Living Radically in the Last Days

 

 

    

    

Acts 4:32-35

 

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. 33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. 34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

NIV

A couple of years ago I read the book Radical, by David Platt.  Indeed, that was a book that lived up to its name! It challenged me to take my role as a believer, and the words of the Bible quite literally.  Those teachings are pretty much diametrically opposed to the western mindset.  I must confess I had a hard time reading it, and an even harder time swallowing it.  Well-to-do people selling their homes and moving to the ghetto to win people for Jesus?  Not for the faint of heart, for sure.

Before you quit reading this blog, I will assure you that I am not urging you to do that today, at least, not necessarily. 

I have such a hunger in my soul for the church to go back to being the church.  I want to see the church universal be a replica of the New Testament, early church.  You know, when Christianity was in its infancy.  I long to see the zeal and passion for the Kingdom return.  I hunger to see the demonstration of the Spirit's might at the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.  I long to see the signs and wonders, and the jaw-dropping testimonies of lives healed and delivered from the pit of despair.  I want to see people healed of life-restricting ailments.  All of this is most assuredly for today.  How do I know this?  Because the same Spirit of God rests on us today.   The same mission and purpose stands. Jesus said that:

 

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  (John 14:12)

 

Where is the "greater things?"  Why are we not living up to our potential in Him? Why are we not living up to this promise?

I am convinced a good portion of the solution lies in today's verses.  The early disciples- and apostles- had heaven on their mind.  It was not a fringe part of their life, but rather the centerpiece.  The hub that turned their wheel was the Kingdom.  They were living in expectation of the Lord's sure return.  Are we?

They were so "set" upon heavenly things that their personal possessions meant nothing.  They were so focused on advancing the kingdom, that their brotherly ties to one another was greater than selfishness.

Now, I know that there are cults and sects that exist and live somewhat like these verses.  We have heard of their abuses and about women and children being owned, abused and oppressed.   We  have heard about false "Prophets of God" abusing people to exalt themselves.  That is a stench in the nostrils of God!  But have we "thrown the baby out with the bath water?"

I am not suggesting a commune.   Rather, what I am saying is, we need to return to living a lifestyle that has less ties to this world and more ties to the kingdom of God.  We need to be more concerned with winning souls than surrounding ourselves with material wealth.  We need to see our brother and sister in Christ in need, and actually care.  Care enough to do something to ease their suffering and make a difference.  Have we forgotten that we cannot out-give God?

Do today's verses convict you?  Does it show you that you are not living in the light of Christ's soon return?  Does it showcase some selfishness in the way you conduct your affairs?  If so, begin to ask God  what He would have you to do, to have maximum impact.  Time is short.  Are you doing enough?

Dear Lord, your Word corrects and reproves me.  Give me grace to be heavenly minded.  Bless those who read these words today- speak to their hearts.  Raise up Your church, in the middle of a carnal society.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen. 

Fresh Fire: Reignite the Passion

 

   

Rev 2:4-5

 

4 "But you walked away from your first love — why? What's going on with you, anyway? 5 Do you have any idea how far you've fallen? A Lucifer fall!

"Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste, for I'm well on my way to removing your light from the golden circle.

(from THE MESSAGE.)

Do you remember how it felt when you first came to Christ?  Do you remember how light you felt, how unburdened?  Do you remember the inexplicable joy and passion?  You could not wait for Bible study or prayer.  It was like a new toy. Every worship experience was fresh and thrilling.  Just like  in marriage, you can lose the first glow of your salvation experience.  But in your relationship with Christ, there is no need  for the passion to wane, because there is always more anointing, intimacy and fire to experience.

Sometimes it almost seems easier to reach people who have never tasted and enjoyed the goodness of God than to reach those who have known the truth but have chosen to walk away.  It seems like the guilt is even more because the Holy Spirit has convicted us over and over again, and we have rejected His offer.  God gives a second chance at repentance!  God allows us to return to our first love.

Are you struggling  to feel?    Do you feel dead inside?   God is able to breathe new life over you today.   You do not have to believe your emotions.  God is greater than feelings.  There is a good chance that you are not even aware of what has happened to you to cause you to lose  faith.  To lose hope. To lose courage.  Maybe you have tried to keep plugging on with your spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer and worship attendance, but still you feel nothing.   God sees you.  He has a fresh touch for you today.

Another common Christian malady is  that we get discouraged in our faith.  We hold on for days, months and sometimes years, for the Lord to answer a prayer that we have before Him only to have the answer delayed again.  At times we, as Christians, can drop our sword and sit down in a heap.  We refuse to get up and try again.  We buy the lie that says it hurts too much to hope and not receive, so we just give up. 

The only problem with that, is that in God, if we are not going forward, we are most assuredly going backwards.  If we are not advancing, the enemy is able to get in there and knock our  spiritual teeth down our throats.  We cannot afford to quit.  We  are only people.  We are made of dust.  We stumble and we fall.  But that does not mean that we are right.  Nor does it mean we have the right to pout. 

God is Almighty, All seeing, All knowing.  He is supreme and He is Sovereign.  There may well be things we do not understand this side of heaven, but he is still God.  He requires our loyalty, our obedience and our devotion.  We may have to lay our issue at Jesus' feet over and over again.  Whatever it takes, we must get up and keep moving on.

But we are not just to trudge along, plodding through life, doing our time until the glories of heaven.  No, He has made us more than conquerors.  It is His intent that we walk in victory, authority, and yes, joy!  We should be the most passionate people on the earth.  The Holy One is on the inside of us, as children of God.  The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is alive inside of you, child of God!  You should be standing up in your spirit.  If your situation is dead, begin to speak resurrection life into it.  Do what you must to regain your  passion.  God is a consuming fire.  If you are not on fire, you are not truly a living sacrifice!!

Dear Lord, please set me on fire.  I want to be  full of passion and zeal for you.  Refresh me,  restore  me, and fill me once again, I pray.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.