Eze. 37:7 Dem Bones, Dem Bones

Eze. 37:7 in context speaks of the "Valley of Dry Bones", as a prophecy of Israel returning back to the land God had given them. Not as two separate nations like before but one whole and united nation.

Current preachers and evangelist have used it as an illustration of a dead lost man being breathed with new life. And rightly so used. Also many churches that have gone through a great lose in membership have received strenght from these verses with hope of risen again and being used by God.

Here I would like to bring out another biblical truth from these verses. In the Lord's dealings with us He has one goal in mind. To make us as Christ-like as can be. This goes for individuals, churches and ministries. In doing so we are striped of our carnal nature or "flesh". As little or as much as we will let Him.

During this process the Lord can and will us individuals, churches or ministries as He can and as we make ourselves available. It is when we are striped of all flesh and lie in a pile of dry bones that the Lord can do something great with us. Watching CSI on TV I've learned something interesting. When bones are dry to the point of being bleached like verse 2 says "very dry", all traces of the person is gone even the all important DNA.

Jesus is recorded in John 12:24 as saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto you. Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." When we die to our selves with our dreams, passions, goals and destinies, then the Lord can stand us up. Put us together. Give us new strength and flesh. and most of all breathe His breath into us to make us a mighty army for His service.

So if you find yourselves or church/ministry "Very Dry" to the point of hopelessness, submit to His dealings and put-away yourself. Making yourself available to His makings. And there will be a "Great Shaking".

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles; Lest the Lord see it, and it displease Him, And He turn away His wrath from him".
Proverbs 24:17-18

I have worked with many people and have been mistreated many times by those over me. It seems that it is real easy to hope that the person gets demoted, fired or the business goes bad because I am not there. Or even go out of business. But the Lord tells us to "pray for our enemies and bless those that abuse you".(Paraphrase Matt. 5:44) I wonder how many companies that have treated their employees bad and still do well because the people of God secretly prayed to see them "get theirs" and fall. Therefore, God turned His wrath from them.
Next time you see a person fall that had treated you wrong, let the Lord guide you in ways to bless him. Who knows maybe the Lord will defeat an enemy by making him a friend. And above all if we are bought by Christ and therefore not our own, we have no right to be offended by others. We must turn it over to our Master Jesus and trust Him to take care of it His way. We then have no worry or stress over it.

On Being A New Testament Church Part 4: Fellowship

Continuing from my previous post on Being A New Testament Church I would like to take up were I left off. Verse 42 of the Second Chapter of Acts states that, "And they continued steadfastly in the apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayers".
In my opinion their actions are centered on "fellowship". We could say it this way,” And they did not give up fellowshipping around the apostle's teachings with communion and prayer".
First, they did not give up fellowship. Not because of a busy schedule and not because they did not like someone in the church.
Second, they fellowshipped around Bible study. The lecture type of preaching is good for individual growth. Bible study around fellowship is good for the spiritual growth of the church group. Not just the teachings of the original apostles, but contempary apostles mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 in which there is not reason to mention that these will teach according to the scriptures.
Third, they fellowshipped around meals, which included the "Breaking of Bread" or communion. This service is invaluable in the spiritual growth of the Church. As the early Christians shared there meals together, this observance helped them to stay focused on the whole purpose of being together.
And fourth, they fellowshipped around prayer. More than just having a small prayer time during a service, but fellowshipping around the prayer time; sharing, uplifting each other in prayer.
These four focuses in fellowship are all part of the "becoming a New Testament Church". The verses after 2:42 shows the fruits that define a NTC.
In truth the fruits do not define us when we meet, but when we as a Church operate as individuals and as a part of the Body of Christ on Earth. Have you ever met a person that lived like a non-believer and then found out that they attended a church? It is hard not to judge the Church by those individuals and the Bible teaches that we should not do so, but we see the fruits of the Church. And I believe that if the principles in 2:41-42 are lived, then the Church will not have to worry about being judged by non-believers. And we can truly believe that we are New Testament Christians therefore making up a New Testament Church.
In conclusion I must admit that no group of scriptures in themselves will point out a formula for building a New Testament Church, but only a group of people who love Jesus and are committed to serving Him together, lead by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God will ever become what the New Testament Church was and did.
Or better still will become to Latter-day Church

Quote On Reformation and Revival by Francis A. Schaeffer

"The Church in our generation needs reformation, revival, and constructive revolution. At times men think of the two words, reformation and revival, as standing in contrast one to the other, but this is a mistake. Both words are related to the word restore.
Reformation refers to a restoration to pure doctrine; revival refers to a restoration in the Christian life. Reformation speaks of a return to the teachings of scripture; revival speaks of a life brought into its proper relationship to the Holy Spirit.
The great moments of Church history have come when these two restorations have simultaneously come into action so that the Church has returned to pure doctrine and the lives of the Christian in the Church have known the power of the Holy Spirit. There cannot be true revival unless there has been reformation; and reformation is not complete without revival.
Such a combination of reformation and revival would be revolutionary in our day-revolutionary in our individual lives as Christians, revolutionary not only in reference to liberal Church but constructively revolutionary in the evangelical, orthodox church as well.
May we be those who know the reality of both reformation and revival so that this poor dark world may have an exhibition of a portion of the Church returned to both pure doctrine and Spirit-filled life."
Death in the City by Francis A. Schaeffer, InterVarsity Press, 1969-1976, Page 12

Epistle of Temp #43

The new job is going well. I am Temp #43. As mentioned before I am employed with a temp agency and assigned to a snack foods production plant were we make snack foods of peanuts, almonds and cashews. Forget the peanut scare. That was across the Al-Ga. border.
I have a one hour lunch which I am not used to, were I can read. I'm in the process of reading "100 Days in the Arena by David Winter. I is divided in to 100 days of reading using quotes and writings from the early church fathers. (example: Polycarp...etc.)
Here is one that is good,"When I put off the old, that I had longed to lose, then I put on the new, the Lord Christ, whom I had longed to find..." Day 43 Augustine of Hippo (The readings are longer centered around the quotes)
I printed a copy of the letter of Polycarp to the Philippians. It is mostly quotes from other scriptures, but it is a valuable link to the early teachings of the Disciples.
We are studying in Church the Holy Spirit and how to be Baptized, Filled and lead-by Him.
I hope to write soon on these issues as used in the workplace. Your comments are needed.

Employed Again

I started work last monday at Bremner Food Group here in Dothan. I am working through Personal Resources.
I would like to thank all those who prayed for me and offered encouragement.
I realize in our present economy this job could be gone. But one thing I have learned and that is not to put our trust in Companies, people, or government. Unless the Lord is using such in His grand work in our lives.
I have heard many say things like," If we give God our best, He will give us His best" and when commenting on volunteering at church that,"we will get paid in the end". Well I am here to say that the Lord has already given His best. And yes the Bible has a lot to say about sowing and reeping. And that is good. But we must grow in our faith to the point where our giving is because we love the Lord and He has already given our best. When we come to this point we can truly trust in God to take care of us. My children do not have to do anything for us to take care of them. So why do we think we must give in order to get from our heavenly Father.

Unemployed Again: Update

Still have not found any "Paying" work. Had some problem with my unemployment claim, but it is now resovled.I have been volunteering at the "Ark Ministry Center" where I ateend Church. And my Brother-n-law and wife have been teaching me furniture uphostery.I have been reading a book intitled "Shattered Vocations", it has sparked in me an old calling.I am at the point where the job-for-pay is not that emprtant. To find a job that will provide for my family and help me to keep in miostry without support from the Church. A "tentmaking ministry".So I am open to anything as long as it keeps me in my calling. I interviewed with Cook's Pest Control last Wedensday. It went good. I did not know that Cook's was a christian based company. They let me know that right off-the-bat. That was refreshing.Anyway, thanks for the prayers and support. Wayne

Unemployed Again

Once again I find myself unemployed. Dunbarton Corp in Dothan layed about 32 of us off because of lack of work. (So order some Slimfold doors and Redi-frame door frames) I left this time with my head high and trying to please the Lord. They informed us well in advance that they were going to do it. By seniority. When they called me in to give me the bad news, I told them that they were just doing their jobs and that I understood how hard it was. I have had to hire and fire many in my life. I asked them if I could pray with them and they consented. Afterwards I went to each Manager and supervisor that I had had and told them I appreciated the chance to work for them.
When asked what I would do from my co-workers , I replied that I would do what I had did when I took the job. Trust God. The company could knock God off His throne.
So here I am unemployed and trying to be lead by the Holy Spirit in my job hunt.
I know this sounds really weird to you unbelievers, but if you have a better way, let me know. I've tried it all on my own and it did not work.
That is the lesson that we as a nation will learn. No man or group can heal our land. Until we admit that we need God to pull us out of the mess we got ourselves into.
I pray for you Mr. President, but
You can not bring real change,
You can not bring real hope,
Only the Lord Jesus can.
Yes you made History, but it is not as big as the history Jesus Christ will make when He returns.

No Real Change and No Real Hope

I got this email the other day and wanted to commit. I see a lot of truth here. It is a shame that we really have not come far at all. Yes we have a black president, but wouldn't it be great to be such a nation that race did not even make a difference. Did not MLK dream mean that there would not be a difference. I beg to say that there will not be any real change until Jesus Christ rules in our leader's hearts and HOPE is only found in Him (Jesus).
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"WHITE" Pride"
This is great. I have been wondering about why Whites are racists, and no other race is.....
Proud to be White Michael Richards makes his point..............
Michael Richards better known as Kramer from TVs Seinfeld does make a good point.
This was his defense speech in court after making racial comments in his comedy act.
He makes some very interesting points... Someone finally said it.
How many are actually paying attention to this?
There are African Americans, Mexican Americans, Asian Americans, Arab Americans, etc.
And then there are just Americans.
You pass me on the street and sneer in my direction.
You call me 'White boy,' 'Cracker,' 'Honkey,' 'Whitey,' 'Caveman'... and that's OK.
But when I call you, Nigger, Kike, Towel head, Sand-nigger, Camel Jockey, Beaner, Gook, or Chink ..
You call me a racist.
You say that whites commit a lot of violence against you... so why are the ghettos the most dangerous places to live?
You have the United Negro College Fund.
You have Martin Luther King Day.
You have Black History Month.
You have Cesar Chavez Day.
You have Yom Hashoah.
You have Ma'uled Al-Nabi.
You have the NAACP.
You have BET...
If we had WET (White Entertainment Television), we'd be racists.
If we had a White Pride Day, you would call us racists.
If we had White History Month, we'd be racists.
If we had any organization for only whites to 'advance' OUR lives, we'd be racists.
You have a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a Black Chamber of Commerce, and then we just have the plain Chamber of Commerce.
Wonder who pays for that??
A white woman could not be in the Miss Black American pageant, but any color can be in the Miss America pageant.
If we had a college fund that only gave white students scholarships...
You know we'd be racists.
There are over 60 openly proclaimed Black Colleges in the US .
Yet if there were 'White colleges', that would be a racist college.
In the Million Man March, you believed that you were marching for your race and rights.
If we marched for our race and rights, you would call us racists.
You are proud to be black, brown, yellow and orange, and you're not afraid to announce it.
But when we announce our white pride, you call us racists.
You rob us, carjack us, and shoot at us.
But, when a white police officer shoots a black gang member or beats up a black drug dealer running from the law and posing a threat to society, you call him a racist.
I am proud... But you call me a racist.
Why is it that only whites can be racists??
There is nothing improper about this e-mail.
Let's see which of you are proud enough to send it on.
I sadly don't think many will.
That's why we have LOST most of OUR RIGHTS in this country.
We won't stand up for ourselves!
BE PROUD TO BE WHITE!
It's not a crime YET... but getting very close!