The Tribune

By PASTOR MATTHEW ALLEN

"For the eyes of the lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."

2 Chron.16: 9.

This is yet another interesting time in the history of the Bahamas; it is the political season. This season, combined with the existing religious way of life presents a classic case of a people who have mastered the art of leaning to their own understanding.

I can remember quite vividly during days and weeks heading into the 2007 general election where religious leaders were all prophesying to the then prime minister Perry G. Christie of how God had said that he and the PLP were going to win the general election.

There were many prayer breakfasts held, lots of prophet-lying going on as the so-called anointed apostles, bishops, doctors, pastors all took the opportunity to show forth their spiritual insight in declaring futile prophetic words to the then prime minister.

Here we are today, five years later, heading into another general election. Today there is a slight change amongst the spiritually lost religious leaders, in that they are not as public in their prophet-lying about the outcome of this election as they were in 2007. But make no mistake, they are not missing in action. They are playing their role from the pulpits and at various political rallies.

Church leaders today are on a totally 'different run' than that of God (Yahweh). Today, it is all about the Mand-of God writing his book(s); building his dynasty and getting on the Word Network or Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) to self-promote, while struggling church members are made to feel guilty if they are not able to sow financial seeds into the lives of their leaders.

Like the nation of Israel back then during the days of King Asa, the Bahamas is at a crossroad where all sorts of ungodly acts are taking place in the land.

Murders, bloodshed and wars are common occurrences among the people; wicked and corrupt practices are the ways of life especially for the leaders (political, religious and civic).

In the Bahamas, the elite is rewarded for corrupt practices while the common man is brought to shame and open disgrace at the mere suspicion of corruption. The ordinary citizen has nobody to defend its cause as the legal system is filled with shady lawyers that further take advantage of those accused.

Again, the church is in no position to stand up and boldly cry out on the behalf of those that being unjustly treated by any means, due to the fact that the church leaders are all given to looking after their own interests.

The divided church is also heavily involved in politics. The PLP has one side of the church, and the FNM has the other side; spiritually these are some dark days in the Bahamas.

In the various communities, such as Over the Hill, there are countless churches of different denominations, and yet, it is in these communities where murders and other social ills are at an all time high.

Many of the church leaders don't reside in these communities where most of their members live; it's just that their place of doing business, their churches, are in these communities, and their presence is primarily for gathering finances, or fleecing of the flock.

The head of these churches reside in other, exclusive gated communities, where members of their churches need permission to enter.

If it is true, as is stated that: "Everything rises and falls upon leadership" then as the Bahamas is falling apart (murders, bloodshed, corruption, spiritual wickedness in high places, the deterioration of family and family values, etc), one need not be a rocket scientist, a Harvard scholar or a theologian to conclude that as a nation, the Bahamas is suffering from the lack of Godly leadership.

One of the most quoted passages of scripture among Bahamians is Proverb. 29:18. "Where there is no vision, the people perish".

I like to remind folks that the above scripture doesn't say, Where there is no vision, the leaders perish. No, it says "the people perish".

The misconception of the church and state alignment has given way to the enemy and his kingdom of darkness having such a stronghold here in the Bahamas.

As many leading and influential church leaders have compromised their walk with God, in order to walk with the state and to be recipients of the state's hand-outs (financial grants, land grants and various other trinkets).

Prominent religious leaders through their compromising traditions have diminished the church, and the word of God.

Mark 7:13 states: "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."

Today, God (Yahweh) is rising up some true, uncompromising prophets that will boldly declare his unadulterated word; despite the many oppositions, tests and trials they have to endure. Even if and when the state takes a negative position against them because of their declaration, these prophets will not compromise.

The prophet and seer Hanani boldly declared in 2 Chron.16:1-10 "For the eyes of the lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time."

God is looking for you, to show himself strong on your behalf.

For questions and comments contact pastormallen@yahoo.com or call 441-2023.