HEARTLAND WORSHIP INSTITUTE:  July 7-9

     • The very first “Heartland Worship Institute” will convene at Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. July 7 – 9, 2010.  Click here to view the website for more information.

The first dog that Nancy and I owned was a sheltie named Bonnie. As she got older, we noticed that she became very heavy, could no longer walk very well, and couldn’t run at all. The vet told us more than once that her weight gain was a dietary issue. So, we kept feeding her less and less – and she got heavier still.

Finally, a second opinion revealed that Bonnie was carrying a 15-pound tumor in her stomach all that time. And we were slowly starving her to death!

We Christians are often like our little Bonnie – we seem to be growing but continue to lose energy and the ability to run. Over the years, I’ve seen several churches that appeared healthy, but, in fact, were just going through the motions, functioning with little power, little authenticity, and very little joy.

Obviously, a serious theft was in process, even as they tried so hard and faithfully to “do church.”

What Steals From You?

In 1999, shockwaves ripped through the international economic community when it was discovered that a “virus” had infected programs in computer networks throughout the world.

Viruses were not new, but this one was different. Spawned by a hacker, who dubbed his little creation “Melissa,” this macro-virus – some called it “a worm” – spread at lightening speed, disrupting commerce from New York to Tokyo in just a matter of days. It was perhaps the first universally shared alarm among the millions of Internet newbies at that time, wreaking havoc in sophisticated systems, and costing companies and government agencies billions of dollars. “Melissa” became an infamous sensation. One tiny bug created by one insignificant individual in the secrecy of his New Jersey apartment - and global panic!

It was almost inconceivable at that time – something so small and invisible could spread so much damage so quickly.

But you know, that’s the way the enemy works too. He creates little worms that spread through human hearts or even church systems and corrupt them. Those worms can destroy power, effectiveness, joy, memory, vision, commitment, unity, and relationships. The damage can be profound.

Just like a computer or physical virus, those little worms steal capacities and energies which are designed for, and dedicated to, a purpose.

Our purpose on earth could be, and has been, stated in various ways. The Westminster Catechism simply declares: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.”

So, what steals from that purpose? Anything or anyone preventing (or distrating) us from glorifying God and enjoying Him forever. That can be anything which worms its way into our eternal purpose. Some of the worms – wealth, security, career, education, friends – are actually good. But, when they invade our purpose, they become a theft of our God-designed capacities and energies.

God is Easy to Live With

The great A. W. Tozer wrote a completely delightful essay called “God is Easy to Live With.” If you do not own it, please find it and read it often.

In that essay, Tozer acknowledged that “perverted notions of God” can spread poison and destroy freedom. That’s a good description of a virus. But, Tozer went on to say,

“The fellowship of God is delightful beyond all telling. He communes with His redeemed ones in an easy, uninhibited fellowship that is restful and healing to the soul… He is not hard to please… He expects of us only what He has Himself first supplied. He is quick to mark every simple effort to please Him, and just as quick to overlook imperfections when He knows we meant to do His will.”

Oh my friends, when you sense a theft in your life and the resulting loss of energy and freedom, run to God, open-handed, totally vulnerable to Him and responsive to His invitation. Yield to His Spirit. He will quickly clean and heal you of the virus which corrupts and steals. You will find that He is, indeed, “easy to live with.” And, you can enjoy Him forever.

On behalf of the leadership team, I thank you for your faithful friendship.  Many of you stand with us in prayer, financial support, service, and joining us in worship times and places across America.  We really do love and appreciate you and your heart for the Lord.  Your financial gifts make a large difference in our ministry.  If you would like to make a donation, please click here.  Thank you so much.  

God bless you, dear friends. Please let us know how you are doing and if we can serve you in any way.

Sincerely,

Steve Fry

P.S.  Please mark your calendar… We hope to see you at these 2010 events:

       • We will be joining with Calvary Full Gospel Church for the SIXTH “Northeast Worship Institute” in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. April 22 – 24, 2010.

       • The very first “Heartland Worship Institute” will convene at Cape First Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. July 7 – 9, 2010.

As other gatherings are confirmed, we will advise you of them. We sincerely hope to see you at one of these (or other) crossroads in 2010.

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12

So, the magnificent and majestic God of the universe spoke to Elijah in a quiet whisper.

One of the clearest things I’ve learned in my years of ministry is that the Lord’s words most often come to us in whispers, not the “great and powerful.”

Human wisdom would easily conclude that the great and awesome God must speak in hurricanes, earthquakes and raging fires. If we allow ourselves to be trained by that “wisdom” of this age, then the fast-paces, loud sounds, bright lights, anger, violence, and the sensuous will dull our senses.

Could that be why so many have difficulty hearing the Lord’s whispers?

One of the biggest problems with the human wisdom kind of conditioning is that it trains us to plunge headlong into desperate and grueling labors. That’s because it moves us from trust in God to reliance on ourselves. Have you noticed that too many work too long, too hard and for too little? Sadly, that is true even of Christians.

Do you think it may be time to unplug from that kind of training?

In this letter, I want to help you unhook from the fast and the frantic in order find the gentle whispers and “unforced rhythms of grace.”

From Dullness to Discernment

The writer to the Hebrews wrote about having our senses sharpened or trained to know the difference between the holy and the profane:

“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Heb. 5:11-14

Apparently, we can live in discernment or dullness. When we choose to drink from the conflict and anxiety of our society, we get drawn into confusion. And, that hurts us and dulls our spiritual senses.

I think immaturity and impatience – the demand for quick answers and “High-Definition direction” – has dulled our senses and made us like babes. Like babies, we need instant gratification. We reach for the milk of toddlers instead of the slow-cooked nutrition of rulers and conquerors.

Like our Lord, we have to learn obedience by the things we suffer (Hebrews 5:8). Hardship and testing bring our senses to a place that we can learn discernment. But, if we thrash around in frustration, we will miss what He says, wear ourselves out, and become angry in the process.

I believe we are in a season of spiritual dullness – it truly is a season, and we can escape it if we reject the mold that society is pressing us into.

Step away from the loud, the violent, the flashy, and the sensuous. Breathe His Presence. Dwell in His words: “In quietness and trust is your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)

My friends, we cannot afford to resort to trusting in our own strength. That always drops us into realms and roles that are over our head! And, that leads to anger and blame. That’s why so many are so angry at society, religion, the government, the media, etc.

Just step away from all that; rely on our Lord’s care and His unfolding purpose for us. Turn your attention – especially in difficult times – to the sweet, unforced rhythms of grace that come by the Holy Spirit.

Stop. Listen. Wait for the Lord

This current age will always try to stampede your heart into action – action that is frantic, unnecessary, and unhealthy. Furthermore, that action is calculated to take us away from hardship. But, hardship is His school of discernment!

We can endure hardship for now so we will not become entangled in the snares of the enemy. We can choose to wait for the Lord.

Listen for Him to whisper in kindness and provision.

This message is especially true in this time of rising fear and desperation. Keep your eye on Him, drink His life-giving Word, and be patient in your education in suffering and hardship.

Please let any of us know if we can serve or help you in any way. For the discerning, difficulty will pull us together, not tear us apart. All of us on the leadership team are here for you. If you need to talk, please let us know. Or, if your church needs specific ministry, we invite you to call or write.

Sincerely,

Glen Roachelle