church in America

The Church in America has become like the dry cleaning business!

We have converted the modern church into a business operation where we, the customers, have been instructed to bring the dirty laundry (the lost) and drop it off at the church. It is then our expectation that the church (ie: professional staff) will ‘clean and sanitize’ these lost souls so they might return to the world as good Christian people.

This process is so far removed from the biblical mandate that Christ gave His church!

We are all called to preach the gospel and make disciples…the primary purpose of the gathering of the believers (the church) is to equip the saints for the work of ministry – which is using our gifts to share the gospel and make disciples. We have allowed man’s wisdom to so dominate today’s church and yet we wonder why we are so ineffective, so luke warm. We place more emphasis on ‘entertaining’ and keeping ‘happy’ those who visit the church than on the biblical mandate believing that ‘our’ vision of church will change people.

The only thing that changes people is a real, living relationship with Jesus Christ – none of the programs of man will ever generate real, life saving change. Jesus is in the business of changing lives – we just need to join Him.

Church in America – wake up!

Let’s start by focusing on the most important admonition that Christ gave us, to all those who call Jesus Christ Lord – love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Then we shall be equipped by the power of His Spirit to preach the gospel and make disciples.

And when we gather together as the body of Christ let us focus upon equipping the saints, on whole hearted worship to our Lord and all consuming fervent prayer. And as we abide in Him we shall see and experience His miraculous workings in ourselves as well as those around us.

As we walk through these times of uncertainty

Why dost Thou make me see iniquity, and cause me to look on wickedness?
Yes, destruction and violence are before me; strife exists and contention arises.
Therefore, the law is ignored and justice is never upheld.
For the wicked surround the righteous; therefore, justice comes out perverted.
They are dreaded and feared.
Their justice and authority originate with themselves.
Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on.
But they will be held guilty, they whose strength is their god.
Thine eyes are too pure to approve evil, and Thou canst not look on wickedness with favor. Why dost Thou look with favor on those who deal treacherously?
Why art Thou silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?
Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him;
But the righteous will live by his faith.
Habakkuk

Reviewing these verses from Habakkuk we find amazing similarities to our times !
And it becomes even more apparent that man’s sinful nature does indeed never change and that we can stand firm on God’s Word.
As we walk through these times of uncertainty and we see that God’s Truth is a rock for all ages – let us walk by faith for that is always the answer.
It is our faith in the Living Lord Jesus Christ that will deliver us from all that we may come to endure.
It is our daily, living, breathing faith in our wondrous Risen Savior that will guide us through these historic times.
It is our uncompromising faith that will lead is into all truth and save us from wickedness and treachery.
By faith we shall know where our strength comes from and we will not walk the path of violence and destruction.
It is by faith through grace that we walk in righteousness – not by our own power.
By faith alone shall we live victoriously.

May we return whole heartedly to our first love – the Lord Jesus

Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days, now they are fleeing; she is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste!
Hearts are melting and knees knocking! Also anguish is in the whole body, and all their faces are grown pale! "Behold, I am against you," declares the LORD of hosts

Also her small children were dashed to pieces…
The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies…
There is no relief for your breakdown, your wound is incurable…
(Nahum 2,3)

Is this a picture of America ? Are we like Nineveh whose days are fleeing and will become desolate and waste ? Hearts are already melting and knees knocking with fear and anguish. We have given over our children to those who callously disregard life and we support their being dashed to pieces through our choice of leaders. Our gates our opened wide to our enemies and we allow lawlessness to fill our land. Is there no relief – is our wound incurable ?

Is God’s Word through Job a foreshadowing of what is to come for our country ?

He makes the nations great, then destroys them; He enlarges the nations, then leads them away. He deprives of intelligence the chiefs of the earth's people, and makes them wander in a pathless waste. They grope in darkness with no light, and He makes them stagger like a drunken man. (Job 12:23-25)

May all those who call heaven their home seek after God and ask His forgiveness.
May we return whole heartedly to our first love – the Lord Jesus.
May we seek to honor Him in all that we do.
May it be our hearts desire to serve Him and follow His leading.
May our focus be on preaching the gospel and making disciples for His kingdom.
May we love as He has loved us.
And maybe, just maybe, our country shall be saved from the fate of Nineveh…