 Brother Butch prays over Judgment at meeting in NC
The “Walk” team was once again out of commission. For three days they were stranded outside of San Bernardino, CA. They had broken down near a large church named Temple Baptist in Redland, CA. They asked to use the church parking lot. They were refused. The Pastor explained that “his church was more upbeat and didn't want to mess with them.” Flip saw the “invitation” in the comment and thought about a visit on Sunday morning. Feeling a bit frustrated, the team redeemed the time by going back to San Bernardino that Saturday morning and found the abortion mill. The few saints that faithfully counsel outside of that mill were so encouraged by their presence. Our team found encouragement in their fellowship as well.
In San Bernardino you can go right to the door of the abortion mill! The parking lot is treated as a sidewalk. They witnessed two babies saved from abortion. They also have been involved in leading others to the Lord. That day was no exception.
The team headed back to check on the status of the RV. They had already had so many parts replaced. Flip said he wanted to cry.
Sunday morning came and in their weariness, they decided to hold their own church service. They began around 7:00am and had an awesome time of refreshing. The praise and worship was powerful as they lifted high the Name of Christ. They were finishing their Bible reading at 8:30 when Ron Brock pulled up.
Ron had been battling the homosexual agenda in San Francisco. He was in battle mode as he asked, “Well, are you guys still going to Temple Baptist Church?” At this point they were ready.
Johnny Benham took the broken Ten Commandments up to the door with Shekinah Thomas behind him carrying the baby. Animals and all were set up in the parking lot as brothers and sisters began arriving for worship that morning. They were all amazed at what was going on and had plenty of questions.
Flip said that he spoke with dynamic brothers and sisters. He said this was a body that loved the Lord. A policeman on duty pulled up to see what was going on. He was a member of this same church. After hearing the explanation, he was with us 100%. The people were gracious and understood us for the most part.
One thing that kept troubling Flip was the dispensationalist thinking that God would make His judgments in the end. He heard that same statement over and over. He opened his Bible to Romans 1:18-19 and read, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the Truth in unrighteousness because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.”
God is not waiting until the end! He is judging us now! If we do not see this truth, how can we receive His mercy as a nation? Mercy is bestowed only after repentance. From a dispensationalist point of view, we are not guilty of anything. Therefore we need not repent and God will deal with the wickedness at the final judgment. How can we say that God is Sovereign and say that He is not judging now? He is not only sovereign at the final judgment. He is at this very moment seated upon His throne and is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are not waiting for Him to take His rightful place and put all things in order. He is ordering the universe now!
Something is happening to our animals. Judgment is becoming the most beautiful horse. He looks different than when we started out. During our leadership meeting in February, we visited the stables where Judgment was being kept. When the leaders saw him, most wondered how this sway-backed, worn out, sickly looking animal was going to make it across the country. Some of the brothers anointed him with oil and prayed over him. Others took one look at him and laughed. We bought this horse for $400.00 and had spent another $1200.00 in vet fees before Flip ever left North Carolina. If you saw him now, you would not be laughing!
Isn't that just like God to show Himself strong through the weakest of vessels. Do you remember in the Indiana Jones movie when he went to pick the cup. It wasn't all of the beautiful, shiny, ornate cups that were the one they were seeking. It was the one that was unlovely, dented, and dull that was real. It was the same in the movie Sea Biscuit. No one thought that this horse or his jockey could amount to anything. But they both turned into true Champions and were a force to be reckoned with. Judgment is our Sea Biscuit. By all accounts, he should never have been the one chosen for this task, but God is doing something!
When they were stranded on the ranch, Flip said that he witnessed the most incredible thing. He said as they brought Judgment and Mercy to the stables, every horse in the place came out of their stall straining to see these two animals. Not one horse was unconcerned with what was going on around them. Flip said it was as if all the horses knew that something special was taking place with this seemingly undignified horse and donkey.
As it was getting closer to assembly time, the Sunday school teacher came out and asked them to stay so that they could bring the children out to pet the animals and talk about the meaning of our “living parable.” It was at that time that the pastor came out to speak with them. He simply wanted our team to get off his property. Flip said that he looked around at the response of the congregation and they seemed bewildered. The pastor asked Flip what he wanted from him. Flip's response was, “A cold cup of water.”
He then asked the pastor, “If Jesus were to come knocking at the door of this church, what would He receive?” He said that the pastor hung his head. Flip asked two more times. The pastor's response was, “It is time to leave our property.”
As they left Temple Baptist Church, Ron Brock treated them to lunch at the Hometown Buffet. Everyone ate well, which you know is important to Flip. Ron also left them a drill set to use for repairs on the vehicles.
On Monday, the team got word that the RV was up and running. By this time, it seems that every part that could be replaced has been replaced. They were not charged a penny and are now once again, on the road. They even have water for showers in the RV. Flip said that God is dealing with him once again. He is so appreciative of the little things. Jesus is showing His provision at every turn.
God is knocking at the door of the corporate Church in America. He is showing us His love by bringing discipline upon us as a nation. He is turning us over to the things we hate so that we will cry out to him in repentance now and find the mercy He so longs to bestow. If we will but see clearly, we will see the Lord's hand in His judgments. We will see His glory through it all just as Isaiah saw God's glory through the darkness of the whole earth around him. Let us have ears that hear and eyes that see so that we might turn and be healed
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