Sunday, February 8, 2009

Becoming Prey

Prey: A person who is the aim of an attack (especially the victim of ridicule) by some hostile person or influence.
Isaiah 59:15, “So truth fails, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.”
Throughout every generation the truth has survived. It has been consistently within reach of those who desired to know it, receive it, appropriate it, and live it. This however does not mean that truth has not had its detractors and enemies, or that truth has not been stifled, dismissed, rejected, attacked and butchered to fit neatly into the box that is man’s preconceived notion of what the truth ought to be.
Although truth was, is, and always will be, the word tells us that truth can even fail. Truth fails not because it is powerless, impotent, or irrelevant but because the hearts of men grow so hardened against it, the conscience of a generation becomes so seared, and the predisposition to do evil is so all consuming, that truth is repelled and rebuffed at every turn.
The hour is upon us when the words spoken by Isaiah against the people of God, (Israel) will be made manifest in our present generation. The hour is upon us when he who departs from evil makes himself prey!
So how did we get here? How is it that a once Christian nation has come to have its hands defiled with blood, its fingers with iniquity, its lips with lies, and its tongue with perversity? Why is it that no one calls for justice anymore, no one pleads for truth, our feet run to evil, and our thoughts are thoughts of iniquity?
Because the watchmen stopped watching, the shepherds stopped feeding the sheep, the intercessors stopped praying, and the truth, the absolute, undefiled, regenerative truth of God’s word stopped being preached from most American pulpits.
The representatives of Christ in this present generation have made for themselves crooked paths, they have abandoned their Savior, marginalized and minimized the cross, and now look for light finding only darkness. Because we have strayed from truth, because we have allowed ourselves to be seduced by the siren song of an all inclusive plurality when it comes to the One true God, we grope for the wall like the blind, and stumble at noonday as at twilight. We are as dead men in desolate places, unable to offer life because we have no life ourselves, unable to offer light because we ourselves grope as if we had no eyes, unable to offer truth because the truth has been sacrificed on the altars of tolerance, humanism and relativism.
Because we have laid down the standard, because we have abandoned our posts, the power and the glory of the Almighty no longer resides in us, and so we growl like bears, and moan sadly like doves, we bark like dogs, laugh like fools, and mimic epileptic seizures, all the while mocking God by our actions, and bringing shame to His house.
We can no longer be bothered to preach the unabashed, undefiled Word of God, we can no longer be bothered to admonish people to depart from evil, because those who would support the truth financially are too few in number to meet our budgetary needs, and besides, preaching truth will only cause the world to think us backward, stuck in antiquity, clinging to teaching that can only with much difficulty be applied in our progressive age.
Let’s face it, it’s just more expedient to do away with the truth, so the world can more clearly see us for what we are, cutting edge, and ultra modern brave souls who have bridged the gap between the world and the church. We may have bridged the gap, but it is not the world who gave up ground, it is not the world who acquiesced, it is not the world that has become more like the Church, it is the Church that has become more like the world.
Having betrayed their conscience, having abandoned the truth, having denied the Christ by their deeds and action as the one sure way, the one sure truth, and the one sure life, these selfsame souls now look for justice but there is none to be found, they look for salvation but it is far from them. Their transgressions and iniquities are multiplied before God, and testify against them.
Because they do not hear a fresh word from God, many have taken it upon themselves to conceive and utter from the heart words of falsehood crying out to all who would hear that the seasons of peace and prosperity have not ceased, they are just in intermission, that God will bless us in spite of our sin and disobedience, that the signs of the times which are all around us are mere chance, flukes, serendipitous events that the fear mongers are exploiting to stir the Church from its slumber.
Jeremiah 5:12-13, “They have lied about the Lord, and said, ‘it is not He. Neither will evil come upon us, nor shall we see sword or famine. And the prophets become wind, for the word is not in them. Thus shall it be done to them.’”
Those who still contend for the faith, those who still insist on standing on the truth of God’s Word are being bullied into silence, because to the enemies of truth silence is just as good as consent or compliance. The most tragic thing of all however, is that it isn’t the world who is doing the bullying, it is men and women who call themselves children of God, who have by default become the leaders and ambassadors of Christendom in our present generation. In their blind zeal to be embraced by the world and find acceptance therein, they have become the predators of God’s own house, striking down those who would depart from evil, silencing anyone who would dare ask the questions what about Jesus, and what about the truth?
It took so little to make so many useful lackeys, an invitation to a breakfast, a mention during a speech, an inaugural prayer, but what they do not realize is that when they have outlived their usefulness, when they are no longer needed, when the truth has been utterly stifled and silenced, they too will fall out of favor, they too will be dispensed with swiftly and permanently.
We must purpose in our hearts now, as never before that come what may, we will stand for truth, by truth, and in truth. The season of our testing is upon us. May God give us the strength to persevere.
Jeremiah 4:7-8, “The lion has come up from the thicket, and the destroyer of nations is on his way. He has gone forth from his place to make your land desolate. Your cities will be laid waste, without inhabitant. For this, clothe yourself with sackcloth, lament and wail. For the fierce anger of the Lord has not turned back from us.”

With love in Christ,

Michael Boldea Jr.

13 comments:

deannaslater said...

Dear Michael,I will never stop interceeding, this they cannot take away, I will never stop proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the way the truth and the life, I am ready Lord Jesus, come quickly.

James Kinsman said...

hey dude, i realize i have been bullied into silence, please pray for me to repent and turn, thank you and all those who read this.

God bless you, and please be a great witness and light for those who are succumbing into this passiveness.

Bonny said...

I just heard recently that in America there are actually thousands of pastors who are being used by the government to aid in the 'mind control' of the people - almost on the payroll, if you like, to influence their flocks to follow government directives. Sounds 'whacko' but not surprising. It happened in communist countries, causing the true believers to go 'underground' as in China and the former Soviet.
I think that churches today are prime for this, because (a) they have departed from the Truth, and (b) they are institutions of man, based on traditions of man, not God.
I can no longer find a church where the Cross is preached, where there is no 'denominationalism' and where there are like-minded, Spirit-filled believers. I have only a few who I fellowship with, and rely on the internet for other contacts. I keep Sunday free as my 'sabbath' after working all week, and use that as a day of communion and thanksgiving with the Lord, apart from my normal daily reading and prayer.
[I last attended an American, independent Baptist church here in my area. I was happy at first that at least they seemed to preach the Gospel by comparison with other churches around here, but I found such strong 'denominationalism' and man-made tradition, that in the end it was stressful to attend because it put a heavy burden on people and I saw it as arrogance - Michael, I don't mean to put down any particular denomination, so perhaps don't publish this if you think I am being critical, but could I just ask what you think? Since i left organised 'church' the Lord has actually restored my marriage and ministered to me in a deeper way, but all these years I have felt guilty if I was not 'attending' somewhere.....I believe that the Lord would speak clearly to me if I were to attend somewhere. I know you are busy to answer, but if you can I would appreciate it]

Bonny said...

Sorry Michael, in reference to my previous comment, I realised the church leaders are called 'Clergy response teams' http://www.a-voice.org/main/clergy.html

Anonymous said...

Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me.

But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.

In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.

Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Psalm 44:5-8,22

Anonymous said...

Dear Michael,

You truly have a way with words.

God's not allowing you to move back to Romania because you have so much work to do here. It seems to me that the Romanians need physical blessings because they are spiritually nourished while we, on the other hand, need spiritual food because we are only physically nourished. You seem to be the man who is directing us all to what we need.

May all who read this bless our Romanian brethren with physical needs as they continue to bless us spiritually with their faith.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I recently saw that the famous pastor and church leader that was caught in homosexual adultery was making the rounds on TV (including Oprah).

I didn't watch any of it but I thought how much like the world it was... these shows are not interested in hearing men preach the Truth of the Gospel but they make for those who have lived a life of scandal.

Keep up the good work!

Len Ferrara said...

Your message is clear. You DEFINTELY need help with your web formatting.

ASK!!!

Anonymous said...

In what particular ways are the current youth or times failing the Christian truth? I am not a Christian but know and like many Christians who, instead of making me dislike the religion (as I did for many years) by trying to bully me into it, simply tell me about the truth they know and love and make me consider (for the first time) that such kind, nonjudgmental people may actually have a point worth listening to. The current times are always decried, and often by Christians, as being the time of corruption or emergency. I can show you letters just like this blog from 13th century England - as always, the youth had turned away from God, the clergymen were corrupt, and the truth was slipping away. There seems to be a lot of negativity in these sentiments. Surely God would want people seeing the good in their lives whilst fighting the bad, instead of sitting down to spend time writing "woe are we" articles that offer no solutions, and only bemoan some vague notion of our current tragedy? I would hope not. Here the evils are undefined, solutions are not posited, and all of the posts focus on modern-day examples of how awful everyone is. I would love to see someone give me some reason why things are so awful and anthropocentric today, while in the past they were any better or even some solutions as to how exactly churches could be less centered on people and more on religious values.

Anonymous said...

The church (God's people) has been decieved...the end time remnant will Keep God's Commandments and Have The Testimony of Jesus Christ...the Fourth Commandment tells us to "Remember the Sabbath and Keep It Holy"...the Sabbath God is referring to is the 7th day of the week, parralleling the day He rested from His Creation work...the TRUE Sabbath is also a sign between Him & His people...sunday sabbath is a tradition of men, instituted by the catholic church (research 325 AD),changing the sabbath to sunday as a proclamation that they were the Lords representative on earth. The Bible even warns us about following traditions of men and our fathers as well as tells us that the anti-christ system will "think to change times and laws". The system of sunday worship is of the anti-christ system and any worship in the sunday context is done in vain, not even recieved by God as worship...no wonder people and this planet have entered into this confusion of not knowing what is going on and serving anything that comes along except for the One and Only True God and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ !! May God Bless you all and open your eyes and hearts.

Paul said...

I was anointed with oil into a position that I accepted out of faith. I personally did, and still do not, feel either capable or worthy of the task. I was anointed into the body as a deacon, a teacher, not by my own desire , nor by the declaration of suitability by men, but by the will of Christ through those of my church. I was determined a watchman over the body, and as a watchman, I must also sound the alarm. The wolves are not coming brothers and sisters, they are here, and have been here for quite awhile.

(Anyone whom knows the extra judgment of God concerning such positions of leadership and teaching would wisely shy away, as it is said, "do not be many of you teachers, for do you not know we shall have the harsher judgment?")

To do such a job, in the proper manner, one must listen to the spirit. One must believe God. One must actually have faith in that what he said is true, and that the witness of firstborn is absolute.

I speak now to those whom share my duties in whatever position.

I exhort you brethren, I PLEAD with you! DO NOT TURN THE TRUTH OF GOD INTO A LIE! We, fellow teachers, are not God!!! We have no right NOR authority from God to change the word of scripture for any reason! You know very well that all true authority comes from God, and not men. Read Galations first chapter, and understand this was spoken through the spirit towards you, and that God never changes. Do you really believe that such a serious but necessary curse placed by the Apostle Paul with the strength of his faith has lifted because of a few years?

I admonish you to lead the flock as you were told, in truth by example. Not out of force or fear, and not as some supposed ruler such as men desire for power, but teach the scripture out of a pure and peaceful heart through true faith.

I speak now to all.

Do not try to lay all the blame upon the teachers (whether deacons, elders, or any other administrations)!

You were told specifically by the spirit through scripture that it is your duty to prove all things. To prove yourselves what is the perfect will of God. You are to test the spirits whether they are of God! WHY? Because of the wolves which were promised by Christ that should come!

Please prove my words either true or false according to scripture! Test ME!!!!

Salvation comes only through Christ, not men. Neither I, nor any other pastor can save you.... only Christ.

He (Christ) is the author and finisher of your faith, not any man! Those of us who are teachers are merely but tools used by God and his Christ, which are supposed to teach their words, and the salvation which is available through his son our messiah, and this faithfully.

Just as it was true in John, the spirit (the spirit of Christ within you) INDEED shall lead you into all understanding. The truth is that none of us can claim excuse. We must ALL work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

Paul Andrulis

matin kenneth said...

My brother Micheal flesh & blood has not revealed this to you but the truth has been stated by you as the Holy Spirit as revealed it to you.
The Holy Spirit has also revealed this same message to me to share with my community, so in reading your post a revelation and conviction had come over me to speak out unabashedly, but I haven't, shame to say.
The thought crossed my mind as I was reading this prophetic message.
What war is the church waging against the world system of sin, and why is Christ coming back for the church under such luke warmness.
It seems to me that the world is going to have to stimulate the church into a choice of who's side it will stand on after it persecutes the church. Be mindful I'm referring mostly to the so called modern day churches of compromise.
Today's church remind of the days of Moses when God was trying to get them to the promise land, along comes some so called leaders who wanted to befriend the ungodly nations around including the godless country that enslaved them.
God called Dathan and his pompous group to come out against Moses and God eventually destroyed them !
Then God delivered them to the promise land !

Anonymous said...

Romans 11:3-5 (English Standard Version)
3(A) "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." 4But what is God’s reply to him?(B) "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5So too at the present time there is(C) a remnant, chosen by grace.