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Friday Proverb – Warning Against Idleness
Last Friday’s Proverb was a stern warning against taking on debt. This week, the Proverb covers another kind of dishonesty. While taking on debt that you may or may not be able to repay is outward dishonesty – idleness is yet another form of sinful dishonesty – a form that we all too often excuse ourselves for doing.
Proverbs 6:6-8
6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: 7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, 8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Job 12:7
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
2 Thessalonians 3:10
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
Idleness is a sin that every Christian needs to take strong action against. Idleness should not be confused with taking rest – for even our Creator rested. I will relate now, a story from my childhood – which aptly demonstrates the old adage – “Idle hands are the devil’s playground.”
My mother was a fabulous cook, and after my grandmother found it too taxing to host the family holiday get-togethers, it became my mother’s sole responsibility. One Christmas, while the men were in the family room discussing politics as usual, the ladies were in the kitchen preparing the feast. The ladies included me (age 10) my older sister (age 16) my mother, grandmother, and my aunt.
My mother, sister, and grandmother, were all at different parts of the counter and stove, variously chopping and stirring, while I manned the sink and the dishes. My aunt – a perpetually whiny creature, was sitting at the kitchen table facing all of our backs, and flicking through an open cookbook of my mother’s – while complaining about my uncle – her husband (also my grandmother’s son.)
This griping went on for about 20 minutes while we were all sweating with our work, when finally my grandmother, bless her, said quietly but firmly – “Shut up and read your cookbook!” The point of this story being – the harder you are working – the less time you have to feel sorry for yourself.
1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
Matthew 20:6
And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
Proverbs 6:9-11
9 How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
We could post a list here of common things that encourage laziness and steal our time, such as TV and Facebook – but blaming those things is another form of laziness – because the real blame rests right on our proverbial laps. No “thing” is the cause of our sluggishness except our own sinful selves, anymore than alcohol makes an alcoholic, or beautiful items at the store cause shoplifting. The sin is ours and ours alone. If we are honest, we could all admit to at least occasional idleness – in my case – it is more than occasional! The reason we don’t turn off our computers, televisions and telephones is because we- don’t- want- to!
Slothfulness at work – whether at home, job, or school, will lead to poverty says the Proverb. I know women who whine that they do not have enough money to buy food, yet will not invest an hour a week to carefully plan shopping and coupons. Yet these same females will spend an entire hour on the phone, complaining about how little they have to spend! How many workers complain tirelessly about their jobs – but won’t work hard enough to advance themselves? Dishes won’t wash themselves, laundry won’t fold itself, papers won’t file by sitting on your desk – and product orders will not be filled by osmosis. Doing the minimum is idleness – and it is very, very sinful. The church is guilty as charged, for sitting back in comfort and not contending for the faith as instructed by the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 15:58
King James Version (KJV)
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Friday Proverb – No Guarantees?
The past two Proverb studies have covered sins of the flesh. This week is another kind of sin, and it has to do with making promises about money.
Proverbs 6:1-5
King James Version (KJV)
6 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
This has to do with making promises to others in terms of financial debt. Either involving yourself in a venture on behalf of your own interest, or someone else (like a family member or friend as in co-signing) is against The LORD’s perfect will. Even personal mortgages are immoral in this respect – because you are purchasing something that you may not be able to repay. By signing a contract such as that you have – “stricken hands with a stranger” (a bank or lending institution.) As every person is aware of in this country and around the word – banks do not think twice about ejecting you from the house or car – because technically – you never owned them to begin with. It was always the banks’ – unless and until you pay it in entirety.
v.2 – you said it – you own it!
3 Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
4 Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
The LORD says – do not rest until you have cleared up the debt!
5 Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
The purveyors of debt are likened here to a hunter! As hunters are wont to do – they set traps – and foolish prey step into them.
[what is being discussed here is personal debt – not business]
By Dave Ramsey
Myth: Debt is a tool and should be used to help create prosperity.
Truth: Debt isn’t used by wealthy people nearly as much as we are led to believe.Debt is dumb. Most normal people are just plain broke because they are in debt up to their eyeballs with no hope of help. If you’re in debt, then you’re a slave because you do not have the freedom to use your money to help change your family tree.
According to a USA Today article about debt, 78% of Baby Boomers have mortgage debt, 59% have credit card debt, and 56% have car payments. It takes a lot of will, discipline, courage and help to slay the debt monster. But it can be done. Imagine how much you could put toward retirement if you just didn’t have a stinking car payment? This is how the wealthy really build their wealth. Debt is dumb. Welcome to the real world!
Consider the Risk
My contention is that debt brings on enough risk to offset any advantage that could be gained through leverage of debt. Given time—a lifetime—risk will destroy the perceived returns purported by the myth-sayers. I once was a myth-sayer myself and could repeat the myths very convincingly. I was especially good with the “debt is a tool” myth. I even sold rental property that was losing money to investors by showing them, with very sophisticated internal rates of return, how they would actually make money!
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
Friday Proverb – Exhortations on Marital Fidelity
Our last week’s Proverb focused on the general sin of fornication. This week is a continuation of the theme – focusing on faithfulness to the marriage bed, using wonderful prose to give us the depth of meaning.
15 Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
16 Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
17 Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
18 Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Could the Word be any more clear?
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
Proverbs 5: 15-19
Gentlemen – is it possible you do not fully comprehend how it hurts your wife when you lust after other women? Despite the so-called women’s movement, it is clear that men in their hearts still look at females essentially the same way. We read far too frequently of prominent pastors committing adultery. Why? What is the reason?
19 Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
SELFISHNESS
Both husband and wife must be willing to lay aside their self-interest – just as Jesus – the Bridegroom of the church did.
Philippians 2:7-8
King James Version (KJV)
7 But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
This denial of self-interest is not demeaning! It is the only way to happiness and fulfillment in marriage!
20 And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
The rebuke for this kind of foolishness is not a mere hand slap. . .
21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He pondereth all his goings.
22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself,and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
Proverbs 5:20-23
The philosophy of the world does NOT make happy marriages. Sadly, most Christians have accepted the conditioning that marriages are a 50/50 proposition. That quotient has never worked, and it will bring forth the struggle for “getting our due.” Since a married couple is one flesh – the marital unit can not survive with two heads – which is exactly what the 50/50 idea promotes. Selfishness is the root of all marital problems.
1 Peter 3:7
King James Version (KJV)
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Friday Proverb – Warning Against Immorality
Last Friday, the wise counsel was to walk in wisdom – that walking with the LORD and feeding on His Word is life and health – both physical and spiritual. Today, the enticements of the flesh are shown for what they are – death.
1My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
2That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
3For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
4But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
As the young man in the illustration demonstrates – nothing is hidden. The person he is deceiving is unaware, but the LORD sees everything. He may think he’s not hurting anyone – but the Proverb goes on to explain that the hurt is endless.
5Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
6Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
7Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Here Solomon is saying – why risk it? Why throw caution to the wind for something that is so unstable? Adultery and fornication are not part of God’s plan for us – and every sexual disease known to man is certainly not the result of stable, Godly marriages.
8Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
9Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
10Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
11And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
12And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
Giving your honor, wealth, and labors to others??? How about everyone (including your boss, pastor, and parents) knowing about what you’ve done? How about losing everything in a divorce settlement? How about another man living in your home, with your ex-wife, and raising your children?
Flesh and body consumed? Well, that could happen in a variety of ways. Financial ruin and divorce take a tremendous toll on one’s health. Then there is the more direct type of flesh consumption- http://realtruth.org/articles/090303-005-health.html
14I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
Proverbs 5:1-14
If you think I’m just directing this at men – I’m not. Thanks to the satanic women’s movement – the “ladies” are now making significant advancement into adultery and fornication – an area that was formerly dominated by men. And the results are just what the evil one intended: the breakdown of the family, less personal wealth for all income levels, abortion, declining birth rates, women’s bodies being prostituted in every form of media, and general moral decay.
We can make up all kinds of excuses for the things we do. My parents neglected/abused me. My marriage is lousy. I’m under a lot of pressure. I never really wanted to be married in the first place. This marriage isn’t what I wanted. My wife/husband doesn’t understand me. I’m lonely. . . .
My, me, my, I, I, I, my, I . . . . the Word says there simply is no excuse. Sin, is sin, is sin.
James 4:4
King James Version (KJV)
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God.
Friday Proverb – Wisdom is Life and Health
In our last Friday Proverb, we learned that the best way to avoid wickedness is to flee from it. As the old saying goes – “Run like the very devil is after you!” (Because he is) It was also stressed that the wicked cannot rest or even sleep until they cause others to fall. That is a very important fact to remember when the sinful temptations are being sold to you.
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Again, the Proverbs are stressing that God’s Words must be kept deep within our hearts, providing life and health to our bodies. Understand that this is more than prose. Ample (if resentful) secular evidence exists to support what is written in this Proverb. It stymies the “scientific” community as to why church goers, and those who regularly pray and study the Bible, live longer. They continuously try to explain it away with brain scans and Freudian analysis. Aren’t we blessed not to have to worry about the why? And just addressing the logical side of the question – it stands to reason that the truly faithful Christians avoid much of the behavior that makes people sick, as well as dangerous situations and lifestyles.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
From the Hebrew “keep” =
natsar: to watch, guard, keep
Original Word: נָצַר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: natsar
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-tsar’)
Guarding your heart is not the same thing as “hardening” your heart. Keeping it with “all diligence,” protects your heart from being damaged by sin. Leaving it exposed like a target is considered foolishness in the Proverbs. If left exposed, sin does its damage, so that even if sins are repented of, the sins that were swept away still leaves scars. And like all scar tissue – it is hard – and can even be seen in the eyes of the repentant sinner. How much better it is to guard your heart to begin with, and not have to suffer and bear the scars for the rest of your earthly walk.
24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Hmmm, let’s think about wisely holding our tongues and thinking it through before we speak in anger, spite, or in a gossiping manner. “Perverse lips” means that the speaker gets pleasure from evil dialogue, such as locker room talk, or “talking dirty.” Not only should we not do these things – but we are instructed to put the people that do them far away from us. If we participate in the gossip, or in the locker room talk, we become as they are.
25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Further admonishment to keep our eyes where they should be – focused on heaven – not the world and its trappings.
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Look where you are going, think about where you are going, determine where you are going.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Proverbs 4: 20-27
Do not veer from the path of righteousness. If we are like Lot’s wife, and are constantly looking longingly back, or to the side – we do not belong to the Lord! In the words of John Bunyan –
Beware of this By-path Meadow; it is on the left-hand. O! how many are walking securely, confidently, and comfortably, in it; while every step they take endangers their destruction. The transition into it is easy; for it lies close to the right way; only you must go over a stile: that is, you must quit Christ’s imputed righteousness, and trust in your inherent righteousness; and you are in By Path Meadow directly.
Pilgrim’s Progress, p. 129, John Bunyan
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
Hebrews 12: 13
Mother Teresa’s False Hope
Mother Theresa: Loving people straight to hell…
https://www.wayoflife.org/database/motherteresafalsehope.html
Christian Family Theater – The Indestructible Book
Outstanding documentary, history of how we got our Bible. Highly recommended – ages 14 and up.
For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.
Christian Family Theater – Darwin’s Dilemma
Outstanding presentation covering the geology and paleontology involved with the Cambrian Explosion. Sorry this video has subtitles (not if it is in your language! Russian?) but it is the only full length version I could find. Highly recommended for ages 12 and up – especially high school and college ages will benefit.
Family Theater – God’s Outlaw – William Tyndale
Tyndale’s famous, selfless last words –
“Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.”
We should all say right now –
“Lord, open the king of America’s eyes.”
If you were raised Roman Catholic, as Jim and I were, and feel any discomfort from some of the teachings, or if you feel that something is seriously missing – that is the Holy Spirit urging you!
Matthew 11:27-29
27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Video: Halloween – Trick or Treat
This pagan, completely occult festival, has no place in Christian homes or churches.
Stores such as Hobby Lobby have plenty of festive, Christian harvest themed decorations for your home and church. Christians do not need to live spartan, joyless lives. But we should not bring the evil one into our homes or houses of worship! Dressing up as “harmless” characters will not negate the pervasive evil underlying this “feast of the dead.”
The Case of the Deleted Sentence — Ephraim’s “Advent, End, and Antichrist”
For the Lord’s Day – Beyond the Sunset
Beyond the sunset, O blissful morning,
When with our Savior, heaven is begun;
Earth’s toiling ended, O glorious dawning,
Beyond the sunset when day is done.
Beyond the sunset, no clouds will gather,
No storms will threaten, no fears annoy;
O day of gladness, O day unending,
Beyond the sunset eternal joy!
Beyond the sunset, a hand will guide me
To God the Father whom I adore;
His glorious presence, His words of welcome,
Will be my portion on that fair shore.
Beyond the sunset, O glad reunion,
With our dear loved ones who’ve gone before;
In that fair homeland we’ll know no parting,
Beyond the sunset forever more!
Virgil Prentiss Brock – Lyrics 1887-1978
Born: January 6, 1887, Mercer County, Ohio.
Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.
Blanche Kerr Brock – Composer 1888-1958
Born: February 3, 1888, Greens Fork, Indiana.
Died: January 3, 1958, Winona Lake, Indiana.
Buried: Warsaw, Indiana.
One of the best-known and widely-used songs in the entire field of gospel hymnody is “Beyond the Sunset.” Mr. Brock has left the following account of its writing:
This song was born during a conversation at the dinner table, one evening in 1936, after watching a very unusual sunset at Winona Lake Indiana, with a blind guest—my cousin Horace Burr—and his wife Grace. A large area of the water appeared ablaze with the glory of God, yet there were threatening storm clouds gathering overhead. Returning to our home, we went to the dinner table still talking about the impressive spectacle we had witnessed. Our blind guest excitedly remarked the he had never seen a more beautiful sunset.
“People are always amazed when you talk about seeing,” I told him, “I can see,” Horace replied. “I see through other peoples eyes, and think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.”
The phrase “beyond the sunset” and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures. “That’s beautiful!” his wife interrupted, “Please go to the piano and sing it.
We went to the piano nearby and completed the first verse. “You should have a verse about the storm clouds,” our guest urged, and the words for this verse came quickly as well. Recalling how closely our guest had walked hand in hand together for so many years due to his blindness, the third verse was soon added. Before the evening meal was finished, all four stanzas had been written and we sang the entire song together.
http://www.hymnalaccompanist.com/Story/story-c865.html
Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
sage
p.s. This post is dedicated to my husband for our 33rd anniversary.
The Self Life | The Institute for Creation Research
More Mealy Mouthed Pastoring
Billy Graham’s grandson – Tullian Tchividjian – holds forth on what is wrong with America’s pulpits. My summation of his cotton candy opinion? Pastors are not being nurturing enough, and are too bogged down with politics! All blue highlighting is mine . . .
Tullian Tchividjian Says Christian Brand Has Been Damaged by Evangelicals’ Association With Religious Right
By Michael Gryboski , Christian Post Reporter
December 30, 2014|2:48 pm
Tullian Tchividjian (Courtesy of Tullian Tchividjian)
The grandson of the Rev. Billy Graham commented Tuesday that he believes Evangelicals’ involvement in the conservative political movement “has done more damage to the brand of Christianity than just about anything else.”
Tullian Tchividjian, senior pastor at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, explained to co-hosts of the MSNBC program “Morning Joe” that American evangelicalism has been harmed by its association with conservative politics.
“Over the course of the last 20 or 30 years, evangelicalism, specifically their association with the religious right and conservative politics, has done more damage to the brand of Christianity than just about anything else,” Tchividjian asserted.
“That’s not to say that Christian people don’t have opinions on social issues and we shouldn’t speak those opinions, but Sunday morning from behind the pulpit is not the place,” he added.
Tchividjian also told those on the “Morning Joe” program that he feels his job, as a pastor, is to go beyond social issues and social solutions when preaching.
“It’s not so much religion in the public sphere as much as religion in the pulpit, behind the pulpit, that’s my primary concern,” Tchividjian continued. “As a preacher, my job when I stand up on Sunday mornings to preach, is not first and foremost to address social ills or social problems or try to find social solutions. My job is to diagnose people’s problems and then announce God’s solution to their problems.”
Tchividjian was on the program to talk about his soon-to-be released devotional, It Is Finished: 365 Days of Good News.
Slated for purchase on New Year’s Day and published by David C. Cook, the book is a daily devotional centered on the Good News of God’s love.
“God’s radical grace is unbelievable, unexplainable, and definitely undeserved. But it’s the foundation of our faith. In this new 365-day devotional, Tchividjian reminds you every day that the Gospel is good news,” noted its Amazon description.
“It’s God’s message that He loves us even when we don’t deserve it. These short readings each contain a truth from God’s Word that will set you on a solid foundation for the day — a foundation of God’s grace, goodness, and unconditional love.”
In discussing the devotional with the “Morning Joe” co-hosts, Tchividjian said the book, It Is Finished, is comprised of “365 days of short readings.”
“I am really trying to help people know that all of the meaning, all of the worth, all of the value, all of the significance that we long for and that we look for, we already have because of what God has done for us,” Tchividjian explained in response to a question posed to him about New Year’s resolutions.
Well, he’s trying to sell a book of “short readings” here. Too bad he not once mentioned getting his sheeple back to the Word of God! Must be all that hair gel addling his brains. . . almost seems like the goo has seeped in. . .
Yet another winning entry into the Halls of Cotton Candy Christianity!
Rick Warren – Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Rick Warren on Roman Catholicism: “We have more in common than what divides us”
Dec 17 2014
RICK WARREN ON ROMAN CATHOLICISM: “WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN WHAT DIVIDES US”
Warren, whose Purpose Driven Life and Purpose Driven Church books have sold millions of copies around the world, recorded a video interview for the Catholic News Service in which he said: “We have far more in common than what divides us.”
He continued: “When you talk about Pentecostals, charismatics, evangelicals, fundamentalists, Catholics, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians … Well, they would all say we believe in the trinity, we believe in the Bible, we believe in the resurrection, we believe salvation is through Jesus Christ. These are the big issues.
“Sometimes Protestants think that Catholics worship Mary like she’s another god. But that’s not exactly Catholic doctrine.”
He also referred to the Roman Catholic practice of prayer to the saints, which Protestants reject, saying: “When you understand what they mean by what they’re saying, there’s a whole lot more commonality.
“Now there’s still real differences, no doubt about that. But the most important thing is if you love Jesus, we’re on the same team.”
He said that Church unity would realistically be “not a structural unity but a unity of mission. And so, when it comes to the family we are co-workers in the field on this for the protection of what we call the sanctity of life, the sanctity of sex, and the sanctity of marriage. So there’s a great commonality and there’s no division on any of those three.”
Warren recently took part in a Vatican conference on the Complementarity of Man and Woman alongside conservative stalwart Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. His remarks are in tune with the tone of Pope Francis, who has spoken warmly of evangelicals and brought a different emphasis to inter-Church engagement.
http://www.christiantoday.com/article/rick.warren.on.roman.catholicism.w…
[TBC: Commonality is not established by the lowest common denominator. To say someone loves Jesus means nothing if it’s “another Jesus” or if the “gospel” they present is not the biblical gospel (2 Corinthians:11:4, Galatians:1:8). The works salvation gospel of Rome is contrary to the biblical gospel, and the Jesus of Roman Catholicism did not pay the full penalty for sin. Our Lord declared, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew:7:21).]
Over a decade ago I was chased out of my church, because of my tooth and nail resistance to going “purpose driven.” Now, Rick Warren is boldly going where he always intended to go – the one world religion.
2 Peter 2:1-3
2 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Dear Mr. Rick Warren – you make me sick. May God have mercy, and cause you to repent.
David Barton/Glen Beck Ecumenical Trojan Horse
False Shepherd – T.D. Jakes
Can’t seem to get away from these TV terrors. Get rid of your cable, and their latest book is staring at you from a table at Costco. The “Christian Post” thinks Mr. T.D. Jakes falls under their very broad definition of “Christian” and chooses to promote his latest foray [Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive] into the pseudo-Christian, pop-culture, self-help bottomless pit. Because we love our readers, no link to the article will be provided, in an effort to save you from the barrage of pop-ups and caustic advertising overrunning the site. Here is the short introduction:
(All red highlighting is mine)
By Jessica Martinez, CP Reporter
May 23, 2014|8:28 am
Most people find it difficult to get in tune with their inner voice amid their busy lives, however taking time to listen to a gut feeling or an instinct can lead to discovering a life of abundance and satisfaction, says Bishop T.D. Jakes.
In Jakes’ new book, Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive, he writes about how individuals can re-discover their natural aptitudes and become in sync with opportunities life presents if they are willing to see beyond their current limitations.
Inspired by a safari trip to South Africa and derived from personal experiences, Jakes’ material illustrates some of the major principles and secrets that successful individuals have applied to their lives, but rarely tell others. In addition, Jakes offers readers advice on knowing when to close a business deal, when to take a risk, and how to listen to their hearts.
Hmmm. . . .let’s see. I guess when Peter was crucified upside down, he failed to listen to his inner voice.
Or more currently, Pastor Saeed Abdeni has probably not taken the time to re-discover his natural aptitudes. . .
http://aclj.org/fox-news-update-american-pastor-saeed
And since Mr Jakes draws so much inspiration from Africa – one wonders how this woman, along with her unborn child and toddler, has failed to use his system of listening to “instincts.”
http://indepthafrica.com/sudan-keeps-pregnant-christian-woman-shackled-to-wall-toddler-in-prison/
T.D. Jakes is a false shepherd!!!!
He is a liar, and a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Nothing he says will lead a lost soul to a saving knowledge of Christ. His teachings stand in direct opposition to the Word of God.
T.D. Jakes says that you will have an abundant life if you follow his teachings, which include running on your inner voice.
The Bible says that you can not trust your inner voice, and that it will lie to you.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Who is telling the truth? T.D. Jakes – or God?
Matthew 7:14-16
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Ecumenism – Hollywood Style
Lots of excitement over the fact that pop-Christian films are being produced with a fervor lately. Of special note, was the Easter weekend release of “Heaven is for Real.”
This story is about a 4 year old boy who had a near death experience which has been made into a movie. Christian media is giddy with excitement over the fact that it made more money than pagan Johnny Depp’s latest sci-fi flick.
Should we be excited over this?
Let me just state that the father is a fool if he truly does not believe that a 4 year old can pick up enough information to provide the kind of testimony he did. But all that aside – the really important part begins at around the 6:00 mark – where the young man states positively that you only need to love Jesus and follow Him to go to heaven. No repentance required. Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses – and even some Muslims love Jesus. This is a classic example of the ecumenism that has overrun the church. This is the church Jesus Christ will spew out of His mouth. This is another Jesus.
Revelation 3:14-16
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.
False Shepherd Joins New Age Priestess
By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter
March 27, 2014|11:49 am
(Photo: The Christian Post)
Oprah Winfrey and Rob Bell will appear together for Winfrey’s national “The Life You Want” tour.
Oprah Winfrey will be touring the U.S. this fall to help “lead people to an empathy space… a gratitude space” in an effort to find their calling and fulfill their greatest potential. Helping Winfrey in the tour hitting cities on both coasts will be influential and controversial Christian author Rob Bell, and other “handpicked thought leaders and pop culture icons.”
“All of my life I have wanted to lead people to an empathy space. To a gratitude space,” said Winfrey in a press statement. “I want us all to fulfill our greatest potential. To find our calling, and summon the courage to live it.”
Each stop on the national tour will run two days, with the first night featuring Winfrey “bringing her personal story and insights to life in a one of a kind intimate evening” and the following will have the media mogul and Bell, or another one of her handpicked guests, “lead a day-long gathering of thousands.”
Winfrey shares her motivation for “The Life You Want” tour, which will stop in eight cities, in a video below.
Oprah.com
Oprah Winfrey shares her vision for The Life You Want tour featuring Rob Bell and other thought leaders.
Bell appeared on Winfrey’s “Super Soul Sunday” program late last year to discuss his latest book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God. Winfrey wrote of Bell’s book, her premiere pick for the “Oprah’s Super Soulful Book of the Month” club: “The ideas Rob sets forth in his books, Love Wins and What We Talk About When We Talk About God, opened my heart and my mind. People like him are the reason I set out to build OWN in the first place: to be able to gather a global community of like-minded seekers.”
(Photo: Harpo Inc.)
Rob Bell speaks with Oprah Winfrey in an episode of the OWN cable network’s “Super Soul Sunday,” airing Nov. 3, 2013.
Bell states in What We Talk About When We Talk About God that he wrote the book because “there’s a growing sense that when it comes to God, we’re at the end of one era and the start of another, an entire mode of understanding and talking about God is dying as something new is being birthed.”
While Love Wins questioned traditional teachings on whether only Christians can go to heaven and if hell is a real, eternal place, What We Talk About When We Talk About God “explains why both culture and the church resist talking about God, and shows how we can reconnect with the God who is pulling us forward into a better future,” according to the publisher.
In her praise of What We Talk About When We Talk About God, Winfrey said Bell was “shaking up the way we think about God and religion.” Read more about Bell’s discussion with Winfrey on her “Super Soul Sunday” program here: Rob Bell Talks God, Religion and Doubt With Winfrey on “Super Soul Sunday.”
Learn more about The Life You Want tour at Oprah.com.
Is there anyone out there that thinks this is OK? This is the church of anti-Christ; and these are the pseudo-Christians who will welcome his rule. All ecumenical movements are driving towards this one end. Please reread Bell’s statement that I highlighted in red. That could have come from the mouth of Marylin Ferguson, Alice Bailey, or Benjamin Creme – it originates with the evil one himself – Lucifer.
2 Timothy 4:2-4
2 Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 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;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Response to a Bible Critic
This comment was posted to the old blog – Thoughts of an Old Man. In the interest of letting this person be heard and responded to by as many people as I think she would like – I’m posting the comment here.
I know this was written ages ago, but the bible has God all wrong. The bibles God doesnt exist. Mainly because too many human faults are put upon him and glorified as something powerful. What need would an omnipotent being have for hate, judgement and anger? Its such a waste to US as a species, why would he lower himself to our level? Many people turn to the books written by man to place their entire faith on but his truth is in no book. It’s inside us. We are born with it. I know this will sound stupid and naive to you, but the Bible never spoke to me. God did. Not conversationally, of course, but with every sunrise, every hug, every smile of my daughters face, THAT is the word of God. Not some letters spewed onto a page and translated as rule. Living by that book has destroyed civilizations, eras, and us as a humanity. It is the false prophet. And generations have died from it. [dawna reisner]
Let us address the commenter’s main premise – that one can self determine the nature of the Godhead.
Immediately – we can observe that the writer has done two things:
- Committed idolatry by creating her own god
- Blasphemed the Word of God by saying that Jesus Christ, the Word of God, lies about Himself.
We may condense her opinion into one statement.
I don’t like what the Bible says – therefore it is untrue.
- If the Bible does not “speak to you,” that means you are not born of the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- By saying that the Bible is the false prophet – that is committing the unforgivable sin, by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, Who is the Author of the Bible.
2 Peter 1:21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
- In saying that the Bible has been the cause of the world’s woes, more blasphemy is committed.
Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.
- Blaming the Bible, rather than man’s exceeding sinfulness, is the same sin committed by Adam in the Garden of Eden when he blamed God. This is also blasphemy.
Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
- Denying your own complicity in the cumulative sins of mankind, is proof that you are outside the faith.
1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us.
When I first read this comment, I could not believe it was genuine, and likely the antics of a troll because of the provocative nature and specious quality of it. But, as I thought on it, The LORD convicted me that whether genuine or not – it could still be examined and a Scriptural argument developed for it, because even internet trolls need to be witnessed to, and we all encounter people who posit the same belief system.
Trayvon Martin – Instead of the Christ Child?
Trayvon Martin Nativity scene – political correctness runs amok
Written by Allen West on December 27, 2013
I have only one word to describe this story: sacrilegious.
According to the Inland Daily Bulletin,
Nativity scenes have a few standard elements: a manger, swaddling clothes, happy parents, sheep, maybe the Three Wise Men. They don’t generally include Trayvon Martin.
But there he is, wearing a hoodie, a stream of blood pouring from his chest onto the straw-covered floor of the scene outside Claremont United Methodist Church, the holy family around him. “Easter and Christmas should be tied together. It’s all the same story,” artist John Zachary says.
However, that’s not the point — it’s the idea of equating Martin to the birth of Jesus Christ. Is Zachary’s underlying message that Trayvon Martin came into the world to die for our sins?
Apparently Zachary has been creating controversial Nativity scene displays outside his church for quite awhile, as the Daily Bulletin reports:
He has portrayed Joseph and Mary as a homeless couple in a ghetto neighborhood, as Iraq War refugees and as Mexican immigrants. Zachary has been attending the church for 15 years. When church leaders asked him to build a Nativity scene in 2007, he decided to focus on people who don’t have the “privilege” to enjoy typical Christmas traditions, he said.
Is this about how far we can push the envelope and the level of sensationalism? Zachary has succeeded in getting us to discuss his artwork. Should we demand this be taken down before the January 5th scheduled date? After all, it’s been up since early December. Is this part of the freedom of expression in America? Absolutely. Is it in poor taste? Certainly.
My question is, what kind of church is this? Being from down South, I can attest that this would likely never find acceptance.
So what do you all believe, should we just dismiss this and not give it attention or is this further proof that we are not just “Slouching towards Gomorrah,” but we’re on a full accelerated high speed “progression” towards it?
Read more at http://allenbwest.com/2013/12/trayvon-martin-nativity-scene-political-correctness-gone-amok/#xr8j31XAXtzy1wVP.99
For the Lord’s Day – Near the Cross
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Refrain
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Refrain
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Refrain
Text: Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915
Music: William H. Doane, 1832-1915
“It may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin one’s work with prayer, but I never undertake a hymn without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration.”
Galatians 6:14
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Spurgeon on Homosexuality: “Brought Hell Out of Heaven on Sodom”
Friday Proverb – Avoiding Wickedness
Last week we enjoyed the wonderful wisdom that King David passed down to his son, Solomon – stressing the pursuit of wisdom above any worldly thing. Today we look at the relentless efforts of the world to corrupt us – and the best way to not fall into its trap.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
There are many “paths” that could be considered wicked. What is being stressed here is the influence that worldly people have on us. The pressure to conform in appearance and behavior to the world comes at us through many different avenues. Television, internet, magazines, coworkers, “friends,” peers. . . the things we see and hear – lead us to covet – and in coveting we are caught.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
The only escape from the myriad temptations in front of our eyes is to flee from it, and completely avoid it – no matter what it is. If you can’t look at a magazine without lusting – either by wanting to look like someone in the magazine, or have someone or something in the magazine – better throw out the magazine! The same goes with alcohol, pornography, gluttony, lechery. . .the list goes on and on. If you can’t sit down at a computer without looking at porn – you have entered the path of the wicked. If you sit lusting after cheerleaders while watching a football game – you are on the same path. If looking at Pinterest causes you to be dissatisfied rather than content – you are in the coveting trap. If your “friend” encourages you to do something wrong – flee – flee – flee!!!
The Proverb goes on to say, that the people that lead us to do wrong, whether it is the corrupt CEO of a gigantic, international company, or your sister-in-law bombarding you with temptation – they all truly desire you to fail.
16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
The above verse is the source of the colloquialism – “No rest for the wicked!” Certainly television commercials and programmers are relentless in their push for immorality – but have you ever encountered someone who pressures you with their own kind of intensity? Trying to get you to do something that you know is wrong? The Word of God clearly says that they cannot rest until they have accomplished their goal! Think of the tireless, driving methods of influential musicians, authors, media, even video game designers! Or the “friend” that pushes you to have another drink, or coworker telling you to help yourself to whatever is in the company storage room – because “everyone does it.” If you get the feeling they are trying to take you down with them – your feeling is correct!
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Verse 17 is saying that wickedness and violence actually sustains the evil ones, in the same way that pure food sustains us. Their very beings are gladdened by a Christian’s failure in the same way that we are made joyous by a good meal with people we love.
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
How beautiful. The perfect day will be at the Lord’s return. If we stay on the right path, it will shine brighter and brighter in this dark world, until that glorious day!
19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. Proverbs 4: 14-19
At right is what the lost see. Nothing. The Hugh Hefner’s, Richard Dawkins, and the neighborhood philanderer . . . the multitudinous purveyors of corruption do not see where they are going. Even when they trip and fall, they have no idea what they tripped over. They will continue to grope along in the dark.
The Vine Vigil 
