"This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD." Jeremiah 23:16
"Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divination's, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds." Jeremiah 14:14
As I surfed the Internet, viewing photos of the fires in Israel I wondered to myself ~
Where were the prophetic voices that claim to hear from God? Where were the voices that should have warned of what was coming upon His Land and His Chosen People? Where were those who would warn of the devastation to come?
For me, they were noticeably silent - made me wonder - perhaps they do not speak for God after all.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Many churches claim to love truth but what they really love is man-centered Christianity that helps them obtain success. Success in their marriage, finances, family, careers. Building bigger and bigger congregations while fostering a positive attitude that produces health and a successful personal life without the pain of dying to self, picking up the Cross of Christ, sharing the gospel with a lost and dying world or being persecuted for standing for The Truth of the Word of God.
II Timothy 4:3 tells us that many Christians will only want to hear what makes them feel good and appeals to their flesh:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."
Warning the church, family or friends of emerging dangerous, unbiblical trends, false teachers, a false gospel, unbiblical theology is never popular nor is it easy. Yet, we are not called to please the world, we are called to please our Lord. We are expected to act as Bereans - checking out all we hear with The Truth, The Word of God, but if we do not know the Word...
Exposing error has become negative in the eyes of many today. Many consider it to be judgmental - even cruel to expose in public what has been spoken in public. Yet, Jesus Himself told us we would see those who would claim to be shepherds, pastors, [evangelist, prophets and apostles] that really have little or no concern for the sheep but care more for their own pocketbooks and positions, twisting the Word of God to benefit self.
Paul, writing in I Corinthians 4:9-13 while in prison:
"For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored. To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now."
Notice the last examples: condemned to death, weak, poor, hungry, beaten and homeless. Its obvious we don’t see those who claim these positions today living in such a manner. The messages proclaimed by most of today's profiteers who live in mansions, travel in private jets, live like royalty, practice necromancy and cheat on their income tax and their wives is G-D wants you wealthy, lacking in nothing, trials and tribulations are from the devil, and if you are sick it is because you lack faith, so just name it and claim it.
In John 10:11-13 we read:
"I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and not concerned about the sheep."
One reason why God would allow false teachers among us may be to test those who call themselves 'Christian" - will they be faithful in their Biblical mandate to expose false teachers and thus protect the sheep from the spiritual poison of wolves in sheep's clothing, will they be faithful to study to show themselves approved, a watchman who need not be ashamed or will they choose instead to swallow and follow those who teach and preach the gospel they find most appealing.
Ephesians 5:11 makes it clear we are to expose false teachers:
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Jude 3:1-4 commands all believers to contend for the faith that is under attack from false teachers:
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ".
The Truth is never negative to those who seek to serve it.
II Timothy 4:3 tells us that many Christians will only want to hear what makes them feel good and appeals to their flesh:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears."
Warning the church, family or friends of emerging dangerous, unbiblical trends, false teachers, a false gospel, unbiblical theology is never popular nor is it easy. Yet, we are not called to please the world, we are called to please our Lord. We are expected to act as Bereans - checking out all we hear with The Truth, The Word of God, but if we do not know the Word...
Exposing error has become negative in the eyes of many today. Many consider it to be judgmental - even cruel to expose in public what has been spoken in public. Yet, Jesus Himself told us we would see those who would claim to be shepherds, pastors, [evangelist, prophets and apostles] that really have little or no concern for the sheep but care more for their own pocketbooks and positions, twisting the Word of God to benefit self.
Paul, writing in I Corinthians 4:9-13 while in prison:
"For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored. To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the off scouring of all things until now."
Notice the last examples: condemned to death, weak, poor, hungry, beaten and homeless. Its obvious we don’t see those who claim these positions today living in such a manner. The messages proclaimed by most of today's profiteers who live in mansions, travel in private jets, live like royalty, practice necromancy and cheat on their income tax and their wives is G-D wants you wealthy, lacking in nothing, trials and tribulations are from the devil, and if you are sick it is because you lack faith, so just name it and claim it.
In John 10:11-13 we read:
"I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and not concerned about the sheep."
One reason why God would allow false teachers among us may be to test those who call themselves 'Christian" - will they be faithful in their Biblical mandate to expose false teachers and thus protect the sheep from the spiritual poison of wolves in sheep's clothing, will they be faithful to study to show themselves approved, a watchman who need not be ashamed or will they choose instead to swallow and follow those who teach and preach the gospel they find most appealing.
Ephesians 5:11 makes it clear we are to expose false teachers:
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Jude 3:1-4 commands all believers to contend for the faith that is under attack from false teachers:
"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ".
The Truth is never negative to those who seek to serve it.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Berit Kjos writes:
Obama didn't lie when he promised CHANGE.
He just didn't define the Change. Nor did he explain the basis for his HOPE.
Today, with a bit more hindsight, the fog is lifting and we see the immediate future much more clearly. Both words imply a shift away from the foundational truths and values of America. As Communist nations have determined, man's hope must rest in a useful worldly vision, not in the disturbing distraction of the Biblical God or other-worldly heaven.
Today, HOPE and CHANGE point to a New World Order -- a virtual utopia where the masses would eventually enjoy peace, pluralism, parity and the promise of universal welfare. Both slogans serve as bait to draw the masses into a web of deception.
As in Orwell's Animal Farm, today's spreading tentacles of Marxian/ Socialism imply two classes of people: the equally poor masses and their wealthy "more equal" rulers. While the latter reign in luxury, the equally poor, the new "middle class" often struggle to feed their families.
An article in the Russian Pravda titled "American Capitalism gone with a Whimper" spreads a somber view of this nation. Unlike its old Soviet-era namesake, this new Pravda may actually be telling the truth. It reminds us that the current transformation of America, which has now become all too visible, actually began long ago:
"...the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple.... The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was.... Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.'
"First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture.... Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas than the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their 'right' to choke down a McDonalds burger... than for the rights given in the Constitution.
Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches... were for the most part little more than Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more than happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the 'winning' side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another....
The final collapse came through the election of Barack Hussein Obama. His spending and money printing has been record setting, not just in America but around the world. America at best will soon resemble the Wiemar Republic; at worst Zimbabwe....
And proud American will go down into slavery without a fight, beating their chest and proclaiming to the world "we are free."
and the world snickers."
" ...when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them... when your heart is lifted up and you forget the Lord your God. ... you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’... Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods... you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 17, 19-20
Obama didn't lie when he promised CHANGE.
He just didn't define the Change. Nor did he explain the basis for his HOPE.
Today, with a bit more hindsight, the fog is lifting and we see the immediate future much more clearly. Both words imply a shift away from the foundational truths and values of America. As Communist nations have determined, man's hope must rest in a useful worldly vision, not in the disturbing distraction of the Biblical God or other-worldly heaven.
Today, HOPE and CHANGE point to a New World Order -- a virtual utopia where the masses would eventually enjoy peace, pluralism, parity and the promise of universal welfare. Both slogans serve as bait to draw the masses into a web of deception.
As in Orwell's Animal Farm, today's spreading tentacles of Marxian/ Socialism imply two classes of people: the equally poor masses and their wealthy "more equal" rulers. While the latter reign in luxury, the equally poor, the new "middle class" often struggle to feed their families.
An article in the Russian Pravda titled "American Capitalism gone with a Whimper" spreads a somber view of this nation. Unlike its old Soviet-era namesake, this new Pravda may actually be telling the truth. It reminds us that the current transformation of America, which has now become all too visible, actually began long ago:
"...the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple.... The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was.... Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.'
"First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture.... Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas than the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their 'right' to choke down a McDonalds burger... than for the rights given in the Constitution.
Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches... were for the most part little more than Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more than happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the 'winning' side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another....
The final collapse came through the election of Barack Hussein Obama. His spending and money printing has been record setting, not just in America but around the world. America at best will soon resemble the Wiemar Republic; at worst Zimbabwe....
And proud American will go down into slavery without a fight, beating their chest and proclaiming to the world "we are free."
and the world snickers."
" ...when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them... when your heart is lifted up and you forget the Lord your God. ... you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’... Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods... you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 17, 19-20
Sunday, November 14, 2010
God and truth are inseparable. Francis Schaeffer calls this true truth the unchanged and unchanging expression of who God is: it is not our own personal and arbitrary interpretation of reality."
We can become angered by it, we can ignore it or bend it, but that will not change what it is.
"The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63
To those who would doubt, He said: "If you do not believe that I AM He, you will die in your sins." John 8:24
Defending truth takes courage, commitment and a relentless determination to contend earnestly for the faith. Our LORD demands nothing less from His children. But, be aware ~
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you. 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My Name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me." John 15:18-21
We can become angered by it, we can ignore it or bend it, but that will not change what it is.
"The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63
To those who would doubt, He said: "If you do not believe that I AM He, you will die in your sins." John 8:24
Defending truth takes courage, commitment and a relentless determination to contend earnestly for the faith. Our LORD demands nothing less from His children. But, be aware ~
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you. 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My Name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me." John 15:18-21
Thursday, November 11, 2010
If one is interested in Christianity in any sort of serious way, it is not because it is easy, or trendy, or popular. Life is hard, and on man' scale many appear good, but being a 'true' follower of Jesus is the hardest thing you will ever do.
"Take care brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day as long as it is still Today so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance until the end. Today, if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:12-15
We are living in perilous times, surrounded by false religions, false doctrines and false teachers. The world we inhabit is harsh, cruel, narcissistic, image based and a people pleasing phony - but God.
"Take care brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day as long as it is still Today so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance until the end. Today, if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts..." Hebrews 3:12-15
We are living in perilous times, surrounded by false religions, false doctrines and false teachers. The world we inhabit is harsh, cruel, narcissistic, image based and a people pleasing phony - but God.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
"And Jesus said to them: 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.'" Mark 1:17
Cheap grace is a deadly enemy of the Church.
Grace without a price; grace without a cost. We suppose the account has been paid in advance and, because it has, everything can be had for nothing. The "Christian" today lives like the rest of the world, modeling himself on the world' standards - rebelling against the free and boundless grace of God, enjoying the consolations of grace without repenting of sin, departing from sin and allowing sin to depart from him.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, grace without His Word.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has, it is the pearl of great price, the kingly rule of Christ in our lives. The call of Jesus Christ to come - at which the disciple leaves all and follows Him.
Costly grace cost God the life of His Son, it will cost a man his life as well, yet it is grace that will return true life to that same man; condemning sin, justifying the sinner. Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Him. It comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and contrite heart, compelling a man to submit to the yoke and come.
[The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer]
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell and great was it's fall." Matthew 7:24-28
Cheap grace is a deadly enemy of the Church.
Grace without a price; grace without a cost. We suppose the account has been paid in advance and, because it has, everything can be had for nothing. The "Christian" today lives like the rest of the world, modeling himself on the world' standards - rebelling against the free and boundless grace of God, enjoying the consolations of grace without repenting of sin, departing from sin and allowing sin to depart from him.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, grace without His Word.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has, it is the pearl of great price, the kingly rule of Christ in our lives. The call of Jesus Christ to come - at which the disciple leaves all and follows Him.
Costly grace cost God the life of His Son, it will cost a man his life as well, yet it is grace that will return true life to that same man; condemning sin, justifying the sinner. Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Him. It comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and contrite heart, compelling a man to submit to the yoke and come.
[The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer]
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell and great was it's fall." Matthew 7:24-28
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
If we are interested in Christianity in any sort of serious way, it is not because it is easy or trendy or popular. It is because we recognize our sinful nature, desire to change and recognize that we are powerless to do so apart from Jesus. It is His power, His love and His life alone that will set us free.
"Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I AM gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Look on each and every sin committed as the one that nailed our Saviour to the tree. Then you will see sin as it truly is.
"Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I AM gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Look on each and every sin committed as the one that nailed our Saviour to the tree. Then you will see sin as it truly is.
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