who stressed the I, I, I, I statements found in Ezekiel 36:16-38
Over and over again the LORD saysI will ...I will ...I will ...
'not for your sake'BUT FOR MY HOLY NAME'S SAKE
Oh! if you long for revival please take it to heart the PROMISE He Himself gives AND Pray and Seek Him for it because...
Ezek 36:37Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will also let the house of IsraelINQUIRE OF ME TO DO THIS FOR THEM: ....
Michael Hranek wrote:John UKSadly you are too much on the mark of what I will call "the establishment" in churches beating a passion for a real experience of Christ out of new or revived believers. Makes them look bad.
But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them; Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations. And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them. 2 Chronicles 7:19-22 KJV
The devil must be very clever to get the Lord angry with his own people. But then, this is where our human responsibility comes in.
John UK wrote:It would be a good thing if all of God's people were to hear, and respond. In my experience, most seem quite content to play at 'church', without any conscious contact with Almighty God. Whenever anyone is converted by the Lord in the meetings, they are immediately an embarassment to the backslidden older ones, because these new converts will NOT stop TALKING about JESUS. That is, until it is KNOCKED out of them, just as a furious householder might swat a moth because it is buzzing around the light bulb.My dear friends, Christianity is NOT a CONCEPT, it is a matter of being RECONCILED to GOD, and that by God himself. If doctrine is soooo important to the church, then why is it no-one is preaching and teaching on the doctrine of the fundamental purpose of Christianity, namely, the experiential and experimental angle? Without this, we will degenerate into a bunch of cold-hearted theologians, and miss the most valuable blessings the Lord has for us.Oh that God would enlighten us as to our true, poor state, even though we be born anew.
Michael Hranek wrote:John UKI have to thank God that Jesus' promise is to the 3 or even just 2 who will gather together in His Name!And thank God for the believing remnant who does hear!
My dear friends, Christianity is NOT a CONCEPT, it is a matter of being RECONCILED to GOD, and that by God himself. If doctrine is soooo important to the church, then why is it no-one is preaching and teaching on the doctrine of the fundamental purpose of Christianity, namely, the experiential and experimental angle? Without this, we will degenerate into a bunch of cold-hearted theologians, and miss the most valuable blessings the Lord has for us.
Oh that God would enlighten us as to our true, poor state, even though we be born anew.
John UK wrote: exactly But you try communicating that message to evangelical conservative christendom, bro.
And thank God for the believing remnant who does hear!
Michael Hranek wrote:Eternal Life is to know the Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent NOT JUST THINGS ABOUT GOD and PLAYING CHURCH Jesus told us wherever 2 or 3 gather together in His Name THERE He is in the midst. IMHO if He is THERE people can tell that He is
But you try communicating that message to evangelical conservative christendom, bro.
Biblicist wrote:MichaelWhere in the addresses to the Revelation churches do you read John's advice?
Where in the addresses to the Revelation churches do you read John's advice?
Rev 317 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Eternal Life is to know the Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent NOT JUST THINGS ABOUT GOD and PLAYING CHURCH
Jesus told us wherever 2 or 3 gather together in His Name THERE He is in the midst. IMHO if He is THERE people can tell that He is
So I agree with John UK. It would be a blessing for our churches to humble ourselves before the Lord and seek His face and cry out to Him that He might cleanse us from our sin and REVIVE US AGAIN Until we are so forgiven, cleansed and CHANGED BY GOD, filled and led of the Spirit we truly meet together In His Name and know His Awesome Power and Glory like in Acts.
John UK wrote:Well I have always been taught that God, in his word, makes promises that he intends to keep. Or is not this a promise for us today?If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJVOr does this not apply to churches, as most revivalists and those who preach on revival believe?
2. The promises that God makes, he will fulfill. But, we dare not dictate to God the timetable. The promise itself says nothing of time!
Often God tests even the repentance of his people by withholding blessings for a season!
Have a great weekend and catch you next week D.V.
Biblicist wrote:Ah, so you have placed a time table that God has to follow! Now all is clear! Thanks John!
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
Or does this not apply to churches, as most revivalists and those who preach on revival believe?
John UK wrote:#4 Because God has responded before the midweek meeting, no meeting has been lost, and the church can again make progress.
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Michael
I don't think that generalisations are helpful. Every church is different. One would hope that one's advice would be tailored to each as necessary, as in the book of Revelation.
Where in the addresses to the Revelation churches do you read John's advice? viz. that all church services and activities should come to a halt and the people should concentrate solely on repentant prayer?
Biblicists wrote:You're a complete whacko dude!! That would NOT be my advice. My advice would be "put your house in order" - repent, put right what needs to be put right, do those things that you did when you first fell in love with the Lord, show the same zeal, affection etc. BUT don't stop the worship services, or the Bible study etc because these are all means of grace!! AND why add outright DISOBEDIENCE to all the other sins? Do you suppose God will hear you more for this?
Okay, let me explain:
#1 At the Sunday Service, the pastor announces that God has changed the name of the church to Ichabod Free Church, and that all meetings are cancelled until God changes the name back.#2 The building is opened up 24 hrs a day for the entire church to come and pray in repentance, and sort things out, instead of sweeping all nonsense under the carpet.#3 Because God hears penitient prayer, and his people have humbled themselves, he hears from heaven, and revisits the church, taking his rightful place as HEAD of the church.#4 Because God has responded before the midweek meeting, no meeting has been lost, and the church can again make progress.#5 Any church playing the ostrich will lose out and close.
Mark 66 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Having read what Jesus Christ said to the CHURCH of the Laodicean and the other 7 Churches in Revelation IMHO I have to concur with John UK's recommendation.
John UK wrote:#1 Cease Sunday Services and midweek services forthwith, realising that God is not there, indeed has been absent for years.#2 Cease all ministry and works.#3 Open the church building for prayer 24hrs a day continually, and ask Jesus to manifest himself once again. And when he does:#4 Resume services.
John UK wrote:I know I'm a bit on the edge, and folks think I'm a bit radical, but this is what I would recommend for churches in need:#1 Cease Sunday Services and midweek services forthwith, realising that God is not there, indeed has been absent for years.#2 Cease all ministry and works.#3 Open the church building for prayer 24hrs a day continually, and ask Jesus to manifest himself once again. And when he does:#4 Resume services.
That would NOT be my advice. My advice would be "put your house in order" - repent, put right what needs to be put right, do those things that you did when you first fell in love with the Lord, show the same zeal, affection etc.
BUT don't stop the worship services, or the Bible study etc because these are all means of grace!! AND why add outright DISOBEDIENCE to all the other sins? Do you suppose God will hear you more for this?
Michael Hranek wrote:John UKWhy pray poorly for something He is praying for effectively?TO BRING OUR WILL INTO AGREEMENT WITH HIS Also we are told CLEARLY we have NOT because we ask not. That ought to help all of us consider there is an enormous importance to OUR praying. John, I don't know about you but I have so much learning and growing to do but won't growing in faith and prayer and fellowship with the Lord be more than worth it.
I know I'm a bit on the edge, and folks think I'm a bit radical, but this is what I would recommend for churches in need:
#1 Cease Sunday Services and midweek services forthwith, realising that God is not there, indeed has been absent for years.
#2 Cease all ministry and works.
#3 Open the church building for prayer 24hrs a day continually, and ask Jesus to manifest himself once again. And when he does:
#4 Resume services.
John UK wrote:Mornin' MichaelMaybe, if his prayers are effective, we need to just fulfil his will? Why pray poorly for something for which he is praying effectively?That apart, I concur with your thoughts, and always appreciate your postal contributions on these forums.
TO BRING OUR WILL INTO AGREEMENT WITH HIS
Also we are told CLEARLY we have NOT because we ask not. That ought to help all of us consider there is an enormous importance to OUR praying.
John, I don't know about you but I have so much learning and growing to do but won't growing in faith and prayer and fellowship with the Lord be more than worth it.
Michael Hranek wrote:Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,I've been thinking???Isn't Jesus ever living to make intercession for those (us included) who draw near to God through Him? What do you think He is praying for in our lives? To just somehow barely hold on until we go to heaven? Or that we would grow in our faith and a bear fruit for His glory and our exceeding joy? That we would have victory over sin? That we would have the filling and empowering of the Spirit in Witness? That we would be fervent and effective in our praying? However you may choose to look at the matter I cannot believe Jesus is praying for our mere survival but that we have victories in our faith to live faithful and joyful and obedient to Him walking in the good works we were made new creatures for. And if Jesus is praying anything like that for us shouldn't we be fervently praying for His will to be done in our lives
Maybe, if his prayers are effective, we need to just fulfil his will? Why pray poorly for something for which he is praying effectively?
That apart, I concur with your thoughts, and always appreciate your postal contributions on these forums.
I've been thinking???Isn't Jesus ever living to make intercession for those (us included) who draw near to God through Him?
What do you think He is praying for in our lives? To just somehow barely hold on until we go to heaven? Or that we would grow in our faith and a bear fruit for His glory and our exceeding joy? That we would have victory over sin? That we would have the filling and empowering of the Spirit in Witness? That we would be fervent and effective in our praying? However you may choose to look at the matter I cannot believe Jesus is praying for our mere survival but that we have victories in our faith to live faithful and joyful and obedient to Him walking in the good works we were made new creatures for. And if Jesus is praying anything like that for us shouldn't we be fervently praying for His will to be done in our lives
Perhaps not a dictionary definition of Revival but IMHO I have to think the intercession of our Great High Priest is very much related to true REVIVAL in and for the lives of those He died to save.
To you who are somehow aloof from and opposed to praying fervently for Revival just what are you praying for? Failures? Disappointmens? Defeats? Embaressement and Shame?
Briggs wrote:John UKDo you think that maybe there is not enough of the elect around to make this a viable prayer, at the moment?
