WHY ARE WE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS
AN ADMONITION AND
WARNING TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
SCRIPTURES WHICH DEFINE THIS MINISTRY
(Ephesians 2:10; Jeremiah 1:4-19, 7:1-34; Ezekiel 33, Revelation3:14-21)
In 1997, shortly after entering full time ministry,
the Lord gave me a vision. He told me that I would see this happening in my
lifetime - I was 56 at the time.
I saw His Holy
Spirit turn the churches upside down and shake them violently. I saw that a few
were falling out of their comfortable pews and into the world. When the
churches were turned right side up there were still a large number in the
churches. I assumed that those remaining in the churches were the true
followers of Christ.
In 2003 as I was pastoring a small rural church I was
given the rest of the vision. I saw "The Body of Christ" - the
true believers - meeting and worshiping in their homes; witnessing in the
streets; ministering to the lost with the love of Christ. They were giving of themselves
much more than of their money and worldly goods. They were truly fulfilling the
Great Commission and being His ambassadors - bringing the agape love of Christ
to sinners. Many were repenting of their sin and coming to Christ as His
people.
As this was happening those who were remaining in the "churches" were persecuting the "True Followers of Christ". I heard the Lord say, "The time is near when many will be deceived. Go into the streets and warn my people saying," (Romans 11:17-22) 17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root,18 do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in."20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
I firmly believe that the Lord is urgently calling and
warning with a "Compassionate Roar1" "The Body of Christ"
to repent and to fulfill the Great Commission.
(Matthew 28:18-20) 18 Then
Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has
been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely
I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
He has been patient with His people long enough as we
have interpreted His Word for our convenience; divided His Body with our
denominations, legalisms, doctrines and traditions; ignored His commands and
His Holy Spirit. As we have attempted to have it both ways - a worldly life and
a life in His kingdom. He will no longer tolerate the preaching of a gospel
which focuses on success, prosperity and abundant worldly living. He desires a
repentant committed people willing to say, "Yes Lord I will go where
you send me and I will be obedient, for I no longer live but Christ lives in
me. I am willing to be your temple and to be that living sacrifice you desire
that I be that I may be your instrument to bring the good news of salvation to
those around me."
As I write these words I am reminded that "You
can't kill a dead man!" It's time to die.
We are rapidly reaching the point where each
"christian" is deciding to do "what is right in his own
eyes" regardless of what the Word of God tells us. Many have decided in
their own hearts that there is no right or wrong and there is no absolute
truth. Governments and 'churches" have made laws and created doctrine to
justify abortion, homosexuality, homosexual marriage, sodomy, divorce,
pornography, etc. while doing all that they can to prevent the name of Jesus
from being spoken or the Ten Commandments from being taught. All of this
that we might not offend someone!
Brothers and Sisters in Christ - now is the time to
make a choice! Now is the time to decide whether we will follow God or
man! (Luke 16:13) "No servant can serve two masters. Either
he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Whether we
like it or not we, "... are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God, that (we) you may declare the praises of him
who called (us) you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1Peter
2:9) He has created us, equipped us, and sealed us with His precious Holy
Spirit that we might be His witnesses. As we are called to repent and obey we
must also be prepared to be living sacrifices - to be persecuted - to be hated
by men and the world even as Jesus was. (Matthew 24:9-13) 9”Then you will be
handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all
nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the
faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will
appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness,
the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will
be saved.
In summary Crying in the Wilderness Ministry exists to
go to the Body of Christ in the streets, in the churches, in the parks, in the
campgrounds, in the government buildings,wherever the Lord says to go and...
1. Call them to repentance
2. Warn them of the deception and wickedness of times
3. Warn them of His coming judgment
4. Exhort them to be His witnesses
5. Exhort them to be light and salt
6. Remind them of the true character of God - His
love, grace, justice, wrath, mercy and judgement1
7. Remind them of His total message sin, judgment,
repentance and salvation through the Blood of Christ.1
1. Ref. "A
Compassionate Roar" - Raising An Urgent Voice In Our Window Of
Mercy", page 2; by John O. Anderson (2004) Published by: Bridge - Logos
TRUE LOVE WARNS
TRUE LOVE SPEAKS THE WHOLE TRUTH
TRUE LOVE SPEAKS WITH A PROPHETIC VOICE
Do you call yourself a Christian - a follower of Christ? How would
anyone know?
It has been said that, "What you do speaks so loudly no one and hear a
word you say".
IF NOT NOW
WHEN?
IF NOT YOU WHO?
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