For some time now, the Lord has been stirring my spirit with
a prophetic message to our generation. It is a message of false comfort and
reliance upon a paradigm of religion rather than seeking God’s face. For truly,
there is a shift about to take place. For too long, the churches in America and
westernized countries have sought his hand and provision without seeking His
desire. We have built our programs and our institutions according to what our
predecessors laid out. However, these are faulty towers of misplaced faith that
will not withstand what is ahead.
Many churches today seek to cater to merely the needs of
their congregates. But what about the desires of God? We have carefully laid
out plans for our youth, young adults, divorced adults, singles, and a bevy of
other groups. But where is God? In all of these endeavors, there are a few that
are going on with God and even some being saved. But where is the true power of
the Almighty? Have we as the church relied on perpetuating an old wine skin that
cannot hold the new wine of what God wants to do?
God has shown me that the church in America is much like any
number of luxury cruise liners departing from our coasts on a daily basis. In the summer of 2014, my family and I were expensed a trip on the then largest cruise ship in
the world—the Oasis of the Seas. On every deck, there were activities of every
sort. One could ice skate, zip line, wave surf, play basketball, take in a
show, or just stroll the Promenade of shops or Central Park. These are just a
few. Then there are the seemingly endless places to dine 24/7. There is never a
shortage of food or entertainment because that is the intent. The senses and
appetites of the guests must be continually satisfied. If not, then they will
not return as a repeat customer but will end up with another cruise line that
will better meet their expectations.
How much like our modern church is the cruise-line
mentality!? It is all about me! Here are the expectations of most church goers
today. If you don’t greet me at the door and tell me how great it is that I am
in church today, then you don’t care about me. Unless my children have an
awesome time in children’s church, then you don’t care about my kids. If
teenage Johnny doesn’t connect with a group of his peers, then the kids at that
church are cliquish. These are all superfluous to the real reason of being at
church, and THAT IS TO ENCOUNTER THE ALMIGHTY GOD! This buffet mentality of the
church has caused us to believe that if my needs are not met then there is
something wrong with that church! This is the sin of idolatry and
self-centeredness as much so as the children of Israel in their worship of a
golden calf. The church in America does not have a golden calf. Instead, we worship
the golden corral buffet that says I want to be comforted by excess rather than
seeking God to see how I might comfort others through prayer and true acts of
His love.
Historically, the S.S. America that is very much a metaphor
for today’s church in the United States.
The America was built in 1939 and was a luxury cruise ship that was
conscripted into the war effort during the early 1940s. At 24.9 knots per hour,
she was a fast ship that ferried hundreds of thousands of troops back and forth
from the shores of Europe. After World War II, she once again was put into
service and faithfully cruised wealthy passengers between New York and Europe
for the next 20 years. As the ship began to age, it went through a series of
owners and restorations until finally it was shipwrecked off the African coast
close to the Canary Islands. It is now a rusty wreck on the shores of the
island Fuerenventura as the waves and salt spray continue to diminish the shipwreck.
One day, there will be no trace of the once grand vestige of cruising as the
hull will submerge below the waves.
Isn’t it true, much like the S.S. America, how the church
pulls together during crisis? However, by then the enemy has usually come in
and ravaged our land, our churches, and our culture. The America was a splendid
vessel during wartime as it greatly helped the war effort by transporting
nearly a million men and women to war torn Europe. My question to the church is
the following: What are we transporting today in our local church bodies? It is
quite remarkable to stand on a cruise ship dock and watch the hundreds if not
thousands of pallets of food loaded for a single cruise. When will the church
wake up and start transporting the souls of men and women rather than merely
trying to fill the carnal lusts that will never fulfill? The only way this will
happen is to take the time to hear what God is saying. It is time to fill our
churches to pray rather than with programs to play. It is time to give
ourselves to God’s desire rather than our own.
I am certain that one day the church in our great land will again
wake up and serve humanity as it was designed. However, it will require
judgment to make this happen. Isaiah revealed this grand plan of how God
teaches us His ways through His Almighty hand: “At night my soul longs for You,
indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; For when the earth
experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”
(Isaiah 26:9)
Beloved of God, it is time to close the “all you can eat
buffet lines” and begin to seek God for our generation. It is time to weep
between the porch and the altar (Joel 2:17) rather than being entertained by
false comfort. It is time to start ferrying men and women’s souls through
prayer and intercession rather than trying to fill their carnal bellies with
things that will never last. Bible teaching is good, fellowship with believers
is good, but if they are leading us away from God and not to Him, then there is
an iceberg ahead ready to sink the ship we have put our trust in. The icebergs
are coming … are we ready? Have we committed ourselves to be Watchmen and
Watchwomen to warn the church of the coming calamities? We will learn about
God’s righteousness and mercy through His righteousness. However, how many of
us will recognize the hand of God when we see it and His mercy in the midst of
His dealings? I fear that too many on the fence will fall to the wrong side and
continue to be swept into delusion. God help the church to open their eyes in
this fateful hour.
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