Many Christians and Tons of Churches Have Lost Their Love for God

"But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5- Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent." -Rev 2:4-5 (NASB)

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]hurches and Christians have become lazy and lethargic in their faith of a Holy, Righteous and Living God. Many Church services have all the bells and whistles in their worship but are empty, lifeless and void of any relationship with Almighty God.

There are many Christians who just go to church to "fit" in with the church crowd or they go to satisfy their egos or they go to make themselves feel good alleviating them from the guilt of not going. Notice I didn't say they go there for the main purpose of meeting God and engaging in worship with Him only.

Pastors are keen about telling their flocks how good they are and how they can prosper. And as such these fake pastors fail miserably at confronting sin and repentance and teaching all the Rock Solid truths of the Gospel.

Churches today are all about giving motivational talks - pep talks - to their flocks and steer people away from the rock-solid truth of God's word. Remember the pep rallies we had at high school before big sports games...? Same thing!

God must be the only foundation of the church. Nothing else can replace this or assume His position. It cannot be about the men and women who form the leadership team, not the worship team, nor the anticipated/planned growth in attendance or the building infrastructure.

Consider the Seven Churches of Revelation written around 95 AD. Corruption, heresy, and spiritual deception had infiltrated them even at that early stage. Today, it's 10-times worse! The Seven Churches were addressed directly by the Lord; He applauded only 2 but chastised the others (5).

I was talking to a good friend the other day and they said what a super teaching a local pastor had given at their church. One of faith and fear and how you arrive there. What was missing from our discussion was the teaching that God is the sole author of faith and Satan is the author of fear, guilt, worry and doubt. You see the church my friend attends is one of those that engage in a pleasing, non-engaging, softening of the Gospel with lots of rock music and entertaining pulpit attractions a "seeker" church model. Disgusting!!

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]od, Jesus and the Holy Spirit must be at the core of every church and every Christian. No exceptions! Let's learn today from how the Lord addressed the very first and young churches of Christianity.

The Churches of Revelation

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near." -Rev 1:3 (NASB)

Ephesus - abandoned their first love but looked good on the outside. They did and said all that was good but on the inside they had "lack-of-a-heart-for-God" trouble. The Lord's rebuke was to REPENT and seek Him again.

Smyrna - Suffering persecution and were about to face more persecution for their faith.

Pergamum - Called out as Satan's throne. They compromised their faith and idolatry crept in. They had succumbed to the likes of the Nicolaitans who taught occult paganism and compromise. Jesus hated their doctrine and deeds. The Lord's rebuke was to REPENT and seek Him again.

Thyatira - A false prophetess - a Jezubel - was leading new Christians away from God. "...that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." The Lord's rebuke was to REPENT and seek Him again.

Sardis - A looking good church but was known that it was dead on the inside. It housed those who looked like Christians (you know they played the part very well) . They did and said all that was like Christianity but were not real in their faith. People were asleep to spiritual discernment and revelation. I think most of our churches today take on the traits of this church. Notice there were no commendations given to this church at the opening of the letter. Instead the Lord hits them hard with several rebukes. The Lord's corrective action was to REPENT and seek Him again.

Philadelphia - "...because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name." Christ was at the center of their faith and Jesus was with them. This is the model for a church and a Christian.

Laodicea - A purely lukewarm church. A church that would make God vomit them out of His mouth. They compromised God's truth, they were puffed up in their beliefs and they were totally Godless. They engaged in the prosperity doctrine; were known for richness in material goods, but bankrupt in spiritual truth and maturity.  The Lord's corrective action was to REPENT and seek Him again.

So these seven churches represented the early spectrum of Christianity and their messages were clear but what about today? Yes indeed, they represent us today both at church and in our Christian walks. Take heed everyone the Lord is watching and He hears and sees all that goes on. He knows where people are at in their faith, in their Christian walk whether good or bad. He knows fake worship from the real worship and He hates false, empty and worthless worship. Read Rev 1-3 and see what the Lord had to say in the last book of the Bible. The message, the reasons for a declining church and what they had to do to get back in line and return to Him.

Churches and Christians, come back to the Lord in true and holy living. Look back on why you became a Christian and :“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." - Matt 22:37 (ESV).

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]ome back to the Lord. Worship Him in spirit and in truth!

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

"Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" -2 Peter 3:11-12

GLORY TO GOD!

 

Are You Ready to Stand Before the Lord?

Readiness

"But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35- For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36- Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” -Luke 21:24-35 (NKJV)

Please take a moment to read and reread the verses above and then let them sink deep into your mind, soul and spirit...

There is a snare (Strong's G3803 - "implies unexpectedly, suddenly - whatever brings peril, loss, destruction") coming that will catch all peoples of the earth. This will be huge! But what is it or what will it be or look like? I don't know but it may come very suddenly as catching a bird in a trap.  

The question is - are you ready, have you prepared, to meet this peril equipped in your faith in Jesus Christ? I am convinced, as many Christians should be, that our faith is stronger than anything this life can hurl at us. Getting ready means that you read God's word daily to draw nearer to Him, it means that you pray a lot, it means that you are not silent in your faith - you tell others, it means that you know about Bible Prophecy and what the Lord says is coming upon the earth. It also means that you are watching for His return and await it expectantly. Are these things that describe your faith today? If not, it's time to regroup and rethink your faith and relationship with Almighty God for today is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). 

 Friends, this will be a short message today but packed with serious meaning for the times in which we live. For these are times like no others in the history of man. Based on these facts then, the last point of my message today is also found in the Scripture above - are you ready to stand before the son of Man - the Lord Jesus Christ? A serious question that only you know and is only about your relationship with our King. If you are afraid to stand before Him, please pray and seek His face as to where you are in your faith. Are you excited to meet the Lord? I know Christians that are so fearful they don't want to talk or hear about it. This is not the attitude nor thoughts you should have if you are a true Bible-believing born again Christian. You should be anxious to meet Him and live in His house forever. Right...?  

OK - this is enough for today, enough to dwell on and digest. But please if anything I've said disturbs you or you are uncomfortable with, please pray, read your Bible and seek the Lord seriously in dedicated, distraction-free prayer. He is there and awaiting that intimate communication with you.

 "Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" -Isa 55:6 (KJV)

 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

GIVE ALMIGHTY GOD ALL THE GLORY FOR HE IS KING and HE IS LORD!

Praises in the Psalms: Strength and Peace for Your Soul

Thy Word is a Lamp Unto My Feet and a Light Onto My Path

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." -Psa 119:11 (KJV)

[dropcap]I[/dropcap] absolutely love reading God's word, especially the Psalms. They help to refocus my thoughts when things have gone nuts and they help me stabilize my faith in the Lord God Almighty.

Reading the Psalms is praising the Lord. It is so awesome to be caught up in worshiping the Lord through meditation on His word, His commandments, His testimonies, His statutes, His promises.

The world is going crazy now across all areas of our society, culture and nation and so we need an anchor to our faith and we need to continually praise the Lord through all difficulties, and situations we find ourselves in. And friends these kinds of things are increasing multi-fold [in the negative] it seems daily now. So when confused and frustrated and generally feeling down I turn to the Psalms for comfort and strength. I included just a few of my favorites below (I have so many). Please read and be edified and then glorify the Lord through your praise and meditation.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer." -Psa 19:14 (NASB)

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2- He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3- He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ..." -Psa 23:1-4 (ESV)

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2- He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3- He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ..." -Psa 23:14 (KJV)

Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! 2- O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! 3- If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4- But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared. 5- I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; 6- my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. 7- O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption. 8- And he will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.." -Psa 130:1-8 (ESV)

And there are just so many others that if included here would be quite lengthy to read. So please, take time today and everyday to read at least one Psalms and perhaps one Proverbs. You will be surprised at the peace that passes understanding you will experience and the joy that will flood your soul.

P.S. Please ensure that you are prepared for the tough road ahead physically and spiritually. The last days, we are in right now, will be filled with many perils. Prepare in your heart, mind and soul and also for your family with adequate provisions. See verse below - a "prepper" (if you will) verse.

"A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." -Prov 22:3 (NLT)

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

GLORY TO GOD!