II Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Any doubt or question that passage describes the times we are living in?
Las Vegas is known as "Sin City" because at one time it was a place where things that didn't happen anywhere else happened there, but sadly it can't hold to that claim anymore as all that "what happened in vegas didn't stay in vegas" as sin has become so vile and in your face everywhere that we can surely all testify that it's a sinfilled world. People don't just lock their doors anymore, 2011 saw a tremendous increase in the purchase of fire arms because of the recognition of the growing violence in men's hearts.
Turning on your tv is now sure to expose you to numerous images that would have been thought shameful a few decades ago, but now we've become so accustomed to it, we tolerate it without complaint so much so that the FCC continues to allow more and more images to penetrate the lives of what use to be considered "family viewing" times.
An all out assault is coming at the heart and soul of every person in a last ditch grab to damn all, and to render the redeemed useless and trapped in some form of bondage as our enemy plunders on.
But.....
Our Lord and Savior has stated that as long as there are His "called out ones" the gates of Hell would Not prevail against them. He has told us that we have weapons and that they are mighty and they would pull down strong holds and would avail much! He said His House was to be called "A House of Prayer" why? because the people would be "praying"
Paul warned Timothy that there would be a people who would have a form of godliness but no power. Could it be that they consider going to a building as a weekly routine some form of godliness? Could it be that they go and sing songs and hear sermons but don't PRAY??? Unless our gathering together is based solely on our communicating to and with "Our Father" then it's void of the intended purpose of which Jesus Came!!! He came to reconcile us to The Father. He Came to bring those who are living lives independently of God into a life that "in all their ways they are acknowledging Him"
Atonement is to be made "one with"
Are our lives "one with" Him? Are our Church Services centered around Him saying what He wants to say Pastor? Is He really welcome to take center stage or has he been programmed out? Do we treat Him as He's welcome to watch our show? Or is He invited to run it?
These are perilous time and it's time to "get real" and quit playing Church and start being "called out" to HIM!!
In the words of a song ....IF we are His body, why aren't His hand reaching? Is it because we are living for ourselves and not allowing Him to be himself in us and through us?
Paul said it best, "it is no longer I who live but Christ in Me"
that is the heart beat of He who came to save us. He wants to live in us and through us to reach our worlds, it's His Sovereign plan. That's why He chose us. Not for us to live "godlessly" God is not sitting on a throne exclusively far away, He lives in our hearts but is He being allowed to Rule and Reign there?
If so then why is the divorce percentage just as high in the church as it is in the secular world? why does porn rentals explode in hotels during "bible conferences?" Why are our altars barren and best selling Christian titles are "your best life now" Why is sin rampant but hardly talked about as sin? Tolerance has replaced repentance ..that's why!
Jesus is going to Call His People Out of this vile place with a victorious shout, but I believe He's wanting to "call us out" right now to come out from amongst this place in our hearts ...being raptured in devotion and love and passion for our Father's Presence in our lives and in our gatherings with a growing fervor that propels us to our knees in prayer. Seriously, If our prayer lives are shallow then that's what we are. Shallow! But Deep is calling unto Deep and "it's time to pray"
This message is not a legalistic call to perform to earn but a cry from a heart to be what we are saved to be..."Salt and Light" "more than conquerors" "city's on a hill" "avaling much" "violently taking by force" "children of God"
May it be said that 2012 is the Year Jesus Called us Out! Yet remember what He said to be doing when He did, Luke 21:36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Is that just "cliche" in our hearing? Why would He say it if He didn't mean for it be fruitful in our lives and in our gatherings? "talking to Him that we might Know Him and Make Him Known" is our highest calling..that is what we are saved to ....To HIM!!
In 2012 ...Turn to Him in all our ways that He might direct our paths
In Jesus Name
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