church

Blog for podcast #11 (How should a wealthy Christian live? part 2)

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Intro
Welcome to another podcast and I am Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read today’s broadcast and all previous podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com.
Today we will continue on last week’s message about how we are living in a time that is wealthier than any other in history throughout the world, which labels this era we are living in as that of the “lukewarm.” This means that all Christians throughout the industrialized nations are all wealthy.

Discussion

Today I wish for those listening to take a step back from the world they now live within and take a moment to think. Think about the question that is the title to today’s and last week’s podcast.
“How should a wealthy Christian live?”
Now with that question in mind I wish to read to you from the second chapter of Acts:
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
What I read to you is how we are to live in Christendom. Do we live this way? The answer for the most part is “no.”
Many gather in a church, but churches can be too big or lacking the truth or both. However, this is not what was envisioned for the Body of Christ as is shown in this verses above. The closest we see any living this way today are the Amish.
This however is how we should be living. In a community that works lives and shares together. Should we go to the extent that the Amish do? Having no cars, no phone. That is for each community to discuss with themselves. Will communities actually listen to me and try to live this way? Honestly today. I doubt it. Why?
It is because we are to spoiled and think more of our own wants and desires over those of a community. However, that is the ideal we should strive to seek for. Again, Why?
Because we see that it works per the Bible. This living in a close knit community was made easy in the first three centuries. Once again why? Because they were being persecuted and they could seek comfort in the comradery from the communities they made throughout the Roman Empire.
Today, Christian communities throughout the world are coming more and more under attack. From outright violence to being ordered not to congregate. One reason this is because these communities are fractured and spread apart. Not only because they live apart, but because many truly do not connect in a spiritual manner.
Sure they meet up once maybe twice a week. They say a few words to each other. Then go their separate ways. Going back to the world, which without realizing is their real master. Thus many who feel and believe they are steadfast true believers of Jesus Christ are in reality the lukewarm. Walking a line between God and the luxuries and temptations of the world. But by the mere fact that they are walking this line they don’t realize they are lost.
The verses that I read at the beginning of today’s podcast are the solution. Close knit communities. Not separated, but together in one area. Sharing amongst themselves and those in need. Living their lives together within the same area. Still going to their jobs, but when they come home they come to one community. Be it an apartment complex to a housing development. All share the expenses so they can gather the surplus to be used for the will of God.
Now here is a good point to make something clear. Last week I said it is wrong to give a tithe to a brick and mortar building called a church. Hebrews 7 makes it clear that we are to tithe ten percent to God. It is by giving it to a brick and mortar building that has allowed false teachers to come into being. Allowing them to live high off the hog while creating a flock of people who are without any doubt 100% lukewarm.
These false teachers have convinced their followers that seeking after worldly wealth is biblical. If you remember the very last verse I read last week (Mathew 6:24), it make it clear that to seek after money is to make money their god. Then by loving money they show that they hate God. So they are not seeking to live their lives the way that our Savior Jesus Christ seeks for us to have.
My suggestion, as was made clear last week, is to live totally opposite the way of the money seekers, the prosperity teachers. My recommendation was to live off the least amount of money that comes into your life as is physically possible. The more money this world gives you in your job or inheritance the less of it you need to live upon. Causing the majority to be set aside to be used as funds to help those people within the body of Christ, your fellow Christians that are in need of help. As established in 1 Timothy 6. We should also help those that are in true need outside the body of Christ. For we are instructed to help all the needy.
Following this suggestion not only allows us to have the ten percent, which is asks of us in Hebrews 7 it gains access to even more than that. All to be used for the Glory of God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. As we live in a community of our fellows the need for a fancy building to meet in become unnecessary. Sure it does say in the verses above that they went to the Temple. However, it also states that they met in home to perform the sacrament of the Communion. Why they did this was due to the persecution they were experiencing at that time. Nevertheless, having the need for a fancy and large building to accomplish this gathering together is shown not to be needed. Since the most important part of their worship of the Son of God was done at their homes.
We were instructed to baptize and Christ during the Last Supper gave us Communion. These are all the ceremonies we are required to do to show we are followers of Jesus Christ. There is no need for statues or large building to gather within. There is no call for this. These are all the actions of humanity, which is a form of self-glorification. We could even meet in the middle of nowhere and that would be enough to worship our Creator through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
We need a community to lean upon to seek comfort as well as seek strength from when we are weak within our own lives. This is shown without question in Acts 2. A community that is closer together then they are today. We are told to fellowship but not just once or twice a week, but daily. That is why we need to be closer together.
Can we do this in social media?
That is an excellent question. And one I honestly don’t know how to answer. As I said I have been called to be a teacher. That is a question that an overseer needs to answer.
“What is an overseer?” someone just asked. That is something that is in my job description to answer.
1 Timothy 3:1 – This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
The office of bishop – G1984 – episcope – inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence [Strong’s]
An overseeing, visitation, a judgement [Bible Hub]
This is the true meaning of the word that was made into “bishop” by those who translated the KJV of the Bible since at that time the Catholic Church mentality still held sway over them. So the actual word should have been made “overseer.” As an example of this look to the NLT of the verse. Now it just says “church leader.”
Here though we get back to a mentality that is again ingrained into today’s society the need for a building called a “church.” So the use of the word “church leader” is inaccurate as well. Their true title should be “overseer” or even “shepherd.” Since we are dealing with a “flock” of Christians that would seem to be appropriate.
Conclusion
So to end this teaching today. We will revisit the four points of how a wealthy Christian should strive to live their lives.
1) They do work that is good toward the will of God.
2) That they seek to be virtuous and thus valuable to God
3) They be ready to give willingly and generously of their money that has been given to them by God at a moment’s notice
4) That the make it known verbally that they are ready to be generous to those within the Christian community and showing no restraint in how much they are willing to give.
We should possible now add a fifth.
That they seek to live together in one close knit community. So that they can seek comfort and strength from one another.
If we truly seek to do this we will all become closer to God through our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. In doing so we will give Glory to our Creator and thus be a light unto the world as we are instructed to be.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Mathew 5:14-16

God Bless

Segregation

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Now this is not about what those on the left and in the black community are doing in the colleges and universities. This is about those that go to church and go into their little groups and who they “hangout with.” This self-segregation is actually nowhere to be found within the Bible.
Now as was hit upon in a previous post (Gather together ), there is really nothing that states we must go to church. Now here you will see and have the typical protest and also the mention of the seven churches within Revelation. Also the hierarchy of a “church” in Ephesians chapter four. However, has was established in Matthew 18. Christ’s purpose of gathering together was for the purpose of a set goal within the Body of Christ. Now again this can point to a “church” in the original meaning of the word. Nevertheless, modern day churches no longer fit this model. Now, for this part, they are nothing more than social clubs. A gathering place to gossip and talk sports, not God or the Bible. Sure some person stands on a dais or in a pulpit and talks about what appears to be a Biblical teaching. But most of the time in most churches this is not the case anymore.
Within this social club you will note that there are groups that hangout together. They will separate themselves from the others gathered there for the so-called worship of God. Yet they are not truly “gathering together.”
This self-imposed segregation is actually against the teachings of the Bible. It is something that must be addressed by those very leaders that are shown to be in control in Ephesians. Yet they do not. They do not wish to upset the status quo. Why? Because it will upset their membership of their social club and drive some of the gathered groups away. I would say let them. The bigger the “church,” the less actually gets done for God. Mainly due to the segregation that has taken place within these social clubs.
Do all get to learn the same lessons of God as other? No for Bible study groups are segregated.
Does the leadership instruct the members that talk of sports is not allowed within the building? No for that would drive most men out of the building.
Does the leadership instruct the members not to talk business? No, for once again this would drive away those within the club.
So as you can see. This is not the “churches” the Bible refers to and in actuality makes a lukewarm community. Thus fulfilling the discerption of the last of the seven churches in Revelation.
3:14 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Laodicea. This is the message from the one who is the Amen—the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s new creation: 15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. 20 “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. 22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Which is more important? The person sitting in the pew or the soul of the person

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re-post
From what I have witnessed throughout my involvement in many “churches” is they say the latter but it is really the former that is more important to them.
If they really sought to help the person to Christ they would have established long ago a method of outreach to those asking for God’s help and salvation. This lack of outreach is a major reason “churches” are shrinking and also why many look down upon Christianity as a whole.
I am reminded of the line from the movie “God is not dead” in which the professor says “The most ardent Atheist was once a Christian” (this may be paraphrased so forgive the inaccuracy). The reason behind this falling away is these people come into a “church” and they see people saying one thing and then living a life totally opposite that which they say they are doing in “church.” This is called hypocrisy and is the core of what is called a “lukewarm.”
In Revelation 3:15-16 we see what Christ thinks of the “lukewarm.” He said it would be best to be cold or against God then to be lukewarm. For He would spit out from His body those that are lukewarm.
This hypocrisy is not limited to those that go to many places that call themselves “churches.” It is also found within their leadership who have become no better than the Pharisees of the time when Christ walked upon this planet. For what is more important to them is not their congregation, but the money in the tithing. The almighty dollar is now their god, not the true God they feign to represent.
This is extremely noticeable in large churches where it is easy to have nonsense sermons that do not give any real growth for those listening. They encourage any and all to attend for their goal is not the soul but a new house or car or even more bling.
Many of today’s “churches” really aren’t. They are simply a type of social club and within them are their clichés and status structure, but no real nourishment of the soul and its need to connect with the Creator of the universe, God.
People use them to network and plan events meant for the world but not God. Instead of teaching what is sin and the need to stop sinning these social clubs encourage and even celebrate sin. All the time thinking they are one with God, but in reality are on the highway to hell.
This is what those truly seeking Christ come into these places and all they see is the world and so they turn their back upon God not realizing that what they witness was not Christianity, but what it actually was…. the world. So they leave disheartened and discouraged not realizing that it was not true Christianity they had witnessed, but the lukewarm.
To Christ the lukewarm are so distasteful to him that He rejects them yet they go on living as if they are fine with God living in their hypocritical lives.
This is exactly what Satan wants to see and so makes it easy for the lukewarm to be placated and content in their fantasy they call “Christianity” For they have fallen for the fable and are happy to be one with it. These social clubs are worse than prosperity churches, for at least with prosperity churches you can easily see the lie, but in the social clubs it isn’t that easy for the lie is just under the surface hidden just under true scripture, but these scriptures never tell those going that they are sinning against God for to say anything bad would make people leave and with them their money.
What is really sad is that there are more social clubs then real churches and so those that see the hypocrisy and have found the Lord leave them. Seeking to find a true church home, but rarely do. So those that can truly help those seeking to find Christ are not brought together as they once were when a church was the church which causes those that could have been saved or saved sooner to suffer in their loneliness and sorrow.

It is time to let churches die.

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Now let me say this up front. I am not saying end belief in God that is a must, which more need to come and acknowledge.
What I am saying is that the businesses called “churches” must end.
It is churches that have caused so many to lose their faith and belief in God in the first place for well over the last one hundred years.
What is needed is the return to living room churches or even park churches.
Okay before I go any further let’s make this word “church” end here.
The meaning no longer fits what it was originally nearly two thousand years ago. Now it has been perverted and changed into something that is a pseudo-religion, not the Body of Christ itself. The buildings today which are called by this name in most cases no longer teach the Gospel. All they do is teach feel good messages to keep the pews full and the money raking in. It is this current image of “churches” that has allow those false prophets like Osteen to flourish and to become rich off the suckers that come into their buildings or mail in their hard earned cash for a supposed “blessings” that will never come.
I think going with the Quaker or Amish wording is more suited. “Meeting.”
The Meeting can be at anyone’s house or as I a mentioned parks and such places that are open and free. It can change weekly.
This is to help get people to once again focus on the real reason to be gathering together. To honor and worship God through the love and grace of His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and to truly fellowship, not socialize or network. Fellowship, by reinforcing people’s faith and belief, console and reinforce when there is doubt and lack of understanding.
As to the pastor issue. I feel more and more that any person associated with an organization or organized religion should not be sought after, but at the sometime should not be rejected either. However, they should not be in charge all the time either. There should be a group though that does meet to organize where they wish to meet, but keep at the same time every week. Each person in the group taking turns to teach those at the Meeting their own chosen topic from the Bible. No ongoing messages that make you have to come back every week for several weeks. All that is designed to do is keep you coming back to tithe more.
Why is there a need to let churches die? The answer is obvious to all that have eyes to see. They only serve as social clubs full of gossips and football stories, when or if the message of God is taught it is so watered down and useless that none grow from it. This is why so many leave the church now. They see the hypocrisy and come to a point of saying I can learn more outside of religion. Never realizing that what they have witnessed is not truly God or His Son, but humans parading to be more than what they are.
That why Meetings need to come to be. Small groups of no more than twenty max, smaller preferred. All with one goal in mind. Coming to know the Bible better and in so doing come to know true salvation.

Learn the Bible, know the Bible

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The other day I read a post by someone that had become dumbfounded and surprised when a pastor out right lied.
She knew this on two fronts. First it was an actual personal attack against her since she is a published author, the second was that what he said was not Biblical. However he presented what he said as if it were Biblical fact.
This is not the first time someone of “authority” with a religious organization lied, nor will it be the last.
Please note the use of “authority” in quotation marks. Why this is, is due to one major factor. There is only one being in authority within the church and that is the Trinity. The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
You will also note that the first time I mentioned “authority” it was followed by a reference to “religious organization.”
Religions are human made groups that strive to reach God through their group’s interpretation of the Bible or some other text people ascribe to a religious figure, be they Islamic, Buddhist or some other religious group.
In the case of Christianity it is extremely important to know and understand the Bible. The main reason is of all the “religions” out there only Christianity had the founder of it crucified and then resurrected three days later. Also the fact that over forty prophesies were written in the Old Testament known as the Torah predicting Jesus Christ and what He would do. All were fulfilled. The odds of this happening is 1 in 10 to the 15th power.
So knowing the Bible and understanding the true meaning within the Bible will not allow you to be led down the easy path instead of the narrow and arduous path.
Too many assume that the person within the pulpit, or on the dais of a church is fully prepared and knows full well all that is required to be placed in the spot. This is not necessarily true, as this sister in Christ came to understand.
Then why go to church?
That is an excellent question.
The answer is complicated. We are instructed to gather together within the Bible. Why? To help encourage, strengthen and support our fellow Christians.
I honestly have no idea when it became required to have someone given authority to stand at the front of a congregation of people.
The Bible does state that there will be people given a ministry by God in Ephesians 4. These are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Who to quote:
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the body of Christ.”
However it does not say they are to gather in one place and stand before them. Additionally the word pastor means to be like a counselor, again not to stand before them and lead.
Does this mean we are not to go a church at all? If this is the only way you can fellowship with your fellow Christians, then go, but be prepared with the Word of God yourself.
Whenever people do not know the Bible, this is when they are easy to lead astray, down the wide road to destruction.
Too many today do not have a working understanding of the Bible. As a result too many are walking down the wide and easy road, yet they are not even aware that they are.
This is why it is important to read the New Testament and come to understand the words within it. Then once that is done, then explore the Old Testament and come to see how the Torah time and again laid the ground work on what to look for when Jesus Christ would walk amongst us.
But what is more important, is so that you will see when someone attempts to lead you to death and destruction instead of toward the glory and wonders that lay ahead for all that accept Christ in the eternal life that is to come. Allow us to see all the wonders of the creation of God for billions upon billions of years.

Servant leaders

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Jesus spoke directly on the topic of leadership. From His words those that call themselves “Christian” are taught what to seek what is important within someone that wishes to be a leader. Not just of fellow Christians, but of all.
Mark 10:42 – So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:25 – But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“Whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else.”
“Whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.”
This is a statement of an overall leadership role. Whoever wants to be first.
In the KJV of the Bible the verses come out this way:
“42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
“25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.”
The reason I mention the KJV is that it is the closest English version to the original Greek text available. This allows the reader to research the true meaning of the words more easily. That is what I desire to examine here today.
“Whosoever will be great among you”
Whosoever – hos & ean
Hos – who, which, what, that.
Ean – if
Will – thelo – I will, wish, desire, am willing, intend, design.
Be – ginomai – I come into being, am born, become, come about, happen.
Great – megas – large, great, in the widest sense
Among – en – in, on, among
You – humin – you
Who if wishes happens to be great among you
Chiefest – protos – first, before, principal, most important
Chief – protos
“Shall be servant of all”
Servant – doulos – (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave
Of all – pas – all, the whole, every kind of.
“Let him be your servant”
Servant – doulos
Let him be – esto – be
Most important be slave to all.
Slave – A person who works very hard without proper remuneration or appreciation.
Enslaved – Cause (someone) to lose their freedom of choice or action
Now there are several elements that need to be noted in these definitions.
The first I wish to look at is this phrase: “without proper remuneration.”
These means they are not in this job to get wealth or even live wealthy. For their goal is not for their enrichment finically but the enrichment, not necessarily finically, of those they seek to serve. Yet for as long as man has formed governments, except for a short time in the early years of the nation when men seeking to be leaders did not gain wealth or even leave the office wealthy.
From 1789 till 1854 the salary for congresspersons was $6 to $7 annually.
This began to change in 1885 till the present. Going from $3000 starting that year to the present salary of $174000 per year as of 2014 in congress.
How can someone seek to truly be a servant, a slave if they make more than those they are pledge to represent?
They cannot.
They are not enslaved to those that they are to care for. They are enslaved to money.
Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
Up until the early 1800s which is not very long, people knew the real understanding of the term “servant leader.”
Not just those that wished to serve but those that were being served as well.
Now most are ignorant of these crucial facts that Jesus Christ tried to impress upon us.
He even went so far as to show how He, the Son of God, was a servant to us humans.
The Son of God a slave, which is truly demonstrated by the fact that He died upon the cross a slave to our sins.
What is glorious about this, is that three day later He exited the tomb alive.
So changed that He walked with men that had seen Him before and were fleeing Jerusalem. However they didn’t even recognize Him till late into their conversation with Him.
Now for the next point. When someone, of their free will, chooses to be our slave as our leader. They as the definition states “lose their freedom of choice or action.”
They can no longer do anything for their own good, reward or glory, but are enslaved to their commit and obligation to seek after what is best for the people above all else even to the point of death, as Christ Himself willingly did.
Yet if you look around do you even see any truly fulfill this commitment?
However this is what is required by the person that is seeking to be the chief.
Now a point that many don’t even try to see.
“All.”
Now note how Christ starts this teaching unto the disciples. He starts by directly mentioning how the rulers of the world behave. Then just before He goes on to mention Himself being a slave to humanity He states that the person seeking to lead is to lead all.
“All” as shown above is the word “pas,” which means “all, the whole, every kind of.”
The whole.
Every kind of.
It does not say those within the Body of Christ. For that ultimate leader is Jesus Christ Himself. His point is for those that seek to be leaders of people, of groups, of nations.
Christ was showing His foreknowledge of a time when people could rise up out of the masses to be a leader of a nation, for at the time He walked amongst us that was not the case. Yet still He laid the foundation for servant leaders to follow that truly placed themselves as a child of God through Christ. This is pointed out because He showed how those in power of the nations behaved at that time. They were haughty, arrogant and most used their powers to belittle and demean their subjects. To think they knew better than those they controlled. So when taken in the correct perspective we see that true leaders that call themselves “Christian,” are to adhere to the instructions given in these verses by Christ Himself.
What also needs to be indicated though is that this is also the instruction of those that call themselves “Christian,” in what they are to look for in a leader so that this can be accomplished.
If they choose not to do so they are showing their rejection of the teachings of Christ and in so doing rejecting God Himself.
This is the behavior that the tribes of Israel did many times to their sorrow and regret. However, those that call themselves “Christian” now do the exact same rejection and they wonder why everything is going wrong, not only in the United States, but throughout the world as well.
So a servant leader must make of themselves a slave to the people they wish to lead, be it a church or a nation. If they do not seek this, but seek after their own glory, their own rewards, and their own goals. Then they should be rejected, either before they come to power, or once they do come to power; removed within the laws of the nation or church in question. For no leader comes to power without the blessing of God, even if the results of them coming to power results in the deaths of millions.
However, since we are commanded to follow the laws set forth by humans as long as these laws do not act against the Bible and thus of Christ and His Father. Than we are to follow them to the best of our abilities.
On the other hand, if they do act against the Bible and thus God, they must be removed, but in a way that does not violate the teaching of Christ as best can be done.

There is a need for a new church model

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What is needed within the building that is called a church is a rebirth. Old churches have become bogged down in a business model attitude where the intake of money is more important than the intake of souls into the Body of Christ under the pretense of the latter.
The prime example of this is the invitational. For those unaware at the end of many services in many church is the invitation to ask Jesus into your heart and life. As is the practice they have all present close their eyes so the person asking for the help will not feel singled out. This is all well and good, but it also causes a major lapse in conversion.
What is needed after this segment is a group standing by that can reach out to this person that just ask Christ into their life. It is now more than ever that a mentor is needed and required. In my personal experience I have not yet encountered such a system in place.
What should occur is that the person speaking on the dais should then state that for those that just raised your hands there are a group of people waiting to talk to you right now and help you and pray with you in the moment of surrender to God. The person speaking then should offer a location for this person to go to that will still allow them the anonymity they are seeking and give them a place to learn more about Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit. It is here that this person is given a mentor much like is done in AA so they can have someone to talk to directly that will help them grow within the Body of Christ and not feel left out. The feeling of being left out leads people down the wrong road more time then not and is a major factor why many in the secular world look down upon Christians due to this very reason of rejection they usually encountered.
There is also a need to have an activist group. A group that is willing to go out into the world and make the presence of God known in various venues. Also to get involved in political functions and groups. It is due to the lack of Christian presence that this nation is in such a sorry state. Those that oppose God are extremely active and that is why they are winning. Why can’t Christian’s be involved as well? There is nothing in the Bible or the Constitution that says they can’t. And any that throws the “separation of church and state” dogma out does not know the constitution and is playing into the hands of those that wish to remove God from the government. This is what has been done for decades. Not only do people not research the Bible but they do not research their own nation’s laws which has enabled the desecration of this nation to the point that God is no longer going to bless this nation. This group should include a large number of the church membership.
I do not believe in Sunday school classes. I feel it is the pastor/preacher/priest job to teach courses on the Bible during church services. That way all get the same message and it does not cause clicks to get established. The idea is to bring all together in the eyes of God and not have one group better than another group. What is more important is the word of God and a true understanding of the Bible and thus God’s message and plan for all.
Arrange activities around the schedule of those that work different shift. Have Saturday services as well as Sunday services. Have evening and morning and even afternoon. Make coming to church something that is easy and harder to make excuses not to attend, but also make sure the same message is taught every single time. Also make use of the internet.
These are only a few examples. There are many more that are needed as well that will truly cause a resurgence within Christendom and the Body of Christ.

Just saw a very poor article that said the type of Christians needed in a church were “Toxic”

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A rebuttal. This is my response to an article that I found to be hurtful to the Body of Christ.

This nation is in a very sad state. It is due to those within the church abandoning the Bible, and turning to platitudes and placation of the masses within the so-called “church.”
The first one listed was the “Cynical” Christian. The definition of cynicism is that people have an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest. Here is the kicker, all humans, even Christians at times, are motivated by self-interest. Furthermore many that call themselves “Christian” and are living a lukewarm existence for the most part are PURELY motivated by self-interest.
What is needed is to teach those that are selfish that this is the true sin and they need to turn to Christ and reject their self-involved lifestyle. Most that fall into this category are, as I call them, “Sunday Christians.” Every Sunday they are Christian, but the rest of the week they of the world and have fully embraced this lifestyle thinking they are saved and going to heaven, just because of Sunday. These are the lukewarm and shall be spit out by Jesus Christ. So is there a need for someone in the church to look cynically at someone’s motivations and actions within the church? Yes. They should also be in the church leadership and should be reaching out to those that show the selfishness and try to help them truly accept Christ.
Number two on the list was: “The ‘back row’ Christian.” Per that person writing the article this is the person keeping God at arm’s length. In my personal experience these Christians are the one that recently raised their hands and asked God into their heart and not one person in the congregation has taken them under their wing as a mentor. They are at arms-length because they feel awkward and left out, and who is the cause of this? The church leadership for not having an outreach group setup to contact and nurture these still wayward souls. Lost in the ebb and flow. Should they be called “toxic” NO…. who is really “toxic” here are the membership of the “church” not reaching out to these folks.
Next on the list “the ‘world is caving in’ Christian.” Oh my gosh. You have got to be kidding. The Bible makes it very clear that in the end times as it gets closer to the return of Jesus Christ there will be signs. Not only geological, but astronomical, atmospheric, sociological, and political. When the Bible is read correctly these signs become self-evident. One such sign is the Queen of England and her death, which has not occurred as of yet, but when it does it is a factor within the Bible. So having those within the church stating that the end is near is extremely necessary and required so people will know to get their lives in order so that they may be welcomed into heaven.
What is next in this article that should have never seen the light of day: “the ‘following the rules’ Christian.” This is the one that just kicked me over the edge with this article. So we are not to follow God’s laws or rules? No one is perfect, but if they don’t know what is expected of them through the teachings of the Bible how are they going to know what to change? This type of mentality given by this writer is the anything goes mentality that allows sin into the “church” like for example welcoming and allowing homosexual marriages. This is not the mentality of someone loyal to God, but the almighty dollar. The world is who they love, and so are an emery to God and His “rules.”
Number 5 on this shameful list: “the ‘political’ Christian.” The author of this article is another of those that most likely beliefs that the church and state must be separate. Another that thinks God being first in someone’s life is not required. When you place God above all things He must be included in ALL things which includes politics. The First amendment keeps the government from making a church and also from having the government sticks its nose into religion practices. Several founding fathers made it clear that this government would fall apart if God was removed for it. Well as we are witnessing that fear they had is very true. The government cannot protrude into the church but the church is required to be present in government. So the need for Christian to be political is mandatory. A church leadership that refuses to be political is a church that need to be left to die.
The next on the list is the “culture is evil and scary” Christian. This I must say actually has merit. The person that wrote this article was referring to those that hide within the church. Seeking to go through life without engaging in the world in the belief they will make it into heaven. Reminds me of the parable of the talents where the master give out coins and the last one receives one and buries it. These folks should try and be one of the above “toxic Christians” but instead hide within their homes and churches. It is due to these people that abortion became legalized and over 55,000,000 children have been murdered.
Next on this person’s agenda is the “I love Jesus but not the church” Christians. Well when most churches are filled with the selfish and self-serving and the one that hide within their homes and churches, do you blame them? Again this is a failing of the leadership, but also the people. Many cannot find a truly God fearing, God honoring church mainly because churches are no longer churches but businesses and all the “leadership” wants is rear ends in the pews to rack in money. The church leadership needs to be purged of all leaders that are not in the service of God but the service of the almighty dollar.
The “God doesn’t work that way” Christians is another one with merit, but I wouldn’t even call them Christians. In fact this is an insult to Christians. These are the folks that go through the motions and mechanics of Christianity. They also fall into the “Sunday Christian” crowd. Thinking they are saved and one with God when they have no idea of who God or even Christ really is. So, so far out of eight “toxic” groups only two really qualify.
Next the “loves to pick a fight” Christian or as the writer called these folks the “morality police” in social media and in public. Here is the thing with this one. This goes to taking the beam out of your own eye before telling someone to take the splinter out of theirs. The thing is this guy has the beam in his eye. Per 2 Timothy 4:1-5 we are told to publicly reprove, rebuke and exhort those that are going down the wrong path. When we see folks that call themselves “Christian” and say for example they still call themselves “democrats” when it is shown that the Democratic party officially denies there is a God (Matthew 10:33), openly lie (Proverbs 6:17), and openly support sins like homosexuality and murder also known as abortion(James 4:4). It is the Christian duty as a member of the Body of Christ to point out this error in judgment known as reproving. Then to explain to them with the Bible that error of their ways by rebuking them, and then to help guide them back toward God through exhortation. Now I must add that those doing the reproving, rebuking and exhorting should not be confrontational about it but lovely as if teaching a child to ride a bike or swim. For being a Christian is like being a parent to the child of the world which are those that have strayed or are lost.
Last is the “you can’t talk about that in church” Christians. Now I have to agree this one has merit also. Three out of ten though that is sad to make an article claiming ten issues when only three have merit. As to this one. All topics should be openly discussed in church. Why? So people actually hear that homosexuality is a sin. So people actually hear that if God says to not do something you don’t do it. It must also be heard in church that you will falter and fall, but you can get back up, but learn from your mistake and not do it again for if you do keep sinning you will fall out of God’s graces and He will no longer acknowledge you as one of His children. (John 15:2; 2 Peter 2:20)
In conclusion this article should never have been published by a Christian group. It should never have been “liked” by someone in a place of power in a church. It is flawed and full of misrepresentations and can actually do more harm to Christianity then good. For seven out of the ten need to be within a church so as to point out those that are truly following Christ and allow them to see the errors of their ways, and hopeful by some miracle come to truly ask Jesus Christ into their hearts.
Original article is called “10 Toxic Christians in the church today” found on faithit.com by Frank Powell

The failure of the buildings called “Churches”

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One after another that which is called “good” in the eyes of the Lord our God falls prey to popular demand. Why is this happening? It is because those places called “Churches” do not teach God.
Those that are called leadership within them do not make it known that certain things are called sins. They do this because in reality they are no longer “Churches” but businesses and if you insult or make uncomfortable those that come into your business they do not return and so their business losses money.
True Churches are not a business, but a place to worship and give praise honor and glory unto to God. It is also a place where you are taught the true Bible and true message of God. At times it will be painful, harsh and may even make some angry. Why? Because they are reacting to their guilt. A guilt that is there because what was mentioned is in their life. It is their sin and they have just been told it is wrong and they need to turn from it. This is the job of the church a.k.a. the church leadership.
However, this is not how churches these days do things, because if they make people leave how will they get their money to survive? My answer: they should not for they have turned their backs upon God and as a result we have sin running rampant upon the streets, within the government and they are starting to shove their ways into the churches. All with one purpose, to destroy God.
To them God is not real. To them Jesus did not raise form the dead. To them living in sin is preferred to living morally. Well, let me tell you a little secret. That is how it has always been. Sin has always been easier because our true enemy wishes all humanity to fail for it will allow him to be the winner and the one that is better than God.
The one who wishes you to live in sin is not your ally, or friend. God makes this clear within the Bible. True love hurts and can be punishing, but if you are not punished or made to feel guilt then you are not loved. As it says in Proverbs. The parent that spares the rod hates their child. That is how it is from God as well. Because he loves you he punishes you if you do wrong, for from it you learn respect and to be moral and to be good.
So if your “church” does not give you a sting of pain time to time then is it really a church?

Confessions of a screwed up middle aged man: The straw that broke the camel’s back

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I had mentioned in another post an encounter I had with someone that had twisted the Bible to suite his own image of the world and thus his believe in God. What I had left out was that it was someone that attended the church I had called home for over three years. I also left out that one of the church leaders was a part of the conversation and had witnessed the same misuse of the Bible. I mentioned this later to the church leader and he gave me an excuse for the man’s misuse of the Bible. I must also add that he did nothing in the conversation to support my endeavor to help correct this man’s misstep as I approached it with love wishing to help the man grow in his faith in the correct manner. Today I read Galatians 1:7-10 and I felt compelled to write this post. Here are the verses:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Later that week in another venue the same man that had misquoted the Bible I assume, feeling empowered but the lack of support I was given by the church leadership, found it necessary to belittle and degrade me in another issue. Since I could not count on those in church leadership to support me I decided to pray and think upon what it is I should do. I took three days to think and pray upon it and reached my point where I felt God wanted me to go. I contacted the church leader and informed him that I would be resigning my membership for my church home I had loved so much.
Now why did I do this? It was not the church I had come to three years ago. Somewhere along the lines it become more important to appease then to confront. It became more important to entertain then to aspire to reach God.
I was married for the last time in this church and I so wanted to be there and help the church achieve new and wondrous goals, but that is not the church I had come to three years ago. I do not even know what to say.