Regaining Lost Ground

Pastor Shane Idleman

Articles by Pastor Shane Idleman

Are You Truly Desperate for God’s Presence?

I recently spoke in El Paso, Texas, at a large Hispanic church called Vino Nuevo. You can watch the message here with translation. I appreciated the heart of the pastors I had the privilege of meeting. Their eagerness and desire for revival reminded me of the church where I pastor in Southern California, Westside Christian Fellowship.

Oh God, Rend the Heavens and Heal our Crippled Churches and Dying Nation

I’m sure we can all agree that evil surrounds us in America. Daily we are bombarded by reports of heinous crimes and lawlessness being committed throughout our land. How can Christians not only remain peaceful and hopeful during these turbulent times but also dare to anticipate revival—perhaps a Third Great Awakening? I believe we can. But we must be willing to wait on God and seek Him like never before because “He acts for the one who waits for Him” (Isaiah 64:4).

Why Revival is America’s Only Hope!

If you’d prefer to listen to the audio version, click here: https://youtu.be/B9NfNxDGn0Y The results are in: America’s stage four cancer has metastasized to the family and the church as well as to the government and the schools. We are more depraved than ever before. Animals are guarded but innocent children are slaughtered. Porn is protected and sex-trafficking is on the rise. Cardi B’s lyrics get a pass but Scriptures are banned on social media.

Stadium Revival Draws over 1,000 Worshipers in California

“What’s going on in California?” is the question that has been asked of me a lot this month. With the beach gatherings in Huntington Beach, along with Pastor Jack Hibbs’ and John MacArthur’s bold stances (thank you, both), we decided to launch a Saturday night service in Lancaster, California, at JetHawk Stadium. It’s being tagged the Stadium Revival.

Fasting For Beginners - I Want to Fast But I Don't Know Where to Begin

Do you want to fast but don't know where to start? You're not alone. Consider intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting is not a fad; it aligns with how God designed us for seasons of feast and seasons of famine using fat as fuel during famine. Intermittent fasting provides a much-needed break from food, and it’s a great way for the beginner to begin fasting. For example, if your last meal is early evening, then you wouldn’t eat again until lunch the following day. This gives the digestive tract close to 16 hours of rest and may change insulin levels enough to affect health in a positive way. Remember, increased insulin and good health don’t necessarily go together. Think of all the oxidative stress that you’ll be avoiding with intermittent fasting when you miss breakfast consisting of unhealthy bacon and eggs or other harmful foods.

America’s Microwave Christianity—The Heart of the Present-day Church Must Change

As we all know, America is in a spiritual decline with no recovery in sight. Many churches have a form of “microwave” Christianity: service times last just over an hour, prayer is glanced over, and worship is designed to entertain the masses. Many pastors avoid offending their audience and seek to be motivational rather than convicting. If we truly want to see revival, the face of the present-day church needs to change. Granted, there are wonderful churches, but as a whole, we have drifted significantly off course. For example, do you ever wonder how a Christian (let alone a pastor) can embrace gay marriage and encourage it? Listen to this Fox News interview archive to find out how.

Is The Day of the Silent Pastor Over?

God has given us a wonderful gift known as America. The government isn’t bad or good; her people determine success or failure. Why would God ordain our government and then not want us to steward His gift? Many have been guilty of not getting involved by saying, “We shouldn’t say or do anything political. All we need to do is preach the gospel.” Be careful . . . although the gospel is our primary focus, this shouldn’t be an excuse against action.

Hope For The Hurting

I could not believe what I was reading: People actually applauded the slaughtering of children. Was I having a dream . . . a nightmare? Was this real?

How Bad Do You Want Freedom From Sin?

I remember reading an article about a man who avoided the beach in the summer after admitting his addiction to pornography to his wife. He concluded that being around people who were barely covered often triggered his compulsion. Other cases involved a man who stopped visiting certain sections at a local video store and a woman who stopped reading romance novels. Both concluded that viewing this material was stimulating lust. What about the gym and the yoga pants trend? Enough said!

The Pain of Discipline Over Pain of Regret

You choose - will it be the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret? One yields a sense of extreme fulfillment, the other, a lingering sense of defeat. We pray for God to heal rather than for help with self discipline to change harmful habits. If you struggle in this area, these two sermons may help: https://youtu.be/UvHNZcTVyh8 and https://youtu.be/Pupgi84fv34.

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About Regaining Lost Ground

Today, as we continually drift away in a current of moral decline and relativism, many believe that the battle is too advanced and that we cannot make a difference. Shane, however, believes that we can. He stresses: "If we encourage truth, yet fail to relate to our culture, the church can seem formal and dead. This fact fuels the postmodern movement. But when truth is sacrificed for the sake of relating to the culture, as we see today, the very foundation is destroyed. Truth, the foundational beliefs clearly outlined in Scripture, must remain unmoved and unchanged. Times change, but truth does not!

About Pastor Shane Idleman

Author/speaker, Shane Idleman, has written twelve compelling, biblically-based books, and has obtained quotes from such noted pastors and leaders as Jack Hayford, D. James Kennedy, Tony Perkins, David Barton, Mike MacIntosh, Dr. Peter Lillback, Bob Coy, and Raul Ries, and from organizations such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Promise Keepers, American Family Association, and Family Research Council.

What makes this story so inspiring is that Idleman had a promising career as a Corporate Executive, but he left it behind to follow a dream that God placed in his heart after he committed his life to Christ. In his words: "While I had focused on prosperity, wealth, and success, I had starved my soul. I tried everything that the world had to offer, but ultimately, I found that it offered little of lasting value." When asked why he thought that his ministry is being so well received, he added: "The overwhelming response simply reflects the need that we all have for the truths found in God’s Word."

Shane is known for crossing denominational lines. He adds, "We must strive for unity in the essentials, and grace in the non-essentials. We need sound doctrine and the power of the Holy Spirit. It’s possible to be Bible taught, but not Spirit led—straight as a gun barrel theologically, but just as empty. The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. We desperately need both" (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:6).

Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California. His sermons, books, articles, and radio program have sparked change in the lives of many. For more, visit WCFAV.org, or ShaneIdleman.com.

Contact Regaining Lost Ground with Pastor Shane Idleman

E-mail
info@wcfav.org

Website
http://westsidechristianfellowship.org

Mailing Address
Westside Christian Fellowship
P.O. Box 3486
Lancaster, California, 93586-3486

Telephone:
(661) 524-6610