A lapdog is a hound who has no say, one who has forfeited his own identity in order to be subservient to another. Because loyalty has been bred into his heart, he wouldn’t dream of making a peep to sound his displeasure even when this canine finds his overseer’s conduct distasteful. For to the one in charge, any opinions contrary to their own are viewed as dishonoring, causing the loyalty of this once cherished pet to be in question.
Then to be a trusted lapdog, he must prove his singular devotion is to just one master by mimicking the behavior of the other lapdogs in the kennel. So to stay in favor with the one in charge and be selected as “special”, a hound will often try to outdo the others in the pen with acts of servile affection towards his overseer.
Being considered a prized lapdog then becomes the goal, for with this distinction comes special perks which sets a canine ahead of the majority, much like a prize winning retriever that is well-bred: one that exemplifies the qualities and culture the overseer has set forth as the standard for his pack. This eventually creates an unhealthy environment, as each hound is expected to perform on command, jumping through hoop after hoop, all to keep the master pleased. And though none will admit it, behind the scenes where others cannot observe, jealousy and a competitive attitude has developed amongst those who have been elevated to prime positions in many kennels, where backbiting and envy spread like a virus, corrupting the atmosphere which surrounds them.
So because the overseers I set into place have mistakenly taught that they were the ones to be pleased, and that their name is to be honored, those who have sat under their teaching and training learn to place the overseer above the Master. Like pups in need of attention, believers fawn after their preachers, those who stand behind pulpits and call themselves “Pastors”. And though these overseers speak of Me and talk of My deity, their own egos are first in their hearts. This is why, during these days of shutdown, many who are “of the cloth” are found struggling to get themselves seen and heard; not so much because the Gospel must be taught, but more as an attempt to maintain their status within the Church. And since too many in My Body have been instructed not to question their leaders (or I will be displeased), they will simply follow directions and do as they are told.
Then where is the freedom promised to those who follow Me? For haven’t most congregants, then, traded one form of bondage for another?
For instead of being bound to the shame born from sin, believers are chained to a form of condemnation, where loyalty and performance rule their lives. For if any want to rise up in the ranks they must adapt to their church’s hierarchical structure, meaning they must acquiesce to the pastor’s preferences for Christian living.
As a result, a type of cloning has taken over My Body; for when “transformation” was exchanged for “conformity”, the uniqueness I desired in My Body was stifled, and individuality was seen as a stumbling block, where those who don’t fit in are set aside because their value as a congregant is decided by how well they reflect the standards set by their church culture.
Then understand that these days, where adversity has come against the Church, have been established by Me as a season for recovery: a set span of time where My Beloved discover the treasure I buried inside each of them. Her loss has been their true identities, for they accepted a diminished form of who I called them to be. This is why I have taken away their normal flow and function as believers, because too many have formed an alternate identity, one that does not encompass the fullness of who they are in Me.
Yet because this doctrine of honor and loyalty has persisted for years within the Church, most believers have accepted this as the standard set by My Son. While He did say to honor your leaders, this statement, however, has gone beyond just showing respect, for many who are overseers today expect to be treated like kings, and so have set themselves above the rest of My children, demanding special considerations be given to them.
And though My Son was the perfect role model for all to follow, many are the pastor who has hung his hat on this idea of “honor”. So then this term is thrown around to keep congregants in line, for the Scripture states “you must honor your leaders”. But instead of this attitude being freely offered in love, having originated out of a healthy regard from the hearts of parishioners, it has become, for church leaders, a demand and a right. And so some who were called to serve the Church as My Son did, have placed themselves in the position of first, in spite of the fact that He clearly stated, ”…whoever desires this position must be the very last, and a servant to all.”
Then the season of recovery is here for the Church as a whole, where even those who have claimed primary status in My Body shall gain the fuller knowledge of what it really means to be called an “overseer”, for these too must discover the truth about living as Christ here on earth.
So I have come during these days to do away with many of the old practices and teachings in My Body, those which have been distorted by religiosity and the flesh. For the hour has arrived when a paradigm shift shall occur in the Church, where I fundamentally transform what has been so she better reflects the qualities of My Kingdom here on earth.
Then, when this is accomplished, all will be seen on equal footing without a top dog amongst the pack, because all thoughts of honor and loyalty will be ascribed only to Me, for those called to oversee won’t be bound to the former role of a pastor since the true revelation of this position shall spring forth. Then down from their platforms and stages I have called these to come, for these elevated positions will only hamper what I am now doing, for it is time for those who consider themselves as the elite amongst the Church, to let go of what was, and stand once again eye to eye with their fellow brethren.
And to those who have ascribed allegiance to one leader or another I say: Cast off this notion! For it is to Me alone that loyalty and devotion should be shown; but not in the sense of ‘do My bidding’ or else lose your position of favored one. That is not how I operate at all. For each who has given their heart to Me is loved unconditionally, and is never counted as less than any other of My own.
Then let this season of recovery commence, for My Spirit has left your buildings and is now seeking those who are actively awaiting His arrival. So then know that because this paradigm shift has already begun, My own must, therefore, stop pushing and pressing to reclaim what was, for the “new” which My Spirit is breathing will not blow into congregational gatherings, but to those believers who have opened then hearts and are willing to embrace this reconfiguration of the Church.
“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: “‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord. Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?” -Acts 7:48-50