God Speaks I Listen

Last year and also in previous years I’ve spoken about all the catastrophic events that have happened in the world and will continue to happen. As I was praying so that I can write my new message for this year 2018, I hear two words….. “MY CHURCH!”

“I’m about to put a true word on the curb today……Spill some spiritual tea and share what I’m feeling in my spirit.”

Going to church and being the church must be clarified and exemplified! (Exemplifies means that you’re the perfect example of it)
The word church is called in the Greek Ecclesia which means called out ones or and assembly of people.
Ephesians 1:22-23 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. We God’s children are the church!
An example of the first called out ones (The church): Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
What should the church do? Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We are to:
1. Testify of the truth of Jesus life
2. Tell of the evidence of His existence
3. Live our lives as evidence of this
4. Share our personal experience of this

This is the time for the “CHURCH “to get from under the heavy weight of tradition and be what the word of God expresses in His word for the church to be.

John 4:35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months until the harvest?’ I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest.

We are children of light. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

In past New Year’s messages I’ve shared that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were doing their own thing on this earth and everyone can see from the unprecedented events in the news that this is so. As a result of this many people are looking for help in their dark and sorrowful times. We can and should be that light that can shine the brightness of Jesus grace and comfort in their darkness.
It is surely good to have in your place of worship things such as… Sunday services, programs, anniversaries, and other extra events but what about the people outside your place of worship? What about the unsaved and backslidden you come across every day in your life?
God is calling His soldiers…His army to really step out and serve Him. Who is taking a step forward and who is taking two steps back?
2 Timothy 2:1-4(NLT) Timothy, my dear son, be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus. 2 You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.
3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. What?…..God enlisted us to His service?
This scripture is a direct order from God’s word to us. Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
2018…2018…2018+ and from now on, is a year and years of SERVICE to the Lord! The true church of Jesus Christ must advance the kingdom of God!

I see a vision: People (The unsaved and backslidden) are in a huge basin of water and they are drowning. They are screaming for help. Christians are all around but are too busy or don’t want to get involved and just walk right past the drowning people. I see some people have drowned and some are barely holding on. These people need to be saved. Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This means the devil cannot stop YOU from snatching the unsaved from hell!! Go and help those lost people!

When you get to heaven will you hear good and faithful servant or will God call you an awol (absent from duty) servant? Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
Your service in God’s army brings not only glory to God but your service will not be forgotten!!!!
1. Hebrews 6:10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
2. John 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
3. Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
In this portion of scripture the people had a bad attitude about serving God. They were complaining about the uselessness of even trying to help folks because they were just going to be bad anyway. God heard their complaining and sent a message about how He cares about those who serve Him. THEY ARE BLESSED!

Malachi3:13-18
“You have spoken arrogantly against me,” says the LORD.
“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’
14 “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’”
16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name.
17 “On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

Another word I hear for this new year of 2018 is three words…”Intimacy with God”. If you are not intimate with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit you have a problem that could be the reason you are not serving God like crazy. If you don’t know God you cannot have a close intimate relationship with Him. We know Him by two ways…through His word (the bible) and through talking to Him as much as possible…like all day. God does talks back! He will even will react with you supernaturally and in unique ways…if you want and desire Him too. This will allow you to experience Him and also it will let you know how much He loves you. This confirmation of Him and His love will make you want to do anything for Him. You will become a mighty witness, warrior and servant for the kingdom of God. You will truly be “THE CHURCH”.
“The Church” is what I’m hearing for 2018! Ephesians 1:22-23 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
This is what God wants to see in this New Year. Don’t look around at everything but look inward and see if you are being what God planned out for you to be, in you place of worship, in your community, at your work place and in your home. Understand your purpose and God’s will for your life. To be the church is such an honor to be in God’s service. To offer our bodies as a living sacrifice should be your goal. Most of all to bring God glory in this New Year. We should all be working to bring back the backslidden and to share the gospel with those who have never believed in Jesus Christ. We must be…”THE CHURCH!”

“Father God…Help us to be bold and brave this year. Help us not to live in fear but to proclaim the name of your Son Jesus and share the good news of His birth and resurrection for the remission of our sins. Help us to trust you with our personal needs and to be focused you. Thank you for everything you do for us! I ask these things in Jesus name….amen!”