An independent Spirit

No. 2

They continued steadfastly in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship in breaking of bread and in prayers. Acts 2:42 One translation says they devoted themselves to the Apostles doctrine. The question is do we devote ourselves to the doctrine of the leadership in our Church in this day and age? I had a cat once that was devoted to me. Whenever I looked up from my chair in the lounge, shed be there staring at me. When I did exercises lying on the floor shed run up next to me. It can become a pain at times but that is what I would call this is called devotion. God doesnt want us to be like this in regards to the teaching of the Church, but I do feel we have gone too far the other way now days and we dont have any devotion or respect to others. One of the reasons why the Church is so weak today is that everyone does that which is right in their own eyes. There is an Independent Spirit on the rampage throughout the Church. You know me; I hate man worship and any kind of controlling spirit in the Church. I believe that it borders on witchcraft, but I do feel we have been weakened by a lack of commitment which can develop into an independent spirit. My view has always been not to control people but let the Spirit cause people to be willing to serve as it says in Psalm 110. I pray that the day of Gods power would come to folk in the Church and Gods people would be willing once more.
Your people shall be volunteers (willing) in the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. Psalm 110:3

You know the old saying. If you love somebody let them go. If they come back they are yours. If they donthunt them down and kill them. Well this is the twisted version. Cults have this kind of attitude in that if you love them they are OK, but if you try and leave them youre in trouble. One religious Church I knew, didnt mind if one of their members backslid and didnt come to church anymore. While in that state of backsliding that member never saw any of the Elders near her house, but when they went to the Assemblies of God Church, the elders were around there everyday to try and get her back, as they considered the AOG a cult. They didnt mind if they backslid but if they went to another Church then it was a sin to them. Look at Judges 18:7, 27. Psalm 133. Genesis 11:6. We see here that when people were united there was power generated by their unity either for good or for evil. The reason why cults are so strong today is because they devote themselves to their Apostles doctrine. They all agree on a matter and even though most of the time its wrong, there is power and strength in their unity. God is looking for people who will agree together in line with His word and Hes having a hard time finding those who will do it. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:19-20. The trouble today is that there are so many wells around to drink from and so many voices to hear, that it causes Gods children to be fragmented. There are many believers, but they all believe differently and this produces an Independent Spirit in the Church. Last week your pastor may have preached a great sermon. Now a week later, how many of us remember what they said? It was a word given to them from God for your Church. Not the River of Life Church next door or the Baptists down the road. Not the Elim Church in the next town or anyone else, but for your Church and each member. It was for YOU.

Since last Sunday you may have heard 6 other sermons on TV or on a tape. Youve heard what Benny Hinn had to say and maybe Joyce Myers on TV. They are all good sermons but what about the word God given to the Apostle of your Church in your town - for you. This week we may have read all sorts of Christian information on the Internet and read some good Christian books. Its not wrong to do that, but the bible does warn us that in the Last Days we could be always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 3:7.
..always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

It says that people will have itching ears in the Last Days, with many teachers. The trouble is that TV evangelists cant father you by remote control and we need fathering. You are not accountable to those on TV. Many Christians today are Bedside Baptists. They have Church in bed while watching Benny Hinn or Joyce Meyer on TV. An Independent Spirit manifests itself in many ways. One of the ways it manifests itself is in our giving. We may be givers but its only where we feel led. Sometimes its to the Church and other times our tithes are given elsewhere, where ever we feel led but the Bible says that we are to give first where we fellowship. Malachi 3:8-12 (KJV)
Will a man rob God? You have robbed me. But you say, where have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. [9] You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed me, even this whole nation. [10] Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open to you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. [11] And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts. [12] And all nations shall call you blessed: for you shall be a delightsome land, says the Lord of hosts.

The Storehouse is the place where you receive your Spiritual food, where you are fed, your local Church. To pay your tithes elsewhere is like eating a meal at MacDonalds and then paying for it at Kentucky Fry Chicken across the road. No wonder Churches are struggling today with many Pastors having to go out and work or at worst resign because of the independent spirit amongst Gods people. http://ghotter.blogspot.com