The Religious Freak Out!

When you get turned onto God and the little fire within you becomes a raging flame, the religious folks will tend to freak out! It is certainly one thing for the world to turn its back on you; but, it is a whole other thing when the church does. However, it may very well happen.

I have discovered in my years of ministry that people flock in to hear messages promising an abundance of blessings regardless of one’s chosen, on-going lifestyle. It is because here in America we are a society of give-me’s. We have become so accustomed to freebie hand-outs, we expect GOD to do likewise.

We expect that we can continue living however we want but still reap an abundance of rewards and blessings simply by listening in to some guy weekly who promises just such an abundance. Certainly, it is appealing but it has no Scriptural backing.

On the other hand, when sincere Scriptural teaching and admonition is proclaimed, the general population simply doesn’t want to hear it. They have been programmed otherwise. So, you have preachers reading the crowds and learning that stifling the true message tends to draw more people. So, they do likewise.

So, when an individual gets turned on to GOD and His truth and begins spreading that around, it causes a stir among the religious folk—it disturbs their way of living. In other words, when you begin to disrupt the status quo or begin to possibly hurt the monetary intake by proclaiming truth, people of the ruling class will get after you.

You really can’t expect anything otherwise. It happened to Jesus, it will happen to you. Think about this: Jesus had performed many miracles and cast out many demons and the religious folk got upset. Let’s pick up in Mark 3:20-22: “Then He went home, and the crowd gathered again so that they were not even able to eat. When His family heard this, they set out to restrain Him, because they said, ‘He’s out of His mind.’ The scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul in Him!’ and, ‘He drives out demons by the ruler of the demons!'” Even His own family turned on Him when the power of GOD was exhibited.

Expect it, it simply means that you are on the right path. It is time for radicals to step up to the plate and speak the truth. It is time for the lukewarm church to collapse into oblivion and the power of GOD to once again become evident in the church. Jesus is returning for a spotless church. Be a part of the revolution that needs to sweep the church here in America. Let the religious folks freak out. One day, they will realize their big mistake, but for many, it will be too late.

The Storm After the Blessing!

I am amazed at the storms that tend to occur in my life right after GOD has poured out a tremendous blessing. I know it happens to other believers as well. I was approached at church recently by a man in the congregation. He was telling me how he has grown in his faith, his prayer life and his walk with the Lord. He shared how significantly different his life in Jesus had become. And as we all like to expect, he expected his life would become so much easier; people would treat him better; the workplace environment would become easier for him.

But, it just wasn’t happening that way for him and he was seriously grieved in his spirit over the way his life now seemed to be. I explained to him that as we move closer to GOD, the enemy is going to become ever more aggressive against us. In the midst of the increasing difficulties and chaos within his life, he should realize Satan’s fury. As a believer, the fury of Satan should be an encouraging thing as it shows he is outraged by the changes that have occurred and are continuing to occur.

Let me show an example from Scripture. In Mark 6, we read of Jesus feeding the multitudes to fullness with a very small portion of food. God’s blessings were poured out and the disciples were eye-witnesses to this occurence. Then Jesus sent them out on the lake in a small boat and told them He would meet them on the other side. Soon a storm broke loose and the boat was buffeted and stood the possibility of being lost forever. The disciples, who  just witnessed God’s divine power, even been a part of it all, were now frightened and discouraged by what was happening to them.

Mark 6:47-51 tells us this: “When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning He came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. When they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. Immediately He spoke with them and said, ‘Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased.“

Out of the midst of the storm, Jesus came to them. He took the storms that were out to overpower them and He spoke peace to them. Let me tell you, the tremendous blessing of the day before was completely forgotten when the storm of Satan blew in. Satan’s trick is to take the time of GOD’s blessings and try to destroy it with some kind of storm. But, if we will just hold tight to GOD, Jesus will come in and make peace out of that storm, that trial, that testing. Endure and you will find yourself stronger and more ready to fight the next battle when it comes. Battles from Satan are encouragers for saints of GOD because they help us to see that our growing maturity in the faith is frightening Satan and necessitating his increasing arrows being cast your way.

Endure and be strong in the LORD JESUS CHRIST today!

His Arms of Protection!

The events that unfolded in Paris yesterday have our world on edge. The chaos, confusion and calamity caused by the terrorist attacks have people wondering if there is any means of protection from such atrocities being carried out on them. My simple answer is that until Jesus returns to set up His kingdom on this earth, wars, terrorist attacks, societal chaos, and the pains of humanity turning upon itself will prevail and will actually increase in intensity as the Lord’s return becomes more imminent.

Folks, we need to understand that all of this is simply the beginning of the end. We are drawing ever closer to the time of tribulation like none that the world has ever seen. As Satan’s time of final condemnation to an eternal hell edges ever closer, his evil atrocities against God’s creation will increase exponentially. His fearsome attacks upon humanity will become ever greater and stronger. Man’s efforts to prevent these attacks will always fall short as Satan’s mind and mastery of confusion and conflict exceeds man’s ability for complete intervention.

As we consider the evil working through ISIS, Al Queda and other terrorist groups, it is important for us to understand the mastermind of destruction, Satan himself, is the perpetrator of these atrocities. He is pulling the strings and his evil mind leads him to go further and to intensify the struggles ever greater against mankind. We pray for the people of Paris but we must also remember those Christians in the Middle East who are suffering under these same threats daily. We must remember our brethren in North Korea, China and other countries where the activities of Satan are abounding.

Church, we must also remember our own “civilized” nations as Satan’s attacks are coming upon us through our own governments and the liberal minds that have fallen prey to Satan’s lies. What protection do we have amidst all this conflict? Is there any real protection?

Prayerfully consider the words of Psalm 91: “The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” He Himself will deliver you from the hunter’s net, from the destructive plague. He will cover you with His feathers; you will take refuge under His wings. His faithfulness will be a protective shield. You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day, the plague that stalks in darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon. Though a thousand fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, the pestilence will not reach you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord-my refuge, the Most High-your dwelling place” (Psalm 91:1-9).

The only protection we have today is found in the arms of the Almighty One! Though the world may slay us, we know that our God’s protection is with us and His promise of eternity with Him is ever-present. Sink yourself in His arms of protection today and be safe from all the calamity this world has yet to endure.

Holding Up One Another!

We are living in a time of such chaos and confusion all around us. Many of our own brothers and sisters in Jesus are struggling through every day of life. I often wonder if there isn’t more I can do for those around me, but then I consider the little extra time I have already and those thoughts tend to drift away. I guess that is the problem with so many of us. We are so busy with our own lives, we simply don’t have the time to give toward helping others. Is our busy-ness and acceptable excuse before the Lord? I doubt it! And I am as guilty as the next guy when it comes to sacrificially giving of my time to the needs and hurts of others. But, we so need each other.

Think about this for a moment. The Israelites were struggling against the army of Amelek. Whenever Moses’ arms were lifted, the Israelites would be winning; but, when he had to let them down due to stress and need of a rest, they would begin loosing. Recognizing this, Aaron and Hur rushed to his side to help him out in this difficult time. Notice what the Scripture says: “When Moses’ hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down.So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword” (Exodus 17:12-13).

Victory came because a brother was in need of assistance from others. Defeat would have surely come had they not stepped up to the plate in this time of dire need and intervened. Around all of us are brothers and sisters needing our intervention in their lives—not as judges but as helpers! Maybe you are struggling today and need someone to step up to the plate and to help you out? I am praying that we would all come to the place where we learn to recognize the pains and needs of others and then be willing to step out of our busy lives long enough to help another out.

Look around yourself today; be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit in order that God may use you to intervene in another’s difficulties today. You will find that occasion to be a time of tremendous blessing for you as you behold the victory God brings to that one because you were there for them at just the right moment!

Rise Up, O Mighty Warrior!

As I look around at our society today—the chaos, the calamity, the upheaval—I wonder how people without the help of Jesus continue to carry on. Then as I observe people, talk to people, listen to their conversations, I discover very quickly that most people are simply oblivious to what is happening around about. I find that “media overload” has created a society of people who really have no clue what is going on outside their own little world. I am amazed at the lack of knowledge people have about what our government is up to, the direction our nation is heading, or pretty much anything else going on.

But, then, as I delve deeper into people’s thoughts, I find that most individuals are simply in despair and would rather not know what is happening outside their little realm. I discover that life has become so difficult for many that attempting to step outside their own  little comfort-zone has become unbearable. We have raised up a society of people who’s fears of the unknown now outweigh their desire to step out and be all God has called and purposed them to be. And, yet, that continues to be what God has called we the church to do. God has called us to step out and make a difference, impact our world, turn our world upside down for Jesus—but, if fear dictates our lives, we will never be able to fulfill all God desires from us.

I’m reminded of one particular individual in Scripture who was asked to step out of his fears—his comfort-zone, his boat, his box, his own personal safety zone—and do mighty works for the Lord. The Angel of the Lord appeared to this man who was hiding from the troubles that his nation were in and the Angel declared: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). His immediate response was filled with excuses of his weaknesses, failures and inabilities. But, God saw something more in Gideon. He saw a man who could change his world. He saw a man through whom God could carry out great and mighty works.

Today, God sees that same ability in you—not because of you but because you become willing to be emptied of self and filled with His Spirit! You have all kinds of excuses about why God can’t use you, but God sees into your heart and life today. God sees an individual through whom He can carry out great works—if you will but surrender completely to His will and purpose. Quit looking for what you have to gain and start looking at what the Kingdom of God has to gain through your simply obedience unto God.

As Gideon prepared to take on an army that was beyond counting, he brought together a great number of Israelite warriors. However, God wanted to display His power and might and began to whittle down that number. The Scripture tells us: “The Lord said to Gideon, ‘I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and hand the Midianites over to you. But everyone else is to go home'” (Judges 7:7). The Lord delivered the Israelites that night without even a fight. Because of his obedience, Gideon proved to be the mighty warrior the Angel had called him from the beginning.

You are that “Mighty Warrior” today! Your life may look terrible; your world may be in total chaos; but, God sees your potential today. Step out in faith. Trust Him to lead you to the victory He has called you to. Be obedient. Our world needs Godly warriors today fighting the forces of evil that have encamped about us. Rise up, o man or woman of God, and become His warrior today!

Claiming the Promised Land Through Obedience!

As I was reading and contemplating the acts of GOD performed for the Israelites in the taking of the Promised Land, it began to become very clear to me how these same promises can carry over to believers today. Understand, I believe GOD makes promises of great blessings to those who love Him; but, I also believe there are always stipulations attached to receiving those blessings. Follow me here for a moment.

Joshua 1:1-3 reads like this: “After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, who had served Moses: “Moses My servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.” The promise was already made by GOD that everywhere they stepped already belonged to them as their possession.

Sadly, we like to stop right there, claim the abundance of blessings and carry on with life. But, it doesn’t end there. If we follow the Scripture a few verses down, we discover a stipulation, if you will, for fulfillment of this promise. Notice what verses 7b-8 go on to say: “carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”

Notice quickly that the LORD voiced His stipulation twice as He told them first to carefully observe the Law and to not turn away from it and secondly to keep the Law on their lips and in their heart, following it always. We love to claim the promises and blessings of the LORD while continuing to live worldly lifestyles often forsaking His Word and His commands. Notice also that success and prosperity, or the blessings of the promised land, were based upon living according to GOD’s plan and purpose as He said these words:“so that you will have success wherever you go” and the second phrase “then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”

The promises of GOD are many for those who love Him, love His Word, and obey His commands. But, obedience is the key. If we would just take our eyes off of the promises and blessings and simply obey GOD, we would find Him showering His promises upon us according to His perfect will and purpose. We would find Him blessing us as He sees fit. But, above all, we would find what it really means to live within the perfect will and purpose of GOD.

Quit looking for what you can get from GOD and simply start looking to please and obey Him in all you do!

Apathy Has Overtaken Us!

I can remember as a child in the church how we often heard about and attended regular revival services, whether at our own church or another down the road. As I have grown older, I find less and less talk about revival services. I find fewer and fewer churches promoting revival services. As an evangelist for many years, I find myself disheartened by that fact as those services tended to fend off the apathy that is so quick to settle upon congregations. Of course, I also understand from my years of pastoring that it can be very difficult to rouse the congregation to come out for special services as well. It’s that idea of “APATHY” that has always been a major issue within the congregations of the LORD.

We can travel back in time to the greatest kingdom that the Israelites ever had. Under King Solomon, the nation prospered and grew and was truly reaping the blessings of GOD. But, Solomon in his great wisdom understood it was only a matter of time before apathy struck. It would only take the people a short time to turn from the worship and praise of Almighty GOD who had raised them to this national notoriety to becoming apathetic toward GOD and His ways. It was this understanding that led Solomon to pray and seek GOD’s direction for the nation when apathy and its consequences occured.

Out of Solomon’s prayer and petition, GOD supplied the answer we continue to speak about and recite often concerning revival within our own nation: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray , and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). We quote this prayer often with our lips but mostly we fail to truly quote it from our hearts. We give it great lip-service but fail to give it heart-service.

National revival for America is not dependent upon who is sitting in Washington. Revival in America will only happen by GOD’s own people turning away from their wickedness including the open denouncement of our wicked ways within ourselves, our churches and our homes. It will take a personal humbling experience, true prayer and petitions of repentance evidenced by changed lives, attitudes and actions, and a sincere seeking oout of GOD’s face, His ways, His direction—no matter how serious the personal pain may be. Then, He says He will hear us and answer our prayer for a healing of our nation.

Revival in America seems far-fetched as we look at the spiritual condition within so many churches. Apathy is failing to speak up and stand out against the murder of unborn babies, the open, flagrant acts of sin in our very midst and a lack of repentance by most. Can it happen in today’s America? The question is, can it happen in America’s churches among America’s church people? If the church takes a stand according to the formula given to Solomon, GOD’s promise will fall upon us. If we continue down the path we have chosen for long, judgment is soon coming upon us.

God Wants You to Be Real!

I was reading an article recently about a pastor who was invited over to one of his parishioner’s homes for a meal. As they sat down, the lady of the house voiced her intent to pray. As she began to pray, the pastor was appalled at the change in demeanor in the woman. She suddenly transformed from the soft, sweet little lady with a Southern accent she had been over to a King James era speaker. It was like another person had taken over her mouth and began to speak through her. He even peaked to make certain it was still her. This little lady had learned religion by rote and had her prayers down pat. 

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not condemning people who do this but it shows how we have failed to understand what praying really is all about. We have come to see it as a religious rite utilizing just the right phrases and sequences of words. Somewhere along the way, we have come to view prayer as a mere recitation of just the right words. We have recited the LORD’s prayer time and again, memorized it and quote it often. However, that was not the LORD’s intent when He taught His disciples, and us, to pray. He was giving us a pattern to follow, not a sequence of words to memorize.

When our prayers become nothing more than a recitation, their effectiveness is gone. We become like the hypocrites Jesus condemned with these words:  “When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most assuredly, I tell you, they have received their reward” (Matthew 6:5 WEB). There is no reward, nothing to gain, from saying a prayer that has no heart-felt meaning from the individual. Certainly, GOD hears our prayers, but GOD wants to hear our hearts.

When you pray, just be yourself. The word “hypocrite”that Jesus used means actor, someone impersonating someone else. God made you to be who you are. When you speak to Him, be your everyday self and do not be ashamed to pray because you do not have the fancy words that you have heard others use. It just may be that they are faking it as well.

You are who He made you to be and He loves you. When you pretend to be ‘holier than thou’ you are buying into a lie that you are not good enough, that God could not love the ‘real’ you, when nothing could be further from the truth. God has loved you for your entire life, through the ups and the downs. He understands, and He still loves you.

God knows who you are on the inside, so trying to flatter Him with some pretty words gets you nowhere. God is the Awesome, Omnipresent, Unchangeable, Loving, Merciful, and Patient, Creator of the Universe and He made you just the way you are. So be yourself, especially in prayer. Just pray your heart, talk to GOD as the loving Heavenly Father that He is. He desires your prayers, your fellowship, your intimacy with Him. Learn to enjoy the presence of Almighty God by learning to commune with Him in prayer.

Are You Rapture Ready?

I recently came across this quote and had to just stop for a few minutes and allow its truthfulness to sink in: “A hypocrite is a fellow who isn’t himself on Sunday.” As I thought it over, my mind wandered to all the sea of faces I’ve seen over the years in the many churches I have had the opportunity to sit in on, preach at and some to even pastor. I recall how I often wondered how many of those people would’ve rather been a thousand other places than in that worship service and how many of them even gave the service any thought whatsoever. 

These thoughts are sobering when we consider how many Americans attend a worship service every Sunday and yet walk out an hour later having gained absolutely nothing from that service. The majority of these same people, if asked about their eternal destination, would answer they are headed to heaven. So many people occupying a pew in churches across America will still be sitting in that same pew following the rapture. Many will understand the rapture happened but be shocked that they are still here.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:5 about these kind of people. He referred to them as “Having a form of godliness, but denying its power….” They have placed their eternal hope in a specific church or in membership in a church or upon their being a Sunday School teacher or even a pastor. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). The power of eternal salvation only comes through Jesus Christ. A church, a position, any other god will leave you without hope.

In addition, being baptized, confirmed, taking communion regularly, reading the Bible consistently or any other practice will also leave you without hope. On the day of final judgment, Jesus says these individuals will hear these words from His throne, “I never knew you; depart from me” (Matthew 7:23). These people have a form of godliness, but they don’t have true godliness because they don’t know God. They don’t experience His power. They don’t allow Him to transform their lives.

What about you today? Do you know God? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and do you enjoy an intimate relationship with Him? If not, trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior today and receive the final prize of eternal life.

What’s Holiness Got to Do With It All Anyway?

I once read: “Growing in holiness is like riding a bike. If you stop pedaling, you fall off“—had to stop briefly and give that one some thought. And then the Scripture passage: “be holy, for I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 20:7) came to mind, followed by “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

As I’m sitting here contemplating this entire gamut of thought, I begin to recognize how out of sorts that line of reasoning is with the general consensus of our society. Certainly, our society understands the concept of falling off a bike, but the idea of holiness (a holiness necessary to see the Lord) just falls contrary to our societal way of thinking.

It is interesting how many people claim to “believe in God.” Sadly, the “god” of their belief is some generated idea that fits within their confines of thinking—one who would never judge one’s actions nor require a standard of holiness. Another interesting fact, while I am mentioning interesting facts, is how people immediately think they are being judged when someone quotes a Scripture that calls out their lifestyle. The god of their thinking would never judge nor condemn anyone for anything—that just isn’t right in their mindset.

The fact is simple—the god of their mind would never judge anything because the god of their mind is only a figment of their imagination. He doesn’t exist anywhere outside their made-up fantasies. Problem with all of this made-up stuff is the fact that there is a real God who is a God of grace and mercy at this time. A God who forgives and cleanses all who come to Him through Jesus Christ. But, that same God will one day sit in judgment over all who have rejected His free gift of salvation and all those standing before Him will be condemned to an eternal hell. There will be no shouting back at Him—don’t you judge me—because at that time all will recognize their missed opportunities.

It is this God, the Creator God, the God of the Holy Scriptures, who declares Himself holy and all who approach Him must be holy. Holiness begins with a salvation experience through Jesus Christ followed by an ongoing cleansing through reading and living out the Word of God. Don’t take a chance of missing the open door. Turn to Jesus today as your own personal Lord and Savior.