Saturday, September 27, 2014

Are we following the traditions of man or digging deep to discover truth found only in scripture? Are we studying to show ourselves approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, RIGHTLY dividing the Word of God or swallowing and following long held beliefs while clinging tightly to traditions within the church?

Case in point: After the fire in 70 AD which destroyed the temple, the gold that lined the walls of the temple melted into the crevices of the stones. All the remaining stone walls were pulled down to get this gold. This was to fulfill what Jesus told the disciples immediately before the Olivet discourse, “I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another that shall not be thrown down.” Jesus’ prophecy that not one stone would be left upon another is proof that the famous mosque, the Dome of the Rock, is not built on the site of the ancient temple. Nor is it built with part of its foundation being the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall.) If all the stones were torn down this wall cannot be part of the ancient temple.

Traditions of man?

Just as Jews in the first century misunderstood the prophecies of Christ’s first coming, is the church today misunderstanding prophecies that relate to His second coming? Is the eternal destiny of millions of churchgoers hanging in the balance?


“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!” Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.” “No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.” But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. “Sir! Sir!” they said. “Open the door for us!” But he replied, “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.” Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matt. 25:1-13 NIV)

Established Christian tradition is not always scripturally correct. “Take heed that no one deceive you…”

Are we following the traditions of man, or rightly dividing the Word of God?


Thanks go to the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth, and to Nelson Walters who graciously shares hours of research for making this post possible.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

A prayer for such a time as this :

O God in Heaven, may I forever be quick to listen and slow to speak. May I seek wisdom above all earthly treasures? Lord, grant me your grace so that I may be strengthened to answer your call to obey. And in my obedience, put my will to death, so that I may surrender "absolutely" to your sovereign plan. For I am Yours and You are mine. There is no cost I could ever repay, for the gift of redemption and salvation that you purchased for me by the cross. 

God, you gave your life to give me mine. And now with this "new life" I give it back to you. Where you go I will go? Where you stay I will stay. May my heart beat in unison with Yours, and may my eyes become your own. For if I am to walk this ancient path, I acknowledge my weakness and utter dependence upon you to fulfill the plans YOU have for me. For when I died to myself by your grace, so to did my plans perish. And in my resurrection, it was Your plans that became my own. Execute them O Lord for your glory! 

As we enter every Tribulation together, may I stand firm in the faith and never forget your promise, "to never leave nor forsake your saints." As I carry my cross, reveal to me the true depth and power of Yours. Let my life be a testimony and a witness to your faithfulness and the power and life that is in Your Son. May it reveal that when a man "abides in You" he can be "raptured" from his circumstances without physically being removed from them. Through my life may others come to find theirs by turning to You in repentance and faith. And may our deliverance be a sign to the world that you are God Most High. Adonai, You are my King, and I will delight in your Law and obey it by Your Grace, while I wait eagerly in hopeful expectation for Your return. 

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Is the pre-tribulation rapture theology giving a false sense of hope to the church? Is it easy to believe in and hold to, leaving the church completely unprepared for coming events? Has the belief in the pre-trib rapture theology produced self-satisfied Christians who sit around waiting for Jesus to come back before things get too bad? Would God remove the Holy Spirit and rapture His Church, starting over again with baby Christians who have neither the Holy Spirit nor mature leadership to help teach and to train in the ways of the LORD? Without scriptural understanding and with no solid foundation on which to stand would these be as a ship without a rudder or sheep without a shepherd.

Perhaps your theology teaches there will be none saved during the tribulation. I agree it would be most difficult if not impossible to be saved without the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. But….

“He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea:“ Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.”

“…After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice…Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb…. Revelation 7

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14

Grabbing a scripture here and a scripture there, it becomes easy to squeeze scripture to fit our long taught beliefs and theological persuasions, just ask Beth Moore, Ken Copeland, TD Jakes, Benny Hinn, Hagin or Roberts]. But if we will take the time to read and study His Word, allowing one scripture to support another, reading the chapter and not just a verse perhaps a different picture will emerge - a picture we had not seen before, but one that needs to be prayerfully considered.

 
“For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be…But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.” Mark 13


Was Corrie Ten Boon correct when she wrote:

“We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes - to stand and not faint. I feel I have a divine mandate to go and tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation, but more than sixty percent of the Body of Christ across the world has already entered into the tribulation. There is no way to escape it. We are next.”


We should not be dogmatic, stiff-necked nor overbearing in our interpretation of scripture - but as we read and watch with sadness the persecution, kidnapping, imprisonment and slaughter of tens of thousands of believers across the globe is it time to ask ourselves - was Corrie right - “Is there no way to escape it.” Are we next, and if so are we prepared?”

 

 
 
 


 

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Psalm 46
by Russell Kelfer
Though the earth be removed and the mountains dissolved,
We have no cause to fear.
Softly,through the wind that blows,
God whispers "I AM here."

 The waters roar, the mountains shake,
The oceans rise and roll;
But there's a river calm and clear,
And God is in control.

The nations cry, they rant and rave,
They cry out their resolves.
Then, God speaks. That's all it takes,
And man's strength is dissolved.

The heathen rage, Oh, let them cry
From kingdoms far and near;
For when God speaks, it's over, child,
And there's no cause to fear.


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

“This world is not my home I'm just a passing through,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore.

We read it, perhaps we have sung it in times past, but how many truly believe it.? “Christian” principles and godly teachings have become anathema in many churches as the world with all its glitz and glamour has a tighter grip on far too many within the church today. How many have  settled in, made this world their home and are content in their surroundings?

Oh Lord You know I have no friend like You
If heaven's not my home then Lord what will I do
The angels beckon me from heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore…”

“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4


Seeker friendly, gay friendly, tolerant, adapting communication style to any audience in order to be relevant. “People have real needs that can be met via social media. Fulfill the Great Commission by engaging the culture around you. Forget about GOD and just concentrate on Jesus.” We are told the generation of our day is considered different than the generations before, so pastors and teachers must adjust their message to reach the world.

We must neither be too comfortable in this world, nor too friendly. Keeping ever a watchful eye toward the heavens …

and don’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

A dear Jewish friend tells me I should no longer call myself “Christian.”

I was shocked and concerned that my Christian witness had been less than loving and kind to my non-believing friend until I realized what he was saying.

The RCC call themselves “Christian,” - he remembers the Crusades. Joel Osteen, Ken Copeland T.D Jakes…call themselves Christian yet teach another gospel than that found in scripture. The non-believing among us know these movers and shakers in the evangelical world and they want no part of Christianity or Christians. Mormons, JW consider themselves “Christian” yet clearly their beliefs are far from the teachings of Paul. My friend read of Senator Ted Cruz being booed “by Christians.” He watches the “Christian” world acting less than Christian and grows ever and ever more apprehensive toward Christians. My friend knows scripture, perhaps better than many professing "Christians." To say he does not trust Christians would be an understatement. My vain attempts at shedding light into his darkness seem to have gone nowhere. Quoting scripture, lengthy discussions have been ineffective in changing his mind. His mind is made up and there is nothing “I” can do.

It breaks my heart when I realize that it is those called by His Name who are the greatest hindrance to the spreading of the gospel message. For every true Bible believing Blood bought believer, for every follower of Jesus Christ there are scores that are Christian in name only.

But we are not without hope:

There are upwards of two billion professing Christians in the world, but the true church is minuscule compared to the number professing a biblical faith with little or no evidence to back up their claims. But the church does exist - Jesus promised in Matthew 16:18 “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

We must keep witnessing, sharing and standing on the promises of God.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

First the Charismatic "Christians" then the Jews and now....

The highest representative for Islam

"Pope Francis may be the most authoritative representative” of “spiritually sensitive” religious leaders in the world today."

Take a few minutes and read the following article..
http://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/articles/item/511-pope-francis-and-the-united-religions-initiative

Italy’s highest spokesman for Islam liked everything that Peres said.  Yahya Pallavicini, imam of the al-Wahid Mosque in Milan and vice president of the Islamic Religious Community of Italy praised Peres as “a man particularly inspired, combining Jewish faith with political experience. I fully agree” with his proposal to the pope, he said.

"Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction." 2 Thessalonians 2:3

Things are moving at such a rapid pace.  Much prayer is needed in the days and weeks ahead.  We must be alert and watchful that we will not fall into temptation as so many others appear to have done. 

May we His remnant shine ever brighter as the day approaches.

Keep standing on the promises of God.

Monday, September 8, 2014

I am saddened when I think how far the church has slipped from it moorings. Many vibrant churches have now become mosque or museums. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world followed by the RCC.

Interest in Biblical truths and the things of God is at an all time low, except where easy belief-ism, feel good sermons, tolerance and unity are heralded and embraced as truth.

"A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough." Galatians 5:9

Lakewood Church, Houston, TX, led by Victoria and Joel Osteen is the largest church in America, and its growing. Beth Moore continues to draw crowds at her pricey conferences. Ken Copeland is heralded as a leader of the Christian faith as he walks arm and arm with the RCC. Benny Hinn’ “healing” meetings flourish although no evidence of healings is or has ever been documented. Joyce Meyer, Joseph Prince, Rick Warren, Mike Bickle, Billy Graham, Franklin Graham and a host of others preach and teach contrary to scripture, embracing ecumenicalism, but few seem to notice or care. Tragically, with a lack of Biblical knowledge and interest in reading The Word in the church today, perhaps many do not even know the difference.

Paul wasn't wasting words when he said that "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ" Ephesians 4:14-15

How often do we act as Berean’ and test sermons and teachings against the Scriptures?

As long as we live in this world, John's warning will always be needed: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" 1 John. 4:1.

I fear Paul would not be well received in churches today, but then neither would/is Jesus.

Friday, September 5, 2014

Shimon Peres promote the Pope as the head of the New One World Religion.
Shimon Peres promote the Pope as the head of the New One World Religion.
Former Israeli President Shimon Peres has said that Pope Francis is more powerful than the United Nation when it comes to advocating peace.


While visiting the Vatican, Mr Peres asked Pope Francis to head a parallel United Nations called the “United Religions” to counter religious extremism in the world today.
Peres said the United Nations and its peacekeepers “do not have the force or the effectiveness of any one of the Pope’s homilies, which can draw half a million people just in St Peter’s Square alone.”
“So given that the United Nations has run its course, what we need is an organisation of United Religions,” Mr Peres said, as “the best way to counteract these terrorists who kill in the name of their faith.”
“What we need is an unquestionable moral authority who says out loud, ‘No. God doesn’t want this and doesn’t allow it,’” he added.

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Where is our focus??

The Vatican says Jews are no longer the chosen people. Rick Warren reveals how he embraces the Roman Catholic religion and pushes for ecumenical unity. Victoria Osteen says worship for yourself, not for God. ISIS [IS] video tapes beheadings and kidnaps little girls. US continues to condemn Israel. The pope says the church grows by attraction, not proselytizing.

Does our dinner conversation center around the latest FoxNews headline, or The Word of God? Do we teach our children to look up, to pray for those in authority over us or look out to those making headlines today offering our bit of wisdom in the situation? Do they hear us grumble and complain about the latest breaking news or pray and intercede for the fallen and lost? Is our first line of defense to bow our head and take a knee if we hear of pastors and teachers falling into sin? Do we rehash the failures of the government or shake our heads in disbelief at the latest horrific actions of the Islamic faithful ?  


Wars and rumors of wars fill the airways. Barack Hussein Obama has no strategic plan to protect the U.S. or our allies from terrorist. Nor does our government even acknowledge the existence of terrorism or terrorist.

And on and on it goes.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3

Where is our focus?