Tag: Church

The Church, The Ekklesia, or the Remnant

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

For many years I suspected the use of the Greek word Ekklesia was just used to make one feel more educated. But I have come to believe that it really is an important term. Ekklesia is a Greek word that means the “called out or summoned ones.” So is the church, however in the day we live today there is an added definition that I believe is appropriate. Ekklesia was first used in Greek to denote the call of citizens in a city to gather and decide political issues. My belief is that there is a distant calling out of those to rule and reign with Christ in a spiritual context in our day. (Eph.2:6). To deal with the issues of modern immorality and speak into culture. We are in some capacity a governing body, not in anyway suggesting a theocracy, never, but having a voice in our republic. After all we were founded on Judeo/Christian values. The Church is all inclusive of those who are born again, but Ekklesia or remnant have accepted the call to transform our nation through political or governmental means. Doesn’t make us any less sold out for Jesus, quite the contrary, the most important thing is to preach Jesus, the second most important thing is to be able to do the most important thing. That my friends involves keeping and preserving our Republic. Join me as a part of the governing Ekklesia!

On a side note I have found many Patriots who understand that we in America are not in a political battle, but we are in a spiritual battle against right vs. wrong. And in some cases they are far more intuned to this battle than the Church.

Contending for the Faith Part 4

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

I have been a Bible student for over 45 years, many of those if not all have been in teaching the Word of God. Over the years I have seen different fads and movements of God proclaimed as the next greatest. Thankfully cooler heads prevailed and we got back to what works best, and that is humility before God and a sincere desire to study and obey the Word.

I have two concerns that I may later elaborate on but one is the new idea that we rely so heavily on the Prophetic. I believe in the Word of God, and every “word” from God must line up with His Word. If it doesn’t it’s false, and if it doesn’t come true it’s false. Case closed. That’s the way it is.

We have become so lazy in this world with all the instant information, that we don’t or won’t seek out the answer in the Bible. We had rather take a quick fix from a “Prophet.” Nothing says Christian more than a dog eared Bible that is about to fall apart.

Final word of warning. Get in a Church or fellowship. Where the whole Bible is taught. It is important that each follower reads and knows the Word of God. Ask questions and contend for the faith! Rh

2 Timothy 3:16-17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reroof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man or woman of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Don’t Make Me Come Down There

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Dolly Parton’s new song issues staunch to believers. Dolly composed a song called “Don’t Make Me Come Down There” after having a dream about God. He was standing on a mountain top, looking down on us and in my dream I heard Him say, ‘Don’t make Me have to come down there. My children, you had best beware. If you don’t pay attention, consequences will be dire. Don’t make Me have to come down there.’”

For those of us who have been in church their whole life, the state of the church is really not good. Yes we have some great churches, but on the other hand many are nothing more than country clubs. The state of America is the fault of the church as it has tried to be relevant and not the body of Christ. Anyone is welcome in our churches, but just don’t stay the way you come. Preach repentance and transformation. It’s time to awaken a sleeping giant to transform themselves into the Army of God to battle the evil that is permeating America. God needs a warring church, not the Laodicean Church..

Contending For The Faith – Part 3

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Pastors and churches have become very proficient in getting people “saved,” but not very good at getting them discipled. Preachers know how to pull at the heart strings to get people emotionally connected enough to confess Christ, raise your hand, pray a sinner’s prayer. Don’t misunderstand, there is nothing at all wrong with that. In fact every person has a starting point and that is it.

The Word in Matthew 28:19 tells us to “Go therefore and make disciples.” Hardest part of church life is being taught the Word. Teaching involves letting people know right from wrong in behavior and conduct. Teaching and instructing new converts may seem boring and not as exciting or glamorous as the jump and praise of a worship time, but is needed even more.

New converts may not know much of church culture and little of how to study and pray, WE as the church need to get on the ball and learn how to instruct and disciple newbies. Grab someone and be a mentor. Study after Church study shows us that few people in the pews truly understand what it means to have a Biblical World View. Each one teach one. We are all called to be one on one teachers! Take someone under your wing and be responsible for them.

Knowing right from wrong is not hard, but don’t settle for almost right. In this day and age we need clarity and a firm footing to survive the present evil day. Rh

Contending for the Faith Part 1

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Commentary writer Matthew Henry said “a traitor inside the church is worse than a thousand outside the church.” Many times those of us who strictly contend for the faith are looked upon as hard liners or too conservative, but in society today fundamental truth needs to be shouted from the rooftops. When so called Pastors deny any part of the Bible as the word of God, or try to minimize or throw away what God has said, they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Shepards are called to lead and feed the flock of God. Today not so much. (Isaiah 56:10-12) Pastors need to speak out on issues from their pulpit! Don’t be a sissy. Don’t be afraid because now is the time for men of God to be leaders not follows. We should change the atmosphere wherever we go. Find a man like that to support. Brave and strong in the Lord. By the way, get involved in what is happening today politically as well. Get out of the Church and do something. Preach issues from your pulpit. Tell your parishioners God will judge your vote. Vote Biblical values!

Most of our moral issues plaguing us today stem from nonsensical interpretation of the scriptures. Pastors, of which I am one, drive me crazy with the their fear of losing members. Preach the word, be a good Bible teacher. Don’t compromise. An old Preacher told me this over 40 years ago, “Son the people who are with you can’t leave you, and the people who aren’t with you can’t stay.” What he meant was those who want the truth will be drawn to you and those who want their ears tickled will leave. Great advice for any endeavor, just be yourself and say what is right and true and be passionate.

If you have as good Pastor, encourage him constantly. He needs it. If you go to a dead and dry church, get out of it. Christian’s don’t need junk food, they need to be fed from the Word. Rh

Politics or Religion

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

The answer is both. We as Christians are called out into the world. We are salt and light. When Christians sit in the church and say politics is too dirty, I don’t want to get involved, I’m just going to stay in my four walls and pray, God will do the rest. They are missing the main point of Christianity. God wants a partnership with humanity, he wants to use us as salt and light to tear down the strongholds of evil and plant the flag of freedom and liberty to all people.

Some churches are waking up, they realize that we have sat around and allowed evil to overcome good. If the gates of Hell, according Matthew 16, shall not prevail against the church, then why are we sitting around doing nothing. We have misunderstood the meaning of that verse. That verse means the Church will be coming against evil. Evil will not prevail as we make advancements and take our rightful place in this world.

We should rule and reign with Christ even now in the spiritual world. We have been given the authority of Christ. We are to go out and fight to reclaim our heritage as a Christian nation.

Every day, and just yesterday I had someone tell me the same thing that I hear over and over. We are in a spiritual fight for this country. So very true! I don’t know about you but I plan on winning this battle. rh

The Militant Church

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Who is to blame for the cultural and moral decay in America today?  Many blame feckless and egotistical politicians who have become a ruling aristocratic body of legislators.  True, but who has elected these tone deaf leaders? To me the slouching toward Gomorrah, to borrow a phrase, is the fault of the church and Pastors who failed their parishioners in not preaching and teaching the truth!  There is only one truth and that is found in Jesus Christ.  John 17:17 says “Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your Word is truth.”  In John 1:1 Jesus is portrayed as the Word of God.  Moral and ethical truth belongs in and through Jesus Christ. So with that in mind I precede.

The true Church must become a militant body of believers, not in physicality, but in spirituality.  Praying militantly in warfare prayer must become an active part of our daily routine.  In depth Biblical Study of scriptures, as well as intense discipleship programs are a must.  Get off the milk and get into the meat of the Word.  Get off TV preachers and prophets and get into a really good Church to fellowship with others and get plugged into groups and activities that feed your spirit.  

Get away from hearing a word from a prophet and get into the Bible.  Prophets live in the flesh, so to speak, and can be wrong as we have seen from many prophecies before the election.  God spoke to me and told me “ Son don’t look to prophets, but to Me”.  The prophetic ministry can be misused.  

Nevertheless, the main point is to be what the Word tells us to be, do what the Word tells us to do, and have what the Word tells us we can have. Outside of that realm I want nothing.  I will be content with that alone.  

Acts 5:29 We must obey God rather than man.

Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered.

“We’re Not Ready” – Pastor Urges US Christians to Prepare for Persecution

~ Randy Harris ~ Leave a comment

Milton Quintanilla | Contributor for ChristianHeadlines.com | Friday, December 11, 2020

Pastor Andrew Brunson, who served as a missionary in Turkey for over 20 years, recently predicted that U.S Christians will face increased persecution in the near future.

According to CBN News, Brunson’s remarks were made during the “Global Prayer for US Election Integrity” event on Facebook last Sunday.

“On my return to the US just over two years ago, for the first time in my life—most of my life I’ve been focused overseas—for the first time in my life, I really, I have an urgency for this country, for the United States,” Brunson explained. “And not just with this election. It’s not precipitated by this election, but it has been growing in me these last two years.”

He warned of increasing pressures in the U.S, especially towards people “who embrace Jesus Christ and his teaching, who are not ashamed to stand for him. My concern is that we’re not ready for this pressure. And not being prepared is very, very dangerous on a number of levels.”

In 2016, Brunson was unjustly imprisoned in Turkey after the government accused him of partaking in an alleged coup against Turkish President Erdogan. Bruson then spent the next two years in prison despite having nothing to do with the allegation. 

Fortunately, the imprisoned pastor would be released following diplomatic intervention from the Trump administration. Brunson had also established the Izmir Resurrection Church, which preached Christ and tended to Syrian refugees, including Kurds.

Despite his imprisonment, Brunson believes God would providentially use his story to help prepare other Christians to persevere despite the forthcoming trials

“I think one of the purposes God had for me in my imprisonment was that I learned perseverance at a deeper level again and again and again, as I was repeatedly broken and finally he rebuilt me,” he noted. “But one of the purposes he had for me was to learn this perseverance so that I could help to prepare others to persevere.”

Whether or not President Trump can overturn the 2020 election, Brunson says persecution will come no matter who is in the White House.

“Whoever ends up prevailing in this election, I believe that persecution is still coming and it’s coming quickly and it’s coming soon,” he cautioned. “So if President Trump prevails, it will delay persecution at a government level, but this will not keep us from the hostility that’s rising in our society toward followers of Jesus.”

Even though Jesus “was the most loving, kind person in history,” he was called evil, Brunson said, and that the same is to be expected for all Christians. 

“They will say that we are evil and they will justify everything they do to us because they will paint us as evil people,” Brunson continued. “What is heavy on my heart, is that we need to prepare ourselves to prepare our own hearts.”