Extremist-Bleep...Bleep...Bleep You! And Your God!

Jesus said, “ If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18 ESV In our world today, the extreme is becoming the new reality. People of faith are demonized. It is getting harder and harder to proclaim your faith outside your church community. “It is ok to have your own private faith, but don’t you dare try to share it or live it around me. You Christians are irrelevant.” Being a Christian we are commanded to go, baptize and make disciples ...and we have the added promise ...and lo I am with you until the end (Matthew 28). Just as the earth is shifting, an earthquake is causing society to shift and shake-maybe like never before. With the added weight of immigration, educational indoctrination and weaponizing of politics, America is fast becoming more pluralistic every day. Along with immigration comes new faiths and religions. We are pluralistic but as Ravi Zachariah says, “Not all ideas are equal, not all are right.” We as Christ’s followers must be willing to share Christ boldly and enthusiastically everywhere. The Bible makes it clear, We Are to be prepared to give THE answer. 1 Peter 3:15 ESV “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone that asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” What is wrong? Why are we losing the battle? We must be willing to become the church God has called us to be. Awake and arise Oh Church Of God. Working in the most fruitful and yet most neglected mission field - Children. This field of ministry has taught us a lot about the state of the Church in America. This extremist attitude in today’s culture is leaving many people broken, angry and completely devastated. Massive arrogance cloaked in a world without self evaluation threatens the very foundations of western civilization. The heavy price for walking away from God is leaving the earth teetering on the edge of bondage and great pain. When will we as as a people come to realize it is not just about us, but instead a sacred trust given to us by God Himself. We must always remember arrogance, entitlement and name calling do not yield lasting influence. We must recognize the error of our ways - our weaknesses and our many deficits as human beings trying to play God. SOLUTION This is a battle for the soul. We are in a Spiritual war. Paul understood this when he wrote, Ephesians 10:12- 13. This is what he said, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil that dwell in the heavenly realms.” Satan will continue to deputize agents so he can to try to hurt God’s work. Prayer is the answer to this battle. This is why if you are a missionary, a business leader, or politician, my advice to you is to get the biggest prayer team possible to back you and the endeavors of your ministry. Beth and I are deeply grateful and deeply indebted for those who are praying for us and for the ministry. TRANSFORMATION “Is at the core of deep influence, because the deepest influence we will ever have comes not out of wisdom or leadership but from a heart and a mind that have been transformed by the Holy Spirit that they increasingly reflect the heart and mind of God!” T.J. Addington WHAT IS IT GOD WANTS US TO DO ? It is not a matter of doing but instead being. God has made it clear, and Paul wrote about about it in the book of Romans. He said, “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His GOOD, PLEASING, and PERFECT WILL.” Make every thought or action an obedient and trusting statement that brings glory to God. We are to think beyond ourselves.. there is more than just you. There is a generation that will be living after you are gone. Passing a Godly future on should be a focus of today. Companies prepare succession plans. The best companies and ministries try to think beyond ones own tenure. I am afraid that much of what we see in the extreme culture today has not thought about the long term ramifications of today’s thoughts and actions ...but let me assure you God has.