I have noticed that there are two types of NEW people that come to my church. Those who are broken and seeking God and those who have come to impart their knowledge to us. The former being humble; the latter being proud. The former bankrupt and hungry for a touch from God; the latter so ready to tell everyone how God has used them in the past.
How do I know this? I recognize them each - because I have been both!
As I’ve said many times, I had been in charismatic and conservative churches since the 70’s. I had sat under all of the BIG name preachers followed all of the major teachers; went to every conference available. I bought their books, listened to their teachings, bought their CDs and their T-shirts; wore them out! I had been in their prayer lines and had hands laid on me by everybody and their brother. I had asked Jesus into my heart; backslid; re-dedicated my life; backslid; been baptized; backslid; and did everything the denominations required! I sang in the choir and was there every time the doors were open. I was even a faithful tither! And I was sick! I was on numerous medications for numerous diagnoses!
“I was so lost when I thought I was saved!” (Joyce Green)
A friend told me about the ministry of Forgiveness that was preached at this little church. I went with the attitude of how I could bless them with what I knew! After humbling myself and confessing my sins in brokenness I was happy to go back and serve in any capacity I could. I realized I had so much to learn! When I became obedient to The Word Of God I received a hunger and a thirst for everything of God! I became a sponge! The more I learned; the more I realized how much I had to unlearn! Having a background in computers I equated it to reformatting my hard drive to get rid of a malevolent virus. I pretty much just dumped everything I had been taught before! And The Holy Spirit took over leading me to those who taught The Truth: repentance of sins; obedience to The Word Of God! It wasn’t long before I was healed of all of my afflictions and the doctors took me off of my prescriptions! That was in 2012. By the grace of God I am still prescription free.
I’ve seen many come through our doors and then leave because they felt rejection. They were accustomed to having a role in leadership and were unwilling to learn from us.
“Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
2 Timothy 3:7 KJV
A Ministry that is focused on the cross is in opposition to the humanistic doctrine most churches embrace. Not feeling appreciated is contrary to dying to self. When you are concerned about you, you are not concerned about Jesus! God will not share His throne!
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” James 4:6-10 KJV
Does my little church have it all together? Absolutely not. But we are seeing a revival in the hearts of many of our members! God is moving and lives are being changed.
The ones God is reaching are the ones that bring nothing to the table but their will. They know nothing, they have a pliable heart, open to instruction.
“So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:21-23 KJV
The ones that already “know” but who have not humbled themselves are full of fear. They are always talking about their infirmities. You mention forgiveness and they quickly say they have forgiven, yet proceed to tell you how they were hurt; the pain still fresh. You mention the sin of judgments, bitterness, resentments and from the look on their face you know they cannot hear you.
Deceived people do not know they are deceived.
You can hear the Word and not obey it so long that your heart hardens. You think you are okay but you are far from it!
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Matthew 7:22-23 KJV
Iniquity is sin! Sin is unbelief. When you don’t believe, you don’t fear The Lord and you are less apt to obey His Commandments!
“The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:33 KJV
The Word Of God is a seed that has to be planted; received into good soil. Seeds that are not planted will either be snatched away by the enemy or will lay there and rot. Rotting seed gives no growth; produces no fruit; its good for nothing other than the dung heap. Good soil has been broken up; the rocky hard places removed.
So what kind of soil are you?
Are you teachable?
Are you seeking The Lord with all of your heart or is He something you do on Sunday?
Are you on the broad path following all of the big names; spending more time watching TV ministries than reading your Bible?
Is where you were more important than where God wants you to be?
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:19 KJV
Just like in the world if the water isn’t moving it will stagnate. It has to have a source of fresh water or all life within it will die.
“Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:11-13 KJV
Ask God to show you your heart. The names and the faces He reminds you of is unfinished business. Those are the sins that need to be repented of; unforgiveness, judgments, resentments, bitterness. Don’t let the spirit of pride keep you from obeying The LORD!
“And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.” Mark 1:23-24 KJV
“And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.” Mark 1:27 KJV
Don’t let the devil keep you from overcoming the deception that is prevalent today. Ask God to open your eyes, open your ears and change your heart. Read your Bible! Let The Word speak to you!
Humbly I ask you to repent while there is still time!
Even so - MARANATHA
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