BIG DEAL?

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July 12, 2006

“Lord, is all ‘this’ really a Big Deal?”

This was the prayer in my heart as; once again, Easter and Passover drew near. I was weary of the controversy stirred up over Christian holidays and pagan worship. Many long hours had been spent in studying Bible history, origin of races, Jewish history, religious holidays and events between the third and sixth century. It didn’t take a spirit of revelation to uncover the facts; anyone can find them in the public library. When I began to search for the truth concerning holidays, I found that I had touched the “sacred cow” of Christianity. We must ask ourselves…Why are believers still teaching their children pagan customs? Why are most pastors reluctant to speak the truth? Why is the church silent on such issues? May God give you the courage to stand, where others have fallen. May these subtle lies be stopped in this generation. May truth always prevail!

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32

When He, the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth. John 16:13

What agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, “I will dwell in them, and walk in them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate,” saith the Lord, “and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” II Corinthians 6:16-17

When I was ministering in Moscow, one of the interpreters told me… “We want to know your living God. We want what we see in your eyes and in your smile. We know our roots are in paganism.” (This interpreter received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, during that conference.) Later, I thought… “We must be very careful not to export any of our Christian/pagan customs. They will know the difference.” When I breathed the prayer, “Lord, is all this really a big deal? I did not expect the answer to be…. “No, it’s not a Big Deal, but I want you to know about it! I am dealing with idolatry in the church. If my people reject the truth, that is so easily proven, what will they do when I expose the hidden idolatry in their heart?” 

Suddenly I realized I had only touched the tip of the iceberg.  It was not just pagan celebrations intermingled with Christian holidays that He was after, but IDOLATRY, idolatry in the church.   The sad thing is we love our idolatrous ways, regardless of what the Word of God says about them. Idolatry has always been the secret sin of God’s people. We have always been, “Lovers of Pleasures more than, Lovers of God.” II Timothy 3:4

I thought about Abraham, and how God told him to offer up “Isaac.” Isaac was God’s promise to Abraham, fulfilled. When Abraham went up the mountain with Isaac, he told the young men in the camp, "The lad and I go to worship.” He called obedience to God, worship! He was willing to be obedient, no matter what it cost. When he drew his knife to sacrifice Isaac, the angel said… “Lay down thy knife; don’t hurt the lad, for I know that God is first in your life…you have not withheld your beloved son” (Living Bible, Genesis 22:12). This gives us an understanding of the Scripture that says… “He that loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loves son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37-38). We cannot love anyone more than God. We must be willing and obedient.

When I was sixteen, and a senior in high school, I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit at a tent meeting in Corpus Christi, Texas. A few weeks later, I told God… “Lord, you can have anything in my life, absolutely anything. There’s nothing I’d hold back from you.” At that very moment, I realized there was one thing I did not want to part with. Very quickly I added … “Anything Lord, except one small thing I would like to keep.” I soon learned it was not what I was willing to give up that God wanted, but what I was not willing to give up that He required of me.

Many years later, when I thought I was totally sold out to God…. The Word of the Lord came…. “Put your Isaac on the altar.” I responded… “Lord, I don’t have an Isaac.” The reply came…. “Yes, you do! I want you to put ‘your ministry’ on the altar. Will you serve me, if I never send you out?” For a moment I was stunned. As long as I could remember, all I wanted to be was a minister. When others wanted to be nurses and doctors, I wanted to be a preacher. I was willing to lay everything aside, and now He had asked for…. ‘the ministry.’ He called it…. ‘My Isaac.’ Searching my heart I answered…. “Lord, if I never preach, I will serve you. If I never marry, if I never have children…. I will serve you… 100%!”

Many, many times I thought I would never marry. Many times I doubted I would never hold a child of my own. Now, I realize, I had to be tested! I had to be proven! I had to exchange my will for His! There is a path to walk. There is a price to pay, and there is a death to die. We must lay our “Isaac” at His feet, in willing obedience. There are no short cuts in God. Judgment has begun in the House of God, and no son will be without His dealings. He is dealing with our secret thoughts and desires. The things we think He doesn’t see or know about. He will touch the hidden idolatry in our heart. The sin we so easily excuse in ourselves, and quickly condemn in others. Believe me when I tell you…. Pagan holidays are not the issue; they are only the “Tip of the Iceberg!”
                 
"A restoration movement occurs, when the Holy Spirit acts sovereignly within the church, to restore a biblical truth to its proper order and function." (AUTHOR UNKNOWN)
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