To the Remnant...
scattered near & far

[PLEASE NOTE: This was written in the Summer of 1994, and it was written with the hopes of encouraging those I knew to be either suffering or discouraged, because they did not have a regular meeting-place or church to call their home. I “received” this word originally as a comfort to my own heart, and then I thought it good to share it with a few others. Although I never have shared it with all whom I would have liked, I feel that I now can — via the Internet — do just that.

And please understand this: When I say I “received” this word from the Lord, I do not mean that the Lord mystically “appeared” to me; nor did I have any kind of vision (either “opened” or “closed”); nor was there any angelic visitation. I simply mean I sensed the Lord encouraging and speaking to my heart, leading me to certain scriptures -- all over a two or three week period. Much like keeping a journal, I wrote down these thoughts and impressions, only later to realize that much of it was a very “personal” expression of what I felt the Lord to be saying to me -- in the way of encouragement and edification. I certainly in no way hint or suggest that these writings are in any way “sacred” or “holy”. They are merely devotional in style, and personal in form.

The Lord spoke these words to my heart, way back then, and I share them with you now, hopefully as an encouragement. I have left the text basically as it was originally written, changing very little -- adding mostly scripture references and paragraph headings for your convenience. (Most, but not all, of the parentheses you see will be where I have “added” a word or thought for clarification.) .

A Most Special Note to Pastors: At some point, I do hope that some of you pastors will read this, if for no other reason than to “get a sense” of why some people visit your churches never to return, or why others visit once or twice and do not stay or join. I know...I have heard many of you pastors exclaim (in frustration) : “Why can’t people ‘make a committment’? Why do they just come once or twice, then we never see them again...???” --- Pastors, if you truly want an answer, please read on...

In the last ten or twelve years, I have become increasingly aware of the “dissatisfaction” among the average church-goer. Some of the dissatisfaction has grown into full-blown anger and cynicism, and even despising and condemnation of all churches...every church...everywhere. I most certainly do not think this to be a healthy attitude, and yet I do understand it completely. I certainly do not condone such an act of anger against “church”, churches, and all ministers at large, but I have seen and heard enough to know that it is not at all an unfounded frustration.

It is for this cause that I have decided to “share” this writing, in the hopes that some of the frustration, some of the impatience and some of this “anti-church” sentiment can be assuaged and relieved. I place here, on this page, the full and complete “message” the Lord spoke to my heart six years ago, adding occasional scripture references and paragraph headings for convenience sake. Very little, if anything at all, has been changed, except in the rare case of clarification. I hope this word shall be as comforting to you as it was to me (and still is).]

• The Remnant •

That’s what we are...like it or not. We are a remnant.

A few good men and women, much like the Marines, except we are not proud — not any more. We’ve had that systematically and repeatedly “tempered out of us”. Oh, we certainly do have other flaws and other weaknesses.

Which is why we need each other — which is why we so desperately need the Body. And that is why — in this desperation and with some frustration — most of us have spent the past few years searching for a “place”.

A place to “fit”...a place where the church will care...a place where the people have life, and most especially a place where the Body would not “reject” that Part that we had brought. That “part” was us, and it was the Very Part that God had given to us, as an Investment — and we knew we must cherish this Part and do all that we could to nourish it and protect it.

It was a Part — a Gift — which God had invested in us; a Gift He had so carefully woven within us and created within our spirits. No...it was not given to us so that we could be a “perfect people”, but rather it was given to us “as a Part”, so that we could be “fitly joined together, held together by every other Part. And this, so that the Body could grow and build itself up in love, but only (and if) each Part does its job” (Ephesians 4:16).

Beyond the fact that we each possess (and are possessed of) the Lord Jesus Christ, we are each still only one small part of God’s Grand Design! And, in order to fulfill our Calling, we all must fit.

Someplace...!!!

Most of us, though, have experienced the sadness, the grief, and the heartache of having that Cherished Deposit ignored, neglected and even rejected by the Body as a whole. So much has been the pain that we have cried out to God: “What is wrong with us, Lord? How come we don’t ‘fit’? And where do we belong?”

And so...off we go — alone and dejected — but not defeated! But, at some point soon after, we ask again... “What’s wrong, Lord?” And, as God always does, He answered us...perhaps something like this:

“Well...this edge here needs to be ‘smoothed out’, and that rough spot there needs a little work, and this part here needs a little more ‘shaping’...just a little more defining and refining.”

And we humbly submit to His Dealings and embark once again on our journey... looking for fresh waters and cooling rains and a safe place to abide. But — as before — we could find no Rest, no Comfort, no Secure Haven and no Safe Covering. Oh, there was a brief time here, or a short moment there, where we heard a fleeting word of comfort, and there may have even been a brief period of relief where we found some hope. But no Solid Ground on which to stand; no Secure Foundation on which to build. It seemed our world had somehow gotten “smaller”, and our grasp on things had suddenly gotten “weaker”, and now our view of life had “narrowed” until there was no man, no ministry, no group and no cause in our grasp, in our sight or in our hearts. And at the end of this sometimes lonely and bitter experience, there stood Someone Who had been there all along...Someone Who was there at the beginning — a Patient, Loving God revealing in very ordinary ways His Very Extraordinary Son. And Jesus was still busy...still faithfully dispersing His Gifts to His Body.

• His Gifts •

Ah-h-hh...now we have it; finally we understand...

Now we’ve learned the difference...

Upon realizing all of this Wonderful Truth, we look around us and we think and we ponder, and yet we still cry out: “I still do not fit!” Oh, but our God understands... and He speaks softly to our hearts, reminding us: “You are to be ‘in’ the world — not ‘of’ it”. Ah...yes...“in” this world...not “of” it. We simply do not “fit” into this world, nor do we fit into any of the world’s ways.

We will not, we cannot and we must not fit comfortably “into” this world and its wordliness. We may endure “for a season” involved in the things of this world, but the Holy Spirit is too clever and intrusive — and we gladly welcome Him to be so — and He will come in and intervene on our behalf. And He ever hears our heartcry, as we pray: “Where, O Lord, do we ‘fit’?”

• His Glory •

Some of us have said: “God’s Glory has left the church...!” Maybe it’s so, but if it is, then “where” has His Glory gone? As Solomon wrote: “Where has My Beloved gone?”, even so our hearts cry out: “Where, O Lord, has Your Glory gone? Where is Your Glory?”

Some have said: “There is no Fresh Water; no Rain of the Spirit; nothing fit to drink...!” If this is so, then where can we find true quenching of thirst, instead of quenching of the Spirit? For as it is written: “The Heavens will not withhold rains as before...” (paraphrase of Acts 14:17, and many others).

Some have claimed a dearth of Bread in the land, but God has always had a Voice. His Word cannot be stayed. There is always Sustenance (even as Manna in the wilderness). There have been some who have spoken that the prophets are “in hiding” — perhaps in caves — in some safe, dark place...far away from all the Ahabs and Jezebels — even as in the days of Elijah.

But — as in Elijah’s day — even though the prophets hid (1st Kings 18:4), there was still a “voice” in Israel. And so, today, there is also a Voice. The Lord’s Mouth is not silent. He is speaking, and He will continue to speak, for He will not keep from His servants that thing He intends to do (Amos 3:7). And besides...we have known that there have always been Hophnis and Phineases and Jezebels and Ahabs, and there always will be. There have been droughts and floods and storms and famines, and there have even been Times of Darkness...but His Great Light has shined through that darkness, and His Wonderful Peace has driven off the fears of the night.

And after all the tests, trials and temptations, God is still the Same. He has not changed. But, through all that we have endured, we have discovered an interesting fact: It is we who have changed! That’s just one more thing we have learned... He is Everlastingly the Same — we are eternally changing! We are changing more to His liking; more into His Likeness; more suited to His Will, and more suited to His Ways and His Wishes.

And we have also come to terms with this understanding...we are not here to have an “easy go of things”, nor are we here to have a “good time”. We knew that from the beginning, but now we truly know that. Oh, it has definitely not been easy — learning, changing, submitting, and learning and changing some more. All so that we might be conformed to His Will, changed into His Likeness, and all for His Glory -- but not some man’s idea of what His Glory, Likeness and Will might be.

Our lives are constantly filled with change...all kinds of change.

Change, changing and finally (some Day) changed into His Likeness! But we no longer resent all of this change, and we are shrinking back no more when the Master moves His Hands across our lives to alter, to reshape or realign some particular area that He deems necessary. He shapes and scrapes and skillfully, but ever so gently, does His Work. And He is always applying all the needed Grace and Mercy at just the right times, so that His Work is both Effecient and Sufficient. Because we have learned to trust His Careful Hands — and to recognize His Marvelous Grace — we no longer fear His corrective Words or His reproofs and rebukes. We gladly welcome them now, knowing that any Word from His Most Gracious Lips certainly brings healing and strength and restoration.

Oh...if only we had known that from the very beginning...for it is true: To those who trust Him and fear Him and wholly rely upon Him, the Words of the Father are always healing and health. It’s when we fear and doubt and stray that we find ourselves in trouble...

• Properly Rejoicing...in Him •

There are those who follow Him, clamoring with excitement at the power (they think) they possess, such as power “over” demons and such. They rush about, gathering a following unto themselves, declaring themselves to be some “great” man or woman of God, and some of these “great” ones even issue harsh words and bold challenges to any and all who will hear them. At the sight (and the sound) of all this, there were those of us who sat off to the side, quietly worshipping the Lord, thanking Him for His Great Forgiveness, rejoicing that our names had been written into the Lamb’s Book of Life (Luke 10:17-24). And, to be certain, we were not fearful and passive, for when we faced evil we did so with a calm assurance that only comes from “knowing” Him. It is an assurance that comes from knowing the One Who conquered evil once and for all, as He made an open show of him, spoiling every principality and power (Colossians 2:15).

Then there are others who follow Him, boasting of their great faith, and some of these argue amongst themselves as to who has the “greatest” faith...! Their words are also loud and challenging, as they declare first this new truth, then another. They say they know Him, but their arguing and their boasting delcare otherwise, for all of this clamor really says that whoever has the greatest “faith” also has the greatest “power”. They do not believe this is what they are saying, but it is, and how faulty must be their true love for the Master to argue about such things. As we heard such words, and saw such a display, some of us sat quietly to the side once more, carefully listening to the Voice of One Who has Measureless Faith — listening to One Who measures true faith by an altogether “different” Standard. And we still hear His Words...for He taught us to “be as a small child...be a servant to all...and never think more highly of yourselves than you ought...”. These are True Words; Faithful Words...real words of faith.

But in it all and through it all, some of us struggled with these thoughts...

Clouded over by the world and the things of this world, our perception is sometimes “faulty” and hindered, and we cannot “see” things as we should. But as we perceive and understand and can grasp His Grace, we are then able to “take hold of” and appropriate other Elements and Principles important to His Kingdom. And the more we “move into” His Grace, the more we can then grasp His Mercy, His Kindness, His Patience, His Love and especially His Forgiveness — not only in relation to us, but how all of these things pertain to others as well. And though it may certainly sound contradictory, the fact is...the true “greatest” among us will be the “least”, as the “servant of all”; the “first” shall be the “last”, and the “poor” and the “meek” in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Realizing this, we have learned (and accepted) that God’s Ways are really not like our ways at all, and so we diligently strive to “find out” His Ways, trying desperately to avoid any thing that may hinder our diligence and our commitment. Some of these things that hinder are actually good and noble causes in this life, but — just Like Peter, James and John — we must learn to differentiate between “noble causes” and true, righteous ministry.

• Causes That Can Weaken Us •

There are truly very many noble and just and good causes in the world today: Women’s Rights; Children’s Rights; Equal Rights; the Right to Life — all so very deserving of someone’s attention. But whose? Are we, as Christians, supposed to “fight” for any (or all) of these great and noble causes?

We have seen those who gather many believers beneath the Banner of our Lord’s Name, loudly proclaiming to be “doing the Father’s Will”, “Setting captives free”, or “Answering to a ‘Higher’ Law”. While most of them do this “In Christ’s Name”, they are nonetheless attempting to “force” God’s Will down the resistant, narrow throats of a Godless Society. Jesus never did this. He never taught others to do this, and there are those of us who no longer feel “guilty”, when we are confronted with a “challenge” to join these causes (usually a challenge mixed with an intimidating and accusatory voice). Jesus never got “side-tracked” with causes...even the very best of causes. All He ever concerned Himself with was “doing the Father’s Business” (Luke 2:49; John 5:17; John 6:38; John 8:29). Can we (or should we) do any less?

The only cause we should have...the only right we have...and the only “calling” we have is to do the Will of the Father. And to do this, we must stick very close to Jesus...stick close to Him and listen...listen and do the Father’s Will. To be truthful, we know that it is not always an easy thing to do — what with all of the “outside noise and interference”. It certainly requires faith... and to help us with our faith, we might think on this Word, spoken to us by Jesus: “When the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth? ”(Luke 18:8). Although this appears to be a “rhetorical question”, we must believe that the Lord had a purpose in asking it. When we consider these words, many (if not most) Christians might all but scream out: “Oh, yes...absolutely! He will find the very best faith He’s ever seen!” But, as before, we silently watch and quietly respond: “You know, Lord...You alone know...”

We might also think on another place where our Lord teaches a parable that seems to imply we are only “unprofitable servants”, even though we have faithfully done all we were asked to do (Luke 17:5-10). To some, Jesus may sound callous or uncaring, and perhaps even a little unthankful, but we have begun to learn to not only trust the Words He may speak, but we have learned the Meaning of those words as well. And with our understanding, we see that He is actually teaching us “perspective” — never to think of ourselves more highly than we ought (which translates into: Not “doing things” simply for a reward or recognition). In the end...Truth is not Truth until we can first hear it, then understand it, and finally obey it.

• Glamour, glory,
fortune and fame... •

Faith is not something that we constantly and fiercely “brandish about” in the air, nor is it something we casually “toss about”. And Truth is not to be dealt with in such a careless manner either. If our hearts, our motives and our goals are positioned to receive recognition, praise and rewards, well, then, we may just get our reward. But it will not be the Lord’s Eternal Reward; instead (and sadly), it will be man’s meaningless reward of wood, hay and stubble — all fit for the fire. If, on the other hand, it is our one true desire to serve Him (and, in doing so, to be a servant to all) and to please Him, and to do the Will of the Father, then we will never be preoccupied with rewards, recognition, and we’ll not fret with “who gets ‘credit’ for what?” Our love for Him and our faith in Him will be great enough to allow our hearts to accept ourselves (and to “see” ourselves) as “unprofitable servants”. And we’ll not keep a “scorecard” of good deeds, noble causes or any such thing.

Even so, we know there are those in the Body of Christ who will still hasten down a very dark and broad path, scrambling madly after their own reward. This is a path of glamour, glory, fame, fortune, power and prestige, but when we place these things alongside our Lord Jesus and the first century apostles, prophets and believers, we quickly see that they do not “fit”. They did not then, and they do not today. To be truthful, we know there have been times when we were tempted and pulled to “step into the limelight”, and we have been encouraged to “share just a ‘little bit’ of God’s Glory”. And there were moments when we felt it permissible to be drawn into that loud, happy throng, as they chided us and belittled us for not declaring with them: “We are King’s Kids!”, “We are Overcomers!”, “We are mighty Victors!”, or “We are invincible...the enemy cannot ‘touch’ us!!!”

While we knew all of this to be true, in its “proper” context, we also know that our one and only desire is to one day hear these beautiful words from the lips of our Savior:

“Well done, well done, my good, faithful Servant! Come and enter into all the Joys I have prepared for you. Oh...and also: Come with Me and help Me rule!”

So, after all is said and done, it matters not what we may think of ourselves; nor does it matter what others may think of us or say of us. All that truly matters is what He, the Lord Jesus Christ, thinks of us and says to us on That Day! And, it is true: If we are faithful, we will rule and reign with Him. The problem we see is there are those who want to “rule and reign, here and now!” But they act this way, because their hearts are confused, and they are unable to believe that it is so much better to rule “Over There”, with Him, than it is to rule “over here” without Him.

And, as if that weren’t grievous and shameful enough, we find ourselves confronting ministers and leaders who — like Hophni and Phineas — are constantly “claiming” the very best of anything and everything for themselves (1st Samuel 2:12-17). What we have come to find is that these “ministers” have no real, honorable respect for the Investments God has given to His People. Furthermore, all the Gifts, Offerings and “Parts” that the Lord has blessed in His People are now “despised” by these “Hophni” ministers. These rude and unsavory ministers cannot stand to have any of God’s Investments around for very long, for they instinctively know that their own evil hearts will be exposed in the Light of the Lord’s Anointing. Oh, they may say they want them around (these Honorable Investments of God), and they may even believe they want them around, but they cannot allow them near for very long, because they will no longer be “able” to plunge in their fleshhooks and bless themselves (1st Samuel 2:13-14).

It was around this time, as we began to see and understand how our Gifts were treated (both “spiritual” and “financial” gifts) by these “Hophni ministers”, that we began to feel “uncomfortable” about bringing forth our Gifts. Some of us began regretting the giving of our time, our money and our selves (a “fleshhook” in the back will do that to you). And some of us began fearing (and even hoping) that we would not be called upon to “display” any gift. We looked long and hard; we thought long and deep, but we began to ask in our hearts, asking of the Lord: “What shall we do...?” When no immediate answer came, some of us began to withhold our Gifts, no longer feeling “comfortable” placing our money into the hands of men we could not trust; no longer feeling “edified” in the Gifts we were asked (or coerced) into sharing.

It’s truly a dilemma we have either faced or will face, and to further “compound” the problem, we had this “nagging fear” (an old, ingrown teaching) that, if we do not “use” our Gifts, we will somehow “lose” them — they will “dry up” or become dormant, for eveyone knows that God “reclaims” dormant gifts...! Of course, we know this is not true (Romans 11:29), but we nevertheless struggle with leaders not honoring the Gifts of the Lord Jesus. And, we have grown very, very tired, and we are very, very wearied at having precious few leaders and ministers who appreciate and are willing to accept our Gifts. For this cause we have hesitated (and do hesitate) to place our Gifts and money into the hands of greedy men and ministries. So...

• The Time is Now...! •

It could be that the time of waiting has passed. Perhaps Hope has come. Maybe those of us “of like mind” should consider “joining together”, so that we each might encourage, bless and strengthen one another. For we do need one another; we need each other’s strength and encouragement.

And we most definitely need to be edified...

There are those among us who feel that the Lord is calling for “Now”...not some “far off” time. And He is saying, “Here”...not some “far off” place. Essentially, all we seek or need or even ask is for a time and place to acknowledge Him. And, if we were all to come “in one accord, with one mind”, then we know that God will be manifest, Jesus will be exalted and the Holy Spirit will be Mighty! Oh...and one more thing: We, the Body, will be truly and greatly edified.

If, on the other hand, this is merely man’s doings, we will know — for it will have an awful “stench” to it, as things of man always do.

That is the end of the word to the Remnant.
Following are some “final thoughts”...

I would ask that you might sincerely think and pray about what you have just read. I realize — for I have heard it for many years — that some will say: “You must go to this church or that church!”; “You must use your gift this way or that way!”; “You must give your money (this way or that way...)!” But this is tantamount to bullying, and it is all of this “bullying” that has prompted me to share this word with you. As I said, the Lord “shared” this with me, back in ‘94. I am merely sharing what I believe to be an answer to many ministers’ cries, as they proclaim: “Why won’t they come and stay??!!” My dear pastor...here is the short answer: There has been far too much manipulation of God’s People; far too much abuse of God’s People; and far too much division among God’s People. It is time that the true shepherds hear some of these things and consider what might be some of the answers. If what Peter says is true (and it most certainly is), about judment beginning at the House of God (1st Peter 4:17), how can (and why do) many ministers today somehow feel “it doesn’t mean us!!!”...???

My wife and I recently sat in a church where the pastor was “making light” of certain other ministers (and I’m giving him a “break” here, not even desiring to be as harsh as he was). Those “other ministers” this pastor was “chiding” were those who are declaring that America will certainly “come under judgment” in the coming days, months or years. I know great men of God have “taken their hits”, so to speak, for proclaiming that “unless we ‘get our hearts right’ and repent, and humble ourselves, we are in for a rude awakening”, but I tend to agree with this sentiment. Unless we -- as America -- repent, we will suffer the judgment that so many other nations have suffered.

But even more importantly...if we -- as the Body of Christ, here in America -- do not get our act together and start to repair the breaches and build again the waste places, then we, as a nation and as a Body in that nation may very well have to throw ourselves on the Mercy of the Court. America is certainly “no better” — and, in many ways it is “worse” — than other nations of history who have “paid the price” of willful, sinful, rejection of God and His Ways. And I am speaking of the prevalent things I have seen in the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ!

I do sincerely believe that most of us are tired of

  • Men’s ways
  • Men’s promises
  • Men’s programs
  • Men’s doings and
  • Men’s rules

All we want now is to see God made Manifest through Jesus Christ, our Lord. We just want to:

  • Seek His Face
  • Exalt His Name
  • Worship Him with all our hearts, and
  • Follow Him faithfully, all our days

God help us, as we diligently strive to remain “in” that Narrow Way, seeking to serve Him and to bless, encourage and edify His Body, for as we do it to one of the “least of these”, we also do it unto Him. I close with the 34th Psalm...

“(1) ...I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall be in my mouth continually. (2) My soul shall make her boast in the LORD, and the humble shall hear of this and be glad. (3) O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His Name together. (4) I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and He delivered me from all my fears. (5) They looked to Him, and were made to shine, and their faces were not ashamed. (6) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (7) The angel of the LORD encamps around those that fear Him, and He delivers them. (8) O taste and see that the LORD is good, for surely blessed is the man that trusts in Him all of his days.”

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