The Problem of Forgiveness

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments. Luke 23:34

Forgiveness is a problem for many people due to their misunderstanding of what forgiveness involves and confusion about what forgiveness really is. Part of the issue is that sometimes we are unable to distinguish between forgiveness and feeling forgiven. Sometimes our feelings can get out of sync with the reality of forgiveness.

Once a man came to talk to me about feeling greatly distressed because of his guilt. He said that he had committed a particular sin and had prayed and prayed about it but hadn’t received any relief…. Continue reading →

Gaia Goes to Church: The Revival of an Ancient Pagan Goddess

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“Lovelock’s new Gaia [Guy-uh], now dressed in the fashionable garb of scientific formulation, seeks to again have us believe that our planet Earth is a living creature—as the ancient Greeks believed. It is no longer just a mass of rock, water and air providing a home for billions of individual forms of life. Instead, the planet and all life upon it are to be understood as a single, interconnected whole: a living, breathing, and thinking organism.”

(Sarah Leslie – Herescope)  A new morality is forming based on an old spirituality. Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders described the environmental crisis as a “moral imperative” during a Democrat Party presidential debate. The recent Amazon Synod of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church invoked Pachamama, a “Mother Earth” goddess, as Pope Francis considers adding a new sin, an “ecological sin.” Continue reading →

Lauren “I Don’t Know if Homosexuality is a Sin” Daigle Dominates Christian Music Charts in 2019

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“The reason these groups — including Lauren Daigle — topped the “Christian” music charts in 2019 isn’t that this music is actually Christian, it’s that it is pleasing to the world. When you fill music with sound doctrine and God-honoring reverent lyrics, it simply isn’t going to get the votes.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  When the world is what you act like, then the world is what you will get…. Continue reading →

The Gospel Is The Power Of God For Salvation Conforming the Hearts of Believers To Christ

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The operative pattern for the Christian is to understand that corruption still exists but that we are now united to Christ. We have died with Christ and risen again in new life. The flesh still operates and entices us but we need to be on-guard and hate it. We need to be killing it. It is ever with us. The world, the flesh, and the devil. These are the enemies of God.

(PCA Ruling Elder – The Aquila Report)  I forgot to share this a couple of weeks ago but the Nate Collins tweet reminded me of this podcast episode. https://www.premierchristianradio.com/…/Unbelievable-God-Ga…

IT’s a “Side A” vs “Side B” debate. What is consistent between them both is their status as “gay people”. Continue reading →

Pence says risk of coronavirus spread in US ‘remains low’ thanks to Trump’s ‘decisive action’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , ,

“And today, we haven’t had a new case for the last two weeks until the word that reached the public in the last 24 hours,” Pence added. “We’ve had 15 cases in this country. People are being treated and — and doing well.”

(Victor Garcia – Fox News) Vice President Mike Pence told Fox News’ Sean Hannity in an exclusive interview Thursday that “the risk of the spread of coronavirus in the United States of America remains low” and credited what he called “decisive action” by President Trump earlier this year. Continue reading →

Bought With a Price to be Slaves of Christ

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called. 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 (NASB) 

During the ministries of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Apostles there was a full understanding of the nature of slavery. It dominated their culture. Therefore, we must take that into account when we read from God’s Word the true nature of our “personal relationship” with our Lord…. Continue reading →

The News You Won’t Believe

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , ,

“Even more incredible, even more bizarre, was an announcement by the state of New York that from now on, as part of some incomprehensible species of “justice reform,” accused criminals are to be given a list of names of the witnesses against them. Bail is a thing of the past: arrest ‘em and release ‘em. But don’t forget to give ‘em that list of witnesses.”

(Lee Duigon – News With Views)  The nooze has developed a habit of hitting you with stories that you don’t want to believe, and maybe can’t believe. But you check it out and it turns out to be true: heaven help us.

Here are a couple of flagrant examples that appeared last week. Continue reading →

Why Aren’t ‘Faith Healers’ Like Francis Chan, Todd White, and Todd Bentley in China Fighting the Coronavirus?

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

“The reason Chan, White, and Bentley — and anyone else who claims to be able to heal people — won’t go to China to heal people of the COVID-19 coronavirus is simple: they can’t. They have no power to heal people. These men are liars and deceivers.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Todd White, Todd Bentley, and now, interestingly but unsurprisingly, Francis Chan have told countless stories about how they’ve healed sick people, cured chronic and mortal diseases, and even raised people from the dead. Interestingly, however, there has never once been any unassailable proof of their claims. Continue reading →

The Left Prays for Coronavirus Black Swan Event to Take Out Trump, But it Won’t Happen. Here’s Why.

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“The “aggressive containment strategy” by the U.S. “has been working and responsible for the low level of cases that we have so far,” according to the career CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat, who spoke at the White House news conference on COVID-19. But she also urged schools, institutions, and universities to “dust off pandemic emergency plans” to be prepared. She reminded reporters assembled that the last time the U.S. had a concern like this was with the H1N1 influenza.”

(Victoria Taft – PJ Media)  It’s hard to tell if the superheated response by the Left (the media) to the coronavirus outbreak from China is due to there being a slow news cycle (which is hard to believe), a legitimate news story with U.S. ramifications, or as something to tattoo Donald Trump with a ‘Hurricane Katrina’ moment. Continue reading →

This Age and the Age to Come

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. Ephesians 1:15-23 (NASB)  Read verses 18-23 on the site.

Many years ago, when was in my twenties, eschatology books were being pumped out by every “evangelist” under heaven. They were dazzling with their complicated charts with arrows for Christ’s multiple returns to get His church then later to bring His kingdom into fulfillment…. Continue reading →

Catholic Church Ordains ‘Non-Binary Transgender’ Woman as ‘Priestess’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“I never dared to think that it would be possible to manage in a movement, the RCWP, and with the support of a community, Mary Magdalene, which completely affirms my identity. I am very excited about future opportunities to be a pastor at the intersection of faith, sexuality, and gender.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  It’s difficult to make much sense of what actually just happened here and it’s also unclear just by looking as to whether this “non-binary transgender” person is actually a male or a female, but at least one report says she was born as a woman…. Continue reading →

Marvel Movie ‘The Eternals’ to Include Homosexual Superhero, Same-Sex Kiss

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , ,

The film is scheduled to open in theaters in November and will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios.

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  The upcoming film “The Eternals”, based on the fictional characters depicted in Marvel Comics books, will include a homosexual superhero and his “spouse,” who will kiss on screen, the actor who plays his partner has revealed.

“I just shot a Marvel film with the first openly gay superhero: ‘The Eternals.’ I’m married to the gay superhero Phastos, played by Atlanta’s Brian Tyree Henry, and we represent a gay family and have a child,” actor Haaz Sleiman told NewNowNext. Continue reading →

LGBTQ-Incompatible Means Gracious Separation is the Church’s Best Option

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , , , , ,

“To the extent that we are principled people and not wishy-washy in our convictions on these matters, we will be ineffective and divisive. Our churches will turn into two-headed monsters that bite and devour one another with arguments and shaming tactics. We will constantly be hurting and offending one another until we can acknowledge that regardless of who is right or wrong, we are not of the same mind.”

(Aaron Vriesman – The Banner)  By now you have heard many arguments on LGBTQ matters. You have likely been present in some discussions and heated debates surrounding civil same-sex marriages as well as LGBTQ inclusion in church life. Society has made up its mind. The church is still responding. Continue reading →

The Ancient of Days Reigns

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time. Revelation 20:1-3 (NASB) 

If we listen to much of the preaching these days we might get the idea that our God was an old grandfatherly type entity who loves people so much and wants to save them all, but is helpless to do anything to make that happen…. Continue reading →

40 Things to Give Up for Lent

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

14. Give up approaching church attendance as punching the time clock for God. The Christian’s entire life, our very beings, belong to Christ, not just a couple of hours on Sunday.

(Michelle Lesley)  Although, as a Louisiana girl, I’ve had a decades long love affair with king cake, and I totally support the increased availability of fish entrées at local restaurants and getting a few days off school or work, I’m not a big fan of Mardi Gras and Lent.

The intrinsic philosophy behind Mardi Gras – a day of revelry, indulgence, and debauchery to get it all out of your system before you have to start “being good” for Lent – is patently unbiblical. Continue reading →

Mayor Pete Wants to Crackdown on Religious Groups That Refuse to Hire LGBTQ Staff

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“As shocking as the Gospel of Mayor Pete may be, it’s not the first time a Democrat running for the White House has suggested that churches should be punished for following the teachings of the Holy Bible.”

(Todd Starnes – Townhall)  If Mayor Pete Buttigieg had his way your local Christian school would be forced to make a choice: hire transgender teachers, gender-fluid principals and pansexual coaches or lose federal funding. Continue reading →

I can’t believe they’re going to nominate a commie

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

“Sanders’ remarks are so astoundingly naive and ignorant that even those pledged to vote for him if he is the nominee, like anti-Trump radical Tom Nichols, openly identify Bernie as a “useful idiot” for the Soviet Union – not only foolishly believing their propaganda, but willfully and reprehensibly spreading it for them here in the United States.”

(Peter Heck – Disrn)  There’s no way they can actually do this, right?

That’s the question I keep asking myself as I consider the growing probability that the Democrat Party is preparing to make their nominee for President of the United States an outed commie…. Continue reading →

God’s Wrath of Abandonment

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

7 Ephraim is joined to idols; Let him alone. Hosea 4:17 (NASB) 

Idolatry is the natural state of man. Left to themselves, people will worship or idolize someone or something. On the top of the list of those things we place on pedestals of idolatry is self. Professing Christians are not immune. They idolize Christian leaders, their churches, their doctrine, their liberty, their self-righteousness, their denomination, their particular translation of the Bible, and anything else they can view as something that gives them a sense of religious identity. Tragically, most see nothing wrong with this…. Continue reading →

The seriousness of the issues involved in ‘guarding our eyes’

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , ,

In Matthew 18:7–9, we are informed that we must be willing to deal with those occasions to sin as though we were excising the offending member, be it our hands, our eyes, or our feet. The options before us are clear: Get rid of the offending member or be damned. Conquer the sin at any cost. It is not a matter of gaining or losing rewards. It is a matter of life and death.

(Albert N. Martin – Tabletalk) It soon becomes clear to every true child of God that if he is to be serious about personal holiness, sanctification, and growth in grace, he must become serious about guarding his eyes…. Continue reading →

Jesus Did Not Come to Address World Hunger or Global Inequality, He Came to Save His Sheep

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , , , ,

“This is simply false, unbiblical, and even outright heresy. The cause of misery is not poverty — poverty is a product of sin. The main cause of misery is sin and the only way to eradicate misery is the gospel. Social justice is not the gospel, it’s heresy, and those, like Grenholm, who continue to perpetuate it are far more in danger of losing their souls to Hades than a rich man.” 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  Evangelicals are lining up at the door trying to make the case that Jesus is all about a socialistic government that makes everyone equal…. Continue reading →

US Gov. Bought Murdered Baby Parts From Planned Parenthood Partner ABR to Find Cure for HIV

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , , ,

(Heather Clark – Christian News) The National Institutes of Health (NIH) paid at least $18,000 from December 2016 to August 2018 to Planned Parenthood partner Advanced Bioscience Resources (ABR) for livers and thymuses extracted from second trimester aborted babies, according to over 600 pages of documents obtained by the group Judicial Watch.

The documents show that the NIH purchased the organs to create “humanized mice” used in finding cures for HIV. Continue reading →

Stop It People! Democrats Deserve Bernie Sanders!

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

“In 2020, a Trump/Sanders contest will make the most honest, direct, and open debate our political body has observed in many decades of what ideas actually mean. … Should people get to keep what they earn? Or should they be forced to give $7 out of every $10 they earn to a centralized “Kremlin” that will then dole out “free benefits” to the people (usually on the basis and preference of the whim of those in power)?”

(Kevin McCullough – Townhall)  If Bernie Sanders continues his undefeated win streak in 2020 he deserves to be the Democratic nominee for president.

So why all the agita? Continue reading →

The Coming Day of the Lord

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 Behold, a day is coming for the Lord when the spoil taken from you will be divided among you. 2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city will be captured, the houses plundered, the women ravished and half of the city exiled, but the rest of the people will not be cut off from the city. 3 Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.  Zechariah 14:1-5 (NASB) (Read verses 4-5 on the site.)

When I preached in a small Baptist Church in northern Missouri several years ago the title of my sermon was, “Are you ready to meet God?” The main theme of that sermon was who Jesus Christ really is and what He has done to redeem His people from the wrath to come. I can still see the expression on those faces as I preached…. Continue reading →

Revelation of Jesus Christ

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 They told Him, saying, “John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets.” 29 And He continued by questioning them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter *answered and *said to Him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him. Mark 8:27-30 (NASB) 

The Compromised Church is in the lap of apostasy. Why? What is it that Christians do that starts them on the slippery slide into apostasy then heresy? It starts with a denial of the veracity of the Word of God…. Continue reading →

LGBTQ Group Boycotts St. Patrick’s Day Parade Because They Won’t Allow Them to Turn it Into a Gay Pride March

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , , ,

“Cummings isn’t going to allow militant homosexuals to rebrand their march and overtake it for their homosexual purposes. They already have the annual gay pride march, the Thanksgiving Day parade, the women’s rights march, and the Martin Luther King parade for that. Leave this one alone.”

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  An LGBTQ “pride” group in NYC, Pride Center, is calling on local businesses in the Staten Island area to boycott the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade because the parade organizers — a local Catholic group — won’t allow them to turn the parade into a gay pride march. Continue reading →