What good are Constitutional protections against governments restricting our:
Freedom of speech;
Freedom of self protection;
Freedom of religion;
Freedom of association; and
Freedom of commerce …
If we allow companies with monopoly powers to restrict our rights instead?
“Worship” these days is often more pagan than Christian.
It’s no longer about reverent obedience to the Sovereign God of Scripture …
But about the pagan practice of conjuring up some false spirit or man-made diety through intense, manipulated feelings.
It does this by convincing people that the more some song, band, or hip “worship leader” can make us feel intense emotions, the more we’re experiencing God’s “presence.”
Of course, an authentic encounter with God will legitimately invoke intense emotions.
But that is far different than the current practice of invoking intense emotions …
And calling it “God.”
This has become the new idolatry, by equating manipulated feelings with God Himself.
It is an addictive distraction from who God truly is, and how He wants to dwell among us and in us as our Sovereign Lord.
It also is a distortion born of carnal men, and is nowhere found in the New Testament.
Nope, not, nada …
Just ain’t there.
Yet it has become big business, with mega churches and mega recording deals …
While supplanting the simple New Testament commands to congregationally sing God’s praises together for the sole purpose of simply encouraging one another.
Unfortunately, though, it will continue to thrive …
Because just like the pagans, people still want a God who appeals to their carnality and is easy to manipulate.
I know this may mess up some of y’all …
But that Jesus you see in the New Testament is also God in the Old Testament.
Every last bit of it …
Including the parts you don’t like.
And He’s the same Jesus today and forevermore.
Any other Jesus, reflecting your own sensibilities through selective pick-and-choose Bible verses …
Is just an idol created in your own image.
The greatest threats to liberty are not those who say what we don’t wanna hear …
But those with the power to silence them.
It’s gotta be said:
If you got caught up in all the “prophetic words” about Trump being re-elected in 2020 from the Elijah List of for-profit non-prophets and other self-appointed, unaccountable and attention grabbing “prophetic” crazies …
Or you got caught up in the bizarre world of Q-Anon delusions …
You need to humbly examine yourself, return to the Sovereign God of Scripture, embrace the simple – yet comprehensive – power and authority of His Word, and commit to healthy Christian community where you can begin to find balance in your life.
When you do, there will be no need or desire to pursue counterfeit realities or distracting, drama laden “solutions”.
Yes, there are real issues, and yes there are those who are authentically prophetic …
But God is not a freak show and what you gave yourselves over to was not of Him.
True disciples, who put their trust wholly in Him and His Word and are committed to healthy Christian community, will learn to discern the difference.
Those who don’t, won’t.
Repent, and get about the hard work of rebuilding the foundations in your own life and in our nation …
Before it’s too late.
These days, if you oppose the Leftist political views held by many (but certainly not all) black organizations, it is called racism – even if you oppose those views because you want the best for the black community.
Thus, according to how oppressive “progressives” have redefined the word, you are “racist” based on legitimate political differences even if you care deeply about what’s happening in the black community.
This twisting of language by the Left is insidious, and is used by the Left to stifle honest debate over their political policies that are actually doing great harm to the black community.
Don’t let the rhetoric of hate from the Left silence you:
Renounce their oppressive policies that are destroying Black lives, Black families and Black communities;
Proclaim with confidence those Godly principles – like worth, dignity and responsibility, in the context of faith, family and community – which offer true hope for all as we seek to heal our broken nation; and
Stand for virtue.
Only then will the true racists be unmasked.
Few see past their immediate circumstances, which is why God always sprinkles among us …
A few who crave the far horizons.
Freedom is not the right to do evil …
But the right to resist it.
Some “Christians” have embraced identity politics, leading them to support candidates who promote:
Abortion, gender confusion, marriage malaise, and religious intolerance.
They’ve become reprobate, having traded the God of Scripture …
For the lies of Satan.
What’s the ultimate standard for truth, reality and morality?
Our perceptions and sensibilities …
Or God’s written revelation and sovereign will?
Herein lies the difference between popular existential ideologies that have deceived many “Christians” …
And authentic Biblical Christianity as God Himself defines it.
As goes the Church,
So goes the Nation.
Repent,
While there’s still time.
According to the New Testament, civil government is ordained by God …
Not to make us good, but to protect us from those who aren’t.
Those who use God’s blessings to pursue Satan’s temptings…
Suffer fates far worse than those who never knew His blessings at all.
Master the art of vague generalities, and you too can find fame and notoriety …
As a for-profit non-prophet.
Spectator “church” was born …
When narcissists discovered they could find position, prestige and power by putting on a good show each Sunday and calling it “worship.”
Haven’t we finally had enough?
And isn’t it time to return to what the New Testament actually commands for assembling together …
With ministry one to another for the mutual building up of each other?
God is …
Therefore, I think.
Misplaced Loyalties:
Getting more upset about abuse, lies and cover-up being exposed in your beloved “church” and its leaders …
Than about the impact of that abuse on the victims.
God will not hold you blameless.
Don’t be bashful:
We need to publicly ask those who publicly tell everyone how to do or be the church (of whatever stripe) …
If they themselves are part of one – in their own lives and hometowns – like they keep promoting to others.
You may be shocked at how often they aren’t.
But hey, that shouldn’t stop them from peddling their insistent ideas, books, blogs and conferences to unsuspecting audiences.
Right?
That doesn’t mean it’s wrong to study and publicly discuss ideas …
But we should at least have the integrity to disclose when we cross the line and start telling everyone “how to” when we ourselves don’t do.
🤔
You will never succeed …
Unless you’re willing to fail.
However, never risk more failure …
Than you can possibly survive.
Failures then become new opportunities …
Rather than total ruin.
If you’re not a disciple …
You’re not a Christian.
Because there is no “Christ” in “Christian” …
Without God’s rule.
Until you admit that “church” as you know it is not how the Bible actually shows and commands it …
You will remain stuck in your rut.
If we’re not about redemption, then what hope does anyone have?
This is my passion.
This is my cause.
But it ain’t neat and it ain’t tidy.
It’s raw and sometimes ugly.
Because if Jesus doesn’t work for the worst of us …
Then He works for none of us.
God’s presence without His sovereignty …
Is an impossibility.
Which is why I’m convinced that what we call “worship” and “His presence” at many “churches” these days …
Is so bogus.
It’s just emotional manipulation, masquerading as “worship” …
To generate feelings of intensity, and calling it “God” …
During a staged performance, claiming to be “church.”
————————————
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Rom. 12:1-2
So last Sunday, were you part of:
The Jesus Show (“church” on a stage) …
Or the Body of Christ (ministry one to another)?
Revivals come and revivals go …
But true repentance lasts forever.
Plumbline Faith 