Before we continue with the next verse, I want to continue with a simple illustration that I heard recently from Josh Harris, who is the author of the book “I Kissed Dating Goodbye.” In addition to his work as an author, he is one of the pastors of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Imagine a friend walking up to you with a bottle of pills which are filled with poison. The caption on the bottle reads – WARNING – Swallowing one of these pills will cause immediate death! Your friend suggests that instead of taking one entire pill, that it should be safe to take just ½ a pill. After all, only half a pill won’t kill you! We would be looking for a new friend – one who truly cares about our well-being and not one who wants to feed us something which while it may not kill us immediately, the results will still be the same – DEATH!!

The more I watch the interaction between true believers and the world, I believe that we have succumbed to the world’s advice. “Just take ½ a pill, it won’t kill you!”

You may be asking yourself, “What in the world are you talking about?” Glad you asked, because I am going to share a little more that the Lord has been convicting me of in my own life. As we share this, remember that we are still dealing with the matter of true worship.

Somehow, we think that we have managed to finally get God to approve of our standards simply because we feel that we are seeing or experiencing “blessings” in our lives.

The problem is that the rain falls on the just and the unjust. Many of our standards are merely flaunting our wants, wishes, and desires in the face of a Holy God and still thinking He is going to pour blessings upon us even when our lives do not even remotely resemble the standards which He has set forth in His Word. We are swallowing ½ pills of poison and thinking it won’t kill us – that is, after all, what the world tells us and even other well meaning believers.

Now to illustrate this ½ poison, let’s consider the one item that detracts from family, personal, and corporate worship more than any other thing in our homes – The Stranger, Mr. Television himself, or T.V. for short.

*** By the way, my decisions are ones we have made in our home and are not intended for anybody to follow exactly in our steps unless the Holy Spirit convicts you as He has my family and I.

Over time, we would find ourselves watching a “good, family” movie only to hear foul language or even the odd taking of the name of the Lord in vain. We were justifying our continued watching by stating – “Probably an isolated incident. If they say another word, then we will definitely have to consider turning it off!” Inside we are cringing, and another ½ pill of poison is being added to the cumulative intake we have been swallowing.

Another time, we would turn on a “sweet, romantic” movie only to find two of the characters in bed together (either adultery or living in fornication). We could justify watching because there was no actual skin being shown nor was there any intimate contact. Or, maybe it would be best if Mom held the remote and when the first sign of trouble arose, then the rest of the family could close their eyes while Mom fast-forwarded the offending incident.

But why should Mom have to watch what it is offensive to God in order to protect us? Dads, we should be controlling our own minds and protecting the minds of our children. We should be turning the television off, but instead we have bought into Hollywood’s morals and have swallowed many ½ pills of poison!

The conversation continued in our home – “Well, children, what about intimate contact like kissing between two actors who are not married to each other?” Some thought it was ok, while others were not sure. “Ok, I said, how about if I am invited to star in a movie and the director tells me that I have to kiss a woman as part of the plot?” The response was immediate – SHOCK! “No, you can’t kiss that other person!” My question – “Well, why not?” Their response, “Because that’s not Mom, and you should only be kissing on Mom!”

About that time, the light began to come on in their minds and they realized what I was talking about. “Why is not ok for me to do that, but it is ok for us to allow somebody to come into our home and watch them do that while their kids sit at home and wonder why Dad or Mom are romantically involved with somebody else all for the sake of a paycheck!?!?”

Dear reader, I have wept this week as I realized that for far too long, I have been inoculated against the conviction of the Holy Spirit. I have foolishly swallowed ½ pills of poison stupidly believing the world’s mantra – “Only ½ a pill won’t kill you!”

What is even worse is that as a father and a husband striving to live godly in this present world, I have down through the years (at times, quite wilfully) not only enjoyed the ½ pill as it went down my throat, but I have then handed the bottle of poison to my own children and said to them by my own actions, “Children, ½ a pill of poison won’t kill you!”

In the midst of these times, we could watch all we have allowed ourselves to become desensitized to. Then, after a night of “family time” and a perfunctory prayer over the meal, we would seek to get up and go to church to “worship!”

What hypocrisy to think that with stomachs well-fed with the world and ½ pills of poison that we would somehow find a way to “worship” the God we claim to love and adore!!

Some may think I am a fanatic, but I am convinced that if we are ever going to see revival in our churches and in our homes that we are going to have to stop hiding behind our facades. We will have to start being truthful with ourselves and acknowledge what our Holy and Righteous God already knows about us. Left to our own devices, we would find ourselves in eternal hell. Left to our own feelings, we will continue to watch or eat or drink or listen or read or do whatever with the worship of ourselves the main focus!

½ pills of poison may not kill you or I right away, but I can assure you once again that the end result is the same. Television may not be your problem, but without a doubt each of us has ½ pills of poison that we are swallowing. We are fooling nobody and least of all, God!

As I continue with the series of worship, my concern is not so much that this is for somebody who may be reading. My concern is what kind of example am I to my wife, my family, my fellow workers, and my church. Does my example and testimony point others to the Lord Jesus Christ – OR, does my example tell others that ½ pills of poison won’t kill them!?!?

With this illustration in mind, Lord willing, in Part 6, we will consider the next part of the remedy. I pray that you will each ask the Lord where you need to change just as I am doing in my own life. Let us set our affections on things above (Col. 3:1)!

Tired of swallowing ½ pills of poison,
The Desert Pastor

Let’s make this very practical now. We have shown how many worship the wrong god every day! Many worship gods of their own making and sadly this includes many who claim to be true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Is it possible to be free from the circle of self-centered worship found in our Christian homes? Is it possible to begin to have a proper understanding of worship? What lessons will we have to learn before we are willing to give due honour, glory and praise to our Saviour alone?

Before we expound a little further, here is the sum of the matter from one of the wisest men who ever lived. Ecclesiastes 13:12, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge and of wisdom (Prov. 1:7; 9:10). Knowledge and wisdom is found in the mind of man.

Therefore, we must conclude the heart of the problem lies in our mind. We do not think of worshipping God, so we do not! We do not think enough on the things of God, and our lives suffer as a result. We have allowed our minds to be cluttered with the things of the world. In the rush to remain acceptable and not be thought of as a fanatic to friends, neighbours and even other fellow church attenders, we have sacrificed the eternal perspective for one that only encompasses a mere three score and ten (70) years. If we had a true fear of God, we would be worshipping Him as He truly deserves. But how is that to be done? Glad you asked!!

I want to continue by now focusing on 3 distinct verses which were written to aid in the battle for biblical worship. While mentioned before, I intend to break these down to the most common denominator.

1 Cor. 10:31 – “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

The failure in Corinth was about much more than a man who had chosen to take his step-mother to be his wife. It was more than lack of discipline by the church with the purpose of restoration of this man. It was more than the lack of love and lack of restitution by the church once the man had been humbled before God.

The biggest problem in Corinth was that everybody did that which was right in their own eyes. Instead of seeking to bring glory to God in ALL things, they sought to please themselves by indulging in what FELT good. Ultimately, this is another form of PRIDE!! The man, the step-mother, and the church all thought they could live however they wanted to do so. Many of those who were true believers may have thought that once eternally secure in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ – they were then free to live during the week in a manner that was not far removed from their heathen and wicked neighbours.

Practically, here are a few things to consider in regards to putting this verse into practice in each of our lives. 1) It would be greatly beneficial to write this verse down and commit it to memory. 2) Find a brother or sister in Christ who is willing to hold you fully accountable in your walk. 3) Do NOT look for somebody who will only tell you what you wish to hear – that is NOT a true godly kind of friend. 4) Begin to develop the habit of asking yourself – “Am I doing this to the glory of God!” 5) Ask yourself often and allow others (like your accountability partner) to ask the question of you if they see something that is possibly not brining honour and glory and praise to the Lamb of God.

You might then ask – “How exactly will this help me?” Again, I am glad you asked! Before I share these with you thought, it is very important to remember that I am not asking you about your feelings or what you think! However, I am asking you to begin considering how God thinks about our choices.

1) Every time you bring food or drink to your mouth, you will begin to consider whether the partaking will bring glory to God or not. If it brings glory to God, then it should be beneficial. If it does not, then it is probably not a necessity. Some of us will soon be in much better shape in regards to our health and weight!

2) Every time we rent a video or dvd, go to the moviehouse, watch a show on tv, by asking the right question, it will probably change what we had planned on watching! If the program, show, or movie does not bring glory to God, then it should not be watched. By doing this, it will help us to spend more time in areas that are vital to our growth. This is especially true when it comes to preparing for corporate worship on the Lord’s Day.

3) Every time we turn on the radio or cd player, if we are asking the right question, our music selection will be mandated by all of the principles on music found in God’s Word. We will no longer need the beat of the world to satisfy our soul. Our dislikes and our likes will soon change to be almost unrecognizable to former friends and maybe other church members.

4) Every time we walk out the door, if we are doing all to the glory of God, it will change the way we perform at our jobs or the way you do your schoolwork. This does not necessarily mean we will get job promotions or even better grades. There is no such promise in the Word of God. The point is that ALL aspects of our life are meant to be for the glory of God alone. This alone will cause others to wonder for it will set us apart from the world and even from others who call themselves by the name of Christ.

5) Every time we start to take offence at another brother or sister, seeking to do all to the glory of God will cause us to pause for a moment and remember that we are one in Christ Jesus Who loved us and gave Himself for us. It will help us to remember that just as He forgave us of ALL our sins, so also should be freely granting forgiveness towards those who cause us offence whether wilfully or unintentionally.

(to be continued…….)
The Desert Pastor

While there are some who erroneously teach sinless perfection is achievable in this sinful fallen body which we inhabit, what are we to do about those of us who have not reached such lofty peaks? In all my travels, I have yet to find one individual who does not sin. Nor have I found one true believer who does not struggle in their dealings with the evil one (and his minions), the world and the flesh.

The more I study the Scriptures and the revealed will of God as found in His Word, the more I see my own failures. This is particularly true in regards in the area of worship. If you as a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ are anything like me though, you have been misinformed as to what worship is and/or what the contents of that worship should be.

By way of clarifying, I have done this myself and just about all the believers I know use the following terminology or something which is quite similar: 1) Praise and worship, 2) Personal worship, 3) Corporate worship, 4) Family worship, etc., etc.

1. Praise and worship is generally used to refer to the 45 minutes preceding the ministry of the word. Some churches and believers would even disagree with us and state that if there are not certain types of musical accompaniment or choruses or _______, then it is not TRULY worship!

2. Personal worship tends to be described as that period of time each day (or whatever your particular frequency happens to be) when we spend time in reading our Bibles and offering our prayers to our Heavenly Father. Sadly, much of the Bible reading is done with the purpose of reading through a list for the year and not much seems to be sinking in and making a significant difference. And as for prayers, if the barometer of local churches is any indication, then the vast majority have no idea what “Sweet Hour of Prayer” means apart from the fact that it is a gospel song.

3. Corporate worship is similar to the time on a Sunday morning, but some would open the gates a little wider and may even include any time the local body gathers together for the purpose of edifying the saints and building up the work of the ministry.

4. Family worship – This is one of my favourite terms when it comes to worship. Again, we have the idea (and many are being taught) that this is a specific time whereby we come together as individual families for the purpose of reading a Psalm, a chapter from Proverbs, sing a song, try to keep the kids from squirming while seeking to direct their little minds to the Saviour, etc., etc.

The question then becomes, is there anything wrong with these terms? I believe that in their proper context that the terms are appropriate provided we do not stop with set times and definitions in order to try and prove to ourselves and/or others that we are “worshipping” God.

However, it is discouraging to note among true believers found in many local assemblies and churches that the terms themselves are often misapplied, misused, and misunderstood. In other words, these terms leave much to be desired. It leaves too much on the table which is being ignored.

Again, by way of example, there are 168 hours in a week. Of those, the average individual will use up the bulk of the day in work or school activities during the week. Homework, school, or work will account for about 45 hours a week. Sleep will be another 55 hours a week. Eating, dressing, bathing, etc. will consume another 15 hours a week.

The average home watches (recreational viewing pleasure) 4 hours a day of television which amounts to 25 hours a week. Other activities like shopping or recreation consume an average of 10 hours a week. With an average of 2 hours for church (including travel), the common family ends up with about 2 ½ hours per day to find other activities to fill the empty gaps. Out of that 2 ½ hours, a few people manage to find 15-30 minutes for God individually or with the family (if they are consistent). And the time “given” to God is called WORSHIP!!!

So to clarify, out of the 168 hours a week in each of our lives, our worship is confined to no more than 3-5 hours per week!! There is something drastically wrong with that picture!! Does anybody wonder with these kind of figures why homes are falling apart, why our children have no desire for the things of the Lord as they grow into young adults, why we see no true revival in our churches, and why the world does not see us as any different than what they are?

At least, they are not being hypocrites about what they say they believe or don’t believe; whereas, many of us who are true believers call ourselves by the name of Christ before the eyes of the world and are content with saying we worship the God we say we love and adore and reverence with 3-5 hours per week!!

The children of Israel were commanded to keep the Word of God before them and at the gates of their houses. This was to be a continual reminder of the covenant between them and God as a chosen people and also to remind them of the commands that they were to worship the One True God alone. They wore little boxes on their arms or on their foreheads with small copies of those commands written on pieces of parchment. As they went about from day to day in all activities, the box was to be a small reminder that God was to be worshipped with every step, every act, every thought, and every motive!

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!”

Paul wrote those words to the Corinthians in his second epistle. He knew that the temptations of the world would be difficult for them to overcome. However, just as he told the Roman believers about renewing their minds, so too, he informs these believers in the wicked city of Corinth that they were to bring even their very thoughts into captivity.

Now, let’s go back again to the matter of Family Worship to see how close we align with the commands and principles to keep God first in ALL THINGS!

Picture the average “Christian” home today. Dad and mom can’t get along with each other. The teenagers are in open rebellion. Church is a mere social aspect and not really for the purpose of going to learn and grow in grace with other believers. The only “family” time for the most part is spent parked in front of the television watching predominantly garbage. When the television is not on, then the radios (CD players, IPods, etc.) are blaring out ungodly music in a multitude of various genres. And all of these things are being done by the world in order to capture our attention and bring it into the captivity of the evil one!

Sunday comes around for the above mentioned family, and nobody really wants to go as they are tired from staying up late and filling their minds with the things of the world. Arguments and fights are the order of the morning. The family finally arrives at church and nobody is happy. The brothers and sisters are still bickering as they walk into their class. The parents are putting on a false front (called hypocrisy) and shaking hands with everyone and telling the pastor they are all doing fine!

The message might as well not have been preached as far as they are concerned because they did not hear it, and even if they did, they have no desire to have the Holy Spirit to change their lives. As they walk out, the cycle begins again for another week, but in their minds many are wondering – What am I doing wrong? Is this really what Christianity is supposed to be about?

(to be continued…….)
The Desert Pastor

While ministering the Word recently in a Sunday service, I shared the verse 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.” As I was speaking, I came again to the realization that some of those we minister to week after week seem to think this verse only applies to Sunday services. After the service ends, and those in attendance escape the gaze of the pastor/teacher, they believe they are free to live in a manner which does not reflect the Lord Jesus Christ.

So what happens in the distance between the pew and the door leading to the parking lot? The fact is that some of those heading out the door might even stop long enough to tell the minister that they “appreciated” the message, but have forgotten its content by the time they get to their Sunday lunch!

This article does not mean to imply that every person in every church does what I have suggested above. However, far too many are and this is evident by the lack of joy, the lack of evidence of the indwelling Spirit of God, and most noticeably the lack of change in their everyday lives.

In my last article, I asked – “Is there an accurate response in how we should reflect true worship of the Maker of Heaven and Earth? Is it possible to see true heart-felt change to such a degree that “Christian” marriages and homes and young people and pastors and elders and churches and church members will truly become CHRISTIAN not just in name, but in deed as well?”

First, is there an accurate response? Yes! However, there is little doubt that the answer may be easier than the application! For years many believers have heard verses preached over and over (maybe even memorized them), yet struggle with applying them. I believe part of the problem is our perspective of worship is grossly incorrect, and the fault for this lies greatly with those who minister the Holy Scriptures.

On the one hand, ministers have rightly elevated the Scriptures before the people in services on the Lord’s Day when the people of God gather to be edified and exhorted. However, on the converse side, it is unfortunate that in the lifting up of the Scriptures, those in the pew have somehow missed that what is being taught is not just applicable to ministers, and not just for Sundays, but that it is for every day of our existence for those of us who claim to know the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour.

I am convinced that we as ministers have failed to help make that connection in the minds of our congregations. In Romans 12, Paul tells us we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds! Yet, this must be more than a simple exercise in intellectualism. It must be brought home to each hearer of the Word that if we will see change that what goes on in our minds must change first! The matter of change in our minds will be something we consider in another post.

Let us clarify two questions – 1) Do we eat and drink every day or just on Sunday? 2) Does each day we live and breathe involve some type of activity requiring action or thought on our part?

The obvious answer is – YES and NOT just on Sundays!! The command therefore is to DO ALL to the glory of God! It was while meditating on this verse that I considered another verse of Scripture which comes from the laws given to Moses. The first commandment found in Exodus 20 is, “You shall have no other gods before me.”

It does not take too much reading and studying of the Bible to realize that God’s definition of true worship means “Keeping Him first in all things, at all times, before all people, and for the sole purpose of bringing honour and glory to the Lamb Who sits upon the Throne!”

Don’t miss this next point – Anything less than pre-eminence of the Godhead is therefore – IDOLATRY! God does not want Prominence, but pre-eminence!!

To illustrate the vast difference between pre-eminence and the matter of prominence, I use a personal illustration. Imagine how my lovely wife would feel if she looked in my wallet and discovered the pictures of several women. She would rightly express concern over my lack of devotion to her. Do you think it would soften the blow if I pointed out to her that her picture was first out of all that I was carrying? NOT HARDLY!! My wife does NOT want to be first among many, she demands pre-eminence. She wants me to reassure her that she is NOT only first, but she is ONLY!

God tells us in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD, that is My name; And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images.” God does NOT want prominence in our worship, but He demands pre-eminence! Anything and everything we have in our lives before Him is idolatry! Our God is a jealous God! This is His right for we are His creation! He will not share His glory or His worship with any other person – THAT INCLUDES YOU!

Therefore, the Scriptures are clear that when we do not worship God by keeping Him first in all things – we are worshipping something or someone other than God! This means many who say they are worshipping God in service on the Lord’s Day and then go out to live for themselves the rest of the week are NOT TRULY ENGAGED in true worship of the Sovereign Creator of heaven and earth!

Which god do we worship when God is not kept preeminent in all things? As I have heard several times from Dr. Jim Berg, Dean of Students at Bob Jones University – “Just two choices on the shelf, Pleasing God or pleasing self!”

The one you seek to please is the one you worship. If we lift something to our lips to eat or drink without it being to the glory of God, then we are pleasing ourselves and therefore seeking to place ourselves on a throne of our own making. If we choose to watch, read, or listen to something that pleases ourselves instead of seeking to know whether it is pleasing to God, then we are pleasing ourselves and again seeking to build our own throne. If we live in a manner that is not bringing glory to God in ALL things then we are merely pleasing and worshipping ourselves!

In essence, we are saying to the Creator, “God, you can rule and reign on Sunday while I am at church – the rest of the time is mine! I will worship myself because that brings me happiness!”

Now contrary to popular preaching in many evangelical churches, we cannot kick God off of His throne. Jesus Christ is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. He cannot be displaced from His throne, and neither does He need our approval to make Him Lord.

He is Lord of all whether we choose to acknowledge that fact or not. He will always be the Lord. When believers acknowledge that fact, it will not change His status, but it will change how we choose to respond to His sovereignty!

In the next part to this series, I will seek to show how we can take the Word of God in the matter of true worship and make practical application in our lives that will not only affect how we worship on Sunday, but also how we respond to God during the rest of the week which also belongs to Him!

Desirous of True Worship,
The Desert Pastor

There will be some who would question what I share in this article, but would do so mainly because of the conviction of sin. Some within the Church would show concern about all the fluff to be found in many ministries, and then roundly condemn everybody because there are no “true prophets” who are standing for the truth.

Some would even think that the big mess found in churches today has nothing to do with people not wanting the truth. They feed on garbage every week, but think this is the norm. Is this just due to a lack of preachers willing to do whatever it takes regardless of how it will affect their paychecks? Or is it largely due to the fact that “Christians” do not really want to hear the truth because their entire lives are made up of worshipping the wrong god in every aspect of their work, school, and home with the sole exception being the “praise and worship” on Sunday mornings?

While false teachers (like Hinn, Bentley, Meyers, Osteen, Avanzini, Schuller, Hagin, Copeland, Jakes, etc.) were prophesied in the last times, much of this has been permitted to come about because true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ routinely worship the wrong god. In doing so, they may pride themselves on never “killing” somebody or (fill in the blank___________), yet theirs is the greater sin because in every aspect of their lives they break the first and greatest commandment of all as reiterated by Jesus during His earthly ministry. “You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, soul, mind, and body!”

With all that is going on around us in so-called “Christendom” or even “evangelicalism”, it would easy to think that some are doing all they can for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. To some, doing what they can for the Saviour means praise and worship for 45 minutes before the pastor or elder stands to deliver his message.

If a poll were to be taken simply by going around your own neighbourhood or your workplace, and ask each worker or each household resident – “Are you a Christian?” – I am certain that many would respond in the affirmative!

Even more revealing to the state of the hearts in the world would be to take them to Joshua 24:15, “And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Then we would ask, “Which God/god are you worshipping today?” The average individual might well respond without much thought – The God of heaven!

The challenge then becomes the matter of clear Biblical instruction on what worship actually is or should mean to a true believer of the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

If we desire to see true Biblical change within our homes, or our churches, or our workplaces, and more importantly within our own hearts, we must see worship as God sees worship. In the Old Testament, Israel was commanded to keep phylacteries bound to their body and on the entrances to their home. This was to be a CONTINUAL reminder of which God they were to worship!

Marriages in “Christian” homes are falling apart at an alarming rate. In some places throughout the west, these numbers are 60%+ which means that 6-7 of every 10 homes will experience divorce or separation.

“Christian” husbands do not love their wives as Christ loved the Church, and many can’t be bothered to even try. “Christian” wives are more interested in following the worldly dictates of dress and lack of propriety than they are in seeking to be an ornament of grace to their husbands. “Christian” couples are not interested in being in submission to one another in the fear of the Lord. This means true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!

“Christian” homes run the television for hours every day. In doing so, they allow (through the means of media) the myriad sins and perversions they would NEVER permit to actually take place. The homes are filled with music that does not bring honour and glory to God all week; then wonder why theologically accurate hymns hold no interest in their hearts. These homes are a hotbed of all manner of activities which keep the heart in tune with the world but out of tune with God. Again, this means the true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!

Rebellion against parental, school, governmental, and church authority runs rampant in many “Christian” homes. “Christian” teenagers are enjoying the pleasures of sin at rates equal to that of their worldly peers. “Christian” teenage girls are getting pregnant outside of marriage. “Christian” teenagers refuse to practice any self-control in their attraction to the opposite sex.

“Christian” young people are caught up with alcohol and drug use, any and all forms of sex outside of marriage, the murder of infants (abortion), and many more heinous sins against a Holy and Righteous God – yet these same people show up on Sunday claiming to worship God! Again, the truth is that true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!

“Christian” pastors and elders are using their pulpits as the only place to preach and teach against sin (if they are even doing that any more)! They are afraid to preach the truth for fear of losing their paychecks! They refuse to teach the whole counsel of God.

“Christian” churches no longer demand Biblical accountability in their pastors. They no longer practice church discipline. They are willing to hold hands across ecumenical lines even with those who deny the very foundational truths of Scripture. But don’t dare be unloving and unkind and “un-Christ-like” by reminding them we are commanded to be separate from the world.

Churches split because of the choice of carpet on the floor or the type of paint to go on the walls, but care little about the Biblical commands to worship God in every aspect of our lives. I am not aware of any church that has ever split because of correct doctrine being taught AND practiced! While there may be some, they would be the exception rather than the rule! Again, the reasons for this are that true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!

“Christian” church members are coming to service on Sunday mornings for worship thinking they are doing God the favour of the week, yet they are living for themselves. They refuse to heed Biblical instruction from the few who are preaching and teaching the truth, but instead run to hear that which tickles the ear. They run to hear that which DOES NOT DEMAND CHANGE. Again, the truth is that true worship of the Almighty God is NOT BEING PRACTICED!

**********

Is there an answer to this dilemma? Is there an accurate response in how we should reflect true worship of the Maker of Heaven and Earth? Is it possible to see true heart-felt change to such a degree that “Christian” marriages and homes and young people and pastors and elders and churches and church members will truly become CHRISTIAN not just in name, but in deed as well?

I believe the answer is — YES!!! We will seek to address this in our next article on “Which God Do You Worship?”

Thankful for the Grace of our Sovereign God,
The Desert Pastor

4) If signs and wonders are Biblical, and they are promised to show up in the last days, what does the Bible teach that we should be looking for?

Searching through both the Old and New Testaments, you will not find that signs and wonders will be performed for the purpose of entertainment. Signs and wonders were ALWAYS legitimate acts that showed forth the power of God. It never reduced people to blubbering idiots, left them searching each other’s fillings for gold or their hair for gold/sapphire dust mixed with dandruff, never caused people to act with an animal nature, and certainly never exalted man! No, when God moved in a miraculous way, the glory ALWAYS pointed to the Almighty Sovereign of the Universe.

In at least four main passages, we can take note that signs and wonders would take place. These four main passages are Joel 2 &3, Acts 2:20, Revelation 6:12, and the last is actually repeated in each of the Synoptic Gospels as spoken by Jesus Christ in Matthew 24, Mark 13:24, and Luke 21:25.

The context is the same in each instance – the signs and wonders will immediately precede the great and terrible Day of the Lord in which His wrath is poured out upon an unbelieving world and this in turn will point to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to establish His earthly kingdom.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 states, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

In not one instance do the writers of Scripture give any indication that the signs and wonders which will come will show forth a revival which will sweep the nations as many claim. It does not state in the NT that the church will expand and be able to perform the carnival acts we see going on today. Paul made it clear that the Day of the Lord would not come until first two things occurred – 1) a falling away or the apostasy which will take place in the church itself, and 2) the son of perdition (Anti-Christ) will set himself up as God and demand worship from the world.

The Bible does teach that signs and wonders will occur, and serves as a two-fold warning. First, true believers should be ever watchful for the return of the Lord in the clouds of glory. Second, those who are unbelievers should take heed to the warning for one day when the Lord Jesus does return, the world will become the final stage for the full out-pouring of the wrath of God!

At no point in church history have the signs and wonders which were prophesied of by Joel and Jesus Christ ever been accompanied by the sun turning black, the moon turning to the colour of blood, and the stars falling from the sky! I believe the Scriptures are clear that what we read of at Pentecost was a near/far aspect of the prophecy. Part of this was fulfilled in response to the unbelief of the One Who came as Messiah.

The full outpouring of the signs and wonders will also accompany another coming, and that is when the Lamb returns as the Lion of Judah. Revelation 6 continues, “And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ‘For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?’”

Those who teach the signs and wonders are to show forth the baptism of the Holy Spirit in fire and to bring prosperity to those who are believers are speaking out of ignorance and/or are speaking deliberate lies in order to try and deceive the very elect. But the true church was warned this also would happen!

Dear reader, be like those Berean Christians who were more noble than those of Thessalonica because they studied the Scriptures daily to see whether the things they were being taught were true or not. There are many charlatans (WOF movement, Signs and Wonders crowd, etc) who seek glory, fame, and fortune for their own self-esteem. They are not serving the Risen Saviour, but are serving gods of their own making (mainly themselves)!

Yes, the Bible clearly teaches us that signs and wonders are coming in the last days, but it is to show forth the impending doom upon a lost and dying world! Whatever form they may take, they will appear but briefly as the signs in the heavens begin to take place in response to the command of God. The sun will turn black, the moon will turn to the colour of blood, and the stars will fall from the heavens. It will be a dreadful day for all those who know not Christ!

No unbeliever will be able to stand when the great Day of the Lord is come! No unbeliever will be able to hide from the wrath of Him Who sits on the Throne! We, who are true believers, in the Lord Jesus Christ need to be ever vigilant against those who would seek to deceive us; however, at the same time we must be found waiting, watching, and working for the Master when He returns!

So, with the Apostle John, we say, bring on the signs and wonders for when they come, they will herald the return of the One Who loved us with an everlasting love, and Who is coming to redeem His Bride to be with Him forever! “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Watching for the Sign of His Return,
The Desert Pastor

I am interjecting my series on Signs & Wonders with the following article from FOXNews.com. My comments are interspersed throughout the article.

“A mother who decided to abort her son because he may have inherited a life-threatening kidney condition is overjoyed that he survived the procedure.

Jodie Percival of Nottinghamshire, England, said she and her fiancee (this was the first sin against a holy God) made the decision to abort (God says this is MURDER!) baby Finley when she was eight weeks pregnant.

Percival’s first son Thane died of multicystic dysplastic kidneys — which causes cysts to grow on the kidneys of an unborn baby — and her second child Lewis was born with serious kidney damage and currently has just one kidney, the Daily Mail reported.

Click here for a photo of baby Finley.

“I was on the (birth control pill) when I became pregnant,” Percival, 25, said. “Deciding to terminate at eight weeks was just utterly horrible but I couldn’t cope with the anguish of losing another baby.” — (WHAT KIND OF LOGIC IS THIS??? She couldn’t cope with losing another baby, so she goes ahead and MURDERS the little life inside of her!!??)

A short time after the abortion, Percival felt a fluttering in her stomach. She went to the doctor for a scan and discovered she was 19 weeks pregnant.”I couldn’t believe it,’ Percival said. “This was the baby I thought I’d terminated. At first I was angry that this was happening to us, that the procedure had failed. I wrote to the hospital, I couldn’t believe that they had let me down like this. — (Emphasis is mine - NOTICE her words, “the baby“ - She did NOT say the fetus or the tissue, she said “the baby“!!!!  Also, she was ANGRY because the murder attempt failed!)

“They wrote back and apologized and said it was very rare,” she added.

Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing health editor for FOXNews.com, said Percival’s situation is actually quite common. — (And of course, we who know the truth are NOT surprised!!!!!)

“Women that have early terminations in weeks six, seven and eight, many times the pregnancy is so small that doctors miss removing the baby,” Alvarez said. “The danger is that the failed attempt can damage (**maim, harm, severely cripple, but murder is ok!**) the baby. That is why these patients who get early terminations need follow-ups.”

Another scan a week later confirmed the baby also had kidney problems, but doctors told the couple the baby was likely to survive, so they decided he deserved another chance at life.

***********

— I’m sorry, but this previous paragraph makes me angry! The doctors tell her the baby is likely to survive therefore he deserves another chance at life! Well, I guess the award of Mom of the Year will be going to this woman! –<sarcasm> Let’s see how to explain this one to the little fellow as he grows older. “So, mum, why did you try to kill me again before I was born? One of the religious kids at my school that goes to church says that the Bible says all humans are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that I am a miracle! Mum, can you explain abortion to me and why you selfishly chose the wrong path to begin with????”—

In November, Finley was born three weeks premature. He had minor kidney damage but is expected to lead a normal life.”  (End of article with emphasis mine)

May the Lord Jesus Christ bring salvation to this home! It is sad to think that “a normal life” will mean living in a godless, amoral society only if he accepts the world’s standards that exclude the God Who graciously gave him life and despite the doctor and his own mother’s attempt at murder, spared him!

Thankful for the miracle of life,
The Desert Pastor

P.S. - I will NOT be arguing with any out there who think that abortion murder is acceptable!  Get your own blog where you can spew hatred against the unborn and against the God you hate Who alone gives life!”

So, let’s see what the Scriptures truly teach – 1) Does the Bible speak of signs and wonders? Simple answer – YES! Signs and wonders were performed to show forth the mighty power of God and in almost every instance was done in the presence of unbelief. This was true both in the Old and New Testaments. The unbelief in the OT was primarily due to the hardness of the hearts of the nation of Israel.

In the NT, the unbelief was due to the unbelief first of the Jews in the Messiah who had come and died on a Roman cross. Signs and wonders were used later to show that salvation had come not just to the Jews but also to the Gentiles. Again, unbelieving Jews were present (not unbelief in regards to their own salvation, but unbelief that God had truly provided salvation to dogs).

2) Does the Bible specify the type of signs and wonders done? Again – YES! Healings took place. The lame walked, the blind saw again, the deaf could hear, and even dead were raised to life, etc. However, when the healing took place it was complete. It did not take several meetings for it to take effect. The person being healed was never told they had to work up enough faith to get their healing. They never had to give a seed gift to the apostles or the church at Jerusalem.

3) Does the Bible indicate who performed the signs and wonders? Again – YES! In a little more detail, signs and wonders were used throughout the Old Testament by prophets to give authenticity to their calling by God. In the New Testament, it was the apostles who were used of God as the foundation of the early church to establish the truth that it was being built upon the One Who came to be the Sin-Bearer for all who would believe. Nowhere in the New Testament do we find that the signs and wonders were performed or initiated by just anybody in the early church.

2 Cor. 12:12, “Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.”

Acts 5:12, “And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people.”

Acts 2:43, “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.”

Without a doubt, the early New Testament church recognized that only prophets and apostles were the workers of signs and wonders under the power of God. Even the Apostle Paul gives indication in his writings that there would come a time when the gifts would cease until the end of time which would coincide with the signs and wonders Jesus Christ Himself promised would come towards the end of time.

What did NOT occur during any time were the so-called signs and wonders which are seen today! Pixie dust, fake healings, greedy preachers fleecing the flock, rolling on the floor in agony, getting drunk at “Joel’s Bar”, and acting in perverse and ungodly manners are all performed in the name of Jesus Christ.

All things were done decently and in order in the early church and when it was not, the apostle Paul rained down judgment and made sure church discipline was instigated against those who were seeking to make a mockery of the church and the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This brings us to one last question – 4) If signs and wonders are Biblical, and they are promised to show up in the last days, what does the Bible teach that we should be looking for?

(To be continued……)

(Continued from Part 1…..)

History reveals that true revival comes from God and it changes believers more into the image of Christ. It changes churches from looking like the world into looking more like a Bride who is making herself ready for the coming Bridegroom!

With that in mind, will revival come in the last days and are the current signs and wonders movements the ones we are to be looking for as biblical evidence that the Lord’s return is nigh?

1 Timothy 4:1,2 – “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.”

2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 – “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”

The Bible gives no indication firstly that mass revival will break out in the last days, nor does God promise that He will send revival simply because we put up a sign saying that we are holding such during a particular week of the year. On the contrary, God’s holy and infallible word clearly tells us that in the last times there will be departures from the faith and a great apostasy will be found within the church that calls itself by the name of Christ.

The evidence has nothing to do with pixie dust or jewels appearing in somebody’s teeth. It has nothing to do with fake miracles or healings that are only partial, only last for a few days at best, and have NEVER produced one verifiable medical case.

Quite to the contrary, the Bible makes it unmistakeably clear those who are in Christ WILL SUFFER PERSECUTION! It does not say they will get healthy or wealthy! And those members of the body of Christ living in many countries around the world know this to be case. They are under no delusions and most who proclaim revival has come along with prosperity would be run out of those countries on a rail!

The questions are these – If these are all signs of revival, then why do believers have to go to meetings to “get some”? Why has there NEVER BEEN ONE CASE of a healing crusade taking place in a hospital? Why have these so-called divine healers never duplicated the ministry of the apostles and raised somebody from the dead? Why does revival not produce godly change that shows to the world that these people have been with Christ?

So are we in the last days? I would say, YES! Are we seeing true biblical revival? I would say, NO! Is the church as a whole like a bride making herself ready for the return of the King? Again, I would say, NO! Are the current signs and wonders movements of God or a deception of the evil one in order to try and take the worship from the Almighty that rightly belongs to Jesus Christ alone? I would say, NO they are not from God, and YES, they are a deception!

This leads at this time to one final series of thoughts. The Bible clearly speaks of signs and wonders. What does this mean? What are we as true believers to be looking for? Can it be found and how will we know it is for real? We shall look at this from a Biblical perspective in the third part of our series.

Desiring True Signs and Wonders,
The Desert Pastor

***** This second part is broken into two sections due to its length! *****

Nearly 2000 years of church history has gone under the bridge of time, and there are still billions who have never heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. During this span of time, churches have come and gone, and denominations have risen and fallen like the ocean tides.

Around the start of the 1900’s, prayer for a change in the hearts of people through the means of revival was not necessarily producing the tangible results as some may have liked and it was not long before faithful study of the Scriptures was replaced by that which could be felt and experienced today. People were not satisfied with knowing the God of the Bible, but in some way had to have a fuller experience which would somehow change their lives with greater impact.

The Welsh Revival of 1904-1905 soon faded into a distant memory as the “revivals” on Azusa Street took place. The main differences between the two events was that with the Welsh Revival, while there were unexplained events that took place, one thing was certain – God was changing the hearts of individuals within the church. People were being gloriously saved. Bars and places of ill repute went out of business. The world sat up and took notice that these people had been with the Lord Jesus Christ.

However, with Azusa and similar meetings came a new set of criteria. Phenomenon, strange utterings, etc. were what people were coming to see in the churches – NOT to give praise, honour, and glory to the Lamb slain from before the foundation of the world. The main changes occurring had nothing to do with the salvation of souls, but with new teachings placing emphasis on feeling God. You could have experiences and accept your heart had been converted, yet with this came a denial that the life was required to change by the indwelling Spirit of God.

True works of God in the salvation of lost, wicked, depraved sinners was soon being substituted for the experiences of those who called themselves Christians. It was producing a generation of church goers who were content with “Christian-eze” on Sunday, but were free to live like the devil during the week because they were being taught they could simply come back and experience God again and be re-born again each week.

The preaching of the cross was replaced with preaching which allowed people to feel good about themselves and that took the matter of salvation out of the hands of the Sovereign God of the universe and made it dependent on the depraved minds of people who had no natural desire to love God or please Him.

So many pastors and members were duped into believing that feelings were a good substitute for living a life which was becoming more like the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these were going to “revival” meetings, being “slain in the spirit”, speaking in “heavenly” languages, etc, and yet had never been made a new creation in Christ Jesus.

This was made evident by the fact that the Bible says that those who belong to Christ will produce fruit, but thousands and millions were not producing Christ-like fruit as found in Galatians 5:22, 23. Instead, many were showing forth that their experiences meant more than the Word of God and sadly many preachers instead of standing for the truth realized that it was easier to keep a crowd by pandering to the “felt needs” of those who came to “get some.”

Multitudes of ministers began to capitalize on this and decided that they could milk this “revival” phenomenon for all it was worth. Soon tent meetings and week-long church meetings were springing up across the country and thing called a “revival” were being scheduled. Much planning, much hype, but little to no prayer quickly showed that much of what the west has seen is NOT true revival.

(Continued in Part 2….)