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I have to say, sometimes \u2014 MANY TIMES \u2014 I feel like\u2008Jeremiah, who was known as the \u201cweeping prophet.\u201d \u00a0I\u2008do not claim to be a prophet, but I know what I\u2008know, and I cannot UNknow what I know\u2026 \u00a0Life would be much easier, I suppose, if I were to simply tune out and live like the rest of the world; focused on sports, worldly entertainment, easy living and comfort.<\/p>\n
But I know God\u2019s Word and I see what is coming upon this Earth, and surely, the judgment of God is coming soon, to all those who now live in ignorant bliss. \u00a0I feel such an urgency to sound the warning signal and call people to return to God in repentance, seeking Him with all their heart, NOW, while He may still be found.<\/p>\n
As we read in 1 Peter 4, \u201cIt is time for judgment to begin with God\u2019s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?\u201d \u00a0Yes, my friends, God\u2019s judgment will BEGIN with those who claim to be a part of His Church\u2026<\/p>\n
Jesus said that \u201cWide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. \u00a0But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few ever find it.\u201d \u00a0The truth of the matter is, MOST of those who sit with you in church every week will one day by VERY SURPRISED to learn that Jesus never knew them.<\/p>\n
I wonder how many professing Christians are, in reality, walking that broad road, all the while believing they are safely and soundly \u201csaved,\u201d because they have been purposely misled by cowardly, people-pleasing preachers.<\/p>\n
We live in a day and age of such deception and delusion, the likes of which I\u2008have never seen before in all my years. \u00a0If we cannot hear the truth of Satan\u2019s lies exposed in our Christian churches, WHERE, I ask you, CAN we?<\/p>\n
We are now two, if not three generations past the time when people had even a modicum of Biblical literacy. \u00a0Those days are long past. \u00a0Moses warned: \u201cFix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; \u00a0tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.<\/p>\n
Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, while you lie down and when you get up. \u00a0Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The words we were to hold onto so securely \u2014 AND TEACH TO OUR CHILDREN \u2014 included the knowledge, wisdom and understanding of God\u2019s Holy Word. I dare say that today, most households in America probably contain numerous copies of the Bible, but they are rarely, if ever, opened.<\/p>\n
Most church-goers no longer even bother to go through the motions of carrying them to church. \u00a0After all, the Scripture the pastor has chosen, to prove his point, \u00a0is placed up there (for our convenience) on the big TV or projection screen. \u00a0It seems, in our churches today, there is no more need for the Bible.<\/p>\n
Thus we have a generation of people so far removed from the truth of God\u2019s Word we \u00a0don\u2019t even know what we don\u2019t know. \u00a0A wealth of knowledge and wisdom \u2014 all the ancient Holy Scriptures, the very words of GOD HIMSELF \u2014 lay there at our fingertips, yet most cannot be bothered to even look, much less study.<\/p>\n
We rely on what the \u201cpastor\u201d tells us; and sadly, most of the sermons preached in our modern American churches today PURPOSELY EVADE the whole counsel of God, lest one in the congregation might be offended.<\/p>\n
One man recently asked the very serious question: \u00a0\u201cWhy must I go outside the church in order to get the truth?\u201d \u00a0He was referring to the recent Wisconsin Christian News Ministry Expo and Conference in which we featured expert speakers to directly discuss the topics of Islam, Homosexuality, the God-ordained Family, Apostasy in our churches, Biblical Illiteracy, Political Correctness, \u00a0and what is required for true salvation in Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
We addressed these most important issues HEAD ON \u2014 \u00a0to standing-room-only crowds of people \u2014 hungry for truth that they will NEVER hear in their churches. \u00a0We had people attend our conference from far and wide \u2014 \u00a0coming from all over Wisconsin, at least 7 other states AND CANADA\u2026 yet the local pastors in the area actually BOYCOTTED our event, and would not even announce it to their congregations.<\/p>\n
This man asked this question (\u201cWhy must I go outside the church in order to get the truth?\u201d) \u00a0of his pastor, and his pastor\u2019s pastor, and several men in leadership at his church. None would answer.<\/p>\n
They consider him a trouble-maker because he presses for answers they are not willing to give. \u00a0 The senior pastor even implied he might be \u201chappier\u201d\u2008at another church\u2026. a \u201cpolite, non-offensive\u201d way of asking him to leave. \u00a0This after years of faithful attendance.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m becoming convinced that the seminaries MUST have special training courses to teach new pastors how to evade the hard topics completely, lest someone be offended; how to be \u201cpeople-pleasers,\u201d how to run a successful money-making business, and how to be popular and well liked.<\/p>\n
It seems that\u2019s all they know\u2026 but there is such a HUNGER AND THIRST for the WHOLE counsel of God \u2014 for the WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH\u2026 and people are not getting it in their churches today.<\/p>\n
After the terror attacks on 9\/11, churches nationwide were packed with people\u2026 \u00a0they came to find truth and they came to find answers. \u00a0They came seeking God, but He wasn\u2019t there\u2026. \u00a0And so within a month, the churches were emptier than before.<\/p>\n
Those who were sincerely seeking God had to go OUTSIDE the churches in order to find Him. \u00a0I am sad to say that we have turned Christianity into a mere religious exercise, and our pulpits are mostly filled with \u201chirelings,\u201d as we read about in John, Chapter 10:\u2008 Jesus said, \u201cI am the Good Shepherd.<\/p>\n
The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. \u00a0The hireling is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. \u00a0So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. \u00a0Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. \u00a0The man runs away because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Am I too harsh? \u00a0Sorry, those were Jesus\u2019 words. \u00a0Not mine. \u00a0Most of today\u2019s pastors love to be praised by the people; \u00a0they love to be popular and well liked. \u00a0I\u2019ve said it before, but in case you missed it: \u00a0PLEASE, show me ONE MAN OF GOD in the Bible who courageously spoke the truth \u2014 the whole counsel of God \u2014 who was well liked and popular among the people. \u00a0Such a one does not exist.<\/p>\n
The writer of Hebrews tells us what REAL MEN OF GOD accomplished for their Lord, and what they endured throughout the Scriptures \u2014 and what REAL CHRISTIANS should EXPECT to endure even today: \u00a0\u201cthey conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; \u00a0they shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength, and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies\u2026. Others were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.<\/p>\n
Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. \u00a0They were put to death by stoning, they were sawed in two, they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Now I ask you: \u00a0how many of US are willing to endure such things in order to follow Christ today? \u00a0And perhaps more to the point, how many of our PASTORS would be willing? \u00a0Sadly, most today are afraid to even mention the hard things that are deemed \u201cpolitically incorrect,\u201d for fear of someone taking offense\u2026much less consider enduring any sort of hardship \u2014 or fighting for righteousness.<\/p>\n
A case in point: \u00a0I recently warned a pastor that there were people in his congregation who were embracing and promoting the apostate movie \u201cThe Shack,\u201d in which God is portrayed as an African woman, in which Jesus states He does not want people to become \u201cChristians,\u201d but rather, ALL religious paths lead to God\u2019s acceptance and forgiveness; and the\u2008Holy Spirit is portrayed as another woman with a Hindu name.<\/p>\n
These regular church-goers said it was by far the best \u201cChristian\u201d movie they\u2019d ever seen and were highly recommending it to others.<\/p>\n
I warned their pastor \u2014 \u201cYou MUST speak on this! \u00a0This is apostasy of the highest degree and people in YOUR\u2008church are being led astray by this false teaching!\u201d \u00a0But the pastor refused to address the issue in any way\u2026. because some might be offended if he attacked the sacred cow of this Hollywood heresy.<\/p>\n
Last summer I attended a funeral, where the pastor openly declared from the pulpit that \u201cGod needed another angel,\u201d thus the untimely death of the deceased. SURELY this pastor knows that people are not transformed into angels when they die\u2026 yet he purposely led all those people astray, with false doctrine about a false future\u2026 he may as well have said, \u201cevery time a bell rings and angel gets its wings!\u201d \u00a0That\u2019s about the depth of the theology we are receiving in our modern American churches today.<\/p>\n
I\u2008am most concerned about our children. \u00a0Scripture tells us that there is ENMITY between the seed of the serpent (Satan) and the seed of the woman (our children)\u2026 \u00a0Satan goes after our kids the hardest, because they are his greatest of trophies. \u00a0If he can steal the hearts and minds of our children, he can destroy all of mankind. \u00a0I believe we are seeing this come to pass in these last days, right now.<\/p>\n
Our kids spend 6-8 hours a day, five days a week in government schools, better described as Liberal, Socialist indoctrination centres. \u00a0Then, a scant FEW will spend an hour or two in a church once a week, where they are taught Bible STORIES, as if they were fairy tales.<\/p>\n
We have just recently observed the Easter season. \u00a0I received at least a dozen sets of photographs from people in various places; images from Easter celebrations at churches where they live. \u00a0The pictures showed senior pastors dressed up like clowns, movie characters and of course, the Easter Bunny. \u00a0The same thing happens at Christmas, when churches mix Santa Claus in with the birth of Christ.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve turned HISTORY, wisdom and knowledge, found in God\u2019s Word into fairy tales\u2026 all to attract kids to our Establishment churches\u2026 \u00a0and then we rejoice when so many kids show up for the Easter egg hunt, the bounce houses, the face painting, the jugglers and clowns\u2026. \u00a0we measure the success of our Easter \u201cservices\u201d by how many kids came out and collected candy-filled eggs, after which they heard a short candy-coated message about a fictitious \u201cJesus.\u201d<\/p>\n
How can we be SO BLIND?! \u00a0 Look what we are doing to our kids. \u00a0 If only we could see the millstones we are heaping around our own necks as we deceive our own children.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve heard it said that \u201cChurch is not supposed to be a museum for saints, but rather a hospital for sinners.\u201d \u00a0I beg to differ. \u00a0THE CHURCH, (the one of which the gates of hell will not prevail against), is the BODY OF CHRIST\u2026. unrepentant sinners will NEVER be comfortable there.<\/p>\n
Church is SUPPOSED to be the House of God, but we have turned it into a worldly, carnal social club, designed to make everyone feel comfortable and accepted in their sin. \u00a0But Church is supposed to be a gathering place for the children of God \u2014 and contrary to popular belief, not EVERYONE is a child of God. \u00a0If you are not saved by the blood of the Lamb, then you are at ENMITY with God. You\u2019re His ENEMY\u2026 you are a child of the devil. \u00a0For what fellowship can light have with darkness? \u00a0Yet many churches today, LITERALLY entice the unsaved in with darkness and carnality\u2026.<\/p>\n
Is it any wonder, then, that there is now emerging a REMNANT \u2014 those who take the Lord and His Word SERIOUSLY\u2026 they are COMING OUT of these carnal social clubs and as Jesus said they would be, they are scattered \u2014 sheep without a shepherd \u2014 because of the wolves, and the hirelings that refuse to speak the truth.<\/p>\n
Church should be a place of discipleship and growth, where shepherds teach their flocks to GO OUT and make disciples, teaching them to OBEY all Jesus commanded. \u00a0Not a place of entertainment and indulgence.<\/p>\n
Our kids see through the hypocrisy clearly, and want no part of it, if that\u2019s what \u201cChurch\u201d is all about. \u00a0\u201cChristianity,\u201d they say, does not \u201cwork\u201d for them\u2026. thus they choose instead, the false doctrines of demons, if they follow any spiritual path at all.<\/p>\n
You see, they\u2019ve been taught that the Christian life is one of peace, prosperity, comfort and ease. \u00a0Free candy when they\u2019re kids and comfort and ease when they grow up. \u00a0We, as adults, often believe just the same.<\/p>\n
We are never challenged to study and dig into the Word of God ourselves. \u00a0We\u2019re rarely asked to DO anything at all. \u00a0 We simply come and sit, and pay our \u201cdues,\u201d and listen to a comforting message that makes us feel good about ourselves.<\/p>\n
Contrast this to what Peter spoke of regarding what the REAL Christian life is like: \u00a0\u201cDear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.<\/p>\n
But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ\u2026If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you\u2026If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. \u00a0For it is time for judgment to begin with God\u2019s household.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jesus does not call us to a life of comfort and ease, indulgence, carnality and acceptance of sin. \u00a0He calls us to repent, to go OUT and make disciples, teaching them all He commanded.<\/p>\n
That REQUIRES us to be politically incorrect in this world filled with demonic delusions and lies. \u00a0Those who follow Christ will NOT be popular or well liked. \u00a0But neither will they hear those awful words one day, \u201cDepart from Me, you worker of iniquity\u2026 I\u2008never knew you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Copyright \u00a9 2017, News With Views, All rights reserved.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n I have to say, sometimes \u2014 MANY TIMES \u2014 I feel like\u2008Jeremiah, who was known as the \u201cweeping prophet.\u201d \u00a0I\u2008do not claim to be a prophet, but I know what I\u2008know, and I cannot UNknow what I know\u2026 \u00a0Life would be much easier, I suppose, if I were to simply tune out and live like […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":56,"featured_media":16589,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16573","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-revive-us-again","8":"wp-image-borders","9":"entry"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/church.with_.red_.yellow.sky-345678.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4bgnN-4jj","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/56"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16573"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17558,"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16573\/revisions\/17558"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/16589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"image_pdf\"](\"https:\/\/watchmanmedia.org\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdf-print\/images\/pdf.png\" "\\"View")
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