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The title of this article says a lot about what is on my heart. My title encompasses all that I believe this article will be. It is in many ways a Prophetic Word. It will definitely be a mighty exhortation for those with ears to hear. Unfortunately there will be some elements of Divine Warning. Altogether this comes from a deep place of prayer and intercession for The Church, Her People and Her Leaders.
As I write this I am well aware of my own failings in some of the areas I am compelled to confront my brothers and sisters in Christ about. Many of us have heard of the Pastor who committed suicide this week. The issue of depression and anxiety is touching all aspects of society. From the youngest to the oldest. From the richest to the poorest, depression, anxiety and the spirit of suicide has bound humanity and Those in The Church have not escaped the infection.
The question for us is, Should this be the case? Why have so many, including myself, not been able to walk in the joy and peace of Christ consistently? Why are both Leaders and Laity alike bound and held in the cages of these emotional,physical and spiritual enemies? Why have so many Apostles,Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors and Teachers fallen victim, sometimes fatally, to these enemies of our souls?
I will not pretend to have THE ANSWER. However, I have what I believe to be AN ANSWER inspired by The Holy Spirit for right now, in this season, and the one to come. I believe I have an answer for those who will hear, who are ordained to hear it.
All ministry, after all, is called and directed by God. No Prophet is a Prophet to everyone. They are a Prophet to those whom God has appointed them to be a Prophet to. No Pastor, Teacher, Apostle or even an Evangelist is called to all believers and churches, they have been appointed by God to A Place, A People and A Time.
These truths when understood and embraced removes a great burden from the shoulders of both Leaders and Laity alike, especially those who are given to prayer and the Move of The Spirit. When Leaders are in The Lords Ordained Place, Fulfilling The Lords Ordained Calling in Service to The Lords People that they are called and appointed to, they can be secure and confident that They Will Succeed as The Lord Directs.
All this being true, and it is 100% true because God never fails or makes a mistake, then why is there so much brokenness in The Church? Why do so many churches fail? So many leaders fall? Why are callings abandoned and giftings rejected while there are flocks of sheep wandering, confused and hurt?
What are we missing? What erroneous and broken template do we keep using that works for the few but fails for so many? What yoke of burden is being put on Pastor after Pastor that they were never meant to carry, and were never equipped to handle?
Some will say that I am posing more questions than I am giving answers, but in these questions lie the answers. They are question with just the right anointing to pull the answers out of the hearts that are longing for truth and freedom. Those longing to know true covenant relationship and ministry, where each one does their part and each ones strengths provides for the others weaknesses.
Could it be that we have built the structures of The Church in a way that was never meant to be? Could it be that the Business Like Organization Structure is so flawed that only the strong survive, and those who are not strong enough or don't fit into the business image anymore get washed out or feel so much pressure to live up to a well guarded and painted image that they eventually falter?
Would men like Peter and Paul even make it through the protocols and image cleansing of the modern church? Would Paul be considered to wild, to extreme, to close to those he served? Would Peter be written off as a rebel, a breaker of protocol, one who speaks out of turn, so certainly not worthy of leadership and The High Calling of Apostleship?
Are there any ministry teams that have a covenant relationship like the picture I posted above and below represents? And how about the people in The Church? Do we get it? Do we really get what our responsibility is to pray and support our leaders spiritually? Of course financially, but lets face it, many that will read this, your Pastor or the Pastors you see in media are living much better off than you financially, so that doesn't carry as much weight as it did for the early church planters and Pastors.
But, if you are from a smaller church with a Pastor who is struggling financially, are you helping him in any way you can? Are you generous, so that they can give themselves to The Word and Prayer for you? Are you behaving like you have a God Ordained Covenant Relationship with them, as long as you call them your Pastor and you eat at that Church?
How about your words? Are you encouraging and lifting them up in prayer? Are you seeing with Gods eyes and supporting them passionately, so that The Gospel may be Preached, Lives may be Changed and The Devil may be stopped in families and in your community?
We all need to rethink, reset and relaunch. Leaders and Laity alike, we need a time of Consecration and Prayer, so we can take on the closing of time and be a part of The Remnant that finishes strong and in THE POWER OF HIS LOVE.
Here is the Exhortation. We can do this! The Lord has a Plan for THIS. He has a PLAN for RIGHT NOW. A Specific and well planned out path He wants His Church to march on. His Love and Covenant Blessing will unite us. Wisdom and Knowledge of His Love and Covenant Blessing will keep us together, in Power, Anointing, Vision and Unity.
Each member doing its part. Each one in their perfect place, moving in glorious power, fulfilling their part in this incredible End Time Church we have been called to. We see the results of this in the Book of Acts. The Leaders were focused, sober, serious and on The Mission given to them by God. The people were generous, reverent and busy working to establish, build and maintain the fast growing, miracle working and World Changing Church!
Here is a warning. In this atmosphere, that shall come, both Leaders and Laity alike , need to show great reverence and honor to The Spirit of God and His Holy Name. Dishonor has no place in this atmosphere. Leaders need to honor their place as servants and shepherds of The Lords Sheep. And the people need to honor and show reverence for the The Presence of The Lord working through His Leaders for the benefit of The Church and mankind. All must have a reverential fear of The Lord.
We wouldn't walk up and slap the bride of a man we fear. Yet many of us have slapped The Lords Bride, over and over again. Lord forgive us.
Lord, help us as leaders to honor you among the people, feed your sheep, and tend your pastures the way you showed us, with sacrifice and selflessness. Remove every ounce of a hirelings heart from our souls.
Help us as members and parts of your precious body to act like your children and demonstrate your love toward one another. Help us to fully support our leaders in every way they need it. Help us to praye fervently and in the spirit of wisdom for them. Help us set a guard over our hearts and tongues, so that we may always bless and uplift and never curse or sow discord.
Teach and instruct us how to do ministry, how to build your church, in the way you wish, so the gates of hell crumble before us. So that we all may walk in your freedom and joy. Lord show us how to build ministry teams called by you, anointed by you, and bound in Covenant , so that we may see your wonderful works again on The Earth!!
Raise up an Epaphras in every Church, in every city and in every nation. Raise up pillars that will stand with The Ministry Gifts they are called to stand with no matter what. Let them fight side by side until all the giants are removed from their land.
Thank you Lord for Anointed Teachers and Words that will reset souls and minds. That will tear down strongholds, and restore peace to your people. Teach us Lord how to command our emotions with Your Word, Name and Authority. We stand as one and will help one another realize the liberty and freedom we have. No burden shall be carried except that which you have empowered each of us to bear.
Finally, In The Name of Jesus we curse the spirit of Depression,Anxiety and Suicide. Flee back to the darkness from which you came. You have no place nor part in The Body of Christ!
