Is God Trying to Get Our Attention?

     Look around the world today and you will see upheaval. There is a worldwide pandemic followed by worldwide lock downs to slow the pandemic. Add to this the perceived fear of government overreach in lock downs and other mandated actions. Of course all of this has devastating effects on jobs and the economies of almost every nation on earth at this time. People who were already facing poverty and hunger are now in an even tighter corner.

      Then there is the unrest. Riots and protests have sprung up throughout the world as well. Almost every major city in the U.S. has experienced protests, vandalism, police brutality, and police inaction, creating more confusion and more fear.

     We are seeing disasters of epic proportions, both natural and man made. This creates more hardship, and more unrest. The explosion in Beirut Lebanon has further exasperated an already dire situation for the Lebanese people. Other nations are suffering the effects of brutal civil wars, genocide, and the resulting displacement of millions of refugees. And droughts and famines, earthquakes, and on and on.  For me, it is numbing at times to see everything happening all at once.

     But there is hope....

     At night my soul longs for you, indeed my spirit within me seeks you diligently; for when the earth experiences your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness (Isaiah 26:9 NASB).

     It is through the hard times that God can get our attentions. I heard of a survey taken during the beginning of the Covid pandemic where the question was proposed as to what the pandemic could mean. 40% of the people questioned believed that God was giving us a wake up call. It was time to get right with Him. This was a general sampling of people of all walks of life. Now are all these things judgments from God? I cannot answer that. I do not know, but I do know that God in His mercy will take the hardships we face, and use them to get our attention. That's what happened to me. It took a personal crisis in my life to get me to surrender my life to Jesus Christ. I was an "inoculated christian", one who had enough religion to think I was all right, but not enough to save me.

     I hear that refugees around the world are wide open to the gospel at this time. They have seen that their religion is empty, and there must be another way. I have seen reports of multitudes in several countries falling on their knees in repentance and coming to faith in the Lord Jesus during these hard times. My heart is often overwhelmed with the craziness of these times, and yet I rejoice to see God at work in the hearts and lives of the people He loves and gave His Son to save. We have before us wonderful opportunities to reach otherwise unreachable people, and that gives me hope.

Its About Souls.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. 

(Romans 10:14-15 KJV)

My family and I were in Fargo ND. the other day. We hadn't been there in quite some time, and were quite surprised to see the large number of Muslim immigrants shopping along side of us. We were not aware that so many had settled in this area. We have also heard that there are other communities nearby that have a large Muslim presence in them also.

I am aware that a large segment of American citizens are opposed to this. They voice concerns for safety, concerns about jobs and welfare. There is a general fear of terrorist activity related to the influx of these immigrants, and as a result, people are demanding that we close our borders. Sadly, a great number of professed evangelical Christians seem to be loudly at the forefront of these demands. They, like all the others, are concerned about terrorism, jobs, giving "handouts" to undeserving refugees, and the like.

I would like to look at this from a totally different standpoint. As Christians, this life is not supposed to be about us. Our lives as Christians are not supposed to revolve around our material prosperity, or maintaining our physical safety either. A safe and secure country with carefully guarded borders is not what Jesus has in mind for those who would truly follow Him. As Christians we have been given the awesome task of going into all the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matt 28:18-20; Mark 16:15). We serve Jesus Christ as citizens of His heavenly kingdom. The business of His kingdom is to be the all consuming business of our lives (Matt 6:33). How can we claim to be His followers, intent upon advancing His kingdom, while we cry out at the same time to close our borders, desiring to keep these "dangerous" people out? Things like this were never upon the minds of the early Church as they fearlessly advanced the gospel, even at the cost of their very lives. The desire to glorify God by bringing souls into His kingdom burned within their hearts. They were compelled to go. 

There are many who have not yet obeyed the command of Jesus to go. For those of us who have not yet gone, perhaps Jesus is bringing the mission field home to us.....?

Dead to this World.

     But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Gal 6:14 KJV).

     There are many people who believe that we can fix this world. In fact, many Christians are of the opinion that we can make this world a better place through the power of the gospel. In a sense I can agree with this sentiment. It is true that as people are saved, and their lives changed, they begin to treat those around them differently. They are now honest, compassionate, and loving. They exhibit the fruit of the Spirit with those they encounter on a daily basis (Gal 5:22-23). In that respect you could say that they world has been made better, one soul at a time.
     But the reality is that this world is exceeding wicked. It was wicked in the days of Noah (Gen 6:5), and will be just as wicked at the Lord's return (Matt 24:12, 37). The bible tells us that there is a spirit at work in the sons of disobedience (Eph 2:2-3). Mankind spends his days fulfilling the lusts of his flesh and mind. That is why we see so much wickedness in this world today. There is a mystery of lawlessness at work in this world, and things will only grow worse (2 Thess 2:7). We are warned that perilous times will come, where mankind plunges deeper and deeper into sin and selfishness, even turning his ears away from the truth (2 Tim 3:1-5, 4:3-4). Sadly, this world cannot be fixed. All attempts to fix it through political power, legislating morality, social reforms, and by any other natural means, will only end in failure. 
     Instead of a better world someday, we read that this world will in fact be destroyed by God. John tells us that the world with all of its lusts is passing away (1 John 2:17). Peter writes this concerning the destruction of the world,

     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 (2 Peter 3:10 KJV).

     We read in Revelation 21:1 KJV,

     And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

    God calls to us to come out from among them and be separate (2 Cor 7:17) We are to come out of this wicked world system so that we are not partakers of its sins and its judgment (Rev 18:4). This is what the gospel does for those who believe it! Jesus came to redeem us from this present evil age (Gal 1:4). In the above verse, Paul speaks of the cross of Christ as a barrier between him and the world. Through the cross, he has died to the world; turned his back on it with all of its evil ways. Through the cross, the world has lost its attraction, it no longer holds its power over the one who by faith has reckoned himself "crucified with Christ" (Gal 2:20). 
     Once again, this present world will not be fixed. Our remedy is to come out of it, forsaking its ways. Paul says, "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2 KJV). John tells us that to love this world is to not love God. What is this world that we are not to love? We are told that it consists of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:15-16). When we live for the temporal things of this life, we have become guilty of loving this world! When we make our choices based upon what looks good to our eyes, what feels good, what give us pleasure, what makes us happy, we are living for the lust of the flesh and eyes. When we spend our days bettering ourselves, impressing our friends and neighbors; when we are consumed with power and the opinions of men, we are guilty of pride. This is the force that drives this world. People are consumed by fashions, impressing others with clothing and appearance; or by job performance; climbing the corporate ladder. Pride drives us to do many such things, even subtle things that we would think were benign, yet if tainted with pride, deadly to our souls. Like Paul, our only glory should be in the cross of Christ and the "life through death" that it brings.
     You see, the individual who has renounced this world with its prideful ways, has now been set free from this rat race. The person crucified with Christ is no longer consumed by the temporal things of this life. Pride and fleshly lusts no longer hold control over this individual, who by the grace of God is now led by a higher principle than lust. It is now Christ living through the believer. Love is the motivation behind the action. Those things that cannot be done in love, and for the glory of God are not done. The crucified believer understands that this world is passing away, and looks for a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells. They are careful in their conduct, being diligent to be found in peace without spot or blemish at the return of Christ (2 Peter 2:11-14). They are consumed by Christ, and not by the things this world offers; its entertainments, pleasures, and so forth.
     We cannot fix this world. Our only option is to renounce its ways, to come out of it, to die to ourselves, so that we may truly live. What we are called to do, is to bring others with us; to present the gospel to them, so that others may also flee from the wrath to come, experience this crucified life, and be set free.

Equipping for Service.

     And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.
                                                       Ephesians 4:11-13 NASB

     We see here that the purpose of the ministry gifts to the church (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher), is to equip the saints for service! It was never intended for the pastor to do all the work while the congregation sits and soaks it all in. Evangelists are called and gifted by God to win the lost in great numbers, yet each and everyone of us as born again Christians are called to "Go into all the world" as well. We all have a sphere of influence where God has placed us. We have families, friends, co workers, and neighbors, who all have the great need to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. We have the responsibility to reach out to them. Sadly, it seems that many sit idly by, either through ignorance, or fear, expecting the pastor to win the lost. We might muster up some courage, and invite a friend to an evangelistic service, but it is not just the evangelists job either.
     We need to do things according to God's word. Our Churches should be training grounds where people hear of missions and evangelizing. The church should be a place where people catch some zeal to reach the lost, a place where they actually are brought to a place where they can hear the call of God on their lives. The church should be a place where the presence and power of the Holy Spirit is active, where people are filled and sent out. It was never meant to be a place where we sit within our four walls waiting for the lost to come and find us. Yet that is what far too many of us expect. 
     You can read the stories of missionaries from the past, how they were burdened and received their calling as children; how they were trained in the home and in the church, and when they grew up they fulfilled the call of God on their lives and poured themselves out in a foreign field. History is filled with such stories. What has happened? We now have children growing up entertained in childrens church, youth groups focusing on pizza parties and lock-ins, and adults sitting Sunday after Sunday in their same comfortable pews.
     We have adopted the mindset that the church is little more than a hospital for sinners. We believe that we must spend our time patching people up, taking care of their faults and sins. True, we must have compassion, we are to encourage and do what we can to help the weak, but ultimately we are called to grow up into the fulness of Christ, to be mature, capable of hearing and answering the call of God on our lives. Our great need is to be equipped for the work of service; to be made ready to go wherever God leads us to go. Their is a lost and dying world out there, and they will not come to us, we are to go to them.
     

Ring that bell

     I listened to this powerful message this morning, and it brought tears to my eyes. Listen to it, and let God speak to your heart. It is so easy to get caught up in our lives and lose sight of what God has really called us to. Christianity is so much more than going to church once or twice a week, and having our bible reading plans and such. These things are good and have their purpose, but there is something lacking in so many of our lives. I believe it is a consuming passion for the souls of our fellow man. How much would we endure for Christ? How far are we willing to go to see the world around us reached with the good news of new life in Christ? Listen to this sermon and be blessed!  Ring that bell

The Open Door.

     I know your deeds. Behold I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
                                                             Revelation 3:8 NASB

     The only one that can stop you from walking in the calling of God upon your life is you! When God has called you to something, no one else can close the door upon your opportunity to fulfill that call. It is only through your unfaithfulness; your refusal to obey, that the opportunity can go lost. Do not fear man, what he may say, or do to you. Walk in what God has called you to. He is the one who has opened the door! 

Speak the Truth in Love.

     "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, The Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
                                       Mark 8:38 NASB

     We are clearly living in an adulterous and sinful generation. One does not need to look too hard to see that perilous times are upon us in these days (2 Tim 3:1-5). We see that men are lovers of self, pleasure, etc.....
     As Christians, we are called to stand out, exposing the darkness of this wicked world with the light of the truth of the gospel of Christ (Eph 5:11-14). This means that we do speak up, that we do tell a wicked world that what it is promoting is wrong, sinful in the eyes of God. It means that we do tell of the judgment to come. We do these things not to offend others, or to point a self righteous finger, but to set forth the truth in hopes of reaching those who are lost in sin.
     Understand what Jesus was doing in the sermon on the mount when he addressed issues such as lust and adultery, divorce, anger and murder, honesty and the taking of oaths, non resistance etc. (Matt 5:21-48). He was refuting the compromised teaching of the day that allowed people to live and act in ways contrary to God's law, while still believing that they were keeping it.
     We see Jesus confront an adulterous woman in Samaria. She was looking for something that her life and empty religion could not give her, but before she could find it, she had to deal with her sin (John 4:15-18). Jesus gently confronts her with the fact of her multiple marriages, because it is impossible to merely "add" Jesus to our already busy sinful lives. Jesus demands all; our hearts, wills, our lives. We must turn from our sin if we would embrace the Savior.
     Many are ashamed to speak truth. They are afraid of offending others. Pastor are afraid to preach on certain topics because they see so many in their congregations living in this sin or that sin, so they remain silent.
     It is time to give up this fearful tolerance of sin, and embrace the message of the cross (Mark 8:34); the crucified life. It is time to raise our voices strong, and lift up Christ as a Savior form sin. It is a message that the world does not want to hear, but it is also the message that will set them free (John 8:31-36).

Lo, I Am With You Always.

     The exiles returning from the Babylonian captivity faced much opposition when they began to rebuild the temple (Ezra 4:1-7). They finally gave up in defeat when ordered to do so by Artaxerxes the King (Ezra 4:23-24).
     We the same thing today as we try to advance the kingdom of God. We face threats from within and without. Lukewarmness and compromise fill many of our congregations. Political correctness has replaced the power of the gospel, and what that has failed to destroy, is being legislated out of existence by governments bent on eliminating true Christianity.
     The Israelites of old needed to be encouraged back into action, as we do today. Through the Prophet Haggai, God rebuked the people for their inactivity, and also encouraged them to get back on task (Ezra 5:1-2; Haggai 1:2-10, 13-14, 2:4-9). They went back to work and rebuilt the temple in obedience to God, trusting in Him to enable them to finish. Notice that God declared that He was with them (Haggai 1:13, 2:4-5). What an encouragement to know that the god of heaven was with them to help them in spite og all the opposition they faced.
     Jesus makes this same statement when He tells us to go into all the world making disciples (Matt 28:18-20). All authority has been given to Him, and all the strength we need will be supplied to us to do His will. He so graciously promises us that He will be with us to the very end of the age. No power in hell or on this earth can stop the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Jesus said that He will build His Church upon the rock, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
     What an encouragement this should be to us as we advance His kingdom in all of its glory!
    

The Church, Training Ground or Hospital?

     Many people today have the idea that the church is a hospital for the spiritually ill. Now I understand that there are some individuals who are weak in the faith, or those who struggle in their Christian walk, and these should receive help. It is scriptural (Gal 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14).
    It is also true that an unbeliever may come into the assembly, but the presence of God should be so noticeable to them that they are either truly saved, or feel uncomfortable enough in their sin, to not play church for the rest of their lives (1 Cor 14:24-25; Acts 5:11-14).
     In acts 5:11-14, great fear fell upon the people after the deaths of Annanias and Sapphira. Notice how unbelievers did not associate themselves with the church. The presence of God was there, and a casual individual did not want to go in and hang around and yet have no desire to repent and serve Christ. Yet we see that people were indeed being saved and added to the Church.
     The difference is this. The Church of Acts was going out and winning the lost, then bringing them in and making disciples. Today, we want them to come in, and we hope that in time something will click and they will get saved. Sadly, we see people spend their entire lives in church trying to overcome multitudes of sins and habits, needing to be led through all manners of issues affecting their homes and relationships, all because they are not getting saved. The church is seen as a divine hospital for the patching up of sinners, and for the most part, that is all that is happening, a lot of patches, but very few transformed lives.
     Once again, I understand the need for compassion, and the call on our lives as Christians to reach out to help the weak and needy, but we are going about it wrong for the most part.
     We are told in the book of Ephesians that the assembly of believers, the Church, is where we come to be equipped for works of service (Ephesians 4:11-12). The Church is comprised of true believers, who have been born into the kingdom of God. The epistles are written to Saints, ones who are separated unto the service of God. These are holy people, not unrepentant sinners.
      It is true that Jesus tells us that there will be tares sown along side the wheat. A tare looks like wheat, but does not bear "fruit". In the world there will be individuals who may pass as Christians, but in reality they are not. Many of them fill our churches ever week (Matt 13:24-30, 36-43). We must do what we can to make sure that any unbeliever who would be in one of our churches would come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but this is not the purpose of our gathering together as believers!
     As I said, the Church is the gathering of redeemed people, the Bride of Christ! We are to be equipped to go out and do the works of service that God has called us to. Paul tells us that we are to grow up into maturity, no longer being tossed back and forth like children, carried away by false doctrines (Ephesians 4:13-14).
     The writer of Hebrews exhorts us to press on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1). Many of us can relate to the fact that we ought to be teachers, but are in need of being taught the basics after years of Christianity (Hebrews 5:12-14). I believe that much of this comes from a hospital mentality; the church exists to fix us and patch us up. Sadly many never seem to get beyond the patching up stage.
     We are called to go into all the world and make disciples, and the Church is where the training, and praying, and encouragement, happens. This is where many of the missionaries of old received their callings (Acts 13:1-3). Men were made strong in the presence of the Holy Spirit, in the midst of the gathering of the Saints of God. We are called to encourage one another on to good deeds, as we assemble together (Hebrews 10:24-25).
     We are in a war of a spiritual nature, and need all the training and edification that we can get. We cannot remain infants, and expect to be effective in our service to Christ our King. We are to be advancing the Kingdom of God in the face of a wicked world dominated by satan, and all his devices. We must be strong, we must be filled with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. We must grow to a mature man, complete in Christ.
     If you are struggling, find true deliverance in Christ Jesus, and press on to maturity. Don't settle for a life of struggle and bondage. The Christian life is one of victory. We are more than conquerors through Christ (Romans 8:37). Go on to maturity, and do your part to fulfill the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Come to church and be encouraged to go out to the battle field!
    
    
    

Spirit Led Open Air Evangelism

Don't Neglect Your Gift!

     There are many of us Christians who have had burdens for lost souls, a heart for revival, and a passion to see the church built up and edified. We may have at one time labored in the strength of the Lord to see these things accomplished for Christ. 
    It seems like we often let other things slip in and get us off track. We let our urgency wane. We grow lazy in our prayer life, our zeal for the service of the Lord grows cool.
     Paul exhorted Timothy not to neglect the spiritual gift that was within him (1 Timothy 4:14). It is so easy to neglect the spiritual gifts that God has placed within each one of us. The world clamors to get our attention. Christian! God has gifted you. Do not neglect it!
     If it has been lying dormant in your life you need to fan it into flame once again (2 Timothy 1:6). Get filled afresh with the spirit of God, and walk in your calling! Let God use you for His kingdom and glory.

Active Prayer.

     There are those who spend their lives praying for lost loved ones, revival, their neighbors, etc. but never do anything about it. They don't witness, they won't give a testimony of God's grace in a church service, they never think to confront a sinning brother in a spirit of love. They believe all that they need to do is to pray, and God will take care of it.
     There are also those who plunge into these things, but never pray. They are always busy doing good things, but have no anointing of God on their efforts. They also see little if any results.
    Jesus told the seventy to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send workers. He then sends them! (Luke 10:2-3). James tells us that true faith will produce works. What good is it to bless a needy person with good intentions when we have the ability to help them? (James 2:15-17). Likewise, how can we expect God to answer our prayers for loved ones when we have no intention to go to them ourselves?
     The truth is we must pray and seek God for His presence and power in our lives. We must be willing to go where He sends us, and to do what He calls us to do, bathing it all in prayer. We go in the strength that He provides.
     Who knows, Maybe you are the answer to your prayers for the lost, for the needy, for revival in your church or community?

The Great Commission.

     I was reading about Joshua this morning. The account of God's commission to Him to lead the nation of Israel into the promised land (Joshua 1:1-9).
     God gave him the incredible task of going in to take possession of the land. He was to drive out the inhabitants of the land, a thing that the Israelites had been to afraid to do years before (Numbers 14:1-10).
     To encourage Joshua to be strong and courageous, God assured him that He would not fail, or forsake him. He would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:5,9).
     This reminded me of the words of Jesus when He was about to ascend to heaven (Matthew 28:18-20). He has given us, His disciples, the commission to win the lost. We are to make disciples of every nation, baptize them, and teach them to obey the words of Jesus.
     This is a daunting task to be sure! Who are we to accomplish such a serious charge? Fear cripples so many of us. What will people think of me if I try to witness to them? There are so many to reach. What can I possibly do?
     To encourage His disciples Jesus told them That He would be with them to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). Take heart! Be strong and courageous! Get the power from on high (Luke 24:49) and go!