"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another." Mark 9:50
There is an interview that Donnie McClurkin recently did with comedian Steve Harvey on TBN. While I don't watch TBN and I don't follow Steve Harvey, it seemed clear that Steve is going through some challenging times right now. In his time of need, he reaches out to the "church" for understanding, guidance, and support...and the "church" let him down. I am speaking of what calls itself the "church" in our current day and age, which may not necessarily be what God calls the Church.While Steve seemed sincere in this interview, he was also sincerely wrong about a number of things when it comes to God. Being under the influence of such hirelings as TD Jakes has left Steve with a muddled and erroneous view about God and what it means to serve Him. Steve continually speaks of "some God" in a way that makes it apparent he has not yet had a personal revelation of who God is.
But this is not about Steve. It is about the church. No one knows God...until they know God. That is how every single person is prior to meeting Jesus Christ. But the purpose of the Church is to be the body of Christ, to be His witness in the earth, serving as a living testimony to those who are lost.
Yet what
happens when the church no longer serves in this role? What happens when - instead of being the light which points to Jesus - we become Dr. Phil? What happens when the most we can offer the hurting is a shoulder to cry on? Then the salt has lost its savor."Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16
God warns us of a great falling away that will happen in the end times, and to honest, seeing it happen is a travesty to watch. I never thought that I would look around the landscape and see a large portion of what calls itself the church bearing no resemblance to the life of God. I never thought I would see the majority of the visible church world in darkness. Yet, this is where we find ourselves in these last days.
When we forsake the truths of the Gospel and instead begin to use the standards of the world to define the church, we wind up with preachers in the pulpit such as TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, Rick Warren... The result is a disempowered church peddling a soulish "gospel" who is only good for passing the Kleenex, but cannot bring the life-changing power of God into anyone's life.
"Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8b
You know, there are many ways to deny Christ. We can deny Him outright by our words and actions so that we are not affiliated with Him. But we can also deny Christ by our silence; by not speaking up to confront things which are lies or even worse, by giving agreement to things we know to be in error.As Steve Harvey pours out his heart, he continues to share his misconceptions about who God is. Not one person says, "Steve, wait a minute. Let me introduce you to Jesus Christ." Some might say, "That was just not the right time for such a discussion." Well, it was certainly the right enough time to exploit this man's sufferings for the purposes of international TV!
How many times did I cringe as Steve gave his philosophies on the church, while McClurkin and audience members nodded along - even while these statements were in direct contradiction to Scripture? How many times did I grieve inside as Steve told us about God and not a one interjected to teach this man about the True & Living God? In a time when this man needed real answers, needed JESUS, the "church folks" could only give him a chorus of "Amens" and "Halleujahs" as they left him in the same religious delusion he came there with.
"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14
Ohhh, I can hear it now, "You are judging! I don't see love in your comments." Well, tell me this. Is it "love" to leave this man in pain and suffering? Is it "love" to know someone who can heal his heart and not tell him about it? Is it "love" to let this man think that it is God's will that he "makes his living in another world" contrary to the principles of godliness? IS IT "LOVE" to let this man think he already knows God when he obviously does not yet?
"For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." Acts 17:23
So, this is the "church"? If the church has forsaken its calling to stand for the truths of God, then who will make plain the Scriptures? Who will make clear the way to Jesus Christ? Who will declare the things of the Lord? Church, what do you think you are here on the earth for? To have your "best life now" at the expense of those who are lost?!
"And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:40
I pray that God reveal Himself to Steve Harvey. I know that there are vessels of truth out there, who are willing to speak God's words. I pray that Jesus would open a door so that Steve could come to know Him personally as Lord and Savior; that his life would be made brand new and his hurting soul healed.
I also pray that those who were a part of that interview and others who are currently championing this as some sort of triumph for God are pricked to their hearts over the shame of this moment. Let them cry out for mercy themselves and repent for denying the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Most of all, may God raise up those who will speak for Him so that healing can be sent around the world. There is only one answer for every ill in the world, and that answer is Jesus. The church is nothing with Him.
"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Luke 14:34-35
I was first introduced to the clip by a G. Craig podcast and when Rashid and I watched this on youtube we were so saddened. The most "real" person on the segment was Steve as you said. It was heartbreaking to see just how he was clearly crying out for help but none was offered to him. I guess I thought Donnie McClurkin of all people had it in him to speak up for the truth. There were things that he said as a comment to Steve that were ALL WRONG...with Steve admitting that he doesn't know the Word was a grand opportunity for him to introduce to the truth of the Word!
ReplyDeleteAfter that I prayed that God would send someone Steve's way to give him the true Gospel and introduce him to our savior and that someonw would sit down with Mr. McClurkin and correct him in his error...
I would say that I appreciate TBN for putting Christianity out there to the masses but (this is only my opinion) they are conveying an incorrect view to millions of people about what God is requiring from us as His people...To much glitz and glam and cliche' and so on and so forth.
This is kind of on a different topic...but what do you think about Christian ministries that become so mainstream? Doesn't it seem like the more "fame" that they seem to acquire the more they begin to fall away from the truth? The Bible says that Jesus' fame spread abroad because of the works He did but what happens when we feel we are entitled to that same fame? We are supposed to be making Jesus famous not ourselves...so some of these individuals begin to "go through" and attacked by the devil when in actuality could it possibly be God's way of humbling them for striping Him of His glory?
it's funny that you wrote about this. for the past few days i've been searching about the whole mason stuff and found some shocking information that deals with some of the highest minister deceiving the people of God. Good stuff
ReplyDeleteHi Tika,
ReplyDeleteThere is such a trap to side with the world. As much as the Scriptures have to say on this subject, we still see people pimping the name of Jesus for a buck. I am sorry to be so direct, but that is truly what it seems to be to me.
I don't think you have just spoken your opinions here. TBN is a perversion!! One only has to look at who they give air time to to see their objective. While such ministries may have had a heart for God at one time, they clearly have a different agenda now.
The are doing a great disservice, leading people to a false Jesus. This interview is a primary example.
We can not serve God AND "x". If our lives are devoted in ministry to God, then His life and light ought to permeate everything we do. We should be in the grocery store, letting people see Jesus. On the job, letting people see Jesus. In our neighborhoods, letting people see Jesus.
I am not saying that we should run around doing religious acts. I am saying that if we are truly transformed in the inner man by the power of God, His light will shine through us because that is simply who we are.
OK, so I am a bit long-winded today. :-) But this topic just has me fuming. I am so disturbed by what happened in that interview and even more so by fellow "Christians" who just don't see anything wrong.
Ok, I feel better now. :-)
Much love to you and Rashid! May God continue to strengthen you both in Him.
Hey there Mia!
ReplyDeleteI was talking to someone last night about pimping prophets. This seems to be very prevalent in the black church. A man of God cannot come to give a Word from God without having to doop the people into "sewing a seed" into that word. Its like they are saying sew into what I'm saying or it won't come to pass....notice I said what I am saying and NOT WHAT GOD IS SAYING! And people fall right in to that trap! Why can't they just tell the truth and say...man look...my ministry needs a few dollars and if the Lord leads you and you have purposed in your heart to sew into what you believe is a fertile ministry then God Bless You...don't be peddling the Gospel and relevations (not a revelation but a relevation because its only relevant to you). Thats why people are so pumped on TBN because so many have ust become accustomed to it. They say I see it on TBN and I see it at church so hey its gotta be the real thing. Its ALL seduction...people are being taught and believe in a seducing spirit of the devil. Not calling anyone the devil but saying that we have to be careful not to fall prey to the devices that we as believers are supposed to not be ignorant of....HELLO???!!!!
Jesus says His sheep know His voice and another they will not follow...the sheep eat what the shpeherd feeds them and goes where the shepherd leads them but why have many MANY become goats. They will eat whatever you put in front of them and get mad if you try and take it away...but its all in the Word so its no surprise...we are just wathcing prophesy constantly being fulfilled everyday and all without having to pay for it.
Looks like we both have a little extra wind working with us today. God Bless you, your family and your ministry. You have been provoking me in the Lord towards love and good works (not religious acts). To God be the Glory for you.
I just want to say that it makes me soooo angry to walk in a church building and hear something coming forth that i don't recognize as the living Truth. I sit and i think about how i believe that these self appointed(not all)but the majority, either go to these mega conferences, or read mega books, or view mega dvd's or television ministries, to see what is the "IN" things to do that will bring them profit and to feed the sheep poison to keep them blind enough to not see that they are robbing them senseless, spiritally and physically. Lord have mercy on us! I literally got kicked out of a church that was teaching sound doctrine until it came to the tithe. I was told i couldn't participate in anything unless i payed my tithes. I brought it to the pastor and his wife that i don't believe in the tithing system of today, so he did a teaching on it just for me, but he didn't know that the Holy Spirit had already taught me about the subject backed up by confirmation. I listened to him go on and on and the more i listened to him twist the scriptures to what he wanted them to mean, the more the anger was building up in me and i just wanted to get up and run. But i sat there and he gave me a chance to speak. "I" wanted to tell him what i thought of him, but the Holy Spirit quickeded me and i begin to speak in the most respectful way. The Holy Spirit gave to me what He had taught and ministered to me about the tithe, and He even lead me even further to let the pastor know that when he said how is the lights supposed to stay on and such? I then said that if the Lord ordained this, He will maintain it without putting burdens and bondage on His people. I asked Him were was His faith before i knew it. I then proceeded to let him know that many Christians have made the death burial and ressurection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ of no effect to them by taking to traditions of men and old testiment laws that no man can keep. I then told him that's why the tithe plate or bucket is full while the free will, no bondage, no burden, and "supposedly" no curse offering plate is nearly empty every Sunday.
ReplyDeleteAccording to what you have just spoke with no understanding didn't He say you have robbed me in tithes and OFFERINGS. So why do you attach the curse with the tithe and not the offering. He was getting upset and i kept speaking. Then it happened. He tried to curse me and my family with a financial curse. I didn't even get scared because i told him that i am not cursed, i am blessed. His wife then spoke up and said that it's best that i not come back because i might influence the rest of the members if i hear something else that i don't agree with. Then i will be labled as a wolf in sheep's clothing. It didn't bother me one bit because i felt like the Lord had used me to say what He wanted me to say. If i would have responded to what she said, it would have been according to my flesh because i had already began to think up what i wanted to tell her but i casted it down. I the said "that fine." There's more to that story, but what i'm trying to say is that we can't be scared to rebuke or correct EVEN a pastor or such if they are in error. The Word say's be ready in season and out of season. The Holy Spirit will give us what to say if we just allow Him to lead. I am not a BET fan at all, but i caught the Monique show on the first night it premiered because i wanted to see how Steve was going to talk about out of couriousity, and he acted real civil on the show. He was really guinuine to the point to were i really saw a change in him. He even told Monique to stop lying on the Spirit. He took it as if she was talking about the Holy Spirit as i did too. I "think" that Steve is headed down the right road but can't fully recognize or understand about reapin what you have sown. I pray that the Lord sends a vessel along to lead Him to the REAL JESUS. Because if he had the real Truth, he would know that there is no condemnation to us who are in Christ, and that as he may reap what he have sown in whatever it may be, He will be able to bear it much easier with Christ Jesus! Let us keep Steve lifted in prayer.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Clark09,
ReplyDeleteOne, I appreciate your testimony. I am so happy that God was able to give you insight in that situation and give you the boldness to speak the truth to that pastor and his wife in love. So many try to bind others with the "tithe". What the Holy Spirit showed you about whether it applies to Christians today is similar to what He has shown me.
I also pray that Jesus reach Steve, and I know that He is more than able to do so. God is no respecter of persons and we cannot be either. He will reveal the truth for anyone who seeks it with a pure heart.
We must rely on His Spirit for the courage to speak His words irrespective of who is in front of us.
God Bless!
Mrs. Clark09
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is WOW! I too have very recently received a revelation on tithing. And the church I attend says the same thing..you cannot participate in any activities at the church unless you pay the tithe. I have my opinions about that statement but I usually always keep this kind of stuff to myself because I don't want to make it seem like I am trying to sow discord and I really don't want to do that.
The only person I have told about what I learned about tithing (I gathered this from a personal study and am just now seeing that there are others that have come to the same conclusion) is my husband and he does not agree with me. In all honesty, I still pay the tithe because I do not have enough boldness that the Holy Spirit has given you to stand against it and also to keep peace in my house. I think I have chalked it up to not be that big of a deal. My husband was like then if we don't pay tithes then how do we give offering and all I could say is give what you have purposed in your heart...whatever God leads you to give where ever He leads you to give it but that was not a good enough explanation.
It is actually kind of ironic how I started my study on the tithe. Mrs. Clark and Latter Days, I would really appreciate it if either or both of you sent me an email on what you have found about tithing through your study. I am sure it is similar to mine but I have never encountered anyone personally that believes this.
My email is latikarushelle@yahoo.com
Hi Tika,
ReplyDeleteI'll send you an email on this. In fact, maybe it just makes sens to post an article about it. I'll pray about which makes the most sense.
But, let me offer this. I agree that we are not under a tithe, but there is nothing wrong with doing so. What is wrong - or what I believe is a misuse of Scripture - is to assert that Christians are obligated to do so.
Now, if Rashid determines that giving a tithe is the right thing for your household, then well and good. As you state, it is no big deal. After all, you would give an offering anyway I am sure.
We have some friends who I believe have an unBiblical understanding of tithing. They not only feel that they "have to" tithe, they believe that doing so guarantees them God's blessings. The husband was discussing his relationship with God and his wife said, "Oh, you'll be okay. You pay your tithe every week."
I was astounded by this, but that is the perspective many take. They treat God like He is a tyrant or a slot machine, demanding our pittance of 10% in order to bless us.
We must be led by the Spirit in all things. If our lives our devoted to Him, then He will guide us on how to spend every resource in our lives.
In fact, too many sell God short. God doesn't want our 10%, He wants EVERYTHING! He wants to guide us in all things we do, and that includes what we do with our money.
He may lead you to buy groceries for a neighbor, to give gas money to a co-worker, etc. What we do at His command are all our offerings to Him.
If our life is His, then He has all of us at His disposal, including the little change in our pockets. He can direct us to use that as He sees fit.
It is good and proper to make sure we support the ministries which feed us. But I think Scripture says it best (as you pointed out Tika):
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." II Corinthians 9:7
Okay that really did help me and confirmed all of the sentiments that I have. Especially the part about how to deal with the issue in my household because really that is my main concern. I don't think there is anything wrong with paying the tithe but as you say I also do not believe that God is requiring that of us any longer and I sure don't believe that we are cursed if we choose not to abide by the tithe. But the curse comes when we don't trust God enough to obey Him in ALL things.
ReplyDeleteI totally believe in supporting the local ministry and the pastor and would most definitely give an offering to the church without a second thought. It is just hard when you feel so wrong when you disagree with some of the things that are being taught all for the sake of being "like minded." But at the same time feeling like I am being a sell out to my own convictions. *sigh*
Again, your response REALLY did help me.
We totally changed the whole focus of this blog post...lol...sorry.
First off let me say that I am definitely sharing your post.
ReplyDeleteSomeone of FB posted this video and as I viewed it, I noticed the things you mentioned in your post. I was looking for Donnie to say something, but instead he said nothing to lead Steve to Christ.
Needless to say, I did not leave a comment on the shared link on FB, because I did not want to offend the person..because they were touched by it. But you said something in your post that I am guilty of and that is sitting by and saying nothing, when I know things are wrong and out of line.
I don't think you are judging in this post, you are telling the truth. Truth can't be disputed. I totally agree with you in this post and you have inspired me to speak out when I see things that are contradicting to the Word of God.
Awesome, post!
LOL! I don't care about topics. May God do with this what He wills.
ReplyDeleteAs for a ministry's position on the tithe, fear can cause people to put others under bondage unintentionally (as Mrs. Clark09 stated). It can be hard to step back and let God manage things, and I speak about this on an individual level as well as from a ministry level.
Also, like-minded doesn't mean you believe the same on all things. That's more like cloning. :-)
As long as each person has their goal in honoring and submitting to Christ, that is about as like-minded as you can get. That gives room to the Holy Spirit to interact and lead/teach each person as He sees fit.
Even for the church my family attends, I don't agree with the pastor on every thing. Some things we just see differently. But, I respect him as a man of God and I know that he has a heart for God. That is what matters most to me.
Remember too, our relationships with the Lord are individual and personal. Church can help us grow, provide fellowship, opportunities for ministry, etc. But when you stand before the Lord face to face, it will be just Him and you.
So, don't feel as if you have to conform to anything other than the work of the Potter's hands as He molds you. You don't have to be anybody but Tika.
Live in freedom. By that I mean,
1). Have peace in your heart about what God is showing you as an individual;
2). Allow others the freedom to believe differently should they choose as God molds them too;
3). Trust God to work all things out according to His will.
You have the freedom to disagree and go right on loving and fellowshipping with them anyway. Any church putting Christ first would respect that.
Hi Evelyn,
ReplyDeleteThe whole concept of "judging" has been perverted in Christianity. Some things we are not called to judge. But we are called to judge in terms of discerning between what is true and what is false.
But yes, I desire for Steve to be saved. I also hope that Donnie and others who don't see what was so horrible about this have their eyes opened. People are so scared of these false claims about "judging" that they cannot even proclaim the simple truths of the Gospel.
Plus, to be honest, I just don't buy that "I am trying not to judge" stuff. The truth - if people would be honest with themselves - is that they don't want confrontation. They don't want to do face the other person's reaction. It is purely a selfish position.
I too have failed in that before, which is why this bothered me so. If only I could go back and do things differently. I have prayed that God send them others who had more courage to speak than I did at those times.
They made a conscious decision to continue taping and then air that show. Upon hearing some of Steve's comments, Donnie could have asked taping to stop so that they could address the fundamentals of the faith with Steve in a more private setting.
Donnie could have also talked to Steve afterwards and added an addendum to the interview saying, "I wanted to give Steve a chance to get things off his chest, but after this interview we sat down and had a Scriptural discussion on the nature of God and salvation. I realize that some of what he stated does not line up with the Bible, but he is still seeking truth. Please keep Steve in prayer that God will continue to open his eyes."
There are any number of possibilities. But to leave things like that was really horrible.
Hey there LDM!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the response. I believe God got the glory out of that situation because everyone that i come in contact with from that ministry still speaks to me when they see me. One sister even calls me everyday to check up on me, and vise-versa and to share words of encouragement. I am in no way cursed or in bondage any longer, and i would tell you how my eyes were opened about tithing but it would take all night...lol. I am so grateful to the Lord our God for using you to expose the enemey's agenda in these last and evil days. Your ministy has been a real blessing to many. You are definantly on the battlefield! Also i had been meaning to ask you about my message i left on the guestbook i believe it was? I made it private, and i just wanted to know did you ever respond back and i missed it in my email or you never did? It was pertaining to being unequally yoked. Either way, it's fine because i done forgot all the things i spoke about...lol, it's been awhile...lol.
Hey there La Tika!
ReplyDeleteLDM just about summed up everything that i was going to say. I do want to add that the Lord led me to these verses in Deut. 14:22 “You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. 23 And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. 24 But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, 25 then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. 26 And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.
Then I began to search the scriptures for more, and what i got in my understanding is that the Lord does not change. There was money back in the old testiment. How did tithing go from livestock, fruits, and vegatables, spices, etc...to giving money every Sunday when those things are still available to give today. The poor never was required to tithe anything. Like LDM suggested about starting a topic on this subject. I pray that she is lead to do so because it is really life changing. If you don't mind me suggesting, would you please read the whole chapter of Hebrew 7, 8, and 9 as the Holy Spirit leads. Ask him to reveal to you what He is saying in those chapters and He will reveal it to you. You may feel led to start at chapter 1 and read the whole book of Hebrew. I pray that when you are finished you will have a better understanding of certain matters. Be encouraged and know that ALL things work together for good of us who love the Lord and who are called according to His purpose!
Mrs. Clark09,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry. I do have your note and it has been in draft form in my mailbox since you sent it. There was quite a lot you addressed in that and I wanted to respond to each of your questions. I have been out of town on a business trip recently and as always, it is a struggle to catch-up with things after travel.
I will certainly send you that email by end of day tomorrow.
Thanks for your patience as well as the Godly insights you share here.
God Bless!
Hey LDM...
ReplyDeleteI truly do understand. I really appreciate your response! I am very happy and blessed to be here fellowshipping with the Saints of the most High God. If you don't mind may i suggest(that's the only word i can think of without making people feel uncomfortable...lol.
May i suggest that you consider not being obliged to answer my questions until YOU have the time and are led to do so. I will be very happy to hear from you wether it's tomorrow or next year. I just didn't know if i had looked over it and deleted your response or what. I'm still new to the internet, that why i haven't created a blog sight because i really don't know how...lol, and i hate to be a burden to people...lol. It took me the longest to figure out how to send you the message and to finally be able to post comments here..., I know right lol! My mother have even bypassed me by being on facebook and all, and i have no clue...lol. So if you can't respond tomorrow then i truly understand. I think i just about wrote a pamplet anyway didn't i...LOL!
May the Lord continue to bless and keep you!
I'm one who believes that a man that knows God for himself has the right to speak out on people who act as if they are the first cousin of God. Though every one of those scriptures had relevance and meaning, we must remember that the Word of God is used as a tool to help guide our lives not to be taken literally. These are translations of men but God speaks to us through the words in the Bible. it is a travesty that no one was there to help Steve in a moment of weakness but who are we to sat he is delusional in what he believes because the same God that you serve convicts you as well as him. God told Jeremiah that He knew him in his mother's womb and the same with Steve. His life could be the essential tool needed to guide someone else to Christ. So instead of using the Word of God to persecute, lets try and use this God given tool to exhort the weak so that someday they will be as we are!!
ReplyDeleteHi Johnny,
ReplyDeleteThat is not correct. The Bible is the "literal" word of God and any effort to define God apart from that is in error. At that point, you basically relegate God to being a product of man's imaginations. He becomes what each individual says he is, instead of who He says He is. What you describe is humanism, not Christianity.
God says that we can be much more than "first cousins". We can be sons and as such heirs to His kingdom.
If you believe that God exists, what makes you think that He cannot provide and secure a reliable documentation of His word for His people?
You may think that we can just dismiss God's words, but He does not take things so lightly.
"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." I John 2:3-4