209. Drop Your Crutches Church!

 

There is a fire burning in my bones, it's as if my spirit wants to scream from the rooftops. It's time to drop your crutches, bride of Christ! It's time for self reflection, it's time to get alone with the Lord. It's time to be vulnerable. It's time to pray, it's time to fast, and it's time to actually do what the Lord has been calling you to do. No more hiding, no more blending in, it's time to stand out, it's time to be separate and actually do the things that would make you separate from this world.    

I never wanted a thousand friends, followers or a platform, but God had another idea. I get bombarded by attacks of anxiety before I preach, share a video or give a word; but I fear disobedience to the Lord more than I fear my flesh, my "image" or the opinions that others may have of my ministry. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The Lord has been stirring this in my spirit for a while now, it's time for a harsh reality check. 

We are lacking a healthy fear and respect for the Lord in our churches and at our pulpits. 

We are crutched with our devotionals, our small groups, our Sunday morning services, our churches and our prayer circles. We preach grace, mercy, love, abundance, provision, favor, and glory, while omitting words like repentance, baptism, self sacrifice, hell, etc. We limit our friend circles to those who are "like us", we have the same people in our churches every Sunday, we gather at the same coffee shops, restaurants, meetings, and fall into the same routine over and over again, All the while wondering why God isn't moving?

Here He is, asking the question that matters. Does God still move you?

Individually, when no one is looking, does God still move you? or do you default back to tv and time wasting because you'll "say a prayer before bed"?

If none of your friends go to that bible study and you're sitting there alone, does God move you? or are you scrolling through your phone looking for the next prophetic word to cling to?

If no one calls to check up on you in months, does God still move you? or are you entrenched in self pity?

Does God still move you with flesh cutting revelation of the Word, a burning of His Spirit and the undeniable sacrifice of Jesus Christ? or do you twist His words to pacify you into a false comfort that can be shaken with every circumstantial hiccup that is thrown your way?

Does God still move you? 

If you lose your crutches could you stand alone with the Lord?! Whether it's your daily devotional, your small group, your church, your prayer meeting, your kingdom prayer warriors, your devotionals, your prayer walks etc. 

Take a moment and drop them, can you stand with God alone?

Whatever they are to you, as amazing as the Kingdom body of Christ is, make sure they are not your identity in Christ.

Who are you when it's just you and the Lord? Does He know you? Do you spend time together alone? The bible refers to us as the Bride of Christ. Can you imagine if you only spent time with your husband or wife for an hour or less on a Sunday morning? Could you build an intimate relationship with the Lord as your bridegroom with the amount of time you dedicate to Him each week?

Christians, you are on the fence in more ways than one. The fence is claimed by God and counter claimed by Satan. You have to take a side. 

The time has come. 

You should fear being on the wrong side of the fence. You should fear an eternity without God. 

John 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Proverbs 9:7-12 Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. 8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. 

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Philippians Chapter 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Romans 11:17-22 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.

Matthew 7:21 - Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

James 2:24 - Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

John 14:21 - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Matthew 7:14 - Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

2 Corinthians 2:9 - For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.

2 Corinthians 11:2 - For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Revelation 19:7 - Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 Peter 1:16 - Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.