I woke up this morning seeking the Lord for his Word to convey what is needed for the Body of Christ right now.
Friends, we are in a state of emergency, and the Lord is not pleased. We are in short supply of integrity on all spectrums. Our hearts for God and people continue to flat line as we try to handle issues in our own strength and wisdom. Our courage has been displaced with fear, deception, lies, and bearing false witness against others. We are no longer a city on a hill, or a light in dark places. We have become the darkness. We care more about being accepted than doing what is right.
The Lord has allowed me to experience a small measure of darkness that is in the church. I've experienced a manner in which we will be deceived, and handed over by those that claim the faith. I can assure you that courage is needed to press through when you don't know how it's going to end. Courage is needed to stand on the Word of God when all heck is breaking bad and breaking loose. Courage is needed when your finances go through drastic changes, but God's task for you requires giving. Courage is needed to show kindness to those who have not been so kind to you.
What shall you do to take back your Kingdom?
The first order of business is to repent to the Lord and apologize to those you've wronged. I have learned that grave conflicts are often due to lack of mature communication. When Christians are at war with each other, the enemy has no one to oppose him, so he walks right in to take what he desires.
It's quite easy to tell babies from mature Christians. Babies, have no filter. They lack the ability to think before they speak. It's all about the theatrics of conflict, not resolving it. They are unapologetic and sweep everything under the rug until what's hidden underneath bubbles to the surface. Mature Christians exercise control. They say what's only needed, and desire truth, peace and a resolution if possible. It's important to know who you are dealing with so God can be glorified by your conduct.
You must also become active in your faith. So many Christians today wear a name tag only. They are unresponsive to God's Word. They hear but they do not understand. They see, but they do not know how to discern. They are constantly burying their heads in the sand, so they never have to give an account to who they serve. Wake Up! The church you attend is a building ONLY. It's not God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. What you do after attending your place of worship requires active participation on your part, because you are the church. Yes, you, are a representative of the gospel. Go forward in the boldness and truth of the Lord to be a example of your faith.
We must courageously humble ourselves for the greater good.
1 Peter 3:8 Amp Bible
8 Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble 9.Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].10 For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).
Beloved,
Our Father who sees and hears all has given us a spirit of love, power and a sound mind. We must stop all this bickering, and table talk to stand together in truth, in justice, in love, and for God, for we are not meant to be enemies.
Philippians 1 NIV
27. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Amplified Version
27 Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).
28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.
Friends, we are in a state of emergency, and the Lord is not pleased. We are in short supply of integrity on all spectrums. Our hearts for God and people continue to flat line as we try to handle issues in our own strength and wisdom. Our courage has been displaced with fear, deception, lies, and bearing false witness against others. We are no longer a city on a hill, or a light in dark places. We have become the darkness. We care more about being accepted than doing what is right.
The Lord has allowed me to experience a small measure of darkness that is in the church. I've experienced a manner in which we will be deceived, and handed over by those that claim the faith. I can assure you that courage is needed to press through when you don't know how it's going to end. Courage is needed to stand on the Word of God when all heck is breaking bad and breaking loose. Courage is needed when your finances go through drastic changes, but God's task for you requires giving. Courage is needed to show kindness to those who have not been so kind to you.
What shall you do to take back your Kingdom?
The first order of business is to repent to the Lord and apologize to those you've wronged. I have learned that grave conflicts are often due to lack of mature communication. When Christians are at war with each other, the enemy has no one to oppose him, so he walks right in to take what he desires.
It's quite easy to tell babies from mature Christians. Babies, have no filter. They lack the ability to think before they speak. It's all about the theatrics of conflict, not resolving it. They are unapologetic and sweep everything under the rug until what's hidden underneath bubbles to the surface. Mature Christians exercise control. They say what's only needed, and desire truth, peace and a resolution if possible. It's important to know who you are dealing with so God can be glorified by your conduct.
You must also become active in your faith. So many Christians today wear a name tag only. They are unresponsive to God's Word. They hear but they do not understand. They see, but they do not know how to discern. They are constantly burying their heads in the sand, so they never have to give an account to who they serve. Wake Up! The church you attend is a building ONLY. It's not God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. What you do after attending your place of worship requires active participation on your part, because you are the church. Yes, you, are a representative of the gospel. Go forward in the boldness and truth of the Lord to be a example of your faith.
We must courageously humble ourselves for the greater good.
1 Peter 3:8 Amp Bible
8 Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind (united in spirit), sympathizing [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tenderhearted and humble 9.Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing [from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection].10 For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).
Beloved,
Our Father who sees and hears all has given us a spirit of love, power and a sound mind. We must stop all this bickering, and table talk to stand together in truth, in justice, in love, and for God, for we are not meant to be enemies.
Philippians 1 NIV
27. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Amplified Version
27 Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).
28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.
