China Declares Christian 'House Churches' a 'Cult,' Advocacy Group Reports
By Patrick Goodenough
(CNSNews.com) - China reportedly has launched a new crackdown on "house churches," Protestant congregations that do not belong to the country's state-sanctioned, "patriotic" church organization.
In an ominous development reported by the China Aid Association (CAA), a U.S.-based group that advocates for Chinese Christians, authorities allegedly have labeled the house church movement a "cult."
Beijing used the same term when it outlawed the Falun Gong meditation movement in 1999, a move that ushered in a major, ongoing crackdown against the Falun Gong that has brought China worldwide censure.
Citing secret information "from more than one reliable source" inside China, CAA said Tuesday the campaign against house churches ordered by the Communist Party Politburo was launched on December 1.
Chinese security officials "have been notified to collect information about house churches throughout the country and turn these reports in to their superiors," it said. "A long 'blacklist' of church leaders and influential believers reportedly has been drawn up."
The Pew Research Center estimated in 2007 that up to 70 million Chinese believers worship in unregistered house churches. By comparison, China's State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) last June put at 16 million the "official" Protestant population - members of the state-approved Three Self-Patriotic Movement (TSPM).
continue.............
Source: http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/china-declares-christian-house-churches
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
IT BEGAN WITH REPENTANCE
David Wilkerson
The church as we know it today began with repentance. When Peter preached the cross at Pentecost, thousands came to Christ. This new church was made up of one body, consisting of all races, filled with love for one another. Its corporate life was marked by evangelism, a spirit of sacrifice, even martyrdom.
The wonderful beginning reflects God’s word to Jeremiah: “I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed” (Jeremiah 2:21). Yet the Lord’s next words describe what often happens to such works: “How then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?” (2:21). God was saying, “I planted you right. You were mine, bearing my name and nature. But now you’ve turned degenerate.”
What caused this degeneration in the church? It always has been, and will continue to be, idolatry. God is speaking of idolatry when he says to Jeremiah, “My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit” (2:11).
Most Christian teaching today identifies an idol as anything that comes between God’s people and himself. Yet that’s only a partial description of idolatry.
Idolatry has to do with a much deeper heart issue. The number-one idol among God’s people isn’t adultery, pornography or alcohol. It’s a much more powerful lust. What is this idol? It’s a driving ambition for success. And it even has a doctrine to justify it.
The idolatry of being successful describes many in God’s house today. These people are upright, morally clean, full of good works. But they’ve set up an idol of ambition in their hearts, and they can’t be shaken from it.
God loves to bless his people. He wants his people to succeed in all they undertake honestly. But there is now a raging spirit in the land that is overtaking multitudes—this is the spirit of love for recognition and acquiring of things.
A man of the world said recently, “He who dies with the most toys - wins.” Tragically, Christians, too, are caught up in this pursuit.
How far we have strayed from the gospel of living through dying to self, ego, and worldly ambition.
The church as we know it today began with repentance. When Peter preached the cross at Pentecost, thousands came to Christ. This new church was made up of one body, consisting of all races, filled with love for one another. Its corporate life was marked by evangelism, a spirit of sacrifice, even martyrdom.
The wonderful beginning reflects God’s word to Jeremiah: “I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed” (Jeremiah 2:21). Yet the Lord’s next words describe what often happens to such works: “How then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?” (2:21). God was saying, “I planted you right. You were mine, bearing my name and nature. But now you’ve turned degenerate.”
What caused this degeneration in the church? It always has been, and will continue to be, idolatry. God is speaking of idolatry when he says to Jeremiah, “My people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit” (2:11).
Most Christian teaching today identifies an idol as anything that comes between God’s people and himself. Yet that’s only a partial description of idolatry.
Idolatry has to do with a much deeper heart issue. The number-one idol among God’s people isn’t adultery, pornography or alcohol. It’s a much more powerful lust. What is this idol? It’s a driving ambition for success. And it even has a doctrine to justify it.
The idolatry of being successful describes many in God’s house today. These people are upright, morally clean, full of good works. But they’ve set up an idol of ambition in their hearts, and they can’t be shaken from it.
God loves to bless his people. He wants his people to succeed in all they undertake honestly. But there is now a raging spirit in the land that is overtaking multitudes—this is the spirit of love for recognition and acquiring of things.
A man of the world said recently, “He who dies with the most toys - wins.” Tragically, Christians, too, are caught up in this pursuit.
How far we have strayed from the gospel of living through dying to self, ego, and worldly ambition.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Billy Graham’s Prophecy
Frank Viola
The following quote was authored by Billy Graham in the year 1965. Turns out it was a prophetic word that has come to pass in our time.
Multitudes of Christians within the church are moving toward the point where they may reject the institution that we call the church. They are beginning to turn to more simplified forms of worship. They are hungry for a personal and vital experience with Jesus Christ. They want a heartwarming personal faith. Unless the church quickly recovers its authoritative Biblical message, we may witness the spectacle of millions of Christians going outside the institutional church to find spiritual food.
Quoted in “World Aflame”, pp. 79-80.
Here is another priceless quote by Graham:
I think one of the first things I would do would be to get a small group of eight or ten or twelve men around me that would meet a few hours a week and pay the price. It would cost them something in time and effort. I would share with them everything I have, over a period of years. Then I would actually have twelve ministers among the laymen who in turn could take eight or ten or twelve more and teach them. I know one or two churches that are doing that, and it is revolutionizing the church. Christ, I think, set the pattern. He spent most of his time with twelve men. He didn’t spend it with a great crowd. In fact, every time he had a great crowd it seems to me that there weren’t too many results. The great results, it seems to me, came in his personal interview and in the time he spent with the twelve.
Quoted in “Billy Graham Speaks: The Evangelical World Prospect,” Christianity Today, vol.3, no.1, p.5, Oct.13, 1958.
The following quote was authored by Billy Graham in the year 1965. Turns out it was a prophetic word that has come to pass in our time.
Multitudes of Christians within the church are moving toward the point where they may reject the institution that we call the church. They are beginning to turn to more simplified forms of worship. They are hungry for a personal and vital experience with Jesus Christ. They want a heartwarming personal faith. Unless the church quickly recovers its authoritative Biblical message, we may witness the spectacle of millions of Christians going outside the institutional church to find spiritual food.
Quoted in “World Aflame”, pp. 79-80.
Here is another priceless quote by Graham:
I think one of the first things I would do would be to get a small group of eight or ten or twelve men around me that would meet a few hours a week and pay the price. It would cost them something in time and effort. I would share with them everything I have, over a period of years. Then I would actually have twelve ministers among the laymen who in turn could take eight or ten or twelve more and teach them. I know one or two churches that are doing that, and it is revolutionizing the church. Christ, I think, set the pattern. He spent most of his time with twelve men. He didn’t spend it with a great crowd. In fact, every time he had a great crowd it seems to me that there weren’t too many results. The great results, it seems to me, came in his personal interview and in the time he spent with the twelve.
Quoted in “Billy Graham Speaks: The Evangelical World Prospect,” Christianity Today, vol.3, no.1, p.5, Oct.13, 1958.
How Ambition Destroys Discernment !
Frank Viola
Over the weekend, I caught a documentary on the Jim Jones episode which occurred some 30 years ago. What a horror story. The footage was remarkable. I didn’t know that there were recordings of Jones instructing those in his fold to “drink the Koolaid.” (It wasn’t exactly Koolaid.)
Jones was typical of leaders of his ilk. According to the experts who knew and studied him, he was highly gifted, charismatic (in personality), humorous, like-able, knew how to make people feel “important,” yet … an egomaniac, very insecure, fixated on his own importance, paranoid, easily jealous, a shameless self-promoter, corrupt and dishonest.
Not long after watching that program, I was informed that a person I know joined a movement that’s exclusive, sectarian, elitist, and marked by dishonesty, unmitigated arrogance, paranoia, jealousy, and the tearing down of others falsely. All leaving behind a long, long trail of hurt and devastated Christians. (I realize that this description fits many different movements, sadly.)
The interesting thing about it is that this person had been educated in the dangers of all of the above. And I’m aware of at least one person who warned him specifically. Yet still … he’s become a “true believer” of this movement. (I realize that this description fits many different people, sadly.)
“How does this happen?,” you might ask, as you shake your head in disbelief.
One major element in the mix is spiritual ambition. There are many “dreamers” who wish to become something for God which, in reality, they aren’t cut out for, called to, or are not ready for. Such benighted ambition blinds them to truth and honesty, and it smothers both their conscience and their discernment. Good judgment goes out the window … and so does integrity. It renders the person utterly “clueless” as to what’s really going on. And they aren’t in touch with any of this.
It’s both sad and fascinating to say the least.
A word of advice to the ambitious. Follow your conscience, never let your integrity be compromised, pay attention to the warning signs, and ultimately, throw away the calender and let God promote you. Have the attitude: If God doesn’t promote me then I won’t be promoted.
To put it in a sentence: decline the Koolaid when it’s being passed to you.
Selah.
Over the weekend, I caught a documentary on the Jim Jones episode which occurred some 30 years ago. What a horror story. The footage was remarkable. I didn’t know that there were recordings of Jones instructing those in his fold to “drink the Koolaid.” (It wasn’t exactly Koolaid.)
Jones was typical of leaders of his ilk. According to the experts who knew and studied him, he was highly gifted, charismatic (in personality), humorous, like-able, knew how to make people feel “important,” yet … an egomaniac, very insecure, fixated on his own importance, paranoid, easily jealous, a shameless self-promoter, corrupt and dishonest.
Not long after watching that program, I was informed that a person I know joined a movement that’s exclusive, sectarian, elitist, and marked by dishonesty, unmitigated arrogance, paranoia, jealousy, and the tearing down of others falsely. All leaving behind a long, long trail of hurt and devastated Christians. (I realize that this description fits many different movements, sadly.)
The interesting thing about it is that this person had been educated in the dangers of all of the above. And I’m aware of at least one person who warned him specifically. Yet still … he’s become a “true believer” of this movement. (I realize that this description fits many different people, sadly.)
“How does this happen?,” you might ask, as you shake your head in disbelief.
One major element in the mix is spiritual ambition. There are many “dreamers” who wish to become something for God which, in reality, they aren’t cut out for, called to, or are not ready for. Such benighted ambition blinds them to truth and honesty, and it smothers both their conscience and their discernment. Good judgment goes out the window … and so does integrity. It renders the person utterly “clueless” as to what’s really going on. And they aren’t in touch with any of this.
It’s both sad and fascinating to say the least.
A word of advice to the ambitious. Follow your conscience, never let your integrity be compromised, pay attention to the warning signs, and ultimately, throw away the calender and let God promote you. Have the attitude: If God doesn’t promote me then I won’t be promoted.
To put it in a sentence: decline the Koolaid when it’s being passed to you.
Selah.
The Cost of Challenging the Status Quo: A Lesson from Joseph Lister
Frank Viola
If you happen to have the heart of a revolutionary, this story may be an encouragement to you.
Way back in the year 1860, the science of bateriology was still in its infancy. In that day, surgeons would operate with bare hands and their instruments weren not heat-sterilized nor disinfected chemically. As a result, the post-operative mortality rate was kicking around 90% in numerous hospitals.
In that context, a man named Joseph Lister launched a passionate campaign against the unsanitory practices and poor hygeine of surgeons.
Most doctors scoffed at Lister’s campaign. They felt that his heartfelt plea to have surgery that was “antiseptic” was over-the-top and misguided. He was ridiculed, critized, and dismissed by the majority of surgeons and doctors.
But despite the negative reactions he received by the medical profession, he found one convert – Dr. Joseph Lawrence.
Basing his work on Lister’s research, Lawrence developed an antibacterial liquid that was manufactured in one city. Some years later, around 1880, the product was named after Josph Lister, who had then become a well-known and controversial figure on two continents.
Interestingly, surgeons who began employing Lister’s ideas of good hygene were having fewer post-operative infections as well as increased survival rates. “Listerism” was being hotly debated in medical journals by competent doctors who were both “pro” and “against.” It was also being discussed in the popular media.
This antiseptic liquid, inspired by Lister and made accessible by Lawrence, came to be known as LISTERINE.
So the next time you swril some LISTERINE in your mouth, just remember that it came at the price of one man’s reputation. A man who was ridiculed, criticized, and dismissed by the professional medical community. But who . . . after many years, was vindicated.
Thank you Mr. Lister for not giving your convictions up.
May your tribe increase!
I happen to be a fan of LISTERINE, cool mint flavor. And my close friends are happy about that. :-)
If you happen to have the heart of a revolutionary, this story may be an encouragement to you.
Way back in the year 1860, the science of bateriology was still in its infancy. In that day, surgeons would operate with bare hands and their instruments weren not heat-sterilized nor disinfected chemically. As a result, the post-operative mortality rate was kicking around 90% in numerous hospitals.
In that context, a man named Joseph Lister launched a passionate campaign against the unsanitory practices and poor hygeine of surgeons.
Most doctors scoffed at Lister’s campaign. They felt that his heartfelt plea to have surgery that was “antiseptic” was over-the-top and misguided. He was ridiculed, critized, and dismissed by the majority of surgeons and doctors.
But despite the negative reactions he received by the medical profession, he found one convert – Dr. Joseph Lawrence.
Basing his work on Lister’s research, Lawrence developed an antibacterial liquid that was manufactured in one city. Some years later, around 1880, the product was named after Josph Lister, who had then become a well-known and controversial figure on two continents.
Interestingly, surgeons who began employing Lister’s ideas of good hygene were having fewer post-operative infections as well as increased survival rates. “Listerism” was being hotly debated in medical journals by competent doctors who were both “pro” and “against.” It was also being discussed in the popular media.
This antiseptic liquid, inspired by Lister and made accessible by Lawrence, came to be known as LISTERINE.
So the next time you swril some LISTERINE in your mouth, just remember that it came at the price of one man’s reputation. A man who was ridiculed, criticized, and dismissed by the professional medical community. But who . . . after many years, was vindicated.
Thank you Mr. Lister for not giving your convictions up.
May your tribe increase!
I happen to be a fan of LISTERINE, cool mint flavor. And my close friends are happy about that. :-)
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Vision: The Three Eagles by Swarna Jha
A large eagle was called by the Lord to pick up a huge chunk of meat that sat upon a rock. The meat was to be delivered to a faraway place. A bitter winter was on it’s way, and the meat was for the people who lived in this faraway place, and would die of starvation without this meat.
After hearing the detailed instructions of the Lord, the eagle glanced at the size of the meat and the weight of it, said nothing to the Lord, and picked up the meat and flew away.
The Lord was Watching.
The eagle thought that none could see him, so he took the meat to the nearest high place and said gleefully to himself, ” This meat could never suffice all the people in that faraway place. The winter to come will be harsh and cruel. This meat can sustain me through such a winter”. So the eagle did not fly to the faraway place but remained on that high place, hugging the meat with his wings.
The Lord called a second eagle, Showed him a chunk of meat and gave him the same instructions.
The second eagle took the meat and flew with it, towards a nearby place, where his friends and family resided.
The Lord was Watching.
As the second eagle flew off in the other direction, he thought to himself, ” Why should I concern myself with the people in the faraway place, surely the winter will be just as harsh for us all, and charity begins at home”, thought the eagle. ” This winter my family, friends and myself………..ah! we sure will be well fed!”
Now a third eagle had been since long, waiting before the Lord. He was unaware of the other two eagles.
A while back, he had come before the Lord, and bowed his head and covered it with his wings, and muttered a prayer.
“What are you praying for?” The Lord Asked.
” Lord use me, please send me somewhere………….anywhere You Please.”
To which the Lord Had Replied, ” Wait.”
So the third eagle waited.
Whilst the third eagle had been waiting, the Lord had called the other two eagles, but the third eagle was unaware of that.
Now the Lord turned to the third eagle and explained to him the same work he had Given the other two eagles.
This meat the third eagle was to carry was ginormous. It was many-fold larger than the meat the previous two eagles had been asked to carry.
One look at the size of the meat, and the enormity of the responsibility that went with it, the third eagle began to tremble. How could he, such a small, such a little eagle, as he saw himself, fly to such a faraway place with such a ginormous chunk of meat to a people whom God so loved, who were depending and trusting God to deliver to them? What if he messed up? What if he did not get there on time? What if the people starved because of his negligence? What if he was incapable of carrying such a weight? What if he let God down? Did the Lord not Know how weak and little this eagle was? How frail and inexperienced? What if……….what if………..?”
The third eagle hastily bowed his head and quickly wrapped it with his wings and muttered a prayer.
The Lord Asked him, ” What are you praying for now?”
” Lord, please send someone else…………what if I mess up and bring reproach to Your Name?”
The Lord Replied not.
The third eagle looked again at the meat, and thought of all those who lived in the faraway land.
No, he would not fear, if the Lord was Sending him, the Lord would equip him to do the work well.
So with great care, lest he soil the meat, the third eagle picked up the ginormous chunk and flew off to the faraway place.
The Lord Was Watching.
The third eagle reached the faraway place just as the winter was setting in. People were waiting for the meat and were delighted to see the eagle carrying it.
The third eagle abode with the people and the other eagles who had gathered there, and through each bitter winter day, along with the others, ate from the meat that the Lord Had Sent. The meat remained fresh and no matter how much any of them ate, there was always plenty.
Now the Lord Had Explained to all three eagles that the meat was not only to be delivered to the destination but furthermore, it was to be kept in a certain place. All the hungry were to come to that place to eat. The meat could not be eaten from any other place, except that which the Lord Had determined. The Lord Had Said, that the eagles would receive their portion of meat after they had done exactly as He had Instructed.
The first eagle had disobeyed. When the winter came, the meat froze in the high place and so hardened, that the eagle could not eat from it.
This eagle broke his beak in attempting to get a bite of the meat.
The second eagle had flown to his family and friends, but when he arrived there, he saw that all had vanished.
Whilst the second eagle was on his way, the Lord Had Told all the eagles to make their way to the faraway place, where there would be food awaiting them.
The second eagle was horrified to find the place which was once his home, empty and desolate.
The winter set in, the meat froze and hardened.
This second eagle too, broke his beak in attempting to get a bite of the meat.
Both these eagles broke down and wept. They understood that they had been selfish and disobedient. The winter was worsening. Weak and frail, they lay down where they were, and prayed and awaited for the Mercy of God to get them out of there.
The third eagle was busy feasting on the meat, when he heard the Lord Say, ” Take some meat and go now and fetch your brothers who are stuck in such and such a place”.
The Third eagle immediately took a chunk of meat from the vast amount that was there, in the certain place, and flew to where each of the two eagles were located.
The third eagle gave each of them the meat and encouraged them to eat it, and after they were strengthened, to fly with him, to the faraway place.
At first, each eagle hesitated. How could they eat the meat with their broken beaks? Nonetheless, they both understood that the Lord in His Mercy Had Sent the third eagle, so perhaps in His Mercy, He Would also mend their broken beaks. With this thought in their hearts, they lowered their broken beaks to eat the meat, and as they did so, their beaks were mended and each rejoiced!
After each had eaten heartily, they flew alongside the third eagle, who had after delivering the meat, been flying above, awaiting them, to go to the faraway place.
They now understood that though the winter may be bitter, the Provision of the Lord for them all was sweet.
After hearing the detailed instructions of the Lord, the eagle glanced at the size of the meat and the weight of it, said nothing to the Lord, and picked up the meat and flew away.
The Lord was Watching.
The eagle thought that none could see him, so he took the meat to the nearest high place and said gleefully to himself, ” This meat could never suffice all the people in that faraway place. The winter to come will be harsh and cruel. This meat can sustain me through such a winter”. So the eagle did not fly to the faraway place but remained on that high place, hugging the meat with his wings.
The Lord called a second eagle, Showed him a chunk of meat and gave him the same instructions.
The second eagle took the meat and flew with it, towards a nearby place, where his friends and family resided.
The Lord was Watching.
As the second eagle flew off in the other direction, he thought to himself, ” Why should I concern myself with the people in the faraway place, surely the winter will be just as harsh for us all, and charity begins at home”, thought the eagle. ” This winter my family, friends and myself………..ah! we sure will be well fed!”
Now a third eagle had been since long, waiting before the Lord. He was unaware of the other two eagles.
A while back, he had come before the Lord, and bowed his head and covered it with his wings, and muttered a prayer.
“What are you praying for?” The Lord Asked.
” Lord use me, please send me somewhere………….anywhere You Please.”
To which the Lord Had Replied, ” Wait.”
So the third eagle waited.
Whilst the third eagle had been waiting, the Lord had called the other two eagles, but the third eagle was unaware of that.
Now the Lord turned to the third eagle and explained to him the same work he had Given the other two eagles.
This meat the third eagle was to carry was ginormous. It was many-fold larger than the meat the previous two eagles had been asked to carry.
One look at the size of the meat, and the enormity of the responsibility that went with it, the third eagle began to tremble. How could he, such a small, such a little eagle, as he saw himself, fly to such a faraway place with such a ginormous chunk of meat to a people whom God so loved, who were depending and trusting God to deliver to them? What if he messed up? What if he did not get there on time? What if the people starved because of his negligence? What if he was incapable of carrying such a weight? What if he let God down? Did the Lord not Know how weak and little this eagle was? How frail and inexperienced? What if……….what if………..?”
The third eagle hastily bowed his head and quickly wrapped it with his wings and muttered a prayer.
The Lord Asked him, ” What are you praying for now?”
” Lord, please send someone else…………what if I mess up and bring reproach to Your Name?”
The Lord Replied not.
The third eagle looked again at the meat, and thought of all those who lived in the faraway land.
No, he would not fear, if the Lord was Sending him, the Lord would equip him to do the work well.
So with great care, lest he soil the meat, the third eagle picked up the ginormous chunk and flew off to the faraway place.
The Lord Was Watching.
The third eagle reached the faraway place just as the winter was setting in. People were waiting for the meat and were delighted to see the eagle carrying it.
The third eagle abode with the people and the other eagles who had gathered there, and through each bitter winter day, along with the others, ate from the meat that the Lord Had Sent. The meat remained fresh and no matter how much any of them ate, there was always plenty.
Now the Lord Had Explained to all three eagles that the meat was not only to be delivered to the destination but furthermore, it was to be kept in a certain place. All the hungry were to come to that place to eat. The meat could not be eaten from any other place, except that which the Lord Had determined. The Lord Had Said, that the eagles would receive their portion of meat after they had done exactly as He had Instructed.
The first eagle had disobeyed. When the winter came, the meat froze in the high place and so hardened, that the eagle could not eat from it.
This eagle broke his beak in attempting to get a bite of the meat.
The second eagle had flown to his family and friends, but when he arrived there, he saw that all had vanished.
Whilst the second eagle was on his way, the Lord Had Told all the eagles to make their way to the faraway place, where there would be food awaiting them.
The second eagle was horrified to find the place which was once his home, empty and desolate.
The winter set in, the meat froze and hardened.
This second eagle too, broke his beak in attempting to get a bite of the meat.
Both these eagles broke down and wept. They understood that they had been selfish and disobedient. The winter was worsening. Weak and frail, they lay down where they were, and prayed and awaited for the Mercy of God to get them out of there.
The third eagle was busy feasting on the meat, when he heard the Lord Say, ” Take some meat and go now and fetch your brothers who are stuck in such and such a place”.
The Third eagle immediately took a chunk of meat from the vast amount that was there, in the certain place, and flew to where each of the two eagles were located.
The third eagle gave each of them the meat and encouraged them to eat it, and after they were strengthened, to fly with him, to the faraway place.
At first, each eagle hesitated. How could they eat the meat with their broken beaks? Nonetheless, they both understood that the Lord in His Mercy Had Sent the third eagle, so perhaps in His Mercy, He Would also mend their broken beaks. With this thought in their hearts, they lowered their broken beaks to eat the meat, and as they did so, their beaks were mended and each rejoiced!
After each had eaten heartily, they flew alongside the third eagle, who had after delivering the meat, been flying above, awaiting them, to go to the faraway place.
They now understood that though the winter may be bitter, the Provision of the Lord for them all was sweet.
CHRIST CAME WITH AN INVITATION AND A WARNING
David Wilkerson
Jesus stood in the temple and invited everyone to come under his merciful wings of protection. He called out to the blind, the sick, the leprous, the poor, the lost, everyone to come and find healing and forgiveness. But the religious crowd refused his offer. So Christ testified of them, “Ye would not!”
(Matthew 23:37).
As I read this, a question arises: Here in the New Testament, would God dispose of an old work the same way he did in the Old? Would he cast off that which rejected his offers of grace, mercy and awakening?
Yes, he would. Jesus answered those who rejected him by saying, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). He told them, “This temple is now your house, not mine. I’m leaving it. And I leave what you wasted and deserted.”
He then added, “I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (23:39). He was declaring to them, “My glory is no longer in this old work.”
Think of it. Here stood mercy and grace Incarnate, saying, “This old thing isn’t mine anymore.” Then Jesus moved on to Pentecost, to the beginning of a new thing. He was about to raise up a new church, not a replica of the old. And he would make it brand-new from the foundation up. It would be a church of
new priests and people, all born again in him.
Let me ask you: Is what you see going on in the church today representative of who Jesus is? Is what we’re seeing truly the church triumphant, the spotless bride of Christ? Does it reveal to a lost world the very nature of God? Is this the best that God’s Spirit can produce in these last days?
Have you found a church where Christ is truly present and the Word is faithfully preached? How very thankful you should be. Perhaps you are among the multitudes who can’t find a church that has life. I hear their cry, “I cannot find a church that is meeting my spiritual hunger. Too much entertainment—too much self—too much dryness.”
Take heart—God is soon going to shake things up in unbelievable ways. In that awesome shaking of all things, God will raise up true shepherds who will feed hungering sheep.
Jesus stood in the temple and invited everyone to come under his merciful wings of protection. He called out to the blind, the sick, the leprous, the poor, the lost, everyone to come and find healing and forgiveness. But the religious crowd refused his offer. So Christ testified of them, “Ye would not!”
(Matthew 23:37).
As I read this, a question arises: Here in the New Testament, would God dispose of an old work the same way he did in the Old? Would he cast off that which rejected his offers of grace, mercy and awakening?
Yes, he would. Jesus answered those who rejected him by saying, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate” (Matthew 23:38). He told them, “This temple is now your house, not mine. I’m leaving it. And I leave what you wasted and deserted.”
He then added, “I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (23:39). He was declaring to them, “My glory is no longer in this old work.”
Think of it. Here stood mercy and grace Incarnate, saying, “This old thing isn’t mine anymore.” Then Jesus moved on to Pentecost, to the beginning of a new thing. He was about to raise up a new church, not a replica of the old. And he would make it brand-new from the foundation up. It would be a church of
new priests and people, all born again in him.
Let me ask you: Is what you see going on in the church today representative of who Jesus is? Is what we’re seeing truly the church triumphant, the spotless bride of Christ? Does it reveal to a lost world the very nature of God? Is this the best that God’s Spirit can produce in these last days?
Have you found a church where Christ is truly present and the Word is faithfully preached? How very thankful you should be. Perhaps you are among the multitudes who can’t find a church that has life. I hear their cry, “I cannot find a church that is meeting my spiritual hunger. Too much entertainment—too much self—too much dryness.”
Take heart—God is soon going to shake things up in unbelievable ways. In that awesome shaking of all things, God will raise up true shepherds who will feed hungering sheep.
Monday, December 13, 2010
AN EVER-INCREASING OUTPOURING
David Wilkerson
In chapter 47 of Ezekiel, the prophet was being shown the following: In thevery last days, the church of Jesus Christ will be more glorious, more victorious, than in its entire history. The Lord’s true body isn’t going to weaken and sputter. It’s not going to dwindle in numbers, or decrease in power or spiritual authority. No, his church will go out in a blaze of power and glory. And it will enjoy the fullest revelation of Jesus that anyone has ever known.
Ezekiel writes, “The fish of the great sea [shall be] exceeding many” (Ezekiel 47:10). There is coming forth a body of believers who will swim in the rising waters of the Lord’s presence.
This is what God is showing us in Ezekiel’s vision of the rising waters (see Ezekiel 47:3–4).
Ezekiel is speaking here of an increase of the Holy Spirit. In the latter days, there will be an increase of God’s presence among his people.
The very spring and foundation of this river is the cross. We see a literal image of this in the following verse; “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34).
This growing flow of water is the image of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was given to the disciples. Along with this gift of the Spirit, Christ’s followers were given a promise that he would be a river of life springing up within them. And that river would flow out into all the world (see John 7:38–39).
The river of life will crest just prior to the Lord’s coming. This is foretold in the vision given to Ezekiel. God took the prophet on an amazing trip. Carrying a measuring rod, the Lord paced off 1,000 cubits, about one-third of a mile. At that distance, the Lord and Ezekiel began walking in the water which at this point was ankle high.
Ezekiel testifies, “He brought me through the waters” (Ezekiel 47:3). And the Lord just kept urging the prophet onward, deeper and farther into the water. After another 1,000 cubits, the water came up to their knees. And it was still rising.
Do you see what was happening here? Ezekiel was walking into the future, right into our time. Christians today live in the final 1,000 cubits of the river in this vision. We’re in the very last measurement of water. And Ezekiel says that when he stepped to the edge of this measure, the water was too deep for him, too overwhelming. “I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in” (47:5).
I can only imagine this man’s wonder as the Lord asked him, “Ezekiel, what is this sea that has risen? If this river is all about life and resurrection power, who are the ones who’ll be so blessed to swim in such glory?” He could only envision what we now enjoy.
Maybe you’ve experienced the presence of Jesus abundantly. You may be thrilled by your present revelation of him. Yet, I tell you, you haven’t seen anything in comparison to the increase that’s coming to the righteous. Christ is going to open our eyes and wonderfully appear in our midst. He’ll reveal
himself to us, pouring out on us as much of his life as we can possibly stand without already being in glorified bodies.
In chapter 47 of Ezekiel, the prophet was being shown the following: In thevery last days, the church of Jesus Christ will be more glorious, more victorious, than in its entire history. The Lord’s true body isn’t going to weaken and sputter. It’s not going to dwindle in numbers, or decrease in power or spiritual authority. No, his church will go out in a blaze of power and glory. And it will enjoy the fullest revelation of Jesus that anyone has ever known.
Ezekiel writes, “The fish of the great sea [shall be] exceeding many” (Ezekiel 47:10). There is coming forth a body of believers who will swim in the rising waters of the Lord’s presence.
This is what God is showing us in Ezekiel’s vision of the rising waters (see Ezekiel 47:3–4).
Ezekiel is speaking here of an increase of the Holy Spirit. In the latter days, there will be an increase of God’s presence among his people.
The very spring and foundation of this river is the cross. We see a literal image of this in the following verse; “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:34).
This growing flow of water is the image of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was given to the disciples. Along with this gift of the Spirit, Christ’s followers were given a promise that he would be a river of life springing up within them. And that river would flow out into all the world (see John 7:38–39).
The river of life will crest just prior to the Lord’s coming. This is foretold in the vision given to Ezekiel. God took the prophet on an amazing trip. Carrying a measuring rod, the Lord paced off 1,000 cubits, about one-third of a mile. At that distance, the Lord and Ezekiel began walking in the water which at this point was ankle high.
Ezekiel testifies, “He brought me through the waters” (Ezekiel 47:3). And the Lord just kept urging the prophet onward, deeper and farther into the water. After another 1,000 cubits, the water came up to their knees. And it was still rising.
Do you see what was happening here? Ezekiel was walking into the future, right into our time. Christians today live in the final 1,000 cubits of the river in this vision. We’re in the very last measurement of water. And Ezekiel says that when he stepped to the edge of this measure, the water was too deep for him, too overwhelming. “I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in” (47:5).
I can only imagine this man’s wonder as the Lord asked him, “Ezekiel, what is this sea that has risen? If this river is all about life and resurrection power, who are the ones who’ll be so blessed to swim in such glory?” He could only envision what we now enjoy.
Maybe you’ve experienced the presence of Jesus abundantly. You may be thrilled by your present revelation of him. Yet, I tell you, you haven’t seen anything in comparison to the increase that’s coming to the righteous. Christ is going to open our eyes and wonderfully appear in our midst. He’ll reveal
himself to us, pouring out on us as much of his life as we can possibly stand without already being in glorified bodies.
Friday, December 10, 2010
HOW GREAT is THAT DARKNESS
by Coach Dave Daubenmire.
“But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness" -Matthew 6:23
Okay Lord, I’ll write it. But I really don’t understand why you give me these dirty jobs. Why haven’t you anointed me to write about the evil Democrats, or say, those God-haters who want to take Manger Scenes off of the courthouse steps? Why can’t I be like Ann Coulter and just expose liberals? Why do I always have to write things about folks who are supposed to be on my side? The liberals hate me enough … why do I have to keep poking “conservatives” in the eye?
It won’t be long before I won’t be welcome anywhere in Christian circles. But I promised you years ago that I would be faithful to write and speak what you put in my spirit. As President John Adams famously said, “Duty is ours. The results belong to God.” So, I’ll lay it out there and trust you have a reason for putting the words in my heart.
Most Christians are not. Not really disciples of Jesus that is. As I go about my work, I have become more and more convinced of that truth. The American Experience is in trouble because those who claim to be followers of Jesus really don’t follow Him.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, they “go to church,” and most “believe in God,” but they are not followers of Jesus. They don’t even know what that means...to follow Jesus…even though they are “Christians.” In fact, I doubt whether the Apostle Paul, or any of the first-century believers, would even recognize the “religion” that we call “Christianity” today. Just wondering... was Jesus a “Christian?”
Jesus hated religion. It was the “religious” folks that He tried to free us from. “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Read Mathew 23 to understand better what He had to say to “religious” leaders. He stated it better than I can.
Look. Christianity is not a religion, it is not “going to church”, it is not a set of rules and regulations after which you pattern your life, it is not a crutch for the weak, it is not an answer on the US Census, and it is not a home business designed to increase one’s earthly possessions.
Christianity is the life of Jesus living through you. It is an exchange of your life for His, a living out of His nature instead of yours, a “putting on” of the life of Jesus, not a process where you “accept” Him, or “receive” Him, or “come” to Him. It is a death process .... dying of you and your old nature ... transformation really out of an old life to a new one. “Christ IN you, the hope of Glory.” Most folks who identify as Christians claim to know Jesus as Savior. Very few know Him as Lord.
That’s why Christianity is so shallow in America. We love the “Savior” part of Jesus, but aren’t quite ready to bow to that “Lord” thingee. Most are interested in having “their Savior” bless their endeavors, but few are willing to “lay down their lives” for Him. Everyone wants to “follow Jesus” until they find out where He is going ..... He is heading to a Cross .... and He asks you to take up yours and follow Him. This flies in the face of popular Christianity and its “felt needs”…
The hearts of Americans are hard to pierce. Stephen called folks like us “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” How did the religious folks receive Stephen and his honest rebuke? “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him ...."
Here is what I am getting at. Most “Christians” are not open to the true Gospel because they already think they have it. They have learned to compartmentalize it, to compromise it, to hang it on the coat rack. But they have heard a different Gospel. They have been taught to follow Christianity, not Jesus.
“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.” -Jude
Do yourself a favor. Take the time to read the book of Acts. It is a record of the “Gospel” being lived out by those who were most familiar with the Savior. You will look long and hard, far and wide, to find anything even remotely resembling the modern-day Humanistic, self-serving, Jesus-wants-me-to-be-happy-and-rich-Gospel belching out of the pulpits today. Would they invite Paul, the greatest evangelist the world has ever known, to appear on TBN? Would Rick Warren and Joel Osteen allow him to stand in their pulpits? Can you picture him “dancing with the stars?”
Americans are following a “different” Gospel, which is "no Gospel at all." “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
Permit me to state it more succinctly so that there can be no misunderstanding of the point I am trying to make. Most church-goers are not followers of Jesus. They are merely members of a social club called "Christianity" ...... "Membership has its advantages…."
How do you heal someone who doesn’t know he is sick? How do you save someone who doesn’t think he is lost? “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness…”
Americanized Christianity has everything backwards. Somewhere along the line the life-denying-Gospel has morphed into a life-enhancement Gospel. Instead of us giving ourselves for the advancement of the Kingdom we have been fooled into believing that Jesus gave Himself so we could be masters of our own kingdom.
The idea of sacrifice and suffering is anathema to modern, Americanized Christianity. How else can you possibly explain the calloused attitude that most “Christians” have towards the “increase of His government and peace.”
Read Mathew 13. It is here that we read of the wheat and the tares which GROW UP TOGETHER. That’s right. When you go to “church” on Sunday it would behoove you to look around. Many of those sitting beside you are destined for the bon-fire. They look like Christians, the sing like Christians, and they speak the Christian “language”, but they are not children of the Lord.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Mathew 7
Could it be that many are getting the wrong answer because they are being asked the wrong question? It is not “do you know Jesus”, but rather, “does Jesus know You?”
In recent polls eight-five per cent of all Americans self-identify as Christians, yet this nation has become a moral wasteland. “Christians” complain about others “shoving Christianity down our throats.” “Christians” declare that “religion” is a “private matter” while atheistic teachings swamp their children in “public schools.” “Christians” have abortions and vote for “pro-abortion” candidates. “Christians” embrace homosexuality. "Christians" fail to keep their marriage vows. “Christians” ignore the precepts that Jesus taught.
How do you rescue someone who doesn’t think he needs rescued? How do you bring sight to one who thinks he sees? How do you bring knowledge to one who thinks he knows? How do you bring truth to one who doesn’t know he is deceived? How do you bring light to one who doesn’t know it is dark?
America is the most “Gospelized” nation in the world, but my dealings with Americanized “Christians” have convinced me that the greatest mission field in the world is inside the four walls of most American churches.
The darkness thinks it is light.
“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Most “Christians” don’t know enough about Jesus to tremble. How great is that darkness ....
-Please comment on this topic -
SOURCE- http://www.newswithviews.com/Daubenmire/dave217.htm
“But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness" -Matthew 6:23
Okay Lord, I’ll write it. But I really don’t understand why you give me these dirty jobs. Why haven’t you anointed me to write about the evil Democrats, or say, those God-haters who want to take Manger Scenes off of the courthouse steps? Why can’t I be like Ann Coulter and just expose liberals? Why do I always have to write things about folks who are supposed to be on my side? The liberals hate me enough … why do I have to keep poking “conservatives” in the eye?
It won’t be long before I won’t be welcome anywhere in Christian circles. But I promised you years ago that I would be faithful to write and speak what you put in my spirit. As President John Adams famously said, “Duty is ours. The results belong to God.” So, I’ll lay it out there and trust you have a reason for putting the words in my heart.
Most Christians are not. Not really disciples of Jesus that is. As I go about my work, I have become more and more convinced of that truth. The American Experience is in trouble because those who claim to be followers of Jesus really don’t follow Him.
Oh, don’t get me wrong, they “go to church,” and most “believe in God,” but they are not followers of Jesus. They don’t even know what that means...to follow Jesus…even though they are “Christians.” In fact, I doubt whether the Apostle Paul, or any of the first-century believers, would even recognize the “religion” that we call “Christianity” today. Just wondering... was Jesus a “Christian?”
Jesus hated religion. It was the “religious” folks that He tried to free us from. “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." Read Mathew 23 to understand better what He had to say to “religious” leaders. He stated it better than I can.
Look. Christianity is not a religion, it is not “going to church”, it is not a set of rules and regulations after which you pattern your life, it is not a crutch for the weak, it is not an answer on the US Census, and it is not a home business designed to increase one’s earthly possessions.
Christianity is the life of Jesus living through you. It is an exchange of your life for His, a living out of His nature instead of yours, a “putting on” of the life of Jesus, not a process where you “accept” Him, or “receive” Him, or “come” to Him. It is a death process .... dying of you and your old nature ... transformation really out of an old life to a new one. “Christ IN you, the hope of Glory.” Most folks who identify as Christians claim to know Jesus as Savior. Very few know Him as Lord.
That’s why Christianity is so shallow in America. We love the “Savior” part of Jesus, but aren’t quite ready to bow to that “Lord” thingee. Most are interested in having “their Savior” bless their endeavors, but few are willing to “lay down their lives” for Him. Everyone wants to “follow Jesus” until they find out where He is going ..... He is heading to a Cross .... and He asks you to take up yours and follow Him. This flies in the face of popular Christianity and its “felt needs”…
The hearts of Americans are hard to pierce. Stephen called folks like us “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” How did the religious folks receive Stephen and his honest rebuke? “Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him ...."
Here is what I am getting at. Most “Christians” are not open to the true Gospel because they already think they have it. They have learned to compartmentalize it, to compromise it, to hang it on the coat rack. But they have heard a different Gospel. They have been taught to follow Christianity, not Jesus.
“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.” -Jude
Do yourself a favor. Take the time to read the book of Acts. It is a record of the “Gospel” being lived out by those who were most familiar with the Savior. You will look long and hard, far and wide, to find anything even remotely resembling the modern-day Humanistic, self-serving, Jesus-wants-me-to-be-happy-and-rich-Gospel belching out of the pulpits today. Would they invite Paul, the greatest evangelist the world has ever known, to appear on TBN? Would Rick Warren and Joel Osteen allow him to stand in their pulpits? Can you picture him “dancing with the stars?”
Americans are following a “different” Gospel, which is "no Gospel at all." “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:”
Permit me to state it more succinctly so that there can be no misunderstanding of the point I am trying to make. Most church-goers are not followers of Jesus. They are merely members of a social club called "Christianity" ...... "Membership has its advantages…."
How do you heal someone who doesn’t know he is sick? How do you save someone who doesn’t think he is lost? “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness…”
Americanized Christianity has everything backwards. Somewhere along the line the life-denying-Gospel has morphed into a life-enhancement Gospel. Instead of us giving ourselves for the advancement of the Kingdom we have been fooled into believing that Jesus gave Himself so we could be masters of our own kingdom.
The idea of sacrifice and suffering is anathema to modern, Americanized Christianity. How else can you possibly explain the calloused attitude that most “Christians” have towards the “increase of His government and peace.”
Read Mathew 13. It is here that we read of the wheat and the tares which GROW UP TOGETHER. That’s right. When you go to “church” on Sunday it would behoove you to look around. Many of those sitting beside you are destined for the bon-fire. They look like Christians, the sing like Christians, and they speak the Christian “language”, but they are not children of the Lord.
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” - Mathew 7
Could it be that many are getting the wrong answer because they are being asked the wrong question? It is not “do you know Jesus”, but rather, “does Jesus know You?”
In recent polls eight-five per cent of all Americans self-identify as Christians, yet this nation has become a moral wasteland. “Christians” complain about others “shoving Christianity down our throats.” “Christians” declare that “religion” is a “private matter” while atheistic teachings swamp their children in “public schools.” “Christians” have abortions and vote for “pro-abortion” candidates. “Christians” embrace homosexuality. "Christians" fail to keep their marriage vows. “Christians” ignore the precepts that Jesus taught.
How do you rescue someone who doesn’t think he needs rescued? How do you bring sight to one who thinks he sees? How do you bring knowledge to one who thinks he knows? How do you bring truth to one who doesn’t know he is deceived? How do you bring light to one who doesn’t know it is dark?
America is the most “Gospelized” nation in the world, but my dealings with Americanized “Christians” have convinced me that the greatest mission field in the world is inside the four walls of most American churches.
The darkness thinks it is light.
“And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Most “Christians” don’t know enough about Jesus to tremble. How great is that darkness ....
-Please comment on this topic -
SOURCE- http://www.newswithviews.com/Daubenmire/dave217.htm
WHEN SIFTING COMES
David Wilkerson
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon; behold, Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31).
You must understand that Satan seeks to sift only those who threaten his work. He goes after the tree with the most potential to bear fruit. But why did the devil desire to sift Peter? Why was he so anxious to test him? Well, for three years Peter had been casting out devils and healing the sick. Satan had heard Jesus promise the disciples another baptism, one of Holy Ghost power and fire - and he trembled! Now, the devil heard God’s ultimate plan for Peter. He realized that the past three years would be nothing compared to the greater works Peter and the other disciples would perform. Having already pulled down Judas, he would have to look for a measure of corruption in Peter to build on, to make Peter’s faith fail.
Perhaps, like Peter, you are in the sieve right now, being shaken and sifted. But, you ask, why me? And why now? First of all, you ought to rejoice that you have such a reputation in hell! Satan never would have asked God’s permission to sift you unless you had crossed the line of obedience. Why else would he spend his efforts harassing and troubling you, scaring you and shaking all that you have? He is sifting you because you play an important part in God’s church in these last days. God is doing a new thing once again in this last generation, and you have been set apart by him to be a powerful witness to many. He has set you free, and is preparing you for his eternal purposes. And the greater your gifts, the greater your potential, the greater your surrender to the will of God—the more severe your sifting will be.
When someone is going through the fire of sifting, what should those around him do? What did Jesus do about Peter’s imminent fall? He said to him, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:32).
I look at this wonderful example of Christ’s love and realize I know almost nothing about how to love those who fall. Surely Jesus is that “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). He saw both the good and the bad in Peter and concluded, “This man is worth saving. Satan desires him, but I desire him all the more.” Peter truly loved the Lord, and Jesus told him, “I have prayed for you.” Jesus had seen this coming for a long time. He had probably spent many hours before his Father talking about Peter - how he loved him, how needed Peter was in God’s kingdom, how he valued him as a friend.
Lord, give all of us that kind of love! When we see brothers and sisters compromising or heading for trouble or disaster, let us love them enough to warn them as firmly as Jesus warned Peter. Then we’ll be able to say, “I am praying for you.”
Today we have yet another “It is written” with which we can do battle against Satan. It is this: “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” You can tell the devil, “You may have gotten permission to sift me, to try to tear down my faith. But you need to know this: My Jesus is praying for me!”
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon; behold, Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31).
You must understand that Satan seeks to sift only those who threaten his work. He goes after the tree with the most potential to bear fruit. But why did the devil desire to sift Peter? Why was he so anxious to test him? Well, for three years Peter had been casting out devils and healing the sick. Satan had heard Jesus promise the disciples another baptism, one of Holy Ghost power and fire - and he trembled! Now, the devil heard God’s ultimate plan for Peter. He realized that the past three years would be nothing compared to the greater works Peter and the other disciples would perform. Having already pulled down Judas, he would have to look for a measure of corruption in Peter to build on, to make Peter’s faith fail.
Perhaps, like Peter, you are in the sieve right now, being shaken and sifted. But, you ask, why me? And why now? First of all, you ought to rejoice that you have such a reputation in hell! Satan never would have asked God’s permission to sift you unless you had crossed the line of obedience. Why else would he spend his efforts harassing and troubling you, scaring you and shaking all that you have? He is sifting you because you play an important part in God’s church in these last days. God is doing a new thing once again in this last generation, and you have been set apart by him to be a powerful witness to many. He has set you free, and is preparing you for his eternal purposes. And the greater your gifts, the greater your potential, the greater your surrender to the will of God—the more severe your sifting will be.
When someone is going through the fire of sifting, what should those around him do? What did Jesus do about Peter’s imminent fall? He said to him, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:32).
I look at this wonderful example of Christ’s love and realize I know almost nothing about how to love those who fall. Surely Jesus is that “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24). He saw both the good and the bad in Peter and concluded, “This man is worth saving. Satan desires him, but I desire him all the more.” Peter truly loved the Lord, and Jesus told him, “I have prayed for you.” Jesus had seen this coming for a long time. He had probably spent many hours before his Father talking about Peter - how he loved him, how needed Peter was in God’s kingdom, how he valued him as a friend.
Lord, give all of us that kind of love! When we see brothers and sisters compromising or heading for trouble or disaster, let us love them enough to warn them as firmly as Jesus warned Peter. Then we’ll be able to say, “I am praying for you.”
Today we have yet another “It is written” with which we can do battle against Satan. It is this: “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.” You can tell the devil, “You may have gotten permission to sift me, to try to tear down my faith. But you need to know this: My Jesus is praying for me!”
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Lessons on Life
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.
When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.
He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.
Moral lessons:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.
When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.
He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.
Moral lessons:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Rethinking the Five-Fold Ministry - Must read!
by Frank Viola
Undoubtedly, some who have read this book are wondering: “Frank, do you believe in ‘the five-fold ministry’? And do you believe God is restoring ‘the five-fold ministry’ mentioned in Ephesians Chapter 4?” In this appendix, I would like to answer that question.
First off, my answer is largely hinged on what one means by “the five-fold ministry.” In other words, what “five-fold ministry” are we talking about? Are we talking about the two-hundred-year old doctrine of the restoration of “the five-fold ministry?” Or are we talking about the ascension gifts that Paul had in mind when he penned Ephesians 4:9–16?
The Making of a Doctrine
In nineteenth-century England, Christians were ripe to embrace apocalyptic prophecies about the coming Millennial Age. The upheaval that the French Revolution produced left God’s people wishing for a reign of peace that would set all things right.
In the year 1824, Edward Irving, a Presbyterian pastor in Scotland, began teaching that “the five-fold ministry” of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers had disappeared from the church and were in need of restoration. According to Irving, the restoration of these ministries would usher in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ on the earth.
Irving and his followers began the Catholic Apostolic Church in 1832. Its chief purpose was to restore “the five-fold ministry” and usher in the Millennial Kingdom. The Church ordained twelve “apostles” who were to be the last days equivalent of the original Twelve whom Jesus appointed. Henry Drummond, a wealthy banker from England, became the leader of the Church. Drummond himself took the highest position—“apostle to Scotland.”
It was prophesied that these twelve apostles would be the last apostles to appear on earth before Christ’s return. (This is a throwback to Mani of Persia of the third century who labeled himself the “Apostle of Light”—the very last apostle of Jesus.)
Eventually the twelve apostles of the Catholic Apostolic Church died (the last one dying in 1901). Upon their death, the Church expired in England. In Germany, however, the Catholic Apostolic Church ordained twelve more apostles and took the name the “New Apostolic Church.”
In 1896, an erstwhile Congregational minister named John Alexander Dowie founded the Christian Catholic Church. In 1901, with five thousand followers, Dowie established the “City of Zion” in north-east Illinois. In 1904, Dowie revealed that he had been divinely commissioned to be the “First Apostle.” He then told his followers to anticipate the full restoration of apostolic Christianity. In 1906, the community of believers in the City of Zion began to break down. And Dowie passed away the following year.
Following the famed Azusa Street revival in 1906 in Los Angeles, California, the emphasis on the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” and “a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit just before the return of Christ” reappeared. And a new generation of apostles emerged. Luigi Francescon (“apostle to Italy”), Ivan Voronaev (“apostle to the Slavs”), and T.B. Barratt (“apostle to Europe”) were just some of them. Pentecostal denominations in Wales, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States elected and ordained colleges of apostles to govern their denominations.
As the years rolled on, the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” doctrine somewhat faded. But it reemerged again with a revival spawned at Sharon Orphanage in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1948. The “New Order of the Latter Rain” movement, as it was called, was prophesied to restore “the five-fold ministry” to prepare for “the manifestation of the sons of God” on the earth.
But when the waters of revival receded, the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” doctrine faded again until it was resuscitated in the Charismatic Movement of the late 1960s. In the late 70s, the doctrine’s flame began to dim again until a group of men resurrected it with new fervor in the mid-1990s.
In 1996, Peter Wagner led a conference at Fuller Theological Seminary entitled National Symposium on the “Post-Denominational Church.” This conference produced a new movement called the “New Apostolic Movement,” which Wagner claims is sweeping the globe with a new way of doing church. The churches who are part of this movement are being labeled “New Apostolic Churches.” In 1999, Wagner sought to organize the movement under the name “International Coalition of Apostles” with Wagner as the “Presiding Apostle.” The movement claims to be restoring “the five-fold ministry” today.
Parenthetically, the churches in the new apostolic movement are vanilla Charismatic institutional churches replete with the office of modern pastor (now called “apostle”), Sunday sermons, pulpit, pews, church buildings, the five hundred year-old order of worship, music led by a worship team, etc.
Point: The doctrine of the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” is over 180 years old. And it’s been repackaged from movement to movement.
Running the Cart Over the Horse
So is God going to restore “the five-fold ministry”? To my mind, that’s the wrong question. It’s pushing the cart before the horse. The ascension gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4 are gifted people that God gives to the body of Christ as gifts.They are the natural outgrowth and by-product of organic church life.
All in all, there are twenty gifts mentioned in the New Testament.1 If a group of believers gathers around Jesus Christ alone (rather than a doctrine, a theological system, or a ritual) - and they are void of a clergy system - then that group will eventually produce all the gifts and gifted ones that exist within the body of Christ.
It’s no mistake that Paul uses the human physical body as an apt metaphor to describe the way the body of Christ functions. When a baby girl is born, most of her physical capabilities are not present. She can’t ride a bicycle, add and subtract numbers, or eat with a fork and knife.
However, within her body, she possesses the genetic codes that will produce the physical development by which to carry out these capabilities. If she is fed and nurtured properly, in time, these abilities will naturally develop within her. She will organically grow into them. Why? Because they are organic to her species as a human being. They are the product of human life.
In the same way, when an organic church is born, it possesses within its spiritual DNA all of the giftings that are in Jesus Christ. But it takes time for them to develop and emerge. (Unfortunately, we live in a day when many ministers don’t seem to understand this spiritual principle. Hence, they try to force the exercise of gifts and ministries in the body prematurely.)
What is needed, then, is not a restoration of the so-called “five-fold ministry.” What’s needed is the restoration of organic church life. And that is what God is seeking to restore today as He has in every generation.
Therefore, if we can discover how a church is born from God’s perspective and how it is to be nurtured and maintained, then we will see a restoration of all the gifts that are in Christ in the way that they were meant to be expressed.
Since I’ve been meeting in organic churches over the last twenty years, I’ve made a startling discovery: The gifts of the Holy Spirit function very differently in an organic expression of the church than they do in the institutional church. The gift of prophecy, for example, that comes up out of the soil of authenticb life looks profoundly different from the way it’s packaged in the typical Pentecostal/Charismatic church. (The latter is largely based on imitating others.)
In the 1980s, I was part of a spontaneous expression of organic church life. Most of us who were gathering at that time came from the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition. We functioned freely in spiritual gifts as they were modeled to us by that tradition. A number of years later a group whose background was anti-Pentecostal/Charismatic joined us, and we had a first-class dilemma on our hands.
After a blood-letting church split, the Lord graciously showed us that both groups needed to lay down their beliefs and practice of spiritual gifts and leave them at the foot of the cross.Though it was difficult, we let our ideas and practice of the gifts go into death. In a year’s time, something remarkable happened.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit were resurrected in our gatherings. However, they looked very different from what any of us had ever before seen. The Pentecostal/Charismatic packaging was utterly stripped away. And what was left was a pure expression of the Holy Spirit that glorified, unveiled, and lifted up the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, the two groups came into a unified experience of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Consequently, the pressing question is: Are we going to get serious about discovering how to gather around Jesus Christ in an organic way? Or are we going to blithely ignore New Testament principle and for the next two hundred years continue to hope (and prophesy) that “the five-fold ministry” will one day be restored?
Again, God’s way of raising up the ascension gifts is by restoring organic body life. The ascension gifts don’t magically appear because someone writes a book prophesying that they’re just around the corner. Nor should we assume that they’re restored when someone claims to be the “First,” the “Last,” or the “New Apostle.”
Authentic apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherd/teachers are gifted members who grow up in organic churches - not as leaders, but as brethren--equal in status to everyone else in the church. Because they have grown up out of the soil of church life, they have been tested and proven safe to the Kingdom of God and to the Lord’s children. Their outstanding landmark is that they glorify, reveal, present, magnify, and bring into clear view the Lord Jesus Christ in unusual depths and practical experience.
This is the heritage of the Ephesians 4 ascension gifts. It was true for all apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds/teachers in the first century. And Jesus Christ has not changed (Heb. 13:8).
The Peril of a Wrong Environment
So what happens when gifted Christians are reared in a human organization built on unbiblical systems rather than growing up naturally in an organic expression of the body of Christ? To put it another way, what happens when a gifted Christian’s only experience is in the modern institutional church?
The answer? Mixture with a capital M.
Add to that a footnote: Malfunction.
What happens when you remove polar bears out of their natural habitat? If they survive (and some do not), they don’t function as God designed. They lose their ability to reproduce.
What happens when lions are caged and domesticated from birth? They lose their predatory and killer instincts. They lose something of the natural functioning with which God wired them.
Over the past decade, I’ve met scores of men who were self-proclaimed prophets and apostles. Some were genuinely gifted. Some had the gift of teaching. Others had authentic gifts of healing. Others had a genuine operation of the word of knowledge.
But most lacked any real depth in Christ and very little experience in embracing His cross.
Why is this? Because of the institution that raised them up. Or, in some cases, because they raised themselves up in isolation from other Christians. (The latter is an equally abnormal environment for a Christian to be nurtured in.)
To put it in a sentence, such men didn’t grow up in their proper habitat. Few if any of them grew up in organic body life where they were simply brothers among other brothers. Few if any spent any time in a New Testament expression of church life where their weaknesses and blindspots were exposed to others. Instead, most were part of several institutional churches and launched out into independent ministry on their own. As Watchman Nee once observed, “The tragedy in Christian work today is that so many of the workers have simply gone out, they have not been sent.”
The New Testament never envisions such a situation.
To place my concern into a question, where are the churches that the “new apostles” have planted that are gathering under the headship of Jesus Christ without a clergy, where the members know one another deeply and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by consensus, and where every member functions in the meetings without any man controlling, directing, facilitating, or dominating?
Still more disappointing, every titled “apostle” in the new apostolic movement that I know of fiercely defends those church practices that are rooted in pagan tradition and have been hindering the headship of Jesus Christ and the full functioning of His body for the last eighteen hundred years. (If you don’t understand that last sentence, I refer you to my book, Pagan Christianity.) For these reasons, I’m monumentally unimpressed with the “new apostolic movement.”
What Are the Ascension Gifts?
When the ascension gifts emerge organically in a church, their chief function is to nurture and encourage the believing community toward spiritual maturity, unity, and every-member functioning.
I will now try to demystify the so-called “five-fold ministry” and discuss how each of the ascension gifts probably functioned in the first century:
Apostles. Apostles were extra-local, traveling, itinerant church planters. They were highly gifted individuals who were sent by the Lord and by a particular church to plant and equip new churches. Apostles enabled the church by giving it birth, raising it from the ground up. They also helped it walk on its own two feet. Apostles grew up in an organic expression of church life as nonleaders before they were sent out to plant churches of the same kind. And they always left the churches they planted on their own without administration or ritual.
Prophets. Prophets were people who had a clear vision of Jesus Christ and who were able to articulate it lucidly. Prophets enabled the church by speaking to it the present word of the Lord. Sometimes their words would simply reveal Christ to encourage, inspire, and comfort. Other times their words would cast spiritual vision. Prophets sought to restore God’s will whenever it had been lost. They sometimes confirmed the gifts and callings of other members and prepared the church for future trials.
Evangelists. Evangelists enabled the church by modeling the preaching of the good news to the lost. They were fearless souls who possessed an extraordinary boldness to share Christ with nonbelievers. And they had a genuine passion for the unsaved. The closest equivalent to an evangelist today is a natural-born salesman (an honest one of course).
Shepherd/teachers. Shepherd/teachers are two sides of the same gift. In Ephesians 4:11, the apostles, prophets, and evangelists are mentioned separately, while shepherds and teachers are joined together. Further, the first three ministries (apostles, prophets, and evangelists) are preceded by the word “some.” But the word “some” is attached to shepherds and teachers together. This indicates that shepherds/teachers are one gift.
The chief task of the shepherds/teachers was to help the church in times of personal crisis (shepherding) and to enlighten and cultivate the church’s spiritual life by revealing Christ through the exposition of Scripture (teaching). Shepherding was the private side of their ministry, teaching was the public side. The closest equivalent to a first-century shepherd/elder is a modern-day Christian counselor who is capable of teaching.
None of the ascension gifts dominated the meetings of the church. They were simply brothers and sisters in the body carrying out certain functions. In that connection, you would never see a first-century Christian sporting titles like “Apostle Delaquarius Epps,” “Prophetess Pamela Jones,” or “Evangelist Tarianna Dunson.” As we’ve already established, the use of honorific titles and offices were unknown to the early Christians.
Answering the Call
The burden of my heart is to see God’s people far less concerned with a “five-fold ministry” that’s supposed to be recovered someday and instead, focus their attention on discovering what the church is supposed to be according to the mind of God. Upon making this discovery, the Lord’s dear people will be faced with a decision. To answer the call of meeting around Jesus Christ alone in the way that He has prescribed. Or to remain chained to the unmovable traditions of men.
If the former path is taken, it will involve considerable cost. But all the giftings in Christ will eventually come forth in the way that He designed organically. And those gifts will never usurp or dilute the ministry of the entire body.
Would to God that all men and women who feel called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds/teachers would soberly reexamine what these ministries were in the first century and in the thought of God. I believe that when this happens, many of them will be led into brand new directions. And those directions will undoubtedly lead them to break with cherished traditions and popular concepts. Yet only by these elements will the house of God begin to be restored on a broad scale.
Undoubtedly, some who have read this book are wondering: “Frank, do you believe in ‘the five-fold ministry’? And do you believe God is restoring ‘the five-fold ministry’ mentioned in Ephesians Chapter 4?” In this appendix, I would like to answer that question.
First off, my answer is largely hinged on what one means by “the five-fold ministry.” In other words, what “five-fold ministry” are we talking about? Are we talking about the two-hundred-year old doctrine of the restoration of “the five-fold ministry?” Or are we talking about the ascension gifts that Paul had in mind when he penned Ephesians 4:9–16?
The Making of a Doctrine
In nineteenth-century England, Christians were ripe to embrace apocalyptic prophecies about the coming Millennial Age. The upheaval that the French Revolution produced left God’s people wishing for a reign of peace that would set all things right.
In the year 1824, Edward Irving, a Presbyterian pastor in Scotland, began teaching that “the five-fold ministry” of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers had disappeared from the church and were in need of restoration. According to Irving, the restoration of these ministries would usher in the Millennial Kingdom of Christ on the earth.
Irving and his followers began the Catholic Apostolic Church in 1832. Its chief purpose was to restore “the five-fold ministry” and usher in the Millennial Kingdom. The Church ordained twelve “apostles” who were to be the last days equivalent of the original Twelve whom Jesus appointed. Henry Drummond, a wealthy banker from England, became the leader of the Church. Drummond himself took the highest position—“apostle to Scotland.”
It was prophesied that these twelve apostles would be the last apostles to appear on earth before Christ’s return. (This is a throwback to Mani of Persia of the third century who labeled himself the “Apostle of Light”—the very last apostle of Jesus.)
Eventually the twelve apostles of the Catholic Apostolic Church died (the last one dying in 1901). Upon their death, the Church expired in England. In Germany, however, the Catholic Apostolic Church ordained twelve more apostles and took the name the “New Apostolic Church.”
In 1896, an erstwhile Congregational minister named John Alexander Dowie founded the Christian Catholic Church. In 1901, with five thousand followers, Dowie established the “City of Zion” in north-east Illinois. In 1904, Dowie revealed that he had been divinely commissioned to be the “First Apostle.” He then told his followers to anticipate the full restoration of apostolic Christianity. In 1906, the community of believers in the City of Zion began to break down. And Dowie passed away the following year.
Following the famed Azusa Street revival in 1906 in Los Angeles, California, the emphasis on the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” and “a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit just before the return of Christ” reappeared. And a new generation of apostles emerged. Luigi Francescon (“apostle to Italy”), Ivan Voronaev (“apostle to the Slavs”), and T.B. Barratt (“apostle to Europe”) were just some of them. Pentecostal denominations in Wales, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United States elected and ordained colleges of apostles to govern their denominations.
As the years rolled on, the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” doctrine somewhat faded. But it reemerged again with a revival spawned at Sharon Orphanage in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1948. The “New Order of the Latter Rain” movement, as it was called, was prophesied to restore “the five-fold ministry” to prepare for “the manifestation of the sons of God” on the earth.
But when the waters of revival receded, the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” doctrine faded again until it was resuscitated in the Charismatic Movement of the late 1960s. In the late 70s, the doctrine’s flame began to dim again until a group of men resurrected it with new fervor in the mid-1990s.
In 1996, Peter Wagner led a conference at Fuller Theological Seminary entitled National Symposium on the “Post-Denominational Church.” This conference produced a new movement called the “New Apostolic Movement,” which Wagner claims is sweeping the globe with a new way of doing church. The churches who are part of this movement are being labeled “New Apostolic Churches.” In 1999, Wagner sought to organize the movement under the name “International Coalition of Apostles” with Wagner as the “Presiding Apostle.” The movement claims to be restoring “the five-fold ministry” today.
Parenthetically, the churches in the new apostolic movement are vanilla Charismatic institutional churches replete with the office of modern pastor (now called “apostle”), Sunday sermons, pulpit, pews, church buildings, the five hundred year-old order of worship, music led by a worship team, etc.
Point: The doctrine of the restoration of “the five-fold ministry” is over 180 years old. And it’s been repackaged from movement to movement.
Running the Cart Over the Horse
So is God going to restore “the five-fold ministry”? To my mind, that’s the wrong question. It’s pushing the cart before the horse. The ascension gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4 are gifted people that God gives to the body of Christ as gifts.They are the natural outgrowth and by-product of organic church life.
All in all, there are twenty gifts mentioned in the New Testament.1 If a group of believers gathers around Jesus Christ alone (rather than a doctrine, a theological system, or a ritual) - and they are void of a clergy system - then that group will eventually produce all the gifts and gifted ones that exist within the body of Christ.
It’s no mistake that Paul uses the human physical body as an apt metaphor to describe the way the body of Christ functions. When a baby girl is born, most of her physical capabilities are not present. She can’t ride a bicycle, add and subtract numbers, or eat with a fork and knife.
However, within her body, she possesses the genetic codes that will produce the physical development by which to carry out these capabilities. If she is fed and nurtured properly, in time, these abilities will naturally develop within her. She will organically grow into them. Why? Because they are organic to her species as a human being. They are the product of human life.
In the same way, when an organic church is born, it possesses within its spiritual DNA all of the giftings that are in Jesus Christ. But it takes time for them to develop and emerge. (Unfortunately, we live in a day when many ministers don’t seem to understand this spiritual principle. Hence, they try to force the exercise of gifts and ministries in the body prematurely.)
What is needed, then, is not a restoration of the so-called “five-fold ministry.” What’s needed is the restoration of organic church life. And that is what God is seeking to restore today as He has in every generation.
Therefore, if we can discover how a church is born from God’s perspective and how it is to be nurtured and maintained, then we will see a restoration of all the gifts that are in Christ in the way that they were meant to be expressed.
Since I’ve been meeting in organic churches over the last twenty years, I’ve made a startling discovery: The gifts of the Holy Spirit function very differently in an organic expression of the church than they do in the institutional church. The gift of prophecy, for example, that comes up out of the soil of authenticb life looks profoundly different from the way it’s packaged in the typical Pentecostal/Charismatic church. (The latter is largely based on imitating others.)
In the 1980s, I was part of a spontaneous expression of organic church life. Most of us who were gathering at that time came from the Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition. We functioned freely in spiritual gifts as they were modeled to us by that tradition. A number of years later a group whose background was anti-Pentecostal/Charismatic joined us, and we had a first-class dilemma on our hands.
After a blood-letting church split, the Lord graciously showed us that both groups needed to lay down their beliefs and practice of spiritual gifts and leave them at the foot of the cross.Though it was difficult, we let our ideas and practice of the gifts go into death. In a year’s time, something remarkable happened.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit were resurrected in our gatherings. However, they looked very different from what any of us had ever before seen. The Pentecostal/Charismatic packaging was utterly stripped away. And what was left was a pure expression of the Holy Spirit that glorified, unveiled, and lifted up the Lord Jesus Christ. As a result, the two groups came into a unified experience of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Consequently, the pressing question is: Are we going to get serious about discovering how to gather around Jesus Christ in an organic way? Or are we going to blithely ignore New Testament principle and for the next two hundred years continue to hope (and prophesy) that “the five-fold ministry” will one day be restored?
Again, God’s way of raising up the ascension gifts is by restoring organic body life. The ascension gifts don’t magically appear because someone writes a book prophesying that they’re just around the corner. Nor should we assume that they’re restored when someone claims to be the “First,” the “Last,” or the “New Apostle.”
Authentic apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherd/teachers are gifted members who grow up in organic churches - not as leaders, but as brethren--equal in status to everyone else in the church. Because they have grown up out of the soil of church life, they have been tested and proven safe to the Kingdom of God and to the Lord’s children. Their outstanding landmark is that they glorify, reveal, present, magnify, and bring into clear view the Lord Jesus Christ in unusual depths and practical experience.
This is the heritage of the Ephesians 4 ascension gifts. It was true for all apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds/teachers in the first century. And Jesus Christ has not changed (Heb. 13:8).
The Peril of a Wrong Environment
So what happens when gifted Christians are reared in a human organization built on unbiblical systems rather than growing up naturally in an organic expression of the body of Christ? To put it another way, what happens when a gifted Christian’s only experience is in the modern institutional church?
The answer? Mixture with a capital M.
Add to that a footnote: Malfunction.
What happens when you remove polar bears out of their natural habitat? If they survive (and some do not), they don’t function as God designed. They lose their ability to reproduce.
What happens when lions are caged and domesticated from birth? They lose their predatory and killer instincts. They lose something of the natural functioning with which God wired them.
Over the past decade, I’ve met scores of men who were self-proclaimed prophets and apostles. Some were genuinely gifted. Some had the gift of teaching. Others had authentic gifts of healing. Others had a genuine operation of the word of knowledge.
But most lacked any real depth in Christ and very little experience in embracing His cross.
Why is this? Because of the institution that raised them up. Or, in some cases, because they raised themselves up in isolation from other Christians. (The latter is an equally abnormal environment for a Christian to be nurtured in.)
To put it in a sentence, such men didn’t grow up in their proper habitat. Few if any of them grew up in organic body life where they were simply brothers among other brothers. Few if any spent any time in a New Testament expression of church life where their weaknesses and blindspots were exposed to others. Instead, most were part of several institutional churches and launched out into independent ministry on their own. As Watchman Nee once observed, “The tragedy in Christian work today is that so many of the workers have simply gone out, they have not been sent.”
The New Testament never envisions such a situation.
To place my concern into a question, where are the churches that the “new apostles” have planted that are gathering under the headship of Jesus Christ without a clergy, where the members know one another deeply and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by consensus, and where every member functions in the meetings without any man controlling, directing, facilitating, or dominating?
Still more disappointing, every titled “apostle” in the new apostolic movement that I know of fiercely defends those church practices that are rooted in pagan tradition and have been hindering the headship of Jesus Christ and the full functioning of His body for the last eighteen hundred years. (If you don’t understand that last sentence, I refer you to my book, Pagan Christianity.) For these reasons, I’m monumentally unimpressed with the “new apostolic movement.”
What Are the Ascension Gifts?
When the ascension gifts emerge organically in a church, their chief function is to nurture and encourage the believing community toward spiritual maturity, unity, and every-member functioning.
I will now try to demystify the so-called “five-fold ministry” and discuss how each of the ascension gifts probably functioned in the first century:
Apostles. Apostles were extra-local, traveling, itinerant church planters. They were highly gifted individuals who were sent by the Lord and by a particular church to plant and equip new churches. Apostles enabled the church by giving it birth, raising it from the ground up. They also helped it walk on its own two feet. Apostles grew up in an organic expression of church life as nonleaders before they were sent out to plant churches of the same kind. And they always left the churches they planted on their own without administration or ritual.
Prophets. Prophets were people who had a clear vision of Jesus Christ and who were able to articulate it lucidly. Prophets enabled the church by speaking to it the present word of the Lord. Sometimes their words would simply reveal Christ to encourage, inspire, and comfort. Other times their words would cast spiritual vision. Prophets sought to restore God’s will whenever it had been lost. They sometimes confirmed the gifts and callings of other members and prepared the church for future trials.
Evangelists. Evangelists enabled the church by modeling the preaching of the good news to the lost. They were fearless souls who possessed an extraordinary boldness to share Christ with nonbelievers. And they had a genuine passion for the unsaved. The closest equivalent to an evangelist today is a natural-born salesman (an honest one of course).
Shepherd/teachers. Shepherd/teachers are two sides of the same gift. In Ephesians 4:11, the apostles, prophets, and evangelists are mentioned separately, while shepherds and teachers are joined together. Further, the first three ministries (apostles, prophets, and evangelists) are preceded by the word “some.” But the word “some” is attached to shepherds and teachers together. This indicates that shepherds/teachers are one gift.
The chief task of the shepherds/teachers was to help the church in times of personal crisis (shepherding) and to enlighten and cultivate the church’s spiritual life by revealing Christ through the exposition of Scripture (teaching). Shepherding was the private side of their ministry, teaching was the public side. The closest equivalent to a first-century shepherd/elder is a modern-day Christian counselor who is capable of teaching.
None of the ascension gifts dominated the meetings of the church. They were simply brothers and sisters in the body carrying out certain functions. In that connection, you would never see a first-century Christian sporting titles like “Apostle Delaquarius Epps,” “Prophetess Pamela Jones,” or “Evangelist Tarianna Dunson.” As we’ve already established, the use of honorific titles and offices were unknown to the early Christians.
Answering the Call
The burden of my heart is to see God’s people far less concerned with a “five-fold ministry” that’s supposed to be recovered someday and instead, focus their attention on discovering what the church is supposed to be according to the mind of God. Upon making this discovery, the Lord’s dear people will be faced with a decision. To answer the call of meeting around Jesus Christ alone in the way that He has prescribed. Or to remain chained to the unmovable traditions of men.
If the former path is taken, it will involve considerable cost. But all the giftings in Christ will eventually come forth in the way that He designed organically. And those gifts will never usurp or dilute the ministry of the entire body.
Would to God that all men and women who feel called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, and shepherds/teachers would soberly reexamine what these ministries were in the first century and in the thought of God. I believe that when this happens, many of them will be led into brand new directions. And those directions will undoubtedly lead them to break with cherished traditions and popular concepts. Yet only by these elements will the house of God begin to be restored on a broad scale.
GOD USES PEOPLE TO PROCLAIM HIS WORD
David Wilkerson
I think the majority of Christians would like to escape to some safe, quiet hideaway in the mountains to keep from being tainted by all the iniquity surrounding them. Many despair, saying, "What can one Christian do about all this moral degradation? What can one church do in such a huge, wild and wicked city? It's enough for me just to stay close to Jesus, so I don't get carried away with the flood."
Others think, "Is there really anything I can do - an insignificant Christian like me? I have no money, no training, no influence—only a great love for Jesus!"
We often expect God to move in one of two ways: By sending a supernatural outpouring of his Holy Spirit to sweep multitudes into his kingdom, or by sending judgment to bring people to their knees.
But, beloved, that's not God's method of changing things in an evil day. His way of rebuilding ruins has always been to use ordinary men and women whom he has touched. And he does this by filling them with his Holy Spirit and sending them into warfare with great faith and power!
God is raising up a holy ministry consisting of men totally given to the Word and prayer. They do not lord it over anyone. They are caring men and women with hearts that are stirred, with no plan in mind but to seek, hear and obey God!
Next, God is calling you into immediate service. He needs the common man, the layman! He uses people whom the high priests would call "unlearned and ignorant men" (Acts 4:13).
The Bible also says that in the Upper Room at Pentecost, "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:4). All became mighty in battle and all were bold, powerful witnesses! These Spirit-filled believers did not include just Peter, James, John and the other well-known disciples, but also the widows, the young, the servants and the handmaidens!
We know that Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost—"full of faith and power" (Acts 6:8). He was not an apostle nor an ordained minister. In fact, he was chosen to serve tables for the church so the disciples could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Stephen was an ordinary man full of the Spirit of God! You can be God’s witness to your city. He uses laymen who get alone with him, are stirred in their hearts, seek him in prayer—and go forth like Stephen, full of Holy Ghost faith and power!
I think the majority of Christians would like to escape to some safe, quiet hideaway in the mountains to keep from being tainted by all the iniquity surrounding them. Many despair, saying, "What can one Christian do about all this moral degradation? What can one church do in such a huge, wild and wicked city? It's enough for me just to stay close to Jesus, so I don't get carried away with the flood."
Others think, "Is there really anything I can do - an insignificant Christian like me? I have no money, no training, no influence—only a great love for Jesus!"
We often expect God to move in one of two ways: By sending a supernatural outpouring of his Holy Spirit to sweep multitudes into his kingdom, or by sending judgment to bring people to their knees.
But, beloved, that's not God's method of changing things in an evil day. His way of rebuilding ruins has always been to use ordinary men and women whom he has touched. And he does this by filling them with his Holy Spirit and sending them into warfare with great faith and power!
God is raising up a holy ministry consisting of men totally given to the Word and prayer. They do not lord it over anyone. They are caring men and women with hearts that are stirred, with no plan in mind but to seek, hear and obey God!
Next, God is calling you into immediate service. He needs the common man, the layman! He uses people whom the high priests would call "unlearned and ignorant men" (Acts 4:13).
The Bible also says that in the Upper Room at Pentecost, "They were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:4). All became mighty in battle and all were bold, powerful witnesses! These Spirit-filled believers did not include just Peter, James, John and the other well-known disciples, but also the widows, the young, the servants and the handmaidens!
We know that Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost—"full of faith and power" (Acts 6:8). He was not an apostle nor an ordained minister. In fact, he was chosen to serve tables for the church so the disciples could devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Stephen was an ordinary man full of the Spirit of God! You can be God’s witness to your city. He uses laymen who get alone with him, are stirred in their hearts, seek him in prayer—and go forth like Stephen, full of Holy Ghost faith and power!
Friday, December 3, 2010
VISION: "JUST ONE ROAR of the LION"
by Swarna Jha
I saw this vision on the 22nd of August 2006
I saw a Lion. I walked with Him to a very high Rock. The Lion then Climbed the Rock, and Stood on the very top of this high Rock. I stood below, looking up at Him.
He let out a LOUD ROAR.
And EVERYTHING in the atmosphere / universe changed.
In a flash I had a 360 degree vision, and what I am about to relate happened in a flash, but I spent the whole of the 22nd of August, just waiting on God to see in ‘slow motion’, what I had seen in a speedy flash, and understand what I had seen.
I was told that my mind could not grasp the vastness of the changes I saw in the Vision. So I stayed at home, and did not take up any duties but spent the whole day, off and on, every few hours just re-visiting this vision and seeing it unfurl in more detail, now at a speed that I could cope with. I don’t think I have ever seen such a lengthy vision, condensed into a 360-degree vision flash before.
Frame by frame this is what I saw:
I saw Empires fall, and wars begin.
I saw that where previously, formulas and general understanding were proven, it did not work any more, where there were people and places overflowing with money one moment, the next morning the moneyed had nothing.
I saw many ‘proven’ thoughts, and ways now nullified.
I saw that the balance was tipped in favor of the East.
I saw Angels who had been working in the North and Northwest, recalled and sent East.
I saw children snatched out of the hands of some of the parents.
Fresh food stopped in the western area and was diverted to the East. The fertile became barren and the barren became fertile.
All this, from Just One Roar of the Lion.
I saw 3 long lines of writing in the sky. It read:
Lost, Lost, Lost.
But below, it I saw the word:
Gain , gain, gain……..where this line ended I could not see, as it just continued on, endlessly.
I saw that the East gained money, food, etc.
The losses were loss of power, prestige, money, position.
I saw:
Where a soldier stood to load his gun, to shoot, even the last single bullet he had was taken away.
Where a soldier stood ready for packing his gun, where truce had been declared, divine bullets loaded his gun, and led him to shoot.
In the Universe, expected cosmic events were diverted and unexpected ones were brought forth.
Deserts bloomed, greenery was made barren. Light that had focused on the West, now moved East.
This was so sudden that it was like saying…”One morning I woke up, and all was changed”.
(Scripture: Amos 3: 8: )
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
The Lion has Roared.
Dark clouds disintegrated from one place and gathered in another. Whilst there was a West to East exchange on a large level, on individual levels there were changes too. Everything, everything, everything, was changing.
All this from, Just One Roar of the Lion.
Just that One Roar, and things from here, were flying there and vice versa. People/ Nations, who had got used to a way of life/of thinking, were in for either a shock or a surprise.
CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE.
The hungry were fed, and the fed, went hungry. All opposites were happening.
Many homeless were housed, and many of those with homes became homeless. Light became dark and dark became light. Whatever the present situation, the opposite was happening.
Many rich became poor and many of the poor became rich.
All this, from Just One Roar of the Lion.
Clouds that were meaning to rain, suddenly disintegrated and it rained elsewhere, where least expected.
People were in puzzlement. They said to themselves, ”but I thought….” No, nothing would be as “I thought. “
Many were saying, “But it always worked this way”. Now no more. For those who said, “It’s never worked for me,” they were surprised to know that it will, now.
Heralds blew trumpets, proclaiming: “ End of empire, end of empire”.
Anyone who had been a Specialist, Monopolist, the kingpin in any area of his life/business, now that would begin to end. Nations that had empires or aspirations building towards it, would now see the
beginning of the end of those empires.
Nothing was the same. Everything, everything had changed.
Just One Roar Of The Lion.
And He Has Roared.
Empty pockets were filled, the filled emptied.
Strategic changes were taking place. Whatever had worked like clockwork would not work now. People of peace were making war, and warring nations calmed down.
For the warring nations it was like the wind was taken out of their sails.
Just as Egypt, Persia, Babylon, Rome, Britain etc were all once super powers/empires, but their reign and era ended, so now any ‘super power' or aspirations thereof, was being diffused. Nations that were looked up to were now beginning to be looked down upon and vice versa.
Balance of power and favor had shifted East.
Angels in the West, held Gold Books. One book was titled “Most Wanted”, the other, “Most Favored”.
‘The Most Wanted’ Book had living photographs of the most evil people, the traitors etc. Each one was dealt with and disposed.
The Most Favored, in the other gold Book with living photographs, were some of those, who had lived through most desolate conditions, such were lifted up.
(All that is related here, remember, was happening all at once.)
In the midst of all this, I heard the Angels sing: Glory, Glory, Glory.
Time was sped up in some places, in others, it was slowed down. Wild beasts were all crouching in fear, afraid. I saw the milk inside of cows curdle.
Just One Roar Of the Lion.
I saw Eagles, fitted with miniature bells. The bells were so minute, it was hard to believe that if they rang any could hear. Eagles did not speak, they just carried the bells that were fitted to their beaks. People were to ‘read’ the sounds.
Wheresoever the Eagles flew, to some the ringing of the bells was as a very high, deafening pitch. I was not allowed to hear this high pitch sound, but it was revealed to me, that it was an unbearable deafening high pitch sound.
But there were others who heard the same bells, which the Eagles had attached to their beaks, and to these the sound transmitted was different. It was sheer music. I heard this. Such people, had their hands lifted high and they were happily sighing and exclaiming, “Finally!”
I saw Angels collect gold crowns from those in the North, and they dipped the crowns in a smoky place (the kind of smoke one sees with dry ice), and when the crowns emerged from the smoke, they looked exactly the same, but now they were silver.
No matter in which direction I looked all had changed.
It seemed that the very nature of nature changed.
Volcanoes that were dormant, the ashes were removed, and a new fire was lit in them. It seemed that certain species, suddenly became extinct.
Reams of paper fell from the sky; paper and pens were sent down, for Chroniclers and Historians, for it was going to be a busy time for them.
Nothing of all creation was left untouched, at Just One Roar of The Lion.
Outside, the earth looked still, but within were rapid-fire changes. Quick, sudden, some were devastating, others surprisingly favorable, but this favor was mostly for the East.
I saw what looked like a flight-path that normally airlines describe on their brochures, as routes of flights/destinations.
For prophets, their flight -paths were moved from here to there, as if randomly, but it was not random, it was the Plan of God for prophets. Prophets will be suddenly moved, and see things from a new vantage point.
I saw some people become tar, whilst others became fountains of water.
Just One Roar Of The Lion.
Many changes took place in the Universe. On earth, snows of old melted, and water in unlikely places froze.
It is no ordinary thing, when the Lion Roars.
Those dressed warm in the winter, had their clothes taken away, they were left naked. But the naked street-dweller was clothed. There was a divine transfer of wealth, knowledge, and understanding.
People, who’d talked and talked for years, had their mouths taped. But, as in Ezekiel 24: 2, those that had been mute for a season now spoke.
As the vision progressed, I heard the Lord Say: My People have no roof over their head. I Am their Roof.”
I was flown speedily, over building after building, and as we flew, I heard the Lord Say: “ Not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine.”
Now I was despairing. What then was God’s?
Then I was shown, people in the fields, with instruments. They had no roof over their heads. These were God’s own.
The buildings we flew over, were demolished by an elephant’s trunk and many T.V. Studios had a fire underneath them. Apparently these buildings had been re-built on the same grounds where prior buildings had been condemned and burnt. These new buildings had been built on the foundations of charred remains and ashes.
I saw oil poured out from the sky, in two separate ways. One fell over people who gladly received it over them and laughed in the ‘oil rain’. On the other hand, for others, the oil rain caused to be set aflame all that was below.
All that was up to the present became obsolete, and new technology, the secrets of which were hidden in nature, appeared.
Science made simple but profound discoveries. I saw Scientists have a ‘Eureka’ moment. For many who were researching, studying, looking for, the ‘thing’, it was right there before their very noses. Once they saw it they slapped their foreheads, lamenting, “Silly me!”
Follies of science were exposed. The simplicity of the discoveries to come were mind-boggling.
Just One Roar Of The Lion.
The very nature of nature seemed to be changing. It was as unbelievable as Isaiah 11: 6-8, ‘the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;……
In some places, I saw an overabundance of wheat, which flowed into the sea, as it was so plentiful. But in other places, I saw land, which was once green, and was now parched land where nothing grew.
I saw beautiful blooms on cactus/desert plants.
He, who understands these changes, will prepare.
The Earth was in a global eclipse. One half had light, the other half was in darkness. It seemed that plates were shifted/removed from the earth. There were people who raged against God. “ We’ll do what we have to, let Him do what He Wants to”, they were saying.
Focus/emphasis of the Church, and the world, due to the presence of new circumstances, changed.
All this, by Just One Roar Of The Lion.
I saw a Lion. I walked with Him to a very high Rock. The Lion then Climbed the Rock, and Stood on the very top of this high Rock. I stood below, looking up at Him.
He let out a LOUD ROAR.
And EVERYTHING in the atmosphere / universe changed.
In a flash I had a 360 degree vision, and what I am about to relate happened in a flash, but I spent the whole of the 22nd of August, just waiting on God to see in ‘slow motion’, what I had seen in a speedy flash, and understand what I had seen.
I was told that my mind could not grasp the vastness of the changes I saw in the Vision. So I stayed at home, and did not take up any duties but spent the whole day, off and on, every few hours just re-visiting this vision and seeing it unfurl in more detail, now at a speed that I could cope with. I don’t think I have ever seen such a lengthy vision, condensed into a 360-degree vision flash before.
Frame by frame this is what I saw:
I saw Empires fall, and wars begin.
I saw that where previously, formulas and general understanding were proven, it did not work any more, where there were people and places overflowing with money one moment, the next morning the moneyed had nothing.
I saw many ‘proven’ thoughts, and ways now nullified.
I saw that the balance was tipped in favor of the East.
I saw Angels who had been working in the North and Northwest, recalled and sent East.
I saw children snatched out of the hands of some of the parents.
Fresh food stopped in the western area and was diverted to the East. The fertile became barren and the barren became fertile.
All this, from Just One Roar of the Lion.
I saw 3 long lines of writing in the sky. It read:
Lost, Lost, Lost.
But below, it I saw the word:
Gain , gain, gain……..where this line ended I could not see, as it just continued on, endlessly.
I saw that the East gained money, food, etc.
The losses were loss of power, prestige, money, position.
I saw:
Where a soldier stood to load his gun, to shoot, even the last single bullet he had was taken away.
Where a soldier stood ready for packing his gun, where truce had been declared, divine bullets loaded his gun, and led him to shoot.
In the Universe, expected cosmic events were diverted and unexpected ones were brought forth.
Deserts bloomed, greenery was made barren. Light that had focused on the West, now moved East.
This was so sudden that it was like saying…”One morning I woke up, and all was changed”.
(Scripture: Amos 3: 8: )
The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?
The Lion has Roared.
Dark clouds disintegrated from one place and gathered in another. Whilst there was a West to East exchange on a large level, on individual levels there were changes too. Everything, everything, everything, was changing.
All this from, Just One Roar of the Lion.
Just that One Roar, and things from here, were flying there and vice versa. People/ Nations, who had got used to a way of life/of thinking, were in for either a shock or a surprise.
CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE.
The hungry were fed, and the fed, went hungry. All opposites were happening.
Many homeless were housed, and many of those with homes became homeless. Light became dark and dark became light. Whatever the present situation, the opposite was happening.
Many rich became poor and many of the poor became rich.
All this, from Just One Roar of the Lion.
Clouds that were meaning to rain, suddenly disintegrated and it rained elsewhere, where least expected.
People were in puzzlement. They said to themselves, ”but I thought….” No, nothing would be as “I thought. “
Many were saying, “But it always worked this way”. Now no more. For those who said, “It’s never worked for me,” they were surprised to know that it will, now.
Heralds blew trumpets, proclaiming: “ End of empire, end of empire”.
Anyone who had been a Specialist, Monopolist, the kingpin in any area of his life/business, now that would begin to end. Nations that had empires or aspirations building towards it, would now see the
beginning of the end of those empires.
Nothing was the same. Everything, everything had changed.
Just One Roar Of The Lion.
And He Has Roared.
Empty pockets were filled, the filled emptied.
Strategic changes were taking place. Whatever had worked like clockwork would not work now. People of peace were making war, and warring nations calmed down.
For the warring nations it was like the wind was taken out of their sails.
Just as Egypt, Persia, Babylon, Rome, Britain etc were all once super powers/empires, but their reign and era ended, so now any ‘super power' or aspirations thereof, was being diffused. Nations that were looked up to were now beginning to be looked down upon and vice versa.
Balance of power and favor had shifted East.
Angels in the West, held Gold Books. One book was titled “Most Wanted”, the other, “Most Favored”.
‘The Most Wanted’ Book had living photographs of the most evil people, the traitors etc. Each one was dealt with and disposed.
The Most Favored, in the other gold Book with living photographs, were some of those, who had lived through most desolate conditions, such were lifted up.
(All that is related here, remember, was happening all at once.)
In the midst of all this, I heard the Angels sing: Glory, Glory, Glory.
Time was sped up in some places, in others, it was slowed down. Wild beasts were all crouching in fear, afraid. I saw the milk inside of cows curdle.
Just One Roar Of the Lion.
I saw Eagles, fitted with miniature bells. The bells were so minute, it was hard to believe that if they rang any could hear. Eagles did not speak, they just carried the bells that were fitted to their beaks. People were to ‘read’ the sounds.
Wheresoever the Eagles flew, to some the ringing of the bells was as a very high, deafening pitch. I was not allowed to hear this high pitch sound, but it was revealed to me, that it was an unbearable deafening high pitch sound.
But there were others who heard the same bells, which the Eagles had attached to their beaks, and to these the sound transmitted was different. It was sheer music. I heard this. Such people, had their hands lifted high and they were happily sighing and exclaiming, “Finally!”
I saw Angels collect gold crowns from those in the North, and they dipped the crowns in a smoky place (the kind of smoke one sees with dry ice), and when the crowns emerged from the smoke, they looked exactly the same, but now they were silver.
No matter in which direction I looked all had changed.
It seemed that the very nature of nature changed.
Volcanoes that were dormant, the ashes were removed, and a new fire was lit in them. It seemed that certain species, suddenly became extinct.
Reams of paper fell from the sky; paper and pens were sent down, for Chroniclers and Historians, for it was going to be a busy time for them.
Nothing of all creation was left untouched, at Just One Roar of The Lion.
Outside, the earth looked still, but within were rapid-fire changes. Quick, sudden, some were devastating, others surprisingly favorable, but this favor was mostly for the East.
I saw what looked like a flight-path that normally airlines describe on their brochures, as routes of flights/destinations.
For prophets, their flight -paths were moved from here to there, as if randomly, but it was not random, it was the Plan of God for prophets. Prophets will be suddenly moved, and see things from a new vantage point.
I saw some people become tar, whilst others became fountains of water.
Just One Roar Of The Lion.
Many changes took place in the Universe. On earth, snows of old melted, and water in unlikely places froze.
It is no ordinary thing, when the Lion Roars.
Those dressed warm in the winter, had their clothes taken away, they were left naked. But the naked street-dweller was clothed. There was a divine transfer of wealth, knowledge, and understanding.
People, who’d talked and talked for years, had their mouths taped. But, as in Ezekiel 24: 2, those that had been mute for a season now spoke.
As the vision progressed, I heard the Lord Say: My People have no roof over their head. I Am their Roof.”
I was flown speedily, over building after building, and as we flew, I heard the Lord Say: “ Not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine, not Mine.”
Now I was despairing. What then was God’s?
Then I was shown, people in the fields, with instruments. They had no roof over their heads. These were God’s own.
The buildings we flew over, were demolished by an elephant’s trunk and many T.V. Studios had a fire underneath them. Apparently these buildings had been re-built on the same grounds where prior buildings had been condemned and burnt. These new buildings had been built on the foundations of charred remains and ashes.
I saw oil poured out from the sky, in two separate ways. One fell over people who gladly received it over them and laughed in the ‘oil rain’. On the other hand, for others, the oil rain caused to be set aflame all that was below.
All that was up to the present became obsolete, and new technology, the secrets of which were hidden in nature, appeared.
Science made simple but profound discoveries. I saw Scientists have a ‘Eureka’ moment. For many who were researching, studying, looking for, the ‘thing’, it was right there before their very noses. Once they saw it they slapped their foreheads, lamenting, “Silly me!”
Follies of science were exposed. The simplicity of the discoveries to come were mind-boggling.
Just One Roar Of The Lion.
The very nature of nature seemed to be changing. It was as unbelievable as Isaiah 11: 6-8, ‘the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;……
In some places, I saw an overabundance of wheat, which flowed into the sea, as it was so plentiful. But in other places, I saw land, which was once green, and was now parched land where nothing grew.
I saw beautiful blooms on cactus/desert plants.
He, who understands these changes, will prepare.
The Earth was in a global eclipse. One half had light, the other half was in darkness. It seemed that plates were shifted/removed from the earth. There were people who raged against God. “ We’ll do what we have to, let Him do what He Wants to”, they were saying.
Trees trembled. They knew that their time to be cut had come. To many, prophets and counselors were restored, but from others, the prophets and counselors departed. Sadly, those from whom they departed noticed it not.
Focus/emphasis of the Church, and the world, due to the presence of new circumstances, changed.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Constant Pitfall!
Isaiah 10:15 Shall the ax boast itself against him who chops with it? Or shall the saw exalt itself against him who saws with it? As if a rod could wield itself against those who lift it up, Or as if a staff could lift up, as if it were not wood!
One constant pitfall we must watch for is taking credit for something that God does in or through us, or using the gifts and callings of God for self-exaltation.
In that light it may be easier to handle poverty, weakness, or insignificance, than wealth, ability, power or authority, since poverty and frailty are not normally things we boast about, and they cause us to recognize our need for God.
Prosperity, gifting, and anointing, on the other hand can be powerful temptations, leading to pride, covetousness, and self-sufficiency.
Saul, who came from a humble background, was anointed king of Israel, yet his heart was revealed when the Lord exalted him, but he exulted in his own position, eventually coveting it so severely he became a fierce enemy of God. The Lord then removed His spirit from Saul and the true condition of the man became apparent to everyone.
Even the great Solomon whose gifting, anointing, and prosperity were unsurpassed in some ways, seems to have taken for granted his abilities and wealth, and, somehow, rationalizing his blatant disobedience to God's law, he fell into idolatry and brought disaster to the Kingdom of Israel. This seems amazing, given the fact that Solomon's most precious gift was his wisdom. (Those with this gift should take note).
My Godly friends, be careful how you handle the gifts and successes that God gives you! Enjoy His blessings as you serve in your family, business, or ministry - but never forget where it all comes from, and to whom the glory belongs, cause if you do, He will be sure to remind you.
Worthy Nerws Brief
WB Worthy Devotion Journal
One constant pitfall we must watch for is taking credit for something that God does in or through us, or using the gifts and callings of God for self-exaltation.
In that light it may be easier to handle poverty, weakness, or insignificance, than wealth, ability, power or authority, since poverty and frailty are not normally things we boast about, and they cause us to recognize our need for God.
Prosperity, gifting, and anointing, on the other hand can be powerful temptations, leading to pride, covetousness, and self-sufficiency.
Saul, who came from a humble background, was anointed king of Israel, yet his heart was revealed when the Lord exalted him, but he exulted in his own position, eventually coveting it so severely he became a fierce enemy of God. The Lord then removed His spirit from Saul and the true condition of the man became apparent to everyone.
Even the great Solomon whose gifting, anointing, and prosperity were unsurpassed in some ways, seems to have taken for granted his abilities and wealth, and, somehow, rationalizing his blatant disobedience to God's law, he fell into idolatry and brought disaster to the Kingdom of Israel. This seems amazing, given the fact that Solomon's most precious gift was his wisdom. (Those with this gift should take note).
My Godly friends, be careful how you handle the gifts and successes that God gives you! Enjoy His blessings as you serve in your family, business, or ministry - but never forget where it all comes from, and to whom the glory belongs, cause if you do, He will be sure to remind you.
Worthy Nerws Brief
WB Worthy Devotion Journal
Friday, November 26, 2010
Parachurch vs Church: A False Dichotomy
Published by Rick Meigs on January 24th, 2007 in Church.
The popular definition of a parachurch group is any non-church based Christian entity or ministry. The simple fact that we use such a defined term indicates a misunderstanding of the biblical concept of the church.
The biblical ekklesia always describes a people and never a building, place, denomination or specific group of Christians to the exclusion of other Christians. It doesn’t matter where people are gathered together for ministry or what corporate structure they take on, they are still “the church,” God’s called out people ministering in the name of Jesus.
I ask, how can a group like Campus Crusade or YWAM be a non-church ministry? If they are followers of Jesus, its impossible! They are part of the ekklesia as much as some ministry that is part of a local faith community. As long as we continue to make this false dichotomy, we will continue to hear divisive statements like:
» Parachurch organizations should strengthen churches, not detract/distract from them. (Sorry, but God’s called out people can’t detract/distract from themselves in the way implied by such a statement. It is a contradiction.)
» Parachurch organizations address needs not being met by the church. (Sorry, when a group of Christians come together to address a need or minister to a group, that IS the church meeting the need.)
Ralph Winter talks about how God has expanded his Kingdom through two basic structures, the church as “modality” and “sodality.” (For more on this, see “The Two Structures of God’s Redemptive Mission” by Ralph D. Winter.)
“Modality” is the continuing long-term nature and structure of the church expressed in the local congregations in which there is no distinction of sex or age. As Alec Hill observes, “Multi-generational and geographically limited, a congregation puts down its roots and makes a long-term commitment to its community.”
The second structure, “sodality,” concentrates on one or more specific aspects of the mission of God such as reaching one specific people group, translating the Bible into other languages, or working with youth. In this structure, “membership involves an adult second decision beyond modality membership” and is often limited by some criteria such as age or sex.
Another way of describing this might be to say that some expressions of the church have a narrow ministry focus (sodality) and others have a broad ministry focus (modality). Each needs the other and each is a part of the whole. We should honor and respect what God is doing through his people regardless of the label we put on it.
The popular definition of a parachurch group is any non-church based Christian entity or ministry. The simple fact that we use such a defined term indicates a misunderstanding of the biblical concept of the church.
The biblical ekklesia always describes a people and never a building, place, denomination or specific group of Christians to the exclusion of other Christians. It doesn’t matter where people are gathered together for ministry or what corporate structure they take on, they are still “the church,” God’s called out people ministering in the name of Jesus.
I ask, how can a group like Campus Crusade or YWAM be a non-church ministry? If they are followers of Jesus, its impossible! They are part of the ekklesia as much as some ministry that is part of a local faith community. As long as we continue to make this false dichotomy, we will continue to hear divisive statements like:
» Parachurch organizations should strengthen churches, not detract/distract from them. (Sorry, but God’s called out people can’t detract/distract from themselves in the way implied by such a statement. It is a contradiction.)
» Parachurch organizations address needs not being met by the church. (Sorry, when a group of Christians come together to address a need or minister to a group, that IS the church meeting the need.)
Ralph Winter talks about how God has expanded his Kingdom through two basic structures, the church as “modality” and “sodality.” (For more on this, see “The Two Structures of God’s Redemptive Mission” by Ralph D. Winter.)
“Modality” is the continuing long-term nature and structure of the church expressed in the local congregations in which there is no distinction of sex or age. As Alec Hill observes, “Multi-generational and geographically limited, a congregation puts down its roots and makes a long-term commitment to its community.”
The second structure, “sodality,” concentrates on one or more specific aspects of the mission of God such as reaching one specific people group, translating the Bible into other languages, or working with youth. In this structure, “membership involves an adult second decision beyond modality membership” and is often limited by some criteria such as age or sex.
Another way of describing this might be to say that some expressions of the church have a narrow ministry focus (sodality) and others have a broad ministry focus (modality). Each needs the other and each is a part of the whole. We should honor and respect what God is doing through his people regardless of the label we put on it.
Plenty Followed By Famine
Catherine Brown - Scotland UK
There Will Be A Seven-Year Period Of Plenty, Followed By A Seven-Year Period
Of Famine Mar 27, 2007
Will traders barter for him? Will they divide him up among the merchants?" Job 41:6
A Vision of the Church and the Marketplace
In a recent vision, the Lord showed me a picture of the Church in two separate halves. In one-half (within the realm of my vision), I saw the Marketplace with Christian ministers and ministries represented within it. On the opposite side from these people, was another group of Church-place
Christian ministers and ministries.
In the hands of one group were one-half of a sterling pound note; and the other half of the sterling pound note was in the hands of the other group. Between both parties, was a divide, and in the divide, a dragon was positioned to separate the two. The dragon (or leviathan) stood between the two groups of ministers/ministries and brought disunity and division. Before the vision ended, the Lord spoke these powerful words into my heart:
"There is equity in the Church that belongs in and to the Marketplace, and there is equity in the Marketplace that belongs in and to the Church."
"There will be a seven-year period of plenty, followed by a seven-year period of famine. From 2007-2014, I am granting a window of grace and mercy to prepare for the seven years of famine."
"I am calling for the Kingdom economists and accountants, for without them, My Church cannot fulfill her global mandate on the earth. I am going to pour out My anointing upon them in unprecedented levels. It will be seen as a thousand-fold increase of the anointing that was upon My servant Joseph in
the days of Egypt."
"I will grant favor to these chosen servants, and they will enable and equip the Church and the Marketplace in the outworking of Heavenly vision--in strategizing, in forming Godly alliances, and in creating infrastructure for the fulfillment of vision for the coming seven years of harvest."
"The Church and the Marketplace ministers and ministries must learn to unite, to collaborate, and co-operate with My Holy Spirit. For I have placed vision and resource in the Church that cannot be fulfilled unless it is in partnership with the Marketplace, and I have placed vision and resource in
the Marketplace that cannot be fulfilled unless it is in partnership with the Church."
"I formed Leviathan to frolic in the seas, but Leviathan has opposed the work of My Son. Therefore, I have broken the heads of the monster in the waters; I have crushed the heads of Leviathan. It is only by humility that you will overcome the dragon in your midst. Turn from your pride and arrogance and repent for abuse and misuse of influence, authority, and power to which I have entrusted to you. Leviathan has caused My children to operate in lies, gossip, slander, accusation, faultfinding,
criticism, and rumor."
"Heaven's economy is wrapped up in Heaven's justice and where there is injustice, there is a blockage in Heaven's economy and this prevents the fullness of My blessing being released to you and through you."
"I will disarm Leviathan in your midst if you will choose to walk in My humility, repentance, and love. I call you to form a Heavenly alliance between Church and Marketplace, for in My eyes, the two are one. You each have spheres of influence, which I have granted to you. I have given you gifts, and I have called you in the power of My Spirit. I call you now to lay down your mistrust of each other, to be healed of past hurts when the Church has rejected the Marketplace and the Marketplace has rejected the Church."
"Do not be defined by the disappointments of the past. Do not allow the reputation of man to rob you of My blessing. Do not allow fear and mistrust to rob you of breakthrough. Stand together in the bond of peace and love, and I will release My blessing in your midst. Set a precedent in My Righteousness; build a bridge of holy brotherhood; walk in purity of motivation and trust Me, for your destinies are both individual and corporate."
"I call My Church to unity, to purity, and to holiness, for My desire is to pour out abundant blessing from Heaven and save the earth. Like Abraham before you, walk before Me and be blameless. As children of Abraham, you are heirs to the promise. My grace overcomes all betrayal."
"Be bold in My Holiness. Prefer one another in love. I proclaim healing over My Church and remind her of her mandate to love selflessly, to be a people of faith, and to fulfill the Great Commission that I have entrusted to the sons of men. Carry My Cross and the accomplishment of Calvary in all that you do, and I will heal your lands."
There Will Be A Seven-Year Period Of Plenty, Followed By A Seven-Year Period
Of Famine Mar 27, 2007
Will traders barter for him? Will they divide him up among the merchants?" Job 41:6
A Vision of the Church and the Marketplace
In a recent vision, the Lord showed me a picture of the Church in two separate halves. In one-half (within the realm of my vision), I saw the Marketplace with Christian ministers and ministries represented within it. On the opposite side from these people, was another group of Church-place
Christian ministers and ministries.
In the hands of one group were one-half of a sterling pound note; and the other half of the sterling pound note was in the hands of the other group. Between both parties, was a divide, and in the divide, a dragon was positioned to separate the two. The dragon (or leviathan) stood between the two groups of ministers/ministries and brought disunity and division. Before the vision ended, the Lord spoke these powerful words into my heart:
"There is equity in the Church that belongs in and to the Marketplace, and there is equity in the Marketplace that belongs in and to the Church."
"There will be a seven-year period of plenty, followed by a seven-year period of famine. From 2007-2014, I am granting a window of grace and mercy to prepare for the seven years of famine."
"I am calling for the Kingdom economists and accountants, for without them, My Church cannot fulfill her global mandate on the earth. I am going to pour out My anointing upon them in unprecedented levels. It will be seen as a thousand-fold increase of the anointing that was upon My servant Joseph in
the days of Egypt."
"I will grant favor to these chosen servants, and they will enable and equip the Church and the Marketplace in the outworking of Heavenly vision--in strategizing, in forming Godly alliances, and in creating infrastructure for the fulfillment of vision for the coming seven years of harvest."
"The Church and the Marketplace ministers and ministries must learn to unite, to collaborate, and co-operate with My Holy Spirit. For I have placed vision and resource in the Church that cannot be fulfilled unless it is in partnership with the Marketplace, and I have placed vision and resource in
the Marketplace that cannot be fulfilled unless it is in partnership with the Church."
"I formed Leviathan to frolic in the seas, but Leviathan has opposed the work of My Son. Therefore, I have broken the heads of the monster in the waters; I have crushed the heads of Leviathan. It is only by humility that you will overcome the dragon in your midst. Turn from your pride and arrogance and repent for abuse and misuse of influence, authority, and power to which I have entrusted to you. Leviathan has caused My children to operate in lies, gossip, slander, accusation, faultfinding,
criticism, and rumor."
"Heaven's economy is wrapped up in Heaven's justice and where there is injustice, there is a blockage in Heaven's economy and this prevents the fullness of My blessing being released to you and through you."
"I will disarm Leviathan in your midst if you will choose to walk in My humility, repentance, and love. I call you to form a Heavenly alliance between Church and Marketplace, for in My eyes, the two are one. You each have spheres of influence, which I have granted to you. I have given you gifts, and I have called you in the power of My Spirit. I call you now to lay down your mistrust of each other, to be healed of past hurts when the Church has rejected the Marketplace and the Marketplace has rejected the Church."
"Do not be defined by the disappointments of the past. Do not allow the reputation of man to rob you of My blessing. Do not allow fear and mistrust to rob you of breakthrough. Stand together in the bond of peace and love, and I will release My blessing in your midst. Set a precedent in My Righteousness; build a bridge of holy brotherhood; walk in purity of motivation and trust Me, for your destinies are both individual and corporate."
"I call My Church to unity, to purity, and to holiness, for My desire is to pour out abundant blessing from Heaven and save the earth. Like Abraham before you, walk before Me and be blameless. As children of Abraham, you are heirs to the promise. My grace overcomes all betrayal."
"Be bold in My Holiness. Prefer one another in love. I proclaim healing over My Church and remind her of her mandate to love selflessly, to be a people of faith, and to fulfill the Great Commission that I have entrusted to the sons of men. Carry My Cross and the accomplishment of Calvary in all that you do, and I will heal your lands."
A CRY FROM THE HEART
David Wilkerson
I believe God's merciful love is revealed in response to a cry from the heart—not just any cry, but a humble cry for deliverance. The Bible has much to say about this cry from the heart. "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came
before him, even into his ears" (Psalm 18:6).
"Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry" (Psalm 106:43-44).
You can be sure that a cry to God will always be answered by a healing word from heaven! No one is too wicked or too hopeless if he reaches out to God in humility. The story of the wicked King Manasseh proves it! The Bible says he was one of the most wicked kings of Israel. "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord… For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal…and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them…. And he made his son pass through the fire…and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards; he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 21:2-6).
"So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen.… And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people; but they would not hearken" (2 Chronicles 33:9-10).
Is there hope for someone who gets so far from God, so possessed by evil and darkness? Yes, if he will humble himself, and confess and believe Christ’s victory at the cross. Manasseh ended up a prisoner in a foreign nation, bound with chains. What a vivid picture of the wages of sin. But in his affliction, he cried out and God heard him, forgave him, and restored him.
"And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him; and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God” (2
Chronicles 33:12-13).
“And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city” (v. 15).
The word of hope, forgiveness, mercy, love and restoration is for you! Heed his Word, repent, and then be made whole and walk with the Lord! There is no sin that can’t be forgiven—no one is too far down to be healed and restored.
I believe God's merciful love is revealed in response to a cry from the heart—not just any cry, but a humble cry for deliverance. The Bible has much to say about this cry from the heart. "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God; he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came
before him, even into his ears" (Psalm 18:6).
"Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry" (Psalm 106:43-44).
You can be sure that a cry to God will always be answered by a healing word from heaven! No one is too wicked or too hopeless if he reaches out to God in humility. The story of the wicked King Manasseh proves it! The Bible says he was one of the most wicked kings of Israel. "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord… For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal…and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them…. And he made his son pass through the fire…and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards; he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord” (2 Kings 21:2-6).
"So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen.… And the Lord spake to Manasseh, and to his people; but they would not hearken" (2 Chronicles 33:9-10).
Is there hope for someone who gets so far from God, so possessed by evil and darkness? Yes, if he will humble himself, and confess and believe Christ’s victory at the cross. Manasseh ended up a prisoner in a foreign nation, bound with chains. What a vivid picture of the wages of sin. But in his affliction, he cried out and God heard him, forgave him, and restored him.
"And when he was in affliction, he besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, and prayed unto him; and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord he was God” (2
Chronicles 33:12-13).
“And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the Lord, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city” (v. 15).
The word of hope, forgiveness, mercy, love and restoration is for you! Heed his Word, repent, and then be made whole and walk with the Lord! There is no sin that can’t be forgiven—no one is too far down to be healed and restored.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
JOSEPH IN PRISON – WAITING WITHOUT BREAKING
Catherine Brown
“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Genesis 39:20b-23
We may well ask ourselves what prison life would have been like for Joseph and his fellow inmates. Perhaps we might consider that the conditions would most likely have been harsh, with little food and water, difficult living conditions and continual physical, emotional, mental and spiritual suffering for most of the prisoners. Yet, the bible tells us that Joseph was still a man on whom God’s favour and kindness was evident, and he was made responsible for everything that happened in the prison. Let’s consider for a moment, what that might have involved:
Food preparation (if one was fortunate enough to eat)
Cleaning up
Emptying the latrines
Tending the wounds of prisoners
Caring for sick prisoners
Dealing with infestations of rats, lice, other insects and rodents
Watching over vulnerable prisoners
Maintaining order/maintaining peace
Keeping corruption at bay and encouraging righteousness
Dealing with death
Ministering to the broken hearted and the lonely
THE PRIORITY OF PEOPLE
As we consider the potential list of duties that being in charge of the prison might have included, it is easy to see that God taught Joseph the priority of people before programmes. It is my deep conviction that Joseph learned how to be a father in his time in prison. In the place of God-permitted confinement and in-built destiny delay, Joseph embraced the priceless truth and depths of the Father’s compassion, humility, wisdom and love, persevering in his sonship regardless of his circumstances. Learning how to function as a father was an important part of Joseph’s “training for reigning” before he was released into the fullness of the apostolic mantle as God’s ambassador in Egypt – God chose a prison cell as the perfect crucible for His love to be formed in His servant Joseph.
Furthermore, Joseph learned the heart of a servant in prison. It was crucial in the preparation of one who would one day be entrusted with so much power and influence to be developed as a servant leader. God chose to confine Joseph in a prison to teach him this lesson and granted him the privilege of showing tender compassion to the other prisoners who were placed in his charge.
While we consider Joseph’s character development at this stage in his faith walk as an apostolic watchman for his nation, it is also helpful to remind ourselves of some of the other characteristics and attributes of a Godly watchman/woman.
CHARACTER AND ATTRIBUTES OF A WATCHMAN
Intimate with God in holy covenant relationship;; “I am my beloved’s and He is mine.” SoS 6:3’ “He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” SoS 2:4 “Place me like a seal on your heart …” SoS 8:6
Worshipful
Prayerful
Loving God with a whole heart Mk 12:30-31 (giving out of one’s riches or ones poverty e.g. the widow Mk 12:33,34)
Aspiring to be Christ-like in active discipleship
Exhibiting fruits of the Spirit e.g. love, joy, peace, patience
Exercising faith in the gifts of the Spirit e.g. wisdom, discernment, prophecy (Daniel was given insight and understanding to comprehend his visions Da 9:22)
Compassionate and mercy filled
Spirit-filled
Familiar with Scripture
Alert/watchful
Aligned with God’s purposes
Accountable, humble, submitted and part of a local body
Radically obedient to God; (“But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.” 1 Ki 22:14
Responsible/wise steward
Comprehending of one’s assigned sphere of influence
Understanding of one’s call
Active in faith in response to one’s call
Every watchman will experience character refining as they journey towards their faith goals. May you each know the kindness and favour of God as you walk with Him towards fulfilment of your destiny and may our dear lord grant you dreams, visions and visitations that you might be encouraged especially if you feel like Joseph in prison! Your time of testing will surely pass, and the Lord by His grace, will position you in the places where He has pre-ordained, so that every sphere of society will be filled with His glory. Amen.
“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” Genesis 39:20b-23
We may well ask ourselves what prison life would have been like for Joseph and his fellow inmates. Perhaps we might consider that the conditions would most likely have been harsh, with little food and water, difficult living conditions and continual physical, emotional, mental and spiritual suffering for most of the prisoners. Yet, the bible tells us that Joseph was still a man on whom God’s favour and kindness was evident, and he was made responsible for everything that happened in the prison. Let’s consider for a moment, what that might have involved:
Food preparation (if one was fortunate enough to eat)
Cleaning up
Emptying the latrines
Tending the wounds of prisoners
Caring for sick prisoners
Dealing with infestations of rats, lice, other insects and rodents
Watching over vulnerable prisoners
Maintaining order/maintaining peace
Keeping corruption at bay and encouraging righteousness
Dealing with death
Ministering to the broken hearted and the lonely
THE PRIORITY OF PEOPLE
As we consider the potential list of duties that being in charge of the prison might have included, it is easy to see that God taught Joseph the priority of people before programmes. It is my deep conviction that Joseph learned how to be a father in his time in prison. In the place of God-permitted confinement and in-built destiny delay, Joseph embraced the priceless truth and depths of the Father’s compassion, humility, wisdom and love, persevering in his sonship regardless of his circumstances. Learning how to function as a father was an important part of Joseph’s “training for reigning” before he was released into the fullness of the apostolic mantle as God’s ambassador in Egypt – God chose a prison cell as the perfect crucible for His love to be formed in His servant Joseph.
Furthermore, Joseph learned the heart of a servant in prison. It was crucial in the preparation of one who would one day be entrusted with so much power and influence to be developed as a servant leader. God chose to confine Joseph in a prison to teach him this lesson and granted him the privilege of showing tender compassion to the other prisoners who were placed in his charge.
While we consider Joseph’s character development at this stage in his faith walk as an apostolic watchman for his nation, it is also helpful to remind ourselves of some of the other characteristics and attributes of a Godly watchman/woman.
CHARACTER AND ATTRIBUTES OF A WATCHMAN
Intimate with God in holy covenant relationship;; “I am my beloved’s and He is mine.” SoS 6:3’ “He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” SoS 2:4 “Place me like a seal on your heart …” SoS 8:6
Worshipful
Prayerful
Loving God with a whole heart Mk 12:30-31 (giving out of one’s riches or ones poverty e.g. the widow Mk 12:33,34)
Aspiring to be Christ-like in active discipleship
Exhibiting fruits of the Spirit e.g. love, joy, peace, patience
Exercising faith in the gifts of the Spirit e.g. wisdom, discernment, prophecy (Daniel was given insight and understanding to comprehend his visions Da 9:22)
Compassionate and mercy filled
Spirit-filled
Familiar with Scripture
Alert/watchful
Aligned with God’s purposes
Accountable, humble, submitted and part of a local body
Radically obedient to God; (“But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.” 1 Ki 22:14
Responsible/wise steward
Comprehending of one’s assigned sphere of influence
Understanding of one’s call
Active in faith in response to one’s call
Every watchman will experience character refining as they journey towards their faith goals. May you each know the kindness and favour of God as you walk with Him towards fulfilment of your destiny and may our dear lord grant you dreams, visions and visitations that you might be encouraged especially if you feel like Joseph in prison! Your time of testing will surely pass, and the Lord by His grace, will position you in the places where He has pre-ordained, so that every sphere of society will be filled with His glory. Amen.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
From "WHY REVIVAL TARRIES" - Powerful!
-by Leonard Ravenhill.
Today God is bypassing men -- not because they are too ignorant, but because they are too self-sufficient. Brethren, our abilities are our handicaps, and our talents our stumbling blocks!
Elijah lived with God. He thought about the nation's sin like God; he grieved over sin like God; he spoke against sin like God. He was all passion in his prayers and passionate in his denunciation of evil in the land. He had no smooth preaching. Passion fired his preaching, and his words were on the hearts of men as molten metal on their flesh.
Brethren, if we will do God's work in God's way, at God's time, with God's power, we shall have God's blessing and the devil's curses. When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil will open the doors of hell to blast us. God's smile means the devil's frown! Mere preachers may help anybody and hurt nobody; but prophets will stir everybody and madden somebody. The preacher may go with the crowd; the prophet goes against it. A man freed, fired, and filled with God will be branded unpatriotic because he speaks against his nation's sins; unkind because his tongue is a two-edged sword; unbalanced because the weight of preaching opinion is against him.
Ah! brother preachers, we love the old saints, missionaries, martyrs, reformers: our Luthers, Bunyans, Wesleys, Asburys, etc. We will write their biographies, reverence their memories, frame their epitaphs, and build their monuments. We will do anything except imitate them . We cherish the last drop of their blood, but watch carefully the first drop of our own!
Oh, my ministering brethern! Much of our praying is but giving God advice. Our praying is discolored with ambition, either for ourselves or for our denomination. Perish the thought! Our goal must be God alone. It is His honor that is defiled, His blessed Son who is ignored, His laws broken, His name profaned, His book forgotten, His house made a circus of social efforts.
God's problem today is not communism, nor yet Romanism, nor liberalism, nor modernism. God's problem is - dead fundamentalism!.
"So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth." - Rev. 3:16
This generation of preachers is responsible for this generation of sinners...Sin today is both glamorized and popularized, thrown into the ear by radio, thrown into the eye by television, and splashed on popular magazine covers. Church-goers, sermon-sick and teaching- tired, leave the meeting as they entered it -- visionless and passionless! Oh God, give this perishing generation ten thousand John the Baptists!
Today God is bypassing men -- not because they are too ignorant, but because they are too self-sufficient. Brethren, our abilities are our handicaps, and our talents our stumbling blocks!
Elijah lived with God. He thought about the nation's sin like God; he grieved over sin like God; he spoke against sin like God. He was all passion in his prayers and passionate in his denunciation of evil in the land. He had no smooth preaching. Passion fired his preaching, and his words were on the hearts of men as molten metal on their flesh.
Brethren, if we will do God's work in God's way, at God's time, with God's power, we shall have God's blessing and the devil's curses. When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil will open the doors of hell to blast us. God's smile means the devil's frown! Mere preachers may help anybody and hurt nobody; but prophets will stir everybody and madden somebody. The preacher may go with the crowd; the prophet goes against it. A man freed, fired, and filled with God will be branded unpatriotic because he speaks against his nation's sins; unkind because his tongue is a two-edged sword; unbalanced because the weight of preaching opinion is against him.
Ah! brother preachers, we love the old saints, missionaries, martyrs, reformers: our Luthers, Bunyans, Wesleys, Asburys, etc. We will write their biographies, reverence their memories, frame their epitaphs, and build their monuments. We will do anything except imitate them . We cherish the last drop of their blood, but watch carefully the first drop of our own!
Oh, my ministering brethern! Much of our praying is but giving God advice. Our praying is discolored with ambition, either for ourselves or for our denomination. Perish the thought! Our goal must be God alone. It is His honor that is defiled, His blessed Son who is ignored, His laws broken, His name profaned, His book forgotten, His house made a circus of social efforts.
God's problem today is not communism, nor yet Romanism, nor liberalism, nor modernism. God's problem is - dead fundamentalism!.
"So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew you out of my mouth." - Rev. 3:16
This generation of preachers is responsible for this generation of sinners...Sin today is both glamorized and popularized, thrown into the ear by radio, thrown into the eye by television, and splashed on popular magazine covers. Church-goers, sermon-sick and teaching- tired, leave the meeting as they entered it -- visionless and passionless! Oh God, give this perishing generation ten thousand John the Baptists!
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