Normally, I post only one article a day, but today is different. Hope you'll take an extra minute and read them both.

I read this and got sick in my spirit.

In my heart, I truly feel that America' days are numbered.

We have slammed the door on G-d, called good evil and evil good, trampled His Holy Word, spit in the face of Truth, turned a blind eye to terrorism, ordained homosexuals ~ welcomed them into the military, sanctioned their unions and NOW we honor those who kill the unborn:

President Barack Obama on Tuesday awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom—which he described as “the highest civilian honor this country can bestow"--on retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, who wrote a Supreme Court opinion arguing that a woman was exercising her right to "liberty" when she hired a doctor to kill her child through the procedure known as partial-birth abortion.

"That holding--that the word 'liberty' in the Fourteenth Amendment includes a woman’s right to make this difficult and extremely personal decision--makes it impossible for me to understand how a State has any legitimate interest in requiring a doctor to follow any procedure other than the one that he or she reasonably believes will best protect the woman in her exercise of this constitutional liberty."

During his time on the court, Stevens joined in two Supreme Court opinions specifically arguing that partial-birth abortion was a constitutional right.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth... Romans 1:18

Scripture must interpret scripture but sadly this is not always the case.
Mark Randall “Mack” Wolford believed that the Bible mandates that Christians handle serpents to test their faith in God — and that, if they are bitten, they trust in God alone to heal them.
He and other adherents cited Mark 16:17-18 as the reason for their practice:

“And these signs will follow those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
“I am looking for a great time this Sunday,” he wrote May 22 on his Facebook page. “It is going to be a homecoming like the old days. Good ’ole raised in the holler or mountain ridge running, Holy Ghost-filled speaking-in-tongues sign believers.” “Praise the Lord and pass the rattlesnakes, brother.”

Wolford, the son of a serpent handler who himself died in 1983 after being bitten, was bitten by a rattlesnake during the homecoming and died.

"I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ." Galatians 1:6-7

Over the past twenty years there have been isolated movements and teachings within American Christianity to normalize homosexuality stating it is perfectly acceptable for a Christian to embrace, even celebrate their gay lifestyle. Several denominations embrace homosexuality as perfectly acceptable in God’s eyes and some even have pastors who are openly gay.

God provides us choices. He has given us free will to choose the paths for our lives. He is now allowing a choice that will define the future of American Christianity, giving it a choice to return to Him, or fall deep into apostasy.

The sheep are being separated from the goats.

Mike LeMay
Stand Up For Truth

“'Come out from among them and be separate,' says the Lord. 'Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

"One of the most common causes of failure in a Christians life is found in the attempt to follow some good man whom is greatly admired. No man and no woman, no matter how good, can be safely followed. If we follow any man or woman, we are bound to go astray. There has been but one absolutely perfect Man on this earth--the Man Christ Jesus. If we try to follow any other man we are surer to imitate his faults than his excellencies.

Look to Jesus and Jesus only as your Guide." ~ R.A. Torrey

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2

Faithful Roman Catholic pilgrims crawl on their knees, to face “El Cristo Negro” inside a Roman Catholic Church in Portobelo in Panama. The small statues, black like ashes, are of  a false Messiah.



And the Roman Catholic Church remains silent.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-6

Call me insensitive, call me unfeeling, calling me harsh and cruel, BUT somehow I just can't wrap myself around this one:

I feel sorry for Mr. Obama the article started.

WHAT.???. He must be joking, but

the article goes on:

Try to imagine him standing on two small boats in the middle of the ocean—he has one foot squarely in the middle of the floor of one boat, and the other foot is similarly fixed to the second boat. If an observer were to make only a passing glance at such a scene, one might think that both boats are headed in the same direction and everything is under control. But the reality is different. The reality reveals that the boats are headed in opposite paths. Can you imagine the pain? Can you imagine the calamity that’s about to occur?

Calamity yes, but for America; Obama, I am not so sure.

Painfully because those two ideologies—pro-homosexuality and pro-Islamist—are diametrically opposed to each other. They are two boats headed, full-throttle, in opposite directions.

I see no one twisting Mr. Obama' arm to stand in support of gay and lesbians or stand in solidarity with the Muslim communities.  These are 'idealogies' of his own choosing.

Feel sorry for him, no, pity him, oh yes. He needs our prayers as does this country he seems determined to destroy with his 'idealogies.'

In case you had not read this post, written by Pastor Michael Youssef, you can read it in entirety at his blog, michaelyoussef.com

Children, Youth and a New Kind of Christianity (CYNKC) conference, sponsored in part by the Emergent Village, and hosted by Emergent Church leader Brian McLaren had much to say:

Carl Stauffer, professor of Development and Justice Studies at Eastern Mennonite University, warned against the Bible’s “seemingly divinely ordained violence.” Emergent Church guru Brian McLaren similarly worried about how church-going parents can give their children “loaded guns” in the form of “texts of terror” condoning war and other violence. He wondered whether unfiltered Bible-reading could “leave them with the idea that God is violent.” And he warned: “Bible-preaching/teaching/reading people are the most dangerous in the world for Muslims.”

Almeda Wright, professor of Religion and Youth Ministry at Pfeiffer University, confessed a worry about “a Gospel narrative of redemptive suffering…I have a problem with redemptive suffering.” She summarized: “We are saved when we suffer; we are saved when violence is done.” And she asked: “Am I willing to participate in death that is supposed to save us?” ...McLaren tried to clarify the argument. “This is something we need to talk about,” he proclaimed, “Baptism and the Eucharist can be tools for violence or for peace.” He explicitly called out the theory of penal substitutionary atonement, where “the Father inflicts violence [on Christ] for the forgiveness of sins.”...McLaren warned, “If you keep [penal substitutionary atonement], make sure you have a safety on it.”

But scripture is very clear:

"Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." Hebrews 9:23

John MacArthur notes,  God set the rules. "The soul that sins, it shall die." And then God, in grace, moved right back in and provided a death substitute. Jesus' death is the only thing that satisfies God, you see. Because He requires death. And all over the Old Testament He splattered blood in order that they might be constantly made aware of the fact that bloodshed was the only expiation for sin. ...Forgiveness isn't just God looking down and saying, "Oh, it's all right. I like you a lot, and I'll just let it go." It's the costliest thing in the universe. Without bloodshed, there is no forgiveness of sins.  

If you are forgiven, it is because somebody died.

Christian Research Network

Many bible scholars have predicted that a revised Roman Empire will rise to power over the world and usher in the antichrist of the end times. Another theory suggests the antichrist beast empire may arise from Islamic/Arab nations. These countries are unquestionably the nations mentioned in all prophecies regarding the Day of the Lord as receiving judgment for coming against Israel. European nations are not routinely mentioned, but that does not exclude them from participating in coming against Israel. Notwithstanding, there may be a prophetic shift taking place as European election results point toward advancing debt-creating socialism that will impact nations as the end times draw near.

France's president Nicholas Sarkozy was ousted by socialist Francois Hollande, who promises to raise taxes on the rich to over 70% and increase social programs. French voters rejected more austere measures in favor of a tax and spend socialist. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has been on the forefront of leading Europe out of economic morass created by deficit spending. Her somewhat fiscally responsible approach has been rejected by German voters as her party took the worst thrashing since World War II. Members of her Christian Democratic Party lost to a gaggle of socialists. Greece's voters are also going socialist. Italy, Portugal, Spain and other nations continue in economic decline.

Americans face an election after socialist theories carried out by its leaders created historic debt and deficits. The candidates for the US presidency do not appear to have a plan that would drastically change the path of this debt ridden nation. Irrespective of your end time view of where the antichrist beast nation will arise, there is one thing for certain: The nations of the earth are dividing themselves. Europe and America are continuing down a track of economic and moral decay. The results of such historically would point toward a spectrum of outcomes ranging from a lesser role in world leadership to outright takeover and/or submission to another system or country.

Whether these weaknesses result in a European-style socialistic union or the rise of a new Islamic world order, or something in between, the mindset of voters appears to be shifting into alignment with end time prophecies. Theologians will argue their cases until they are proven or disproved with certainty. It is difficult, however, to deny that the world power base is shifting into the hands of centrally controlled concepts and the men that compete to rule them.

Christians have a responsibility to be salt and light. Yeshua said in Matthew 24:13,14,

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

Bill Wilson
The Daily Jot

"Brethren, as a born again follower of Jesus Christ I have realized it is usually acceptable with many believers to expose the teachings of Joel Osteen, Rick Warren, or Rob Bell. However, there are many believers who feel it is taboo to expose the teachings of Charles Stanley, who is very well-known in the Southern Baptist arena.

"This article is intended to compare his teachings with the Word of God. When the Lord saved me, I was immediately given and encouraged from a family member to read a book by Charles Stanley called Eternal Security. Of course, since I was a new believer in Christ, I didn’t want any outside books filling my mind. I just wanted the Word of God. After reading my Bible daily for several months, I decided to see what this book had to say. Sadly, I was very shocked and disgusted by the teachings of this book.

This is not an easy article to write as Dr. Stanley has been a pastor for 40+ years, and is well-respected in the Southern Baptist church. However, when we die and stand before the Lord, the writings of Dr. Stanley or any other well known evangelical leader is not going to matter. The only thing that is going to stand is the Word of God, and what the Lord taught us in His Word.

Below is a list of quotes from Dr. Stanley’s book Eternal Security, each followed by a rebuttal from Scripture:

1. "Even if a believer for all practical purposes becomes an unbeliever, his salvation is not in jeopardy" (Chapter 10, p. 93).

Here is what God says in His Scripture: Matthew 10:22 - And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. Revelation 21:8 - But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death”

  2. "And last, believers who lose or abandon their faith will retain their salvation, for God remains faithful" (p. 94).

Here is what God says in His Scripture: 1 John 2:19 - They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

3. "Christ will not deny an unbelieving Christian his or her salvation because to do so would be to deny Himself" (p. 94).

Here is what God says in His Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23 - “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

4. In regards to the parable Jesus taught in Matthew 25:14-30, Stanley writes: The final verse of this parable is so severe that many commentators assume it is a description of hell. It is not. (p. 124) Where is this place represented by the "outer darkness" in Jesus' parable? To be in the "outer darkness" is to be in the kingdom of God but outside the circle of men and women whose faithfulness on this earth earned them a special rank or position of authority. (p. 126)

Here is what God says in Scripture: Matthew 25:30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:41-42 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 25:46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Revelation 22:14-15 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. 15Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

5. Additionally, below is a list of quotes from Dr. Stanley’s book Handbook for Christian Living: You and I are not saved because we have enduring faith. We are saved because at a moment in time we expressed faith in our Lord (p. 190).

Discipleship has nothing to do with whether you will go to heaven or not (p. 505). It is possible to be a child of God and never a disciple of Christ.

We can live the Christian life with the assurance of heaven as our ultimate destiny but miss the process of maturing as a disciple (p. 505).

Contrary to Dr. Stanley's teachings, a Christian is a disciple as we see in Acts 11:26: ...And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Moreover, we see the demands and admonitions of Christ concerning true and false disciples in the following verses: Luke 14:25-33 - Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple...So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." Luke 6:46-49 - “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.c 49But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Brethren, we may disagree on secondary issues such as end-times prophecy, but we must not be wrong with the Gospel. Dr. Stanley’s teachings do not match up when compared to the Word of God. Dr. Stanley’s teachings are deceptive and can give an assurance of salvation to those who should not have it. Sadly, this type of teaching is very popular and typical in most evangelical churches today. However, this teaching is bad theology and denies the Lordship of Jesus Christ, it perverts the Gospel, and I believe is one of the many broad roads leading to destruction that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:13-14. Anyone teaching such heresy should tremble at Galatians 1:8-9.

Please note, I have emailed Dr. Stanley at In Touch Ministries in regards to this matter about a year ago, and I have still have not received a response. I pray you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ In Him,''

Written by Shawn Shawn Pander.

Shawn lives in Mount Holly, North Carolina with his wife Lisa and attends Lincoln Community Bible Church. He is a member of The Speak:Truth Project where he proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the streets in the Charlotte area.

A good word from Herescope:
The power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16) lies in its ability to change the very nature of a sinful man into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). And that power is not unleashed through persuasive words, psychology, shouting and sweating, miracles or a seeker-friendly approach. It comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit and modern preachers do more to hinder the work of the Spirit than to promote it.

When times are tough and troubles surround us let us remember we are not alone:

"Trust in the Lord forever - for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:4

My Lord asks, "Is there any God beside Me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none.”

I don’t either. But sometimes I think and act as if there is another Rock -- another solid place to stand, another unshakable support. Yet, I know that He alone must reign in my life. He alone truly knows my heart, my future, my circumstances and all the solution for every struggle. Only He has the power to fulfill His plan. He truly is my one and only Rock!

Jesus gave us a comparison between a wise man and a foolish man. One built his house on a rock, the other on sand. Both faced fierce storms, but when “the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and burst against the house”, one stood firm and the other fell. Both men heard and knew God’s word. The wise man followed God's way. But the foolish one just did “what was right in his own eyes” -- what felt good and seemed best from a finite human perspective.

I, too, have heard God’s Word and His call to follow. He compels me to come to Him, follow Him, work with Him and rest with Him. I will not be foolish any longer and build on the shifting sands of the world! Not when the Everlasting Rock has called me to stand with Him on the unchanging, everlasting Rock -- His very Life! Knowing well how weak I am, He has reached down to “lift me up on [that] rock..."

He indeed is “the Rock of my refuge.” I need only "abide in Him," acknowledging that-- “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!" (Psalm 73:26)

This everlasting Rock doesn't crumble under weights that would crush me. He holds me up and causes me stand immovable in Him. When He sees me weary and overloaded, He gently whispers,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. " Matthew 11:28-29.

With joy, my heart responds to His love,

"I  love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust!" Psalm 18:1-2

The church, His church, bound, imprisoned by foolish desires, false teachings, lies, deception and unconfessed sin. The church, His church, chained to the world, weighed down by the cares of the world, without hope, without peace, without God.

The worlds of Darkness and Light cannot coexist, yet the church, His church continues to live in both worlds, embracing the dark, while attempting to embrace the Light. Refusing to repent they remain in their darkness - breaking the heart of God through their rejection their disobedience and their hypocrisy's.

The church thinks itself alive, but it is dead.

Wake up church, Wake up! Repent, Return, Recommit, be Reconciled.

Reject the Darkness, embrace the Light.

Pray for strength for the faithful few, pray for encouragement, pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit, pray for wisdom, pray for the revelation of truth to come to the church, His church and pray for forgiveness.

Hold tight to what you have, do not let go, HANG ON.!.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." John 15