Persecuted

Christian persecution is rampant during this pandemic. Government officials are allowing so many things to reopen but are still against religious gatherings especially of Christian or Jewish practices. A few years back I had predicted that gatherings would be transformed and we would either be left to homes or secret gatherings but I did not take into account that a pandemic would be a factor in this transformation. Here we are in 2020 and we are seeing a culmination of many things we were warned about in Scripture. 
Dark is the New Light
Woe to those who call evil good
and good evil,
who change darkness into light
and light into darkness,
who change bitter into sweet
and sweet into bitter! Isaiah 5:20
Isaiah saw this in his day and the ruin it caused the society. Starting in verse 8 of the 5th chapter through the 25th verse, Isaiah begins the warning of the coming desolation and exile. This section is very relevant to what is happening today. Many have forgotten God throughout the last 100 years. God was removed from the classroom. All sorts of depraved and immoral behaviors began to emerge and take over society. Money and industry became the driving force to take care of all our needs and created distractions which slowly began their rule over us. Now there are more distractions than ever before and exposure to all types of immoral behaviors is easier seen and heard than decent moral behaviors to the point that moral decency is seen as passé.  
The World is Become More Important than God
But understand this; that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Think of what is going on. The distractions from God have filled the heart with everything worldly and we now lack the space for compassion, the truth of love, trust, faith, dependency / Fear of God, understanding, wisdom, piety, and self-worth. As much as we would like to say we do not fall into the trap, we can’t. Even pastors are going through these tough times. The Word given to Isaiah above is happening once again. 
 Worship Must Evolve 
What is happening? The fear of staying alive has kept people from doing the right thing. So many are staying away from corporal worship out of fear of catching a virus. Yes this virus is deadly but people have not taken care of themselves and invited infection which infects even those who do try to have good hygiene, watch what they eat, and follow the guidance given. This has kept physical and spiritual families apart. We can still be physically distanced while maintaining a socially active life. 
One of the problems I have is that I like to hug which we cannot do right now. So it is painful but I am surviving because I am wrapped in God’s Love and carried by Christ. 
Paul said to the church of Ephesus:
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 5:18-20).
Many appointed above us in the government have refused to open churches but will allow social gatherings in bars, protests, and riots. They say it is for our safety as well as the health and welfare of the elderly. What the heck are they thinking? We will not be silenced. Remember, When two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name we are in the Spirit. To worship is to be alive in the Spirit. 
What about the Mega Church?
It is time for mega churches to rethink what they are doing. To stay relevant many mega churches have increased their online footprint which is good to a point but outreach becomes an issue. A strong church with an online presence understands the need for follow-up and reaching others. A large church still cannot reach everyone in their flock no matter how hard they try.
Then there is the religious center based on music. The Word is lost when there is more song than sermon. Some try to balance this but most fail. When the worship team becomes popular and the church bases itself on producing music, it loses truth in Christ. Songs of worship are great but when they replace the Word, God is lost. A praise band leads the local community of believers in songs in worship and praise not producing music on church grounds.  
Mega Churches also rely on a lot of money to survive. They become more concerned about an offering of money instead of developing and using Spiritual Gifts. Many people who are touched by Christ eventually become nothing but a number because they get lost and gifts they had fade away. We are all commissioned to share Christ but too many are just worried about being fed and no longer desire to feed others. 
The Mega Church must be humbled and split if the Kingdom of God is to be shared. All too often a pastor who has many in his flock lose themselves in the sin of pride through popularity. Naming a ministry or a church after one’s self is deceiving those who follow. The humble pastor puts the spiritual fitness of the flock above the self.  
We Will Not Be Silenced
Believers can still gather in groups of 10. We can still gather in larger groups when physically distanced. We do not have to be indoors. Me, I prefer to be outside to worship. Think about it, some of the best sermons and teachings were done when Jesus was not confined to a four walled structure. There is nothing that says we have to be inside a structure because the “church” is not a building. We are the church and the temple is inside our hearts. We should be able to open our hearts no matter where we are.  
Brothers and Sisters, please do not take any of what I said (especially in the Mega Church section) as jealousy or whining for I am a speaker of truth. If God wanted the masses to follow one person, the individual would not be a sinner like us and that won’t happen until the Messiah returns. We should follow one book and that is the whole Bible, not just parts that we can manipulate to our needs and human desires.  
We are to be set apart as a community of like-minded multiethnic groups of Believers. Our ethnicity makes us unique and if we surround ourselves with no one but the same ethnicity our hearts become hard. When many ethnicities come together as one human race loved by God then we are bringing the Kingdom of God closer to earth. We must all repent and keep our words of repentance without backsliding and returning to our sinful lives. Repenting is a promise to God that builds a personal covenant between Him and ourselves. When we keep it, others see it and we plant that seed. That is what we are designed for. 
We can beat this persecution. Jesus died for us, it is time we get off our donkeys and live for Him. 
In His Grace and Merciful Arms,
 Rob Servant of God  ​