Many times over in these blog posts I have mentioned and bemoaned the fact that apathy has overtaken the Christian in the United States. I do not understand it. I see restaurants busier than ever, shopping malls and stores busier than ever yet our churches are closing at a stupendous rate. I see the same few do the majority of the work in our church. Where are the people? Why can't they be bothered to help? Why can't they find time for God? For the church? For their brothers and sisters in Christ? I want to call it apathy, complacency, spiritual laziness. It could also be that Satan and self has closed their minds to the call of the Spirit, the technology of today has them (us) so self involved that we could care less about anyone else. Are we so enamored of ourselves that we feel we do not have to answer to God? Or that we are the epitome of authority? That humankind is the end all in the food chain so we must be the pinnacle of authority?
Consider the fact that we have all the knowledge the first church had and they met every day in worship. We have the Bible at our fingertips, we have all the great theologians of the past and present on our computers, phones, and tablets for us to access.
We have so much and yet we use it so little. The first century Christians had nothing and they spent everyday cherishing the little they had. We are so inundated with stuff that we have become desensitized.
Acts 2:42-47KJV
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The Apostle's were preaching and exhorting based on what they learned from Christ Himself. They saw Him die, Rise from the dead and ascend to the right-hand of the Father.
I will admit that had to be fairly spectacular. We know it was life changing, back-bone giving for the Apostle's. We know it changed them from ordinary men to lions for God.
Is the fact that we are so far removed from that time that it is harder for us? Is it the fact that we give our attention to anything and everything else that comes along?
I know that in places other than the U.S. people walk for hours to hear a preacher. I know they have all day prayer services and meetings. I know they sacrifice and make time to do all the things we in this country used to do. They are being persecuted and killed for their faith. Here in the U.S. we have so much freedom and access to the Word of God that we don't even feel the sacredness of it.
William Tyndale did all he could to get the Bible in print, he was killed for it. He did get it printed though and in the hands of the everyday people. He sacrificed himself and his life to get God's Word out. Fox's Book of Martyrs if you haven't read it is a very good book to read and learn of the people who were persecuted for their faith in Christ. They were killed for their faith and their refusal to denounce Christ who had died for them.
Peter, Paul, James, Stephen in the New Testament all were killed for preaching the Word of God.
So many have died for us to have the Gospel and the Word. Yet we belittle their memory and their sacrifice.
I do not know what it will take to turn this world around.
What will it take to reach these people? What will it take to turn us to God again? Is there any hope left? Has God turned His back on us?
So many out there seem to have the answers if you want to buy their book or cd. However, God has the answer and it is free. Just pick up His Word. Read, Study, Pray. I do not pretend to know the mind of God but I can know His Word and through His Spirit I can understand His Word.
I do not know what the future holds, But I do know that if we keep shutting the door on God He will stop knocking.
2 Chronicles 7:14KJV
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Consider the fact that we have all the knowledge the first church had and they met every day in worship. We have the Bible at our fingertips, we have all the great theologians of the past and present on our computers, phones, and tablets for us to access.
We have so much and yet we use it so little. The first century Christians had nothing and they spent everyday cherishing the little they had. We are so inundated with stuff that we have become desensitized.
Acts 2:42-47KJV
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
The Apostle's were preaching and exhorting based on what they learned from Christ Himself. They saw Him die, Rise from the dead and ascend to the right-hand of the Father.
I will admit that had to be fairly spectacular. We know it was life changing, back-bone giving for the Apostle's. We know it changed them from ordinary men to lions for God.
Is the fact that we are so far removed from that time that it is harder for us? Is it the fact that we give our attention to anything and everything else that comes along?
I know that in places other than the U.S. people walk for hours to hear a preacher. I know they have all day prayer services and meetings. I know they sacrifice and make time to do all the things we in this country used to do. They are being persecuted and killed for their faith. Here in the U.S. we have so much freedom and access to the Word of God that we don't even feel the sacredness of it.
William Tyndale did all he could to get the Bible in print, he was killed for it. He did get it printed though and in the hands of the everyday people. He sacrificed himself and his life to get God's Word out. Fox's Book of Martyrs if you haven't read it is a very good book to read and learn of the people who were persecuted for their faith in Christ. They were killed for their faith and their refusal to denounce Christ who had died for them.
Peter, Paul, James, Stephen in the New Testament all were killed for preaching the Word of God.
So many have died for us to have the Gospel and the Word. Yet we belittle their memory and their sacrifice.
I do not know what it will take to turn this world around.
What will it take to reach these people? What will it take to turn us to God again? Is there any hope left? Has God turned His back on us?
So many out there seem to have the answers if you want to buy their book or cd. However, God has the answer and it is free. Just pick up His Word. Read, Study, Pray. I do not pretend to know the mind of God but I can know His Word and through His Spirit I can understand His Word.
I do not know what the future holds, But I do know that if we keep shutting the door on God He will stop knocking.
2 Chronicles 7:14KJV
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
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