Thursday, July 3, 2025
The Children Have Been Robbed
When we are in a gathering led by the Holy Spirit, there are at times wonderful moments of silence; not every moment is filled with noise.
Zechariah 2:13
"13 “Be silent, all mankind, before the Lord; for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God,"
Psalm 62:1 "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him,"
Many people boast of how busy their lives are, as though it means they are having an exciting and fulfilling life. This could not be farther from the truth. Excitement is fleeting, and a fulfilled life is one in which there is time to ponder the things of life without clatter and babble.
Remember the Tower of Babel when God confused their language and they could no longer communicate with one another. Not only that, what they heard was meaningless because they couldn't understand what others were saying.
So much noise today is meaningless and worse, deceptive. It brings a false sense of meaning but adds nothing to the lives of those addicted to it.
When I was a child, one of my favorite things was to take a book to the hill and sit in the shade surrounded by cows. The beauty of God's creation, the animals, and the book that could be read without noise was a blessing to me.
Our modern children are missing so much, not being able to sit alone in silence. The distraction of continual phones, TVs, and iPads has robbed them of peaceful times.
Serenity is gone, deafening noise is continual, and distracting to the things that really matter in life. People have more information and less wisdom than ever before. There is no fear of God, no understanding and the treasures remain hidden.
Proverbs 2:3-5: "Indeed, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Zechariah 2:13
"13 “Be silent, all mankind, before the Lord; for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God,"
Psalm 62:1 "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him,"
Many people boast of how busy their lives are, as though it means they are having an exciting and fulfilling life. This could not be farther from the truth. Excitement is fleeting, and a fulfilled life is one in which there is time to ponder the things of life without clatter and babble.
Remember the Tower of Babel when God confused their language and they could no longer communicate with one another. Not only that, what they heard was meaningless because they couldn't understand what others were saying.
So much noise today is meaningless and worse, deceptive. It brings a false sense of meaning but adds nothing to the lives of those addicted to it.
When I was a child, one of my favorite things was to take a book to the hill and sit in the shade surrounded by cows. The beauty of God's creation, the animals, and the book that could be read without noise was a blessing to me.
Our modern children are missing so much, not being able to sit alone in silence. The distraction of continual phones, TVs, and iPads has robbed them of peaceful times.
Serenity is gone, deafening noise is continual, and distracting to the things that really matter in life. People have more information and less wisdom than ever before. There is no fear of God, no understanding and the treasures remain hidden.
Proverbs 2:3-5: "Indeed, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Faith or Emotionalism?
An emotional high is not evidence of faith! The devil knows how to manipulate emotions that distract from Christ.
Faith Does Not Come by an Emotional High
Romans 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Faith does not come by an emotional high!
The Foolishness of Modern Christianity
Amos 5:23 "Take away from me the noise of your songs;
to the melody of your harps I will not listen."
Matthew 6:6-8 "…6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.…"
Notice the pagans use mantras and vain repetition in their worship of false gods. We are not to do as the pagans do.
Matthew 6:7
7 “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words."
Songs are a form of prayer, repeating the same words over and over again, while creating a state of euphoria that is fleshly and not pleasing to God. This focuses on the flesh and the feelings, not on Christ.
The goal of the modern church service is to keep the people
manipulated and entertained so they will come back.
When is the last time you saw the following expression happen in a church gathering?
James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."
The element of worshipful repentance and surrender to Christ is absent from gatherings where the music is the central theme.
The result of this focus on entertainment is elevated levels of pride, a sort of showing off to those around you, and attempts to fit in rather than focusing on Christ.
These displays of entertainment focus on mantras without depth and are absent of the the Word of God.
Nowhere in scripture are we told that a "leader" is to determine what we pray or sing. In God's gathering, each person, as led by the Holy Spirit, in spontaneity calls for a song or prayer, and others join in.
We are a culture that wants everything to be planned and manipulated by men so that it all turns out the way we wish to see it; it has nothing to do with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The services in our day are man-made and man-centered. The people in the pews focus on and obey the leader up front, never once hearing from the Holy Spirit because of the noise of those who expect obedience to them.
It is astounding to me that so many Christians have a wrong view of the gathering of believers. God intended all members to participate in sharing the Word, prayer, and song. No one sits facing forward, unresponsive to what others are saying.
When we participate, we have to think, ponder, and come to the gathering prepared with Bible truth to be able to engage with others as we edify one another, pointing all to Christ. Those who practice this form of gathering read and study their Bibles regularly at home before they enter the gathering. When we are filled with the Spirit of God and know His Word we will always have something from Him to share.
I remember many years ago my mother telling me she attended a particular church because she liked the music. I never once heard the name of Jesus Christ roll from her tongue. This was and is the state of modern Christianity.
I once heard a "pastor" tell his congregation that he was raised that "going to church" was the decent thing to do, nothing about Christ, everything about being a responsible citizen in society. I grieved when I heard it, but he didn't even know what he said was not Christ-centered but society-centered.
I have been asked "which church I attend", never "have you been changed by Christ into a new creation?" or something equivalent to "are you born-again?"
I have asked people if they were born again, and their answer came back, which church they were a member of, and they didn't even know what I was talking about, or worse, acted embarrassed at the term "born-again" because it seemed radical to them.
Is it any wonder why our country has been declining in everything in recent years? I don't mean finances or safety, I mean morally and spiritually. Our generation does not know what respect looks like, even though they were more respectful than their children have been; they still tolerate the disrespect from their children as though it is normal communication.
I am in my 70s now and can look back at the superficial cultural Christianity that I was raised in, but thought it was Christianity when I was too young to know better.
My admonition to all believers is to ask God to show them from His Word what God's Christianity looks like, with the willingness to discard everything they were taught that was wrong and begin again afresh learning the Way of Christ.
to the melody of your harps I will not listen."
Matthew 6:6-8 "…6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.…"
Ecclesiastes 5:2
"Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few."
"Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few."
Notice the pagans use mantras and vain repetition in their worship of false gods. We are not to do as the pagans do.
Matthew 6:7
7 “And when you are praying, do not use thoughtless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words."
Songs are a form of prayer, repeating the same words over and over again, while creating a state of euphoria that is fleshly and not pleasing to God. This focuses on the flesh and the feelings, not on Christ.
The goal of the modern church service is to keep the people
manipulated and entertained so they will come back.
When is the last time you saw the following expression happen in a church gathering?
James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail."
The element of worshipful repentance and surrender to Christ is absent from gatherings where the music is the central theme.
The result of this focus on entertainment is elevated levels of pride, a sort of showing off to those around you, and attempts to fit in rather than focusing on Christ.
These displays of entertainment focus on mantras without depth and are absent of the the Word of God.
Nowhere in scripture are we told that a "leader" is to determine what we pray or sing. In God's gathering, each person, as led by the Holy Spirit, in spontaneity calls for a song or prayer, and others join in.
We are a culture that wants everything to be planned and manipulated by men so that it all turns out the way we wish to see it; it has nothing to do with the leading of the Holy Spirit.
The services in our day are man-made and man-centered. The people in the pews focus on and obey the leader up front, never once hearing from the Holy Spirit because of the noise of those who expect obedience to them.
It is astounding to me that so many Christians have a wrong view of the gathering of believers. God intended all members to participate in sharing the Word, prayer, and song. No one sits facing forward, unresponsive to what others are saying.
When we participate, we have to think, ponder, and come to the gathering prepared with Bible truth to be able to engage with others as we edify one another, pointing all to Christ. Those who practice this form of gathering read and study their Bibles regularly at home before they enter the gathering. When we are filled with the Spirit of God and know His Word we will always have something from Him to share.
I remember many years ago my mother telling me she attended a particular church because she liked the music. I never once heard the name of Jesus Christ roll from her tongue. This was and is the state of modern Christianity.
I once heard a "pastor" tell his congregation that he was raised that "going to church" was the decent thing to do, nothing about Christ, everything about being a responsible citizen in society. I grieved when I heard it, but he didn't even know what he said was not Christ-centered but society-centered.
I have been asked "which church I attend", never "have you been changed by Christ into a new creation?" or something equivalent to "are you born-again?"
I have asked people if they were born again, and their answer came back, which church they were a member of, and they didn't even know what I was talking about, or worse, acted embarrassed at the term "born-again" because it seemed radical to them.
Is it any wonder why our country has been declining in everything in recent years? I don't mean finances or safety, I mean morally and spiritually. Our generation does not know what respect looks like, even though they were more respectful than their children have been; they still tolerate the disrespect from their children as though it is normal communication.
I am in my 70s now and can look back at the superficial cultural Christianity that I was raised in, but thought it was Christianity when I was too young to know better.
My admonition to all believers is to ask God to show them from His Word what God's Christianity looks like, with the willingness to discard everything they were taught that was wrong and begin again afresh learning the Way of Christ.
What Does it Mean to be Perfect
Jesus Christ told us to "be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." What does it mean?
Matthew 5:48 "Therefore, you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
If you tell your child to walk to grandma's house so the child walks out the door to obey that command. Is the child obeying that command by just walking out the door to obey or is the child only obeying once they arrive at grandma's house? (My husband's analogy)
I think the child is obeying in the pursuit of walking toward Grandma's. That when God told us to "be perfect", as we read it in context with the rest of the Bible, we are to pursue His perfection, but we will never arrive in this life until God changes our bodies.
As long as we are trapped in these bodies of death, we will battle temptation continually to keep from sinning. We repent when we fail, and we start again. As we mature in the Lord, our sins are confessed to Him before they become actions. Sin begins in the mind, even if there are no actions.
Many people make the mistake of thinking they have not sinned because there have been no action has been taken, but the sin is in their heart; they hide it to be acceptable to the culture.
1 John 1:9 9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Written to Christians
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
When we become saved, we don't automatically become perfect; we strive through confession and trusting Christ to change us as we move through life. This process of learning and changing as believers is called sanctification ( a continual cleansing) until the day we leave this life.
In this life because of our imperfection, we are given an advocate with the Father, which is Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit moves into us to help us confess, teaching us throughout this life.
Psalm 94:12
"Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law,"
1 John 2:1-2 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Praise God that He does not leave us orphans without instruction or direction. He is the Perfect Father Who always loves us and wants the best for us. Not our idea of best, but His!!!
Matthew 5:48 "Therefore, you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
If you tell your child to walk to grandma's house so the child walks out the door to obey that command. Is the child obeying that command by just walking out the door to obey or is the child only obeying once they arrive at grandma's house? (My husband's analogy)
I think the child is obeying in the pursuit of walking toward Grandma's. That when God told us to "be perfect", as we read it in context with the rest of the Bible, we are to pursue His perfection, but we will never arrive in this life until God changes our bodies.
As long as we are trapped in these bodies of death, we will battle temptation continually to keep from sinning. We repent when we fail, and we start again. As we mature in the Lord, our sins are confessed to Him before they become actions. Sin begins in the mind, even if there are no actions.
Many people make the mistake of thinking they have not sinned because there have been no action has been taken, but the sin is in their heart; they hide it to be acceptable to the culture.
1 John 1:9 9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Written to Christians
Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"
When we become saved, we don't automatically become perfect; we strive through confession and trusting Christ to change us as we move through life. This process of learning and changing as believers is called sanctification ( a continual cleansing) until the day we leave this life.
In this life because of our imperfection, we are given an advocate with the Father, which is Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit moves into us to help us confess, teaching us throughout this life.
Psalm 94:12
"Blessed is the man You discipline, O LORD, and teach from Your law,"
1 John 2:1-2 "1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father— Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
Ephesians 1:13-14
"13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise, 14 who is a first installment of our inheritance, in regard to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory."
Praise God that He does not leave us orphans without instruction or direction. He is the Perfect Father Who always loves us and wants the best for us. Not our idea of best, but His!!!
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