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Charlie Lafferty
Charlie Lafferty's blog
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PREPARATION & PURIFICATION
4 stars|2 comments|November 24, 2007|1361 reads
 
I believe the church will soon take on a new appearance as it did in the 1st century.  God is spirit and He accomplishes His will and purpose through the moving of His Spirit.  Even though this is a spiritual operation, God has not left Himself without a practical testimony.  We, His people, His body on earth are that practical vehicle God has chosen to manifest His love and nature to the world.

This is a follow up blog from http://www.mychurch.org/blog/80403/When-will-the-body-of-Christ-come-together-for-the-world-to-see   How and when will the world (even our enemies) see the love and nature of God manifested in an undeniable way?  Jesus prayed for this in Jn. 17, so it not only must be important to the Father, but also must be fulfilled practically on earth.

Consider this: what if all churches were shut down?  What if America and the western world came under the control of Islam?  Would our faith end?  I would imagine Christians would have to go "underground" or suffer persecution and even death.  This is happening today in many parts of the world.  Will God spare America?

Now consider this also: Jesus said, "love your enemies," do good to them.  Go the extra mile for them.  When He said that who was the enemy?  Was it not the Roman gov't?  In particular, Roman soldiers who had the right to demand the Jews carry their pack a mile.  Jesus said, carry it an extra mile more.  What do you think Roman soldiers thought about that?  Could we do that?

If Christians, by the power and love of God were living that in the face of their enemy, would that not be a testimony and fulfillment of what Jesus was praying in Jn. 17:20-26?  Does that mean all would believe or repent.  No, but they would see God (in us).  Remember what the Roman soldier at the cross said? 

I believe God is preparing a table for us NOW in the wilderness in the presence of our enemies.  The preparation has already begun.  Are we feasting yet?  If we are not eating with Him at His table, how will we be able to stand when our enemy has the upper hand (for a short time)?  Ought we not be about our Father's business now?

I believe these are the days of preparation for the coming days of purification and testimony of God's people.  Are we ready and able to practice what we preach?

 
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Hopeful
 Hopeful
May 02, 2008

Hi!  I guess this is visit Charlie's blog day! 

Ya know what?  I think the church is already taking on a new appearance. :>   The slow crawl out of the dark ages continues.  At times, it's a slow crawl, almost undetectable but then we can look back and see giant steps and it's all according to God's plan.

Charlie Lafferty
 Charlie Lafferty
May 05, 2008
I know it is futile to speculate too far into the future without a word from the Lord, but I can't help but wonder about the condition of the church today and how God sees it.  Through out church history, God has used persecution to purify His people and draw many to Himself.  My eyes have been opened a bit more and my heart has certainly been changed in past few years.

I have read numerous books in the past few years about Muslims, Islam and Christian testimonies of Muslims coming to the Lord.  I'm thinking the above senario in the blog could really become .. "what man intended for evil, God turned to good."

Many Christian missionaries have tried for many, many years to "bring the gospel" to the Islamic nations with very little outward success.  What if God is bringing the Islamic nations to the Christian nations (unbeknownst) to them to SEE the gospel lived out in sacrifice and love just like in the 1st century?  Perhaps, even unto martydom for "... SO LOVED THE WORLD!"  Wouldn't that be something?

I'm wondering if God is preparing hearts NOW for that day.  And in His wisdom, it will also purify the body of Christ and turn us all back to our first love again.