Feb 28, 2006

ON PASSIVITY AND APATHY

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ON PASSIVITY AND APATHY

~L.D. Oxford

victorious1_2005@earthlink.net

http://www.joshua-ap.net

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WE SHOULD NEVER SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR RESULTS

(Serious dealings of God that are going on in the Body of Christ)


We as the Body of Christ, should not sit back and wait for results, as this also goes for anything in our lives, whether it be for individuals, families, or for our nations. There are many who have sat back for too long, and this is part of what has gotten our nation and the Body of Christ in some of the messes that it has been in.

The Lord is calling all of His people to mobilize and to get active during this very critical time of history. If we sit back, then each one will be held accountable before God, for knowing what the right things to do are, and then not doing them because of passivity and apathy.

Some may say that they are just "waiting upon the Lord," however waiting upon the Lord is not an "inactive or passive state" to be in, but literally means to do what we know to do, while waiting for God to move us into the higher plan and destiny that He has for our lives.

Even, when you go to a restaurant, the "Waiters" are busy and active serving others who are seated, even while others are coming in and being seated at the freshly cleaned tables, waiting to be served.

Waiting is not to be inactive, passive or apathetic, but is to serve in what we know to do, (nor is it a lacking of response to any given situation.) God is calling all of His people to arise to the occasion and to take an active part in what the Lord desires to do in the nations, including our own.

JESUS "OUR ROCK" DEALS WITH THE NATIONS AND THE CHURCH

Matt. 21:42-46- Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? vs. 43, Therefore say I unto you, The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

vs. 44, And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall (upon), it will grind him to powder. vs. 45, And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. vs. 46, But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

Luke 20:17-20- And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner? vs 18, Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

vs 19, And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. vs 20, And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. KJV

He is calling each one of us to look directly to Him as our salvation and hope as a nation, as He is our Rock and the very foundation of which we stand upon. Even, our nation was originally founded upon this Rock, keeping in mind that the "nation" are it's very people, who are us.

So whatever God plans to do, He will do it through His people who have willing hearts for Him. Each one of us must fall upon this Rock (Jesus Christ) as believers and to be repentant and broken over our condition as the Body of Christ and over the condition of our nations.

What the government is doing to help people right now, due to the hurricanes and other disasters, is what was originally meant for the Body of Christ to do. And because "some" of the church (the household of God) has failed to meet the human need in many areas, the government has had to pick up the tab and to create secular programs to help others, due to the large demand of human need.


BODY OF CHRIST, ARISE!

So, it is time for the "true Body of Christ" to rise up to meet the occasion of what has and is going on in our nations. If we do not rise up, as the Lord has command us to do, then that "same Rock" will fall upon a people for not taking a stand in righteousness.

This would be a crushing blow of humiliation for any of us as a nation. It's time to cry out to God, for our sins, for passivity, apathy, for pride, arrogance and for so many of the deceptive practices that go on in so many ministries at large.

None of us can afford spiritually to "be an island unto ourselves as individuals or ministries." The Lord has been calling His people time and time again to take a stand for righteousness together.

The Body of Christ needs to be connecting together and to allow the Lord to use them as "every joint supplies to the Body." And this also goes for all of those people and true ministries who love the Lord, on or off of the internet!

It's time to unite as the Body of Christ and to stop thinking only about ourselves. Selfishness has been a Pandemic in the Body of Christ, and it is now being dealt with by the hand of God during this season.

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. vs 22, Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? vs 23, And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Vs. 24, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: vs 25, And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not; for it was founded upon a rock.

vs 26, And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, "and doeth them not," shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.


I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHICH STRENGTHENETH ME.

(Other dealings of God concerning the Body of Christ)

EXCUSES: "I CAN'T AND I'M NOT ABLE TO" MENTALITY = UNWILLINGNESS TOWARDS GOD

It amazes me sometimes when i hear various stories from believers in Christ, where they say, I can't do this, or i can't do that...or I am not able to...or sometimes waiting for some sort of audible voice from heaven in order to move forth in particular situations.

But, the Word of God says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And His Word is truth! It is Christ in you that will do the work through you, as you learn to move and step out more in faith.

It seems that so many people these days have an excuse for almost everything, and this is something that is also being dealt with by the Spirit of God in the Body of Christ, even now.

Even, during the days of the Apostle Paul, there was evidence of passivity and apathy in regards to the way that some of the churches lacked in communication or in caring for the needs of the ministry of the Apostle Paul.

Read some of the words of the Apostle Paul on what he experienced in his life and on what he encountered with Churches also in particular regions of his time.

He had it very difficult in his life and yet he still fulfilled his mission in life by the grace of God. So it is with many of us in the Body who are ministering and pouring out our lives in serving others.

There was only "one church" mentioned out of all of the others evident here, that showed care for Paul and the mission that the Lord had given to him in this particular region. (evidence of passivity and apathy)

THE APOSTLE PAUL

Phil. 4:12- 21- I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. vs 13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

vs 14, Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. vs 15, Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, (no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.)

vs 16, For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. vs 17, Not because I desire a gift: but i desire fruit that may abound to your account. vs. 18, But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

vs 19, But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. vs 20, Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen

DEALINGS OF GOD CONCERNING DISHONESTY

Recently, the Lord also showed me during the early morning hours where there are some believers who are actually lying to the Holy Spirit by being dishonest and lying to leaders in the Body of Christ, much the same way as Ananias and Sapphira did in the the book of Acts.

Some of you leaders out there have encountered the same or similar type of lying from some that were even close to you in ministry or from others who are sitting under the ministry. It seems hard to believe at first, yet this does happen with those who are in the household of God.

We are going to see some of these things much like in the book of Acts in regards to lying to the Holy Spirit in the presence of Apostles and other leaders, although the Lord would rather, that people do not lie in the Body of Christ and to completely avoid this sort of situation.

But this will change also, as the Fear of the Lord increases over the Body of Christ and this is now taking place.

Read the account of Ananias and Saphirra in the book of Acts. This is another condition that the Lord is presently dealing with in the Body.

Act 5:1-11, But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, vs 2, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the Apostles feet. vs 3, But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

vs 4, While it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why has thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

vs 5, And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. vs 6, And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
vs 7, And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

vs 8, And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. vs 9, Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

vs 10, Then fell she down the straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and carrying her forth, buried by her husband. vs 11, And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

SHOWING FORTH A SPRITUAL CONDITION

So, what i am sharing with you here today, is not meant to be a Word of heaviness by any means, but is actually a Word to show the spiritual condition in a sizable segment of the Body of Christ. The purpose of what i have shared here with you today is bringing the light of truth into this condition.

To bring forth repentance, to activate and to release the believers who have not been making signifigant spiritual progress in moving forth . All believers should learn what it means to come into alignment with God and with His Body.

No one can honestly carry "the name-tag of Christian believer," if they are not willing to obey or to follow what the Lord has commanded us to do in HIs Word. He has already given each one of us the grace to follow him, yet it takes a firm committment on our part.

God has a plan for each of our lives, and blessings untold for those who will only surrender "who they are" to God and become willing to obey and to serve Him wholeheartedly. The grace to do this is already there. He longs to do this through your willingness and is waiting upon you, rather than perpetually "waiting passively" for Him to do everything.

The truth is, God desires to do not only a work within His people, but also through His people and then out to others. Even discipleship training should be mentoring, teaching and hands-on-training going outside of the four walls of the Church.

The Lord is looking for vessels who will honor Him with their lives, their availablility, their resources and their humble service to Him. This is what God is really looking for. Not one of us as believers have arrived spritually however, yet we should all be moving forward, growing and making progress in this journey with Him. For faith without works is dead faith.

He loves each one of you and desires for you to move forward in Him without any more delay.

The following prayer is a prayer of activation for the Body of Christ, so pray this along with me here.

A PRAYER OF ACTIVATION:

Lord, we desire to see Freedom, Liberty, Truth and Justice for all of our nations represented here. May we as your people arise, shaking off all passivity and apathy that has been like a cloud over many of the people and the nations. May we as your people arise as true warriors, full of Love for you Lord, and with a deep compassion for others.

Let us arise with a deep passion for you, that we will be willing to make the sacrifices to deny self, to take up our crosses and to follow you. May your Holy Love and your anointed Word be our greatest weapons, and that each one will cease from attacking their own brothers and sisters in Christ, laying aside those petty differences and putting the axe to the root of this, once and for all.

Let each one of us, guard each others backs and stand together, shoulder to shoulder and back to back, staying true to each other in relationships.

May we be full of deep compassion for humanity and to be color-blind and merciful to others. Let your truth thunder throughout our lands, doing this through your people, and may each one of us leave a mark, upon a lost and dying generation.

May we take a stand of righteousness that will turn the world upside down for the Glory of your Kingdom. Let us recognize, and take our true postions in the endtime harvest.

Let the Warriors of God (men, women and youth ) now arise, and move forward into their true destinies in you, Lord! In the mighty name of Jesus! So be it!

AN ACT OF FAITH FOR YOU TO DO AT HOME:

*TELL THE LORD JESUS DIRECTLY THAT YOU "SURRENDER ALL OF SELF" TO HIM AND MAKE HIM LORD OVER EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE. ALSO, TELLING HIM THAT YOU DESIRE TO LIVE FULLY FOR HIM NO MATTER WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES MIGHT BE.

*THEN, STANDING IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION, BIND UP SATANS POWER VERBALLY AND AGGRESSIVELY COMMAND "THE SPIRITS OF APATHY AND PASSIVITY" TO GO.

AND THEN WITH YOUR BODY AND HANDS, SHAKE YOURSELVES LOOSE SPRITUALLY FROM THIS BY FAITH. (AN ACT OF FAITH WHICH WILL RELEASE YOU)

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*MAKE A NEW AND FRESH COMMITMENT TO GOD, TO TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND TO FOLLOW HIM AT ALL COSTS.

(SOME INSTRUCTIONS: YES... FOR BELIEVERS)

*DO THIS ON YOUR KNEES: CRY OUT TO GOD, REPENTING OF ANY KNOWN SIN OR OFFENSES THAT NEED FORGIVENESS. THEN ASK HIM TO IMPART A DEEP PASSION FOR HIM, AND ALSO A HEART FOR HIS PEOPLE. ASK HIM FOR A NEW, CLEAN HEART TO SERVE HIM.

*THEN SPEND SOME TIME WITH THE LORD AND TALK TO GOD YOUR FATHER LIKE HE IS YOUR MOST INTIMATE FRIEND WHOM YOU DEARLY LOVE. HOLD A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION WITH HIM AND THEN TAKE TIME TO LISTEN TO HIM.

*WHEN YOU ARE DONE, TAKE A NOTEBOOK OR PAD, AND WRITE DOWN YOUR NEW, FRESH COMMITTMENT TO GOD AND WHAT IT INVOLVES. THEN SIGN IT WITH YOUR OWN SIGNATURE.

*THEN, STAND BACK UP AGAIN AND DECLARE THAT "YOU ARE A "SERVANT OF THE LORD," AND WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO BRING GLORY TO HIM WITH YOUR LIFE.

*THEN DAILY SET ASIDE SOME TIME FOR THE LORD EACH DAY. SET ASIDE A TIME TO READ/STUDY THE SCRIPTURES IN DEVOTION TO HIM, AND GIVE TO HIM A TIME-SLOT FOR SPENDING TIME AND TALKING WITH HIM.

FOR THOSE WITH A TIGHTER SCHEDULE, THIS MAY BE IN YOUR CAR ON YOUR WAY TO WORK AND ON YOUR WAY BACK HOME FROM WORK.

*WORSHIP HIM AND PRAISE HIM WITH YOUR VOICE REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY WHENEVER THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

*KEEP A NOTE-BOOK AND WRITE A JOURNAL OF WHAT THE LORD SAYS TO YOU AND HOW HE DEALS WITH YOU DURING YOUR PERSONAL TIMES SPENT WITH HIM.

WORSHIPPING GOD IS ALSO A WAY OF LIFE, (A LIFE-STYLE.) SO WHATEVER YOU DO IN YOUR LIFE DURING THE DAY OR NIGHT, DO EVERYTHING "AS UNTO THE LORD", AS THIS IS ALSO A PART OF WORSHIP.

YOUR WORSHIP TOWARDS HIM WILL PENETRATE THE HEAVENS AS A SWEET SMELLING FRAGRANCE.

"YOUR LIFE WILL BE CHANGED FOR EVER, AND YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!!!!"

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