19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. -- 1 Samuel 4:19 (NIV)
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| In His Service Ministries |
God's house had fallen into apathy and greed under her father-in-law's ministry. Her father-in-law was Eli, and Eli represents the spirit in our churches today.
Things haven't changed much. This ministry was totally lust-driven, full of greed, and apathetic toward the things of God. People had grown disillusioned because of the hypocrisy in the church.
Ichabod is over our church doors. The glory has departed, and like Sampson we don't even know it. The word Ichabod signifies those who are lost from God's presence, and the absence of hope for His people. In the midst of God's judgement, He has a remnant that remains full of glory; this is the Samuel company. These are people who have been weaned from the world and the church, who know the voice of God and are fully dedicated to Him.
God is raising them up out of the ruins of a greedy church, and is calling them to Himself. They hear clearly from the Lord, and they're not afraid to bring a word to warn His church. God has multitudes of hidden, unknown prophets, and they are being trained in the school of hardship. They see a new day coming (Lamentations 3:22).
It is only the mercy of the Lord that delays judgement. We are in a race with the rest of the world to remove God and Christ from society. The Samuel Company though, are not despairing over the present condition of America, or over the horrible greed in our churches, for they know that God's judgement has begun in the house of God. All hope is born out of God's promises. Reject your doubtful feelings and stand on God's Word.
I'll close with this. Has the enemy tried to tell you that God has passed you by?
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. -- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV)
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you." -- Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
10 Those who know your name will trust in you,
for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you. -- Psalms 9:9-10
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread. -- Psalms 37:23-25
28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off -- Psalms 37:28
Will the real remnant church, the Samuel Company, please stand up! It's time to move together, now. Amen.
Ken Christian can be reached through In His Service Ministries, which was once known as Cafes for Christ.
