"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are NOT serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." ... John 16:17-18 ... (emphasis mine) ... Deception in our land is running rampant! ... The spiritual collapse of our nation is happening right before our very eyes! ..... Just last week we talked about how the Evangelicals are flocking to all the popular politicians, regardless of their personal opinions on biblically sinful teachings! .. Again I say, what Bible are they reading?! .. Why can't people see through these candidates who will say & do anything just to win them over. .. To me, they are no more than 'modern-day pharisees!' ...... Maybe I'm the naive one, but I still can't understand how someone who calls themselves a Christian can blatantly go against the basic teachings of scripture. ... I know I'm ranting, so let me move to another area that is indicating the same 'path that will lead to destruction.' .. Have any of you noticed some of the shows that are soon coming to major networks? .. to be shown in prime time? .. In a news headline dated on January 25th, it asked this question ... "Why is the Fox Network spending millions to bring the devil into your home?" ... Believe it or not, this just so happens to be true! ... A new show is airing any day now called "Lucifer." ... From the few advertising clips I've seen, they show NO attempt to hide the fact that this main character IS satan! .. And again, it will be aired in prime time where many young folks will watch it. ...... And if that isn't enough, another major network is coming out with another new show entitled "Angel from Hell." ...... Again, these are not the 'little' networks, but the big ones that draw the most folks. ... Sadly, it's just another sign of just how far we have fallen spiritually as a nation. ... Anything to draw attention & bring fortune is 'in.' ... Now couple all this with the nearly 60 million babies that have been slaughtered, the Supreme Court's sanctioning of 'Gay Marriage,' and the blatant attempt by militant atheist groups to remove God totally from our society, it doesn't leave much doubt as to the soon-coming destruction of this society as we know it. .. Sodom & Gomorrah will seem like kid's play compared to what will take place any day to this fallen nation. .... So what about the Church? ... Where is it in regards to this monumental decline in America? .. As far as I'm concerned, she has contributed greatly to this spiritual decay that is taking place. .. As I've said many times in prior comments, over the past 15+ years, my journey has taken me to many different Church settings, and believe me when I say, I've experienced a breathtaking spiritual famine up close! .. In most all instances, the focus was, and is, on 'all the stuff' .. big lavish buildings with all the trappings .. foyers full of stores selling books & CD's, coffee shops peddling lattes & pastry .. and anything else that will realize a profit. ... And then, of course, there are the music teams programed with all the choreographed stage moves & expensive equipment ... Programs for every possible lifestyle out there! ... Sadly, the focus is on 'all the 'stuff' instead of Jesus Christ! ... An example is this .. I once reviewed a 15-page program of a certain Church. .. As I scanned through it, I didn't find the mention of Jesus until page 8! ... He got in there ... eventually. ... Simply, it is absolutely amazing to see so much of the world in the Church & so many of the churches in the world. .. Sadly one has a difficult time telling the difference between the two. Sam Pascoe had it right when he said this ... "Christianity began in Palestine as a fellowship, and then moved to Greece and became a philosophy. .. Afterward, it moved on to Rome and became an institution and then moved to Europe where it became a culture. .. Finally, it settled in America where it has become an enterprise." And then there's the teaching. .. Once again let's look to scripture to tell us the truth ... "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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." .. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 ... Think this is happening? .. You bet it is! ... stuff like 'send me all your money & you, too, will be rich' .. or 'feel-good, all-about-me' sermons that only feed into the narcissistic mood of todays culture. .. There's so much more of the empty teaching .. it would take me the rest of the day & beyond to try & name them all. .... David Jeremiah said this ... "Christ's coming would be a complete interruption to the church's agendas today. .. Simply put, the banquet table is full, but it's filled with junk food." ... Now here is the sad bottom line. .. The results of this type of Church leadership has taken a terrible toll on this nation. .. Scriptural knowledge is at an all-time low! .. People filling the pews today and claiming to be Christians sadly really don't have a clue as to the truth. ... The current political landscape in America is living proof! ... 1 Timothy 4:1 says it clearly ... "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." ... Simply, deceivers are rising up en masse and people are flocking to them in droves! ... Gratefully, there is a 'remnant' out there that is trying their best to reach as many as possible. ... One is Franklin Graham who recently stated that neither the Republican nor Democratic parties will save this country .. only God can. .. As a result he has launched a nation-wide tour dedicated to the spiritual awakening of America. .. We must pray for him, and any one else who is shouting the truth from the rooftops. ... Be sure of this .. those of us who are doing our very best to live according to God's Word WILL NOT BE POPULAR .. but then, when reading the true words of the Bible, no one else has ever been either! ... My plea to each of you is to search the Word of God in all things, and then pray fervently for the things that are close to your heart. .. Times will continue to grow worse & worse as we draw ever nearer to the sound of the redeeming Trumpet. ... The ONLY way to be prepared to stand strong is to "put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand ... " (Ephesians 6:13) ... Know that I am praying for each of you ... for discernment and strength in Spirit as we move closer to His triumphant return. .. Hallelujah! ... Until next time, Red