It Is Time!

Happy 4^th of July!  Michele and I hope you enjoy cooking out on the grill with friends and loved ones and even catch a spectacular fireworks show in your area.  I know that we always love watching the fireworks display and feeling the shock in your chest when the shot fired lets out a sonic boom.  A sound that shakes the very ground upon which you stand and sends shock waves from your chest throughout your body.  It is pretty amazing how you are able to see, hear and feel so many of these wonderful displays which celebrate our Independence.

In the midst of all the celebrations and festivities that are enjoyed this time of year, I see a generation rising up who doesn’t understand the value given to this date that we celebrate.  All they know is that it is a paid holiday, and the banks and post office are closed.  They don’t stop and appreciate those who have given their lives for our freedom, much less understand the price that Early Americans paid as they separated their lives and security from England as they signed the Declaration of Independence.

This spirit of Independence has greatly influenced the church

I am afraid that if we are not careful, we (the church) will allow ourselves to get caught up in the love of this world, and we will find ourselves issuing our own Declaration of Independence to our God- THE KING.

I fear that as America has witnessed the erosion of their morals and values, and the very foundations upon which this country was birthed, the church will find itself in the same dilemma as America is today.

As I write this letter to you today, I do not write it from the vantage point of an expert on the subject matter.  Rather, I write it from a perspective of a concerned observer.  One who- as a middle aged man- has the benefit of being raised in a society that observed Godly values and principles, yet watching all those values being challenged by this new era.  And I must state that I am greatly concerned with where we are heading not only as a nation, but more importantly where we are headed as the church.

Gone are the one famed generals of the faith who would pack out coliseums, stadiums and even tents.  Gone are the days when if a man said he was a minister, you could trust that he was living a Godly life.  No longer is it a respectable thing within today’s society to be a Preacher of the Gospel.  No, this is a different day that promotes polytheism (the worship of many gods) rather than American being One Nation Under God.

I am greatly concerned because our message of Salvation has been silenced by the speakeasy of Seeker Friendliness.  We are afraid of the word “conviction” as it connotes a negative spin, so we condone compromise.  “Sanctification” has been thrown out the window and been replaced with the message of a Social Gospel.  Righteousness has been relegated to Relativism, and Purity pacified by Political Correctness.

Houston, We Have A Problem.

As you may or may not know, I have a book entitled “The Worship Revolution”.  For the past several years I have been challenging the “System” of the church to quit doing church for the people and be the church called by the Lord.  I have preached that there must be a revolution- a holy uprising that revolves around the SON- so that the church will prepare the way for God’s Glory.

No longer Revolution, but REFORMATION.

Within the past few days, I heard the Lord speak to my spirit that the message is no longer Revolution, but REFORMATION.

Our methods may vary, yet I remain firmly convinced that the word of God remains the same.  Our job is to sow the seed (the message of the good news of Jesus Christ); lift up the name of Jesus, and then allow the Holy Spirit to do His work which is conviction which leads to repentance yielding the salvation experience producing a disciple and follower of Christ who desires to be Christ-like who will walk in Holiness, Righteousness, Purity, and a transformed life in Christ.

We need citizens of the Kingdom to reflect their King- the Lord Jesus Christ.  We must remember that although we are in this world, we are not of this world.  We are a city set upon a hill, a light that will shine in darkness and not be camouflaged Christians.  Although I am a citizen of the United States, I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, and as such must represent our King to those who are not of His Kingdom.

We have enough Revolutions!  There are Food Revolutions, Music Revolutions, Social Media Revolutions, exercise Revolutions.  What we need is not another revolution, but REFORMATION.

We vote on our congressman so they will speak on our behalf, expecting change to come forth in our government.  We listen to the news coming from Washington and we hear about the need for Social and Economic Reform.  We have even witnessed first-hand a reformation in the housing market where once inflated values on our homes were reduced overnight leaving many homeowner upside down in their mortgages.

Unlike the democratic system, we do not need another congressmen elected by the people to initiate this reformation.  It begins with you and me.  We need Ambassadors, appointed by the King, who will represent the wishes and decrees of our King.  Those who understand the King, His Kingdom and His expressed desires and intentions.  Ambassadors who will speak what the King declares, knowing that all the resources of Heaven are backing you up in your proclamation of the King.

I believe that we have these ambassadors within our churches.  Men and Women of God, just like you, who feel what I am writing but have been silenced by their own fears.  Regardless of the size of your circle of influence, I want to encourage you to do the right thing and accept the office of an Ambassador of the King.  Take a stand for Godliness, Righteousness, Holiness and Purity.  When you do your part, God will do His part and we will see the Kingdom of Heaven Advance.

LET THE REFORMATION BEGIN!