by Betty Miller
Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."
Foxes sometimes in search of food would enter into the grape orchards and devour the grapes and spoil the crop. However, the little foxes were too small to reach the grape bunches so they would chew on the vines and it would kill the whole vine. Instead of the farmer just losing his crop, he would lose his vine which was more disastrous. Spiritually some things we do or allow that we might think are little or insignificant can also be disastrous for us.
Every man is born with a conscience. It is a gift of God to mankind. However, man can quench his conscience by continually ignoring its voice over a period of time. The result is that his heart becomes hardened and seared so that it no longer speaks to him. How does this happen? Little by little. Just as the "little foxes" spoil the vines, so it happens with men ignoring the voice of their consciences over little things, then bigger things, then nothing evil bothers them at all.
Webster's New World Dictionary defines the conscience as: "a knowledge or sense of right and wrong, with a compulsion to do right; moral judgement that opposes the violation of a previously recognized ethical principle and that leads to feelings of guilt."
God provided a conscience even in unregenerate men to point them toward His principles and ways. All of us, before we are saved would be totally depraved if it were not for this provision of God by His grace. However, the longer people live in sin and carnality, the less the true inward conscience has any authority in their lives. Most of the time, particularly in today's culture, we have developed "false" consciences. These are "programs" in our minds, not our spirits, as to what is right and wrong, and these things (evolution, secularism, humanism, situational ethics, and traditions and doctrines of religious thinking) control what we think is moral and ethical. The world's thinking overrides and drowns out the inner voice of the true conscience that God put within us.
Hebrews 10:22 "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."
Because of the world's ungodly influences, it is very important for a Christian to allow His conscience to be "healed," or renewed, to reflect God's standards which we find in the Bible. That is why Christians cannot be guided by their consciences in most cases. It is much safer to be guided by the Word of God and by witnesses and guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Today we are shocked by the evil acts of men who perform ghastly deeds and show no remorse whatsoever. We ask, "How can they do such things?" When the conscience is seared -- burned out by constantly going against its nudgings -- then men become like animals in their behavior. The Bible speaks of this in the following verses.
1 Timothy 4:1-2: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron."
This also happened in ancient times, according to Paul's letter to the church at Rome (Romans 1). After a certain period of time, God will give someone with a seared or evil conscience "over to a reprobate mind." That means the mind cannot be renewed, because the person has for so long chosen self-ways (which really are Satan's ways) over God's that it is not possible for them to change. This should be a warning for all who persist in sin.
Romans 1:28-32: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
When we give our lives to the Lord, He begins a work in our hearts and minds and brings healing and enlightenment to the conscience.When a Christian's conscience is renewed, it will not condemn them. When a Christian's mind is renewed, it will not think carnal, self-centered thoughts. When a Christian's emotions are renewed, they will no longer be negative. When a Christian's will is renewed and submitted to God, he will no longer choose against God's ways.
This happens on the positive just the way it does on the negative side. Our little choices to obey God and live by His Word day by day will eventually bring the changes in our lives that will cause us to be more like our Lord. While on the other side, those choices to ignore the conscience and go ahead and disobey God will bring about a hardened and unrepentant heart. We are warned against allowing this to happen. Do not allow this "little fox" of small disobedience choices to gradually harden your heart.
Hebrews 3:13-17: "But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?"
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
RETAINING GOD IN OUR CONSCIENCE
To Be Without A Conscience and conscience of God, "retaining" HIM
Some people "retain" strife, fear, unbelief, lying, pride, jealousy, envy....
..They are well "habited" in their sin...... "retaining" the wrong spirit. Thier conscience allows and affords them their strife and self will, BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD TOTALLY REVOLVES AROUND keeping our hearts free of offense towards God and man.
God made everyone with a conscience. Everyone's conscience has God's standards of what is good and what is bad (Romans 2:14-15, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts,
their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;"). If this is so, how can anyone be without conscience? This can be answered by Romans 1:28. People without conscience choose not to retain God in their knowledge. In turn, God turns them over to a reprobate mind. A path of sin, destruction, and eventually death (Romans 1:28, "And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;").
You Can Say You Know God But Be Without Conscience
Many people profess to know God, but they are without conscience. They push away God's leading in the little things. They grieve, deny and resist the Holy Ghost in the everyday small things. Many people may really believe they know God, but in
their works they deny Him. Many people may talk about their love of God and profess His word, but their action show they are without conscience (Titus 1:15-16, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.").
Separated From God Is To Be Without Conscience
God does not desire for us to be separated from him. It is our choice to not be with Him. Many of us do not desire to retain God in our conscience because it is
not convenient to our fleshly desires (Romans 1:28, "And even as
they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"). Rather than being filled with God's knowledge, we default and are filled with unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,envy, deceit, and unmerciful. Romans 1:29-31 goes on listing
all the things we would rather do than retain God in our conscience. This is being without conscience.
Scriptures Related To Without A Conscience
Romans 1:28-31, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God,that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
Roman
s 2:14-15, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;"
Titus 1:15-16, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
So the key is to wake up in our conscience and yeild to the Holy Spirit rather than the flesh, and defile our conscience by doing that. God is not mocked what we sow we reap. We can turn a deaf ear in our heart to His voice, but we will have to suffer consciquences if we do.
Some people "retain" strife, fear, unbelief, lying, pride, jealousy, envy....
..They are well "habited" in their sin...... "retaining" the wrong spirit. Thier conscience allows and affords them their strife and self will, BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD TOTALLY REVOLVES AROUND keeping our hearts free of offense towards God and man.
God made everyone with a conscience. Everyone's conscience has God's standards of what is good and what is bad (Romans 2:14-15, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts,
their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;"). If this is so, how can anyone be without conscience? This can be answered by Romans 1:28. People without conscience choose not to retain God in their knowledge. In turn, God turns them over to a reprobate mind. A path of sin, destruction, and eventually death (Romans 1:28, "And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;").
You Can Say You Know God But Be Without Conscience
Many people profess to know God, but they are without conscience. They push away God's leading in the little things. They grieve, deny and resist the Holy Ghost in the everyday small things. Many people may really believe they know God, but in
their works they deny Him. Many people may talk about their love of God and profess His word, but their action show they are without conscience (Titus 1:15-16, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. [16] They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.").
Separated From God Is To Be Without Conscience
God does not desire for us to be separated from him. It is our choice to not be with Him. Many of us do not desire to retain God in our conscience because it is
not convenient to our fleshly desires (Romans 1:28, "And even as
they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;"). Rather than being filled with God's knowledge, we default and are filled with unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness,envy, deceit, and unmerciful. Romans 1:29-31 goes on listing
all the things we would rather do than retain God in our conscience. This is being without conscience.
Scriptures Related To Without A Conscience
Romans 1:28-31, "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God,that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
Roman
s 2:14-15, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;"
Titus 1:15-16, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."
So the key is to wake up in our conscience and yeild to the Holy Spirit rather than the flesh, and defile our conscience by doing that. God is not mocked what we sow we reap. We can turn a deaf ear in our heart to His voice, but we will have to suffer consciquences if we do.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
THE FROGS ARE GETTING HOTTER by Gene, edited by Carlos
THE FROGS ARE GETTING HOTTER
When writing the tille, I would not use “”.
We have all heard the analogy
I would not begin the text with this sentence because it’s not true that we have all heard. See the suggested replacement:
Scientists discovered that frogs placed into a pot of lukewarm water slowly brought to a boil will peacefully remain in it without feeling any discomfort as long as the heating process is done slowly. Eventually, the frogs will be cooked without realizing what is happening. It’s further stated that if one initially puts the frogs into boiling or hot water instead of lukewarm, they will immediately reacted and jump out of the pot.
Scientific experiences also determined that at several stages during the heating process as the water becomes somewhat hot, at the introduction of another frog into the pot, the new frog will immediately “ball out”, even though the first frogs are physically unaffected or uninjured, and will remain comfortably in the pot until their death.
The two paragraphs above were completely re-written in a way that made the idea more clear to me. It is important to remember though that I am not a native English speaker. But I bought the St. Martin’s Handbook on academic and professional writing and am reading it.
After telling the reader about the scientific discoveries about boiling frogs to death, I would tell them about the analogy.
Is and when we think about the behavior of the frogs that allow themselves to be cooked to death, described above, and look at the behavior of contemporary Christians, we can find many similarities on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the cooked frogs and today’s church member Christians.
In the paragraph above, the text points to the similarity between the cooked frogs and the Christian church members. This similarity will be the basis for the comparison.
The paragraph below was also altered. New words were added to it, the order of the adjectives was modified.
The paragraph was divided in three:
First, the so called denominational system is described and characterized as humanist or secular. The word humanist fits better the description than the word humanistically.
Second, the purposes of the denominational system were stated. I took the liberty of adding to the characteristics of the system that it wants to increase the flow of offerings and tiles and therefore increase the church income. I also enumerated some pieces of Scripture.
Third, the citation that describes the leaders of the Christian denominational system was isolated in one new paragraph which contains the transcription of ten different Bible translations. Of course the letter will not be issued with all the transcriptions, but I though it would be fun to show them in the draft.
This analogy compares the frogs placed in a pot of lukewarm water that is brought to boiling, without any reaction whatsoever until they pass from life to death, to the vast majority of the Christian church growing population placed in the Christian church denominational system characterized by professionalism, organization, politically correct philosophies, attitudes and messages, as well as a humanist and/or secular order.
The abovementioned Christian denominational system is designed to attract, entice and entertain a large number of people, increase the flow of offerings and tiles and therefore increase the church income. There is no intention to comply with the standards set in the New Testament as blueprint for the Christian ministry such as for example the ones found in 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 3, and 1 Thessalonians 2. Even if there was such such intention, it would be impossible due to the size of the churches. Unfortunately, its members are enticed because they are attracted by promises that will never come true and subjected to sales gimmicks that continually promote the growth of the Christian denomination, enriches and empowers its leaders.
The New Testament describes today’s Christian denominational system and their leaders in 2 Peter 2:18-19, transcribed below in ten different translations:
KJV: For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
NASB: For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.(NASB ©1995)
GWT: They arrogantly use nonsense to seduce people by appealing to their sexual desires, especially to sexual freedom. They seduce people who have just escaped from those who live in error. They promise these people freedom, but they themselves are slaves to corruption. A person is a slave to whatever he gives in to.(GOD'S WORD®)
ASV: For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.
BBE: For with high-sounding false words, making use of the attraction of unclean desires of the flesh, they get into their power those newly made free from those who are living in error; Saying that they will be free, while they themselves are the servants of destruction; because whatever gets the better of a man makes a servant of him.
DBY: For while speaking great highflown words of vanity, they allure with the lusts of the flesh, by dissoluteness, those who have just fled those who walk in error, promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is subdued, by him is he also brought into slavery.
WEY: For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use earthly cravings--every kind of immorality--as a bait to entrap men who are just escaping from the influence of those who live in error. And they promise them freedom, although they are themselves the slaves of what is corrupt. For a man is the slave of any one by whom he has been worsted in fight.
WBS: For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that had quite escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for by whom a man is overcome, by the same is he brought into bondage.
WEB: For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
YLT: for overswellings of vanity speaking, they do entice in desires of the flesh -- lasciviousnesses, those who had truly escaped from those conducting themselves in error, liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude,
The leaders of today’s Christian denominational system also teach that financial gain is godliness and that faith will appropriate all your desires. They teach people to remind God of His Word and the promises made to His children. A Christian that prays this way, they say, will get all that’s asked (demanded) for. And on it goes, having a “form of Godliness in some cases but overall without Scriptural Authority or Holiness.
According to 1 Timothy 6:15, these leaders have gone astray from the faith:
KJV: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
NASB: which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.(NASB ©1995)
GWT: Although some claim to have knowledge, they have abandoned the faith. God's good will be with all of you.(GOD'S WORD®)
ASV: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.
BBE: Through which some, who gave their minds to it, have been turned away from the faith. Grace be with you.
DBY: of which some having made profession, have missed the faith. Grace be with thee.
WEY: of which some have spoken boastfully in connexion with the true faith, and have erred. Grace be with you all.
WBS: Which some professing, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
WEB: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
YLT: which certain professing -- concerning the faith did swerve; the grace is with you. Amen.
The so called leaders of today’s Christian denominational system disregarded the Scriptures only source of wisdom that leads men to salvation. See 2 Timothy 3:15 transcribed below in ten different translations:
KJV: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
NASB: and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.(NASB ©1995)
GWT: From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.(GOD'S WORD®)
ASV: And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
BBE: And that from the time when you were a child, you have had knowledge of the holy Writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.
DBY: and that from a child thou hast known the sacred letters, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
WEY: and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to obtain salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
WBS: And that from a child thou hast known the sacred scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
WEB: From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
YLT: and because from a babe the Holy Writings thou hast known, which are able to make thee wise -- to salvation, through faith that is in Christ Jesus;
The paragraph below was also amended. I understand it to be necessary to indicate the name of the article, its author and magazine which published it. If the information is not available in the document, it can be retrieved through the internet or using other resources.
Recently, when going through my files, I found one article about THE SHEPHERDING AND DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT that took place in the early 70’s. For over four years I lived in the city of Ft Lauderdale, State of Florida and was actively involved with this movement by being a disciple of one of its leaders.
I got to read an article entitled ______________ , written by ___________ , published within that time period about what both a disciple and a believer could expect from their pastors and spiritual authorities. In its introduction, the article stated a few commonly known and held truths at that time such as:
I could not fully understand the truth number one. However, I tried to edit to express what I understood. I had to eliminate the quotes.
When the flock (the congregation) experience a spiritual awakening, it becomes knowledgeable in the scriptures. As a consequence, it becomes able to judge the pastors and leaders and demand from them what it’s entitled to.
Although I understood the idea contained in the paragraph below, I felt the same necessity to express it more clearly. I made some changes added the preposition “of” after the word “aware”, eliminated the quotes, etc.
Bible reading and Spirit filled believers become more and more aware of and able to recognize the true shepherds of the flock. Therefore, they will identify those who they can and cannot trust. [“Nervously, they will flee from the Pastor (leader) who lacks truth, personal involvement, and spiritual revelation with their lives.] The so called Bible reading and Spirit filled believers put their pastors are “on the spot” and “under glass”. There are gifted with discernment and revelation from the Scriptures concerning the ministry of the “True Shepherd” and start to question whether or not they are under a true pastor. They become able to compare the order and the ministry they belong, to the New Testament pattern.
More changes and suggestions below. I eliminated the second reference to Ft. Lauderdale because it was already made before.
This article was published simultaneously by the major Christian Evangelical and Charismatic renewal magazines within a period of three or four years into THE SHEPHERDING AND DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT. At that time, there was a great revival within the Pastoral ministry nationwide. Pastors and leaders were getting together and participating in interdenominational conferences centered around the “Shepherds Ministry”. Fortunately, I was directly involved and had the opportunity to participate and learn.
I remember one particular conference held in Kansas City in which I served as head usher and saw over five thousand American and foreign Pastors and leaders, from Pentecostal, and charismatic denominations, go the their knees and some fall prostrate as the Holy Spirit led them through repentance as the “Word” from the speakers dealt with what a “Good Shepherd” is and isn’t”.
The above was brought up in order to help you understand the Articles statement of: “a few commonly known and held truths at that time”. A large segment of “cutting edge” Christian Leadership were seeing and being instructed and convicted of our Lord’s requirement for what He looks for in the Pastorate. There was a distinct and defined move of God going on in the Pastoral Ministry bringing it back to it’s roots. Restoring the speaking of truth, real shepherding care (laying hands on the sick and afflicted, expelling demons) and being relationally and personally involved in the believers family and life: Imparting the ministry of Jesus to them.
The Shepherding Movement became a world wide movement because God’s people was responding to the need for sincere anointed spiritual ministry that could take them from a state culture of “church religion” into “The Kingdom of God” and being under the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Living in close submitted, truthful, open and transparent relationships. Being personally involved in the congregation’s lives, and family. Being “family” by loving one another (speaking truth and confronting sin and compromise in one another’s burdens. This movement was tearing down the religious walls and replacing the “church pew” with adjustable seating, so people could “face” one another and begin to have relationships “in spirit and truth.”
I didn’t edit the three paragraphs above. However, could not resist editing the ones below.
Well, as I was reading this 1974 article on how believers were instinctively beginning to know who they could trust in Pastoral ministry, on how they would “nervously” withdraw from those who didn’t have truth, or who were more professional than personal, and who didn’t speak from a true revelation of the word, I realized that today’s contemporary Christianity is experience is exactly the opposite!
Today’s church people is “NERVOUSLY” withdrawing and fleeing from the shepherds or leaders who speaks the truth, who brings that truth to the church members in a personal way, who are willing to be personally involved with their lives and families, and who are preaching from a spiritual revelation based in the Word of God and applicable to specific areas of their lives.
That which “WAS” seen as something to be sought after and prayed for, has “NOW” become “cultish” and something to flee from, something to fear, and to speak against.
To a large extent, today’s Christianity and pastorate are dedicated to create a spiritual environment that allures and comforts with no threat of personal involvement or requirements. The Pastor’s whole agenda is to make the audience feel good about themselves and about their future.
Nothing will be said to disturb or make you feel uncomfortable.
You will never be embarrassed to made to feel ashamed.
You will be assured of God’s love and acceptence no matter what you’ve done or are currently doing.
You will always be reminded that there is nothing you can do to gain God’s favor. And, of course, it includes (a) confession, (b) repentance, (c) commitment, (d) conviction, (e) sorrow, (f) brokenness, etc.
Nobody would want you to feel bad or ashamed.
This is not only a “feel good Christianity wave”. No! It is the lukewarm water caldron in which satan placed today’s Christians. They are confortably seating in it not being able to perceive that the water’s temperature is being increased and that they will boil to death.
If you’re a Pastor within this system, you have absolutely no scriptural position for it. If you’re a believer within the system, you need to ask Jesus for revelation and faith to leave it. I say it because if you understand the New Testament and have true communion with the Holy Spirit you already know that this system and the professional pastors are the ones that scriptures directs us away from (1 Tim 6:3-5, Rev. 3”16-17).
Jeremiah 23 tells us what the standard of ministry is and should be, as follows:
The Righteous Branch
1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. 3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.
5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David [a] a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteousness.
7 "So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' 8 but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."
Lying Prophets
9 Concerning the prophets:
My heart is broken within me;
all my bones tremble.
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the LORD
and his holy words.
10 The land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse [b] the land lies parched [c]
and the pastures in the desert are withered.
The prophets follow an evil course
and use their power unjustly.
11 "Both prophet and priest are godless;
even in my temple I find their wickedness,"
declares the LORD.
12 "Therefore their path will become slippery;
they will be banished to darkness
and there they will fall.
I will bring disaster on them
in the year they are punished,"
declares the LORD.
13 "Among the prophets of Samaria
I saw this repulsive thing:
They prophesied by Baal
and led my people Israel astray.
14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen something horrible:
They commit adultery and live a lie.
They strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from his wickedness.
They are all like Sodom to me;
the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah."
15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets:
"I will make them eat bitter food
and drink poisoned water,
because from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land."
16 This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their own minds,
not from the mouth of the LORD.
17 They keep saying to those who despise me,
'The LORD says: You will have peace.'
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts
they say, 'No harm will come to you.'
18 But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD
to see or to hear his word?
Who has listened and heard his word?
19 See, the storm of the LORD
will burst out in wrath,
a whirlwind swirling down
on the heads of the wicked.
20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand it clearly.
21 I did not send these prophets,
yet they have run with their message;
I did not speak to them,
yet they have prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my council,
they would have proclaimed my words to my people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
and from their evil deeds.
23 "Am I only a God nearby,"
declares the LORD,
"and not a God far away?
24 Can anyone hide in secret places
so that I cannot see him?"
declares the LORD.
"Do not I fill heaven and earth?"
declares the LORD.
25 "I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. 29 "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
30 "Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The LORD declares.' 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," declares the LORD. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least," declares the LORD.
False Oracles and False Prophets
33 "When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, 'What is the oracle [d] of the LORD ' say to them, 'What oracle? [e] I will forsake you, declares the LORD.' 34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' I will punish that man and his household. 35 This is what each of you keeps on saying to his friend or relative: 'What is the LORD's answer?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 36 But you must not mention 'the oracle of the LORD ' again, because every man's own word becomes his oracle and so you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God. 37 This is what you keep saying to a prophet: 'What is the LORD's answer to you?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 38 Although you claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' this is what the LORD says: You used the words, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' even though I told you that you must not claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD.' 39 Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your fathers. 40 I will bring upon you everlasting disgrace—everlasting shame that will not be forgotten."."
So we get our title “THE FROGS ARE GETTING HOTTER.” Unfortunately, the frogs in this case are the multitudes within the formalities, political, humanistic order church caldron called the church, who have been diluted and duped by the worldly accepted and inspired religion of our days. Those who are in the system are, with great emulation and worldly faith, following millionaire pastors who, while making merchandise of their own congregations, promise them prosperity and a life free of debt and financial worries (2 Pet. 2).
The “shepherding movement” was killed by the powerful and growing millionaire church movement whose agenda is “growth, numbers, and power.” Not care, personal involvement, and New Testament (theocratic) order.
When writing the tille, I would not use “”.
We have all heard the analogy
I would not begin the text with this sentence because it’s not true that we have all heard. See the suggested replacement:
Scientists discovered that frogs placed into a pot of lukewarm water slowly brought to a boil will peacefully remain in it without feeling any discomfort as long as the heating process is done slowly. Eventually, the frogs will be cooked without realizing what is happening. It’s further stated that if one initially puts the frogs into boiling or hot water instead of lukewarm, they will immediately reacted and jump out of the pot.
Scientific experiences also determined that at several stages during the heating process as the water becomes somewhat hot, at the introduction of another frog into the pot, the new frog will immediately “ball out”, even though the first frogs are physically unaffected or uninjured, and will remain comfortably in the pot until their death.
The two paragraphs above were completely re-written in a way that made the idea more clear to me. It is important to remember though that I am not a native English speaker. But I bought the St. Martin’s Handbook on academic and professional writing and am reading it.
After telling the reader about the scientific discoveries about boiling frogs to death, I would tell them about the analogy.
Is and when we think about the behavior of the frogs that allow themselves to be cooked to death, described above, and look at the behavior of contemporary Christians, we can find many similarities on which a comparison may be based: the analogy between the cooked frogs and today’s church member Christians.
In the paragraph above, the text points to the similarity between the cooked frogs and the Christian church members. This similarity will be the basis for the comparison.
The paragraph below was also altered. New words were added to it, the order of the adjectives was modified.
The paragraph was divided in three:
First, the so called denominational system is described and characterized as humanist or secular. The word humanist fits better the description than the word humanistically.
Second, the purposes of the denominational system were stated. I took the liberty of adding to the characteristics of the system that it wants to increase the flow of offerings and tiles and therefore increase the church income. I also enumerated some pieces of Scripture.
Third, the citation that describes the leaders of the Christian denominational system was isolated in one new paragraph which contains the transcription of ten different Bible translations. Of course the letter will not be issued with all the transcriptions, but I though it would be fun to show them in the draft.
This analogy compares the frogs placed in a pot of lukewarm water that is brought to boiling, without any reaction whatsoever until they pass from life to death, to the vast majority of the Christian church growing population placed in the Christian church denominational system characterized by professionalism, organization, politically correct philosophies, attitudes and messages, as well as a humanist and/or secular order.
The abovementioned Christian denominational system is designed to attract, entice and entertain a large number of people, increase the flow of offerings and tiles and therefore increase the church income. There is no intention to comply with the standards set in the New Testament as blueprint for the Christian ministry such as for example the ones found in 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Timothy 3, and 1 Thessalonians 2. Even if there was such such intention, it would be impossible due to the size of the churches. Unfortunately, its members are enticed because they are attracted by promises that will never come true and subjected to sales gimmicks that continually promote the growth of the Christian denomination, enriches and empowers its leaders.
The New Testament describes today’s Christian denominational system and their leaders in 2 Peter 2:18-19, transcribed below in ten different translations:
KJV: For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
NASB: For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.(NASB ©1995)
GWT: They arrogantly use nonsense to seduce people by appealing to their sexual desires, especially to sexual freedom. They seduce people who have just escaped from those who live in error. They promise these people freedom, but they themselves are slaves to corruption. A person is a slave to whatever he gives in to.(GOD'S WORD®)
ASV: For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.
BBE: For with high-sounding false words, making use of the attraction of unclean desires of the flesh, they get into their power those newly made free from those who are living in error; Saying that they will be free, while they themselves are the servants of destruction; because whatever gets the better of a man makes a servant of him.
DBY: For while speaking great highflown words of vanity, they allure with the lusts of the flesh, by dissoluteness, those who have just fled those who walk in error, promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is subdued, by him is he also brought into slavery.
WEY: For, while they pour out their frivolous and arrogant talk, they use earthly cravings--every kind of immorality--as a bait to entrap men who are just escaping from the influence of those who live in error. And they promise them freedom, although they are themselves the slaves of what is corrupt. For a man is the slave of any one by whom he has been worsted in fight.
WBS: For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that had quite escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for by whom a man is overcome, by the same is he brought into bondage.
WEB: For, uttering great swelling words of emptiness, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by licentiousness, those who are indeed escaping from those who live in error; promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.
YLT: for overswellings of vanity speaking, they do entice in desires of the flesh -- lasciviousnesses, those who had truly escaped from those conducting themselves in error, liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude,
The leaders of today’s Christian denominational system also teach that financial gain is godliness and that faith will appropriate all your desires. They teach people to remind God of His Word and the promises made to His children. A Christian that prays this way, they say, will get all that’s asked (demanded) for. And on it goes, having a “form of Godliness in some cases but overall without Scriptural Authority or Holiness.
According to 1 Timothy 6:15, these leaders have gone astray from the faith:
KJV: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
NASB: which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.(NASB ©1995)
GWT: Although some claim to have knowledge, they have abandoned the faith. God's good will be with all of you.(GOD'S WORD®)
ASV: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.
BBE: Through which some, who gave their minds to it, have been turned away from the faith. Grace be with you.
DBY: of which some having made profession, have missed the faith. Grace be with thee.
WEY: of which some have spoken boastfully in connexion with the true faith, and have erred. Grace be with you all.
WBS: Which some professing, have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
WEB: which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.
YLT: which certain professing -- concerning the faith did swerve; the grace is with you. Amen.
The so called leaders of today’s Christian denominational system disregarded the Scriptures only source of wisdom that leads men to salvation. See 2 Timothy 3:15 transcribed below in ten different translations:
KJV: And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
NASB: and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.(NASB ©1995)
GWT: From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. They have the power to give you wisdom so that you can be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.(GOD'S WORD®)
ASV: And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
BBE: And that from the time when you were a child, you have had knowledge of the holy Writings, which are able to make you wise to salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus.
DBY: and that from a child thou hast known the sacred letters, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
WEY: and that from infancy you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise to obtain salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
WBS: And that from a child thou hast known the sacred scriptures, which are able to make thee wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
WEB: From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
YLT: and because from a babe the Holy Writings thou hast known, which are able to make thee wise -- to salvation, through faith that is in Christ Jesus;
The paragraph below was also amended. I understand it to be necessary to indicate the name of the article, its author and magazine which published it. If the information is not available in the document, it can be retrieved through the internet or using other resources.
Recently, when going through my files, I found one article about THE SHEPHERDING AND DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT that took place in the early 70’s. For over four years I lived in the city of Ft Lauderdale, State of Florida and was actively involved with this movement by being a disciple of one of its leaders.
I got to read an article entitled ______________ , written by ___________ , published within that time period about what both a disciple and a believer could expect from their pastors and spiritual authorities. In its introduction, the article stated a few commonly known and held truths at that time such as:
I could not fully understand the truth number one. However, I tried to edit to express what I understood. I had to eliminate the quotes.
When the flock (the congregation) experience a spiritual awakening, it becomes knowledgeable in the scriptures. As a consequence, it becomes able to judge the pastors and leaders and demand from them what it’s entitled to.
Although I understood the idea contained in the paragraph below, I felt the same necessity to express it more clearly. I made some changes added the preposition “of” after the word “aware”, eliminated the quotes, etc.
Bible reading and Spirit filled believers become more and more aware of and able to recognize the true shepherds of the flock. Therefore, they will identify those who they can and cannot trust. [“Nervously, they will flee from the Pastor (leader) who lacks truth, personal involvement, and spiritual revelation with their lives.] The so called Bible reading and Spirit filled believers put their pastors are “on the spot” and “under glass”. There are gifted with discernment and revelation from the Scriptures concerning the ministry of the “True Shepherd” and start to question whether or not they are under a true pastor. They become able to compare the order and the ministry they belong, to the New Testament pattern.
More changes and suggestions below. I eliminated the second reference to Ft. Lauderdale because it was already made before.
This article was published simultaneously by the major Christian Evangelical and Charismatic renewal magazines within a period of three or four years into THE SHEPHERDING AND DISCIPLESHIP MOVEMENT. At that time, there was a great revival within the Pastoral ministry nationwide. Pastors and leaders were getting together and participating in interdenominational conferences centered around the “Shepherds Ministry”. Fortunately, I was directly involved and had the opportunity to participate and learn.
I remember one particular conference held in Kansas City in which I served as head usher and saw over five thousand American and foreign Pastors and leaders, from Pentecostal, and charismatic denominations, go the their knees and some fall prostrate as the Holy Spirit led them through repentance as the “Word” from the speakers dealt with what a “Good Shepherd” is and isn’t”.
The above was brought up in order to help you understand the Articles statement of: “a few commonly known and held truths at that time”. A large segment of “cutting edge” Christian Leadership were seeing and being instructed and convicted of our Lord’s requirement for what He looks for in the Pastorate. There was a distinct and defined move of God going on in the Pastoral Ministry bringing it back to it’s roots. Restoring the speaking of truth, real shepherding care (laying hands on the sick and afflicted, expelling demons) and being relationally and personally involved in the believers family and life: Imparting the ministry of Jesus to them.
The Shepherding Movement became a world wide movement because God’s people was responding to the need for sincere anointed spiritual ministry that could take them from a state culture of “church religion” into “The Kingdom of God” and being under the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Living in close submitted, truthful, open and transparent relationships. Being personally involved in the congregation’s lives, and family. Being “family” by loving one another (speaking truth and confronting sin and compromise in one another’s burdens. This movement was tearing down the religious walls and replacing the “church pew” with adjustable seating, so people could “face” one another and begin to have relationships “in spirit and truth.”
I didn’t edit the three paragraphs above. However, could not resist editing the ones below.
Well, as I was reading this 1974 article on how believers were instinctively beginning to know who they could trust in Pastoral ministry, on how they would “nervously” withdraw from those who didn’t have truth, or who were more professional than personal, and who didn’t speak from a true revelation of the word, I realized that today’s contemporary Christianity is experience is exactly the opposite!
Today’s church people is “NERVOUSLY” withdrawing and fleeing from the shepherds or leaders who speaks the truth, who brings that truth to the church members in a personal way, who are willing to be personally involved with their lives and families, and who are preaching from a spiritual revelation based in the Word of God and applicable to specific areas of their lives.
That which “WAS” seen as something to be sought after and prayed for, has “NOW” become “cultish” and something to flee from, something to fear, and to speak against.
To a large extent, today’s Christianity and pastorate are dedicated to create a spiritual environment that allures and comforts with no threat of personal involvement or requirements. The Pastor’s whole agenda is to make the audience feel good about themselves and about their future.
Nothing will be said to disturb or make you feel uncomfortable.
You will never be embarrassed to made to feel ashamed.
You will be assured of God’s love and acceptence no matter what you’ve done or are currently doing.
You will always be reminded that there is nothing you can do to gain God’s favor. And, of course, it includes (a) confession, (b) repentance, (c) commitment, (d) conviction, (e) sorrow, (f) brokenness, etc.
Nobody would want you to feel bad or ashamed.
This is not only a “feel good Christianity wave”. No! It is the lukewarm water caldron in which satan placed today’s Christians. They are confortably seating in it not being able to perceive that the water’s temperature is being increased and that they will boil to death.
If you’re a Pastor within this system, you have absolutely no scriptural position for it. If you’re a believer within the system, you need to ask Jesus for revelation and faith to leave it. I say it because if you understand the New Testament and have true communion with the Holy Spirit you already know that this system and the professional pastors are the ones that scriptures directs us away from (1 Tim 6:3-5, Rev. 3”16-17).
Jeremiah 23 tells us what the standard of ministry is and should be, as follows:
The Righteous Branch
1 "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. 3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.
5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David [a] a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.
6 In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteousness.
7 "So then, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when people will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,' 8 but they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.' Then they will live in their own land."
Lying Prophets
9 Concerning the prophets:
My heart is broken within me;
all my bones tremble.
I am like a drunken man,
like a man overcome by wine,
because of the LORD
and his holy words.
10 The land is full of adulterers;
because of the curse [b] the land lies parched [c]
and the pastures in the desert are withered.
The prophets follow an evil course
and use their power unjustly.
11 "Both prophet and priest are godless;
even in my temple I find their wickedness,"
declares the LORD.
12 "Therefore their path will become slippery;
they will be banished to darkness
and there they will fall.
I will bring disaster on them
in the year they are punished,"
declares the LORD.
13 "Among the prophets of Samaria
I saw this repulsive thing:
They prophesied by Baal
and led my people Israel astray.
14 And among the prophets of Jerusalem
I have seen something horrible:
They commit adultery and live a lie.
They strengthen the hands of evildoers,
so that no one turns from his wickedness.
They are all like Sodom to me;
the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah."
15 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty says concerning the prophets:
"I will make them eat bitter food
and drink poisoned water,
because from the prophets of Jerusalem
ungodliness has spread throughout the land."
16 This is what the LORD Almighty says:
"Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you;
they fill you with false hopes.
They speak visions from their own minds,
not from the mouth of the LORD.
17 They keep saying to those who despise me,
'The LORD says: You will have peace.'
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts
they say, 'No harm will come to you.'
18 But which of them has stood in the council of the LORD
to see or to hear his word?
Who has listened and heard his word?
19 See, the storm of the LORD
will burst out in wrath,
a whirlwind swirling down
on the heads of the wicked.
20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back
until he fully accomplishes
the purposes of his heart.
In days to come
you will understand it clearly.
21 I did not send these prophets,
yet they have run with their message;
I did not speak to them,
yet they have prophesied.
22 But if they had stood in my council,
they would have proclaimed my words to my people
and would have turned them from their evil ways
and from their evil deeds.
23 "Am I only a God nearby,"
declares the LORD,
"and not a God far away?
24 Can anyone hide in secret places
so that I cannot see him?"
declares the LORD.
"Do not I fill heaven and earth?"
declares the LORD.
25 "I have heard what the prophets say who prophesy lies in my name. They say, 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' 26 How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? 27 They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship. 28 Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?" declares the LORD. 29 "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?
30 "Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me. 31 Yes," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and yet declare, 'The LORD declares.' 32 Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams," declares the LORD. "They tell them and lead my people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least," declares the LORD.
False Oracles and False Prophets
33 "When these people, or a prophet or a priest, ask you, 'What is the oracle [d] of the LORD ' say to them, 'What oracle? [e] I will forsake you, declares the LORD.' 34 If a prophet or a priest or anyone else claims, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' I will punish that man and his household. 35 This is what each of you keeps on saying to his friend or relative: 'What is the LORD's answer?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 36 But you must not mention 'the oracle of the LORD ' again, because every man's own word becomes his oracle and so you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God. 37 This is what you keep saying to a prophet: 'What is the LORD's answer to you?' or 'What has the LORD spoken?' 38 Although you claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' this is what the LORD says: You used the words, 'This is the oracle of the LORD,' even though I told you that you must not claim, 'This is the oracle of the LORD.' 39 Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your fathers. 40 I will bring upon you everlasting disgrace—everlasting shame that will not be forgotten."."
So we get our title “THE FROGS ARE GETTING HOTTER.” Unfortunately, the frogs in this case are the multitudes within the formalities, political, humanistic order church caldron called the church, who have been diluted and duped by the worldly accepted and inspired religion of our days. Those who are in the system are, with great emulation and worldly faith, following millionaire pastors who, while making merchandise of their own congregations, promise them prosperity and a life free of debt and financial worries (2 Pet. 2).
The “shepherding movement” was killed by the powerful and growing millionaire church movement whose agenda is “growth, numbers, and power.” Not care, personal involvement, and New Testament (theocratic) order.
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