Listen to a profound perspective of growing up in the church in the United States and the many things you encounter. Listen to more or read in a book entitled:   

"Now Is The Time To Believe" for purchase now on  Amazon  in kindle, audible, or paperback formats 

https://www.amazon.com/Now-Time-Believe-Thomas-Walker/dp/0983016224/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=#customerreviews

Making an Idol today is much easier than in earlier years. We make and create idols with our thoughts and actions Today, our idols do not have to be made of wood or stone; we can make idols today with the click of a button regarding how deeply your heart is consumed with something from the internet.  Beware that your heart forgets God.

As men and women who believe in something greater than ourselves; we must pay attention to the time we spend engaged in certain things.  Social media and other celebrities can make you idolize, glamorize, and follow them on the internet. But God wants to be first in your thoughts and thinking. Joshua tells his followers that he and his house will serve the Lord. What are we telling our peers or how are we serving the Lord?  God wants our heart of worship.

When does asking for something from God goes unanswered? How do we deal with unanswered prayer?  God is spirit and those that worship must worship in spirit and truth. What is our spiritual truth? Are we a worthy worshipper, or are we looking for an easy answer without accountability?

Contentment helps us to trust, and trust gives us strength to have faith when all-natural indicators say that we should give up or everything is hopeless; however, Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” Contentment helps us to go on autopilot and trust that in all things, God is in all things. We can only be content with God when we are fully involved and committed to developing our spiritual disciplines. Again, Whitney points out that “Spiritual Disciplines are activities, not attitudes. Disciplines are practices, not character qualities, graces, or “fruit of the Spirit” that are found in Galatians 5:22-23. Disciplines are things you do such as read, meditate, pray, fast, worship, serve, and learn.” Therefore, although we are resting in God, we are not stagnate or non-productive in our relationship building with God. All things that grow have a relationship. Plants have a relationship with dirt, dirt has a relationship with water, water has a relationship with the sun, and the sun has a relationship with man and man has a relationship with God.

Christians must always know that God wants a relationship with each of us as individuals God said that he knows the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:6-8); God foreknew you before you were born (Romans 8:29-30) and He specifically told the prophet, Jeremiah, that “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” It is so important that we build a relationship with God. Resting in Him helps us to grow and reveal the mightiness of God as a healer of sickness, a provider, and a comforter in times of trouble. 

Isn’t it awesome to know God? However, we have to ask ourselves a life-changing question that requires total transparency and humility. Does The Most High God know me?

Points of Interest

1. Ungodliness in the Old and New Testament became repetitious with God’s Chosen People.

a. Old Testament Called Out Ones continued to disobey God through their desire to be like the Canaanites and serve their gods.

b. Paul tells the New Testament believers to refrain from looking and living like the people who live in ungodliness and paganistic characteristics.

2. Ungodliness means denying or disobeying God; contrary to the moral law; SINFUL, WICKED.

3. Paganistic means spiritual beliefs and practices other than those of Judaism, Islam, or especially Christianity: such as:

a: the spiritual beliefs and practices of ancient polytheistic religions

b: the beliefs and practices of contemporary religious or spiritual movements based on ancient paganism.

4. The word Pagan is derived from the Late Latin paganus, which was used at the end of the Roman Empire to name those who practiced a religion other than Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. Early Christians often used the term to refer to non-Christians who worshiped multiple deities.

5. Ungodliness in the 21st Century Pride, envy, gluttony, lust, wrath, greed, and sloth. Pope Gregory the Great established these as the seven deadly sins in the 6th century. Fifteen centuries later, the Church introduced a new list of seven deadly sins applicable to the modern age: excessive wealth, drug dealing, abortion, pedophilia, genetic engineering, social injustice, and pollution.

These new sins, like the seven before them, are considered

mortal sins.

Christians believe that John 4:24 puts God in great perspective as it says, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

6. What are our Truths as the New Testament called out ones of God?

a. Comfortability of attending a prestigious church or ministry

b. John’s understanding of who Jesus is

c. Outreach and Evangelism is a distant thought for many believers.

d. Idol worship is second nature when it comes to the pastor and his family members.

e. Spiritual Bondage and demonic influences over the leadership through worship and praise.

How can we, as believers in Christ, help to regain the sovereignty and respect of our faith to others? What does the church today look like, and why is it disregarded by so many? Does our example of leadership and fellowship hurt the gospel's message today? 

Denominationalism is the belief that some or all Christian groups are legitimate churches of the same religion regardless of their distinguishing labels, beliefs, and practices. The idea was first articulated by Independents within the Puritan movement. Who were the Puritans? a group of English Protestants of the late 16th and 17th centuries. The Puritans believed God had chosen a few people, "the elect," for salvation. The rest of humanity was condemned to eternal damnation. But no one really knew if he or she was saved or damned; Puritans lived in a constant state of spiritual anxiety, searching for signs of God's favor or anger.  The “IT” that shouldn’t be in the church but is very prevalent; it causes disunification of the body of Christ through denominationalism which has continuously scattered the Church with deceptive and damaging schisms dividing the core understanding of the Christian faith. 

Denominationalism and the leaders that subscribe to it; have caused so many believers in Christ to fall away because of their struggles with sin or a lifestyle that does not align with God’s plan for their lives.  However, as believers, we must still love them enough to reach out to them and tell them that we understand their struggles and strongholds and He still loves them.

It Shouldn't be in the Church; The Saga Continues book discussion will allow the author of the book to expound on why the book was written and what inspired him to write and research this topic.

The book discussion intends to bring insight into the book's perspective of why the modern-day church has lost its' appeal to the younger generations. The author will also discuss how the 21st-century church has failed to reach the newer generations and their willingness to incorporate 21st-century values to draw the masses.

Finally, what are the things that shouldn't be in the church, and why has the church today become the least desired religious movement in the world?

How can we, as believers in Christ, help to regain the sovereignty and respect of our faith to others? What does the church today look like, and why is it disregarded by so many? Does our example of leadership and fellowship hurt the gospel's message today?

Discussion topics for the book discussion are:

Definition of the word IT - "IT: // the thing, act, or matter about which these words are spoken or written." -Marriam Webster

1. The Definition of the word IT and how it relates to the book's message

2. What is the church

3. The history of the modern church (INTRODUCTION)

Faith allows us to believe and trust that something good will happen. If we do not have faith, how can we believe that something will happen for our good? The woman with the issue of blood believed that Jesus could help her. She needed healing, she needed deliverance, and when all else failed she turned to Him. Do we try everything before coming to Jesus or do we immediately try Jesus?  

There is a difference between trying Jesus and fully trusting when there's nowhere else to turn.  What is the difference?  This woman felt she had no other choice, and frankly, no other choice was provided. Jesus was the only answer for her.   

As Believers in Christ, our faith is a major part of our lives. With faith, we find peace when we are facing problems and concerns. With faith, we can love and trust others; it is faith; that helps us to go to the doctors and other places for help