CONCERNING THE HOUR WE LIVE IN
Bill Click
We're All from Somewhere I was born here in Middletown, Ohio. I went to public school and attended church growing up. And although a significant part of my Christian experience has taken place outside Ohio, I confess that during the last few years I've come to realize that I've always been a Buckeye (even when in "Gator" or "Bear" county).
Browns before Bengals (both in time and in preference), Reds over Indians (whenever we get that to happen, I'm happy), but honestly: the whole state gets my attention, concern and support. Sports may be one thing, but the Kingdom is quite another. As I said, the whole state.
Although Nancy and I arrived here (together) on February 8, 1997, briefly attended and served a bit locally before beginning a infinitesimal measure of public ministry shortly after our arrival, we are now in our 7th year of publicly ministering to the region from the same location in downtown Middletown. It was 4 years ago last month we purchased that same property.
Time for Straight Talk
Over time, Nancy and I have come against some brick walls set against seeing God's people advance, but we have never given up. Of course, we really didn't have to run into these. We could have taken another path, except that we just can't help it. If we were like most ministers, we would never war for what WE are warring for. But we don't know how to become like the status quo, even the super-duper, "new and improved," steroidally-enhanced version that charismatic religious flesh idolizes and seeks to emulate these days.
Therefore, we don't believe "the answer" is another big church. Even a Spirit-filled, charismatic one (of which there are more than a few), or even a humongous and completely representative Apostolic/Prophetic one (which I think any degree of sober self-honesty requires ALL of us to admit has yet to be established anywhere in the U.S.).
We believe "the answer" is that the Body of Christ becomes personally, individually, collectively and corporately "conformed to the image of the Son" (Ro.8:29). If we will truly become like the Lord and people really see Jesus in us- even in an area (& the locale is not the issue) where many, many hearts have been hardened by sin, satan and mostly by the deceptive cruelty of religion- we will never be able to keep up with the increase of persons who come to know the Lord and grow in His Grace.
So what follows is not meant to act as the sole representation of the Voice of God for the Body of Christ. That would be definite nonsense and utterly delusional. But that said, if one gets to know us and/or looks closely at our ministry they will find that during these years we have done nothing to build ourselves at the expense of others, but rather have always sought to build others at the expense of ourselves.
When we listen for an Apostolic voice, we will do hear one that cares about the whole body of Body, not just what he or she can muster up to identify with him or her. If you relate to what you're reading, read on. If you're not sure, read on. If you're convinced to the contrary, let us know immediately. We will remove you from the Email and not bother you again.
If you've been saying "nobody cares," you're wrong. If you've been saying "nobody sees what I see," you're also wrong. If you've been saying "nobody wants things to change," you're very wrong. And If you've been saying "I'm the only one . . . " Well. You're reading this, aren't you? We care. We see. We want change. We are also blessed with that same sense of "holy discontentment" that (perhaps) you are, but know this: many others are also.
Moreover, God cares. God sees, God wants change & God has reserved His "7000 who haven't bowed their knee to Ba'al." If you believe yourself to be one of them, then you'll probably relate to this and (at least somewhat) to us.
Moreover, God cares. God sees, God wants change & God has reserved His "7000 who haven't bowed their knee to Ba'al." If you believe yourself to be one of them, then you'll probably relate to this and (at least somewhat) to us.
What God Wants: There are Times Nothing Can be Left Unsaid
God longs to loose a move; Jesus came to build His church (Mt.16:16-19). They are both discussing it right now (Psa.110:1-3). Jesus will never stop addressing the issue (Heb.7:14). We can all join the discussion (Eph.2:6), become part of the solution (Lk.18:1), and become connected in ways that will bring change (Eph.2:19-21).
So the following thoughts and concerns are intended neither as a slam against those committed to us, nor as an insult to those we are committed to. These remarks are also not a complaint rooted in what we have observed in those of other churches we have been graced to either train over the years or visit in their settings. Instead, these are an expression of my own sense of the general failure by Christ's people to truly rise up into the "Him and His" of the Kingdom of God. And yes, sometimes that has been an issue that all of us can have (& may from time to time) wrestle with, but moreover it is a pervasively prevailing dilemma that the Church (en masse) finds itself entrenched in today. So I want to describe the ways in which I believe the Lord has shown me that we have either lost God's compass, have failed to look for it, or have found it only to misread it by looking through the lens of our already held convictions and previous expectations.
So the following thoughts and concerns are intended neither as a slam against those committed to us, nor as an insult to those we are committed to. These remarks are also not a complaint rooted in what we have observed in those of other churches we have been graced to either train over the years or visit in their settings. Instead, these are an expression of my own sense of the general failure by Christ's people to truly rise up into the "Him and His" of the Kingdom of God. And yes, sometimes that has been an issue that all of us can have (& may from time to time) wrestle with, but moreover it is a pervasively prevailing dilemma that the Church (en masse) finds itself entrenched in today. So I want to describe the ways in which I believe the Lord has shown me that we have either lost God's compass, have failed to look for it, or have found it only to misread it by looking through the lens of our already held convictions and previous expectations.
The context of these thoughts and concerns is not going to originate from observations of what can be clearly in our own area. But moreover, I believe that what I am going to share applies in a general sense to Christianity wherever it can be found in (at least) North America. We have done a few "north," "south," "east," and "west's" to minister during this century. We are not neophytes, unfamiliar, inexperienced, or ignorant of anything except (perhaps) your own personal circumstance (& you are welcome to reach out & let us know about, that because we do care about the Body of Christ. Intensely). But these remarks are going to be released through the authority Jesus Christ Himself gave us to be "witnesses unto me," speaking, declaring and decreeing "the word of the Lord" (Acts 1:8, 13:46-49).
SUPERFICIAL LACK OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE GOSPEL REALLY IS & WHAT IT TRULY REQUIRES
Culturally-relevant, Christian status quo leadership has so optionalized faithfulness to Christ and the Church they have even begun believing their own false messages and have turned even farther away from God than before. How did this start? Although the root of the prostitute-hireling already lay deep within many, it was first exposed when instead of calling for commitment from everyone in the church (regardless of their 'status'), they began to back away. Why? Due to being afraid of losing numbers, bragging rights among each other, and (perhaps especially) their financial support.
But because of the fact that some even so-called "Apostles" themselves are not standing up to this Jezebel lie that has come against them ('for the good of the ministry's ongoing operation you need to make sure you don't push it too much, right now,') virtually the entire grass roots of the Body has become entangled in the deception of neither hearing nor understanding what the Lord's will truly is. And because even those called to be Apostles are trying to "manage and maintain" rather than war and advance (especially when their efforts to "manage and maintain" are falsely called 'warring'), Prophets relating to them have no sufficient platform or covering. As a result, the Prophets also run away from the real war and fight a false one (because they must, if they are to stay on page with their Apostles or hopes to "have a ministry.")
When the hearts of those called to foundational ministry are not right (and reacting to fear of loss can NEVER be evidence of a right heart), the church is out-of-order (de facto). When Apostolic and Prophetic grace is not functioning as Christ intended, the rest of the body cannot be provided for to stand and walk with the Lord. When their is no "whole counsel of God" foundational building material being loosed, the Body cannot be "fitted together." Therefore, no one "grows into a holy temple of the Lord . . . built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit" (Eph.2:21-22).
The harsh reality is that leaders are no different than anyone else. Yes, their grace varies, the strengths are unique to each, their spheres are peculiarly their own, etc. But the reality is that leaders are no different than anyone else as far as what the Lord expects of them, except in one absolutely essential inescapable regard. More is required of leaders for truly honoring God than from those they lead. And if that "more" is not imparted to the flock, neither they nor those who follow them can ever become as they were destined to be (Lk.12:47-48).
But instead, leaders 'only God knows how many Apostolic and Prophetic ones included' have sold themselves for the visible, temporal, culturally idolized facade of "bodies, bricks and bucks" or"nickels and noses." The root of fear which chokes out faith and causes men to look after themselves, their security and their 'careers' rather than the Kingdom has produced a generation replete with charlatans. These (at best) have a true anointing and a false heart, while many have such a mixture of flesh and Spirit in them that both their words and their hearts are simply false. So how possible is it that any grass roots of the body submitting to such harlotry can become whom Christ intended? They cannot and will not. . . it is impossible.
This is a lament, I realize, but: how long will we chase after the wind, dress up the successes of others, put your"camp terminology" on the world's methods (or worse: invent new camp vocabulary in order to market ourselves) and generally just make fools of ourselves? By believing that if we had a "good crowd" and a "good offering" that somehow this proves we must be in God's will and "successful." After all, many of the one's we consider to be "dead" are financially significant, very large and well-positioned to be voices in society. Hmmm . . . so "the answer" is to become like them, somehow? Hmmmm . . . so "the answer" is in keeping our superior doctrine, wonderful method of worship, interesting personality peculiarities, and attention-getting clothing idiosyncrasies ("the form of godliness") while convincing ourselves that we won't "die" inside to "get there?" I don't think so! How egotistical and in denial of our character weaknesses could we be?! (Jer.17:9-14). If I didn't know better (sic), I'd say many have become what they have judged.
Although the general populace of the body of Christ fights this on a daily basis for "them and their's," leaders also face this for their sphere of advancing the "Him & His" of the Kingdom of God. If a leader is truly pure before the Lord, this is not so such a problem as it is a call: to flexibility, wisdom, restraint, and knowing the timing of God. Moreover, it is a test of character to resist the temptation to either seduce people through trendiness, big meetings, magnanimous appeals or entice them with "vision" for becoming 'millionaire marketplace apostles' when they don't even have the character for an assistant managerial position in the most insignificant of settings.
But this is what is taking place. And all this time we thought it was in the church we would hear the truth that the world wasn't telling us! Instead, this 'pressure' is used as an excuse, reason, or even a mandate for taking measures which reveal love for money rather than love for God. Pressured, the choice is either toss others around to secure the facade or themselves be "tossed to and for and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting" (Eph.4:14). Truthfully- and I'm not (even) talking about TV preachers now (although surely I could)- much of the financial witchcraft going on sounds so 'infomercial!'
Leaders, followers, (even seeker's- we are ALL equal to God, Acts 10:34): when the 'cash flow' decreases, look at your own giving. Are YOU bringing in the whole tithe? In addition: Are YOU bringing offerings to the Lord, either by the Spirit (100 fold), your love for giving (60 fold), or to help meet needs (30 fold)? Leaders: do you not know that if YOU step up as the Shepherd, the sheep will be able to follow. But if you resort to "the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting," others will not have either the example to follow or the environment that will free them to truly trust God and move by faith (Eph.4:14; Heb.11:6). And you cannot tithe to yourself, your own flesh, or in any way beneath you in God's order. Manipulation used for increase only insures that both you and yours will stay in lack (because Ishmael always needs another fix, while Isaac is sustained by God through a trusting which is demonstrated through simple obedience).
Leaders, followers, (even seeker's- we are ALL equal to God, Acts 10:34): when the 'cash flow' decreases, look at your own giving. Are YOU bringing in the whole tithe? In addition: Are YOU bringing offerings to the Lord, either by the Spirit (100 fold), your love for giving (60 fold), or to help meet needs (30 fold)? Leaders: do you not know that if YOU step up as the Shepherd, the sheep will be able to follow. But if you resort to "the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting," others will not have either the example to follow or the environment that will free them to truly trust God and move by faith (Eph.4:14; Heb.11:6). And you cannot tithe to yourself, your own flesh, or in any way beneath you in God's order. Manipulation used for increase only insures that both you and yours will stay in lack (because Ishmael always needs another fix, while Isaac is sustained by God through a trusting which is demonstrated through simple obedience).
Everything about all of life can be summed-up in one sentence, phrased as a question: "how will I respond to the revelation of my own heart?" In coming to Christ, we allowed the knowledge of our sinful, inward man to prove to us that we were under God's judgment. We cried out for repentance, and God was faithful (Gal.3:24; Ro.2:1-4). But do we even consider that we need to see ourselves as we really are, and to confess our sin today? "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse from all unrighteousness" (1Jn.1:9).
But . . . "if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and the truth is not in us" (1Jn.1:10).
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Apostle Bill & Prophet Nancy Click
RIVER OF POWER MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 848, West Chester, OH 45071
513-423-9842 rpmclicks@juno.com
www.riverofpower.org
RIVER OF POWER MINISTRIES
P.O. Box 848, West Chester, OH 45071
513-423-9842 rpmclicks@juno.com
www.riverofpower.org
