"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."
Thomas Jefferson

"The Great Awakening, Azuza Street, The Welsh Revival...all a distant memory within the dusty pages of church history. The fire has gone from the pulpit, the sheep slumber, hell enlarges itself yet the voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'repent'  is silenced over the sounding brass or clanging cymbal.

Today My church cries "Experience" more..more... Give me experience!! Where are those who weep over their sins? Where are those that weep over the lost, who wrestle with the devil until breakthrough comes? Where are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness? Where is the faith that will move mountains? Where is the perseverance to stand in the midst of the storm and declare the goodness of God...standing on His promises until victory comes; no matter the cost, the length of time?

The church in America has failed in her mission to heal the sick, share the gospel and be the light in the darkness. Instead the church of the 21st century has become a broken vessel that can hold no water. I AM will not forever withhold My judgment against this rebellious people....for when they say peace and safety then sudden destruction shall come upon them like a woman in childbirth.

Experience, experience they cry...but for faith......"

'Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.' Hebrews 11:1

'It seems in the present day religious culture of our nation that one can hardly set foot into a service or pick up a book without hearing some very distinct messages about what I will refer to as “feel good faith.” It is in effect not truly faith at all because it is based upon the foundation of personal spiritual experiences and emotions. True faith is to put our total and complete trust in Elohim…the creator and sustainer of all life. It is a trust in the nature and character of the one true G-d who is the same yesterday, today and for all of eternity. It is not a trust based upon feelings, warm fuzzies or senses. We trust because He is supremely trustworthy and binds Himself to His own covenant and fulfills to the letter every word He says He will do. His love and faithfulness are everlasting and He is not like man that he should lie or wake up one day and have a personality makeover.

We have a responsibility to diligently guard and keep our hearts in check and filter our emotional and experiential messages through the truth of scripture which is never wrong and will never change. This produces a trust that is not easily shaken because it is built on the foundation of a G-d whose faithfulness never changes, whose love never runs dry and whose character is more dependable than the sun that pierces the horizon and heralds each morning. He is our rock and the fortress upon which we must build our lives. Experiences will change. Emotions will fluctuate. If we evaluate reality based on things that move, then we will totter to and fro based on this variable environment. If we are firmly rooted in truth, we can build a trust that is tried and true and that will carry us through any storm we face in this life.'
The Gospel Masquerade

'And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.' Hebrews 11:6

“...Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Christmas without Christ, the Season without the Saviour.  Holly without holiness, the tinsel without The Truth, reindeer without righteousness.....this is Christmas for millions. Don't you see? Don't you understand....there is NO Christmas without Christ. There would be no Season were it NOT for the Saviour. You cannot Xmas Christ out of Christmas....He IS Christmas.

Letters to Santa, cookies and milk, a poor imitation of the years that lie ahead for the babe in the manger.  Kingly robes were willingly traded for swaddling clothes and an ole rugged cross. A manger now replaced a throne as the babe slept. Knowing what lay ahead He slept. Destined to die, He slept.

Do we rest content in the arms of our Father? Do we trust in Him and obey or do questions, doubts, fears crowd out our peace, our sleep, our destiny? Do we stand on His promises, do we even know His promises, or has the Bible become a mere fable....much like Christmas without Christ, the season without the Saviour and tinsel without The Truth?

The LORD would say...." Rejoice that your Saviour, JESUS Christ has come. He has redeemed fallen mankind. He has forgiven sin and has prepared a place for all who will embrace this babe in a manger, the babe from Bethlehem. Look beyond the tinsel, the holly...the hype. Seek The Truth, for in Me alone will you find your Peace on earth, good will toward men.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=fFPHIK9ann8

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water? Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters? Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you. Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

Mary, did you know.... that when you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God?

Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her King."

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given."—Isaiah 9:6

Why are we sad, lonely or depressed?   Why do we experience rejection, anger, bitterness, frustration?

if unto us a child is born, if unto us a Son is given.

“Hush murmuring. What matters our poverty? "Unto you a child is born." What matters our sickness? "Unto you a Son is given." What matters our sin? For this Child shall take the sin away, and this Son shall wash and make us fit for heaven.

I say -

Lift up the heart, lift up the voice,
Rejoice aloud! ye saints rejoice!
Charles H. Spurgeon
December 25th, 1859

Why are our hearts so cold? Why is it that we do so little for Him who has done so much for us?

　

...If it be so.

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, I heard Holy Spirit say:

"Be careful, lest your sins find you out.  Your time, your talents... all spent on the things of the world. You have no time for the eternal. Destiny awaits, the future bright for those redeemed of the LORD, for others only darkness, hopelessness and shame.

When first I came it was as a babe bringing peace on earth, good will to all men... When I return it will be as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Carrying a sword I will drive out the ungodly among you. Are you ready?? Are you prepared for Me to return or has the rapture teaching lulled you to sleep?  Awaken My child, awaken to the gospel of JESUS Christ. Let no man take the truth from you. Awaken my child. Awaken."

"And as He taught them, He said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have made it ‘a den of robbers." Mark 11:17

"For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:14

"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed." Romans 13:11

"But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out." Numbers 32:23

Everywhere I reached out to lend a helping hand I was met with resistance. Desiring to help, yet over and over, again and again, in the market place, on the street, among family, friends I continued to hear: "it' not time, not now." "Wait!" The dream ended; I sought God.

"This is the way of the world...the way of the church. Wait, enjoy what you have built. Not now, relax, no rush. It isn't time scoffers and mockers were heard to exclaim.

But I, say Now is the time, now is the hour. Be about the Father' business. The hour is late, days are numbered, souls die daily. Darkness continues to slowly creep into My church. The Word of Truth has grown dim, replaced by the bright light of ecumenicalism. A social gospel rules supreme; where once My Word was embraced now syrupy sermons with  touchy-feely text fill auditorium and chapel alike.

As the church morphs more and more into the ways of the world, My remnant will rise up and revival will come. Like a tiny candle in a vast darkness it will shine, it's glimmer will illuminate its surroundings. Some will embrace the tiny light, others will ignore its light choosing instead to live in its shadow. Are you children of the day or children of the night?"

"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.." Titus 3:5-6

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Many churches claim to love truth but what they really love is man-centered Christianity that helps them obtain success. Success in their marriage, finances, family, careers. Building bigger and bigger congregations while fostering a positive attitude that produces health and a successful personal life without the pain of dying to self, picking up the Cross of Christ, sharing the gospel with a lost and dying world or being persecuted for standing for The Truth of the Word of God.

II Timothy 4:3 tells us that many Christians will only want to hear what makes them feel good and appeals to their flesh:

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." 

Warning the church, family or friends of emerging dangerous, unbiblical trends, false teachers, a false gospel, unbiblical theology is never popular nor is it easy. Yet, we are not called to please the world, we are called to please our Lord. We are expected to act as Bereans - checking out all we hear with The Truth, The Word of God, but if we do not know the Word...

Exposing error has become negative in the eyes of many today. Many consider it to be judgmental - even cruel to expose in public what has been spoken in public. Yet, Jesus Himself told us we would see those who would claim to be shepherds, pastors, [evangelist, prophets and apostles] that really have little or no concern for the sheep but care more for their own pocketbooks and positions, twisting the Word of God to benefit self.

Paul, writing in I Corinthians 4:9-13 while in prison:

"For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored. To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now."

Notice the last examples: condemned to death, weak, poor, hungry, beaten and homeless. Its obvious we don’t see those who claim these positions today living in such a manner. The messages proclaimed by most of today's profiteers who live in mansions, travel in private jets, live like royalty, practice necromancy and cheat on their income tax and their wives is G-D wants you wealthy, lacking in nothing, trials and tribulations are from the devil, and if you are sick it is because you lack faith, so just name it and claim it.

In John 10:11-13 we read:

"I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and not concerned about the sheep." 

One reason why God would allow false teachers among us may be to test those who call themselves 'Christian" - will they be faithful in their Biblical mandate to expose false teachers and thus protect the sheep from the spiritual poison of wolves in sheep's clothing, will they be faithful to study to show themselves approved, a watchman who need not be ashamed or will they choose instead to swallow and follow those who teach and preach the gospel they find most appealing.

Ephesians 5:11 makes it clear we are to expose false teachers:

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."Jude 3:1-4 commands all believers to contend for the faith that is under attack from false teachers:

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ".

The Truth is never negative to those who seek to serve it.

"What we believe about the King and His Kingdom will determine the way we live our lives. Pastors and leaders in the West spend so much time struggling with the issues of the relevance of the church to society and a sense of purpose for its members. Despite our best plans and efforts, the Western church has been in numerical decline for more than thirty years. When the church, both in the West and in the developing world, embraces what it is to truly follow and reflect; the seeking, inviting, serving, rescuing King, a King Who is holy and loves justice, then we will become the counter-cultural change agents (salt and light) that the early church was, and that JESUS has always intended it to be. Then we, like JESUS the King, will become immediately relevant to a world that is looking for something beyond mere words. And our church members will come alive as they connect to the great cause of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Scriptures for prayerful consideration;

Psalm 24:10
Colossians 1:15-16, 19
Hebrews 1:3
Mark 10:45
Luke 19:10

Certainly not an exhaustive list but perhaps a jumping off point to help us realize there is much work to be done. The gospel is so much bigger than inviting Christ into our hearts, then sitting back waiting for the rapture. Perhaps a jumping off point  to help us discover that as big and all encompassing as we thought the Kingdom was, it is infinitely more. It is a radical, risky, exhilarating message that we are invited to carry and to live. This gospel stands as a voice and demonstration of justice and righteousness; it is powerful enough to not only challenge injustice, but to break its power. This gospel embraces and follows Christ as He runs into the darkness, bringing His freedom. His remedy for the oppression, sickness and hopelessness that resides there."

This gospel has never changed."

When Everything Changes
by Steve Stewart