I am the first to admit that some churches in some countries are on a roller coaster. Mainly in places where Christians are under excessive persecution. Places like China, Nigeria, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Somalia, Pakistan and India to name a few.
In places like that, the choice is stark. A case of total dedication to the cause or nothing. There is no middle ground.
I would love to be involved in such expressions of faith like them without the persecution but I can't see it happening in today's present climate as we move closer to the last days. Success and persecution seem to be one and the same.
The New Testament church I have read about more than once evangelised the known world in 25 years. The New Testament Church I have read about grew and expanded in constant suffering. Does being fed to the lions ring a bell?
It is no use reading the New Testament through rose tinted glasses. Whatever beauty you find there and there is a lot of beauty, behind it all was suffering for the cause of the gospel. I believe all of the original 12 disciples all suffered a cruel death as did many of those who followed them.
Throughout history, the church has suffered at the hands of those who were servants of Satan. False gods who controlled most of the oppressors, and who were determined to wipe out God's image on the earth. The only image that Satan was interested in was his own and that was one that stole, killed and destroyed.
Jesus said he gave peace. Satan wants to give anything but peace. That is why we currently have 40 wars taking place on earth.
Jesus was the epitome of sacrifice and self-giving. Satan is the epitome of self and power and it doesn't matter who suffers as a result. He hates you as he is incapable of love and will use you for his own end and when he has wrung all he can from you he will ditch you as quick as you can say, Jack Robinson.
That is one of the reasons who so many homosexuals suicide. They have been fooled into embracing Satan's alternative to God's image and when they have been put through the wringer and find out it is all a lie, despair and depression set in which can lead to ending it all because they have been totally fooled and they didn't realise it. Satan doesn't worry if you top yourself. He will go and seduce another one to replace you.
Fortunately, there are some who do realise it and turn their hearts to the Lord to receive his deliverance and forgiveness and they are made whole by his blood.
If one reads church history, there are times when God visits his people and brings blessings and growth as a result. As Arthur Wallis called it in his book "In the Day of His Power." One can look back at times that involved people like Finney, Edwards, Wesley, Chambers, Azuza Street, Howells and the 60's charismatic renewal in the UK to name a few.
It can happen again if we want it. As someone said if you want revival you will have it. if you don't you won't have it. One has to assume that most believers do not want it as it is not happening.
But it is happening with the alternative...persecution. Which would you like it to be? Both have a price to pay. There are no shortcuts.
In places like that, the choice is stark. A case of total dedication to the cause or nothing. There is no middle ground.
I would love to be involved in such expressions of faith like them without the persecution but I can't see it happening in today's present climate as we move closer to the last days. Success and persecution seem to be one and the same.
The New Testament church I have read about more than once evangelised the known world in 25 years. The New Testament Church I have read about grew and expanded in constant suffering. Does being fed to the lions ring a bell?
It is no use reading the New Testament through rose tinted glasses. Whatever beauty you find there and there is a lot of beauty, behind it all was suffering for the cause of the gospel. I believe all of the original 12 disciples all suffered a cruel death as did many of those who followed them.
Throughout history, the church has suffered at the hands of those who were servants of Satan. False gods who controlled most of the oppressors, and who were determined to wipe out God's image on the earth. The only image that Satan was interested in was his own and that was one that stole, killed and destroyed.
Jesus said he gave peace. Satan wants to give anything but peace. That is why we currently have 40 wars taking place on earth.
Jesus was the epitome of sacrifice and self-giving. Satan is the epitome of self and power and it doesn't matter who suffers as a result. He hates you as he is incapable of love and will use you for his own end and when he has wrung all he can from you he will ditch you as quick as you can say, Jack Robinson.
That is one of the reasons who so many homosexuals suicide. They have been fooled into embracing Satan's alternative to God's image and when they have been put through the wringer and find out it is all a lie, despair and depression set in which can lead to ending it all because they have been totally fooled and they didn't realise it. Satan doesn't worry if you top yourself. He will go and seduce another one to replace you.
Fortunately, there are some who do realise it and turn their hearts to the Lord to receive his deliverance and forgiveness and they are made whole by his blood.
If one reads church history, there are times when God visits his people and brings blessings and growth as a result. As Arthur Wallis called it in his book "In the Day of His Power." One can look back at times that involved people like Finney, Edwards, Wesley, Chambers, Azuza Street, Howells and the 60's charismatic renewal in the UK to name a few.
It can happen again if we want it. As someone said if you want revival you will have it. if you don't you won't have it. One has to assume that most believers do not want it as it is not happening.
But it is happening with the alternative...persecution. Which would you like it to be? Both have a price to pay. There are no shortcuts.
