The Tribune

AS WE celebrate the new year I take this opportunity to say thank you for your faithful support in reading and responding to these articles; whether positively or negatively. I do thank you. 2012 is going to a very interesting year for the body of Christ, as the holy spirit shows himself in ways that will literally dumbfound the naysayers, and the erroneous preconceived ideas of the religious mind-set. There will be major shake ups and forceful removals within church leadership worldwide due to the shameful exposure of deceit and trickery by prominent religious leaders. Nonetheless, God's manifested presence and favor will be felt and experienced in the church like never before. One of the prerequisites for experiencing God's manifested presence and favor this year will be that of reconciling with and walking in forgiveness with your brother. Matt.5: 23. "So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, :24. leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. As believers in Yahshua Messiah we cannot continue to walk in the spirit of unforgiveness and strife and expect God to show up on our behalf. As you are reading this article, is there someone that you are at odds with or maybe who is at odds with you? If so, then the above passage of scripture has your name written all over it. This is not the time to pretend that we have got it all together, especially those in any form of church leadership. With all of the so-called anointing and that is said to be in today's church, how is it that the church is so powerless in making a positive impact in the community? The answer to this question is so simple. The power that has already been made available to the church is found in genuine unity and agreement. This facet of unity and agreement is not found in today's church due to the spirit of strife, competition, unforgiveness, and other odds that have strongholds, especially amongst the leadership. Matt.18: 19. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my father which is in heaven. :20. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matt.18: 21. Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him till seven times? :22. Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. The unadulterated truth is this. As a result of erroneous or incomplete religious teachings about prosperity and God's blessings many believers have gone after the concept of getting rich quick. This concept has given birth to the proliferation of renegade churches that are now filling the land. It is no secret that in today's society the church is viewed as big business, where it is noted that the larger the congregation, the larger the financial intake from tithes and offerings. The simplicity of the gospel is as such: If we would willingly and obediently hearken to the word of God, and lean not to our own understanding and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit we would not be taken by crafty religion with its get rich quick teaching. May the favor of God be with you, your family, your ministry and your business like never before this year as you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. * For questions and comments contact pastormallen@yahoo.com.