More ‘The Bible Project’ concerns: Enneagram, Lectio Divina

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

“The authors, trainers and teachers [of the Enneagram] are clear it is not a personality profile but 9 individual paths back to your “True self,” the self you actually are which never sinned and is with God already and was never separated from God. There is nothing in this which is Christian but is opposed to the essential doctrine of the Christian Faith.” 

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  Through the work of Pastors Gabe Hughes and Richard Sweatman we learned of disturbing flaws in the teaching of Tim Mackie of The Bible Project. Mackie rejects the biblical understanding of the Atonement (propitiation) and of hell. Continue reading →

Missing the Mark

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. Matthew 1:18-21 (NASB) Read Mat 20-21 on the site.

In the passage above, the word “sins” translates the noun ἁμαρτιῶν, which is the Genitive, Plural of ἁμαρτία (hamartia), from the verb ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō), which means, “to miss the mark.”… Continue reading →

‘Bet You Stay Home Now Hypokrits’: Church That Refused To Close During Lockdown Gets Burned Down, Investigated As Arson

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“We’re in a time where I don’t think it’s any secret that there’s a growing hostility toward churches, across the board. And now, here are churches like First Pentecostal that are sort of stirring up the waters by being outspoken and somewhat firm about seeking to protect their Constitutional rights.”

(Amanda Prestigiacomo – Daily Wire)  A Mississippi church in the midst of a legal battle to stay open despite local shutdown orders was burned to the ground early Wednesday morning. According to first responders, the First Pentecostal Church of Holly Springs was vandalized and suffered a large explosion to the back of the church. The incident is being investigated as a criminal act of arson. Continue reading →

Doctors raise alarm about health effects of continued coronavirus shutdown: ‘Mass casualty incident’

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“The millions of casualties of a continued shutdown will be hiding in plain sight, but they will be called alcoholism, homelessness, suicide, heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure. In youths it will be called financial instability, unemployment, despair, drug addiction, unplanned pregnancies, poverty, and abuse.”

(Tyler Olson – Fox News)  More than 600 doctors signed onto a letter sent to President Trump Tuesday pushing him to end the “national shutdown” aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, calling the widespread state orders keeping businesses closed and kids home from school a “mass casualty incident” with “exponentially growing health consequences.” Continue reading →

REVOLT: 1,200 Calif. Clergy Tell Newsom They’re Meeting in Person, With or Without Permission

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“Advocates for Faith & Freedom, The National Center for Law and Policy, Liberty Counsel and Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund, and First Liberty — firms representing the hundreds of clergy in California — sent the letter to Newsom, representing a demand that the governor either alters his order or receives notice that it will be violated on a massive scale.”

(Tyler O’Neil – PJ Media)  On Wednesday, lawyers representing more than 1,200 California clergy sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.), declaring religious services essential during the coronavirus pandemic and announcing that churches will start meeting in person on May 31 — the Day of Pentecost referred to as the birthday of the Christian church — with or without the governor’s permission. Continue reading →

Why Your Church Should Safely Reopen Now

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

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25

The Christian Worldview – David Wheaton

Depending on where you live, it has now been nine weeks since government officials have ordered churches in America to cease worship services due to stated concerns about the spread of COVID-19. In many states, there is no timetable for when government will allow churches to reopen. Continue reading →

Drawing Near Unto God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

7 You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me. 9 ‘But in vain do they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’” Matthew 15:7-9 (NASB)

What does it mean biblically to draw near to God? Obviously, the Jews our Lord confronted as Matthew recorded in the passage above were not doing so. However Hebrews 10:22 says to those who are truly born again: Continue reading →

Francis Chan Explains How He Became a Bill-Johnson-Loving Charismatic

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

“Can I just say something in response to that? Bill, you blow me away with your words and your heart behind them. You need to know that it’s that heart that changed me. It’s that type of character and kindness that can only come from the spirit, to love like that in the midst of slander.”

(Dustin Germain – PNP) Francis Chan brought some clarity to his journey from relatively sound Master’s seminary graduate and pastor, to itinerant charismatic faith healer when he took part in an online-conference “The Unveiling” on May 15. Sharing the scene Asher Intrator, Bill Johnson, David Demian, Diane Bickle, Mike Bickle, and Tabitha Lemaire, their purpose was to “come together to share their hearts on the Kingdom.” Continue reading →

Republicans Don’t Dare Call It Treason

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

“This is all we need to know about whether top Republicans in the House and Senate, and an Attorney General nominated by Republican President Trump, are serious about getting to the bottom of Russia-gate.”

(Cliff Kincaid – News With Views)  As more evidence emerges of the role played by former President Barack Hussein Obama in directing Russia-gate, President Donald J. Trump’s “allies” are leaving the field of battle. They seem not to want to hold Barack Hussein Obama responsible for what President Trump calls the “biggest political crime in American history, by far!” Continue reading →

Dear Christian: Stop It!!

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Satire ∙ , , , , , , , , ,

If we are supposed to listen to a guy talk about “life lessons,” “relationship skills,” and “practical advice for successful living” at a church worship service, wouldn’t there be Bible verses in the New Testament where we (the church) are taught that? How is that even a “worship service?” Is a motivational speech really the same thing as hearing from God’s Word?

(Steven Kozar – Messed Up Church)  There are lots of things that Christians believe that are not in the Bible. At all. Continue reading →

Planned Parenthood affiliates improperly applied for and received $80 million in coronavirus stimulus funds

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , ,

“After this report was published, Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called for an investigation and said the money needed to be returned, warning that criminal prosecution may be appropriate. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and James Lankford, R-Okla., also demanded Planned Parenthood return the funds.”

(Fox News) Thirty-seven Planned Parenthood affiliates applied for and received a total of $80 million in loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Fox News’ “Tucker Carlson Tonight” has learned — and now the federal government wants the money back, saying the affiliates should have known they weren’t eligible for the coronavirus stimulus payouts. Continue reading →

The Religious Are Not Immune From Being Carnal

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

63 The Spirit is who makes alive. The flesh does not profit anything. The words which I have spoken to you are Spirit and are life. John 6:63 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

Apart from my normal preparations and Bible study to put these devotions and articles together, I also do a systematic read through of the Bible every year. Today I read 2 Kings 12-16 and John 6, which, on Saturdays, I usually do from my 1560 Edition of the Geneva Bible…. Continue reading →

How You Can Help Roll Back The Coronavirus Police State

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

“We did consent to the lockdowns and now are suffering under the insanity that has flowed from them—economic suicide and petty local laws that serve no purpose other than to nanny us into submission. So how do we muscle out of our bind? How do we return from the police state we have become to the land of liberty that we enjoyed a mere three months ago?”

(Molly McCann – The Federalist)  Last week, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy released a three-minute video in which he vigorously ranted against the ongoing lockdowns. Portnoy’s basic point was that the goalposts have shifted from “flatten the curve” to “find a cure.” He pointed out, in blunt and colorful language, that economic suicide in pursuit of the latter goal is insanity. His video went viral. Continue reading →

Police State Dry Run a Huge Success

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

“There is a war being waged. The left is determined to take this nation down and the perfect time arrived to go in for the kill. Maximum suffering, pain, and destruction is on the menu and they’re serving it up every day as they plunge small towns, cities, counties, and states into protracted lockdowns and shifting goalposts.”

(Carol Brown – American Thinker) When the coronavirus landed on our shores, communist China came with it.

We have become part of a mass scale human experiment in government control and it turned out that stripping away our freedom wasn’t all that difficult. Under the guise of concern for our health and well-being, tyrants came out of the woodwork…. Continue reading →

Ravi Zacharias, Apologist, Dead at 74

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Opinion ∙ , , , , ,

Sadly, while Zacharias had many good years of ministry, he spent much of his later years  deconstructing Christianity and joining the rank-and-file social justice branch of Christendom and the likes of The Gospel Coalition and other sub-biblical movements. 

(Jeff Maples – Reformation Charlotte)  On May 19, 2020, notable Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias lost his battle with cancer at the age of 74. Continue reading →

God of Isaiah vs. the ‘higher power’

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

“In Alcoholics Anonymous, most Christians will experience a transference of faith. The twelve-step experience often becomes an idol. It is not uncommon to speak with Christians who are more concerned with “recovery” than sanctification and who demonstrate a preference for A.A. rather than fellowship with the saints.”

(John Lanagan – The Word Like Fire)  “I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins. (Isaiah 43:25)  Continue reading →

Build Your House on the Rock

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

46 “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46 (NASB) 

There is much controversy in the Church these days over some teaching from those who have made it a point to move their doctrine away from the Orthodox into a what used to be called liberalism. However, instead of rejecting everything spiritual as the liberals do, these new teachers claim that they are moving back to the origins of the Church with methods and doctrine that are more indicative of the early church rather than what is called Orthodox now…. Continue reading →

Things Paul Never Wrote

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

“Do not be anxious about anything, but take dominion over what troubles you by speaking into the situation.”

(Rick Becker – Famine In The Land)  We identify false teachings by comparing them to what is clearly taught in scripture.  Sound exegesis of a text will separate truth from error, and expose the twisting of scripture. The reason false teachers have to ignore the context and distort the truth, is because what they teach is NOT taught in scripture. If the teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and other heretical movements were true, then we should have a different bible…. Continue reading →

Pelosi ‘enslaving’ US to China with state bailouts

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

“Where’s the money coming from? It’s coming from abroad. Who are we going to borrow it from? The largest foreign debtor. The country that buys the most American debt. It’s China.” 

(Vandana Rambara – Fox News)  Political commentator KT McFarland told Fox News’ Steve Hilton on Sunday that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. is “enslaving” the U.S. to China by advocating huge state bailouts to offset the crippling economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading →

Obamagate Is Not a Conspiracy Theory

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

“What makes anyone believe these people wouldn’t create a pretext to spy on the opposition party? If anyone does, they shouldn’t, because on top of everything else, we know that Barack Obama was keenly interested in the Russian-collusion investigation’s progress.”

(David Harsanyi – National Review)  Those sharing #Obamagate hashtags on Twitter would do best to avoid the hysterics we saw from Russian-collusion believers, but they have no reason to ignore the mounting evidence that suggests the Obama administration engaged in serious corruption. Continue reading →

The Triumph of Grace over the Power of Sin

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

8 And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just. Romans 3:8 (NASB) 

The debate in the visible Church in our time concerning the need for Christians to walk in Repentance is actually quite perplexing to those of us whose hearts and consciences are bound to the Word of God. It clearly exhorts us all to repent and walk in righteousness…. Continue reading →

It is Finished!

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, *said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine upon a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. 30 Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. John 19:28-30 (NASB) 

Sometimes God brings things into our lives that seem devastating. Others may also see these things in our lives and question that God even exists…. Continue reading →

Judge rules Christian agency must allow non-Christians families to adopt

Posted by ∙ ∙ In News ∙ , , , , , ,

On May 8, U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Cain said Miracle Hill’s withholding of an adoption to Eden Rogers and her “wife,” Brandy Welch, violated their 14th amendment rights to equal protection from religious discrimination. The couple’s victory was not total, however, as Cain rejected their claim they were discriminated against based on sexual orientation.

(Christian Action Network) If an adoption agency doesn’t work with non-Christian adopters, and you are not Christian, you look for a different one, right? Continue reading →

Coronavirus Isn’t Nearly as Deadly as We Thought. So Why Did the Lockdowns Happen in the First Place?

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

“The World Health Organization (WHO) and Dr. Anthony Fauci justified the lockdowns by citing estimated death rates of 3.4 percent and 2 percent. Yet the less than 1 percent death rates have come after funeral home directors blew the whistle on the intentional inflation of coronavirus death counts.”

(Tyler O’Neil – PJ Media)  Recent studies have shown that the coronavirus has spread much faster than previously thought and that it is far less deadly than previously thought. Antibody tests show rapid spread, while many studies have placed the death toll at less than 1 percent…. Continue reading →