David Ravenhill is a friend. He is uncompromising in His pursuit of Christ and His Kingdom, much like his father Leonard was. Depending on how you look at these comaprisons below you will either laugh or cry but the truth as funny as it may seem is very real and very grievous. I feel like we may have some amens to David's comparison of the credentials of an apostle. R.R.
‘You put to the test those who call themselves apostle and they are not, and you found them to be false.’ Revelation 2:2
This would be funny if there wasn't so much truth in it. My mind goes back to an ordination of a nationally know minister who was getting huge press regarding a revival that was reported to be going on under his ministry. This man was surrounded with nationally known prophets and apostles. Many many great words were given by these leaders regarding this mans ministry. Within a month the foundations of the revival started to crumble, there was much damage done to the body of Christ but there was not one of
ReplyDeletethese prophets and apostles who saw what was going on either in the natural or the spiritual. I am hungry for something real,the world is hungry for something real, but what we are getting is men building their own kingdoms.
Randy
Randy, you are so right. I know what you were talking about and it was very clear that all discernment was shut down as agenda's and personal gain came to the forefront. It still is happening. But you are right, People want the real, and are leaving religion and embellished hype for something real. May the Lord help us to be truly His ambassadors who walk in His nature as we represent Him and His Kingdom... Randy come join us on our network www.convergingzone.com/one God bless
ReplyDeleteRandy, you are correct. I don't want to make a blanket statement here, but much of what we term apostolic seems to have more to do with titles and power. The expression 'building the Kingdom' has been so overdone and misused I get sick of hearing it now, because it seems more about building mens' fiefdoms. Besides, God doesn't need his kingdom built for Him, it's already in us and we establish it by sharing with others.
ReplyDeleteA certain very high-profile leader of a "mega-church" has said that HE believes [not what the Bible SAYS] that Jesus ate at all the best restaurants and stayed at the best hotels. This lie justifies why HE does the same, and flies 1st class when traveling. I wonder if he ever read the story of Brother Yun, "The Heavenly Man"? I am sorry if they think that living in the lap of luxury is being a "partaker of Christ's sufferings". I'm just sorry if they think that jostling for position...."Me first!" is washing dirty feet, and sitting in the humble seats in the buildings they call church. How many of them have the prime parking spot in the car park with "Pastor Dr. James Smith D.D., Ph.Theology" - NO PARKING! written on a prominent sign BEFORE the Invalid parking? How sad that they have set themselves ABOVE the Master. Like Randy, there are SO MANY who are hungry for the real thing, spiritually, but so many who don't know the way to find it, because they have been LED by those very same deceivers down a path that leads AWAY from the real relationship that God seeks for us to have with Him and Jesus.....that we may be ONE!....filled with, and glorifying Him in us. (John 15 thru 17)
ReplyDeleteLORD, hear the cries of Your sheep, lost in the darkness, and we pray that YOU will go out and bring them into the safety of YOUR fold, we pray in the wonderful name of He who died for us that we might live, Jesus Christ! To Him be all glory and power! To You be thanks and praise, dear Father, Amen and AMEN.
The Great Leveling is coming, and is already here. What can be shaken is being shaken, so that only what is unshakable will remain. We had better start studying the Gospels and the Acts, and the Chinese Church, because that is where we are headed. It will no longer be "the Apostle Paul"; it will be "Paul, an apostle". There is a world of difference between those two descriptives. One speaks of title and position; the other of function and faithfulness.
ReplyDeleteHang on, church. This is going to be good.
I was hoping for some real instruction on how the apostolic is moving in our day. I'm disappointed. There are real apostles out there. Please find them and report on what they are doing and what God is accomplishing through them.
ReplyDeleteDavid, is, as usual, right on the money. I so wish there were more following in Jesus' & Paul's footsteps - as we are commanded to do!! I pray God's will & true Kingdom will be done and all else are done away! The real shines with so much of God's glory, while the false needs any and all of man's props in order to appear glorious!
ReplyDeleteGreat comments, I will try and have David comment on this as well. You are all seeing it and those who choose to steal glory, power, and profit from others have had discernment removed and delusion increased. God is exposing them in their folly.
ReplyDeleteCould not agree more! They not only are self seeking and shallow, they have no fruit! Nothing in their sphere of influence point to the cross of Christ and their followers are easily confused as they have no true examples to be pointed to...
ReplyDeleteI really didn't want to go on a rant here Rob, so forgive me if it seems that way.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, these super-apostles have the power they do because we listen to them. Let's face it, how many of us have based our decisions and doctrines on what they've told us or cowered under the threats of divine punishment if we weren't 'under authority' or should 'be critical'? How many of us have read their books because we were told it would unlock freedom, finances, etc. or have traveled 1000 miles to a conference they speak at? Of course, not all of it was bad, and a lot of good did result, however, the danger is when we relinquish our God-given autonomy and discernment and run around jumping through hoops because we believed all of it.
That being said, I believe that true apostles and prophets have always been around (contrary to what some teach) and I think many of them are people that aren't/weren't well known, didn't write 80 books or travel around straightening everyone out in the 10000 churches they are over. (Forgive my sarcasm here lol).
I guess it's like a true prophet...you know them when you meet them, it's a part of who they are, they don't have to write it on their business cards.
Stephen, please do not cease from ranting and raving, it is truth, I would love to have you on our network. I want as many with passionate truth like you have to be around me. Here is how you get involved and we will be addressing this in several venues through the network. www.convergingzone.com/one
ReplyDeleteThanks for your response Robert. If by your network are you referring to your mailing list? I do receive your weekly Visionary Strategies newsletter and have you on my friend list on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteStephen, this is our relational network, use this in your browser www.convergingzone.com/one and you would fit well with this growing bunch of Kingdom seekers. Come on board :)
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