Nehemiah 3 is a record of who built what in the rebuilding of the walls of Israel. It starts off with: Verse 1: "Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. "
And ends with:
Verse 31 -32: Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
In this beautiful account of unity and dedication, from Priest to businessman, and everyone in between, was sold out to the vision and zealously worked to see it come to pass. What a glory to be listed as active in the rebuilding of God's Kingdom!
It is time to build the spiritual Israel - the family of Jesus followers- the everlasting House of YHWH. It's time to prepare the world and God’s family for his coming. You might have been waiting (even calling) for things to do but do not wait any longer. We pray and act as he leads us to.
My heart especially goes out to the Western nations. Make no mistake, the devil is not against good works, popularity or a good name in the society. He is against the exaltation of the name of Jesus and the power in that name above every other. Why? Because Acts 4:12
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
We must truly believe this and John 14:6
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
We are not called as the Church to represent society to society, we are called to witness (to testify) of Jesus to this world.
My heart bleeds for the UK, Europe and the West. We mostly have a form of Christianity that is deprived of it's power. Even those who know better have been intimidated or reduced to acceptable doctrines.
Our doctrine reduces God's children to merely "good" people or worldly-success focused people. Our teachings mostly do not require a vital, living intimate relationship with the living God to accomplish - they bind the hearts of the hearers to this earth. They are of no eternal value.
A society with seemingly high integrity or national wealth is not necessarily a society that is ready for the coming of Jesus. We must appreciate the true reason for Jesus Christ to passionately seek to save men from an eternity without him. It's time to understand the Gospel so we will preach it as it is: God's power to save! The power works when it is preached as it is: without compromise by the Holy spirit. The Alpha course (www.alpha.org) has it's focus right: It preaches faith in the good news of Jesus which is what saves.
Be discerning. Often, our western 'God is love' message preaches faith in "love" which, in practise, just means faith in good works or being 'nice'. It has not worked for decades to revive and lead the nation to salvation, how will it start working now? The souls that Jesus died to save are too important to put our personal or national pride before their eternal deliverance. The true God-kind of love is impossible without Jesus. This is because it is not merely about it's good works or good nature; it is Jesus alive in a human soul. God (YHWH) is Love, therefore, true divine love is not possible without him in you.
Once upon a time, Jesus was preached in the West and this transformed the World. Now the offshoots of that era - the moral and loving results of the Christianity gone by is what we tout as the gospel. A lame Christianity without an unmistakable focus on a vibrant relationship with Jesus - the word of God and in his power, is 'wolf' in sheep clothing. It envelopes the people in deep darkness while preserving an outward appearance of light.
Let us allow Jesus the good Shepherd and saviour of the world to lead his church, especially at this time, by himself. His way of accomplishing it is through the engagement with scripture - the Bible - and intimacy through his Holyspirit.
I found this example of the results of a day of preaching in an African country thought provoking: https://www.kingsch.at/p/NnVXK3F
If salvation (from judgement) comes purely by Trust (faith) in Jesus (John 3:16), see why Africa is not the most urgent mission field?
The average person there is open to the gospel. There, trust in God is the norm for most.
The reverse is currently true here in our beloved United Kingdom, Europe and seemingly America. See why the Western Church cannot afford to be complacent ? God holds us accountable!
To succeed, our gospel cannot put the approval of men, earthly recognition and success above the eternal transformation of souls.
One of the great tools for this end time winning of souls is the Alpha course. It is God-given and aimed at salvation of souls and empowering lives by the Holy spirit. Most importantly, it is effective here in the west.
The race is on.
I am inspired by emails of the great things people are doing to reach the world, unify and build the church and to win souls. For example, CityFest with the Luis Palau Association planned for August 27th - 28th in Southwest Connecticut is hitting the ground running with a 'Young Professionals and Business Leaders Outreach' tomorrow. The Bible Project is so focused on bringing the theology (study of God) to a level that all can understand but without diluting it's power! And I continually pray that the Evangelical Alliance, New Wine England and all the western churches stand boldly, unashamed, in the power of the good news of his saving grace - the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It's time to join in the work, be part of God's end-time builder's record.
Pray. Give. Work. Rest and Repeat.
The Lord said many times to me over the weekend and today:
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman
and the planter by the one treading grapes.
New wine will drip from the mountains
and flow from all the hills," Amos 9:13
Expect large gains from any labour either it be in prayer, preaching, teaching or giving towards the salvation of the world or the strengthening of the Church. Don't be intimidated by those doing what seems like much larger projects; build your own part of the wall. You will plant what seems little to you but the spirit of the Lord of the Harvest (YHWH) will cause it to grow into flows that only keep giving - never stopping rivers of life. Amen.
Decide to be devoted in your zeal for God's kingdom. His grace us very much available to us make our every effort succeed beyond our ability.
CHURCH, it is time to WORK!!!
''For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames..''
1 Corinthians 3: 9-15 NIV
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