RELIGION IS BECOMING UNGLUED!

The Holy Spirit reminded me of a word I shared almost two years ago concerning the Religious Spirit and its attack on the work of the Holy Spirit in the coming days. This Religious Spirit will seek to denounce the work of God’s Spirit by condemning anything that doesn’t fit the mold of man-made expectations or religious protocols.
Kanye West, an internationally known rapper and Hollywood icon, recently declared his conversion to Christ but is receiving harsh criticism from some in the Church. Though his testimony seems genuine and powerful, some believers suspect it to be a marketing ploy or, worse yet, a counterfeit gospel. Where many want to celebrate this story of radical redemption, others are leery of embracing it.
It is apparent that we need to get past human reasoning and outer appearances in order to rightly discern by the Spirit. God is moving in unfamiliar territory these days and our old mindsets and expectations need to be updated if we are to embrace the revolutionary transformation God wants to bring to our culture. Many have been praying that salvation would come to the mountains of media and entertainment and we need to be prepared for what that may look like – apart from our preconceived ideas and familiar formulas.
In February of 2018, I wrote about an experience I had where the Lord told me, “Religion is about to become unglued!” Our garage had flooded unexpectedly, and 2 family Bibles got wet. The one was over 100 years old and was a huge family Bible that served as a table centerpiece. The ornately decorated hardcover protected much of the book, but the spine of the Bible became unglued. And, though many of the pages were waterlogged, the interior words and pictures were preserved. The other Bible was smaller but also had undergone a similar fate.
As I looked on these waterlogged family heirlooms, the Lord spoke to my spirit and described a similar spiritual reality that was coming to the Body of Christ. A coming flood of the Holy Spirit is going to impact many religious mindsets from the past that focused solely on outward appearance rather than on the heart. This coming work of the Spirit will forever alter the appearance of Kingdom realities and will cause many religious minds to become “unglued!”
The Bibles I held in my hands were symbols of tradition. At one time, they were highly esteemed treasures to be admired and cared for. But the unexpected flood changed their appearance – not their eternal value – only their outer covering. Just like the decorative cover of the Bible, the Religious Spirit focuses on appearances and that which man might consider sacred. And yet, when the Holy Spirit comes to flood our hearts with the manifest presence of God, we are forever changed from the inside out. The outer appearance no longer determines the value of the Word inside. The written word becomes alive and active in our lives and we no longer live by the letter of the law, but by the Spirit!

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

The fact is, when the Spirit moves in our lives, things change. Things we once considered “normal” or “appropriate” now become subject to a supernatural God without limitations or fleshly boundaries. Things will look different and we can’t judge by the cover anymore. This is what is taking place in our culture as the Lord is bringing salvation to many who have been walking in deep darkness. Just as Saul was transformed from a murderer of Christians to an apostle in the Church, so is God redeeming many prodigals whose public transgressions are now becoming platforms for transformation. That which was once considered ungodly, heathen, and even demonic, are being utterly transfigured into a glorious demonstration of Kingdom love and power.
Is our faith too small to imagine that such a transformation is even possible? Does our human reasoning doubt the sincerity of these new converts simply because they don’t know our religious protocols or rules of the house? Perhaps it is not these prodigals who are being tested as much as the older brothers of the faith. Can we recognize a true work of the Spirit without penalizing the sinner or questioning God’s mercy (see Matt 23:13)? Can we see a pure heart seeking after God, even if their methods or manners are still immature?
Those who walk in the Spirit must look past the packaging and consider the gift inside. God is calling many into the Kingdom who do not look like us, sound like us, or talk like us. They will not be conventional, traditional, or even remotely religious. They will simply be sold out for Jesus. He is answering our prayers concerning the harvest! Their voice and influence will reach others that those in the religious mountain can never touch. I pray we can look beyond our traditional comfort zones to consider the radical zeal of the Lord that refuses to be bound by protocols or restrained by Religion.
Let us pray for these newly awakened followers of Christ and cheer them on! Let us become a household of faith that disciples these prodigals to maturity while giving them grace as they learn how to walk. Let us recognize the work of Holy Spirit and rejoice along with heaven that the lost are coming home and the mountains of culture are declaring the glory of God.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Picture of Wanda Alger

Wanda Alger

Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.

Comments

12 Responses

  1. Two things the Lord has impressed upon me about Kanye… First, I was praying about Kanye and was thinking we need to get behind him. I felt the Lord say strongly, “No! We need to stay in FRONT of him!” I felt the Christian community needs to LEAD Kanye to make sure HE stays behind JESUS. I felt this could be a trap for some, following Kanye’s lead instead of following Christ.
    Second, I felt that this is the beginning of what has been prophesied for SO many years—a mass awakening of the youth. Also that Kanye’s boldness will embolden many others to come forward as believers. It will suddenly become “cool” to be Christian! OUR CHURCHES NEED TO BE READY, especially for the youth—they are going to come looking for answers, and they are coming NOW. Again, the Lord gave me a picture of the importance of mature Christians LEADING this, and not following; not chasing after the new Christians, not trying to appease. We must be bold to speak truth—the youth are ready to hear!
    I love your blog! I am an older woman and what you hear from the Lord really speaks to my heart. Blessings, A. Ayer

  2. Wanda,
    Thank you for sharing truth and wisdom! This has truly touched my heart. Thank you for being a voice of correction and encouragement. Blessings of grace and peace to you!

  3. AMEN and AMEN….I’m excited to see G-d move. I admit, that at first I was skeptical but when one listens to Kanye, and his transformation, it’s exciting. Also, regardless, he is spreading The Name of Yeshua (Jesus) all over the airwaves, Now how much more exciting is that???

  4. Thank You, Wanda, for this insightful, anointed word. I have been praying for Kanye and his family and for Justin Beiber for some time now.
    The Beauty of our LORD’s Great Work is how He Chooses people of All ages in Every generation to draw to Himself. He does a wonderful work in their hearts and lives on a Daily basis. HE creates in them amazing revelations and wisdom—as HE imparts to them what they need for each day.
    I learned over 30 years ago in my own personal life—as I ran after JESUS with my whole heart—that he gave me day by day what I needed. I was New in the LORD, and He knew I could only take a little at first….I could not handle much at the time.
    As I continued to run after HIM with my whole heart…HE imparted more and more to me…HE does that for each one of us who Seek HIM with all of our hearts.
    Religion is man-made and it is cruel. When we come to understand the truth about Religion—and realize that we are to FOLLOW JESUS EACH DAY—READING HIS HOLY WORD AND POURING OUT OUR HEARTS TO HIM IN PRAYER—-I talk to HIM just like I would to any other person….My godly mother, Carolyn Bass Watson Dickens, taught me that we are to talk to the LORD just like we do to each other. Mother said: “Don’t ever make your walk with JESUS complicated—because it isn’t. Just realize that FAITH is YOU having Confidence in GOD, and HIS ability to Hear and Answer Your prayers. Pray for a deep desire to read the HOLY BIBLE—and HE will Speak to You through HIS Word.”
    Marsha Carol Watson Gandy

  5. AMEN!!!
    I was saved and converted 13 years ago at the age of 36. I have NEVER been the same after this radical transformation. Thank you for praying us into the kingdom!
    And may our prayers continue to bring in the Harvest!
    God bless you my Sister:)

  6. Not so convinced….I didn’t see any Scriptural references to lead me to this…..It seems like rationalism…..and compromise….openings…to distraction….and departure from the Authoritative Rule of Scripture….this is not only appearances…this is about sanctification and holiness….bowing down before our God…..Humility…..and submission to Godly order….just not there yet with….all of this….the “set apart”, the light not mixing with darkness, the I centered culture, the props….the capture without transformation…..go deeper into a life of service and subordination to the five-fold ministry of the Church….and purity of the Bride of Christ.

  7. Thank you Wanda! We sure need the whole counsel & heart of God; in Spirit & in Truth! The letter kills, but the spirit gives life…man looks at the outward appearance; God looks on the heart…am praying for Kanye & blessing him and his family…

  8. Religion coming unglued is the topic, yes it is falling apart. It’s not about a religion when walking in the word and with our savior. It is a relationship the most important in my life. Just like any other with ups and downs. Be prepared to be tested!!! God is a just and faithful father whom will come thru every time. I’m not following anyone but my God anywhere. And as for Kanye this too is his personal journey who am I to judge him.

  9. Wanda, I have just re-read this message again. I have not read it since November 9, 2019, when I commented on it then. What a message…A tumultuous year has come and gone since then—-WHAT A YEAR 2020 HAS BEEN!
    If we ever needed this message—WE NEED IT NOW.
    Marsha Carol Watson Gandy

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