CHURCH IN TROUBLE

The Church is in serious trouble by my observation as someone who has been in the Church circle for many years now and very accustomed to how Christians behave in a religious circle towards the things of God.

I cannot but see how the body of Christ has become so entrenched in the world and it's cares that it simply cannot discern that it is being deceived into believing a lie that the world is now changing and we must adapt to the so called "new norm" we are required to be compliant and adapt to the changes or risk being penalised if we don't.

An analogy that comes to mind is a mother singing a bedtime Lullaby to her baby and at the same time rocking the child's cradle to put the child to sleep, this child is the Church and the mother is the world while the rocking is the "new norm" that we the church are called to adopt by the government's of the world and media that is being parroted to all of us daily.

The Church (you & I) have become so accustomed to this word "new norm" that we have started to believe it ourselves and it is now slowly and surely modifying our way of thinking which has caused us to form a new way of behaving and thinking that is more of a resemblance of the world's agenda then God's agenda.

The "new norm" with all its laid back posture has caused the Church to become lazy and complacent in its attitude towards God and the things of God. Isn't it funny how we make excuses when it comes to Church matters which are important to the Lord but when it comes to conducting other matters of a personal nature we are always eager and willing without giving any excuses for them.

Please remember that our God is a Mighty God, he is also a jealous God and He expects His children to be on fire for Him in and out of season and doing His will and serving Him all the time, for He detest greatly lukewarmness in a believer, He said He will spit us out of his mouth.

Revelation 3:16 - But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

1 Samuel 12:24 - But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.

God does does not conform or condone to "new norms" that would belittle His word or that would cause His Church to become a couch potato Christian who only worships Him from a mobile phone or a laptop because it's safer and convenient to do so, but you would have no problem going to the shop for food or groceries? Why is that?

The Bible says:

Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Malachi 3:6 - He says "I am the LORD, and I do not change".

The Church today is so accustomed to online Church services that it no longer regards physical Fellowship of His body as an integral requirement as stated in the Bible.

Hebrews 10:25 - "And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near".

Church attendance has fallen world wide due to the "new norm" imposed to curb the pandemic, the Church needs to open it's eyes wide and be alarmingly aware that we are living in a fallen world that is ruled by Satan and it's true aim is to destroy you and me, we are created in God's image and we have been redeemed by His blood sacrifice on the cross. The devil is a cunning foe and schemes every day to draw Christians further from the truth of God's word and ultimately to a point of no return and the destruction of our very soul.

2 Corinthians 2:11 - so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.

1 Peter 5:8 - Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

It's a sad fact that many Christians today lack the zeal and fervency in their spirit like that of their parents or grand parents possessed. In the past the Church did have to coerce it's people to action in the service of God or the things of God by serving in the Church for the Glory of God, the church always had people knocking on their doors requesting to serve the Church in any capacity possible as their service was regarded as a service onto the Lord. Where have all this passionate Christians gone today?

I remember when I was a young Christian and attached to a local church many years back, my only ambition and aim was to serve the Lord with all my heart and so I signed up for the cleaning crew in the Church as there was a need and was so glad that I was given a chance to clean the church as I regarded the building as the house of God and I loved what I was doing for His house and his servant. I would never ever shrug my duty and I was always on time to clean the church and for the services every week. I do not see this zeal in today's Christians who claim they love the Lord.

Psalm 2:11 - Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.

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.

The truth of the matter lies in the heart, most Christians are now more concerned with their livelihood then the God that sustained them all through their lives. A shift of your priorities is exactly what the devil is expecting you to have and infact it's his end game to derail your faith.

Romans 12:11 - Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.

Do not allow the devil to manipulate you into his box of lies, temptations and deceit inorder to snatch your birthright of salvation away from you.

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

The devil understands all that is written in the Bible better then most Christians do and he is going to do everything in his power to deceive you into thinking that your faith is strong in Christ when it's not while he slowly sways you away from the truth, he aims to place you in a group of the last days fallen Christians that are depicted in the Bible verse below:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 - You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

Jesus our Lord is looking for a people who will give up everything for Him even as He gave up everything for His Church, salvation is not guaranteed to anyone so please do not take it lightly and fight a good fight of faith and serve Him with all you heart when it's difficult and when you do not think you can. Faith is not about our feeling it's about believing Jesus at His word even when you do not feel like it.

Know that you will be tested by God to prove your faithfulness to Him in serving His needs on this earth to build His Kingdom on earth and not yours.

Matthew 6:33 - Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.

1 Peter 1:7 - These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

If we are truly His then we must prove it to Him, don't you think He is able to deliver you from what ever the circumstance may be? Is He not your deliverer? your healer?

The Lord is asking you today do you love Me? do you believe Me? What will be your response to Him?

Luke 18:8 - But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Be faithful for He is faithful.

Amen.

Victor Sidhu

Healing Wings Global Ministries