Deception.

The ONLY line of attack that the enemy can bring against the church with any kind of success. Has he weaved its cloth and cocoon around you? I received a some letters in the last few days about some of the "goings ons" in various churches and lifestyles. I had questioned the "severity" of my last few messages and was even detered from sending them on time due to various circumstances.

But...as I have read some of these letters, I realize that there is a deception that is going on that is gathering strength. Some of it is simply, emotionalism being stirred. Now understand that I believe we are to be emotionally involved with God, that He created emotions. Yet, have we replaced true worship with heady experiences and emotional fervor. Have we begun(continued?) to chase another form of godliness?

I know the devil is a liar (do you?). That his deceptions include causing you to believe you are hearing from God. It is so important that we know the Word of God.

If God wants to lay everybody out on the carpet, I am fine with that, but please don't push me or berate me because I don't "do" courtesy drops. God can do what He wants to do because He is God and I am not, BUT He can not go against His Word.

Some of the stuff I have seen recently, indicates that the enemy has truly brought his bag of tricks to the church. I received a letter from South America, where I was told of some pretty bizarre things. Now let me simply tell you, that the devil can, will and has invaded the church in many areas. And if he can get you to believe the lie, he will.

Our church has gone through some pretty tumultous times in 2 years. Yesterday, some of those came to a head. I am not proud of things that have happened, but I also know that God has not changed His mind concerning this church and the call in my life. The Lord has used others to help me to "see."

God is viewing some sifting going on. I have seen marriages and families in the body of Christ attacked. Mine is no different. I know people who have been dealing with sickness in the body, sometimes beyond the scope of medicine. What is the lie you have bought into? "My people(you and I) will worship in spirit and in truth." We need to be on guard of the deceptions of the enemy in the church. We also need to have grace for those who fall.

I am not a wonderful pastor. I would tell you I am not even a "good"pastor. The only thing I am "good" at is being available. My eyes don't light up as I walk someone through the same lie of the enemy time and time again. I do it, but I feel inadequate. There are men and women in this world who have hearts that pump great amounts of love and patience into the "sheep" of the world. I love the people in my church and would defend them to death. In the recent weeks Tina and I have received(hardly ever before!) cards calling me their pastor(they don't even go to my church!) and letters telling us they wouldn't trade us for anyone else. Wow! But...give me the unsaved and people tell me the lights sparkle in my eyes. Pit me against the bondage in the life of someone and Joshua and Caleb, stand back. I "hate" deliverance, but what other way is there? Give me the dreams and the visions and I get lost with God.

In the last few days I have been forced to look at my life, and what is going on. I realize I have bought into a few lies of the enemy and I have to do some battle here to overcome.

Have you settled it in your heart what it is the Lord would have you to do? Have you looked around in wonderment at some of the things going on in the body of Christ and felt like there was deception going on?

The church is called to war. To war against the deceptions of the enemy. Not one another. I personally ask that you pray for us. There has been words spoken over the church that we have been hid away for a season. That there is a great work to happen in Southern Vermont. That there are cities on a rushing river(I see this as the Connecticut River) that will be sparked to revival. That as the world waxes darker, the light of the true church will rise up.

Please, may I implore you, beg of you. Seek the Lord. Are there areas of your life that may be in darkness? Has "witchcraft" entered your life through open doors and waves of emotionalism? I am not talking about moves of God, I am talking about the power of the enemy to counterfeit the trueness of the Lord in our lives. Can we the church, begin to seek only what is true and right? Can men and women of God be allowed, and be bold enough to step into their rightful places of God. I thank God for the pastors I have had. I wish I was more like them. I have a pastor who stepped into my life yesterday, fulfilling a prophecy in his life. May God bless these true men of God with hearts for the sheep. May I go a step further on their behalf? Bless them today. Pray for them. There is a battle going on for pastors and their marriages and their families. They are subjected to every demonic attack the enemy can muster. The dark powers of this world have not changed. They have effected people to pray against the church and their leaders. And if you have a bone to pick with your pastor(or anyone else!!!) go resolve it. Stop the bickering and backbiting. If you have a call on your life for ministry and you are sowing discord in your present church, you will reap it in your own ministry. Please, church. I had a dream last night where men and women went to an arsenal and received weaponry from people in black with no faces. These "takers" were Christians. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. These weapons carried bullets with paperclips attached. The reason God explained to me, is to entangle the church in "rights". Paperwork everywhere. Men and women, your churches need you to take your place. Take the stress off those who are called to shepherd you. If there are no "helps" ministries, begin one. The church has armed itself to tie the hands with unecessaries. Why do we become subject to every whim of emotion, the latest high? We seek churches and "moves" like we look for a movie. Enough. Let's begin to come against the true enemy.

And there is so much more to share. And to pray for. I would like to begin a greater network of people who operate in the prophetic and evangelistic. There are things I feel God is brewing that are not for everyone. If you would be interested, please write me.