Let the Church be the Church

(This is a part of the message Understanding Faith and Works which can be listened to at WWW.JesusandHisWord.org)

Jesus has been building His Church since He was on earth 2000 years ago. Throughout the past centuries there have been faithful disciples, but there have also been major problems in and with the Church. Time after time, things such as legalism, license to sin, licentiousness, carnality, error, and division have taken hold and characterized many parts of the Church. She has not been consistent in living by the Spirit and the Word. In short, the Church has not forsaken all to follow Jesus, to live by faith, and to carry on His works.

Over the years, there have been breakthroughs in various places, with such things as the Reformation, great awakenings, outpourings, and revivals—things that many look back to, long for, and pronounce that we need in our day. As great as these things may have been, in my heart I know that there is something more that is needed. It may be hard to describe with human words, but, in my spirit, I know that there is something the Church has missed or, if experienced, has not maintained and built on.

We have a great opportunity! We have the opportunity to be right in the middle of what the Spirit of our Lord wants to do. But I want you to know that there is going to be great opposition. Actually, the forces of opposition are already in place and are already at work. The opposition is great, and it is increasing. Day by day, the world grows darker. Day by day, parts of the Church fall away, and other parts become more solidified in the traditions of men and erroneous doctrines and practices. But know in your minds and hearts that greater is He, greater is the Holy Spirit who will help all who choose to deny self and forsake all to follow Christ Jesus.

What do you do? You make a choice! You choose! You choose to follow either the world, the falling away church, the status quo church, or you choose to follow Jesus and be part of the Church He is building, the Church that, in your day, begins to experience and fulfill the “something more” that we mentioned above. You have an opportunity to be part of the Church that earthly and/or heavenly history will record as the Church who matured and fulfilled her heavenly purpose on earth.

Let the Church be the Church! Let the Church be the Church that God has always envisioned! Let the bride be filled will the Spirit and led by the Spirit. Let her make herself ready, and let the Spirit and the bride say, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Correcting Spiritual Bents

I spent the last few days visiting my mother in Alabama. Early yesterday morning, I again was spoken to concerning the Church. Will the Church willingly wake up, repent, turn to the Lord and, united in faith, be salt and light, or will she have to experience very, very difficult things to wake her up?

Later, while driving back toward home, the Spirit of God quickened to me that one of the major problems with the Church is that there are “spiritual bents” within various parts of the Church. I recalled that iniquity has to do with being bent and that, in Psalm 51, David prayed concerning iniquity, sin, and transgressions.

Just as there are bents within people, there are bents within the Church. What are some of these bents? No more apostles and prophets; no more miracles; fleshly greed for things; busy, busy, busy. All of these and many more, especially disunity, are spiritual bents, and they are devastating the Church and preventing her from being salt and light to the world around her. O, who has ears to hear? Who? Who?

A short time later during my drive home, I heard a minister on the radio ministering that judgment begins at the house (Church) of the Lord. Thank God that some ministers are beginning to see and/or admit that the Church needs to repent. Too often rather than being a witness of the Lord to the world, the Church is behaving like the world. Many are busy, but their busyness is bent.

Early this morning, before daylight, the Spirit of God was again speaking to me concerning the Church. I know that we must have a faithful remnant united in faith with Jesus Christ and each other or there are going to be dire consequences. Some church goers, especially in America, are excited because of recent political happenings; others are into sports or any number of things, including church, family, work, hobbies, even charitable related events. Please, wake up! Our time is short! If enough true disciples wake up, the possibilities are limitless. If not, the pain will be great, grievous, and much of it unnecessary, personally and corporately.

Please, if you are serious about being a follower of Jesus Christ, pray and ask God to open your eyes to see what He wants you to see.

Words of Restoration (November 2010)

Waiting patiently on God reveals our faith, trust and dependence. (11/30/2010)

Over the past 2,000 years many people have been born of the Spirit, some of them have been baptized in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11), but few have really learned to "Walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16). Jesus Christ continues to build His Church, but has always envisioned a people born of the Spirit, filled with the Spirit and continuously led by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14). (11/29/2010)

In a new and greater way,let's learn to live in gratitude to God (Father, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit) and truly give Him thanks everyday. Have a life of joyful and Happy Thanksgiving! The Lord Jesus bless and keep you and your family. Love, Wayne (11/25/2010)

Experience, culture, and environment (including church doctrines and traditions) are having a greater affect upon many Christians than are the Holy Spirit and biblical truth. (11/23/2010)

Spiritual and natural gifts may flow through some people like a river, but if there are flaws in their character the flaws will always taint the flow. Flaws in character may be hidden underground for awhile, but they will eventually erupt and taint the atmosphere like an erupting volcano. Gifts will pass away; spiritual fruit is eternal! (11/19/2010)

We remember and honor our military personnel of the past and present; thank God for their service, dedication and sacrifices.

Spiritually, may the Church unite in faith to battle the unseen forces that are behind the seen conflicts. As we unite and do battle, thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ(1 Cor.15:57).(11/11/2010)

Let humility, righteousness, graciousness and above all love prevail! Humility and words of humility will bring forth God's favor and blessings; pride and words of pride always call for a fall. (11/3/2010)

May 1 Timothy 2:1-3 become a priority for every true disciple of Jesus Christ!
(11/2/2010)

Righteousness exalts a nation...(Proverbs 14:34). VOTE AND VOTE RIGHTEOUSNESS! Don't vote party, race or color, culture, male or female, personal preferences, etc. Vote righteousness and righteousness only!(11/2/2010)