CHRISTIAN PIMPS By Coach Dave Daubenmire July 9, 2009
“Christianity started in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise.” -Sam Pascoe
“An enterprise. That’s a business.” After a few moments Martha, the youngest student in the class, raised her hand. I could not imagine what her question might be. I thought the little vignette was self-explanatory, and that I had performed it brilliantly. Nevertheless, I acknowledged Martha’s raised hand, “Yes, Martha.” She asked such a simple question, “A business? But isn’t it supposed to be a body?” I could not envision where this line of questioning was going, and the only response I could think of was, “Yes.” She continued, “But when a body becomes a business, isn’t that a prostitute?” as told by David Ryser
I’ve been fighting for a long time the prompting of my inner man to take on this subject. Although I have chewed around the edges like I used to do as a child when I would break off the crust from a hot, home-made apple pie in attempt to appease my hunger without my mother finding out, I never really stuck my thumb into the middle of the pie.I have been a sellout. A pimp, if you will. Not on purpose. It is easy to justify our lack of courage when confronted with difficult issues. I try to faithfully deliver the mail as the Lord hands it to me, but I have been negligent by eating the crust out of fear of spoiling the pie.You see, I have pulled my punches. I have softened the blow. I have spanked with a newspaper when they deserved a belt. I have sold out on the Truth. I have not called a spade a spade. I have nibbled at the crust when I should have been hammering the pie. I have taken the be-nice approach and have listened to the “touch not God’s anointed” mentality. I have prostituted the Truth. For that I am sorry.Oh, my intentions were good. I had hoped that as I exposed the “unfruitful works of darkness” that the churches would eventually awaken and begin to push back against the enemy. After ten years of trying to awaken “The Church” to the problem I have finally mustered the courage to say what I have known all along. “The Church” IS the problem. It has become a pimp, selling the works of “the body” for personal satisfaction. Most of the pulpits are filled by “hirelings” (more on that in a future commentary), men and women who stand in the pulpit without a calling, without an anointing, and without courage. They are man pleasers, living off of “the Body” as they sell it out for their own whims and pleasures. Greedy Dogs, Isaiah called them. Blind watchmen…loving to sleep…leading the flock astray.Not all of the churches. If you are a pastor and have read this far then I am probably not talking about you. I have met many courageous men who boldly live out the command to “lead them out.” You know who you are. You are the one’s who have been criticized, belittled, and called names by the “pimp in the pulpit” at the big church downtown.You see, to him, the church is a business…an enterprise…a social club totally dependant on butts and bucks. It is a place to make business contacts, network with others in the community, and soothe one’s conscience through weekly attendance and philanthropy. It is no different from a whore house where a woman’s body is sold for the pleasure of another. Love-less intercourse is prostitution. Most church goers love the service that Jesus provides (membership has its privileges) but don’t really know the Jesus who provides it.I’ll be honest. I’ve been afraid to say some of these things for fear of alienating even more pastors. I was afraid that my harshness might alienate those “frozen chosen” pastors and eliminate opportunities to “minister” to their congregations. That’s where I have pimped-out my call. The pastors are not the answer, they are the problem.Instead of cleaning out Congress perhaps we should start by cleaning out the pulpit. Judgment begins first in the house of God. America is a reflection of the churches and the churches are a reflection of the pulpits. It is time to “throw the bums out”…even if they do hide behind the “touch not my anointed.” When a football team is under-performing who gets the boot? Yep, the coach.Allow me to be frank as I cut to the chase. Pick up your family and get out of the mausoleum you are attending and find a place that serves the Lord. I couldn’t care less how many generations your family has been a member, how many pews your family has donated, and how many of your friends attend. Sitting on your butt every Sunday is not serving the Lord, it is the Lord serving you. The feel-good Gospel is a fraud. Jesus taught self-sacrifice not self-fulfillment. “Greater love has no man than this than he would lay down his life for his friends….” Love demands sacrifice. What have you sacrificed for your faith? You are engaging in Spiritual welfare…living off of the efforts of others.Start fighting back by no longer giving them your money. Don’t allow them to hit you over the head with the “bring all of the tithes into the storehouse” hammer without asking yourself some very important questions. What is a storehouse and what is its purpose? What does the Scripture mean by “meat in my house” and who is the meat for? Are there families in your “church” who are losing their homes? Is that not who the “meat in the house” was stored up for or were the storehouse funds used for a new parking lot?Is the purpose of the tithe (by the way, my wife and I believe in tithing) to pay senior pastors, associate pastors, youth ministers, worship leaders, and secretaries to do “ministry?” Can’t you “tithe” different places? Did the New Testament church teach the concept of “professional” Christians or were the elders of the church also tent-makers? Does “meat in my house” mean bigger buildings, paved parking lots, and padded pews? Is your “church” experiencing a budget crunch right now because they have eaten the meat that should have been placed in the storehouse? I know, “let them eat blacktop.”Is storehouse money supposed to be spent on the already converted or on seeking and saving that which is lost? What percent of your church’s budget go to “missions”…as if that is a separate job…in comparison to utilities, paper, salaries, and operating expenses?Don’t stop giving, just change where you give. Find a ministry that is using the money to reach out to the community and send your tithe there. Remember, it is the “Lord’s house” into which your finances are to be offered….not some social club to which your tithe is nothing more than monthly dues. It is time you asked yourself if the Spirit still dwells in your church.My wife and I have spent the last few weeks reading the book of Acts in our morning devotionals. You should do the same. They spread the Gospel around the world at great personal peril and sacrifice. The self-serving American-Church is a pathetic step-child to Christianity’s founding fathers.Most churches love money, chase money, compromise over money. A pastor in New York was just fired from his $600,000 salary! The national average for pastors is $84,426! No wonder they won’t speak against sin! Why not include those wealthy homosexuals in the congregation!People have asked me to start a church. I tell them that they are nuts. Truth empties churches, it doesn’t fill them. My friend Flip Benham says guys like me would be the Dr. Kervorkian of church growth. What man of God would want to wipe noses when he could fight evil? No thanks. At least on the streets I can recognize the enemy.“And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.” Yep, the pimps are the ones wearing the nice clothes. Funny isn’t it? The pimps in the pulpits accuse street preachers of being undignified.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Three Bulletts of Wisdom...
There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree. As he went further, he saw a large wild 'Tom'turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, 'Pray first, aim high and stay focused. However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still, the voice said again to him, 'I said'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused.' So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey. The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he stood up to look around,he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family. The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.
Moral of the story: Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, 'the past.' Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can bear. Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor. Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.
Today is the best time to find peace with God. Tomorrow may be tolate.........Heb. 4:7
Moral of the story: Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, 'the past.' Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that he will not put you through any more than you can bear. Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor. Wait, be still and patient: keep God first and everything else will follow.
Today is the best time to find peace with God. Tomorrow may be tolate.........Heb. 4:7
Sunday, July 12, 2009
America...
Ezekiel 16:48-50 (King James Version)48As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou hast done, thou and thy daughters.49Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.50And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.
This portion of scripture written many years ago sounds like America today. An overabundance of material goods, sin of homosexuality, etc. I heard one congressman say he never thought he would be voting on marriage being the union of two people of the same sex. Our country has been on a moral downhill slide for too long. Fullness of bread. Gluttony is so prevalent in America today even our youth is battling it. America is now ranked as the most obese nation on the face of the earth. The church doesn't address the issue, rather it overlooks it. It ignores gluttony as being a sin even though the Bible is full of warnings about it. Abundance of idleness sure speaks of our welfare system. We pay people to sit at home and do nothing even though they are able to go to work. Young girls are having 2,3 or even more babies just to draw additional money. America doesn't strengthen the hand of the poor and needy they enable the lazy. Our country has gotten so greedy even the church has joined in. All you hear from most pulpits today is how to get blessed. The words sin or repent are never mentioned, and that is why we have a church full of people deep in debt, in poor health, etc. America has become so proud and haughty, we brag that we are the greatest nation on the face of the earth and yet we enable young girls to get pregnant thru planned parenthood and other secular means. We teach them sex ed in grade school and if they do get pregnant we will either support the babies for them or they can easily get an abortion if they so choose.
How does this portion of scripture end? Re-read verse 50, yes judgement is coming to America, you can count on it.I blame the church for most of it. The church has been so busy trying to get everyone blessed, increased in material goods, that they igonored the most important part, repentance.
We can quote IIChronicles 7:14, we can humble ourselves and pray, even seek His face, but until we turn from our wicked ways, God is not going to heal our land, instead He is going to judge it.
We need to wake up and get out of the bless me mode the church has been in for too long and get serious about the things of God.
This portion of scripture written many years ago sounds like America today. An overabundance of material goods, sin of homosexuality, etc. I heard one congressman say he never thought he would be voting on marriage being the union of two people of the same sex. Our country has been on a moral downhill slide for too long. Fullness of bread. Gluttony is so prevalent in America today even our youth is battling it. America is now ranked as the most obese nation on the face of the earth. The church doesn't address the issue, rather it overlooks it. It ignores gluttony as being a sin even though the Bible is full of warnings about it. Abundance of idleness sure speaks of our welfare system. We pay people to sit at home and do nothing even though they are able to go to work. Young girls are having 2,3 or even more babies just to draw additional money. America doesn't strengthen the hand of the poor and needy they enable the lazy. Our country has gotten so greedy even the church has joined in. All you hear from most pulpits today is how to get blessed. The words sin or repent are never mentioned, and that is why we have a church full of people deep in debt, in poor health, etc. America has become so proud and haughty, we brag that we are the greatest nation on the face of the earth and yet we enable young girls to get pregnant thru planned parenthood and other secular means. We teach them sex ed in grade school and if they do get pregnant we will either support the babies for them or they can easily get an abortion if they so choose.
How does this portion of scripture end? Re-read verse 50, yes judgement is coming to America, you can count on it.I blame the church for most of it. The church has been so busy trying to get everyone blessed, increased in material goods, that they igonored the most important part, repentance.
We can quote IIChronicles 7:14, we can humble ourselves and pray, even seek His face, but until we turn from our wicked ways, God is not going to heal our land, instead He is going to judge it.
We need to wake up and get out of the bless me mode the church has been in for too long and get serious about the things of God.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
I Admire Diana Chandler's Boldness and Honesty...
Miss Chandler writes for the New Orleans Baptist Examiner. She published this article a few days ago. It is still available on her webpage. Someone needed to say what she has said instead of everyone acting like MJ was a hero. He was a very talented man with a lot of serious problems and for some reason everyone wanted to ignore his psychological problems because of his talent. Ignoring his obvious problems and hailing him as a hero does nothing for our youth. I appreciate her boldness as a christian to stand up for her beliefs. I also appreciate the fact that even though she is a black woman she didn't feel because of that she had to follow what everyone else was doing, instead she stood her ground as a christian. I say 2 kudo's to Miss Chandler, a mighty warrior of God in my opinion.
Below is her article:
Christians ask whether Michael Jackson was savedJuly 8, 11:35 AM
Are you feeling a bit out of the loop during all of the hoopla over the life and legend of Michael Jackson?Perhaps like me, in the midst of a world extolling him for his musical contributions, you're simply concerned that he might not have known Jesus as his personal savior.Soon after Jackson's untimely death, word circulated that he prayed the sinner's prayer with Andrae and Sandra Crouch, who quickly denied the rumors. www.assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09070001.htm
While we don't know whether Jackson made a last-minute confession, as did the thief on the cross, we know his life showed little or no evidence of a personal relationship with Jesus. As Christians, we have little for which to memorialize him. Instead, we are troubled by his endless plastic surgeries and his propensity to tuck little boys into his Neverland Ranch bed for the night . www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,1908637,00.html
On the day of his televised memorial, a family member judged that I did not understand the love of God because I showed no interest in the service. Instead, I was busy writing."Not interested.How could you not be interested?" she asked."He did not live a Christian life," I responded. "When you fall in love with the Lord, you'll understand."Needless to say, the family member did not understand, and continued to proclaim this as evidence of why she didn't like me.Actually, I had no idea she disliked me. But because I held no respect for Jackson's work, she felt emboldened to voice her displeasure.
Keenly aware of the gulf Michael Jackson's memorial places between me as a Christian and the world in which I live, I recalled Jesus' warning that the world would hate those of us who follow him."If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."(John 15: 18 - 19 NIV*)
The family member, some 30 years my junior was concerned that I did not share her opinion of the pop star. My only concern was whether he was saved.
Perhaps you've had a similar experience, if not during the Jackson memorial publicity, then at another time in your life.God's word encourages us to stand firm in our faith and in our hope that evangelism will reach the uttermost parts of the earth.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)(Scripture marked NIV is from the New International Version.)
Author: Diana Chandler
Below is her article:
Christians ask whether Michael Jackson was savedJuly 8, 11:35 AM
Are you feeling a bit out of the loop during all of the hoopla over the life and legend of Michael Jackson?Perhaps like me, in the midst of a world extolling him for his musical contributions, you're simply concerned that he might not have known Jesus as his personal savior.Soon after Jackson's untimely death, word circulated that he prayed the sinner's prayer with Andrae and Sandra Crouch, who quickly denied the rumors. www.assistnews.net/Stories/2009/s09070001.htm
While we don't know whether Jackson made a last-minute confession, as did the thief on the cross, we know his life showed little or no evidence of a personal relationship with Jesus. As Christians, we have little for which to memorialize him. Instead, we are troubled by his endless plastic surgeries and his propensity to tuck little boys into his Neverland Ranch bed for the night . www.time.com/time/interactive/0,31813,1908637,00.html
On the day of his televised memorial, a family member judged that I did not understand the love of God because I showed no interest in the service. Instead, I was busy writing."Not interested.How could you not be interested?" she asked."He did not live a Christian life," I responded. "When you fall in love with the Lord, you'll understand."Needless to say, the family member did not understand, and continued to proclaim this as evidence of why she didn't like me.Actually, I had no idea she disliked me. But because I held no respect for Jackson's work, she felt emboldened to voice her displeasure.
Keenly aware of the gulf Michael Jackson's memorial places between me as a Christian and the world in which I live, I recalled Jesus' warning that the world would hate those of us who follow him."If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."(John 15: 18 - 19 NIV*)
The family member, some 30 years my junior was concerned that I did not share her opinion of the pop star. My only concern was whether he was saved.
Perhaps you've had a similar experience, if not during the Jackson memorial publicity, then at another time in your life.God's word encourages us to stand firm in our faith and in our hope that evangelism will reach the uttermost parts of the earth.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 NIV)(Scripture marked NIV is from the New International Version.)
Author: Diana Chandler
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Song of Thankfulness...
1 Samuel 21
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.4The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.8He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.10The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Matthew Henry)Hannah's heart rejoiced, not in Samuel, but in the Lord. She looks beyond the gift, and praises the Giver. She rejoiced in the salvation of the Lord, and in expectation of His coming, who is the whole salvation of his people. The strong are soon weakened, and the weak are soon strengthened, when God pleases. Are we poor? God made us poor, which is a good reason why we should be content, and make up our minds to our condition. Are we rich? God made us rich, which is a good reason why we should be thankful, and serve him cheerfully, and do good with the abundance he gives us. He respects not man's wisdom or fancied excellences, but chooses those whom the world accounts foolish, teaching them to feel their guilt, and to value his free and precious salvation. This prophecy looks to the kingdom of Christ, that kingdom of grace, of which Hannah speaks, after having spoken largely of the kingdom of providence. And here is the first time that we meet with the name MESSIAH, or his Anointed. The subjects of Christ's kingdom will be safe, and the enemies of it will be ruined; for the Anointed, the Lord Christ, is able to save, and to destroy.
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.4The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.6The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.7The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.8He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.10The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (Matthew Henry)Hannah's heart rejoiced, not in Samuel, but in the Lord. She looks beyond the gift, and praises the Giver. She rejoiced in the salvation of the Lord, and in expectation of His coming, who is the whole salvation of his people. The strong are soon weakened, and the weak are soon strengthened, when God pleases. Are we poor? God made us poor, which is a good reason why we should be content, and make up our minds to our condition. Are we rich? God made us rich, which is a good reason why we should be thankful, and serve him cheerfully, and do good with the abundance he gives us. He respects not man's wisdom or fancied excellences, but chooses those whom the world accounts foolish, teaching them to feel their guilt, and to value his free and precious salvation. This prophecy looks to the kingdom of Christ, that kingdom of grace, of which Hannah speaks, after having spoken largely of the kingdom of providence. And here is the first time that we meet with the name MESSIAH, or his Anointed. The subjects of Christ's kingdom will be safe, and the enemies of it will be ruined; for the Anointed, the Lord Christ, is able to save, and to destroy.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Truth Is Out...
The investigation into Steve McNair's death has determined it was definitely a murder/suicide. It seems that the young girl was having financial problems and thought Steve McNair was her answer, then she found out he had another girlfriend, besides her and his wife, and we know the outcome.
What a tragedy for the McNair family. I can only imagine the flood of emotions going thru his widow's mind and his children. How betrayed, angry, embarassed, and every emotion you could probably imagine, they must be feeling. The McNair family and the family of the mistress really need our prayers. Time to take off the judge's robe and put down the gavel, and pray for these families. They need strength and peace and to feel God's presence at this terrible time in their life.
Please join me in praying for these families.
What a tragedy for the McNair family. I can only imagine the flood of emotions going thru his widow's mind and his children. How betrayed, angry, embarassed, and every emotion you could probably imagine, they must be feeling. The McNair family and the family of the mistress really need our prayers. Time to take off the judge's robe and put down the gavel, and pray for these families. They need strength and peace and to feel God's presence at this terrible time in their life.
Please join me in praying for these families.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Lord Is Not In It...
TGIF Today God Is First
Volume 2 by Os HillmanTuesday, July 07 2009
"The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by'" (1 Kings 19:11).
"I don't believe that God is in it," I said to Angie. A situation had arisen in which a friend was about to engage in something they felt God was leading them into. Later, the truth of the situation was revealed and our friend made a bad mistake. God was not in it.
Elijah was in a crisis in his ministry. God had just corrected him about his perspective of his situation. If any man needed a touch from God, it was Elijah because he was in such distress he wanted to die.
The Lord intervened and told Elijah that He was coming to talk to him. However, God did not tell Elijah how He was going to reveal Himself. It was up to Elijah to tell whether God was in the situations about to take place.
"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave (1 Kings 19:11-13).
We often think God is in our grand projects only to discover that He is not. We may also assume because of the success or visibility of a situation that God is in it. He may, in fact, be in the project. However, God's ways are not always highly visible. Sometimes He chooses to come in the soft, gentle whisper. It is sometimes difficult to recognize it as the Lord because He shows Himself in such subtle ways.
We need to be able to discern when God is actually part of our situation. Only then can we avoid being deceived in thinking God is not behind our projects. Ask God for wisdom in knowing when He is involved in it.
Volume 2 by Os HillmanTuesday, July 07 2009
"The LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by'" (1 Kings 19:11).
"I don't believe that God is in it," I said to Angie. A situation had arisen in which a friend was about to engage in something they felt God was leading them into. Later, the truth of the situation was revealed and our friend made a bad mistake. God was not in it.
Elijah was in a crisis in his ministry. God had just corrected him about his perspective of his situation. If any man needed a touch from God, it was Elijah because he was in such distress he wanted to die.
The Lord intervened and told Elijah that He was coming to talk to him. However, God did not tell Elijah how He was going to reveal Himself. It was up to Elijah to tell whether God was in the situations about to take place.
"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave (1 Kings 19:11-13).
We often think God is in our grand projects only to discover that He is not. We may also assume because of the success or visibility of a situation that God is in it. He may, in fact, be in the project. However, God's ways are not always highly visible. Sometimes He chooses to come in the soft, gentle whisper. It is sometimes difficult to recognize it as the Lord because He shows Himself in such subtle ways.
We need to be able to discern when God is actually part of our situation. Only then can we avoid being deceived in thinking God is not behind our projects. Ask God for wisdom in knowing when He is involved in it.
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