August 25th, 2005
“Prayer and Direct relationship with God our Father”
-Kenny Metcalf-
This is written from much time spent in my Fathers presence. When we spend time before him, he tends to reveal his secrets and his heart. Sometimes he reveals the very things that grieve Him; some of those things are in this post.
As Christians, our calling/destiny relates directly to our relationship with our Father.
Prayer is the number one “KEY” to how effective we are.
2 seconds is all it takes for you to examine your prayer life...
One... Two!
You know exactly where you stand in direct relationship with your Father.
2000 + Years ago, Jesus made the way for you to BOLDLY approach the Throne of Grace and ask anything you want of the Father. Sadly few have really ever done it to the depth our Father would like us to go.
It requires prayer to find out God’s will concerning any matter.
How can you touch someone (I mean really make a difference) if you are not in tune with the Creator of all things, and hearing what His heart is concerning the matters you decide to pray about?
Jesus walked in the ways of His Father. That is how we are to walk. Follow Jesus' example and do only what the Father tells you to do. You will find that only comes by spending time in His presence, and “yes” His Spirit will guide you into all truth.
I will also be so bold as to say, that the church as it has been is over!
What does prayer and a direct relationship with our Father, and the discontentment with how things have been run have to do with each other?
There Is A Direct Connection.
The local churches world wide have done a good job of keeping the people tied down and not freeing them to walk into the Most Holy place on their own, or to even use the giftings God has given each one of us, without their permission or approval.
We were for generations brainwashed (for lack of another word) to believe that we need the pastor to hear from God for us ( that is not Christ's will for us at all) and then submit to his/her opinions, and if we did not take his/her or his/her staffs advice, we were labeled rebels, loners, outcasts, unteachable, and black ball'd from their circle of churches, unable to do what Christ commanded us all to do (the Great Commission).
Imagine, being censored from talking with the brethren about the things God puts on our hearts, things that could benefit the body.
Discussion is one of the greatest forms of growth in an individual. As we start to discuss our faith, we tend to understand it more as well as bring new revelations (as God’s Spirit directs).
This has been successfully shut out by preaching and listening. Only one view point is given.
Mid week bible studies are more apt to have the freedom for round table discussions and produce more fruit in ones life if given the opportunity to participate with input.
Our current church systems have systematically taken control of what you can or cannot do in order to minister. Thus controlling the people and tying them down. That was NEVER God’s plan. His plan was to release us.
NOTE:
I am not against the local church I am not against God's Church. But, I am relaying those things that Jesus is personally against and these are the things he shared with me. He is against those who control God’s people for the sake of building their legacies or “their ministries”. He is against those who use God’s word to tie down God’s children who He has called, equipped and gifted. He is against those leaders who refuse to use anyone without being first approved by them and their litmus tests.
He is against those leaders who are governed by someone other than Jesus Christ himself.
He is against those leaders who speak the word, but have never actually applied it or genuinely live it. (He states about them... Depart from me you evil doers, I never knew you).
Note Cont:
God is a God of order, but many abuse the order and mistake it as a right to abuse and control God’s Sheep. Many leaders (not all) are also told what to do by their governing parties/boards and their counsel is not in the best interest of Christ or His sheep.
In the Old Testament Moses' tabernacle, only the priest heard or entered into God’s presence, but it is not so any longer, not since Jesus rend the veil in two.
”All May Come”
The bible states that there is only One who is in control of His church and that is Jesus (Christ is the head of the church).
Sadly, church leaders around the globe do not really believe that.
No they call us "their" sheep. That is not truth at all.
Jesus is the head of his church and we are the sheep of His pasture. We were bought by Him with His blood and we do not belong to anyone other than our Redeemer.
The rest are hire-lings told to “feed my sheep”.
Jesus told Peter: "Feed my sheep". Clearly defining whose sheep they are.
”The Word of God Also States That His Holy Spirit Will Guide You Into ALL Truth”
Is that really a true statement? Does it really mean that?
Sadly, church leaders from around the globe don't believe God is really capable of teaching you without anyone else’s help.
They say they believe, but their actions are contrary to their words.
If they really believed those scriptures to be true, they would not call the church "their church" and the people "their sheep", or talk about "their ministry".
Did Jesus lie when He spoke these things or did He absolutely mean them? “Christ is the head of the church” & “His Holy Spirit will guide you into ALL truth”.
He was telling the truth!!! So those statements are profoundly powerful.
Where do you stand in your relationship with Him? Is someone seeking Him for you (Moses' tabernacle) or are you in direct fellowship with your God? (David’s Tabernacle).
"God said In the last days I will restore David’s Tabernacle", not Moses’ or Solomon’s.
The church of today even though it is a new testament church, (or founded after the new testament was written) It has been a continued display of the outer court ministry of Moses' tabernacle.
What do I mean? Holding captive those who Christ set free. Those who Christ invited into the Most Holy place with Him, by failing to teach the people how to personally enter in and believing the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth.
In Moses' Tabernacle, the people only went there to receive forgiveness and to worship/praise. It was mostly take, take, take, a lot like today’s church.
”Why Do You Go?”
Most people will say to receive and be blessed.
That is not how it was ever supposed to be.
I mean... be honest here... how many of you ever feel like you just can't make it till the next service to get your spiritual fix?
Do you ever feel like you're not going to make it till the next service as a Christian?
If so, your view of church, it’s role, and Christ’s relationship with you has been greatly misguided.
If this is you, you have not been properly enabled to touch the face of God daily on your own, let alone "trusted" by others that you have the ability to actually submit directly to God without a middle man (pastor) telling you what to do or needing their permission to do what God puts on your heart.
Jesus is the Head of His church and not another!
Personal relationship with Him is what He desires for you!
If this seems a bit overwhelming, hang in there, this is about Christ’s Church and how prayer directly engages you with what He is doing today in the earth. (it clearly also defines and divides “His Church” from “their church”.
Jesus liberates "His" people and Frees them from the control of man as we submit to His Spirit daily. That also means dying to your flesh, and your desires. (There is always a price to pay for real freedom, and this kind of thinking will also get you in trouble with many local establishments).
When Jesus was walking the earth 2000+ years ago, He went against organized religion because they controlled the people and kept them from entering into God’s presence.
The same still applies today. God is the same yesterday today, and forever.
The church of today has enabled the "take" mentality and co-dependency on the pastor for our salvation and ability to stand.
Your stand as a Christian should be this... whether we never walk through the doors of another church building, our faith and relationship with our Creator “Will Not Ever Be Moved”, and our life as a whole will continually be a testimony of Him and Worship unto Him.
Old Testament..Moses' Tabernacle: The high priest was the only one allowed directly into the Holy of Holies, and his job/duty was not to walk in and be blessed, but to walk in and minister unto the Lord. “Minister unto the Lord”.. Give, Give, Give!!
David’s tabernacle is also a reflection of the Holy of Holies and Jesus' rending the veil of separation for all to come.
All were able to enter into God’s presence, but it was different, it was offering up before their God, Incense of praise, and Sacrifice of praise, entering into His presence “not” to receive, but to minister unto the Lord.
That is what has begun again. True hunger for the Living God and Him alone is what Christians are awakening to. No longer do the “hoops” of programs satisfy or the control that has tied down God’s people and their calls and giftings.
Status quo of today’s Christian church is give me, give me, give me. But Jesus rend the veil in two saying “all may come into His presence”.
Remember, When ministering unto the Lord it is not about YOU!
It is not about whether or not you get blessed on Sunday, it is about giving to God what is due to Him... All Honor, and Glory, and Power, ALL your Heart, all your Soul, all your Mind, and all your Strength.
Does that sound like the church you've been attending?
I am also not talking about how much you do at the local church and their programs (works), I am specifically talking about ministering directly (time alone daily) with your Heavenly Father.
Is that what you are doing?
I personally got tired years ago playing church just so I could share the love of Jesus with someone, But I've never tired of my relationship with my Father, It is a daily “adventure”.
NOTE 1: God and the local church are not one and the same.
NOTE 2: The Church is Universal and has no walls. Here’s Proof!!
Jesus said He is coming for a church not made with hands! (is that you?)
NOTE 3: You are the church of God... Here’s Proof!!! (see note 4)
NOTE 4: Wherever 2 or more are gathered together in Christ’s name, He is there in their midst. When 2 or more sing to Him, and talk about Him and His word, you are having church. That is Church, you are the church! His church.
NOTE 5: The Kingdom of God is within you!
NOTE 6: Jesus is the Kingdom!
I Hope I Have Challenged Your Thinking After Reading This.
Be the Kings and Priests that God intended you to be!
You! Move God's hand today... pray and minister to Him.
Ask Him "what can I do for You today"?
Wait for the answer, stay alert and He will use you mightily.
He will guide you into all truth.
The gates of hell shall not prevail against His church.
The Revolution has already begun... for those who have ears to hear.
Kenny out
