II Ki.2: - And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the Lord God of Elijah?
The young prophet Elisha had been a witness to the devotion and anointing that had rested upon Elijah and his ministry, and he had requested a double portion. As he watched as a chariot of fire escorted Elijah into the very presence of Jehovah, Elisha caught the mantle of his mentor and cried out "Where is the Lord God of Elijah". He didn't desire Elijah but he hungered after the Lord that had empowered and used Elijah. Today in the midst of gimmicks, how-to books, entertaining programs, slick television presentations, and a general "feel good" gospel does anyone feel like shouting, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?". Oh how I hunger to see God glorify Himself in the lives of His followers as He has done so often in the past. Powerful, miraculous movings of the Spirit of God that broke open earthen vessels and spread a divine fragrance throughout the church and into a lost and dark world.
Savannarola started as a monk in the Catholic church but soon felt a higher calling as he experienced the grace of God. He became totally dependent upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit and there were times where he would stay seated on Sunday mornings, refusing to preach until he was filled with God's Spirit. It is reported that once he sent word through a deacon to dismiss the Sunday congregation and he locked himself in a room and did not come out for three days. After three days the deacon sent word around the city that Savanarola was coming out and the church was packed as he preached with the power of the Holy Spirit and a local revival broke out that touched the entire city. He was murdered by the Catholic Church.
Where is the Lord God of Savanarola?
John Wesley was a Spirit filled gospel preacher who sacrificed much in order to reach the world for Christ. He and his brother sailed for three and one half months to arrive in Georgia in order to preach the gospel. In his journal he recorded three to four hours of prayer, four hours of meetings, and several hours of personal witness and ministry - every day on the ship! On one occasion as Wesley closed his three hour sermon in England, the people started leaving and there were over 1800 people on the ground overcome by the Holy Spirit's conviction of their sin.
Where is the Lord God of Wesley?
Martin Luther took his life in his hands as he followed the Spirit's leading and stood courageously for the truth of God's Word in the face of the threats of the Roman Church. And because of one young monk's obedience the continent of Europe experienced a massive reformation and revival which resulted in multitudes coming to Christ. Luther once threw an inkwell at the devil, so real was the Spiritual battle to him. The doctrine of justification by faith again was the flagship of the church's armada.
Where is the Lord God of Luther?
Charles Finney was a successful lawyer who came under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit concerning his conversion. After two sleepless nights he was born again and walked into his office and immediately resigned while stating, "I must plead the case of Jesus Christ from now on". There were times that he could not even begin his sermon as people were already crying so loudly about their Spiritual condition no one could hear him anyway. Whole towns came to Christ and the taverns were closed down with the owners offering them as places to pray.
Where is the Lord God of Finney?
Jonathan Edwards preached from notes and did not modulate his voice much with any emotion. His sermons would be considered dry and uninteresting today, but his sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was so powerful people would grab the back of their pews and cry out for fear of slipping into hell.
Where is the Lord God of Jonathan Edwards?
George Whitefield was called to preach as a teenager. He consumed the Scriptures and became a friend of John and Charles Wesley. He preached to as many as 100,000 people in one open air meeting with 10,000 converts that night. So powerful was the anointing of Whitefield that in many meetings sinners became born again during the message rendering the invitation unnecessary. Some men who came to protest his meetings fell over dead. He was used in an incredible way throughout the colonies to further the "Great Awakening".
Where is the Lord God of Whitefield?
Charles Spurgeon became one of the greatest Biblical orators in church history. He would regularly preach to 10,000 people in the days before amplification. His church grew by the power of his delivery of the Word of God, and he started a Bible college which sent out hundreds of preachers around the world. His messages are so timeless that they are still popular around the world today.
Where is the Lord God of Spurgeon?
D. L. Moody was led to the Lord by a Godly Sunday School teacher and from that day he had a heart to serve Christ. Although Moody did not have much formal education, his preaching reached ever social level. In the middle of his ministry Moody sought a greater anointing and the Holy Spirit gave him a double portion. He later preached great crusades throughout England, and he shook two continents for Christ.
Where is the Lord God of Moody?
The apostle Peter was called from his fishing nets to give the rest of his life spreading the gospel. An unlearned and brash man, he was filled with the Spirit of God on the Day of Pentecost and preached the first gospel message. He saw three thousand people respond to the call to follow Christ that day, and he was martyred for Jesus later in Rome.
Where is the Lord God of Peter?
The apostle Paul persecuted and murdered Christians wherever he could find them but when he became a follower of Jesus Christ he spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel. He was a man of constant prayer even while in jail and on one occasion God opened the prison doors which provided an escape, but instead of running Paul took the opportunity to lead the jailor to faith in Christ. Jews and Gentiles sought to kill him but it would never curtail his zeal for Jesus. God used him to write most of the New Testament and Paul gladly gave his life for the Lord Jesus Christ in Rome.
Where is the Lord God of Paul?
I could give countless more examples of magnificent Christian lives that were used in significant ways to glorify Christ through the ages. Missionaries have sometimes toiled their entire lives with not one convert and yet through their faithfulness the next generation was reached. Believers were crucified, tortured, beheaded, fed to lions, and burned alive in a glorious sacrificial witness of devotion to the Lord Jesus. Revivals took place that shook whole countries. Believers have sold everything to follow the call from above. Jews have been completely disowned by their families after professing Christ. We live today in a contrived atmosphere of entertainment and mental commitment to Christ that results in less sacrifice than following our children's sports events. We have even changed the Word to promote God's desire for us to have it all and enjoy material blessings today and lay up treasures for tomorrow. The only torture we see is what has been done to God's Word.
But where is the power of God working through His surrendered earthen vessels? Where is the unmistakable lifestyle of His peculiar people? Where is the outward sacrifice from the Body of Christ that communicates our devotion to the Savior? Where is the panting hunger to know the Word of God? Where are the nightly prayer gatherings at house of God as believers fall on their face before God for hours and cry out for an unusual move of His Spirit? Where are the humble, loving, modest, and culturally separated lives of the salty followers of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Where is the Lord God of the Bible?
"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground."
When will we be thirsty enough to clear out our lives and wholly give ourselves to seeking Him alone?
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord till He come and rain righteousness upon you". Hos.10:12
The young prophet Elisha had been a witness to the devotion and anointing that had rested upon Elijah and his ministry, and he had requested a double portion. As he watched as a chariot of fire escorted Elijah into the very presence of Jehovah, Elisha caught the mantle of his mentor and cried out "Where is the Lord God of Elijah". He didn't desire Elijah but he hungered after the Lord that had empowered and used Elijah. Today in the midst of gimmicks, how-to books, entertaining programs, slick television presentations, and a general "feel good" gospel does anyone feel like shouting, "Where is the Lord God of Elijah?". Oh how I hunger to see God glorify Himself in the lives of His followers as He has done so often in the past. Powerful, miraculous movings of the Spirit of God that broke open earthen vessels and spread a divine fragrance throughout the church and into a lost and dark world.
Savannarola started as a monk in the Catholic church but soon felt a higher calling as he experienced the grace of God. He became totally dependent upon the ministry of the Holy Spirit and there were times where he would stay seated on Sunday mornings, refusing to preach until he was filled with God's Spirit. It is reported that once he sent word through a deacon to dismiss the Sunday congregation and he locked himself in a room and did not come out for three days. After three days the deacon sent word around the city that Savanarola was coming out and the church was packed as he preached with the power of the Holy Spirit and a local revival broke out that touched the entire city. He was murdered by the Catholic Church.
Where is the Lord God of Savanarola?
John Wesley was a Spirit filled gospel preacher who sacrificed much in order to reach the world for Christ. He and his brother sailed for three and one half months to arrive in Georgia in order to preach the gospel. In his journal he recorded three to four hours of prayer, four hours of meetings, and several hours of personal witness and ministry - every day on the ship! On one occasion as Wesley closed his three hour sermon in England, the people started leaving and there were over 1800 people on the ground overcome by the Holy Spirit's conviction of their sin.
Where is the Lord God of Wesley?
Martin Luther took his life in his hands as he followed the Spirit's leading and stood courageously for the truth of God's Word in the face of the threats of the Roman Church. And because of one young monk's obedience the continent of Europe experienced a massive reformation and revival which resulted in multitudes coming to Christ. Luther once threw an inkwell at the devil, so real was the Spiritual battle to him. The doctrine of justification by faith again was the flagship of the church's armada.
Where is the Lord God of Luther?
Charles Finney was a successful lawyer who came under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit concerning his conversion. After two sleepless nights he was born again and walked into his office and immediately resigned while stating, "I must plead the case of Jesus Christ from now on". There were times that he could not even begin his sermon as people were already crying so loudly about their Spiritual condition no one could hear him anyway. Whole towns came to Christ and the taverns were closed down with the owners offering them as places to pray.
Where is the Lord God of Finney?
Jonathan Edwards preached from notes and did not modulate his voice much with any emotion. His sermons would be considered dry and uninteresting today, but his sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" was so powerful people would grab the back of their pews and cry out for fear of slipping into hell.
Where is the Lord God of Jonathan Edwards?
George Whitefield was called to preach as a teenager. He consumed the Scriptures and became a friend of John and Charles Wesley. He preached to as many as 100,000 people in one open air meeting with 10,000 converts that night. So powerful was the anointing of Whitefield that in many meetings sinners became born again during the message rendering the invitation unnecessary. Some men who came to protest his meetings fell over dead. He was used in an incredible way throughout the colonies to further the "Great Awakening".
Where is the Lord God of Whitefield?
Charles Spurgeon became one of the greatest Biblical orators in church history. He would regularly preach to 10,000 people in the days before amplification. His church grew by the power of his delivery of the Word of God, and he started a Bible college which sent out hundreds of preachers around the world. His messages are so timeless that they are still popular around the world today.
Where is the Lord God of Spurgeon?
D. L. Moody was led to the Lord by a Godly Sunday School teacher and from that day he had a heart to serve Christ. Although Moody did not have much formal education, his preaching reached ever social level. In the middle of his ministry Moody sought a greater anointing and the Holy Spirit gave him a double portion. He later preached great crusades throughout England, and he shook two continents for Christ.
Where is the Lord God of Moody?
The apostle Peter was called from his fishing nets to give the rest of his life spreading the gospel. An unlearned and brash man, he was filled with the Spirit of God on the Day of Pentecost and preached the first gospel message. He saw three thousand people respond to the call to follow Christ that day, and he was martyred for Jesus later in Rome.
Where is the Lord God of Peter?
The apostle Paul persecuted and murdered Christians wherever he could find them but when he became a follower of Jesus Christ he spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel. He was a man of constant prayer even while in jail and on one occasion God opened the prison doors which provided an escape, but instead of running Paul took the opportunity to lead the jailor to faith in Christ. Jews and Gentiles sought to kill him but it would never curtail his zeal for Jesus. God used him to write most of the New Testament and Paul gladly gave his life for the Lord Jesus Christ in Rome.
Where is the Lord God of Paul?
I could give countless more examples of magnificent Christian lives that were used in significant ways to glorify Christ through the ages. Missionaries have sometimes toiled their entire lives with not one convert and yet through their faithfulness the next generation was reached. Believers were crucified, tortured, beheaded, fed to lions, and burned alive in a glorious sacrificial witness of devotion to the Lord Jesus. Revivals took place that shook whole countries. Believers have sold everything to follow the call from above. Jews have been completely disowned by their families after professing Christ. We live today in a contrived atmosphere of entertainment and mental commitment to Christ that results in less sacrifice than following our children's sports events. We have even changed the Word to promote God's desire for us to have it all and enjoy material blessings today and lay up treasures for tomorrow. The only torture we see is what has been done to God's Word.
But where is the power of God working through His surrendered earthen vessels? Where is the unmistakable lifestyle of His peculiar people? Where is the outward sacrifice from the Body of Christ that communicates our devotion to the Savior? Where is the panting hunger to know the Word of God? Where are the nightly prayer gatherings at house of God as believers fall on their face before God for hours and cry out for an unusual move of His Spirit? Where are the humble, loving, modest, and culturally separated lives of the salty followers of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Where is the Lord God of the Bible?
"I will pour water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground."
When will we be thirsty enough to clear out our lives and wholly give ourselves to seeking Him alone?
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord till He come and rain righteousness upon you". Hos.10:12
Interestingly, the people these men of God preached to were just as wicked as the people today. They were just as flesh oriented. They were just as prideful. What is different? Revivalism has descended into a parody of what came before. Why? How come God does not visit the preaching of today like He did then? I would have to say that the pulpit and the church are in dire need of cleansing. Where are the people fasting and praying for God to cleanse His Church? Where are the Christians who have divorced themselves from American showtime Christianity and American CEO pastoring? The American form of the Church is just religiousity married to the messianic State called the US Government. It is humanistic. It is idolatrous and therefore spirtually blind. God has awakened some of us. He has circumsized our hearts so that we can see and hear the truth. As part of the remnant we must become seperate from the Compromised Church. We must come out of her. God is preparing to judge her, but at the same time the remanat will be used of God to bring an amazing revival that will bring multitudes into the Kingdom in the face of martyrdom.
ReplyDeleteAre we ready to hear and proclaim this message? It frightens me in a way, but I can see God's hand all over it. Since I left my old church and visited others I have been amazed at the level of discernment God has given me to see the fallacy of the way Church is done in America. It is idolatrous for the most part. I'm not saying all are like that, but the majority are.
Oh, give us wisdom and discrenment Lord! Give us eyes to see and ears to hear!
Father God, set apart and sanctify for Yourself all whose knees have not bowed down to the gods of our day, and all whose mouths have not kissed them...
ReplyDeleteSend down fire from heaven to fill the hearts of Your sanctified ones, and create in them a burning passion to proclaim the glory of our Holy God. And through consecrated lips, let it be known that You are God...and that Christ Jesus is our risen, reigning King. Answer us, O Lord, and gather the remnant, turning their hearts back to you again. Let the fire of Your Spirit ignite a flame of redemption and revival to prepare the way for Christ's triumphant return. And for that day, we cry, "Come Lord Jesus Come!"
...In Christ
2Ch 7:14 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.
ReplyDeleteWe want a god who does not offend us, a god who does not judge sin, a god who loves us with no regard for our filthy rags of self righteousness. As Patrick Morley wrote, "There is a god we want and God Who is. They are not the same God."
ReplyDeleteMay the one true God give us a hunger for Him and His Truth and the obedience to proclaim the death and resurrection of Christ until He comes again.
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
ReplyDelete