It was about this time of year in 1987. I was on a two-week short-term missionary trip to Paraguay. I'd like to contrast two churches from that trip.....wonderful and faithful Christians in both I'm sure.....yet very different in many ways. The first church was modern, with a rockin' praise band and sprawling balcony overlooking a big auditorium filled with believers who smiled and laughed, and whose attire would have been similar to that from Christians today in churches in any posh American suburb.
Actually I was in three or four churches similar to this only not quite as big.....and then one warm evening (every day of the two weeks was over 100 degrees) while a couple of us were relaxing by strolling through the small nearby town.....with gay lights and music playing.....my attention was caught by the light coming from the open doors of a recessed modest church. The believers were sitting in folding chairs in a circle....head bowed. I asked my friends to walk on without me and I watched these brothers and sisters for a while. Something was grabbing and pulling at me here. These Christians were pleading rather than just rejoicing.
Increasingly since that day three decades ago,.... I've been pleading with God for mercy upon America.....while my rejoicing is in that He hears and cares about our pleading.....and He has already had mercy upon me.....with an overflowing cup of mercies and blessings! Friends....a persecution and a winnowing may be coming to the American church very soon.... if your big 'successful' church is not warning you of what is happening today....if it is not calling a collapsing nation to the cross of Christ....you may want to keep your eyes open for that small recessed church whose congregants are openly pleading with God for mercy.....and whose pastor.....maybe not the most eloquent or nattily dressed of a man.....is laboring for the security of his sheep.
The following is a portion of a post from February of 2017. News clips such as this have increased dramatically since then.....
Folks, I would ask you to prepare yourself for what you are about to read for it may be a watershed moment in the government of the United States of America. It has Kristallnacht written all over it albeit in its germination stage here in America. You have no excuse now....it is time to study the Word of God as you have never before. Pastors, you have no excuse.....it is time to preach the Person and the work of Jesus Christ every Lord's Day. There is no way you can explain this away...
The following is from confirmation hearings on the Russell Vought nomination for deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. This outrageous example of the horror of political correctness provides not merely an opportunity for the church to boldly say.....yes....there is salvation in none other than Jesus Christ....but it is a rebuke in the form of a rude awakening that we have failed to proclaim the gospel while we had the liberties to do so and that and we are paying the price for not standing for that truth.
Sen. Sanders: "'Muslims do not simply have a deficient theology. They do not know God because they have rejected Jesus Christ, His Son, and they stand condemned.' Do you believe that that statement is Islamophobic?"
Mr. Vought: "Absolutely not, Senator. I'm a Christian, and I believe in a Christian set of principles based on my faith...
Sanders: "...Forgive me, we just don't have a lot of time. Do you believe people in the Muslim religion stand condemned? Is that your view?"
Vought: "Again, Senator, I'm a Christian, and I wrote that piece in accordance with the statement of faith at Wheaton College..."
Sanders: "I understand that. I don't know how many Muslims there are in America. Maybe a couple million. Are you suggesting that these people stand condemned? What about Jews? Do they stand condemned too?"
Vought: "Senator, I'm a Christian..."
Sanders [shouting]: "I understand you are a Christian, but this country [is] made of people who are not just -- I understand that Christianity is the majority religion, but there are other people of different religions in this country and around the world. In your judgment, do you think that people who are not Christians are going to be condemned?"
Vought: "Thank you for probing on that question. As a Christian, I believe that all individuals are made in the image of God and are worthy of dignity and respect regardless of their religious beliefs. I believe that as a Christian that's how I should treat all individuals..."
Sanders: "...Do you think that's respectful of other religions?... I would simply say, Mr. Chairman that this nominee is really not someone who this country is supposed to be about."
