Popular CCM Artist Lauren Daigle: ‘I Can’t Say One Way or the Other’ If Homosexuality Is Sin, ‘I’m Not God’

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Joel Osteen, who is more of a life coach than a pastor, is mentioned in the Christian News article. Heather Clark reveals that a few years ago Osteen caused concern when he was asked by the Huffington Post whether God accepts homosexuals. Here’s the so-called pastor’s response: “The Scripture teaches the way people are going to know His disciples is for our love for one another, and so, I’m not preaching hate [or] pushing people down. I’m not here to tell everybody what they’re doing wrong.”  Joel Osteen is also not here to teach what the Holy Spirit inspired, infallible Word of God says about homosexuality, that it’s sinful!

Following in Joel Osteen’s footsteps, “Christian” entertainer Lauren Daigle said during an interview that she doesn’t know if homosexuality is a sin. Clearly, Daigle doesn’t read the Bible, because if she read it she’d know the answer to the question is yes, homosexuality is a sin against God. Christian News has the story: Continue reading →

CRTV, TheBlaze merge, bringing together conservatives Glenn Beck, Mark Levin

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“Blaze Media will compete with other conservative entities such as Breitbart and The Daily Wire, with the latter featuring popular conservative host and columnist Ben Shapiro.”

(Joe Concha – The Hill)  TheBlaze and CRTV have merged to create Blaze Media, the companies announced on Monday, in a move they say will allow the new conservative entity to reach 165 million people via television, online and on social media.

The Blaze was founded by former Fox News host Glenn Beck in 2011 not long after parting ways with the network, while CRTV was founded in 2014 by current Fox News host Mark Levin, who also hosts a nationally syndicated radio program. Continue reading →

Dutch court denies businessman’s request to legally identify as 20 years younger

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The court said it acknowledged “a trend in society for people to feel fit and healthy for longer, but did not regard that as a valid argument for amending a person’s date of birth.”

(Lucia I. Suarez Sang – Fox News)  The Dutch businessman who claimed he was a “young god” when he launched a legal battle last month to officially roll back his age 20 years will remain 69.

A Dutch court on Monday rejected Emile Ratelband’s request to shave off two decades from his age, saying that amending his date of birth would “cause 20 years of records to vanish.” Continue reading →

Living for God’s glory

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

8 “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8 (NASB) 

3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “It is what the Lord spoke, saying, ‘By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, And before all the people I will be honored.’” So Aaron, therefore, kept silent. Leviticus 10:3 (NASB) 

God is far more serious about His glory than anyone else. Does it feel wrong to you that our God demands that we be humble before Him while also demanding that His creation exist solely to glorify Him? (Isaiah 43:7; Colossians 1:10; 2 Timothy 2:4; John 8:29; Romans 8:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; Ephesians 4:1; 2 Corinthians 5:9) If that concept rankles within your soul then it is imperative for you do some self-examination. Don’t feel too bad about that because all of us who are in Christ are in the process of becoming conformed unto the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:29-30; Philippians 2:12-13) That process is called sanctification. (Romans 6:19-23; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3;1 Peter 1:2) View article →

Believers are dead to sin, alive to God

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12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 1 Timothy 1:12-13 (NASB) 

The older I become as I journey down this narrow way the more what passes for Christianity seems more and more absurd. Why? I suppose it is that I have become very convicted that we are guilty of taking God for granted. Instead of worshiping Him for who He is, we seem to be totally focused on His works. While we should worship Him for His works with a grateful heart, we are leaving out direct worship of our Wonderful, Awesome, and Majestic God for who He is. Our salvation is an incredible gift by His grace. That is why it troubles me so when Christian leaders cheapen it with their man-focused, easy-believism.    View article →

Brian Houston awarded honorary doctorate while still under police investigation

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“While the legal noose is tightening around Brian Houston’s neck and the media reports have been damning in recent weeks, this smoke-screen of self-aggrandizing, self-congratulating sideshow is attempting to make it appear that all is well with Brian Houston and Hillsong Church.”

(JD Hall – Pulpit & Pen)  While investigators are closing in on Brian Houston for Hillsong’s cover-up of their pedophilia scandal, and as Houston blamed the victim for “tempting” the perpetrator, he has awarded himself an honorary doctorate degree.  Continue reading →

Exorcist: Agenda Behind Céline Dion’s Gender-Neutral Children’s Clothing Line Is ‘Satanic’

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Kim Kardashian’s nephew wearing a shirt from Celine Dion’s new “Satanic” clothing line for kids.

“I’m convinced that the way this gender thing has spread is demonic, It’s false. I don’t even know how many genders there’s supposed to be now, but there are only two that God made.” 

(Kassy Dillon – Daily Wire)  A priest who has been an exorcist for over 40 years has labeled the “mindset” inspiring Céline Dion’s new gender-neutral children’s clothing line as “definitely satanic.”

As The Daily Wire’s Amanda Prestigiacomo reported, the clothing line was promoted in a video advertisement featuring Dion breaking into a hospital, blowing glitter out of her hand, and magically changing infants’ pink and blue blankets and clothing into gender-neutral clothing from her line. The gender-neutral clothing includes black and white colors with stars and the slogan “New Order.” Continue reading →

Is Persisting Sin Our Identity And May We Offer It To God?

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“Romans 7 is brutally realistic about the ongoing effects (and affects) of the fall. They are real but our sins do not define us. They mark us, they scar us, but those who are united to Christ through faith, by the Holy Spirit, who are adopted sons, by grace alone, through faith alone, are defined by those realities and truths not by their sins.”

(R. Scott Clark – Abounding Grace Radio)  A complex question came over the electronic transom this morning. It has at least two parts: (1) Is persistent sin (e.g., sexual sin or desire) our identity, who we are; (2) Does the Lord want us to offer this sin to him? The question arises out of the recent Revoice conference and other sources, where it has apparently become fashionable (1) to identify one’s self by one’s persistent sins; (2) to offer that identity to the Lord as a sacrifice as though one is giving up something truly valuable in order to follow Christ. Continue reading →

Catholic university defends drag show, transgender policies in defiance of archbishop

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“It is important for the institutional Church to understand the lived experiences of gay, lesbian and transgender Catholics. It is also important for this group of Catholics to understand what the Church believes and teaches.”

(Lisa Bourne – LifeSiteNews)Leaders at a Colorado Catholic university pushed back after their local bishop called out their move to host an on-campus drag show and other efforts to promote gender ideology.

Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila said Regis University Provost Janet Houser used her position of influence to advance gender ideology in several ways at Regis University that conflict with the Catholic faith. Continue reading →

To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered. 8 “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.” Romans 4:1-8 (NASB) 

Not long ago in a Bible Study class we got into a very tense discussion about how to share the Gospel. Some in the class were more for just inviting those they were concerned about to come to church with them. Others wanted to make friends with them and ease them into becoming Christians. I sat there for a while with my hand raised being ignored by the leader. He had a smile on his face because he knew that when he called on me I was going to cause a fuss. Continue reading →

Feminists Release Commentaries on Bible Passages to ‘Emancipate’ Women From ‘Lingering Patriarchal Readings’

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“Emancipation for women is the freedom to live as a person, not as a rule; the freedom to choose what is the ‘best part,’ not to conform to norms. We want to empower women and men to live who they are, in confidence to their vocation as Christians…”

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  A group of 20 female theologians from around the world have released a book of commentaries about Scriptures that pertain to women in an effort to tackle what they call “the lingering patriarchal readings that have justified numerous restrictions and bans on women.” Continue reading →

Tuberculosis, Chicken Pox, HIV/AIDS: A Third of Caravan Migrants Have Serious Health Problems

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[Some] people have chosen to accept offers of temporary work and asylum from Mexico, yet most still remain committed to entering the United States.

(Lucas Mikelionis – LifeZette)  Migrants who came with the caravan are suffering from respiratory infections, tuberculosis, chickenpox and other serious health issues, Tijuana’s Health Department warned on Thursday morning.

The spokesman told Fox News that out of 6,000 migrants currently residing in the city, over a third of them (2,267) are being treated for health-related issues. Continue reading →

Why Are So Many Millennials Ignorant Anti-Americans?

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The survey also asked which is better for America’ future: capitalism or socialism? Overall, 61% of the public favors capitalism. Given the appalling record of socialism, that is a shockingly low percentage.

(Investors Business Daily)  Mis-education: Congratulations to the leftists who’ve taken over the nation’s public education system. They’re now producing generations of Americans who know little about their own country, other than that they hate it. That’s what a new survey shows, anyway. Continue reading →

True Godliness vs counterfeit Christianity

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34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and A man’s enemies will be the members of his household.  Matthew 10:34-39 (NASB)  (Read verses 37-39 on the site)

A few days ago I shared an encounter I had on social media with a fellow who many would call a “troll” in my post Born of the will of God. That started a couple of days of some very ugly encountesesrs on Facebook in which I finally realized that God was putting me through some fiery trials. I shared some of that in my post last night, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you. I prayed about all this a great deal last night and this morning and came to the conclusion that I could no longer participate on some of those ugly discussions in that group. To my surprise the admins of that group met and reinstated me last night. …  View article →

Should Christians opt out of Christmas due to its supposedly pagan origins?

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Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley was asked the question:

I’ve been hearing a lot of things about Christmas having pagan origins, from Santa’s elves starting out as demons to the Roman winter solstice celebration of Saturnalia morphing into Christmas. Are these things true, and, if so, should Christians be celebrating Christmas?

Here’s Michelle’s thoughtful –and biblical–response: Continue reading →

The Hate For Melania’s Christmas Decor Is Even Worse This Year. Here Are The Many Cruel Things Leftists Are Saying.

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“It’s 2018: It’s well-established that we live in hell. It only makes sense that the first lady’s Christmas decorations would match the bleakness of the Trump era.”

(Paul Bois – Daily Wire)  You may love Melania Trump’s taste in Christmas decorations; you may indeed dislike them, or perhaps even detest them. To each his own. But the venom leftists have spewed at the First Lady these past two years regarding her Christmas decor goes beyond mere differences in taste and into pure “Mean Girls” territory. Continue reading →

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:12-17 (NASB) (Read verses 15-17 on the site)

In yesterday’s post, Born of the will of God, I shared the experience of a trying day with someone who hated our faith and wanted to do everything possible to discourage us and attack everything we hold dear about what God has given us in Christ. This morning I was reading a friend’s blog and discovered that he had gone through almost the same experience that day as well. He and I agreed that God was obviously working in us for His purposes yesterday. Several days ago a missionary was killed trying to reach an isolated people on an island in the Indian Ocean. There is a lot of controversy about this. Some are saying he was not a real missionary. Some are defending him. Some of the most vicious attacks are coming from within the ‘visible church.” …  View article →

10 Lessons From the Death of John Chau

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“The world can’t understand. Even if you explain it to them slowly and as clearly as you can, all they hear is utter foolishness. The Gospel itself is foolish to the ears of the perishing as the Bible tells us (1 Cor. 1:18). No church or ministry should get any advice from the world, and yet it seems to be a trend these days.”

(Jordan Standridge – The Cripplegate)  Would you be willing to die for the Gospel?

That’s a question every Christian needs to ask themselves. And really, it should be a part of our discussions in Sunday school with our kids and everyone we evangelize. We aren’t just calling people to new life, we are calling people to die to self and be willing to die for the sake of others. Continue reading →

Abortion: An American Institution Built on Lies

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“There is talk that the current 5-4 majority in the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade. But even if that occurs, states will be able to pass laws permitting abortions.”

(Laura Hollis – Townhall)  The new head of Planned Parenthood, Dr. Leana Wen, stated in a recent interview that she intends to expand the organization’s services and reach. If by “expand” she means services other than abortion, then more power to her. But that is hard to square with Planned Parenthood’s status as the single largest provider of abortion in the United States. It performed nearly 330,000 abortions in 2016. Abortion is also its biggest moneymaker. Continue reading →

Born of the will of God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

9 He was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through Him and the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him He gave to them the right to become children of God, even to the ones believing in His name, 13 the ones born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:9-13 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

Heresy is nothing new. When I encounter someone who snipes at me or one of my friends about our theology and condemns us as arrogant, prideful, legalistic, followers of a vain man (John Calvin). It jars me somewhat. However, I have learned to listen to what is going on for God is showing me something. That person trolling us today on Facebook could easily have substituted Martin Luther there instead of John Calvin. …   View article →

James White Joins Controversial ‘Booze and Tattoos’ Church

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It is unclear, at the time of publication, whether White is leaving Phoenix Reformed Baptist Church as elder and member, however, dual-membership is not really something that happens regularly in Reformed Baptist Churches.

(Pulpit & Pen)  Apologia Church is the congregation that became embroiled in a controversy after the Christians News Network posted an article about a number of questionable fundraisers undertaken by the church. On two separate occasions, church members hosted separate events that exchanged booze and tattoos (respectively) for money designated to a Hawaii church plant. Christian News Network found a video posted online under the church’s affiliated media ministry (by the same name), in which a man was receiving a tattoo on his arm in exchange for charity to the church. … Continue reading →

Hillsong UK Removes London Carols Promo Video Depicting Wise Men Visiting Baby Jesus in Tavern

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“Hillsong also raised eyebrows in 2015 as its Christmas presentation included the carol “Silent Night” set to a nightclub-like setting with 1920’s-style flappers, as well as the “Little Drummer Boy” featuring shirtless men pounding on drums while a woman in tight gold leather pants belted out the song in thick fog.”

(Heather Clark – Christian News)  A Hillsong branch in the United Kingdom has removed from YouTube a promotional video for its annual Christmas musical that depicted the wise men arriving at a Bethlehem inn to see the baby Jesus, and upon entering, finding an environment with much drinking and dancing just feet from the Christ child. Continue reading →