What churches DON'T want to TELL you

 

Jeremiah 23:1

King James Version

23 Woe be unto the pastors 

that destroy and scatter 

the sheep of my pasture! 

saith the Lord.

It is not popular.

It drives away members.

It turns off its hearers.

This thing about sin.

About repentance.

Or the end times.

And yet, that is the VERY reason for the church's existence.

Something many churches forget.

Or don't want to acknowledge.

Because they have become beholden to the world.

They go for volume, for the number of followers.

They go for mass appeal, again, to gather more followers.

It's a "followers" thing now.

Churches MUST talk about GOD's laws.

Churches MUST warn people of their wicked ways.

Churches MUST talk about JESUS.

Churches MUST be faithful to Scripture.

Churches MUST live by Scripture.

EVEN if people shrink from hearing such.

EVEN if it causes fear, panic, and resentment.

EVEN if people resent being called of their sins.

EVEN if people would rather party, and have a good time.

EVEN if people think they're charitable, and doing pretty well.

EVEN if people choose to remain blind, deaf, and dumb.

EVEN if people don't want to see what's really happening.

EVEN if people don't want to know the truth of the world.

EVEN if people don't want to hear the LORD's reproach.

EVEN if people don't want to be involved in the world's misery.

EVEN if people refuse to be corrected by the WORD of GOD.

GOD spoke of these people.

Isaiah 30:9-11

King James Version

9 That this is a rebellious people, 

lying children, 

children that will not hear the law of the Lord:

10 Which say to the seers, See not; 

and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, 

speak unto us smooth things, 

prophesy deceits:

11 Get you out of the way, 

turn aside out of the path, 

cause the Holy One of Israel 

to cease from before us.

How can a church talk about "smooth things", when it can cause people to perish?

Shall we keep people in the dark, when JESUS is the LIGHT?

Church leaders, pastors, and ministers must do what we were called to do, in service to the LORD:

We must warn others.

We must tell them of the LORD's laws.

We must share Scripture with them

We must lead blameless lives, ourselves.

We must conduct ourselves, as JESUS did.

We don't serve the world.

We serve CHRIST, the LORD of ALL.

We are not meant to be popular.

JESUS already told us what to expect:

Luke 12:51-53

King James Version

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? 

I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth there shall be 

five in one house divided, 

three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, 

and the son against the father; 

the mother against the daughter, 

and the daughter against the mother; 

the mother in law against her daughter in law, 

and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

There is no peace, when people defy the laws of GOD.

Such is the nature of the world.

People would rather do their own thing.

Even as the laws have already been defined.

Many ministers are not holy either.

They are covetous, and thus, idolatrous.

They live by the lusts of their flesh.

They don't live by the Bible.

They don't live, what they preach.

Woe unto such pastors.

Woe unto such ministers.

Woe unto such church leaders.

We are tasked to lead people to repentance.

We are tasked to teach about JESUS.

To teach people to model themselves after CHRIST.

Who is the way to GOD, and salvation.

We are not to be caught up in the world's ways.

We are to submit to GOD, and resist the devil.

Ministers must talk about sin, repentance, and the end times.

We must warn the wicked.

We must be blameless.

We must stay true to GOD.

We must be free of hypocrisy.

We must be aware, awake, and alert.

We cannot be what JESUS calls the blind, leading the blind.

Matthew 15:14

King James Version

14 Let them alone: 

they be blind leaders of the blind. 

And if the blind lead the blind, 

both shall fall into the ditch.

Church leaders, pastors, and ministers are "watchmen".

We have GREAT responsibility.

Ezekiel 3:16-18

King James Version

16 And it came to pass at the end of seven days, 

that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

17 Son of man, 

I have made thee a watchman 

unto the house of Israel: 

therefore hear the word at my mouth, 

and give them warning from me.

18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; 

and thou givest him not warning, 

nor speakest to warn the wicked 

from his wicked way, to save his life; 

the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; 

but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:19

King James Version

19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, 

and he turn not from his wickedness, 

nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; 

but thou hast delivered thy soul.

Ezekiel 3:20

King James Version

20 Again, 

When a righteous man doth turn 

from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, 

and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: 

because thou hast not given him warning, 

he shall die in his sin, 

and his righteousness which he hath done 

shall not be remembered; 

but his blood will I require at thine hand.

Ezekiel 3:21

King James Version

21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, 

that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, 

he shall surely live, because he is warned; 

also thou hast delivered thy soul.

More than at any time, NOW is the TIME to talk about sin, repentance, and the end times.

Today is the GREATEST opportunity to talk about the RETURN of CHRIST.

The Rapture can happen ANY moment.

How can we bear being lax at our job?

If GOD does not want anyone to perish, why should we want anyone to perish?

2 Peter 3:9

King James Version

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, 

as some men count slackness; 

but is longsuffering to us-ward, 

not willing that any should perish, 

but that all should come to repentance.

We must warn people about the "day of the Lord".

2 Peter 3:10

King James Version

10 But the day of the Lord will come 

as a thief in the night; 

in the which the heavens shall pass away 

with a great noise, 

and the elements shall melt 

with fervent heat, 

the earth also and the works that are therein 

shall be burned up.

When your born again church doesn't tell you about sin, they are remiss in their duty.

When they don't tell you to repent, they fail in their ministry.

When they don't tell you about the end times, they have endangered you.

When they don't live in holiness, they have betrayed JESUS, SPIRIT, and self.

Scripture was given by GOD, so we may live right.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

King James Version

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, 

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

SPIRIT was given, so we may be corrected.

John 16:7-11

King James Version

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; 

It is expedient for you that I go away: 

for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; 

but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, 

he will reprove the world of sin, 

and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, 

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world 

is judged.

What excuse have we, as men of GOD?

None, that GOD would ever allow.

1 Corinthians 9:27

King James Version

27 But I keep under my body, 

and bring it into subjection: 

lest that by any means, 

when I have preached to others, 

I myself should be a castaway.

Hebrews 10:26

King James Version

26 For if we sin wilfully 

after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, 

there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

As ministers of CHRIST, we must talk about sin, repentance, and the end times.

It is our duty to do so.

We must warn the people.

We must all lead blameless lives.

2 Peter 3:13-14

King James Version

13 Nevertheless we, 

according to his promise, 

look for new heavens and a new earth, 

wherein dwelleth righteousness.

14 Wherefore, beloved, 

seeing that ye look for such things, 

be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, 

without spot, and blameless.

We stay on the job.

Every person matters.

We must care about EVERY person, as JESUS did.

Luke 15:3-7

King James Version

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, 

if he lose one of them, doth not leave 

the ninety and nine in the wilderness, 

and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, 

he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, 

he calleth together his friends and neighbours, 

saying unto them, Rejoice with me; 

for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, 

that likewise joy shall be in heaven 

over one sinner that repenteth, 

more than over ninety and nine just persons, 

which need no repentance.

So, who cares if you only have one person left in your congregation?

But that person seems to be listening.

Taking to heart the LORD's Word.

Aiming to repent, and be saved.

Calling to JESUS for help.

That one person matters.

Being a minister is a tough thing.

And yet a wonderful thing!

Sure, we won't be popular.

We may be shunned.

People will avoid us.

We will lose members.

We may not have any money.

But it is not a popularity thing.

Neither is it a money thing.

It is a GOD thing.

We cannot avoid the laws of GOD.

No one gets to ignore the FATHER.

Man has done that long enough.

Look at how the world is today.

The LORD's day will come.

Let it not be too late for us to listen.

Regrets come too late.

Do your duty, as minister.

JESUS did say:

Matthew 9:37-38

King James Version

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, 

The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, 

that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Related material:

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Image: Clipart Library

The ME generation

 

Ecclesiastes 1:2

King James Version

2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, 

vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

It's all me, me, me these days.

We are entranced with our own beauty.

With our achievements, and self-importance.

We have so many platforms to promote "me".

Satan studied us well.

He works through many forms of media.

He is, after all, the "prince of the power of the air".

Ephesians 2:2-3

King James Version

2 Wherein in time past ye walked 

according to the course of this world, 

according to the prince of the power of the air, 

the spirit that now worketh 

in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had 

our conversation in times past 

in the lusts of our flesh, 

fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; 

and were by nature the children of wrath, 

even as others.

He promotes those who promote him.

All who promote self, promote self-grandeur.

The very reason for Satan's fall.

So, he gave us many platforms to show off.

That we, too, may fall.

Mind you, there's nothing benevolent about Satan.

He knows the buttons to push.

He gave us many "toys", to keep us occupied.

He feeds on greed, pride, and vanity.

He knows man's weakness.

He knows the lusts of our flesh.

He knows the workings of our mind.

He knows we are all voyeurs.

We like to see, and be seen.

We are all in the scene of sin.

We are all drowning in the sea of sin.

He gave us the means to document everything.

And to send it over the airwaves.

Especially in today's wireless technology.

Maybe, the toilet's the only private place.

Or, is it?

Does the world revolve around us?

We take too many selfies.

Even chatting turned to video chatting.

You simply have to be seen -- by yourself.

People check how they look, as they talk to others.

Primping all the time.

Testing poses.

Checking for best angles.

Eyes on self, all the time.

Not really paying attention to conversations.

Unless we hear how good we look.

We have become pathetic creatures.

So hungry for praise.

The old telephones weren't so.

You talked to each other.

You strained your ear to the receiver.

Making sure you heard things right.

People really listened.

Now, you talk unli.

You check self unli.

You check likers unli.

The world has become a cauldron of demons in the making.

We've all gone demonic.

We have the spirit of the devil in us.

Like him, we are obsessed with self.

We don't really see other people's needs.

We don't really hear their needs.

We don't do anything about their needs.

Or we think we know their needs.

That's why we give them useless stuff.

Unless we take attention away, and apart from self, we remain blind.

And deaf, and dead.

It's all me, me, me.

Self, self, self.

Sell, sell, sell.

In case you thought that was enough?

Now, every selfie has matching music to go with it.

The air gets bombarded with music, to accompany an image.

Demanding everyone to pay attention to me, me, me.

How do I look?

How do I dance?

How do I sing?

Have I got what it takes?

In a highly-competitive world, it's the only way to catch attention.

Include invasive, blaring music.

To add to the cacophony.

Reflecting our desperation.

As if we are in our last throes of self-absorption.

To garner likes, followers, fans, money.

Everything has been monetized.

In truth?

Everything has been demonized.

Me, me, me.

Satan's surely gloating at people's zombie-ness.

We're all alive, and yet asleep.

We're all alive, and yet dead.

We're all steeped in sin.

But Scripture keeps reminding us:

Matthew 24:38-39

King James Version

38 For as in the days that were before the flood 

they were eating and drinking, 

marrying and giving in marriage, 

until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

39 And knew not until the flood came, 

and took them all away; 

so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Satan has many devices.

Anything to distract, distort, and destroy.

That's why he likes your obsession with devices.

The more expensive, the better.

The more cameras, the better.

The higher the pixels, the better.

And yet it's all filter.

We can hide behind masks.

We can smooth those wrinkles.

We can crop other people out of the picture.

We can change everything about our faces.

We can perfect our bodies.

It's just a tap away.

People have sold their soul for vanity.

It's become a neurotic world.

You upgrade, and in a few months, another model comes through.

So you get rid of that "old" phone, and get a new one.

And if you don't have the cash to get one, won't do.

You holler that you simply need the latest.

So spoiled brats hound older folks.

Otherwise, you're not in the loop.

Otherwise, you're not accepted in a clique.

The busier you are with vanity, the farther you are from GOD.

That's the whole objective.

Me, me, me.

And not GOD, GOD, GOD.

In case you think Christians are immune to Satan's devices, it's not so.

Some are probably even worse.

I've watched enough sermons to come to a sad conclusion.

Twisted pastors know their power.

The world is full of pastors who distort GOD's WORD.

Those who need all the glitterati as they preach.

Those who are proud at the number of followers.

Pastors so absorbed in themselves.

They're in Satan's pocket, alright.

He knows the buttons to push -- for profit.

Fame, fortune, followers.

Same banana.

Cloaked as servants of GOD.

If you are born again, be very watchful.

Satan will want to trip you.

Through you, he wants to make mockery of GOD.

The enemy wants the churches defiled.

Look at leaders not faithful to their wives.

Look at churches that don't talk about the end times.

Look at churches that entertain, more than study the Bible.

You'd think it's one whole show.

And maybe it is.

And I can only look to JESUS.

My dearest, dearest LORD JESUS!

At how He ministered.

In all His simplicity.

No hoopla.

No bells and whistles.

No armed security.

Disappearing in a crowd.

A crowd that alternately loved Him.

Or wanted to lynch Him.

JESUS was not social media material.

Not that He would care to be.

Isaiah 53:1-3

King James Version

53 Who hath believed our report? 

and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, 

and as a root out of a dry ground: 

he hath no form nor comeliness; 

and when we shall see him, there is no beauty 

that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; 

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: 

and we hid as it were our faces from him; 

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

The LORD's focus was so different from the world.

He taught the gospel.

He saved the sinners.

He healed the sick.

He called all of us to love GOD, and each other.

He asked we follow His commandments.

He took on human form, that He may live, and walk among us.

He showed us what LOVE is.

And surely, it's not love of self.

It was all for GOD.

John 17:4

King James Version

4 I have glorified thee on the earth: 

I have finished the work 

which thou gavest me to do.

If I have so many blogs, it's because there's so much to share.

It's because being born again is wonderful.

It's because the times are urgent.

It's because Scripture has so much to teach.

It's because the Rapture can happen any moment.

Would you be with JESUS, too?

It's not about me, me, me.

Or you, you, you.

It's about others -- those who may perish.

It's about loving GOD.

It's about listening to His WORD.

It's about believing in JESUS.

It's about being taught by the HOLY SPIRIT.

May we be worthy of the LORD.

Acts 3:19

King James Version

19 Repent ye therefore,

and be converted, 

that your sins may be blotted out, 

when the times of refreshing shall come 

from the presence of the Lord.

Everything about self-obsession is destructive.

Look to JESUS instead.

Listen to His LIFE-giving WORD.

That is all that will remain anyway.

Not your wealth, beauty, or self-importance.

Not your friends, family, or followers.

The sooner you accept these things, the more peaceful you will be.

And you will find, you have no need for vanity.

Our life is but a vapor.

Ecclesiastes 12:7

King James Version

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: 

and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Matthew 24:35

King James Version

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, 

but my words shall not pass away.

James 4:14

King James Version

14 Whereas ye know not 

what shall be on the morrow. 

For what is your life? 

It is even a vapour, 

that appeareth for a little time, 

and then vanisheth away.

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