When you were a child you played childish games. Freeze Tag, Flashlight Tag, Hide and Go Seek. There were rules that governed those games, but they seemed to change every time you played it. Someone would always try to invent a new rule or change and existing one to suit themselves in any given situation.
Religion does the same thing. Just as childish.
Acts 4:29-30 (AMP) - "29 And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, 30 While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus."
When did this change? Who changed the rules on this deal? Who usurped the authority of God? From power to powerlessness in 2,000 years.
Entire religious systems who allege to remain Christian, are teaching at seminary and denominational levels that this method of how Jesus and His disciples operated in the early church is no longer valid.
On what authority? Certainly not God's. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Acts 4:31 (AMP) - "31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and
Boldness? Courage? Holy Ghost shaking? I know a few places that need that desperately!
However, instead of adhering to God's Word, they change the rules and say that this is no longer necessary. It's simply good enough to read about it.
Yikes. God help us. Really.
Is it any wonder that we have spawned generation after generation of tight fisted, miserly, spiritual weaklings, who'd rather lavish themselves with trinkets, baubles, and toys, as they are distracted by every shiny object Madison Ave. can throw in their path?
Acts 4:32-34 (AMP) - "32 Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all. 33 And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all. 34 Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales."
Strength. Power. Ability. No lack. Supernatural generosity.
What happened to that Church?
It's been swallowed up in a vortex of carnal social atmosphere. Church is a club for many, not a living organism. People go to church for program, not praise. Religion, not relationship.
Praise God it's not that way all over. I think there is a long way to go, but I believe it is starting to change. It seems that more and more are coming out of the glitz and the glimmer of the post-modern neo-cathedral, and returning to the simple basics of the God designed, Jesus led Church.
Simplicity with a soul. Truth with signs and wonders. No confusion. No distraction.
Receive everything that God gives you and recycle. Feel the power of God coursing through your veins as it leaves you and enters someone else.
May the Living Breathing Body of Christ breathe its Fire into everyone we come into contact with!
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
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