Sidetracked
Yesterday, while visiting a friend's blog, I read a post was written in regards to false teachers that promote the prosperity gospel. This post provoked a statement from one individual and a debate ensued. I admit it has been on my mind, not the post, but the debate, and how it originated. What I realized after a long thought process, was my focus was diverted to the debate as opposed to the post and the point of it. It had a valid point worthy of further research, and consieration. What I found was equaling disturbing. The prosperity gospel being promoted in Uganda, a very poor African country, by "preachers" from America.
The sad thing about the whole thing was while we fussed amongst ourselves, the TRUTH was completely and utterly ignored. Because of that I am posting an article that I found through the post of debate, that is worthy of consideration and time. Here is an African Christian's perspective:
www.yesumulugi.com
Our Faith More Precious than Gold, Tested for God’s Glory
By Kato Mivule
February 20 2005
Again going through the writings of Peter the Apostle, I am again taken by the context in which he wrote and the days and times he lived, as such it made great sense to the people to whom he wrote and those who listened to his message. The church as we already know was suffering and going through their tribulation. They were not busy reading “Left Behind” Series but encouraging one another to endure.
I write because I believe that the days coming ahead very soon, will test all the will of men and only those with divine strength from the Lord will be able to endure. This I share from the bottom of my heart that we should allow the Holy Spirit to prepare us mentally, physically and spiritually to endure the days coming ahead to test all men upon the earth.
One of the reasons why many people are deceived with today’s “feel good” messages is that we have turned away from the true source of our salvation, Jesus Christ. We have turned to things of this world that fade away. The Apostle Peter speaks to his generation not to loose sight of the fact that they were not redeemed by Silver and Gold but by the precious blood of the Lamb.
Our redemption is not based on the most elegant preachers and teachers of today’s Western Laodicean Church. Our redemption is not in the mega multi-million dollar structure churches we have built by the power of the mighty dollar. Our redemption is not in the powerful Dove Award music stars in Nashville but in the Blood of the Lamb.
It is easy to shout Amen to such statements but the time of testing is coming ahead that will test the hearts of all true Christians to separate those who trust in Silver and Gold from those who trust in the Blood of Jesus Christ. The Western Gospel has turned out to be a message of “feel good” psychology, not only proclaimed by Christian TV preachers but even by some of the most scholarly bible teachers whose message always aims at driving people to change their lifestyles so as to “have a better life” and finally “ be happy”. The goal is to get Christians feel “happy”.
But The Apostle Peter speaks about rejoicing in the Lord during the trials and tribulations they had to endure. How does one rejoice in the Lord yet they know they are going to get killed for believing in Christ Jesus? This is far from just being happy, and the “God wants you to be okay” messages. This was the Holy Spirit given joy. Not some self-help books to force people into happiness.
Our society in the West in so consumed with this “happiness” and attitude thing that we have created a multi-billion dollar industry aimed at riding all kinds of new and old depressions from the kids and adults.
George Orwell in his book 1984 depicts a drug-induced society in which a character named Winston could not remember if he had a dragged sleep or none dragged sleep. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World prophesied aptly about a drug driven society that derived happiness from Soma, the miracle pill that alleviated all kinds of depression. Corporate giants have turned the West into a Soma consuming society. In other wards people find themselves buying Soma anti-depressant pills, convinced by “Doctors” and “Psychologists” that they will get “happiness”.
The Soma mentality has not only captured the secular society of the West but now is being marketed to the Church in the form of “feel good” positive possibility thinking messages. Anything that does not fall in those lines is considered a negative message and the messenger a false. The consumption of Soma by American Christians has turned out to be a multi-million dollar publishing industry, catching the eye of Wall Street. All “Christian” books sold on Wal-Mart’s shelves and other major stores have to do with a “feel good” “positive thinking possibility” self-help message—the Christendom Soma.
However, the Apostle Peter encourages us that our salvation in not on such sinking sand foundations but through redemption of Jesus Christ and His precious blood. It is only Jesus Christ that gives us True Joy even when we endure trials. No need to take Soma and all other synthetic drugs to induce happiness. We get our joy from the Lord, knowing that the things of this earth pass away but His Word Endures forever. It is Jesus Christ who will give us strength to endure the coming economic, political, spiritual trails coming to test all mankind.
However, I write to encourage you that the times coming ahead are times for us to rejoice and totally trust in the Lord. It is a time to test our Faith, which is more precious than Gold and Silver. In our language today, our faith will be tested, which is more precious than The Stock Market, the dollar, vacationing, new SUV, and all the indulgence that America and the West can offer at their best.
A time is coming when the glittering churches will be removed, the music systems gone and the dove award wining musicians gone. No huge congregations, no pastor personal jets and first class air tickets except for those in love with the anti-Christ, none of the Gold and Silver in Christendom will be able to withstand the testing of the Lord coming ahead.
However, as Christians who seriously love the Lord, we are called to endure and encouraged to persevere cause the truth is that our faith, which is more precious than gold will be tested. As I write this piece, this is not news to those suffering daily in the rest of the poor world, it is normal life, they keep looking to the Lord who will come to bring about true justice.
Our trials are not without value, but to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ at His appearing. The world stage is getting ready for a one-world government daily, they are more than already ready than many of us expect. It is only a times notice before they launch their agenda, only the Lord is holding, giving us time to prepare. It saddens my heart that many western Churches continue in their sleep and falling in love with mammon and the political messiahs of this world. I pray that your eyes will stay open and you will watch with the Lord.
However, the Apostle Peter encourages us to live lives of love, and holiness, surrendered to the Lord and waiting for His return even as we have to endure the trials set before us. We are encouraged to continue living lives pleasing to the Lord and not man. Lives that are pleasing to man always lead to sin, are sinful, prideful, arrogant, and a blasphemy before God. Our lives in these days are to be pleasing to God, a Holy God.
Our salvation won’t be based on the fading Silver and Gold of today in Washington DC, White House, or even the Mighty dollar. Our trust should be in the Lord. Our salvation is not in this fading Economy, Politicians, or even Society, it will all disintegrate and fall, our Trust is in The Lord!
A great humbling is coming, and it is time we humble our selves before the Lord and not men and their human structures of silver and gold. If we don’t humble ourselves, the great humbling coming to against all the proud rich men of the earth shall certainly humble us.
The Apostle Peter sums it up all well when he says that all flesh is grass and all glory of man as the flower, the grass withers and the flower falls away. I know these are heavy messages but this is the reality. All the glory of man in the West and America will soon fade away. Let our eyes be set on Jesus Christ and Eternity, and not the things of this earth that fade away as many hymnists have sung.
In pray that The Lord will give us grace to see Him and open our understanding, that we may know him and love him, to love him even when our faith more precious than silver and gold is tested for His Glory.
1 Peter 1:
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Your Brother in Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule
Author's Note:
Warning: those of you who are comfortable with the progress of Christianity today and have deep love for America may find the articles on the following links offensive.
Here are more links:
http://www.yesumulugi.com/
Creflo Dollar
The sad thing about the whole thing was while we fussed amongst ourselves, the TRUTH was completely and utterly ignored. Because of that I am posting an article that I found through the post of debate, that is worthy of consideration and time. Here is an African Christian's perspective:
www.yesumulugi.com
Our Faith More Precious than Gold, Tested for God’s Glory
By Kato Mivule
February 20 2005
Again going through the writings of Peter the Apostle, I am again taken by the context in which he wrote and the days and times he lived, as such it made great sense to the people to whom he wrote and those who listened to his message. The church as we already know was suffering and going through their tribulation. They were not busy reading “Left Behind” Series but encouraging one another to endure.
I write because I believe that the days coming ahead very soon, will test all the will of men and only those with divine strength from the Lord will be able to endure. This I share from the bottom of my heart that we should allow the Holy Spirit to prepare us mentally, physically and spiritually to endure the days coming ahead to test all men upon the earth.
One of the reasons why many people are deceived with today’s “feel good” messages is that we have turned away from the true source of our salvation, Jesus Christ. We have turned to things of this world that fade away. The Apostle Peter speaks to his generation not to loose sight of the fact that they were not redeemed by Silver and Gold but by the precious blood of the Lamb.
Our redemption is not based on the most elegant preachers and teachers of today’s Western Laodicean Church. Our redemption is not in the mega multi-million dollar structure churches we have built by the power of the mighty dollar. Our redemption is not in the powerful Dove Award music stars in Nashville but in the Blood of the Lamb.
It is easy to shout Amen to such statements but the time of testing is coming ahead that will test the hearts of all true Christians to separate those who trust in Silver and Gold from those who trust in the Blood of Jesus Christ. The Western Gospel has turned out to be a message of “feel good” psychology, not only proclaimed by Christian TV preachers but even by some of the most scholarly bible teachers whose message always aims at driving people to change their lifestyles so as to “have a better life” and finally “ be happy”. The goal is to get Christians feel “happy”.
But The Apostle Peter speaks about rejoicing in the Lord during the trials and tribulations they had to endure. How does one rejoice in the Lord yet they know they are going to get killed for believing in Christ Jesus? This is far from just being happy, and the “God wants you to be okay” messages. This was the Holy Spirit given joy. Not some self-help books to force people into happiness.
Our society in the West in so consumed with this “happiness” and attitude thing that we have created a multi-billion dollar industry aimed at riding all kinds of new and old depressions from the kids and adults.
George Orwell in his book 1984 depicts a drug-induced society in which a character named Winston could not remember if he had a dragged sleep or none dragged sleep. Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World prophesied aptly about a drug driven society that derived happiness from Soma, the miracle pill that alleviated all kinds of depression. Corporate giants have turned the West into a Soma consuming society. In other wards people find themselves buying Soma anti-depressant pills, convinced by “Doctors” and “Psychologists” that they will get “happiness”.
The Soma mentality has not only captured the secular society of the West but now is being marketed to the Church in the form of “feel good” positive possibility thinking messages. Anything that does not fall in those lines is considered a negative message and the messenger a false. The consumption of Soma by American Christians has turned out to be a multi-million dollar publishing industry, catching the eye of Wall Street. All “Christian” books sold on Wal-Mart’s shelves and other major stores have to do with a “feel good” “positive thinking possibility” self-help message—the Christendom Soma.
However, the Apostle Peter encourages us that our salvation in not on such sinking sand foundations but through redemption of Jesus Christ and His precious blood. It is only Jesus Christ that gives us True Joy even when we endure trials. No need to take Soma and all other synthetic drugs to induce happiness. We get our joy from the Lord, knowing that the things of this earth pass away but His Word Endures forever. It is Jesus Christ who will give us strength to endure the coming economic, political, spiritual trails coming to test all mankind.
However, I write to encourage you that the times coming ahead are times for us to rejoice and totally trust in the Lord. It is a time to test our Faith, which is more precious than Gold and Silver. In our language today, our faith will be tested, which is more precious than The Stock Market, the dollar, vacationing, new SUV, and all the indulgence that America and the West can offer at their best.
A time is coming when the glittering churches will be removed, the music systems gone and the dove award wining musicians gone. No huge congregations, no pastor personal jets and first class air tickets except for those in love with the anti-Christ, none of the Gold and Silver in Christendom will be able to withstand the testing of the Lord coming ahead.
However, as Christians who seriously love the Lord, we are called to endure and encouraged to persevere cause the truth is that our faith, which is more precious than gold will be tested. As I write this piece, this is not news to those suffering daily in the rest of the poor world, it is normal life, they keep looking to the Lord who will come to bring about true justice.
Our trials are not without value, but to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ at His appearing. The world stage is getting ready for a one-world government daily, they are more than already ready than many of us expect. It is only a times notice before they launch their agenda, only the Lord is holding, giving us time to prepare. It saddens my heart that many western Churches continue in their sleep and falling in love with mammon and the political messiahs of this world. I pray that your eyes will stay open and you will watch with the Lord.
However, the Apostle Peter encourages us to live lives of love, and holiness, surrendered to the Lord and waiting for His return even as we have to endure the trials set before us. We are encouraged to continue living lives pleasing to the Lord and not man. Lives that are pleasing to man always lead to sin, are sinful, prideful, arrogant, and a blasphemy before God. Our lives in these days are to be pleasing to God, a Holy God.
Our salvation won’t be based on the fading Silver and Gold of today in Washington DC, White House, or even the Mighty dollar. Our trust should be in the Lord. Our salvation is not in this fading Economy, Politicians, or even Society, it will all disintegrate and fall, our Trust is in The Lord!
A great humbling is coming, and it is time we humble our selves before the Lord and not men and their human structures of silver and gold. If we don’t humble ourselves, the great humbling coming to against all the proud rich men of the earth shall certainly humble us.
The Apostle Peter sums it up all well when he says that all flesh is grass and all glory of man as the flower, the grass withers and the flower falls away. I know these are heavy messages but this is the reality. All the glory of man in the West and America will soon fade away. Let our eyes be set on Jesus Christ and Eternity, and not the things of this earth that fade away as many hymnists have sung.
In pray that The Lord will give us grace to see Him and open our understanding, that we may know him and love him, to love him even when our faith more precious than silver and gold is tested for His Glory.
1 Peter 1:
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Your Brother in Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule
Author's Note:
Warning: those of you who are comfortable with the progress of Christianity today and have deep love for America may find the articles on the following links offensive.
Here are more links:
http://www.yesumulugi.com/
Creflo Dollar
He said it all, and he said it so well!
ReplyDeleteI am rejoicing in the fact that there are many who see past the silver and gold! Yet at the same time I am saddened to know that many shall continue to choose to be blind, having eyes but not seeing, ears but not hearing.
If I could, I'll be hugging you and thanking you for linking this. :)
God bless you, sister! You keep on trooping too!
*HUGS*
In His love,
Isaiah
Amen to this article!! Kato got it right!
ReplyDeleteBless you!
carol
The really sad part is that many, if not most, of our Western Laodicean churchs will not perish that soon. For the antichrist may not announce his arrival from one of their pulpits; but he will certainly be welcome to preach from one whenever he so desires.
ReplyDeleteBe assured that I could be mistaken, however. For our Heavenly Father has not revealed much about those days unto me yet (if He ever does). Therefore: my comment may very well be just a matter of my own opinion.
Conditions are certainly ripe for that to happen. Especially in today's political climate. I'm now being told by other Christians that it is my "Christian duty" to vote (for Mike Huckabee). The last
ReplyDeleteelection I was told the same (for G.B.)
We have certainly become enamored with our "political messiahs".
I can see a potential truth in your sentiments.
Grace and Peace be multiplied unto all of you!
I can't stand the prosperity theology-Joel Olsteen is a big promoter of that.
ReplyDeleteI'm confused about the Uganda mission connection though.
This post is a response to a post that prompted a heated debate (or rather, a comment promted a heated debate). You can read the post at:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.sicarii.net/2008/02/13/short-takes-false-teachers
However, if you go to the link at the end of my post titled "Creflo Dollar" you will see the connection. I left out the details of the post/debate because I didn't want to start one up here! :) Sorry for the confusion, hope this helps. Good to see you again! God bless!