God Loves Order

One cannot truly know God nor appreciate Him as He is without being awed at the ordered array of His universe. Yes, the Almighty loves life and freedom, but at the substructure of all creation there first had to exist an immutable matrix of order. It was upon this foundation of ordered laws of physics that life emerged. Order is the source of life.

We must remember that the very same eternal mind that created the structured order of the universe created the church. There is a divine order to the church that begins in being rightly related to Christ and the leadership He gives to the church through people. God is a God of order; order precedes life and freedom. God’s mind is ordered; His will is ordered and He gives “orders” to put things in order.

It is important to note that the Lord Himself honors the order He creates. Consider: the Lord appeared to Paul, spoke to him, actually blinded him in His glory, and then said, “Rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do” (Acts 9:6). Why didn’t the Lord just heal Paul? Why didn’t He just tell Paul what he had to do? Paul would have to learn that, to reach God, he would have to submit to man. This is God’s order and the Lord Himself honored it. Paul had to hear about Jesus from Ananias.

Or consider Cornelius: an angel appeared to this Roman centurion in a dream and told him that a man named Simon Peter would explain to him the way of salvation. Why didn’t the angel simply tell Cornelius about Jesus? In the Almighty’s universe, God works in an ordered fashion. Before the Gentiles could enter the kingdom en masse they would be invited by the Jews, who first accepted Christ. God honored the order He created.

Consider church protocol in the book of Acts. When Philip brought the gospel to Samaria after Pentecost, miracles, conversions and great signs were accomplished. But Philip would not lay his hands upon the Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit. Why? Because until this time, the Holy Spirit had only spread through the hands of the first apostles. Again, God required His servant to respect the order and authority of the first apostles.

God has an order in your church. However it is established, and in whatever way it is defined, it is a place in order and it should be respected and honored. It does not matter whether you agree or not with the governmental structure within a church; as long as you attend that fellowship you should honor the order. Most congregations are led by a pastor; in some, the authority resides in the elder or deacon board; in still others, the authority comes from a bishop or even a prophetic or apostolic ministry. Whatever the structure, honor it and submit to it without dissension. If you feel you cannot grow in that congregation under its present structure, find a church where you can develop spiritually. However, do not cause strife just because you are not familiar or comfortable with the order.

The issue is not the form of government, but the life within the form. Paul wrote of apostles and prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers; John, however, spoke of the church in terms of fathers, young men and children; Peter, on the other hand, taught of elders, shepherds and the flock of God. The issue is not how the order is defined, but to understand that there is an order already established in a church and that order should be honored. It can be changed, but to change a church structure, one must submit to the elders of that church and be in agreement with the senior leader. They will pay the price for change when they are convinced God is leading. But they should not be forced to change just because someone has a problem with a church expression.

When the Jezebel spirit begins to manifest in a church, it immediately seeks to undermine the authority structure. If it cannot directly seduce a leader or cause him to commit immorality (and use that sin to diminish his authority), it will bring strife and division to challenge his authority in the church. Bear in mind that the spirit which produced Jezebel existed before its namesake was born. Although we refer to Jezebel as “she,” this spirit is without gender. However, it is important to note that, while men in leadership are the main target of most principalities, Jezebel is more attracted to the uniqueness of the female psyche in its sophisticated ability to manipulate without physical force. Remember, Jezebel was a queen who ruled a king; she assumes a “prophetess” role so she can rule a church. In so doing, she seeks to create a counterfeit authority among groups of individuals in a congregation. The result is that the established order in the church is undermined, true authority is neutralized, and leaders are wearied by endless meetings.

“And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” -Jude 1:6

There is a proper abode for each of us in the order of God. Jesus said that in the Father’s house there were “many dwelling places” and that He was going to prepare a place for each of us. The Father’s house is not only a place found in heaven; it is revealed here on earth in the body of Christ. Whenever we seek to break the order of our church, we leave our proper place and enter a realm “kept in eternal bonds under darkness.”

My friends, stay loyal to the church order where you worship God. If that order does not fit your temperament, find a church that does. If you cannot find a church, perhaps you are called to start one where your vision of Christianity can be fulfilled. But whatever you do, do not open up to false authority; do not dishonor the authority in your local fellowship through gossip or dissension; rather pray the vision of the senior pastor. For in so doing, you will help bring the church into the destiny of God and serve to fulfill the uniqueness of God’s purpose.

-From Pastor Frangipane’s email teaching

“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NIV)

If you’re thinking about making some New Year’s Resolutions, consider this one from The Apostle: “This year I resolve to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified.”

Paul’s message is radically simple: Salvation is in Christ alone. What does this mean?

• It’s not Christ plus your good behavior. • It’s not Christ plus the years you taught a Bible study. • It’s not Christ plus your tithe. • It’s not Christ plus the church you attend. • It’s not Christ plus the number of verses you memorize. • It’s not Christ plus your title in the church. • It’s not Christ plus wisdom from the latest Christian seminar. • It’s not Christ plus a  fast. • It’s not Christ plus a good driving record. • It’s not Christ plus well-behaved children. • It’s not Christ plus the right job. • It’s not Christ plus the right spouse. • It’s not Christ plus the latest technology.

It’s simply Christ. Christ plus nothing.

That’s a message that is as right throughout the coming year as it will be in 2999.

May your new resolution for the year be nothing but Christ and Him crucified.

I want to write about this past year. Why? Well, it’s good to do on a few levels. First of all to recognize the good the bad and the ugly in my life, did I move forward, back, have I been going the direction I said I wanted to go at the beginning of the year? Second is to give praise and thanks for any changes, victories, challenges that have taken place. Thirdly would be to say thank you to all in my life that have helped me, loved me and walked with me this year. I had some very personal goals at the start of 2013, first was my marriage, second was my family…. all of my family! Third was to get to a place where I could just function in life, be around people without crying and falling apart. And above all my relationship with the Lord…..open, honest, raw, and very humble. So, let’s take a look at how things have changed in my eyes anyways over the last year.

In 2013 both of my daughters Meghan and Rebecca got married…my son Noah and his wife Tiffany has a precious little baby … LIAM!!! Adam graduated and is in his first year of college…..been a year of change for our family. We are now empty nesters….it’s good, it’s different…it’s perfect for our lives….and yet I MISS the family dynamic we had.

 I want to start off with my job. It was very difficult going from full time ministry for many years to a full time job with office hours, a few bosses and all the drama that goes on at any place of employment. I am VERY thankful for my job. I am 61 years old and going into the job market is very scary and very hard. When I was hired one of their biggest fears was that I would be a pain because I was a pastor. Instead of worrying about if I could do the job or not the worry was would I preach to them and the customers. I had to assure them it would not be an issue. I found that having a background as a pastor is not the best in the world. LOL…. but they hired me and it’s BEEN a great relationship. They have treated me excellent with no problems at all. When the year began I was promoted to “internet Manager” and man I fought for this position. I wanted it bad, wanted off the sales floor and into an office dealing with people one-on-one. I found it to be a horrible job but I worked hard and tried hard after about the 6th month I was starting to hate my job and started looking for a new job….it was then that they took me out and asked me to stay and work on the sales floor. It was hard, it hurt, but it was the BEST thing that has happened at my job!!! I am happy, enjoying the job, and doing WELL!! Making a living and being the best employee I can be.

Everyday I wake and pray that I would be a light, be humble and be a great employee!! I can get caught up in the junk, talk, gossip and drama just like anyone else, but the Lord always reels me back in….HE has been so faithful. I really do love my job, I have opportunity to meet some GREAT people, witness, and even pray with some of my customers. I have had some call me for advice in their lives, I even had an older couple that are celebrating 50 years of marriage ask me if I would renew their vows at the celebration. I was invited to speak at a HUGE party for a woman who was celebrating her 106th birthday in Lodi…..I thank God that I have the chance and the opportunity to minister in His name still. I may not pastor a church any longer, but the Lord still uses me…..I remain in awe of Him, and very humbled as I enter into his rest daily. I am the old guy at work…..and I love it.

Next I want to look at our church. We settled in a new church this year. Burson Full Gospel Church. After being part of a community in Tracy for about 18 years leaving that behind and trying to find a new church was very emotional and difficult. We went to many churches and just couldn’t find the right one. We finally stepped into this church and decided to stay. Been there almost a year now and still we are not really plugged in fully, it may be us….not really sure. We love this church and the pastor. I have had opportunity to preach a couple times an that was AMAZING and made me realize how much I missed it. I could preach every day if given the chance! Diane and I gave our testimony and it was well received by everyone (as far as we know) this has been a great place for us to heal and start getting involved slowly. I am very thankful for Burson Church.

Some of my friends. Just about ALL of my friends were all connected to me as a pastor, so when all this went down a year and a half ago I lost just about all relationships. Most were by my doing. I know most do not understand what I went through and how devastated I was, I ashamed I was, how broken I was. After all it was ME that caused it all, so I do not expect anyone to understand. In fact I just stayed away from everyone, would not allow anyone in or close to me…..I just couldn’t. Many tried and I’m really sorry but it could not have been any other way. When I tried to explain what I was going through it appeared that I was trying to get sympathy and that is SO FAR FROM THE TRUTH!! I just couldn’t be around anyone. Some got offended and mad and just quit trying and some would not relent but gave me the space and time I needed. Diane played such a big part in all of this, standing between me and people. If you are reading this and think I just ran away, or I was feeling sorry for myself, or I just REJECTED you for no reason. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart!! Some just showed up, or set it up with Diane for us to meet. I have met with a few people, some showed up when we gave our testimony…..I am very thankful for everyone. I know I have hurt so many and I know that there are so many that probably get angry just at the thought of me or the mention of my name. I am trusting God for my future and long with the future of any relationships that used to be. For those that have loved me and allowed me to crawl through this year I want to say thank you!! Diane Nethaway you were amazing through it…… protecting me and helping others see me and understand me. I am so very grateful.

My counselor. Dr. D!!!! What an amazing, loving man that is in the perfect ministry!! When he showed up at our testimony I was moved so deeply. He really loved us and believed in us. I owe him so MUCH!! Thank you Dr. D

My Grandchldren. As of this year I now have 11 grandchildren. From babies to adults. This past year I finally realized what a horrible grandfather I was. Not as an excuse but I never had a grandfather, well I had one but did not know him, I think I met him once or twice but have NO idea what kind of a man he was and he sure did not know me. Now, in his defense, he lived in Michigan and I here in California. My father was not a good grandfather, he didn’t take the time to know any of my children. So it was never modeled to me. Like I said it’s not an excuse at all, it’s just how it was. For me my life was about ME………well those days are gone and now I want to try and build strong relationships with my grandchildren. It has been one of my goals this year and for 2014 it is one of my main goals. Again my wife Diane has played such a HUGE part of bridging the gap between us all. I can see the JOY and NEED in being a loving and strong grandfather!! I will say that the best model I have, who has shown me without even knowing it is my brother Cary. He is SO loved by his grandchildren, but HE SO LOVES THEM…………his life is about them!! He invests his time, love and finances into his family and I have learned a lot from him in this. Thank you Cary!!!

My Children: This has been a year of healing and restoration for all of us. My actions last year caused pain in each one of them, more for some than others. My reality is I know that I’ve caused the pain, I know that I’ve caused pain for many years. I have 9 children, 4 from my first marriage, 4 with Diane and 1 we adopted. With my first 4 I was not a good father at all, even after I was saved and my life changed so drastically I was not a good father. I tried to say the right words, but my actions did not match up. I poured myself into my life………I was a good father with my other children with Diane, I loved them, spent time with them, did things with them…….they loved and adored me. But I cared more about me than I did them…….I had secrets in my life that they had NO clue about and when all was exposed it devastated them,….. my first 4 have been through this before and when it hit again after they all thought I was a different man……….well that just about took them over the edge with me. So my life with all my children was pretty damaged.

In this past year, I realized that it was ME, I was the horrible father, I was a liar, and nothing GOOD will ever come out of that. Even in ministry I would gravitate toward anyone who thought I was all that…….and sucked it up….leaving my family out in the cold. It is completely and totally up to me to repair the damage that I’ve caused. With my children we have come a long way…. Meghan, Noah, Becky and Adam all forgave me and eventually Brandon did too, as they watched first hand their mother forgive me and walk in that forgiveness. They watched as we healed and they saw the brokenness in me, one by one they came to forgive me and our family is STRONGER than ever. We all rejoice now and have found that forgiveness is a powerful thing.

My children, Jenna, Misty, Shirley and Ryan are all on the road to healing. I get that it’s on me not them. Diane has played such a huge part in this area of my life, along with Misty. I believe healing is taking place as I begin to spend time with them, get to know them, who they are, what they think………as I try to be open with them in my life now. This year has been good and I’m looking forward to what 2014 holds for us.

I know that they are ALL incredible loving human beings, they all have GREAT families and I’m going to spend the rest of my days loving them, learning how to be a good father and grandfather. I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU all so very much – it’s never too late and I plan on ending my life LOVING MY FAMILY and making a difference.

My Wife Diane: I love her with all my heart. It’s been a long year but it’s been an incredible year! We were in deep counseling in January and by about May we were released by Dr. D….. so much has happened but today we have a good marriage and it’s on the grow. I am looking forward to growing old with my wife investing our lives into our children, grandchildren and probably in the near future great-grandchildren. (ouch)

Diane has played a huge role in restoration with my family and with her family. She is the CENTER of the entire picture. She has gone above and beyond considering that she was in the middle of her own pain, she still thought of ME, and our family.

I love you Diane so very much — you have all of me!!! Thank you for all you are and all you’ve done. Thank you for loving the Lord so much that it spilled over to me!!!

What will 2014 hold? I am not sure – in my life I know that the Lord’s call upon my life is NOT dead — but not sure what will happen, where we will end up, but I do know this…..I will do only what the Lord calls me to do and if He calls me to anything at all it will be a joint venture with my wife!!

So wherever you talk me Lord I will go and if I am to remain quiet and still, supporting others….I will

Happy New Year!!!!!

 

I am going verse by verse through the book of Mark, no study notes, no other input……just me and the Holy Spirit to open up the word …..

3 Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. ² Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

³ Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” ⁴ Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

I love love love the way Jesus does things. Is he defiant? Is he a rebel? Does he do this just to make them mad so the scriptures can be fulfilled with his death? I would say NO NO NO –

There are so many ways to read this, see this section of scripture. I’ve preached it, taught it and read it a million times. And I am sure I preached it with an attitude…….you know a defiant attitude using Jesus as an example. But today I need to ask what is the heart of Jesus, I mean He asked me to be like Him, to do what He did to carry on in this world what He started, to be a LIGHT, to be a man that points to redemption and grace and mercy. So, what it His heart in this story?

His heart is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow….. LOVE, REDEMPTION, TRUTH….to see all redeemed!! I do not think for a second He was doing the things he did in anger or a way of taunting them. I think He truly wanted them to see the truth. He gave them opportunity to see and experience TRUTH and to be set free from this religious bondage that they were in………..and then He would deal with the HEART of each man through His actions. Just like He does with you and me today. HE SEES THE HEART OF MAN — our words mean NOTHING if they do not match the heart. And truth is ONLY GOD can see the heart. I mean usually over time the heart of a man will be exposed….but JESUS see’s and knows.

⁵ He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! ⁶ At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.

Here it is…….Jesus looked them angrily and was DEEPLY SADDENED by their hard hearts. And then Jesus does what Jesus does. TRUTH, He does care or even worry about “how they feel….if he offended them or not” he didn’t care if he was politically correct or not…….. HE Wanted to teach them TRUTH and KILL the religious spirit that has them all in bondage!! It angered them so deeply that they wanted him DEAD!!!!

What do you think of these leaders? Anger? Hate? Do you think of how stupid they are? How God is right in front of them and they missed it? We would NEVER be so ignorant!!!

There are groups of people in our churches today that are just like this….if they don’t agree or like what the leaders are doing/saying/teaching/preaching they gossip, slander, and plan ways to kill them (spiritually) Same with other church members…..Same with “outsiders” when they come into our churches….and the list goes on and on. Here is the difference JESUS would never put up with it……..He would DO ALL HE COULD to show love and redemption, but once He knew the heart…..HE went head on to put them in their place. In the church today we cower down scared to offend, scared to lose a family or two over issues. Things are really no different today then it was when they wanted to kill Jesus.

Why do you think so many hate church? Jesus left us with the Holy Spirit — GOD!! JESUS!! To dwell within us, to guide us, to teach us, to empower us, to live our lives with Him in us and us in Him….. So are the leaders of our churches, are the congregations living in the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Jesus is coming back for a Bride without spot or wrinkle!!! We are a LONG LONG way from that place. BUT with that said, I believe that in a very short time Jesus can shake the church so hard that it will cause a falling out and a revival like we have never seen before — the end result will be a church with JESUS as the Center without spot or wrinkle. If you look today you can see the beginning of it. The answer is not to just walk away from the church and then join back in when it all comes down….. the answer is found in joining in with the Spirit, with Jesus in intersession for nations. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for us!!! JOIN IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMAZING DAYS are ahead and I want to be a part of it!!!!

⁶ But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, ⁷ “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!”

⁸ Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? ⁹ Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? ¹⁰ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man^[a] has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ¹¹ “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

There is not much I can add to this…..I LOVE the way Jesus handles these guys!!! The thing is these guys really believed what they said, they didn’t know any better. They have been taught this, their entire life has been dedicated to protecting God and what they thought was truth. It’s so easy for me/us to read this and say “IDIOTS” how can they say this to Jesus?

I really don’t think Jesus did these things to shame them, anger them or embarrass them. I don’t think that is the heart of Jesus at all.  He knew their hearts, he knew how stubborn they were. He knew that the very heart of this “religion” was dead, corrupt and way off base. So I think He tried all he could do to show them that He was who He said He was!!! SHOCKING to them!!! How many heard him? How many were moved to throw tradition off and follow Him? How many in the still of the night wondered? And….how many hardened their hearts even more? This was one of the only area’s where Jesus showed anger — the stubborn hearts and Spirits of the religious leaders angered him!!

Are we any different today? Are the religious leaders any different today? Are our churches any different today?

Well the answer is YES and NO – I personally believe the Church as we know it is being shaken and soon it will not look the same. I believe that there will be a GREAT DIVIDE in our church world as we know it…..(this is a personal belief and will elaborate more in the future) We have all these denominations in our nation/world some are old and hanging on hard as they can, some are new and rising up, some are “steady and social” drawing people in……..I think you get the picture of what I’m saying. Jesus will return for a church that is pure, without spot or wrinkle, holy….. where is that church? (when I speak of church, I am speaking of the body of Christ) It is hard to even imagine Jesus returning now, isn’t it? BUT look how fast things are changing….. a radical church (movement)  will emerge that will NOT be politically correct where we will see for the first time in the USA persecution!!!!! The time is coming quickly I believe.

Here is a good point when it comes to things being the same today as it was when this was written — I was part of a denomination for many years. I was there by CHOICE and I LOVE this church – I believe I was called to this church for a purpose…..it ended horrible because of my own sin!!! But that is not the point. This body held so tight to the belief that speaking in tongues was of the devil that if anyone did they were asked to leave the church, if a pastor did he was stripped of his credentials and removed from the pulpit. NOW HEAR ME!!!! This writing is not about if tongues is of the Lord or not!!! GOT IT????? It’s about the “tight jaw attitude” on it! When a man or woman had an experience with the Lord and they spoke in tongues it was an attitude just like ” ⁶ But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, ⁷ “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” the same!!!!!!! NO DIFFERENT!!!!! Here is an example of a great Church where they did so much good for the world, missions, people, disaster aid, and the list goes on and on……..they really cared for the people of this world, they spent millions on helping others. They truly wanted to see people saved etc….. but when it went outside of what “they thought to be right” it was OVER!!!! NO MERCY — NO LOVE —

I am not writing this in anger at all, I have no regrets, I would do it all over again if the Lord asked me to. There are thousands of churches out there like this……denominations like this…….and at the same time there are millions of people out there that are becoming CHRISTLIKE!!! That are preparing the way of the Lord, preparing for the WEDDING!!!!!

I really pray that if you read this you see my heart it in.

¹² And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!”

What a way to end chapter 2 — WHEN GOD DOES SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE — JUMP UP and MOVE!!!! STUN the people around you!!! Even if it seems dumb, or impossible……….STUN THE WORLD………STUN YOUR CHURCH!!!!!

It’s been so busy for me with people and work I have been slow at moving along in this. The temptation is to just let it go and not press in to finish what the Lord started with me. SO………here we go….

2 When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. ² Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, ³ four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. ⁴ They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. ⁵ Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”

Man I can’t tell you how many times I’ve preached this section of Scripture, how many book I’ve read, how many devotions I’ve read, how many small group talks, Sunday school lessons and the list goes on and on. There are so many stories within this very short story, I have been trying to look at these scriptures through the eyes of my life, my past and the church.

As individuals when Jesus is alive within us….when we are resting in Him…….when there is a vessel that has clean hands and a clean heart……you will ALWAYS attract people, maybe at work, at school, in the neighborhood, at the store, wherever you step your foot you are stepping onto holy ground…..you don’t even have to say a word, people know!!! So much “religion” is forced, faked, and screamed to attract people, to “be the man or woman” of God. It’s either real or it’s not……..pretty simple. When it’s real you will draw people to you. If you take this in the context of a church…..well it holds true….a pastor, the leaders and the congregation that is humble, full of the Holy Spirit there Jesus is…….it is that place the Holy Spirit moves in amazing ways. People make up the body of Christ (the church) and it is the people that will draw crowds.

I have been a pastor for over 16 years……..I wanted so desperately to draw people in…….wanted the Holy Spirit to move mightily in our midst. I believed that if we would just preach Him, HIS WORD this would take place………but it is so easy to get caught up in the “church” thing………the latest movements, the latest book, seminar, teaching, preaching, kids ministries, small group ministry, men’s and women’s ministry and the list goes on and on. We end up trying this and that to “grow the church” and why? I must say there is a GREAT deal of pride that goes into that. We want the church that the community is talking about, we want the biggest, nicest, most exciting church in the city, we want to be recognized by our peers, by the community etc etc. I think I’ve made my point.

There are thousands of pastor’s that are doing GREAT work in their churches that nobody will ever hear of. I don’t think that any pastor, leader wants to be this way, it’s the culture of church though……….well in USA it is, I’m not so sure about rest of the world. We fall into these traps. For me, it was a disaster, it ended up becoming all about me……I created this false bubble that I was doing this great work and becoming known in my community…..it happens so slowly you don’t even recognize it happening.  In the end God exposed me and I become very well known in my community and beyond. ….. GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED!!!!

I am convinced that when people find the “real” thing……….they will spend every penny they have to attain it….go to any means and do what ever it takes to reach where Jesus is!!! Even go to the extreme of tearing off a roof top to get to Him. Jesus did not heal the sick man because of his faith it was because of the faith of the men who brought him.

There is so much wrong with the church in our land………but with that said I want to say I LOVE THE CHURCH (body of Christ) Jesus died for her and is coming back for her!!! It’s just so full of “man” but we must never forget we are men, we are not God, so until He comes back the church will be flawed. NOW, I do believe that he will shake the church, change the church, and separate the wheat from the tares before his return……..the church in the near future will NOT look like it does today!!! I am very sick of “Christians” always bad mouthing the church, the doings of the church, the mistakes of the church……..and the movement to “not be a part of the church” is dead wrong………what the church needs is people like me and like you to be filled with the spirit, walking in the Spirit, and teaching the WORD OF GOD!!! Like I’ve said many times, not about the word of God, not about how to raise your children, how to be successful, how to make more money in the name of Jesus, how to name it and claim it, how to live a better life or how to be a better you!!! What people need to know and learn is GOD’S WORD!!!

There church has a PURPOSE in the big picture of this world — it’s all about the Return of Jesus preparing the Wedding!!!

I don’t know if I’ll ever have a chance again or not but if I do my plan is very simple……..

1. Love the Lord with all my heart

2. Love my neighbor

3. Teach God’s WORD……..and God’s word ONLY

 

 

I am going through a class from Francis Frangapain’s school “In Christ Image Training” – It is INCREDIBLE and so relevant for me and the church today. This is one that needs to be read, studied by all believer’s. Enjoy it and by all means PASS IT ALONG!

To Delight In Hiddenness

The desire to be acknowledged and appreciated by others is basic to human nature. Jesus Himself seemed somewhat troubled that, after healing ten lepers, only one returned to give thanks (see Luke 17). Yet, while the need to be occasionally appreciated is not sin, it can become sin when we begin seeking recognition. We must determine that our service to mankind is guided by a higher, more focused obedience to God.

Jesus lived solely for the glory of God. We, however, too often seek the glory and praise of man. In spite of the fact that Jesus repeatedly affirmed that the Father, who sees in secret, will reward us openly (see Matt 6), we remain offended if we do not receive credit for our good deeds. This quest for recognition can become a source of wrong motives and failed endeavors; it can give a place to jealousy, pride and selfish ambition if we are not careful.

I wish I could say I have never walked in this type of human weakness, but that would be untrue. In fact, I experienced something a few years ago that, though quite painful at the time, ultimately unfolded into a wonderful revelation concerning the nature of the Holy Spirit. Yet, before I proceed, let me state that to share this publicly requires I make my own frailties visible before you. So, please grant me your grace.

The scene was the 1996 Promise Keeper’s Atlanta convocation for pastors. This event was the largest gathering of pastors in North American history—more than 40,000 ministers united from a great variety of backgrounds and cultures. It featured two themes in which I had been quite active: unity and reconciliation. Although I had been instrumental in bringing thousands of pastors and leaders together in hundreds of cities, I had not been asked to participate in this conference. Although I mentioned my dilemma to no one, the lack of recognition was producing an ever deepening disturbance in my thought life.

I decided that, even though I had not been asked to serve, I would go to the conference. However, I relegated my struggle to a secret chamber in my soul, a place where wounds are stored while I continue on in God. I thought that perhaps, once I reached the conference, the Lord would open a door and call me to contribute more visibly.

But no door opened. Pastors who were familiar with my work would ask, “So, why aren’t you speaking at this conference?” I’d smile and respond, “This must increase and I must decrease.”

While my answer was both humble and sincere, I was becoming much more humble than I planned. The fact was, I was asking myself the same question: Why wasn’t I speaking? Ghosts of past rejections began to manipulate my fears. So, while I attended the ministers’ conference and truly rejoiced in the unity, I felt detached from it. I watched a spiritual dream that I carried in my soul emerge and take form, only to find myself floating, dreamlike, outside of the fulfillment. I was simultaneously deeply blessed and thoroughly miserable.

Finally, I laid my soul bare to a couple of friends. “What should I do?” I asked. “If I promote myself, God stands against me; if I remain silent, I sacrifice my contribution to this historic event.” If nothing else, I knew the Lord was crucifying my pride and fleshly ambition. Indeed, beyond a legitimate desire to stir pastors and leaders toward greater unity, I must admit that there was another part of me that desired personal recognition.

The conference came and went, but my inner struggle stayed with me. After several months I successfully buried the conflict beneath my everyday thoughts. I was going on with my life. However, in May, the issue resurfaced, this time to be wonderfully resolved. I was at a Mission America meeting in Washington, D.C., listening as a friend shared over lunch how the Lord used other leaders to lay foundations in his life. As we talked, I began to see that I was not outside of what God was doing, but underneath it. My labors in Christ (and those of many others) were part of a divine substructure upon which this current work was unfolding.

The efforts of those who serve in high visibility today will likely become foundations for greater works by others tomorrow. I felt I was beginning to understand my role in the context of God’s unfolding kingdom. I was even able to look at my own life and see individuals whose teachings and spiritual examples had become foundations in me—-people whom I also had never thanked or acknowledged.

My need for recognition had diminished greatly, yet the Holy Spirit had something vital to add to me. That evening, as I sought God, I confessed my sin of seeking recognition. Immediately the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart a simple question concerning Himself. He asked, “Do you know My name?”

This was a God-moment, where one small introductory thought floods the soul with a river of revelation. I knew the primary revelation of the Father’s name was Yahweh and the name of the Son, of course, is Jesus. I recalled all the “compound names” of God in the Bible, but again could not identify the actual name of the Holy Spirit. It struck me as profound that, in a lifetime of ministry, I could not remember once reading or hearing a teaching about the name of the Holy Spirit. I saw that every good work, every miracle of grace, every spiritual advancement I obtained, even those that came in spite of myself, had occurred through the work of the Holy Spirit. Yet, He never drew attention to Himself, choosing instead to direct my praise toward the Father or the Son. Amazingly, for all His work, I did not know His name or think to ask Him!

Then the revelation gloriously expanded. Suddenly, I realized that everything that was accomplished worldwide was the result of the Holy Spirit. Not one genuine virtue emerged in anyone apart from His working, whether it was concerning the prayer movement, reconciliation between denominations and races, the renewal, various revivals that had sprung forth throughout the world, or the increasing harvest of the nations—all was the work of the Holy Spirit. Yet, no one knew His name!

Still He was not done with me. I was even more astonished when I quickly searched my memory of the Scriptures and, to my knowledge, could recall no prophet, priest or king whom the Holy Spirit inspired to reveal His name! Did I know His name? No! Throughout history, from brooding over the pre-creation universe to strengthening the Son of God at the cross, He had accomplished all the work of the Godhead, yet He never revealed His name.

This truth hit me as a burning revelation. The nature of the Holy Spirit is in stark contrast to our human desires to be seen, praised and recognized. I saw how the Holy Spirit truly, passionately delights in hiddenness.

Then I saw the most wonderful unveiling of all: the passions of the Holy Spirit’s heart. Two blazing fires consume His every thought: to see Jesus glorified and the Father’s will accomplished on earth. Here, before my eyes, I saw perfect humility and complete obedience—-the God-pattern that would lead me to spiritual rest and maturity.

Beloved, if we would truly be filled with the Spirit, we too must abandon the quest for recognition. God sees and knows our works. Whether or not a promotion comes in this world, the reward we must seek is that which comes from heaven. Until then, let us seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit, whose glorious delight is to work in hiddenness.

Let’s pray: Lord, forgive me for seeking recognition from man. Help me, blessed Holy Spirit, to be filled with Your substance—-Your thoughts and motives, Your contentment and power. Live Your marvelous life of hiddenness through me, that Jesus may truly be glorified and the Father’s will be fully accomplished.

Quote:

“I saw the most wonderful unveiling of all: the passions of the Holy Spirit’s heart. Two blazing fires consume His every thought: to see Jesus glorified and the Father’s will accomplished on earth. Here, before my eyes, I saw perfect humility and complete obedience—the God-pattern that would lead me to spiritual rest and maturity.”

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²⁹ After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. ³⁰ Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. ³¹ So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them.

³² That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. ³³ The whole town gathered at the door to watch. ³⁴ So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

Jesus is now in FULL MINISTRY MODE – His time has come and it’s time to move!! This is NO small thing, Jesus preaching a “new” thing, bringing healing, miracles and words they have not heard before, In the past this was first only for the Jews and secondly only through the religious leaders! Jesus comes along and preaches FREEDOM, HEALING, SALVATION for all……the crowds grew quickly has he travels through the area.,

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

³⁵ Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. ³⁶ Later Simon and the others went out to find him. ³⁷ When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

³⁸ But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.

Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said.

⁴¹ Moved with compassion,^[i] Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” ⁴² Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. ⁴³ Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: ⁴⁴ “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy.^[j] This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

This always perplexes me……why? Why does Jesus tell people NOT to tell what has happened to them? Well from the very beginning of my writing this new blog I have committed to only asking the Holy Spirit and allowing him to direct me. I am not using any study notes, sermons, teachings, book etc…..so with this in mind I will stop here for today and go to prayer…..seeking the answer then pick this back up. Today is 11-19 Tuesday. ……to be continued.

Wednesday 6:00 am — Jesus had a purpose for His time here on this earth. He knew it was short and He knew how big it was. It was not about Him although it was about Him, he did not want to draw all that attention to the work he was doing. IF it got out of hand too quickly his death probably would have come a lot quicker. How many did He heal? How many did He say the same thing to? In this story He wanted the “religious leaders” to see that GOD did it and it was in a way they would understand. I think Jesus needed to keep some type of control of these crowds.

Another thought I had on this was that when the King of Kings enters into our lives, touches us it changes us forever!! When you are touched by God there is NO way you can just keep quiet…….. there is no way you can say “the Dr’s healed me” There is no way to do things like you’ve always done them………Have you experienced this?

⁴⁵ But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

The Word is out and there is NO stopping it now!!!! Jesus is God and the World is be awakened to it. Can you imagine what it was like? The excitement? The KING OF KINGS here on earth????? Miracles?????? Healings????? People finding TRUTH?????

Well, that same Spirit that was within Jesus resides in you and me!!! We are His hands and Feet…….Jesus said we will do even greater things. Why don’t we see this in our world? Why isn’t the church or body of Christ moving in this same power and Spirit? Is it really available? What do we do to “be” like this? How? Does the body of Christ look like JESUS or like MAN?

Well the answers are coming as we go through this book.

²¹ Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. ²² The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.

²³ Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil^[h] spirit began shouting, ²⁴ “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

²⁵ Jesus cut him short. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. ²⁶ At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.

²⁷ Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” ²⁸ The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee.

Jesus goes into the Synagogue and began teaching…..for me I always asked the question “how can this be?” How can a man walk in off the street and start teaching? A Synagogue was set up in neighborhoods, they had no full time pastor, teacher, elders etc…. the teaching would come from local men. The one purpose of the Synagogue was for “instruction or teaching” of the Law. If a man passed through town and they knew the Law, the Tora they would be invited to teach. So with this Jesus goes in and start teaching. I LOVE LOVE LOVE how it’s talked about.

“The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with REAL authority – quite unlike the teachers of religious law”

Man has taken the Word of God and made it “man-like” – brought it to a level that man can understand and throughout history has turned the word of God into a book or “rules” to follow that in the end would make you HOLY…….the religious leaders took God’s word and reduced it to man-words just so we could wrap our heads around it. In a very real sense they took the “breath of God” out of His Word. And now here comes the Living Word to teach…….a new heart, a new Spirit…..a new way! Instantly they saw something different….it says they were amazed and that they knew he didn’t teach like any other teacher they have ever heard!!! The demons HATED it, they recognized that He was JESUS and they knew everything was about to change!! Another thing that gets me in these scriptures is that the people knew  about this “spirit” and sat helpless.

“The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee” 

Jesus IS the Word of God!! When He taught it was the heart of the Word………a new message or the reality is “the message” exactly how it was intended to be. The very heart of God. Ok, so how about today’s world? How about me? You? The body of Christ (the church)?

I have been part of churches that grew, churches that died, churches that were alive and churches that were boring and going through the motions. I have been part of churches where miracles were taking place and churches that were divided with gossip flying through it like a fire. I have been part of churches with NO new people, no young people, no youth, and part of churches where we ran out of room in all area’s of the church. I have been part of churches that the lost came in to see if God is real and churches where the lost swore they would never step foot into……why? What makes the difference?

Well, nothing has changed since this scene in the 1st chapter of Mark……..JESUS makes the difference……the spirit in Jesus is the SAME SPIRIT the dwells within us………When a pastor preaches, teaches and loves through the Spirit of the Living God people will stand amazed and perplexed, people will come from miles to be a part of it….. when a worship leader leads us into DEEP worship through the Spirit of the living God people will enter into a place of worship they have never been, seen or even imagined…….when the body is “Christlike” and moves in the Spirit in LOVE and COMPASSION the lost will flock to this body……I believe with all I have that the majority of the world is LOOKING for a REAL GOD that REALLY LOVES, CHANGES THEM, DWELLS WITHIN THEM and makes a difference in the world that most would spend all they had if they thought they really found it!!!

Jesus speaks of this over and over again, I’ve seen it take place in third world countries, I have read stories about it, watched movies about it………..If a statue of Jesus sheds a tear people fly in from all over the world to be a part of it……..hoping it is real, a miracle, a sign,….they will spend a life saving to get to it…….what does that show you? Are people just stupid? NO!!! They are ALL hungry, they all have a hole in their heart to fill.

The world is fed up with “church” — using all the tricks to get them into the church, using the latest advertising tricks, preaching the latest fad, TV show or movies…..have the most high-tech church, the funniest preacher, the most important guest speaker, be on TV, blah blah blah — I have a feeling sometimes that God wants to spit the church out, you know throw up over it!!!

Don’t get me wrong I LOVE the church, I believe that Jesus died for the church and is coming back for the church…………BUT NOT THE CHURCH MAN HAS CREATED!!!

Take a look at some of the largest churches in the world………take a look at some of the movement in other places in this world in the Body of Christ!!

The key? “The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with REAL authority – quite unlike the teachers of religious law”

BE CHRISTLIKE!!!!! Teach, worship, and preach in the SPIRIT about the SPIRIT – we are not a social club, we are not counselors to fix homes, marriages ect….. we are born again, Spirit filled men and women who are to TEACH the WORD OF GOD!!!!

Whew…….ok I’ll stop here.

 

The Unshrunk Cloth

Just as our failures can break us, so God allows other situations to reduce us. I know, we think of ministry in terms of wholeness and expansion, but much of what is seen outwardly is attached to the work of God inwardly. In fact, one way we expand is to be willing to shrink. What do I mean? Listen to what Jesus taught:

“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results.” —Mark 2:21

The Lord says that you cannot mend an old garment with a new patch because once the garment is washed the patch will begin to shrink. As a result, it will pull away from the garment and a worse tear occurs. I have seen it happen in many churches: someone is brought in to fix a situation, but they understand “ministry” as being an opportunity to display what they can do; they have yet to be cut to size. As a result, when they see the little hole God wants them to fill, as they reluctantly shrink, they pull away from the old garment, causing a worse tear than at first.

So, a wise seamstress will soak a new patch in hot water before sewing it onto the older garment. This gives time for the patch to shrink to the size that is needed. After it is shrunk, she then sews it permanently into the old garment.

The Lord must also shrink us before He can use us. When we come to a church or join a ministry team, we cannot help but be aware of the dozens of things we feel qualified to accomplish. In fact, we look at others and think, “I could do better than that.” If you are looking at the assignment someone else has and feel you could do better, it is because you are still, to some degree, unshrunk. God hasn’t brought you into the body to do someone else’s task; He wants you to focus upon your own, even if it is seemingly insignificant.

We argue, “But how will I advance unless someone sees my talents?” The Lord said, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). We must simply do the thing God tells us and not envy others and their tasks. We seek to do some great thing for God; but God wants us to do little things as though they were great. The entire ministry does not need repair, just the hole we are called to fill. Each ministry has an exact size requirement.

How does the Lord reduce you so you can be useful? Like the seamstress, He puts you in hot water. God must shrink us from our exaggerated opinion of ourselves before He can use us in greater projects. We must simply fill the size of the need before us without envying the tasks of others. If you find yourself, for a time, in hot water, it might be because you took on tasks that were beyond the Lord’s assignment for you. He is shrinking you to the size of your calling.

The end of it all is this: the Lord takes seriously His plan for our lives. He has one goal with us: create us in the image of Christ. In His wonderful, all-powerful hands, He can use our failures, “tare-able” people, and our time in hot water to work for both our good and His glory in our lives.

Let’s pray: Lord, shrink me to the right size for the task at hand. May I cover the need without ambition to be seen. Uproot hidden jealousies within me, lest I find myself striving to take the place of others. Amen.