Letter to the Churches of America
Sending a prayer of
encouragement and support to a woman recently wounded for her faith in Jesus
Christ, via internet, a cry rose from the depths of my heart and I began to
openly weep. There are men, women and children daily being
persecuted for believing in the Lord Jesus.
They are beaten, set to fire, shot.
Their homes and places of worship are destroyed. They are dragged off to prison, often
tortured. iCommit to Pray has set up through Voice of the Martyr as a
way to share with members of the persecuted church the assurance they are not
alone. People young and old are
standing firm on their faith, boldly proclaiming the gospel to others,
knowingly what may come. Wounded and
shattered, they are not broken. Instead they
return brutal acts of hatred with prayer for those who reek havoc and bring
devastation to the body of Christ. They
know their enemy and in fighting a spiritual battle, they witness to their
tormentor’s with hope they to come to know the redeeming love of God.
On the contrary, I do not weep
for the persecuted church for their heavenly reward is great. I weep for the churches of America. My heart was breaking at the revelation as
misery is embraced for Christ’s namesake worldwide; state-side, churches seemingly
take the name of Jesus Christ for granted.
It has been reported that establishing a church in the United States is
the most lucrative business to commence.
When did God’s work become a business, the most profitable, at
that? Unfortunately, many ministries
today resemble those of the secular realm.
Radio commentary, music, local performing arts and literature are
increasingly bolder, walking a fine line of immorality. Authors and screen writers alter the word of
God in works that were intended to reveal His word. Services are noisy, disruptive and
ritualistic. Churches tend to be filled
with people just as distracted as those “in the world”. Indeed, the only defining characteristic is
the claim of being a “Christian”. In welcome congregations invite the one Who Is to our
presence instead of reverently coming into His presence. Being a “Christian” in American as
practiced, maybe the country’s final undoing.
I find resonating in my heart, a
series of letters John wrote to seven churches through knowledge Jesus received from God communicating by His angel to
John. I imagine those words of prophecy
as if written to the 450,000 churches in the United States…..
The
One who sits on the right hand of God, Lion of Judah, victorious Lamb Who was
slain, conqueror of death, risen Lord, Christ the Messiah, says this:
I
know how you live, how you work, and see you are resolved to walk away from
what is wrong to do what is right. But,
I have this complaint against you, I was never your first love. You use my name as a label refusing to honor
the lifestyle required of it. You create
movies and write songs that do not offend, that lift up weary hearts honoring
people who have overcome great challenges and circumstances. You have filled pages in books with words
that emulate My Father’s commands, but you have failed to give Him glory for
guiding you to what is right and what is wrong.
You have replaced Me with idols of desire, power and greed distancing yourselves from communion with Me. With surface communion towards Me you lack genuine connection with others. Lay down what keeps you from seeking
fellowship with Me. Repent. Continue to do what is right, walking away
from what is wrong, for My namesake.
Give glory to God and honor Him when you overcome temptation and trials
of this world for it is He who brought you through. Do not be afraid to speak out My name when
you teach what is right for it is the Father who gave us the commandments.
I
know your hardships and blasphemy others speak against Me. Do not be afraid and be strong when you
suffer for My namesake. Satan is casting
you in prison, beating and torturing you.
He takes the lives of many of you, but not really. Satan’s league can only hurt your body. I am
praying for you that you will come through the fire purified. Keep the faith and be bold in your testimony
of Me, even to the death and you will receive your just reward.
I
know where you go, I hear what you say, and I see all that you do. I see how dedicated you are to your
causes and will work to help the poor, orphans and those who find themselves in
sudden need from disasters come. You fight to eradicate diseases and make regulations to protect the planet. You do
not deny me, but I have these things against you because you live among the
corruption and have become allies to sin.
You remain silent allowing the voice of the evil one to grow stronger
through the years. You have embraced the
ways of the age detouring your focus from things of God and His holiness. You have become desensitized to things of
violence, sex and other immoralities taking bribes of position, loosing
yourselves to fame, fortune or rank. You
think nothing of lies told and aim for power at the expense of others. You have renamed and legalized things that
are an abomination to the Father in order to live the way of your own choosing,
forsaking My ways and plans for you. Your
attention no longer is on me or serving me but on your lifestyle that no longer
is guided by the Holy Spirit. You are
preoccupied with being busy yet I see your time wasted on things that do not
matter, pursuing goals that increase the numbers but not the hearts of man to
Me. I will search the hearts of every
man and give to those who are not enticed by Satan’s distractions over all the
nations. The devil has laid a trap and
you fall into his snare, you have been greatly deceived. Repent, for you do not know the hour of when
I come. Draw close to me so you will be
ready and I will feed you the bread of Heaven and bless you with a new name.
I
know you are known for being a vibrant place of worship, with extensive programs
and ministries. I say you are languid,
with your relaxed and insincere ways of worship. Stop entertaining yourselves and return with
reverence to Me. You serve and preach
in My name; but, it is through your ability and your knowledge you give and
serve. You do not even give Me glory
when you are healed! You have become
independent of Me and My Father. Repent
and depend upon the Lord you claim to worship, the Lord you call your God. You sell Me to increase your numbers. I do not need fanfare to tell
people of my Father. I require hearts
that believe I am enough. However, I am
aware that there are those who have remained pure from the ways of the
world. Those I will clothe in white and
find their name in the Lamb's Book of Life. It
will be those I declare as mine at the appointed time before My Father and the
angels.
I
know how well you treat your fellow man, showing all manners of kindness and
consideration. You show respect to
peoples of varying abilities and situations doing what you can to make their
lives easier. However, I have this
against you. You try to do the right
thing but are misguided trusting in your own wisdom and knowledge. You lean on understanding you determine truth
according to what you hear from the world around you. You are living on false doctrine. Turn to me and I will show you Truth. Do not rely on the excuse of not knowing the
Word of God. Seek out the answers to
questions in Scripture for you will surely find it there. Lean on the Word of God to develop wisdom and
knowledge that will not lead you astray, that will keep you on the path of
righteousness. Test me at My Word and
see that I Am all that is, was and will be.
I
know there are many who struggle in their weaknesses in effort to follow
My Word and keep My name on your lips. I
see those who try to trick you causing you to stumble with their deception and
hidden agendas. Do not fret for the day
of validation comes and you will see those who mistreated you fall at your feet
with the understanding it is you I love.
I will shield you from the Great Tribulation because you were
long-suffering so continue to stand vigilant waiting for Me – I will come soon
- so no one can take your crown. For
those who remain steadfast to the end of time I will write My God’s name on Him
making him or her a citizen in the city of My God – the New Jerusalem.
God is not a god to be
mocked. He is righteous and true, the One True God. He lives not to destroy but to redeem a world
back to Himself. It is for each individual
to determine the degree of trust they will place in their Creator. The extent of belief, if at all, will never
negate the majesty of the Lord. Each
person, believer of not, will one day fully
believe the moment they are face to face with Christ. It is the desire of the persecuted church to
give every possible opportunity to those living outside, not a “Christian”
life, but life of a believer of the true church, to know Jesus Christ
intimately. To experience the peace and
joy in all circumstances knowing the soul is well, restored back to God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ crucified. It is my prayer as well. I believe that persecution is coming to
America but not in the way expected.
Given how distracted the church is, when persecution hits America
few will recognize the signs because they lack a personal relationship with the Lord they claim to
follow nor will believer's notice the transformation complete because they are too wrapped up enjoying life in this world to the fullest. The bible states “the people
perish for lack of knowledge”. The
knowledge of God’s Word, God’s ways and His principles. It is better to have less of the world and
save your soul than to enjoy the pleasures the 21st century offers
and be lost for all eternity.
-“It is in serving
others I find the greatest joy expressed of my faith in Christ.”
PRAY,
CONSIDER, RECEIVE, SHARE
Please PRAY
for believers around the world being persecuted for their faith. Pray that they are able to remain strong and
full of courage. Pray they remain true
to the message of Jesus Christ, boldly sharing the gospel of salvation to
others in lands where it is illegal to preach Jesus. Pray for endurance and healing for those who
have lost loved ones, are sitting in prison, been wounded and/or constantly
dealing with terrorizing hatred in their villages and cities. Pray they not lose hope and retain the joy of
their salvation, that their faith be strengthened. Jesus promised to intercede when the devil
comes to devour, deceive and destroy.
Join Him by praying without ceasing for our brothers and sisters sharing
the gospel of Christ at all costs. Let
their choice to follow Jesus, unto death, be a reminder to us to stop
“practicing religion” and live out faith in Jesus, for His namesake. Lift up in prayer those who support the
persecuted churches through delivering bibles, audio bibles, medical and
hygiene supplies, food and other necessary equipment to volatile and oppressive
lands.
Pray that the hearts of people turn
towards Christ and be guided by the Holy Spirit. The world has become more uncertain than
ever. Matthew 24:6 repeats the words of
Christ that tells us in the end times we will hear talk of war and rumors of
war. He goes on to say that we are not
to be troubled because these things must come to pass. People go about their daily lives without
assurance, searching for comfort in a world that cannot possibly provide
it. We live in a country where churches
sit on every corner. Lexington Park
alone has nearly two dozen churches.
Bibles are sold openly and given freely.
We can pray in public establishments and speak the name of Jesus without
fear of persecution. Let us not take
that for granted but use such liberty to live out the gospel to those around
us. Opportunity to know Christ and His
word is everywhere. Opportunity to grow
deeper in faith is everywhere.
For those in Christ, our confidence
comes from knowing God’s redemption plan restores us back to Him. It is there we find ultimate peace in knowing
Jesus brings salvation to all who will receive. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and
Life. Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God. Seek the
Way. Learn of Truth. Choose Life. Please PRAY that
people develop a hunger and thirst to know more of Jesus. Pray hearts open to hear the Good News
of God's plan to reconcile all creation back to Him through His Son Jesus
Christ. Pray for spiritual growth with the people of America, that they
embrace their faith in Jesus, fully trusting in Him. Pray that those in Christ boldly live out
their faith for others to see, a living witness to God’s grace and mercy. May we all not just believe in Jesus, but
believe Him.
Please CONSIDER giving, through donations or volunteer service
locally within your own community, fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ
through service to the poor and neglected people of our country and other
regions worldwide. Voice of the Martyr’s has a link below where you can
sign-up for email alerts to receive notification of incidents where members of
the persecuted church need prayer.
RECEIVE
the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner
He guides you in.
Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in
supporting and/or partnering in missions work, locally or globally.
Members of the persecuted church:
- endurance, boldness, strength, courage to remain a witness to those persecuting because of faith in Christ
Supporters of persecuted church:
- protection and supernatural ways be made open for them to enter volatile countries in order to bring medical and hygiene supplies, food, water, clothing and bibles
Persecutors:
- salvation through the faithful testimony of those they torture and martyr
Churches of America:
- reform in ministry, reverence for God's principles and precepts, development of disciples in Christ walking away from worldly ideas, things and practices, become true church of believers reflecting Christ
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
Voice of the Martyr's (VOM):
iCommit to Pray (VOM prayer line to support persecuted believers):
