Who am I, O Lord

Who am I to think I know what’s best for my life and at what point did it become my life?

It is Thine and Thine alone.

For Thou hast purchased me. Thou hast paid such a heavy price for me. I am Thy possession.

I have no rights except to obey Thy holy commands.

Who am I, O Lord to think my suffering is unbearable?

Have I resisted sin to the point of blood?

Have I borne such reproach for Thy Name that I have become physically marred by persecution?

Have I had to watch loved ones massacred before my eyes because I would not recant my faith?

Although my sighing is not hidden from Thee, help me to remember that my affliction is light and Thy grace restrains that which rages against me.

Who am I, O Lord to weep over my loneliness?

Have I been exiled and kept in the darkest of dungeons? Have I been kept from all living souls?

O, let me ever be mindful of those Thou hast given and though they be not near in vicinity, Thou hast made them near in spirit.

O God, my God, let thankfulness be my garment! Let me see beauty and grace in every trial. May the tears I shed strengthen my character and work holiness in my life. May Thy joy abound in every affliction! And may Thy glory be my heart’s desire.

Shall I run? Shall I hide from its hideousness? Shall I beg of Him another way?

Terror grips my soul! The sight of it repulses me. My flesh recoils at the suffering I know I am to endure. I cry to Him, “Have mercy, Lord! Deliver me!”…But the cross remains. He insists that I bear it.

My cheeks are stained with tears; my heart, in deep agony; my flesh trembles at the beam that awaits my back.

Mocking and insults are thrown upon me as I consider the cost. Doubt ravages my soul. Insanity threatens and whispers comforting sounds in my ear. Images of compromise pressure me to turn back. The noise rises to a deafening pitch! I cry out to God, “Deliver me!”…. But the cross remains. He insists that I bear it.

In my distress, I fall to the ground. I wait for my Lord to speak; yet He is silent. He has already given the command. He will say nothing more.

I feel as though my life has been emptied. I know what I must do. It is the only way. I silently cry, “Lord give me courage to embrace Thy cross.”

Suddenly, strength comes into my being. Joy floods my heart. The cross that once was repulsive now becomes a thing of beauty. I cannot resist its call. I run to it eagerly and with delight, I embrace its beams.

O blessed cross! How I welcome thy weight upon my back! Thy splinters bear hard into my skin. Thy bruises are multiplied upon me. O how sweet the burden! O how I welcome the pain!

O blessed cross! I rejoice to bear thy shame! May the burden that thou hast blessed me with destroy all pride and self-righteousness!

O blessed cross, I welcome thee! Take these hands that have been so idle. Drive the nails and do not let me escape! Take these feet that have been so swift to run to the comforts of the world. Drive the nails and fasten me to thy devotion.

O blessed cross! Raise me upon thy hill and destroy any name that I have made for myself! May the bones of sin be broken and never repaired. Let thy graces abound as my rebellion draws its last breath.

My death is Thy glory!

Copyright 2010  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

The boy at the entrance was speaking toward people, however, because he was rather sheepish and his voice so low; no one paid attention to him. They walked right past him into the store.

In contrast, the boy at the exit, being very bold, was not afraid to confront people. Making sure he had their attention, he then began to plead his cause.

The situation struck me immediately that what I was witnessing was a profound analogy of the preachers in this land.

The god that has been preached in our pulpits – this god who is effeminate and repressively tolerant, is not the true God. This god who is a wish granter and life coach is not the God of the Bible. This god who coercers you into sowing your seed into the most successful ground for the sole purpose of you having all your wealthy dreams come true, is not the same God who told us to store up our treasures in heaven!

Oh how these false ministers have fleeced God’s flock!

The gods that have been erected in the minds of men are putrid representations of the true God. Holy and righteous, He has been reduced to some cupie doll that grants all our wishes.

The merchandizing of all that is holy shall be destroyed by great judgment. Do not be deceived into thinking that in this great Christian land, God will prevent His holy wrath from destroying those who have thought to mock Him.

Who has mocked Him more, but hirelings who have disguised themselves as shepherds?  These have led the sheep astray, teaching as truth utter heresy!

“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill they have gone. They have forgotten their fold. All who found them have devoured them…” (Jer 50:6-7 )

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy, and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD: Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered, because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them. “Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As I live, declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts, since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they may not be food for them.” (Ezek 34:2-10)

The true gospel message is rarely preached in our churches. We are given a soft message to digest. Nothing that offends or prods or rebukes – and we are told this is love! 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is used to defend everything in which they do not want to confront.

The false shepherds in this land have created effeminate sheep that cannot bear to hear rebuke. They cannot bear to hear anything that would make them uncomfortable enough to change.

As a friend of mine said, “If we just simply stood and read the books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, it would empty our churches.” – for the sheep cannot bear such harsh messages.

The false shepherds will not teach against error, because they have been taught to keep their message positive and never, ever teach against anything. So, the result of this quite obviously is, false doctrine has invaded the church like never before. Deceiving and being deceived, the sheep have been lulled into a false state of comfort by the hirelings who speak peace instead of warning.

Jesus warned us about this very thing in John 10. A very interesting fact is that every Christian can quote the first part of John 10:10, which says,

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…

“Oh yes, that’s talking about the devil! The devil is the thief! The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy!”

This seems to be the most quoted verse and yet the most terribly misinterpreted. Let’s look at this verse in context.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”  This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.  So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.   All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:1-13)

Verse 10 is not talking about the devil; it is talking about false teachers! Lest it be said that I’m going out on a limb, let’s look at what just a few commentators had to say on John 10:10.

John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible:

The thief cometh not but for to steal: That is his first and principal view; to steal, is to invade, seize, and carry away another’s property. Such teachers that come not in by the right door, or with a divine commission, seek to deceive, and carry away the sheep of Christ from him, though they are not able to do it; and to steal away their hearts from him, as Absalom stole the hearts of the people from their rightful lord and sovereign, David his father; and to subject them to themselves, that they might lord it over them, and make a property of them, as the Pharisees did, who, under a pretence of long prayers, devoured widows’ houses.

And to kill and to destroy:  either the souls of men by their false doctrines, which eat as doth a cancer, and poison the minds of men, and slay the souls that should not die, subverting the faith of nominal professors, though they cannot destroy any of the true sheep of Christ; or the bodies of the saints, by their oppression, tyranny, and persecution, who are killed all the day long for the sake of Christ, and are accounted as sheep for the slaughter, by these men, they thinking that by so doing they do God good service.

Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible:

But for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy – Those who enter into the priesthood that they may enjoy the revenues of the Church, are the basest and vilest of thieves and murderers. Their ungodly conduct is a snare to the simple, and the occasion of much scandal to the cause of Christ. Their doctrine is deadly; they are not commissioned by Christ, and therefore they cannot profit the people. Their character is well pointed out by the Prophet Ezekiel (34:2). How can worldly-minded, hireling, fox-hunting, and card-playing priests read these words of the Lord, without trembling to the center of their souls!

Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible:

The thief cometh not … – The thief has no other design in coming but to plunder. So false teachers have no other end in view but to enrich or aggrandize themselves.

Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible:

The mischievous design of the thief: The thief cometh not with any good intent, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. First, Those whom they steal, whose hearts and affections they steal from Christ and his pastures, they kill and destroy spiritually; for the heresies they privily bring in are damnable. Deceivers of souls are murderers of souls. Those that steal away the scripture by keeping it in an unknown tongue, that steal away the sacraments by maiming them and altering the property of them, that steal away Christ’s ordinances to put their own inventions in the room of them, they kill and destroy; ignorance and idolatry are destructive things. Secondly, Those whom they cannot steal, whom they can neither lead, drive, nor carry away, from the flock of Christ, they aim by persecutions and massacres to kill and destroy corporally. He that will not suffer himself to be robbed is in danger of being slain.

False teachers.

That’s what John 10:10 is talking about. And because we have so many hirelings in our pulpits today, the Word has not been rightly divided. This is serious, folks. This is not a small issue. We have not been taught about the dangers of false teachers therefore they are glorified in American Christianity!

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Pet 2:1-3)

These false shepherds have left the foundational doctrines of Christ and have sought after spiritual experiences to qualify their belief system. Scripture is then used in a very twisted way to endorse every goose bump and spectacular display.

Altar calls are non-confrontational, with no calls for repentance. “Just slip up your hand to acknowledge that you need Jesus. We’re not going to embarrass you or ask you to come down front. Just simply acknowledge that you need Him.” Some churches don’t even go that far and just ask you to fill out a card as you leave.

Who is responsible for this reprehensible call to come to Christ?  Since when are men not expected to make a public declaration of their faith – if truly such a work has been wrought in their heart?

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Mat 10:32-33)

False shepherds working false conversions! Allowing men to think they are okay with God, without meeting any requirements of scripture!

The Lord God, is against these shepherds, and will require His sheep at their hand and put a stop to them feeding the sheep such vile doctines!

For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:30-31)

O you hirelings, repent before your soul and the blood of others is required of you!

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

I have been deeply burdened, as of late, at the constant bickering and viciousness of fellow believers. Never before have I witnessed such a willingness to tear people apart if one does not believe exactly like the other.

My friends, these things ought not be.

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (Gal 5:14-15)

Albert Barnes explained it in this manner:

*But if ye bite – The word used here (δάκνω daknō), means, properly, to bite, to sting; and here seems to be used in the sense of contending and striving – a metaphor not improbably taken from dogs and wild beasts.

*And devour one another – As wild beasts do. The sense is, “if you contend with each other;” and the reference is, probably, to the strife, which would arise between the two parties in the churches – the Jewish and the Gentile converts.

*Take heed that ye be not consumed … – As wild beasts contend sometimes until both are slain. Thus, the idea is, in their contentions they would destroy the spirituality and happiness of each other; their characters would be ruined; and the church be overthrown. The readiest way to destroy the spirituality of a church, and to annihilate the influence of religion, is to excite a spirit of contention. (Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible)

Apparently, the Jewish believers were taking issue with the Gentile believers because they did not adhere to the customs they thought were important, mainly the Law. However, Paul is teaching them here that the most important part of the law they have put off is love.

He goes on to say that if they would walk in the Spirit, the following things would not be manifesting in their lives:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)

Hatred. Hatred of any man, even our enemies, is forbidden.

Variance. This means contentions, fighting or quarrelling.

Emulations. This word speaks of having zeal, but not for good. It means a boiling or rising up of the spirits and passions at the honor of another.

Wrath. Wrath is a violent emotion. It moves you to seek revenge and seeks to hurt others.

Strife. When Paul speaks of strife, in this verse, he is talking about arguing about petty flaws in others or finding unnecessary fault.

Seditions. Public disorder. Division.

Did you happen to notice that these words are lumped into the same category with adultery, idolatry and witchcraft?

Did you also notice that Paul said they, which do such things, SHALL NOT inherit the kingdom of God?

This is a sober warning, my friends, which I think we would do well to heed.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. (Jn 13:35)

Somewhere between the years of 160-220 A.D., the Christian author, Tertullian, observed that even the heathen took notice of Christians passing one another along the street, for they would meet and express their affection to each other. It was said the heathen remarked, “see how they love one another”.

Can this be said of us today? No, I do not think it can.

Well, you may say, “I’m fighting for TRUTH! Lies must be exposed!” I agree, to an extent. False doctrine must be exposed, but not at the risk of devouring one another.

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2Tim 2:24-26)

You must check your motives. What is their desired end? Is it truly to help your brother who has fallen into a lie? Or is it to crush him and get him out of your way? Can you not see the latter is evil?

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. (1Jn 2:9-11)

Now, John specifically uses the word brother here. He is not talking about the ungodly. He is talking about fellow believers.

Yet, what I have been observing is believers mocking one another because they don’t agree over a certain doctrine. Let me make this as clear as I possibly can.

Dear friend, that brother…that sister…that you have so freely pursued to destroy, is someone whom Christ died for. When you so mock your brother, you so mock Christ. For when you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto Him. You are yet in darkness.

It is pride that sets itself in a position over others to deem that person unworthy of respect. Who made you lord over your brother?

Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (Rom 14:4)

Beware, lest you find yourself opposed to God. For how do you know the inner workings of the Spirit of God upon a man’s heart? How do you know the brother or sister whom you are despising, God is not in the process of holding him up?

Friends! This is such dangerous ground to tread upon! In tears, I plead with you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – abstain from strife!

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. (Jas 1:19-20)

You cannot justify your wrath. I don’t care what your crusade is. I don’t care what your passion is. You simply cannot justify it with the Word of God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1Jn 4:8)

John makes this statement clear. If you do not love – You do not know God. Period.

What should our attitude be toward one another, even when we may disagree?

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (Rom 14:19)

If we love our brothers, we will do everything possible to edify them. Love must be our highest aim. But if we seek to promote our own agenda, passions and prejudices, will it not only gender strife and contention? There are things that are common among us all that we can agree on and will unite us. Let us strive to cultivate a spirit of peace among our ranks.

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

Besides this you know the time that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far-gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (Rom. 13:11-14)

I refuse to think I am an isolated case. There is nothing special about me. I have no particular gifting that would set me apart from the rest of Christendom. However, a question continually comes to mind as I look across the church world, and that is, why don’t we see change in a person’s life when they are “born-again”?

When I was converted, I no longer desired to do the things I once did. No one had to tell me it was wrong, I just no longer desired it. It was the Holy Spirit living inside of me, convicting my heart, to stay true to Him and be holy. I didn’t want to drink. I didn’t want to watch occult movies. I didn’t want to listen to secular music (and some so-called Christian music). I didn’t want to cuss. I didn’t want to do anything that would dampen my relationship with Jesus or cause someone who was observing my life to fall. I’m not saying I was perfect and never messed up, but the desire had left me to habitually live in a manner that was worldly.

So many Christians today, spend all their efforts on trying to live as close to the edge as possible. They are like young children, who test their parent’s boundaries, thinking, “How far can I go before I will get in trouble?”  This, they call Christian liberty.

To my utter shock, the new Christian genre of fiction book is vampires. Why? Because, they say, the movie, “Twilight,” resonated with many evangelicals because of the abstinence message. You can read the article here.

In response to this, someone said:

“What is next Christian horror? …Wait we have that.
What is next Christian death metal? … Wait we have that.
What is next Christian porn? … Wait we have that.
What is next Christian yoga? … Wait we have that.”

FOLKS! Come on!

Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? Can Christ agree with the devil? Can a believer share life with an unbeliever? Can God’s temple contain false gods? Clearly, we are the temple of the living God. As God said, “I will live and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” The Lord says, “Get away from unbelievers. Separate yourselves from them. Have nothing to do with anything unclean. Then I will welcome you.” (2 Cor. 6:14-17)

Because we have formed such inappropriate relationships with the world, it has clouded our discernment of good and evil. The world has preached its message to the church and the church has received it…hook, line and sinker. Why? Because, we don’t want to be rejected. We don’t want to be considered foolish or prudes. We don’t want people to say we are too holy or too righteous. We want to be liked and accepted. AT WHAT COST?! What is the price we are paying for this acceptance?!

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. (Matt. 5:13)

My goodness, people, it is as plain as day. How can we continue being salt and light if we live like there is no difference between them and us? “Well, we don’t want to offend anybody.” If we preach the cross of Christ, they will be offended. Why?

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God… God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him. Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach.  (1 Cor. 1:18, 21)

I think the church has spent too much of its time and energy trying to convince the world that we are cool, when actually, the world will always view us as foolish. As we carefully craft our services to prove our coolness, the world continues to watch and laugh, confirming what they have thought all along…we have nothing to offer them that they don’t already have. How sad and utterly shameful our witness has become.

I challenge all who read this, live your life in a way that can not be evil spoken of and do not use your Christian liberty as a provision for your flesh.

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

However, without a doubt, I can clearly detect propaganda being spread throughout our country. It is alarming to see America being turned into something that our founding fathers never intended. Nevertheless, the intent of this article is not to address the political agenda, but the spiritual. Sadly, the things we observe in the natural only mirror the state of the church.

The word propaganda has been mulling over and over in my mind lately, so I thought I would do a little study of the word. What I found made me very uncomfortable. As you read the following ways propaganda is generated, see if you can detect any of these within the post-modern church.

Techniques Used for Generating Propaganda:

Ad hominem: A Latin phrase, which has come to mean attacking your opponent, as opposed to attacking their arguments.

Ad nauseam: This argument approach uses tireless repetition of an idea. An idea, especially a simple slogan that if repeated enough times, may begin to be taken as the truth.

Bandwagon: Bandwagon and “inevitable-victory” appeals attempt to persuade the target audience to join in and take the course of action that “everyone else is taking.”

Beautiful people: The type of propaganda that deals with famous people or depicts attractive, happy people. This makes other people think that if they buy a product or follow a certain ideology, they too will be happy or successful.

Glittering generalities: Glittering generalities are emotionally appealing words applied to a product or idea, but which present no concrete argument or analysis.

Half-truth: A half-truth is a deceptive statement, which may come in several forms and includes some element of truth. The statement might be partly true, the statement may be totally true but only part of the whole truth, or it may utilize some deceptive element, such as improper punctuation, or double meaning, especially if the intent is to deceive, evade blame or misrepresent the truth.

Intentional vagueness: Generalities are deliberately vague so that the audience may supply its own interpretations. The intention is to move the audience by use of undefined phrases, without analyzing their validity or attempting to determine their reasonableness or application. The intent is to cause people to draw their own interpretations rather than simply being presented with an explicit idea. In trying to “figure out” the propaganda, the audience forgoes judgment of the ideas presented.

Quotes out of Context: Selective editing of quotes, which can change meanings.

Rationalization: Individuals or groups may use favorable generalities to rationalize questionable acts or beliefs. Vague and pleasant phrases are often used to justify such actions or beliefs.

Red herring: Presenting data or issues that, while compelling, are irrelevant to the argument at hand, and then claiming that it validates the argument.

Repetition: This type of propaganda deals with a jingle or word that is repeated over and over again, thus getting it stuck in someone’s head, so they can buy the product.

Source: Wikipedia

Alarming, is it not?

The thing that I lament over the most is how far have we been removed from truth? This troubles me. I don’t know how many times I have been reading a chapter in the Bible and come to a familiar verse (usually removed from the rest of the verses and waved in the air as a new revelation) and have not been able to receive it within the context of that passage. I have been so grieved over this as the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes. I find myself saying over and over again, “How long have I believed this?” So, I continue to examine everything I have ever learned, especially pet verses, in context of what was being said.

In Acts, we find the Bereans did exactly that.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)

In today’s churches, if someone is charming and has a big name, we tend to receive everything that person says, without searching the scriptures ourselves. How dangerous this is! We have too many people who are “carried about with every wind of doctrine”.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. (Eph. 4:14)

Some days, I feel like standing on my roof and shouting at the top of my lungs, “WAKE UP!!!!!” But, I know it would do no good. God, Himself, must awaken the church. We must pray. We must travail in prayer like never before and be willing to be His mouthpiece at the time He chooses.

O Christian, I beg of you, search the Scriptures daily.

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

In lieu of the deception running rampant among Christian circles, I found the following rather interesting and very accurate.

What are the Characteristics of Sheep?

1. timid, fearful, easily panicked

2. dumb stupid, gullible

3. very vulnerable to fear, frustration, pests, hunger

4. easily influenced by a leader, by the shepherd

5. stampede easily, vulnerable to mob psychology

6. little or no means of self-defense; can only run

7. easily killed by enemies

8. the shepherd is most effective, calming influence

9. jealous, competitive for dominance

10. constantly need fresh water, fresh pasture

11. have very little discernment in choosing food or water

12. best water source is early morning dew

13. perverse, stubborn – will insist on their own way , even eating poisonous plants or drinking dirty water

14. easily “cast” – flipped over on their back, unable to right themselves will die of starvation if not turned over by shepherd; helpless

15. frequently look for easy places to rest

16. don’t like to be sheared, cleaned

17. too much wool can cause sheep to be easily “cast”

18. creatures of habit; get into “ruts”

19. need the most care of all livestock

20. need to be “on the move”; need a pre-determined plan, pattern of grazing

21. totally dependent of shepherd for every need

22. need “rod and staff” guidance

Let’s take a look at John 10:7-14 and see why we need to be very careful as sheep.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (John 10:7-14)

Who is the thief that Jesus was referring to? For 26 years I have been taught that the thief Jesus is referring to here, is the devil. Guess what folks? That’s not who Jesus was talking about. Look at it in context. He is talking about false teachers. Deceivers. Hirelings. These false teachers don’t come in by the right door, but they come to steal away the sheep from Christ and come to kill and destroy men’s souls with false doctrines.

Matthew Henry said it this way:

The mischievous design of the thief: John_10:10: The thief cometh not with any good intent, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. First, Those whom they steal, whose hearts and affections they steal from Christ and his pastures, they kill and destroy spiritually; for the heresies they privily bring in are damnable. Deceivers of souls are murderers of souls. Those that steal away the scripture by keeping it in an unknown tongue, that steal away the sacraments by maiming them and altering the property of them, that steal away Christ’s ordinances to put their own inventions in the room of them, they kill and destroy; ignorance and idolatry are destructive things. Secondly, Those whom they cannot steal, whom they can neither lead, drive, nor carry away, from the flock of Christ, they aim by persecutions and massacres to kill and destroy corporally. He that will not suffer himself to be robbed is in danger of being slain.

Albert Barnes had this to say of the thief in John 10:10:

The thief has no other design in coming but to plunder. So false teachers have no other end in view but to enrich or aggrandize themselves.

Dear ones, we must be very careful not to pull scripture out of context and whip it around like it is an amulet. Can John 10:10 be used to describe the devil? Well, yes and no. In John 8:44, Jesus said:

Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof. (John 8:44)

Jesus said that Satan is a murderer and a liar. So, in actuality, his works produce stealing, killing and destroying. So, why is it wrong to use John 10:10 about the devil? Because we totally miss the point that Jesus is making here, and that is, we must be aware of false teachers. If we are not, we can be deceived by them and fall.

We have majored so much on the love walk that we have totally left off discernment. The love walk that is practiced today is not the love of God. It is a tolerant, self-seeking, anything goes type of walk that lacks godly discernment. How can I say that? It is tolerant in that it embraces other religions for peace. It is self-seeking in that it doesn’t want to confront deception because opposition makes it uncomfortable. And anything goes because well, we all just want to have fun.

Last night, I turned on the TV and came across a very popular church service. The preacher was super positive and very soothing to hear. For some reason, I kept being prompted to watch the congregation. What was I looking for? Then I saw it. As the camera spanned across the crowd, one very important thing was missing. No one had Bibles! So, here they are, being soothed and consoled by this man and no one is checking what he is saying against the scriptures!

Oh Saints of God, I have been utterly grieved and moved to tears for many, many days at the deception that people have swallowed. We must check everything that is being spoken against the Word of God. Popular phrases, Christian clichés, pet Verses…everything must be looked at in context and weighed in the light of Scripture.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Timothy 2:15)

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

Unfamiliar with the word?

Effeminate Preaching is a message given that is too soft or too sensitive. This is done so as not to offend anyone or make them feel uncomfortable and hurt their self-esteem. Why would pastors do this? They know their people. They know what they like. They know what they hate and they know just what they will eat. So why the frothy sermons?

To help us understand what these sermons have produced, let’s take a look at a popular YouTube video of a young woman who claims to be a Christian and is being questioned by a street preacher. The conversation goes like this:

Street Preacher: What is the most important thing to you?

Woman: My family.

Street Preacher: Is that number one for you?

Woman: Honestly, my family…yes.

Street Preacher: What comes in second?

Woman: Fashion.

Street Preacher: So, first family, second fashion. You have your priorities, right?

Woman: Yah, it feels really good. I love fashion.

Street Preacher: What do you believe about peace?

Woman: It would be great…but…is it gonna happen? Probably not.

Street Preacher: Do you have peace?

Woman: I DO! But you know worldwide, its’ probably not gonna happen, but you know, what are ya gonna do?

Street Preacher: Let’s go a little deeper. What about God? What do you believe about God?

Woman: I love God and I love Jesus Christ, my Savior. (Laughing) … I’m just a normal Christian. I’m from Texas. I love God. I love Jesus. I pray every night, you know.

Street Preacher: But, He’s not very important to you, is He?

Woman: He IS…yah.

Street Preacher: He didn’t even come up on your top list.

Woman: I don’t discuss religion. That’s my personal thing.

Street Preacher: So, when Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel”, you disobey.

Woman: No. I love God, but do I have sex premaritally? Yes, I do.

Street Preacher: So, you love your sex life more than you love God.

Woman: I love God and I love Jesus and I pray to Him because I love Him and He is what gives me life…but I don’t necessarily believe what the Bible says because it was written by man. Thank you, goodnight guys.

Who helped this young woman form these distorted views? I dare say, her pastor. It’s all too common. Frothy sermons helped her accept a false assurance.

My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray… (Jeremiah 50:6)

Someone told me of a conversation at their place of employment. Two people were speaking with this individual, saying that they had been taught that Judas was in heaven because he did God’s will. They had been taught that. Why had they been force-fed this garbage?  I would dare say it’s because the preacher did not want people to be offended. For, if Judas, betraying the Lord, gained an entrance into heaven, then surely you, in your lifestyle, would not be denied a place in God’s kingdom either.

It has been said, “Every time the Word of God is preached, a decision must be made.” Why is this? Simply, the true Gospel brings offense. It is contrary to the general populous and you must make a decision to accept it or to reject it.

Paul Washer said, “I don’t tell you these things to hurt you…I tell you these things because it’s the truth.” The goal of preaching the gospel is not to intentionally hurt people, but the result is – it will. Why? It goes against culture. It goes against the world’s system. Truth has been abandoned in our country and traded for what feels good, what looks good and what makes us successful. Does this sound familiar? Take a look at what the apostle John had to say about it.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (I John 2:16)

Yet, most of the preaching done in the modern church points us to the world. It’s all about ME, ME, ME!!! No wonder the Lord will spew this type of Christianity out of His mouth!

Why do we hear so much about being a “success in life”? In the camp that I have been a part of, success defines God’s approval on you. If you don’t have a large church, if you don’t drive a fine car, if you don’t own a big house, if you don’t have a huge cash flow, then brother, something is wrong with your faith. Because after all, faith only seems needed to possess more things for this life.  I think a song from High School Musical defines this type of church well: “I Want it All”.

Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain… (Isaiah 56:11)

Remember when having moneychangers in the temple made our Lord angry? When did His attitude change over this?  I am aware that I am about to knock over some sacred cows when I say this, but what is going on with having these elaborate bookstores in our churches? They began as a simple, innocent way of getting good messages into our hands that maybe we couldn’t find at the bookstore. Then it went up another notch in saying that you could get them at the bookstore, but this was just for your convenience.  Now days, you can find just about anything in your church’s bookstore. Designer purses, jewelry, t-shirts, golf shirts, hats, toys…the list for your shopping pleasure is practically endless. This has always been disturbing to me. Why are we about merchandising Christianity? Is this for the profit of the church? Is it to make us feel pride in our church? Heaven help us.

“Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that God is such a one as themselves…” – Matthew Henry

What we have in America are self-indulgent shepherds. The ignorance that is breeding among the sheep has produced a deformed image of Christ.  The grass they have been led to is surely beautiful and green, but laced with poison. They are allowed to stray and bring back beliefs that taint the fold. They are unprotected and wolves have been allowed to come in, dressed in the finest of their wool. Where are the true shepherds? Ah, I see them.  They have abandoned the sheep. There they sit in the highest place, dressed in the finest clothes and eating the finest foods. I only pray they don’t choke on that which they have denied God’s flock.

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

“A lukewarmness without parallel will take hold of the Christians, a falling away from true, living Christianity. Christians will not be open for penetrating preaching. They will not, like in earlier times, want to hear of sin and grace, law and gospel, repentance and restoration. There will come a substitute instead: prosperity (happiness) Christianity. The important thing will be to have success, to be something; to have material things, things that God never promised us in this way. Churches and prayer houses will be emptier and emptier. Instead of the preaching we have been used to for generations – like, to take your cross up and follow Jesus, – entertainment, art and culture will invade the churches where there should have been gatherings for repentance and revival. This will increase markedly just before the return of Jesus.”

What are we to make of this, Church? America has become soft. The Gospel has become soft and people can no longer tolerate truth. If they are not being comforted, or entertained, or told how wonderful they are, they don’t want anything to do with you.

What are we to make of the cross we are told to bear? Are we supposed to cut it down and make it lighter? Are we to decorate it, make it smell good and transport it in our new cars? Are we to measure our success in God by worldly gain or popularity? Are we to tell our Lord, “Thank you for dying such a horrible death that I could live in limitless luxury?”

Are we crying out for revival as if our lives depended on it? Are we shedding tears in prayer – or better yet, are we praying at all? Can we be moved by the Holy Ghost, or have we become rigid, cold and hard hearted?

The voices in the world cry out to the church to COMPROMISE! Make it easier on yourself! Go with the flow! Don’t pay the price – because it doesn’t make you feel good, it doesn’t make you look good and the world will no longer love you nor accept you.

There is a fire burning within my heart and I will not retreat. REPENTANCE MUST COME TO THE CHURCH IN AMERICA…or we shall be ashamed at His coming.

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.

“For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:20

When I look across the Church in America today, I am grieved to the core of my being. I no longer see a church that hungers and thirsts after righteousness. I see a church that hungers and thirsts after wealth and worldly success. I no longer see a church that strives for holiness. I see a church that is self-absorbed and wicked. I no longer see a church that is careful to obey God’s commands, but I see a church that loves the praises of men more than the praises of God. I see a church that has lulled itself to sleep to the tune of seducing spirits and doctrines of demons. Instead of measuring their standard of holiness by the Word of God, it is measured by those around them.

I see within the church people who think they are righteous, but in reality, they are simply religious. They are Pharisees. They bear fruit, but it is shallow and rotten and carries a stench. They are vainly puffed up and carry themselves about with such pomp. They convince innocent people of their vain religion and once they gain their trust, they suck the life out of their victims. The muddied waters of these Pharisees have extinguished those who once had the holy fire burning within them.

These Pharisees do not add to the life of the church, they steal from it. They despise authority and tear others down with the venom of their lips. They sit with crossed arms and scoff at the preaching that should bring them to their knees. They are not at all concerned that their excessive vain talk offends God and brings dishonor to His Holy Name. They come before Him and lift their hands, trying to offer God a tainted sacrifice they think He is obligated to receive.

Charles Finney once said that “unrepentant, rebellious church members should be removed” because “they are a reproach to religion and will hinder revival”. Perhaps that is why we have not seen revival in the American church…it is full of unrepentant, rebellious “Christians”!

Do you not feel shame over the state of the church? Oh Christian, cry out to God and ask Him to deal with the hearts of individuals so that He may once again walk among the aisles of our churches. May we once again, experience the joy of His pleasure as He looks upon His people and sees their hearts of obedience and love.

Copyright 2009  Holly D. Dye all rights reserved.  Material may be copied and shared with others as long as it is done so without charge, in entirety, and if attribution is given.