Gagged Kiwi
Gagged Kiwi
Dreamt this month (August) that I discovered a kiwi (iconic, NZ native bird) caught in a rat trap. I was very relieved to find that it was still alive; only its beak was trapped. I released it unharmed, and was surprised to find a piece of paper with a message written on it inside the bird's beak.
A critical and major problem for New Zealand's Church storms on...unacknowledged, unhindered and unchallenged! It is this, that "overseas" Christianity (especially North American) is usually (9.9 times out of 10?) deemed superior; the indigenous is continuously, contemptuously trammelled and trampled upon. Within this well-established "tradition", something truly unpardonable and lethal is occurring. The prophetic component or "department" of the whole Church, is quenching and silencing itself.
"Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Th 5.19-21)
Our collective lust (fame, fortune and feel-good) for the Heaven-sent "bread" God has given specifically to other nations, has beguiled and ensnared and silenced us. We (corporately) have no one to blame but ourselves.
"They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved...But before they had sated their craving, while the food was still in their mouths, the anger of God rose against them and he slew the strongest of them." (Ps 78.18-31)
God's Word for New Zealand is not going to be found by rushing off to the "latest-greatest" church overseas. Nor will it be heard by importing the current "man (or woman) of God" to star in a glossy-brochured and glittering, "prophetical" three-ring circus!
"Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down)...But what does it (faith) say? The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart (that is, the word of faith which we preach)." (Ro 10.6-8)
"Then the Lord put forth his hand and touched my mouth; and the Lord said to me, 'Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.' " (Jer 1.9)
The Word of God is right now in "the prophet's" mouth...in all of its beauty, power and resonance. But it is being foolishly and brutally suppressed. Into the consequent void and silence is gushing every kind of ridiculous, frothy flimflam and frippery that the devil, world and flesh can fashion to foist on a Church, blinded by cupidity and glistering "prophetic" toys, trinkets and baubles!
"Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry 'Peace' when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths...The sun shall go down upon the prophets and the day shall be black over them; the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God." (Mic 3.5-7)
"His (Israel's) watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge; they are dumb dogs, they cannot bark; dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough." (Isa 56.10-11)
