Going Again. - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Going Again.

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Matthew 24:14, NKJV

In February of 2010 I made my first journey to India, with the Lufthansa flight landing in the city of Hyderabad in southeast India. Accompanied by my good friend Edgar Persad, I was to spend the next week teaching 70 pastors of the Lord’s purposes and plans for Israel, and their responsibility now as believers.

Accepting the invitation of Pastor John Ebenezer, who donned wreaths of gorgeous flowers around our necks, after we came through the airport gate (they were heavy!), our journey began in the early morning hours.

Having never been to India, the experience was much the same as the time in 2002 when my good wife Laurie and I joined the “smuggling team” of Derek Prince Ministries, carrying stowed Mandarin Chinese Bibles in carry-on bags into mainland China.

It was not so much that Edgar and I were carrying Bibles now, but with the fact that as people were also everywhere in the huge cities, as in China, we were ready to bring the Lord Jesus’ saving and lasting Word to these pastors.

One of the first things that caught my attention in this very populated nation were the street intersections. There seemed to be no working stop lights but rather a lone policeman directing traffic. He certainly had his work cut out for him. Try as he might, very few gave much attention to his waving hands. It was a bit comical, and yet scary, that the taxi drivers just held their hand on the horn and drove right on through. Including our van driver!

After 10 years since that time, I am returning again to these people in February 2020. Though I will be traveling alone this time, with two pastors' conferences on schedule, I too will have a full workload up ahead.

Pastor John Ebenezer with Indian pastors 2010

On August 9, 2019, I received this letter from Pastor John. You can see his heart for the pastors he oversees, to understand the biblical command to bless Israel and the Jews.

Dear Steve,

Shalom. I thank you so much for keeping me at your home in July, and able to share all we needed. Now I have to ask please, in regard to your upcoming trip, to bring this teaching to India church pastors about Israel and the Jewish people, and Yeshua. I want you to explain the meaning of God’s plans to the people because they don’t know much about them of Israel, at least not in a complete picture. So I feel better to encourage them to study more and learn much about Israel pray for the nation of ISRAEL each day in India. once again thank you so much shalom...

I wrote this back to him:

I certainly will, John.

I am going to start at the very beginning, with Genesis and explain God’s plan of redemption and salvation coming through the Jews, starting with Abraham (though he himself wasn’t a Jew, but was a man of faith.).

All the Hebrew patriarchs and matriarchs, prophets and apostles (except Luke) were Jews.

And Yeshua Himself, God in the flesh, was, and still is, a Jew.

Plus. I will teach on how Jews were dispersed, even to India, beginning in 70 A.D., and know how the Lord’s plan is being fulfilled prophetically, right before our eyes, in bringing them back to their Promised Land. It is known as aliyah.

And somehow, I want the pastors to “give” something to bless Israel. Doesn’t have to be money. You can think of whatever. They need to know how to bless Israel and the Jews in the natural, even as they have so given to us, Gentiles, in the supernatural, beginning with the Torah, the Word of God.

Shalom John,

Steve

About two hours later John quickly wrote back, something that he normally is not given to, considering the conditions he lives in, within his simple, village lodging in India. Having been there myself, it is very simple.

As one example, when he is in India, and not traveling throughout the USA, wi-fi, thus email can be challenging to obtain, especially out in the remote villages where we have gone and will go again.

John’s response email, as follows.

Dear Steve,

Thank you for your message which I have seen and it's very good to them and to me too, to teach others in my country, and as you know that you have visited the village Mucherla, in the district of Khammam. the state of Telangana, which is a new state. Formerly it was with the state of Andhra Pradesh. Now we’re separated as of 3 years ago. It’s close to Khammam, a city now with 3 million people. Everything we get from there. Even the hospitals and stores etc. are only in Khammam. There is no other big town nearby to me nor in all around the district.

Servant for the poor,

John Ebenezer

Address:  John Ebenezer

                 Mucherla .Post

                  Khammam Dt. TS 507182

                  INDIA

                 

call +91984 965 7911

       +91770 244 9757

Lighthouse Center, India Pastor John Ebenezer

Cell#984-965-7911

"Great is Thy faithfulness, O God." "Bless the Lord, O my soul!"

Going again, back to India, was not something I had planned on. But as the Lord opens doors to go, we must hear and obey. He wants the nations to know what He is doing. We must be the ones to share it with them. All aspect of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach. We must preach His Word as much as we can, while the time permits.

Now think on this and see what good things the Lord has in store for you and those around you.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Founder/President

Love For His People, Inc.

Please sign up for my bi-weekly newsletter: Now Think On This. The sign-up form is on our ministry website: www.loveforhispeople.blogspot.com

Love For His People ministry

P.O. Box 414

Pineville, NC 28134

loveforhispeople@gmail.com

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Now Think On This #446 - in the year of our Lord 08.10.19 – “Going Again” – Saturday, 4:55 am

Photos from our 2010 journey to India

and John's work in his country

We provided new garments for the pastor's wives.

 Indian pastors attending the conference.

 Pastor John praying for the pastors he oversees.

 Pastors' wife and their new garments.

 Churches being built in India

 In Muerchela's church building. This flower wrap was heavy! (Notice the strain on my face?!)

 Steve Martin sharing Scripture with the conference pastors, through the translator.

 In the city of Khammam, India 2010

 A gift from Pastor John Ebenezer

My good wife Laurie and I - wearing Indian garments a few years later.

"Remnant - God says This to You..." Travis Holland, Defiance, OH - The Elijah List

"Remnant - God says This to You..."

Travis Holland, Defiance, OH

The Elijah List  July 2, 2019

There are many Believers who have spent this last season in a cave. Even though they've been in this cave they have still been encountering God's presence and still encountering His glory, but they feel alone and trapped. In their hearts they feel hurt and abandoned. They feel as though they are the only one who has been going through this in their region, city, and country.

God showed me a golden valley, full of His glory. It was like the fresh, golden pollen of His glory was falling from Heaven upon the valley. As I looked up, I saw the valley was surrounded by mountains encompassing it. In these mountains were a multitude of caves, separate from each other. God said inside these caves were many hurt prophets, apostles, pastors, evangelists, teachers, and fiery-footed sons and daughters who have chosen to dedicate their lives to the Kingdom of God and not religion, money, and self-promotion.

Encountering His Presence But Unable to Hear His Voice

This hidden remnant could not see each other in these caves, and they felt like they were the only ones in a cave season – even though they were surrounded by others just like themselves. There were many that wept alone. There were many who were hurt and had been driven out by other people. It was because of this that they have felt like they were no longer flowing in the same intimacy, vision, and giftings as they had before in the previous seasons. They felt as if they could encounter His presence but could no longer hear His voice as they used to. (Photo via Unsplash)

Suddenly, I heard a clarion call from Heaven. The voice was like a rumble of thunder and lightning but was as clear as a melody of worship. He said, "What do you hear, oh remnant?" They said, "We can't hear anything in tears!"

Then an instrumental of Heaven became louder and louder and I heard the angels and the cloud of great witnesses singing, "You can do it. You can do it!" They were cheering the remnant on. Then God said, "I have not abandoned you. I will give you something bigger than the vision you can see right now. It's time for the remnant to step forth. It's time remnant to arise and shine for your light has come! The glory of the Lord has risen upon you."

Step Out of Your Caves

Then the remnant replied, "Lord, we are all alone, and are timid to step forth." Then God said, "I have many remnant, just like you. There are many in your region, many in your city, many in your country, and many around the world. I never called you to step out and arise alone."

God then spoke again, "I have called the remnant forth as fiery-footed people to arise together, to align together, to run this race together, to bring Heaven to Earth, together. Arise, oh remnant and step out of your caves."

As they stepped forward, out of their caves, they saw hundreds of thousands of others who stepped forth too. This mountain range of the remnant Believers was awakened to the fact that they were not the only ones. God had set them apart for such a time as this. They started out of their caves and started a new walk down the mountains to the golden valley that had the glory raining down upon it like golden pollen.

Lift His Name on High

They all came down and locked arms as one Body with one purpose. As they celebrated in the valley, their feet burned with fire upon them, their hands burned with a fresh fire upon them, and when they spoke, like golden pollen, the glory of God flowed out of their mouths as ones that spoke the heart of the Father.

God said, "Look! The ones called 'The Remnant' who thought they were small and alone have now arisen together and aligned together to carry My Kingdom to those that do not know My heart, to those that are hurting and have been crushed, to those that need to have their first love turned back to My Son, Jesus. These ones will be known as glory carriers, fiery-footed ones, nation shakers, and atmosphere changers.

"They will be known for carrying and releasing signs, wonders, miracles, and healings greater than they've seen before. Most importantly, they will be known for passionately loving Me, My Son, and My Spirit, because everything flows from intimately knowing Me and who I created them to be in My Son. They will not do this for their own fame, but they will lift, in unity, My Son's name on high." (Photo via Unsplash)

"...But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 'Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy..." (Isaiah 60:2-5)

"Remnant arise and come forth! Align together in unity in this new season. I have something greater in store for you." 

(To Subscribe to the Elijah List subscribe here.)

Travis Holland
Foundations of Revival
Email: aboutus.foundations@gmail.com
Website: www.foundationsofrevival.com

Travis Holland is an apostolic revivalist & itinerant speaker and co-founder of Foundations of Revival. He has a heart to see Heaven invade Earth and to see people live out the Kingdom dynamics they were called to. 

Travis and Chantie Holland have been called to be conduits and to dig up wells of revival all over the world. Those wells of prophetic words and prayers that have been spoken over cities, regions, and nations. He has called them to speak His Words and lay hands and see His miracles, signs, and wonders manifest in people's lives. They also have a vision of equipping those that are called to host His presence in their area.

To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link https://elijahlist.com/subscribe.

Why These Worship Artists and Pastors Converged on Washington 5/18/2017 - MELANY ETHRIDGE/A. LARRY ROSS CHARISMA NEWS

These Christian influencers are the latest to join the drumbeat of calls to Congress to protect the international affairs budget. (Public Domain)

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

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Hope Through Healing Hands and the ONE Campaign hosted 10 Christian artists, pastors and other faith leaders in Washington, D.C., on May 17 to conduct meetings with members of Congress and their staff and share their concerns about the devastating effects that could result from President Trump's severe proposed budget cuts to foreign assistance. Participants in this "Christian Influencers Advocacy Day," include artists Jennifer Nettles, Steve Taylor, Matt Maher, Dan Haseltine and Brandon Heath, and Pastors Bob Griffith, Brandon Tubbs and Josh Rouse.

These Christian influencers are the latest to join the drumbeat of calls to Congress to protect the international affairs budget. In February, more than 120 retired generals signed a letter warning that cuts to foreign assistance, even while increasing military spending, would not make the country safer. In March, over 100 Christian pastors, leaders and artists signed a letter to Congress asking them to oppose the proposed cuts as their moral responsibility. Signatories included Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Rev. Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, both of whom prayed at the president's inauguration.

That foreign aid helps ensure our national security while also protecting the most vulnerable populations is one of the arguments the leaders will make with congressional representatives on "Christian Influencers Day," in hopes of preserving foreign assistance funding at FY17 levels.

They will use similar language as that sent to President Trump in this recent letter from faith leaders: 

"If we can protect the lives of mothers and children, we can intervene not just to save lives but to establish a foundation of health and wellness to uplift communities, societies, and nations out of extreme poverty.

"Beyond our calling to care for the world's poorest as a moral or economic commitment, this is also in the best interest of our national security. We know that development is a critical prevention tool that protects nations from becoming fragile and failed states that are ripe breeding grounds for violent extremism and terrorism.

"Supporting foreign assistance isn't just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do." 

Similarly, the letter from a group spearheaded by World Vision and sent to Congress, reflected more of these thoughts:

"Matthew 25 tells us when we serve the least of these, we are serving the Lord. As people of faith, we cannot turn our backs on those in desperate need. We are grateful for America's global development and diplomacy programs that have been instrumental in saving lives, safeguarding religious liberties, and keeping America safe and secure. Both Republican and Democratic administrations have strong legacies of supporting humanitarian and development programs that enable countless people to pull themselves out of poverty and live life with dignity. It is through these diplomatic and development tools that we've seen countries and communities build peaceful, productive societies that do not turn to violence or terrorism."

"More than 50 percent of Americans still believe that our foreign assistance amounts to 25 percent of the U.S. budget. In actuality, it is less than 1 percent," said Jenny Dyer, Ph.D., executive director of HTHH. "If Congress accepts President Trump's 28 percent cut to foreign assistance, the historic progress we have led over the past 25 years to halve poverty, preventable, treatable diseases, and the deaths of mothers and children will halt. The world will become less safe at home and abroad." 

Tom Hart, the ONE's North America executive director echoed Dyer. "Our foreign assistance programs are among the few places in the government where funding translates to lives saved. Cutting foreign aid would put in jeopardy those who depend on life-saving assistance like anti-retroviral medicines for HIV/AIDS, food assistance for those in famine, bed nets for those fighting malaria, and anti-corruption measures. These programs have had strong bipartisan support for generations and we're going up to the Hill to ensure it stays that way."

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Pastors, They're Coming After You! - MICHAEL BROWN CHARISMA NEWS

So I'll admit it. I did come up with the title of this article for shock value, but the fact is, you need to be shocked. (Jemma D/Flickr/CC)

Pastors, They're Coming After You!

10/28/2016 MICHAEL BROWN  CHARISMA NEWS

OK, I get it.

The title of this article sounds conspiratorial and inflammatory.

In fact, it sounds like a "shock" headline designed to get your attention.

Who, after all, is this ambiguous "they" I'm referring to, and why are "they" coming after "you," referring obviously to Christian leaders? And what, pray tell, are "they" coming to do to "you"?

So I'll admit it. I did come up with the title of this article for shock value, but the fact is, you need to be shocked.

In other words, the title may be sensational, but it is only sensational because it is true.

Consider this Oct. 26 headline on Fox News: "State of Georgia demands pastor turn over sermons."

Yes, "a lay minister who is suing the Georgia Department of Public Health for religious discrimination has been ordered by the state's attorney general to relinquish his sermons to the government, according to federal court documents."

In the words of Attorney General Samuel Olens, "Please produce a copy of your sermon notes and/or transcripts."

And why is the state of Georgia demanding his sermon notes and/or transcripts?

As Todd Starnes reports, "Walsh, a Seventh-day Adventist lay minister had been hired in May 2014 by as a district health director with the Georgia Department of Public Health. A week later, a government official asked him to submit copies of his sermons for review. He complied and two days later he was fired."

In other words, he was not fired because of any lack of qualification. To the contrary, he was highly qualified for the job.

As noted by attorney David French, Walsh's résumé included "working for former President Bush and President Obama to combat AIDS, serving as a board member of the Latino Health Collaborative, and starting California's first city-run dental clinic for low-income families dealing with HIV/AIDS," but that "wasn't sufficient to overcome the horror at Walsh's Christian views."

Yes, Walsh was fired for the unpardonable sin of preaching against homosexual practice, based on Scripture—and note that he was preaching this to his fellow congregants, not giving a lecture to his staff.

As Walsh's lead attorney, Jeremy Dys, said, "He was fired for something he said in a sermon. If the government is allowed to fire someone over what he said in his sermons, they can come after any of us for our beliefs on anything."

Yes, continued Dys, "It's an incredible intrusion on the sanctity of the pulpit. This is probably the most invasive reach into the pulpit by the state that I've ever seen."

But this should not surprise us at all.

I pointed out in 2013 that, "Already in April, 2009, an article in the Washington Post documented how, 'Faith organizations and individuals who view homosexuality as sinful and refuse to provide services to gay people are losing a growing number of legal battles that they say are costing them their religious freedom.'

"This was confirmed by Georgetown Law Professor Chai Feldblum, appointed by President Obama to serve on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and herself an out and proud lesbian, when she remarked that when religious liberty and sexual liberty conflict, 'I'm having a hard time coming up with any case in which religious liberty should win.'"

That's why Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, was fired for his personally held beliefs about sexuality and marriage.

That's why Dr. Angela McCaskill, associate provost of diversity and inclusion at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. (and herself a deaf), was suspended from her job for signing a petition at her local church that called for a public vote on same-sex "marriage" (rather than for a legislative decision).

That's why Crystal Dixon, was fired from her position as associate vice president of human resources at the University of Toledo for writing an editorial in her local newspaper, taking issue with the idea that gay is the new black.

And the list goes on and on, growing on a regular basis, as I and others have documented now for years. (Just check out the chapter "Big Brother Is Watching, and He Really Is Gay" in A Queer Thing Happened to America for some sobering examples.)

And I used these three examples here because in each case, gay sensitivities not only trumped religious rights, they also demonstrated that, when it comes to "gay rights," even black Americans can be perceived as victimizers rather than victims (Cochran, McCaskill and Dixon were all black).

As we have now learned with Dr. Walsh (did I mention he's black as well?), not even the pulpits are safe.

But this too should not surprise us.

After all, it was just last year that Annise Parker, the lesbian mayor of Houston, along with the city attorney, David Feldman, demanded that five local pastors turn over their sermons, speeches, presentations and even emails to congregants which addressed the issues of homosexuality and gender identity, among other subjects.

And it was only when Parker and Feldman came under intense national pressure that they backed down, with Parker still denying that "the request[s] were in any way illegal or intended to intrude on religious liberties." (I document this in detail in the chapter "The Day the Line Was Crossed" in Outlasting the Gay Revolution.)

With all respect to the mayor's position, her explanation was absolute rubbish, and there is no question that she did intruded on religious liberties.

And as I warned last week, if Hillary Clinton is elected, this will only get worse.

Even if Donald Trump is elected, abuses like this will continue on a local level for years to come.

There's only thing that can stop it, and that is simply the church of Jesus, led by its pastors and elders, standing up to speak what is right and do what is right, regardless of cost or consequence. If we do, the tide will turn.

Now, I'm quite aware that I sound like a broken record, having written on this theme three times in two weeks, including this article (see here and here).

But I will keep sounding the alarm until God's people wake up—beginning with the leaders—and with yet another example staring us in the face, we sleep on to our own peril, not to mention our lasting shame.

In recent days, I've been reading a terrific book by Dean G. Stroud titled Preaching in Hitler's Shadow: Sermons of Resistance in the Third Reich. And while I am absolutely not comparing our current government to Nazi Germany and while I do not believe we will go the way Nazi Germany went, I can't help but see the striking parallels between our two countries, beginning with these incremental attacks on religious freedom, back then and today.

And so, while I am not saying that America will one day look like Nazi Germany, I amsaying that very soon, America will hardly be recognizable, the antithesis of the "land of the free and the home of the brave."

After all, who would have believed that in the last two years, government officials would be demanding that pastors and Christian teachers turn over their sermons, sermons notes and private emails dealing with sexual morality and that, in the last 10 years, Christians would be fired from their jobs or kicked out of their schools because of their privately held, biblical beliefs?

And so, I will say it again. It's time to wake up!

Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Breaking the Stronghold of Food. Connect with him on Facebook or Twitter.

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Lance Wallnau (Trump and America’s Fourth Crucible (Day 2) on the Jim Bakker Show

Watch here: Lance Wallnau (Day 2) on the Jim Bakker Show

Jim & Lori Bakker with Lance Wallnau

Doctor Lance Wallnau
Jim Bakker Show 2016 | Show# 3110 | Aired on October 28, 2016
Jim Bakker Show © 2016 • Morningside Studios

Pastor Jim discusses God’s specific calling and anointing for Donald Trump to shake this nation in the upcoming election. With special guest Dr Lance Wallnau.

Quotes

We’re facing an America, we’re facing a Supreme Court that can change the world for the next decade. – Pastor Jim

All that Trump’s going to do is reset the clock for the church to take back territory. – Lance Wallnau

Things are going to happen, and God wants to give us someone who has enough sense to manage this country in chaos. – Pastor Jim

I think the Lord is saying if we can get the right captain on board the ship for the storm, we won’t lose the ship. – Lance Wallnau

Scriptures

Isaiah 45:1 MEV Thus says the Lord to Cyrus, His anointed, whose right hand I have held— to subdue nations before him and to loosen the loins of kings, to open doors before him so that the gates will not be shut:

Isaiah 45:5 MEV I am the Lord and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I strengthen you, though you have not known Me,

Proverbs 25:28 ESV A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Hebrews 12:26 MEV At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has given us a promise, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also heaven.”

Psalm 105:17 MEV He sent a man before them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

Psalm 105:19 MEV Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.

Psalm 105:21 MEV He made Joseph lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions,

James 2:17 MEV So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

Headlines

Poll: 40 Percent of Protestant Pastors Remain Undecided – Newsmax

Bibles banned! VA removes Good Book from clinic – Fox News

Large DDoS attacks cause outages at Twitter, Spotify, and other sites – Tech Crunch

This Is Why Half the Internet Shut Down Today – Gizmodo

Those That Wanted To Get Prepared Have Already Gotten Prepared By Now - Michael Snyder THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE BLOG

Those That Wanted To Get Prepared Have Already Gotten Prepared By Now Posted: 11 Jul 2016   Michael Snyder  THE ECONOMIC COLLAPSE BLOG Is the time for warning people to prepare for what is ahead coming to an end?  For years, bold men and women all over America have been sounding the alarm and warning people to get prepared physically, financially, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the great storm that is rapidly approaching.  Personally, I have written more than 2,500 articles on my primary two websites combined, and so nobody can accuse me of not blowing the trumpet.   It has gotten to the point that sometimes I am even tired of listening to myself warn the people.  But now we are shifting into a new phase. The other day I was reflecting on some of the things that I have been hearing lately.  Sales of emergency food and supplies are way down across the entire industry.  Many organizations and websites that have been instrumental in sounding the alarm for a long time are really struggling right now.  On my websites, traffic has hit a bit of a plateau after experiencing a tremendous surge late last year.  Overall, “prepping” was very hot just a few years ago, and at one time it was estimated that there were approximately three million “preppers” in the United States.  But these days there seems to be a tremendous amount of apathy out there. As I reflected on all of this, I came to one inescapable conclusion. Those that wanted to get prepared have already gotten prepared by now, and those that did not want to get prepared are not likely to do so any time soon. I personally know a lot of people that are very, very prepared and have been for a long time.  Yes, there is still a small minority of people out there that only recently woke up and started prepping, but overall most of the preparation that people wanted to do has already been completed.  And for those that have not done anything to prepare, you could argue with them until the moon turns to cheese and they still won’t take any action. At this point the die has been cast.  Most of those that felt that they should prepare have already prepared.  Most of those that felt that they should repent have already repented.  Most of those that felt that they should warn America have already sounded the alarm. So now all that is left is to wait for the shaking to begin. In looking back at what has transpired over the last several years, I think that it would be appropriate to say something about the failure of the church in America. You see, if the churches of America were doing their job, all of the “watchmen” out there would not even be needed.  Our voices would simply be lost in a chorus of thousands upon thousands of pastors, teachers, ministers and evangelists boldly warning people about what is coming to this nation. But instead, there is just deafening silence coming from most of the mainstream churches. The sad thing is that many, many church leaders understand very clearly what is coming, but they have purposely chosen not to warn the people.  Some time ago, George Barna conducted a study that looked into why our churches are not addressing the key issues of the day, and what he discovered was absolutely astounding… “‘What we’re finding is that when we ask them about all the key issues of the day, [90 percent of them are] telling us, ‘Yes, the Bible speaks to every one of these issues,” he explained. “Then we ask them: ‘Well, are you teaching your people what the Bible says about those issues?’ and the numbers drop…to less than 10 percent of pastors who say they will speak to it.” Most churches in America don’t want to talk about the hard things, because they desperately want to make people feel comfortable.  They want to entertain people and make them happy so that they will come back week after week and drop their money into the offering plate. When it comes to defining success as a church, Barna found that there were five primary factors that were important to the majority of pastors, and none of them had anything to do with repentance and salvation through Jesus Christ… “There are five factors that the vast majority of pastors turn to,” he outlined. “Attendance, giving, number of programs, number of staff, and square footage.” Sadly, most Christians in America actually prefer these lukewarm churches, and the Apostle Paul warned that these times were coming nearly 2000 years ago.  The following is what 2 Timothy 4:3-4 says in the Modern English Version… 3 For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires, having itching ears, 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn to myths. You may not want to hear this, but the majority of churches in America have already gone apostate, and that is the truth. We are slowly but surely losing an entire generation of Americans, and yet our dead and dying churches just continue to slumber.  I shared the following numbers in a previous article, but they bear repeating.  The following comes directly out of a Pew Research Center report… Millennials – especially the youngest Millennials, who have entered adulthood since the first Landscape Study was conducted – are far less religious than their elders. For example, only 27% of Millennials say they attend religious services on a weekly basis, compared with 51% of adults in the Silent generation. Four-in-ten of the youngest Millennials say they pray every day, compared with six-in-ten Baby Boomers and two-thirds of members of the Silent generation. Only about half of Millennials say they believe in God with absolute certainty, compared with seven-in-ten Americans in the Silent and Baby Boom cohorts. And only about four-in-ten Millennials say religion is very important in their lives, compared with more than half in the older generational cohorts. Those numbers are absolutely horrifying.  Yes, there are still a few really good churches scattered across the country.  But overall, the church in America is in really sorry shape, and the numbers don’t lie.  Christianity is in rapid decline in the United States, and somebody better wake up and start doing something about it. Over the years, I can’t tell you how many dead churches that I have sat in.  That is why it is so refreshing when I actually find one where the gospel is preached and where people truly love one another.  I have had the privilege of sharing my message in such a church in recent months, and I wish that there were a lot more of them out there. Unfortunately, most ministers in America are really busy doing things other than what they should be doing.  For instance, have you ever heard of “clergy response teams”?  If you can believe it, the government has actually recruited ministers to help the population accept martial law when it is declared someday.  The following comes from KSLA News… Could martial law ever become a reality in America?  Some fear any nuclear, biological or chemical attack on U.S. soil might trigger just that. KSLA News 12 has discovered that the clergy would help the government with potentially their biggest problem: Us. Can you believe that? Here is more from the report… Such clergy response teams would walk a tight-rope during martial law between the demands of the government on the one side, versus the wishes of the public on the other.  “In a lot of cases, these clergy would already be known in the neighborhoods in which they’re helping to diffuse that situation,” assured Sandy Davis.  He serves as the director of the Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. For the clergy team, one of the biggest tools that they will have in helping calm the public down or to obey the law is the bible itself, specifically Romans 13.  Dr. Tuberville elaborated, “because the government’s established by the Lord, you know.  And, that’s what we believe in the Christian faith.  That’s what’s stated in the scripture.” I don’t know about you, but I found that article to be extremely chilling. But this is the state of things in America today.  We have a dead church that is stuffed to the gills with dead ministers, and the people are not being told the truth about the great shaking that is coming to America. And when the great shaking comes, there will be multitudes of these dead churches and ministries that will go under and never rise again. Meanwhile, God will be raising up a Remnant, and that Remnant is going to shake the world.