What’s Most Troubling About These Troubling Days?

i realize many people are troubled about these days we are experiencing but one of the things that’s most troubling to me about these troubling days is the reality of how some church folk are reacting to these troubling days. [Note that i said "some" not "most" and "reacting" not "responding."]

So, is it just me, or do you believe it troubles Jesus, too, when -- say for example -- some church folk are boycotting, even abandoning their local churches because of their own pandemic or political preferences?

i heard one pastor recently say: "It’s nearly impossible to lead the local church these days." The reason? Cultural hostility is threatening to destroy Christian unity. 

Perhaps, we best not forget -- first and foremost -- as Jesus-believers, we are to be faithful foreigners on this earth. Aren’t we those who are called to be His ambassadors, speaking the language of His Homeland, Heaven, and living the values of His Kingdom, Holiness?

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."" Words of Jesus, ‭‭John‬ ‭13:34-35‬ ‭NIV‬

"Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One final thought: Wonder if God is using these troubling days in multiplied ways to actually prune the tree, yes, clean His Bride, that is, His Church? Could 2020 be the year that the Lord ordained as the year for a spiritual shakedown so the real Church of Jesus Christ can be known. 

Can’t seem to get those words of Scripture out of my mind about "The (great) falling away that comes first" preceding The End of all things. 

"Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless THE FALLING AWAY COMES FIRST, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." ‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2:1-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Could church folk boycotting or abandoning the local church in any way be akin to "the falling away that comes first" before The End? Just a question. 

This 15-minute video affirmed many things i have sensed the Lord saying to my heart this year:

https://www.12stone.com/watch/ephesians/the-fight-for-unity

Hope Happens HERE!

Presence Matters Most! 

No Invisible People! UNITY!

Pastor Kerry Willis