Church Attack From the Inside

(Image Courtesy of WikiMedia.org)

With all that is going on in the United States today most Christians would view that the church is under attack.  Most Conservative blogs, radio, etc. have exploded over the latest SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) ruling over gay marriage.  The consensus is that it is an attack on the church.  While I have my own opinions about this, my answers are a bit more complex and would have to be addressed at another time.  I wrote about this topic back in 2013 and if you are interested, please read my blog entry called "Christians, You Misunderstand The Marriage Debate":

http://toinebo.blogspot.com/2013/04/christians-you-misunderstand-marriage.html

While it is a complex topic, in its simplest form it will become an attack on the people of Yahweh. I do not believe that every person of the LBGT community is out to get us. For the most part, I believe most want to be left alone and don't want to bother anyone, but there are a select few who are powerful and lead the way.  You may not see them, but they have a powerful hand in everything that occurs.  All you need is for a select few to stir the pot and persuade people that XYZ is what they desire.

What we are seeing is just a tip of the iceberg and the church will begin to see a lot more persecution. This is not news hot off the press and there is/will be more than just one frontal attack by many things against the church.  Remember that Yashuah the Christ, said, "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you (see, John 15:18)". There are many ways the church is and will be attacked and things will get a lot worst before they get better.  In 2 Timothy 3:12-13 it says,

(12) Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, (13) while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (NKJV)

So, this is nothing new under the sun. However, I believe what most Christians fail to realize is that the very church they attend or group they attend for fellowship can have individuals who will do the same.  What are you talking about Antoine?  My church has Christians in it and while not all visitors are saved, everyone else are all Christians.  This may or may not be true, but you are truly deceived if you believe that your congregation or group is immune from attack from the inside out. Paul goes on to tell the church and Ephesus this very same thing.

Acts 20:28-31  (28) Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God[c] which He purchased with His own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (31) Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. (NKJV)

This very same message that Paul shared with the Ephesians applies to us today.  Just because your church building have four walls does not make it immune.  It is not like getting under the covers to hide from the Boogie Man.  Satan and his cohorts, will not stop at the church door, snap his fingers and act like Swiper from Dora the Explorer:  "Awwww Man!" Just like that cartoon, that thought process is fictitious and will allow believers to be led astray from the inside, by people who tickle their ears.

People of Yahweh at a time such as this, it is not wise to be asleep.  We have to be awake and ready for all things that may and will come our way. We know that many believers will fall away, but we must be vigilant of the very thing that will let us put our guards down - being around other members of the church (see, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

Stay vigilant in these days to come!


Antoine E. Hall

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A Prayer for Boldness

We all could use some boldness but I think the Apostles in Acts gave the perfect example prayer for it. Boldness is defined as "the trait of being willing to undertake things that involve risk or danger...the quality of standing out strongly and distinctly" (TheFreeDictionary.com/boldness).  Let us take a queue from them and be truly bold for Yahweh.

Acts 4:24-30 

“(24)...Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, (25) who by the mouth of Your servant David[b] have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? (26) The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ (27) “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together (28) to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. (29) Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (NKJV)

 Antoine E. Hall

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By Their Fruit

The wise counsel of the Pharisee Gamaliel should be considered by many.  The counsel was trying their best to cause harm to Peter and John for preaching in the temple but they did not stop it.  Their work was from Yahweh and not from man.  The same is applicable today.  You can test the fruit of someone's works and if it is not of Yahweh, it will be evident in due time.

"...And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God."

http://bible.com/114/act.5.38-39.nkjv

Be Blessed.

Antoine E. Hall

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