“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love,” Ephesians 4:11-16.

They are getting ready for the small Sunday vespers service upstairs where we live.

And yet it often makes me wonder what is taught and what is preached from many of the pulpits in our land.

I simply say this because it makes me wonder. We are such a fragmented group of people and yet I know that we are held together by a single bond; that being the belief in a risen LORD who will come to gather us unto Himself.

And yet what kind of Body will He find on that day?

Will we be ready for Him after the tribulation of those days?

Will we have endured unto the end?

Will we still be at odds with one another or will we have put aside our petty disagreements and come unto maturity?

You see, He is looking for a Bride that is ready for Him. He is looking for a Bride whose clothes have been washed in The Blood of the Lamb.

He is looking for a Bride whose lamps are filled with oil so that they will not be taken by surprise. Truly, He is looking for a Body who has all of its parts working together as one, and yet are we working together as one?

Or have we taken on the blueprint of the world and held up leaders who have built their own kingdoms?

I see so much that has to do with entertainment and a circus-like atmosphere. So many are vying for attention, not unlike those disciples who had asked to sit at the right hand of the Father.

You see, up is down and down is up in The Kingdom of God. He humbles those who have elevated themselves, and casts down the proud.

He lifts up the humble and sets their feet upon solid ground. All of this is done completely the opposite of how the world shows achievement and success.

And how much of The Church is still following the pattern of the world?

No, rather He has chosen the foolish and weak things to confound the wise.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty,” 1 Corinthians 1:27.

But we are a chosen people, a holy and royal people, but it’s high time that we started wearing our royal clothing.

It’s time to put away our drab and dirty clothing and put on the clothing of The Kingdom. And yet what is that clothing, you may ask, and where might I find it?

Well of course, we cannot purchase it or even get it at a hand-me-down store. It comes to us freely given by the Father.

This isn’t the clothing of 5th Avenue or from some high-end store. No, this clothing comes from many years of intimacy with the Father.

This comes from enduring through dark and difficult days and yet beholding the light. This clothing comes from being set apart for the Master’s use.

This clothing comes from deep sorrow that has been turned into joy.

May you become all that He has intended for you to become in Him.

May you even rejoice in the days of small beginnings and look for the fulfillment of the blossoming of the fruits of His Spirit.

Amen,

 

Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson

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Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?

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