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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

It's Spittin' Time!

There is a full-blown epidemic occurring.

It is a spiritual epidemic.  But its affects seem just as devastating in the natural.

This epidemic however, may not look like a epidemic from the perspective of our natural vision or consideration.  But if we could take a angelic view of the matter, we might see how much spitting is really going on with Believers all over the world.

It's a "spitting epidemic."

I know or have heard of approximate 8 people over 5 different churches who have felt either dissatisfied, condemned and beat up or so spiritually dead at their churches that they have left that congregation.  Some quickly attended other churches, and others did not.  However, every last one of them has consistently felt the same way upon leaving: free; happy and spiritually content!

These individuals did not leave their churches to backslide into sin; nor did they leave and abandon their active relationship with the Lord.  On the contrary.  At least 3 individuals I know of personally have felt their relationships get closer to God. They continued to study, worship, praise and commune with God.

The biggest criticisms these individuals face is that they are either "church hopping" or forsaking the fellowship of the saints.  Again, this is not so.  The "church hoppers" found a congregation where they could be fed properly while worshipping in joy and peace.  The "fellowship forsakers" are still looking for that place!

And while truthfully, 8 people does not an epidemic make, I am sure that if I could see all the people those eight people know, and those people that they know - well, like I said, if we could step back and see an angelic view of the whole matter, I am sure we would see an epidemic proportion of just exactly how many people have been spat, will be spat or wish they would get spit out of the mouths of their lukewarm churches.

It's a spitting epidemic.

Revelation 3:15-16 says, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue (spit) thee out of my mouth."

It may be a stretch of an example - but I believe fired up and anointed Believers are being spit out of the mouths of their lukewarm churches all over the world.

At my church there is a Deacon who says he feels "cold water running down his body" when the anointing overwhelms him.  And in fact, the Spirit of the Lord is frequently associated with "water" in the bible so I am not surprised that it feels like cold water to him.

Then of course, Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16 both say that Jesus will baptize us "with the Holy Ghost and with fire."

I believe this is why Jesus Himself says He would rather we be either hot or cold.  The hot believers are baptized with fire and the cold believers are anointed by the Holy Ghost.  And in every church that is not able to feed these Believers the meat they crave, or where they are being condemned right along with the unrepentant, undelivered "sinners-saved-by-grace," God is spitting them out and placing them with other hot and cold Believers.

It's spittin' time!  Are you being spued out of your church or are you comfortable?

And while this may not be an accurate application of Revelation 3:15-16, here's a passage that is:  Matthew 25:1-10 - "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut."

Up until this revelation of the spitting epidemic, I had seen this parable about the Believers ready for Jesus to return and unbelievers who are not.  Not so!

1.   Jesus is the Bridegroom and the church is His Bride, betrothed and awaiting His return to catch us up and carry us unto the wedding feast... right?  Right.  This parable is about the church.

2.  Revelations 1 speaks to the "7 churches," these are represented by the 7 candlesticks in verses 12 and 13.  Specifically, Revelations 2:5 refers the Apostle or indirectly the Pastor of a church as the candlestick that will be removed from "his" place if he has fallen and does not quickly repent.

When we think of a candle and candlestick or a lamp - we know it is a light that you follow in the darkness.  So if the virgin is the church, and 10 virgins are individual churches; and the lamp is the pastor or head of that church,  we then can conclude that the oil in the lamp is the anointing on the light and leader of  that particular church.

All the virgin churches have oil.  All their pastors were anointed. Some of the churches are prepared for the anointed to run out and refuel themselves for the new day - the new day in which the Lord will come again.  He will not come in the old day. 

But some of the churches only have enough anointing for the old day.  They try to ask the other churches for some of their anointing, but it can't be given.  The churches then, in desperation and a desire to not be left behind, go out when the anointing of their leader runs out.  The church is in search of more anointing.  The church is desperately trying to be ready, at the last minute, for the dawning of the new day.

But in the midst of their search, the new day dawns and the Lord returns, shutting them out from the wedding feast that has been prepared for the church that is ready without spot or wrinkle.

Believers make up the church, not the pastor.  And just like the oil of anointing running down Aaron's beard to the hem of his garment, the anointing in the church runs from the head down to the body of Believers.  True believers are realizing the anointing is running low and they are searching to fill their vessels before it runs out.

The only aspect of the parable that doesn't fit is that the virgins - the foolish virgins - don't make it back in time.  Make it back!

Make sure you are not in a lukewarm church where the anointing is running out! Don't be a lukewarm, foolish virgin.  Be as hot or as cold as you the Lord anoints you to be and the let Him spit out into the true and ready preparation of the marriage feast. 

It's spittin's time, ya'll!  Are you ready?

Posted by ~Pastor D at 6:28 PM 0 comments

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Destiny's Journey


Some journeys are well traveled roads. Common, familiar and easy. We cruise along the path oblivious to the process as we habitually turn each corner, climb each hill and break each slope. Only to arrive, blink and wonder how we managed without incident or memory of the trip.

This journey - my journey - is not like that. This journey is one of reluctance, hesitance, unsurity, insecurity and yes, a moderate amount of fear.

As I open the window for you to view my progress, you will undoubtedly come to your own conclusion based upon the progress of your own journey - and your observations will be varied.

Some might say that I am making slow but steady progress toward a clear destination. Others may say that I am floundering and wandering aimlessly down a muddy road with too many directions to choose from.

I say my journey has just begun, although it started more than 10 years ago. I say I still have such a long, long way to go, although I am teetering on the precipice of completion. I say the journey has made me weary, leery and weak, although I trudge on with a strength and endurance that is beyond me. I say the path is muddy, with many obstacles, directions and difficulties still yet to come. However, my destination is clear - crazy, unimaginable, overwhelming and clear.

When this path first appeared it was like a hazy, dirt road on a foggy day. I peered at it without knowing what it was or where it was going - then tried to ignore it as inconsequential. When the path persisted I joked as to where it might lead, then still tried to dismiss it as a path not meant for me.

It was years before the view of the path cleared and I was able to see the destination more clearly. It was absurd to think that the reality of where this path could end up would be in a place far more outlandish than even my most absurd imaginings! OK, maybe - just maybe this path ended up in a very good place - but a place still not meant for me. Definitely not me.

Why not me? Who else but me, since I was the only one to see? Please, Dear God, not me! Yes, me. This path was meant for me.

And so I watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Four - no five, has it already been five? Five years ago I accepted it. I stuck out a big toe like testing the cold water of a pool - then yanked my foot back like I so often would. I wrote about it, dreamed about it, and tried it on for size in the privacy of my dressing room of life. And by the way, I still watched it, argued with it, denied it and tried to imagine a life without pursuing it.

Three - sorry, I forgot - Four years ago I made up my mind. I packed my bags, said good bye to the sanity and sanctuary of friends and family who always had thought they understood me, and I took my first hesitant and frightened step.

In these last four years I have walked, sometimes trotted, but never quite run toward a goal I think is crazy. I have stopped, I have even sat down and I have wistfully looked back to a time when I did not know and could not see what was meant for me.

But I will not stop. I packed my bags (all my baggage), and made up my mind. Armed with nothing but 2 scriptures and a great deal of hope, I continue to trudge on driven by the surity that if - just if - I happen to arrive at this awesome, fearsome destination, it will be extraordinary, phenomenal and inconceivably wonderful. This destination...

A destination, a journey to a place that is called destiny. My destiny. Destiny's purpose in life. My God given purpose.

Sometimes while we travel, we see another driver, glance in that direction and never take note or give them another thought. Perhaps that is how you will see me.

Sometimes we see another traveler and something catches our eye. We may watch a moment, muse a moment or even briefly wonder... Then they continue on their own separate way and thoughts of them fade as quickly as they do. Perhaps that will be how you see me.

Other times we get caught in traffic, bunched up with drivers because of fate. And whether we cruise along peacefully or struggle with road rage, we share a community of progress, each with our own destination. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

And on rare occasion on our own individual roads of life, we travel a path where we encounter another driver - seemingly traveling to the same basic place. At times they follow us and then we follow them. We may take note of who they are and what they drive - possibly even read a licence plate. We'll share a moment or even a long while - silently and separately together, with maybe a glance, a smile or a brief a wave of acknowledgement. Perhaps that will be how you experience me.

I cannot say how long this path will be for me, so whether you glance and move on - never to take notice; or whether you wonder a moment at who I am and where I'm going; or whether you follow a while, smile and wave or better yet, if you decide to stay for the journey, I invite you to come along for the ride.

***
Please click on the "Stuff From Before" link to Destiny's Journey to make your comments.