Is the USA Church Doing it's Job?
The spiritual climate in the United States is darkening daily. From gay-parades in San Francisco to drug-laden erotic Raves in NYC to Meth-labs in the heart of America, the church faces tremendous challenges in preaching the Gospel to people who just want to satisfy their flesh. Yet, Jesus said to Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15).
On top of that, the economy is tetering and financial pressures are bearing down upon a debt laden society of folks who would rather buy the latest internet gps camera phone than help advance the kingdom of God.
As I look at this picture and so much more going on with crime, cover-ups, corruption and loose sexual conduct in our government, business and even church leaders I can't help but stand in repentance for the greater church. Surely, if we were out there winning souls the way Jesus asked us to, we would not be in such dire straits.
Tell us what you think. Do you think that the church should be doing more to change the face of this nation?
I think everyone can agree that a Christian should be sober and alert. The Bible specifically says that drunkeness leads to sin. Going out and getting loaded and partying is not a very good witness to others, it demeans us as a person, often hurts others, puts us in danger, and wounds the heart of our Lord Christ Jesus.
Also, it is a given that folks who have a problem with alcohol or addiction should stay completely away from it.
But, there is an age old question about moderation. What does it hurt to have one beer on a hot day or with pizza? Or, why is it so bad to have a nice glass of wine with dinner? And, Paul did tell Timothy to take a little wine for health reasons and now we know there is science behind that statement. Wine has health benefits that includes helping digestion of fats. So, is it okay to take small amounts of wine medicinally?
We'd like to hear from you on this one. What do you think is the appropriate Biblical response to this question of wine (or having one beer).
Blessings,
Rev. Cheryl Birch
Should Prophets release messages about the judgment of God?
I noticed during this past year there is a sort of division going in the Apostolic camps regarding Prophets. One group believes that Prophets should only exhort the body of Christ and that any form of judgment that is spoken by a Prophet is a curse. They allow for some proclamations of correction and some warnings, but they believe these should only be released by the most seasoned, mature, elders of the Church at large. They emphasize intercession for mercy mixed with prophetic exhortation in order to break strongholds over cities and territories. They believe that this will help usher in an amazing and revolutionary revival and harvest.
The other camp also believes that Prophets should exhort the body Christ, however, in addition, they believe that God is a God of righteous judgment and justice. They believe that at times and increasingly so in our day, He will warn the body of Christ of coming judgments that will occur if there is no repentance and/or if the Church does not intercede. Additionally, they believe He will warn of coming crisis, famine, disease etc that will be meted out by satan. These proclamations are intended to trigger repentance in the Church and to spur on intercessory petitions to God asking Him to spare life and pour out salvation and mercy. Further they believe that God is right now raising up a new prophetic generation and hundreds of young Prophets are emerging who will help to usher in a revolutionary revival and the end time harvest.
As I read the commentaries written by both camps, I am first struck at their similarities. The bottom line is that they believe there is going to be a revolutionary revival and a resulting huge harvest.
Please note that both camps denounce "flakes." Neither group advocates for condemnation of a person or place. Nor do they approve of the screaming "get in your face" so - called prophets who are playing around with witchcraft by prophesying your future for you to tickle your ears, or who declare there will be an earthquake in California or hurricanes will hit the south coast of the USA. That is sort of like prophesying General Grant is buried in Grants tomb. The prophesies proceeding from the these folks has no weightiness in God.
Also, as I study the leaders and churches, both groups love Jesus, they are truly apostolic, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, they are intercessors, they love their respective nations, and they very much want to see the fire and zeal of God return to the churches in the USA and around the world.
Both groups have so much in common and so much to offer the Body of Christ, it has been distressing to note how big the gulf between them is becoming. In meditating on this issue and reading scripture, I have come to realize that the reason for the division on the role of the Prophets is the camps have two different points of view on what TIME we are in.
The first group seems to be primarily pre-tribulation folks. (I apologize for type – casting but in general that is what I have noticed about this group of saints.) They are folks who believe Jesus will call us all up to Him before any judgment or wrath is poured out on the earth. This is termed the Rapture of the Church. They state that we are in the dispensation of Grace and Mercy because of the Blood of Jesus, which indeed is true. As a result, they do not believe then that the Prophets would or should stand up in righteous judgment proclaiming justices and cleansing of geographical territories or grave warnings to whole people groups. They believe that will not happen, except in extreme cases, until after the church is taken to glory.
The other camp is more eclectic in their end time view. Some are so in tune with what Jesus wants right now they don't really dwell on what time we are in. Others are ones who believe in a mid-tribulation Rapture of the church, and there is a group that believes we will be here for the whole 7 years of tribulation as outlined in the book of Revelation.
On top of that most believe we are living in the beginnings of tribulation right now... Not the time of God's wrath, but the times of tribulation, the sounding of the trumpets that will bring judgment to the cities and nations of the earth. Under that point of view then the Prophets role would change dramatically. They would begin to warn and speak of justice and release statements of righteous judgment. The more into tribulation and the closer we get to the time of the Wrath of God, the more warnings and reminders that God is a God of justice and judgment will be released. That doesn’t mean there will be no Grace and Mercy released. To the very end our God gives everyone opportunity to repent and call Jesus Lord. He is both merciful and the Great Judge.
Thinking about these two points of view, I have to first say it would be wonderful to know with certainty that the Church will be taken out of here before we need to be concerned with justice and judgments and warnings. However, to me there is no certainty of that happening. In fact, I believe the pre-tribulation rapture theory has made the church soft and lazy in someways. We need to get in shape for the unfolding of our greatest adventures.
Personally, I believe that the church will be here on Earth doing her job as the Warrior Bride right up to the time that is just before the Wrath of God is poured out. She will be holy and pure, mighty, brave, strong, spotless and wrinkle free fighting the good fight, singing the songs of the martrys, ready to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ...she will have eyes of love only for Him. He will be so taken with His Bride and her pure adoration that He will reach down and take her into His arms before the Grapes of Wrath are trampled. I guess this end time’s view could be called “Pre-Wrath.”
Where are we now with all of this? In my humble opinion we are in a transition time between the dispensation of Grace and Mercy and the time of Tribulation. We are getting closer to Tribulation daily. The closer we get to that time, the more we are going to see the end times generation emerge. They are a generation who will live in the spirit of the martyrs. They will be brave street preachers who will hear Jesus and do as He says. They will be seasoned in the streets and market places of the world. What they have to say will sound new and different because we are moving into something completely new and different. The times have changed. We have shifted into a new paradigm. The emerging Prophets will stand like Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Amos and tell it like it is whether the Church wants to hear or not. They will be young, bold and seem brash compared to what we are use to. They will tell the truth in love and power.
So, take a look at what we have... During a transition time we are going to have both dispensations going on at the same time. Isn’t that exactly what is going on? And, that is what the fuss is all about. The prophetic exhorters will continue their work until they take their last breath or are caught up to Christ. And, the new voices of righteous judgment will be boldly on the increase. They too will speak out until they take their last breath or are caught up to God.
The problem is the exhorters don’t like the new voice and the new voice thinks the exhorters are whimpy. Truth is we are in a time that BOTH are sorely needed!!! The Grace and Mercy of God must be prophesied to the lost. The judgments of God must be spoken in love to activate the Church.
Both camps need to give space for each other. Both camps need to continue to expose the nuts and flakes among them. Both camps need to work together to see REVIVAL birthed in the USA and across the world. Both camps need to get out there into the GREAT HARVEST, win souls and make disciples.
Together we are the Bride of Christ. We must stand in unity or fall.
Comments welcome
Shalom
Cheryl
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11 (NRSV)
Every year I truly wonder what many believers in Jesus are thinking during October. Seems that all sense of holiness disappears in a blatant flaunting of evil and celebration of death. It has invaded our culture, our churches and out lives through Halloween.
This time of year is suppose to be a glorious time of Harvest and remembrance of the provision and abundance of our God ; a time to reflect on our relationship with Him and how good He is to us and how He has cared for our families, cities, states and our nation. It is suppose to be a celebration of life abundant. Instead as we go about our business we are greeted with witches, black cats, skeletons and myriads of grotesque and evil images, grave stones, ghosts and goblins. It is there because Christians have let it take a foothold and even participate in it.
Unbelievers are not to be blamed for promoting evil, they don't know any better. To me the real problem is that the evil portrayed during October is more and more permeating the lives of those who profess to be believers in Christ Jesus. The excuse for celebrating evil that I hear all too often is this celebration of evil and death is just for fun or parents celebrate for the children.
This sounds good, but I say Hogwash! There is no excuse for any person who loves Jesus as their Lord and Savior to participate in evil for any reason. Of course we are not perfect and we sin, but there is a difference between struggling to fight off temptation and willfully sinning. Choosing to participate in Halloween is willful sinning and there are consequences for such a rebellious act.
There is no debate scripturally about October 31st celebrations... plain and simple they are evil and the Lord condones nothing evil for His church. This pagan holiday opens the door for satan to torment you and your family and it most assuredly is not a thing that anyone should expose their children to. Read these scriptures below... It is very clear that believers are not to imitate evil. Not for fun, not for entertainment for children, not to apease peer pressure at work. These are just a few of the scriptures that deal with evil things like Halloween.
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; Romans 12:9 (NRSV)
Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the LORD, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:14 - 15 (NRSV)
Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8 - 9 (NRSV)
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. 1 Peter 3:12 (NRSV)
For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorance of the foolish. As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as a pretext for evil.1 Peter 2:15 - 16 (NRSV)
For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Romans 16:19 - 20 (NRSV)
And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.John 3:19 - 21 (NRSV)
As a follower of Jesus Christ, it is important that you do not come into agreement with evil. It is important that you set an example of holiness and lovingly explain why you do not participate in Halloween to questioners.
The Devil wants to get Christians to agree with him, the more entrenched the evil becomes in the Christian camp the more it can spread in the secular realms. Especially if you are a prayer warrior or in leadership in the church, you must take a stand against the infiltration of occult, witchcraft, sorcery, and the celebration of evil and death in every form. Until we root out every vestige of pagan celebrations, such as the one on October 31st or the Day of the Dead, from the church and teach all believers the truth about this time of year, we will see gross darkness every October instead of joyous celebration of the goodness of God.
It is important that you repent if you have been complacent toward evil. Repent if you have participated in any activities celebrating Halloween or the Day of the Dead. Ask for the Lord's forgiveness and then renounce your participation. Then don't take the kids trick or treating, don't put up Jack- o- lanterns , black cats and skeletons or ghosts. Don't participate in Day of the Dead parties or vigils. Be the light you have been called to be. Share the truth about the evil of these days with your family, church friends and others that you know love the Lord.
Arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.(Isaiah 60:1-3)
If we as believers can come into unity and agree in prayer that there is no place for evil in our territory (the church and our families), then we can storm the gates of hell and begin to help the pagans and heathens get free through salvation. If we stand together whole cities can be redeemed. We should be sharing the good news of Christ with all who will listen. Remember "Where darkness abounds, His grace abounds that much more!"
Instead of evil symbols, use pumpkins (not carved) and gourds for harvest displays. Be joyful and upbeat about celebrating the bounties of God. Hold church events. It is a good thing to have a Harvest celebration as an alternative. Open your church campus or your home to the children and their families. Love on them and share the Good News. Be a peaceful, joyous, loving safe-haven where no evil is celebrated and watch the Holy Spirit change lives.
Don't religiously condemn people... Embrace those who don't understand the evil of Halloween by being a role model and providing an alternative.
The Kingdom of God is Righteous, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. Throw in lots of God's love and you will win many to the Lord... even during October.
ShalomCheryl
The Lord is going for the root of every issue in our lives.
comments on a teaching by Pastor David Canistraci
That’s the season we are in. It can be very uncomfortable, but He is going after the root issues, root problems and root motivations in our lives none-the-less.In fact, God is going very deep right now, picking at the old things and causing us to look at the root causes of the problems and challenges we face. To be an effective leader and to be effective in the kingdom of God you must let God go deep and deal with the root systems of your life. The truth of the matter is God is looking for those who will let Him search their hearts. He will push aside for later those who won’t let Him go deep. He will eventually come back to you … but, there is a timing issue – He’s about to do something special – something usual - something BIg and He needs people who will let Him dig up the old roots right now, not a year from now or 10 years. He needs an army that is ready NOW!
Remember Sanctification is a process… when you got saved that was step one, when you got filled with the Holy Spirit that was step two, now you must walk out the word and let the Holy Spirit make you like Jesus.
Religion tries to work on us from the outside in thinking that if you dress a certain way, act a certain way, pray a certain way that you got it… but God works from the inside out changing our heart, how we react to things, how we think about things, how we relate to Him and one another.
It’s the contrast of how we look versus maturity and character development. We are in the midst of step 3 of becoming fit for the Master’s use. He must wash out the vessels He will use.
Matthew 3:10-13 "The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." If we want to minister to others we have to learn how to effectively help them. We need supernatural insight so we know the root of the challenges and problems and sins they struggle with. We need to get cleaned up ourselves so that we can be used to identify the root issues in others and help them get free.
This is the next step of deliverance. Listening to the Holy Spirit and receiving a word of knowledge about the ROOT and watching God set folks free as we pray.The only problem is people don’t like to have their roots messed with… we get a sort of comfort out of the things wrong in our lives. They have always been there. Maybe we get sympathy, or revenge or attention and we won’t let go and we won’t accept change that is need out of fear we will lose something. We don’t like the boat to get rocked,
Some roots are good and some roots are bad. Our roots should be those of trees planted by the living water. Our roots should be firmly planted in the heart of God soaking up HIs word, truth and love.
Bad roots are the problem. The truth is Roots fasten you to the past – the word says that all old things are passed away and all things have become new. We aren’t support to be fasten to the past. Roots imobolize you. They are underground. They are alive yet hidden. They can be very wide and very deep. While that is good if your roots are in God, if your roots are in sin you get stuck. So, when God sees that you are stuck he comes at those bad roots with a great big axe. He hacks away at them so we can get free and move forward in Him.
We must be like David. Like him, search your own heart, ask God to search your heart – keep checking for those roots that are holding you back. We are to be deeply rooted in the love of Christ. If you are rooted in anything else the fruit of your life will never ripen. This is like weeding a garden – when you go after a weed you have to get the whole root or that weed just springs up again. The weeding process is a long one… in fact, it is life long… but, at times the gardener really goes after the nasty roots. Just like you might set aside one day a week to weed your garden…God has set aside this time right now to dig up the roots and set free all those who will let go and let him dig and hack away. There are Root Systems in our lives that we can check… these are general categories that help us to hone in on why we act the way we do and why we respond certain ways to people. If we know the problem, we can pray and ask God to set us free!
Dr Steven Semens in his book Wounds that Heal said that Demons are like rats attracted to garbage. Demonic activity in our lives or those to whom we are ministering is NEVER the ROOT problem. The problem is the garbage in our lives attracts the rats. The more garbage we get rid of – the fewer rats there are.
There are FOUR Root Systems to ask God about as you pray:
1. Generational Issues – our family tree is indicative of potential life problems. – we have inherited bad roots that need to be cut. And inherited good roots that need to be nurtured.
2. Traumatic Life Experiences – Things like fatherlessness or parental abandonment, being raped, abused, severely frightened creates magnets in you to find healing anywhere even bad places like drugs and sex. It causes you to act stupid in certain situations and you don’t understand why or how to stop.
3. Open doors of Sin – Disobedience to God opens up doors of problems. Those who don’t ask for Sanctification God will set aside until they finally call out in repentance.
4. Soul ties – be careful of bad company. People you hang out with do affect you. Sex, drinking, drugs and practicing occult ritual ties you to people…
Do memories haunt you? Think about if you are still tied to people from the past. Do you still think about an old girl or boy friend, still keeping old love letters or momentos, ever compare your spouse to past loves? Time to break the ties with those people.
Saddest are sexual ties – you become one with every person you have sex with – Transference happens because of that tie. You end up constantly tormented and even goofy because you are tied to unredeemed people.
When helping yourself or others you can remember these areas as the 4 T’s
Tree = Family heritage Trauma = Pain Transgression = sin and obedience issues Transference = Ties to others
There are also FOUR Root Issues that can cause us to be held in sin
1. Love of Money – Wrong thinking out there that things must be God because it’s bringing more money. Chasing after more money is a Root of all kinds of problems. People self destruct over money issues. Causes you to make poor decisions in order to try to get more money.
Judas became a betrayer for money
Psalm 109 describes the ill affects of the love of money...Horrible things happen in your life… you will be ruled against, you will become a vagabond, your children will beg bread
You have to decide whether money is your master or God. Money is the first level of learning how to handle power. If you don’t pass that test, God cannot use you for more.
2. Bitter Spirit – Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; Bitterness causes corruption and personality changes because you won’t forgive or won’t let go of grief or disappointments in life. Leads to depression, anger and eventually physical illness. Look at people and you can spot a bitter person – it shows in their face and eyes.
Forgiveness and letting go cleanse and restores.
3. Religious Pretense – performance, pleasing others, white-washed teaching from the word, keeping it all surface. Cleaning the outside of the cup only, never touching the inside.
Matt 15:13 "But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be uprooted.”
Whitewashed religious folks are going to be uprooted and cast into the fire for the chaff to burn away. Rather that go through heavy fiery trials, let the Lord search out any religious pretense in you.
4. Idolatry – Anything can be an idol even Ministry. Needing constant affirmation and confirmation, children or family, YOU and your desires… anything you lift up higher than Christ Jesus is an idol. Let God identify the idols and pull them down.
Once you’ve identified the root – that’s all there is. Then get rid of it through repentence and prayer. Let Jesus chop away at it and you are free.
Steps to freedom:
1.. Prophetic Insight – revelation of what the root is and what’s going on- Jeremiah 1:10 we need the gift or ability to root up things. You need to be able to look at people hear the Holy Spirit on their behalf
2 . Repent
3. Identify with Christ Jesus and Claim His Victory – We must connect with the righteousness of Jesus and identify with what He says about us or the person.
We must break identification with grief, bitterness, anger, disappointment, hatred etc.
4. Address the issue by faith – talk to the mountain and tell it to be removed and cast into the sea. Say to the tree that it must be uprooted.
5. Remember Pain is not YOUR Friend – it might be part of who you are now, but it is not what the bible says or God says about you. Break the old habits and start new ones.
Never forget that despite the circumstances currently in your life, you are Blessed. Everyone who has Jesus as their Savior is Blessed beyond measure. If we keep an attitude of blessing we become victorious and ROOT ISSUE free!Selah
Comments Welcome
