Kingdom Building not Empire Building
When Jesus Christ walked the earth, his parents went looking for him worried about just where he had gone? They found him in the Temple doing his Heavenly Fathers business…
John the Baptist, the greatest of all men born of flesh also busied himself with doing the business of the Lord, in the wilderness of all places…
I have always struggled with my formal education, as this is the way I was born.
Yet like the disciples of old and John the Baptist I have always sought Gods will for my life, since accepting the gift of Salvation as a teenager.
After my first enlistment in the Coast Guard, I studied and worked in street ministry in learning how to more effectively follow the Lord Jesus Christ in my life.
What I would learn their, was more effective than what other learned men could have ever taught me in a Seminary.
Coming from a prestigious family, I quickly learned about money and education, yet I also learned to what disadvantage you are if you are not privileged enough to obtain them. This continues to haunt me at fifty years old, as the Lord has called me to minister in his name and I have done this for years, leading many to a personal relationship in Jesus Christ. Yet “I” cannot take credit for one soul, even my own. I have not the power in and of myself to lead others to the Cross of Salvation as this is the work of the Holy Spirit of God around and within me. I see absolutely no difference in the educational system of today, as opposed to what was known and understood in the time of Christ!
Don’t misunderstand me, many scientific, doctrinal and techniques have changed; yet the basic structure remains the same. The Holy Spirit of God does not function from the outside in, as in the natural way of learning. He functions from the inside out in enlightening the mind. This is why it is possible for the least to become the greatest, and the undereducated to become the Priest. Not because they do not study to show themselves approved to man and God; but because this is not the first requirement of being a leader in the Church, and given Devine Authority by God to do so!
God does not see things as men do, in fact this is the very reason Christ argued so much with the establishment of his day. Many false prophets exist today, and there are many I believe posing as Pastors who are not called of God in doing so!
When I nearly died on my twenty years of service in military training, the founder of the 700 Club, Rev. Pat Robertson personally prayed for me. I had hoped he would use my testimony on his network, and I was so excited to learn this that I wrote him a personal letter in thanking him! I will not reveal how I know he received that letter, yet I never received a response from him. I can only assume that my testimony was not a priority to him, and he may have become angry because I mentioned that I didn’t like the business part of ministry very much.
I often hear by others that I need to produce my “Credentials as a Minister” for examination. This posses a tremendous problem for me, as I was never issued any by a reputable institution of learning! And the ones I have been issued soon expire if I fail to keep up with my continuing educational units as required by the State.
It was the same during the time the Apostles’ walked the earth, and has never changed amongst organizations of men. But the body of Christ (the true Church) is an organism, living breathing and instructing us in the specific ways we ought to live our lives for the Glory of God and His Heavenly Kingdom, not some earthly empire!
Many mega churches exist today, and the established ones are even recognized by the U.S. Government; if you are trying for the Chaplaincy like I have done this becomes apparent in the application process, and then like any other Officer your formal education must be produced.
Why does this bother me, you may wonder it is because of rejection specifically within the religious establishments and even my local Church body. To my amazement and joy, I surpassed the courses for both Deacons and Elders within my Church!
But to my disappointment, I was soon rejected by the upper leadership because of my lack of formal education. One thing makes me even angrier than this rejection by the church establishment… It is ordaining as a Minister of the Gospel of Christ, someone who has no biasness being in that capacity!
This is where I see the rift between God’s word and the established Church Organization.
God has providentially called and chosen me as a Pastor of sheep. But man has not, nor will not recognize my personal calling that God Himself has given me, with the Authority, Responsibility, and Credibility the office deserves.
Please forgive me, but I have searched for years to talk to a true Pastor that understands this calling of God. I have been told that nothing even close to the personal witness I received by the Lord have they ever experienced in their calling as a Pastor.
I really do not write this out of Spiritual Pride, but rather write it in frustration while attempting to serve our Lord.
I want the world to know how real Jesus Christ still is today!!! But rather my words are drowned out by mega churches, and by the organizations of men.
Rev. Roland Thomas Dell, Chaplain
Lightship Ministries “Vessels of Light for Christ”
My overview of Church theology, what was taught to the early Church, and possibly what we are being shown today?
As most of us are aware, the Nicene Creed’s strikes at the very basics of the faith in describing who Christ was, and is still today.
Does the singular use of the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, mean simply using the name of Jesus Christ; (that I personally feel comfortable with) or is the texts referring to the now unspoken (and lost) name of God? Is the Godhead contained in Jesus, or is Jesus in the Godhead?
I believe that there is one person in the Godhead who is Jesus Christ, and this is how the disciples were instructed to baptize in His name.
What about when Jesus said he would send the person of the Holy Spirit after his crucifixion and resurrection. Is this God, the Holy Spirit; # 1 so to speak, or is it the Spirit of Christ the son # 2 so to speak, or maybe it’s person #3 in the Trinity, “The Holy Spirit” (symbolized as a dove)?
Bad theology, it would seem to me that my beliefs would be according to tradition, but maybe the Lord was using an allegory when speaking of such things, then men go ahead and make a doctrine out of it? Maybe and maybe not.
The proper dividing of the word of truth in Baptism is also often very difficult when trying to read and understand in what contexts it was written.
Total submersion at the age of accountability, or sprinkling as in infant dedication? Many denominations have formed because of such doctrinal questions and opinions.
Was the dying of Christ for the whole world (as it is written), or only for those who are chosen or choose to believe? As a Reformed believer, I believe God providence does play apart in human affairs and callings while on earth, and the orders of authority are already ordained of God, although not always Godly.
What about beyond the grave, does one have the ability to repent to Christ beyond the grave or praying for the dead; other questions that the early church struggled with…?
Most of us are well aware of Church doctrines in this area, due to over a thousand and a half years of men’s efforts to rightly divide the word of truth.
Now then, even today men still struggle with some of these same principles and even new ones have occurred. Often so called science, has become God for many, yet when Christopher Columbus thought it possible to circum navigate the globe it was considered heresy to many in the Church, or even when Isaac Newton suggested the world was not the center of the universe big problems occurred theologically. Even as late as Benjamin Franklin attempts in capturing lightning strikes, was called into question by many in the Church.
Ben simply argued that man has the ability to put a roof over his head to avoid the elements, so why not allow lightning rods to exist for additional protection?
The Church agreed, and the lightning rod was born.
Today with the acceptance of Darwinism in the late 19th Century, many scientists completely rejected the idea of God a creator, and therefore many reject any teachings of the Church!
Wow what a turn around, and many due to political and social changes are still writing their own versions of Bible doctrines, picking and choosing from what is convenient for them.
I try to take neither approach, as I believe God’s truth is not based on man’s relativism or incomplete sciences in any area. Yet I do try and examine evidence that may help clarify God’s word both in the light of scripture, and the truth he has written and revealed to our hearts.
This has never been an easy task, yet we must strive with all our hearts to serve our God.
Today as we quickly move into the 21st century, new technologies have enabled man to experience and unravel many of yesterday’s mysteries. This is a gift of God to me, not a creation that is used to deny His existence! This speaks to the condition of the present day human heart, but that is another subject completely.
I am specifically referring to people being able to return to the living from the dead!
It amazes me that so called scientist, who would have shuttered to think we could experience such a phenomenon only a generation ago; often reject today the very notion of an afterlife!
Wow, most of today’s scientist, act like yesterdays theologians it seems to me…
Why can we not examine the scriptures in light of what we have learned, or maybe I should say, reexamine the scripture in light of what we have learned.
Be advised; I am not talking about New Age, anti-Christ theology, that says we are all “Christ’s” in our own rite, we are not – nor never will be! This is a Demonic Counterfeit to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Bible and the Church!
I would like to add that many are deceived now days by this type of doctrine, and it cannot and will not co-exist with the truth of who God is; and who he created man to be.
It is a deception designed by God’s advisory the Devil, in this present age to deceive many.
With that being made clear, I feel free to address the issue of Hell, Hades, the Devil and Eternal Damnation. First off I believe that three of these exist…
The Devil, tempting man into sin, who fell from God’s grace and garden shortly after his creation, separated from God in Spiritual and physical death.
Hades, a place of torment described as a place of fire and brimstone, and described by Christ, as the rich man in Hades, being in torment; he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. (Luke 16: 23).
I question the translation of an Everlasting or (Eternal) Hell, as being everlasting?
HELL, yes – “eternal hell” is more questionable to me: Hell is more accurately described (after judgment) as an age, or era of correction according to the original Greek.
Take note of this particular verse: And (Christ) the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades (Revelation 1:18)
We see above that Christ has the keys to Hades and of Death! Death has not yet been overcome for mankind, nor has Hades; yet Christ does have the keys, so it stands to reason that Christ will have victory over both beyond the grave…
(Revelation 2:11) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ This verse is speaking about people who acknowledge Christ as Lord and savior of all Creation.
(Revelation 20:6) Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. This verse is also speaking of the Bride of Christ, the true Church who receives forgiveness before physical death.
(Revelation 20:14) Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.
This is the second death, the lake of fire.
*** So, Death and Hades is thrown into the lake of fire…?..? *** Do you see a similarity as in the beginning found in (Revelation 1:18)
I do not intend to make a new doctrine of teaching here, but rather it is to cause people reading this article to pause, pray and think about the possible implications of these passages…
Our present age, and earthly reason will then be a thing of the past.
We must pray for wisdom before we condemned people to hell, yet it is our Commission as Christians, to preach the good news, that Christ died for all!
I have perhaps pushed these other links about hell; yet I will publish them again for those who wish to research further on the subject…
http://hopebeyondhell.net and
Here is an introduction to a form of Universalism, as labeled by Church Theologians; is it heresy or is it truth...You decide what you believe on www.TENTMAKER.Org
Links to videos ->
Continuation on Tentmaker. Org -> http://www.tentmaker.org/video/pax/All.wmv http://www.tentmaker.org/video/pax/Pax.wmv
It is because of the work of other Christians in the area of Near Death Experiences, and personal testimonies of those of us who have been their; that I feel impelled to share these most controversial yet intriguing links. A true Christian searching for a greater truth, should not be afraid to read anything; and with all thoughts we are to hold them captive to Christ, and with prayer and humility ask the Lord to reveal to your Spirit, Counterfeit from Truth.
How Jesus shattered my concept of dating
In 1994 I was very angry and upset with God for not providing me with a wife…
Why because I was aproaching middle age: I had a home a car a good job and a boat (to steal a phrase from a late friend of mine at work).
I was also a “middle class Christian” yet this appeared to be my greatest problem.
I grew up in a prominent family, I attended Young Life and other Christian programs, yet I had trouble in school, so I never attended a University.
Instead I joined the military serving overseas, and then later became a tugboat mechanic for the Army. I learned to walk in the spirit of God while on ministry on the streets of Baltimore, and I studied the Bible under a Pastor at his home.
When I left the fellowship, I then started to attend (the organized church) young adult’s fellowship meetings.
The nice Christian women would smile at me and we would share the Bible together in fellowship, but when it came to the dating game forget it!
I could not make the grade as I was not a middle class professional, and I held no college degrees. By the time I was 35 years old, I had started to believe God had forgotten about my need for a wife. I had been faithful to my faith for years, and certainly would never date a non-believer!
By 36 years old I was livid with God, watching couples live in sin all around me, and I did not even know any females any longer, I could have asked out.
My Father and Mother could not understand my anger, or why none of the “nice girls at Church” would go out with me…
I understood it however; it is called being slighted or marginalized, because I did not have a formal education and was not a professional, a code word used for executives among the aristocracy crowd. Christian or not, it made no difference to these gals in the denominations I grew up around, and although no one would admit it; that’s the way it was.
My walk with God was good on the inside, but I had nothing to show on the outside, and God help us, it is often the same today in the Clergy. The church has good moral (and Biblical) rules we teach our Children about abstinence and not slipping in the flesh when dating as Christians. These teachings are taken from a long line of tradition and doctrines, yet for me these do and don’ts were not working. The church would even separate the men and women in bible study, so this only helped to fuel my anger and frustration.
The Letter of the law kills, the Spirit makes alive!
One day as a Sergeant I met one woman that interested me while in the Army Reserves. We were attending the same class, but even then all the “dogs” around me were attempting to make time with her, so I simply retreated like I always did.
I remember wishing that I could meet someone like her, we were friendly but I did not go out with military members, as it was a conflict on interest the way I saw it.
A friend of mine at work offered to set me up on a date with a woman he had been dating, but I declined as I knew all to well his character…
Strangely later, I would think about this gal at the weirdest times, and she seemed to always be in a struggling within my thoughts; so as my mother always taught me; I pray for her. This went on for a couple of years: and then my younger brother got engaged to be married. I was happy for my brother, but his good fortune sent me into an outrage with God as I was still all alone.
Bothered by this for over twenty years, one reserve weekend I told God “that he would just have to forgive me for asking out this girl” that had been on my mind. After all he had never provided anyone for me!
It had been two years since I had spoken with her, yet I saw my opportunity in the chow line, so against my better Christian principles I asked her out…
I asked her for her phone number, but she gave me her office number instead.
I would see shortly that my friend I had known in class was an emotional wreck!
As it turned out she had been in an abusive relationship for the two years I had not seen her, but it took a couple dates to find this out…
On our first date I remember she crouched down by me were I was sitting, looked up at me and said that somehow I was very different from the other men she had been dating.
I did not know if this was good or bad, so I kept my mouth shut; yet wondered if she could be sensing Christ in me? I had seen this type of thing when I was in street ministry, and either people would be attracted to you or repelled by you depending on how receptive they were spiritually speaking. But I just put these thoughts out of my mind and tried to enjoy my first date in over ten years.
We had some wine and dinner, then she had some more wine and when it was time for me to leave she did not want me to go. I told her that I must because of my dog at home, so she said she would come with me it was late so I had to say no, but it was not easy for me to get out of their.
Later I thought she would never want to see me again, and wanted to kick myself for being such a good boy.
A few weeks went by and I did not know if I should even bother calling her, but it was her birthday so I got her a clock for the wall, and asked her if she wanted to go bowling.
To my surprise she said yes, so I went over and gave her the birthday present.
She was embarrassed, because I had found out it was her birthday and I did not know her so well. It didn’t bother me any, except for the fact I forgot the battery for the clock!
Perfect timing
We went bowling had a good time, and then I took her home I remembered to get batteries for the clock. When I put the batteries in, I turned it over to set the time- yet the time was already set to the exact time of day… This was only the first of many experiences of extreme coincidences I was about to encounter.
Our third date, I had never prepared a meal for a women before and I ran out of potatoes, so I figured I would use hash browns instead. When she arrived I could hardly get my cowboy boots on and nearly tripped when opening the door.
It was a good meal (except for the potatoes) yet she was most gracious and compassionate towards me.
I had managed to move all my junk to my neighbor’s garage, so she would not see all my clutter on my screened in porch. I had spent the whole day cleaning and cooking just for the occasion and was scared to death! It turned out to be a good evening though, and this is when she started to tell me her problems with the abusive boy friend she had been living with. This guy was a classic controller of women, and abusive enough to be on the FBI’s profile list. I just listened mostly as she poured out her heart to me and although she was embarrassed and normally very private, I felt I was able to help her some.
Later I found out she was attending classes for battered women, and I found out she was not suppose to be in a relationship… So I called up and reported myself to the counselor as I did not want to make seeing me, any harder on her recovery.
As it later turned out, she said that I had been a much greater help to her than the councilors were, and this is when the Lord started revealing to me my gifts in ministry.
I was starting to fall in love with a non believer; so in the interest of obedience to God, I submersed myself in meetings at a local church.
I had not really attended church meeting too much since moving to Kent Island because I felt as if I was sort of a spiritual odd ball, with all the things I had experienced while in street ministry. But I was doing this in an attempt to be held accountable for my actions.
The Pastor would pray for my new girl friend’s salvation during our prayer meetings.
The Church women told me to let them council her, so I would not be tempted in my flesh. My mother told me to make her stay over her brother’s house while in town.
I had allot of good Christians trying to help me, yet they seemed of little help at all.
They even tried to get me into a Christian dating group (that I had tried before), yet I knew the Lord wanted me to be the one and help Elaine, and he seemed to be calling me to do so. After over a month of dating now; I had tried to make her stay at her brothers, and asked her to visit with the women at the Church…She did not understand why she could not stay at my place when over her brothers, and did not feel comfortable talking with the women at the Church. So I caved in and continued seeing her at my home and hers. One night she put the moves on me, and was successful as I allowed it.
She had no problem with it, but I knew better.
Between the Devil and Me
Remember Allen Jackson’s song, Between the Devil and me?
Well that song was playing off and on all day long after our “event”; yet even though I had some guilt, the tune seemed as if the Lord was trying to speak to my heart in using it!
Emotionally, this was exactly where I was, and later after 911 I was not surprised to learn Allen Jackson was a Christian man.
That Sunday feeling awful about what I had done, I went to Church praying hard for my forgiveness’ suddenly the preacher said ( the first borne son belongs to God) as he said this a vision of a sword appeared as my eyes were shut. The sword ascended upon my soul and split it open with hardly a touch, dirty water poured from it as tears burst from my eyes. Embarrassed the deacons came over and comforted me.
Later in the sermon the minister said (the sword is the symbol for the word of God) again the same sword descended in a vision upon my soul, yet this time it opened my soul completely, and as the dirty water poured from it I cried like a baby in Church!
The Deacons rushed over to me and rubbed my shoulder, I was so embarrassed here I was a tough guy, with a leather jacket on crying like a newborn for the whole congregation to see.
About a week goes by in continued prayer about Elaine and me. The Lord has warned me to no longer interfere with his rescue efforts; he used a type of flashback when I was trapped in the sea, to explain my part in a person’s salvation.
I see myself trapped and drowning in the surf, the life guards finally arrive tattered together with a steel life line. It was only when I realized that “I could do nothing” that the provision arrives on scene, and not before.
All any human being can do is to offer the provision to salvation, as the life guard offered it to me on that day. He could not save me, as he could not enter into the area I was trapped in without costing him his own life! It was up to me to grab hold of that salvation when it was offered to me, and only then could I be brought to salvation upon the shore.
God has always used the water, in ways to speaking to my soul even the day I nearly drowned I purchased a book called the U.S. Life Saving Service in which a story appears about the oarsmen keeping their eyes continually fixed upon the Keeper, as they ply their oars in obedience to him; and mark his slightest gesture, oblivious the raging seas behind them! That Sunday I take a bath in the tub, still in prayer the Lord commands me to end the relationship. Heartbroken, I am obedient to what I have been told and I get ready for church. Towards the end of the service, I speak to an elder who grew up behind Elaine’s farm as a child; he remembers her as I tell him about my plan to end the relationship as she is not a Christian… To my surprise the Lord uses him to speak to my heart, he says NO, that is wrong we are to not throw people away! At that moment it is as if a great testing has occurred and a wait is lifted from upon my shoulders!
Some would say this is because my sinful flesh was relived, but I say it goes far beyond that, for I think about how Abraham was tested to give up his son in the desert in obedience to God. It was out of obedience that God blessed him.
The point of her Salvation
The relationship continues, as I approach the highway I enter onto the ramp as I merge with traffic; when I look over to my left Elaine is driving directly next to me!
The strange occurrences of events continue throughout our dating for nearly a year, and
I am starting to get freaked out! It is December now, and Christmas is rapidly approaching.
One night I receive a frantic call on the telephone, It is Elaine she has just bumped into her old boyfriend and his kids, that is suppose to be out of the State by order of the Judge.
She is frantic and petrified because he is playing dirty tricks on her phone, months after he is forced to leave her house.
I try to calm her down, and I tell her she knows what she needs to do; it is to pray to the Lord for her Salvation and protection from evil.
She says that I should help her, so we pray together on the phone for her salvation and deliverance from evil. As I go to start my truck to see her, the truck will not start; it is not the battery but maybe the starter? A feeling of oppression falls over me, so I go directly into prayer. I plead the blood of Jesus upon my truck, and myself.
I know what is happening, though it has been ten years since battling the adversary.
My truck starts and I head on up the road. Cars pull out in front of me while traveling on that country road at night but I avoid them all.
I make it to her home safe and sound, and she has been composing her thoughts of past sins on a piece of paper, in reflection after our prayer a half hour before.
It is a new beginning for us both, as we are now both believers in the power and the sacrifice in Jesus Christ! It has been only two months seeing each other, and now she is a new creation.
Shortly before Christmas she experiences a vision of me in a Clergy Collar, I am shocked as the only one who had that same vision was my Pastor some dozen years before when I worked in the City. This is also the day I received my calling of being given the sword, in speaking the word of God: but was warned in how I used it or I would cut myself to ribbons. Oswald Chambers’s devotional that day was also on being given the sword, but I had missed reading it that morning.
Going to see the Minister
I have just described just a few of the events that transpired while dating Elaine in my life, and if you don’t think I suffer from psychotic episodes by now than I invite you to read on and see the response I got from one Minister I sought direction from.
As I have said prior these spiritual occurrences’ were even starting to freak me out, and yet many of them I have a witness too.
I approached the Pastor in his office explaining to him most of the events that had transpired between God Elaine and me; I figured he would understand as he was the one who prayed for her salvation the night before. He had also been the one who held prayer services with me. He listened in disbelief the events I described to him. Finally he arose from his chair, pounded on the desk and said (God does not speak to people in such a manner!) He does not say to an individual do this and that, be here in 15 minuets and you will be healed that is not how God works!
Well I understand his point about pointing to ones watch in waiting on God, so maybe the part about the Clock threw him a little in my description? I don’t really know, but I was upset that a Pastor thought he could not hear the Lord speak to him. Why does a minister go to prayer if he thinks God can not direct and speak to him I wondered.
I prayed about our meeting in my old truck heart broken because of his response to me.
The Lord told my heart simply yet clearly (I use who I can) and I went on my way.
Finally after a years worth of convincing by the Lord, I prayed about asking her hand in marriage; He told me that (he wanted me to be the one and look after her) I was certainly flattered that God would ask me to look after Elaine, but was not sure she would accept my proposal. When she did the supernatural events I had been experiencing seemed to stop, and it was back to living by faith as usual.
We were married on Labor Day, because that was the quickest way to get the Church and about a month shy of dating for a year. Later I would go to our new Pastor about how the Lord was leading me, but he said he did not see me as a Pastor but maybe a Chaplain.
A year after we were married, God gave me a vision of a “Pastors heart” but it took me till nearly dying some six years later, before I became a Minister of the Gospel. But that’s another story on a different blog…
Rev. Roland T. Dell, Chaplain
Lightship Ministries
“Vessels of Light for Christ”