Broken.

Brother Greg,With each tick of the clock and each grain of sand passing through the hour glass we are racing towards God's judgment on an individual and corporate level. I was listening to Leonard Ravinhill on the Judgment Seat of Christ and he talked about something that God has impressed upon me of late and it is that of the amount of 'light' that we have rejected in America and the Church. To whom much is given much is required. We have bibles in every house almost and what have we done with this knowledge? I pass by around 25-30 churches on my way to work. Do the math on that and it is 50-60 reminders a day to REPENT. Over the year that would be 20,000 reminders and in 50 years that would be 1,000,000 reminders just by seeing a church. Natives in Africa or South America don't get that many reminders, nor do they have bibles in every home, Christian radio, TV, etc. It is a fearsome thing what we are accountable for friends. No nation in the history of the world has had as much LIGHT as does the west apart from those who heard Jesus themselves. (By the way, they were nearly all killed or devestated in 70 CE at the destruction of the Temple by Titus). Last week I taught on this very thing. I believe people are fastly racing towards full blown reprobation because of their refusal to repent. I have seen people scoff at the call to repentance and use every excuse in the book and a few others besides. Their love for their sin (pleasures) is much greater than their love for God as it is also written.I am seeing it where I live. The message and call to repent is being cast off as though it was another 'sinners prayer' style altar call. And I'm asking myself "How much longer do they think they have?" How long before God stops calling? I am working on a study on the subject of repentance and it has scarred me unlike anything I have ever read and studied including Finney's works (although his works are tremendous). Biblical repentance is quite a different thing than we have been hearing the last 100 years. Those sermons and tactics were almost designed to pad the numbers and get more convert cards filled out. God help us! What is the sin I see that people can't turn loose of in my circle of influence? Fornication and adulteries of the heart. And secondly covetousness (which is also a form of lust). People are strait addicted to sins that involve imaginations and move on to actual physical desecration of the Temple of the living God. People sinning against their own bodies as though it were a light thing. filling their minds with imaginations that are supposed to be cast down and giving heed to seducing (literally Tramp in the Greek) spirits. You see their eyes FULL OF ADULTERY and they cannot stop sinning. Its the unrepentant fornications of the book of Revelation before our very eyes. The sin is desperately loved by many who refuse to repent. It is as a lover to them as were these same types of sins to Israel. they stagger but not with wine and they are drunk but not with strong drink. God have mercy on us! God Bless,-Robert

I hate to bring this up again but it is worse than before. I am talking about The Purpose driven Life. The reason why I am bringing it up is because as I drive around town and the cities of Cincinnatti and northern Kentucky, I would say that 9 out of 10 church signs now say "Join us for 40 days of Purpose". Even within a couple of miles of each other you see these signs.I have almost distanced myself from the feelings of heart breaking because I don't know what to do about it and i am sick of being heart broken about it all.This type of "fast Food" gospel is spreading like wildfire. So many new people are in the churches now because of the Passion movie and also the purpose Driven Life. (They are pretty much used in conjunction).We just had a huge article in our newspaper about how all the 18-30 yr. olds are all going to church now. We have a few churches that are very big and very "hip" to go to. It is getting to be the popular thing to be seen there. There is even a guy and his wife that have a Spa/Salon here that caters to the rich and glamorous around here and they go to a very popualr and hip church around here called Crossroads.I knew when most people read that article they would have been encouraged and looking at in a positive light because to the average person it looks like "hey, now there are more young people going to church". But i saw it as places catered to their fleshly desires. (prestige, money, looks, pride)The article talked about the ways these churches are trying to 'keep' these young people coming: Coffee cup holders in the seats, videos, ect...I am so greived by all of this and I am trying to find any positive thing I can because I am tired of being so negative. But it blows my mind that someone doesn't step back and look at all this and say "hey, there is something wrong here!". All I can pray is that some of these church goers will somehow have a real revelation of Christ themselves and realize there is more to Christianity.Other than this- it seems like the great falling away. It is so hidden and is not obvious to most people. It's a heart thing. Mnay of these things we are told of in the bible about the end times are "heart issues"- they are not going to be obvious where everyone can see. Just like when Jesus came as the Messiah. The religious of that day thought the Messiah would come as a King with a robe and crown and over throw the Roman Government, etc... But it was all about the HEART. So it is today.In Him, Chanin

'I'm sick of talking about revival'!And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. (Ezekiel 22:30)And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. (Isaiah 59:16)God is seeking priestly men and women to defer judgments. It's time to stop talking about revival, it's time to intercede before the throne of God. Are my hands clean? Is my heart pure that I may ascend the hill of the Lord? In Christ,Ron

Ron, thank you.Everytime I think my hands are clean- the Lord shows me that they are not. Who am i to ask for revival when still there is so much work to be in even me.Just when I thought i was broken once and for all- He comes along and breaks me more. He is in the business of refining and I will never refuse His work.In Him, Chanin

It is, it has been, it always will be a heart thing!Amen and Amen!Chanin, I concur with you on this specifically and with all of you here.It is troublesome Chanin, I frankly don't know what to make of it all...perplexed.Part of it is that my mother-in-law has been saved recently through a church that would fit into this discription...All the concerns notwithstanding, could it be us?Certainly our passions run deeper and I know we have talked in the past that this may be good for new believers (the book)...I don't know, I am so weary of 'programs' and gimmicks, trinkets...worried about the lack of emphasis on repentance, the fears, make that the horrors of giving someone the assurance of salvation without them realizing what they have given themselves up to...false converts or at best deceived converts...What will happen when the storms come if the foundation is shaky or nonexistent?Just thinking out loud...To be honest are we missing something in all this? It's just a question...Lord help us.

Could the answer be here?Ezekiel 8:7 And he brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, behold a hole in the wall.8 Then said he unto me, Son of man, dig now in the wall: and when I had digged in the wall, behold a door.9 And he said unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do here.10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.11 And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.12 Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, the LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.What will it take for everyone to let go of their secret sins? What doctrines await us as we tumble down the sewer with this world?We need a thread to deal with secret sins as they are to me the "elephant" in the middle of the room that everyone is trying to pretend is not there. God Bless and Much Brotherly Love,-Robert

Mike, you had the guts to "think" on line. I thought of doing that but then thought of my gender and the color of my hair and decided against it.I am at that stage also. The Why, how, where does it fit?I just happened to read Romans 14 two days ago and it has been on my mind ever since. "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things (not limited by the law) but he who is weak eats only vegetables..... Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed , if he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.One person esteems one day above another, another esteems every day alike (me!). Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who obseves the day, observes it to the Lord- and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does....For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. we are the lord's....But why do you judge your brother? For we shall ALL stand before the judgement seat of Christ.13.Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, NOT TO PUT A STUMBLING BLOCK OR A CAUSE TO FALL IN OUR BROTHER'S WAY.CH. 15:1- We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, AND NOT TO PLEASE OURSELVES. Let each please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even CHRIST DID NOT PLEASE HIMSELF........There is so much more here but all i can say is Lord, "Help me to be your light and an example". I can do nothing good of myself and who am i to try to tell others to come clean- when I find my own heart is always in need of much work?"The best thing I can do is be a living, walking, breathing example. Is this all we are really supposed to do. This in itself will either offend or encourage others.Still pondering also.In Him, Chanin

Robert,Secret sins. This is the purpose for my "desert" time. My wilderness time out of the church. Two years ago, the Lord set about getting rid of my secret sins, my strongholds- of which I layed down willfully for the surgery.He did a tremendous amount of work. A gut wrenching stripping that went on for many months. The major things were gone after that.But in all honesty, there is more to deal with after this. We will never be "clean" like we think we should be. I am discovering every few weeks, areas of pride or self that in most people's eyes may be so minimum- but once you have gone through much of the deep stuff- these things stick out like an ugly extra head to yourself. Praise God that he allows us to continue to see these things.It is never all done. We are always in this refining process even though after the initial major refining is done- we do have some release and "coming up for air' time. But if we are truly wanting to "DECREASE" ourselves so that He may be "INCREASED" in us- and this is what it's all about!!!!!- then it will take our whole life. We pray for the brokenness and the decreasing- and the Lord sends trials and situations to do the decreasing work in us.I am learning that it is just like Christian from Pilgrim's Progress- it is a journey. An obstacle to overcome just around the bend, a nice time of refreshing just around the next bend- but each obstacle is a test of getting rid of 'self'. And it will be this way until we get to the City of God.I have decided some time ago to dig my heels in- I am in this for the long haul and no thing, no obstacle, no stronghold, no doubt, no treachery, will keep me from swerving off the path. It may stop me in my tracks for awhile until I catch my breath- but it will never sway me. The Lord has faith in me just like he had faith in Job- that nothing that Satan did against him would sway him- I want to be like that. This keeps me going. I know God would not have started something in me that He couldn't help me finish. I want to glorify God like that. I want to prove the devil wrong and that the Lord is WORTHY- no matter what.Did you hear that satan- I am in this for the long haul!Whew! Sorry for that little sermonette.Satisfied in Him, Chanin

Boy, I am really trying to escape out of here, I am supposed to be working..But, couldn't let this go...Chanin, once again you have made my day!I could only say considering my gender and lack of reproducing brain cells...What you and Robert said.. it's both/and, am I right?Interesting Robert was just listening to a message on those very scriptures yesterday...Have to go now, great food for thought you guys.Have a great day in the Lord.

Chanin,That is a real encouragement. God help me be more transparent that others might be helped also. We need to help each other and provoke each other to love and GOOD works. I feel as you do so much on God doing surgery. I have a great desire to see the body of Christ walk and live in holiness and love; but it must begin with me. I have to find that place of brokeness and I have to allow pride to be put to death. I would like to read some of your materials on strongholds of the enemy. God has had to do some serious surgery on me as well. For years I seemed to always be in that "one thing thou lackest" state.I have come to hate that sin. I am not so niave as to not still know my vulnerability to even things I hate (Romans 7:15). For this cause I have taken action to make sure that sins such as lust of the eye to not take me unawares. I strait got rid of internet at home and only access it in places where I have people all around me or watching me. When we make provision for the flesh to fulfill its lust we really don't want holiness. When we get ready to get serious with God we start saying things like "I would rather die than do that again!" I would rather die as to bring a reproach against Christ.I finally had to do some key things:1) Lay aside EVERY weight (these are things that would make sin easy for me). Actually they were things in my life that slowed me down in this 'race' and allowed the enemy to overtake me and knock me down.2) Exercise my senses. This means being carefull what I looked at knowing that seeing things only aroused the appetite of my eyes and they are never satisfied with seeing. It does not take much 'seed' to 'sow' to the flesh and start the process of the flesh rising up.3) Take the way of escape. God is faithful to always make a way to escape. I could tell of countless times that God has made a way for me to escape from sin.4) Humble Yourself and find a place of brokeness. I had to realize that my secret sin was HEAVEN'S HEADLINE NEWS. God is already embarassed by my sin and the enemy is already accusing me. Why should I pretend now? All the host of Heaven saw it. Many more things to add.... so little time. God has done a work in me as He has you. I also see now so many other issues of pride and the like that are deeper issues than I even thought. God have mercy on me!God Bless and Best Regards in Christ! -Robert

Could the answer be here?Yes, I believe there is something very profound in these verses. Art Katz speaks powerfully on these verses, what struck me in particular was how he deals with verse 12 where Ezekiel writes, "...every man in the chambers of his imagery...". Do we worship God as he really is or as we think Him to be in our own imaginations? Do we settle for that which is 'good' instead of that which is 'perfect'? I have been deeply convicted recently over this need of casting out every vain imagination in my mind that rasies itself up against the true knowledge of God. I know there are areas that I don't even see that God must open my eyes to. I want to worship Him in spirit and in truth.In Christ,Ron

Amen! How true these words brother Ron. I keep seeing the words... And behold the wicked abominations that they do here… every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, the LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth. When we "dethrone God in our hearts" and make Him in our own image we cease to fear Him as God. He is the only- only one. There is none like unto Him. He is high and exalted. He is not just holy- He is thrice holy. He is not just mighty but ALLMIGHTY. He does not just love- He IS love. When I consider the Lord I tremble and fear. I fear the one who after destroying the body is able to cast the soul into hell. And for fear of the Lord men depart from evil. Isaiah saw himself in the light of the plurality of God's majesty (Elohim) and said "Woe is me for I am undone!" Oh that preachers would preach the majesty of God!I am working on a message that is a sequel to "Getting Back to the Love We Had At First" and it deals with turning our temples into pagan shrines of our own imaginations. Ephesus was taught the love of Christ unlike any other city in history- yet they left their first love. Who was competing for that love? Was it not the Temple at Ephesus where Artimus (Diana) was worshipped? Was it not the pagan sexuality and worship that challenged the Christians for God's love on a daily basis? Is that where we are today? Have many brought the god of Artimus into the Temple of God through their wicked imaginations? Have they painted the walls of their hearts and minds with images of abominations in the sight of God? The very imaginations that were supposed to be cast down are hanging on the walls for God to see? Images of the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life? And then we ask God for a revival? Does He just look around inside His Temple and see the pictures of the things that are really beloved? Are we not saying to God come on in and see my lovers? God have mercy on us? God searches the hearts! Man looks on the outward and He is looking in that "hole in the wall" and beholding our artwork. God help us to fear to do such a thing! I think you are on to something. God does expect perfection and I have always believed that. I pray that God will lead us to know what it takes and how to get there. I desire to press towards that mark. I must actualize the theories of sanctification into realities. Oh that God will help get the Bride ready! For we stand in need. God Bless and Much Love in Christ,-Robert

I just listened to John MacArthurs message today and it applies so well to this discussion."The Relationship Danger Zone"http://www.gty.org

We just had a huge article in our newspaper about how all the 18-30 yr. olds are all going to church now. We have a few churches that are very big and very "hip" to go to. It is getting to be the popular thing to be seen there. Sad but true.Found at The Door Magazine.

[color=000099]He did a tremendous amount of work. A gut wrenching stripping that went on for many months. The major things were gone after that.[/color]

What an incredible blessing to read about others who have gone through what I am going through. Bless you brother.

In His Love,

Doug