By Francis Frangipane
"When He approached, He saw the city and wept over it" (Luke 19:41).
If
Jesus came today and gazed upon the divisions and lack of prayer in His
Church, would tears flood His eyes, even as He once wept over
Jerusalem? Even now I believe the Lord's hands are extended in love
toward the Church in our cities. Knowing we cannot win the citywide war
as isolated, individual congregations, Christ longs to unite us.
Unity
in the born-again church is not a casual reflection in Christ's heart.
He said, "How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a
hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!"
(Luke 13:34)
The Things Which Make for Peace
What the Spirit of Jezebel Hates
By Francis Frangipane
Perhaps at no other time in history has the spirit of Jezebel had such access to a culture. This immoral spirit has set its goal to corrupt entire generations. Jesus Himself warned about tolerating the influence of this spirit. In fact, He promised, "He who overcomes . . . I will give authority over the nations" in the age to come (Rev. 2:26).
The spirit of Jezebel hates repentance. Her worst fear is that a congregation will begin to mourn over their sins. Though this spirit may intellectually espouse true doctrines, the person's heart will reject the embrace of true repentance.
Perhaps at no other time in history has the spirit of Jezebel had such access to a culture. This immoral spirit has set its goal to corrupt entire generations. Jesus Himself warned about tolerating the influence of this spirit. In fact, He promised, "He who overcomes . . . I will give authority over the nations" in the age to come (Rev. 2:26).
The spirit of Jezebel hates repentance. Her worst fear is that a congregation will begin to mourn over their sins. Though this spirit may intellectually espouse true doctrines, the person's heart will reject the embrace of true repentance.
The Sword of the Spirit
Francis Frangipane
Christ not only came to set captives free, He came to train and empower the recently freed to be warriors. We may not always walk perfectly, but because God causes all things to work for good, we still can walk triumphantly. How can we, imperfect Christians, walk triumphantly? The Bible says we overcome "because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of [our] testimony, and [we do] not love [our lives] even when faced with death" (Rev. 12:11).
These three things - Christ's atoning blood, our testimony of God's eternal word and choosing to not love our own lives - secure us in the place of victory. We are a covenant people, a people purchased for God from every nation. Yes, we still sin, but God has placed the iniquity of us all upon His Son, Jesus Christ (Isa. 53). When the enemy comes to accuse and condemn us for our failures, we must remind ourselves that every sin we have ever committed has been nailed to Christ's cross. The entire "certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us," has been paid in full by the blood of Jesus Christ! (Col. 2:14).
In the Face of the Impossible
By Francis Frangipane
The Making of a Ministry
"The disciples came to Him, saying, 'The place is desolate, and the time is already past; so send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.' But Jesus said to them, 'They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!' And they said to Him, 'We have here only five loaves and two fish'" (Matt 14:15-17).
I want to talk about how the Lord raises up a mature man or woman of God--the drives and attitudes that propel a person into a fully committed walk with Jesus Christ. It is essential to realize from the beginning that, when it comes to doing God's will, both the person and God's provision will always seem inadequate. Oh, you will have been prepared, somewhat. You will have studied and prayed, but not enough. You will have faithfully given of your time and finances, but nothing you do will be something you can confidently rely upon. Indeed, when you've done all you could, you will mutter to the Lord your equivalent of the disciples': "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
The Making of a Ministry
"The disciples came to Him, saying, 'The place is desolate, and the time is already past; so send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.' But Jesus said to them, 'They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!' And they said to Him, 'We have here only five loaves and two fish'" (Matt 14:15-17).
I want to talk about how the Lord raises up a mature man or woman of God--the drives and attitudes that propel a person into a fully committed walk with Jesus Christ. It is essential to realize from the beginning that, when it comes to doing God's will, both the person and God's provision will always seem inadequate. Oh, you will have been prepared, somewhat. You will have studied and prayed, but not enough. You will have faithfully given of your time and finances, but nothing you do will be something you can confidently rely upon. Indeed, when you've done all you could, you will mutter to the Lord your equivalent of the disciples': "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
He Will Make a Way
By Francis Frangipane
Taxes, threat of terror attacks, illness and aging, finances, political conflicts, family relationships, church struggles, fears, insurance issues, air travel impositions, job loss, gasoline prices, war, injustice, death -- these are just a few of the enemies most of us face daily. Yet let me also tell you what the Lord has spoken to my soul:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
The Lord doesn't want us to simply possess a generalized peace, based on having no particular problems; nor does He plans to give us a slightly spiritual, yet human-sized kind of peace. If we follow the sequence of obedience He presents, His intention is to shelter us in His very own peace: the imperturbable peace of God.
What Does Revival Look Like?
By Francis Frangipane
People often ask me, "How will we know true revival when it comes to our city?" To me, a revival is not legitimized merely by the increasing numbers of signs and wonders. Moses, Elijah and Elisha all had great signs accompanying their lives, but proliferation of signs did not create a revival nor does their existence equate to revival. Israel was often awed by manifestations, yet spiritual signs never brought the nation to lasting repentance.
What about powerful and exciting church services? Personally, I do not believe church services, even if they are daily and continue until midnight, are themselves a convincing sign of revival. Increased services may accompany spiritual renewal, but neither are they, in themselves, evidence of a move of God.
What, then, should revival look like? On an individual, person-by-person level, a true revival looks like people being empowered to become like Jesus.
People often ask me, "How will we know true revival when it comes to our city?" To me, a revival is not legitimized merely by the increasing numbers of signs and wonders. Moses, Elijah and Elisha all had great signs accompanying their lives, but proliferation of signs did not create a revival nor does their existence equate to revival. Israel was often awed by manifestations, yet spiritual signs never brought the nation to lasting repentance.
What about powerful and exciting church services? Personally, I do not believe church services, even if they are daily and continue until midnight, are themselves a convincing sign of revival. Increased services may accompany spiritual renewal, but neither are they, in themselves, evidence of a move of God.
What, then, should revival look like? On an individual, person-by-person level, a true revival looks like people being empowered to become like Jesus.
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