Funny thing about being a “mature” Christian, the Lord always finds ways to let us know we’re not “all grown up” yet.  Last week I realized that December 5th is the 40th “anniversary” of my baptism.  It’s a bit comical, I was baptized in water 40 years ago and baptized with the Holy Spirit only 4 years ago

After coming out of a religious cult into a mainstream church, I still have questions.  Last week I attended the annual Autumn Leadership Conference at Church on the Way.  I went for the purpose of straightening out my thinking about the definition and “operation” of the Kingdom of God.  I’ll spare you the details of what I used to believe… let’s just say that my old church limited its definition to “the Millennium.”

And as such, it seemed like an oxymoron to hear people talking about taking a city for the Kingdom, or spreading Kingdom territory, etc.  I knew the scriptures in Matt. 28 and others telling us to go to all the world and preach the Kingdom, but the old church limited that to just a “witness” and whomever God called, that was it, and we were special and the only ones that would be saved and enter the Kingdom (when it came).

I knew it’s true that (the teeny piece of truth in the mix) this is Satan’s world, not God’s world, and it won’t truly be God’s world until Jesus comes and takes it over.  I live for that day.  So statements about taking down strongholds and spreading the Kingdom didn’t make sense to me.

There is an extraordinary pastor from Honduras that preached one night, and I had to miss it live (attempting to get to a class for my credential).  I listened to it on CD almost twice through.  He preached in Spanish and the pastor of Church on the Way interpreted it into English.  For me it was like getting it twice because I speak Spanish.

God helped me understand — we who are saved are not “citizens of this world” but are citizens of God’s Kingdom.  In that sense, we are under Kingdom rule, and where we are is “Kingdom territory”.  When we preach the gospel or lead individuals to Christ, we are “increasing” the number of saved people that come under Kingdom rule.  Therefore we increase Kingdom territory.  This is our job until the return of Christ. We’re disciples of Christ sent out “to all the world.” (and by the way, sometimes our example preaches louder than our words.)

Then with that comes the fact that when we tear down strongholds or break Satan’s influence or hold on a city, we are forcing “Satan’s world” (and his minions) to LET GO of its hold on people, so then they can be saved and come under Kingdom rule, and therefore be “part of” God’s Kingdom.  That’s partially what Jesus meant when he said He came to “set the captives free.”

This pastor from Honduras has preached the gospel so strongly that people involved in the occult hate him and have threatened his life.  At least twice he was attacked and left for dead.  Occult practices are very common in many parts of the world, and much of the “Latin” world is affected by this.  When the pastor fought to take the city, shamans and witches would pronounce curses on him and the Christians with him.

The church he pastored started as a congregation of 500.  Now it’s in the thousands.  His city (I forget the name of it) and really all of Honduras has gotten to the point where over 50% are Christians!  On a topical map of North and South America, the color green means the majority are Christians.  Only Honduras and the U.S. are green.

He said the time of apathy is over.  The time of simply going to church and being comfortable is over.  We need to weep over the people who don’t have Christ in our cities and fight for them.  We need to live as true Christians and not play games any more and live FOR the Kingdom.  We need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be real men and women of God so our children see our example and follow.  We older Christians need to disciple the younger.

So my questions about the Kingdom have been answered, and I can dive in without reservations in the back of my mind!  Praise God!

Also during and right after the conference, the Lord has answered questions I’ve had for 4 years about my gifts and areas of service.  I wasn’t sure what gifts I had other than two, and funny, the other gifts have been functioning and growing inside me for many years, but I didn’t realize they were gifts!  So I think now the Holy Spirit is going to “activate” and “release” them even more!

That means I get to participate and watch the Church get built some more:)

Praise and thanks to God, and to those of you who pray for me.  I pray for you too:)

Love, Gerrie