authority except to carry on with what Jesus said to carry on doing. To obey His commands (those directly from Him and those from His apostles given by Him) is and should be our goal as a church and as individuals living for Him. I also shudder when I examine the church of today and how far we have departed from that first century teaching of the Lord and the apostles. Pragmatism and apathy have fill the pulpit and the pew, giving the sad impression that we know better than God. Jesus told the Pharisees that they were not saved and those they were converting weren't saved either but were even worse than they were. I have seen congregations that start strong, have a good basis to build on and are doctrinally sound but by the time the second or third generation takes the lead they have, at least, started to stray from that word they were taught. I have seen other congregations (although the number of congregations seems smaller in comparison) that have a good start and are doctrinally sound. By the next generation or two they have either remained strong or have strengthened their faith and commitment to the truth. I do not have the ability, space or adequate time to analyze this dichotomy except to say that we need the latter type of congregation where their faith increases with time. This does lead me to the further thought that we need to ready ourselves for more direct and severe persecution. I have been hearing for a long time that we are in for more severe persecution in this country. Many of the denominational leaders have been predicting it for decades now. Increased persecution in the USA will be the direct result of Christians not doing enough to evangelize and be salt and light to those around them. Also, one of the main reasons for this increased persecution will  be the result of not staying faithful to the word of God. I have already seen minor persecution from the sectarian religions (the denominations) on those who would just stand and tell them the truth. I have seen minor persecution in the workplace from those who either are sectarian or do not claim Christ. This persecution has often resulted in the termination of employment of the Christian for no reason other than his faith. The more severe persecution that I am talking about is that which results in the imprisonment or death of the Christian for no apparent reason with no repercussions for those causing the persecution. I hear of occasional imprisonment of a Christian or two for standing for some moral issue like the pro-life movement among others. This is distressing enough but I am not talking about an occasional few for taking a moral stand. This persecution is from a deep seated hatred for Jesus Christ and His Church. Just ask the soldiers that are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan what the goal of their enemy is. Many will say their hatred for Americans and Jews is what motivates their enemy's killing. We have an enemy.  We cannot directly see or hear him. Our enemy does not, himself, use guns or rockets. We cannot shoot at him with guns or rockets nor kill him with any of our earthly weapons. Our fiercest battles are not being fought in the front lines of some far away country or in the streets of our own country. Our battle is won or lost individually with the word of God. Each person must make up their own minds  as to whom they will serve. Whom do you serve? Is it money or fame? Do you pay more attention to the old lady (or man) in the back pew than to the truth of the word? Do you, as some, want numbers more than truth? What kind of sacrifices are you willing to make to serve God in truth? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!