God is calling for His people to repent

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8 He came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the king. 9 For on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon; and on the first of the fifth month he came to Jerusalem, because the good hand of his God was upon him. 10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:8-10 (NASB) 

If we study God’s Word from cover to cover we will find that only God is perfect. He is Sovereign. He is Holy. He is complete and perfectly righteous. On the other hand, people are none of the above. We are a fallen race who, even after God’s gracious regeneration of our hearts, must continually work out our salvation with fear and trembling. That implies that we still sin. We still fall into temptation and become entangled. Even when God graciously allows us to walk in victory for awhile, we get our eyes off of Him and on ourselves and begin to believe that we are invulnerable to the worst our flesh can throw at us. That, of course, sets us up for a next stumble. View article →

The Gigantic Problem Beneath the Really Big Problem

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Something is true because it’s actually true-whether you like it or not.  Something is false because it’s actually false-whether you like it or not. 

Has the American Evangelical Church abandoned God’s Word? According to Steven Kozar of Messed Up Church, God’s Word has been abandoned. In a letter he wrote, Kozar addresses this along with other issues in the visible Church, plus he shares many things he wonders about that other Christians wonder about, too. And he asks some excellent questions. Here’s one example, “Isn’t it a strange coincidence that this pastor suddenly changed his view about an important issue and adopted the exact same viewpoint of the surrounding culture?”

Now to Steve’s letter, where you will learn what he believes is the most GIGANTIC problem in the Evangelical Church: Continue reading →

Willow Creek Explains Why Staff Sign Non-Disparagement Agreements After Scot McKnight Raises Questions

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“He warned that such agreements can sometimes be ‘profoundly evil,’ as they can tempt people with money to hide acts that are morally wrong, and even criminal.”

(Stoyan Zaimov – The Christian Post)  Scot McKnight, a scholar and former member at Willow Creek Community Church, has asked why churches are making employees sign non-disparagement agreements.

The evangelical megachurch told The Christian Post that such agreements relate to financial care packages offered to staff. It’s an extension of compensation following a termination of employment so they don’t suffer financial hardship. And the former staff member is asked to “refrain from making disparaging or untrue statements about the church for the duration of the financial care agreement.” Continue reading →

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 (NASB)

How important is it for Christians to be pure in heart? If we look at Jesus’ statement from Matthew 5:8 we see that those who are pure in heart shall see God. What does that mean? Is this a promise that the only ones who do attain a pure heart will be in eternity with God? Or, does it mean that our English/American understanding of the terms used in this statement by Jesus are inadequate to convey the truths correctly? Perhaps it is both. Also, what does it mean for a Christian to be pure in heart? Jesus is telling us that this is very important. I have heard teachings on the Beatitudes that say that the Christlikeness demanded by Jesus in this sermon is only possible for people who have been glorified. … View article →

Being Berean – 8 Steps for Comparing Teaching to Scripture

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Bible study author, speaker and blogger, Michelle Lesley, has come up with 8 steps every Christian should take in order to become what those of us involved in a discernment ministry refer to as a “Berean.” As Berean Research points out in their Discernment White Paper (which will help you guard against error):

Christians who are spiritually discerning are able to properly distinguish between true and false teaching. Those with discernment have wisdom. Moreover, in the Bible we’re told that a true believer possesses the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)

“It is the great privilege of Christians, that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit,” reminds Bible expositor Matthew Henry. Continue reading →

Charisma Magazine reports on why Bill Johnson didn’t immediately shut down ‘grave sucking’

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“Bill Johnson often uses his pulpit to ‘virtue signal’ to his congregation how they need to be wary of the demonic yet does nothing to discipline his leaders and students for dabbling in occult activity.”

(Churchwatch Central)  We advise our readers that ‘Charisma Magazine’ exists to promote the cause of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Included in the NARisma article below, you will read of other apostles involved in the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders (ICAL) and Bethel Church. Jesus Culture founder Liebscher addressed several controversies surrounding Bethel Church – including grave sucking. Continue reading →

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NASB) 

Without a doubt the culture in the 21st Century is “out of season” for the Gospel. Resistance to the truth of God’s Word is strong because our society has rejected absolute truth. Along with this is the downgrade in morals. I was a teenager in the 1960’s. Even in that “free love” culture there would never be the filth allowed on TV that we see in prime time shows in our time. However, our Lord Jesus Christ preached the exclusivity of the Gospel. He confronted sin head on, but in our time preachers water down the message so they won’t offend people by preaching against sin. View article →

Social Justice: How Good Intentions Undermine Justice and Gospel

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

Not long after Donald Trump took office a stranger began posting hateful messages on my Facebook page in reference to some of my posts. However, most of those messages were pointed towards a friend who was commenting on those posts, not me. It began with me trying to peacefully end the hostility, but then graduated into one of those long, drawn-out sessions I hate with a passion where this fellow kept building straw-men about nearly everything I believe and write about as he gleefully burned them as if to say he was the “real christian” because he was a “social justice warrior” while we were mired in our self-focused religiosity. I got angry (that’s not good).  I then decided to pray about it (that’s good). It was then I realized that I could solve this very easily. I simply asked the fellow to show me from scripture where it backed up what he was saying we were to do what he claimed the Church had been doing wrong for over 2000 years. That made him angry. It was then I blocked him because his real personality came out and his pretensions about being a “real christian” were greatly over-shadowed by some very ugly comments. :-) View article →

Why We’re all Responsible for the Scandals in the Church

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According to Julie Roys, all Christians must take the blame for the scandals–and there are many–plaguing the Church. With homosexual pedophiles being publicly “outed,” the Roman Catholic Church and its current pope have a whole host of problems to deal with and lot of ‘splainin to do.  There are plenty of scandals these days, and evangelicals have had their fair share, too.  Roys’ tackles what’s going on in the evangelical community: “From scandals involving Bill Hybels to Mark Darling to Sovereign Grace Ministries and Bob Jones University, it’s clear that we have our own problems.”

Indeed we do.  Problems abound in the RCC and evangelicalism as well. So, is there a solution to all the “issues” in the visible Church? Roys believes there is.  You ask, “What are the solutions?” Keep reading…

Continue reading →

Study: Half Of All Transgender Female Teens Have Attempted Suicide

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The study raises serious questions about how families, schools, doctors, government, and the media should grapple with the increasing number of children who label themselves transgender.

(Kelsey Harkness – The Federalist)  One in every two transgender adolescents who are female but identify as male has attempted suicide in the past year, according to a new study. The study was published in Pediatrics, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Continue reading →

Baptists, Presbyterians, and Methodists Join March FOR Abortion in Kentucky

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The marchers, part of a 30-city effort across the nation, also challenged the notion that abortion or homosexuality were important issues. The Higher Ground Moral Declaration, a statement put together by the clergy, said, “We challenge the position that the preeminent moral issues today are about prayer in public schools, abortion, and homosexuality.”

(Pulpit & Pen) Pro-abortion clergy members held a rally in Kentucky earlier this week. On Monday, September 10, the Higher Ground Moral Day of Action was held to promote the abortion of human beings. Clergy members from the Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Unitarian-Universalists were among those who gathered to support abortion in the name of Christianity. Over one-hundred clergy members were in attendance. … Continue reading →

Means of Grace: God’s Provision for Our Salvation and Sanctification

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

By Bob DeWaay

“And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

A soldier in Iraq emailed CIC a few weeks ago. His message exposes an alarming trend in evangelicalism: to replace the Bible with man-made programs. Here is a portion of the email:

I am currently serving in Iraq. I am in the Army National Guard. “A lot” of PDL [Purpose Driven Life] study groups have sprouted up at various camps around Iraq. The people in my unit have done the PDL study 3 times now! They started for 3 months, then again started again for 3 months, and AGAIN started the “same” study. (continuous back-to-back-to-back) At no time have I EVER seen one of them carry a bible into the study. … Continue reading →

Christian meditation: what’s biblical and what’s not (repost)

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This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was first published in September 2014.

In Joshua 1:8 God said: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.” So, what exactly did God have in mind when He told Joshua to meditate on His word? Well, we can be certain of one thing. The Lord was not suggesting that Joshua sit in the lotus position repeating a mantra until he attained an altered state of consciousness.  “These help bring one into states other than normal waking consciousness, in which a person becomes open to mystical experience, the spirit realm, or cosmic consciousness,” warns Bill Muehlenberg.

The sort of meditation God had in mind was not Eastern meditation. He has made it clear that His people are not to adopt pagan practices and those who do are out of His will. The purpose of eastern-style meditation is to “seek the God within.”

That’s pantheism, brethren. People who hold this view believe that God is all and all is God. “A tree is God, a rock is God, an animal is God, the sky is God, the sun is God, you are God, etc.” The biblical view is that God is separate from His creation.  Genesis 1:1-30

More on biblical meditation in a moment, but first…

Sit Still!

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” There’s been a huge misunderstanding in the Christian community as to what this verse means. Let’s take a look at noted Bible teacher Kay Arthur’s Precept Ministries International (PMI) website to see if she has it right:

Can you remember the last time you sat in total silence except for the sounds of nature – listening intently to hear the voice of God. It is time to:

Be still and know that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

Be still (cease striving)

Rest, relax, chill out, stop fighting, drop your weapons

Know that I am God

Learn that I am God, or “see that I am God,” “Get to know me better”

God is telling His children who are living in a busy world to stop, get quiet so that they can listen and get to know Him. It is only in stillness, the quiet, that we can hear the voice of God. (Bold PMI’s – Source)

Ken Silva of Apprising Ministries penned a piece entitled Kay Arthur With Erroneous Contemplative Interpretation of Psalm 46:10, which is where I came across the above quote. It could be a coincidence that right after Silva wrote his blog post and upbraided Mrs. Arthur for her erroneous teaching on Psalm 46:10, PMI’s webmaster changed the paragraph that begins with God is telling His children to As children of God, who are living in a busy world, we need to stop, get quiet and listen for His voice as we read His Word. God most often speaks in that small still voice. (Bold mine)

So, was Kay Arthur correct in explaining what be still means in context? Not according to Silva:

This passage isn’t about any kind of meditation; and it has absolutely nothing to do with sitting in some lotus position and subjectively trying to “hear” God’s voice in creeping crickets or inner burblings of bellies. Rather, this is a firm admonition and warning for all nations – particularly His people Israel – to stop worrying and to recognize God’s sovereignty. (Source)

What do Bible scholars say the meaning is? One source, Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, states, among other things, that be still is “the idea of leaving matters with God, or of being without anxiety about the issue.” (Source – follow this link to discover what several Bible scholars say the meaning of be still is)

Low-Information Evangelical (LIE)

A growing number of low-information evangelicals (low-information people with high-profile power and/or influence) endorse meditation, or what’s known as contemplative/centering prayer (CP). This is bad news for the evangelical community as it’s easily provable that CP has its roots in paganism. In spite of this well-known fact, many LIE-celebs continue to lead people into eastern-style meditation. Yes, you read that right. Eastern, as in Buddhism. Now, some of you are thinking, “Seriously? Christian leaders are pointing people to Buddhism?” Bingo! (Source)

Unfortunately many LIE’s promote problematic pagan practices even though God adamantly says:

When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God, for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, listen to fortune-tellers and to diviners. But as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do this. (Deut. 18:9-14)

There’s no question that God’s warning to Israel still pertains today. His people are not to indulge in pagan idolatry. This means that Christians who practice a form of meditation that brings him/her into the alpha state is actually defying the God they profess their love for! That alone should scare the bejeebers out of believers who take that approach to prayer. And it matters not what the reason is – even if it’s to go “deeper with God.”

Biblical meditation always includes a fully engaged mind.  Listen to Professor of Philosophy Doug Groothuis’ advice on biblical prayer:

The biblical concept of prayer assumes that rational and meaningful communication between God and humans is possible. There is no summons to suspend rational judgment even when prayer through the Holy Spirit is ‘with groans that words cannot express’ (Rom. 8:26).

The manner in which the Christian shall meditate on it day and night is through the reading and study of the Bible.  (Space does not allow for a comprehensive explanation of Eastern mysticism.  Those who wish to learn more on this subject will find my articles here.)

Christian Meditation Made Clear

Now to the subject at hand – biblical prayer. It’s important that born again believers begin each day with the Lord. What we call “quiet time” involves finding a place to read and pray where there are no distractions – so turn off that cell phone! Before reading, ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate your mind and reveal truth. Also ask Him to help you make the biblical principles you’re learning meaningful and practical in your life. In Charles Spurgeon’s sermon “Pray Without Ceasing,” he asks four important questions:

What do these words imply? Secondly, What do they actually mean? Thirdly, How shall we obey them? And, fourthly, Why should WE especially obey them?

These are the sort of questions we should be asking as we read our bibles. We must stop and ponder what God has spoken through the words on the page. It may be necessary to read a passage repeatedly, reflect on it, analyze it, and listen while the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. (John 16:13)

And always consider the context! Apologist Greg Koukl explains how this is done:

I read the paragraph, not just the verse. I take stock of the relevant material above and below. Since the context frames the verse and gives it specific meaning, I let it tell me what’s going on.

Context, context, context!

Because many Christians lead busy lives they fail to put aside time to spend with the Lord. In point of fact, data shows that most believers spend very little time in their bibles – but there is certainly a whole lotta prayin’ goin’ on. In this fast food nation in which we live Christians continually fire off bullet prayers hoping God will answer them quickly. Especially if they want the God who grants their wishes to see to it that they find a parking space at the mall during the Christmas rush or stop a torrential downpour when they’re sitting in the stands at an outdoor sporting event.

Now, don’t get me wrong. God loves it when His people pray umpteen times a day. Moreover, we’re commanded to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thes. 5:17) We’re also commanded to abide in Christ:

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5).

So, not only are we to begin our day with the Lord reading the Bible and praying, we’re also to abide in (stay around) Christ throughout the day for the reason that there’s an ongoing relationship between the Vine and the branches. Got Questions reminds us:

We need to fill our minds constantly with the things of God; God should always be on our mind, and everything we do should be done with reference to Him (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).

When we fail to abide in Christ – fill our minds with the things of God – the fruit we bear, no matter how appealing it appears, is not off Christ’s vine! In other words, it’s done apart from Him.

There’s a story in Luke 10:38 of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who thought differently about how to serve their Master. When Jesus came to their home Martha stayed in the kitchen preparing food for their guests. She had developed her own agenda for serving Christ. Martha became vexed that Mary wasn’t helping with the meal. What was her sister doing that caused Martha’s consternation? She was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His words.

It’s certainly no crime to prepare a nice meal for a guest; however, we must remember that we are children of God before we’re servants of God. Like Mary, we must take time to sit at our Lord’s feet. Martha was so busy serving Jesus that she neglected Him!

Have I hit a nerve?

Why Pray?

If your prayers are mainly the bullet variety then it would be wise to develop the biblical model of praying. Biblical prayer is intended for praise, confession and repentance, thanksgiving and asking for others. In our quiet time with the Lord we find His love. Through prayer believers are conformed to God’s will.

Prayer isn’t meant to be an esoteric experience. Nowhere in Scripture does it say that we are to go into altered states of consciousness to commune with God. As I said above, biblical meditation does not seek the “God within.” This is the purpose of those who cling to Eastern religion and New Age spirituality!

The Christian who truly wishes to please God will let “the words of [your] mouth and the meditation of [your] heart be acceptable in [the LORD’s] sight …” (Psalm 19:14 paraphrased)

Recommended:

Psalm 46:10 Does Not Teach Contemplative-Centering Prayer – By Ken Silva

Research:

Contemplative Prayer 

New Age “Spirituality”

Occult-Sorcery

 

Welcome to the New (Contemplative) Christianity – Breath In . . . Breath Out

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“If you are someone who is aware of the dangers and the true panentheistic, interspiritual nature of contemplative prayer, you have probably noticed that contemplative spirituality has moved from its infancy stage in the church to what appears to becoming the norm.” 

(Lighthouse Trails)  The acceptance of contemplative prayer has hit an all-time high in the church. And is it any wonder? Christian media, Christian publishers, pastors, mission societies, Bible societies, authors, radio hosts, youth leaders, women’s group leaders, and Christian ministry leaders are all promoting it more than ever. … Continue reading →

Friendship with the world and its ways is hostility toward God

Posted by ∙ ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.  James 4:1-4 (NASB)  (Read verses 3-4 on the site)

The Church since its inception in the 1st Century AD has been plagued by quarrels, disagreements, feuds, splits, et cetera. According to God, the problem is not with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ or His doctrines, but with the fact that people in the Church are not submitted properly to Him or to each other. Pride is behind most disagreements just as it is behind those who break away from the truth to lead their followers with false doctrines and a focus that is on self rather than on God and His glory. Instead, those who cause these problems are in love with self and, therefore, in love with the world, its ways, and the things of the world. View article →

Kids Tutored in ‘Pleasure’ Despite STD Epidemic

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According to Linda Harvey, there’s a new trend in “comprehensive sexuality education”: teaching youngsters about “pleasure.”

The group, promoting pleasure, is planning an October conference in San Diego. Harvey reports what’s on their agenda:

So let’s center pleasure in adolescent sex ed. Let’s assemble a new language for the field that fosters authentic conversations in classrooms—conversations centered not on plumbing and pathology, but on pleasure.”{Emphasis added}

This is just a small part of what progressive perverts have in store for America’s children. So naturally Harvey wants to know what kind of wicked adults do this to kids.  She reveals the answer in a recent blog post over at MissionAmerica. She also offers a solution. And then she asks “Can we do this?

Here’s Linda Harvey’s article. It’s sexually explicit, so brace yourself: Continue reading →

LEAKED VIDEO: Google Leadership’s Dismayed Reaction to Trump Election

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“Co-founder Sergey Brin can be heard comparing Trump supporters to fascists and extremists. Brin argues that like other extremists, Trump voters were motivated by “boredom,” which he says in the past led to fascism and communism.”

(Allum Kokhari – Breitbart) A video recorded by Google shortly after the 2016 presidential election reveals an atmosphere of panic and dismay amongst the tech giant’s leadership, coupled with a determination to thwart both the Trump agenda and the broader populist movement emerging around the globe. Continue reading →

Rekindle the Gift of God

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13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 1 Timothy 4:13-16 (NASB)  (Read verses 15 & 16 on the site)

The way the gospel is presented in our time is backward. It is focused incorrectly. Instead of focusing on what God has done for us who have nothing in and of ourselves to warrant it; the way the gospel is given ever since I can remember is to attempt to make it appealing as if people should decide to try Jesus for 30 or 60 days to see if He makes a difference. What a joke! What blasphemy! To be honest, the closer I get to the front lines in serving my Lord, the more our enemy attacks me. The more I suffer. The more problems I have. However, I do not serve my Lord to get away from that stuff. I serve Him for His glory and my Lord went to the Cross for me so how can I seek the easy way out here and now? View article →

Memo to K-12 students: Resist

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“Consider for a few minutes what they’ve done with you so far. After all these years sitting in classrooms, what have you learned? Anything?? Do you know where Japan is on a map? Do you know what 8 times 9 is? Do you know why Benjamin Franklin and Napoleon are considered exceptionally fascinating people? Do you know what happened in 1776? Do you know how many ounces are in a pound?” 

(Bruce Deitrick Price – Renew America) Okay, kids, gather round the campfire. There is something you need to know. Something scary.

You are a participant in a vast psychological war. Believe it or not, you are the enemy in this war. You are the primary target. Continue reading →

Kicking off more contempt for America

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Is it any wonder that “everyday Americans” get the impression that the ruling elites who dictate culture don’t particularly care for them or America?

(Robert Knight – The Washington Times)  What is it with our ruling elites? How did they come to have so much disdain for America? Some recent events have yet again brought this unfortunate situation to the surface.

Let’s start with Nike, the Portland, Oregon-based sportswear megacompany. It did not become a Fortune 100 corporation by chance or careless management. Continue reading →

Roman Catholics Blame Pedophile Scandal on Gay Conspiracy to Hurt Church

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“The Roman Catholic Church has had three-quarters of a century of warnings about the pedophile problem and the Vatican has made promises to protect the public from their pedophile priests for three-quarters of a century. And yet, Roman Catholics have blamed the recent pedophilia scandal on a secret conspiracy of gays to invade the church and molest children, with the intention of hurting the church’s reputation.

(JD Hall – Pulpit & Pen) If you threw a rock into a crowd of Roman Catholic priests, you would hit a pedophile.” Continue reading →