" 'The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord.' " .. (Amos 8:11) ... Does this prophecy sound familiar to what is taking place in our land concerning the words of the Holy scriptures? .. You bet they do! .. There's no doubt that America is suffering a severe, and most likely, fatal condition of unabashed apostasy! .. A 'Christian crisis' has emerged and the end result will be devastating. ... Last week I addressed this specific issue in my commentary .. "The Walking Dead" .. how the Church as a whole has become lukewarm towards the true teachings of the Bible. .. And, just in case you don't remember, Jesus hated this 'lukewarmness' and said He would 'spit it out of His mouth' if it were to continue. .. (Revelation 3:15-17) ... It doesn't take a genius to realize that this 'crisis' is very real. .. Just look for example as to how many churches today are 'selling out' the true teachings of scripture so as to adjust to today's society. .. More & more are endorsing sinful lifestyles in order to appease the masses ... to keep their numbers & donations intact. .. Their leaders are saying things like .. 'It's the new normal - the old ways are uncomfortable and no longer apply to today's society and therefore need to be thrown out - it's the 'new normal.' .. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 sums it up quite appropriately .. "For a time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their ITCHING EARS want to hear. 4) They will turn their ears away from the truth and TURN ASIDE TO MYTHS."  (emphasis mine) ... That's right! .. If it doesn't 'hear well,' just go ahead and change it" .. If it doesn't 'sit well' in today's ever-changing world, adjust it so that it will! ... And then what happens? .. It becomes a myth! .. And what is a myth? .. Something that has been watered down or altered so much that it's original meaning is no longer relevant. .. Hence, a lie! .. It's story time! .. (aren't you thrilled?!) .. I remember a conversation I had with a Lutheran pastor many years ago, about the time I was really 'getting into' the Bible. .. After some discussion about certain issues concerning Church & state, he told me point blank that he believed Paul's writings were no longer relevant in today's world .. and that was back in the 1970s! .. I then asked him this question? .. Where was I to draw the line? .. He never was able to give me an answer. .. Why? .. Because there isn't one! .. The bottom line is that though society may change, the Bible never does! .. Though we decide we don't like something, that doesn't give us permission to just 'leave it out!' .. We either are, or we're not! .. We are either in, or we're out! .. It doesn't work both ways! .. I do realize, and have even questioned some parts of scripture that is very difficult for me to adhere to. .. I mean some of it is really hard to follow in today's world. .. But again, that doesn't give me the right to 'alter it' so it's easier for me. .. I mean, who am I? .. Who gave me permission to decide whether God is right or not?!  .. Just think about it ....... OK .. To show a clear example of just how far we have gone 'off-track',' let me turn for just a moment to this national election process we are currently enduring. .. When I listen to these so-called Christians telling me how they are going to 'save the world' through the political process, it becomes more than I can bear most of the time. .. I mean the compromising is simply unbelievable! .. This recent Barna poll sums up much of the problem ... 'Of the 80+ percent of us who call ourselves Christian, some 60+ percent are 'sort of' - not really dedicated' .. (or lukewarm) .. And then the Christian Post had this survey .. '39 percent of current GOP (republican) evangelical voters don't believe the Bible is the literal Word of God!' .. There it is again! ... If it doesn't fit, just change it! ... How tragic this is! .. The scripture that came to mind when I read this was this one .. "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness .. " .. (Isaiah 5:20) .. And then this following verse is perfect when describing the vast majority of today's political leaders .. "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight." (Vs. 21) ... David Jeremiah summed up the 'validity' of today's American political process as it relates to the Church with this dissertation from his book, 'Escape The Coming Night' ...... " Today there are many Christians who are bent on changing society through government programs, lobbying activities, civil disobedience, and pressure groups.  I do not find any place in the Bible that says this is the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ.  The mission of the Church is to witness to lost souls about the redemption provided by the Lord Jesus Christ.  This mission is being replaced by those who believe the Kingdom of God can be established here and now by our human activities." Continuing, pastor Jeremiah says, "Jesus warned that in the last days before His return there would be a Church which would brag about its growing strength and self-importance.  Today there are many undiscerning Christians who are looking for the Kingdom of God on earth, a kingdom where justice will reign and nations will exist in peaceful coexistence.  This arrogant Church covets political power, not the power of God." Richard Halverson, the former esteemed chaplain of the U.S. Senate said,  "The more I listen to evangelicals talk, the less I hear about the hope of Christ's coming again and the more I hear about making the U.S.A. a Christian nation ..... sometimes I think if Christ would come back, it would constitute a terrible interruption of their plans." Simply, we Christians here in America have lost our way and are putting our hope in things of this world. .. And by doing this, we must compromise to the ways of this world in order to appease the masses! .. The Bible says this about 'the ways of the world' .. "Do not deceive yourselves.  If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. .. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." .. (1 Corinthians 3:18-19) We are truly experiencing the "Days of Noah" right before our eyes! ... People are oblivious as to what is taking place all around them. .. And sadly, as the 'flood of spiritual darkness' is descending upon them, they simply do not recognize it! .. How tragic! ... Satan is turning up his wrath as prophesied in Revelation 12 as well as many other parts of scripture. .. I like what Pastor Carl Gallups said concerning these days ...... "Increasingly, we are seeing Satan take off his mask and display the truth of his diabolical maneuverings right before the eyes of the world.  His time is short, and he knows it.  The Lord Jesus is soon to return.  We are living in prophetic times - like no other generation in the last 2000 years.  I would expect to see increasing displays of abject evil and apostasy as we move along down history's road.  The scripture is pretty clear regarding this truth." ...... I want to close with another quote - this one from former U.S. Senator Michelle Bachmann .. "We see the destruction, but this was a destruction that was foretold.  The prophets in the Old Testament, they longed to look into the days that we live in, they longed to be a part of these days.  That is why these are not fearful times.  These are the most exciting days in history!" She is absolutely right! .. For those of us who study God's Word & understand why things seem to be falling apart, it is only pure prophetic proof of our Lord's imminent return! .. Hallelujah! ... I want to close with this verse of warning. .. Read it, and then take a really close look at 'who & where' you are regarding your relationship with Jesus Christ. .. It's not meant to judge or scare anyone. .. My only intent is for all to take these times seriously and 'TO BE READY! ... "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  23)And then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!" .. Matthew 7:21& 23 ... Until next time, Red