New Poll

A new poll has been added to “your voice” on the economy. It has been roughly two years since the troubles of the economy has been on the forefront of media outlets and in everyday conversation all across the United States. Our new Presidential Administation has been in office for almost a year now and still being questioned by the economic experts are whether the ‘big spending’ of stimuluses and other programs done earlier in the year are or will begin to work and effect change.

As Christians, we need to remember and know that no matter what happens the righteous will never be forsaken. Remain in Him and abide in His everlasting love and God will see you through the difficulties that are both present and lurking ahead. So, in these economic times let us “trust in the Lord with al our heart and lean not on our own understanding. In all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths.” PRAISE THE LORD!

An accomplished church

He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 35:2

How can a church accomplish ALL that it is purposed to do? I find myself often asking this question; especially when I read through the book of Acts and see the fruitful global evangelization efforts of the early church or read through Paul’s epistles on effective church ministry and necessary brotherly affection or read about the work and labor of the priests and levites with all their functions and responsibilities at the Temple. Considering population increases, cultural changes and the devaluation of morality and integrity; reaching, teaching, and preaching the Gospel seems like a daunting task.

As a young preacher of the Gospel I can relate with a young leader found in scripture. This young leader became King when he was only eight. This young king, Josiah, turned the heart of a nation from idolaty, perversion, blasphemy and all sorts of sin back to God. He started up again the temple ministries and was successful in restoring the word of the Lord to the people.

Fast forward to today, there is a familiar rule in christian churches called the 80/20 rule. This rule states that 80% of the people do 20% of the work while 20% of the people do 80% of the work. I heard another writer recently say that he thought the rule is currently more like 85/15 and sometimes I feel like its actually 90/10 (with me equaling the whole 10, but that’s my complex, moving on…). So, with all that the church is purposed to do, especially in these last days, and with few fulfilling the tasks and others ‘burning out’, how is the church to accomplish its calling? Can their be an accomplished church today like we see in Acts?

I see an answer for today by seeing how Josiah did it. He appointed and encouraged the people in ministry service. Sounds simple, yet it worked. How many in the churches today could fulfill a particular role and yet they don’t simply because they have never been asked. Or, how many quite their functions for lack of support and cooperation. An accomplished church is one that breaks the rule. For we are all members of the priesthood of Christ and appointed to fulfill our ‘reasonable service’ before Him.

Are you ready, willing and determined to make your church an accomplished church?

Spiritual Gifts

I just started reading a new book titled “Spiritual Gifts, For Today? For Me?” by John Lombard Jr. and Jerald Daffe. The first chapter provided an interesting history in review of Pentecostalism and the use and understanding of spiritual gifts. The authors pointed out that the gift of prophecy took its main emphasis in the later part of the twentieth century: “In the 1980’s it was the rise of an emphasis on the office of prophet and the role of prophecy in the individual lives of believers and the corporate life of congregations.” This emphasis remains today.

As I was reading this, I began to think about a recent prophetic word which the Lord had given me on the fourth of July. It came to me while my wife and I were driving (actually, she was driving and I was resting in the passenger seat) home from Grandma’s house that evening. I had been seeking God earlier that day with the question “What importance is this holiday in reference to your prophetic timetable?” The prophetic word God gave me was that He was going to give power to the church to bring liberty to this oppressed nation and that it would produce a third great awakening throughout the nation for a short while.

Then just last week, in preparation for a Sunday School lesson, the Lord showed me that in 2 Corinthians where Paul wrote “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty“; that liberty will only be in the place where the Spirit is. So, the power to bring liberty can only come from those who have and demonstrate the infilling and anointing of the Holy Ghost. I love Paul’s disposition of ministry when he declared “I come not in word or deed but in demonstration of the Spirit and power“. This must become the mantra of the Pentecostal church in America if we are to bring liberty to the U.S and see a mighty Holy Ghost revival spread across this great nation.

In order to come to this oppressed nation that is being held under by demonic spirits, spirits such as homosexuality, abortion, idolatry, and more; the church must seek after the gifts of the Holy Spirit. All of the Spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians ch. 12 and others are extremely important and needed. Both individually and corporately, the church must exhibit the spiritual gifts in these last days.

It is only when we are filled with the Spirit and demonstrating the gifts of the Spirit that we can diffuse the works of the enemy and bring liberty to those held in bondage. It is these gifts, I believe, that the Lord is desiring to give to the church today and if the church will accept them and use them that it will spark a final national revival which will take place just prior to the sounding of the last trumpet. The Lord is speaking to His church prophetically in these days and with its emphasis in the prophetic is listening and heeding to His words. Will the church heed this prophetic call?

Are you operating in the gifts of the Spirit?

The Silent Periods

While preparing for a lesson I was to teach on the seven seals as was revealed to John in the book of Revelation, the Spirit of the Lord showed me something more. He showed me that in scripture there are 3 extraordinary events that have and are to take place. this is not to say that there are not any other important events mentioned in scripture, but that these 3 are of immense importance. The first extraordinary event was the creation of everything we know from absolutely nothing. The second is the vistitation of emmanuel in flesh to earth to be born, live, and die for the sake of humanity. And the third being His second coming to earth for judgement and salvation.

When the seventh seal, which is the last of the seals, was opened scripture says that there was silence in heaven. “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” Rev. 8:1 You see when I read this I had to ask ‘What was this silence for?’, ‘What is its purpose?’. In meditating upon this thought and the Word, the Lord showed me that the silence comes just before every great and extraordinary move of God.

The first great move of God was the creation of everything we know of upon this earth, including us, out of nothing. In Genesis chapter 1 it says this, that “The earth was without form and void…” (1:2). There was complete and utter silence upon the earth until verse 3 when “God said, “Let there be light“. The silent period in between verses 2 and 3 allowed time for the Spirit of God to hover over the face of the deep (verse 2).

The second great move of God was the visitation of His only begotten Son to earth. The Apostle said this concerning Jesus’ arrival: “When the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law.” (Gal. 4:4). What did he mean by “when the time had fully come”? You see between the old and the new testaments in the Bible there was a lengthy span of roughly 400 years where there was no prophetic voice from God as Malachi ceased writing in about 435 BC. It was right after this “400 years of silence” when the time had fully come and the Son of God was to be born, live, and die all for the love and salvation of mankind. But again, why the silence? What happened during these 400 years. More than what could be written here obviously and there are a many books which detail some of these events. But the one “big” one, from which the Jews also get their Hanukkah celebration from, is the miracle of the lampstand. This was the lamp which was supposed to never stop burning in the Temple, however, after the Jews had beaten the Greeks and restored the Temple they had only enough oil for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight days until new oil could be refined and processed. During the silence, the Spirit of God burned for the lives of the people.

Now we come to the third great move of God, which is Christs second coming. According to Rev. 8 there will again be silence for a period, about an half an hour is what John counted it as. Whether this will be an exact 30 minutes in our calculation or if it is more symbolical I do not know nor wish to speculate. But what happens during this silent period is more the question. It is revealed in verses 3&4 “And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.” Our prayers ascend to the throne of God. This also is a work of the Holy Spirit as Paul writes in Romans 8 that the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings as we pray in the Spirit according to Ephesians 6 and Jude 20. The Spirit of God brings our requests before the Lord as we earnestly pray.

We see that there are 3 silent periods before each great extraordinary move of God. And that in each one there was/is the active presence of the Holy Spirit. So, what about in our own lives when we go through silent periods? All I can say is be ready, because God is about to do something extraordinary and remember that His Spirit is still at work. So don’t worry about the silence, just keep praying and God will move for you!

New Levels Coaching

I have begun a new leadership training ministry in Christian Coaching in the Grand Rapids/Holland Michigan region. View the brochure here…

If you have any other questions please feel free to contact me at 616-828-8801.

Waiting For Mercy

¹⁷But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
¹⁸to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
¹⁹The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.  (Psalm 103:17-19)

Psalm 103 has consistently been a bookmarked passage for me during times of trouble and despair. It reminds me of all that my God is and has done for me. That it is He “who crowns [me] with steadfast love and mercy” (vs.4) even when I am unworthy of it. The verses provide comfort to me when I am found in the place of need waiting for the mercy of God to come and deliver me and challenges me to keep my focus set upon Him alone. As I read, the words trigger a mindful change of my attitudes and they stimulate the hope of glory that oftentimes lies dormant in my thoughts. David, here in this Psalm, restores my focus upon that which is true and trustworthy and repairs my vision to see that which is real and reliable. I love reading this Psalm in those dark seasons of my life as it strikes a chord with my spirit and speaks to me of His blessing, my duty, and our victory.

As an ordained minister of the Gospel, I often find myself in communication with people who are themselves gripped in a season of darkness and dismay. From sickness and pain, to unemployment and economic woes, to matters both natural and spiritual; there is a widespread season of darkness riveting the nations and believers all around are being affected. But the infection that is really troubling the church body is much more alarming and deadly than the costly healthcare or global economic meltdown of our communities. It is the words and attitudes of believers.

I am often amazed at how much negativity and disillusionment comes from Christians when they are discussing their present plight. You would not believe that God is able to do anything or that he even cares by the way that they carry on. Yet, the Bible speaks very differently; it states that God does indeed care and that He calls us to cast all of our cares upon Him. What then should we speak and how should we respond when we are in those times of struggle and darkness? David tells us to “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (vs. 1-2). Out of the fruit of our lips should come the sacrifice of praise and blessing for the things which the Lord has already wrought for us. Small things like blessing God simply because you are alive are far better than cursing the fact that you don’t have enough money for a hot pretzel while shopping in the mall. When all that is within us, every fiber of our being, blesses the name of Jesus, we actually enter into the holy presence of Christ.  Jesus said of Israel that they will not see Him again until they cry out “blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”. When was the last time that you declared ‘blessed is the name of the Lord’? Being in Christ’s presence is ‘better than the gain from silver, profits better than gold and is more precious than jewels’ (prov. 3:14,15 paraphrased). Oh, how everything that we think matters so much simply fades away in the presence of Jesus.

As we bless the Lord in the midst of our darkness, His mercy will come pursuing after us and be made manifest in ways unimaginable “above all that we could ask or even think”. It was David who witnessed the truth of this when he found himself walking “in the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23). There, in the darkness of the shadows, came goodness and mercy following after. The word “follow” in the Hebrew denotes the military term for pursuing an enemy or group that has taken off on the run either in retreat or for regrouping and is a command that the commanding officer would give to the troop(s). When we begin to bless God He orders the pursuit. When mercy caught up to David there was found prepared a table before him even in the presence of his enemies with an overflowing cup of the blessings of the Lord. The blessing of mercy’s pursuit isn’t only seasonal, as is our troubles, but is generational (and his righteousness to children’s children 103:17). When you bless God in spite of the circumstances you invite His mercy to visit even your children and grandchildren.

So when we find ourselves surrounded by darkness, let us not get down, discouraged and depressed, and begin to talk and act like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel; let us instead trust in the faithfulness of our God and obey His every word. A very wise man once wrote “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Eccl. 12:13) So, let us bless the Lord and forget not all that he has done for us and in so doing be reminded that He has gone to prepare a place for us and that where he is we cannot yet be. BUT THERE IS COMING A DAY as we are “waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life” (Jude 21) that the trumpet of God shall sound and we shall leave all the struggle and darkness and be found “in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1). For on that day we will abide in the Kingdom of our God “and his kingdom rules over all”!

Updated Teachings

As a part of this blog, it is my intention to add certain teachings which I have written and/or arranged for Kingdom use. I have recently added the first 2 resources as a part of this project. They are: The Solomon Anointing, and Abel Leadership.

The Solomon Anointing

The Solomon Anointing is an outline created for the ministry of teaching under a Solomon Anointing. The Holy Spirit gave me this concept while I was a Sunday School Superintendant at the Zeeland Church of God for the teachers involved in the ministry. 

Abel Leadership

Abel Leadership was a 3 week training session analyzing the leadership profile of the son of Adam, Abel. Although his life was cut short the bible frequently talks about the righteousness of Abel. There is actually much more that could be added to this study which time did not allow at its original debut.  Perhaps in time, I will produce a more exhaustive work on the subject.

You can download these resources from the teachings library which is linked at the top of this page. More will be added as time and the Holy Ghost permits. May the Lord bless you as together we reach the harvest for the Kingdom of God.

The Prophethood of all believers

This past week I attended the state-wide Church of God in Michigan annual camp meeting in Fenton, MI.  During one of the morning services the speaker, Dr. Oliver McMahan, dean of ministries at the Church of God Theological Seminary and senior pastor of the Mt. Olive East Church of God, mentioned a phrase of which I had never heard before; The prophethood of all believers. Upon hearing this, my spirit immediately began to confirm within me of the truthfulness, significance and forthwith of this holy reality.

 In Protestant/Evangelical circles, the theological premise of the priesthood of all believers is frequently conveyed. The term, being coined by Martin Luther who adduced it in his writings “To the Christian nobility of the German nations” and “Babylonian captivity of the church”, is beautifully illustrated in 1 Peter 2:4-8, Exodus 19:5-6, Rev. 5:6-10, and 1 Cor. 4:1. This doctrine was reaffirmed by Calvin, Knox, and Wesley throughout the reformation and holiness movements of the 17 and 1800’s. Pentecostalism and the contemporary charismatic movement has also subscribed to this tenet of faith; the belief that through Jesus Christ, who has become for us our high priest, all believers have been given direct access to God.

As the priesthood of all believers comes through of work of Christ, so then the prophethood of all believers comes through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Peter tells us that “prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) The function of the priesthood is to bring man to God whereas the function of the prophethood is to bring God (His Word) to man; “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10b)

The prophet Joel presents to all believers the remarkable truth concerning our prophethood:

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” (Joel 2:28-29)

This prophecy of Joel which was also repeated by Apostle Peter in Acts 2:17-21, not only mentions that the Spirit of God will be poured out, but that sons and daughter will prophesy. We are ALL sons and daughters! Paul tells us “for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.” (Gal. 3:26) In Romans, Paul goes a step further declaring “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Rom. 8:14) This means that at the time of the end ALL believers will be able to prophesy through the Spirit as they are led by the Spirit.

The question is how will the Holy Spirit give to us the word of prophecy which we are to speak? We find the answer being through dreams and visions. Daniel and John were given visions, Joseph and Peter had dreams all of which had prophetic conclusions for them, their families and society, and the world even to this date and time. We must be willing to receive these visions and dreams if we desire to speak the things of God. Ask and pray for them and for the Holy Spirit to bring the revelation and clarity to His will, way and word through these manifestations so that you can be an effective witness in these last days.

There is a difference between the Joel 2 and the Acts 2 account of this prophecy. When the Apostle Peter quotes this prophecy, he adds a phrase to the very end of Joel 2:29: “even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.” Peter was emphasizing the prophetical implication that was openly demonstrated on the Jerusalem streets that Pentecost morning. That even the servants would be gifted to prophesy was a drastic revolutionary notion to the culture of the time where only the elite and educated were permitted to speak on any matter of significance. This same ideology has been creeping back into the church today. Where only those with their doctorates and bishop statuses can say anything relevant and transformational. I truly believe however, that in the coming last days there will be a resurgence of men and women, young and old, rich and poor, educated and humble, who will prophesy in the streets in every tongue and manner of speaking; many will hear, be amazed, and heed the word.

If the church today, in this new millennium, will abundantly embrace the doctrine of the prophethood of all believers and actively engage in its provision and power; I truly believe that we will see a revival in our land like never before. “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” (1 Cor. 14:1)

 

Rev. Nathan C. Strom

Prophetical Concerts and the Sound of Blood

“When this comes—and come it will!— then they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Ezekiel 33:33(ESV)

Over the course of my life I have been to several concerts and I am sure will be attending many more in the years to come. I can remember one quite vividly in my mind.  It was a Newsboys concert that I went to in Chattanooga, TN, a stop in their LoveLibertyDisco AirDome Tour (2000), while attending Lee University just a half hour away. It was more for an academic break with some of my friends (especially since my one friend, Jason, bought my ticket) than the music; but was still quite entertaining. To my amazement there was no seating at this concert, instead everyone was packed in like a can of sardines for standing room only; the music was overtly loud and dramatic. Then, nearer the end of the concert a preacher came forward and delivered a short yet precise word of exhortation. I can remember looking around and seeing a few intently listening and giving heed to what was being said, while most others were just anxious for more music and had the “glossy eye” effect. The music started up again and then concluded in an episode of grandeur.

The prophet Ezekiel also participated in a concert of sorts. Without a band, sound system, or special effects he was the main show: ³⁰“As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’. From all corners of that large city, Babylon, the Hebrews would come just to listen to what this prophet would utter. Imagine a concert of prophetical insight and knowledge filled with visions and wonder beyond comprehension, with the main speaker being one who has seen the glorious throne room of God with the four winged cherubim’s and the awesome splendor of His appearance. What a show that would be; what a show it was.  ³¹ And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and they hear what you say but they will not do it; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; their heart is set on their gain. ³²And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.

Simply hearing the word does not bring the blessing of the Lord, that is only found in the obedience of action. James tells this to the New Testament church this way: Be ye not hearers of the word only deceiving yourselves, but be ye doers of the word. I believe that this characterization of the church community is true of the church today just as it was with the Jerusalem church brother James led and with the church in Babylon under Ezekiel. The church pews are filled with those who only want to be entertained with their hearing and not empowered with their actions. We’re seeing a church more involved with the entertainment of the masses than with the truth of the Gospel. How could this be? God said that it is because their heart is set on their own gain. It is no longer about Christ but about me. I only want to hear those prophetic words that talk about my overcoming but not on my need to surrender, to hear about my amazing and free salvation but not on the requirement of daily personal sacrifice. Sing me the songs that I love to hear, you know, the ones that tickle my funny bone.

Yet, there must be a concert. A concert with singing of the truth of Gods holy word. A concert declaring the day when the Lord will return with a sword out His mouth. The day when the sound of blood will be heard from every corner and every side. God called Ezekiel to be the headliner in this concert that preceded a day of judgment in chapter 33 verse 7. So likewise, before the day of judgment that is soon to come the Lord is calling for some contemporary Ezekiel’s (watchmen) who will sing in this prophetical concert.

¹The word of the LORD came to me: ² “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, ³and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, ⁴then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. ⁵ He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. ⁶ But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.

God is looking for a few more headliners in this last days concert.  Singers who will sing about the bloodshed that is to come but even more importantly about the blood of the lamb and the bloodshed of Calvary’s Cross. Men and women who will sing about the truth of mediocrity and tolerance and the necessity of repentance.  C.H Spurgeon said this for those are willing to pick up this microphone, amp up the volume and prophesy:

YOU WHO DESIRE TO SAVE SINNERS. You must, dear friends, bring the truth before them when you want to bring them to Jesus Christ. I believe that exciting meetings do good to some. Men are so dead and careless that almost anything is to be tolerated that wakes them up; but for real solid soul-work before God’ telling men the truth is the main thing. What truth? It is gospel truth, truth about Christ that they want.

Hello world!

Welcome to my blog on wordpress.  I hope to fill this space with words of exhortation, comfort, insight and truth. God has been so good and has blessed my life with so much that there would never be enough room on all these pages to share His goodness and glory to me. I hope and pray that you know Him as I do and of His eternal mercy for His creation.

Please visit my website www.shofarblessings.com to learn more about the hebraic roots embedded in biblical christianity. You can also follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/revstrom. May mercy, peace and love be multiplied unto you.