"PLAYING" CHURCH

                                                             “PLAYING” CHURCH

How many of us remember “playing house” when we were growing up?  We pretended that we were the mother or the father or a brother or sister, etc.  It was an imaginary way to reflect the world that we lived in. 

Are we “playing” church today?  At this point in time we are being restricted.  What do I mean by that statement in general?  We are “playing” church in the sense that we are gathering and praising God, which is what we should and must be doing, but the church is supposed to impact the culture and yet is not impacting the culture.  There are church leaders speaking out about the persecution of the Church that is taking place right now from governors who are “outlawing” gathering to a minimum of 10 or less or one particular governor in California who has gone so far as to ban singing in church and meeting in homes for Bible studies!  This is good but it appears it is only a few who are speaking out across the United States.

We need a Moses to get us to the Promised Land.  God chose Moses to lead the people out of bondage.  All Church leaders need to speak out against the assault against the church.  Fortunately, there are some pastors who have been speaking out and refusing to follow the mandates, but not enough.  The Catholic Diocese in my area has shut the churches down until further notice.

The Church is more than a building or even a gathering of people.  It is Christians with one faith who have given their lives to the Lord and who walk in His precepts.  Being a Christian is not just showing up at church but a way of life.  Having said that, it is still important for us to be able to freely gather without the government mandating what we can and cannot do.  We have a right as citizens for assembly and free exercise of our faith. 

The last time in our history in the United States that churches were shut down was in Missouri during the Spanish flu of 1918.  Saloons, of course, were allowed to be open.  In my opinion, this COVID 19 virus is a Trojan horse that is being used to take away our freedoms and our faith.  Yes, the virus is real and unfortunately, many, many people have died and suffered greatly.  It is precisely during these times that people need to find solace with other believers.  It is essential that the churches stay open in whatever form, i.e., outside or maybe less people inside the church.  We need to advocate for this. 

Watching a service on-line is fine but it is not the same.  It is the corporate gatherings that bring the Body of Christ together.   In I Corinthians 12:12 it says, “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.”  (New American Standard Bible)

 We need to “be the Church.”  We need to be strong.  We need to realize what is going on around us.  It is no longer church as usual.  We need to take back what has been taken from us.  We need to realize that church is not just a “social” gathering but a time to come together to give praise to God and pray but we also must be the mature church, the bride that is getting ready to meet her groom, Jesus Christ.  I believe the Lord is using this time to prepare His Bride for purification.  We forget that the United States is not the only place in the world.  The Body of Christ throughout the world is being persecuted right now with more martyrs now than any time in history.  Are we willing to give the ultimate price for our faith?

“Playing” church is a statement that means that we need to mature as a church.  Where are the strong leaders that will stand up and speak out against this persecution that we are now experiencing?  It’s not just about sermons and filling pews in a church or even, in some cases, entertainment, but commitment.  Do we sit back and let the powers that be dictate what we can and cannot do?  We need to get back to the book of Acts.    “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues^[a] as the Spirit enabled them.”  Acts 2:1-4 (New International Version)

Yes, there was persecution then, but there were also great miracles and signs and the Church continued to grow.  The disciples received power from on high when the Holy Spirit fell on them and 3,000 were brought to the Lord in one day!  Why can’t the Church be like the Book of Acts?  We should not be afraid of the virus.  We should be praying for people to be healed.  God is an awesome powerful God but He chose to use us to manifest His glory on the earth.  The Church should be the strongest force on the earth because the God of the universe lives and abides in us.

The church should not be putting up the CLOSED sign but the OPEN sign that will never be taken down again!

STOLEN IDENTITY, PLAN OF THE EVIL ONE by Marcella Ward

THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

                                 THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

What is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit?

When Jesus was with the Apostles, He told them that the Holy Spirit was with them but that later He would be within them.  What did Jesus mean by this?  He was talking about Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would come into that upper room in the form of a mighty rushing wind and tongues resembling fire would appear above each of the 120 gathered there.  They began speaking in different languages (tongues), as the Spirit gave them.  Other Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost began to hear their native language being spoken and wondered what had happened.  Peter raised his voice and began to proclaim what had happened and proclaim the Word of God and around 3,000 souls were converted that very day.  From that time on, the Apostles were not afraid because the Holy Spirit had given them power to go forth in the Name of Jesus.

How is this different than water Baptism?  It is different because water Baptism is part of salvation.  John the Baptist talked about the Baptism of fire.   Matthew  3:11 it says, “I indeed baptize you in water because of repentance.  But He Who is coming after me is mightier than I, Whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Jesus told Nicodemus that being born again is to be born of the water and the Spirit.  He also compared the Holy Spirit Baptism with the wind.  Jesus also spoke of the Holy Spirit as living water.  John 4:14, it says, “But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more.  But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) (continually) within him unto eternal life.”

When you receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit you become immersed in Him.  He is not just with you but in you in a powerful way just like the Apostles.  The Baptism of the Holy Spirit is a whole new way of thinking and perceiving.  It is a new perspective on life and how we live our lives led by the Holy Spirit.

Many Christians who have received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit have experienced great blessing and comfort.  As a result, they have received a renewed dedication and appreciation for God; a stronger desire to read the Bible, a stronger desire to fellowship with other Christians, and a deeper sense of worship of God. 

When I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I received it at home and it was a very powerful experience for me.  I was in my early twenties.  After this experience, I had a great hunger to read the Bible and a hunger to seek more of God.  It has been a life long journey experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit within me and being able to pray in tongues and receive some of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to edify and strengthen my spiritual walk as well as using these gifts to minister to other people.

Peter the Apostle, who had denied Jesus three times was no longer afraid after the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.  He as well as all the others were no longer afraid to proclaim the Gospel and even die for the cause.

Acts 1:4-5, “And while in their company and eating with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised, Of which you have  heard Me speak.  For John baptized with water, but not many days from now you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

WHAT DOES THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT DO FOR YOU?

You speak to God. 

I Corinthians 14:2, “For one who speaks in an (unknown tongues speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the (Holy) Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things.

You are edified or charged up spiritually.

I Corinthians 14:14, “For if I pray in an (unknown) tongue, my spirit (by the Holy Spirit within me) prays, but my mind is unproductive (it bears no fruit and helps nobody).

You put on the armor of God.

Ephesians 6:17-18, “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.  Pray at all times on every occasion, in every season in the Spirit with all (manner of) prayer and entreaty.  To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints.”

When you don’t know how to pray for a particular situation.

Romans 8:26-27, “So too the (Holy) Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer  nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the (Holy) Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes and pleads (before God) in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will.”

You may be used in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Church or in a ministry.

We may be used to help the Body of Christ in either a ministry or in your day to day life experiences.  These gifts are given for a purpose.  They are not for just edifying yourself but there are to be used for the Body of Christ. 

When I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, I was at home and it was a very powerful experience for me.  After this experience, I had a great hunger to read the Bible and a hunger to seek more of God.  It has been a life long journey experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit within me and being able to pray in tongues and receive some of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit to minister to others.

HOW DO I RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

1. You must be a born again Christian. Acts 2:38

2. It is administered by Jesus.  Luke 3:16

3. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is a gift received by faith.  Galatians 3:14

4.  We receive by asking.  I John 5:14, 15

 To receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, pray this prayer:

“Heavenly Father, at this moment I come to You.  I thank You that Jesus saved me.  I pray that the Holy Spirit might come upon me, Lord Jesus, baptize me now in the Holy Spirit.  I receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit right now by faith in Your Word.  May the anointing, the glory, and the power of God come upon me and into my life right now.  May I be empowered for service from this day forward.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for baptizing me in Your Holy Spirit.  Amen.”  The Christian Broadcasting Network 2019 CBN.com

ELISHA AND THE ARMY OF ANGELS

                                               ELISHA AND THE ARMY OF ANGELS

“When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city.  Elisha’s servant said to him.  Alas, my master!  What shall we do?  Elisha answered.  Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them.  Then Elisha prayed, Lord I pray You, open his eyes that he may see.  And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round abut Elisha.”  II Kings 6: 15-17 (The Everyday Life Bible Amplified Version)

The Prophet, Elisha, wanted to give his servant assurance not to be afraid because those with them, God’s holy angels, were more than the army they could see with their physical eyes.  God opened the servant’s eyes and he saw the army of angels that would protect them and give them victory.

When I think of the words, that there are more of them than those with the other army, I reflect on the power of a few that seek to intimidate and cause others to be fearful.  There are more of us that do not want some of the things and agenda’s that some in the world are trying to force upon us.  There are more of us than there are of them so why are we afraid?  Why don’t we make our voices heard?  Why are we in the shadows not wanting to offend anyone?  Jesus came into this world and He offended many but He was and is the Truth.  He faced opposition for His views.  They were not the popular views at the time but He stood for the Truth and so should each one of us.  Yes, there are many voices out there and they need to be heard but the problem is that other voices are shut down.  

Jesus said, “I tell you that if these keep silent, the very stones will cry out.” Luke 19:40 (AMPC) Why did Jesus say that even the stones would cry out?  I think He meant that even the earth would cry out the truth of Who God is and what the Truth is.  “The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.”  Psalm 24:1 (New American Standard Bible)  

We, as believers, need to speak the Truth in love.  We need to stand and not give in to the cancel culture of our time.  In my last blog, “When The Church Is Silent,” I talked about those who stood in the midst of opposition.  People such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Corrie ten Boom, Dietrich Bonhoeffer as well as many others were not afraid to speak up even to the point of death in some cases.

Why is there so much opposition?  I believe it is because many people are afraid to push back or speak out.   Remember there are more of us than there are of them. Stand for the truth and do not be deceived by those that would seek to steal who you are in Christ and your identity given by God.

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Romans 8:31 (New Living Translation)

 

Marcella Ward   December 14, 2022  Author of "Stolen Identity: Plan of the Evil One"