DESMOND TUTU

 I wrote an article for my Avoiding Political Deception blog - probably could just as easily been posted on this blog, but if you are interested in some sobering facts on "Christian" icons praised by the left and the media, why not check it out? John 15:18-19 comes to mind - "If the world hates you understand that it hated me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.…"   

That web link is  avoidingpoliticaldeception.blogspot.com.

WILL 2022 MARK THE END OF "CHRISTIANITY LITE"?

This post was originally written way back at the dawn of 2005 when Christmas and New Year’s Day were on Sundays.  It will be on a Sunday again in 2022, so we will see if there is a repeat! In 2020, churches were ordered closed in many parts of the country. Precedent was claimed since in 1918 churches were ordered closed (but for only several weeks) during the Spanish Flu. That pandemic hit the young much worse than the old and the fatalities were almost triple percentage wise to today.  It is approaching two years now where some churches are STILL closed by their own decision while most others have opened with no apparent ill effects. I trust this post will speak to you today! 

 

From 2005:

Much ado has been made of churches canceling services this 2005 holiday season. Our church did not, but we decided to pay a visit to another Pentecostal church near us on New Year's Day, and it was CLOSED! Not closed by Communists, not closed by Muslims, not closed by the ACLU, but closed by none other than CHRISTIANS! It was already just after 11:00 AM, so we went somewhere else nearby - Zion Baptist in Ambler, to give credit where credit is due - and they were not only open, but with a big crowd and in no rush to end it! Over an hour of worship and praise, a wonderful dance performance by Living Stones on getting into the heart of Jesus, and an interactive sermon from Hebrews 13:1-5 that was practical, up-lifting and enjoyable. They then were taking a group to a Senior Citizens' home to minister on New Year's Day afternoon! 

 

For quite some time now even well before 2005 and seemingly more through 2021:

Why are some assemblies so eager to serve God, and others afraid of being too "radical"? We live in a world of "lite" everything. I think Miller Beer started it all. Remember "More taste, less filling."? We now have "lite" margarine and "lite" everything else. Some of these are perhaps more healthy than the full blown version. However, we also unfortunately have "Christianity Lite" and it is far from healthy. Not only does it have less taste, but it is also less filling. 

 

The Psalmist says in Psalms 34:8, "Taste and See that the Lord is Good." Psalm 119:103 says "How Sweet are Your Words to My Taste". So many Christians have not had a solid five course meal of God recently that they do not know what it tastes like. Instead they are in a hurry and fill up on junk food such as get rich schemes, worship that stops almost before it starts or is more about us than about God, and messages more about current trends than on imparting heavy duty soul food into the spirit. In essence, they drive through and eat while pursuing other things. Recipes, the big game, and other thoughts often replace diligent attention to what is being said from the pulpit even those few minutes. Not only is the body not nourished, but the enjoyment factor is low because it is not the slightest equivalent to what Jesus has prepared for those who diligently seek him. An appetizer of praise and worship. a fruit salad of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in full operation, and a meaty message are far better and there is no need to count spiritual calories. We need everything to nourish the body, not food of limited value with lots of salt and no balance. We are to be FILLED with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). We can't have "fillers" and have room for the Spirit, too! Many Pastors are afraid of losing people if the services are too serious. I say, so what? We need to move beyond where we are and fully engage the Lord in concert with the rest of the Body EVERY time we are together. The truth is, sinners would be more attracted to that level of reality. 

 

One unintended consequence of the closure of many churches in 2020 and 2021 is that since so many churches practiced Christianity Lite, those with hunger went to Facebook and YouTube and heard a much stronger word, perhaps for the first time. Pastors have been telling me that they have more people online than in the pews, and their outreach may transformed from primarily local to global.  Many have also experienced increases in giving, so what Satan intended for evil, God has turned to good.  I encourage you in 2022 to look to the Lord in everything. Do not be satisfied with the mediocre.  Do not go to a church where you leave still hungry and unsatisfied.  Taste and see that the Lord is good!  He will surely satisfy you!

Here are some practical tips – 

1)    Know your position in Christ. Do not live in the outer courts or as if the veil is still there and you need a priest to go into the Holy of Holies for you. Jesus tore the veil from top to bottom. LIVE in the Holy of Holies. Live in His presence. You need to carry God's presence with you. You must not walk into it and then out of it! That is far below your privilege! 

 

2)    Pray without ceasing. Know that when you walk with the Lord, you have an open line, a BROADBAND CONNECTION if you will. You needn't talk all the time, and neither will the Lord. However, when either of you have something to say, it can be said and freely received. It is effortless if you live that way. 

 

3)    Worship God on your own. It is not a good sign if you have to be in church to worship. Worship at home, in your car, ANY PLACE. Worship with songs, with words, with attitude. Use English or your native tongue. Use your gift of tongues. Worship with the mind and the Spirit. 

 

4)    Write down what the Lord tells you. Expect him to share with you every day. Share what he says with others if it could bless them. Make sure to note specific commands the Lord gives you and follow through in a TIMELY manner. When we obey, the windows of heaven open wider each time. 

 

5)    Contribute sacrificially to God. First your heart, then your time, and last, but not least, your substance. Never give to get. Give to GIVE! God will supply your needs, but we give to facilitate the growth of the kingdom, not for selfish reasons or with expectations of return. Don't let giving be reduced to a formula! Simply learn to hear God's voice and give him WHATEVER he asks of you. Do not hold back anything from your heart, your time, or your substance. 

Don't wait for others to take the lead. Take the initiative yourself. If your church is practicing "Christianity Lite", talk to your leaders and tell them you want more taste and to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. As you are filled each time, your capacity grows for Him, so this is a continuing process for both the individual AND the Body of Christ. Tell those guarding your soul you want 2022 to be the end of "Christianity Lite" and the beginning of a "take no prisoners" brand of New Testament Christianity. Our lives surely depend on it!

HOPE YOU HAD A NON-PAUL WELLSTONE CHRISTMAS

Clueless people who worship their chosen "news" network are often encouraged to bring strife and in-your-face arguments to Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. They obviously ignore God's hatred of strife, divisiveness, and lying.

Family times should be free of disputes and concentrate on the reason for the celebrations. If people want to argue politics, denominational differences, or other controversial topics, there should do in private an  We made it mostly through the first of two celebrations this Christmas (thankfully the second was free of all controversy), but three people had to do their thing at the first one and spew what they felt was the absolute truth. 

I had to remind them it was Christmas but they were not willing to give up and listen to reason. Thankfully all the others had left except me, so I vamoosed and took a nice long bike ride. We need to redeem the time because the days are evil.  Just be prepared - those who think they know everything and who swallow absurdities whole may be coming to your church or home or event. Do not get in arguments they love to trigger, but do not tolerate them either - they will take that as weakness.

When your pastor starts to say things you know are untrue, it is best to have a PRIVATE conversation with him. If he will not listen, whether or not he disparages you, which often follows, you must remove yourself and go where you are not in conflict. I am not talking about debatable issues. I am talking about important Biblical practices and Christian Doctrine (ask for my tract IS DOCTRINE DEAD OR SIMPLY DIFFERENT?) You CANNOT be unequally yoked with unbelievers. What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?  Deceptions increase and are rarely reversed, so do not make excuses for clear compromises with scripture.

I wrote long ago that political and spiritual deception has inextricably linked.  Those who are in deep political deception have also compromised  the Word of God - the extent some who are regarded as PILLARS have done his boggles my mind. I have never seen an exception.  Have you?   PLEASE COMMENT BELOW...

LETTER TO A THEOLOGIAN AT LUTHER SEMINARY

 I note that in the hundreds of pages of your piece, I did not see even ONE scripture verse, only the prattle common to "missional" advocacy.  Romans 12:1 would tell you that we are NOT to be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  We do not conform to the changing culture birthed in rebellion against God.  Rather, the church is to have a culture COUNTER to that of the world, but the ELCA has adopted abominations noted in scripture and totally disobeyed God's plans for leadership in the church.  No wonder ELCA congregations are dropping like flies compared to the NALC and LCMS. They have nothing to offer a person who is actually a Christ-follower. 2 Thessalonians 2 talks about the great falling away, and like it or not, included in this unfortunate group are the ELCA, PCUSA, and many other denominations. In fact, I have not found even ONE denomination that is not compromised, though obviously the degree of compromise varies.  I head a non-denominational ministry which puts scripture above man-made religion and committee rulings often bound with the cords of political correctness.  If you want to make a real difference, it HAS to be based upon the work of the Holy Spirit through the infallible scriptures God has been gracious to share with us!

Thank you!

BTW, An excellent and compassionate warning to Christians to avoid compromised churches is: https://gospelnewsnetwork.org/2021/12/03/be-careful-what-church-you-go-to-great-deception-is-settling-in-video/

The following question was put to Eric Barger of Take a Stand! Ministries.  I found his answer interesting.

What should the average Christian be looking for as a red flag or sign that perhaps their church is moving into the apostasy of the Emergent Church Movement?

Just wait for the word "missional." To become a missional Christian, you have to have a world view that is different and concerned with solving the problems of the world.

This is the same old stuff that happened 100 to 150 years ago that caused the major denominations to go down. See, it worked so good the first time, and if I were the Devil, I wouldn't change my technique. I would have continued to do it to destroy the evangelicals of today, just like he did the once evangelical church such as Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, etc. started adopting the Social Gospel. They moved away from the preaching of doctrine, the preaching of the truth of the Bible. They began telling their congregations that you should know your attitude is as good as anybody else's. In the end, it is all about you. It's not about God.

This earth-conscious gospel has been adopted as the only way to reach post-modern people. That was the premise in the beginning of the movement, that we've got to find a way to reach this unreached people group. But, what are we reaching them with? That's the thing. That is the question that we have got to ask.

Now, it is expressed with yoga and walking through a labyrinth which comes out of Greek and other mystic beliefs. It is supposed to clear and center your mind. And these are being used in their seminars and in their messages. There is also a desire to integrate Roman Catholic practices like the prayer beads and the Eucharist inside the Emergent Church.

Last April the Dalai Lama had a big meeting in Seattle where they had 105,000 people at Qwest Field. Rob Bell and Doug Pagitt, considered Emergent Christian leaders, both where referred to as "Evangelical Christians." They were in panel discussions with people from all the other religions, bowing down to the Dalai Lama calling him "his holiness." I was ready to throw up watching this thing! But, I watched this group and am thinking, "They never mentioned Jesus. They never brought up anything about Christianity." It was like, before a lost and dying world we're saying that every religion is equal.

Well, that sounds prophetic doesn't it? I told my wife that I am just waiting for the curtain to part and the Antichrist to walk out, except there is one problem — I am still here! So, it is not going to happen today, but I see it will be the same grouping of people with the Sheik and Hindi and Muslim and a Jewish leader, and these apostate Christians all standing together there. It will be the same kind of group that will usher in the Antichrist and say, "He's our leader. Follow him!" It is prophetic.

Now, don't get down in the mouth about this. These are prophetic times we are living in. Just think that we live in a day like today. I am so thrilled to live in this day and to think that we are able to watch these things happen just before the return of the Lord.

But, we do need to be aware of the fact that we are living in a time of great deception, great apostasy, where we need to be discerning and we need to stand out and speak out for the truth. Don't just hang back and be afraid you are going to hurt someone's feelings when you point out false doctrine. I am not going to worry about if there are people that are turned off by our forthrightness about the truth as the Bible teaches. I can't help that. Their eternal souls hang in the balance.1