"The Iron and the Clay" by Janice Bowman

NEWS FROM THE THRONE ROOM FOR YOU.   I am going to share something here that will get you thinking. In the year 1960 at the United Nations General Assembly for decolonization of the nations, we see both Nikita Khrushchev, the Russian prime minister for the cause of communism, and the president of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower.  Now Khrushchev’s name interpreted means clay. Eisenhower’s name interpreted means iron.  If we go to the book of Daniel we see the image the prophet Daniel sees during his position with King Nebuchadnezzar. In the book of Daniel, chapter 2, starting in verse 31 we see the prophet Daniel describing a great image he saw in a vision and he is describing to the king what he sees.  He describes all the body parts of this image which represent nations and kingdoms of the Earth. I am going to skip down to the feet now. Daniel saw a mixture of Iron and clay in the feet of the image and says the iron and the clay do not mix. Saints they did not mix any better than Khrushchev ideas did with Eisenhower’s, than communism and democracy.  So next Daniel sees a rock cut out of the mountain, not made with hands, and it is coming faster and faster towards the feet of this image. The rock keeps gaining momentum, it comes faster, and faster, and it smites the image on the feet, and down comes that image. The image becomes powder scattered in the wind, and only that great rock is left standing in the earth. That rock represents the church of the living God with Jesus Christ as her chief corner stone.

The apostle Peter reminds us that we are all lively stones built into the church of the living God. Jesus is that rock cut out of the mountain, made without hands, and all along the way while this rock gains momentum and becomes more and more massive, the Holy Spirit gathers lively stones, stones that He grafts into that rock cut out of the mountain. That rock becomes bigger and bigger as it picks up greater, and greater speed, becoming weightier, and weightier all the time. This is in type and shadow depicting the very heavy weight of glory that is headed towards the earth, and not all here in the earth will be blessed by that rock saturated in weighted glory!! Jesus said if men won’t fall upon this rock, Jesus Christ, then it will fall upon them!!!  The church will have in these last days a weight and a holiness that comes against all that is false, both in the church and out, and judge with righteous judgment all that is in darkness.  All those that know their God shall be strong and do exploits!

 We are, and have been since the beginnings of our nation, in the foot stage of that image that Daniel saw in his vision. That iron that is still in this nation is not going to mix with the clay of the anti-Christ doctrines that surround us on all sides!  However, notice that the rock cut out of the mountain destroys the strength of the iron also. It is time we, as Christians, stop bragging about the strength of the iron in this nation, and get our eyes back on the Rock. Neither the iron nor the clay was good enough to stand in the holy eyes of God. While we blame bad government, it is the enemy’s strategy to get us in wars and political arguments and scandals that don’t matter! As long as slew foot can get us involved in the wrong war, and paying attention to all the scandals around us, we continue ignoring the scandal of the cross. Then he has us! 

I have heard many people say they just want government back the way it was. Many people fail to realize the way it was, as much as  of us enjoyed it, was not good enough for God. God will uproot and blow away not only the clay among us but also the strength of the iron because there was too much bragging about it in the first place. It is long overdue that the people of God in this nation want a perfect government that will rest upon the shoulders of Christ and not our favorite politicians. Even our forefathers that we so like to brag about, and as good as some of them might have been, fell short of God’s greatest desire for a more perfect government made without hands. His servant Daniel was faithful to show us how all government will be smashed into powder.  Yes, even this government in America that we cry for to be restored to her past glory! God is telling us to let go of what we once had and stop fighting to gain back what he has rejected to usher in something far greater than what many of his people won’t let go of. The church must come into unity with the mind of Christ at this moment in history. As she joins hands with the Holy Spirit and all of creation in deep groaning and travail to herald in the kingdom of God, under the canopy of Christ Jesus, who shall rule and reign forever and ever. Too many are still whining and crying and grieving the very heart of God as they ask for the leeks and the cucumbers of what they want America to be again. It will never be that again. Let go of what you want back from the past and strive for what God wants in the present and in the future.

We are in a revolution; we are in a spiritual war.  We may lose a battle from time to time, but we will not lose the war if we listen to our general in the heavens.  There will be some very hard times, as both the iron and the clay are destroyed.  That iron we have all loved so much, that strength that we all admired in this nation, that good part will also be destroyed simply because it has not been good enough for God. God always wants the best not just what is good.  Good, better, best.  God will never rest until the good gets better and the better gets best!  That might not be our standard but it is the standard of the God we serve.  If so, then let us not be afraid to let go of the past and let go of all fear and come into perfect agreement with God’s standard and not what we have been comfortable with. That great and mighty rock cut out of the mountain, without hands, needs to be the revelation of the church at this time, especially in this nation where the iron and the clay struggle against each other in ever increasing ways. Let it all go!

 He who can hear what the Spirit is saying to the church, let it all go. Every nation struggles inside of His womb to bring a many membered body into the fullness of the mind of Christ. People yearning for the good ol’ days of the past are going to miss the next and final and greatest blue print plan for the church in these last days.  We are being called to a war but not for what we had in the past. You that hear what the Spirit is saying to the church will catch this but all those who hope for what once was will miss the next and greatest move of God, which is the full measure of the mind of Christ.  We won’t find it in the past. The kingdom of God is at hand.

Praying for Churches in My Town

I’m on day 23 of 30 in praying for the churches in my town. It began on the first of November at the Lord’s direction not knowing that others were beginning a month of posting each day what they were thankful for.  When I began my prayer quest, I had no idea what to expect.  I know some of the churches well, having attended and ministered in them in years past or I am currently worshiping with them. When praying for some I got distinct impressions how to pray, with others, nothing. It doesn't seem to be as important how I’m praying as the fact that I am praying.  A simple prayer of blessing or a pointed intercession both are accomplishing what God intended, especially in me. I’d like to share just a couple of things that have happened for me as a result of this God-given task.

                I believe that above every other benefit for me has been a renewed awareness of the combined footprint the church of God has in this small town. It’s very easy to get focused on what our church, our ministry, or our denomination is doing in the area and forget that we are not the only ones touching lives. In the apartment complex where I live, a Lutheran church in the general neighborhood has began a weekly Bible study, did several children’s activities this summer, and has some Christmas activities coming up.  They have a beautiful building to worship in but meet in the new community room at our complex when they come here to minister. They have added a welcome Godly presence in a neighborhood that has a lot of single parent households as well as its share of drug and domestic violence activity. Another church has also been planted on our side of town that focuses on those believers in recovery and the non-churched as well. The pastors have a heart to see the lost saved and new believers grow in the grace of God as they face their addictions and grow past them in Christ. They meet in a school cafeteria by design to be able to put what resources do come in back into the community. Now on the surface, these two churches are as opposite as day and night. One has an older congregation and liturgical worship, and the other has a younger congregation, very contemporary praise band and open worship format.  Their target and approach are very different but they each add to the footprint in a unique way that builds the kingdom. I think of churches I've never been in on the other side of town. I think of denominations whose ways are not like mine. They contribute to the footprint, too. Every toe on the foot, every finger on the hand, every organ in the body is important.

                For me, acknowledging the larger church of my community in my prayers has been a blessing. I have a week to go and will probably start the cycle again next month. I take as much time as needed to pray for each day’s assignment, as the Holy Spirit leads me. As I check my daily list to see who is on for the day, I realize that my doctrinal stance and Christian experience are at odds with some I pray for. But I pray anyway. I pray because I know God has a plan for each church in my town. I pray God will bless the pastor and leadership and reveal Himself to them in a greater way. I ask the Holy Spirit to stir every pot and bring His goodness out of every congregation. I ask that Jesus be glorified in everything they do. I pray for them the same way I pray for myself.    

Mothers, Where Are You?

I remember when I got saved in the early 70s and settled into church life in The Dalles, Oregon, I was blessed to be in the company of mothers. Most were natural mothers, too, but it was their spiritual mothering that I benefited from greatly. They knew how to get with you and “pray you through.” And come hell or high water, they helped get you to the throne of grace to take care of business. I’m not saying I didn't have men as spiritual fathers. I did. Good solid men of God who helped mold and shape me as a young man. But what I miss and what I want to know about our current church culture is, “Mothers, where are you?”

It wasn't only just those women in the congregation that mothered us. We had mothers with strong apostolic and prophetic anointing on their lives come to us and preach the word with power and authority, not to just the women but to the whole congregation. One particular dear saint, Rachael Titus, packed such an anointing on her that the room would hush when she entered. Rachael was in her 80s at the time and I remember her mothering us with deep wisdom, spiritual discernment, and power.

I know the black church has a long history honoring their mothers. Deaconesses are often referred to as Mother. They are shown great respect in the congregation and listened to. They are given freedom to speak into the church. And not quite as comical as a Tyler Perry movie, you don’t want to be on the wrong side of the “look.” The look says it all.

Could it be that In an attempt to get men to take their rightful place in the life of the church, we've let the pendulum swing far too wide,  bringing with that the consequence of discouraging  and devaluing the spiritual mothers in our midst? I know that Women’s Ministry in the church is important, as is Men’s Ministry. There are times when we need to be with and fellowship and minister to those of like gender. But most women never get a chance to do more than that.

We talk so much in evangelical circles about the need for a father and a mother in the home. We need the same thing in the church. We let the women bake the cookies for the after service fellowship and let them change poopy diapers in the nursery, and teach the kids in Sunday school, but do we really let them Mother the church? Do we respect them enough to allow them their rightful place in speaking into our lives from the pulpit some Sundays?  It seems we want the benefits of their service but not the benefits that would serve us the best; their wisdom, insight, and power. Mothers, where are you? 

A Year Pursuing Holiness

I set off at the beginning of this year (2013) to pursue holiness. That statement, to some, might seem absolutely absurd. In fact, it is. First of all, to set a time limit on the things of God is presumptuous at best. God doesn't work on our schedule. And secondly, to think one can obtain what is pursued with any certainty is also presumptuous.  Finding the things of God is not like a trip to the store to find ice cream. So let me describe my presumptuously absurd journey over the last months and then draw some conclusions from it.

                I began my quest with the reading of “Spiritual Sobriety- Freedom and Recovery from Cultural Christianity” by Frank Manno. The plow was harnessed to the oxen with that one. Next came “Holiness, Truth, and the Presence of God” by Francis Frangipane. We were off and running then, turning over some soil in my life that had long lain fallow. Throughout this year I've spent the time with Oswald Chambers, Steve Hill, J. Lee Grady, Smith Wigglesworth, C.H. Spurgeon, and a second round with Frangipane in “The Days of His Presence.” I've read and re-read Art Katz’s “Apostolic Foundations” and marveled at his teaching concerning the correlation between priesthood and the apostolic ministry. “Seven Lamps of Fire” and other books by George H. Warnock have challenged me beyond measure.  Each author has hit a different note in a beautiful harmony which accompanies the melody the Holy Spirit is beginning to play in my life.

                I have listened to hours of preaching by David Wilkerson, Carter Conlon, Leonard and David Ravenhill, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and other men and women of God from a variety of denominational backgrounds. Some are very well known, and others not so much, like Pastor Joe Myers from Grace Street Church of God in Apopka, Florida. He’s a hard working, blue collar pastor with a full time construction business and a full tilt anointing. Their messages aren’t always explicit concerning holiness, but their spirits are immersed in the experience of holiness in their own lives that comes through their preaching. Some are fiery in their approach to preaching, like Pastor Joe, and some are very conversational in their delivery. It’s their lifestyle behind their styles that made all the difference. It’s the same with the authors. Not every book I read is about holiness, but I found holiness in every book.

                With all this reading and listening I even found time to read my Bible and pray. Imagine that! Some of my reading was topical, some devotional, and some just because. I prayed the same way. I think I like the just because the best. I also found with Bible reading and praying came a lot of time just quietly listening to the Holy Spirit. And thinking.  And listening.  And thinking. And then responding. I believe that’s called a conversation.

                I’m not going to spend the time or words here to describe in detail every nuance of my journey this year, but I would like to draw a few conclusions.  My presumptuously absurd journey did reach a favorable destination. I’ve long been a proponent of praying, “Lord, help me live with my questions while I’m waiting for your answers.” OK, I’m at that place with holiness, too. Was I able to accomplish what I wanted to this year? Oh, yes, and more. Was I able to “catch” holiness? I rather believe instead that holiness caught me. You might ask, “How do you know that to be true?”

   Here’s the bottom line. I believe I’m much farther along than I was because I’m far enough down the path to look back. I’m not the same guy I was going into this journey. I believe I’m a better husband. (Check with my wife for conformation!) I know that my nature has become more Christ-like. I don’t struggle with some of the sinful attitudes I struggled with a year ago. I know the most important key this year on my end was the fact that I wanted to make the journey.  And, as I expected, any destination is just the beginning of the next leg of the trip.

               Paul got it right when he said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “

(Philippians 3:7-14 KJV)

A Thief in the Night

               Several months ago, my friend’s house was broken into.  The thieves took some valuable electronic stuff from a workroom and some not so valuable snack food from the kitchen counter. They even got into the refrigerator and left the door open when they left. Such punks! My very nice Nikon camera had found its second home at their house, and yes, it was taken also, along with several computers and other cameras. My camera was a lot of money when I bought it, but at the time, I had the money. Now I don’t have the money to replace it, which makes it even more valuable to me. And the thing is, this all happened in the middle of the night when they were at home sleeping. They had no idea anything was missing until they woke up, saw the refrigerator door open, the snack food gone, and then began to notice the things of substance that were gone. The thieves were either very quiet with their actions or my friends are very sound sleepers.

                Our country is asleep and very soundly. The church is asleep, too, and snoring to boot. America is losing freedoms it paid a high price for and may not have what it takes to get them back. The church is not exercising the privileges it has left in an environment that is noticeably more hostile with each passing year. And still we sleep, and snore, occasionally rolling over and stretching to get more comfortable for the next round of slumber. Fluffing the pillows just won’t do it.

                For some the dawning of new morning will bring exceeding joy, to others great pain and sense of doom. Yes, Jesus will come as a thief, too. For those who know Him he will steal away all pain, sorrow, and inadequacies we have borne in this life. For those who do not know Him, the clock will stop. Time to repent will be stolen away. Regret will remain.  They will say, “If only we had woken up.”

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,”

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-9 KJV)