The Church in America: Are We All Smoke But No Fire? ...

--- The following is something that i wrote down, but would have not posted except i believe He gave me a confirmation to go on and do so via these statements that bro. Robert made over on the thread ...

[b]Revival Conference[/b]
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=20437&forum=35&post_id=&refresh=Go

[b]Bro. Robert said,
"I am come to send FIRE!, Jesus said. What good are we if we have no FIRE?
The conference, for me, was a time of God putting me back into the Fire. What good am I to anyone if I have no Fire? "[/b]

... But by His grace, mercy and Power, even tho He knows i'd much rather just coast on out to the end of this year and never broach the subject of REVIVAL again here on SI, He is good in this prompting via bro. Robert's statements in that He knows that at this point i'm tired of anything that has to do with the subject, and He knows why (God knows i tell Him enuf) ... i make no excuses to anyone who may take me to task that if my mission is of Him i should'nt be tired ... i should'nt be, but God knows i am ... And just when i think i could comfortably slip into complacency (which is why bro Currin's message meant so much to me) He'll reignite me anew with such a combustible statement as "What good am I to anyone if I have no Fire?"... And i think, "Certainly no good to God" ... Anyhow ...

i heard the other day someone say to another, "You're all smoke and no fire" ... Ouch! ... Then (i believe) our Lord instantly dawned on me that anology to much of we the Church here in America ... Tho certainly not the Book of Acts early church apparent, Holy Ghost fire unto attainment of salvation is still present even in the modern day Body, because there's also another adage: "Where there's smoke there's fire", but without the full blown blazing of Holy Ghost fire all else that is necessary in the following of salvation such as the Holy Ghost power of saints in conquering and overcoming in our Christian walk is lacking, perhaps because the ultimate power of the saint, the Church, God the Holy Ghost, has been damped down by us so that we're smoldering sorta speak, sort of like being a half fire, a lukewarm fire, when Christ said He'd rather us be totally "ablaze" or "not on fire at all" ... We've become like a "smokescreen", where our smoke is more visible than the fire Who's supposed to be consuming us ...

i was going to work one day and an old factory was blazing, the street was cut off, firemen and police everywhere, and there was that crowd that Ravenhill spoke of spiritually regarding REVIVAL that, "No one has to advertise a fire" ... Smoke may cause concern, draw the curious, but an actual all out fire draws a crowd forthwith ... i looked up the word;

[b]SMOLDER:
1: to burn sluggishly, without flame, and often with much smoke ...
2: to exist in a state of suppressed activity ...[/b]

Seems to me the first definition defines a lot of us saints and therefore much of the congregations we attend, we look like we're on fire because we're full of smoke, but alas that's because we're so damped down by the waters (cares and snares) of this world that Holy Ghost can't consume us like He wants to to the glory of God the Father by our lifting up of His Lamb ... In my own congregational setting i look around at all the activity, the massive and impressive man centered smoke, but it's so obvious that we're not on fire with THE POWER of God because of so much defeatedness in the lives of the saints ... Outwardly many are quick to robotically retort "I'm blessed", but as bro Ironman said really are living lives of quiet desperation ... All smoke, but no fire ...

The second definition speaks to me of what we saints individually, and corporately, do to Holy Spirit in our lives ... We relegate Him to "existing in a state of suppressed activity" in ourselves, homes, churches, etc ... We "damp" ourselves down, so that His burning of us is more tolerable to ourselves and more acceptable to others around us, in particular other saints, and so we quench Him, and grieve Him, into indwelling within us yes, but supressed, which makes
us suppressed ...

By the time i came back home from work that same day the fire had seemingly been quenched, but i could still smell in the air that it wasn't dead, i could smell it smoldering ... The very next day sure nuff the street was blocked off again because the fire had reignited to finish off what it had started ... As long as there's something still there that a fire need to consume it can re-ignite, in our case spiritually applies the same principal and tho we're only smoldering now, soon and very soon i both hope and pray, Holy Ghost is about to re-ignite us from our long smoldering back again into a blazing fire from which He will consume everything that is not of our Lord Jesus Christ from amongst us, with no possiblity of our being re-damped down anew from the waters (cares and snares) of this world because the chief care and snare (our idol of mammon and economy) will be toppled face down in the dust ...

In light of my own experience with REVIVAL and it's seeking, and that most recently of SI, to use bro Mike's word some of the "guff" one has to take regarding the seeking of REVIVAL can be grievous ... It can become very discouraging the disparagement of other saints when one is convinced that the quest for REVIVAL (re-ignition) is of Him working in an apparent few, outward in hopes of the catching on of the majority that we're ALL in dire need of seeking His feet and face in a massive outpouring of pro-active repentance for allowing ourselves to become comfortably "all smoke and no fire" ...

[b]Therefore as bro Robert asked, "What good are we if we have no FIRE?" ...

Luke.3
[16] John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
[17] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

Acts.2
[1] And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
[2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
[3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
[4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,

1Cor.3
[13] Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Heb.12
[29] For our God is a consuming fire.

Rev. 3
[14] And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
[15] I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
[16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
[18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
[19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
[20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
[21] To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
[22] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.[/b]

Rahman you are being so kind. I think it was Warren Wiersbe that said, "if the Holy Spirit moved out of the churches in the usa, hardly anyone would notice". Sad, huh?
Personally I have yet to find a "Philadelphia", or even a "Smyrna". Oh well....there is one body, and one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all....
Thanks Rahman, no one likes to talk about this issue....c

c52 you wrote;
"Rahman you are being so kind. I think it was Warren Wiersbe that said, "if the Holy Spirit moved out of the churches in the usa, hardly anyone would notice". Sad, huh?"

--- You know what it is c52, it's that i'm so concerned about the state of the Body here in the U.S. ... So often i don't want to be, so often i really wish that i wasn't, but i am, and i've come to believe over the past two decades that it's a concern that Holy Spirit has burdened me with, and He knows how much i've tried to escape it ... It just seems so huge a concern for one person sometimes that i have to deliberately noy allow myself to think of it in prayer because it just seems way so massive an encompassing, so often it just doesn't seem to make any sense whatsoever but my spirit man keeps coming back to actually how God operates ... Scripture tells us He can't be grasped by logic, that it takes "faith" to please Him, that oxymoronical appearing "assured expectation of things hoped for, and evidence of things not seen" ...

See it would be totally "sad" to me if it wasn't for "hardly anyone would notice" ... Those who make up that small band of "noticers" is where not only do i think the hope lies, but i truly believe are called of God to be His little children in the crowd who points out that our man made, and man centered, "smoke" is not at all about Him and kingdom building, but moreso about us and personal empire building at all levels ... In essence the "noticers" are the "little ones" who care nothing about wanting to appear as part of the sophisticated group, but just call things as they see them (via Holy Ghost and Scripture) and point out that the emperor (leadership) are really as buck naked as a Laodicean, and subsequently the crowd (congregation) also as they are just going along with the "emperor" because they don't want to appear as not being within the sphere sophistication ... i believe there's so many dampners that have been placed on the Body since the early church, begining first with the intial usurption over Holy Spirit as leader by the church of Rome, then all the Protestant denominations after ... It's been my experience that many saints follow their "denoms" and what they say way more closely than they follow Christ and what He says and are quick to indentify themselves by their denoms way before just saying "i'm a Christian" ...

All i still hear from Holy Spirit is, "Keep praying", so i do because Lord knows there's nothing apart intercession toward "removing yonder mountain" that i can do ---

c52 you wrote;
"Personally I have yet to find a "Philadelphia", or even a "Smyrna". "

--- i believe there are Smyrna's all around the world where saints are actually being persecuted and are impoverished, i would even think that there are probably some Smyrna type churches even here in the U.S., but amen on my also not knowing any true "Philadelphia" type, specifically in the capacity of a Christ driven brotherly love which i think has become such a hard thing for we Americans who've become so increasingly individualistic and group polarized ... Of all the people on the planet God's people are supposed to blaze in our reflection of the fire of His love, but instead that too is pretty much smoke, and is something that i too am still so guilty of ... i'm not really a very "out-going" person, but all i keep hearing Holy Spirit witness in my spirit is to "go out in the love, grace, mercy and power of Christ Jesus" ... Ughhhh ... You'd think He'd want to send forth a choleric/extrovert in represention, but no He'd rather pick out the exact opposite - a melancolic/introvert ... Talk about picking the weak :-? ---

c52 you wrote;
"Oh well....there is one body, and one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all...."

--- Amen ... He said it ... i believe it ... regardless of how far from that mark it looks like to date ...

You know just this morning in prayer i was speaking (pleading actually) to our Lord about this, especially in light of the controversial subject of REVIVAL, and in particular regarding some of the fallout i've read in some threads about SI's recent Revival Conference from which the following scripture came to mind ...

[b]1Cor.14
[33] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.[/b]

It seems to me like there's ever increasing confusion, and so little peace, amongst all the churches of the saints (as well as the saints ourselves) ... Christ said the proof of our being of Him should be indicated by the love we have for one another in reflection of the love between He and the Father ... Seems many times that what we saints/churches do best is backbite, bicker and fight amongst ourselves ... It's a good thing that i know as many as He loves He rebukes and chastens, Lord knows we're in much need of some re-disciplining

Blessings in the most Holy Name of JESUS! :-D ---

Hi glorytoglory ...

Thank You Jesus!!! ...

Sis i'm praising God with you ... It's a most wonderful and blessed thing to know for sure when "a thing" one has believed to be from Him is finally revealed to be of Him (fire) and not of ourselves (smoke) ...

i have a long held chief desire of my heart also, it's REVIVAL in His truest and purest sense for us ... In particular i too believe i've heard a "word" from our Lord regarding my particular congregation to occur before 2007 is done, that i was to declare it, i did, and yep folk think i've lost it (i've even entertained the thought myself but keep repenting of it because i strictly believe that's whatsoever is not of faith is sin) ...

i'm still in the Waiting Room in regards to it being revealed whether i'm live (of Him) or memorex (of myself) but praise God the wait is nearing it's end, but in the meanwhile "i'm still calling that which be not yet as though it were (Rom. 4:17) ...

i look forward to His "freeing", whatever His will ...

Rejoicing with you in His revelation of your being of His fire and not your own smoke! :knockedout: ...

Blessings in the most Holy Name of JESUS! :-D ---

glorytoglory you wrote;
"The way I know I am really trusting God is to not worry about it or try to figure it out. "

---Admittedly for me this has been the hard part, especially for over so long a time period ... i hate waiting, God knows, and the things i believe i heard from our Lord so long ago at the time i was sure like they'd be happening yesterday ... NOT! ... Jer. 33:3 is what i call my life verse, so inquisative about the mind of God i am ... i want to know what He knows ...

In my process after initial salvation, like Jacob i have attempted barter with Him, like Jonah i've run from Him because i didn't like His terms and have had a whale belly experienceand, and like Jeremiah have also subsequently both tried to reason with Him my way out of my believed assignment and cried a lot because i couldn't and have suffered some disdain from some fellows... i've been real guily of being weary, fretting, and have always until most recent tried to figure Him out, and over the past 20+ years have had occasion of more than one dunk in attempt to walking across the waters of the stormy sea of what i've come to call my calling of "extracarricular faith activity" in Him, but praise Him (i believe) He's sustained me thru what i can only rate as my frail and faulty performance thus far to bring me to such nearness of a life changing new dawning ... And now ....

Spiritually i can plainly see an "open door" before me, awaiting His summoning me thru ---

[b]Learning to "Rest in the Lord" or "The Waiting Room" experience ...[/b]
https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=10395&forum=35#81222

glorytoglory you wrote;
" I have noticed that God speaks to me ALOT at work!"

Wowwww ... what you've said here just gave me Holy Ghost goose-bumps! ... Me too! ... The same experience! ... There's always a reason for His having me post something when the unction was so strong on me to do so here ... This is like a mutual confirmation! ...

i'm a draftsman by trade ... used to work on a board ... now on computer ... i'd be deep in work, alone in my thoughts about a job, and WHAM right out of the blue Holy Spirit would say something to me, i'd instantly fill up in the Spirit, and these hot tears would just well up in my eyes ... Sometimes i'd have to just go into the Men's room and sit in a stall until He was done with me ... Most times it would be these revelation about Jesus, and then at other times i'd hear of things i was to do, say, pray for, pray against, things about the Body in which He was displeased, and things about myself in His use of me in ministry, etc ...

Amen He "doesn't care if your at work, when He wants to speak He speaks!" ... i came to the conclusion awhile back that the reason we hear Him so well at work, and He chooses to talk to us there, is that our minds are so clear being focused on something constructive ... Something else tho has happened to me over the decades ... Now He can speak to me just about anywhere, as my mind certainly has become over time much more stayed/staid on/in Him ...

Bless God for this sharing sis! :-D :-P :knockedout: ---

I think it was Warren Wiersbe that said, "if the Holy Spirit moved out of the churches in the usa, hardly anyone would notice". Sad, huh?

What would God do through one man or woman that decided they would finally put ALL that God required on the altar? If we have no glory it is because we have no FIRE. If we have no FIRE it is because the altar is not yet full.

Abraham went up the mountain with Isaac. His son was as good as dead in Abraham's heart. He was to be a burnt offering. So much was Isaac dead that Abraham received him as one raised from the dead. What is it in our lives? What is that thing that God continually competes with for our affection? God will show it to us.

People go from one thing to the other, don't they? They set their affection on this or that and when 'this' is on the altar- their heart turns to 'that'. So then 'that' must be burned also. And often it is as Abraham- we had so far removed ourselves from that thing- that when God gives it back it is as if we received it from the dead. We have a more right relationship to it and in turn to God also. Putting things on the altar as God points to them realligns our priorities and affections and in so doing we live in the FIRE. NO FIRE= and empty altar. What is it? What are withholding that the FIRE would fall in our personal lives?

Bro Robert wrote;
"Putting things on the altar as God points to them realligns our priorities and affections and in so doing [b][color=CC0000]we live in the FIRE.[/color][/b]

---This pretty much sums up what i believe our Lord was saying to me via the lesson of the warehouse fire experience, but it really didn't kick in fully until He had me read what He'd inspired bro. Robert to utter, which in addition i'd also like to say i believe came forth as a direct result from what he was blessed with/by at the conference ...

Amen - we're not supposed to be living in the smoldering, and certainly not in the smoke, there's no consumption in the smoke, only choking actually, and perhaps worse yet hiding ... Add some mirrors to it, and we've got "smoke and mirrors", which we all know is an allusion to "illusion" ... Are we living in spiritual illusion? ... Certainly it can be said that we're living in spiritual confusion as is evidenced by how much back-biting and bickering transpires amongst we churches/saints, of which scripture tells us ain't of Him ... Very little spiritual peace amongst us it seems ... Can we truly worship Him as His collective Body in Spirit and in truth, when we haven't even a clue as to just what being "in one accord is"? ... i don't claim to have the answers, just my wonderings, but He has all the answers, and it's seems so obvious to me that we ALL need to be sat down again and collectively regathered at His feet to re-learn first love and works ... As it stands now, so much smoke ...

This Holy Spirit revelatory process about "fire" is giving me a whole new pause on ...

[b]Rom.12
[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye [b][color=CC0000]present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.[/color][/b]
[b][2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
[3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
[4] For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
[5] So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
[7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
[8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
[18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
[19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
[20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
[21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.[/b]

God help me/us out of our smoldering, out of our smoke ... We've given ourselves far to much liscense and leeway to to not applying the consuming flames of Romans 12 to self, while comfortably messing around in our smoldering and smoke ... You've said either hot or cold ... You've said either fully on the altar or fully off ... There's no such thing in this vein of required sacrifice that allows for slow roasting or just plain smoke ... You are an all consuming fire! ... Lord Jesus please help us ... i/we need Your help ... [b][color=CC0000]Please re-ignite your people O God for only in Your fire can we truly come alive to Your glory [/color][/b] ---

Why does He not accept our offerings?, because they are un-acceptable to Him. What withholds the fire/The glory of God? Dis-obedience and sin. Listen to Him, "Be afflicted and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness". We have, as usual, mis-calculated the value of our "sacrifices"...

FIRE

I didn't go to church this morning. I stayed home and had church. The following is what God brought forth.....

I’ve just been letting God stir me up
challenge my heart afresh
to get deeper into God
deeper into His Word
deeper into His truth
deeper!!!!!!!
forsake all other loves
all other loves
all other passions
all other hopes
all other dreams
everything!!!!
a crucified man has not dreams!!!!!
a crucified man has not ambitions!!!!!!!!
a crucified man has no agenda
a crucified man has no hidden sin
Lord help me today
help me to the cross
to die
die
death to self
that I may live
glory to God
I am a man of unclean lips
they said they cast out demons
and healed the sick
in His name
He said I NEVER knew YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and you could also say
they never knew HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
they had a form of godliness
but denied the power thereof
we must know Him indeed
nothing else matters
shout if from the housetops
nothing else matters
we must live our lives to know Him!!!!!
oh God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pulpits all over this nation this day
will be filled with foolishness
and perversion of truth
preaching feel good messages
to people who don’t' know Christ
and He does not know them!!!!!!!!!!!
my Lord and My God
helps us all
He is raising up His message
but who will hear HIM?
few have ears
few have eyes
there is a day coming
when all will have eyes
and all will have ears
and every tongue and nation
will confess Jesus Christ
as King of kings
and Lord of lords
but it will be too late for those who never knew Him
we need to intercede for ourselves, and His church!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
don't look outside
look within
if we really believed the truth,
why is it that our lives are not radically changed
my God
why are we ALL not preaching????
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
who is chosen to be rich in faith?
THE POOR OF THIS WORLD
yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
if this is so
why does everyone strive so hard to be rich in this world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????
it's crazy
it's demonic
it's paralyzing
the Body of Christ
if we do not know Him, we are terribly lost
it's the only thing that matters
evangelism?
yes
by those who know HIM
but first you have to know HIM
evangelism would be easy
if we know Him
prayer time, meeting with God would not be a labor
but a joy
if we know Him
I read stories
about "great men of God"
who labored all night
in "prayer"
if they knew Him
they would have worshipped all night
we know of Him
but we do not know Him
if we knew Him
we would immediately repent
where is salvation without repentance?
ever taught in the bible
yet it's all over "Christian" television and radio
it fills our pulpits this day
God is not pleased with our sin offerings
because God wants our hearts offered for our sin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yes
a thousand times yes
turn off the movies
turn off everything
that is not God
that is not pleasing to HIM
we must become pleasers of God
rather than men
and the first man who must be cast down
is the one we live in
no more foolishness
God is our only pursuit
or He is nothing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh my the gravity of this is so great
it is so great
it is so great
it IS SO GREAT
but who wants to receive it??????
"give me rocks painted gold"
that's the cry of the preacher
give me dregs for true riches
James 2:5Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

if God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith
why is it we strive to be rich in the things of this world?
why is it we horde what wealth we have

why is it our brethren go hungry
those who are rich in faith
go hungry
while we are lavished in luxury
and don't know God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
we know our preacher
we know our church
we know our choirs
we know our deacons
we know our church buildings
we know our programs
we know our activities
and we know our people
but we don't KNOW GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
my Lord, my God
seek to know Him!!!
seek ye first!!!!!!!
to know Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
make sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
that He knows us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no doubt
no doubt
no doubt
you can't get to know Him, spending time with the world
and the tares
there are no substitutes
to spending time with God
and His people
if we did
evangelism would be so easy
it would not be hard to win souls
it would not be hard to spend time with God
it's a labor
because we operate in our own strength
we do not have His strength
because we do not have His joy
we do not have His joy
because we have not spent time with Him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my Lord have mercy on ME
what we really want, is all that He has to be ours
for ourselves
when a world hungers
and thirsts
and we hear not their cries
men, women, children, rich in faith
dying for their faith
while we worry about what color the Sunday school room should be painted
if Christians knew God
there would be no need for Sunday school rooms
they should call them
baby Christian feeding rooms
because they cannot hold a spoon for themselves
and get it to their own mouths
yet they say they know God
they say they are walking His way
LIARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God is not mocked
whatever we sow
we will reap
we are too busy hoarding
to sew
our barrels are empty
we have no food to share
because we have riches that will be burned in the fire
not the true riches
God is not moving in this country
He's moving in India
China
Viet Nam
Cambodia
Belize
Honduras
Guatemala
why?
because that is where the poor are
I don’t' want to go to the mission field for them
I want to go for me
I need them so much more
than they need me
I want to be where God is moving
I want to be where poor people are
I want them to show me how to be poor
so I can be rich!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God send me
I need it so much
I need to become rich in faith oh Lord
so that You will be my all in all
and nothing else
help me to lay down my life of corruption
and self esteem
self proclamation
self boasting
self promotion
help me to come a boaster of You
help me Lord
to know You
that You might know me
we are very special
to hear this message this day
there may not be one other like it
anywhere in this nation today
do you realize that?
we send our missionaries
and try to teach the rich in faith
how to be lost like we are!!!!!!!!!!!!
how horrible is that
we want to Americanize the world
how horrible is that?
how can our God
hold back the fire?
Hearken
James said "hearken"
listen
hear ken
hear
hear
if we hear
why do we not believe
if we believe
why do we know act?
I'll tell you why
because we are lovers of self
rather than lovers of God
we have to much earthly security
'to concern ourselves with
rather than God
we want earthly security
as we shun eternal security
we want retirement
more than eternal life
we want to win the lottery more than we want to win Christ
comfort
pleasure
lust of the eye
glitz
glitter
go to the shopping malls
and look
you will meet your church brothers and sisters there
right along with the rest
with hungry hearts
for some new thing
that will satisfy
for a few moments
rather than seeking God
who satisfies forever!!!!!!!!!!!!
lust of the flesh'
pride of life
God is not in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He does not know us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we do not know HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
my Lord
Lord
how obvious
does it have to get
before we can change
we need a new life
to get it
we must give up the old life
and die
die to self
die to it all
die to this world
and all that it has
Lord, forgive me, I'm a sinful man
the spirit of the Lord is speaking,
crying
weeping
over the pathetic condition of His church
it is so polluted
He cannot even stand to be in it anymore
ICABOD
is over the door
that means
the glory of the Lord has departed
and they don't even know He's gone
that's the sad part
they are so busy with their golden calf worship
they do not realize that the man of God is up on the mountain
and God is so awesome
God is so awesome
that Moses had to be hidden
so he could live
and tell us about it
and we think we are going to be able to see Him
on that day?
and stand up boldly
before Him?
I think not
unless revival begins in us
right here and now
it is not my place
to decide who enters in, and who does not
but I'll tell you this
we can judge our works
and figure out
whether they will stand the fire
in His eyes
fire
fire from heaven
fire in His eyes
no longer shut up in our bones
it's in His eyes
will our works stand before Him
will He know us?
will we know Him?
"depart from Me" is not something we want to have spoken to us
so we must repent
here and now
and seek our God
our Awesome God
Lord, that we may know You, and You know us
nothing else matters Lord
nothing
we must know You
and You must know us
do whatever You have to do
Lord
I want to be known by You
I want to know You
help me Lord
in my unbelief
praise God
I am blessed
because I have heard this message
with an open heart
Lord, help me to live it before I preach it
Selah
pause and think of that
I know you will
because you love Him
above all others
and He loves you
so when you meet with Him, please remember me
amen
I'm a broken vessel
broken
crushed into fine powder
so that living water can be added
and I can be reborn
reshaped
for His image
for His glory
for His life
I wish I could see me broken before God
I know that God is speaking
and we dare not ignore Him
Selah
Shalom
God bless you real good

"O"