Music Link: https://youtu.be/hTdphgXDpcM
Lyrics:
Who is near to the broken-hearted?
Who is here with us in our sorrow?
Knows our grief and bore our suffering
Who comes running when we call out?
Who shows mercy when we fall down?
Lifts us up in our weakness
There is only one name
There is only one name
Who is worthy of all praise
Who will not hold our sins against us
Who has wounds pouring out forgiveness
Who alone has power to save
Who at last will bring death to its end
Who will no longer let the dark win
Who will raise us from the grave
There is only one name
There is only one name
Who is worthy of all praise
There is only one name
There is only one name
Who is worthy of all praise
Jesus Jesus
Name above all other names
Worthy of our endless praise
Jesus Jesus
Name above all other names
Worthy of our endless praise
Jesus Jesus
Name above all other names
Worthy of our endless praise
There is only one name
There is only one name
Who is worthy of all praise
There is only one name
There is only one name
Who is worthy of all praise
There is only one name
There is only one name
Who is worthy of all praise
Jesus Jesus
Name above all other names
Worthy of our endless praise
Jesus Jesus
Name above all other names
Worthy of our endless praise
Jesus Jesus
Name above all other names
Worthy of our endless praise
Jesus Jesus
Name above all other names
Worthy of our endless praise
Written by Jessica Ray Langdon, Matt Armstrong, Abby Siler
© 2024 The Sounds Of Running Club Songs (BMI), Technicolor Jesus Publishing (BMI), Integrity's Praise! Music (BMI) (all adm at IntegratedRights.com), Centricity Songs (BMI), Our Dirt Songs (BMI) (adm. at CapitolCMGPublishing.com)
Malachi 3:1-9 New Living Translation
(The Coming Day of Judgment)
3 “Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
2 “But who will be able to endure it when he comes? Who will be able to stand and face him when he appears? For he will be like a blazing fire that refines metal, or like a strong soap that bleaches clothes. 3 He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. 4 Then once more the Lord will accept the offerings brought to him by the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as he did in the past.
5 “At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
(A Call to Repentance)
6 “I am the Lord, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed. 7 Ever since the days of your ancestors, you have scorned my decrees and failed to obey them. Now return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9 You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.
Please note
Malachi is rebuking the Priests, not the lowly and the manipulated people in which the leaders have their boot on the shoulders of each one.
Begin text:
In the last few years or so, I have had a strange sense that the American Church feels as if it has never done anything wrong or can do anything wrong?
Well, this can be very frustrating for me, because for over forty years, I have witnessed mistake after mistake gone on in the churches, yet nobody will ever acknowledge anything of the like.
Therefore, they just pretend that "All is well in the Church and has always been well."
Then they recruit new believer's and are like one of the King's in the Old Testament.
"Here come this way and let us show you all of our treasures."
"Let us show you the way in which you are to walk, that you to might be as prosperous and as pleasing to the Lord as we have been."
"So that you can please God as we have pleased God for 'Lo these many years.'"
Well, I never planned on it, but earlier this year the Lord just had me to help expose a "False Leader," who has been in the pulpit at least fifteen years longer than he should have been."
Then the next thing you know there is another group of leaders who I felt really encouraged to expose their practices, as they have manipulated billions of dollars from the "Body of Christ." Much of it toward their own financial kingdoms, all in the name of Christ.
Well, then the Holy Spirit moved me to share my observations concerning this latest movie which "Glorifies," man through the early revival of the "Jesus Revolution."
And lastly, I believe that the Lord has been moving me to attack the false misinterpretation in which the "Churches," have adopted concerning the "Legalism," of the "Tithe. Which has overtaken the entire American church.
I will be doing that in the next few days or weeks.
Nevertheless, last week, I felt as if the Holy Spirit suggested that I post an excerpt of a sermon that I heard maybe twenty years ago or so.
Allow me to set it up. I had been observing and part of a number of Charismatic Streams, for a few decades.
Well, I operate in a number of charismatic gifts and one of these is that I have an ability to help bring down the presence of God, in various meetings according to the will of the Lord.
So, I had been living in the Dallas area for a number of years, and at the same time following any ministry who claimed to be "Spirit Filled," or Charismatic.
First, I did this because I loved God and just as the "tent of meeting" would never be stable and remain in one place, I recognized early that this was much how the Holy Spirit operated today in the overall church.
In Bible school, I even had a type of mentor explain this phenomenon and he shared how that many times a family will be born into a denomination and a hundred years later, the same family will still be established in the church despite the revivals or the moving of the Holy Spirit in a generation.
And so, he always explained that if you want to be a friend of God, if you want to be close to God, if you want to know God, you must always be willing to pack up and follow God wherever He wanted you to go.
Well, I was in the Dallas area for quite some time, but I was aware of many other ministries around the country, I made it a point to know every other ministry which called itself the Prophetic, the Apostolic, Spirit Filled, whatever.
So, I had heard of this very significant minister operating in Colorado, but had yet to visit his ministry. I knew that John Bevere had moved his family there and was well aware of other notable ministries who also were a part of this Church in Colorado Springs.
Well, I was known amongst many ministers around Dallas and Fort Worth, by my operating in the gifts, but few knew anything else about me.
So, anyway this Apostolic Conference was being held in a church which I had worshipped in on a number of occasions. The pastor was an older gentleman named Olen Griffin, and he hosted the conference of this Apostolic Network.
Well, Ted Haggard was the gentleman from Colorado, and he was the lead speaker. As usual, I arrived and took a seat.
During "worship," however, sometimes it can be a struggle because you can find yourself in a battle in the "Spiritual."
Well, this was one of those times, so my Praying was much more intense during worship.
Now, let me say that if one isn't familiar with that kind of Praying it can seem as if the individual is mad or angry. Well, physically you are mad and you are angry, but it is not at the people around you, it is at these devil's that literally will fill the atmosphere as your 'spirit' is lifted above this earthly realm and you are joined with the Holy Spirit in the heavenlies above you.
Nonetheless, I realize that I just lost half of my readers, but this was why Paul explained that the world cannot understand the things of the "Spirit," but they are foolish to them.
Nevertheless, as you continue to pray in this manner nine times out of ten you will "Break Through," and then all over the congregation a peace as you have never felt it will descend and next the "Holy Spirit" will then command the meeting.
For myself it was normally about 95 per cent. Once, I began praying in the Spirit during worship almost every time the Lord would break through and the "Word," would become alive.
Again, if you don't know what I am talking about when I say the "Word," became alive. Then perhaps, you should walk up to the Dairy Queen and get an ice Cream Cone?
Later, sometimes you didn't even have to worship, but when your presence would arrive demons would flee and you knew that the Holy Spirit was going to be taking over the service supernaturally.
And I am sorry, if this offends you by the way I talk about "Spiritual Things," but if I were to please you, I would not be a servant of the Lord or His ambassador on Earth.
Well, that night Rev Haggard spoke, and I have three of his sermons and that are approximately over twenty something years ago.
Lastly, you have to understand that this was a conference of "Apostle's, leaders, and mostly Pastor's, so many didn't appreciate a nobody coming into their meetings and exploiting the "gifts," of the supernatural.
Nevertheless, I believe that the reason why God is asking me to share this with the "Body of Christ," is to show you how successful the Charismatic Church was during this period, and how that it has fallen so dramatically over the years since that time.
You see, we are constantly told how wonderful the American Church has been and how wonderful that it is. Nevertheless, the church has fallen so drastically that it is "shameful" and there is no other "word," for it.
In this sermon Mr. Haggard points out all of the great in roads and accomplishments of what the American Church has done for humanity during that time.
"Why, the church has never been so fruitful and prosperous and wonderfully run," he tells these congregants of an "Apostolic Networking meeting."
Meanwhile, there were many of these preachers who knew little of me, and you can hear them laughing in derision at every chance they could get because I was a strange oddity to them?
Meanwhile, they treated this "Apostle," as if he were the incarnation of the apostle Paul literally groveling at the man's feet. Just as many churches do today to every leader?
Now, please do not think that I am bitter about this episode, as it has been replicated my entire life as I "worship," God in the way that he has taught me.
All that I am trying to do is to show the nature of the American church, and it is found in almost every so-called Bible believing church whether they believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit or not.
But what I want to point out in this sermon is the "Confidence," that Mr. Haggard speaks about concerning the church at that time.
You see, just as hundreds of other Pastors and Leaders across America in the Charismatic Church, they attributed the "Success," of the Church because of the degree in which they had successfully placed the people under the bondage of the "Tithe."
Okay, do you understand what I am saying here?
Please listen to how the church had advanced across the world, because WE, US GREAT LEADERS in America took our greed and our covetousness and exported it to all the world.
Why, just look at us and see all of the marvelous things that America did for the world.
Now, let's fast forward twenty-five years. It was a short time later that this great apostle's 'mug face,' was plastered all over the United States newspapers and world as a fallen church leader.
And I hadn't even mentioned that at the time he was also the acting President of the National Association of Evangelicals, which was a world recognized organization in Christianity.
From Google:
He is best known for his founding of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and his leadership roles within the American evangelical movement, including his tenure as president of the National Association of Evangelicals from 2003 until 2006.Apr 5, 2024
The meetings were held at Shady Grove Church of Dallas where recently we have learned that a number of pastors graduated to Gateway Church, led by Robert Morris.
Robert Morris was another leader glorified by his members who was almost worshipped by many of his congregants.
In his sermon Haggard talks about this great leader of Nigeria. Since that time, I have read numerous reports concerning the man and his ministry which has been likened to a CULT which manipulates and robs the poor of his own country. The man is worth something like one hundred and fifty million dollars, owns or has owned a fleet of Private Jets, and just as like many others who America has apprenticed has also apprenticed likewise disciples over disciples of like minded "Clergy."
"Thank you, America, for bringing the Gospel to the world.
We couldn't have done it without you."
Another individual he names is Pastor David Yonggi Chou.
A man respected for years and years as one of the greatest Christian leaders in the world. Nonetheless, somewhere along in his later years, he became an "Americanized Pastor."
David Yonggi Cho was a South Korean Pentecostal Pastor. He was the founder of the Yoido Full Gospel Church, which he started in a tent with 5 people, which eventually became the world's largest congregation, with a membership of 830,000.****** Wikipedia
From Google:
Showing results for what was the yonggi cho scandal?
Search instead for what was the yonngi chou scandal?
A national broadcaster, MBC, released a documentary that claimed the money had been used to buy properties for Bethesda University in Anaheim, California, United States, which Cho founded. In 2014, Cho was convicted of embezzling $12 million USD in church funds that he bought from his son Cho Jong-Un.
And so, as you listen to this short excerpt, please take it seriously, and perhaps you might consider a question?
Is God really so delighted in all that these "Prosperity," preachers have done for the world?
Just asking?
Added Note:
One of my points in publishing this was to point out that Mr. Haggard explained how that he had a church filled with one hundred per cent "Tithers."
Funny though, I don't believe that his networks of "Apostles," and all of these other great organizations ever survived.
No, most all of these wonderful organizations are no more, although I know of another that exists. Nevertheless, you surely do not want me to start writing about my encounters with those clowns.
Trust me, on that.
And so, what we really have left in the American church are these super douper Mega Churches, who exploit God's people while at the same time have "Shepherds," who become multi-millionaires. All the time advancing the Kingdoms which is in their own minds.
Yes, these are the new "Apostle and Prophets," and what have you. Meanwhile our country is going to hell because the "Preachers," refuse to speak for or against anything politically centered.
I will be writing about this in another paper.
You see, what I am doing is exposing the "American Church," for what it has been in the righteous eyes of God. And although most in the charismatic realm and others all believe that the Lord is so pleased with the church, I am trying to open your eyes.
You see, many believe that "Ahh God is going to take care of it all, why we are such a righteous Nation, that we have nothing to worry about. God loves America for all of the things that we have obediently done for him."
Well, what I am doing by exposing all of the "Fluff," that has gone on for the last thirty years in the church is so that American Christians can wake up out of their SLEEP and understand that God is not going to "save," America.
Unless the American church starts repenting and getting serious about stopping the evil, which is about to take over our country, then God is going to leave America to its own devices.
From Google:
Did you mean: to its own devices.
AI Overview
The idiom "to leave someone to their own devices" means to allow someone to do what they want or are able to do without being controlled or helped by anyone else. For example, "The students were left to their own devices when the teacher failed to appear on time".
The other day, I happened to visit a fairly new church in Nashville online. The Pastor of only four years, was in the pulpit and he made a statement that really opened my eyes, of where that church stood "Spiritually," in the eyes of God.
The man was only twenty-nine years old, if I recall from later reading some bio on the man. He had only been Pastor of the church less than four years.
Nonetheless, as he took the pulpit after the offering, he commented and was bragging on "How the Church was considered to be one of just a few in the country, according to some organization, which had such a great number of "Tithers," in their congregations."
Well, I can tell you that he was the envy of shepherds and leaders all over America, who were overwhelmed at the man's success.
"Why, bless God, that's what we need more of in the Church, Oh pray tell, young Sir, teach me thy ways, Oh master of the Pulpit."
Well, I don't always see as man sees.
You see, I am like God in many ways, and I try to see as God sees.
Well, could I tell you how I saw this young novice, Pastor?
I see him as I witnessed Ted Haggard who he thought that he was so pleasing to God because he had a congregation of one hundred per cent "Tithers."
I saw the man as I have witnessed in another church where the young "Pastor," has a wealth estimated at fifty-five million dollars which he has accumulated while "working" in the "Ministry.'
Well, that is what Google has reported, perhaps I am wrong, and it is only fifty million?
Nevertheless, every time that I have ever seen the man preach, he has a gaggle of followers who "OOHHH and AHHHH, almost everything that the man says, and he seems quite comfortable in that atmosphere.
I see a man who has used his Charisma to "control," a congregation of young people, because typically it is the young people who will idolize their "Pastors or Leaders," as if they were God's come down in human form.
But you see, this is the new "Church" in America. All over America we don't have 'Shepherds," but we have fast talking Charismatic well-dressed leaders who are "gifted," in the ways of manipulating man.
Thus, they begin to build "Tithe" centered churches using the gifts of God such as "Praise and Worship," to entice the younger followers.
And so, after failure after failure of the charismatic church repeating the same mistakes, time and time again, here we have another group or generation of "Leaders," who are all willing to repeat the same mistakes of previous generations, all so they may enrich themselves.
New leaders, who have been raised up in order to manipulate the people, and to place the churches under bondages to the "Tithe," as these men only enrich themselves at everyone else's expense.
And it never fails, they all call it "Holy," and "Being obedient to God."
You see, our Nation is filled with these kinds of teachers and models, and they are only increasing, once again, as they have numerous times in the past.
Well, this is why God has been slowing withdrawing His protective Hand from this Nation and unless it begins to show true repentance, America is going to be shocked completely out of its ARROGANCE and PRIDE.
Please mark my words, because I am sure that one day the Holy Spirit is going to bring these Prophetic words back to your minds.
Unfortunately, though, it will be too late for the American church to repent then.
Therefore, it is probably a wise thing to begin today to pray for your children, will you?
Music Link: https://youtu.be/v7lHsoascJY
Jeremiah 17:9 New Living Translation
9 “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things,
and desperately wicked.
Who really knows how bad it is?
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Isaiah 55:8-9 New Living Translation
8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
__________________________________________________
1 Kings 8:39 New Living Translation
39 then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart.
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John 7:21-24 The Message
21-24 Jesus said, “I did one miraculous thing a few months ago, and you’re still standing around getting all upset, wondering what I’m up to. Moses prescribed circumcision—originally it came not from Moses but from his ancestors—and so you circumcise a man, dealing with one part of his body, even if it’s the Sabbath. You do this in order to preserve one item in the Law of Moses. So why are you upset with me because I made a man’s whole body well on the Sabbath? Don’t be hypercritical; use your head—and heart!—to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right.”
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Luke 16:15 New Living Translation
15 Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.
_____________________________________________________
1 Samuel 16:7 New Living Translation
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
*****
Ted Haggard from "Content of Character," sermon preached at an 'Apostolic Network."
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