Christian Fellowship
“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving...” Psalm 26:7
Vol. 18, No. 7 July 2009
The word “discouragement” is in frequent use today. Isaiah tells us “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.” Isa 42:4 (KJV)
The Lord shall not get discouraged. We get discouraged when we try to do things in our own strength. We have to stay with the Lord and there will be no discouragement because He doesn’t get discouraged. We must carry on no matter what and God will give us all the strength we need. Don’t be like Israel who complained about everything. We have the incarnate God living in us and He deserves the best we have to offer. He doesn’t need to listen to our complaints all the time. There is a time for everything, but that is not all the time.
Pick yourself up and shake off the debris that dirties your garments of righteousness and live like a true overcomer. Yes, there is darkness all around, but you are light. Shine so you can see where you are going. To enjoy life more keep yourself in the faith and obey the Lord.
I know it is hard to find the positive in all that is happening but never forget that God is good all the time. So find His goodness, keep the faith and don’t allow discouragement to lead you. The best is yet to come!
In Christ
Pr. Steve
Holiness Revival
“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16
Sin is our enemy. We cannot coddle it, live with it or accept it under any circumstances. God has given us the answer to sin = HOLINESS. People don’t want it nor do they like it, but it is the answer to sin and it is what moves the heart of God. The reason people have such difficulty with holiness is that it comes only through conviction of the Spirit. Living carnally produces condemnation which most people try to avoid; but condemnation can reveal to you what is operating in your life. Revival tarries because God is waiting for enough people who want holiness more than they desire anything else. Revival is the direct result of an awesome awareness of the Holiness of God.
We need a return to the standards of holiness that are not based out of legalism, but out of the issues of the heart. We need a fresh awareness of holiness that actually has a fire of sanctification that will rest upon the people wherever they go and whatever they encounter. If you are set on fire, people are going to take notice.
The teachings of the love of God are absolutely essential in this day, but the preaching and revelation of the eternal judgments of God that are on the horizon are what will awaken people to what is happening in the earth and bring it back to holiness. God’s judgments are not popular, but since when is Christianity supposed to be popular? We need an old-fashion conviction of sin to return to the church. It is our obligation to follow the Holy Spirit. But it is God’s obligation to squeeze our hearts until the truth comes forth. When we are following the Holy Spirit, conviction happens; otherwise, we will not be changed by the power of the Spirit. He does not change us automatically.
Today’s churches are filled with people who attend to hear a sweet story about Jesus. [I personally think He is tired of listening about Himself as being this “good ole boy”.] We need to be attending church so our hearts will be broken. THAT’S REVIVAL! God does not reject a “broken and contrite (repentful)” heart.
We must have a pure revival that causes men and women to stagger at the holiness of God and to cry out for mercy as conviction falls. We keep saying, “More, God. More God,” but what we mean is, “Convict, God; please convict.” More of God means holiness, and holiness comes through conviction.
How can we recognize a true revival from a false revival? A true revival occurs when God comes down from heaven in such holiness and glory that people want to run and hide from Him. Every true revival in history has this at the center. IT IS AN INVASION OF HIS HOLINESS TO US!
You see, the heart of man is the same with every generation. It never changes. It is continually evil (as God sees it). Holiness is not just a way to live; it is what reveals that which is in our hearts: anger, hostility, love, desire, idolatry, submission, and rebellion. It is not difficult to discern the true from the false when God’s holiness is revealed.
God’s conviction power does not change. We think we have got God so controlled that if He reveals Himself, His presence won’t upset our agenda, disrupt our emotions or break our hearts. But it will!
We have heard how revival is going to be different this time. How? Men’s hearts have not changed. The difference will be how many reject the Spirit of revival. In times past, people acknowledged Him and received Him, but our generation does not understand how much He will interfere with their lifestyle. Revival is not a time of great celebration and joy; rather, these follow revival – fruit of the Spirit. True revival cleanses, purges, and empowers God’s people to be holy. Where people are lukewarm in their walk of the Spirit, the first thing that revival brings is a true heart of repentance through conviction so people can be cleansed vessels to bring God’s glory to a dying world. True revival brings people to their knees! The depth of the spirit of repentance determines the depth of revival.
DESCRIPTION OF TRUE REVIVAL 1800’S
There is a terror that comes over people because of the reality of eternity. They sink into deep sorrow – for day’s even weeks the sound of weeping and mourning is heard everywhere. Big stout men begin trembling with terror as they encounter a holy God. Some flee with fear while others sit glued to their seats, and others writhe in pain and agony of the thought of their sinful state. Many fall from their seats crying out for mercy. Everyone prays for himself or herself begging God to stop. It is the weight of glory – heaven has come down – the atmosphere is one of pure holiness.” [Welsh Revival & Charles Finney]
GOD WANTS A TRUE REVIVAL, BUT THE COUNTERFEIT KEEPS GETTING IN THE WAY.
A great hunger for God exists today, but people don’t recognize what it is. God is preparing a people who will so diligently walk after the spirit as to carry this revival spirit to its fullness. To be one of those people requires meeting the following requirements:
· (Matthew 5:3) Become aware of the way things ought to be – you are poor in spirit, in need of a touch of purity and holiness – not the old familiar touch of religion.
· (Matthew 5:4) Be willing to be broken
· (Matthew 5:5) Do not demand your own way any longer
· (Matthew 5:6) Allow yourself to be touched personally in your heart concerning a desire for things to change in your world.
· (Matthew 5:7) Accept people at their worst, but still be able to speak truth to them
· (Matthew 5:8) Throw out anything that defiles your heart
· (Matthew 5:9) Quickly let go of offenses
· (Matthew 5:10) Walk in obedience no matter what
ALL OF THESE ARE ISSUES OF THE HEART.
If you lose the hunger for these things, then a spirit of death has come over you. When a person is dying, he loses his appetites. When hunger returns it is the first sign you are preparing to receive more from God.
God is making a distinction today between the holy and the profane, between the common and the uncommon. One reason it is so difficult to hear God today and then simply receive the results is that every word coming from the throne into our lives is being purified seven times in the furnace of fire. (Psm.12:6) The Lord is not allowing the common any longer in His house or temple. I believe His words are true, but they have to be tested and proven in us to see if we will profane Him or allow His Word to remain holy.
OUR GOD IS HOLY. He has taught us righteousness (whether we listened or not, we know). Now He is teaching us holiness so we will come forth without spot or wrinkle, becoming a holy vessel of honor fit for the Master’s use. Here is another change: God is not using instruments any longer; He is using vessels who will be purified and holy. That is why God doesn’t feature “professionals” to entertain in the church. He doesn’t want mere instruments. He wants vessels to be filled with holiness and righteousness that out of these He might be poured out.
Holy vessels speak holy words without regard to what man might think or rationalize. God is looking for the consecrated vessels of honor filled with the Spirit of holiness and obedience to an awesome God.
As the desire for God’s purposes is coming to its fullness, it is time to operate in that fullness as we cry out in prayer and intercession that will move us into the depths of revival. The cry must be “Teach us your ways that will guide us in the realization of your mighty holiness that will produce revival.”
May I dare to challenge you with this scripture:
Jer 20:9 (AMP) “If I say, I will not make mention of His name, in my heart it is as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with holding it in, and I can not contain it any longer..”
“BE YE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY.”
-Pr. Steve
. . . My calling as a pastor
Pastor’s Journal 2008
Jul. 6: “It is My goodness that sustains you while you wait.”
Jul. 8: “I am running My church.”
Jul. 14: “Deal with the oppression. The people cannot stand under extreme oppression of the mind. Rise up and take authority. I will rebuke the devourer for My sake and My people will see clearly what to do.”
Jul. 19: “You must be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Do not be afraid of where I take you or how I take you.”
Jul. 22: “You are not living by your insecurities. You are living by your security in Me. Until My children learn this, they will continue to waiver, not knowing what to do.”
Jul. 26: There are many pains that come when we make mistakes but we recognize that our mistakes are because we presume to know what to do instead of seeking You. If the blood did not wash us, we would remain in our shame; but thank You for a cleansing that is lasting so that we can truly be transformed unto a more glorious image of Christ Jesus. I know of a certainty, the sinful nature will submit and Your Glory be revealed.
Jul. 28: “All you need to know is that I am leading you. I am working out all things for the good of My people at this time. Those who follow Me will come through this time unscathed. I am watching over My Word to perform it in you.”
Jul. 31: “Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. Keep His attitude always operating and walk humbly before Me.
A hunger for the Lord
Hunger is the reason we seek the things we seek. There is something happening in each of us every day that causes us to focus our energies in specific directions. Of course we all understand the natural hunger for food. It starts with a little feeling inside that makes us feel as if we are not as full as we should be. If not appeased, that feeling grows into demanding growls and pains, accompanied by loss of energy, and a number of other ill feelings that are there to warn us of the magnitude of the necessity to eat and drink. Though it would be ridiculous to die of hunger where food was readily available, nevertheless, it is important to have our appetites under control.
Gen 25:30-34 (KJV) “And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [pottage]; for I [am] faint: therefore was his name called Edom. (31) And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. (32) And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? (33) And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. (34) Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised [his] birthright.”
Many times our base and natural desires are over-stimulated by the influences of satan and his crew. Our spiritual enemies concentrate great efforts to get us to do evil by influencing us to give into our natural desires. Such was the case with Esau, when he sold his birthright for a meal. The scripture does say that Esau felt like he was dying of hunger, but it also reveals that Esau reasoned to sell his birthright without consulting the Lord God Almighty. How many times a day are we guilty of the same? Do we realize that sometimes our natural hungers are not able to be satisfied because we need to understand that we have abandoned our hunger for the Lord? The natural hunger that Esau felt did not force him to act unrighteously; rather, he chose to act unrighteously. Much like the prodigal son, Esau could have chosen to humble himself and seek the Father in his time of need.
Mat 5:6 (KJV) “Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”
There are a number of other natural hungers that are better left unsatisfied because they cause us to become consumed by the flesh and carnality. As Christians we must not be ignorant of the spiritual influences that try to mandate certain responses to our carnal desires. The desires of the flesh, the desires of the mind, the desires of the eyes, and the desires for money and things are constantly fighting to overcome and replace our desires for God and the things of His Kingdom. So let us be wise and walk after the desires of the Holy Spirit. Let us feast on His Holy Word which is able to save our souls (James 1:21), and let us glorify God in all the areas of hunger we encounter daily.
Psa 107:8-9 (KJV) “Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! (9) For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”
-Kurt Thurston
Quotes From Leonard Ravinhill
If I am filled with the Holy Spirit the same things that grieve the Holy Spirit will grieve my spirit.
A popular evangelist reaches your emotions. A true prophet reaches your conscience.
A true shepherd leads the way. He does not merely point the way.
John the Baptist never performed any miracles. Yet, he was greater than any of the Old Testament prophets.
I doubt that more than two percent of professing Christians in the United States are truly born again.
There are only two kinds of persons: those dead in sin and those dead to sin.
Maturity comes from obedience, not necessarily from age.
Why do we expect to be better treated in this world than Jesus was?
Chambers Quote
Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness, but it does not always make a man better. Suffering either gives me my self or it destroys my self. You cannot receive your self in success, you lose your head; you cannot receive your self in monotony, you grouse. The way to find your self is in the fires of sorrow. Why it should be so is another matter, but that it is so is true in the scriptures and in human experience. You always know the man who has been through the fires of sorrow and trouble and find that he has ample leisure for you. If a man has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous; he has no time for you. If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.
Oswald Chambers
My Utmost for His Highest
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