For many years, I have been saying that the Church is in great need of restoration. She needs to turn back to Jesus Christ, His kingdom, His truth, His holiness, and His righteousness. She needs to kick out cheap grace and become obedient to God and holy in all her conduct. She needs to obey the Lord's call for the unity of faith. She needs to repent for all the sectarianism, which has become traditional. Only Jesus Christ died for our sins; all true disciples must gather around Him and His Word of truth rightly divided.
The Kingdom of God is Not Found
Within a Political Party
No political party is the kingdom of God! Beware of socialism, but don't hide your head in the sand about the greed and corruption that has taken root and sprouted in our capitalistic society. In the long run, little was learned from the Great Depression because many parts of the Church became more greedy than society. When the Church that is formed in the image of Jesus Christ unites in faith, then and only then can she fully address the ills of society. The Church is largely responsible for the ills of society. She has not been mature salt and light, she has not presented a united front as a witness to the world, and she has not preached the same Word. At the root, she is at odds with herself over the Word, and she looks foolish (in the wrong way) to the world. She is reaping what she has sown! She will continue to reap more and more if she doesn't repent and live in obedience to God and His Word. I will say boldly, "You greedy people who are preaching cheap grace had better wake up! Everything around you is subject to falling apart."
Programs, Publications, and Music -
No Kingdom Found in Most
For the most part, the big so-called Christian television programs are not worth watching. Many of the leaders of these programs are carnal Christians, if Christians at all. Check their relationships and lifestyles. Many of those who are promoted on the programs fall into the same category. Christian-written publications—books and magazines, etc.—are a waste of time for the most part. Most modern music is straining at gnats and swallowing camels. I have a saying about ball games, "You win some, you lose some, and some shouldn't have been scheduled." Most modern songs should not have been written. Most of the singers should not be allowed to sing until they get their heart right with God.
Discerning the Kingdom at Work, or Not
The gift of discernment is not working in most places. Most Christians do not know the milk of the Word, much less the meat; therefore, their senses are not trained properly. If Christians had a mature gift of discernment, they would tell by the voice of certain ministers that something is wrong and would warn their brothers and sisters in Christ. If all Christians knew the Word, even though they might not have the gift of discernment to pick up on the voice, their senses would be trained to pick up on error that is being ministered by that voice. Listen long enough and they will betray themselves to you, if you know the Word rightly divided. Properly trained disciples definitely could pick up on what a voice is saying that is not in line with the Word of truth.
Out of all this mess, when will true disciples wake up, unite in faith, follow Jesus, and live by His truth rightly divided? Do not count on being raptured out of a mess that you have helped create.
The Kingdom of God is at Hand
True and mature preachers will lovingly but boldly minister truth to Jews, Gentiles, Reds, Yellows, Blacks, and Whites. They will not be stopped by satanic political correctness. They will keep things focused on Jesus Christ, His kingdom, and His Word of truth rightly divided. They may lose their job, and they may even lose their head eventually, but they will advance the kingdom of God, help unify and mature the Church, and gain rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand!
True disciples will not read an article and ignore the core truth, and then jump on their political bandwagon. Selah!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Go On To Maturity
Let’s go on to maturity! Jesus Christ wants all of His disciples to go on to maturity. He calls and matures ministers through the Holy Spirit Who then works with them to make mature disciples who, in the unity of faith, can do the work of the ministry. The devil has sent his ministers to lead professing Christians astray and to prevent their growth to maturity.
Maturity Means Learning to Discern by Truth
Disciples must learn how to discern the false from the real, and then, forgetting the false and carnal ministers, they must find and join with true ministers. Great (and unnecessary) devilish storms are not far ahead unless the Church everywhere is restored, England and the United States included. A simple way of explaining restoration is that "it is a full return to the Lord, His Word rightly divided, His kingdom and righteousness, and His biblical way of doing all things."
Maturity Includes Milk and Meat
The restored Church will be in true unity of faith and will be saying the same things—truth and only truth. The restored Church will have only mature, godly ministers. Ministers who are called but not yet mature will be equipped properly and trained to maturity. All disciples, young and old, will be trained in all the milk doctrines (Heb. 5:12 through 6:2) shortly after conversion. They will then be trained in the meat of the Word and, before long, will be teaching others truth and only truth.
Maturity Recognizes "True Fire" and "Wild Fire"
Presently, most members of the Church are so weak in their study of the Word of truth that their spiritual senses are not trained to discern the real from the false or the good from the evil. Because of this, many cannot tell the difference in a mature minister of God and one who is of the devil disguised as a minister of righteousness. They don't know the difference in the "true fire" of God and the "wild fire" of the devil. The results in the lives of people touched by wild fire may look positive and good to the untrained eye. Even seemingly good works may abound from those touched by wild fire, but deep down a fire of devastation is smoldering and waiting to break out at an opportune time to do more of the devil's work.
Maturity Means Realizing Costly Grace
The message of "cheap grace" has poisoned the minds of those who do not have trained and mature senses. Therefore, they make excuses for their own conduct and actions and for the conduct and actions of others, including those of false and carnal ministers. They end up calling good evil and evil good; they defend the false and carnal and sometimes ignore or even attack the real.
Maturity Means Learning to Recognize Deception
Recognizing that a particular minister or group of ministers is false and/or carnal does not guarantee that one is mature in the Word of truth. The devil works both ends and the middle of things. He deceives some professing Christians to the extent that they accept the false and carnal as being of and from God. He infiltrates the minds of other professing Christians who actually recognize some false and carnal ministers by causing them to go beyond and/or short of truth. For example, in their fervor to expose false and carnal ministers and their teachings, they actually renounce some things that are true. They do not understand that carnal ministers and even false ministers are sometimes ministering some truth. That is one of the main reasons that they are so deceptive. A minister of the devil in a Christian church or setting is not going to act, at least openly, the same way a minister of the devil acts in a satanic or occult church. He or she is not going to say the same things, at least openly, as the devil's ministers in an openly occult or satanic church.
Maturity Means Being Prepared for Judgment
All are going to be judged by the Word of God. It is time to become a real student of the Word. Lay aside all private traditions, interpretations and preferences and yield to truth and only truth. The time is short! Start now and go on to maturity!
Maturity Means Learning to Discern by Truth
Disciples must learn how to discern the false from the real, and then, forgetting the false and carnal ministers, they must find and join with true ministers. Great (and unnecessary) devilish storms are not far ahead unless the Church everywhere is restored, England and the United States included. A simple way of explaining restoration is that "it is a full return to the Lord, His Word rightly divided, His kingdom and righteousness, and His biblical way of doing all things."
Maturity Includes Milk and Meat
The restored Church will be in true unity of faith and will be saying the same things—truth and only truth. The restored Church will have only mature, godly ministers. Ministers who are called but not yet mature will be equipped properly and trained to maturity. All disciples, young and old, will be trained in all the milk doctrines (Heb. 5:12 through 6:2) shortly after conversion. They will then be trained in the meat of the Word and, before long, will be teaching others truth and only truth.
Maturity Recognizes "True Fire" and "Wild Fire"
Presently, most members of the Church are so weak in their study of the Word of truth that their spiritual senses are not trained to discern the real from the false or the good from the evil. Because of this, many cannot tell the difference in a mature minister of God and one who is of the devil disguised as a minister of righteousness. They don't know the difference in the "true fire" of God and the "wild fire" of the devil. The results in the lives of people touched by wild fire may look positive and good to the untrained eye. Even seemingly good works may abound from those touched by wild fire, but deep down a fire of devastation is smoldering and waiting to break out at an opportune time to do more of the devil's work.
Maturity Means Realizing Costly Grace
The message of "cheap grace" has poisoned the minds of those who do not have trained and mature senses. Therefore, they make excuses for their own conduct and actions and for the conduct and actions of others, including those of false and carnal ministers. They end up calling good evil and evil good; they defend the false and carnal and sometimes ignore or even attack the real.
Maturity Means Learning to Recognize Deception
Recognizing that a particular minister or group of ministers is false and/or carnal does not guarantee that one is mature in the Word of truth. The devil works both ends and the middle of things. He deceives some professing Christians to the extent that they accept the false and carnal as being of and from God. He infiltrates the minds of other professing Christians who actually recognize some false and carnal ministers by causing them to go beyond and/or short of truth. For example, in their fervor to expose false and carnal ministers and their teachings, they actually renounce some things that are true. They do not understand that carnal ministers and even false ministers are sometimes ministering some truth. That is one of the main reasons that they are so deceptive. A minister of the devil in a Christian church or setting is not going to act, at least openly, the same way a minister of the devil acts in a satanic or occult church. He or she is not going to say the same things, at least openly, as the devil's ministers in an openly occult or satanic church.
Maturity Means Being Prepared for Judgment
All are going to be judged by the Word of God. It is time to become a real student of the Word. Lay aside all private traditions, interpretations and preferences and yield to truth and only truth. The time is short! Start now and go on to maturity!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Worship and Places
Loyal Disciple or Experience Seeker?
While many professing Christians are looking for something in places and experiences, the eyes of the Lord are looking for loyal disciples to make up a restored Church. While loyal disciples are denying self to follow Jesus, immature and/or carnal Christians and religious people are looking for places, experiences, etc.
Human nature is no different today than in the past; it is no different than when Jesus walked the earth and spoke truth to the Samaritan woman. Did she have ears to hear to become a true worshiper? Will you have ears to hear, or will you continue your journey and defend your position? Much is at stake!
Where to Worship
Jesus said that the hour is coming when true worshipers would worship the Father in spirit and in truth wherever they are, not in certain places like the mountains of Samaria or Jerusalem. That hour actually came a long time ago, but countless professing Christians still run to and fro looking zealously for something spiritual in places and experiences.
Many of those presently viewed as spiritual leaders feed this frenzy by example and word. They continually chase this and that. They chase this for a while and write or talk about how great it is, and then they will decide it is not so great after all and then they will take off looking for something else. They are really hindering the Church and the kingdom of God. They might even mean well but they are helping create a lot of unnecessary confusion and are distracting multitudes of people.
It is time to stop where you are, repent of all the chasing, and become a true worshiper of God right where you are. Our Lord is looking for those who will hear His word and become disciples who worship in spirit and in truth. Many of those who have been seeking places and experiences will continue on that path, but a few will have ears to hear and will heed the Lord's call for true worshipers. They will readily repent and begin the process of being transformed by renewing their minds. While those around them still hit and miss, mostly miss by chasing this and that, they will be in pursuit of God.
Conclusion
While the itchy ear generation runs to and fro looking for experiences that excite and thrill, a faithful remnant Church is forming. This faithful remnant wants to know God intimately and wants to fulfill the Lord's words concerning worship. They want to worship God in spirit and in truth.
True prophets and other ministers of God are calling for Christians to repent and return to their first love. They are heeding the admonition giving by Paul to Timothy: “Preach the Word of truth when they are ready for it and when they are not ready for it." Some will heed the call and others will resist and defend their present positions. Be among the faithful, do not be defensive and stubborn minded. Be humble and teachable rather than defending some religiously accepted position.
Become a disciple who seeks God rather than places and experiences. Become one who communicates the truth of God with whatever means available to you. The itchy-ear generation wants other things, but give them Scripture. Most of all walk among them as one who worships God in spirit and truth!
While many professing Christians are looking for something in places and experiences, the eyes of the Lord are looking for loyal disciples to make up a restored Church. While loyal disciples are denying self to follow Jesus, immature and/or carnal Christians and religious people are looking for places, experiences, etc.
Human nature is no different today than in the past; it is no different than when Jesus walked the earth and spoke truth to the Samaritan woman. Did she have ears to hear to become a true worshiper? Will you have ears to hear, or will you continue your journey and defend your position? Much is at stake!
Where to Worship
Jesus said that the hour is coming when true worshipers would worship the Father in spirit and in truth wherever they are, not in certain places like the mountains of Samaria or Jerusalem. That hour actually came a long time ago, but countless professing Christians still run to and fro looking zealously for something spiritual in places and experiences.
Many of those presently viewed as spiritual leaders feed this frenzy by example and word. They continually chase this and that. They chase this for a while and write or talk about how great it is, and then they will decide it is not so great after all and then they will take off looking for something else. They are really hindering the Church and the kingdom of God. They might even mean well but they are helping create a lot of unnecessary confusion and are distracting multitudes of people.
It is time to stop where you are, repent of all the chasing, and become a true worshiper of God right where you are. Our Lord is looking for those who will hear His word and become disciples who worship in spirit and in truth. Many of those who have been seeking places and experiences will continue on that path, but a few will have ears to hear and will heed the Lord's call for true worshipers. They will readily repent and begin the process of being transformed by renewing their minds. While those around them still hit and miss, mostly miss by chasing this and that, they will be in pursuit of God.
Conclusion
While the itchy ear generation runs to and fro looking for experiences that excite and thrill, a faithful remnant Church is forming. This faithful remnant wants to know God intimately and wants to fulfill the Lord's words concerning worship. They want to worship God in spirit and in truth.
True prophets and other ministers of God are calling for Christians to repent and return to their first love. They are heeding the admonition giving by Paul to Timothy: “Preach the Word of truth when they are ready for it and when they are not ready for it." Some will heed the call and others will resist and defend their present positions. Be among the faithful, do not be defensive and stubborn minded. Be humble and teachable rather than defending some religiously accepted position.
Become a disciple who seeks God rather than places and experiences. Become one who communicates the truth of God with whatever means available to you. The itchy-ear generation wants other things, but give them Scripture. Most of all walk among them as one who worships God in spirit and truth!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Godly Restoration with Intercession
(Updated from 9/25/08)
The Need is Restoration, but Some Fall Away
The Church is in great need of restoration, but not all of the Church is going to be restored. Part of the Church will fall away! Actually, part of the Church has already fallen away, and others are heading in that direction. There will be a portion of the Church, a faithful remnant, who forsakes all to follow Jesus. There are others who will continue to flounder in their present state. Hopefully, the faithful remnant will be a witness to those who are floundering and will cause some of them to wake up before it is too late.
Need Humble Intercessors, Not Prideful Attention Seekers
Prayers, supplications, and intercessions by humble disciples are needed to help make restoration a reality in the Church. God is looking for humble and obedient disciples who will deny self and cry out to God for the restoration of His people, the Church. I have been involved in prayer and intercession for much of my life. I have ministered and taught on prayer for years. Many of those who are well known in these areas deceive and lead people astray rather than really helping or instructing them. Subtle pride is a spirit that works in many of those who proclaim to be "intercessors." For example, some pridefully think they hear things before God’s true prophets hear them; they think the prophet is hearing because they are praying. The bottom line truth is that they are attention seekers more than God seekers! There is a great need for intercession, but there is a great need for humble and mature disciples who make intercessions. The Church must give herself to prayer, supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings, but without humility, repentance, and obedience, very little, if anything, will be accomplished.
Overcome Fear and Discouragement
Those who decide to follow Jesus and help restore His Church will become targets for the devil. Fear and discouragement have been two of the devil's strategies for ages. He will try to use both of them against any disciple who answers the call to help bring restoration to the Church. Remember to stay close to Jesus and keep your sword sharp! The Word of God is a mighty weapon to fight against the devil and his tactics. The Word is a sharp two-edged sword and must be in our mouths; it must be released in prayer and in witness. Be encouraged! Be an overcomer! Overcome the devil and his weapons of fear and discouragement with the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Testify to the devil what the Word of God says that the blood of Jesus does for you. Fear not for Jesus Christ is with you.
Be Prayerful and Obedient
Without true obedience, little will result from your prayers. There are many prayers that are not answered because the one praying is not living in obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word of truth. In a time of cheap grace and love, many professing Christians will be shocked by such words, but the spiritual will hear. It is time to walk in the Spirit, cry out to God, and see great and mighty things take place. It is time to see true binding and loosing. There has been so much “binding and loosing” in the last several years that if there were any real, long-lasting results, there would not be anything left to bind. It is time to wake up and repent, find and listen to true prophets of God, and forsake all to follow Jesus Christ. It is time to have purified intercession. Purified intercession flows from the heart of humble, faithful, and holy disciples.
A Warning to Prepare
Always look for the glorious return of our Lord with personal and corporate preparation. Be prepared for the marriage of the Lamb in the future, and be prepared for opposition on this earth. Opposition may come before the Lord returns. To American and Western Christians, I say, "Don’t count too heavily on being taken out of situations that you have helped create." We have brothers and sisters all over this world who are better disciples than most American and Western Christians, and they are being imprisoned, beaten, tortured, and killed right now. It is time to wake up! There must be prayers, fastings, intercessions, supplications, but there must be repentance followed by true obedience that results in a Church who is holy as God is holy in all her conduct. There must be a Church that fulfills Ephesians 4:13-26; Ephesians 5:26-27, and John 17:17-22. There must be a Church that makes herself ready (Revelation 19:7). For this to take place, many are going to have to come out of where they are in relationship to the world and the modern Church. Be in the world as a witness, but be not of the world. Be in a local Church that has Christ formed within and is following Jesus Christ and living in obedience to all of His Word of truth rightly divided.
Those with ears to hear and eyes to see must examine themselves. They must repent where needed and dedicate themselves totally to God and His purposes. They must begin to turn the world around them upside down for Jesus Christ. If they don't, there will be a shaking that turns things upside down, but it will not be pleasant for them and those around them. There is a difference in being persecuted for righteousness sake and suffering from your own disobedience. Be prepared, be obedient. Get in the gap and cry out. Help restore the Church. Go out into the harvest fields and make disciples who will be living stones in a restored Church.
Be Encouraged, and Be Victorious
Be encouraged in the Lord! Be victorious in Christ! But be one who has denied self and forsaken all to take up your cross to follow Jesus the Messiah. Let’s have godly restoration that brings godly shaking! Amen.
The Need is Restoration, but Some Fall Away
The Church is in great need of restoration, but not all of the Church is going to be restored. Part of the Church will fall away! Actually, part of the Church has already fallen away, and others are heading in that direction. There will be a portion of the Church, a faithful remnant, who forsakes all to follow Jesus. There are others who will continue to flounder in their present state. Hopefully, the faithful remnant will be a witness to those who are floundering and will cause some of them to wake up before it is too late.
Need Humble Intercessors, Not Prideful Attention Seekers
Prayers, supplications, and intercessions by humble disciples are needed to help make restoration a reality in the Church. God is looking for humble and obedient disciples who will deny self and cry out to God for the restoration of His people, the Church. I have been involved in prayer and intercession for much of my life. I have ministered and taught on prayer for years. Many of those who are well known in these areas deceive and lead people astray rather than really helping or instructing them. Subtle pride is a spirit that works in many of those who proclaim to be "intercessors." For example, some pridefully think they hear things before God’s true prophets hear them; they think the prophet is hearing because they are praying. The bottom line truth is that they are attention seekers more than God seekers! There is a great need for intercession, but there is a great need for humble and mature disciples who make intercessions. The Church must give herself to prayer, supplications, intercessions, and thanksgivings, but without humility, repentance, and obedience, very little, if anything, will be accomplished.
Overcome Fear and Discouragement
Those who decide to follow Jesus and help restore His Church will become targets for the devil. Fear and discouragement have been two of the devil's strategies for ages. He will try to use both of them against any disciple who answers the call to help bring restoration to the Church. Remember to stay close to Jesus and keep your sword sharp! The Word of God is a mighty weapon to fight against the devil and his tactics. The Word is a sharp two-edged sword and must be in our mouths; it must be released in prayer and in witness. Be encouraged! Be an overcomer! Overcome the devil and his weapons of fear and discouragement with the blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. Testify to the devil what the Word of God says that the blood of Jesus does for you. Fear not for Jesus Christ is with you.
Be Prayerful and Obedient
Without true obedience, little will result from your prayers. There are many prayers that are not answered because the one praying is not living in obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word of truth. In a time of cheap grace and love, many professing Christians will be shocked by such words, but the spiritual will hear. It is time to walk in the Spirit, cry out to God, and see great and mighty things take place. It is time to see true binding and loosing. There has been so much “binding and loosing” in the last several years that if there were any real, long-lasting results, there would not be anything left to bind. It is time to wake up and repent, find and listen to true prophets of God, and forsake all to follow Jesus Christ. It is time to have purified intercession. Purified intercession flows from the heart of humble, faithful, and holy disciples.
A Warning to Prepare
Always look for the glorious return of our Lord with personal and corporate preparation. Be prepared for the marriage of the Lamb in the future, and be prepared for opposition on this earth. Opposition may come before the Lord returns. To American and Western Christians, I say, "Don’t count too heavily on being taken out of situations that you have helped create." We have brothers and sisters all over this world who are better disciples than most American and Western Christians, and they are being imprisoned, beaten, tortured, and killed right now. It is time to wake up! There must be prayers, fastings, intercessions, supplications, but there must be repentance followed by true obedience that results in a Church who is holy as God is holy in all her conduct. There must be a Church that fulfills Ephesians 4:13-26; Ephesians 5:26-27, and John 17:17-22. There must be a Church that makes herself ready (Revelation 19:7). For this to take place, many are going to have to come out of where they are in relationship to the world and the modern Church. Be in the world as a witness, but be not of the world. Be in a local Church that has Christ formed within and is following Jesus Christ and living in obedience to all of His Word of truth rightly divided.
Those with ears to hear and eyes to see must examine themselves. They must repent where needed and dedicate themselves totally to God and His purposes. They must begin to turn the world around them upside down for Jesus Christ. If they don't, there will be a shaking that turns things upside down, but it will not be pleasant for them and those around them. There is a difference in being persecuted for righteousness sake and suffering from your own disobedience. Be prepared, be obedient. Get in the gap and cry out. Help restore the Church. Go out into the harvest fields and make disciples who will be living stones in a restored Church.
Be Encouraged, and Be Victorious
Be encouraged in the Lord! Be victorious in Christ! But be one who has denied self and forsaken all to take up your cross to follow Jesus the Messiah. Let’s have godly restoration that brings godly shaking! Amen.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
What Does Restoration Mean to Christians in America?
Also see What Does Restoration Mean to All Christians (dated 1/15/2013)
Why Need Restoration?
Three of the main things that Jesus intends for the Church that He is building are: 1. To be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit; 2. To be one with Him and each other; 3. To know and live by His Word. There are other things but if one truthfully discerns the present Church, they will quickly acknowledge that the Church falls short in each of these areas. Therefore the Church is in great need of restoration.
What is Restoration?
A simple definition of restoration is the bringing back of the Church to Jesus Christ and the original biblical pattern intended by Him for the Church that He is building. Note: Biblical pattern is the pattern found in the Bible as the Word of God is rightly divided.
Concern for Christians in the United States
At the present time most of the Church on earth is far away from God's intended purposes for her. Although my concern is for the Church throughout the earth, in this message I am asking you to focus on the Church in the United States. Most, if not all, parts of the Church throughout the earth need restoration, but none more so than the part that is found within the United States of America.
Because of the overall unrestored state of the Church in the United States, I have what could be called a progressive concern for the future of Christians in the United States. What do I mean by a progressive concern? I mean that, as each day passes, the window closes a little on our time to prepare for things and events of the future. I am referring to things that are coming on the earth, things that are coming in the United States that will change this country as you and your family know it.
Some Christians are counting on things like the rapture, or even death, to escape what is coming. This often prevents them from doing the things that are needed to be ready. I have a glorious hope of the return of the Lord, but I have a concern for life before He returns. I am concerned about things that you and your family, as well as mine, will face. As time passes, we will progressively face things that, as a whole, we are unprepared for unless the Church in the United States is restored to God, His Word of truth, and His biblical pattern of living and doing all things. Some things to face will be minor, and some things to face will be major, but remember that "little foxes spoil the vine." There are many different topics of concern, but at this time I will only mention the loss of freedom(s).
Loss of Freedom(s)
When undistracted and focused Christians take a discerning look at present conditions as well as at conditions of the near past, they have to acknowledge that many freedoms have already been lost. Unless true restoration occurs soon, the losses of the past and present will be miniscule compared to the losses of the future, the near future. Many who profess to be Christians are even going to make decisions that will cost them their freedoms. They have been blinded by the things of the world and of the modern Church and will submit to being led by the blind into the ditch of bondage.
Is there Hope?
There is hope! There is hope that true disciples will wake up and become salt and light, not only to the world around them, but to the modern Church. It is too late to stop some of the things, minor and major, that are upon us, but it is not too late to unite in faith and call on God. God will respond and see you through; He will use you to be a help to others. Will you deny self, forsake all, and unite in faith with like-minded disciples to follow Jesus and be and do what He always intended for His disciples? If so, there is hope. There is not only the hope of the glorious return of the Lord, there is hope for a glorious Church in His image to be waiting and prepared for Him.
Requesting a Favor
I am requesting a favor of you. Would you please consider responding and sharing with me what you think of when I say that the Church as a whole is in need of restoration? How does restoration apply to you, your family (present and future), your local church, and all of the Church? Do you really understand what Jesus means by being a disciple in deed? Do you understand unity of faith? Do you believe that there will be a Church with Christ formed within that unites in faith and witnesses the gospel of the kingdom to all nations (Matthew 24:14)? Do you know where to start?
Why Need Restoration?
Three of the main things that Jesus intends for the Church that He is building are: 1. To be filled with and led by the Holy Spirit; 2. To be one with Him and each other; 3. To know and live by His Word. There are other things but if one truthfully discerns the present Church, they will quickly acknowledge that the Church falls short in each of these areas. Therefore the Church is in great need of restoration.
What is Restoration?
A simple definition of restoration is the bringing back of the Church to Jesus Christ and the original biblical pattern intended by Him for the Church that He is building. Note: Biblical pattern is the pattern found in the Bible as the Word of God is rightly divided.
Concern for Christians in the United States
At the present time most of the Church on earth is far away from God's intended purposes for her. Although my concern is for the Church throughout the earth, in this message I am asking you to focus on the Church in the United States. Most, if not all, parts of the Church throughout the earth need restoration, but none more so than the part that is found within the United States of America.
Because of the overall unrestored state of the Church in the United States, I have what could be called a progressive concern for the future of Christians in the United States. What do I mean by a progressive concern? I mean that, as each day passes, the window closes a little on our time to prepare for things and events of the future. I am referring to things that are coming on the earth, things that are coming in the United States that will change this country as you and your family know it.
Some Christians are counting on things like the rapture, or even death, to escape what is coming. This often prevents them from doing the things that are needed to be ready. I have a glorious hope of the return of the Lord, but I have a concern for life before He returns. I am concerned about things that you and your family, as well as mine, will face. As time passes, we will progressively face things that, as a whole, we are unprepared for unless the Church in the United States is restored to God, His Word of truth, and His biblical pattern of living and doing all things. Some things to face will be minor, and some things to face will be major, but remember that "little foxes spoil the vine." There are many different topics of concern, but at this time I will only mention the loss of freedom(s).
Loss of Freedom(s)
When undistracted and focused Christians take a discerning look at present conditions as well as at conditions of the near past, they have to acknowledge that many freedoms have already been lost. Unless true restoration occurs soon, the losses of the past and present will be miniscule compared to the losses of the future, the near future. Many who profess to be Christians are even going to make decisions that will cost them their freedoms. They have been blinded by the things of the world and of the modern Church and will submit to being led by the blind into the ditch of bondage.
Is there Hope?
There is hope! There is hope that true disciples will wake up and become salt and light, not only to the world around them, but to the modern Church. It is too late to stop some of the things, minor and major, that are upon us, but it is not too late to unite in faith and call on God. God will respond and see you through; He will use you to be a help to others. Will you deny self, forsake all, and unite in faith with like-minded disciples to follow Jesus and be and do what He always intended for His disciples? If so, there is hope. There is not only the hope of the glorious return of the Lord, there is hope for a glorious Church in His image to be waiting and prepared for Him.
Requesting a Favor
I am requesting a favor of you. Would you please consider responding and sharing with me what you think of when I say that the Church as a whole is in need of restoration? How does restoration apply to you, your family (present and future), your local church, and all of the Church? Do you really understand what Jesus means by being a disciple in deed? Do you understand unity of faith? Do you believe that there will be a Church with Christ formed within that unites in faith and witnesses the gospel of the kingdom to all nations (Matthew 24:14)? Do you know where to start?
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wake Up to the Need for Restoration!
Hard Times are here!
Hard times and devilish storms are no longer ahead; they are already here! Unless enough true ministers and disciples who clearly see the need for restoration of the Church quickly unite in faith to bring it about, hard times and devilish storms will only increase. Will you continue to follow the crowds of the world and/or of modern churchanity or will you forsake all to follow Christ and help bring forth a Church in His true image? If you decide to step out to follow Jesus Christ, don’t expect a big crowd to walk with you in the beginning. Actually expect opposition; there will be opposition! Be forewarned that to truly follow Christ will bring you persecution from the world and the modern church, maybe even from family members, but will bring glory to Jesus Christ and light in darkness. If you will have the courage and boldness to step out and maintain your faithfulness in the midst of opposition and persecution, your witness will open eyes of people in and out of the Church. Your witness may even open the eyes of that loved one you so care about!
Open Eyes and Ears to Need For Restoration
Jesus Christ spoke of the need for disciples who would have eyes to see and ears to hear. Will you be a disciple who has your eyes and ears open to the need for the restoration of the Church? The Church is in desperate need of restoration, and one of the main reasons is that her ministers and members have strayed from rightly dividing the Word of God. The failure to rightly divide God's Word of truth has produced a Church that is divided by traditions and interpretations, rather than being unified in faith. I cannot over emphasize the seriousness of this problem! It is a major problem that must be corrected; otherwise, restoration is impossible. Without restoration, the Church cannot fulfill God's plans for her on earth. Anyone or anything that hinders God's plans for earth opens the door for the devil's plans for earth.
Do I have your attention?
Are your eyes and ears open? The mind of many is so cloudy with other things that they can't focus or understand. The attention span of others is so short they may not have gotten to this point. Those two groups are part of the problem. Our prayer is that you have ears to hear and eyes to see and that others will join with you to be part of the solution.
Correcting the Course
How do we begin correcting the course of the Church? How do we change the present state of the over all Church? How do we get her on the right course? An important step towards correction of the Church is the recognition and acknowledgement of when and how she got off course. When and how did all of this start? A close study of the New Covenant (Testament) reveals two important things concerning our need. First is revealed the importance of the Church being washed and sanctified by God’s Word of truth (John 17:17 and Ephesians 5:26). Next is revealed that the devil will do anything necessary to cause people to not be washed and sanctified by God’s Word of truth. The devil began sending his ministers disguised as ministers of righteousness early on in the Church to lead her in the wrong direction. Rather than resisting him and his false words and holding fast to the truth many have bought into error of some kind or another. Many have added to and taken away from the Word of God.
Over the centuries, countless individuals and groups have come together and spawned various man made Christian traditions and private interpretations of Scripture resulting in vast numbers of churches and denominations who call themselves Christian, but in fact are divided from one another because they have not been washed and sanctified in truth. The devil messed up the Garden of Eden and he has worked hard to mess up the Church. It is time to boot him, his ministers, his traditions, and his private interpretations out of the Church. It is time to correct the course!
To be continued ...
Hard times and devilish storms are no longer ahead; they are already here! Unless enough true ministers and disciples who clearly see the need for restoration of the Church quickly unite in faith to bring it about, hard times and devilish storms will only increase. Will you continue to follow the crowds of the world and/or of modern churchanity or will you forsake all to follow Christ and help bring forth a Church in His true image? If you decide to step out to follow Jesus Christ, don’t expect a big crowd to walk with you in the beginning. Actually expect opposition; there will be opposition! Be forewarned that to truly follow Christ will bring you persecution from the world and the modern church, maybe even from family members, but will bring glory to Jesus Christ and light in darkness. If you will have the courage and boldness to step out and maintain your faithfulness in the midst of opposition and persecution, your witness will open eyes of people in and out of the Church. Your witness may even open the eyes of that loved one you so care about!
Open Eyes and Ears to Need For Restoration
Jesus Christ spoke of the need for disciples who would have eyes to see and ears to hear. Will you be a disciple who has your eyes and ears open to the need for the restoration of the Church? The Church is in desperate need of restoration, and one of the main reasons is that her ministers and members have strayed from rightly dividing the Word of God. The failure to rightly divide God's Word of truth has produced a Church that is divided by traditions and interpretations, rather than being unified in faith. I cannot over emphasize the seriousness of this problem! It is a major problem that must be corrected; otherwise, restoration is impossible. Without restoration, the Church cannot fulfill God's plans for her on earth. Anyone or anything that hinders God's plans for earth opens the door for the devil's plans for earth.
Do I have your attention?
Are your eyes and ears open? The mind of many is so cloudy with other things that they can't focus or understand. The attention span of others is so short they may not have gotten to this point. Those two groups are part of the problem. Our prayer is that you have ears to hear and eyes to see and that others will join with you to be part of the solution.
Correcting the Course
How do we begin correcting the course of the Church? How do we change the present state of the over all Church? How do we get her on the right course? An important step towards correction of the Church is the recognition and acknowledgement of when and how she got off course. When and how did all of this start? A close study of the New Covenant (Testament) reveals two important things concerning our need. First is revealed the importance of the Church being washed and sanctified by God’s Word of truth (John 17:17 and Ephesians 5:26). Next is revealed that the devil will do anything necessary to cause people to not be washed and sanctified by God’s Word of truth. The devil began sending his ministers disguised as ministers of righteousness early on in the Church to lead her in the wrong direction. Rather than resisting him and his false words and holding fast to the truth many have bought into error of some kind or another. Many have added to and taken away from the Word of God.
Over the centuries, countless individuals and groups have come together and spawned various man made Christian traditions and private interpretations of Scripture resulting in vast numbers of churches and denominations who call themselves Christian, but in fact are divided from one another because they have not been washed and sanctified in truth. The devil messed up the Garden of Eden and he has worked hard to mess up the Church. It is time to boot him, his ministers, his traditions, and his private interpretations out of the Church. It is time to correct the course!
To be continued ...
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Who Will Forsake All to Follow Jesus and Be Stripped to the Core?
I wonder if anyone would be part of a local Church that was stripped of all the amenities to which professing Christians have become so accustomed, whether they are Baptist amenities, Pentecostal amenities, or Charismatic amenities. Who would go where there is no choir, no special singers, no great pianist, and no organist at all, but where all people were expected to worship in Spirit and in truth? Who would go where truth and truth only was preached, where Christians would be reproved, rebuked, and exhorted both when they were ready for it and when they were not? Who would go where the group is presently very small? Who would go where they would be expected to learn the basics of the Word and quickly move on to the meat of the Word?
Where are parents who are disciples that would attend a local church where they would be expected to teach and live obediently to the Word, beginning in their own home? They would be students of the Word and would train their children at home, and together with their children would be ready to sit and listen to a prophet preach when the Church gathered. In such a Church the children would not have to be sent out to children’s church or given a children’s message by the pastor and then be sent out because they couldn't sit still or understand what was going on. They would have developed ears to hear and eager hearts to learn of Jesus Christ and His Word by sitting under the teaching of their parents and their church.
The children would be taught at home first, every day and night, and they would be trained in the Bible in Bible study courses when the Church gathered. In the home and in Bible studies, they would learn the Word; they would learn to pray in the spirit and understanding; and they would learn to worship in Spirit and in truth. They would then sit and learn more when the prophet preached. They would worship corporately in Spirit and truth along with their parents and the rest of their local church body. They would learn to move in the gifts of the Spirit and, with their parents, would release the gifts and edify their brothers and sisters in Christ when they gathered for corporate meetings. All would be done to the glory of God, and all would be done decently and in order.
Unbiblical practices, such as drunkenness, being slain in the spirit, or other false manifestations would not be tolerated, but the true power of God would be present. All would be expected to grow in the character of Christ as exemplified in the fruit of the Spirit and the Beattitudes. All would be expected to move in the power of the Lord. All would be expected to be students of the Word. All would be expected to be given to prayer with their spirit and with their understanding. Parents and children would have their senses trained to discern both good and evil in the Church and in the world.
Adults and children would be taught how to minister to others about Jesus and Him crucified. They would be taught how to minister the gospel of the kingdom, which is the message the Lord Jesus ministered. They would release the gifts of the Spirit to edify the body when they gathered, and they would minister the good news of Jesus and the good news of His kingdom in the harvest fields that are white for harvest and waiting for them. The Lord would confirm their faithful ministry with accompanying signs—the sick being healed and demons being cast out of those in bondage.
There would be none of the false prosperity junk, none of the feel good and motivational junk, or any other present or future junk that the devil is trying to put in the Church, but there would be truth. There would be no “godliness for gain” in the pulpit or the congregation. People would be taught to think “the Word of God” when they hear the word “seed” instead of thinking “money.” Disciples, young and old, would be trained to deny self, forsake all, unite in faith, and always follow Jesus, to be witnesses to the world but not as the world.
In this kind of local church, Christians would be expected to know both the basics and the meat of the Word. They would be expected to go out and minister the good news of Jesus and the gospel of the kingdom and come back rejoicing because of bearing fruit for the Lord and His kingdom. The young people would quickly be taught the basics of Hebrew 6:1-2 and then move on to the meat. They would never be entertained but would be taught to deny self, forsake all, and follow Jesus.
These things are by no means exhaustive but just a start. Who really wants to follow Jesus? Who really wants to say no to the man-made traditions and teachings of the Church and the ways of the world? Who wants to say yes to forsaking all to follow the Lord, live by His Word, and do all thing to glorify Christ? Who wants to be real salt and light to the glory of Jesus Christ? Who wants to go on to perfection (maturity)? Who will count the cost and pay the price? Jesus did! Will you?
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