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E-Newsletter Archive
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What does faith
like a child look like?
Are you sure
you qualify?
August 20, 2006
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in this issue
-- Faith Like A Teenager
-- Lots of
changes on the website
Dear Brethren,
I'm continually
humbled by the people that email or call or bump into me and tell me
that they have been praying for me regularly. I have no idea how many
are out there, but know that I am supremely grateful. I can't imagine
how I could walk this without lots of prayer and support.
I'm excited about
some things that God is doing in Kansas City. It's still too early to
tell you all about it, but I believe that you will see the fruit very
soon. A lot of work has been done for years by people all over town -
and all over the world for that matter - to pray in revival for
Kansas City. I think it's time.
In this email is
one of the hardest things I've written. I have used this analogy with
people in the past, but never written it down. This morning I woke up
with it racing through my mind and in my quiet time, the Lord made it
clear that it was time to write it and send it out. The version here
is shortened from what's on the website, so I'd encourage you to
follow the link and read the slightly longer one online.
There are still
people forwarding the Apology to the World to folks and we continue
to have traffic coming to the site from unexpected places. We'd love
any help you can be with that. Send it to anybody that you think
would benefit - especially people that were hurt by the "chuch."
Thanks for your
prayers. I know it's been a wild ride and I appreciate your patience
with me. I think we're almost there. When the boulder gets to the top
of the hill, then it will start rolling down the other side on its
own. But keep pushing!
Doug Perry
Servant of God
Faith Like A Teenager
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We have three
different, identical accounts of Jesus' clear statement that you WILL
NOT enter into the kingdom of God unless you receive it like a little child.
Matt. 18:3 And
said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (And
Mark 10:15 and Luke 18:17)
This is a pretty
darn critical point and you might want to really, really be sure that
you are getting this right! So, how are you doing on this point? Do
you have faith like a child? Perhaps a parable will help.
FaithLikeAChild
sits in the back of the minivan and looks out the window and goes,
“Whee!” FaithLikeAChild doesn't know how the engine works
or where gasoline comes from and does not worry about whether the
minivan has side air bags. FaithLikeAChild just knows that Dad is
driving and we're going to Grandma's house and we're stopping at
McDonald's on the way! FaithLikeAChild doesn't know how to navigate
the route and doesn't care. FaithLikeAChild would never even consider
trying to drive – it never even occurred to FaithLikeAChild that
Dad wasn't fully capable of getting the job done all by himself.
FaithLikeAChild just peacefully dozes off and enjoys the ride, even
if it's bumpy. Nothing to worry about, because Dad knows what He's
doing. FaithLikeAChild chatters with Dad and hangs on his every word
because FaithLikeAChild adores Dad. Dad is his provider, rescuer,
leader and generally his real life superhero. Regardless of any
physical or logical evidence to the contrary, FaithLikeAChild is just
sure that his Dad can beat up your dad.
If you want to see
another picture of FaithLikeAChild, try this:
Mark 4: 37-40 -
And a furious storm of wind arose, and the waves kept beating into
the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Jesus] was
in the stern of the boat, asleep on the cushion; and they awoke Him
and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? And
He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be
still! And the wind ceased and there was immediately a great calm. He
said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you
have no faith?
FaithLikeAChild
was the other name of that kid with a slingshot that said this to a
monster named Goliath:
1 Sam. 17:26, 37,
46, 48 - Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the
armies of the living God. The Lord who delivered me from the paw of
the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of
this Philistine. This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I'll
strike you down and cut off your head. Then as the Philistine moved
closer to attack him, David ran quickly to the battle line to meet him.
And lots like him
– Abraham, Noah, Moses, Joseph, Daniel, Gideon, Samson, Peter,
Stephen and many more throughout history. FaithLikeAChild speaks
boldly and fearlessly and RUNS QUICKLY to the battle line to meet the
enemy. FaithLikeAChild doesn't worry about fancy armor or battle
strategy, FaithLikeAChild knows that God can use anything and so he
goes against the giants in the strength that he has - even a
slingshot and five stones. FaithLikeAChild is supremely offensive to
others because he is the most like Jesus. People think he is
arrogant, foolish, senseless, suicidal, childish, short-sighted and
generally impossible to deal with. As soon as Goliath saw David, he
despised him (I Sam. 17:42). David's brothers burned with anger
towards him (I Sam. 17:28). Saul hated him (I Sam. 18:8-11 and
elsewhere). There is no end of trouble when you start accepting the
Kingdom of God like a little child! And no end to the reward.
Sadly,
FaithLikeATeenager is far more common. FaithLikeATeenager doesn't
want to sit in the back of the minivan, he just got his license and
he wants to drive himself. FaithLikeATeenager whines for Dad to get
into the passenger seat. FaithLikeATeenager doesn't want to go to
McDonald's because it isn't healthy and he can't believe that Dad is
unaware of the ecological and economic and human justice damage that
a worldwide conglomerate like that is doing to the world. Dad is just
not as well-informed as FaithLikeATeenager. In fact, sometimes
FaithLikeATeenager wonders how Dad ever got along without him.
FaithLikeATeenager doesn't particularly want to go to Grandma's
house, but is just sure that he knows a quicker way to get there.
FaithLikeATeenager doesn't doze off and enjoy the ride.
FaithLikeATeenager turns the music up really loud, makes a call on
his cell phone, drinks his wheat germ smoothie, drives too fast and
tries hard to ignore Dad as much as possible. FaithLikeATeenager is
just sure that he has all the answers and his way is best. In fact,
he would really like it if Dad would just shut up and leave him
alone. He is his own superhero.
FaithLikeAChild
knows that he is completely safe because God is in control.
FaithLikeATeenager thinks he is indestructible because he is really
smart and cool. One of them is wrong. Which one do you think Dad
would rather hang out with?
Who were the
experts in FaithLikeATeenager in Jesus' time? The Pharisees and the
Saducees. The religious leaders are always the ones that think
they're all grown up and that they know best. Go read Matthew 23 and
see how Jesus felt about them. He's pretty clear about how He feels
about FaithLikeATeenager. You better hope you're not one of them.
How about this?
Matthew 7:21-23 -
“Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is
in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform
many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.
Away from me, you evildoers!'
If this is really
true, then we might want to be listening to Dad more and obeying Him
and not going our own way. Many will think that they are just fine
– until they are told to their face that their new name is
“FaithLikeATeenager” and that it has all been in vain.
Just stop for a
minute and look around and see if you or your congregation or your
denomination are arguing with anybody else about who is the greatest.
See if you are letting God direct your paths or you are leaning on
your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5- 6 is pretty clear. All means
ALL. None of your own understanding is acceptable. None of you
directing your own paths is OK. Doing so means that you are not
trusting the Lord your God with ALL your heart. And it means that
your new name is FaithLikeATeenager and God is going to write it on
your forehead. The first being in history to earn that name was
Lucifer. If God writes that on your forehead – then,
congratulations, you just got the mark of the beast.
If that's your
name, even a little bit, then you might want to say you're sorry and
beg the Lord to scrub it off your forehead and ask Him daily to kill
anything in you that is more than about six years old – give or take.
Click
to read the full "Faith Like A Teenager" article...
Lots of changes
on the website
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If you've
been to the website lately you'll notice some changes. I've taken all
the money stuff and complaints and criticisms about the sad state of
the "church" and moved them toward the back. Not that those
things aren't real and valid, but all of the things that we learned
during the time in Liberty need to move to the front.
So you'll see it
broken up into sections and lots of new stuff added, particularly
about revival personally and collectively, the need for it and how to
get it. One of the areas that I have felt the most fruit is in
helping individual people hear God better and get obstacles out of
way that blocked full submission to Him and His plan for them.
The Lord has given
me lots of opportunities to practice on individuals and even on
congregations. I've seen people totally receive it and be transformed
and people harden their hearts and go a whole other way - sometimes
disastrously so. Yet I know that God loves them and even if they run
from Him at full speed, He is faithful and will do what He can at the
right moment to make them turn.
Anyway, I'd
encourage you to take a look around the site. It basically looks the
same cosmetically, but the whole emphasis is changing more toward
breaking the yokes, lifting the chains of oppression and teaching
people how to walk in His ways. If they can hear Him really well,
they probably won't spend their money the way they have been.
Stay tuned. Lots
more on the way, including a complete Revival Packet that I hope will
be a great help for you, your family and your city.
Visit
Revival section of FOTM ...
Fellowship Of The Martyrs
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email: fotm@fellowshipofthemartyrs.com
web: http://www.FellowshipOfTheMartyrs.com
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