“…every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.” Lev. 27:28
Devotion. What does it mean?
Devotion: Appropriated by vow; solemnly set apart or dedicated; consecrated; addicted; given up; doomed; consigned. – Webster’s 1828 Dictionary
Devoted thing: The primary meaning of the Heb. word חרםchērem is something cut off, or shut up. Its specific meaning in the Law is, that which is cut off from common use and given up in some sense to Yahweh, without the right of recall or commutation. – Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible
What is this being proclaimed from our pulpits? Never have I heard such a conglomeration of psychology mixed with paganistic beliefs! These purveyors of false doctrine continue to spew their vile regurgitations of Hellenistic half-truths to the multitudes.
Do our American pastors pray and seek God for their messages? Or do they surf the purpose-driven websites to find their prepackaged sermons? What works this week may not be what works next week. After all, we must stay in tune with our culture.
However, no matter what our culture tells us, the Word of God (the Bible) is still the correct tool to use to discern both good and evil. It is a mirror that reflects our thoughts and intentions. It is a sword that divides truth from error. It is the very breath and life of God that we should judge all our actions by.
If there ever was a time that we must be careful what we listen to, it is today. Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils have invaded the pulpits without much contention from those who should be students of the Scriptures. The sheep continue to swallow this great tasting poison without so much a flinch.
Unbalanced weights. That is the phrase that comes to mind when I think of how some Christians think of God, the Father. They tend to major on one aspect of His character, thus nullifying the rest of His glorious nature. This causes people to have an unbalanced view of Him.
I want to talk about the subject of fear. Now, we all know the scripture that says,
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2Tim. 1:7)
And rightly so. However, this verse is talking about fear, in general. We can all agree that, in Christ, we have been delivered from fear. Nevertheless, there is one fear we have not been delivered from and are still expected to keep and that is the fear of the Lord.
I have been thinking about the Nazarite vow lately. The Nazarites were people who devoted themselves, and set apart their time to serve the Lord in a stricter and purer manner than others. The way I understand it, this really wasn’t a command from God that they do this, but it was more of a decision to commit themselves wholly and holy to the Lord.
Matthew Henry defined the Nazarites in this way:
Devoted to the Lord during the time of their Nazariteship, and, it is probable, spent much of their time in the study of the law, in acts of devotion, and instructing others. An air of piety was thereby put upon them, and upon their whole conversation. Read the rest of this entry »
Despite the thousands in our megachurches today, soaking up the warm entertainment offered to them every week, I want to put it to you that we have lost Christianity. Despite the Christian books now found in every Walmart, and the “crossover” of Christian artists into the mainstream, and our Christian mega-stores and CD’s and DVD’s and Study-Bibles, I want to put it to you that we have lost Christianity. Despite our lavish Cathedrals in the suburbs (‘Charismatic or not) with their pastel hues and comfortable pews, their projector screens and $30,000 sound systems, I want to put it to you that we have utterly lost Christianity.
We left it behind somewhere when we shifted our churches from the inner city into the “comfortable” suburbs. We left it behind when we stopped welcoming the bums off the street into our meetings and started welcoming only the “respectable” people. We left it behind when we stopped preaching, “take up your cross” and turned the gospel into a success formula – ‘Seven Steps to your Best Life Now.’
A challenging compilation showing how far the church has fallen from the Biblical standard and the early church that Jesus built… This will impact you! www.HolyDesperation.com
Of course, I have written on this theme before. (My first book was “The Coming Great Reformation”). But recently I have sensed God reminding me again that unless there is massive “shaking” and change in the church – then any ‘move’ that comes will not achieve what He desires. Some people simply want a return to repentance preaching and holiness in the churches. They just want an old- fashioned ‘Revival’. That is a laudable aim – and one that I personally love – but it is not enough. In fact, it is nowhere near enough.
The fact is, Reformations are far messier, more contentious and immensely more “shaking” than Revivals. They tend to target pet doctrines, ingrained cultures and structures that the church has been clinging to for years. They bring massive disruption and division. They force people to “choose sides”. Those of us who have studied history think that simple “Revivals” are bad enough. Well, Reformations are ten times worse! And yet, without this level of “shaking”, God simply cannot achieve what He wants to achieve.
What is this being proclaimed from our pulpits? Never have I heard such a conglomeration of psychology mixed with paganistic beliefs! These purveyors of false doctrine continue to spew their vile regurgitations of Hellenistic half-truths to the multitudes.
