Cheap Jesus has NO Value

The Persecuted Church worldwide is flourishing. It grows in spite of or perhaps because of the opposition from establishment religious leaders, governments and people who hate Christians.

What makes this so interesting are several stories coming out of various places in the world:

Muslims are converting to Christianity by the thousands in France, even though they face death threats and exclusion from their families. "It is estimated that every year in the world some six million Muslims convert to Christianity."

Revival Happening in Baghdad Says Missions Group. Iraqi Christians say the war has made their nation better. "The majority of the country are doing well, safe," Doyle said, noting that in many areas new schools, hospitals and churches are being built. "If [the war] had not happened ... they would not have 35 new churches in Baghdad. They're calling it a revival."

Christianity and other religious expressions are surging in formerly atheistic Communist China. China is the fastest growing Christian nation in the world. More people come to Jesus in China per day than any other country in the world.

Christian Conversions on Rise in Morocco
Even though Morocco is more liberal than other Muslim countries, conversion to Christianity is highly dangerous. Despite this fact Muslims convert to Jesus every day. 10 years ago it was unheard of.

Revival of Christianity in Europe
"Increasingly we're witnessing a spiritual turning in recent years." Evangelical Christians are seeing long-prayed-for growth in churches throughout Europe.
Great Hope, Indeed, for Europe Says Chuck Colson. Colson sees signs of great revival in cold dead non Christian Europe.

The Elephant Stampede that brought People to Christ and Birthed New Ministries
"Now all our believers understand that God works all things together for good. Praise God for using our believers to start these prayer fellowships."

First Christian Television Series by Tunisians, For Tunisians (a Muslim Country), Makes History. "Never before were Tunisian believers prepared to so publicly confess their faith. I believe that for the Church of Tunisia, this is a new dawn."

Muslims are coming to Jesus enmasse. The bankruptcy of Muslim teaching is being eclipsed by the Love of Christ. Many former Muslims convert after having had an encounter with the risen Christ in a dream. He reveals himself to them and they grasp what that means.

Even Europe is turning. Oh the persecution is great there. See an earlier post about how the German Government persecutes the church. In France overt persecution of the church where it is labeled a dangerous cult keeps the timid away. But, just tell people they Can't worship and see what happens. People are hungry for something real.

What is more exciting are the number of missionaries being sent from China, the Philippines, Nigeria, South Korea and Brazil to the rest of the world. From one church alone in South Korea a Hundred Thousand Missionaries are being prepared to go on the mission field. As the move of God roars across the globe I pray it will take place here in the USA. I am ready to work along side my missionary brethren when they come to the USA to get this lost country saved. I hope the Church in America will be good ground when the revival finally hits here as it is in the rest of the world. I'm not certain we are ready. It may mean that Church as we thought we knew it will be replaced by a more alive, vital and organic expression. It will offend many who will be threatened by this new wave. They will die off, sequester themselves and become part of a distant past. The new wine will wash over the Church and only those willing to abandon the wineskins they thought they treasured will survive.

It seems like persecution is the key to revival. Maybe we have it too easy here in the USA. The idea that we can choose to go or not to go to Church next Sunday might in fact be a hindrance to the spread of the Gospel. Meanwhile 800 Churches per week close in American. Our Churches have forgotten Jesus instructions. He said, "Go first to Jerusalem (local area), then Judea (region), Samaria (Neighboring Ethnic Groups) and then to the ends of the earth. Like the cow who sees the grass on the other side of the fence greener we spent a lot of time and money trying to go to the ends of the earth and lost our Jerusalem and Judea. Time to focus Church. Your Jerusalem is the most fertile mission field you could ever find. They need Jesus badly. Some of your Jerusalem is in your own Church. Unsaved Church attendees. People who believe they are Christians and are as lost as some poor soul in Muslim Sudan.

What if it were illegal, Forbidden, Life Threatening to go to church next Sunday. What if it really cost you potentially in life and limb to worship Jesus? What if Grace and Jesus wasn't treated so Cheap? What would happen then? Maybe good things.

The real question is, IF it will take persecution and trouble to turn America to Jesus and away from it's pagan present how long will God protect her?

I don't know what to pray for anymore; For God to withhold His hand and allow America to remain lost in her sin or to ask God to do whatever it takes to redeem us (US) from the pit. That spells trouble, big trouble. Pain, Suffering, and Repentance. It's bitter but I think I know. Send forth the Laborers. Bring us back.