Friday 12 December 2014

To Speak or not to Speak...


 Colossians 4:5  Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Colossians 4:6  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Titus 3:2  speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.


James_1:19  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
James_2:12  So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.

Let me say right off the bat that I agree that many are "preaching" incorrectly, taking verses out of context etc., and that is not what I hope to do with bringing up these verses. I agree that we should speak up about the things that go contrary to God's word, no question about that...but lately I've been pondering on how to truly be led to do so in the Spirit of the Lord, and not with a contentious spirit (of that I have been often guilty, to my shame). Paul asked for doors to be opened:



Colossians_4:3  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—


and this where he said a wide door:


1Corinthians 16:8  But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,
1Corinthians 16:9  for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.


and this one:

2Co 2:12  When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord,
2Co 2:13  my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia.
2Co 2:14  But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.


I hope that I will be more obedient to follow the Lord's leading on when and where to speak, and when to remain quiet and watch, paying attention to what Jesus would have me understand, about the doors He opens, and the doors He closes. I hope this will be your desire in Him as well.

Monday 8 December 2014

Spiritual Gifts

My morning reading was in the book of 1 Corinthians, and it is interesting to me that the things that caused contentions then still do so even today. I guess we do not change all that much, do we?

1Co 11:18 ... when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,
1Co 11:19  for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.


The Lord even has a plan in this, He's got it under control even when it all looks out of whack to you and me. And we must take care when we think we have it so much better than everyone else, because all good gifts come from God, not from ourselves, and He has these things to further His kingdom, which in His kindness and generosity He has made available to us who do not deserve it, let's face it NONE OF US do.

1Co 12:22 ... the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
1Co 12:23  and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,
1Co 12:24  which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,
1Co 12:25  that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.


When we proudly wag our finger at others for their shame, shame, shame, we need to be careful (and I say this especially to myself!!!I am GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY  of this terrible offense),  because the Lord who sees all will correct the problems correctly in His time. In the meantime let us not know anything more than Jesus and that He was crucified for our sins that we might live and reign with Him forever.

1Co 2:1  And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
1Co 2:2  For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
1Co 2:3  And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
1Co 2:4  and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1Co 2:5  so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Tuesday 16 September 2014

Hearing God's Voice

There are many that claim they hear from God these days. They claim to have received a "word of prophecy" or something like that and the proof is in the pudding. We can compare what they say with what the Bible says, and then if it is inconclusive we can say "I'll wait and see and whether I believe them or not God is always true."

Dr. Peter Masters who preaches at the Metropolitan Tabernacle of London England expounds on hearing God's voice in this message:


Sunday 7 September 2014

Saved? or Self Deceived?

In this 2 part sermon, John MacArthur pours out his heart to exposit on the passage:

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.   And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.   And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine
Matthew 7:22-28 (KJV)

Pastor MacArthur explains what he sees as marks of a true believer, and the evidences that expose those who may be false and self deceived "followers" of Christ.

False "believers":

1. Want signs and healings
2. Want gimmicks
3. Want to feel good
4. Want to receive blessings
5. Or they may be religionists. Many "Christians" that aren't are simply trying to work their way there by doing all the moral and religious works they believe will make them good enough...

True believers:

1. Want only Jesus
2. Are penitent and truly sorry for their sins

He says much more, take a listen...the good medicine convicts and brings you truly to the throne of forgiveness and God's grace:

Tuesday 26 August 2014

In Daniel's Defense

Many "modernists" attack the veracity of the old testament book of Daniel. The following website explores the accusations one by one, to see if there is merit to their claims:

http://www.tektonics.org/af/danieldefense.php#nodan

Test your perseverance in "studying to show yourself approved". :)

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Phil Johnson Interview

In this radio interview on Pirate Christian Radio, Phil Johnson dissects and explains what is missing in Rick Warren's message in his (Warren's) interview with John Piper. It is pointed out that John Piper often assists Warren with what Warren believes in Piper's attempts to reconcile Rick Warren's message with what the Bible actually teaches. Also understood from this interview critique is Warren's superficial treatment of the Bible compared to Piper's deeper understanding and conviction. It is a matter of quantity vs. quality (as also pointed out by Pastor Johnson). Warren says he wants to reach the many with the gospel, but then when talking with his audiences he neglects to present the gospel and often doesn't ever mention the name of Jesus (especially to his Jewish and Muslim audiences). He (Warren) jokes about his superficial understanding towards the end of this analysis. I personally believe pastors like Warren (and I use the term pastor very loosely in the case of Rick Warren) cause many to think and believe they are saved when actually they are not...some of his listeners might be saved but it isn't because they were convicted of the truth because of what Mr. Warren teaches. God will prick the hearts of His own through the power of His word, not the inconsistent and superficial ramblings of someone like Mr. Warren.

 I listened to this while doing housework, and got a lot done during this time (two and a half hours). It is time well spent.

Let me also say (maybe I should amend my commenting instructions) that if you comment without listening to this presentation I won't answer the comment. If the comment is completely irrelevant to what this post and conversation in the Youtube video is about I may choose to not post your comment. Thank you for your understanding in this matter and I hope and pray that many might be blessed by this interesting critique of how God's word is being presented.

Friday 15 August 2014

A Proper Response

 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.  And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep.
For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law. 
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry;
for the joy of the LORD is your strength.  
So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved.   And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. 

Nehemiah 8:8-12 (KJV)

I've been thinking about the joy of the Lord being our strength in the light of people wanting to idolize a celebrity who takes his own life. Atheists want to claim him as a fellow atheist and Christians say he spoke openly of his Episcopalian association therefore that he was obviously a Christian. He made fun of his Episcopalian denomination calling it Catholic-lite. God only knows the real truth about this situation and we know that He is merciful and forgiving, however I don't think it is right to force God's hand in these situations by saying the things people do about it. Suicide is a very serious thing, and it is a sin. To make light of it and say people can definitely commit suicide and still go to heaven is saying something that God doesn't say in His word, the Bible. He also doesn't say that people who commit suicide definitely go to hell, but there are plenty of things said about perseverance and that the ability to persevere comes from God and not anything good in ourselves.

When the people of Nehemiah's day heard and understood the law they wept and grieved. Why? They were convicted by what it said. That is a proper response to reading and understanding the law, but it doesn't end there. Once they understood and were truly humbled and truly sorry, Nehemiah and Tirshatha and Ezra as well as the Levites taught the people not to focus this on themselves but to focus on the Lord and to find their joy in the Lord  which is their strength, not themselves.

I often see this portion of the passage taken out of it's proper context to condone behaving like lunatics as being "the joy of the Lord". No. They first recognized and mourned their sinfulness in light of the law, and then were taught by the Levites the proper way to have joy in the Lord and to rejoice and celebrate. There is nothing wrong in celebrating. There were many feasts mentioned in the O.T. (people often focus on the law and the battles being the only lessons found there). If we take these things in their proper context and their proper order we see that the proper response for truly understanding the law is sorrow for sin, and that we have a God who loves us enough to see our sins and forgive us of our sins and to strengthen us through the joy that comes from truly knowing and loving Him.

Thursday 14 August 2014

The Cure for the S.I.N. Virus

John MacArthur says most Christians know what salvation means however their understanding does not give them the ability to share this knowledge in a way that helps others to understand it. He addresses this shortcoming in this sermon, and helps us understand how to share the message of reconciliation with others.

What is the Gospel?: The Ministry of Reconciliation

In this message he clears up the problems MANY have in sharing the gospel. He points out that many Christian leaders/pastors are confused about this and disagree on what the gospel is and how it needs to be shared. There is only ONE truth, ONE way, so WHO HAS IT if there are so many who claim to have it and they all disagree?

Good questions, questions that atheists use against us time and again...and in part they are right. They are wrong in where they go with it, but they are right that divisions in the body of Christ are not of Christ. I'm not an ecumenicalist...I don't think the answer is that we all become one in a pseudo-religion that encompasses all beliefs and "loves" everyone (false because these people..many of them...hate people that go to the Bible for all the answers).

I like where John MacArthur takes this problem: to the Bible, and to Jesus and God the Father who reveals to us His will, only one way, through His word.

He sums up the problems of where we go wrong in this way:
man's religions: are sinners devising ways to reconcile themselves to God,
or God's way: God determining His way of reconciling sinners to Himself.
Our way or His way.

Great sermon!

Wednesday 23 July 2014

The Problem of Sin

One thing I have noticed over the past few months : the main problem that atheists have with Christianity (and that all people in general have a problem with, myself included) is the problem of sin, and it stems from the problem of pride, or more specifically: our vanity. We would all rather say that we aren't "that bad" especially if compared to someone like Jeffrey Dahmer or Hitler.

In this sermon Pastor Johnson takes a deeper look into the sin problem and why there had to be a solution which involved a substitutionary payment by Jesus on the cross. Pastor Johnson explains how the "liberal church" is editing Jesus sacrifice for sin out of our salvation equation, making it a "moral gospel", one of works instead of faith:

About Being Humble

Humility is a strange thing. My hubby once said to me: "The moment you say 'I am humble... and I'm proud of that fact' (lol), you prove that you are not." Of course most who think of themselves as humble wouldn't include the last part of that statement in their self-assessment, however they would if they were being completely honest about it...and that was my dear hubby's attempt at the humorous aspect of truly being humble.

One thing I have noticed is the atheists and "former Christians" I have listened to invariably come out with (and do so with the utmost feigned humility)"THE FACT" (I say that tongue firmly in cheek) that they are much smarter than those stupid, ignorant, uneducated, misinformed, dogmatic and obviously indoctrinated into a mass hallucination: Christians. I've seen it over and over again. Even a former blogger "friend" Alice G, who sadly is very good at her feigning of such humility, has said something regarding her superior understanding over the masses of less informed Christians.

Humility is not feigned, either you have it or you don't, and no amount of pretending to impress on others that you are indeed humble is the same as actually being humble. And then of course there are those who see pride as something to be proud of. So these will puff themselves up to show how proud they are of their pride, preening themselves and strutting about like silly peacocks.

Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,
God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:5-7 (ESV)
        also see 1 Peter chapter 5




Wednesday 11 June 2014

The Vatican and Israel

Interesting developments in Israel talked about in this video, this world is getting more and more wicked:

Wednesday 30 April 2014

Socinianism

Socinian


http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/socinian

an adherent of a 16th and 17th century theological movement professing belief in God and adherence to the Christian Scriptures but denying the divinity of Christ and consequently denying the Trinity

Well, there's a lot more to it than that, as if that weren't bad enough already...

I finally found the answer to what I see happening, and why many in the church are falling away. The “seeds” for heresy have been developing for centuries, just as the Apostle John said:

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,
even now are
there many antichrists;
whereby we know
that it is the last time.
They went out from us,
but they were not of us;
for if they had been of us,
they would no doubt have continued with us:
but they went out,
that they might
be made manifest
that they
were
not all
of
us.
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 
 
1 John 2:18-26


In this audio series, Pastor Phil Johnson reveals the spirit  of antichrist as it develops from the time of Christ and how and where it appears today. It is like a monster with many heads, and these heads can change in appearance to subtly appear to be orthodox or not depending on who it is seducing, and to deflect criticism away from itself. Pastor Johnson follows these heresies in chronological order beginning with the Judaizers and ending with what he calls Socinianism, because it's main points of belief stem from Lelio and Fausto Sozzini, an uncle and nephew who formulated their belief system during the Reformation period in Europe. Their beliefs were very contrary to everything that was considered orthodox.This belief system developed into the denomination that is called Unitarian although calling it a denomination is not giving this heretical system of thought the proper distinction that it should have, because the classification of denomination seems to still put it within the realm of orthodoxy which it definitely is not.

Pastor Johnson points out that at the time of John Calvin people were much more Biblically literate than we find today, therefore not many were fooled nor persuaded by this heresy. Today his “doctrines” are still alive and well, and the spiritual climate that this heresy finds itself in is one that easily conforms itself  to all forms of heterodoxy as well as the outright unorthodox and heretical because many do not know their Bibles which for the most part collect dust on their bookshelves, or they just don't care and don't want to divide over matters of doctrine, no matter how heretical.

One method that Socianism employs in it's deadly message which Pastor Johnson points out is that it never (or rarely) outright reveals that it disagrees with orthodox Christianity. Instead it causes it's adherents to ask questions in such a way that attack Christianity at it's foundation. That is the main reason that I believe it is a very malignant spirit that has these unfortunate followers in it's clutches, and I see it for the monster that it really is. It is an "angel of light" (seeming so agreeable and nice and wanting for everyone to get along and blend in their various ideologies into one happy family of all inclusive heresy), when in actuality it is THE spirit of the darkest darkness. It flies in the face of the truth of God's word and calls Him a liar.

From “GotAnswers.org:
Question: "What is Socinianism?"



Answer:
Socinianism is an unorthodox form of non-trinitarianism that was developed around the same time as the Protestant Reformation (1517-1648) by Italian humanist Lelio Sozzini and later promulgated by his cousin, Fausto Sozzini. In modern times Socinianism has been referred to as psilanthropism, the view that Jesus was merely human (from the Greek psilo meaning “merely/only” and anthropos meaning “man/human being”), a view rejected by the First Council of Nicaea.

The Socinians held to a rationalistic approach to Scripture and to faith. This philosophical approach, especially in regard to biblical doctrine, declares that all religious matters must be fully reconcilable with human reason, and that theological matters pertaining to the nature of God cannot be beyond the finite understanding of the human mind. This idea clearly contradicts the Bible, which affirms the supernatural essence of God and the impossibility of the finite mind fully comprehending the infinite (Job 9:10; Isaiah 55:8-11; Romans 11:33).

The Socinians rejected the historic, orthodox beliefs concerning the nature of God, especially His omniscience. They rejected the doctrine of the Trinity in favor of Unitarianism, a belief system they promoted in their “Catechism of Unitarians” (1574). They also rejected the orthodox belief of the divinity of Jesus Christ, as summarized in the Racovian Catechism of 1605, and held to the view that the Son of God did not exist until He was born a man. The Bible, however, makes it clear that Jesus is the pre-existing second Person of the Trinity (John 1:1, 17:5; Hebrews 1:8-12).

The Socinians also developed one of the earliest forms of the heterodox belief known today as open theism as they believed God only knew necessary truths (what will come to pass) but not contingent truths (what might possibly come to pass) in order to explain how man could retain his free will in light of God being all-knowing. Again, this is contrary to scriptural passages such as Psalm 33:11, Isaiah 14:24, and Isaiah 46:10, which affirm God’s sovereignty over all events from before time began.

Lastly, the Socinians rejected the propitiatory view of the atonement , the orthodox biblical doctrine stating that the sacrifice of Christ fully satisfied God’s wrath towards His people (Isaiah 53:10-11). Socinians favor what is called the “example theory” of the atonement, the theory that Christ bore the sins of His people on the cross only in the sense that His sacrifice served to incite us to abandon our sins. The Racovian Catechism, under the heading of “Refutation of the Vulgar Doctrine about the Satisfaction of Christ for Our Sins,” states, “And I affirm that he did not make satisfaction for our sins to the divine justice . . . nor was there any need that he should make satisfaction” (De Servatore, ch. 1). In this unscriptural view, Christ only became sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) and a curse (Galatians 3:13) for His people in the sense that He sacrificed Himself merely to motivate people to repent and believe. The Scriptures teach that Christ’s sacrifice was a perfect guilt offering (Isaiah 53:10) for the sins of His people through which God justified the ungodly (Romans 3:26) and guaranteed the justification of the many who would believe (Isaiah 53:11; Romans 3:30). In other words, Socinians believe Christ came not to save His people from their sins, but to make them savable, and the rest is up to them. This is nothing more than another works-based salvation theory.

Socinianism, as well as all heterodox Unitarian theological beliefs, is irreconcilable with what God has personally revealed to us in His Word. Socinianism rejects the clear, revealed teaching of the triune nature (Matthew 28:19 John 1:1, 14:26) of the one, true God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 43:10, 44:6). It rejects the clear, revealed teaching that the Son of God has existed since the foundation of the world (John 17:4; Hebrews 1:8-12; Revelation 13:8). It rejects the clear, revealed teaching that God is truly omniscient (all-knowing), that He is an omnipresent being that knows every event that will ever occur (Job 37:16; Psalm 33:11, 147:5; Isaiah 14:24, 46:10; Acts 15:18). Most erroneously, it rejects the clear, revealed teaching that the sacrifice of Christ fully satisfied the wrath of God and that Christ drank every last bit from the cup of God’s wrath against the sins of His people (Isaiah 53; Matthew 1:21). As such, the teachings of Socinianism should be rejected, and those who hold to this theological viewpoint should be prayed for in the hope that God, if He is willing, will open their hearts and minds to understand the truth He has revealed to us in His Word and through the Holy Spirit.

Wednesday 23 April 2014

Pelagianism

What is it and why on earth do we have to know about it now? Isn't it some ancient heresy that has been put to rest centuries ago? Well, no. The devil knows what works against the truth of God's word so he tends to use the same deceptions repackaged over and over again.

 In this message Phil Johnson explains what Pelagianism is, why it counters what the Bible says, how it attacks the foundation of our relationship with Christ, and where we see it today. I am amazed by this, truly, and need to listen to this one several times, it is that good. I've heard many of the questions brought up by Pelagian brought up today with the "therefore the Bible is either: A. untrue or B. corrupted, or C. we are misrepresenting what it actually is saying" such as what we hear from agnostics, atheists, and even many who consider themselves Christians and yet say God's word cannot be saying what it is saying because it makes no sense...blahblahblahblahblah....ad infinitum ad nauseum.

Gnosticism: A Deadly Viral Infection

  Beware 
lest any man
 spoil you
 through philosophy 
and vain deceit, 
after the tradition of men,
 after the rudiments of the world, 
and not after Christ. 
For in him dwelleth 
all the fulness of the Godhead 
bodily. 
Colossians 2: 8-9 (KJV)


To me it is a "no-brainer": if the Bible doesn't teach it, it is heresy and needs to be thrown out. There are all kinds of false teachings out there, and I tend to bottomline these all into a single category of HERESY and DON'T GO THERE. Yep, simple, straight forward, the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid). It works for me. Every once in a while the Lord reminds me that there are people tangled up in this stuff for whom it isn't so easy, and that I need to dig a bit into the garbage pits and get my hands dirty so that perhaps I can be used by the Lord if He so desires, to reach some that are sincerely struggling and lost in these false doctrines.

My husband used to kid me and say "You don't need to examine every piece of garbage to know that it stinks" because I would look at many things going on today to try to understand many of the weird things that are going on these days...and if we are talking about myself only, he is of course correct. However, I do have friends and family that are tangled up in various philosophies of this world, and it would help if I knew the enemy which has them tangled so that perhaps I might better confront the errors that bind them. It isn't only all about me, and just because I have my life jacket doesn't mean I can sit pretty and not attempt to pass some of these life jackets out to those around me. If I truly believe there are people headed for hell, and I do, I should try everything I can to reach them with the truth and not hide my light under a bushel. That means I need to sharpen my understanding not only of what is true, but also learn a bit about the falsehoods that are tangling up those loved ones.

One of the main deadly heresies circulating today is gnosticism. Wikipedia gives it to be an ancient belief system (which it was) which taught esoteric (obscure) wisdom which could only be obtained through philanthropy.

Phil Johnson (a favorite pastor of mine) gave a series on heretical teachings entitled "A Survey of Heresies". He offers a very clear and concise view of gnosticism and the form it has morphed into in our modern times. He says it infects the church subtly. He says it attacks Christianity at it's very foundation, muddying up the person of Jesus Christ, that He wasn't really who He said He was, and that He didn't really do the things that He did, or that He didn't really come in the flesh but was some kind of spirit or mass hallucination. Pastor Johnson states that gnosticism takes many shapes, but that there are 3 common errors in all forms of gnosticism. These 3 errors are:

1. Dualism: everything in the universe is reducible to 2 fundamental realities (yin and yang, mind and matter, flesh and spirit) and this has a "Christian sound" to it, but it is very different.

2. Syncretism: the merging of 2 systems of beliefs (philosophy merging Judaism with Hellenism of his day -- about the time of Christ and the Apostle Paul)

3. Docetism: "to seem" which is to say that Christ only appeared to seem human but was something that was not actually human because all flesh is corrupted and therefore it was impossible for Christ to be human.

Phil Johnson points to some of the places we see modern gnosticism flourishing today, including "the Church" that it has infiltrated like a deadly virus (leaven; which always equaled sin in scripture in the parables of  Jesus, therefore sin permeating the kingdom of God) I would encourage anyone reading this and interested to know about this horrible infection that plagues us today to go to the link A Survey of Heresies.

T
.....Also the Jewish Encyclopedia has very detailed information on the topic of gnosticism.







Tuesday 22 April 2014

False Religions and Doctrines of Demons

In a discussion on another blog there was the idea that gnosticism might be more correct than the Bible. I haven't really done much posting on false religions and false doctrines by defining each specifically, just defining them in general terms:

the truth of the Bible

vs.

every heresy and false religion in this world
(including some which have a christian-like appearance)



I like bottomlines, gets right to the point. Why bother with a million and one details, just get to the point! I hate beating around that and every other bush, and trying to soft-pedal and sugar-coat things as: this one is kinda bad, but not as bad as that one, but let me tell you about the one I like the best....who cares!???! If it isn't right with what the Bible says, it isn't right....PERIOD END OF SENTENCE....and if you don't agree with that, we have nothing more to discuss, do we?

However, for the sake of examining what is "out there" I shall go into some of these false areas, explore a bit for the sake of pointing out why it is deadly, not to "find some glimmer of other "truth" amongst the trash heaps" of false ideologies.

I will get to the problems with gnosticism, but first, again will go to that bottomline issue of what goes against the Bible being false, let God alone be true and EVERY MAN... (who doesn't agree with what God says, indeed everyone who is not indwelt with the Holy Spirit of God)... is a liar.

I'll begin with a couple of clips by pastors who touch on the fact that every religion is false if it doesn't line up with the Bible essentials of what the Bible says about who Jesus is and what it means to be saved:

I really found this first one the most helpful, Tim Conway explains what defines a false religion (focusing here mostly on Mormonism and Catholicism, but also acknowledging that every false religion in this world attacks the foundational principles of what the Bible actually says, and each false system is the great whore spoken of in the book Revelation) and then says why a person who is in a false religion needs to remove him or herself from it:




This second one is by Paul Washer, it's a shorter video, he also states that any religion that is unbiblical is false, and the importance of leaving false systems especially if you have a family...some may think that remaining there might be good for continuing to witness for the truth, and MAYBE that is possible, maybe the Lord desires for you to be a missionary to them, but Paul doesn't recommend it:


Why Hell?

This pastor talks about it in the context of what the Bible says, he uses the Bible alone to seek the truth about this place, not emotion, not how we want to see it, etc. He is about as close as I've come to completely agreeing with someone because he agrees with God's word, and doesn't shy away from the uncomfortable to please people, to make it easier...he tells the hard facts, what we are without Christ is hopeless, even if we "reject the idea"...if you reject it, you do so to your own peril and destruction. Is that a threat? No. It's the truth, simple as that, and MANY will reject it.

The Aroma of Christ

  For we are the aroma of Christ to God
 among those who are being saved
 and 
among those who are perishing,  
to one a fragrance from death to death, 
to the other a fragrance from life to life. 
Who is sufficient for these things? 
For we are not, like so many, 
peddlers of God's word
but 
as men of sincerity, 
as commissioned by God, 
in the sight of God 
we speak in Christ
 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 (ESV)

My flesh longs to be accepted and loved and honored by men (people), to get awards and titles and be rewarded with money for what I do. When I'm rejected or despised, my flesh attempts to win over that person that is rejecting me, to do so for my sake, to gain back my self-respect and the love I should be receiving for the good things I think that I do... and that is consistent with the world's way, but it isn't consistent with God's way.

As a person of sincerity, speaking truly about things of God and Christ (not as the many who want to draw attention to themselves, or want to make money out of it) to be honorable before God and men (people) that truly we are all perishing, amongst those who are being saved I am a "fragrance of life"
... and amongst those who reject it I am a "fragrance of death".

I think understanding this fact keeps me on track with speaking "in Christ" because it isn't to promote me, to win me awards or attention, quite the opposite. If I am truly presenting the truth about our condition here, the vileness of our fleshy natures confronts the holiness of God. Those who love this world more than they do God will reject me just as much as they do God, and that is exactly what Jesus said would happen.

So when I get rejected and hated, 
I should rejoice
and not get angry or hurt by it. 
It reveals that I am right on track 
with God, 
and that what He says
is true
...in my life. 

Thursday 17 April 2014

Man's Way or God's Way?

This morning I revisited the idea of man's desire for advancing himself by his own means, and lately it is taking the form of what is called "transhumanism". Technology can be our friend, and, as these videos reveal to anyone given God's discernment, man's advancements contain the seeds for our own destruction as well.

This first video talks about the recent discoveries and experiments which the videomakers themselves admit has a similarity to Frankenstein's Monster. They confess that their desire is to remove man's consciousness and implant it into a machine which can go on forever, and admit that they do not know if that will equate to eternal life because they do not know what life consists of, nor do they know what a soul is, and what love is, etc, so in their minds they believe that what we experience now might not be so different from what we can experience through being conscious in a machine...forever.

To me that sounds like hell, trapped in a machine kind of like Dr. Reinhardt in "The Black Hole" wanting to do that to his crew, and himself becoming trapped in his robot "Maximilian" and burning in what looks like a lake of fire.

Anyway, I think it is good to know what these guys are up to, they spin it as a good thing, of course. God tells us that man's ways are not God's ways. These things are man's attempt to circumvent God's plans for us, thinking they can find "a better (or have convinced themselves this is the way God plans to perform His next step for us) way":




Then part 2 uses many of the terms used in the Bible such as redemption, salvation, born again, etc, and interestingly they talk about eternal existence and it's possible (or probable) contrast to eternal life...the contrast of course is man's way vs God's way. 

Frank J. Tipler (professor in New Orleans) in this film uses many of these Biblical terms to represent what will happen through our advances in technology. At 44 min mark Prof. Tipler says that the name God gives as His Name to Moses is "I will be who I will be" and stresses the future tense, however it actually is past present and future, best translated "I am that I am". This video, although rather disturbing, is important (approx 1 hour) to understand where these guys want to take mankind:



We need to be thankful that the Lord is allowing us time to see what is coming, to understand our need of His redemption, not this false means of "eternal existence" which will cause many to be thrown into the lake of fire with the Beast and his false prophet. Pray for strength and wisdom to withstand the evil that is increasing and that which was held back by the restraining power, is soon to be unleashed on the world, however those who are in Christ and sealed with His seal will be able to stand against it, and die a martyr's death if need be, to oppose this false system.

Pray for the perseverance of the saints, and to be found in Him when this beast is unleashed.

Wednesday 16 April 2014

The 10 Kingdoms

Lately I've been revisiting "last days eschatology" because I haven't done so for quite some time...years have passed since I've searched that topic because most of it out there is "pre-trib" and I burned out on it. However lately I've been getting the urging to glean what I can, and granted I do find much that I disagree with, but I search with my heart open to what the Lord wants me to see.


The Rising Beast 2: Regional and Global Government has some information about the 10 regions that are forming, and says the 10 nations in the book of Revelation could be these 10 regions. He gives information about the formation of the EU and the African Union, and the forming (in process) of the North American Union (this sermon was given in 2007, he gives the projected date for the formation of the NAU as 2010, however the Lord is giving us more time...he said the EU took 40 years in it's various stages of formation).

Pastor Fernandes is "pre-trib" and thinks the verichip "is not the MOB"  but some precursor to it because you have to give formal allegiance to "the Beast" and with the verichip there is no such ceremony. I personally see the acceptance of this thing itself as the giving of allegiance to the Beast and see no problem with this being the MOB. Having a "pre-trib" mindset makes one have to make the MOB future when all Christians have been raptured, therefore not a consideration if you are still here, which I see as the main problem of the pre-trib mindset. It's kinda like what a magician does; he's moving his left hand like crazy while you don't see what is happening on the right...THAT is the problem with pre-trib, you are looking at the left hand all-the-while saying no need to look at the right hand because it has nothing to do with us...sigh...

However, I do find what he has to say about these 10 regions to be of value. Also see the image link for a good article that further outlines this global confederacy.

Wednesday 9 April 2014

Gifts of the Spirit Part 3

In Gifts of the Spirit Part 2 I posted a video clip that covered a portion of the Strange Fire conference. In that clip they mention Andrew Strom and the fact that he noticed that the people that experience "holy laughter" and etc, exhibit the same physical manifestations as those from Hindu Kundalini  ecstatic experiences. Andrew Strom admits he is "charismatic" but rightly says the gifts of the holy Spirit of God are quite the opposite of what is going on here. He mentions that some of these "leaders" have said that they have contact with "angels" but then in their descriptions of these beings they have none of the characteristics of Biblical angels which strike terror and conviction in the hearts of those who see them in the Bible passages. Mr. Strom rightly says that discernment is lacking in the church today, and many are falling prey to these demonic spirits.

Mr. Strom says that we are not to go to the opposite extreme and reject all the miraculous as demonic because there are true gifts of the Spirit. We are to seek the Lord truly in His word and guard our hearts and be sober minded. We are to cast our burdens on Jesus, pray for deliverance from all evil, have a contrite heart before Him to protect us and deliver us from the foolishness and evil that is pouring out in these latter days.

Here is Mr. Strom's clip of the false Kundalini Spirit masquerading as the Holy Spirit...I don't call what these gatherings are "church". They are not churches. I don't know what they are, but they are not church.


Tuesday 8 April 2014

The Gifts of the Spirit Part 2

In Part 1 I shared a video of a debate between well-reasoned Christian brothers on whether the gifts and manifestations of the Spirit have ceased, and I mention the fact that there are charlatans on either side of the debate.

The Strange Fire conferences point out some of the charlatans on the charismatic side. For the most part they are respectful in their rebukes of the stupidity on display by the "anointed" (self proclaimed as such, though I see no evidence for it). Some of the time they giggle and joke about it, which I believe is not helpful. John MacArthur gives sound arguments for the damage that these strange fire people are doing.

Although I fully agree with the fact that the people they are joking about, and the videos they show attest to the fact that these "pastors" and performers haven't a clue about the Holy Spirit, or anything Biblical, I don't think it would be fair to classify all who believe in the gifts of the Spirit with this class of heretical wolves in sheep's clothing. I personally wish they could have been more respectful (although I think John MacArthur was very sober and respectful) regarding this, and been more clear about the fact that this is not the prevailing norm with all churches that classify themselves as charismatic.


The Gifts of the Spirit Part 1

Whether you are a Cessationist or a Charismatic, you will (I hope) enjoy this dialogue on the subject. I myself do not go so far as to label myself a Charismatic nor a Cessationist. I agree that the Lord by His Spirit can do all things that are needful to truly and powerfully bring His chosen into the family of God. I find in the gospel of John that it is the Holy Spirit who brings all things Jesus said to our remembrance.

When I think of a scripture that is an answer to something that is arbitrarily believed contrary to what the scriptures actually say, I know it is the Spirit of God teaching me what to answer in due season, and that He gives me the discernment that is needed to know the difference between right and wrong teaching also corroborated with looking to what the Bible says on these things just as the Bereans made sure what was being taught lined up with scripture.

I think both sides of this debate have persons who we can agree tend to "go too far" in either direction of for or against. I think there are indeed charlatans on the side of the charismatic side, but that there are also deceivers on the cessationist side, and stifle the Spirit of God, and therefore to only disagree with a position because you have interacted with some of those deceivers and not because of having a direct and fully formed basis for that position by careful study in the matter is somewhat shortsighted.

Having given as a small introduction a few things as I understand them on this topic, I give you this debate to pray about and may you be blessed by the discussion and may they be for further study and prayer in your life and the Lord's developing His gifts to His current disciples in the faith, as He determined beforehand to do for His people, and for the truth He has revealed in His word to reach all those that are to be found in Him.


Monday 7 April 2014

The Problem of Evil Points to the Reality of God

A couple of Bible excerpts and then a powerful message from R.C. Sproul

But Joseph said to them,
 "Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  As for you, 
you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,
to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today..."
Genesis 50: 19-20 (ESV)

and

Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:10-11

It seems that inevitably those who question God, call Him a liar, etc, inevitably bring up the subject of how an omnipotent and good God cannot and would not create or allow for evil.

In the video which follows, R.C. Sproul talks about evil, what it is, what it is not, why God allowed for evil (he admits he doesn't know, and then gives the best explanation I have ever heard for why God would allow for evil), and why what is terrible and evil would be in accordance with His supremacy and His perfect will.


On Finding Contentment With God Part 2

In a recent post on this blog I mused about finding contentment with God. Paul said he had found the secret to finding that contentment:

Not that I am speaking of being in need, 
for 

I have learned 
in whatever situation I am to be content.  

I know how to 

be brought low,
and
I know how to 
abound
In any and every circumstance, 


I have learned 
the secret 

of facing 
plenty and hunger, 
abundance and need.   
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
(Philippians 4:11-13 KJV)

In that blogposting one of the questions I ask is:

"One day we will die and stand before Jesus.What will matter in that day?"

Will what I had for breakfast, lunch or dinner on any given day matter? Will what I wear today matter on that day? Will what I think of myself...

Friday 4 April 2014

Perilous Times

Anyone following what I've been posting on lately knows that I've been binging out on some great Voddie Baucham sermons. His series on the book of Revelation is excellent. This one talks about the church compromising with the world. Surely the Lord will be gentle and merciful with our weaknesses in this matter, won't He? He is loving and forgiving and He loves sinners. Yes...however....God is righteous, and requires repentance in His forgiving. That is the part everyone wants to sweep under the rug these days.

Tolerating the Intolerable by Voddie Baucham 

Judgment is coming, where do you stand before a holy God?






Wednesday 2 April 2014

On Finding Contentment With God




Many have already spoken about the modern fallacies being promoted from many modern pulpits. Some of us realize that it is foolishness to pray for worldly stuff like money or fame or even long life if it goes against the plans the Lord has already designed for us. I'm not saying having lots of money or being famous or wanting to be healthy is wrong in and of itself. What I am saying is that those things can become our god and be put in place of true worship of God. True worship, by the Biblical standard, says we will trust God even when we go through extreme hardship or poverty and lack of worldly comforts.

Again I hope that when you read what I'm saying you don't think I'm promoting being a monk, or nun, or Amish, and I'm not saying that the Lord cannot reach such persons as they mortify their flesh in these externals, but that isn't what I'm talking about.

Well then, what am I talking about? I'm....

Tuesday 1 April 2014

What is Sanctification?

Justification and sanctification are terms that get tossed about when discussing salvation. What are they? Are they different terms that describe the same thing? If not, how are they different?

Let's look at their definitions:


1.a reason, fact, circumstance, or explanation that justifies or defends: His insulting you was ample justification for you to leave the party.
2.an act of justifying: The painter's justification of his failure to finish on time didn't impress me.
3.the state of being justified.
4.Also called justification by faith. Theology . the act of God whereby humankind is made or accounted just, or free from guilt or penalty of sin (legal position of being set free of the legal obligation of debts).
actually the word being defined is "sanctify":
1.to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate.
2.to purify or free from sin: Sanctify your hearts.
3.to impart religious sanction to; render legitimate or binding: to sanctify a vow.
4.to entitle to reverence or respect.
5.to make productive of or conducive to spiritual blessing.

>>>>*<<<<
So from this definition for the word "sanctify" we can establish that sanctification is a process of becoming sanctified (purified, made holy, set apart)
Still continuing on my Voddie Baucham binge, I happened across this wonderful sermon on the topic of sanctification. I tried to find it all in one piece, but could only find it given in three parts:
 


Sermon Audio also provides many of Voddie's sermons online in the audio format only. Enjoy!

Monday 31 March 2014

The Gospel: Why is it Good News?

Voddie explains the difficult concept of total depravity, and why it is vital to understand this in order to know fully well why it was necessary for Jesus to have to go through what He did for us. When we soft-pedal this we do not fully realize the awesomeness and the miraculousness of what Jesus did on our behalf. It is a difficult concept because we do not want to believe we are "that bad". Voddie goes into ways we try to wiggle out of the truth of the fact that we were totally depraved prior to Jesus redeeming us. He explains the difference between being restrained from completely falling into our totally depraved ways by the restraining power of God, but that this is not the same as being saved and released from the power of sin. He explains the difference. Very powerful and thought provoking and prayer provoking sermon. He also explains why it is vital that we tell the truth to others who are lost in false doctrines and sin, and why it is vital to pray for the the truth to be preached and the lost to be reached. Hope you  enjoy this message as much as I did.

Thursday 27 March 2014

Dr. Alan Cairns

Dr. Cairns gave this message in 2006 shortly before retiring from preaching. You can hear and feel with him the heaviness in his heart for America, for how far she has fallen from grace. You can hear and feel the heaviness in his heart that he bears for the individuals who boldly and brazenly reject the offer that God makes to fallen man through His beloved son Jesus. The prayer he prays at the end is so solemn and so penetrating, so humbling and yet so powerful. God help us, America is so filled up to the brim with her sins that like Dr. Cairns woefully admits, her sins today make the sins of yesterday look so innocent and so minor...although all sin is horrible. The sodomites and the abortioners (child murderers) can't get enough of their murderous and adulterous ways. They lust for more and more blood and filth and horror. God help us, we are on the brink of destruction (parts 1-5):


Neglecting So Great a Salvation

I've heard many objections to the reality of hell. Here are a few:

1. God cannot be a good God and send people to hell

2. It is only for the angels who sinned not for people

3. It is not a literal place, it is only symbolic, people will just disappear and the eternal aspect of it is they will be eternally nothing, their suffering and gnashing will be an eternal fact of the past, but will forever attest to their once having been, and forever having disappeared.

4. Hell only means "grave". It is from a word that translates to mean "the grave". If you believe Jesus, and truly take to heart what Jesus says about hell, you would know that it does mean that the person has died and their mortal body has gone to the grave...but it goes further, there is an immortal portion that goes deeper and further and lower than simply a hole in the ground.

Jesus said none of those things. The Bible reveals that it is a place, a real place, and that there will be angels who get sent there, but that there will also be people that will get sent there...and Jesus said MANY will go there, that few will go the narrow road that leads to eternal life and many will go the wide path to eternal destruction.....

Wednesday 26 March 2014

Questions and Answers

Continuing with my Voddie Baucham binge I came upon this sermon and I am in awe of how much the Lord has blessed me through this sermon...even though the message is the same one (God never changes) Voddie is so gifted in breaking open the Truth of God's word to the understanding afresh.

In this sermon he asks life's 4 basic questions, and then answers these questions with "the world view" and then answers them with what the Bible says. Amazing grace, ever more and more amazing.

Tuesday 25 March 2014

Voddie Baucham

I've heard others say "You have got to hear Voddie Baucham...he's an excellent preacher", and filed that away with "things and people I need to check out"...and then one day, a few days ago, I listened to Voddie, and I'm going to find me a whole lot of his sermons and go on a Voddie binge. I hope you will take about an hour to have your socks blessed right off:




Thursday 20 March 2014

Shaking the Dust Off...

What does that mean, exactly?

I seem to remember that I have posted on this topic once before...however it was a long time ago, and it bears thinking about again.

(interesting blog post as well)


When Jesus sent out the 12 to teach and preach and heal, He cautioned them to go only where they would be accepted, and to shake the dust off when their words were rejected. (Matthew ch 10; Mark ch 6; Luke chs 9 & 10; Acts 13:51)

However, does that mean to kick sand in their eyes? No. I believe that it just means to shake it off, don't carry the "stuff", the grunge, the hurts or angers or frustrations or what-have-you, from going through the dusty dirty interactions this world brings you, just shake it off, do not let it cling to you, and move on.

I have trouble with moving on.

I so can relate to the Israelites going over a small segment of land before the Jordan River, going over and over and over it, for forty years! Yes Lord! I can see that I do that! Why do I do that? Why can't I just shake the dust off and move on? Stubbornness, that's what it is, sheer stubbornness and stiffneckedness. Sigh.

Lord, AGAIN, I come before you (daily) with all the things I do which cause you to shake your head. I know I fall very short of your glory, and humbly come before you for the help to shake the dust off, not carry the memory of
stuff,
clutter,
nonsense,
arrogance,
murmurings and strife,
and let it go at the foot of the cross,

shake it out of my shoes,

like pebbles in my shoes
which only cause me to continually stumble
and cry out in agony
and frustration

instead of praise and thanksgiving.

Thank You for Your longsuffering on our (my) behalf, and for continually reminding me to look up, when I get cast down.

In Jesus Holy Name,
Amen.




Are Enablers Nice?

First off, I want to admit right off the bat that left to myself, I am one, an enabler that is. I want people to like me, and want to agree with all sorts of error and sin if it gets their saying: "Susan is such a nice person"... and would be lying if I didn't confess that straight away.

However, the Holy Spirit just won't let me off the hook that easily, and when I do this candy coated evil, I feel very uncomfortable. He won't allow me this hypocrisy for long before I have to confess my error, my sin, my thin veneer of "nice" over a dark icky glob of ENABLER TO WICKEDNESS, ugh!

Rom 1:20  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Rom 1:21  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Rom 1:22  Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23  and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.


Notice the regression:
1. they knew God
2. they did not honor Him as God
3. they became futile in their thinking
4. their foolish hearts were darkened
5. they claimed to be wise
6. they became fools
7. they exchanged the glory of immortal God for something that is more similar to mortal man; judging God by mortal and fleshy standards.

which then leads to a whole bunch of other errors, which in our crafty sinful flesh can be covered up with all kinds of "nice"...but the Lord is not fooled...and then not only do they harbor all kinds of covered up ugliness, but the Lord says:

Rom 1:32  Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 

Wow, there it is. Enablers. Not very pretty at all, is it? If we encourage sin, we are complicit in sin. If we say there is no sin in homosexual behavior, we are complicit in homosexual behavior. If we say there is no sin in abortion, we are complicit in murder. And there is no sin that is not forgiveable...except one, blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, in which the truth of sinfulness is revealed, and known, but they would rather cling to the flesh and love fallen sinfulness and decaying wretchedness more than the truth of what God says about it, and encourage those who likewise love sin more than truth. Forgiving: yes....Enabling (encouraging, saying wrongly that it isn't sin, therefore needs no forgiveness): no

Are you an enabler? Do you want to confess the horribleness of it and come clean about it before Christ? He is all-forgiving of the worst sins if we truly humble ourselves before Him with all of our wretched behaviors and mindsets, and confess that He alone is Holy, Gracious, and True, and able to make us partakers of His good qualities through His Holy Spirit,
only by the cross,
the crucifying of our flesh with Him,
by Him and through Him,
His power,
His glory,
His forgiveness,
His goodness,
forever, and forever,
Amen.