You see, if we are to be the church as in the days of Acts, then we need to get off this mentality that church should be only Sunday and mid week whether that be at the temple (church) or in our homes.
Acts 6:4 (AMP) But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.
Sadly, many of His people including the shepherds and other servants of God devote themselves to sports, drama, soaps, American idol, Hollywood, video games, TV, money, and other WORLDLY nonsense. We are in this world but not of it. And we are wondering why the POWER OF GOD is NOT manifesting in our churches or in our lives? Why is there no urgency or priority to pray?
1 Peter 4:17 (AMP)For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?
Be wise brethren, judgment is not only coming but it has already began in the household of God.
Ez 34:2-4 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy and say to them, even to the [spiritual] shepherds, Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the [spiritual] shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the sheep?3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you kill the fatlings, but you do not feed the sheep.4 The diseased and weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the hurt and crippled you have not bandaged, those gone astray you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought to find, but with force and hardhearted harshness you have ruled them. 5 And they were scattered because there was no shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts of the field.6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains and upon every high hill; yes, My sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth and no one searched or sought for them.7 Therefore, you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:8 As I live, says the Lord God, surely because My sheep became a prey, and My sheep became food for every beast of the field because there was no shepherd—neither did My shepherds search for My sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves and fed not My sheep—9 Therefore, O you [spiritual] shepherds, hear the word of the Lord:10 Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My sheep at their hand and cause them to cease feeding the sheep, neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more. I will rescue My sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.
Joel 2:17 (AMP) Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar; and let them say, Have pity and spare Your people, O Lord, and give not Your heritage to reproach, that the [heathen] nations should rule over them or use a byword against them. Why should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?
Where are those who are pouring their hearts out for God's sheep? I do not mean people who can shout the loudest of how much they love God. Where are those who are willing to pray for hours? Where are those who will grieve, weep, and fast for God's sheep or even their families? Unless the servants of God are willing to lay down their lives for God's people, how will they qualify to enter the Kingdom of God?
Men may know each other because they have successful church programs or large attendance but what is it worth if they cannot overcome the gates of Hell and as their people are still in bondage sick and dying like the world?
Let us stop looking for the praises of men and their approval. Those who have been called to lead God's people are to be bearing the Ark of the Covenant and the people are to follow the Ark of the Covenant. They are not necessarily following the priest or leaders. We are to be loyal to God and not men but yet be subject to the authorities that He has placed over us that are within His Will. The priest bears the Ark of the Covenant over their shoulders bearing God's Glory. The people were not necessarily following the priests but God's Glory. The priests were the first to step into the Jordon but they were last to leave as the people all passed by hastily. If the priests made a mistake the waters would have rushed back endangering the people and killing the priests.
Whether one thinks they are an apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher, or preacher, those in such offices must be willing to go first, lay down their lives, and be last as God's people are led into the promise land. Going first means to be the ones who will pray weeping between the porch and altar even daily for God's people even if no one else is doing it. It means to lay down your life that all your personal ambitions and plans are put down and God's Will is your priority. No longer my will but YOURS. The priests were last to cross over. Those who are leading God's people must stop looking for the attention or the praises of men. In fact, they must die more to themselves so that more can come into the light and see His Glory.
Joel 2:15-18 Blow the trumpet in Zion; set apart a fast [a day of restraint and humility]; call a solemn assembly.16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation; assemble the elderly people, gather the children and the nursing infants; let the bridegroom [who is legally exempt from attending] go forth from his chamber and the bride out of her closet. [None is exempt from the humiliation.]17 Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar; and let them say, Have pity and spare Your people, O Lord, and give not Your heritage to reproach, that the [heathen] nations should rule over them or use a byword against them. Why should they say among the peoples, Where is their God? 18 Then was the Lord jealous for His land and had pity on His people.
Much of the western church has romanticized and glamorized those in the five fold ministry. Many of those who have been called do not realize they will be made spectacles and perhaps the majority of them called to martyrdom.
1 Corinthians 4:9 (AMP) For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last [of all, like men in a triumphal procession who are] sentenced to death [and displayed at the end of the line]. For we have become a spectacle to the world [a show in the world’s amphitheater] with both men and angels [as spectators].
It is time to stop looking for attention stealing God's Glory but rather humbling ourselves weeping for God's people in prayer. It is time to go back to the days of Acts when they did NOT cease to teach and proclaim DAILY in the temple areas and their homes devoting themselves to prayer and word.
Fire of God
Steve Yong Kim
July 1, 2012
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