Ezekiel 37-38 / James 1:19-2:17 / Psalm 117 / Proverbs 28:1
As one who has been a Christian since age 5 and I have been in church all my life. I have seen a lot of things happen in the Church. I was born into a family that attended the Methodist Church. At the age of around 5, we discovered the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues and began attending what was then called a charismatic church.
I’ve talked a little about that church in Hampton, VA. We moved to Tennessee in 1975 because my dad got a new job. The Lord called us into a small church that met in an old, beautiful house. My dad was the pastor of that church for about eight years. As far as a denomination, I don’t remember what we called ourselves.
Following that, I have been involved with three other churches that were labeled either as charismatic or non-denominational. My husband and I are currently leading a home church. And once again, when someone asks, I will explain my church attendance history. Finally I end with our being non-denominational.
Apart from denominations, of which there will be none in heaven, I have watched the church be strong and I have watched her be weak. I’ve watched people in the church speak up for the weak. I’ve watched them ignore and even abuse the weak. I’ve seen healing, sickness, death, life and birth, radical moves of God, as well as quiet times of God’s presence.
I’ve witnessed brothers and sisters in Christ fight and devour one another. I have been left wondering how anyone who names the name of Christ could do such a thing? Maybe it’s not the doing; maybe it’s the doing without repenting and making things right that I don’t understand. It takes humility to admit one is wrong or has sinned against another person.
The current state of the church, and I am not the only one seeing and saying this, is a very mixed bag. We have corruption, rampant sin, hidden sin, false teachers, false converts, and evil of every kind. Yet, these are still calling themselves the church. Then we have the remnant: those who are passionately in love with Jesus Christ and who want nothing more than to bring Him glory and to love and build others up.
I believe I’m in the latter group. My heart for many years has been to see others as God created them and find ways to encourage them and help them be free. But even with this type of heart, there are times I find myself weary. Weary from the apathy in the church, tired of those who are asleep when they should be awake. Disappointed that the church is not rising to take places of authority across the earth as God mandated that we do.
That said, all is not lost. I firmly believe God is preparing for Himself an army, a bride. He is coming back for a glorious church (Ephesians 5:27) that is strong in the earth, prepared to be joined with her Bridegroom upon His return.
As I read in Ezekiel 37 about Ezekiel’s visit to the Valley of Dry Bones; my heart raced. I believe we are in such a season in the church. I believe God is calling out to the disconnected parts and commanding them to connect and become a body. Why do I believe this? I’m watching as the church across all the earth awakens and prepares herself for battle and God’s glory.
She is awakening. Muscles and flesh are forming over the bones that have come together. Skin is forming to cover the bodies and we are waiting for the breath of God to fill us so that we will arise a strong army (Ezekiel 37:7-10). His breath is coming. Holy Spirit is on the move, and we will soon experience His life-giving breath within us.
Are you prepared to receive His breath? Are you prepared to live again? Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord, “LIVE!”
