First United Pentecostal Church

A collection of thoughts and meditations from current events to doctrinal issues in the Church.

Posted March 17, 2009



OBSERVATIONS ABOUT 7 WEEK REVIVAL

The revival with evangelist Bobby Wade and Tim & Lana Chandler concluded on Sunday, March 1 after 7 wonderful weeks of Spirit led revival.  Bro. Wade's ministry came to us at just the right time.  We were ready for a deep move of God through the operation of the gifts of the Spirit. 

There were 20 people who were filled or re-filled with the Holy Ghost.  10 were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins and many others were encouraged, strengthened and blessed through some 46 services.  There were also several notable healings, some of which are detailed on the revival page on this site.

Greenfield and this area has struggled with Satanic forces in making headway into a sustained Holy Ghost revival.  While other parts of the state (and region) have enjoyed spiritual breakthroughs, this area has never been able to maintain growth and spiritual dominion through the Pentecostal faith.  This has now changed!  This 7 week revival has broken holes through the "brass ceiling" and opened the windows of heaven upon this region that will be long lasting, and I believe, until the Second Coming of our Lord!

One of the dynamics that changed our church was the continued sacrifice of giving financially, long-term faithfulness night after night, intense intercessory prayer and heartfelt worship.  As Bro. Wade stated, by opening our hand to God, God was opening the windows of Heaven to us.  And, many experienced wonderful financial blessings, healings, salvation of family members and refreshing renewings in the Spirit by opening their hand to God in giving.

We learned afresh that when we do what we can do, God will do what we can't do.  And, we saw it happen night after night.

One of the notable miracles was the financial supply.  We had great expenses, but also had great income.  We didn't have resources to draw from to start the revival.  We had to trust God completely.  And, our trust was honored as the finances were supplied, literally, week by week.  Individuals, churches, and businesses gave from unexpected sources.  A sacrifice offering was received during the 2nd week of revival after Bro. Wade ministered on "The Law of the Harvest."  Miracle after miracle!

Only time will tell the eternal results of this revival.  At the present, there are about 12 people attending our services regularly that came in during the revival.  I would expect another 20 or so to become "regular visitors" now, giving us an opportunity to continue our outreach to them.  I now have 2 new convert classes in progress with 11 folks attending.

Posted Monday, January 26, 2009

REVIVAL CONTINUES WITH EVANGELIST ROBERT WADE

A continuing move of God is happening in Greenfield.  For two weeks (16 services) we have witnessed a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost like I have never witnessed before. 

Our church has been in preparation for a move of God with prayer and fasting, a daily prayer walk through our town for over 3 years now, and a hunger for an outpouring of His Spirit upon us.

And, it is happening!  It's not coming.  It's here now.

This week we will go forward into week 3 as the Spirit leads.  Thus far we have seen at least 9 people filled with the Holy Ghost, evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance.  See Acts chapter 2!  We have baptized 3 in the wonderful name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.  There have been several definite healings including one woman delivered from migraine headaches.  A man who carried around an oxygen tank so he could breathe was filled with the Holy Ghost and healed instantly.  He is only using oxygen now for sleep apnia, and we expect that to be healed, also! 

Many others have testified to emotional, spiritual, and physical healings.

The prophetic Word of Knowledge has been a blessing to many giving direction, faith, encouragement, etc.

There is no doubt that this revival is the beginning of what we have been seeking God for.  How do you adequately thank God for what He is doing?  We are so thankful!

Posted Tuesday, January 13, 11:35 p.m.

REVIVAL WITH ROBERT WADE

Revival services have been outstanding!  We believe that we are experiencing a sovereign move of God, not just a series of meetings.

Bro. Wade has been mightily used of God in Word of Knowledge, Gifts of Healing, Working of Miracles and anointed preaching.

The Chandlers' ministry has been a blessing with anointed worship and music.

The response by the audience has been immediately receptive.  There is a great hunger for a visitation of the Holy Ghost among us!

We have had good attendance with promise of more coming as the word spreads as to what's happening in Greenfield.

Definition of "Joy" is Powerful!

The dictionary definition of JOY is "the sense of well-being".  This will preach!

So, a Christian's joy is not the result of hyped-up emotion, but the natural product of a sense of well-being!  Since I know the Lord, and he knows me, I know that He is my provider, healer, peace, etc., then...everything's gonna be alright!

Because I know the Lord and trust His word, I have a sense of well-being!  I have joy unspeakable and it is full of glory.

When you tie this in with the angel's pronouncements at Christ's birth and research the scriptures that mention joy, you will find that many of them concern our well-being.  God wants our joy to be full!

I have a sense, a feeling, of well-being as a Christian.  I know that God is bigger than all my problems!  Everything's gonna be alright.  So, I have joy down deep in my hart!

(The December 28 radio broadfcast is covering this subject of joy.)

The Connection Between Separation and Relationship

II Corinthians 6: 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

It's quite obvious that many "Christians" today have no relationship with God.  Many want religion, but no relationship.  And, there are plenty of preachers who will cater to that kind of religious worldview.

And, I have seen too many people come to the Lord in repentance, request water baptism and even receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues; and then never see them again in church.  There was no relationship with the Lord developed.

The scripture explains this problem.  Relationship starts with separation from the world.  When a new convert comes to the Lord, separation from worldly actions, places, clothing, friends, etc. will enable a relationship with God to be birthed.

Doesn't that offer one reason why too many never go on to serve the Lord? 

And, while the emphasis in the church world as a whole is to accept the Lord, here we find an admonition to come out from the world, separate ourselves from the world, touch not the unclean thing, and then the Lord says "I will receive YOU!"  Have you heard that preached for awhile?  Many other scriptures attest to the fact that the important part of our salvation is not if we receive the Lord, but if He receives us!

When we do separate ourselves from the world (ie. walk in holiness of thoughts, actions and appearance) then does He become our Father and we become His children!  That's when relationship starts!

ELECTION OF BARACK OBAMA

Today is Friday, November 7.  Election day was last Tuesday.  Needless to say the election of Mr. Obama to the presidency is a blow to Christian conservatives because of his left-wing, liberal agenda.  Regardless of how one views politics and the economy, morality has certainly taken a hit.

And, let's admit it, we've been on a downhill slide for many years now.  This election only seems to speed the descent and the spread of immorality, abortion, gay lifestyle, etc.  There is already talk about the possibility of the fairness doctrine being reinstated which would effectively silence conservative talk radio and surely affect Christian programming.

And, what happens if the hate speech laws get passed.  That's frightening.  And, yet it's been happening in other places around the world, I'm sure it's only time until those laws come here.  Then persecution against Christians will have come to America like it is now in Iraq, India, and so many other nations.  I read recently where there have been more Christians martyred in the last 100 years than in the previous 2000 years since Christ. 

Anyone thinking end times?

We must also realize that God equates a "king" with his country.  In the Bible, if a king was good, the country was good.  If a king was evil, the country was evil.  A country was judged by it's leadership.  We have just elected a "king", the leader of our country, who is pro-abortion, pro-homosexuality rights, pro-gay marriage, etc.  What must God be thinking of America today?

CHRISTIAN AMERICA?

The media would have us to believe that America is no longer a Christian nation, if not by morality, then by quantity.  A casual reading of current moral issues leaves the impression that Christians are a minority in their basic beliefs and long-held traditions of lifestyle.

The reality is this.  A Barna Research poll in 2007 showed that only 7% of Americans claimed any other religion that Christianity.  That is an eye opener!  Perhaps the figures have changed a percentage or two since then, but by far America is still, by quantity, a Christian nation.

Obviously, the failure of our morals during the last 40 years has been the failure of the Church to maintain its integrity with God.  The Church, as a whole, has fallen away, and I believe it is the great falling away predicted in the Word of God.  Again, Barna Research shows that there is no discernible difference the world and the church in lifestyle.  What the world does, the Church does. 

This is deplorable.  And, an abomination.  The Church, at its very nature, is different than the world, unless it is backslidden!  Unless it no longer preaches and teaches what the Bible says about separation from the world.  And, there is plenty to separate ourselves from in this world!

While praying recently about revival in NW Tennessee, I was thinking along the lines of signs and wonders, miracles, healings, etc. that would turn people's hearts toward God.  But, the Lord spoke into my spirit and said that revival will come with repentance.  And, of course, that is confirmed by every great Christian awakening in the last couple of hundred years or so.  Great moves of God have always come when people humbled themselves according to II Chronicle 7:14.

So, firstly, let's be encouraged.  Although there are many more religions represented in America than ever before, God has sent those people here to be evangelized!  We no longer have to go to a foreign land to be a missionary.  You can probably reach the world in the community in which you live.  Secondly, revival is in the land.  And, God will send it when His people will humble themselves, pray...

KINGDOM OF SKULLBONIA:

When I came to Greenfield in August of 2004 I immediately noticed the depressed spiritual state of the community.  It was religious, but not spiritual.  I had evangelized for some 21 years and knew that there were different evil spirits (manifested in an area's culture) in control or operating in different areas.  It seemed like there was a ceiling on our Pentecostal services.  We could get so "high" but there we would hold.

I was aware that other Oneness Pentecostal churches, and even trinity churches, had the same problem.  Most of the long established churches had spurts of growth, but then trouble, splits, pastoral change, whatever...and the church would go back down to the core group and start over.  So, there aren't too many larger churches (outside of Baptist and Church of Christ) in this part of the country.  Thank God for some areas of breakthrough, but as a whole, NW Tennessee needs a revival.

After a church service, a visiting physician asked me if I knew what we were fighting here.  He told me about the Kingdom of Skullbonia and I did some research to find that in the 50's a governor of Tennessee declared a broad area of Tennessee between the Tennessee River and the Mississippi River in NW TN to be the Kingdom of Skullbonia.

There is a town called Skullbone about 7 miles as the crow flies from Greenfield.  This town has an open-air music park with state of the art electronics and seating for 5000 which is used to bring all kinds of country and rock bands to the area.  It is noted for its debauchery.  You can google "kingdom of skullbonia" and find more information.

The community of Skullbone has its own interesting history.  Again, this is all available online.

Connected to all of this was "Soup Street" in Greenfield which was known in the 1800's and early 1900's for its gangs, prostitution, racism, etc.  One historian says that the Wild West was tame compared to the area known as the Kingdom of Skullbonia.

There is much more to learn, and I will add more information as I get time.

Let me say this.  Our church has sponsored two "Skullbonia" prayer services where we have invited area pastors to come and we have asked God's forgiveness for the sins of our land.  We have also hosted a community National Day of Prayer service in May for the last 2 years.

I'll update this soon. But, what we have found is that we are fighting the Prince of the Kingdom of Skullbonia...and winning.  Our church has conducted a prayer walk through Greenfield now for over 1200 days and we continue to do so.  We are determined to break through this spiritual barrier until Jesus is Lord over the Kingdom of Skullbonia!  Please join us in prayer.

I would love to hear from you about this subject.

God bless,

Bro. Wendell Jellison
Pastor FUPC Greenfield

CULTURE AND WORSHIP

Worship is essential to Bible-based revival.  As author Tommy Tenney states, worship is how you handle yourself in God's presence.

Worship was demonstrative in Acts chapter two and worship must be expressed to experience God's presence.  God inhabits the praise of His children.  Psalms 22:3.  It is heartfelt, spontaneous (not choreographed) worship that brings the miracle working power of God into our midst.  I've seen God perform healings, deliverance, salvation, and much more in the midst of people as they worshiped.

There is a cultural problem with worship in NW Tennessee.  People will scream and holler at a ball game.  They will scream and holler at each other.  But, when it comes to church, many can hardly say a word!  Seems like church is the place to keep quiet.  And, there I see the culture problem.  The dominate religious teaching of this area has been a formal atmosphere that required quietness in church with no response from the congregation other than structured singing or response.  Generations have been raised being taught that the gifts of the Spirit died with the Apostles and miracles do not happen in response to your request.  Generations have been taught that God can work miracles, but only when He wants to, not in response to your prayers or commands.  Therefore, openly expressed worship was not deemed necessary to a "quiet God".

The culture must change.  For a church to have a last days revival, openly expressed worship will be a necessity!  People are tired of dead, dry, dull church services.  If God inhabits our praise, then let's give Him high praise!

I sincerely believe that this lack of expressed worship is a great hindrance to the work of God.  It's the devil's way of hindering the work of God.  Please, let go of your cultural shyness, and shout to the Lord!  He is worthy of your praise!

How does a person affect this kind of change of culture?  Start with repentance.  You must realize the hindrance that this kind of action (or non-action!) has had on your spiritual life and others around you.  Repent and ask God to forgive you for not worshiping.  And then ask Him to help you to have complete liberty in praising the Lord.  God does answer prayer!