We need to change

[looksgood]

Because of the wickedness in those days the love of many will grow cold.

I feel my spirit crying out so loudly inside me and yet there are no words to speak! We suffer daily each one of us in our own ways and find so little help. On our left we see the wicked prosper and on our right we see the one who loves others being abused.

These things are in our face daily and Satan makes sure to thrust it there! Turn on the news...all you see is horror! Are we really past the point of making a difference? A church on almost every corner and yet no one seeks God!

People...Our building programs will not change the world. Our fancy church services are the same in every church house. Do you think the lost (or even the saved) are going to remember our three point teaching or our shouting and screeming?

Let me tell you what they remember (I know because I asked). They remember how fake the show of care was. They remember how you told them you were glad to have them there and in their mind it was because they enjoy having a bigger turn out. They remember the rude and judgmental looks when the women came in with shorts on and the men with long hair and tattoos. They remember asking a question from a hurting heart and getting the same cold stale religious answer that shows them nothing! Then they remember being invited to church...but not to Christ.

This is what the lost have said! This is what the christian has said!

We never had promotional events to bring people in when we had just been formed in the days of Paul. We had people who truely cared and spoke one on one with each other. We had people humble enough to say I don't know but I will seek God for the answer with you.

Make a difference by love...not by programs or invites to church.

 

[Citizen of the Kingdom]

Is the point of the thread to say how forgettable your sermons are?

 

[Amylisa]

looksgood,
Unfortunately what you said here is all too true!

We each have to follow God in our own lives as truly as we can, asking Him to help us and change us in the ways He knows we need to be changed. We each need to humble ourselves before Him.

I think that far too much of American Christianity is like what you describe. It's sad. We do live in a very affluent nation, and many religious people are cold. Cold in their love like the scripture you quoted. Too caught up in our own concerns. Too tied to the things of this world. And many are unkind.

Those who are truly saved, I pray that Jesus will awaken them out of slumber. And there are many religious people who aren't truly even saved, going to church is just the thing to do, or whatever.

God have mercy on us all! Thank YOU that You love us and You never give up on us. Help us to recognize the signs of the times we are in, and help us to each judge ourselves and be kindhearted toward others.
YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Especially in the hearts of those who call ourselves Yours.
In Jesus' Name!,
Amen.

 

[BrBob]

YOu have some real zeal there Looksgood, and you have the right ideas too. Keep on keeping on.

I'm glad to see you are involved in pastoral training. We need pastors who understand that it's not all a program thing. The big thing is that we are all people. People who act out of ignorance and fear, people who act out of self interest and people who also act out of altruistic fervor when the ignorance and fear are dispelled. When that happens self interest seems to be pushed to the back.

God bless you and keep those thoughts going. Maybe the Lord will bless you with witty ideas and ways to address those concerns!

Bob
Spearfish, SD