Saturday, July 28, 2007

.......between two opinions.......

The other day, the Lord led me to 1 Kings 18. The chapter simply came to me. As I read, I came to one verse that stood out. It stood out to the point that I knew I need not read further. I knew that verse was a message from the Lord. A message and a question! A message and a question of and about our time and position--when and how we live. The message is verse 21. In this passage, all the people of Israel had gathered together. Elijah, the prophet, also came. He came and asked the people a question as stated in verse 21. It reads, "And Elijah came to all the people and said, 'How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.' But the people answered him not a word."

The question (and message) here is one of position. How long will you falter between two opinions? Prophetically speaking, our generation is in a period of transition---in the world and in the church. It is a period of transitioning to position. So, again, what we're dealing with here is a question of position. God, in this hour, throughout America and the face of the earth, is, by His Spirit, attempting to transition His people to a new position. One that is closer to Him. One that involves more vision and discernment, maturity and responsibility, leadership and authority, and also, subsequently, fruitfulness and reward. Many are not responding as they are not even hearing the question and calling or are aware of Gods' earnestness in this time and, as such, do not move/flow with His Spirit and do not answer His call (such as the people of Israel in verse 21). Therefore, they do not change, grow or mature. Many are caught 'between' and sadly, that is their position--between. Between two opinions is to say between the life and ways of this world and the life and ways
of God and the life God is calling them to.

In Revelation 3 we see that, with respect to spiritual position, God would have us be either cold or hot--not lukewarm. "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 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." (Revelation 3.15-17). God can deal with those that are cold and hot. Neither one of them are caught in between. The cold know they are cold and do not have the life of God evident in their lives. The hot also know their position. They know God is alive, vibrant, and working in their lives (they have a fire greater than them inside).
However, the lukewarm are just that--caught in between and neither cold nor hot. The sad underlying characteristic here is that they don't even know their true state--they are deceived into believing they are healthy because of their comfortable present status. They are living by their and the worlds' standards, but not by Gods'.
In a couple of my other articles, I have stated that as long as the air conditioning is working, food is in the fridge, the bills are paid, everyone is relatively healthy, and the lawn is irrigated, then, Americans (and much of American christianity) seem not to need or seek God. Oh, they may pray on occasion and pay homage to God with church attendance, offerings and tithes but those things do not necessarily have anything do with ones' true heart position. Again, "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." The lukewarm position (in between) says, "I'm alright, I'm okay, I'm doing what I need to do to get by and be comfortable" (materially and spiritually). But, the fact of the matter is that the lukewarm are caught in the zone or cycle of their own comfortable routine and, in fact, are watered-down, weak, insignificant and produce nothing but their own spiritually fruitless experience. Sadly, much of American christianity is caught in this position of deception, meaning they do not even correctly discern their own state or are aware of their own spiritual depravity and lack.
That is why in verse 18 of Revelation 3 we read, "I counsel you to buy gold refined in the fire....and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see."
This is good advice for those spiritually destitute and earnest alike. However, sadly, much of the church in America is caught up in their own routines like the rest of the nation and world.....Caught up in jobs and careers, making and spending money, mundane concerns and obligations as well as travel, entertainment, Harry Potter, and American Idol (idle America). "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, cares of this life..." (Luke 21.34).

I have noticed across the fabric of America, particularly in the political and church arenas, that there seems to be a dearth of good leadership and sound authority. Many people vote today, not for who they want, but more for the lesser of two evils, so to speak. I am not the only one to notice this leadership deficiency (even Lee Iacocca, legendary auto executive and former CEO of the Chrysler Corp., has a new book out named "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?"). Listen. God is trying to fill those shoes and He's interviewing applicants now!
As I wrote earlier, we are in a period of transitioning to position--if we allow God to have His way. God has been speaking to me since 1998 regarding this 'transition to position' and the doors of this period of time are closing but are not yet closed. Don't miss the call. Seek Him while He may be found. Do not falter between two opinions. We need to quit like impotent worldly men and be strong in His Spirit.
The actual Hebrew word for 'falter' ('halt' in the King James version) is pasach.
It is interpreted as "to leap" or "to pass over". In other words, many Christians today are not even paying attention to the fact that they are 'in between'. They are passing over acknowledgment of and dealing with their present position of being in between the way of this world and the way wherein God is calling. Sure, I admit we are not bad, evil people but we are not producing the works of Jesus either. Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.." Well, I ask you then, have you performed any great healings lately, raised any dead, or even seen these great works? Me neither, but we won't either unless we answer His call to growth and maturity and leadership. Sadly, much of our church body are not even walking with the 'mind of Christ' but are on other 'wavelengths' and 'christian fads'. Many have been stuck in an erroneously taught, practiced, and widely misinterpreted prosperity teaching/movement and many are not alive as a body to the works and mind of the Holy Spirit as our daily guide, comforter, and teacher. Sadly, we have the same divorce rates as the world, family strife, lack of spiritual harmony, materialistic pursuits, and don't even come close to walking in the divine life provided by the atonement of Jesus such as healing. The word says, "I am the God that healeth thee" but our growth in healing from Him as a body and individually is virtually nil! We have a long way to go but we make progress one step at a time. That's all He asks. Some steps are seemingly bigger than others because they deal with our comfort zones, our hearts, and situations that require daily attention, forgiveness, and change. But God is greater---if we allow Him.

Lastly, notice the question again. "How long will you falter between two opinions?" The question begins with "how long". Obviously, this situation had taken precedence for some time. It is important to deal with a matter when it's called to our attention--as it can get glossed (passed over) and even become hidden into a routine state if not dealth with. Notice the people of Israel did not even answer with a word to Elijah. They had become dull. Dull of hearing, understanding, and response. If God is speaking to change, He will provide the Spiritual firepower for it and there be will gain, growth and reward.
But He will not exercise His will over ours. Again, as He says in Revelation, "I stand at the door and knock." You have to open the door.

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