My Deliverer is Coming

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said the Dangers of the 20th Century are:
1) Religion without the Holy Spirit
2) Christianity without Christ
3) Forgiveness without Repentance
4) Salvation without Regeneration
5) Politics without God
6) Heaven without Hell

Rather prophetic words don't you think?

Where is the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in churches today? Why have so many TV preachers left the preaching of the death,burial and resurrection of Christ? When did the Gospel message evolve from "repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out" into "just give your heart to Jesus? At what point did salvation become about feelings rather than changed lives? Why has God been so removed from our political process? And when did hell become a subject to be ignored rather than an eternity to be shunned?

I understand the need for the church to be relevant, however, I don't believe that we have to change the message. The message has always been relevant and will be relevant for all time. It doesn't matter what century we are in, John 3:16 will never change: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Have we simply forgotten the truths that are contained within His Word? Have we forgotten that God has promised that His Word will never fail? It's for certain that we have forgotten the words of the time honored song "The blood will never lose it's power."

We need a return to the preaching of God's Word. We need a return of broken believers desperate to see God move in our churches, families, and communities. We need a return of God honoring - passionate worship. II Chronicles 7:14 still rings true today; "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

If Booth was right (and I believe he is) in what he listed as the greatest dangers of the 20th Century. Then the greatest deliverer of the 21st Century is a spiritual awakening among God's people. Will we pray for it? Will we work toward that end? Will we worship God in such a way that He feels invited to manifest His presence among us?

I believe He will if we will. Churches get ready - our Deliverer is coming!