— Critical issues concerning the Church —

Dear Christian,

Have you ever wondered how some professing believers can be so fervent and dedicated, yet so far from biblical Truth?  Not neophytes or those who temporarily become distracted by a false teacher, but those who steadfastly follow certified apostate doctrines, teachers and ministries.  They’ll advocate, fund and defend them ... even disfellowshipping those who challenge their teachings.  These are praying, Bible-toting, church-going ... even ministering persons who confess Jesus as their Savior and Lord.  Yet, at least two of their doctrinal wheels are always in the ditch, to the extent — even their eternal destination is questionable.  Know someone like that?

The following provides a little different perspective of an age-old Church problem.

Frontage Road Religion

Existent is a church running parallel to the true one.

"The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.  There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death."  — Prov 14:12,13 NIV

Have you ever slid into bed, to realize you’ve slipped in between a sheet and blanket?  Or, jammed your arm into a coat, only to discover it went between the lining and outer fabric?  How ‘bout making the wrong turn to find yourself on a seemingly endless frontage road — running parallel to the desired highway?

These unintended consequences of everyday actions capsulize the concept of a Satanic trap into which would-be or ungrounded Christians can easily slip.  Though desiring to be part of the true Church, they unknowingly travel along side — but separated from it.  Moreover, though commingling, typically, neither they nor the Church discern the barrier separating them.  Instead of cruising the King’s Highway to heaven, they travel the Frontage Road to ... ???

“You’re not even on the same page” — were the final words penned to us in 2005 from a dear believer we’ve known for over thirty years.  We were heart-broken because we love her.  Even though we’d long realized her faith was skewed, we still respected her diligence and earnestness ... and how she had invested herself in our lives as new Christians.  I don’t mean casually.  She actually shared her apartment and substance with us.  She helped teach us how to pray; led us into teaching ministries and interceded long hours while we slept.  This very dear one under girded and encouraged this ministry with prayer for years, and for all we know — still does.

This uncommonly dedicated single woman, now about 78, criss-crossed the country for decades ... doing the same for others, while supporting her son by working as a nurse.  She would take up residence with a person or couple and “disciple” them while playing the role of fierce prayer warrior.  At the end of the supposed, Spirit-designated time (usually months) she would move on to the next place.  She traveled from California to K.C. and Washington to take part in prayer rallies; also Texas, Pensacola and Tampa, Florida to sit under  favored teachers. For years she’s conducted a national, “Thus-saith-the-Lord” kind of ministry by newsletter.  So committed to scripture, she heroically guards her tongue and in hushed, Kuhlmanish tones, tries to speak only the Word of God.  What I’m endeavoring to do is word-paint an accurate picture of one of the most dedicated, self-sacrificing believers we’ve ever known; one who awes and is respected by untold numbers.  An admirable person.

As desperately needy and hungry new believers, she introduced us to “safe” teachers, authors and ministries.  Trustingly, we wolfed it all down; feathers, fat, bones and all.  We soon became as fervent as she in study, prayer, fasting, “confessing the Word” and mimicking those same gurus.  We were up and running as ministering saints even before baptism waters fully drained from our ears.  Sequestered with her, we averaged two get-togethers a day for months.  We also gathered in a House Church three times a week for 3-4 hours with a fervent group of like-minded.  It was an intense, thrilling and heady time as we witnessed the supernatural in ways only rarely seen since.  We were certain, in all our baby-Christian wisdom, we had tapped into the real deal and true-through Christians.  It was heavenly!

Now the zinger.  She and all of them eventually disfellowshipped us.  As time has revealed, we were all following false teachers.  We’d been snookered!  But how could that be?!  We saw mighty things done in our midst.  I’m telling you dear one, this is scary stuff.  It is so seductively deceptive.  We had been ensnared by a network of “churches” running parallel to the true one ... and it’s taken years to get de-programmed.  Sadly, several from that group are still involved — indeed, leaders in “frontage road” ministries.

“Name those ‘safe’ teachers!” cajoles my flesh, but, “No!” says the Spirit.  It’s more important here to trumpet this insidious danger than goring gurus (write for a list).  It’s the very nature of deception which makes this matter so dangerous.  To deceive as to his true nature and methods, Satan has given society false ideas of himself — of other spirit beings as well.  Example: many still view him as a flaming-red creature with a tail, horns and a pitchfork.  However, scripture paints quite the opposite picture.  It says he can come as an "angel of light" having "all power and signs and lying wonders" (2Cor 11:14; 2Thes 2:9).  Satan can be suave, subtle — even beautiful and charismatic, as evidenced by some of his foremost spokesman on the scene today.

As a result, when the terms false or apostate church are used, many tend to think of the “red devil” types — the blatantly non-Christian Bahai, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian Scientist, Hindu, Jehovah Witness, Mormon, Muslim, New Age, Unitarian, Unity, etc. — the ones any Bible-grounded saint knows are bogus.  However, it’s the “angel of light” types that snooker us; those that seem so good, especially when accompanied by signs and wonders.  In fact, it’s the supernatural that really grabs us.  Think about it.  When we hear of someone working miracles, we’re ALL ears.  We want to know about it.  Many believers will race out to their next meeting in the hopes of getting their needs met.  We assume God is behind it.  However, in my opinion, because we live in a sea of deception, for every bonafide “thus saith the Lord”, healing or miracle — numerous stem from the “angel of light” or are mere illusions.  I.e., magicians draw attention to one hand, then with the other — voila: “magic” ... and Satan is far more resourceful.  (No! God’s NOT gone out of the miracle or healing business.)

It’s easy to envision a satanically birthed “church” looking like the real thing, but even more appealing because it promises temporal riches, doesn’t require repentance, cross-bearing or switching allegiance from the world to God.  It exists!  It’s championed by beautiful, handsome, talented and charismatic mis-representatives of the Truth.  It’s like a mirror-image — where right and left are switched and at a glance, looks the same.  But it’s fueled by another gospel. Because of the demonic delectability of snatching away the biblically ungrounded, and in view of their vulnerability, the gambit is understandable.  Here’s the clincher: God can also move in their midst.  We saw it.  Early in our own captivity when group members took turns merely reading scripture aloud, then prayed and harmoniously worshiped — Bam!  There he was ... in spite of the fact that individually, we studied under false teachers.

Such flourish in a culture where God and moral absolutes are rejected; where corrupted political/judicial systems empower its evil fringe.  Society takes on perverse values: jailing citizens without insurance, while illegals, prostitutes, pedophiles, porno and drug pushers loiter on the same corner.  Noahadically, lust, homosexuality and violence become societal norms ... facilitated by blinded parents who vicariously train children via satanic videos and “games”.  A stuporous Church aids as it slides from godliness, by remodeling itself after the world.  It also abets by tacitly approving media that churn out vileness, blaspheming the sacred and our faith — even to the extent of promoting their ungodly films.

In today’s, favor-the-pelvic-pop and make-sport-of-God society — satanic religions flourish.  The ungodly are emboldened and commissioned to go forth to make disciples of the unwary.  With the compromised church barely discernable from the world, it’s a slam-dunk for God’s well-funded enemies to launch the glitziest recruiting propaganda; entire “Christian” networks.  With evangelistic fervor and electronic wizardry, they charismatically create soul-soothing mega-institutions for the spiritually thirsty, lost and unwary; naming them after God. They piously present themselves as the Church with films, books, big names and massive budgets ... all slathered in carnality.

God-seeker after God-seeker turn into their “frontage road” religion; some to become admirably zealous and self-sacrificing ... as certain as we, that they have found the real deal.  They view themselves as the “overcomers” while condescendingly decreeing the rest of us — are “not even on the same page”.  With ill-founded bravado, they race down a parallel road, trying to convince us they’re on the Interstate.  Predictably, reciting sound doctrine is grounds for disfellowshipping.  The Spirit long ago warned "... the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" — 2Tim 3,4.

With the Church’s hiatus of discernment, its embrace of worldly values and woeful compromise of Truth, satanic workers are now illegally reaping a harvest prepared solely for the Church.  BUT ... it’s not over until the trumpet sounds!  We have absolute assurance that the enemy’s partying will be short-lived.  Jesus and His bride are the Victors!  Be vigilant and a dutiful soldier by at least honking and flashing your lights to the deceived on the “frontage road”.  Better yet, pray and love them onto the King’s Highway with an abiding life hid in Christ Jesus, our Savior, Lord ... our Refuge and only hope.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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