Category: Pilgrim’s Progress

It is with great consternation and much self-examination that asked the opening question. On several occasions as of late, I have said encouraging words to people who are struggling, who would have normally responded to my comment with great joy. I am afraid however, that it simply rolled off their back like water off a duck. They were all from varying positions in life some very wealthy whose businesses were struggling, some who were struggling with family problems and others who almost argued with me over their right to be sick.

When I first became a Christian, I had very little of this worlds good. I took my first job as a painter’s helper and made only six dollars an hour and I didn’t know anything about what I was doing but I loved God and his word with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. It is my true conviction that abundant life should not be based on money, status, or an absence of problems unfortunately most people are more controlled by what is going on around them than they are by the word and the spirit.

I was reading John chapter 10: 10 and I couldn’t help but notice the difference between what the devil wanted to do to me and what Jesus would do for me. The first few days that I was saved I was overwhelmed by the peace that flooded my soul. I found out according to the word I could walk in perfect peace that didn’t make sense and was past all understanding. The joy that exuded out of my life was contagious, I couldn’t stop smiling, I had a spring in my step and sparkle in my eye all the time. The first Scripture I learned was Matthew 6:33 and I began to practice it voraciously, no one had to tell me to pray, study the word or to be faithful it overflowed out of the abundant life Jesus had granted me.

For 33 years I have observed and am convinced that in many ways the enemy of our soul would much rather have you sad, neurotic, sick and worried about money rather than to go ahead and finish you off if he could. This very week I have conferred with those in the Lord over me and with those who have been with me the longest and I’ve simply asked them one question am I living abundantly? They all have answered me in the affirmative. I asked those closest to me because they are some of the only people that have known what an intense trial we have been going through. My health has deteriorated to the point that it will either take eight major surgeries or one touch from God to restore me, I still believe for the latter.

I have found so many people that were once people of great faith and great expectancy that have now fallen prey to doing little more than hoping they can hold on till either death or Jesus comes, this is not abundant life. My mother-in-law once told me that I can make an adventure out of going to the grocery store. I thought that was quite a compliment at the time. I don’t ever want to lose that childlike expectancy peace, exuberance and feeling of safety that I have known all these years when I’m in the presence of my heavenly father. My health has led me to the verge of financial ruin making it almost impossible for me to go out and preach the last few years. I’m telling you this not to whine and complain but to say as the apostle Paul I have abased, and I have abounded, and I have learned to be content. It’s not always easy to live the abundant life some days I come up short, but I am determined not to accept anything less than God’s best. The first thing I do every morning when I am awakened is wiggle my toes and fingers to see if I’ve been healed in the night. I don’t ever want to lose that expectancy. Every time the phone rings or the mail runs, or I check my emails I am expecting divine intervention. I am so sad and concerned to see so many of my brothers and sisters in the Lord content to simply survive rather than thrive. When Jesus spoke of abundant life the life he spoke of was one filled with vitality, exuberance, gusto and zest. The word abundance simply means superior in quality and superabundant in quantity. Is this the life you are leading or striving to lead? My grandmother taught me very early on to accept no defeats from the devil. The devil wants you sick, struggling, depressed, miserable and questioning God all the days of your life. Jesus, however wants to give you a life that is unparalleled in comparison and overflowing with life to the maximum. Please join with me in making a conscious decision to get out of the doldrums and stop being a poor testimony for Jesus and began to allow him to give you that true abundant life. My attitude may seem childish to some of you but, my father simply finds it childlike and he loves me to look to him for overflowing abundance.

Robert Pilgrim

Have you lost the wonder? Thirty-one years ago in a jail cell I became a Christian. I can honestly tell you that I was overwhelmed with the fact that Jesus saved me; personally I would not have bothered with me. When I was released on bail just a few days later one of the first scriptures I learned was Isaiah 9:6 (For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulders: and his name should be call wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the Prince of peace). While I was just a new babe in Christ I was facing the rest of my life in federal prison. My grandmother shared this verse with me and for 3 ½ years I remained out on bail. For two and half years I preached almost every night; I had to learn very early on to survive the pressure of an uncertain future and the daily pressures of ministry to truly stay full of wonder. And 31 years of Christian service; thanks to his grace, I’ve never lost the wonder

No one has ever had to ask me to worship, to give, to pray daily, or to study the word. I know this may seem like an oversimplification; to simply state the basics as a reason for victorious living, but without the basics we have no root system to feed on in a time of trouble. In 31 years, I’ve watched them come and I’ve watched them go, I’ve seen people who were seemingly so exuberant lose the wonder and lose out with God. I don’t know which is sadder the ones who didn’t make it, or the ones who have sat on a church pew, or in a pulpit having lost the wonder and are either too blind or too arrogant to admit it.

I received phone calls and emails from people every day who once were so on fire for God but, now are simply going through the motions out of tradition. I suppose they are hoping to obtain a fire insurance policy without any premiums. The truth is, there was a time when you were young in the Lord, you hated sin; especially your own. Worship, prayer, study of the word, church attendance, and giving came naturally. No one had to remind you, because you were overwhelmed and full of wonder at how good God had been to you. Today, if most people would be honest; you’ve gotten accustomed to it, and while you may still fulfill what you call your duties, the truth is that the delight has gone out of your walk. Stop, and think back to those early days; how fresh, how real his grace was to you. His commandments were not grievous, his yoke was easy, his burden was light peace, and joy were abounding, and you went to church believing anything was possible and probable. May God in his mercy send revival one more time that we may stir up the gift that is within us, and recover the wonder of his name.

Please excuse the length of time between my writings. My mother had to have open heart surgery. She is doing better, please continue to pray for her speedy recovery.

I have received bad news about my own health, doctors say I need multiple total joint replacements, which at this time I am not a candidate. Only Jesus can fix this, please pray for my healing and my speedy return to the pulpit.

Even though my healing and my return to the pulpit have been delayed, they have not been denied. Jesus is revealing himself to me on a daily basis with new and clearer revelations, with a fresh and stronger anointing.

I do not believe that our Heavenly Father is making such a huge deposit in my life without providing an outlet both from the pulpit and in print. Please pray for open doors for true revival and for full restoration of my health.

Thank you to those of you who have responded financially to this ministry, we depend on the saints who believe in sound biblical teaching who are willing to support the ministries that feed and encourage them.

Sincerely;
Pastor Robert Pilgrim

I want to thank you for your overwhelming response to our new website. I know that in a time when everything seems to be so sugarcoated sometimes plain speech is misunderstood. I am going to be taking a change in direction for the next several months, rather than dealing with the apostasy in the church I feel compelled to strengthen the remnant that remains. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a time when the true Saints are under so much stress and pressure and find so little relief when they attend church. I receive phone calls and emails and letters every day from people asking the same questions, is something wrong with me? Have I lost touch with God? Why do I receive so little true encouragement and strength in church? Sometimes I think it’s better if I just stay home pray and read my Bible then be disappointed one more time.

There are millions of people in America who once would have never thought of missing a service who are now having to force themselves to attend once a week. Those of us who have gone on to know the Lord and cherish His presence are tired, frustrated and exasperated with the night club atmosphere that is being called church today. Millions have left the church completely who still love Jesus, but are fed up with the sideshow. We need to hear how big our God really is and that he is still actively involved in our affairs. We need to know He cares and that He can still be trusted. God is not caught off guard by what is going on today. He is not unaware of your pain or your struggles, as a matter of fact, I feel compelled to tell you that he is about to intervene on your behalf in a big way. The old folks used to say we need God to show up and show out I can’t think of a better time than now.

Almost every mature saint that I know is struggling with stress, discouragement and just feeling sometimes like what’s the use? I believe that it is the devil’s agenda to remove the mature Bible believing Saints from the church, so that he can have his way with the rest of them. I am tired of hearing that anyone who questions anything is divisive and bringing disruption to the body of Christ.

I will endeavor over the next few months to lift you up, strengthen you and let you know you are not alone and God has not forgotten his people. For those of you who know me you know this is an entirely new endeavor for me with the Internet and with writing. Shortly we will be opening our YouTube channel so that I can teach and encourage the Saints. I have been very slow to make you fully aware of my health conditions. Presently my health is suffering, and I am unable to travel as much as usual. Please pray for me, I am still believing for a complete healing miracle. Since there is a continued lack of desire from Pastors for true revival, the answer to the question most ask, when can we come and be in one of your services? Soon, via our YouTube channel, the writings on the website and in the near future crusade format. We will continue to provide you with sound doctrine and solid theology by articles, and our teaching. We cannot move forward in this new endeavor without your prayers and your financial support. You that have known me over the last 30 years know this is the first time I’ve ever mentioned financial support; we cannot continue to support all of our outreaches without your help.

Please prayerfully consider assisting us in our endeavors.

Sincerely in his service;
Robert Pilgrim

Welcome to our blog today, I am addressing the issue of why I wrote Stolen Treasures from an Unguarded Temple. First of all, the Holy Spirit laid it on my heart and burdened me, my heart is broken over the shape of the church in America. I still believe there’s a remnant in the church; as the Lord himself said even in Sardis there remain a few. I believe that the remnant is as frustrated and tired of the deception, of a half gospel as I am. If I remain silent over what God has given me your blood will be required at my hands. I am appalled by the weekly reports I received from parishioners over their pastors preaching little or nothing in the way of a true gospel and without any conviction. I’m saddened by the pastors who tell me they try to preach a straight gospel under the anointing with conviction and their people will not receive it and make necessary changes to move forward in God. I’m tired of seeing the Holy Spirit ignored, insulted and grieved and in many churches not even mentioned. I’m weary with watching the brokenhearted come in the church and leave the same way and the sick leaving the same way, this was never God’s plan. Pray with me that the Lord will raise up men and women who will preach the truth in love without fear or favor. Join me and others in agonizing prayer for revival. Do not be satisfied with the status quo. Don’t be afraid to ask your minister and the other church members why don’t we have revival anymore. I firmly believe that we are yet to see the best that God has to offer for his church and we don’t have long, eternity is just around the corner. God bless you may the Lord burden you for his church and the lost.

Robert Pilgrim