God's Truth In Love

Archive for the ‘Reformation’ Category

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Jesus Revolution Movie

In Agape Love, Biblical Principles, Change, Christian Lifestyle, Christian Living, Church Growth, Disunity, Fruits of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Revolution Movie, Lifestyle, Reformation, Religious Freedom, Revival, Spiritual Activism, Spiritual Change, Spiritual Remnant, Unity on March 4, 2023 at 5:19 pm

Saw Jesus Revolution yesterday. I literally cried three quarters of the way through the movie. It was only the last half an hour or maybe that I did not cry big buckets of tears.

It reminded me in many ways, not particularly the hippie thing, but the closeness and openness of the people, it reminded me of the churches that I helped start back in the late 1990s and the early to mid-2000s (based on guidelines God had given us in the late 90s for the types of churches in our lifetime that he would bless and grow substantially). After I came here, Florida, I never found any places like those again, or any spiritual leader who truly wanted to create one.

No offense because I was born here in Florida and grew up here, but compared to a lot of the other places in the country I have been to, this place is so spiritually repressed and I’m talking about godly Christian spirituality. The Body of Christ is supposed to be a family but here in Florida or at least Northern Florida and West Florida, I lived over in Pensacola, it doesn’t seem like a real godly family (then ministers wonder why their churches don’t grow or their ministries aren’t operating the way they should or they are not being used).

The churches that the movie reminded me of…we were so close, we were truly there for each other, we invested our lives in each other, we corrected each other, we helped each other, we loved each other, we truly had agape love for each other. I have not found that to exist here on a deep level, everything the ministry and the relationships are very superficial. Sadly, change can only be on the horizon once people recognize those things and are willing to do something about them, just like in the movie, until that man recognized why his church was so small and so void of the True Spirit, nothing changed.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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Why My Church is NOT Growing – Part 14 – “Authority” Introduction

In Advice, Anxiety, Apostasy, Bible Study, Biblical Principles, Chrisitan Lifestyle, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Church Growth, Exhortation, Godly Counsel, Jesus, Prophecy, Prophet, Prophetess, Reformation, Religious Freedom, Remnant, Renewal, Repentance, Revival, Righteousness, Spiritual Remnant, Trust, Truth, Uncategorized on January 10, 2019 at 12:41 pm

As we take on a new year, 2019, we will take a different approach to finishing both our series on Church Growth, or lack thereof, and the Study of the Book of Proverbs. Instead of alternating weekly between two subjects, as we have in the past, we will proceed this year by carrying one subject to completion and then next to completion. Please be assured we will finish each subject, Church Growth and Proverbs. We will begin by finishing the series, “Why My Church is NOT Growing” with the focus for the next several weeks placed upon the issue of how “authority” affects church growth.

Why My Church is NOT Growing – Part 14 – “Authority” Introduction

What is authority? Whom or what holds authority? How should we respond to and interact with authority? What is our problem with authority? Can authority be trusted? All wonderful questions we will seek to answer in this portion of the series.

In the Book of Revelation, the word “power” is synonymous with the word “authority”. In chapters 2-8, you will find that if you compare the King James Authorized Version with newer translations such as the New King James the word “authority” appears in the New King James Bible where the word “power” once appeared in the King James Authorized Version Bible. This alteration in translations of this word takes place whether the verse is referencing Christ or Satan. Therefore, we can see one key thing about what authority is and means, power, power in some form.

The word “authority” according to the Greek Language Definition, as found in 2 Corinthians 10:8, which we will examine later, is as follows:

Strong’s Greek Reference #1849

1849. ἐξουσία ĕxŏusia, ex-oo-see´-ah; from 1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, i.e. (subj.) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (obj.) mastery (concr. magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence:— authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

Authority is meant to influence. Not only to influence but also to delegate influence, in such a way that people are empowered, not oppressed. Yet, so often evil or corrupt authority seeks to oppress, always has. Authority by its very nature being, a privilege to influence others through a realistic ability to do so, should be administered with competency and a desire for liberation and freedom for those under said authority. This is what Christ wants for us, liberty, and freedom. One administers a certain token of control in order to guide another person to personal liberty, freedom, and the ability to govern oneself appropriately. It takes a strong individual to use authority with honor and integrity because they must have the spiritual and personal power to do what is right in each situation.

Throughout this study if you need the wisdom of God on a matter, and you wish to receive the counsel of another Believer in Christ, please use the “comments” link to send your question to me.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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Revival – Church Growth – Move of God – Step 1

In Chrisitan Lifestyle, Church Growth, Persecution, Reformation, Religious Freedom, Remnant, Renewal, Repentance, Revival, Uncategorized on June 21, 2018 at 3:55 pm

As part of our series on Church Growth God has placed it on my heart that we deviate temporarily for three more week and stick with the topic of “REVIVAL” within the Body of Christ, after which we will return to alternating between the Church Growth and Proverbs postings.

Revival is coming, and the cost of revival is substantial. What does that mean? Revival among God’s people or even in one of God’s people means that the heart is renewed in such a manner that they are willing to do anything, endure anything, give up anything, say anything, go anywhere…to fulfill God’s Purpose and God’s Will.

A couple of the questions posed in the introduction to these Revival postings were as follows. 1 – What do you see God doing within the Body of Christ and within society at this time, in the now? 2 – What do you believe revival is, to whom does it happen, and whom does it affect?

Question 1 – God is doing a variety of works among His people at this time. I will only comment on one in this posting, and I welcome each of you to send me your own comments regarding your insights into what God is doing within the Body of Christ. In America God is allowing His people to be pushed and pushed by their society into ever increasing silence regarding their faith. To silence the Church is to vastly effect the effectiveness of the Church, as the Word, the spoken word or written word holds great power.

Slowly and insidiously the American based Body of Christ is being suppressed by their society into a passivity born out of fear, fears of many kinds. That suppression has led to a form, note I stated a form, of denying Christ. To remain silent while God’s Truths are maligned and marginalized is a type of denial. God is watching to see how far His people will go!

Question 2 – Revival is when something is made new again. Spiritual godly revival is when God moves among and within His people to bring their faith to greater life again, renewing their passion for Christ, in His Word, and for each other.

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “revival” in one way as, “restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract).”

That is exactly what God wants to do, restore the force that Christianity once was in America, making it a viable leading force in America again thus restoring its validity, and use that force and validity to effect His change on this Great Nation. God has a contract with every Believer upon which He will not falter. God had, and has, a contract with this Nation, “One Nation Under God” a nation formed under the guidance of God, a contract that He intends to see is upheld.

Revival is something that can only happen to a Believer in Christ. You cannot reawaken something that never existed. Christians have a tendency to put the focus on non-Christians when talking about revival, but the real targets of revival are the individuals who are already member of The Body of Christ, through personal acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. If you know Christ revival is about and for you.

Revival having taken place among God’s people gets the attention of the lost people of the world and thus affects, and effects, them in significant ways. Many people come to know Christ through watching the renewed passion and spiritual strength found among Christians during revival. It is about the non-Christian by extension, but the non-Christian is not God’s primary target when His Holy Spirit moves in revival.

The Body of Christ must be willing to open up and acknowledge that we need godly spiritual change within ourselves first, congregation second, our square meaning our community third, and lastly throughout the entire Body of Christ. We need to be able to talk openly about our need for godly spiritual change without associating it with criticism but instead understanding that we, God people, where always meant to continue to grow as individuals and a group. WE NEED REVIVAL, we need reviving.

The following three statements will end each posting, I hunger for your feedback on all three.

Father…

"Complete the reformation."

I want to hear your thoughts on the above statement. What comes to your spirit, your heart, your mind, when you hear the words, “Complete the Reformation” – what does it mean to you?

Son…

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines “revival” in one way as, “restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract).”

That is exactly what God wants to do, restore the force that Christianity once was in America, making it a viable leading force in America again thus restoring its validity, and use that force and validity to effect His change on this Great Nation. God has a contract with every Believer upon which He will not falter. God had, and has, a contract with this Nation, “One Nation Under God” a nation formed under the guidance of God, a contract that He intends to see to it is upheld.

Holy Ghost…

This what I hear God saying to His Body, “Revival will come through a purity of faith.”

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

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Revival – Church Growth – Move of God

In Church Growth, Prophecy, Reformation, Renewal, Repentance, Revival, Rhema Words, Spiritual Remnant on June 6, 2018 at 4:28 pm

This blog will alternate with each post between two subjects. One week will address why churches are not growing, and the coming move of God. The alternate week the blog will continue with the in-depth study through the Book of Proverbs.

Blessed by your input, thank you!  Therefore, I am going to leave this posting for another week to gather further input from the readers before I proceed.

Special posting….seeking your thoughts and input.

The posting this week will attempt to provide you food for thought, which you can contemplate over the next few days regarding what it means to live well and wisely for God (the primary topic of Proverbs) and what revival or a move of God embodies (the primary defining factor in church growth and change within the Body of Christ.)

What do you see God doing within the Body of Christ and within society at this time, in the now?

What do you believe revival is, to whom does it happen, and whom does it affect?

Do you long for revival? If you do not, search your heart and find out why.

Has God given up on the American Church? If so, why? If not, would He ever give up on a portion of the Body of Christ, the American Church?

This what I hear God saying to His Body, “Revival will come through a purity of faith.”

I heard God say that statement some time ago, a statement that I was not to write about at the time, simply ponder. I have pondered it to a degree yet remain unable to even describe and have yet to fully understand how exactly He intends to see that unfold within the Body of Christ.

I know I have personally experienced, I have also personally heard from other individuals, I have seen on television, heard on the radio, and of course the internet that God is urging His servants and His people toward a deep, deep, purity that has been lacking in the last couple of decades. Everywhere I turn I hear this. This urging is being countered with attacks that are fierce. I listen, I read, I hear your hearts through your comments, those who have loved God deeply are under attack like never before, personal attacks, public attacks, and spiritual attacks from our Enemy. I too experience it, I have experienced it for a great portion of my life, but I do acknowledge what seems to be a rise in intensity.

"Opus Dei" means "God’s Work" in Latin.

“For His church in every generation God has a special truth and a special work.  The truth that is hid from the worldly wise and prudent is revealed to the child-like and humble. It calls for self-sacrifice.  It has battles to fight and victories to win.  At the outset its advocates are few. By the great men of the world and by a world-conforming church, they are opposed and despised.”

E.G. White – Christ’s Object Lessons

Do you stand in line with your culture or in opposition to your culture? Are you comfortable in a lukewarm, loveless, compromising, corrupt, dead, or faithless church (Revelation Chapter 2-3)? Do you have the, ‘If they do not bother me I will not bother them mentality.’?

Amos 3:7–8 (NKJV)

7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,

Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.

8 A lion has roared!

Who will not fear?

The Lord GOD has spoken!

Who can but prophesy?

"Complete the reformation."

I want to hear your thoughts on the above statement. What comes to your spirit, your heart, your mind, when you hear the words, “Complete the Reformation” – what does it mean to you?

Romans 11:25–29 (KJV-AV)

25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. 29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

God’s promises to the Jewish people were not transferred to the church but instead were shared with the church. We did not replace Israel, we were grafted into God’s promises for Israel.

"Some have said the church is sleeping while God is weeping. This may well explain why we face so little persecution of the church in the west, because a sleeping tiger is far less dangerous than a wounded tiger." "We should be roaring like a lion, but the truth is we’re only whimpering."

Why does much of the church, the Body of Christ in America act like everything is okay in our society, like everything is okay in our churches? Why do we have entire generational groups of people exiting the church searching for answers in a morally bankrupt and spiritually dead society? What do you believe is wrong, and what do you believe God will have to do to fix what is wrong?

God – Revival will come through a purity of faith.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ’s Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers, and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.