Yes, You MUST Go to Church!

This is a message for those who are called to ministry, but have abandoned Christian assembly...

My heart has really been grieved concerning the state of the church, meaning the physical assembly of God’s people, in relation to what we consider to be true ministry. God has been dealing with me about how we as leaders, often try to fulfill our call to ministry OUTSIDE of His will and plan. Never before in my life have I met so many Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers with no affiliation to a physical church body or local assembly. Yet, everyone has a reason, or an excuse.

As a prophet, God has dealt with me harshly about this, because I am called to speak forth His heart and set order. Yet, not only have I become passive about the issue, but I’ve even allowed those who move outside of God’s order to rebuke me and shut my mouth. Shame on Joy Allen!

First, let me say that I empathize with the situation faced by some. Many of us have gone through or will experience times when we feel, for whatever reason, that we cannot commit to fellowshipping with a local body of believers. It may be a sick family member, a move to a new town, a life-changing event like the birth of a child, or even just a moment of rest to seek God and hear His voice for the next move. I believe God allows these seasons for some, in various situations and for different reasons. Yet, the Word of God and its commandments are still true. We must not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. At no point in anyone’s life should an individual become comfortable or content without regular assembly with other saints.

Heb 10:24 And let us consider {and} give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love {and} helpful deeds {and} noble activities,
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking {or} neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

So many times, we need to separate for a time, but then begin to reason away the need for fellowship. This is very dangerous - a ploy of the enemy that is attacking the Body of Christ. When in these situations, we must continue searching for a local body, consistently praying that God will provide our need for fellowship and lead us to a place of worship.
This is the bottom line - God's Word does not lie. We must do as we are commanded. It saddens and frustrates me to see so many who have taken on active roles in “ministry,” but refuse to surrender under the authority of a church body. This is an epidemic that must be addressed, as God is revealing it.

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate now for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
Acts 13:3 Then after fasting and praying, they put their hands on them and sent them away.

Acts 13:8 But Elymas the wise man--for that is the translation of his name [which he had given himself]--opposed them, seeking to keep the proconsul from accepting the faith.
Acts 13:9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with {and} controlled by the Holy Spirit, looked steadily at [Elymas]
Acts 13:10 And said, You master in every form of deception {and} recklessness, unscrupulousness, {and} wickedness, you son of the devil, you enemy of everything that is upright {and} good, will you never stop perverting {and} making crooked the straight paths of the Lord {and} plotting against His saving purposes?

Often, God brings me back to this Scripture when dealing with the issue of whether people should have a spiritual "covering". One thing we can gather here is that the church of Acts was set up as a foundation, an example, of how the New Testament church should look, behave and operate. The Bible says that God moved and spoke through His Holy Spirit when the people worshipped in unity. Then, He gave instruction for the Apostles to lay hands on particular persons and send them out. So many today feel that they can anoint themselves, just as Elymas did in the Scriptures to follow shortly after. Now, I have met some mighty men and women of God who may not have been "ordained" by the traditional, physical laying on of hands, but the people of God knew their spirits. They could bare witness to the calling and the gifts within them, and would frankly ordain them if asked. Why? Because they bore fruit. Their testimony was sure, and they operated in order. Part of that fruit is understanding SUBMISSION and SERVANTHOOD. Yes, one is truly called of God WANTS to submit and DESIRES to serve.

PEOPLE OF GOD, STOP PLAYING THE ROLES THAT GOD HAS NOT CALLED YOU TO. THIS IS THE BOTTOM LINE: IF YOU SAY YOU ARE AN APOSTLE, A PROPHET, A TEACHER, A PASTOR, AN EVANGELIST - YET NO ONE BEARS WITNESS WITH YOU IN THE SPIRIT, CHECK YOURSELF! We are too busy with trying to carry an office. Who can vouch for you? Where is your accountability? Who sent you out? Yes, it is necessary! This is the Word. Why do we think we know better than God? We don't!

God is so awesome. He’s so thorough, that He even set up a system of “checks and balances” for the church. Yes, everyone knows the Scriptures regarding the Ascension gifts or the "Five-Fold" ministry: Ephesians 4:11-12 and 1st Corinthians 14. All the gifts rely on one another. They bare witness with one another. Most importantly, they are operational within an assembly! Yes, somebody ought to bare witness with you. Somebody ought to be willing to send you out. Someone should want to share in your ministry.

Now I understand we must allow no man to lay hands on you suddenly. Some just want credit for your anointing, so you must be careful. Yet, if God calls you, He will provide the avenue to send you out - ACCORDING TO HIS WORD and within His protocol. No shortcuts!

To those who operate in the church, I pray that we can seek God at a new level. There are so many who feel there is no church with which they can fellowship – no one with whom they can pray and seek God. The Body of Christ, oftentimes, is not prepared to deal with the true needs of God’s people. Unfortunately, the churches are not reflecting the original plans, as demonstrated in Acts. We must continue seeking God, and restore the Christian assembly back to the place it should be.

James 1:27 External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit {and} help {and} care for the orphans and widows in their affliction {and} need, and to keep oneself unspotted {and} uncontaminated from the world.

Back to the original point: There is no reason that any minister of the Gospel should attempt to minister and operate outside of God's plan. Frankly, that requires a fellowship of local believers - not the internet, nor a virtual network on MSN, Yahoo! 360°, or a phpBB discussion board, but a physical church family that offers teaching and accountability. The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God. It then goes on to ask, how can they hear, except there be a preacher? Get under somebody's voice that is willing to be accountable for your soul and your ministry.

Lastly, in the way of tithes and offerings, please don't send money to anyplace where it cannot be accounted for. Be a good steward and send it only where you can bare witness that it is good ground. That should be in your own local church as well. Anyone who doesn't feel their church body is good ground needs to be praying. I'm not saying money cannot be planted in other places, but again, are we TRULY seeking God for direction according to HIS WORD or our OWN comfort zones?

Leaders and ministers of God, be encouraged and get in order. If God has truly called you, He will accommodate your ministry within the confines of His own plan. If you cannot operate in your gifts according to the instruction manual, sit them on the shelf. AMEN. Time is running short. Judgment comes first to the house of God. Imagine how many will be condemned just for not being in the proper place when the Savior shows up!!!

Because My House Lies in Waste...

I have been crying out to God on behalf of His people, myself included. It seems that we have missed so much, and that the people of God are going through so much. I have to ask God why. I had to seek further instruction and more clarification. Last week, the Lord began answering some of these questions, and my Pastor confirmed some things on Sunday. When she first said it, I thought it pertained only to our church, but God continued to deal with me and reveal that what she said pertained to the entire Body of Christ, as did the other things He shared with me.

She said, “The church is full of leaders, but there are no workers.” Oh, that statement hit me like a brick, because God told me so clearly last week that His house lies in waste. Everyone is in a position of authority (so we think), but there are few lamenting and doing the work of the Father – sitting at His feet and waiting for instruction – working to build the Kingdom. Initially, I thought of the physical church – the buildings and the congregations of the people, but the Lord quickly corrected me and lead me to the book of Haggai.

Hag 1:3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,
Hag 1:4 Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house [of the Lord] lies in ruins?

In the Old Testament, the temple of God housed the very glory of the Father. Not only that, but the house of God was also a safe haven for the people in a given city. Out of the temple, the poor were fed and the homeless could receive shelter and assistance. It was the center for ministry. Most importantly, God impressed on me that the house was the His dwelling place, the stage for His glory. So when I went back to this Scripture, I could here the Father asking, “Is it time for you yourselves to baste in your own glory while my worship remains in ruins?” Yes, back to the worship again.

Hag 1:5 Now therefore thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways {and} set your mind on what has come to you.
Hag 1:6 You have sown much, but you have reaped little; you eat, but you do not have enough; you drink, but you do not have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages has earned them to put them in a bag with holes in it.

Yes, many of us are in these situations. We survive, but are not satisfied. It seems as if something is incomplete – something is missing and void. While we strive to fill the void with more stuff, more money, more entertainment, more success – the glory of God is the missing piece. Pure worship is still lacking from amongst God’s people.

Hag 1:7 Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) {and} how you have fared.
Hag 1:8 Go up to the hill country and bring lumber and rebuild [My] house, and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified, says the Lord [by accepting it as done for My glory and by displaying My glory in it].

I hear God saying, “Get back to work.” Yes, it is time to get back to building the Kingdom. For two long, we’ve built our own ministries and our own churches, our own families and our own reputations. Again, I hear “UNITY.” It’s needed in order to build God’s Kingdom and usher in His glory. It’s needed in order to offer Him the praise and the worship He desires. It’s required in order to rebuild His house – to offer a dwelling place where His presence can dwell.

Hag 1:9 You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it].
Hag 1:10 Therefore the heavens above you [for your sake] withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its produce.

Priorities must be reordered this day. Too many of us are concerned with selfish desires and vain glory – we want to have the biggest church, the most popular ministry. We want to have the television show and the radio program. We want the fighting and the gossiping to stop at the church as long as we’re right and everyone else looks wrong. We’re concerned with wearing the nicest suit and the prettiest shoes instead of having a prepared spirit and a contrite heart. More concerned with decorating the church halls for guests than repenting and preparing our hearts for God’s presence to visit the house.

I even hear God reminding us that pure worship requires “sacrifice.” Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are bought with a price. When will we yield our lives to the Father and truly die daily to ourselves, that He may be glorified and our flesh crucified for His sake? How long will we allow the Father’s house to lie in waste while we dwell in our own agendas?

Be Encouraged

1 Cor 7:23 You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for by Christ]; then do not yield yourselves up to become [in your own estimation] slaves to men [but consider yourselves slaves to Christ].
1 Cor 7:24 So, brethren, in whatever station {or} state {or} condition of life each one was when he was called, there let him continue with {and} close to God.


Praise the Lord!

I just want to encourage the Body of Christ. I see that God's people are going through so much. Everyone is dealing with things - going through tests and trials. In times like these, it is so important that we encourage ourselves in the Lord and that we uplift one another in prayer.

Saints of God, we owe it to the Father to protect the investment He has placed in us. The Scriptures tell us that we are not our own, but we have been purchased with a price. God has purchased us with the blood of His only Son. How dare we allow the issues of this world and the people in our lives to bring to nought all that God has birthed in us - the gifts and callings...the power and anointing...the virtue and holiness.

Protect HIS investment. Saints, be careful about who has access to God's treasure. Don't let everyone and every situation get to you. Allow nothing to separate you from the love of God.

On this past Sunday, God reminded me of Jeremiah. He was called the weeping prophet, and he wrote an entire book of lamentations before the Father. Yet, even Jeremiah learned to encourage himself. In chapter 3, he said there was one thing he recalled to his mind, and therefore he had hope - it is only because of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not, they are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness!

Be encouraged, saints of God. Encourage yourselves! Protect the investment your Father has placed in you, and do not allow anyone or anybody to put that at risk. Amen.

What to do with a Word

I hear God saying, "Back to the basics..."

In the Body of Christ, it's so easy for us to get so "deep" that we forget the basics, the essentials that we must remember in order to please our Father. God has been dealing with the Body of Christ for over a year about unity, and we have all heard and/or read the prophetic words coming forth. Yet, it seems we are so easily divided over the very word that has summoned us to unite.

In these days, we know that God is concerned with obedience and holiness. We know that words of correction are coming forth. Yet still, it is so difficult to say, "Is it I, Lord?" I've been praying, because I see the prophets being attacked, and I know that more is to come. I see the doors opening for the "great falling away," yet I ask God how is it that the elect seemingly have such a hard time coming into a spirit of unity.

My Father simply showed me that many of us don't know what to do with a word!

_____

James 1:19 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense {and} to get angry.

So often, the word comes forth, and the first thing we do is allow our flesh to take the front seat. EVERY word should hurt the flesh. Yes, EVERY prophetic utterance should be uncomfortable to the natural man. People of God, we must rejoice in this. The Father chastises those whom He loves.

Saints of God, we must keep our ears open. Weigh every word, whether it be of the Father or not. Then react as appropriate. I heard Elmo (yes, the little red, fuzzy Elmo) say, "We should listen at least twice as much as we speak. Why? Because we have two ears, but only one mouth." Prophets of God, too many are speaking without hearing God. Too many are prophesying out of the flesh. Then, when a true word does come forth, the spirit of offense is already so rampant that one must fight to receive that which is truly from the Father. A word from on High comes with sacrifice. It comes with sweat and tears. It comes as a bullet for the MESSENGER before it cuts the HEARER.

James 1:20 For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].

The Bible tells us to be angry and sin not. So, we know the sin is not in the anger itself. Yet, when the flesh is elevated above the Holy Spirit within us, we cannot prophesy accurately and in the love of God. How can spiritual be birthed out of a vessel bowed to the flesh? We would never receive a prophesy given from someone in the act of fornication or theft. Yet, we are made to feel rebuked when we don't receive a word given out of anger, rage or revenge. Back to the basics - the word comes forth to edify, to strengthen, to give instruction and to correct. The word must be given in the same spirit it is received, not out of the spirit we have placed on it.

James 1:21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive {and} welcome the Word which implanted {and} rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

Oh, HUMILITY has become a scarce word in the Body of Christ. We're in a season where so many find it difficult to say "I'm sorry." "I made a mistake." Reminder: Without confession, repentance cannot be achieved. No one can repent for what is denied. We must "make room" for the word by living TRULY repentent lives...by dying daily...seeking the Father and living HOLY. So many underestimate and misunderstand HOLINESS. Can we get back to the point where the "saints" live without habitual sin - without fornication and adultery - without drunkenness, addictions and substance abuse (yes, tobacco included) - without lying and cheating - without hatred and bad attitudes? If not, the word will not be welcome. It will cut all the more.

James 1:22 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].

Is anyone else tired of the "Amen" corner that agrees with every messages, but never applies the word? I've been there. I've been guilty, myself. Yes, we must be careful to apply each word to our own lives. It's always easy to see how it can be used by others, but we are each individually responsible to DO it ourselves. That's the first responsibility, else we betray ourselves. We fool ourselves and become contrary to the truth. In that state, we cannot be used of the Father to help ourselves or anyone else to the fullest potential. That's right...the prophet with "N/A" stamped on their forehead cannot prophesy anything of substance to God's people!

James 1:23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it {and} being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
James 1:24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.

Yes, it is so easy to forget out own flaws. Even when I discipline my children, God often reminds me of how I did the same things...how I thought in the same manner. Saints, we must press in and ask God to show us what He sees. Then, we can't forget. Oh, we want to remember the good things: blessed in the city, blessed in the field, the head but not the tail... But we forget that which is ugly and needs to be cleaned. We forget that part that disgusts God. We forget that God has said we are as whores after idol gods...that we are disobedient and that is as the sin of witchcraft. Could this be cause for the lack of growth and deliverance?

James 1:25 But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it {and} perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

The bottom line - our Father blesses obedience! He takes pride in His children doing what He says - heeding to His word, be it rhema or logos. Back to the basics. Seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God, all the other things will be added. Seek to PLEASE THE FATHER first, and He will show us how to use our gifts for His glory. Why do we try to put our gifts before God - the creation before the creator? In this season, it will not prosper.

Pressing Past Offense in the Prophetic

I have truly gleaned from all God has been saying, through the Prophets, about true worship. I am learning so much, and hearing God speak over and over about how He wants our worship to come forth. This morning, I couldn't help but meditate even more on how true worshippers must be able to receive godly correction. Those who worship Him must do so in Spirit and in TRUTH.

The Word tells us that God chastises whom He loves, yet we tend to get so offended and hurt whenever correction comes our way. Sometimes it can be difficult, but I am able to accept the fact that I don't have it all together. I make mistakes, and some of them may cause me to feel some pain. I may be embarrassed behind some of them, or even insulted at the rebuke that comes forth. What I must do is learn to accept it and refuse to give up. We must always PRESS PAST OUR QUALIFICATION.

I was reading a Scripture this afternoon that I've been meditating on ever since. I was thinking of one of my recent rebukes. It made me a little angry and certainly made my flesh uncomfortable. Yet, I swallowed it and said, "OK, God. I just have to get it right." Yes, it hurt. Even more than the rebuke itself was the way God chose to deliver it. Yes, I had to deal with the flesh. I had to look past the person and hear the voice of God. Then, all I could say was "Ouch" and "Yes, Lord." It was true.

Oh saints, if we could just stop getting mad and dismissing the Word. Who cares how it comes or who it comes through? If it applies, fix it. Let God deal with the person if there is anything to be dealt with.

Anyway, I was reading this Scripture and noticed how Jesus rebuked the woman. Not only that, but He really insulted her. The strange thing is that she didn't go around and tell everyone how mean Jesus was to her. She didn't try to rebuke Him or correct Him for the "delivery" of His message. She didn't even argue. She accepted what He said. She knew she wasn't worthy. She knew she had no right to approach Him. In essence, she said, "Yes Lord, but I want more of YOU. I need YOU." She took it, and STAYED, so she was blessed. She took the blow, but continued to bow down, so she was blessed! Ah, what would she have missed if she allowed OFFENSE to rise up?

No, I'm not giving prophets a green light to be ugly, mean and hateful. I'm just encouraging us not to give so much attention to the messenger. Take the message and seek the Father. How is it that we allow God's rhema Word to be the very thing that turns us farther from Him. I'M GUILTY! I have received prophetic words that made me so angry, I immediately became bitter and moved into gossip, rebellion and strife. Yet, the Word was true! Yes, we must discern every word, and yes we must be careful about who speaks over us, but if we allow the Word to "search us", as my Pastor often says, and it is found to be true, take it, fix it, and continue to PRESS IN.

Matt 15:22 And behold, a woman who was a Canaanite from that district came out and, with a [loud, troublesomely urgent] cry, begged, Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is miserably {and} distressingly {and} cruelly possessed by a demon!
Matt 15:23 But He did not answer her a word. And His disciples came and implored Him, saying, Send her away, for she is crying out after us.
Matt 15:24 He answered, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matt 15:25 But she came and, kneeling, worshiped Him and kept praying, Lord, help me!
Matt 15:26 And He answered, It is not right (proper, becoming, or fair) to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.
Matt 15:27 She said, Yes, Lord, yet even the little pups (little whelps) eat the crumbs that fall from their [young] masters' table.
Matt 15:28 Then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish. And her daughter was cured from that moment.