At the beginning of the year, a prophet of God shared with me what they were feeling in their spirit about the Year 2016. They said they felt like it would be a "Year of War". That word definitely seems to be coming to pass. When people are getting bombed at airports and shot to death at nightclubs in the name of terrorism, that is War. When you have innocent civilians being murdered by police, and then innocent police officers being murdered by civilians, that is Social War. So yes, whether we are willing to admit it or not, this country and this nation is in a Time of War. As a result, what we need to do now as believers in Christ is Prepare for War.
As Christians and children of God, we need to understand that the Warfare for which we are called to engage is not in the Natural. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2Corinthians 10), so we don't have to worry about guns and rifles and other objects that are designed to cause bodily harm. No saints, our warfare is Spiritual (Ephesians 6). Once the church learns how to effectively operate in Spiritual Warfare, a lot of the chaos that we're witnessing in the Natural will cease. The challenge right now is Preparation. We must Prepare for the War for which we've been called to engage.
The first order of Preparation for War is to arm oneself with a Mentality to Fight. The Passivity and Indifference that's present in the church is alarming. Everybody has something to say about the brutality and injustices that are taking place in our world, but where is the voice of the church? As the people of God, we can no longer afford to hide in the background and just stay put in the sanctuary singing our hymns and preaching our sermons. We are the light of the world, we are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5). It's up to us to make the Difference for what's going on in our society. But in order to make the Difference, we've got to Fight. The scripture says to "fight the good fight of faith" (1Timothy 6). Where is our faith in God? Where's the stand of the church to let the world know that Violence and Bigotry and Hatred and Racism is wrong and not of God. It's almost like people are scared to bring the faith equation into the discussion of the unraveling of our country. But until this country turns "back" to God, this nation will continue to spiral out of control. We must take a stand and fight for the faith and the Voice of God in and for this country.
Then saints, in order to properly Prepare for War, we must stay Focused and Disciplined. The scripture says, "no man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2Timothy 2). In order to be a soldier of Christ and fight for the advancement of the Kingdom of God, you cannot afford to be tangled up in the affairs of this world. We're not talking about not going to work, not having a job, not having a family, not having a social life; that's not what we're talking about. Not being entangled with the affairs of this life means that there's nothing in your life that comes before or above your Devotion to Christ and the fulfillment of His Will and Purpose for your life. Nothing's wrong with having a career, but does your career come before Christ? It's a blessing to have a family, but does your family come before the execution of God's Will and Purpose for your life? This is where the witness of the church is being diminished; we want to be a part of the world in the "name" of being a Christian. It doesn't work that way. God has called us "out" of the world (John 17). Why? So that we can be Agents of Change for the world. America needs a Change, as President Obama said when he campaigned for the presidency in 2008. But as we've painfully seen, the change isn't going to come from the Government. The change isn't going to come from a social organization. The change isn't going to come from protests and retaliation. Change has to come from God. But the only way that Change can be manifested in the earth is through the witness of the church. It's Change that we must fight for, and in order to do that effectively, we must Prepare for War.
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Vain Worship
Could going to church on Sunday morning actually be in vain? I'd like to think not, but according to the Word of God, it very well could be. In the 7th chapter of the Gospel of Saint Mark, Jesus calls out the Pharisees and essentially tells them that their worship is in vain. It makes me ask the question, is that what Jesus is saying about the church today; that our worship is in vain? For years many of us have faithfully and diligently attended worship services at our local congregation, in the name of worshiping the Lord. But I am persuaded saints that what a lot of churches are doing around the country on Sunday mornings is nothing more than Vain Worship.
Let's take a look at some of the challenges Jesus had with the Pharisees that led Him to describe their worship as vain. First off, He called them out for their Hypocrisy. The Pharisees were hypocrites. What is a hypocrite? The popular answer is one who says one thing and then does another. This is incorrect. The accurate definition of a hypocrite is one who uses one standard to judge themselves and then uses another standard to judge others. That is hypocritical. So if I drink (alcohol) and then I say that drinking is wrong, that doesn't make me a hypocrite. What makes me a hypocrite is if I condemn you for drinking alcohol while excusing or justifying myself while drinking alcohol. This is hypocritical, and this is where the modern day church is. The world doesn't have a problem with Christians sinning. Jesus died for our sins (John 3); so that's not the problem. The problem that the world has with the church is our inconsistency. In other words, don't be condemning me, sending me to hell, when you're doing the exact same things that I'm doing. This is the position of the world against the witness of the church. And instead of us confessing that we're sinners just like them but that the difference is that we have a Savior who has died for our sins and forgiven us for our trespasses, we just try to "act better". Wrong. We have to quit being hypocritical, if don't want our worship to be in vain.
Lastly, Jesus called the Pharisees out on something that the mainstream church is definitely guilty of: they made their traditions and rituals the equivalent of the Commandments and Will of God. This, I believe, has really upset the Lord. In the church, we've put emphasis and focus on things that literally have nothing to do with the Divine Will of God. What difference does it make what denomination you are? What difference does it make what you wear to church (as long as it's decent and in order, 1Corinthians 14)? Who came up with all of these boards and committees and councils? All of these "traditions" have churches put together and convinced people that if you don't abide by these religious rituals then you're really not saved and you're not a "true" Christian. This is not the Will of God. God looks on the heart, not the outer man (1Samuel 16). And in the days to come, we're going to see plenty of "church leaders" who look good on the outside and know the right things to say but their hearts are not with God (Mark 7). Saints, it's time to do a Heart Check. Check and see where your heart really is with God. Are you going to church because that's what you've done all of your life, or are you going seeking a deeper relationship with God? Are you going to church because it's the "right thing to do" or are you going because you're looking to answer God's Kingdom Call for your life? Let us make sure that our motives for going to church do not make us victims of Vain Worship.
Let's take a look at some of the challenges Jesus had with the Pharisees that led Him to describe their worship as vain. First off, He called them out for their Hypocrisy. The Pharisees were hypocrites. What is a hypocrite? The popular answer is one who says one thing and then does another. This is incorrect. The accurate definition of a hypocrite is one who uses one standard to judge themselves and then uses another standard to judge others. That is hypocritical. So if I drink (alcohol) and then I say that drinking is wrong, that doesn't make me a hypocrite. What makes me a hypocrite is if I condemn you for drinking alcohol while excusing or justifying myself while drinking alcohol. This is hypocritical, and this is where the modern day church is. The world doesn't have a problem with Christians sinning. Jesus died for our sins (John 3); so that's not the problem. The problem that the world has with the church is our inconsistency. In other words, don't be condemning me, sending me to hell, when you're doing the exact same things that I'm doing. This is the position of the world against the witness of the church. And instead of us confessing that we're sinners just like them but that the difference is that we have a Savior who has died for our sins and forgiven us for our trespasses, we just try to "act better". Wrong. We have to quit being hypocritical, if don't want our worship to be in vain.
Lastly, Jesus called the Pharisees out on something that the mainstream church is definitely guilty of: they made their traditions and rituals the equivalent of the Commandments and Will of God. This, I believe, has really upset the Lord. In the church, we've put emphasis and focus on things that literally have nothing to do with the Divine Will of God. What difference does it make what denomination you are? What difference does it make what you wear to church (as long as it's decent and in order, 1Corinthians 14)? Who came up with all of these boards and committees and councils? All of these "traditions" have churches put together and convinced people that if you don't abide by these religious rituals then you're really not saved and you're not a "true" Christian. This is not the Will of God. God looks on the heart, not the outer man (1Samuel 16). And in the days to come, we're going to see plenty of "church leaders" who look good on the outside and know the right things to say but their hearts are not with God (Mark 7). Saints, it's time to do a Heart Check. Check and see where your heart really is with God. Are you going to church because that's what you've done all of your life, or are you going seeking a deeper relationship with God? Are you going to church because it's the "right thing to do" or are you going because you're looking to answer God's Kingdom Call for your life? Let us make sure that our motives for going to church do not make us victims of Vain Worship.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Where is the Justice?
It's a sad day in the United States of America. We mourn the loss of Alton Sterling, victim of a police shooting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We mourn the loss of Philando Castile, victim of a police shooting in St. Paul, Minnesota. And we grieve for the injured and slain police officers in the sniper shooting in Dallas, Texas. It has been a horrific week of senseless killings in America. As we mourn the loss of these men, I ask one simple question: Where's the Justice? Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were two African-American men who (based on the video footage and limited eye witness reports) did not deserve to die at the hands of the police officers who killed them. Then you have to raise the Justice question for the police officers who got shot and killed in Dallas. As far as we know, they didn't do anything wrong. We definitely know they had nothing to do with the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile; therefore they didn't deserve to be shot at and killed in the midst of a "peaceful" protest march. So once again, Where Is the Justice?
Saints, whether what I'm about to say is "politically correct" or not, as the people of God, we need to know what time it is. What we are witnessing is the unfolding of the Judgment of God in America. I know people don't like to hear that, even in the church, but the truth is the Light. We are witnessing the Judgment of God in America; and let me assure you, unless and until America repents, it's not going to get better, it's actually going to get worse. We need to recognize the Hand of God in the various events of tragedy that are unfolding in our nation.
Now let's try to put this in context. Am I saying that God is responsible for the deaths of the two African-American men and the police officers in Dallas? No I am not. So we ask the question again, Where is the Justice? The Justice (Judgment) System of God is different than man's. We tend to think of justice on an "individualized" basis. There is a place for that in the Economy of God, but that's not how He primarily operates when it comes to the Judgment (Justice) of a nation. God deals on the basis of what is called Federal Representation. The scriptures break this concept down in Romans chapter 5. No one dies strictly based upon their own sinfulness, we've inherited the sinfulness of Adam (Romans 5). And nobody is going to Heaven based on their own goodness; we're all going to Heaven based upon the Goodness of Jesus on our behalf (Justification, Romans 5). So you see that the Justice (Judgment) of God is not contingent strictly upon the sins of the individual, it's who the individual is associated with and represented by.
When it comes to the Judgment of nations the principle is similar. God is not just looking at what "individuals" do in reference to His Will, He's looking at Federal (or national) Representation. I've said it before and I want to say it again; one of the biggest mistakes this nation could've made was when we passed federal legislation for the national legalization of same-sex marriage. Whether people want to admit it or not or whether they understand it or not, that legal slap in God's Face brought about the Judgment of God on America. And you have to understand about the Judgment of God, it's not always swift, but it's always sure (Ecclesiastes 8). Therefore, more and more, you're going to see more incidents of this nature (don't forget Orlando, Florida). So what's the remedy? America has to repent, starting with the President of the United States. Don't be surprised if you start to hear problems with President Obama. Yes, we sympathize, but we need to know what time it is.
Where is the Justice? Justice will be found amongst the people once we execute the Justice of God. Where's the Justice? We'll see civil justice restored when Divine Justice is restored to this nation and our society in regards to the Divine Will of God for this country. Where is the Justice? Justice will be restored in the streets when government officials and clergy and community leaders repent and say we were wrong about same-sex marriage, we were wrong about transgender rights, we submit to the Divine Will of God. When God receives the Justice He's due AS GOD, He will Providentially release the civil justice that everyone in this country is looking for.
Saints, whether what I'm about to say is "politically correct" or not, as the people of God, we need to know what time it is. What we are witnessing is the unfolding of the Judgment of God in America. I know people don't like to hear that, even in the church, but the truth is the Light. We are witnessing the Judgment of God in America; and let me assure you, unless and until America repents, it's not going to get better, it's actually going to get worse. We need to recognize the Hand of God in the various events of tragedy that are unfolding in our nation.
Now let's try to put this in context. Am I saying that God is responsible for the deaths of the two African-American men and the police officers in Dallas? No I am not. So we ask the question again, Where is the Justice? The Justice (Judgment) System of God is different than man's. We tend to think of justice on an "individualized" basis. There is a place for that in the Economy of God, but that's not how He primarily operates when it comes to the Judgment (Justice) of a nation. God deals on the basis of what is called Federal Representation. The scriptures break this concept down in Romans chapter 5. No one dies strictly based upon their own sinfulness, we've inherited the sinfulness of Adam (Romans 5). And nobody is going to Heaven based on their own goodness; we're all going to Heaven based upon the Goodness of Jesus on our behalf (Justification, Romans 5). So you see that the Justice (Judgment) of God is not contingent strictly upon the sins of the individual, it's who the individual is associated with and represented by.
When it comes to the Judgment of nations the principle is similar. God is not just looking at what "individuals" do in reference to His Will, He's looking at Federal (or national) Representation. I've said it before and I want to say it again; one of the biggest mistakes this nation could've made was when we passed federal legislation for the national legalization of same-sex marriage. Whether people want to admit it or not or whether they understand it or not, that legal slap in God's Face brought about the Judgment of God on America. And you have to understand about the Judgment of God, it's not always swift, but it's always sure (Ecclesiastes 8). Therefore, more and more, you're going to see more incidents of this nature (don't forget Orlando, Florida). So what's the remedy? America has to repent, starting with the President of the United States. Don't be surprised if you start to hear problems with President Obama. Yes, we sympathize, but we need to know what time it is.
Where is the Justice? Justice will be found amongst the people once we execute the Justice of God. Where's the Justice? We'll see civil justice restored when Divine Justice is restored to this nation and our society in regards to the Divine Will of God for this country. Where is the Justice? Justice will be restored in the streets when government officials and clergy and community leaders repent and say we were wrong about same-sex marriage, we were wrong about transgender rights, we submit to the Divine Will of God. When God receives the Justice He's due AS GOD, He will Providentially release the civil justice that everyone in this country is looking for.
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
The Divided States of America
We are currently witnessing a situation in our nation where we are actually living in a Divided Country. We are no longer the "United" States of America, we are the "Divided" States of America. This country is more Divided than I have ever seen it before. This Division is not restricted to politics. We're Divided racially, we're divided economically, we're divided morally, we're divided spiritually and yes we are divided politically. Differences and challenges are nothing new to America. We've always had racism, we've always had sexism, we've always had liberals and conservatives; but this is different. The source of the Division that we're experiencing in our country right now is rooted in the fact that America has no fundamental value system, and as a result there is a lack of social cohesion that creates a sense of national unity. We are truly like the Book of Judges, "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21). As a result, we have a very fractured and divided nation. This is something that needs to be addressed and that the church needs to respond to.
The reason I say that this is a problem for which the church needs to attend to is because the solution to the dilemma is quite simple. America needs GOD. I know this may sound oversimplistic, but it's the truth. One of the things that many American citizens have forgotten, particularly our leaders, is that America was founded as a Christian nation. Yes, America has had its flaws historically, but in regards to the basis and premise of the founding of this country, it was based on a belief in God and the truth of His Word. For this reason, God Blessed America. One of the reasons that this is so significant is because belief in God through faith in Jesus Christ gives you clear parameters between what is Right and what is Wrong. This no longer exists in America. And if America is going to be great again (to use one politician's slogan) then we're going to have to reestablish our faith in God as a country and as a people.
In order for this Shift to take place, the church needs to sound a clarion call to America to Repent. We can't make a Call to National Repentance in a spirit of being judgmental, we have to do it in a Spirit of Love. One of the things that I find quite appalling about America right now is the level of Indifference towards the needs and concerns of people and our communities. It seems like people just don't care; including the church. Everybody is obsessed with taking care of "me, myself and I". This is not the Will of God. We have to let Americans know that there is a God who cares about their plight. There is a God who cares about their unemployment and them not having enough money to take care of their families. We need to let Americans know that there is a God who cares about the fear factor that is prevalent in so many of our communities, including the suburbs. We need to let Americans know that the God who sits above, who gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, does care about the threat of Terror that is pulverizing this nation. It's up to the church to be the Light of this country and the Salt of this nation. And if we don't rise up and be the witness to America that Christ is calling His Church to be, we're going to continue to live in a Divided States of America.
The reason I say that this is a problem for which the church needs to attend to is because the solution to the dilemma is quite simple. America needs GOD. I know this may sound oversimplistic, but it's the truth. One of the things that many American citizens have forgotten, particularly our leaders, is that America was founded as a Christian nation. Yes, America has had its flaws historically, but in regards to the basis and premise of the founding of this country, it was based on a belief in God and the truth of His Word. For this reason, God Blessed America. One of the reasons that this is so significant is because belief in God through faith in Jesus Christ gives you clear parameters between what is Right and what is Wrong. This no longer exists in America. And if America is going to be great again (to use one politician's slogan) then we're going to have to reestablish our faith in God as a country and as a people.
In order for this Shift to take place, the church needs to sound a clarion call to America to Repent. We can't make a Call to National Repentance in a spirit of being judgmental, we have to do it in a Spirit of Love. One of the things that I find quite appalling about America right now is the level of Indifference towards the needs and concerns of people and our communities. It seems like people just don't care; including the church. Everybody is obsessed with taking care of "me, myself and I". This is not the Will of God. We have to let Americans know that there is a God who cares about their plight. There is a God who cares about their unemployment and them not having enough money to take care of their families. We need to let Americans know that there is a God who cares about the fear factor that is prevalent in so many of our communities, including the suburbs. We need to let Americans know that the God who sits above, who gave His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, does care about the threat of Terror that is pulverizing this nation. It's up to the church to be the Light of this country and the Salt of this nation. And if we don't rise up and be the witness to America that Christ is calling His Church to be, we're going to continue to live in a Divided States of America.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Stay Close
We are entering a season saints, where it is imperative that we learn to Stay Close to the Lord. Now is not the time to be wandering off from the Lord. Now is not the time to get lost in "spiritual delinquency". Now is not the time to "shirk" on your spiritual devotion. Now, more than ever before, is the time to Stay Close. Notice I didn't say "stay committed", I said Stay Close. There is a difference between being committed to God and being Close to God. There are many of us that are committed to our churches, committed to the ministry, even committed to the Lord; but that doesn't necessarily mean that we are Close to the Lord. A good example is some marriages. You have people that are committed to their spouse; they come home every night, they pay the bills, they fix the food and their faithful to the fidelity vows of the marriage. But unfortunately, all of this does not guarantee that the two are "close"; emotionally, relationally, mentally and sometimes even physically. So, we're not just talking about commitment, in terms of our relationship with God, we need to Stay Close.
The reason why we need to do this is because the church and the world are getting ready to go through some perilous times. I believe in many of our congregations and eventually throughout this country, we're going to experience some things that many of us have never experienced in our lifetime. It's going to be Crisis in an immense proportion. Therefore, the only way we're going to be able to make it is if we Stay Close to the Lord. Your commitment and faithfulness to the ministry won't be enough. Your moral lifestyle won't be enough. Even your gifts and anointing won't be enough. You will have to have established in your heart, soul and spirit and Intimacy with Christ that will take you through any storm that life sends your way. And believe me saints, the storm is coming. This type of Intimacy and Closeness with Christ can't just be developed over night. And you won't have time to nurture it once the trouble hits and the storm comes. It has to already be established. That's like trying to build a house in the midst of a hurricane. The conditions won't allow you to do it. The house has to have already been built before the storm arrives. So it will be with our closeness to the Lord.
A good example of this is the Apostle Peter. If anyone was committed to the Lord it was Peter. God gave him the revelation of who Jesus was as the Christ, and subsequently gave him the Keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16). So we know that Peter was a dedicated and committed Disciple of Christ. But he exhibited one flaw, he didn't Stay Close. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the scripture says that Peter deserted him and later denied him (Luke 22). Of course Peter put up a good fight in the Garden (John 18), but after his flesh response was insufficient to sustain his loyalty to Jesus, he fled just like the rest of the disciples. Why? Because he didn't Stay Close. Jesus told Peter, James and John to pray in the Garden with Him as prepared for His Crucifixion (Mark 14). And what did they do? Went to sleep! Then Jesus says what, "watch and pray" (Mark 14). In other words, Stay Close! The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mark 14). The pressure of the moment got to all of them, even Peter. And it will get the best of us as well if we don't Stay Close.
The reason why we need to do this is because the church and the world are getting ready to go through some perilous times. I believe in many of our congregations and eventually throughout this country, we're going to experience some things that many of us have never experienced in our lifetime. It's going to be Crisis in an immense proportion. Therefore, the only way we're going to be able to make it is if we Stay Close to the Lord. Your commitment and faithfulness to the ministry won't be enough. Your moral lifestyle won't be enough. Even your gifts and anointing won't be enough. You will have to have established in your heart, soul and spirit and Intimacy with Christ that will take you through any storm that life sends your way. And believe me saints, the storm is coming. This type of Intimacy and Closeness with Christ can't just be developed over night. And you won't have time to nurture it once the trouble hits and the storm comes. It has to already be established. That's like trying to build a house in the midst of a hurricane. The conditions won't allow you to do it. The house has to have already been built before the storm arrives. So it will be with our closeness to the Lord.
A good example of this is the Apostle Peter. If anyone was committed to the Lord it was Peter. God gave him the revelation of who Jesus was as the Christ, and subsequently gave him the Keys of the Kingdom (Matthew 16). So we know that Peter was a dedicated and committed Disciple of Christ. But he exhibited one flaw, he didn't Stay Close. When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the scripture says that Peter deserted him and later denied him (Luke 22). Of course Peter put up a good fight in the Garden (John 18), but after his flesh response was insufficient to sustain his loyalty to Jesus, he fled just like the rest of the disciples. Why? Because he didn't Stay Close. Jesus told Peter, James and John to pray in the Garden with Him as prepared for His Crucifixion (Mark 14). And what did they do? Went to sleep! Then Jesus says what, "watch and pray" (Mark 14). In other words, Stay Close! The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Mark 14). The pressure of the moment got to all of them, even Peter. And it will get the best of us as well if we don't Stay Close.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Let The Judgment Begin
I am thoroughly convinced that the Judgment that God has been withholding is about to be released by the end of this year. There are a lot of signs of this with the various world tragedies and the deaths of many world icons. But saints more than anything else, It's Time. God is ready to release His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven; and in order to do that, there must be a Release of Divine Judgment in order to usher in the New of His Kingdom. Let us remember, Judgment is not the equivalent of Punishment. So many times, this is the automatic connotation that is drawn. That is incorrect. Judgment is Deliberation and Evaluation. That's what God is ready to do now; He's ready to give everybody their "grade" in regards to how He has Divinely Assessed our faithfulness and commitment to Him. Therefore, Let The Judgment Begin.
We must keep in mind that before we see what could be described as "National Judgment" (the Divine Judgment of God on America) we're going to see the Judgment of God in the church. The Bible clearly states that Judgment must start in the house of God (1Peter 4). For this reason, you're going to see the exposure and in some cases the promotion of various men and women of God in the world of Christendom. For some this will be a time of rejoicing; for others it will be a source of profound disappointment. But remember what the Word says, be not deceived God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap (Galatians 6). That's why we would do well to heed what the scriptures say, "for if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1Corinthians 11). I would encourage every believer in Christ to take this season to do a true "self-examination". Let the Lord turn the light on your heart and examine whether you are Holy: in body, in soul, and in spirit. The scriptures say that we should be holy because God is Holy (1Peter 1). Once again, this is not the time to be delinquent and irresponsible in regards to our relationship with God and the execution of His Divine Will for our lives. Let the Judgment Begin.
The word judgment comes from the Greek word "krisis", which is where we get the English word Crisis. This is what you're going to see in many churches, ministries and eventually our nation. When you start to hear of various crises taking place in various churches "all of a sudden" and "seemingly out of nowhere", know that it's not an arbitrary event, it is the hand of God. So many times when Crisis hits, we get lost in the emotion and sorrow of the event. No saints. We have to be more spiritually mature. I'm not saying to be indifferent, cold-hearted and apathetic. I'm saying, make sure we're paying attention to what God is saying in His allowing the event to transpire. It's an act of Divine Judgment. Not Punishment, Judgment. For what? For Repentance for the New Order. If you're already in Alignment with God, if you've made the necessary adjustments that the Spirit has called you to make, then Crisis (Judgment) won't adversely affect you, by the Grace of God. But for those who are still "playing with God", for those whose spiritual temperature is still "lukewarm" (Revelation 3), in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "you've got some difficult days ahead". But understand what God is doing. He's got to purge the church through Judgment, so that when Judgment hits America, we'll be in a place to serve as the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5). God's Judgment is an Act of Redemption, set to usher in one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Moves of God the earth has ever seen. So, Let The Judgment Begin.
We must keep in mind that before we see what could be described as "National Judgment" (the Divine Judgment of God on America) we're going to see the Judgment of God in the church. The Bible clearly states that Judgment must start in the house of God (1Peter 4). For this reason, you're going to see the exposure and in some cases the promotion of various men and women of God in the world of Christendom. For some this will be a time of rejoicing; for others it will be a source of profound disappointment. But remember what the Word says, be not deceived God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap (Galatians 6). That's why we would do well to heed what the scriptures say, "for if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged" (1Corinthians 11). I would encourage every believer in Christ to take this season to do a true "self-examination". Let the Lord turn the light on your heart and examine whether you are Holy: in body, in soul, and in spirit. The scriptures say that we should be holy because God is Holy (1Peter 1). Once again, this is not the time to be delinquent and irresponsible in regards to our relationship with God and the execution of His Divine Will for our lives. Let the Judgment Begin.
The word judgment comes from the Greek word "krisis", which is where we get the English word Crisis. This is what you're going to see in many churches, ministries and eventually our nation. When you start to hear of various crises taking place in various churches "all of a sudden" and "seemingly out of nowhere", know that it's not an arbitrary event, it is the hand of God. So many times when Crisis hits, we get lost in the emotion and sorrow of the event. No saints. We have to be more spiritually mature. I'm not saying to be indifferent, cold-hearted and apathetic. I'm saying, make sure we're paying attention to what God is saying in His allowing the event to transpire. It's an act of Divine Judgment. Not Punishment, Judgment. For what? For Repentance for the New Order. If you're already in Alignment with God, if you've made the necessary adjustments that the Spirit has called you to make, then Crisis (Judgment) won't adversely affect you, by the Grace of God. But for those who are still "playing with God", for those whose spiritual temperature is still "lukewarm" (Revelation 3), in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "you've got some difficult days ahead". But understand what God is doing. He's got to purge the church through Judgment, so that when Judgment hits America, we'll be in a place to serve as the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5). God's Judgment is an Act of Redemption, set to usher in one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Moves of God the earth has ever seen. So, Let The Judgment Begin.
Friday, July 1, 2016
Kingdom Fitness
In the days ahead, we're going to see that everybody who professes to be a Christian, is not fit for the Kingdom of God. We're going to discover rather rapidly that being a member of the church (even a faithful one) does not necessarily qualify you to operate and function in the Kingdom of God. Just like we emphasize and promote "physical fitness", from a spiritual perspective, we now need to promote Kingdom Fitness. Let me reiterate, everyone who names the name of Christ is not fit for the Kingdom of God. Therefore I ask the question, are you Fit for the Kingdom of God: spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically? If not, then now is the time to get into Kingdom Fitness.
One of the things that the church at large is going to have to embrace is that you cannot demonstrate Kingdom Fitness while indulging in the works of the flesh. The scripture says very clearly, "now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness...and such like: of the which I tell you before as I have told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5). Many people misinterpret this text to mean that those who engage in the works of the flesh will not go to heaven when they die. This is not what the scripture says and is an "anti-Grace" message (Galatians 2). It means that in regards to ruling with Christ and having the Kingdom of God established within you (Romans 8, Luke 17), you are disqualified from such if you indulge in the works of the flesh. Reason being is that you can't exercise Kingdom Fitness having an attitude and disposition that is self-centered and self-absorbed. Regardless of the area of flesh one looks at, even the affections of the flesh, it's not just about sin but more about self. If you're not allowing the Holy Spirit to establish within you a heart of selflessness, you have yet to reach Kingdom Fitness.
The other requirement for Kingdom Fitness is Focus. Jesus says, "no man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9). Earlier this year I received a prophetic word where the Lord told me specifically "do not Look Back". This is the challenge for many believers. Yes we want the things that God has promised and ordained for us, but there's also a part of us that wants to hold on to the past. Past dreams, past relationships, past associations, past affiliations, past memories, past hopes, past endeavors, past activities...we don't want to let go. But saints, you can't move forward in the Kingdom continuing to look back towards your past. This is the time where you have to undergo a spiritual operation and let the Holy Ghost give you a dose of "spiritual amnesia". We must learn to be like Paul, "forgetting those things which are behind" (Philippians 3). It's a New Day saints, and God is doing a New Thing. Old things truly have passed away. Therefore, put away the Old and get with the New. It's the only way to achieve Kingdom Fitness.
One of the things that the church at large is going to have to embrace is that you cannot demonstrate Kingdom Fitness while indulging in the works of the flesh. The scripture says very clearly, "now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness...and such like: of the which I tell you before as I have told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God" (Galatians 5). Many people misinterpret this text to mean that those who engage in the works of the flesh will not go to heaven when they die. This is not what the scripture says and is an "anti-Grace" message (Galatians 2). It means that in regards to ruling with Christ and having the Kingdom of God established within you (Romans 8, Luke 17), you are disqualified from such if you indulge in the works of the flesh. Reason being is that you can't exercise Kingdom Fitness having an attitude and disposition that is self-centered and self-absorbed. Regardless of the area of flesh one looks at, even the affections of the flesh, it's not just about sin but more about self. If you're not allowing the Holy Spirit to establish within you a heart of selflessness, you have yet to reach Kingdom Fitness.
The other requirement for Kingdom Fitness is Focus. Jesus says, "no man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the Kingdom of God" (Luke 9). Earlier this year I received a prophetic word where the Lord told me specifically "do not Look Back". This is the challenge for many believers. Yes we want the things that God has promised and ordained for us, but there's also a part of us that wants to hold on to the past. Past dreams, past relationships, past associations, past affiliations, past memories, past hopes, past endeavors, past activities...we don't want to let go. But saints, you can't move forward in the Kingdom continuing to look back towards your past. This is the time where you have to undergo a spiritual operation and let the Holy Ghost give you a dose of "spiritual amnesia". We must learn to be like Paul, "forgetting those things which are behind" (Philippians 3). It's a New Day saints, and God is doing a New Thing. Old things truly have passed away. Therefore, put away the Old and get with the New. It's the only way to achieve Kingdom Fitness.
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