Matthew 10:5-7

Matthew 10:5-7 says, "Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: 'Don't go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel - God's lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.'"

Those verses really struck me this morning.

The last several weeks, I have been really struggling over a burden God has placed on me - the burden of how the church, the Christians, are conforming so much to this world that you can barely tell any difference. Children and youth are listening to music that isn't only not God honoring, but is down right evil. Music artists like Eminem and Lady Gaga are promoting music that is completely of the devil. Not to mention the fact that Lady Gaga has publicly said that she just really likes to take all her clothes off at her concerts. And parents know this and still allow their kids to listen to it. Kids and adults alike are engrossed in all the latest Twilight or Harry Potter sagas, which are nothing but witchcraft, sorcery, and other evils, and is completely against the Word of God. And when you flip through channels on TV in the evenings, each station is full up on a good helping of sex, money, drugs, thugs, killings, and numerous other things. Even the commercials are advertising pornography, as I have to turn the channel when the Victoria's Secret ads come on. It is everywhere, and today's Christian is not only accepting it, but condoning it and participating in it! What is really saddening me is the fact that I have come across several - SEVERAL - preachers who condone these things. I am so burdened over this.

I have been wrestling over what God would have me to do with this burden. And this morning, when I read those words, it gave me at least a portion of my answer. Jesus told his disciples/apostles to go out and minister, but not to the lost and sinful people (at least not yet), but to the ones who were already supposedly of Him. The people who were already chosen by God to be a people set apart for Himself were His highest priority. He sent them out to teach the ones that were His, but had strayed so far away that you couldn't even tell they belonged to Him anymore.

And so it was that God showed me a part of what I am to be doing right now. God has called me to take a stand. God has commanded me to speak out against these evils. He is sending me not to the lost and unsaved, but to the Christians who have strayed from His commands. I have been digging my heels in for several weeks, because, quite frankly, I don't want this assignment. I really don't like for people to be upset with me, and I'd rather not rock the boat, but just fly under the radar. Live and let live. Be quiet and let everyone just do their own thing. But He has called me to service. And I am His instrument. And so I will go out wherever He sends me, allowing Him to use me in whatever way He sees fit and doing whatever job He gives me, no matter how difficult it may be.

Father God is hurting for His church, HIS PEOPLE! He is jealous for YOU! He longs for His Christians to REPENT and turn away from the evil that this world is offering. Stop accepting the things of this world as OK. They are NOT OK! The Bible clearly teaches that God HATES these things, and that those who participate in them will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Here are just a few of the verses God has shown me lately:

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the Lord your God will drive them out ahead of you. But you must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you are about to displace consult sorcerers and fortune-tellers, but the Lord your God forbids you to do such things. ~Deuteronomy 18:10-13

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.~Ephesians 5:1-11

For those of you who do feel the same as I, I give you a challenge. WAKE UP! STAND UP! SPEAK UP! When you sit by and listen to things going on in the church and don't say anything, YOU ARE CONDONING IT! By not speaking out against these things, you are in fact saying that you are OK with it and that it is acceptable for a Christian to do these things. Speak out for Christ! Take a stand for Him and His Word! And then come back and tell me all the great things Christ did through your obedience!