Heb_12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
I have found, that the number of witnesses don't phase folks too much now days. Especially Bible witnesses. And the weights that they carry, are more lusts than there are opportunity to pursue them all. The passion of their hearts, is idolatry. Phone commercials on TV are much more captivating, than what the Bible says. And why not? The things of HAYAH (GOD) are spiritually discerned. You must live in HIS kingdom, to understand and appreciate HIS testimony through the various Bible characters down through the ages. Preachers do not deliver the promised goods. What the hungry need is REAL FOOD, not pictures of food. They need HIS manifest presence.
What is commonly called "church" (equal in importance to bus stop) has tried all the gimmickry imaginable to attract customers to their religious business. But few, very few, expose YEHOVAH in all of HIS glory. HE is like a treasure hidden in a field. No one pays any attention to the field, unless someone discovers the treasure hidden therein. Then SUDDENLY, it is the most important piece of real estate around. The land is of no more value after, than it was before the treasure was discovered. It's the TREASURE that matters. And it's personal value to each one who visits to see the treasure. Maybe even touch it. But the one who owns the field, owns the treasure.
"Churches" today, are life fields with "no treasure". Oh they have all the little trinket shops and what have you. Things that spring up around important sites to attract the attention of tourists. But there's no pay-off. The veil is gone. And there is nothing behind it but alot of celebration over nothing. Oh you may get to see an artists interpretation of the "treasure". But the treasure itself is no where to be seen. It is a total facade. Like a movie set. Stand in the middle of the set, and you'd think that you were actually in some foreign place that the set was made to look like. But go through a door way on the set, and there's nothing there. It's just a wall, with some braces behind it to keep it from falling over. Friend, that's all most churches are today.
Why do you go and pay homage to a false god created by man? CHURCH IS NOT A BUSINESS. It's NOT A BUILDING. Congregation is for worship, and witness. Witnesses that have actually experienced the HOLY PLACE with HAYAH on the throne. Personal encounter with the manifest presence of HAYAH. What does that do for you? It gives you FAITH. FAITH that IF YOU SEEK HIM, you too can FIND HIM and have a personal encounter with HIM like others have. WITNESSES. Witnesses that today, few if any pay any attention to at all.
Oh but they have the baggage. Yes indeed. They look like an Army soldier, loaded down with packs of stuff, front and back. Problem is, these "soldiers" have no weapon. Most enemies are not afraid of soldiers who are unarmed. Oh but the preacher cries "put on the armor of GOD". Most church people go, "huh"?
Those who are HIS children, have HIS armor on. And they are ARMED!!!! They are protected by the armor, and they have the most superior weapon ever known to man. THE HOLY SPIRIT! The LIVING WORD of HAYAH! On board. It lives within you. The fiery darts of the enemy, are lies, lies, lies. And the TRUTH within gives them victory over all!
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
What is GOD'S choice of weapon against the enemy? TRUTH. HIS word is TRUTH. If you are to protect yourself offensively, you must have this SWORD of TRUTH with you, within you. So when the lies come, and they do come from all sides, you will be well suited and armored to not only to protect yourself, but your loved ones also.
The enemy has been very successful, in convincing Church People that the book in hand is adequate. Or the book of TRUTH on the table, or your desk. Maybe even your phone or computer. Wonderful. You're like a soldier in heat of the battle, and your sword is still sheathed hanging at your side. Worthless. Oh some may be frightened that you have your sword with you. But when they learn that you do not know how to use it, that you won't even take it out when the enemy (lies) are approaching, they will run over you, like you never had one at all.
The devil don't care if you have a Bible. What terrifies a liar like himself, is that YOU TAKE IT OUT AND READ IT. One cannot put you in the bondage of deception when you have the SWORD of TRUTH in your HEART!
If the SPIRIT of the LORD is not within you, then you have no weapon. And the lies of this world, that come at us every single day, will DESTROY you, for all eternity.
Act 17:11 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.