Tag: Jesus

25 Signs of a Dying Church

Source of image: JosephMaterra.org
“The word of God teaches us that there are times God’s presence can leave the corporate expression of His people. We see this in I Samuel 4:21-22 when the name Ichabod was given to the grandson of Eli, the high priest, after the ark of the covenant was captured by the Philistines. Also, in the book of Revelation 3:1 Jesus told the church of Sardis that they had a reputation of being alive but was dead. Hence, it is possible for communities of faith to be dead or dying.

Furthermore, in Revelation 2:5, Jesus warned the church of Ephesus that if they did not repent He would remove their lampstand. Since the lampstand represents the true church (according to Rev.1: 20) then Jesus was either threatening to shut down the church and or remove Himself from it (which would mean it was dead spiritually).

Since Jesus said that the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church (Matthew 16) then, it is impossible for Satan to close down a church; hence, whenever a church ceases to exist it is the Lord Himself who shut it down. This is the reason many denominations will cease to exist in the next few decades as well as why many congregations close their doors every year. (To blame Satan for this is not biblical since Jesus said He is the One who removes them).

Having established the biblical precedent for dead or dying churches, the following are signs of a dead (or dying) church. Check the ones that fit your church:

___1. There are no functional prayer gatherings.

Within dying churches, few people show up to pray and seek God together since they have no sense of His Presence or that He is present in the midst of them (E.G. You would not be motivated to speak to your friend if you didn’t think they were listening).

___2. There is no expectation for answered prayers.

Few, if any, pray together since there is no anticipation that God will actually answer prayers. When you are in a church without faith to believe God, it is either dead or dying.

___3. The presence of God is missing in the assembly of the Saints.

Metaphorically, the heavens are like brass over the skies of dead or dying churches (Deut.28: 23). There is no sense of God’s presence during worship even though Jesus promised that where two or three gather in His name there He is in the midst of them (Matt.18: 20).

___4. The Word of God is presented without authority or anointing.

The religious leaders (who practiced a dead faith during Jesus’s time) were shocked when they heard Jesus speak because He taught with authority (Mark 1:22).
In dead or dying churches the preacher has no unction to instill faith, motivate action or convict of sin.

___5. Few if any people are saved, or get baptized.

In the early church, the Lord regularly added people to the church. (Acts 2:47). When there are no people being saved or baptized, it is a sign the Lord is no longer working in their midst.

___6. Every church service is predictable by the minute.

Whether it be high church services or a non-denominational charismatic church, when every aspect of the worship, liturgy, and preaching is predictable as if choreographed to the minute, then it may reveal there is no room for the Holy Spirit to operate. Like Samson of old, the Spirit may have departed without the people knowing it (Judges 16:20).
Truly, any aspect of our church that can function without dependence on the Holy Spirit shows that it is a machination of men and not God.

___7. There is no pattern of disciple making.

The bottom line in all churches is the making of committed Christ followers, better known as disciples. It doesn’t matter how large a church is, what matters is how many mature sons [and daughters] are being developed that will positively affect the created order (Read Romans 8:19-21).

___8. The people jockey for position and titles.

When people are not seeking the glory of God they depend even more upon getting affirmation from men. Hence, a church without the Presence of God will most likely have a hierarchical culture with people posturing for positions and titles. The less you know God intimately, the more your identity will be connected to credentials and titles.

___9. There is no divine sense of mission and purpose.

When there is no vision the people are perishing (Proverbs 29:18), when a congregation is dead or dying they have no compelling transcendent purpose that motivates them to fulfill their biblical calling.

___10. Few people volunteer to serve.

Psalm 110:3 say that the people will volunteer or offer themselves willingly in the day of His power. Consequently, in dead or dying churches very few people volunteer to serve in the ministry.

___11. Few people support the church with tithes and offerings.

Jesus said, “where your treasure is, there your heart will be” (Matthew 6:21). When a church is dying or dead, few people will be motivated to invest their finances into it. Conversely, when people see God moving within the church, they will have more faith and be more motivated to give of their finances knowing that it is being sown on good soil.

___12. The community doesn’t get impacted.

God called believers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). When our lamp goes out, the surrounding community is no longer changed by the power of the gospel.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you see any or all of these signs of a dying church in your congregation, ask the Lord what He wants you to do to help resuscitate it. Humbly present your concerns to the leaders of the church before making any decisions. Perhaps God is doing a lot behind the scenes that you do not know about.

Also, at times in American history, the turn of the 19th century in particular, the church in general was in a very low spiritual state; God raised up men like Charles Finney to usher in the Second Great Awakening which revived thousands of congregations and awakened lost sinners. Like the prophet Habakkuk of old, let us seek the Lord to revive His work in the midst of the years and beseech Him that in wrath He would remember mercy (Hab. 3:2).

The greatest challenge we have in this nation is not our political leaders but a lack of power and conviction in the pulpit and the pews that can produce world- changing Christ followers.”
Source: 13 Signs of a Dying Church

Thirteen More Signs
___13. Your leaders are losing their passion.

Leaders of growing churches have a white-hot passion for their mission. You can hear it in their voice and can see it in their eyes. By contrast, leaders of stuck or declining churches or organizations generally do NOT burn with drive, desire or passion.

Passionate leaders are obsessed with the mission and get more excited about possibilities than get weighed down by problems. They also bring the love and hope of Jesus in some way into every aspect of their lives. Most leaders who make a significant difference don’t live balanced lives; they live passionate lives and see ministry as something they GET to do. For them, ministry is a privilege, not a burden.

___14. There is more attention and resources dedicated to maintaining the church organization and facilities than enthusiasm for the work of the Lord.

While internal organizations and maintaining church facilities is important, the true work of the church – the called-out ones, is to go forth to reach the lost with the truth and love of Christ. This also reflects an emphasis on management – managing the affairs of the church, rather than leadership – inspiring members to go out and reach the lost. When maintenance begins to trump mission, the end is near.

___15. Keeping traditions is more important than a compelling vision for the future.

If the past is the guideline for action rather than “what would the Lord have us do in this situation”, the church is ill-equipped to respond to changes impacting the church. The past also does not generate enthusiasm or excitement. That comes from a sense of purpose and direction, and plans and actions to realize a compelling vision for the future.


“Vision is prayed down, not borrowed or thought up. It is a picture of what could be and what should be, and results in passion. A leader with vision motivates people to move into action toward a greater good for the church and community. Vision is directly attached to calling.”

___16. Homeless and street people are seen more as a nuisance and threat to church property than a mission field.

Even though homeless and street people are not easy to minister to, they are fellow image-bears of God, and Jesus commands us to not be respecter of persons but to minister to all. In Matthew 25:45, He states: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

___17. There is greater emphasis on how we are different
from other Christians than what unites us in Christ.

In Ephesians 4:4-6, the apostle Paul declared there is (only) one body and one Spirit. So while it is important to hold to the core beliefs of one’s church, what different Bible-believing Christian churches hold in common – belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior – is more important than our differences.

___18. There is a slow loss of members and finances over time.

Unless there is a crisis or major division, dying churches typically don’t lose members and finances all at once. More common is a gradual attrition, as a few members leave for a variety of reasons, some move away, and older members pass on. This is often accompanied by a lack of influx from the younger generation, who find other churches more appealing, or quit going to church completely. The result is a gradual loss of momentum, members, and finances, like the story of the frog in the boiling water.

___19. Strong resistance to change and innovation is evident.

Change is uncomfortable but necessary. One sign of a dying church is resistance to change and innovation. However, if your church is dying, change needs to be made quickly. Is your church is resisting change because they’re stuck in the past, or for valid and Biblical reasons?

Resist change, and innovators will eventually leave your church. Down the road, even when you want to innovate – you can’t because all the idea people have abandoned ship. When was the last time you did something truly new? If you can’t answer that question, beware. Dying churches typically fiercely reject change.

___20. Sermons engage the mind but not the heart.

We are bombarded by messages from many sources all throughout the week. Sermons that are not personal, compelling, and engaging, that point members to a transformed life, but sound like theological lectures are not very effective. Even worse are sermons that embrace our pagan culture and espouse non-Biblical perspectives.

___21. You are seeing very few first-time visitors.

If a church doesn’t continually attract and connect with first-time visitors, then it will eventually die because of attrition. To attract more first-time guests, the church will need an online strategy and an invite strategy. Your website, social media ads, and online church service are vital to people finding the church. An invite strategy uses invite cards on the 3 big days of the year which are Fall, Christmas and Easter, as well as throughout the year.

The key is to get first-time guests to the Sunday worship experience and then connect them to the life of the church as quickly as possible. That is one of the major differences between dying churches and growing churches.

___22. Everyone in your church looks and thinks just like you.

Does your congregation truly represent a cross-section of your community? Or do they all fit neatly within the same racial, economic, age, cultural, and political boxes? Churches that lack diversity in terms of age, race, and socio-economic status often struggle to connect with their communities and reach new people.

Furthermore, if members of your congregation don’t feel comfortable expressing doubts, asking questions, voicing concerns, or engaging in respectful dialogue on sensitive issues and topics, then your church is probably attractive to one type of person: People just like you. And that’s a well that’ll run dry fast.

___23. You’re focused more on keeping church members than reaching new people.

A subtle sign of a dying church is that it has completely given up on evangelism and is directing all of its resources to keep its members from leaving. In these situations, the goal simply becomes making the congregation as happy and comfortable as possible to prevent any more exits.

The long-term consequences – not investing in young families or community outreach – will inevitably signal a death blow down the road.

___24. Unresolved conflict

Study after study correlates unresolved conflict with church decline. And if there’s one thing dying churches are good at, it’s ignoring problems or making excuses. Even worse, conflict ignored is conflict multiplied, so if the conflict has been going on for a while, chances are your church is a toxic family system, even as it shrinks in size.

That raises the question: If leaders know there is a problem, why isn’t anyone being an adult and doing something about it?

___25. There is no sense of urgency and passion to reach lost souls.

In Matthew 28:16, Jesus calls us to carry out the Great Commission, to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded. Dying churches do not have this as a high priority.

How many of these describe your church: __ out of 25?

Hopefully this can spur you and the leadership of your church to consider your current state, what you would like to become in the near future, and how you can get there, starting with the Lord!

Coming soon: 25 Signs of a Healthy Church!

Sources:
15 Signs of a Dying Church & What to Do About It
Three Symptoms of a Dying Church
7 Symptoms of a Dying Church & How to Address Them
5 Signs of a Dying Church
14 Signs Your Church Is Dying
Ten signs your church may be dying

To God be the glory
LifeintheSpirit.net

GREAT QUESTIONS ARE WINDOWS INTO THE SOUL, PART I

One of the greatest challenges for Christians is how can we take “nice” conversations to a deeper level that touches the other person’s soul. We can do this by asking great questions.

I. How Are You?

How are you?

What is happening in your life?

What brings joy into your life?

What is the cry in your soul at this time?

II. Who Are You?

Who are you and how did you end up here?

What is your story? You can then tell them your story, and HIS

(Jesus’s) story.

Is there a song, book, or movie that describes your life?

What really makes you come alive?

III. What Were the Defining Moments in Your Life?

Have there been DEFINING MOMENTS – turning points in your life when you gained some new insight or experienced a radical change that changed the direction of your life? What were they?

IV. What Do You Think About God?

When you die and pass into eternity, what do you think you will experience?  How does that make you feel?

What do you think about God? Is He your friend?

What do you want from Him?

What do you think He wants from you?

How do you see Jesus? 

Do you spend time with the Lord in His Word and prayer every day?

V. How is the Lord Working in Your Life?

Have you ever seen the hand of the Lord in your life or sensed His

presence?  What was it like? 

How is the Lord working in your life? What is He teaching you?

Do you realize that, as a Christian, the Holy Spirit dwells within you,

and seeks a personal relationship with you?

How does that make you feel?

Do you believe we can discern the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit

and be nurtured, taught, and guided by Him each day?

Do you look for the divine appointments God has for you each day?

VI. What is Your Life Purpose and Calling?

Do you know the Lord’s calling on your life – the unique and special

purpose for which you were created?

Are you fulfilling His calling upon your life? If not, what is holding you

back? SO WHAT?

How can I pray for you?

To God be the glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

ONE OF THE GREATEST TRAGEDIES OF ALL TIMES

One of the greatest tragedies of all time is the many people who believe they are going to heaven when they die, but end up in the Lake of Fire:

“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

Here are four warning signs that we all should watch for, described as questions the Lord may ask us when we stand before Him after we pass from this earth:

Warning Sign #1: UNIVERSALISM – EVERYONE IS GOING TO

HEAVEN

“You believe everyone is going to heaven, even those who refuse to repent of their many sins and also reject Me – God the Father, My Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. You do not know Me, and have no place in the Kingdom of Heaven:”

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6

Warning Sign #2: UNFORGIVENESS

“You refused to forgive (this person) in your life, so why should I forgive you? My Son Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 6:14-15”:

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Warning Sign #3: UNREPENTANCE

“You worship other gods, such as wealth, status, pleasure, lust, and power, and are unrepentant. Why should I let you bring your sin and idolatry into heaven which is holy and without sin?”

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

Warning Sign #4: LUKEWARMNESS

“You belong to the Church of Laodicea, a church known for comfort, prosperity, wealth, and leisure; a lukewarm, spiritually stagnant, church in the midst of people with great physical and spiritual needs. Why should I let you in while your soul is polluted with the world and worldly desires?

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth (reject you with disgust).” Revelation 3:14-16 MSG

These warnings follow the post “Each of Us is Going to Court” (https://tinyurl.com/EachGoingtoCourt), which describes how each of us will one day pass through the veil of death and be judged by the sovereign, living God of the universe in the Great Courtroom of Heaven:

“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12

The warnings are particularly relevant when we reflect on this sober warning that few there are that find the narrow gate and path which leads to heaven:

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

So let us reach out to those who come across our path with the love and truth of Christ, for life is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow. 

To God be the Glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

Each of Us is Going to Court

SCENARIO:

The day started out like every other day, but little did I know that a tragic event would transpire that would change my life forever. I just had breakfast and was about to head out to work, when there was a knock on the door.

I opened it and a sharply-dressed, tall, dark gentleman asked me my name. After I responded, he replied: “This is a subpoena for you to appear in court. The date and place are in the document. See you in court.” He then departed and closed the door. I was surprised and more than a little nervous. Uncertainty and fear gripped my heart as I wondered – what is this all about? Am I in trouble? What have I done? After gathering my thoughts, I opened the door to ask him a few questions, but he was not there, and I did not see him even after I looked up and down the street.

As I was on my way out the door to head for work, I glanced at the summons, and noticed that it was for TOMORROW, at some location I was not familiar with. But as I was late for work, I decided to check out the location later.

It was a very busy day at work, and I even had to work late. A strong thunderstorm came up, and as I was driving home, a drunk driver swerved and hit my car head-on at high speed, causing a HUGE CRASH. In an instant, my life flashed before me, and I lost consciousness.

THE GREAT COURTROOM OF HEAVEN

When I woke up, I realized something had profoundly changed. I was standing in a huge, majestic courtroom, and it felt like I had somehow passed into another dimension. It then dawned on me that I had passed through the veil of death and into eternity, and was now standing in THE GREAT COURTROOM OF HEAVEN!

When I looked toward the rear of the courtroom, behind a rail were visitors. I saw my parents! And my Uncle Bob and Aunt Mary, my neighbor David, a co-worker who died from cancer, and three high school classmates who had died from a car accident many years ago. They were all excited to see me, and were there to support me and cheer me on.

When I returned my gaze to the front of the courtroom, it dawned on me that I was the one who was on trial!

I then recognized the tall dark gentleman who gave me the summons, standing to the right of the judge’s bench and wearing a white flowing robe. I realized he was an angel and he declared: “All rise in reverence for the Judge, the sovereign, living God of the universe.”

When God the Father came in, His holy presence filled the courtroom, and everyone present bowed to the floor, the only thing a person could do in the presence of absolute holiness.

The angel then told everyone to be seated, but for me (the accused) to remain standing. He then asked the Accuser (Satan) to read the charges against me. Satan had a very long list, as I had committed many sins throughout my life. My heart was broken and grieved as he read them, realizing all the harm I had done to so many people.

Then God the Judge asked “Before I pass sentence, what do you have to say for yourself?” I was so overcome with grief, I had nothing to say.

GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY

God then asked me: “How do you plead – guilty or not guilty? “Guilty” I sobbed, and I knew my fate was sealed if justice was to prevail.

He asked one final question before pronouncing my sentence: “Is there anyone present who would like to speak on behalf of the accused?”

At this point, Jesus stepped forward from the back of the courtroom where He was watching the proceedings. He told the judge and all in the courtroom that He paid the price for my sins with his death on the cross, and thus took the penalty that was rightfully mine. My heart leaped with great anticipation at the possibility of a reprieve for my many sins.

The Judge, God the Father, then slammed the gavel down, announced that all charges against me were dropped, and welcomed me into the Kingdom of Heaven. Immediately I heard a loud chorus of angels rejoicing that another soul had been snatched from eternity in the Lake of Fire.

While Satan stomped out of the courtroom, furious at losing another soul to Christ and the Kingdom of Heaven, my friends and family in the visitors’ section cheered loudly, for my life had just been saved by the blood of Christ. I then experienced a joy and bliss that is beyond my ability to describe – a feeling of peace and of finally coming home to be with the Lord for eternity.

EVERYONE HAS A DATE TO APPEAR IN COURT

Well guess what – this is going to happen to you as well as to me. Each of us has a particular day in the future when we will pass through the veil of death and into eternity. We will then stand before the sovereign, living God of the universe in the Great Court of Heaven, where ultimate justice is dispensed for each of us.

Satan, the accuser, will describe all the sins we have committed in our life, and then we will be asked to respond to his accusations. Finally, God the Father will ask if there is anyone who would like to speak on our behalf. Although we may have friends and family watching the trial, their testimony will not be allowed, as they have no standing regarding matters of eternal justice (and God already knows what they would say on our behalf anyway).

Only Christ can advocate for individual persons, and then only for those of us who have received Him as our Savior BEFORE WE DIED. Once we pass through the veil of death into eternity, our course is set.

So let us reach out to those who come across our path with the love and truth of Christ, for life is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.      Source of image: shutterstock.com

To God be the Glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

A Homeless Guy, a Recovering Christian, and a Christian Met One Night in a Bar

Wouldn’t you like to hear what the homeless guy said to the recovering Christian? Stay with me and I will tell you, for it is a compelling story.

Actually, it was on an afternoon, not in a bar, and on the steps of a house owned by the recovering Christian, a young man in his 40s. When asked what his religious background was, he said he was raised in the church, but he is now “a recovering Christian” (like a recovering alcoholic).

He cited two experiences that impacted him in particular. The first was when he was enrolled as a student at a Christian university and playing baseball. When the coach caught him and several other players smoking pot, he confessed and even said he had a joint in his dorm room. The next day, security officers searched his room, where they found the marijuana joint.

The other players were reprimanded, but stayed on the team and in school, while he was expelled. He pleaded for mercy from the college administrators, but they refused and expelled him.

Secondly, he mentioned seeing homeless people sleeping in the alcoves or on porches of churches who kept their buildings locked. He then referred to Jesus who said inasmuch as you did not give food, water, or shelter to the least of these, you did not give to Me. So he is a recovering Christian because of the traumatic ending of his college and baseball career, and the gap between what Jesus said and what he has seen in churches.

It is at this juncture that a homeless man chimed in. He told the homeowner that there is a big difference between true Christians who are members of the Body of Christ, and church organizations that place a higher priority on holding events for their members and maintaining their buildings than going out to win souls for Christ. He declared that the true church is not an organization with buildings and a sign that says church, but an organism with members from all countries who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. His final admonition was to not confuse the two, but focus on Christ who alone can set us free from sin and the fear of death.

The True Church in Communist Romania

This conversation brings to mind insights from Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, author of “Tortured for Christ”. Wurmbrand experienced months of solitary confinement, years of periodic physical torture, and the anguish of brainwashing by Romanian communist officials, all for the crime of public witnessing about Jesus Christ.

Wurmbrand described how believers would not build houses, because officials would then arrest them and take their properties. They could not gather in public or they would be arrested, so they would gather in basements or out in the forest at night – anyplace where they would not be detected.

So what if (or when) Christianity is outlawed in America, and we had to meet under a tree in the forest at night? There would be no buildings to maintain, lock, or worry about vandalism. If someone was sleeping under our tree, fine – we might sleep there as well. If someone came to worship with us, terrific, for they too are seeking the love and truth of Jesus, the only truth that can set us free. If we are sharing food and someone comes, fine, we share food with them JUST LIKE JESUS DID.

Everyone has a story – a story of their life, with successes, failures, hopes and fears. Everyone we see or meet is going through some struggle unknown to us, even if they say everything is “fine”. So let us reach out to them with the love and truth of Christ, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.                     Source of image: Shutterstock.com

To God be the glory

Mark Peterson

LifeintheSpirit.net

Education is Not THE ANSWER –

Two Incredible Stories

Source of image: unknown

Is education important? Of course. While we may expect a better educated public to address complex and serious issues more effectively than an uneducated public, in my many years as an educator, I concluded that it is not THE ANSWER to the many critical challenges facing our nation, such as drugs, poverty, homelessness, corruption, and crime. Ironically, it may even provide greater capability to promulgate evil. Here are two incredible stories that shed light on this matter:

Story #1: The Einsatzgruppen in Nazi Germany – Educated Murderers

Prior to the invasion of Poland in 1939, Heinrich Himmler, Chief of the German Police, created the Einsatzgruppen to identify, combat, and eliminate suspected enemies of the German Nazi government in areas taken over by the Nazi army. They were paramilitary death squads that engaged in mass murder, primarily by shooting many of the cultural, religious, and intellectual elite of Poland, including Catholic priests, Freemasons, Jews, local political leaders, communists, partisans, and Romani people. 

These units, supported by SS units, killed over 50,000 Poles, including 7,000 Polish Jews by the end of 1939. Himmler recruited highly educated Germans to lead the Einsatzgruppen, with OVER HALF OF THE EINSATZGRUPPEN LEADERS HAVING PH.D.S. Their advanced education did not provide them with a moral compass to forbid mass murder.

Story #2: Craig Marlatt – From Prison to Street Ministry

Craig Marlatt’s life started out rough, then took a radical turn for the Lord. Sent to prison THREE TIMES for drug offenses, the third time he was in prison, Marlatt volunteered to assist with a prison ministry as the chaplain’s clerk because it was easier than working out in the hot cotton fields. There he met a homely preacher who preached the Word of God. The Holy Spirit convicted Craig, and he came to the Lord. When he left prison, he started a coffee house in the toughest part of downtown Orlando. Here is an ex-con with a high school education, ministering to drug addicts, prostitutes, and  street people, as well as writing books and recording Christian songs that inspire people to live lives of honesty, virtue, and service.

These stories demonstrate that education, while important, can be used for good or evil, and that our Lord can and does use ANYONE who is yielded to His Holy Spirit and is willing to carry out the work of the Lord. God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.

Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 The word “life” in Greek is “zoe” which means a life expressing the highest and best, a life of service to God and to mankind. As just one example, the early Christians were known for rescuing unwanted babies off the trash heaps of the Roman empire. In contrast, communist regimes that explicitly rejected God have killed over 100 million of their own people. Christ brings life; communism – rejecting God – brings death.

So let us seek the Lord with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength, that we may discover God’s calling upon our lives and experience the abundant life – the life of joy that He promises to all who follow Him.

To God be the glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

What Do YOU Bring to the Table?

Several years ago, a non-profit organization board in the Arkansas Delta met to discuss prospective board members, and I was privileged to be a part of that discussion. Like many non-profits, they struggled with finances, so they were looking for individuals who were either wealthy or had political influence to gain access to money. A person would be suggested, and the next question was: “What do they bring to the table?” Although I dislike the jargon, it means “what could they contribute to our organization?”

What Different Age Groups Bring to the Table

We could ask the same question about people of different ages – what can they contribute to our society:

  • BABIES inspire awe, wonder, and love; created in the image of God, they are BRAND-NEW PERSONS, more incredible than a solar eclipse, Niagara Falls, or Grand Canyon.
  • CHILDREN contribute curiosity and excitement at encountering the world and learning how to get along with other people,
  • YOUNG PEOPLE contribute energy and promise for the future, unencumbered by life’s burdens, unfulfilled dreams, and skepticism of what is possible.
  • MIDDLE AGE PEOPLE are the backbone of society – men and women each contributing their unique abilities, knowledge and skills in work, dedication, and commitment to family – raising the younger generation and caring for the older generation.
  • SENIOR ADULTS contribute experience, reflection, wisdom, and a knowledge of history that enables them to recognize patterns and current events with a deep understanding.

Healthy, Godly societies, communities, families, and churches recognize the critical contributions that each group can make, and act to support, protect, and nurture them. In these settings, individuals in each of the above groups are respected and loved for who they are, and “heard”.

What Does Satan Bring to the Table

In contrast, Satan and his minions seek to steal our identities – who we are as image-bearers of God, kill our bodies in a multitude of ways, and destroy our souls:

  • BABIES are killed in the womb or sacrificed to idols,
  • CHILDREN are abused, trafficked, or mutilated for gender transitioning,
  • YOUNG PEOPLE are brainwashed by secular education,  hooked on drugs, blasted with satanic music and videos, and robbed of their promising futures,
  • MIDDLE AGE PEOPLE are lied to by our government and media, forced to work in inhumane conditions (required vaccinations, etc.), and robbed of their finances through inflation, and
  • SENIOR ADULTS are put on drugs to keep them docile, and robbed of their valuable roles as sources of wisdom by a culture that only values youth.

Satan not only brings destruction and death to the table (our society, communities, families, and churches), but HE WANTS TO DESTROY THEM.

What Does Jesus Bring to the Table

Not only does our Lord prepare a table for us in the presence of our enemies (Psalm 23:5), but He:

·       invited His disciples to join Him for a breakfast of fish and bread (John 21:12),

·       invites us to dine with Him (Revelation 3:20), and

·       offered bread and wine to His disciples at the last supper (Mark 14), an expression of and a precursor to Him giving Himself – His body and blood – on the cross to wipe away our sins and the fear of death forever (Mark 15).

What Do YOU Bring to the Table?                                                    

Jesus said we are to “love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind, the first and great commandment.” Then He said we are to “love our neighbor as ourself.”

He is saying – if we don’t spend any time with Him – in repentance, in His Word, in worship, and in prayer, we will have nothing special – NOTHING SUPERNATURAL to share with others. We will be unable to fulfill His calling upon our lives – the grand purpose for which we were created – to impart to others His truth and love.

So let us go forth with boldness and courage to reach others, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

To God be the glory                                                        LifeintheSpirit.net

Source of image: Pixabay

The Eclipse is a Warning to America – Stay Inside!

While there has been a great deal of media attention to the eclipse coming on Monday, much less attention is given to the spiritual dimensions and implications of the eclipse.

Messages from several watchmen and women have not only declared that the eclipse is a major warning to America to repent, but that a biological attack is planned for those who gather to watch the eclipse. This is very serious and includes a warning to stay inside rather than place you and your family in harm’s way. You can see these messages here:

eclipse-is-a-warningDownload

In I Chronicles 12:32, the sons of Issachar were commended for understanding the times and knowing what they should do. So let us be like them, seeking understanding of the times and what we should do to live at this time and serve our Lord.  As in all things, question everything and take it to the Lord for confirmation.

This blog is for the remnant Bride of Christ and all who seek The Truth. You won’t want to miss it.

Blessings on your day,

Mark

Mark Peterson

LifeintheSpirit.net

Ten Reasons Why Repentance is Absolutely Necessary

Our nation is becoming more and more perverse, as President Biden recently declared EASTER to be Transgender Day of Visibility, a direct insult to the sovereign, living God of the universe. This is a blatant abomination, and our nation and people are now facing judgment from God.

So it is absolutely necessary that we repent of our sins and seek the Lord for His protection, guidance, and peace, as never before, because:

  1. God is a holy, righteous, and jealous God. If we approach Him with unconfessed sin on our hearts, we are idolators, worshipping another god.
  2. Unrepentance refuses Christ’s gift of salvation. If we refuse His free gift of grace, we will be judged under the Law and found guilty.
  3. Unrepentance drowns out the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. We lose our ability to discern what is from the Lord and what is from the evil one.
  4. Repentance frees us from the bondage of sin and death. When we retain sin in our hearts, we remain in bondage, enslaving our souls to the world, the flesh, and the devil.
  5. Conviction from the Holy Spirit is our friend, as it is a warning sign that we are straying off the narrow path.
  6. Unrepentance pollutes our witness to others. Unconfessed sin sends mixed messages about Christ and those who follow Him.
  7. Unforgiveness is a powerful example of unrepentance. And if we don’t forgive someone of their wrongs against us, our Lord will not forgive us of our sins.
  8. Unconfessed sin is a cancer to our souls, and we need to get rid of it before it spreads and takes over completely.
  9. Unrepentance opens the doors to demonic influence in our lives. Unconfessed sins attract demons like fresh meat attracts flies, but repentance closes those portals to our soul.
  10. There is no sin in heaven. If we arrive at the pearly gates with sinon our souls, we are refusing to die to self and live for Christ, which is the entrance fee to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Lord is sending us into the front lines of the great spiritual battle for the souls of men and women – the ultimate prize. But we can only do this if we are spiritually clean, have our spiritual armor on, and are in touch with the Holy Spirit.

If hold on to any sin and refuse to die to self, we are saying no to life in the Spirit – a great spiritual adventure filled with blessings, sorrows, and the joy of the Lord that only comes from His presence in our lives.

So let us repent, forgive, and go forth with the love and truth of God, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

To God be the glory

LifeintheSpirit.net

Start Each Day in the Third Heaven

START EACH DAY IN THE THIRD HEAVEN

Source of image: Freepik.com

For many years, I would get up in the morning, have breakfast, and go to work. But I discovered that our Lord calls us to a higher calling and purpose for our lives:

  • a love for us to experience that can transform us,
  • a battle for us to engage in that is worth fighting, and
  • a story for us to live in that is far bigger and better than we have known.

Furthermore, when we receive Christ, we become indwelt with the Holy Spirit. And when we spend time each morning in His Word and prayer, we can experience the three heavens. We receive a clue about the third heaven from the apostle Paul in II Corinthians 12:2:

“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven.”       

THIRD HEAVEN

When we repent of our sins, forgive others, and get into the Word of God and prayer, we can commune with our Lord in the third heaven, where the sovereign, living God of the universe resides on His throne, with Jesus Christ on His right side. This is also called the secret place:

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1

Our Lord teaches, convicts, equips, encourages, and loves us. He also illumines and transforms our minds so that we can see the world as He does and walk in the Spirit.

But then He says – it is time for you to go and carry on My work on earth, because there are many souls who don’t know Me and are headed for the Lake of Fire. So put on your spiritual armor and go forth.

SECOND HEAVEN

Then we can enter the second heaven – the realm of angels, demons, and spiritual warfare, where we can:

  • Ask our Lord to bind the demonic forces harassing us and our loved ones, and command them to go into the Lake of Fire,
  • Plead the blood of Jesus over our family and friends and ask our Lord to protect us with His mighty angels,
  • Rebuke all curses upon us and our loved ones, including generational curses upon our family to the 4th generation,
  • Ask our Lord to touch their lives of particular individuals, our leaders, and the lost.

Interceding for others is like SPIRITUAL ARTILLERY. Just as armies shoot artillery shells into enemy territory, we are asking our Lord to send His Presence into the lives of loved ones – for healing, comfort, direction, and peace.

You don’t think demons are active today? Then you are misled by our culture and Lucifer. Here is what the apostle Paul said:

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  Ephesians 6:11-12

FIRST HEAVEN

Now we go out into the world to carry out the work that He has set before us:

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

We are also to look for the divine appointments our Lord has for us each day. And we should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us, imparting some spiritual gift to them, or receiving a spiritual gift from them.

If we don’t spend time with our Lord in the third heaven, we won’t have anything supernatural to share with others. And we will miss the joy of the Lord that comes from fulfilling His purpose for our lives.

If we don’t do spiritual battle in the second heaven, we will be going into enemy territory without armor, unaware of the evil that attacks us and our loved ones.

And if we don’t know God’s calling on our life, we will live in the first heaven, oblivious to the spiritual battles around us that seek to rob us and those around us of the joy and salvation of the Lord.

So let us go forth with the truth and love of Christ and witness to all whom the Lord brings across our path, for time is short, eternity is a very long time, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

To God be the glory

Mark Peterson

LifeintheSpirit.net