By the grace of God we are what we are in the Lord

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ September 5, 2018 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NASB)

There are two extremes that Christians must avoid at all costs. The first is over confidence in one’s own ability, which is pride in its positive form. This causes believers to rely on their own abilities to do “good works.” The other extreme is to become paralyzed into inactivity because of pride working in its negative form. It tries to resemble humility by proclaiming things such as, “I’m not sanctified enough to do that sort of work.” Both are attitudes of pride and are in rebellion against God. View article →

Colin Kaepernick Is the Face of This New Advertising Campaign, and Fans Are Furious

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 4, 2018 ∙ In News ∙ Liberalism, Sports

“What is rather humorous about it is that Kaepernick has not lost everything — not even close. Since his departure from the NFL, leftists have made him a hero.”

(Zachary Leeman – LifeZette) Former San Fransisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick is the centerpiece of a new advertising campaign by Nike celebrating the 30th anniversary of the company’s famous slogan “Just Do It.”

Kaepernick tweeted out the first image from the campaign on Monday. Continue reading →

Baptist women, called to communicate, hold key roles

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 4, 2018 ∙ In News ∙ Apostasy, Women and the Church, Southern Baptist Convention

From all appearances the SBC will eventually join the apostate Methodists and the PC(USA) in ordaining women pastors.

(Margaret Colson – BP News) Just as Jesus affirmed first-century women, calling them to confess Him as Lord and tell the good news of the Gospel, He continues to call women in the 21st century to communicate His story to the world.

Many women communicators today are answering that call, serving in denominational “seats of influence,” a term Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear used in his post-election press conference during the SBC annual meeting in Dallas. Continue reading →

Defeating Worldliness

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 4, 2018 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙ Stedman Ray

This is the word of the Lord that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning the nations: Concerning Egypt: This is the message against the army of Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt, which was defeated at Carchemish on the Euphrates River by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah…” Jeremiah 46:1-2

This takes us back to the year 605 B.C., when Nebuchadnezzar first came up against Judah. He was met by the armies of Egypt at the city of Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and there one of the great strategic battles of all history was fought. … View article →

My daughter prayed to Alexa – Here’s the incredible thing that happened next

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 3, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Education, Family, Technology

As any parent, teacher, or coach knows, children are full of questions, trying to understand how life works. If you are too distracted or closed off to them, someone or something else will answer those questions. Whether they turn to Alexa, Siri, Google Home, or even J.A.R.V.I.S., we need to consider who is behind the curtain programming these “smart” answers.

(Jeremiah J. Johnston – Fox News) The most meaningful parenting experiences often come in the unplanned, organic moments of life. The problem is, all the interruptions of our always connected society can cause us to miss out on teaching and learning some incredible lessons with our children and grandchildren. Continue reading →

Wise to the Ways of the Worldly: 4 Ways Worldliness Sneaks In, and the Scriptures to Slay It

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 3, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Discernment, Sin, Worldliness

Worldly Christians are more concerned with the affairs of the world than with spiritual things. The Apostle Paul has a lot to say about worldliness in 1 Corinthians. For one thing, Paul makes clear that worldliness is the polar opposite of godliness; therefore, to be worldly is a sin against God. In this piece, Bible study author, speaker and blogger Michelle Lesley tackles the age old problem of the worldly Christian and reveals what she refers to as “sneaky snakes” of worldliness. So, how should believers mortify those sins and respond in a godly way? Lesley proposes 4 ways to slay the sneaky snake that has slithered into your life and provides the scriptures to slay it. She writes: Continue reading →

U.S. Bishop: Homosexual Abuse of Youth is a ‘Wickedness’ That ‘Should Be Hated With a Perfect Hatred’

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 3, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Homosexuality, Roman Catholicism, Sexual Assault, Sin

Cardinal Theodore McCarrick stepped down from the College of Cardinals for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old altar boy in 1971.

Columnist and best-selling author Pat Buchanan, a Catholic, said, “it needs be stated clearly: This is a homosexual scandal. Almost all of the predators and criminals are male, as are most of the victims: the boys, the teenagers, the young seminarians.”

(Michael W. Chapman – CNSNews) Commenting on the recent revelations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, specifically those of predator Archbishop Theodore McCarrick and the cases detailed in the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report, several bishops and lay leaders have blamed a “homosexual subculture” in the hierarchy of the Church and called for the removal of the priests, bishops, and cardinals involved in that subculture.

Bishop Robert Morlino, head of the diocese of Madison, Wisc., in an Aug. 18 letter, stressed that the Church must stop excusing sin “in the name of a mistaken notion of mercy” and must express more “hatred” toward sin. “What the Church needs now is more hatred!” he said. “It is an act of love to hate sin and to call others to turn away from sin.” Continue reading →

Not Ashamed

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 3, 2018 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙ Stedman Ray

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

This quotation from Habakkuk that Paul uses is the great fact that he is expounding in the gospel. He is not ashamed of it, and that is a way of saying that he is proud of it.

Paul especially is not ashamed of the gospel in Rome because the Romans appreciated power, just as Americans do. The Romans prided themselves on their power. They had military power that could conquer all the nations that stood in their path; they had a tremendous program of road-building; they had some of the greatest law-makers of history; they had the power to write literature and create art. But Paul knew that the Romans also were powerless when it came to changing hearts. … View article →

Preachers are Servants, Not Celebrities

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 2, 2018 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

(Alistair Begg – Truth For Life) On Sunday morning, August 5, 1855, 21-year-old Charles Haddon Spurgeon stepped behind the pulpit of New Park Street Chapel to challenge his congregation to follow the example of one of the saints who had inspired his ministry, the apostle Paul. “As a preacher of the word,” Spurgeon said of Paul, “he stands out pre-eminently as the prince of preachers and a preacher to kings.”

Young Spurgeon’s description of Paul was prophetic of his own future ministry. Within a few short years of that Sabbath morning, Spurgeon also earned the moniker “the prince of preachers” as he proclaimed God’s word to congregants from every stratum of society. The boy preacher from humble beginnings even became the “preacher to kings” as members of the British royal family filled his pews. View article →

VICTORY: California Dem withdraws bill banning help for unwanted gay attraction

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 1, 2018 ∙ In News ∙ Freedom of Speech, Homosexuality, Politics

“AB 2943 would have criminalized even ordinary religious speech on same-sex attraction, and it also would have forbidden LGBT persons from making a deeply personal choice to explore conversion therapy,”

(Calvin Freiburger – LifeSiteNews) – California’s controversial ban on virtually any form of treatment for unwanted same-sex attraction appeared to be on the verge of becoming law, but its lead Democrat sponsor has just withdrawn it from consideration. Continue reading →

Latest Kids’ Books Drenched with ‘Social Justice’ Porn

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 1, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Education, LGBT, Progressivism

According to Linda Harvey, kids who attend public schools are exposed to books that are a Satanic stew designed to mess with their minds, souls and bodies. She’s talking about your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and neighbors. Most public schools are nothing more than centers for “progressive” indoctrination. One of the goals of progressives is to see that youngsters in grades K-12 become sexualized as early as kindergarten. Christians need wake up to what has been going on right under their noses. It’s called social engineering. To learn more about what progressives and the LGBT community has in store for children, read Berean Research’s White Papers on Progressive (Social Justice) “Christianity” and the Homosexual Agenda. Continue reading →

Heal Our Land

Posted by Marsha West ∙ September 1, 2018 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching ∙ Stedman Ray

In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city wall was broken through. Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate… When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah. Jeremiah 39:1-4

In the further historic detail given in the last chapter of Jeremiah, we are told that they burned the temple of God as well. The long-delayed hour of judgment came at last. The city was taken. The temple was burned. As you read this account you can see a certain poetic justice which is always characteristic of the judgments of God. The city that refused God, God refused. … Continue reading →

Jesus: The Illumined Illuminator (Reprise)

Posted by Marsha West ∙ August 31, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Contemplative Prayer, Lectio Divina, New Apostolic Reformation, West Marsha

This article by CRN managing editor Marsha West was published April 12, 2012.

Contemporary Christianity is following “every wind of doctrine” in spite of the fact that the Bible warns about taking this route. Self-professed Christ followers no longer “endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim. 4:3).

Regrettably, many believers have embraced neo-Gnosticism.

One of the many obstacles the first century Church faced was Gnosticism, a heresy that held that salvation was only available to those who possessed the hidden truths of Christ. GotQuestions.com explains Gnosticism thusly: Continue reading →

Nationwide Outrage and Demands for the Closure of Beloved Fast-Food Chain Rip Across Internet

Posted by Marsha West ∙ August 31, 2018 ∙ In News ∙ Politics, Progressivism, Religious Persecution

“I’ve enjoyed the convenience of the drive-thru three miles from my house, but no way do they get my money now.”

(LifeZette) In-N-Out, the Christian-owned burger chain that originated in California, is facing a boycott after it was discovered the company donated over $25,000 to the Republican Party.

The campaign, originating on Twitter, now has gained national attention after journalist Gabriel Schneider posted the now-viral tweet. Continue reading →

Thousands of Catholic women ask Pope: Did you cover-up for McCarrick, as Viganò claims?

Posted by Marsha West ∙ August 31, 2018 ∙ In News ∙ Roman Catholicism, Sexual Assault, Sexual Immorality, Sin, Pope Francis

“We are the mothers and sisters of your priests, seminarians, future priests and religious,” the letter reads.

(Stephen Kokx – LifeSiteNews) – A group of prominent Catholic women have written an open letter to Pope Francis imploring him to provide clarity on the “escalating” sex abuse crisis currently “engulfing” the Church.

Expressing anger, betrayal, and heartbreak, the women bluntly ask Pope Francis if Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s detailed testimony about sex abuse being covered up by Vatican officials, including the Pope, is true or not. Continue reading →

What is the basis for your hope?

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ August 31, 2018 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing for you to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (translated from the NA28 Greek text)

The concept of “hope” as it is viewed in the world today, and, sadly, by much of what calls itself “Christian” is an expression of a wish or a want, such as, “I sure do hope I get…,” or “I sure hope I do not get…” In this, there is no certainty in the usage of the word “hope.” However, in the passage above (Romans 15:13) for example, the Greek noun which is the lexical root for both ἐλπίδος (elpidos) and ἐλπίδι (elpidi), which is ἐλπίς (elpis) speaks of a “desire of some good with expectation of obtaining it.” The Christian concept of our hope in Christ, our blessed hope, is exactly this. We are not hoping, as the world does like football fans that our favorite team will win a game or even the title of conference or whatever. That is not what we base our hope upon. No, our hope is based upon certainty. View article →

The Truth Will Set Us All Free

Posted by Marsha West ∙ August 30, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Election - 2016, Politics, Russia, Trump Donald

“It is likely that during the 2016 campaign, officials at the Department of Justice, FBI, CIA, and National Security Agency broke laws to ensure that the outsider Trump lost to Hillary Clinton. FBI and DOJ officials misled the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court in order to obtain warrants to surveil Trump associates.”

(Victor Davis Hanson – National Review) It’s time to stop the stonewalling, redacting, suppression, leaking to the press, and media hysteria surrounding investigations into the 2016 election.

Special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation was star-crossed from the start. His friend and successor as FBI director, James Comey, by his own admission prompted the investigation — with the deliberate leaking of classified memos about his conversations with President Donald Trump to the press. Continue reading →

The Slide into Sexual Sin

Posted by Marsha West ∙ August 30, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ Sexual Immorality, Sin, Temptation

“Sexual sin provides a self-centered thrill to our miserable routine. It gives a big, but deadly, happiness to a boring life. And it delivers instantly, which makes it more powerful.”

(Eric Davis – The Cripplegate) Few people set out in life thinking, “Down the road, I plan to destroy my life and relationships by plunging myself into sexual sin.” It’s not that simple or sudden. Instead, sexual sin takes its victims through multi-faceted paths of deception and allurement. That’s what makes it so successful. As Solomon correctly observed, “Many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain” (Prov. 7:26). Continue reading →

Chicago Cardinal: Global Warming, Migrants Are ‘Bigger Agenda’ than Sex Abuse

Posted by Marsha West ∙ August 30, 2018 ∙ In News ∙ Racism-Racist, Roman Catholicism, Sexual Assault, Pope Francis

In his NBC interview, Cardinal Cupich raised the specter of racism, suggesting that people who believe allegations against the pope “don’t like him because he is a Latino.”

(Thomas D. Williams – Breitbart) Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, has downplayed bombshell allegations that Pope Francis knowingly rehabilitated an abusive American cardinal, saying the pope has a “bigger agenda” to worry about, such as protecting the environment and migrants. Continue reading →

The Christian’s faith must rest on the power of God not on the wisdom of men

Posted by Mike Ratliff ∙ August 30, 2018 ∙ In Devotion/Teaching

1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NASB) (Read verses 4-5 on the site)

Martin Luther is considered the “Lighting rod of the Protestant Reformation.” It was through his battle with the Roman Catholic Church that the doctrine of salvation through Justification by Grace through Faith alone was recovered and from that, many Christian martyrs went to their deaths refusing to compromise their faith by denying the truth of knowing Jesus Christ and Him crucified based not upon the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. … View article →

5 Facts About Tim Keller | Follow up to ‘Tim Keller’s Full Endorsement of Being Gay & Christian’

Posted by Marsha West ∙ August 29, 2018 ∙ In Opinion ∙ False Teacher, Progressive Christianity, Social Justice, Keller Tim

By Toni S. Brown

This post is written as a follow up to last week’s article “Tim Keller’s Full Endorsement of Being Gay & Christian | Speaking Out On LivingOut” as there are some very important facts that need to be established.

Fact #1 about Tim Keller

After a troubling, deeply grievous experience in a church plant completely engulfed in the teachings of Dr. Tim Keller, I launched a massive, personal research project devoted to uncovering the truth about his ministry for the purpose of figuring out what just happened! I knew what I heard in the church plant was unbiblical and false, but I must admit that I really was not prepared for what I uncovered as I researched. I say this to say that I am not a fly-by-nighter; I’ve earned the right to be heard, as I have grieved the error, lost the sleep, studied the scriptures and done the research. He is not who he claims to be. My research is stored here: www.judeonefour.com

Fact #2 about Tim Keller

Based on countless hours of reading and listening to Tim Keller, with an open Bible, I can honestly report on his modus operandi, which is clever deception by way of double speak and language manipulation. He cleverly dismantles the believer’s confidence in scripture and undermines biblical truth, all while claiming to believe “what we believe.” It is for this reason that there is no shortage of quotes or comments in which he claims to hold to biblical teaching. He is far, more clever than your every day, run-of-the-mill false teacher, as he even puts out a somewhat tolerable book every now and then- but it is all a part of the cover. He epitomizes the Jude 1:4 warning to believers: “For certain men have crept in UNAWARES.”

dou·ble·speak

deliberately euphemistic, ambiguous, or obscure language: intended to deceive or confuse people. The words used in doublespeak can often be understood in more than one way.

George Orwell, from his 1946 essay titled Politics and the English Language on the subject of the intent and purpose of language manipulation and double speak, rightly observed and wrote this:

“The great enemy of clear language is insincerity. When there is a gap between one’s real aim and one’s declared aim…”

Boom! What they “claim” to be up-to isn’t really what they are up-to, hence the constant need for double-speak. If I had a nickel for every time I’ve run into someone scratching their head trying to figure out why Tim Keller said this, or that, when he seems so “orthodox” in one certain book or another- they have no idea that this is his game. You must understand this.

Lin-gui-stic Manipulation

the practice of unscrupulously manipulating the words and terms of anything regarding its form, meaning and context (i.e., language manipulation).

This manipulative tactic is a constant theme in Keller’s teachings and can be best understood in this movement by noting that they refer to themselves as “same-sex attracted” or “SSA” Christians. Same sex attraction is homosexuality, but they refuse to use the term, as their message would be even more clearly unbiblical. It is an attempt to soften the reality that they actually identify as homosexual Christians who have “decided” to remain celibate, or so they claim. This is a direct rejection of biblical regeneration and therefore the language manipulation is necessary. They also commonly invoke terms like “life situation” in place of “alternative lifestyle.” It’s all in the language and sadly it works like a charm, especially with the biblically ignorant.

Fact #3 about Tim Keller

Tim Keller is not an apostate, or one who has slowly moved away from biblical truth. I went as far back as his college days and found no sign of belief in the Bible. He admittedly rejected the teaching of the “traditional” church he was raised in and instead embraced the philosophy of the Frankfurt School of Marxism (Germany). He has since perfected the art of Christianizing Marxism. Tim Keller is a political ideologue operating as a change agent in the church. He has never believed the Bible, but he has figured out that biblical truth has always been the biggest obstacle to the political and social change he promotes as Christianity, so he has set out to redefine Christianity. And to be successful he fully understands that he must cleverly masquerade as a Bible believer, hence all the double-speak and language manipulation.

Fact #4 about Tim Keller

Tim Keller demands that the church’s intolerance of homosexuality be reversed, as he condemns and forbids any public, biblical teaching on homosexuality in his Redeemer Church Network. I have posted a written transcript on my research site of Dr. Keller cornered by a question from a student at a Covenant Theological Seminary Q & A; he stammered and stuttered but finally advised the large seminary audience that it’s like “a conundrum you just can’t solve” so it’s probably best to steer clear of any public teaching on homosexuality. Outrageous. They regularly toss around terms like derogatory, offensive, insensitive, stereo-typical etc. to intimidate believers into sitting down and shutting up! Well, the Apostle Paul “solved the conundrum”:

²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. ²⁴Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen. ²⁶Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. ²⁷In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. ²⁸Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” Romans chapter 1

“Their thinking became futile”…“degrading of their bodies”…”their foolish hearts were darkened”…”they became fools”…”God gave them over to shameful lusts”…”committed shameful acts”…”due penalty for their error”…”God gave them over to a depraved mind.” Understand this: The Apostle Paul would have been run out of town by these folks. They wholly reject the above passage, as it falls under every “language” category their audit condemns for the church.

Fact #5 about Tim Keller

Tim Keller promotes a non-transforming, powerless gospel. If you doubt me take a listen to this short video (4.32 mins) of Keller peddling his false gospel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrB0GpfyHEw

You heard right. Keller makes it pretty clear that the supernatural gospel preached by the apostles is “a magic bullet that doesn’t work anymore.” Outrageous and false.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Even down deep to the joints and marrow! The joints and marrow! Oh, the power! And please note the last verse: “a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Living Out Christians still desire perverted sex and identify as gay Christians, because they have never been pierced even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit! How can we withhold God’s all powerful truth from these people?

There was a swift response to the first article, both positive and negative. The following excerpt from one such response from a professing Christian illustrates why we must contend more fervently than ever:

“Should we accept homosexuals into our churches? Yes, we should.” “Should we demand, that they stop being homosexuals? No, we should not.”

Men like Tim Keller have been very successful in perverting biblical truth by preaching a powerless gospel, and they continue their work to redefine Christianity and dethrone Christ in His church, replacing Him with Baal. But the true church will prevail. Glory be to God.

Research:

Tim Keller

Progressive (Social Justice) “Christianity”

Discernment

Published with permission www.judeonefour.com