†   OPINION : 06-01-07     [ -- THE BODY WILL STAND IF THE HEADS CONNECTED -- ]

In three months {Sept 21st} Gang Watchers will celebrate it's second anniversary. In retrospect we have come a long way and it feels like it's only the beginning. We are convinced that GOD started this ministry and what GOD has started ... no man can stop or change.

Our city, however, has gone through a few changes - some good and some ... not so good. And our local police department has gone through some leadership changes - some good and some ... I'm still not to sure about; the {Grand} Jury is still out on that one.

Our Churches have gone through some changes - some according to GOD's plan - and some not ... and in my OPINION - that's where we need to come together and that's what I need to discuss today.

The Body will stand if the heads connected

Most believers want to be connected to something great, especially if they know there's a pay-off. The problem today is we want that pay-off here and we want it now. It's called immediate self gratification. Most folks have heard this term, as have many of our youth ... but all of us Christians have to learn to wait upon the LORD for an answer. It's just that way.

However, if we can read a book or watch a "Christian" preacher on TV to get an answer a little quicker, we'll do it. We all do this, because it's now part of the American Christian Culture. And we believe that GOD arranged it that way ... or did HE ?

Yes ... God sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins and to make sure that we'd be with Him someday in Heaven. And yes GOD does want us to be Blessed. But what if those Blessings get in the way and become a stumbling stone to you and other Believers ? Can that happen ? It's already happening and in the last book of the Bible {Rev 3:14} we read about those lazy larger-than-life Laodiceans.

Christians who arn't afraid to believe the Bible, know exactly what I'm saying. We do have tares in the Body of Christ and some of those tares are our very own Church leaders. GOD, for some reason, has a harder time getting to these leaders and pastors than the rest of us. And GOD will judge them more, not because they are ignorant -- like us -- but because they did know what to say and what to do.

Now many of these "tare" able teachers and pastors have heard this message over and over again. In their mind they reason ... those mis-guided messengers are just jealous and they bring a spirit of separation. And for the most part - that's true. But what if one of those mis-guided messengers has a real message ???

Here's what happen's ...

First, if they are in a local Church and perform all the necessary church-like functions that all the other sheep do ... the leaders {ushers} should sense a change {most don't}. Second, their friends should notice a change {most don't}. Third, the pastor should notice a change {most don't}.

And then it happens, someone finally notices a change and has the courage to ask that individual ... are you ok ? And that person can't respond because he feels that no one will believe that GOD has moved on him to do something for the Gospel. His perspective has changed. He now knows what to do. He now has a purpose in life. He now feels like he's a real believer and his first obsticle is to answer this person's question -- with a question. I'm ok ... but I'm now concerned about you. And so it goes.

Safety in numbness ...

Now you stand out like a sore thumb and the body of believers must deal with this "New-You". You hope and pray they understand and that GOD will show them as well. Most of the time, HE can't. They have become numb to HIS Spirit and numb to HIS Message. "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel". They have become part of the "Chosen-Frozen" and to thaw them out, GOD has to turn up the heat.

Sadly and cyclically this is the history of the Church, the Body of Christ. But GOD still Loves us, and has determined that no one should be lost and if our mission is to leave the 99 to retrieve the one ... do it. Therein lies the bigger Blessing. And that is the truth, no matter to cost !!!

And here's the funny part, usually ... that body of believers thinks you're that one who has left and gone astray. And ... so you come out from among them. No longer numb - no longer lost.

But the answer for the body ... is to believe the message that GOD gave you. Too many times a message or warning is given from the pulpit and the body assumes the pastor will continue to carry their load. And in their ignorance and un-belief they continue in their work-a-day world as if they are protected - by the pastor. The pastor hopes that ain't the case, but it usually is because that body of believers are afraid to believe - like the pastor. Why ? They're afraid that the GOD that Blessess them might talk to them, making them responsible for the message and no one else.

Shut the church down, leave or preach the Gospel ...

Once the pastor realizes there's more tares in the flock than wheat, he must do one of three things -- Shut the church down, leave or preach the Gospel. In any event ... it's gonna hurt - for a long time. And this little insight won't stop it because the reader won't believe it ... until it happens.

ANSWER : Preach the Gospel ! Not the Gospel of Blessings but the Gospel of Believing - believing that GOD wants to talk to us, not just the leaders or pastors - all of us. GOD has a message for us and when we get closer to HIS coming we will "hear HIS Voice". And we will be moved by HIS HOLY SPIRIT !

And once you hear ... then you will know. The Gospel of Blessings - for some reason - doesn't seam all that important anymore. What's important is hearing from our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST. The day-to-day cares of this world no longer matters. You know GOD's got your back. And you know what to do Monday through Saturday ... and Sunday then becomes a real day of rest, not from working to make a living ... but from fighting the good fight. Getting before the LORD on Sunday now becomes a day a praise and a day of worship. You have seen the mighty hand of GOD earlier that week and came to church to say thanks and to edify the body.

The cost of connection ...

Millions of Christians all over the world and throughout history already know the cost of connection. They know going in and they know going out. They know because they hear it in HIS Voice. They know because they feel it in their calling. They know because their minds and they flesh remind them daily what they gave up ... to be purposefully and consciously connected. But they know they're connected !

The second cost of connectiveness is within the believers family. If the family is not saved ... then the cost becomes critical. As a believer, do you disclose your mission and become rideculed or do you accept that fact that GOD may have brought the sword of division ... to spare you the harm or hurt. If most of the family members are saved ... then to cost may be minimal unless your new mission was one that the LORD gave to someone else in your family.

The third cost of connectiveness is within the local body of believers. Fellowship has a totally new meaning for those on a mission or calling. They know they may have to walk it alone for a while - with GOD - and that's ok ... because they're still connected. Once you're connected, your eyes and ears are connected as well. And you will see and hear more than you bargained for within that local body of believers. You will pray for more of GOD's people to be connected, not so much to have fellowship with them, but that they might see and hear as you now do.

The fourth cost of connectiveness is within the collective body of believers. Hundreds of thousands of Pastors pray for this daily and that is to be connected to other churches and bodies of believers. And the cost of that connection may end up in being ex-communicated or fired. Many church board members are so disconnected, that when it comes to spiritual things they vote on the side of caution to avoid any cost. To them ... it a business. And so it goes ...

Gang Watchers needs everyone to know about the cost of the good fight we are fighting - to save our kids - to save our families - to save our churches and to save our community. We have considered the cost and have moved forwarded in many new areas ... just to get the message out.

Gang Watchers message from the beginning was quite simple. Tell them about JESUS - we did. Tell them HE will forgive - we did. Ask them to Pray and accept JESUS CHRIST as their LORD and Savior - and they did. We know the cost that gang members pay to leave the gangs. And we know it's much more than most can bear. As well, some pay the ultimate price. To them the cost is worth it.

And now Gang Watchers is asking you, the local body of believers, to disciple and mentor these ex-gangmembers. We know it's gonna take some time and a lot of love, but we know you can do it. We know you're connected and see and hear what we do - so lets do it.

The Body of Christ will stand "together" if the Head is Connected - regardless of the cost !

Brother LUCKY ...