It was an ordinary church service and I found my thoughts wandering and my eyes straying from the TV as I sought to find God in it. The camera panned the congregation. In one corner a woman was signing for the deaf. The front row contained a young man obviously brain damaged and physically impaired who awkwardly stepped up and fell on the altar during the singing only to haltingly return a few minutes later. No one had reached out to him although his distress was obvious. As the congregation stood for some of the worship, I could see a withered but not very old man bent over the pew, barely able to stand and leaning hard on the seat in front of him. Wheelchair bound people were scattered here and there. Suddenly the worship team burst into jubilant song, "We declare that the Kingdom of God is here among you! The blind see, the deaf hear, the lame men are walking. Sicknesses flee at His Voice. The dead live again and the poor hear the good news. Jesus is King so rejoice." The congregation joined in as directed. But no ministry of any kind followed this declaration. "What are they doing?", I thought, weeping as I turned the service off. I was immediately reminded of the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes" where the Emperor was given what was supposedly beautiful raiment which he was told could be seen only by the wise. Not wanting to look foolish, the Emperor exclaimed over the "exquisite clothes" (which, in reality, were nonexistent) as did his subjects until a small child called out, "The Emperor is naked he has no clothes!" Yes, it was so like the emperor, a Laodecian church service, full of mostly outwardly prosperous people feeling in need of nothing who did not understand they were wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked. (Rev 3:17) Their declarations and confessions were their "clothes" and they did not even want to see or care about the desolate ones in their midst the proof of their nakedness. Although it was a few years ago that I witnessed this, it is still very clear in my mind as is the pain it caused the Holy Spirit in me. Since then, the desolation has grown greater and the response of the church at large has been either that of acceptance that this must be normal Christianity or continual arrogance and self propelling of a gospel of words but no power. But out of this is arising a people who see, at least in part, and groan for the rebuilding of the Body on its true foundation not manmade efforts and doctrines to pacify, entertain or draw crowds. There are so many voices today through conferences, books, TV evangelism, etc. that the seeking Christian has to listen in amazement and say, "Will the REAL Jesus please stand up!". But even all this is being used to stir up people who are willing to wait to hear God for themselves. They are tired of frolicking from one feel good message to another or conversely trembling in fear of the enemy by every prediction of doom. For it has become almost impossible to find the Lord's Voice in the onslaught of winds of doctrines tossing the Church about on stormy seas. We must return to our closets to personal experience and knowledge of God to make it in these perilous days. And this is God's doing He will build His Church from the broken stones. The time of man building his own church and calling it God's church is almost over. The arising of the true Bride who has made herself ready for Christ's return is always in my heart and fills me with hope in my darkest days. But I also understand how hard it is to wait. I am not able to "make things happen" anymore in a sense, that has been God's gift to me. Whatever happens here has to be Him. But I still experience the old urges. Like the morning the Holy Spirit came powerfully, making me bold, fearless and strong in my worship time until I felt like I could face anything. The next morning as I came, needing God's new mercies, I wanted it to be just like the day before. I tried to sing the same songs, yell in prayer, imitate what the Holy Spirit had done yesterday and if God had not stopped me, I might had made it to "feeling" strong again but I would not really have gone forward. You see, it is possible to stir up the same blessing or manifestation BUT then WE are in control. It is like God says, "Okay, if that is all you want stay there". He gives us our requests but sends leanness to our souls. Why am I writing like this? Because I believe God is doing a quick work in this hour. He is going to build His Church a church such as we have never known or seen and I want to be ready and I know you do too. As badly as I need my healing, I know more than ever it is not so Cora can be comfortable and enjoy the pleasures of life. I am like a picture of the state of the Body of Christ almost at the point of death naked, full of incurable wounds BUT about to be resurrected so I can, being fit together in my proper place, go on to do the works I was created to do. I truly believe my healing will be for a sign and confirmation of the message He will soon release through me. God is doing a preparatory thing everywhere putting a hunger for reality and Truth in His chosen ones. And all creation is groaning and travailing, waiting for the sons of God to be manifest. (Rom. 8:19) I always thought that referred to our Heavenly estate after Jesus returns. But it also refers to a manifestation on earth when we, the saints, are equipped and attain oneness of faith in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God that we may arrive at really mature manhood the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and completeness found in Him. (Eph. 4:12 13) This is yet to happen in our day and must happen so we may no longer be children tossed to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine. (Eph. 4:14) Recently we got a letter from a beloved pastor friend. He asked for prayer as changes in staff were being made, causing a burden on him. But he said, "God is doing something unique here... I feel like a balloon ready to burst into blessing and power. How do I know? God is doing a purging of the leaven from the lump! Anyway, its not going to be 'church as usual'." Thank God for this and may it happen everywhere as God builds His Church! Hallelujah! So let us use our trials and hardships to grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head. May the whole body be joined and firmly knit together and be working properly so that it grows to full maturity, building itself up in love (from Eph. 4:15 16). Help us and do this in us Lord! We say YES and AMEN!!! We love you and thank you so much for partnering with us.
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