church

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

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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”

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , Leave a comment

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

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , Leave a comment

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.

So you want to dress up for church

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Memories, Relationship, Thoughts, , , Leave a comment

Early in my faith I was in the balcony of a large church. I was watching the group of people moving about below me as they looked for a good spot to sit in the pews below.
I noticed one woman waving her hand to another and I could read her lips as she said; “I love your hat.”
I said; “Really” to myself… soon after I stopped going to this church. It has since fallen on rough times and is now small compared to its heyday.
In Matthew 6: 31-32 Christ states we are not to do as the gentiles do seeking after clothes that look fancy as well as what to drink or eat. As long as we place God first our material needs will be met by Him, does that mean they have to be extravagant? No, for what it took to get them can be used to please God in some form rather than your own personal ego. Yet many churches say nothing about this lavishness.
As a result those without the money to dress up are left out of the Glory of God. So they turn their back upon God seeing these wonton people singing in all their splendor and self-glory.
This is not the way of the Lord people. This is the way of the world and is not an example of God but of humans seeking after their own selfish desires and glorification.

The “Gimme Gimme” crowd

Christian, General, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , Leave a comment

Due to many “ministries” out there those that think they are “Christian” are told to just pray for it and God will give it to you, oh for a little money they will pray it for you are well.
This is not how God works.
God wants all to share in Him. Many are taught to ask of God and they shall receive, which is partly true, we should also be teaching not to keep that which is given and to share it to all the world, to show that it is God’s.
Jesus said we are to spread the Gospel to all the world. To share God and Jesus throughout all of humanity, yet most keep God and Christ closed up behind closed door. This is not what we are commanded to do.
Yes God wishes to inspire us, but to what end? To keep it all to ourselves? By all mean no. He wishes us to share to our friends to our neighbors, to strangers, to sinners. Yet most just go to church on Sunday or watch a broadcast on TV and say to themselves: “I am filled.” Well I say you are truly empty and void of any true glory that may have been given unto you.
How do I share you may ask? You are reading this are you not? This is how I share God. This is how I share Jesus Christ.
Do you honestly think he suffered being wiped and then hung bloody upon a cross, which is considered the worst way to die just so you can keep Him to yourself???

::I hit the save button and finish typing unable to continue out of shear sorrow for those that selfishly keep God as their personal slave.::

The Grocery Store the new Church

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , Leave a comment

Here the people flock to on Sunday morning instead of worshiping God. Grocery’s the new god of humanity. Gluttony, all hail the food we must eat for it is greater than God the creator or all, including the food.
Here is the challenge to those church leaders that just might read this post. Once everyone that is coming to church do so. Gather them all up and take them to the new church and stand in front of it handing out fliers. Talking and greeting those that come to the Grocery store and see if they will join you in where they should be on Sunday, the day of rest and worship called for by God for God.
Who knows you may just cause someone to see that God is real and though His Son the Lord Jesus Christ there is more to life than food for the body, but also food for the spirit.

A misunderstanding what is a “church”

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , , Leave a comment

What is to follow are some key points that need to be made clear. Why? Because what is a “church” has become lost over the centuries.
The first and most important point: we are called together as already saved members of the Body of Christ.
Matthew 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Hebrews 10: 16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
These verses show clearly that we are to be with Christ when we gather together. Also note that these gatherings are not called “churches” here. Just gathering, which leads to my second key point.
1 Corinthians 14: 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
Churches as is seen above is defined as follows in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: 1577 ekklesia ek-klay-see’-ah from a compound of 1537 and a derivative of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):–assembly, church.
A Christian community and an assembly.
Again we clearly see that these meeting and assemblies are first following that which is taught in Matthew 18 and Hebrews 10. A gathering together as already children of God through the salvation of Jesus Christ.
We are also told by Christ to go into the world and teach the gospel. He never says bring the world into the gatherings. Yet that is what is being done today.
Sinners are being allowed in the building that are called “churches,” for that is all they are buildings. Especially if you are not already one with God through Christ. Churches were just buildings made to make it easier to gather together, which in time allowed a man-made system to be created that as the centuries have passed turned them into businesses and enterprises and in today’s world that is exactly what most are. Gathering in funds to allow the head person in the pulpit to live in luxury while many in the “congregation” struggle to makes ends meet.
Acts 2: 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

A true “church” is called to spread the wealth to all within it. Not to keep it for the few as is done in a business. For that is what today’s “churches” especially most larger ones are all about.
Here is what those in Christ should seek out when looking for a home to gather in the name of Christ:

Is God the center?
How does the pastor live and dress?
Are people within the “church” struggling while others prosper?
Do you feel growth in your spiritual journey toward God?

If any of these answers leaving you doubting then it is best to move on and look for something else.

To be separate

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , Leave a comment

We are told in 2 Corinthians chapter 6 to become separate from the world, yet today many “churches” welcome sin into their buildings. The most pronounced version of this was when the Presbyterian Church first renounced any affiliation with the state of Israel and in the same conference allowed gays to join their group. Notice I said “group” not “church,” because the moment the rejected the chosen people of God they turned their back upon the Bible, Jesus Christ and God. This is not separating from the world this is inviting the world into what was once a place of and for God.
We are to be an example unto the world of what is good and righteous in the site of the Lord, yet many “churches” say “come to our place of worship as you are and we as well as God will accept you as you are.” This is calling God a liar.
This is something that has been steadily growing for years. Why? Mainly due to money for they could not financially support their building. Why? Because they stopped teaching the Bible long before they publicly turned their back upon God.
Yes we are called to gather together, but we are to already be followers of God when we do so. We are not to invite those that openly sin into our midst for it will weaken us over time as it has done. It clearly states that when we gather we are to give support and strengthen each other. Why do this if we are already children of God? Because we can fall astray and even fall away from God no longer bearing fruit or even become false visions of Christianity (John 15, Revelation 3). Which is exactly what many if not most in today’s Christendom have become. Why? Because they no longer separating themselves from the world but welcome it into their “churches.”
I highly recommend that people re-read or if they never have read (which I think is a possibility) Revelation chapter 2 and 3 which covers the seven churches or styles of churches as it applies to today’s “churches” and seriously compare them to the churches they are in and see if they see any resembles to their own “church.” If they see any that are called wrong by Jesus then they should leave that group and find a new and true church home.

The curse of the “Megachruch”

Christian, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , Leave a comment

There have been many of these churches that have sprung up and then fallen away since the 1950s. Many have make it all the way to television while others were situated to the city they were founded in.
One of the main flaws within them was a lack of personal relationships. People could become lost in the crowd and in many cases think they were saved or on the right path to God when in fact they were not. In time either through scandal or simply a parting of the ways in philosophies would result in the church either downsizing or ceasing to exist all together.
In most cases the leader of the megachurch led a wealthy lifestyle like those of the Pharisees in the time of Christ. If you looked closely you would see that they suffered from the same sin. Placing the rituals of man over the teaches of God. They would have seminars about the “self” this or the “self” that. Leaving the word of God behind but instead turning to that which they truly sought after.
Now they are going with what is politically correct, but not Biblically correct and yet many still believe they are pursuing God when in reality they are pursuing the world. We are called to be separate from the world. A living example of what is good and righteous unto God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
If it is called a sin in the Bible then it is a sin. If we are called to repent and turn from this sin then that is what we must do. Yet the megachruches now say “come to us has you are. You can keep you sin, because we will love you exactly as you are.”
It is true that Jesus will take you at this moment as you are, BUT you must come to Him with a repentant heart feeling shame and sorrow over where you now at this moment standing in the sin of the moment. This repentance never ends until the day we leave this temporal life. If you were repentant once and then never again, they I say you were never truly repentant that one time, for you have returned to your sin or new ones turning your back upon God. Through this ongoing repentance you chip away at this big sin and then this little sin and the process repeats itself on and on, for that is how TRUE repentance works. It is a never ending task that wears upon each and every person that truly goes through it. How do I know this? Because I go through it every single day.
We are told to place God first and then to be humble and place all others before ourselves. When doing this you place yourself last. Caring for all about you, wanting them to seek out and be with God. Can a megachruch provide this? No it can’t because those that go to these huge buildings are all strangers to one another in most cases. If you cannot even seek out a personal relationship with a person in one of these places then how are you expected to have a personal relationship with God? You can’t. You may think you do, but when you get right down to it are you still living in a sinful life? Are you heartbroken over it? If you say yes to the first and no to the second then you are a “lukewarm” and Jesus has said you will be cast away from Him. (Revelation 3: 14-22)
This is the curse of the megachruches, look closely and you will come to realize it.

Are you tending His house?

Christian, General, Life, Relationship, Thoughts, , , , , , Leave a comment

When you state you are a “Christian” you are taking upon yourself a great responsibility. It is not a free ticket to happiness that you are given, but a job. A job that pays no money. A job that is taxing and strenuous.
When Jesus departed into heaven he went to do tasks that are not for us to fully know at this time. He foretold of His return, but in the meantime He placed those that call themselves “Christian” in charge of His house. His house is not only a building called a “church,” or a group of people that also call themselves “Christian,” but is also the world at large. We are told to preach the Bible throughout the world. If it was just building or a group then why say this?
We are His servants when we accept Jesus as our savior. We are given authority by Christ for the care upkeep and growth of His home. We are all given tasks which we are to perform and do for His glory, and at the same time we are told to watch for the signs of His return.
Many say those signs are more and more prevalent than at any other time in history. Is his return near? Could be.
Where do you stand with Jesus? Are you a servant or someone looking in, or someone that calls themselves a “servant” yet they do no work upon the Lord’s home as it falls into decay and ruin.
Mark 13: 34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.