Friday, August 31, 2012

Political Correctness - The Killer of the Church

Truth in Love – blog

Political Correctness-The Killer of the Church – Friday, August 31st 2012 – blog Entry

If you are a Bible believing Jesus Follower who loves the Savior, the Christ, the One and Only Jesus I beg you, lay parts of your theological bent aside for a moment and give a big shout out to the Republican National Convention’s Prayer aka Invocation from last evening, August 30th. That prayer was offered, ‘IN THE NAME OF JESUS’ something you see little of anymore, much less on a stage and in a venue that large.

Does everyone realize what that could mean for our country? How glorious to honor our Savior Jesus in such a way!

All too often and for much too long now, spiritual leaders and lay people have been asked to make sure, when they offer a prayer publically that they do not invoke the name of Jesus or offer the prayer in the name of Jesus. Well, friends without the name of Jesus, without Jesus, that prayer is powerless. Jesus was, Jesus is, and Jesus will always be where the seat of power and authority lay. Sadly, many, many spiritual leaders have agreed to these terms. I have heard it said, ‘It is better to be able to go and have some influence by offering the prayer than it is to make a statement by not going because you are not able to pray in Jesus’ name.’ Well, if offering the prayer is all you are to do while you are there then I would disagree. More than once I have believed this type of compromise was made, not for God, not for Jesus, but for the person who was invited to pray; quite simply they wanted to go, they wanted to be the one who was able to pray at this event, so they conceded to the compromise. May JESUS forgive them.

The use of the term “invocation” verses “prayer” has always bugged me as well. Instead of me sharing why I am going to share the definition of both words. Once you have reviewed the definitions of both words I believe my reasons for preferring the word “prayer” over the word “invocation” will be as apparent as why it is imperative to pray in the name of Jesus.

prayer:

1 a (1) : an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought <said a prayer for the success of the voyage> (2) : a set order of words used in praying b : an earnest request or wish

2 : the act or practice of praying to God or a god <kneeling in prayer>

3 : a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers — often used in plural

4 : something prayed for

invocation:

1 a : the act or process of petitioning for help or support; specifically often capitalized : a prayer of entreaty (as at the beginning of a service of worship) b : a calling upon for authority or justification

2 : a formula for conjuring : INCANTATION

3 : an act of legal or moral implementation : ENFORCEMENT

Fellow lovers of Jesus, do you understand that, political correctness is killing the Church’s effectiveness and that the dead of the Church’s effectiveness means the destruction of this country?

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Monday, August 27, 2012

The Next American Revival

Truth in Love – blog

Monday, August 27th 2012 – Entry – The Next American Revival.

The disciples were assembled in the upper room “in one accord” at Pentecost and the next move of God among the entire Body of Christ will be brought about as the Body of Christ seeks unity. Unity will bring a revival across America that will be unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime. For Christ centered denominations, congregations, families, and individuals to be a part of that revival; reconciliation, renewal, a resurgence of courage and boldness will have to take place…repentance will have to come.

In Webster’s Dictionary, the second definition for the word revival is as follows:

2: restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract)

Is that not what each revival in church history has done?

1- Restored the force of spirituality over secularism.

2- Proved the validity of God and God’s authority.

3- Reestablished the effectiveness of the Body of Christ on the society in which it lived.

4- Renewed, spiritually, the covenant [contract] God has with His people.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Friday, August 17, 2012

Truth in Love – blog - Friday, August 17, 2012 – Lift up our eyes with changed hearts.

Truth in Love – blog

Friday, August 17, 2012 – Lift up our eyes with changed hearts.

God is calling His people to look toward heaven and toward Him with changed hearts. Hearts of timidity and coward-ness have replaced the hearts of fervent passion and courage that once lead great rivals and transformed lives. Fear and self-loathing have crept into the Body of Christ and they have no place among God people. It is time to return to God as the Provider of boldness, courage, strength, and passion. Repent church and look upon the face of God afresh.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Spiritual/Political Disclaimer:

This blog will not be for the faint of heart or the easily offended. It will not be in any way politically correct. It will make every effort to share the truth in love, [Ephesians 4:11-16], to a decaying and dying society and church. I share what I share not to hurt, harm, or offend any person[s] or group; I do it because Christ Standard and Truth is not being represented by enough of His Followers and I do it out of love. I love enough to tell His Truth.

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV

11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Friday, August 10, 2012

Word of the Lord–8.10.12

Friday, August 10, 2012

Thus saith the Lord your God…I called My people to reconciliation I did not call them to deterioration. They call upon Me in their hour of need and wonder why I am silent. What fellowship do I have with sin, with distortion, with dishonor…I honor them by not partaking in their demise.