Book Review of "The American Church – A Baby Church"

In the forward of this book, Steven Ritland put it so well when he said, "Some assertions may be a little extreme, but please don’t let that lead you to reject the book’s overall message, which I believe is that Christ’s body needs a transformation; it needs to return to the Word of God and obey what God commands." So, I encourage you don't put this book down before hearing the author's heart of this vital subject, "The American Church - A Baby Church." While you may not agree with all that he says, I believe there are enough nuggets of truth that makes this book worth its reading. It is a relatively small book at 134 pages so it should be an easy and quick read. So there's not much of a risk of your time, and there are surely at least a few nuggets in there for YOU! I gave it 3 stars but I really hope you will read it, as there are some 5 star nuggets among these pages. The book title alone might offend some for calling the American church a "baby church," but I have to say we are a baby church in many of the ways he discusses in this book. He brings out a point that shows our infancy/baby traits (immaturity spiritually) one trait per chapter.

Starting with chapter 1 he deals with our over dependence on others, be it our church groups, ministers, etc. While we do receive from each other, we do need to stand up and stop weighing down others. All babies are to grow in maturity. In Chapter 2, he discusses our self-centeredness as babies! Babies are occupied with themselves. They have a “me” problem. Solution: As you grow up, you will become less and less self-centered and more and more other-centered. He then goes on to discuss 8 other areas of immaturity in the American Church (thus covering a total of 10 areas) of "baby traits." Like I said, you may not agree with all he says, I didn't, but by the time I flipped the last page of this book, I could honestly say it was worth my time and I received some good from reading it. We certainly do have a problem we all need to face...the American Church is an immature baby church. What are you going to do about it? Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Jesus - You're Too Late!

   Let this devotion minister to and encourage you. 

Please read John 11:1-45 to best understand this devotion.

Martha said - “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” John 11:21

Mary said - “Lord, if thou hadst been here my brother had not died.” John 11:32

Have you ever felt that way, Jesus you're too late - I know I have (more than once)!

Here’s the situation - Mary and Martha called on Jesus to come pray (heal) their sick brother Lazarus and Jesus says, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” Then Jesus delays his coming to Lazarus, and when He gets there, Lazarus has been dead 4 days! This is what you call a HOPELESS situation. These were 3 people that Jesus LOVED, yet He let this happen (See John 11:5)! They believed Jesus could have healed their brother Lazarus, but RAISE him from the dead (4 days dead), now that’s another story. When He asked that the grave be opened, Martha said, “.....Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days” - John 11:39. But being the awesome Jesus He is, He raised up Lazarus from the dead AND HEALED HIM. What a sight that must have been!

There is so much in this passage we could do deep studies on and it would take quite a few messages to do so, but today's study is primarily to encourage you to understand, that we have had things in our life die that were a Lazarus to us (these were good things - Jesus loved Lazarus). It might or might not be a person (relationship), it could be a ministry, a business, etc. We had asked Jesus to touch (heal) that relationship, ministry, business, etc., and He said it would be fine, and then the next thing you know the doors are closing and that relationship, ministry or business is over (DEAD and BURIED so to speak). You're saying as Martha and Mary, if you had been here you could have saved this relationship, ministry or business (whatever your Lazarus might be). Why did you let it DIE?! And Jesus says, “Thy brother (relationship, ministry, business, etc.) shall rise again," and like Martha (v.24-27) we try to reinterpret what Jesus is saying. And then when told by Jesus that it’s time to remove the stone from Lazarus' grave, Martha said, "Lord, HE STINKS" (he’s too far gone, don’t bother with him). Is your Lazarus too far gone even for JESUS to raise from the dead!!! Nothing and no one is ever too far gone IF JESUS WANTS THEM RAISED.  Do you have something that you felt Jesus loved, but now is too far gone?  Just know JESUS can raise even the DEAD!

Mother, do you have a son who loved Jesus and Jesus loved him, but now it seems he STINKS spiritually, or a ministry that Jesus' loving hand was on and now it’s gone (or dead), or a business that went under (and you knew Jesus was in this business). This devotion is not to say that ALL will be raised; but if it’s a “Lazarus” to whom Jesus has spoken to you, “Thy brother (relationship, ministry or business) shall rise again,” then don’t try to figure it out, don’t say it’s too late (IT STINKS). Jesus said, “Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth .....” And you know when Jesus raised him He also obviously healed him, so whatever killed Lazarus in the first place was GONE! So with you whatever killed your relationship, ministry or business in the first place will be gone when Jesus raises it up from the dead.

Jesus let Lazarus die, so He let something die in your life. Why? So HE could raise Lazarus (it) up for the Glory of God and to Glorify Jesus. Let me tell you, this will get peoples attention! All may have thought that your family member, ministry, business, etc., were history (DEAD), BUT God has said of your Lazarus, "I WILL RAISE IT UP!"

Brother/Sister in Christ has God has spoken to you about something, and told you it’s dead, but I will raise it up then obey JESUS when He tells you to Roll back the stone and get READY as Jesus is going to do some raising up!

Mother, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a spiritually dead son.

Wife, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a spiritually dead husband.

Minister, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a dead ministry.

Businessman, don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up a bankrupt or closed business.

Don’t lose heart if God has spoken to you about Raising up something or someone.

Remember fellow Christian you obey JESUS by removing the stone, but JESUS is the only one that RAISES FROM THE DEAD!

Remember these closing 5 words:  JESUS  IS  NEVER  TOO  LATE!!!