Why SASHET is not enough (1)

Why SASHET is not enough (1)
February 11, 2015

In this video, I share about a humiliating experience I had over 50 years ago when I was in 9th grade.  I remember it like it was yesterday!  That experience illustrates why “checking in” with SASHET was initially difficult for me.  See if you identify with my story and share your comments with the rest of us.  Click on the picture below to go to our blog and watch the video.

THE CHURCH OF TOMORROW

THE CHURCH of TOMORROW
-by Andrew Strom.

A lot of people probably read some of our writings and wonder,
"Where is all this headed? What is the goal?" A glib answer might
be- "We want to get back to real 'New Testament' Christianity."
But what exactly does that look like?

This is an important topic - and something I have pondered a great
deal over the years. What exactly would the 'New Testament Church'
look like if it was translated into a modern western city?

To get started, I want you to forget about today's church just for a
moment - with all her obvious problems and contradictions, and
picture something quite different. I want you to imagine that you
are still living in the same city, in the same year, but you are right
in the middle of a 'Book of Acts'-type scenario. Somehow everything
has changed.

For some reason, all of the Spirit-filled Christians in your city have
left their Denominations and divisions behind. They have truly begun
to fulfill the prayer of Jesus - "That they all may be ONE". They now
hold huge gatherings all over the city - right out in the open. And as
well as these united gatherings, on most streets there is now a
house-meeting, where all the Spirit-filled believers from that street
gather together, eating and sharing and having communion, etc.
(ie. A "NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH"). The power of God flowing in
these house-meetings is amazing. Many healings and miracles
are occurring. The 'gifts' flow freely every day.

It seems also that many of the church buildings and cathedrals have
simply been abandoned. No longer do Christians want to hide them-
selves away behind "four walls". They want to gather out where the
people are - presenting Jesus to the whole world. They want to be
truly "one body". There is no way that any of their old buildings
could contain the crowds, anyhow.

And the men whom God has raised up to lead this vast movement
do not seem much like the 'Reverends' or even the 'televangelists'
of old. In fact, quite a few of them have never even been to Bible
College, and they seem to be very plain, ordinary people from
humble backgrounds. But what an anointing! It is very clear to
everyone that these 'apostles and prophets' (as they are known)
have spent many years in prayer and brokenness before God -
drawing closer and closer to Him. When they speak, the very fear
of the Lord seems to come down, and many people repent deeply
of their sins. Demons are cast out and the blind and crippled are
made whole. -These kinds of things are happening all the time.
The whole city is just in awe of what is going on, and thousands
upon thousands are being saved. Even the newspapers and
television are full of it.

As soon as someone repents they are immediately baptized in
water and hands are laid on them for the infilling of the Holy Spirit.
-This is expected from day one! And it is also expected that every
Christian has a gift and calling from God - and that they should be
encouraged to move forward and fulfill their calling. No longer is
there a distinction made between those who are "ministers" and
those who are merely 'laity'. Now it is expected that EVERYONE
is a minister of the Lord! (However, there are 'elders' - ie. older
Christians to guide things).

Some of the bishops and pastors from several denominations have
actually denounced this great move of God very strongly. They say
it is "deception" and warn their people to stay away. (-Every Revival
in history has been accused of this - usually by religious leaders).
But to be honest, it is so obvious to most people that God is the
one behind it all, that very few take these men seriously. The Spirit
of God is sweeping all before Him. The glory of the Lord has come.

One of the reasons that these leaders are so upset is that a lot of
the Christians' GIVING now does not go to church buildings, but
rather to the POOR. In fact, God has spoken to many people to
start supporting widows and orphans overseas, etc. They also give
generously to anyone in their midst who is in need. Many even sell
their own possessions in order to do this.

The huge over-riding theme of this great movement is LOVE.
"Behold how they love one another" is the catch-cry of many who
watch this 'new church' in action. And everyone is given to MUCH PRAYER.

And so, gathering "as one" in the outdoors and breaking bread from
house to house, they eat together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord
adds to their number daily those who are being saved.

CAN This REALLY HAPPEN?

The above description is taken straight out of the Book of Acts - as
applied to today. Everything in the above paragraphs is put there to
give you an idea of what it would be like to live in the Jerusalem
church at the start of Acts. -And it was like that for YEARS. Imagine
the impact of such a church on the world around it! God is wanting
to do this again. And He wants to use ordinary people like you and
me to help bring it to pass.

I am convinced that we are NOT supposed to treat the early church
as a "special case". It was given to us as an 'example'. It is what
the "normal" church should be like all the time! And yet we have
fallen so far below this standard. Only in times of Revival do we
approach it again for a time. But I believe it is supposed to be
"normal" for the church to be like this - day in and day out. This
is the way that Jesus always wanted us to be.

However, one thing is clear. It will take a great "SHAKING" for us
to get anywhere close to the above description today. You have to
be aware that in order to get there from here, a whole lot of
'hierarchies' and church boards and careers and titles and positions
would be on the line. And a lot of men simply don't want to lose
those things. It doesn't matter to them whether it is Truth or not. If
it affects their reputation, their position or their organization, they
will oppose it with everything they have.

Sadly it is very difficult to see a "smooth" transition to this kind of
Christianity. I believe we are in for a shaky ride. But I certainly
believe that it is on God's agenda. And like the Great Reformation
before it, I believe He will do WHATEVER IT TAKES in order to
get us there.

Here's to true 'NEW TESTAMENT' Christianity, my friends - the
kind that Jesus and the apostles actually invented in the beginning.

Let us settle for nothing less - WHATEVER IT TAKES.

Please send feedback to- prophetic@revivalschool.com

God bless you all.

Andrew Strom.

Confused on Purpose

A Letter from Chip Brogden

Hey Dave,


I'm still answering emails from my last "why are you
here" message.

Responses ranged from the clear and simple to the confused and
foggy!

But I'm having a good time reading and replying to them.

I used to think that fulfilling my Purpose was something I had to
achieve.

Then I realized that Purpose isn't tied to accomplishment or
success.

Let me explain.

A young person will train many years to reach the Olympics.

If you ask them their Purpose, they'll say, "To win a gold
medal."

Let's suppose they train hard, compete in the Olympics, and win
that coveted gold medal.

With the achievement of their Purpose complete, you would think
they would be the happiest people in the world.

In fact, just the opposite happens.

They tied their purpose to achieving a goal, and they worked hard
every day to achieve that goal.

But now that they accomplished the goal, they no longer have a
Purpose.

And that leaves them asking, "Is this all there is?"

Goals are great, but Goals are not the same thing as Purpose.

Goals are about "what I want to do, and how."

Purpose is about "who I want to be, and why."

You and I can fall into a trap of False Purpose - thinking of our
Purpose in terms of what we can do, accomplish, achieve, or build.

So when we can't "do" what we think we're
supposed to "do" then we think missed our Purpose.

Sound familiar?

But what if your Purpose has nothing to do with accomplishment or
achievement?

What if your Purpose isn't reaching some Big Goal, but is
simply a state of mind and heart?

What if your Purpose is to "be"?

To be a lover and worshipper of God.

To be a lover of mankind.

To be a helper to others.

To be a voice of encouragement.

To be a disciple and student of Jesus.

What we are called to DO may change, but what we are called to BE
is pretty consistent.

At different times in its life, a tree may grow quickly, or slowly;
it will stand still, or bend with the wind; it will clothe itself
with leaves, or shed its leaves; it will change the color of its
leaves, or produce fruit.

But no matter what the tree DOES, its Purpose is "to be a
tree."

Be like the tree.

Different seasons require different actions.

So be flexible in your doing, but persistent in your being.

Don't tie your Purpose (and fulfillment) down to winning your
version of the "Gold Medal."

Have a "Heart of Gold" instead.

Instead of achieving to be happy, learn to happily achieve.

Because even when you have done all you can do, you will still be
who you are.



I am your brother,


Chip Brogden
http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org

Whole Church Whole Gospel Whole World

banyak sekali orang yang salah menafsirkan apa itu gereja dewasa ini sesuai pengertian dan tradisinya semata. Video ini menggambarkan apa itu gereja yang sebenranya dan apa tujuannya di muka bumi ini bagi perluasan kerajaan TUHAN. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_4u8TRorUw&feature=player_embedded#at=19

WHY SO LITTLE FRUIT?

"We who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake." 2 CORINTHIANS 4:11 The answer to why there is so little power and genuine spiritual fruit in the lives of those who follow Jesus is a simple one: they desire the Life of the Lord, but not His Death. They want a daily pouring out of the Lord's Life, but they shun the prospect of daily sharing in His Death. The saints of the Lord are well instructed in living victoriously, being blessed, walking in power, overcoming the enemy, and living up to their potential. By comparison, the majority of them know next to nothing about self-denial, bearing their Cross, boasting in their weaknesses, being joyful in trials, winning by losing, gaining by giving up, working by resting, accepting both the bitter and the sweet as gifts from God, enduring hardness and accepting suffering. God desires to increase us and enlarge us; He therefore calls us to go back to the Cross and start over again. Source: "Embrace the Cross" by Chip Brogden http://theschoolofchrist.org/books/embrace-the-cross.html

MISSION UPDATE 2012

MISSION UPDATE

2012



After earnest prayer in seeking the mind of Christ, Laurel and I want to update you about a “new season”

into which the Lord is leading us. We have discovered that even as the Lord led the Old and New

Testament believers in “seasons of life”, He continues to do the same today in our lives as well.



For over sixty years, I have served the Lord in the “season” as a pastor (28 years) and in “seasons” as a

missionary (32 years) “sent forth” to the nations. My wife Laurel has served faithfully at my side for all of

the 46 years of our marriage. The Lord has and continues to minister through her in unique gifts as she

has blessed not only me as her husband but everyone else whose life she has touched. She is truly a

Proverbs 31 woman to me!



During our “season” of overseas missionary work we had the joy of serving primarily in Communist,

Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist nations. We learned the importance of God’s “timing” and His “windows”

of opportunity in “opening and closing” doors. As we reflect on His timeliness, we now realize that we

only had one opportunity to enter some of these nations before their doors were closed to us. Recently

toward the end of overseas missionary travels, we began to have our visas denied because the governments

“suspected that we were engaged in Christian missionary activity”.



Now, at the age of 75, the Lord is leading us into yet another “season” of life. And that is to minister

primarily from “our hired house” by receiving and hosting servants from all over the world as Paul the

apostle did in Rome according to Acts 28:16, 23, 30-31: “And when we came to Rome, the centurion

delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a

soldier that kept him. And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him in his lodging; to

whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the

law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And Paul dwelt two whole years in his

own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching

those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.”



The Lord is directing us now to concentrate on ministering to young servant leaders around the world via

the Internet through the means of our Website, Online “School of Tyrannus”, SKYPE, Blogs, Emails, etc.,

mutually encouraging one another as we are admonished in Hebrews 10:35 “and so much the more, as

ye see the day approaching”.



Also, because of the increasing high cost of overseas travel, it is not the best stewardship of the Lord’s

resources for us to continue to travel abroad. Rather we will encourage those we have already equipped,

to continue to train others within their own boarders and beyond as Paul the apostle wrote in

II Timothy 2:2: “And the things that thou has heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou

to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also”.



One of our greatest joys is to hear from young servants we have previously trained, that they are now

equipping their second and third generation of leaders for the work to which God has called them. Only

eternity will fully reveal the fruit of this continuing ministry of equipping and mentoring for Kingdom

service.



So, while the Internet is still accessible, we need to take greater advantage of this media, especially

SKYPE and our Online “School of Tyrannus”, which are free Internet services, that will enable us to continue

to make ourselves available to young leaders in various nations for dialogue and Q&A in real time where

we can see one another via the live camera. Also, leaders can use this media to equip and train others

within and beyond their own borders.



We purpose in our hearts to continue ministering to our beloved servants until the Lord calls us home or

comes again in His triumphant return!



Thank you for allowing us to share our hearts about our “new season”. We are so grateful for your

prayers and encouragement in helping continue to “to make disciples of all nations.”



In His love and grace,

Dan and Laurel Hubbell

His servants

From “a hired house” (Acts 28:30-31)

Winnsboro, Texas USA

http://www.churchrestoration.org



P.S.

1) If you are led of the Lord to take part in this continuing ministry of Internet equipping and

mentoring, please indicate it by your email response to danh@suddenlink.net

2) Also, please let us know if you have a computer and/or have access to a computer in order

to participate in this online training.



My Life Passage: “For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth. By Thee

have I been holden up from the womb: Thou art He that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my

praise shall be continually of Thee. Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honor all

the day. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. But I

will hope continually, and will yet praise Thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth Thy

righteousness and Thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the

strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only. O God,

Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works. Now

also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed Thy strength

unto this generation, and Thy power to everyone that is to come. Thy righteousness also, O God,

is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto Thee.” Psalms 71:5-6, 8-9, 14-18

Clothed with Christ

"He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and
His clothes became as white as the light."
MATTHEW 17:2

To be clothed with the Lord Jesus is to be transfigured. For too
long we who claim a heavenly calling, a heavenly citizenship, and a
heavenly birth have lived as earthly men. What light we have is
hidden beneath a bushel; there is no glory that surrounds us. We
are not talking about an outward display, or something fleshly, but
a Light and a Life which demonstrates the presence of Christ. "In
Him was Life - and the Life was the Light of men" (John 1:4).

Source: "Lord of All" by Chip Brogden

Overcoming Tribulation

"[Paul and Barnabas] returned... strengthening the souls of the
disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We
must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'"
ACTS 14:22


Our idea of overcoming is to avoid tribulation, not pass through
it. We certainly do not connect entering the Kingdom with going
through tribulation. We think having the victory means eliminating
all tribulation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In order to enter the Kingdom there must be an increase of Christ
and a decrease of Self. This is an ongoing process, and by it we
judge how far along the Path we have progressed.

But how is Self decreased? The answer is in our circumstances and
trials. They are sufficient to decrease us. We need not do anything
but wait for them to come, and see them as our opportunity to have
Self decreased and Christ increased.

Source: "The Irresistible Kingdom" by Chip Brogden

INHERITING THE EARTH

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."
MATTHEW 5:5

The idea of the meek inheriting the earth is found throughout the
Book of Psalms. When someone is poor in spirit and mourns over his
own sins and the sins of others, pride and arrogance are
eliminated. A person who knows he is no better than the rest will
not be easily lifted up above his brothers and sisters. But this
meekness does not imply lack of power, or spineless passivity. It
is power, but it is power under the control of love and without the
poison of self-interest and self-seeking.

To have power, and to use that power only for the good and
well-being of others, is meekness. Jesus perfectly demonstrates how
power that operates through meekness cannot be quenched, whereas
temporal power and people who play politics always come to a bad
end.

A Spiritual Symphony

"I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one."
JOHN 17:23

When a symphony performs, each musician has something different to
contribute. The title of each piece of music is the same, but there
are many different parts that make up that one piece. A musician
may be an extremely talented soloist, but playing in harmony with
others requires a great deal of practice, preparation and group
rehearsal. It also requires each musician to submit to the
direction of the conductor. If that means playing "second fiddle"
then so be it. Working together takes time and patience - two
things that most people do not have an abundance of.

I trust you can see that even in this simple illustration, pride,
egotism, and an unwillingness to work with others disqualifies even
the greatest musicians from becoming viable members of a symphony.
Christ, the Master Conductor, seeks a spiritual harmony among all
His disciples: "that they all may be one... that they also may be one
in Us" (John 17:21).

Disciple making Movements

Hello Friends, We have been rereading the parables of the Kingdom and revisiting Church Planting Movements (the book & a free PDF booklet are available at www.churchplantingmovements.com). David Garrison lists 10 characteristics of most church planting movements and you might be interested to note that David's background and context is Southern Baptist.
1/ Climate of Uncertainty in the Culture
2/ Insulation from Outsiders
3/ High Cost of Following Christ
4/ Bold, Fearless Faith
5/ Family Based Conversion Patterns
6/ Rapid Incorporation of New Believers
7/ Worship in the Heart Language
8/ Divine Signs & Wonders
9/ On the Job Leadership Training
10/ Missionaries Suffered

It would seem that where believers have the least ability to exercise political power such as in China or in Iran, the Kingdom is multiplying the most rapidly. Where believers are forced to invest in prayer and people, the Kingdom advances. Where believers have the most freedom, the Kingdom is not advancing or at least not advancing as rapidly. Do we abuse freedom when we invest in programs, buildings & expressions of political power rather than prayer and people?

Does the Kingdom grow best when the illusion of power is taken from us? When it must grow from the heart and cannot be imposed from above? When the seed in the heart becomes the man in the field and then fills the earth? Do we understand the Kingdom as growing from the inside out rather than top down?

Testimonies from Iran speak of the believers there not only pursuing the family based conversion patterns but going out in public and praying the prayer of Luke 10 to be led to a person of peace. There if you talk to the wrong person about Jesus and that could mean prison. Speak to the one prepared by the Holy Spirit and tears come to their eyes. They are ready to hear and respond to Jesus.
Your brother
Steve








www.harvest-now.org

How To Always Be Blessed

"Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed
them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and
likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. They... filled twelve
baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which
were left over by those who had eaten."
JOHN 6:11,13

The issue is never what we have or what we are doing, but rather,
do we have the Lord's blessing?

With the Lord's Blessing we have Infinite Supply. Practically
speaking, it means instead of trying to convince the Lord to bless
what I want to do or what I think needs to be done, I should find
out first what the Lord wants to BLESS and do THAT instead.
Remember, "He Himself knew what He would do." (John 6:6). Thus, we
pray, "Not my will, but Your Will be done; not my kingdom, but Your
Kingdom come." And then we enjoy the Lord's Blessing on our work.

No Other Way To Be Saved

"Narrow is the gate and difficult
is the way which leads to Life."
MATTHEW 7:14

The Narrow Gate refers to salvation. We know that a gate is an
opening, or a door that one passes through. It is an entrance into
something. Jesus said, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he
will be saved" (John 10:9). Here, Jesus connects the Door, or the
Gate, to entering in through Him to be saved. This is the Narrow
Gate. Why is it narrow?

The Bible says of Jesus, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for
there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we
must be saved" (Acts 4:12). To insist that there is no salvation
apart from One Man is, in the eyes of the world, rather
narrow-minded. But we insist upon it because it is true. Jesus says
the Gate is narrow. We must go in through Him. God requires all men
to enter in through Christ in order to be saved. There is no way to
appropriate the Victory of the Cross without entering in by the One
Who was crucified for us.

Reigning on Earth

"You were slain, and have redeemed us
to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people
and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God;
and we shall reign on the earth."
REVELATION 5:9,10

When we think of a king, we usually think of some human authority
exerting their will upon their subjects with a haughty air. But
true authority is not found in title or position. Jesus, the King
of Kings, shows us that true authority is serving, not lording
over. In fact, Psalm 72 tells us what a true king is - someone who
serves the people, provides for the poor, and defends those who
cannot defend themselves.

We are being prepared for a kingdom. But our preparation is not in
learning how to wear a crown or how to walk around with a glorious
robe and scepter. One brother sings, "He's brought me low so I
could know the way to reach the heights." In God's Kingdom, to go
higher, we must go lower. That is the Hidden Wisdom.

Governed by the Holy Spirit

"The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and
bring to your remembrance all things
that I said to you."
JOHN 14:26

The Holy Spirit is the vessel - the Person, the instrument, the
agency, the method and the means - through Whom God accomplishes
His purpose of increasing Christ in all things. Jesus said this
Helper, this Counselor, this Comforter, this Teacher will abide
with us for- ever and will help us as we walk the Difficult Path
towards the full knowledge of Christ.

To the extent that we allow ourselves to come under the government
of the Holy Spirit, to that extent will Christ be increased. Since
the Holy Spirit is responsible for the increase of Christ,
spiritual growth is impossible apart from the Spirit. There will be
no measurable advancement, no real apprehension of spiritual
things, and no recovery of the Heavenly Order apart from the
ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Enjoy Your Inheritance

"It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain
of the water of Life freely to him who thirsts. He who
overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God
and he shall be My son."
REVELATION 21:6,7

As we look at the promises made to those who overcome we should see
that God is not establishing some new order or special group which
enjoys rights and privileges not accessible to the rest of the
saints. This is not the establishing of new promises, but a
bringing us back to the same exceeding great and precious promises
which are potentially true of everyone who is in Christ. It is not
establishing a new foundation, it is calling us back to the
Foundation which is already laid.

Crucified AS Us

"Those who are Christ's have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
GALATIANS 5:24

Scripture says that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified
(past tense) the flesh with its passions and desires. No one can
commit suicide by crucifixion. Someone else must nail us to the
Cross. The flesh cannot crucify itself. Jesus has already done what
we could not do. The sooner we stop trying to crucify ourselves,
the sooner we can boast in the finished work of the Cross and
actually witness the evidence of it in our lives.

Notice that Paul does not merely say that Jesus was crucified for
us. That is certainly true in and of itself. But there is more. Not
only was Jesus crucified FOR us, He was crucified AS us. God
considers us to have been crucified as surely as if we were there
receiving the nails in our hands and feet. We have been crucified
together with Him because God placed us in Him the moment He was
crucified.

BOASTING IN THE CROSS

"God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to
the world." GALATIANS 6:14

Whereas the Holy Spirit is instrumental in the increase of Christ,
the Cross is instrumental in the decrease of Self. Remember that
the whole trouble with man is his inherent tendency to travel a
path that is independent of his Creator. This is why the Cross must
do a very deep, thorough work in every disciple of Jesus.

As Self is submitted to Christ, Sin begins to lose its power of
attraction, and Satan has no more leverage. The night He was
betrayed, Jesus told His disciples, "The ruler of this world is
coming, and he has nothing in Me" (John 14:30). That is to say,
there was nothing in the Lord Jesus that the devil could use to get
an advantage over Him. This is the condition He desires for each of
His disciples, and the Cross is the means through which that
condition is arrived at.

NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit,
according to the tradition of men, according to the basic
principles of the world, and not according to Christ."
COLOSSIANS 2:8

How can we be cheated? According to Paul we are cheated "through
philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men,
according to the basic principles (elements) of the world, and not
according to Christ."

It matters not if the philosophy is good, right, morally excellent,
and praiseworthy. It matters not how well intentioned, meaningful,
or helpful the tradition is. It matters not how necessary we think
the worldly element to be, or how important it is to society in
general. If none of these things are "according to Christ," that
is, if they are not of Him, through Him, and unto Him, then they
are worthless insofar as God's Purpose is concerned and must be
discarded.

EVERY KNEE EVERY TONGUE

"God also has highly exalted Him and
given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name
of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of
those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that
every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father."
PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11

Christ will have the preeminence in all things, but it will not be
the forced submission of a dictator who forces everyone to bow down
to him whether they want to or not. It is true that some seem to
bow down more easily than others; some are quick to confess Jesus
as Lord, others confess Him as Lord when they are older, while some
seem to hold out until the last possible moment. Some apparently
die having made no obvious confession of faith at all.
p
But in the end, we have the glorious promise. Note how Scripture
includes "every tongue" and "every knee." The Bible affirms that
"He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself" (Philippians
3:21).