Are we in the Age of Myths?

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths." 2 Timothy 4:3-4

I grew up in a small church, everyone knew each other, and we learned from God's
Word. Pretty normal childhood. It was not a legalistic type church, but we were true to the Word of God.

Since my husband and I moved a few years ago and have been looking for a church to belong to we got very discouraged. This is what we were finding:

1. Candyland was the main activity for kids
2. Not one "hello, how are you, are you visiting?"
3. Only books authored by people about the Bible are studied, not the Bible
4. Divorce is ok if you are not happy, "God wants me to be happy"
5. Women and girls half naked in the sanctuary
6. Secular music to "worship" God...or really "appease" the visitors we have
7. A pastor who said "I will never ask someone if they want to receive Christ as Savior"

I could go on. Now, I must add that all these things were not at the same church, but they are all accurate and true. After 2 years of visiting churches, my husband and I thought "it must be us". We knew we weren't looking for a perfect church, we are all sinners, but where was the Holiness of God and Respect for His Word? Were there any churches left out there that still hold firm to the truth all around?

I believe Satan is so happy with the state of the church. We really are less and less being exposed to the teaching of the Word and just picking out the stuff we can live with and leaving the rest. We are letting the world transform us instead of the other way around. Our clouded thinking is preventing the discernment between good and evil, sin and righteous living. I know why too.

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the work of righteousness, for his is a babe. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." Hebrew 5:12-14 nasb

We are going from adults to babies. From the churches I saw, the Word of God has taken a backseat for the most part. Truth is being compromised for the sake of "more people attending" or "we wouldn't want to upset anyone".

Guess what? The Word of God is offensive to people. It always was and it always will be. So what. It is still the truth.

God and His Word (truth) has been replaced in so many churches with man's wisdom. People cannot even discern between right and wrong anymore. And if they can, it seems we don't fight for the truth anymore. Is there hope?

Jesus himself said "...when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?"

In the end, God was good to us and we have found a very solid church. I know they are out there. If you are in one, praise God. God warned that many will fall away and be drawn to those that "tickle the ears". This is happening so watch out.

I still enjoy getting my toes stepped on if I need it. Truth is freeing.

Disappointed?

Do you think that you are strong enough not fall into certain areas of sin?
No one is immune to sin. I am convinced that as long as we are this side of heaven we're to watch out for all kinds of sin that might creep into our lives. Pastors get involved in pornography, politicians have affairs (so does everyone else it seems), bank tellers steal money, mothers beat their children. People don't usually set out to do these things, but they happen none the less.

I have a dear friend from college that had no children of her own. Finally she and her husband were able to adopt a little boy about 1 year old. I remember telling her, watch out you will have days that you will so frustrated with that little one that you might be prone to do things you shouldn't or scream and yell. She shrugged it off. A few months later...."Dana, I can't believe how angry I got at his crying, I just wanted to shake him and scream at him!"

Now, she was able to beat the urge to take her anger out on a small infant, but can you see how easy it is to be confronted quickly with a unpleasant situation and react the wrong way. Our spirit is willing but our flesh is weak.

Do you feel like if you sin badly you'll have to keep it a secret for fear of disappointing people? Not look spotless anymore? Before you just hide everything, think about this.

Maybe someone you know has been where you are and can pray more effectively for you. Maybe someone else needs to know they have common struggles like you, how else will we know if we don't share our burdens?

I have seen the power of confession. When someone takes the bold step and admits to doing wrong, relief falls on everyone else around and they can unload the weight of the sin in their own lives. We are not alone in this struggle. If anyone, including spiritual leaders, acts as if they do no wrong, pray for them. They are wearing a mask. They are a slave to the secrets in their lives.

How about we don't expect perfection from each other. I have learned to admit often how much I mess up, I think it puts those at ease around me that they can be real and seek the help and encouragement they need.

I am talking to myself as much as you.

'Poop Deck' Foolishness

Galveston, Texas
Poop Deck Video Click Here

The Government has told these fools they will "face certain death", but look at their flipant attitude. Are we brain dead? Dressed in bikinis and drinking the night away right on the edge of the water.

Warnings do not mean what they used to, they don't alarm people anymore. You would think that after the disaster in New Orleans, when people did not leave, those in Texas would learn. Most importantly because this one is worse.

I hope Fox News does a follow up on these foolish, foolish people in the morning, because I don't think they will live 24 more hours. They are not even staying for a good reason like, they had no car to drive out with or they were being held against their will. They are staying as if to say..."ahhh, we'll be fine,we just want to get drunk and drown away our cares"...that's what's literally going to happen.

God is giving warnings all around us. Through nature, nations at war with us and all non-Islamic living creatures, rampant sin and the effects, the Bible's warnings against these times, etc.

Why is no one listening? People have grown ignorant and prideful, self-reliant in all ways.

"Who needs God?" our world says.

Even the church as a whole is not on bent knee; if we don't get there soon, we will have to stoop lower and be on our faces in the dirt before God.

I do have one thing to say, warnings are given to the wise. Those who heed the warning will be better off. God warns people, and then they are without excuse. God is warning us now in these times we face as a whole world, the times are drawing near for His return. It is time to get serious ourselves about what is really important.

The eternal destiny of souls is what is at sake. Evangelism should be our biggest concern right now. Urgency. Determination. Warning.

The warning first needs to be given to the church. We are not praying as we should, and I don't mean personally...I mean corporately. Leaders in churches, if you read this I am giving you a warning, get your people praying.

God's Grace to you all.

Why do you go to church on Sunday?

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ON WORSHIP

Next time you go to church or worship on your own, let this play in your mind so that God can be blessed. Doesn't He deserve that? How forgotten He must feel in some Houses of Worship on Sunday mornings. Let's be careful to enter into God's Presence with the right motive, heart, and focus.

God is good even when our day isn't. Bless Him if only for sending His Son in our place and offer forgiveness to us for our wretchedness.