Unfortunately a sizable portion of the church today has become drunk on its own definition of success. How often does God need to remind his people not to judge true success on the basis of whether something works or it seems not to. Paul and Silas did not appear to be successful when they were put in a Philippian jail, Peter did not appear to be successful when chained between prison guards, the gathering at Lazarus tomb did not have the aura of success and Jesus death on Calvary's cross appeared to be a total failure. However all these situations ended in great victory despite what it looked like on the outside. When man in his own power and might puts together great programs and buildings in the church world, God reminds us that their success is not always indicative that his presence is in their midst. Remember it was Jesus himself who said in Matthew 10:34 that he came to send a sword and not peace to the earth. What did he mean? I believe Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit has declared war on man's idols that have separated him from having true meaningful communion with those for whom he gave his life blood. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that the Word, the sharp two-edged sword "divides asunder". Unfortunately for many church leaders in the world today, great numbers and great building programs have become the new narcotic idol of the modern church. I'm not against great things taking place in the church today, whether it's number or building programs but let King David serve as a warning for us in 1 Chronicles 21 when we make idols out of these things. God had to reminded Elijah who lived in a corrupted spiritual age that he had 7000 reserved who had never bowed to the idols of the church or the world. I believe that God right now is similarly raising up many nameless people who have no great following or monuments named after them, who are full of god's power and might and have set themselves to bring honor and glory to his Holy name. I believe God is about to make them known in this last hour and that part of his purpose in raising them up is to make them a thorn in the side of those who have made a false success idol out of Christianity. I believe this nameless band of brothers and sisters will also go forth in the spirit of Gideon to destroy their fathers idols and restore integrity back to the church and it's true mission. Yes God is raising up a people freshly sanctified by his word, who know how to properly separate themselves from the world and worldly Christianity, a people who have refused to be indoctrinated by "slick" marketing techniques or worship services that God has written "Ichabod" over because of those who promote fleshly performance instead of our decreasing that God may increase in our lives. God has already begun to dismantle the pompous houses of those who have obtained luxury and ease by preaching a gospel of "good news" for themselves while they expect others to continue to "pay dues" in order to maintain their lifestyles. These are people who have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof, and God reminds us that we are to turn away from such things. We need a fresh godly fear to come over the church like it did when Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and paid with their lives. I believe that God is enlisting a fresh army in this last hour but don't sign up unless you plan to fully trust his word and his direction for your life. I believe there is a joy and peace that has been kept from this world and those in the church that insist on kindling their own fire but God is ready to give it to those who will whole-heartily follow the Lord. This new army of believers will have a mandate to sober up the body of Christ so that they can reach this world with the "good news" intended for all.
1 Peter 1:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
1 Peter 1:13-16 (NKJV)
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
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