It is the responsibility of the elders of the assembly to guide the believers into profitable manifestations of the Spirit of God and to lovingly stop exhibitions that seem inappropriate. An uncomfortable feeling about what is taking place is sufficient authorization and motivation for the pastor and elders to stop any activity in the assembly. Not to do so is to fail in our role before God.

In our assembly we are not afraid to step out in new activities as seems appropriate, such as having members of the worship team prophesy with music in the background. Also we have been known to march around the church for fifteen minutes carrying the great banner portraying Christ coming on His white horse, while the only music is coming from the drums. We do not do this every Sunday at eleven o'clock but only as we all feel the moving of the Lord.

I include these personal references to show we are not against revival or the moving of the Lord but are indicating we can do all things as well as doing them decently and in order.

All that is done is under the careful supervision of elders, and each participant knows that to rebel against the authority structure of the church will result in a loss of the anointing.

So we are not by any means discouraging the believers from reaching out to touch the hem of Christ's garments. We think there can be an infinite variety of expressions of Christ as the various gifts and ministries are assigned to the multitude of personalities of the believers.

When the true Divine renewal comes, let us exclaim, "This is that!"

But meanwhile let us be careful what we receive is really "that" and not some impression of the enemy that leads us away from keeping the commandments of Christ.

If our Christian faith does not transform our character until the iron is formed that will govern the nations in righteousness, then we are not addressing ourselves to our discipleship as we should.

One time the sons of the prophets decided to build a larger building. Sound familiar?

But they were chopping wood with a borrowed axe. This means they were operating in the spiritual strength of others.

As will always happen, they lost the axe head and had only the helve with which to cut wood.

They called for the man of God. Elisha told them to throw a stick into the water and the iron would swim.

So it is with us. We may be trying to build when we have only the handle of the axe. If we will throw the stick, meaning our personal cross, into the waters of renewal, the iron strength of Divine righteousness will float.

Do you want the iron of God? Then flee from that which is vain, the religious games being played, and seek the God of Elijah and Elisha, of Paul, of Peter, of the Lord Jesus. Take up your cross, for apart from bearing your cross behind Jesus Christ you cannot be a disciple and you will be open to deception. Learn of Christ. Pray for the strength and wisdom to keep His commandments and those of His Apostles.

Soon the iron will swim in your personality and you will build the true house of God and Christ—your own personality.

Then God will have an eternal dwelling place and our sick society will have some light, some salt, a moral anchor to hold to when the raging of the wicked ones is as a storm against the wall.

That day is upon us in America. The age of moral horrors is here. Paul's prophecy has come to pass. We are lovers of ourselves. The end is moral chaos and finally Divine judgment.

Let us arise and build the wall against sin. Maybe the Lord will see our repentance and notice our seeking of His face. Maybe if we stand in the gap God will heal us before America becomes no more than a chapter in the history books.

There is a great deal to be learned today as God is opening the seals of His holy Word. Who among us is willing to learn from Jesus Christ, putting into practice His righteous ways, that he in turn may then disciple others?

Will you?

Let us become, and then make, disciples! (from Making Disciples)