A Prophetic Word to the Church

A Prophetic Word to the Church

DEDICATION:  
It is the heartfelt prayer of all of the Toward The Mark Team that this blog will serve to—in a big way—encourage, preserve, and ensure the role of Godly integrity in the lives of all who read it.

Dr. Myles Munroe once made this very sobering statement: 

“Wouldn’t it be terrible to wake up one day and realize that you spent forty years pastoring a church when you should have been driving a bus for a living? Or how about waking up one day after driving a bus for forty years to realize that you should have been pastoring a church?”

Please, never accept a leadership position in God’s Church for the pay or the recognition. Accept it only because it is your divine calling! God always provides for the fulfillment of His vision for our lives! This is especially true for those who have been called by Him to love and to feed His sheep. Based on the present condition of not only the church, but also the massive amounts of people that are going unreached in this country, I am of the opinion that about 95% of those occupying leadership positions today should be doing something else with their lives. As harsh as that may sound, here is why I say it. America has within just the last 30 years made the tragic transition from being a Christian nation to becoming a religious and an extremely materialistic society. This situation can only turn around as the right people, folks who are operating inside of their gifts and callings, assume church leadership. But how are we to know the difference?

In 1990, totally grieved about the treatment that I had seen so many of God’s people having to endure at the hand of “professional religious leaders,” I began to earnestly fast and to pray for them all. While in prayer, I received a timely word from the Lord. Remember, this Word came to me back in 1990. This is what He said:

“Be encouraged; it won’t be long now. I am dismantling the Church as you have known it, and am raising up a new breed of leader. The pruning process that is occurring even now will yield a fresh, new, and abundant crop of men and women who love and seek Me with their whole hearts. Their affection will not be divided! They have both seen and endured the painful wrath and tormenting flames of religion’s harsh taskmasters, and through it all have emerged victorious. This will be that generation that will be called My Bride. They will walk in purity and will be without spot or wrinkle because I will remember their sins no more. Untainted any longer by sin and the terrible stench of religion, they will be a sweet-smelling savor to Me and all who receive them. I will take pleasure in all of their exploits and will bless all they put their hands to because I know them intimately and because they know Me intimately (Because I am in them and they are in Me). Just as I called forth Lazarus from the grave, I will soon call these forth from the factories, from the job sites, from the kitchens, from caves, home offices, and all four corners of the earth. I will call all of those who have endured deafening loneliness for My Name’s sake, and while I have had them hidden in caves, they have trusted in Me, rested in Me, and waited on Me without fail. These are the joy of My heart and will be easily recognized by all who see them. They will be girded about in the spirit with the towel of loving and selfless service to others!”

*Find this Word to the Church, along with more of what we find when we look between the lines, in our book, "THE CRISIS OF ERODING INTEGRITY."  More info and availability @ Toward The Mark's website.  In Christ Jesus, Keith & Brenda Shealy

"I am dismantling the Church as you have known it, and am raising up a new breed of leader." - Keith Shealy

"But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him.  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."  (John 4:23-24)

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New Breed of Leader Prophetic Word

"In my grief, as I was praying and fasting for all Church pastors, I heard God tell me He is raising up a 'new breed of leader' while He's taking down 'the church as we know it'!"
#PursuingGodAndHisCalling -- Keith (and Brenda, and TTM Team)

Please, never accept a leadership position in God’s Church for the pay or the recognition. Accept it only because it is your divine calling! God always provides for the fulfillment of His vision for our lives! This is especially true for those who have been called by Him to love and to feed His sheep. Based on the present condition of not only the church, but also the massive amounts of people that are going unreached in this country, I am of the opinion that about 95% of those occupying leadership positions today should be doing something else with their lives. As harsh as that may sound, here's the reason why I say it. America has, within just the last 30 years, made the tragic transition from being a Christian nation to becoming a religious and extremely materialistic society. This situation can only turn around as the right people, operating inside of their gift and callings, take leadership in The Church. But how do we come to know the difference?

Dr. Myles Munroe once made the very sobering statement, “Wouldn’t it be terrible to wake up one day and realize that you spent forty years pastoring a church when you should have been driving a bus for a living? Or how about waking up one day after driving a bus for forty years to realize that you should have been pastoring a church?”

In 1990, I became so totally grieved about the treatment that I had seen so many of God’s people having to endure at the hand of “professional religious leaders,” I began to earnestly fast and to pray for them all. While in prayer, I received a timely word from the Lord. Remember, this Word came to me back in 1990. Below is what He said...

"Be encouraged; it won’t be long now. I am dismantling the Church as you have known it, and am raising up a new breed of leader. The pruning process that is occurring even now will yield a fresh, new and abundant crop of men and women who love and seek me with their whole hearts. Their affection will not be divided! They have both seen and endured the painful wrath and tormenting flames of religion’s harsh taskmasters, and through it all have emerged victorious. This will be that generation that will be called my bride. They will walk in purity and will be without spot or wrinkle because I remember their sins no more. Untainted any longer by sin and the terrible stench of religion, they will be a sweet-smelling savor to me and all who receive them. I will take pleasure in all of their exploits and will bless all they put their hands to because I know them intimately and because they know me intimately (Because I am in them and they are in me). Just as I called forth Lazarus from the grave, I will soon call these forth from the factories, from the offices, from the job sites, from their homes, and from all four corners of the earth. I will call all of those who have endured deafening loneliness for my name’s sake, and while I have had them hidden in caves, they have trusted in me, rested in me, and waited on me without fail. These are the joy of my heart and will be easily recognized by all who see them. They will be girded about in The Spirit with the towel of loving and selfless service to others!"

"But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:23-24)."

It is the heartfelt prayer of every member of the Toward The Mark Team that this blog will serve to—in a big way—encourage, preserve, and ensure the role of Godly integrity in the lives of all who read it.

Always remember this: You can ONLY tell the character of a person by "the fruit of their life" ... not by what they say they are or will do.

Once we daily pursue ONEness with God, our wisdom and understanding *in Him* changes everything! Our focus on our working *with God* will lead us beyond our greatest expectations! Watch and see!!!

*Write this encouraging word on the tablet of your heart.* You'll find this word to The Church, along with more of what we find when we look between the lines, in our published book called "THE CRISIS OF ERODING INTEGRITY." More info is in the information to follow.

If you have yet to invite Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, or if you have allowed something or someone to come between you and God, now is your time to get right with God. Right there where you are, pray this prayer to God, then relax and watch what God does...

          "Dear Father God, in the precious Name of Jesus Christ, the King of kings and The LORD of all lords, I lay my life at Your Feet. I come before You, confessing that I am a sinner, and I ask for You to forgive me of all my sins - those that I know I have committed, as well as those that I am not even aware of.  I ask that You come into my heart and be my Lord. I lay my life, and everything in it, at Your Feet, and ask that You please take me and begin to change me to be like YOU. I ask that You redeem the time that has passed, and allow me the opportunity to become exactly what You have predestined me to be, from before the foundation of the earth. I commit my life to You now, and thank You for receiving me as Your own. In the wonderful Name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, I pray, Amen."  And AMEN!!!

            WELCOME HOME!

            If you have just prayed this prayer, we want to congratulate you for making the greatest decision that you'll ever make! By accepting Jesus Christ, or rededicating your life to Him, as your personal Lord and Savior, you have begun the wonder-full process of being grafted into the family of God, and we welcome you "Home" to God's Family. We would also like to invite you to contact us so that we can send you information that will help you begin growing in your relationship and daily walk with God. We would encourage you to begin attending a Holy-Spirit-filled, Bible-believing church right away.

            We advise you to begin reading The Holy Bible daily, whether you understand it or not. Always remember, God's written Word in The Holy Bible is LIKE NO OTHER BOOK that has ever been written! When we rendezvous with The Person of The Holy Spirit as we read what God has written there, it becomes stored in our heart for The Holy Spirit to access it to bring to our remembrance.  You will find that the Scriptures will become applicable to whatever you are going through, at any given time!

            There are wonderful Bible teachers on television and on the radio that can, especially early in your walk with God, help you to begin receiving good teaching, and encouragement, right away. Although very informative, these programs are never to be a substitute for close relationships with people who love and serve God. At times, the transformation process that you have now begun will be difficult, and you will be tempted to go back to your old ways of living your old life. It will be during times like these that hanging out with strong Christian friends and mentors will be crucially important. There really IS strength in numbers! (Selah)

            And remember, no matter what, Keep PRESSIN' IN...  learnin', and growin' *with* our Lord and Savior.  You might consider using our book  CRISIS OF ERODING INTEGRITY in the fight to hold high the standard of Godly integrity in your life, to be encouraged to continue steadfast against all manner of opposition, and remain uncompromising in diligently pursuing both God and His will! Twelve encouraging chapters include:

	;
What Is Integrity?	Smiting The Shepherds
The Power Of The Tongue	Perilous Times
Feed My Sheep!	Integrity Is A Gift and A Result!
You Will Know A Tree By Its Fruit	The Word Of God
The Wrong Anointing	The Love of God
The Deceivers	Conclusion

  This message is to those who, moment by moment, day by day, and year after year, are in the fight to hold high the standard of Godly integrity in their lives. For those who are passionate about knowing the truth, be encouraged to continue steadfast against all manner of opposition. This will serve to affirm all who have given up houses, lands, relationships, jobs, and their very lives to diligently pursue both God and His will. To those who love unconditionally and whose lives preach the uncompromising Gospel that Jesus Christ preached. For all that you are, and for all that you do for our soon-coming King, we dedicate this message to you! For the rest of the message, get your copy of our book, "CRISIS OF ERODING INTEGRITY." In the 12 chapters written from personal experience and revelation from The Lord, Keith's book will build your faith and help strengthen your reach to develop God's full potential for you in your life.
"CRISIS OF ERODING INTEGRITY"
available at TowardTheMark online.

We pray God uses this message, and all of our resources, to fan the flame in your heart for Christ Jesus, His wonder-full Ways, and His Plan and Purpose for you in this life. If you have any questions about our work, or if you would like to make a special tax-deductible donation, place a special order for any of our books, magazines, or CDs, or to share a testimony or prayer request with us, please  e-mail us. Also feel free to write a letter and mail it to TOWARD THE MARK, P.O. Box 1152, Yorktown, VA 23692-1152.

May God bless you greatly as you carry this truth in your heart. We are eternally grateful for our loving Toward The Mark Family of sponsors who make this blog, and all of our resources, possible by their faithful prayer and monthly financial support!

Stay focused, Your friends and servants in Christ Jesus, Keith, Brenda, and TTM Team

    

To Show GOD BIG in a World that Sees Him small… 
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This blog message, along with the complete collection of original podcasts, music, blogs, books, CDs, and other Bible-based resources of Toward The Mark, Inc. is made possible by the faithful prayer and financial support of the TTM Sponsorship Family. We'd like to invite you to come on-board, to become a part of the TTM Family as well, by becoming a monthly financial partner. Your support will go toward fulfilling our God-given calling to help provide effective, contemporary outreach tools that are available to everyone, the churched and un-churched alike, who desire to know more of the love, truth, and salvation of Jesus Christ. We invite you to partner with us, as we, "press Toward The Mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

Keep PRESSIN' IN!

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"See flipcard titles"

          Take me back to the top of this post.

          Take me to "'Rein In' our Runaway Brain" post.

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          Take me to "Aristo & God fulfilled their 3rd military deployment!" post.

          Take me to "Leave it ALL on the Field!" post.

          Take me to "Happy THANKS-GIVING IS EVERYTHING Day!" post.

          Take me to "BEST Keith Shealy Quotes, Recent Most-Requested" post.

          Take me to "Being IN True Faith; OUT of Sin & Doubt" post.

          Take me to "Wine, Deception, and... JESUS" post.

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          Take me to "What is GOLD STAR MOTHER'S DAY in September?!" post.

          Take me to "NEW Breed of Leader!" post.

          Take me to "God shows Himself BIG in small things too" post.

          Take me to "What do you mean, take up the Cross?" post.

          Take me to "Smite God's Shepherd; Scatter the Sheep!" post.

          Take me to "Bite Your Tongue!" post.

          Take me to "Are You Ready to be Offered?" post.

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          Take me to "Murder by words?" post.

          Take me to "The BEST Fruit on the Limb" post.

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          Take me to "Salvation is Every-Day Life" post.

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          Take me to "We'll Miss You, Dad Shealy" post.

          Take me to "Celebrate Difference; Honoring MLK, Jr." post.

          Take me to "75 Years Ago: Pearl Harbor & Fleet Admiral Nimitz" post.

          Take me to "Our Military Vets Out of Sight...Out of Mind?" post.

          Take me to "Where to RUN When Trials Come" post.

          Take me to "Caught Up With Jesus" post.

          Take me to "True Leaders Speak Life" post.

          Take me to "Greatest Hindrance to Significance" post.

          Take me to Keith's MINI-Series of *Keep the FAITH* book, Chapter TWO.

          Take me to "Rattlesnake Revelation" post.

          Take me to "Gold Star Families Gave ALL" post.

          Take me to "Love of GOD" post.

          Take me to "My Broken Vessel's Fiery Trials" post.

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          Take me to "Run TO the Roar!" post.

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          Take me to "The Invisible Man" post.

          Take me to "The Abomination of Misrepresentation" post.

          Take me to "Living Among Thorns" post.

          Take me to Keith's Journey through Chapter ONE of *Keep the FAITH*.

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Satan's War On Words…

Satan's War On Words…

What We DON'T Know CAN Hurt Us AND Every Generation to Come!

"Abiding in Jesus - that is, living the Abundant Life - means His Words are living in us; we think them day and night. God has provided the means whereby this can be accomplished, and He is not obliged to change His methods to match our expectations or our modern way of life." - Keith

God's Word is not simply difficult for us to comprehend: It is impossible for our human minds to understand God's Word! We simply do not think the way God thinks. Consider this, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Find this, and more, on our TTM Teaching page of our TTM WEBSITE.

Should William Shakespeare's plays be discarded because they are not written in today's common English? 

Of course, rather than simply throwing the works on history's trash heap, they could be rewritten in modern English, so that it will be easier for people today to read them and to understand them. But Shakespeare is widely regarded as the premiere playwright of the English-speaking world, so who living today is actually qualified to modernize the plays while being able to retain the unique qualities of Shakespeare's genius? The answer is no one. William Shakespeare stands alone; his writings reflect a combination of his own genius and the time in which he lived. His plays cannot be duplicated in today's English.

There are two main problems that stand in the way of our reading and comprehending any of Shakespeare's original works, for example "Romeo and Juliet." Firstly, our modern culture bears little resemblance to Elizabethan England, so the many cultural references and nuances are lost on us. Secondly, the English language we speak and read has undergone significant changes from what was used in Shakespeare's time. We don't even know many of the words Shakespeare used, and many of those we do recognize had different definitions when Shakespeare wrote his works. Thus, to truly appreciate Shakespeare's writings, we must become educated in the customs of the Elizabethan period and learn the Early Modern English of that period. Moreover, we need to be able to think the way they thought.

The same is true for understanding God's Word. The Scriptures include many cultural references that are meaningless to us, because we do not have the same cultural conditions today. Moreover, since God's Word was not written in English, it must be translated from the original writings, and the two primary languages of the Scriptures, Hebrew and Greek, often do not translate neatly and clearly into English. Thus, using an English translation is not enough. To gain understanding of the truths contained in the Bible, we must familiarize ourselves with the cultural settings within which the Scriptures were written and we need to apply ourselves in studying the original Hebrew and Greek. Furthermore, as with reading Shakespeare, to really comprehend the Scriptures, we need to change the way we think.

Those who have re-translated the Bible into modern English have done so with the stated purpose of making the Bible "more understandable." What they are actually doing is altering the text to match the way people think today. This fits in with the way many people choose a version of the Bible to read and to study. "I read such-n-such version, because I can understand it." However, this ignores one crucial fact. God has deliberately hidden the meaning of His Word!

"At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight." Matthew 11:25-26

As an example, consider the great misconception concerning the reason that Jesus taught the people using parables. Many believe that the parables were employed so that He could help them to better understand Truth. This is exactly the opposite of the real reason: Jesus used parables to mask the truth. The Apostles were puzzled by this and so they asked Jesus, "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?" He told them, "Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." God was allowing the Apostles to understand His mysteries, but the teachings of Christ were hidden from the rest of the people.

"And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Matthew 13:10-15

God's Word is not simply difficult for us to comprehend: It is impossible for our human minds to understand God's Word! We simply do not think the way God thinks. Consider the following Scriptures:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

"The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." Romans 8:7

Our minds rebel against the Truth contained in the Word of God. We fight against the Words of Truth and twist those words until they become more compatible with our way of thinking. This is what Jesus called making the Word of God powerless using human definitions. In the following passage, the Apostle Peter describes people who wrestle with the Word of God to their own destruction.

"Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." 2 Peter 3:15,16

Those who approach the Scriptures only using human understanding will not be able to understand the Truth contained in the Bible. Human understanding has caused many false doctrines to be taught all the while citing "Chapter and Verse" justification. They wrestle with the Word of God using their own definitions to their own destruction. This is why so many declare that the Bible is not the Word of God and also why some see contradictions where none exist.

God's Word is not open to private interpretations. Rather the Word of God is "settled in the heavens" having fixed meanings that He has assigned. If we approach reading the Bible using different meanings for words than He intends for those words to have, then we will not be able to properly understand the Scriptures. Thus, His Word is prevented from benefiting us.

Using our definitions to interpret God's Word is logocide!

"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:8-9

Studying the Bible using man's definitions and understanding is an empty exercise. The Scriptures teach quite emphatically that we cannot understand God's Word using our minds. In order to understand God's Word, we must be taught the meaning(s) He has assigned to each word and we must learn to think God's thoughts the way He thinks them. In order to do this, God requires great sacrifice on our part.

Why do people choose a Bible version expecting to be able to read it as plainly and easily as a modern-day romance novel or action-packed thriller? In our Fast Food, Fast Lane Society, so many have become conditioned to the expectation that most of life's problems can be resolved in a thirty minute sitcom format or an hour long drama. Really difficult situations may require a two-parter. So, reading and understanding the Bible should be just as easily accomplished. An hour each week in a Sunday School class is all it takes to be a Christian, or so it would seem based upon the investment of many in the Church.

But really, how long should the pursuit of godliness take? How long should people study and prepare before they are licensed to be pastors? Why do we expect doctors and lawyers to study for many years before they are allowed to practice, but nearly any adult in the Church is qualified to teach in Sunday School? Even Jesus took about thirty years to prepare to preach for about three years. And even though He spent much of those three years intensively teaching and preparing the Apostles for the next phase of the Church, the night before He was crucified Jesus told them that He still had so much to tell them. Jesus also told them that He and God the Father were sending the Holy Spirit in order for the Apostles to continue receiving their education in the pursuit of the Truth and godliness. The instructions Jesus gave to the Apostles are in perfect harmony with the instructions given to Joshua many centuries before:

"If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8

Abiding in Jesus, that is, living the Abundant Life, means His Words are living in us; we think them day and night. God has provided the means whereby this can be accomplished and He is not obliged to change His methods to match our expectations or modern way of life. We must work to understand the Bible. If we want God's results, we must use His methods. If we use man's methods, we should not be surprised when we don't get God's results. God never changes. It is we who must change, if we are to become like Him. And how is this to be accomplished?

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)

The pursuit of godliness is not merely another item on a busy "To Do" list. The pursuit of godliness IS the "To Do" list! Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. This will take the rest of your life, and even that's not enough. Spend the rest of your life studying God's Word and you will not have even scratched the surface of what is contained in it. God's Word is inexhaustible. It is the infinite book written by The Infinite God.

For more on this topic, and many others, see "TTM Teaching Messages" on our website at TowardTheMark.com.

Follow "Keith Shealy's TowardTheMark Page" on Facebook, Keith'sBetweenTheLines Podcast channel, "Sharing with you the Secrets that God Whispers to me"monthly teaching on the website, and "TTMSingingSgt" on Twitter for more Scripture-based truth, unveiling God's Word on real-life matters - what the devil does NOT want you to know!