance and probability,  you won’t be surprised by losing, rather, only by the return of the Master for the faithful.  For it is written that He shall come like a thief in the night, so only the diligent/prepared will be ready for that imminent and unpredictable return.

What do you say about the circumstances in the sphere of Israel?  Are you aware, studied and showing yourself approved as a witness for the Gospel in declaring what the Bible says is being unveiled in the Middle East?  Do you even know the prophecies regarding the wars and battles that involve the nation of Israel?  Does God give them victory and if so what will that victory do for our nation and others?  Do you know that Damascus Syria will become completely uninhabitable?  You didn’t, well then maybe you have some questions to ask of your pastor.  How is Russia’s military move in Syria, right now, so instructive about the time surrounding God’s unfolding plan?  You didn’t think much of it, then perhaps you should be doing some internet searches about what the Bible says regarding Russia’s involvement in God’s plan for Israel?  Maybe its an interesting and realistic topic enough for a church or small group Bible study?  Or maybe you will avoid it choosing to be lulled to sleep or have your ears tickled or feelings stroked by the encouraging, self-help preaching of a polished, business worthy pastor.  These days are evil, guard your hearts do not be led astray by false doctrine and social engineering in the guise of Godly houses of worship.  Remember there are conditions for the “truth setting a person free”.  Don’t just fall for the out of context Bible quoting acceptable to the world.  Know God’s Word.

John 8:32 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=13799  Israel is concerned enough to meet with Putin, doesn’t that raise your curiosity level enough to enter into prayer regarding this issue?

Lord God, forgive my unrepentant heart.  Bring me to a place of true contrition, service and walking by faith.  Father, bring me out of any church who fails to listen to Bible cautions or rebukes regarding departure from sound doctrine and Biblical Truth.  Make me an honest contender for the faith, standing upon Bible Truth where my feet shall never be moved.  Give me lasting faith to withstand these evil days and never turn my head to the right or left while pulling the plow for Christ.  His yoke is light so it is easy for the beast of burden to choose to look away.  Give me that blind faith of old.  Lord I don’t yet know where you are sending me but I am packing my bags, praying and preparing my armor for the trip.  In the voluntary and obedient spirit of Isaiah, I say, “here I am Lord send me”.  For I know that I am inadequate and unworthy of myself, but it is the Blood of Christ that makes me so.  Standing ready, with my lamp filled and my eyes scanning the heavens for signal of your return.  Praise God in Jesus’ Name.

Moments with God

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Where do I meet God?  Is it in those rare minutes at the end of my day, when exhaustion sets in and I am easily distracted?  Is it within my chaos, as I cry out to Him for assistance in emergency or need?  Does it come as I am stricken in illness or helplessness as my family and friends suffer in tragedy?  Do I avoid Him or lower my brow as I am reminded of my inadequacies and failures by the accuser of the Brethren?  What constitutes a meeting with God, must it be when I am prepared and willing to humbly approach God’s Throne?  Or does God speak to my heart frequently reminding me of all these things and more as He shapes me for eternity?

Why do I need God?  Is there something missing within my heart or substance that I cannot repair or satisfy?  How do I view God?  Do I see Him as a last resort when my assets, talents and wisdom have failed?  Do I consider His Will before my own or do I only ask direction when I have stumbled or fallen?  What is the meaning of relationship with Almighty God?  Do you really feel as if that is how you view Your understanding of God?  Are you in church all the time but afraid to admit that you do not “know” Jesus?  Don’t be fearful, for this admission is the moment where you are ready for that relationship?  He is a Loving, Holy and Steadfast God, who answers when someone authentically reaches out to know His Righteousness and Truth.  Remember you are approaching Your Creator and although He wants desperately to have relationship with us, we ought not trifle with God.  Don’t toy around with Him, Your approach must be reverent and honest.  He is not a genie, an oracle, a slot machine or a psychologist.  He is God and should be honored, praised and respected in fearful understanding.

What is continuously or unceasingly to you?  1 Thessalonians 5:17 directs us to pray without ceasing.  Do any of us walk in this perpetual connection with the Spirit of God?  God says this is His Will for our lives in Christ Jesus.  I have so many people who say they do not know God’s Will for their lives, yet they are unwilling to do as He has plainly commanded in black and white.  We must be willing to be obedient to the things that God has told us are His Will for our lives before we may expect Him to give us individual insight into the mysteries of our purpose and creation.  Show faith by obeying Him and you may be certain that He will see this as honest and reverent intentionality toward relationship.  I died on the cross two thousand years ago with Christ.  That freed me from sin but it also freed me from the law so that I might enter into the covenant of Grace.  Why now would I try to live a “dead” life that is my own purposeless and selfish will. Willfully placing myself again under influence/obedience to sin and works, when I have been set free to service to Holiness, Righteousness and Truth, having been cleansed of all sin and death.  We must ask God to give us understanding of just how powerful His Word is in our lives.  Study, pray and pray again, then walk in the Way and do it all again, perpetually, unceasingly, eternally.  In Jesus Name.

Help them Father

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So many lost, so many wandering through the desert unable or unwilling to receive Your Grace, so many looking for evidence where only faith resides.  Leaders recounting their resumes instead of pleading for God’s wisdom.  Followers reluctant, rebellious or impervious to good advice.  A church praying for peace when the Bible says that turmoil approaches and the only peace is found through relationship with Christ.  What then of our enemies?  Are they understood, are they inactive, idle or disinterested, or perhaps is the enemy fielding troops, dispatched for specific reason, armed to steal our joy and purpose?  What is the truth that we want to believe, for we know the Truth of God’s Word, but it apparently does not pique or please our collective perspective?  Which master do we serve?

Passionate and persistent participation in prayer may be the clearest evidence of belief.  If my personal powers of persuasion and protection are impotent where spiritual battle prevails.  Then why must I continue in the folly of unbent knee, hoping for another outcome or simply choosing to remain defeated when victory is readily received?  What is it about the human spirit which causes us to rebel especially to the point where solid wisdom would immediately/permanently relieve our predicament?  Is the original sin that consuming or have even we who have been set free remained deceived, reluctant and wounded beyond salvation?  The condemnations and accusations of a defeated foe should consistently fall upon deaf ears, yet I daily see the tears of saints who continually ponder their own inadequacy.  Our inadequacy is what makes salvation so precious, it is the awesome majesty behind God’s Gracious Gift.  None of us can do it, none of us deserve it, none of us defeated or is capable of defeating God’s enemies.  The completion of Works or victory has nothing to do with us except that we are willing to stand and let God achieve victory using us as conduit.  We are only important because God loves us so much.

I cannot help them but to point them to God, kindly and gently suggest God’s Wisdom through His Word and regularly go to the mat in defense of them by petitioning my Father in prayer.  But isn’t that enough?  Have we been so subtly and effectively convinced that somehow this world and all that is created by God has some mysterious capacity to overwhelm and outdo God?  This world and all that is in it, including God’s fallen creation are subject to the Will and whim of Almighty God.  He rules and no lie or fiction may convince humanity otherwise, unless of course we do not wish that God is Sovereign, or perhaps that we refuse to believe in His Grace and Gospel.  For unbelief is the only sustaining reason by which any man may fear enemy successes.  For in Knowing God we are relieved of all deception and are made peaceful in the knowledge of God’s resounding, unavoidable and rapidly approaching judgment of all whom contend against His command.

I pray for you now, my Brother, Sister, Wife, Father, Mother, Son and Daughter, for that is demonstration of my greatest love for You and My resounding Love for God.  It is my greatest honor that I may humbly approach the King of Everything, I will not forsake that gift, especially when I know it overwhelms all obstacles, enemies and strongholds aligned against us.  Be faithful as God is faithful to us.  Share the Good News of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that all might come to a saving Knowledge of the Truth and be saved.  Pray continuously as God has directed and remain in the shelter of His Wings as we approach the calamitous episodes preceding His Glorious Appearing.  In Jesus Holy and Mighty Name, a Name above all others, A name whose simple mentions causes enemies to flee.  Amen.

Not A Member

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What has the world to do with the Bride of Christ the King?  When did churches become businesses, tracking assets, fielding staff/employees and paid clergy as the hierarchy of mirrored worldly organizations?  What does a church have to do with conducting business meetings, salary reviews and financial updates where church leaders establish themselves as the authorities for church pursuits?  What is repentance and what is obedience?  What is the practice of the Nicolaitans and why did the Lord Jesus say that He hates those practices in His Epistle of Revelation 2?  If the Lord Jesus took time to speak directly into the lives of His Church, why aren’t Pastors concentrating on the message given us by Christ in this final Epistle of the Bible?

Could it be that they fear loss of authority, challenge to salary or worse yet a need for collective repentance?  I am frustrated by the continual, often and repeated misuse and misunderstanding of 2 Chronicles 7:14 by the churches as a finger pointed externally to those who need repent.  Revival begins in my heart, in my recognition and repentance of sin or disobedience to God, asking forgiveness and healing for my own propensity to wickedness.  I believe that is why we do not see revival in this country, because we are collectively disobedient as the Bride of Christ.  I believe that the Holy Spirit has been quenched in the churches by turning them into businesses, establishing paid clergy to take upon themselves the duty that was meant for all of us.  By giving up the Power of Spirit given us so that we might go and be witnesses to Christ’s Glory in the reaches of the Earth.  By abdicating the responsibility for discipleship to the staff or those obedient few.  I believe that a church unwilling or disobediently refusing to fulfill God’s Commands does not love God and chooses to serve the worldly aspects of self through organized worship and self-designed donation of time, talent and treasure.

http://www.lightsource.com/ministry/refuel-with-rick/articles/who-were-the-nicolaitans-and-what-was-their-doctrine-and-deeds–14510.html

Why do churches all follow the same schedule of events each week, regardless of denomination?  Opening music, opening prayer, announcements, prayer of benediction, pastoral welcome, pastoral preaching, invitation, music, dismissal, fellowship.  Where is the Holy Spirit’s leading in the pulpits of today’s churches?  How do programmed or ritualized/scheduled sermon’s serve the Spirit’s direction?  Why aren’t pastor’s teaching all the men of the church to preach and preparing all parishioners for discipleship?  Why do churches believe that it is necessary to enroll members or exclude Christians from certain “privileges” or church assets, treating believers as investors or club members?  The established church is full of believers in Christ.  Unfortunately it has also been infiltrated by unbelievers seeking spiritualism, fellowship and worldly social inclusion.  Additionally, if we are not practicing, teaching and demanding Spirit filled service or fruitful evidence of salvation then aren’t we as disobedient as any one else?  The time for my repentance is upon me.  I pray that revival begins in my own heart and that small flame ignite the kindling nearby.

Father, teach me to pray, serve and seek you through obedience to my grace given position as a believer.  Have me boldly speak out against ritualism and worldly worship so that people might, like myself see their own adulterated reflection and see the need for repentance and submission.  Father, if my words be true let them strike the heart of believers such that they do not wish to simply silence the messengers but seek you in repentance, truth and service.  Father let me after all leave the outcomes to You, knowing my position is simply to offer up Your Word as sufficient evidence, leaving the chips to fall wherever they may.  Each believers decisions are theirs except where a teacher has withheld, concealed or disobediently not taught Your Truth in its entirety.  Let shepherds beware and leave the 99 to go find the 1, just as their Lord Jesus emulated.  If Pastors are not out spreading the Gospel on the streets then shouldn’t we be asking why?  Are they perhaps better than Christ, outside His Will or just disobedient to His example/leading?  In Jesus name

Rekindled

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You want revival then open up the cupboards, storage rooms and keepsakes of your heart to the cleansing power of the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.  Remember that awesome instant when you first found salvation, how freeing it was to be set loose of bondage to sin.  What sin, encumbrances, plans, idols and intentions have I collected since that wonderful day I met Jesus?  How much have I held on to, with clenched fists, my anger, worry, sexual impurity, thoughts of insecurity or inferiority?  What now holds me back from fully realizing God’s Plan for my life and am I honestly/truthfully willing to place it upon the altar of God’s Will for my life?

Does your church lack power?  Has the Holy Spirit been quenched to the point of irrelevance, giving way to “CAAS”, Church As A Service, the business facsimile of the intended Bride of Christ?  Are you discipling daily, weekly or is it rare that you see someone worthy of hearing the Saving Gospel of the Lord Jesus?  If you aren’t, which is typically the case these days then how can you expect God to bless your walk of disobedience to our primary service to the Kingdom?  Do you believe, does it make reasonable sense that if you began sharing the Gospel/fulfilling the great commission that God might see this service as humility, repentance of the sin of rebellion and turn His face to this land in healing and restoration?  Do you want to live in the Power and Authority of the Lord Jesus or do you simply want to come to church for a feel good inspirational social injection to last another week?  What is salvation to you?  What is indwelling of the Holy Spirit?  What is God’s redemption worth in terms of your surrender to His Will for this life?

Do you see God’s Gift of Grace wrapped up for you with a big, bright bow, sitting at rest upon the altar, calling, “take me with you into the world that all might be saved from judgment”?  Why have you left the power, authority and healing power of Spirit?  What fear or rebellion haunts you, causing you to disobey God’s commands, deciding not to spread the Holy Gospel?  Do you deceptively cry out to God to express His Will for your life because you are unwilling to do that which He has already directed?   If you are unwilling to exercise the free will choice of surrender to spreading the Good News, and if so is it rational to expect that God would consider you a suitable steward for further Kingdom Work?  Come on, I don’t want any of us to feel bad, but we as Christians have collective dropped the ball.  Repent of our disobedience, Love the lost enough to plant a seed for their salvation, Love God through demonstration of obedience to His Command for the church.

Then will our fire burn and the Spirit astound the world with His authority, healing and baptism.  Will you dry off your wood, allowing it to be cleansed and readied for baptism by fire of the Holy Spirit?  Are you flammable or damp?  Honesty in this instance means everything, so don’t hesitate, deflate, deflect or debate.  The Holy Spirit stands outside knocking waiting for us to open the door that He might come inside and sup with us.  Who will be the first to open that door?  You?

It’s a Story of Glory

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Holy, Holy, Holy is the proper response for the awesome revelation of God’s Glory and the gift of His unbelievable grace.  Again, we are called to “come out” from the practices and participation in worldly ritual and wants.  His Spirit resides within the Holy of Holies, each human heart having accepted, acknowledged and committed to His Truth.  What then are we do now Lord Jesus, with this knowledge, this indwelling, this Faith?

Come to the altar.  Lay it all down.  Give up your self designed plans, your cares, your wounds, worries and worldly concerns.  Then take with you His discerned Purpose for your specific creation and leave the confines of the church to “physically” execute His plan for your existence.  Certainly leave those designed for supporting roles within the church and others who are prepared to offer spiritual, medical and financial help to those who come to this Godly hospital.  The rest should only return for worship, re-equipping and encouragement before leaving on the next mission for Christ.  That is the calling to which we have committed.  That we become a new creation, realizing our own death upon the Cross of Calvary, re-created to live out Kingdom’s Call.

If you are sitting in the pews and you are a non-supporting church administrator or maintenance saint, then you are being disobedient to the great commission placed upon each Christian’s life.  Certainly, it is the responsibility of Church elders to prepare you to disciple, but once having done so it is now their responsibility to send you forth to plant, water and fertilize seeds for the harvest.  The church has lost the power of the Spirit because it is only necessary for work out on the road for Christ.  If we are not using the power and authority of King Jesus to seek to lame and the lost then we do not need the Holy Spirit’s Power.  The Holy Spirit has been quenched through ritual, through transformation of the church into a business and through our individual disobedience to commands of God upon our lives.  You know this to be truth, yet many will argue with me, even to the extent of trying to slander my name, incarcerate me or take my life in an effort to silence that truth.  That is the price of speaking the Truth of God’s Holy Word.  To do so is the greatest effort and fulfillment know to man, subsequently carrying the heaviest reward and the largest possible cost.

Father, cleanse our hearts for true, repeated and continual service to the Gift of Your Grace.  We are Holy, Pure and True, cleansed by Your Blood and Your imputed Righteousness to be princes and priests.  Now is the time to stand for the battle is upon us.  Go forth, prepared by good teachers, intercessory prayer warriors and healers to do the work of Christ.  Know this that each of us is as important as the rest, none elevated, none insignificant, all embraced by the Love of God.  Praise You Lord God for Your wondrous Glory in the name of Christ Jesus the King.