BEST OF TIMES AND WORST OF TIMES

Good Things That Are Coming out of This CRISIS (both naturally and spiritually)

 

 

 

Priority shifts (more attention on what really matters)

 

Which are you living in right now: The Best of Times or the Worst of Times. You decide. I choose to live in the Best of Times.

 

Good Things: Best of Times

 

Priority shifts (more attention on what really matters)

 

Alone Time--Countless benefits to quiet alone time to reflect, meditate, pray, and just sort through our thoughts. According to researchers, alone time has been linked to increased happiness, improved stress management, and better life satisfaction, not to mention praying without ceasing. 

 

People are helping the most fragile members of our communities--Stores are making special shopping hours to keep seniors away from the crowds, and people are organizing to keep the elderly and homebound fed and comforted.

 

Increased/stronger family and friend interaction and connection--People are enjoying time together with their family. We are having conversations, eating together, playing games, reading together and just enjoying being in the company of the ones we love.  This engagement of people with their friends and family is resulting and realizing what matters most as they have limited access to normal life for a short time.

 

We are spending more time outside in the sunshine and fresh air.

 

People are exercising.

 

Pollution is way down (Even Venice canals, lakes and streams are clearing up. The earth will be refreshed a bit.

Game-changing donations coming in all over the world--Individuals, professional athletes, musicians, celebrities, and businesses large and small, are all stepping up to the plate to donate money and supplies to help protect those on the front lines and people all over the world who are feeling the impact of the virus.

 

Technology is being used for great things--Musicians are performing free concerts online, museums and art galleries are using technology for virtual tours, and online learning centers are slashing rates for people to take courses and churches are streaming services. Teleconferencing and video conferencing like zoom are at an all-time high with churches having prayer and communication online.

 

We are reconnecting with our pets. Happy pets and reduction of stress for owners.

 

We are cooking homemade meals. The course of the day is nutritionally-packed meals in an effort to stay as healthy as possible.

People are being more health conscious (taking vitamins, minerals, supplements and using essential oils)

We are learning how to be more self-sufficient. Many are planning and already starting to grow their own vegetable gardens, like the Victory gardens of WWII.

 

Financial Planning—People are realizing that they should be prepared for times like these. Less buying and impulsive spending and more saving.

 

FOR THE CHURCH

 

THE CHURCH HAS LEFT THE BUILDING!! The harvest has begun. Believers are more in prayer, evangelistic minded. There is greater clarity and action pertaining to real purpose of the church. We are realizing we are the Church, not the building. And the great commission is more of a priority.

 

Believer’s understanding of who they are in Christ, versus the brick and mortar building that houses them as they congregate.

And of course, the realization of a Great Move of God, Gods people returning to Him. And unbelievers being saved. We are realizing evangelism is each one teach one, discipling those who the Lord brings to you.

 

1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment/crisis; because as He is, so are we in this world.

G2920   (Strong)κρίσις. Krisis. English crisis

  

Yes, we are in a time of crisis but also in the time that perfect love casts out all fear.

 

CHURCH OF TOMORROW

The CHURCH of TOMORROW - written in 2001, Dr. Mary Sue Davis

 

"We want to get back to real 'New Testament' Christianity." But what exactly does that look like?

 

This is an important topic - and something I have pondered a great deal over the years. What exactly would the 'New Testament Church' look like if it was translated into a modern western city?

 

To get started, I want you to forget about today's church just for a moment - with all her obvious problems and contradictions, and picture something quite different. I want you to imagine that you are still living in the same city, in the same year, but you are right in the middle of a 'Book of Acts'-type scenario. Somehow everything has changed.

 

For some reason, all Christians in your city have left their denominations and divisions behind. They have truly begun to fulfill the prayer of Jesus - "That they all may be ONE". They now hold huge gatherings all over the city - right out in the open. And as well as these united gatherings, on most streets there is now a house-meeting, where all the Spirit-filled believers from that street gather together, eating and sharing and having communion, etc. (ie. A "NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH"). The power of God flowing in these house-meetings is amazing. Many healings and miracles are occurring. The 'gifts' flow freely every day.

 

It seems also that many of the church buildings and cathedrals have simply been abandoned. No longer do Christians want to hide themselves away behind "four walls". They want to gather out where the people are - presenting Jesus to the whole world. They want to be truly "one body". There is no way that any of their old buildings could contain the crowds, anyhow.

 

And the men whom God has raised up to lead this vast movement do not seem much like the 'Reverends' or even the 'televangelists' of old. In fact, quite a few of them have never even been to Bible College, and they seem to be very plain, ordinary people from humble backgrounds. But what an anointing! It is very clear to everyone that these 'apostles and prophets' (as they are known) have spent many years in prayer and brokenness before God - drawing closer and closer to Him. When they speak, the very fear of the Lord seems to come down, and many people repent deeply of their sins. Demons are cast out and the blind and crippled are made whole. -These kinds of things are happening all the time. The whole city is just in awe of what is going on, and thousands upon thousands are being saved. Even the newspapers and

television are full of it.

 

As soon as someone confesses Jesus they are immediately baptized in water and hands are laid on them for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. -This is expected from day one! And it is also expected that every Christian has a gift and calling from God - and that they should be encouraged to move forward and fulfill their calling. No longer is there a distinction made between those who are "ministers" and those who are merely 'laity'. Now it is expected that EVERYONE is a minister of the Lord! (However, there are 'elders' - ie. Older Christians to guide things).

 

Some of the bishops and pastors from several denominations have actually denounced this great move of God very strongly. They say it is "deception" and warn their people to stay away. Every Move of God in history has been accused of this - usually by religious leaders. But to be honest, it is so obvious to most people that God is the one behind it all, that very few take these men seriously. The Spirit of God is sweeping all before Him. The glory of the Lord has come.

 

One of the reasons that these leaders are so upset is that a lot of the Christians' GIVING now does not go to church buildings, but rather to the POOR. In fact, God has spoken to many people to start supporting widows and orphans overseas, etc. They also give generously to anyone in their midst who is in need. Many even sell their own possessions in order to do this.

 

The huge over-riding theme of this great movement is LOVE. "Behold how they love one another" is the catch-cry of many who watch this 'new church' in action. And everyone is given to MUCH PRAYER.

 

And so, gathering "as one" in the outdoors, ( meeting online) and breaking bread from house to house, they eat together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord adds to their number daily those who are being saved.

 

Can This REALLY HAPPEN?

 

The above description is taken straight out of the Book of Acts - as applied to today. Everything in the above paragraphs is put there to give you an idea of what it would be like to live in the Jerusalem church at the start of Acts. -And it was like that for YEARS. Imagine the impact of such a church on the world around it! God is wanting to do this again. And He wants to use ordinary people like you and me to help bring it to pass.

 

I am convinced that we are NOT supposed to treat the early church as a "special case". It was given to us as an 'example'. It is what the "normal" church should be like all the time! And yet we have fallen so far below this standard. Only in times of revival do we approach it again for a time. But I believe it is supposed to be "normal" for the church to be like this - day in and day out. This is the way that Jesus always wanted us to be and this is how the last move of God will be.

 

However, one thing is clear. It will take a great "SHAKING" for us to get anywhere close to the above description today.  (How many beforehand realized that the Covid-19 pandemic would be part of the shaking).

 

You have to be aware that in order to get there from here, a whole lot of 'hierarchies' and church boards and careers and titles and positions would be on the line. And a lot of men simply don't want to lose those things. It doesn't matter to them whether it is Truth or not. If it affects their reputation, their position or their organization, they will oppose it with everything they have.

 

Sadly, it is very difficult to see a "smooth" transition to this kind of Christianity. I believe we are in for a shaky ride. But I certainly believe that it is on God's agenda. And like the Great Reformation before it, I believe He will do WHATEVER IT TAKES in order to get us there.(This is truly the Great Awakening)!

 

Here's to true 'NEW TESTAMENT' Christianity, my friends - the kind that Jesus and the apostles actually invented in the beginning. Let us settle for nothing less - WHATEVER IT TAKES.

 

(Little did we realize that the new normal for church would be conference calls, zoom room, meeting outdoors and meeting on FB.  The church has left the building. Years ago we prophesied, “ The church as we know it is no more.”)

 

Words in parentheses added May 31, 2020

 

 

 

GATHERING OF THE EAGLES

Gathering of the Eagles

 

 

 

As we know eagles represent prophets.

 "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They will SOAR high on wings like eagles…" Isaiah 40:31a

 

"Eagle" comes from the Hebrew word, nesher, meaning "a tearer with the beak."

 

God created these birds with a unique inner eyelid that allows them to see in extreme brightness and much farther than we can.

 

Eagle prophets are usually seers. They see with clarity.

 

Eagles are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible, describing how God cares for His children [Exodus 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:11-12], 

 

Prophets are seen as ministers who care, sharpen, exhort, comfort and edify the Body of Christ.

 

1 Corinthians 14:3  But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.

 

Exhort means "to incite," and it often implies ardent urging or admonishing.

 

Once a year the eagles gather together to molt.

 

The eagle's survival is largely linked to its feathers. They rely on their plumage to identify, insulate, protect and fly. As time goes by, oil and dirt will coat the feathers of the eagle, causing them to fray and inhibit them from flying like they once did. Calcium builds up on their beak and talons causing them to dull, thus altering their ability to hunt and provide food. While they build their nests high on mountain ridges far away from danger, for an eagle to endure this process of molting, they descend together the valley; to a cleft of a rock or cliff, or a tree.

 

Starting from the head down, the eagle will pull out up to two-thirds of all its feathers; removing the heavy, damaged ones and allowing room for new feathers to grow. Without its regal plumage, the eagle is rendered unable to fly. Returning to their youthful, eaglett-like appearance [Psalm 103:5], the bird can only hop around like a turkey. The process of shedding and regrowing can take five months. 

 

Obviously, this process makes the eagle incredibly vulnerable. Because of their weakened state, they make easy targets for predators and are less able to fight disease or combat stresses. Some experts report that in such a weakened state, the bird who can normally spot dinner up to three miles away, loses its ability to tear - drying out its eyes and drastically diminishing vision. After removing their damaged feathers, the eagle will take his calcified beak and bang it against the rocks, chipping it until the weight is removed - he now must allow it to regrow and sharpen. The same goes for his talons, claws. 

 

Researchers have observed this rare event and noticed that in the weakened eagle's state, there was another eagle, always appearing older, who would bring food to the location of the molting one. They would scream as they circled over the site, alerting danger and shouting encouragement. De-feathered, de-clawed, and with a broken beak, unable to fly/hunt/provide the eagle then seeks out sunshine, Sun/Son. The vitamins it soaks in from the warmth of the sun allow it to heal more quickly. 

 

To soar with the renewed strength of the eagle, we must be willing to endure this painful and tedious process called MOLTING.

 

Older Birds

More mature birds are the ones who provide nourishment, warn of danger and convey encouragement.  They are shouting , making eagle calls, shrieks encouragement as he/she watches over  the others  He/She is never vulnerable or defenseless.  They as well draw strength from spending time resting in the sun /The Son.

 

Eagles Molting

 So, this time sharpens their vision – realigns their focus – renews their purpose – enhances their prophetic life

 

When the process is finished, they fly off together and then go their separate ways.