We’ve all heard about “The writing on the wall” when you do something you know what the turnout will be, “Burning the midnight oil” while studying for a test or getting a project finished, which could also be done “By the skin of your teeth”. We all know we have to have “The patience of Job” when being “Your brothers keeper”.
We have all heard these expressions many times, but did you realize that they are from the Bible? Just another testament that Gods Word does not go out void and that it is engrained in the hearts and minds of men. Even the hard-core sinner knows “the love of money is the root of all evil” and how to “Raise Cain”.
Here is a small list of common expressions that are rooted in Gods Word. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Please feel free to leave a comment with any other ones that you know.
Writing on the wall Dan 5:5
Scapegoat Lev 16:10
Reap what you sow Gal 6:7
Turn the other cheek Matt 5:39
In the lions den or thrown to the lions Dan 6:16
Brother’s keeper Gen 4
Sign of the times Matt 16:3
Patience of Job James 5
Fall flat on your face Num 22:31
Pour out your heart Psalm 62:8
Sour Grapes Ezekiel 18:2
Skin of teeth Job 19:20
Stand in awe Psalm 4:4
To put words in his mouth Exodus 4:15
Like a lamb to the slaughter Isaiah 53:7
Rise and shine Isaiah 60:1
Salt of the earth Matt 5:13
A thorn in the flesh 2 Cor 12:7
Powers that be Rom 13:1
From dust to dust Gen 3:19
To wash one’s hands of something Matt 27:24
The spirit is willing, but the body is weak Matt 26:41
Shirt off your back Matt 5:40
Go the extra mile Matt 5:41
Blind leading the blind Matt 15:14
Wolf in sheep’s clothing Matt 7:15
The eleventh hour Matt 20:6
The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing” Matt 6:3
Apple of your eye Deut 32:10
Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-33
Straight and narrow Matt 7:14
Old as the hills Job 15:7
Wits end Psalm 107:27
Leopard cant change its spots Jer 13:23
Don’t cast your pearls before swine Matt 7:6
Drop in the bucket" Isaiah 40:15
Eat, drink, and be merry Eccl 8:15
Eye for an eye Exodus 21:24, Lev 24:20, Deut 19:21 Matt 5:38
Labor of love 1 Thess 1:3
Letter of the law 2 Cor 3:6
More blessed to give than to receive Acts 20:35
No peace (rest) for the wicked Isaiah 48:22, Isaiah 57:21
Put your house in order 2 Kings 20:1, Isaiah 38:1
Sweat of your brow Gen 3:19
The love of money is the root of all evil 1 Tim 6:10
There's nothing new under the sun Eccl 1:9
Raising Cain Gen 4:8
Missed by a hair Judges 20:16
Burning the midnight oil Matt 25:6-9
You can't take it with you when you die 1 Tim 6:7
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Blasphemy and Idle Words
Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain.
Blasphemy? What is it? According to the 10 Commandments it is #3 declared in Exodus 20:7. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. Do you ever do this? Now wait a minute, not just the most common form of this, but any of the forms. I really do not want to list them, but to get this point across I will have to.
My first example of a now days common use of Gods name in vain can be found in most chat rooms and text messages today – OMG, which is “Oh my G-d”. A using of Gods Holy name to show surprise, shock, disgust or awe. Any of which is blasphemy. This can be compared to the ever popular “Oh, Lord” or “Good Lord”. I even hear this at churches, even exclaimed by some pastors. Why? The same as any other vain vocalization of Gods name, there is no true reverence for His name by the person saying it. Could they be saying it in ignorance? Perhaps if the person doesn’t know what the names of God are, but that is doubtful.
Do you ever say “God bless you” when someone sneezes? If so why? Is it because it comes natural or is the polite thing to do? You always have? Your Mama always did? Anything except for truly asking God to bless that person? If so, then that is using the name of God in vain. I prefer Gesundheit, which is German for “good health”. Most of the time I do not say anything. We all sneeze, just as we all cough and I never hear anyone wishing blessing on someone for coughing. The pagan reason for saying “God bless you” or just the shortened “Bless you” goes way back, arguably from one of 3 reasons or perhaps all 3. 1.) Well wishes that someone did not become infected with a deadly sickness, namely the plague of the 14th Century. 2.) To prevent the soul from leaving the body. 3.) Protection from a demon or evil being from entering the mouth of a sneezing individual. All of which would probably not work as is.
Next is a the more blatant forms, the flat out “Jesus Christ” sometimes with a more colorful middle name added. Even the shortened “Jeez” is derived from the Lords name. A total disregard for His name. This is becoming more prevalent over time as this world spins out of control.
A very common usage in churches, by pastors, standing in the pulpit, addressing the congregation is having the people turn to the text of the lesson and saying “Say praise the Lord when you get there” then everyone repeats. Are these people so blind to this open disregard for the Lord? They use His name as an affirmation, instead of saying “Got it”, “There”, “Ready to go” – SOMETHING – ANYTHING except Gods name. Would you say "praise the Lord" when you arrive at a restaurant or someones home you are going to visit? (If it is in-laws, probably never - just a joke I love my extended family very much)My point is - Gods name doesn't have to be used in place of a four letter filth word to be used in vain.
But the 3rd commandment really goes deeper than just using Gods name out of place, out of disgust, as an affirmation or as a well blessing for having hay fever. How about the person that defiles Gods name by claiming to be in Christ but live differently? The professing “Christian” that lives a life of immorality, blatantly forsaking Christ and still claim to be a Christian. This is an attempt to cheapen Gods Holy name. A lot of people I am around daily do this, the profess Christ in one breath, then brag about their sins the next - while listening to "AC/DC Highway to Hell".
My last example will be said a lot over the next week – “God Bless America”. Now think about it- in order for God to bless America, He will first have to be blessed by America. His Name will have to be revered, the killing of Innocent babies will have to stop, the collective turning of Americas back on God and everyone says “God Bless America”? Why? And how is that not the biggest charge of vain words against God? A society that is so totally depraved that everything is acceptable - as long as it's not in the Bible.
To me, and this is my opinion, my feeling and right now I can not back it up with a scripture passage is: A true born again, new creation, in Christ Christian can break any of the 10 commandments, except this one. I think that if a person has surrendered to God, they can not even fathom using the Saviours name a a curse word, it is not possible. If you claim to be Christs, born anew of God and you do – then I very seriously think you need to examine yourself as 2 Cor 13:5 tells us “Examine yourselves”. Do you ever examine your fruits? Your walk? Why not? We are commanded to. I would much rather take the test here to assure my salvation than wait until I am standing before God and He judges me. Other than this commandment, everyone breaks the others from time to time – a little fib here, taking a paper clip from work, getting angry at someone without cause, looking with lust and so on – but this Commandment shows the heart of a person, how much they love God and cherish His name and honor and revere His names as revealed to us.
A few verses to ponder this day –
Matthew 12:36-37 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Philippians 2:9-11 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Psalms 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile
You will one day stand before the great and awesome God that revealed Himself to us through His Word. Will you be able to say – Lord I have revered Your Name, I have held close to my heart the names that you gave yourself, I truly gave my life to you and repented of my sins and hatred for you. You saved me by grace and there is nothing that I did or that I can do to merit the Justification that is only possible by the blood of Jesus. Thank you my dear God and Lord of all.
Blasphemy? What is it? According to the 10 Commandments it is #3 declared in Exodus 20:7. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. Do you ever do this? Now wait a minute, not just the most common form of this, but any of the forms. I really do not want to list them, but to get this point across I will have to.
My first example of a now days common use of Gods name in vain can be found in most chat rooms and text messages today – OMG, which is “Oh my G-d”. A using of Gods Holy name to show surprise, shock, disgust or awe. Any of which is blasphemy. This can be compared to the ever popular “Oh, Lord” or “Good Lord”. I even hear this at churches, even exclaimed by some pastors. Why? The same as any other vain vocalization of Gods name, there is no true reverence for His name by the person saying it. Could they be saying it in ignorance? Perhaps if the person doesn’t know what the names of God are, but that is doubtful. Do you ever say “God bless you” when someone sneezes? If so why? Is it because it comes natural or is the polite thing to do? You always have? Your Mama always did? Anything except for truly asking God to bless that person? If so, then that is using the name of God in vain. I prefer Gesundheit, which is German for “good health”. Most of the time I do not say anything. We all sneeze, just as we all cough and I never hear anyone wishing blessing on someone for coughing. The pagan reason for saying “God bless you” or just the shortened “Bless you” goes way back, arguably from one of 3 reasons or perhaps all 3. 1.) Well wishes that someone did not become infected with a deadly sickness, namely the plague of the 14th Century. 2.) To prevent the soul from leaving the body. 3.) Protection from a demon or evil being from entering the mouth of a sneezing individual. All of which would probably not work as is.
Next is a the more blatant forms, the flat out “Jesus Christ” sometimes with a more colorful middle name added. Even the shortened “Jeez” is derived from the Lords name. A total disregard for His name. This is becoming more prevalent over time as this world spins out of control.
A very common usage in churches, by pastors, standing in the pulpit, addressing the congregation is having the people turn to the text of the lesson and saying “Say praise the Lord when you get there” then everyone repeats. Are these people so blind to this open disregard for the Lord? They use His name as an affirmation, instead of saying “Got it”, “There”, “Ready to go” – SOMETHING – ANYTHING except Gods name. Would you say "praise the Lord" when you arrive at a restaurant or someones home you are going to visit? (If it is in-laws, probably never - just a joke I love my extended family very much)My point is - Gods name doesn't have to be used in place of a four letter filth word to be used in vain.
But the 3rd commandment really goes deeper than just using Gods name out of place, out of disgust, as an affirmation or as a well blessing for having hay fever. How about the person that defiles Gods name by claiming to be in Christ but live differently? The professing “Christian” that lives a life of immorality, blatantly forsaking Christ and still claim to be a Christian. This is an attempt to cheapen Gods Holy name. A lot of people I am around daily do this, the profess Christ in one breath, then brag about their sins the next - while listening to "AC/DC Highway to Hell".
My last example will be said a lot over the next week – “God Bless America”. Now think about it- in order for God to bless America, He will first have to be blessed by America. His Name will have to be revered, the killing of Innocent babies will have to stop, the collective turning of Americas back on God and everyone says “God Bless America”? Why? And how is that not the biggest charge of vain words against God? A society that is so totally depraved that everything is acceptable - as long as it's not in the Bible.
To me, and this is my opinion, my feeling and right now I can not back it up with a scripture passage is: A true born again, new creation, in Christ Christian can break any of the 10 commandments, except this one. I think that if a person has surrendered to God, they can not even fathom using the Saviours name a a curse word, it is not possible. If you claim to be Christs, born anew of God and you do – then I very seriously think you need to examine yourself as 2 Cor 13:5 tells us “Examine yourselves”. Do you ever examine your fruits? Your walk? Why not? We are commanded to. I would much rather take the test here to assure my salvation than wait until I am standing before God and He judges me. Other than this commandment, everyone breaks the others from time to time – a little fib here, taking a paper clip from work, getting angry at someone without cause, looking with lust and so on – but this Commandment shows the heart of a person, how much they love God and cherish His name and honor and revere His names as revealed to us.
A few verses to ponder this day –
Matthew 12:36-37 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Philippians 2:9-11 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Proverbs 29:20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Psalms 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile
You will one day stand before the great and awesome God that revealed Himself to us through His Word. Will you be able to say – Lord I have revered Your Name, I have held close to my heart the names that you gave yourself, I truly gave my life to you and repented of my sins and hatred for you. You saved me by grace and there is nothing that I did or that I can do to merit the Justification that is only possible by the blood of Jesus. Thank you my dear God and Lord of all.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
An Alternative To The Common ABC's of Christianity
So you have probably heard the ABC way of evangelizing
A – Admit you are a sinner
B – Believe that Jesus is the Son of God
C – Confess your faith in Jesus
I would like to submit that there is a much more biblical ABC’s of Christianity. The more common ABC’s are a really generalized outline. Let me break the more common down before I go into the more biblical.
A – Admit that you are a sinner. This is somewhat biblical, but does a person just look at this and say, sure I’ve told a lie or 2, I committed adultery a time or 2 as well. BUT admitting and actually coming to a true understanding of your transgressions against a Holy and Just God are totally different.
B – Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Just one point here James 2:19 – Even the demons believe and tremble – Matt 8:29 States that demons acknowledged that Jesus was the Son of God and thought He had came to torment them before judgment day. So just believing IN is not enough.
C - Confess your faith in Jesus. Romans 10:9-10, 13 are a common proof scripture for this “C”. You must first put these verses into context in which Paul wrote them. These were not written for a “means of salvation”. These are actually the doorway to salvation, the first step if you will, of the act of God turning your cold sinful heart into a warm moldable heart of flesh.
Now I will lay out a more biblical representation of the “ABC’s of Salvation”.
A – Allow the Holy Spirit of God you have hated since birth to perform a transformation from the sin loving person you have been since birth into a God loving, God fearing believer. 2 Cor. 5:17 says that If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away ALL things become new. This is a spiritual re-birth that is a requisite for salvation. You cannot stay in the sinful lifestyle that you once loved; you cannot submit to the world and be of the world. It not spiritually possible.
B – Become a new creation in Christ. Totally die to self, Rom 12:1, Rom 8:13-14, Heb 9:14, Matt 16:24. If you have been truly regenerated by God, then your life will no longer be your own. You will seek the face of God daily and will shun sin and seek His righteousness – Not just one time, but for the rest of your life. No profession of faith, no prayer, no decision ever saved a man from Gods fury and judgment. If you have truly been born again you will have a new heart for God and a new relationship with sin in which you will shun it, despise it and be instantly impacted by it when you fall into it. You must put yourself down and pick up your own cross. This is not a very popular message this day and age where the “seeker sensitive” or man centered message is the norm.
C – Continually repent of your sins Matt 4:17, Luke 13:3 and 5, Rev 2:4-5 - continually seek the face of God 2 Chron. 7:14, Heb 11:6, 1 Peter 3:12, continually profess Christ Rom 10:10, Matt 10:32-33, Psalms 107, Rom 1:16 - continually praise God for providing salvation that is totally undeserved of anything that you could do Eph 1:3-14, Matt 25:34, Luke 12:32, Acts 9:15, 2 Thess 2:13-14, 2 Tim 1:9, Jn 1:12, Eph 2:8-19.
If God has truly saved you and you have become a new creation, born again, then you will walk in the Light and will no longer have the same fleshly desires. Think about the physical world as Nicodemus did, how can I be born again? Enter back into my mother’s womb? Of course not, Jesus was talking about a spiritual birthing process. Just as you were truly born physically, you cannot change your genetic make up and become a dog or even change your skin color if you wanted to. So it is with spiritual birth, when you are TRULY born of the Spirit, you can not change your spiritual DNA, you CAN NOT live in sin 1Jn 3:4-10, Eph 4:22-24, Gal 2:20, Tit 2:14.
If you are having doubts about your conversion I pray that you will examine yourself as 2 Cor 13:5 tells us. If you are living a life filled with sin, then chances are you are not a true Christian. If you are friends of the World then you are the enemy of God - (James 4:4). Understand that nothing you can do can save you from Gods wraith, the only thing to do is cry out that God will save you, pray that God will regenerate your heart, cry out that He will cleanse you of all unrighteousness and stand just through the merits of Christ. As humans we deserve nothing but hell and damnation for our sins against a just and holy God, but He loves us as the Father He is and grants us mercy.
A – Admit you are a sinner
B – Believe that Jesus is the Son of God
C – Confess your faith in Jesus
I would like to submit that there is a much more biblical ABC’s of Christianity. The more common ABC’s are a really generalized outline. Let me break the more common down before I go into the more biblical.
A – Admit that you are a sinner. This is somewhat biblical, but does a person just look at this and say, sure I’ve told a lie or 2, I committed adultery a time or 2 as well. BUT admitting and actually coming to a true understanding of your transgressions against a Holy and Just God are totally different.
B – Believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Just one point here James 2:19 – Even the demons believe and tremble – Matt 8:29 States that demons acknowledged that Jesus was the Son of God and thought He had came to torment them before judgment day. So just believing IN is not enough.
C - Confess your faith in Jesus. Romans 10:9-10, 13 are a common proof scripture for this “C”. You must first put these verses into context in which Paul wrote them. These were not written for a “means of salvation”. These are actually the doorway to salvation, the first step if you will, of the act of God turning your cold sinful heart into a warm moldable heart of flesh.
Now I will lay out a more biblical representation of the “ABC’s of Salvation”.
A – Allow the Holy Spirit of God you have hated since birth to perform a transformation from the sin loving person you have been since birth into a God loving, God fearing believer. 2 Cor. 5:17 says that If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away ALL things become new. This is a spiritual re-birth that is a requisite for salvation. You cannot stay in the sinful lifestyle that you once loved; you cannot submit to the world and be of the world. It not spiritually possible.
B – Become a new creation in Christ. Totally die to self, Rom 12:1, Rom 8:13-14, Heb 9:14, Matt 16:24. If you have been truly regenerated by God, then your life will no longer be your own. You will seek the face of God daily and will shun sin and seek His righteousness – Not just one time, but for the rest of your life. No profession of faith, no prayer, no decision ever saved a man from Gods fury and judgment. If you have truly been born again you will have a new heart for God and a new relationship with sin in which you will shun it, despise it and be instantly impacted by it when you fall into it. You must put yourself down and pick up your own cross. This is not a very popular message this day and age where the “seeker sensitive” or man centered message is the norm.
C – Continually repent of your sins Matt 4:17, Luke 13:3 and 5, Rev 2:4-5 - continually seek the face of God 2 Chron. 7:14, Heb 11:6, 1 Peter 3:12, continually profess Christ Rom 10:10, Matt 10:32-33, Psalms 107, Rom 1:16 - continually praise God for providing salvation that is totally undeserved of anything that you could do Eph 1:3-14, Matt 25:34, Luke 12:32, Acts 9:15, 2 Thess 2:13-14, 2 Tim 1:9, Jn 1:12, Eph 2:8-19.
If God has truly saved you and you have become a new creation, born again, then you will walk in the Light and will no longer have the same fleshly desires. Think about the physical world as Nicodemus did, how can I be born again? Enter back into my mother’s womb? Of course not, Jesus was talking about a spiritual birthing process. Just as you were truly born physically, you cannot change your genetic make up and become a dog or even change your skin color if you wanted to. So it is with spiritual birth, when you are TRULY born of the Spirit, you can not change your spiritual DNA, you CAN NOT live in sin 1Jn 3:4-10, Eph 4:22-24, Gal 2:20, Tit 2:14.
If you are having doubts about your conversion I pray that you will examine yourself as 2 Cor 13:5 tells us. If you are living a life filled with sin, then chances are you are not a true Christian. If you are friends of the World then you are the enemy of God - (James 4:4). Understand that nothing you can do can save you from Gods wraith, the only thing to do is cry out that God will save you, pray that God will regenerate your heart, cry out that He will cleanse you of all unrighteousness and stand just through the merits of Christ. As humans we deserve nothing but hell and damnation for our sins against a just and holy God, but He loves us as the Father He is and grants us mercy.
Friday, June 20, 2008
BBQ&A
Just home from a wonderful night of fellowship with a couple of good friends and their families and their pastor. We had a great BBQ meal prepared by Bobby and his wife Tina. I know it takes a lot to get something like that together and planned out, so I really appreciated what they did.
J.T. deemed it our BBQ&A, because after being fed a great meal, we were fed a great fellowship with their Pastor. All I can say is WOW! I was blown away with the knowledge and passion from him. Not at all the man centered message I have grown accustomed to at me previous church. I am currently "between churches" and from what I saw tonight I am going to look closer into Oak Grove and see if that is where God would have me be. Maybe so, maybe not. As Pastor Durham told me, there are many biblical churches out there, not just Oak Grove. He was not the typical - yeah we'd love to have you come in and fill out a visitors card, maybe get a letter from your current church and add you to our membership. He just stated, God will put you where God wants you (maybe in different wording, but the same point.
Pastor Durham answered questions that the group had and really explained election (not the Obama/ McCain presidential), predestination, being called, etc. This is an area that I struggle to understand and he put it into words I could understand, using scripture to show us. It all starts with the Sovereignty of God and that everything happens to bring glory to Him. I will not even try to explain it myself right now, because I am still not 100% sure on the doctrine of election. I won't put it out there only to be wrong. That is not what this blog is for. This blog is here to put the Truth of Gods Word out there as it is written and not by my infant understanding of some things. But to God be the glory I am pursuing His truth and He is allowing me to speak for Him, even though I speak babble most of the time, when God wants to say something - He will.
Please take the time to check out the following links -
Real Truth Matters - Check back often for info on the upcoming conference in Paducah
Living Priorities - Oak Grove and Pastor Durhams media source for sermons, manuscripts and other resources.
J.T. deemed it our BBQ&A, because after being fed a great meal, we were fed a great fellowship with their Pastor. All I can say is WOW! I was blown away with the knowledge and passion from him. Not at all the man centered message I have grown accustomed to at me previous church. I am currently "between churches" and from what I saw tonight I am going to look closer into Oak Grove and see if that is where God would have me be. Maybe so, maybe not. As Pastor Durham told me, there are many biblical churches out there, not just Oak Grove. He was not the typical - yeah we'd love to have you come in and fill out a visitors card, maybe get a letter from your current church and add you to our membership. He just stated, God will put you where God wants you (maybe in different wording, but the same point.
Pastor Durham answered questions that the group had and really explained election (not the Obama/ McCain presidential), predestination, being called, etc. This is an area that I struggle to understand and he put it into words I could understand, using scripture to show us. It all starts with the Sovereignty of God and that everything happens to bring glory to Him. I will not even try to explain it myself right now, because I am still not 100% sure on the doctrine of election. I won't put it out there only to be wrong. That is not what this blog is for. This blog is here to put the Truth of Gods Word out there as it is written and not by my infant understanding of some things. But to God be the glory I am pursuing His truth and He is allowing me to speak for Him, even though I speak babble most of the time, when God wants to say something - He will.
Please take the time to check out the following links -
Real Truth Matters - Check back often for info on the upcoming conference in Paducah
Living Priorities - Oak Grove and Pastor Durhams media source for sermons, manuscripts and other resources.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Gray Areas In Scripture
There are things that the Bible expressly forbids, as sins. Some of the most common are any of the 10 Commandments, hate, witchcraft and anger. But what about the “gray area’s”? These are things such as drinking alcohol, smoking, cussing, gambling and watching TV.
Let’s take a look at some of the one’s I mentioned above:
Drinking alcohol. I know people scour the bible looking for proof that it is okay to drink alcohol. I did it myself when I was younger and trying to justify my lifestyle. (Just a little footnote: if you have to do a month long study to justify what you are doing, then you should probably not be doing it). While the bible does not come out and say “Do not taketh a drink of Budweisereth or Coorseth” scripture is quite clear as to not be drunk. Galatians 5:19-21 has a short list of sins that will warrant a person from not entering into the Kingdom of God, one of which is drunkenness and reveling.
“Okay Jeff, stop being a Pharisee and a legalist.”
I did not say it, I am just pointing it out. If a person does these things they “shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Pretty simple to understand. Ecclesiastes 9:7 does say “drink thy wine with a merry heart”, but there is a huge difference between a drink and a DRINK. Before you drink, ask yourself “Why am I drinking this?” Is it to get drunk or loosen up? Then you have already answered the question of if it’s sinful or not. Is it because you love the taste of a beer? I would have to answer a big N-O for me, I never had a drink of alcohol that tasted good. But then again I do not like seafood and many people do.
Next on the list is smoking. This one hits home for me because I smoked for 28+ years of my life. When I actually did come to a saving faith in Christ, truly was born again, then God took that addiction away from me. I have not smoked in about 4 years now. But is it a sin according to scripture is the question, what I say doesn’t mean a hill of beans. As a Christian we are commanded to live a Holy life, to strive to be more Christ like in our daily walk with Him. I’m fairly sure Jesus did not have a Zippo and a pack of Marlboro Lights in His pocket. Smoking is a slow death sentence to ones self as well as those that are around them when they do smoke, which is murder but over a period of time instead of an immediate killing. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost and that we are bought with a price, so you are damaging God’s property too. Then in Romans 14 we ate told not to be a stumbling block for our brother. Plus it makes a person and everything they own smell “ickey” as my wife puts it.
Now on to cussing. A lot of people do it, a lot of people say they don’t. I will not go into a list of what I consider to be cuss words, but I am sure a few popped into your head just now. Ephesians 4:29 says “do not let any corrupt communication come from your mouth”, Jesus said in Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. But James 3:8-12 pretty much sums up the point 8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Gambling in itself is not even mentioned in the bible. Not a poker game, slot machine or lottery ticket one, so it’s not condemned, right? Let’s first break it down. Why do people gamble? It is for the love of money and to get more of it quick without having to work for it. This is a whole blog entry in itself, but we all know 1 Tim 6:10 states “the love of money is the root of evil”. Hebrews 13:5 "be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave thee; never will I forsake thee." Matthew 6:24 Jesus said "No man can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon (Money)."
Now for the T.V. question. Is the ol’ boob tube a sin? Not in and of itself. It’s just a hunk of plastic with wires, circuits and electricity running through it. What you watch on it is the question. Do you watch blatantly sinful shows that mock the name of God? Do you watch pornography? Soap opera’s filled with sexual and immoral themes? False Prophets such as Todd Bentley and Joel Osteen that peddle a false Christ? Has your TV become a god to you, a religion? Do you live your life around what is showing on TV and when?
One of Webster’s definitions of religion is: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.
I think living a life revolving around television could be lumped in there. As well as many other things in a persons daily life.
To me, if a person is a true born again, Bible believing Christian, these gray area’s pretty much take care of themselves. If you are living for Christ and walking the narrow path of His righteousness, then you will steer from things that could be considered a sin or sinful. If you are walking in the light of God, then your life will be exposed for anyone to judge (blog to come later on judging others). If you have to hide to do something, it is wrong. If you have to lie to cover up something, it is wrong. Just remember, God knows everything including your mind crimes of sin, lusting that brings forth sin. Jesus said that lusting after a person was fornication already.
In closing, there are many things of the world today that although not mentioned in scripture, are and can be considered sinful. Ask God to give you discernment of anything in your life that he doesn’t want you to do. Get out a notebook and start writing them all down. You will probably need several pages, more if you are really in tune with the Lord. Men are actually inventing new ways to sin against God. You might even say in the past 100 years there has been a “great falling away” from the Word of God 2 Thess2:3.
I beg you to seek God in all His righteousness and if you have not begun a total commitment to Him, to do so. Do not gamble eternity on a prayer you said as a child, or a decision you made a few years ago. If you are living in sin, without remorse, without a conscience, without feeling the anger of God pressing on you with each transgression of His law, then you have probably been deceived into believing a false gospel and are following a false god. One manufactured to conform to mans sinful existence. If your god thinks it’s okay to lie to anyone for any reason, to cheat on your taxes, to steal pens from your employer or to be conformed to the world through it’s music and sinful lifestyles, then your god is not The God of the Bible and you very seriously need to repent of your sins or face the wraith of a Holy and Just God. No say this short prayer, no walk down an isle, no decision will save you from hellfire and damnation. Only a true repentance and turning from your sin and a life of seeking the face of God . Please weigh your costs and make the true turn from the sin you love to the One that loves you and died for your sins on a cross.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Check out a little from John MacArthur on the subject
and here
John MacArthur on Sin
Let’s take a look at some of the one’s I mentioned above:
Drinking alcohol. I know people scour the bible looking for proof that it is okay to drink alcohol. I did it myself when I was younger and trying to justify my lifestyle. (Just a little footnote: if you have to do a month long study to justify what you are doing, then you should probably not be doing it). While the bible does not come out and say “Do not taketh a drink of Budweisereth or Coorseth” scripture is quite clear as to not be drunk. Galatians 5:19-21 has a short list of sins that will warrant a person from not entering into the Kingdom of God, one of which is drunkenness and reveling.
“Okay Jeff, stop being a Pharisee and a legalist.”
I did not say it, I am just pointing it out. If a person does these things they “shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Pretty simple to understand. Ecclesiastes 9:7 does say “drink thy wine with a merry heart”, but there is a huge difference between a drink and a DRINK. Before you drink, ask yourself “Why am I drinking this?” Is it to get drunk or loosen up? Then you have already answered the question of if it’s sinful or not. Is it because you love the taste of a beer? I would have to answer a big N-O for me, I never had a drink of alcohol that tasted good. But then again I do not like seafood and many people do.
Next on the list is smoking. This one hits home for me because I smoked for 28+ years of my life. When I actually did come to a saving faith in Christ, truly was born again, then God took that addiction away from me. I have not smoked in about 4 years now. But is it a sin according to scripture is the question, what I say doesn’t mean a hill of beans. As a Christian we are commanded to live a Holy life, to strive to be more Christ like in our daily walk with Him. I’m fairly sure Jesus did not have a Zippo and a pack of Marlboro Lights in His pocket. Smoking is a slow death sentence to ones self as well as those that are around them when they do smoke, which is murder but over a period of time instead of an immediate killing. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost and that we are bought with a price, so you are damaging God’s property too. Then in Romans 14 we ate told not to be a stumbling block for our brother. Plus it makes a person and everything they own smell “ickey” as my wife puts it.
Now on to cussing. A lot of people do it, a lot of people say they don’t. I will not go into a list of what I consider to be cuss words, but I am sure a few popped into your head just now. Ephesians 4:29 says “do not let any corrupt communication come from your mouth”, Jesus said in Matthew 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. But James 3:8-12 pretty much sums up the point 8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Gambling in itself is not even mentioned in the bible. Not a poker game, slot machine or lottery ticket one, so it’s not condemned, right? Let’s first break it down. Why do people gamble? It is for the love of money and to get more of it quick without having to work for it. This is a whole blog entry in itself, but we all know 1 Tim 6:10 states “the love of money is the root of evil”. Hebrews 13:5 "be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave thee; never will I forsake thee." Matthew 6:24 Jesus said "No man can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon (Money)."
Now for the T.V. question. Is the ol’ boob tube a sin? Not in and of itself. It’s just a hunk of plastic with wires, circuits and electricity running through it. What you watch on it is the question. Do you watch blatantly sinful shows that mock the name of God? Do you watch pornography? Soap opera’s filled with sexual and immoral themes? False Prophets such as Todd Bentley and Joel Osteen that peddle a false Christ? Has your TV become a god to you, a religion? Do you live your life around what is showing on TV and when?
One of Webster’s definitions of religion is: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.
I think living a life revolving around television could be lumped in there. As well as many other things in a persons daily life.
To me, if a person is a true born again, Bible believing Christian, these gray area’s pretty much take care of themselves. If you are living for Christ and walking the narrow path of His righteousness, then you will steer from things that could be considered a sin or sinful. If you are walking in the light of God, then your life will be exposed for anyone to judge (blog to come later on judging others). If you have to hide to do something, it is wrong. If you have to lie to cover up something, it is wrong. Just remember, God knows everything including your mind crimes of sin, lusting that brings forth sin. Jesus said that lusting after a person was fornication already.
In closing, there are many things of the world today that although not mentioned in scripture, are and can be considered sinful. Ask God to give you discernment of anything in your life that he doesn’t want you to do. Get out a notebook and start writing them all down. You will probably need several pages, more if you are really in tune with the Lord. Men are actually inventing new ways to sin against God. You might even say in the past 100 years there has been a “great falling away” from the Word of God 2 Thess2:3.
I beg you to seek God in all His righteousness and if you have not begun a total commitment to Him, to do so. Do not gamble eternity on a prayer you said as a child, or a decision you made a few years ago. If you are living in sin, without remorse, without a conscience, without feeling the anger of God pressing on you with each transgression of His law, then you have probably been deceived into believing a false gospel and are following a false god. One manufactured to conform to mans sinful existence. If your god thinks it’s okay to lie to anyone for any reason, to cheat on your taxes, to steal pens from your employer or to be conformed to the world through it’s music and sinful lifestyles, then your god is not The God of the Bible and you very seriously need to repent of your sins or face the wraith of a Holy and Just God. No say this short prayer, no walk down an isle, no decision will save you from hellfire and damnation. Only a true repentance and turning from your sin and a life of seeking the face of God . Please weigh your costs and make the true turn from the sin you love to the One that loves you and died for your sins on a cross.
Check out a little from John MacArthur on the subject
and here
John MacArthur on Sin
Thursday, June 5, 2008
What's wrong with the church today? Nothing!
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
What is wrong with the church today? Nothing and I stand firm on that and will never budge.
“How can you say that Jeff? Look at everything that goes on in the church – lying, cheating, stealing, hate, gossiping, text messaging during services, teens having sex, alcoholism the same % as the national average, pornography addiction. Jeff, how can you say that nothing is wrong in the church?”
Fasten your seatbelts for an answer you may not like. What you are thinking of as the church….. is not the Church of Christ. The true Church of the Lord is healthy and forging ahead as commanded - Eph 2:19-22. It is going to all nations, it is preaching the true gospel, it is preaching the definite need for repentance.
Now what you may be calling the church is a building with walls and members of what could be labeled these days as a social club. Pastors no longer proclaiming the gospel of Christ as the Word says, sins being looked over, no kind of biblical reprimands, leadership that the former pastors of old would disassociate with immediately. The big problem with churches (the social club type) is that they are full of unrepentant sinners that think they are on their way to heaven because they once made a “decision” for Christ. These are more often times call “backsliders, hypocrites or prodigals” and that they just need to rededicate their life to God. Well, more than likely they are lost and in need to repent of their sins and follow Jesus. It is not possible for a child of God to live in a sinful lifestyle, be it drinking alcohol, having sex if not married, stealing from your employer, drug addiction, lying on your taxes, whatever other sinful lifestyle. It’s just not possible. 2 Corinthians 5:17 lays out in that IF anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, old things are passed away, all things become new.
This apostasy didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a downward spiral for many years. Churches have adopted worldly draws to entice people to come inside, from rock concerts to now days poker tournaments, instead of letting the Holy Spirit draw them in. This also translates over into the messages being proclaimed, looking outside the Bible for truths as does Brian Mclaren, Rob Bell, Doug Pagitt and unfortunately many others. They proclaim just enough of the Bible to make you think they are from God, but spew forth a very dangerous, damning message. Yoga, Universalism, looking outside the bible for “truth”. It’s nothing new, it’s been going on since the bible was being written. Until people KNOW the Truth of God, they will not see it. They will search in whatever fits their personal thoughts instead of following the Word of God. Sola Scriptura , Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria – In Scripture Alone, By Faith Alone, By Grace Alone, In Christ Alone, Glory to God Alone. When people get back to that, then there will be change in the world, there will be change in the “church” so much as the buildings called churches will be empty because the Christians will be out telling everyone about Christ. Then again, the state of the world today is just one sign of the closing day of the Glorious Appearing of the Lord. I’m ready, Are You?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Let's go defense - Clap, Clap
Let’s go defense – clap clap
Let’s go defense – clap clap
Let’s go defense – clap clap
And so it goes across the U.S. at about any sporting event taking place. Oh, and throughout the church buildings as well.
My question is – Why are the churches not living offensively for Christ? No, not offending people or being a stumbling block, but by taking a proactive stand for Christ. Don’t wait for a state to legalize same sex marriages (oops, yeah California just did), don’t let the Christian nation of the USA legalize the murder of 150,000 babies each year (oops again, that’s been legal for many years with millions of innocent babies being murdered out of convenience), don’t let a small voice take God out of our schools and our government buildings (yeah, you get the idea).
It’s all already happened and now the true Christians are trying to change the downhill tumble of this nation. I balk very seriously at calling the U.S. a Christian nation any longer. Sure many profess to be Christians, but look at how they live, look at their fruits, look at who’s running for President and on the B-Line for office – a pro baby murdering/ self professing Christian. What happened? When did the Christian morals dry up and the Christian have to play defense over what is right by God’s Word instead of what is right in the eye’s of a sinful nation?
Christian’s are fighting a war, Ephesians 6:11-20 tells us that we are fighting the war and to be prepared with our loins girt with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet prepared for the gospel of peace, taking the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation all defensive items and the one offensive item the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Seems like professing Christians have forgotten that the Word of God will shut the mouth’s of men. If the Word of God is proclaimed, in context of course, no one can dispute it, they will try to justify themselves, but if God’s Truth is proclaimed then His light will shine on the darkness and the Word will shut their mouth. I have encountered this before on a professing Christian blog post on myspace. There were a lot of comments/ posts by several different people – all of which claimed to know Christ. 99% were giving their point of view (which did not align with scripture) and of course was wrong and the other 1% were proclaiming truth but did not back it up by the Word of God and were hence getting dragged through the yard. I simply stated facts and then justified them by scripture and no one refuted what I had written, because the Word of God had stopped their mouths (typing in this case). I did have a few “emergent’s” call me a Pharisee and a legalist, which is usually a vain attempt at trying to veil there personal beliefs and actions outside of scripture and point the blame at someone else (many recite Matt 7:1 Judge not , that you be not judged. Don’t fall for that because we are commanded 5 verses later to not cast pearls before swine – how could we do that if we did not judge a person and determine they are swine- Another blog to come later on this subject of “Judge not…”) Of course I am neither a Pharisee nor a legalist, I am a heart torn Christian that has a bleeding heart for the lost, especially the professing Christian that knows just enough to damn themselves to hell. I was told to check out other literature of poets and New Age writers to enlighten myself (it’s a wonder they didn’t tell me to try Yoga to loosen up too) and I stood on the Word of God boldly and told them that the Bible is all the Truth I need and I didn’t need to read Nietzsche to help me understand God’s Word.
My point in all of this is that as a Christian we are commissioned by God to proclaim His Truth’s to the lost people of the world offensively and not wait to have to defend attacks. Of course in the state of society we have to constantly defend, but I challenge you to become offensive and proactive for Christ. Don’t wait for another downfall of society, take a stand for God, which is what we are actually required. Make an impact at your job other than saying “bless you” when someone sneezes, tell your teacher about creation before he cracks the book of evolution open, take initiative to clean up your neighborhood, city, state, country and world of the sinfulness that permeates society today. Proclaim Christ! Live offensively for Christ! Stop the spiral of sin. But then again, this was all foretold in Gods Word – the great apostasy, false prophets abound (see previous post), sin is common with bars and liquor stores on every corner, porn being peddled everywhere you look, the “entertainment” industries thrive on sexuality, drug use, famous people promoting false gospels (yeah you know who, Oprah, Tom Cruise, John Travolta), political candidates that need to work on their own affairs much more than they should the whole countries. Its all in the Book. Study to show thyself approved 2 Tim 2:15, Hide His Word in your heart Psalm 119:11 and proclaim His truths with BOLDNESS Eph 6:19-20, Phil 1:14, 1 Thes 2:2, Acts 4:13, Heb 13:6
Let’s go defense – clap clap
Let’s go defense – clap clap
And so it goes across the U.S. at about any sporting event taking place. Oh, and throughout the church buildings as well.
My question is – Why are the churches not living offensively for Christ? No, not offending people or being a stumbling block, but by taking a proactive stand for Christ. Don’t wait for a state to legalize same sex marriages (oops, yeah California just did), don’t let the Christian nation of the USA legalize the murder of 150,000 babies each year (oops again, that’s been legal for many years with millions of innocent babies being murdered out of convenience), don’t let a small voice take God out of our schools and our government buildings (yeah, you get the idea).
It’s all already happened and now the true Christians are trying to change the downhill tumble of this nation. I balk very seriously at calling the U.S. a Christian nation any longer. Sure many profess to be Christians, but look at how they live, look at their fruits, look at who’s running for President and on the B-Line for office – a pro baby murdering/ self professing Christian. What happened? When did the Christian morals dry up and the Christian have to play defense over what is right by God’s Word instead of what is right in the eye’s of a sinful nation?
Christian’s are fighting a war, Ephesians 6:11-20 tells us that we are fighting the war and to be prepared with our loins girt with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, our feet prepared for the gospel of peace, taking the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation all defensive items and the one offensive item the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Seems like professing Christians have forgotten that the Word of God will shut the mouth’s of men. If the Word of God is proclaimed, in context of course, no one can dispute it, they will try to justify themselves, but if God’s Truth is proclaimed then His light will shine on the darkness and the Word will shut their mouth. I have encountered this before on a professing Christian blog post on myspace. There were a lot of comments/ posts by several different people – all of which claimed to know Christ. 99% were giving their point of view (which did not align with scripture) and of course was wrong and the other 1% were proclaiming truth but did not back it up by the Word of God and were hence getting dragged through the yard. I simply stated facts and then justified them by scripture and no one refuted what I had written, because the Word of God had stopped their mouths (typing in this case). I did have a few “emergent’s” call me a Pharisee and a legalist, which is usually a vain attempt at trying to veil there personal beliefs and actions outside of scripture and point the blame at someone else (many recite Matt 7:1 Judge not , that you be not judged. Don’t fall for that because we are commanded 5 verses later to not cast pearls before swine – how could we do that if we did not judge a person and determine they are swine- Another blog to come later on this subject of “Judge not…”) Of course I am neither a Pharisee nor a legalist, I am a heart torn Christian that has a bleeding heart for the lost, especially the professing Christian that knows just enough to damn themselves to hell. I was told to check out other literature of poets and New Age writers to enlighten myself (it’s a wonder they didn’t tell me to try Yoga to loosen up too) and I stood on the Word of God boldly and told them that the Bible is all the Truth I need and I didn’t need to read Nietzsche to help me understand God’s Word.
My point in all of this is that as a Christian we are commissioned by God to proclaim His Truth’s to the lost people of the world offensively and not wait to have to defend attacks. Of course in the state of society we have to constantly defend, but I challenge you to become offensive and proactive for Christ. Don’t wait for another downfall of society, take a stand for God, which is what we are actually required. Make an impact at your job other than saying “bless you” when someone sneezes, tell your teacher about creation before he cracks the book of evolution open, take initiative to clean up your neighborhood, city, state, country and world of the sinfulness that permeates society today. Proclaim Christ! Live offensively for Christ! Stop the spiral of sin. But then again, this was all foretold in Gods Word – the great apostasy, false prophets abound (see previous post), sin is common with bars and liquor stores on every corner, porn being peddled everywhere you look, the “entertainment” industries thrive on sexuality, drug use, famous people promoting false gospels (yeah you know who, Oprah, Tom Cruise, John Travolta), political candidates that need to work on their own affairs much more than they should the whole countries. Its all in the Book. Study to show thyself approved 2 Tim 2:15, Hide His Word in your heart Psalm 119:11 and proclaim His truths with BOLDNESS Eph 6:19-20, Phil 1:14, 1 Thes 2:2, Acts 4:13, Heb 13:6
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The Lakeland Revival
So, for the past week I have watched parts of the Lakeland revival on Godtv and also been to the freshfire homepage and interacted in their chat room (until I was kicked out for posting 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. ) Looks like they don't want their koolaide drinkers followers to hear scriptures quoted from the Bible.
Todd Bentley seems to be the predominant figure/ personality at these revival/ healing/ anointing meetings going on in Lakeland Florida. I have put Todd to the test and he doesn't quite match up to what scripture outlines for a leader. It's not the tattoo's, I have a few myself), it's not the speaking in tongues (that's an entirely different blog to come later), it's not the bluejeans and t-shirt (although seeing him in flip flops and shorts behind a pulpit was disturbing) - it was the rapid fire "healing" the visions of an angel, insistence that everyone believe in his angel guide, the Holy Ghost hits, the constant testimony that 18 people had been raised from the dead. And that's just in the first 10 minutes tonight that I had the "revival" on. Please check out some of the videos below of Bentley's preaching/ teachings.
What is most disturbing to me is I have not once heard a proclamation of God's saving grace through His Son Jesus Christ. There are many mentions of Jesus, but always in a passing word after Bentley proclaims a healing or an annointing being released by himself or through himself. Jesus has been relegated to the backseat of the bus. I am all about being healed by the Lord, I have received some miracle healings myself. I can say that none of them "took a while to complete". Seems like bentley proclaims that a healing might begin today and take a while to come to a finish. Uh, where exactly did it take Jesus a while to heal someone? Okay, got sidetracked, but the TRUE MESSAGE for anyone proclaiming to be a messenger of God is not to be healings, wealth, annointing or whatever else sounds good at the time, it is to proclaim Christ Lord and reach out to the lost using the Word of God, the message of repentence and the regenerative power of God through His Son Jesus Christ. None of which I have heard in my hours of watching the LakelandVariety Show, er uh Revival.
I have seen reported that Bentley says he is not sure of the spirits, angels, that come to him. He has never tested them and by deduction can not be sure that they are from God. Personally if a being other than a man were to talk to me I would probably have to ask them a few questions, ask for proof, test them if you will (1 John 4:1). I have a hard time believing many of man's proclamations that say they are messengers of God, but preach a different Jesus or receive a different spirit(2 Cor 11:4). I'm not coming down on my Pentecostal brothers, but this is not Pentacostal and most of all it's not Biblical.
If you have been following this "revival" I strongly urge you to test it, test Todd Bentley, test everything about it. If he is proclaiming anything other that the True Christ, the True God dismiis this as heresy, as a deception that you need to join me in prayer for the Lord to expose this false prophet and all others like him.
Watch these videos and see ow heretical Todd Bentley is:
Violent Healings?
Todd's First Journey to Heaven
Astral Travel/ Projection
Jesus on Earth? Show me that in scripture.
Do a search on youtube for Todd Bentley - there is plenty of video proof of this mans false teachings. If it doesn't line up with scripture then it's not true. Test.
Please check out these other sites for more in depth articles on Todd Bentley and the Lakeland Revival:
Blogspot Lakeland Revival
Blogspot Church Warnings
Bad Cold Readings
Apologetics Index
Insight to the spiritual aspects of Bentley
Great information on Bentley
Todd Bentley seems to be the predominant figure/ personality at these revival/ healing/ anointing meetings going on in Lakeland Florida. I have put Todd to the test and he doesn't quite match up to what scripture outlines for a leader. It's not the tattoo's, I have a few myself), it's not the speaking in tongues (that's an entirely different blog to come later), it's not the bluejeans and t-shirt (although seeing him in flip flops and shorts behind a pulpit was disturbing) - it was the rapid fire "healing" the visions of an angel, insistence that everyone believe in his angel guide, the Holy Ghost hits, the constant testimony that 18 people had been raised from the dead. And that's just in the first 10 minutes tonight that I had the "revival" on. Please check out some of the videos below of Bentley's preaching/ teachings.
What is most disturbing to me is I have not once heard a proclamation of God's saving grace through His Son Jesus Christ. There are many mentions of Jesus, but always in a passing word after Bentley proclaims a healing or an annointing being released by himself or through himself. Jesus has been relegated to the backseat of the bus. I am all about being healed by the Lord, I have received some miracle healings myself. I can say that none of them "took a while to complete". Seems like bentley proclaims that a healing might begin today and take a while to come to a finish. Uh, where exactly did it take Jesus a while to heal someone? Okay, got sidetracked, but the TRUE MESSAGE for anyone proclaiming to be a messenger of God is not to be healings, wealth, annointing or whatever else sounds good at the time, it is to proclaim Christ Lord and reach out to the lost using the Word of God, the message of repentence and the regenerative power of God through His Son Jesus Christ. None of which I have heard in my hours of watching the Lakeland
I have seen reported that Bentley says he is not sure of the spirits, angels, that come to him. He has never tested them and by deduction can not be sure that they are from God. Personally if a being other than a man were to talk to me I would probably have to ask them a few questions, ask for proof, test them if you will (1 John 4:1). I have a hard time believing many of man's proclamations that say they are messengers of God, but preach a different Jesus or receive a different spirit(2 Cor 11:4). I'm not coming down on my Pentecostal brothers, but this is not Pentacostal and most of all it's not Biblical.
If you have been following this "revival" I strongly urge you to test it, test Todd Bentley, test everything about it. If he is proclaiming anything other that the True Christ, the True God dismiis this as heresy, as a deception that you need to join me in prayer for the Lord to expose this false prophet and all others like him.
Watch these videos and see ow heretical Todd Bentley is:
Violent Healings?
Todd's First Journey to Heaven
Astral Travel/ Projection
Jesus on Earth? Show me that in scripture.
Do a search on youtube for Todd Bentley - there is plenty of video proof of this mans false teachings. If it doesn't line up with scripture then it's not true. Test.
Please check out these other sites for more in depth articles on Todd Bentley and the Lakeland Revival:
Blogspot Lakeland Revival
Blogspot Church Warnings
Bad Cold Readings
Apologetics Index
Insight to the spiritual aspects of Bentley
Great information on Bentley
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)