Why Are So Many Christians Hypocrites?

Why Are So Many Christians Hypocrites?
by Rich Deem
Introduction
Hypocritical Christians?
In the Sermon on the Mount of Olives, Jesus talked a lot about people who were hypocrites. In fact, the topic of hypocrisy took up a major amount of Jesus' preaching. So, why is it that those who claim to follow Him are so often hypocritical?
Rich Deem
One of the major complaints non-believers level against Christianity is that the churches are full of hypocrites. This page examines what Jesus and the Bible have to say about hypocrisy among those who claim to be Christians.
What is hypocrisy?
The dictionary definition of hypocrisy is:

hy·poc·ri·sy [hi-pok-ruh-see]

1. a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.
2. a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.
3. an act or instance of hypocrisy.

Etymology: Middle English ypocrisie, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin hypocrisis, from Greek hypokrisis act of playing a part on the stage, hypocrisy, from hypokrinesthai to answer, act on the stage, from hypo- + krinein to decide1

So, a religious hypocrite is, by definition, a non-believer, since he is only pretending to be an adherent of the faith. A hypocrite is not a person who commits some sins on occasion (all people commit sin occasionally), but someone who practices those sins on a routine basis. The truth of the matter is that hypocrisy has been a problem for those who claim to follow God for a very long time. In fact, God challenged Cain (the first son born of Adam and Eve) on his hypocrisy when he submitted an inferior offering to Him.2
What did Jesus say about hypocrisy and hypocrites?
By far, of all preachers and prophets of the Bible, Jesus had the most to say about hypocrisy and hypocrites. Since He didn't mince any words on the subject, but directly confronted the religious hypocrites of His day (the scribes and Pharisees), they hated Him intensely - eventually having Him arrested on trumped up charges. Here is a list of some of the hypocrisy that Jesus spoke against:

* Giving to the poor to be recognized by others3
* Praying in public to be recognized as "God's man"4
* Letting everybody know you are fasting to get recognition by others5
* Complaining about other's behavior when yours is even worse.6
* Pretending to honor God through lip service only7
* Testing other people to try to make yourself look superior8
* Deceiving people from knowing God9
* Repressing the poor and widows10
* Teaching proselytes to be hypocrites11
* Tithing (giving to the church), but neglecting justice and mercy12
* Doing everything for show, while really being self-indulgent and unrighteous13
* Treating stock animals better than fellow human beings14
* Being able to analyze the weather, but unable to distinguish between right and wrong15

Jesus indicated that those who practiced hypocrisy would be sent to hell,16 indicating that they were really non-believers. In other books of the New Testament, the writers associate hypocrisy with such things as evil,17 lying,18 perverting the gospel,19 envy and slander,20 and jealousy and selfish ambition.21 James contrasts the evil of hypocrisy with the "wisdom from above," which is characterized as being "pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering."21
Modern day hypocrites
The news media loves to make a big deal when a "Christian" preacher commits some sort of sexual sin, with the most recent example being Ted Haggard, who rabidly preached against homosexual practice, while he himself was involved in it on a routine basis. Everybody loves to hate a hypocrite. It is not surprising that there are hypocrites today, as there were in Jesus' day. The Old Testament prophet Daniel even predicted that there would be more hypocrites in the end times, as the cost of faith could well be your life.22 Jesus also predicted that many would fall away23 although they would claim to be His disciple at the judgment:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' " (Matthew 7:21-23)

Christianity should not be judged on the basis of those who claim to be its adherents, when, in reality, they practice the opposite of what it teaches.
Atheist hypocrites
Yes, hypocrisy is not just limited to those who believe in God. When I first started reviewing Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion I expected to find some pretty crazy atheists' arguments, but did not expect to find any intentional misquoting. However, like some of the creationists he detests for misquoting, Dawkins, in his defense of atheism, used the exact same tactic - not just once or twice, but a bunch of times.24 It's good to know that even atheists can be hypocrites.
Conclusion Top of page
Christians are often accused of being hypocrites. However, the Bible clearly indicates that those who practice hypocrisy really aren't Christians at all, but will be judged to be non-believers and sent to hell. If you are a non-believer, this is a good reason to consider the Christian faith, since you don't want to end up in hell with all the hypocrites. Having attended many Christian churches, I can assure you that the pretenders are few and far between. One should judge Christianity not on the basis of what the fakers do, but on the basis of what Jesus taught and how He lived.

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I woke up with a prayer made by a company of apostles and prophets to Jesus. Lord Jesus you have called us and chosen us to go and bring your Word to the Churches but they have closed their doors to us. And Jesus said –They do not even let me in and how would they let you in. Those who receive me will receive you. If they are part of our family then they would have recognised me and you. The reason they do not recognise you is because they belong to another family. They speak lies in my name because they belong to the father of all lies. Their father was a liar from the beginning.



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I have been knocking on their doors for a long time and they shut their doors and do not allow me to come in.



Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.



They do not hear my voice and they do not recognize my voice because they are not my sheep.



John 10:27 (NKJV) 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.



They are “goats” who itch for strange teachings from “wolves who wear sheep’s clothing



Matthew 7:15 (NKJV) 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.



Revelation 2:20-22 (NKJV) 20 Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.



I will cast these false “shepherds”, prophets, teachers into a sickbed because they have hardened their hearts and have not repented. Instead of humbling themselves they have exalted themselves and taken my throne and ruled like Saul.



I will deliver my sheep from these wolves. I will give them shepherds who will lead them with integrity of heart. I will give them my apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelist and pastors who will shepherd them and my flock will grow with a growth that comes from me. They will reproduce themselves. They will become very fruitful because they will be healed and will be healthy. I will do this.



Amen and Amen.



My friends continue to pray fervently and persistently.



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WARNING to THE HIRELINGS

WARNING to THE HIRELINGS
-by Holly Dye.

One day, outside of a store I frequent, stood two boy scouts –
one at the entrance and one at the exit.

The boy at the entrance was speaking toward people, however,
because he was rather sheepish and his voice so low; no one
paid attention to him. They walked right past him into the store.

In contrast, the boy at the exit, being very bold, was not afraid to
confront people. Making sure he had their attention, he then began
to plead his cause. The situation struck me immediately that what
I was witnessing was a profound analogy of the preachers in this
land.

The god that has been preached in our pulpits – this god who is
effeminate and repressively tolerant, is not the true God. This god
who is a wish granter and life coach is not the God of the Bible.
This god who coercers you into sowing your seed into the most
successful ground for the sole purpose of you having all your
wealthy dreams come true, is not the same God who told us to
store up our treasures in heaven!

Oh how these false ministers have fleeced God’s flock!

The gods that have been erected in the minds of men are putrid
representations of the true God. Holy and righteous, He has been
reduced to some cupie doll that grants all our wishes.

The merchandizing of all that is holy shall be destroyed by great
judgment. Do not be deceived into thinking that in this great
Christian land, God will prevent His holy wrath from destroying
those who have thought to mock Him. Who has mocked Him
more, but hirelings who have disguised themselves as shepherds?
These have led the sheep astray, teaching as truth utter heresy!
“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them
astray, turning them away on the mountains. From mountain to hill
they have gone. They have forgotten their fold. All who found them
have devoured them…” (Jer 50:6-7 )

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel; prophesy,
and say to them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord GOD:
Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should
not shepherds feed the sheep? You eat the fat, you clothe
yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do
not feed the sheep. The weak you have not strengthened, the sick
you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed
you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with
force and harshness you have ruled them. So they were scattered,
because there was no shepherd, and they became food for all the
wild beasts. My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the
mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over
all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them.
“Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: As I live,
declares the Lord GOD, surely because my sheep have become
a prey, and my sheep have become food for all the wild beasts,
since there was no shepherd, and because my shepherds have
not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves,
and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the
word of the LORD: Thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I am against
the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand and put a
stop to their feeding the sheep. No longer shall the shepherds feed
themselves. I will rescue my sheep from their mouths, that they
may not be food for them.” (Ezek 34:2-10)

The true gospel message is rarely preached in our churches. We
are given a soft message to digest. Nothing that offends or prods
or rebukes – and we are told this is love! 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is
used to defend everything in which they do not want to confront.

The false shepherds in this land have created effeminate sheep
that cannot bear to hear rebuke. They cannot bear to hear anything
that would make them uncomfortable enough to change.

As a friend of mine said, “If we just simply stood and read the
books of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, it would empty our churches.”
– for the sheep cannot bear such harsh messages.

The false shepherds will not teach against error, because they
have been taught to keep their message positive and never, ever
teach against anything. So, the result of this quite obviously is,
false doctrine has invaded the church like never before. Deceiving
and being deceived, the sheep have been lulled into a false state
of comfort by the hirelings who speak peace instead of warning.

Jesus warned us about this very thing in John 10. A very
interesting fact is that every Christian can quote the first part of
John 10:10, which says, The thief comes only to steal and kill
and destroy… “Oh yes, that’s talking about the devil! The devil
is the thief! The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy!”

This seems to be the most quoted verse and yet the most
terribly misinterpreted. Let’s look at this verse in context.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold
by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and
a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the
sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice,
and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When
he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will
not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the
voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them,
but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So
Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the
door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and
robbers, but the sh eep did not listen to them. I am the door. If
anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and
out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.I
am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for
the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does
not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep
and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He
flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
(John 10:1-13)

Verse 10 is not talking about the devil; it is talking about false
teachers!... False teachers.

That’s what John 10:10 is talking about. And because we have so
many hirelings in our pulpits today, the Word has not been rightly
divided. This is serious, folks. This is not a small issue. We have
not been taught about the dangers of false teachers therefore they
are glorified in American Christianity! But false prophets also arose
among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you,
who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the
Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way
of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you
with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and
their destruction is not asleep. (2 Pet 2:1-3)

These false shepherds have left the foundational doctrines of
Christ and have sought after spiritual experiences to qualify their
belief system. Scripture is then used in a very twisted way to
endorse every goose bump and spectacular display.

Altar calls are non-confrontational, with no calls for repentance.
“Just slip up your hand to acknowledge that you need Jesus.
We’re not going to embarrass you or ask you to come down
front. Just simply acknowledge that you need Him.” Some
churches don’t even go that far and just ask you to fill out a
card as you leave...

False shepherds working false conversions! Allowing men to think
they are okay with God, without meeting any requirements of
scripture! The Lord God, is against these shepherds, and will
require His sheep at their hand and put a stop to them feeding the
sheep such vile doctines! For we know him who said, “Vengeance
is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.
” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."
(Heb 10:30-31)

O you hirelings, repent before your soul and the blood of others is
required of you!

God Wants You

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

God Wants You
The Lord desires you greatly. In fact, He wants your fellowship in such an intense way that the Bible tells us that the impulse to seek God begins with Him. God knows that the human heart is not capable of seeking Him, so God gives the human heart strength to do it. We simply don’t have the hunger or desire, but God places that hunger and desire in us.

We are told in Scripture that hunger originates with the Lord Himself: “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:1-2).

That is why we are told, “Draw me, we will run after thee” (Song of Solomon 1:4). Until we are drawn by the Lord, we don’t have it in us to seek God. Therefore, the psalmist wrote, “Quicken us, and we will call upon thy name” (Psalm 80:18). He knew he had to be quickened and drawn before he could call upon the Lord.

Hunger is the sign of life in a believer. One of the first symptoms of illness is the loss of appetite. When hunger is gone, a person is increasingly open to more sickness and weakness. Real believers are hungry, and that hunger is placed in the heart by the Lord Himself, drawing you into His presence.



Three Realms of Prayer
When we study the subject of being in God’s presence, we should always go to the source. The Old Testament gives a map for entering into His presence. That map leads us from the outer court to the Holy Place, and then into the Holy of Holies. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus said, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).

In this passage, the Lord presents three realms of prayer—the realm of asking, the realm of seeking, and the realm of knocking. Each area has a unique purpose in obtaining direct access to the throne room.

When Moses, under God’s direction, built the Tabernacle in the wilderness, he built it with three distinct areas:

* Outer Court. This area was surrounded by a linen fence, and within it stood the altar of sacrifice and the laver.
* Holy Place. In this room was found the candlestick, the table of showbread, and the table of incense.
* Holy of Holies. Here was placed the ark of the covenant and the golden censor.

In the Tabernacle are revealed the three realms of prayer and the presence of God.

The Outer Court – the Realm of Asking
The Lord Jesus tells us, “Every one that asketh receiveth” (Matthew 7:7). Asking is where we begin and results in abiding in Christ. As He said, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).

Asking begins in the outer court. This is where we make our requests known to Him: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6).

That is where we ask and receive. That is where we come to the Lord and make our desires and needs known to Him.

It is also where we are cleansed by His blood as we confess our sins—where we find Him faithful and just to forgive us: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). For it is in the outer court that we find the altar of sacrifice, where the work of the cross and the blood of Jesus avail. The outer court is also where we find the laver, the Word of God, and it is in this realm of prayer that we remind the Lord of His promises. We do this by asking according to His will, according to His Word: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14). That is why David cried, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2).

The outer court, where we make requests, is where we fight the devil and our own desires. It is outside of where God is. There is no quickening power there, no presence of God there. It is a place of the altar of sacrifice and confession of sin.

Sadly, this is where too many people stop their prayers. They confess their sins. They ask for God’s help. Then they say “Amen!” and leave. They leave before experiencing the victory that is found inside the second realm, the Holy Place.

Only when we wait in the outer court, overcoming the flesh in this first realm, are we granted the privilege of advancing to the next realm.

The Holy Place – the Realm of Seeking
In the Holy Place, the seeking realm, stood the candlestick on one side and the table of showbread on the other. As the high priest entered and looked toward the veil, he would see the table of incense.

God commanded the priests to burn incense on the golden altar every morning and evening, the same times that the daily burnt offerings were made. The incense was to be left burning continually throughout the day and night as a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

The incense was a symbol especially of the prayers and intercession of the people going up to God as a sweet fragrance. God wanted His dwelling to be a place where people could be drawn to approach Him and pray to Him.

God seeks before He is sought! You cannot seek God until He has sought you. We all want to seek God on our own, but beginning this process in the flesh will bring failure. We must wait until He quickens us. That is what happens when we enter into the first realm of prayer.

It is here in the Holy Place that the Holy Spirit grants you the power to seek the Lord. In we read:

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14)

It is in this realm that you begin to find the Lord and liberty from all captivity. It is here that God Almighty gives you illumination through His Word. It is here that you receive the truth of God’s Word. And it is also here that you will be nourished and satisfied by the promises of God, for it is here that you find the table of showbread. Seeking the Lord, finding Him, and finding the fullness of your liberty will cause your heart to be filled with His Word. It will cause you to erupt in worship and prepare you for the greatest privilege a Christian will ever know—the knocking world.

The Holy of Holies – the Realm of Knocking
The third realm of prayer and God’s presence, the Holy of Holies, is the place of knocking and partnership with God. God speaks in the Holy of Holies. He does not speak in the outer court or the Holy Place. The seventh chapter is one of the longest in the book of Numbers. It deals with the day the Tabernacle was fully set up, detailing the offerings. Then in the very last verse of that chapter we read these amazing words: And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him. (Numbers 7:89)

Moses had to enter into the Holy of Holies to be in God’s presence and to hear God speak. How glorious that moment must have been! It still is today, for the deepest form of intimacy with the Lord takes place only in the Holy of Holies. There are no shortcuts. You have to go through the process. You have to come to the outer court and get on your knees, making your requests known to God in the first realm. It is easy to get distracted in the outer court because there is so much activity. The flesh is still in control. You get tired and worn out. You cannot hear God’s voice there, so it gets easy to give up. Sometimes I spend an hour and a half or two hours in the outer court. You have to wait upon the Lord, asking. Suddenly you become aware that Psalm 80:18 is taking place. God is drawing you toward Him. You enter into the second realm of prayer, starting to seek the Lord. He continues drawing you. Time moves much more quickly as God allows you a foretaste of His presence, but it is nothing like what awaits you inside the Holy of Holies. You must wait. That is the key. Most people will not. They get stuck either in the outer court or inside the Holy Place. They are distracted. They lose desire. They accept only a foretaste of God’s presence. When you wait upon the Lord, though, you begin to experience a newfound strength: “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

Suddenly spiritual strength is restored. All the tiredness you felt in the outer court and Holy Place starts to go away. You become aware that you are increasingly drawn into God’s presence. In the Holy of Holies you understand what Moses meant: “Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight” (Exodus 33:13). God shows the way so we can say with Moses, “That I may know thee.”

The third realm becomes reality, as the psalmist wrote, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). In the outer court, the first realm, we find asking and activity. In the Holy Place, the second realm, we have seeking and intercession. But in the Holy of Holies, the third realm, we experience quietness.

There His presence overwhelms me. I become soaked with tears. My heart cries out for more of Jesus, yet I don’t want to talk and break the calm. It’s the most glorious place! In the Holy of Holies you hear the language of the heart where “deep calleth unto deep” (Psalm 42:7). You become aware that you are in the presence of the Creator! Your spirit comes alive as never before! The physical realm is the outer court. The soul realm is the Holy Place. But the spiritual realm is the Holy of Holies. It is where the flesh and soul are no longer in control. The silence is the product of abundance. You understand the meaning of the verse, “Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord God” (Zephaniah 1:7). A holy hush permeates your soul. A wonderful peace floods over you, sweeping over your spirit, and overwhelms you.

The Calling to Communion
Charles G. Finney, a Presbyterian minister in the 1800s, became an important figure in the Second Great Awakening, so much so that he was called the “Father of Modern Revivalism.” He knew amazing depths of God’s presence and wrote, “No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart.… These waves came over me, and over me, one after another, until I recollect I cried out, ‘I shall die if these waves continue to pass over me.’ I said, ‘Lord, I cannot bear any more,’ yet I had no fear of death.”

Such intense, ecstatic, intimate worship in God’s presence cannot be described with human words: “The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him” (Habakkuk 2:20).

The Lord is asking us to come daily into the outer court to make our requests known and to receive blessing from His giving, loving hands. He is asking us to come daily into the Holy Place, seeking Him until we find Him. And He wants us to come daily into the Holy of Holies, where we can experience intimate communion with Him.

The "T" Word

The "T" Word

I'm tired of it. It is a word that I am honestly sick of hearing over and over for the past few months, and even years, and has just simply worn me out. Despite my personal feelings on the matter, I cannot seem to get away from its sound. When I watch the news, read the paper, talk to friends or even spend time in prayer—there it is again! This expression has haunted me for several months and is almost eerie to my ears now. It is currently being used in virtually every sphere and sector of society to describe the state of mankind in our day. The world of politics, economics, sports, medicine and even the Church are using this single word to describe the significant shift taking place: Transition.

Revelation in the Mundane

Every leader and director from the BURN 24-7 movement across the globe has been pressing into the heart of God with consecrated hearts, asking for fresh perspective for the New Year. It has once again been a rich time flooded with unreal encounters in the presence of God. Our tribe corporately carries a burden and resolve to not just lazily and lethargically stumble into another year as if nothing is changing except a "10" instead of a "9" on our calendars. We MUST be guided by fresh revelation, intuition and unction as we literally are ushered into a new season across the world, whether we are ready or not! Similar to Joseph, Daniel and even the sons of Issachar in the Bible, we long to be a people that the world even councils to interpret the "times and the seasons."

During our fast, I was unpacking a ridiculous amount of boxes in my new home when God began to speak to me. I was tired, a little irritated and very overwhelmed at all the work before me during the few days I was home. It was in this uncomfortable place that God decided to show up and download some fresh stuff into my spirit.. I think it's funny how He loves to choose the most seemingly random moments to reveal heavenly perspective to His children. It does not always occur during the intense prayer, worship and pressing-in times, when we feel we are most "postured" to listen. I think God just might be attracted to the routine, mundane and sometimes even boring parts of our lives. What if He actually delights in dwelling with us during the 98% of our lives we are not in church services, prayer meetings or quiet times? That's just a little thought to mull on.

There it is Again

My wife Kate and I recently moved to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on a dream, a word and a whim. Seriously! God violently hijacked our California dreams and took us back to the East Coast to partner with His burning heart to see young revivalists and Davidic musicianaries—empowered through grace and faith—strike down the giant of humanism towering over a generation. A beautiful community of radical lovers have welcomed us in with open arms and we feel caught in the swirl of destiny.

So here I am, in the middle of the frigid and snowy tundra of the Northeast (which is a far cry from mild Texas). As I'm expending myself to unpack the last four years of my life (that has never really been unpacked) in an unfamiliar, cold and dusty old house—God speaks. The infamous, repetitive and annoying word that I have been working hard to escape reaches my ears yet again: Transition.

I hear the words the Spirit speaks: "The year of the greatest transition in human history."

Immediately, I am brought to 2 Corinthians 3:18:

"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

The Perpetual State

Although I've heard this verse many times before, the revelation dawned that we are sons and daughters of God who remain on a mortal earth and live in a perpetual state of transition. It is no longer a buzzword or the greatest and latest Christian rhetoric, but it's actually factual Biblical truth! With every single breath and heartbeat, and during every mundane task of life, a glorious transformation is taking place! We are caught in the "ever increasing glory" and are transitioning to look more and more radiant—just like He is! Now we may not always feel this radiant (especially when unpacking a house), but it is surely taking place.

As I was sitting on the 70-year-old hardwood floors and frustrated at a massive "to do" list in front of me, it was as if God was saying to me:

"You better get used to this and not get too comfortable with your life! Don't forget why you are here and where you are going, son! This is a year where I am transitioning you farther and faster than ever before, so get ready!"

In that single moment, a supernatural grace and heavenly perspective was released on my heart to receive and catch this revelation. It afforded me the opportunity to rejoice in this journey as a "peculiar" and "otherworldly" creature on a mortal planet that is truly not my ultimate destination. I began to shed off the feelings of "annoyance" and invite the transition of the Spirit to sweep me up and be in sync with His heart.

Even the World Knows

Just as many a structure, system and creature on the earth can feel and are actually prophesying about this great global transition, so we must be more aware and ready to receive it! They are eagerly looking for the answers, the meaning and the Person that is to come. I was struck by this a few days ago as I was walking through Times Square in New York City. I was chatting with a retail store worker only a few days after the world gathered on her city streets to party and usher in the New Year.

During that same moment, we were gathered across the Hudson River and hunkered down in a warehouse packed with hundreds of wild, screaming and passionate worshippers. It was intense, raw and beautifully random as we beckoned the gaze of Heaven to fix on the nation through 100 hours of fiery worship and prayer. It was the most epic New Year's celebration I was ever a part of!

Back to the retail worker—I asked this lady what she thought about the New Year already underway. She responded by saying, "I'm not really sure...but I feel something big is coming...we all do." I was shocked at her prophetic gifting and realized God was releasing this same feeling of anticipation on even the lost of the world! That is why Romans 8:19 remarks that: "All creation groans for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed!"

Fathers to Sons

Well, guess what? Here we are. It is time to awaken to the revelation of our high calling and throw off the yoke of cynicism, hope deferred and false humility. Those entanglements and excuses will do you no good in the year 2010. Allow the Spirit of faith and a "great grace" to rise up to pull you out of the mire and hopelessness of humanity! These are the greatest hours of the history of the world!

With the recent heavenly homecoming of many great men and women of God in our day, lofty mantles, mandates and callings are just waiting for a generation to boldly pick them up. This current transition is from fathers to sons and mothers to daughters. Among these evangelists, revivalists, pioneers and men and women of great faith were Jill Austin and Oral Roberts. Having known Jill for a few years and even traveled with her to the Holy Land, and having attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and earning my degree there, I along with an entire generation, am reaching out to carry this legacy forward where they left off. The baton has changed hands and we have no choice but to run, run, RUN the race marked out before us!

Let Us Embrace It

The current shakings, shiftings and season of transition will continue and must continue! They will not only continue in this hour, but they will increase and accelerate. So let us embrace it! Allow the Lord to cleanse your heart with pure and living water and prepare you for the most dynamic and grand transition the world has ever seen that is coming in this New Year!

Genuine excitement, incredible thrill and the unpredictability of the Spirit is coming back to the Western Church and we will welcome it! China, Nepal and parts of the Middle East are already reaping the fruit of this explosion of the Kingdom and transition in our day. Miracles, signs and wonders, and salvations are taking place in unprecedented numbers. Now it's the rest of the world's turn to enter into it. So much glory is being released in the accessibility of His presence that we may not even recognize ourselves with this radiance upon us next year!

Let us embrace and welcome the "Year of the Greatest Transition in Human History!"

Sean Feucht
Founder, BURN 24-7
Email: info@theburn247.com
Sean and Kate Feucht

About Sean Feucht: Sean and his wife Kate are the founders of Burn 24-7—powerful, prolonged experiences of worshiping the Father and intercession for the nations. Their undying vision is to ignite and establish places of continual worship and prayer that will affect the spiritual atmospheres, climates and cultures of cities and regions for the Kingdom of God. Sean has released five prophetic worship albums and travels around the nation leading worship and speaking at conferences, camps, services and BURN 24-7 furnaces.

UN-LIMIT YOURSELF - DR NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

Matthew 17:20 (NKJV) "nothing will be impossible for you."

I would like to ask you a possibly embarrasing question. What are you doing with the marvelous abilities and the extraordinary potential Almighty God built into you? Now there's a question for you! And only you can answer it.

Positive Action Step #1: Believe in your Potential
I suppose one reason is that we just haven't adequately developed the potential that is ours. But a second reason is this: We do a terrible thing to ourselves; we actually clamp down upon ourselves self-imposed limitations. A person tells himself, " Beyond this point, I cannot go." And then, an even greater tragedy occurs: We come to the point where we're willing to settle.

Positive Action Step #2: Nothing is Impossible
Everyone has something of a problem or deficiency that could hold him back - could limit him in some way but what would this world be like if everyone facing a difficulty, a handicap, an infirmity, a weakness, or some other inability, were to sit back and accept his or her circumstances? Everything would come to a standstill. You must learn to use your weaknesses as strengths, and build successes instead of excuses.

Positive Action Step #3: Break the Limitation Barrier
Whatever you do, don't spend your life telling the world and yourself that you do not have within you the capacity to live a good life. We cannot conquer the big limitations by our own unaided strength. Faith in God will set us free. He has freed people from shrinking; He has freed them from self-doubt; He has freed them from their sense of inferiority; He has freed them from shyness; He has freed them from being over-awed by life's difficulties; He has freed them from their lusts, from their dishonesties, from their sins. he has freed them from limitations of every kind.

God never willed that you should be less than you can be.

zoe ministries

zoe ministries

GL Garden 01-21-02, Solok Paya Terubong 8, 11060 Penang, Malaysia

House Phone: 604-8277554 Hand Phone: 60165318276.

Email: cvs3zoe@yahoo.com

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NKJV) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

Friends and Partners in the Work of God,

Please pray for us



Malaysia



31/1/2010 Sunday Service –Ministry at Emma Faith Nurturing Centre –Penang



4/2/2010 Thursday –End Time Watch –Ministry at Masharakat Penyayang –Pen

7/2/2010 Sunday Service –Ministry at Charismatic Church of Penang

11/2/2010 Thursday Service –Ministry at Emmanuel Word Centre –Kulim –Kedah

14/2/2010 Sunday Service –Ministry at Emma Faith Centre –Penang



11/3/2010 Thursday Service –Ministry at Emmanuel Word Centre –Kulim –Kedah

14/3/2010 Sunday Service –Ministry at Charismatic Church of Penang



Thailand [19/3/2010 to 31/3/2010]



21/3/2010 Ministering at Kittikhun Nan Church -Nan Province –Thailand

22/3 to 24/3 Leadership seminars: Nan Province Evangelical Fellowship –Thailand

26/3 to 29/3 Equipping the churches in Nakhon Thai –Thailand



Philippines [5/4/2010 to 9/4/2010]



5/4 to 8/4 Ministering in Mallolos City –Philippines [Equipping the Churches]



Thanks for your prayers.



Christopher and Vijaya.k