Showing posts with label Shane Idleman. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

4 Key Characteristics of a Faithful Christian - SHANE IDLEMAN CHARISMA NEWS

A faithful Christian keeps God's Word despite setbacks. (Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez)

4 Key Characteristics of a Faithful Christian

1/10/2018 SHANE IDLEMAN CHARISMA NEWS

Although many godly traits are attributed to faithfulness, these four are vitally important. How can we increase faith and serve God with all of our heart? Here are just four ways:

1. Holiness is a priority. Charles Spurgeon rightly noted, "There will be three effects of nearness to Jesus—humility, happiness and holiness." If these three are not present, hard questions need to be asked: "Do I have a rebellious spirit? Do I love the things of the world more than the things of God? Have I let bitterness and pride set in?" We have to fight for holiness; our relationship with God is dependent upon it. Holiness produces faith and spiritual power; carnality produces faithlessness and a life void of spiritual power

Carnality gives God "His due"—a few hours on Sunday—but forgets His call to "come out from among them (the world) and be separate." Holiness is a fire burning deep within. Do we stoke the flames and increase the heat or continually put them out? We are so "stoked" when it comes to the things of the world, but why not the things of God?

Carnality quenches the fire of the Spirit and dries up the rivers of living water. We cannot love both Christ and this world. A carnal Christian does not pray, really pray and seek the heart of God. A deep prayer life exposes facades and crushes hypocrisy. A carnal Christian does not worship, really worship in total abandonment. Deep, penetrating worship cannot take place in a carnal heart until repentance takes place.

You won't find those who are carnal at prayer nights or worship mornings, but you will find them spending much of their time at Cinemark and the Mall. Check your calendar and checkbook. Where are your priorities?

If this is you, allow God to awaken and restore: "Therefore repent and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord" (Acts 3:19).

Do you desire peace and joy again? Simply return to God: "You shall seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jer. 29:13). Full surrender is the fertile ground for seeds of joy and peace.

2. God's Word is the source of authority. A faithful Christian is not continually looking for advice outside of God's Word. Too often. we look to Merrill Lynch for financial advice, a local nail salon for marriage counseling and guys at work about how to prioritize our lives. Look to God for the final say; He is the "wonderful Counselor."

3. Reliance on God's strength, not man's."My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9b). God will often break us down in order to build us up. He'll take away our strength (what we have been trusting in) so we look to Him and Him alone. The refiner's fire involves fire and heat. The waves of change involve being plummeted, tossed and turned: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Cor. 4:8-9).

God reminds, "When you pass through waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame kindle on you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isa. 43:2-3a). God is always the fourth man in the fire (see Dan. 3:25).

4. Keep His Word despite setbacks. Faithful Christians keep the course regardless of the storm, regardless of the criticism, regardless of the heat. We must teach perseverance. Many theologians are divided on the timing of the rapture, or if it will occur at all. Telling people, "Don't worry. You'll be out of here before it gets hard," is inconsistent with those who are suffering in other countries. And it does not prepare people for tribulation, challenges and difficult times. One thing we do know for certain is that Christ will return. In Rev. 3:11, He says, "Look, I am coming quickly. Hold firmly to what you have, so that no one may take your crown." The message of hope is always urgent.

Christian Heritage Fellowship offers a riveting example of why we should not wait to share the good news: On Sunday night, Oct. 8, 1871, D. L. Moody, preached to the largest congregation that he had yet addressed in Chicago. His text that evening was, "What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" At the conclusion of his sermon he said, "I wish you would take this text home with you and turn it over in your minds during the week, and next Sabbath we will come to Calvary and the cross, and we will decide what to do with Jesus of Nazareth." Then his song evangelist, Ira D. Sankey, whose hymns are sprinkled throughout most evangelical hymnbooks, began to lead in singing the hymn, but Sankey never finished the hymn, for while he was singing, the rush and roar of fire engines whistled by the church on the street outside, and before morning, much of the city of Chicago lay in ashes. To his dying day, Mr. Moody deeply regretted that he had told that congregation to come next Sabbath and decide what to do with Jesus.

Turn, or return, to Him today. We are not even guaranteed tomorrow.

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Leona Valley, California, just north of Los Angeles. He recently released his seventh book, Desperate for More of God at shaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books and radio program can all be found at wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at: facebook.com/confusedchurch.

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Leona Valley, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his seventh book, Desperate for More of God at shaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at:facebook.com/confusedchurch.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

The Real Reason Churches Die and People Leave - SHANE IDLEMAN CHARISMA NEWS

Nearly 4,000 churches close every year in America. (Reuters)

The Real Reason Churches Die and People Leave - SHANE IDLEMAN CHARISMA NEWS

12/23/2015 SHANE IDLEMAN

CHARISMA NEWS

Join us on our podcast each weekday for an interesting story, well told, from Charisma News. Listen at charismapodcastnetwork.com.

Experts say that nearly 4,000 churches close every year in America and over 3,500 people leave the church every single day.

Church is boring, and many churches are dying because the power of God has vanished from the pulpit as well as the pew. Like Samson, they "know not that the Spirit of the Lord has departed" (cf. Judge 16:20). But there is hope if we once again seek God. "Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles to watch you burn" (John Wesley).

We need genuine revival preaching: "Revival preaching is more concerned about an outcome than an outline. The revival preacher is more aware of his text than the time. He is bent on pleasing the Lord rather than pleasing men. His ear is tuned to hear and heed the voice of God" (Harold Vaughan). "We need more prophets in our pulpits and less puppets" (Leonard Ravenhill).

Many know about 2 Chronicles 7:14, but fail to apply it: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

God's call is not to Hollywood, Washington, or the media, but to us. If "My people" turn back to Me I will heal and restore. We have a form of microwave Christianity. Service times are cut to just over an hour, prayer is glanced over, and worship is designed to entertain the masses. "People are bored," they say, "so our services need to be more appealing." You can increase attendance with slick marketing and entertaining services, but you'll miss the heart of God. The church will be a mile wide but only an inch deep.

To seek in the context of 2 Chronicles 7:14 means to "find what is missing." The Hebrew word for seek, baqash, has a very strong meaning. Imagine losing your child in a crowded mall. Your entire heart would be engaged. How would you spend your time? Where would your energy be concentrated? Now parallel this with seeking God.

I've often said that one of the most difficult challenges associated with pastoring is not sermon preparation, leading a church, or taxing counseling appointments; it's witnessing the tragic results of spiritual dehydration—watching people die spiritually with living water just steps away. Sadly, we are too busy and too self-absorbed to truly seek Him.

In today's culture, there are countless enticements that pull us away from God. It is my firm belief that, second only to salvation, seeking God is the most important aspect of the Christian life ... to truly know God: "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

Very few of us ever experience this close relationship with God because it involves things such as humility, dying to self, vibrant prayer, and heart-felt worship. This isn't meant to discourage, but to convict. Conviction is a wonderful gift from God used to turn the heart back to Him.

Let's be honest: how many can truly say like Jeremiah, "His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot" (Jeremiah 20:9)? How many have truly experienced Jesus' words in John 7:38, "Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water?" How many can truly relate to "times of refreshing" found in Acts 3:19?

Many have head knowledge, but they've never truly experienced the presence of God. Often, it's because of ongoing and unconfessed sin. Being tempted isn't sin—surrendering to it is. Temptation is also an opportunity to do what is right by turning from it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

This "way of escape" is ultimately what tilts the scale toward seeking God. When we flee temptation, turn from sin, and seek God, the by-product is the filling of the Spirit. The door of temptation swings both ways—you can enter or exit. If we choose to enter, once inside, we may not see the exit sign so clearly again.

I'll close with a correspondence I received from a man before he fully sought God with all his heart, "I had become someone I never thought I would become. I was in complete darkness ... I would sleep in my clothes for as long as I could. I began wishing that I would die. The emotional pain was unbearable."

Here is his correspondence after he passionately sought God and surrendered his life to Him. "I only wish that everyone could feel the love that I experienced. I'm able to forgive others and genuinely love them. I feel like I have been re-born ... elusive peace has now been found."

How long will you waver? If God is God, follow Him (cf. 1 Kings 18:21).

Watch the sermon that may spark revival: https://vimeo.com/82531955

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at shaneidleman.com or wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at: facebook.com/confusedchurch.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW from CHARISMA: Do you want to encounter the Holy Spirit and hear God speak to you? Increase your faith, discover freedom, and draw near to God! Click Here

Monday, October 19, 2015

Why So Many Christians Are Deceived - Charisma News

Carnality destroys our relationship with Christ and genuine fellowship with other believers. It destroys our prayer life as well. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Why So Many Christians Are Deceived

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (influence), how shall its saltiness be restored?" (Matthew 5:13-16).

Throughout history, Christians have vacillated between two extremes: compromising with the culture or removing themselves from it (isolation). Neither extreme is healthy. But the focus of this article is on carnality—being so ingrained in the culture that we no longer preserve those things that are noble and good.

Although we definitely want to relate to others, our lifestyle should reflect God's heart rather than the world's influence. The world will know that we are Christians by our love for one another and by our obedience, not by how well we imitate the world around us. Oswald Chambers once noted that a sinner, who is now saved by grace, "proves he is forgiven by being the opposite of who he was." He no longer resembles the sinful world that use to govern his heart.

Carnal Christians give God "His due" (a few hours on Sunday), but they forget His call to "come out from among them (the world) and be separate." Is the world influencing you? What does your mental media diet consist of? Who do you hang out with? What, and who, do you listen to? Is your heart set toward the things of God or the world's influence? A quick peruse of your LIKEs and posts on Facebook will reveal a great deal.

Compromise also deceives. James 1:22 reminds us that if we listen to God's Word without doing it that we are fooling ourselves ... we are deceived. The power of God's Word lies in the application. In addition to non-Christians, it is Christians who are moving sexually explicit and violent movies to the Top 10 by not applying purity to their lives. It is Christians who are addicted to porn and supplying the revenue to fuel the industry.

I often remind our congregation that we can make our homes be either a holy sanctuary that honors Christ or a breeding ground for Satan. That's a hard statement but it's true: we cannot love both Christ and this world. Carnality has a cost. As stated a few weeks ago: In times past, the hero was the father, not Edward (from Twilight). The greatest influence was the mother, not Bella. Kids once quoted Scriptures; now they are casting spells.

Don't get me wrong: We are to examine our own lives and motives first, and then we are to be moved primarily by love for God and others before critiquing. Jesus said in Matthew 7:5 that we must first remove the plank from our own eye, and then we will see clearly to remove the speck from our brother's eye. Avoiding compromise is a struggle for all of us. We are constantly swimming upstream against the cultural tide. The fact that there is a struggle demonstrates the importance of victory.

Are you being infected by the world? Being infected is the ultimate cost of carnality! Like any infection, it can destroy the body, and, in this case, the soul. When we are infected, we infect others. Parents, what influences are you allowing in to your home ... into the minds of your children? Things that are pure, noble, and true, or dark, demonic, and false?

Carnality destroys our relationship with Christ and genuine fellowship with other believers. It destroys our prayer life as well. A carnal Christian does not pray, really pray and seek the heart of God. A deep prayer life exposes facades and crushes hypocrisy. Carnality also destroys spiritual power and hinders the infilling of the Spirit. In short, everything that God calls us to be is compromised.

When Jesus said that we are "the salt and light of the earth," He was saying that we should have a preserving and cleansing effect on the culture ... we should bring a purifying aspect to all areas of life. Light dispels darkness; it does not cater to it. The person who lives a compromised life is not drawn to holiness and purity ... these terms are repulsive to them. Does this article anger and upset? The old adage rings true, "When a rock is thrown into a pile of dogs, the one who yelps was struck." If this upsets, it applies. But the purpose isn't to upset; ultimately, it's to foster repentance and a deeper walk with God. There's nothing more important than a life set ablaze for God.

On a closing note, carnality not only affects the pew, but the pulpit as well. A carnal pastor still offers motivating sermons, but he will lose unction, boldness, and spiritual insight. The world, and carnal Christians, will love him, but Spirit-filled believers will leave the service starving for more of God. Pastors, if we would make it our goal to know Christ more personally we would preach Christ more powerfully. Are we calling people out of the cultural mindset or are we encouraging it by our silence?

At this point you may think, "Why try? This is hopeless! I've drifted too far." Let me reassure you: God doesn't let our relationship with Him hinge on "measuring up," or on "following rules." He wants us to come as we are, recognize our need for a Savior, and commit our life completely to Him. Simply repent of this destructive lifestyle, and begin making choices that promote holiness and purity. Change is God's job, but obedience is ours.

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his seventh book, Desperate for More of God at shaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at:facebook.com/confusedchurch.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

NEW - Life in the Spirit is your Spirit-filled teaching guide. Encounter the Holy Spirit, hear God speak to you, and enjoy timeless teachings on love, mercy and forgiveness.LEARN MORE!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

What America Has in Common With Rome Before Its Fall - Shane Idleman

What America Has in Common With Rome Before Its Fall

The U.S. has striking similarities to the crumbling Roman Empire. (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Society's influence on the church is very alarming. In times past, the hero was the father, not Edward (from Twilight). The greatest influence was the mother, not Bella. Kids once quoted Scriptures; now they are casting spells. What a sad commentary on the state of the family today. Hollywood, not the Holy Spirit, is guiding us.

An important question for all Christians to ask is: "Are we 'affecting' the world, or is the world 'infecting' us?" A.W. Tozer reminds us: "Where does Christianity destroy itself in a given generation? It destroys itself by not living in the light, by professing a truth it does not obey."

The church should not reflect or imitate the world, but lovingly confront it. We do the most for the world when we are the least like the world. We are to love them but not learn from them (cf. Ps. 107:35-37). No other decision will impact our lives more than who or what we choose to follow ... what we choose to love.

Americans give approximately $4 billion, but spend over $150 billion a year on pleasure. A serious misplacement of priorities.

In biblical terms, fulfilling unhealthy pleasures (or pushing healthy ones to the limit) leads to poverty—financially, relationally and spiritually. He who loves the things of this world will destroy his own soul. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).

When pleasures, even good ones, draw us away from God—when they crowd Him out—we are in danger of "loving the world."

God is in the background while pleasure and self-focus are in the foreground. Granted, finances, relaxation and healthy balanced entertainment are God-given resources that aid in rest and recuperation. This is not the problem; it is the "love" of pleasure and entertainment that leads us away. We cannot serve two masters. We cannot serve the god of this world and the one true God. John Owen, the prolific Puritan author, wrote, "Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you."

Carnality and lukewarm living wage war against the soul. The carnal person wants to live without God's restraints. Do you struggle in this area? Here is a test: Does this article anger or convict; are you upset or repentant? The old adage reminds us, "When a rock is thrown into a pile of dogs the one who yelps was struck." If this article upsets, it applies.

J.C. Ryle in his book on holiness wrote we must stand guard as a soldier on enemy ground. The problem is many who profess to be Christians love the world and have a hard time separating. They believe in heaven, but they don't truly long for it. They "say" that they fear God but they don't live like it. They indulge temptation rather than fight it. They enjoy sin rather than confront it. The lukewarm church avoids the heat of conviction. They don't like many of these articles. Holiness, to them, is outdated—old-fashioned.

Please don't misunderstand. We all fall short, but our lifestyle should reflect our faith. It's not about perfection, but direction. Galatians 5:16 reminds us that if we "live by the Spirit," we will "not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."

What we feed grows, and what grows can quickly become the dominating force in our lives. Sin is never static; it either grows or withers depending on whether we feed or starve it. A daily diet of violence, lust, anger and depression will fuel those very things in our lives. Pay close attention to what you watch and listen to, what you take pleasure in—the force controlling it ultimately controls you (cf. Eph. 2:12).

What entertains you? Are you drawn to things honorable and excellent or dark and depressing?

Do you prefer programs about vampires, witches, zombies, the occult, illicit sex and perversions? Do you listen to music that stirs and motivates ungodly lusts and attractions?

This isn't rocket-science: "To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Rom. 8:6). "The more we follow that which is good, the faster and the further we shall flee from that which is evil" (Matthew Henry). A Christian should not be entertained by darkness. If we are entertained, our heart needs spiritual resuscitation.

We, like the mighty Roman Empire that collapsed centuries ago, are crumbling from within. Historian Edward Gibbon once wrote about the conditions of Rome before her fall. The spending of public funds on food and entertainment as well as the mad craze for pleasure and sport topped the list. Sound familiar today?

I believe that anyone who suggests that carnality and lukewarm living are not propelling us in this same direction, does so in sheer ignorance or is in denial because they love the things of this world more than the things of God.

"The gratification of the flesh and the fullness of the Spirit do not go hand in hand" (R.A. Torrey). We cannot feed the flesh and be filled with the Spirit. "No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Matt. 6:24). You and I cannot serve both God and the god of this world.

Are you willing to do what it takes to protect your relationship with the Lord? It all begins here: "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7).

Watch my sermon, "Lord, Remove My Guilt and Shame," on Vimeo.

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his seventh book, Desperate for More of God at shaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at: facebook.com/confusedchurch.

For a limited time, we are extending our celebration of the 40th anniversary of Charisma. As a special offer, you can get 40 issues of Charisma magazine for only $40!

The Charisma Podcast Network is now live. Subscribe now for free!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

7 Reasons Why High-Profile Leaders Like Tullian Tchividjian Fail

Within weeks, two of my heroes have fallen from grace, and some of my friends in pastoral ministry have taken detours in their destiny as well. Moral failings among leaders are becoming an epidemic. No one is beyond the reach of Satan's grasp. Although I'm disappointed, my faith is not shaken because only Christ should be placed on a pedestal.

Why do they fall? They fall for the same reason that all Christians fall. Each of us are drawn away by our own evil desires and enticed. When these desires are acted upon, they lead to sin (cf. James 1:14-15). Sin has a life cycle—it either grows or withers depending on whether we feed or starve it. John Owen, the prolific Puritan author wrote, "Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you."

Consider the following ways that sin gains entrance:

1. "It will never happen to me." 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us that if we think that we are standing firm, we should be careful that we don't fall. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). Pride says, "I've never committed adultery. It will never happen to me." Humility says, "By the grace of God, I haven't, but I can." Strength is found in admitting our weaknesses: "For when I am weak I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10). Pride opens the door to compromise and unwise decisions; it ignores conviction. Conviction is not always a hammer to the head, it's a still small voice to the heart. Sadly, many confuse God's patience with His approval. C.H. Spurgeon rightly noted, "We are never, never so much in danger of being proud as when we think we are humble."

2. I'm "too busy." We are all susceptible to putting God second and ministry first. If we're too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first—we're too busy. Men would live better if they prayed better. We're often too busy because we're doing too much. "When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live" (E.M. Bounds). It's hard to fall when you're always on your knees. Moral failing cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart that spends time in the Word and obedience to it (cf. James 1:22). Nine times out of ten, when a leader falls, he or she has no meaningful prayer or devotional life.

3. Holiness is compromised. The enemy attempts to draw us away from God's holy standard. I vividly remember a story of a young boy who kept falling out of his bed. He finally asked his mother why he kept falling. She wisely answered, "It's because you don't stay far enough in." In the same way, many of us fall back into sin because we don't get far enough into God's framework of safety and protection via holiness. In the words of Isaac Watts, "True Christianity, where it reigns in the heart, will make itself appear in the purity of life."

Of all the attributes of God described in the Bible, holiness is seen most often. Holiness is a vital weapon of defense against the enemies attack (cf. Ephesians 6:14). But holiness must come from brokenness and humility not legalism. A low view of holiness always damages morality...we rationalize instead of repent. I'm convinced that today's media plays a significant role in the decline of holiness. Sadly, hollywood, not the Holy Spirit, influences many. We cannot fill our mind with darkness all week and expect the light of Christ to shine in our lives.

4. Many build unhealthy relationships with the opposite sex. We must be on high alert in this area and have tremendous steps of accountability in place. The devil doesn't show those involved in counseling appointments, inner office meetings, and private "fellowship" the pain and anguish and the years of regret that moral failure brings; he deceives them with a false sense of freedom in ministry...that we are simply "helping" the other person. If you are married and attracted to another person, or if the potential is there, take steps now and remove yourself from the environment. Adultery begins with small compromises. We're often too smart to take deliberate plunges, but we're easily enticed to take one step at a time, one compromise at a time, one bad choice at a time until we're at the bottom. Don't fight sexual desires; don't entertain them...flee (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:18).

5. We fail to strengthen weak areas. The demands of life often tempt us to seek gratification in alcohol and other things. We must be on high alert. The enemy uses "opportune times" to draw us away from God. (cf. Luke 4:13.) The line is so thin that it is often hard to determine when we cross over. Weak areas such as drugs, alcohol, pain meds, sex, anger, marriage issues, and so on are "opportune times" for the enemy to strike. We must expose these areas through repentance, and install safeguards and accountability. To be forewarned is to be forearmed. (As a sidenote, depression and anxiety can work against us as well. Much can be done to safeguards these areas too.

6. Accountability is often breached or minimized. Accountability is a safeguard, but its not bullet-proof. Accountability, by itself, doesn't work—it's not realistic to ask others to hold you accountable. Your heart must be focused on honoring God's Word. Accountability simply adds another level of security in the battle against sin. It's healthy to say to those we trust, "I'm struggling in this area. Can you pray with me and ask the hard questions from time to time." The enemy loves to work in darkness and deceit. Exposing cracks in the armour helps others keep an eye on them as well. This is one reason why I'm upfront about avoiding alcohol.

I also have accountability software that sends all websites visited to my wife's email every week. This is a major deterrent and it makes me very conscious of even seemingly innocent sites. To some, this may seem extreme, but we need to be armed for the enemy who steals, kills, and destroys. The greater our influence, the greater the need for accountability: spiritually, financially, and relationally.

7. Loneliness becomes an excuse. Ministry is hard and can easily take it's toll. Feeling a sense of entitlement if often the beginning of justifying wrong choices. We can easily become jealous and judgmental of those who seem to have "all the fun." As Oswald Chambers states: "God buries His men [and women] in the midst of paltry things, no monuments are erected to them; they are ignored, not because they are unworthy, but because they are in the place where they cannot be seen." Luke 16:10 should be a great encouragement, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'." Sin can be silenced in a thankful heart set on worshiping God. God has given us the privilege to serve Him, proclaim His truth, and help others. Don't allow frustration and negativity to lead you down the wrong path.

In closing, if you are on the cliff or have already fallen, take time now and repent. It will hurt, but the fruit of repentance far outweighs the fruit of exposure that will surely come (cf. Numbers 32:23). God's grace will see you through. A penitent person turns from sin. They accept full responsibility for their actions without blame, resentment, or bitterness. They seek forgiveness without conditions and stipulations. They take full (not partial) responsibility for their actions. There can be no "but's" when repentance is genuine. "I am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me," are often (although not always) healing words and signs of repentance. Excuses need to stop before healing can occur.

There are consequences for past mistakes, but it's best to live in God's healing arms of forgiveness, rather than to live broken outside of His will. Which way will you turn?

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his 7th book, Desperate for More of God at www.ShaneIdleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at www.WCFAV.org. Follow him on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/confusedchurch.

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Tuesday, April 28, 2015

America Is Ignoring God's Clear Warning Signs

Will these headlines soon be filled with anti-Christian progress? (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Although fictitious, these imaginary headlines may be more fact than fiction if America continues to ignore the warning signs.

Mandatory Euthanasia Bill: What many call genocide, Congress calls necessary to curtail rising healthcare costs. In the hope of reclaiming financial stability, many legislators plan to sign a mandatory Euthanasia Bill. In defense of the Bill, some State Representatives claim that abortion has helped to offset rising healthcare costs. This new legislation will include those with terminal or chronic illnesses—life will be terminated when rehabilitation is uncertain, and/or when lingering illnesses threaten the economy. Those with extreme religious views, and the elderly, are also being considered.

Congress Lowers Age of Sexual Consent: Congress will vote later this year to lower the age of sexual consent to 12. Members have agreed to consider new research indicating that sex between children and adults may be beneficial. Although this new research is absurd and appears extremely problematic and biased, it may have prompted a trend in the lower Courts to assign convicted pedophiles lesser penalties such as community service, or rehabilitation, for committing lewd acts with children. This movement may explain why many judges now offer rehabilitation rather than imprisonment. Even though research confirms that punishment reduces crime, many appear eager to facilitate this new trend.

Same-sex Marriages Now Exceed Traditional Marriages In Some States: As a result, words such as "mom" and "dad" can no longer be used. Citizens must refer to parents as "partner 1" and "partner 2." Congress, however, is concerned that decreased birth rates will affect the nation's economy. In response, partners will be required to explore creative procreation options. Additionally, traditional families will be limited to two children. If couples fail to comply, infanticide may be considered.

Zero Tolerance for Christians: Homeland Security reports that Christianity is now under control. A recent poll indicates that fewer than 2 percent of the population report adhering to Christian beliefs and biblical absolutes. This decrease is attributed to a successful "Zero Tolerance" policy, which includes hate-speech legislation, outlawing use of the Bible, incarceration for Christians, heavy taxation on evangelical churches, and media scrutiny of anyone associated with the Christian faith. Additionally, many biblical terms dealing with marriage, sexual orientation, and family values are now identified as hate speech and cannot be used in public.

Again, although fictitious, these imaginary headlines may be more fact than fiction if America continues to reject God. "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7).

At the time of this writing, it is said that we live in the greatest country in the world, but the success we cherish is not the result of chance. Many early Americans understood that in order for a nation to thrive and prosper, God's Word must provide the basis for the government and the welfare of society. I'm not suggesting a theocracy, nor were the Founders, but I am suggesting a return to Judeo-Christian values. Just as water rapidly eroded the banks of the mighty Colorado River and created a vast Grand Canyon, America's current belief system (relativism) has eroded her foundation and created a moral void.

Interestingly enough, the stability of America is one of the top concerns on the minds of many today. There was a time in recent history when America felt secure knowing that the most formidable enemies were abroad. Not so today. While we are concerned with terrorist attacks, and rightly so, there is a greater threat from corruption within. There are people and groups who are strongly committed to the destruction of anything rooted in our nation's Christian heritage. They attempt to be "one nation 'above' God," rather than "one nation 'under' God." Scripture identifies this as foolishness, self-exaltation, and arrogance.

There is a saying that one generation plants trees for the next generation. I'm concerned that instead of planting, we are removing and destroying the very covering that protects us. For instance, most schools no longer teach students about the spiritual foundation that has guided America throughout her history. Consequently, America's moral and religious heritage is often deleted, grossly distorted, or revised altogether. This should concern us. The ideas of the classroom in one generation will create the ideas of government within the next.

Today, our culture promotes relativism, and man does what is right in his own eyes. According to Scripture, to his own destruction. God's Word says to confront, confess, and turn from our sins; relativism encourages us to ignore, overlook, and continue in them.

Although this position may seem radical or extreme, we are living in extremely critical times. Make no mistake about it: We are witnessing the rapid deterioration of a nation right before our eyes. But there is hope: 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls out from the past with resounding clarity to America today: "If My people will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land."

Let it not be said of us today: And there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord (Judges 2:10). From the book, One Nation "Above" God at www.ShaneIdleman.net.

Pockets of true revival are breaking out across America. Want to know more about the next great move of God? Click here to see Jennifer LeClaire's new book, featuring Dutch Sheets, Reinhard Bonnke, Jonathan Cahn, Billy Graham and others.

Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, California, just North of Los Angeles. He recently released his 7th book, Desperate for More of God at shaneidleman.com. Shane's sermons, articles, books, and radio program can all be found at wcfav.org. Follow him on Facebook at: facebook.com /confusedchurch .

- See more at: http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/49352-america-is-ignoring-god-s-clear-warning-signs#sthash.TBm8ve47.dpuf

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

7 Reasons Why Christian Leaders (and Christians) Fall

How can you avoid falling as a Christian? (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Recently, two of my heroes have fallen from grace, and some of my friends in pastoral ministry have taken detours in their destiny as well. Moral failings among leaders are becoming an epidemic. No one is beyond the reach of Satan's grasp. Although I'm disappointed, my faith is not shaken because only Christ should be placed on a pedestal.

Why do they fall? They fall for the same reason that all Christians fall. Each of us are drawn away by our own evil desires and enticed. When these desires are acted upon, they lead to sin (cf. James 1:14-15). Sin has a life cycle—it either grows or withers depending on whether we feed or starve it. John Owen, the prolific Puritan author wrote, "Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you."

Consider the following ways that sin gains entrance:

1. "It will never happen to me." 1 Corinthians 10:12 reminds us that if we think that we are standing firm, we should be careful that we don't fall. "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov. 16:18). Pride says, "I've never committed adultery. It will never happen to me." Humility says, "By the grace of God, I haven't, but I can." Strength is found in admitting our weaknesses: "For when I am weak I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:10). Pride opens the door to compromise and unwise decisions; it ignores conviction. Conviction is not always a hammer to the head, it's a still small voice to the heart. Many confuse God's patience with His approval. C.H. Spurgeon rightly noted, "We are never, never so much in danger of being proud as when we think we are humble." As notoriety increases so must humility. Sadly, the opposite often happens.

2. I'm "too busy." We are all susceptible to putting God second and ministry first. If we're too busy to cultivate a prayer life that places God first—we're too busy. Men would live better if they prayed better. We're often too busy because we're doing too much. "When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live" (E.M. Bounds). It's hard to fall when you're always on your knees. Moral failing cannot gain a stronghold in a broken, praying heart that spends time in the Word and obedience to it (cf. James 1:22). Nine times out of 10, when a person falls, he or she has no meaningful prayer or devotional life. It's impossible to spend extended time with God and not be changed and challenged.

3. Holiness is compromised. The enemy attempts to draw us away from God's holy standard. I vividly remember a story of a young boy who kept falling out of his bed. He finally asked his mother why he kept falling. She wisely answered, "It's because you don't stay far enough in." In the same way, many of us fall back into sin because we don't get far enough into God's framework of safety and protection via holiness. In the words of Isaac Watts, "True Christianity, where it reigns in the heart, will make itself appear in the purity of life."

Holiness must come from brokenness and humility, not legalism. A low view of holiness always damages morality ... we rationalize instead of repent. I'm convinced that today's media plays a significant role in the decline of holiness. Sadly, Hollywood, not the Holy Spirit, influences many. We cannot fill our mind with darkness all week and expect the light of Christ to shine in our lives. Before a person falls their mental diet is very unhealthy. They simply act on what they've been feeding their mind. "Take every thought captive to obey Christ" is not a recommendation, its vital to victory (see 2 Cor. 10).

4. Many build unhealthy relationships with the opposite sex. We must be on high alert in this area and have tremendous steps of accountability in place. The devil doesn't show those involved in counseling appointments, inner office meetings and private "fellowship" the pain and anguish and the years of regret that moral failure brings; he deceives them with a false sense of freedom in ministry ... that we are simply "helping" the other person.

If you are married and attracted to another person, or if the potential is there, take steps now and remove yourself from the environment. I'd rather be called "un-approachable" than "flirtatious." Adultery begins with small compromises. We're often too smart to take deliberate plunges, but we're easily enticed to take one step at a time, one compromise at a time, one bad choice at a time until we're at the bottom. Don't fight sexual desires and don't entertain them ... flee (cf. 1 Cor. 6:18).

5. We fail to strengthen weak areas. We all have cracks in our armor. The demands of life often tempt us to seek gratification in unhealthy ways. The enemy uses "opportune times" to draw us away from God. (cf. Luke 4:13.) The line is so thin that it is often hard to determine when we cross over. Weak areas such as drugs, alcohol, pain meds, sex, anger, marriage issues and so on are "opportune times" for the enemy to strike. We must expose these areas through repentance, and install safeguards and accountability. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

6. Accountability is often breached or minimized. Accountability is a safeguard, but its not bullet-proof. Accountability, by itself, doesn't work—it's not realistic to ask others to hold you accountable. Your heart must be focused on honoring God's Word. Accountability simply adds another level of security in the battle against sin. It's healthy to say to those we trust, "I'm struggling in this area. Can you pray with me and ask the hard questions from time to time." The enemy loves to work in darkness and deceit. Exposing cracks in the armor helps others keep an eye on them as well.

I have accountability software that sends all websites visited to my wife's email every week. This is a major deterrent and it makes me very conscious of even seemingly innocent sites. To some, this may seem extreme, but we need to be armed for the enemy who steals, kills and destroys. The greater our influence, the greater the need for accountability: spiritually, financially and relationally.

7. A sense of entitlement. Feeling a sense of entitlement is often the beginning of justifying wrong choices and can lead to "the King Syndrome." As popularity increases, we begin to follow our own set of rules. We can easily become jealous and judgmental of those who seem to have "all the fun."

As Oswald Chambers states: "God buries His men [and women] in the midst of paltry things, no monuments are erected to them; they are ignored, not because they are unworthy, but because they are in the place where they cannot be seen." Luke 16:10should be a great encouragement, "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty'." Sin can be silenced in a thankful heart set on worshipping God. God has given us the privilege to serve Him, proclaim His truth and help others. Don't allow frustration and negativity to lead you down the wrong path. We are not "entitled" to anything ... it is by sheer grace that we are blessed.

If you are on the cliff or have already fallen ... take time now and repent. It will hurt, but the fruit of repentance far outweighs the fruit of exposure that will surely come (cf. Num. 32:23). God's grace will see you through. A penitent person turns from sin. They accept full responsibility for their actions without blame, resentment or bitterness. They seek forgiveness without conditions and stipulations. They take full (not partial) responsibility for their actions.

There can be no "buts" when repentance is genuine. "I am sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me," are often (although not always) healing words and signs of repentance. Excuses need to stop before healing can occur. There are consequences for past mistakes, but it's best to live in God's healing arms of forgiveness, rather than to live broken outside of His will. Which way will you turn?

Listen to "Desperate for More of God" audios here: humelake.org/news/speaker/shane-idleman/