The Celebrity Everyone Likes but God Loves More!

This is part three of my series, but I changed the title to this last post. I don’t want to come across negative, but I have to say what God is telling me to say even if it’s not positive. But please bear with me, because I must obey God.

This morning I was looking at my YouTube timeline and was surprised to see a recommendation to watch a video about Joyce Meyer’s ministry and how she was a false teacher. The video featured a couple who were former employees of Joyce’s ministry. They really had no issues with Joyce other than not agreeing with her Word of Faith theology. Now I’m not even going to open that can of worms, but I do want to say that this doctrine (Word of Faith) has crippled the church to the point where we can no longer hear anything that is not positive. But the Bible and truth are not always positive, and here is how I know:

I was visiting a church back in September and the Pastor of the church prophesied and said: “You need to prepare this month for what is going to happen next month.” Well, my natural thought process was that I was preparing for something good, however, that was not the case. In the next month, my oldest brother died. That was what God was speaking to me about. Certainly, it was NOT positive.

So God wants to warn this Celebrity (because he loves him) that he must make some changes. In this season, it will not be good enough to just keep going as is. This is a season where he must make changes. And if he doesn’t the results will be on him.

Read Ezekiel 33:1-20 New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

I know people don’t think that God will allow judgment, but I know he does because God has disciplined me. But my calling is to share what I see even if the person thinks I am being mean and doesn’t understand.

I remember years ago, the Lord admonished me to warn my Pastor at the time, to come off the road (traveling in ministry), take a salary and spend more time at his home church. He got fighting mad at me for telling him this, but the SAME DAY that I shared the Word of the Lord, he had several mini-strokes and was out of his pulpit for MONTHS. The next time I saw him, he was no longer mad at me. He was encouraging me about how powerful the Word of the Lord was in my mouth. You see it’s not me. It was GOD speaking through me.

So let me admonish the “celebrity who everyone likes, but God loves more”. This is the season of change. I see him cleaning up his life, living right, and changing his artistry. I see him going back to former movies and TV shows, REMOVING the vulgar content and doing a 180 where his artistry is concerned.  He needs to make clean content again. This next season will come either before a Damascus Road experience or after. The choice is HIS. Listen, this is not doom and gloom, but it is the truth. Read and meditate on the above scripture. PLEASE.

So before I end this blog post, I must say that I know this man is not a bad person. In fact, I read about a very kind act that he did for a couple just recently and it almost made me not share any of this. But God told me one has nothing to do with the other. I’ve read about many kind acts this man has done. I know he has blessed thousands of people, some things have been published, and I’m sure others have not. But this has to do with God’s requirement for being raised up to such a place of prominence. When God raises us up, we don’t get to do what we want to do.

Maybe one day, I will get to shake his hand or give him a hug and tell him how I have interceded and how I have ALWAYS wished nothing but the best for him. God bless you Mr. Celebrity!

The Celebrity Everyone Likes but Nobody Loves Part 2

So why do I say that nobody loves the celebrity who I was referring to in part one? Because I don’t think anyone is telling him the truth about how his artistry has deteriorated morally. Now I can’t be sure of it, but I think that if someone features you in their pulpit, has you on their Christian Television show, attends your studio opening, then they are pretty much sanctioning your work.

Years ago, healing Evangelist Kathryn Khulman got involved with a married man when she was in the ministry. This man divorced his wife and married Kathryn. I read about this story in her book. Well what happened back then, would never happen now. No churches would receive her and her ministry and she ended up getting out of that adulterous marriage because no one would allow her in their pulpit. After that, her ministry soared. The ministry she is known for happened after her fall. But today, you can claim Christianity and live any kind of lifestyle and you will be featured and celebrated as long as you are financially successful.

I can’t be sure of it, but I think the reason why no one will take a stand against this man’s compromising artistry is that he is probably writing some big checks. I know that he did write a large check for Joel Osteen’s church. And sadly today’s church is ruled by the mentally that if we mention something is wrong, then you are judging. How tragic!

I started out watching some of this man’s TV shows and then for a year or two, I didn’t have cable. Later when I got cable again, I went to watch the shows and I couldn’t. I noticed the cursing and explicit heterosexual and homosexual loves scenes and I just couldn’t watch anymore. A few times I tried to give his shows a chance, it was like an assault on the eyes. I know it’s because I am very careful about what I watch, so some people would not have this reaction. My spirit was grieved and I was so saddened by the blatant moral decline.

So I have seen this argument online: The Bible deals with sex, violence, etc, so the shows are no different. But here is the difference. When you show debauchery it has an effect on your spirit. There is a big difference between reading about something in general and watching an explicit depiction of it. It’s no different from pornography. It corrupts the soul and the spirit.

²⁸ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Matthew 5:28 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁵ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

⁹ Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰ nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹ And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Corinthians 6:9-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

So what is the problem? The problem is this man’s artistry has gone from edifying to corrupting. And even though he is very popular, nobody is saying anything. And don’t give me that “but he’s successful:”. Porn Hub has 95 million views per day. Pretty successful right? Also pretty corrupting.

Listen, if you don’t attend church, you drink, party, cuss, fornicate and live with your girlfriend, you’re NOT in the faith. It’s no big mystery.

A Tree and Its Fruit

¹⁵ “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

2 Corinthians 13:5 King James Version (KJV)

⁵ Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

I know this sounds harsh, but when you care for people, you tell them the truth even if it hurts. God is not going to allow this to continue, especially when the person creating this stuff claims to be of the Lord. A storm is coming to get this brother back on track and in my next post I will share what I see. Meanwhile, pray for this brother, whether you know who I am referring to or not.

The Celebrity Everyone Likes, but Nobody Loves Part 1

I have wrestled with writing this post for weeks now. I know that whenever you are this specific in giving a Word from the Lord, there will be a prophetic backlash. But I love this brother with the love of the Lord, and God has for many years been warning me of something impending, giving me many details along the way, so I must share this Word of warning. I have decided to not use his name, but it may be obvious to some, who I am referring to. My purpose is not to shame him because even though I don’t know him personally, I have interceded for him for many years and I still feel a connection to him. I can’t explain it, but I feel a sense of spiritual responsibility (as an intercessor) to him if that makes sense.

A few weeks ago, I was watching the Dr. Phil show on OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network) and a commercial for a show called Ambitions came on. The OWN network can be notorious for playing the SAME commercials over and over again. I usually mute the TV and a lot of times look away because the commercials can be on the explicit side. The commercials for Ambitions are that way and when I saw a shower and bedroom scene the Lord spoke to me and said: “This stuff is corrupting those who watch it”. Not surprising to hear, but in my spirit, I knew the Lord was very serious about what he had spoken.

³⁷ Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things, and give me life in your ways. Psalm 119:37 (ESV)

You see some stuff is WORTHLESS. It carries no value and is not edifying to your spirit or soul, so you need not even watch it. It’s designed to corrupt you.

So recently, I saw this celebrity, who professes Christianity on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network) and he also spoke at Joel Osteen’s Church in Texas. The messages were very positive, encouraging people to follow their dreams. What was striking to me was that this celebrities’ last movie was his first R-rated comedy. When he talked about his reasoning for the R-rating, he seemed to talk as though this decision was out of his control. Like there was no way he could make a clean version even though he has COMPLETE creative control. Then I saw this same man on a couple of talk shows using profanity. Yes, cursing. It kind of surprised me because my mind went back to years ago when he wore the following shirt on his movie set:

Even though he wore this shirt many years ago, clearly, something has changed and this was is longer his conviction.

Below is my go-to place for movies (christian site) and here is what they said about the Christian celebrities last movie.

Plugged In review:

“This Director gets his share of grief from movie snobs, but from a Plugged In point of view, his stuff can be pretty interesting—even he typically makes us reviewers work overtime. Many of his movies are filled with all manner of sexual and violent and drug content. But many of them have some positive lessons they want to convey, too. And given that he is a Christian, his movies can often be overtly and encouragingly spiritual.

But his latest comedy, unfortunately, is not one of those films. This R-rated raunchfest is stripped of any real spirituality and largely free of positive or redemptive lessons. And that frees me from having to say, “Well, the movie’s terrible, but at least it had this going for it.”

No, this movie’s just terrible. Terrible aesthetically, terrible ethically, terrible in every which way a movie can be. For discerning moviegoers, it’s an assault on their eyes and ears and better standards.

Perhaps the Director made this movie with us in mind, knowing how hard we at Plugged In work to count swear words in his films. Why even this film’s title does some of our work for us: Nobody’s Fool? Nobody should be foolish enough to see it.”

So why do I say that everyone likes this man, but nobody loves him? Because with the exception of this review, nobody is telling him the truth. In my next post, I am going to share why I believe this man is in grave danger even though he is at the peak of his success, and why I think he could lose it all.

Happy for Kanye!

If you haven’t heard the lastest about Rapper/Artist Kanye West, you are probably living under a rock, but just in case you haven’t heard, Kanye West has been radically saved! I am using the words that he used.

Earlier this year, Kanye West started having what he referred to as “Sunday Services” which highlighted a gospel choir and according to his wife Kim Kardashian-West, “no preaching”. When I heard about it, there was a lot of talk about a cult and even though I didn’t think about it much, I had my concerns and wondered what it was all about.

Later, Kanye talked about his album, Jesus is King and of course, a lot of people thought his newfound faith was a publicity stunt. The judgment that came from people, which included the church was disturbing. At this point, Kanye said that he was now a Christian and it was met with lots of skepticism. I found it strange because when someone says they are saved, you kind of expect saved people to rejoice. But most did not. Suddenly everyone became “fruit inspectors” forgetting the man just got saved.

I did not listen to what people were saying about Kanye. I just started to search the net and listening for myself and what I saw was a man who seemed very sincere about his faith. It’s when I saw a clip from the Keeping up with the Kardashian show that sealed it for me. In the show Kim wanted to wear a very provocative dress to the Met Gala and Kanye was uncomfortable with it and he expressed how as a husband he didn’t want her looking like this. His reaction let me know he had changed. Not that anything needed to be proven to me. I then heard a podcast of his Pastor and to me, it’s clear, that Kanye has indeed been radically saved.

Here is what I am doing. I pray for Kanye and Kim and their four children. I saw a clip where 1000 souls gave their hearts to the Lord at one of his services, so the effect of his salvation is far-reaching. I pray that Kanye would grow and become a strong Christian. I pray that he would be led by God and not do too much too soon. Because he is a celebrity, he can do much more than the average baby Christian, but he also needs to mature in Christ.

Here is a clip of the podcast I mentioned. Click on the link below and listen for yourself:

Kanye West Radically Saved

 

 

Overcomer the Movie

Yesterday, I went to the movies like I often do on a Saturday. It was a toss-up between Angel Has Fallen and Overcomer. But instinctively, I chose Overcomer, because I am a big fan of The Kendricks Brothers movies. They were behind the acclaimed movie War Room, which I loved.

Well, I made the right decision. I came out of this movie, overwhelmed with the presence of God and encouraged. I laughed and I cried (boy did I cry). This movie is incredible! Unlike Angel Has Fallen, they didn’t have a huge budget and there were no great special effects, but if you go see this movie, I promise it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE!

I honestly believe that for this generation, the movie theater is the greatest evangelistic tool the church has. I remember the days when going to the movies was looked down on in some denominations in the Christian faith; but I now see it as the best pulpit to win the lost. Why do I say that? Because a lot of people will never venture into a church. I mean the thought is not even in their minds, but everyone goes to the movies.

I’ve always said that if you are a Christian filmmaker, you must have a purpose and it shouldn’t be about your own ego and making a name for yourself. If you truly are a Christian and you are in the entertainment industry, your purpose must be to save souls. I mean that is what Christianity is all about right? After we get saved, we want to take others with us right? And if God gives you a platform, why wouldn’t you use it to promote your faith.

Overcomer is a movie for the family. It’s about pain, love, redemption and it is unapologetically Christian. It’s clean. No curse words, nudity or violence.

I think a lot of people are afraid of living out loud with their faith, but that is what pleases God. And I know that THIS movie is pleasing to the Lord. Please support these two anointed filmmakers. PLEASE GO SEE IT!

Hollywood Exposed Pt.1

Have you watched YouTube lately? Many celebrities and artists are exposing the evil that is going on in Hollywood.  And many You Tubers are as well. I’m going to posting a few videos. Don’t be naive. This stuff is real. Some of this is R-rated, but I feel it needs to be shared.