Letters To A Mormon

For the past 18 months or so I have had an ongoing email conversation with a local Mormon. This all started when I was advertising the 2008 Real Truth Matters Conference on a local classified webpage. I started to get email responses from Steven, stating that the truth could only be found in the LDS religion, the fullness of the gospel I believe is what he calls it.

So I have never wavered from what True Biblical Christianity is. His email replies are short darts that show the tenacity of this false religion. He has recently told me that he once was a member of my former church. This is the one that was not preaching the gospel message, but like many churches today, was preaching a very man centered message with the typical "say this prayer", "make your decision now", "make sure that you know that you know that you know...". So, I can see why he would be dejected about this church in the first place. It seems like our paths kind of started at the same place, he even knew some of my family and mentioned them by name. But that is where the similarities ended.

For whatever reason (he has not told me yet) he was enticed by the Mormon cult. I have asked him before, without response, how he first started the road into Mormonism. Honestly, I am interested to see how someone get's drawn into this religion. I, however, was already in God's process of renewal. He was opening my eyes to my (then) church, the falsity of the American gospel, how I had been deceived for so many years into thinking I was o.k. because at 8 years old I had said the prayer. So, God took me in the total opposite direction. Praise God for that. He could have just as easily had me go the path to the LDS and Steven the path I am on.

But the emails have recently taken a turn. I have been sending the single verse to him in replies -
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

Along with that I have been telling him that the LDS "gospel" is not the same as what the Apostles and Jesus Himself preached. He shocked me with "What is your gospel". Now that floored me. Never have I had someone ask me point blank for the Gospel of Christ. Sure, I have had the questions about different topics within Christianity, but never a point blank "Where does your hope lie".

Before I could reply to him, he sent me the Mormon version of the "gospel". Eye opening to say the least. I will include it in this post for reference, just to see how the LDS have mangled who God is. Below is what I sent him as "my gospel". Pray that it did not land on deaf ears. Pray that God uses this to open this man's ears to what True Biblical Christianity is, so that his eyes may be opened like God graciously opened mine and saved my soul from a false gospel.

The email:
This is probably going to be quite lengthy, but I hope that you do not skip around and pick what to read. I am going to put a lot of time into writing this, just for you. The following is the gospel according to the bible, the apostles, the historic church and Christ Himself. I will probably add some personal experience in, but it will not take away from the bible but will confirm it.

First let me say that the LDS use a lot of the same terms that Christianity uses, that I use. But please, make no mistake thinking the terms are the same. They simply use the same word, but the meanings are totally different. I want what I write to stand on it’s own merits with the bible as its foundation, I do not want to say, “the LDS say this, but here is what the bible says”. That is not my reasoning here, I am not a Christian Apologists, I am simply a Christian that wants to share the Good News of Christ with someone. That being said, I do have to make some distinctions up front about my use of words.

Here is a list of words and/or phrases that the LDS may use followed by the biblical meaning/ definition. Please, when I use these words or phrases I am using them in this context and not the LDS context.
ADAM - the first created man by whom all of humanity descends. He was not Michael the archangel.
ATONE – To make amends for, to cover, to reconcile.
ATONEMENT - The substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. He died for our sins (1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2).
BAPTISM - An ordinance of the Christian church that is not necessary for salvation (Rom. 5:1).
BIBLE - the Bible is the inspired inerrant word of God (2 Tim. 3:16).
CHURCH - The body of believers in the true and living God through Jesus. It is comprised of those who are redeemed and is not limited to an earthly structure.
DAMNATION - The state of condemnation, judged by God in eternal hell (Matt. 25:46).
ELOHIM - The Hebrew word for "God." The name of God is "YHWH," which means "I AM," (Exodus 3:14).
ETERNAL LIFE - Forgiveness of sins and life eternal with God (John 17:3; Rom. 6:23).
FALL OF MANKIND - The open rebellion of Adam and Eve against God resulting in their condemnation and the fall of mankind.
GOD - The one and only God in all the universe, (Isaiah 44:6,8).
GODHEAD - God Himself, not an office. Three persons in one God. A Trinity: The Father; the Son; and the Holy Spirit.
GOSPEL - The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of the sins of all who would trust in Him (1 Cor. 15:1-4).
HEAVEN - The dwelling place of God (1 Kings 8:30). Christians go to heaven.
HELL - the eternal dwelling place of those who rejected the atoning work of Christ.
HOLY GHOST - Third person of the Trinity. Same as Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3-4).
HOLY SPIRIT - An equivalent term to Holy Ghost, third person in the Trinity.
JEHOVAH -The name of God is "YHWH," which means "I AM," (Exodus 3:14).
JESUS - Jesus is God, second person of the Trinity (John 1:1,14; Col. 2:9).
MARRIAGE - the holy covenant between a man and a woman that is broken at death.
SALVATION - Forgiveness of sins with the result of a present new life and in the future eternal life with God (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 6:23; 10:9-10).
SATAN - A fallen angel who rebelled against God.
SCRIPTURE - Only the Bible is scripture.
TEMPLE - The Old Testament building where God dwelt, sacrifices were offered, and holy priestly rites were administered. There is no longer a need for temples.
TRINITY - The one and only God in all existence who is comprised of three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. See Trinity.

Steven, I want to say that I am not out to prove you wrong, but to simply do as any Christian should – share Jesus and what He did for you. While I am not planning on bashing the LDS or any other religion, sometimes I get carried away when I write because I am passionate about my God and His Truths. I ask for forgiveness before I begin if I offend, but I do not ask to be forgiven for what I say. What I say is said in love for my Lord and Savior and my love for your soul. I have nothing to gain by this, except to know that I have done as a Christian should and sow the seed of His Word in Truth and in Love.

I feel that I should start at the beginning, because that is where the bible does. Any deviation from the bible and its truths is the beginning of error. That is where so many religions have gotten off course, their pursuit of non-or extra biblical teachings.

In Genesis 1:1 we are told that God created the heavens and the Earth. Then again in John 1:1 we are told that in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God. These are 2 harmonious verses. John 1:1 uses one name for Jesus (the Word, which is why it is capitalized). If you continue reading in John 1 through verse 3 you will see that all things were made through Jesus and nothing was made without Him (Colossians 1:16-17 also confirm this truth) So these harmonizing verses state that Jesus was the creator of all things, not just some things, but all things. This means through Christ’s Words were the “let there be” verses. This was before Jesus became a man to atone for our sins on the cross, but still the second person of the Trinity, but I do not want to get in over your head right now, so back on track.

Then through Genesis you can see the Spirit moving across the Earth throughout His creation, as He glorified Himself and exalted His own Name through His creation. Part of His creation was man, made in the image of God Himself, Genesis 1:26 and following. Scripture records that God said “let Us make man in Our own Image”, proving again the Triune Nature of the True God. The word used for “in our image” would actually be better translated “as Our representative”, so man was created to represent God on the Earth, That is why God gave man (Adam) dominion over all creation, let him choose the animals names, etc.

It was not long before Satan came to entice God’s creation. To clear up who Satan is, let’s look at Ezekiel 28:15 – 19. Those verses tell us that Satan/ Lucifer was a cherub, a very beautiful angel created by God, who was created perfect. His beauty caused him to hold himself higher than God and initiated a rebellion - some verse of note are Isaiah 14:12 - 14 "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

Satan wanted to be God, to take away His power. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:4 that Satan has become the "god of this world". And Revelation 20:10 tells us that he will be eternally punished for it. Isaiah 14:15 continues to tell us the final place for Satan - Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Adam was created as an eternal man, perfect, un-aging, knowing nothing of sin. The world was created perfect, no death at all, not even the grass, leaves on the trees or a fly in the air, all was created perfect. Not even a thorn on a rosebush. This was so until Satan deceived Eve in the Garden, he tempted her that she too could have the knowledge that God had if she would just eat from the one tree that God has expressly said not to eat from, she ate then she convinced Adam to do so as well. This is what is called the fall of man or original sin. That was the beginning of all sin and brought forth death and destruction to everything since, men, animals, plants, etc. But most of all it brought forth the second death – separation from God.

God is Holy, He is indescribable. All we can do is futilely attempt to describe some of the characteristics of God – He is unchangeable, immutable, Holy, Love, righteous, eternal, sovereign, powerful, perfect, awesome, wonderful, above all, all knowing, infinite, faithful and true. But all of these words can get nowhere near the magnitude that is God. I would come close to saying that even giving God these characteristics of men’s words borders on blasphemy. God demands perfection and the sin of Adam has separated us all from Him. We are born in sin; we have the DNA of sin.

Think about it, do you have to teach a child to lie? That is just one proof that we are born sinners. A child’s self preservation is inherent of their makeup. It only gets worse as the years tick away.

Have you ever told a lie? How about stolen anything? Doesn’t matter if it was a car or a paperclip from work, value is pointless. How about adultery? Have you ever cheated on your wife? Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 that if you even look at a woman with lust you have already committed adultery with her in your heart. Do you have any gods before the True God? That is the situation of the rich young ruler that went away sad, he had kept the letter of the Law (Moses Law, 10 Commandments and Levitical additions), but still coveted his money and went away sad. Which was his heart condition, he idolized his fortune instead of setting those affections on God. His money was his lord and ruler. So Jesus is quite blunt that sin is a heart condition. I like to say that the actual outward sins that people commit are just the outward manifestations of what their heart says they are. The same as the works of a righteous man are outward manifestations of their heart condition and love of God, instead of their hate for God in their sins.

So, there was a conflict started here. It was man’s sin that had to be reconciled to God. In the O.T. this was done by animal sacrifices. The best of the flocks was needed to temporarily cover the sins for the year. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. Constantly through the O.T. we are shown that animal sacrifice was used to atone for the sins of God’s people. This was a sign pointing to Jesus Christ. There are many prophesies throughout the Old Testament that point to Christ and His coming and His Work for us.

Sin separates us from God. God in His Holiness cannot look upon sin, so there had to be a reconciliation to happen. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is longsuffering and doesn’t want any to perish. This shows that He made a way of reconciliation for us. That is one thing we must know, that God does it all. It is nothing that we do, we cannot reconcile ourselves to Him, all we can do is what is natural to us…. sin. So, over the millennia peoples sins were covered by the shedding of animal’s blood, this was not true forgiveness but pointed to the true forgiveness to come. Since God loves us, He wants us to be reconciled to Him, so there needed to be a Perfect Sacrifice. This did not have to happen, God would still have been just as loving, just as good and just as Holy had He not made a Way for us. This reconciliation we did not and do not deserve, we can do nothing to deserve forgiveness and our self-worship, but God had different plans.

This is what is referenced in Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – We purchase our own way with our sins, to destruction and separation from God. But God gives us, grants us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Jesus was conceived miraculously per the Gospels, Luke 1 tells us a good account that an angel spoke to Mary and said she would be with child. She did not understand because she had not known a man verse 34. This was the 2nd of the Trinity, the Son, that became flesh, that He may live a sinless life, take upon Himself our sins and die and with the shedding of His blood atone for our sins, pay The Price, a legal contract was fulfilled an exchange – Jesus’ blood for our sins. He paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain – He washed it white as snow.

To understand this, you must understand that Jesus was God. He was not an offspring created as Lucifer or you or me as “spirit children”. If that were so, He would have the same sinful nature as we do, which would make His work on the cross void. God required a sinless sacrifice to atone for our sins, and Jesus is and was the only candidate. He voluntarily laid His “Godness” aside and became flesh, to live with the same temptations as we all have, but to not be tempted to partake, to live sinless, to never get angry without cause, to never lust after a woman, to never desire to have a lot of stuff in his house. He came so we could be reconciled to Him. WOW! That is the good news of the Gospel, Christ Himself, not just knowing about Him, not knowing what He did and not even what He did, but Him alone as the Gospel. Here is a quote from Real Truth Matters that explains it better than I can:

The gospel is not just about the death and resurrection of Christ. It is Jesus. It is Jesus, His person as the Son of God and the Son of Man. It is all about what He is and has done in the redemption of sinners.

This constitutes a major portion of the problem of modernized Christianity. It fails to recognize Christ, Himself. Even though Jesus is the subject of its gospel, He is not the gospel to most professing Christians. Their gospel is what Jesus has done for them. But the New Testament does not tell men to believe in only what He has done. It tells them to believe upon Him and in Him.

So Jesus is the Gospel, The Spotless Lamb, The Son of God, The Son of Man, slain for you, slain for me. Because of our sinfulness and rejection to be reconciled to God by Christ’s atoning work on the cross for us, we then choose eternal separation from God. This is called hell by a few different names in scripture, also the lake of fire. This is where a person will spend eternal separation and punishment for their sins. There will be no second chance, no hope of making amends there. I actually think that those that go to hell will be cursing God, blaming Him for putting them there. They will not be crying out for Him, especially the one’s that thought they knew Him, those referenced in Matthew 7 :22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? : 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. These are the heretical preachers of this day and those of past that have taken God’s Word to mean what benefits them the most. They have added to scriptures, they have taken scripture away, they make gods to suit their own needs or that “god is love, wants me rich or has to give me something because I speak it into existence”.

Now, since you have been told the gospel of Jesus, who Jesus is, what Jesus did and your plight as a sinner in need of payment for your sins, you are without excuse if you reject what you have heard. I have tried to clearly convey, biblically what sin is and how as humans we are naturally sinful. We are actually dead in our sins. As a physically dead person can’t resuscitate himself or herself, neither can we as spiritually dead people. We love our sins, we can’t stand a Holy God and by our actions we actually prove that we hate Him. We want to purchase our way to hell with our sins and with our rejection to God’s love for us.

So what can you do? Get ready for this…… nothing. There is nothing that you can do to save yourself. Just as the physically dead man can’t save his own life, you can’t do anything to save your spiritual being either. If we put conditions that God must do something because of something we did, it would be a works based salvation. That is why there are so many different religions out there, they all try to do something to gain favor in God’s eye and they all fail miserably. Only True Biblical Christianity says that God initiates salvation and gives the way to salvation, through Him. There is nothing we can do in and of ourselves. All we can do is see ourselves as the sinful wretches that we are. We live and breath sin daily and must be cleansed. God is Holy and we cannot be in His presence as sinners, we need a mediator, the God Man Jesus Christ, 100% God, 100% man, neither intermingling with the other. Jesus’ “God-ness” doesn’t interact with His “man-ness” and vice versa. Can I explain that? No. And I am glad that I can’t. Just as I can’t explain the parting of the sea or how 3 boys can stand in the midst of a fiery furnace, I am glad that I can not explain my God.

All we can do is see our need for salvation, not just from hell but also from our sinful lives that cause grief to God. You must see Him as Holy and yourself as nothing and cry out to Him to save you. He promised that all that seek Him will find Him, that all that cry out to Him will be saved, so there is your promise. Then when He does save you, you will continue in holiness, striving to gain a more complete knowledge of Him. Your outlook on everything will change, you will no longer desire the sinful things you once did, you will begin to shed the layers of sin that mired you down. You have been bought with a Price, you are His property and you serve Him out of love and not out of need. The works that you perform are a sign to the world that you love God and you are His, not to try to gain favor to Him. He will give you discernment and grace to see what in your life is in need of change. He can even miraculously take things away from your life that are sin, as He did in an instant with my smoking habit of 24 years. When He saves you…. He saves you from it all. To try and add something to Christ’s work is heresy at the highest, it is disbelief that God has paid it all… for you.

So, Steven you have some things to think over. To weigh the costs. Read through Luke 14 and see what Jesus said about counting the costs. You must weigh out your life and your eternity. Do you want to live as you are now, on the road to an eternal damnation, paving that road with your sins? Or do you want to give it all to God and let Him carry you on the road to glory? It is a no brainer to me, but to most it is a foreign concept.

I am praying for you Steven. Just as I have done for the past 18 months or so. I have nothing to gain from this; I have no hidden agenda, not trying to get you to join a church, give money to a group or to make myself feel better. I am pleading for you Steven. Pleading for your soul, that you may be granted the re-birth as scripture says. That you will be given new eyes and a clear understanding of God’s Word. I don’t know you other than through the short emails we send from time to time, but I love you Steven. I do not want you to end up in hell. If I saw a child standing in a busy street with a semi truck blazing toward them, oblivious to their surrounding – you can believe I would do all I could to get that child out of that street and to safety. That is what I am doing now Steven. I am pleading with you because you stand in danger of death and destruction. So, what are you going to do about it? Continue on that path or give it all to God and allow Him to place you on His path?

In His Holy Name,
Jeff

And here is Steven's LDS/ Mormon "gospel"
All of us that ever lived, and will live upon this earth were created as
spirit beings by our HEAVENLY FATHER. We lived with HIM before we are born
into this life. When all of HIS spirit children were all still together with
HIM, the war in heaven took place. Lucifer said that he would be the savior
and redeemer and that he would bring us all back home. He would use force to
make us do right. We could not choose between good and evil. And he would
take all of the glory of HEAVENLY FATHER. JESUS, being the firstborn of
HEAVENLY FATHERS spirit children, offered to be the SAVIOR and REDEEMER. HE
said that HE would come to earth and take upon HIM all of the sins of us
all, which HE did in the garden of Gethsemane, [this act is called the
atonement], and that HE would willingly give up HIS life on the cross so
that we would all be resurrected. HE would give all of the glory to HEAVENLY
FATHER. One third of HEAVENLY FATHERS spirit children accepted lucifers plan
and with him were cast out onto this earth, and thusly will not be
resurrected or have eternal life. They are here to tempt and torment us, but
our HEAVENLY FATHER will not allow no more to be put upon us than we can
handle. The two thirds of us [you and me included] accepted JESUS to be the
SAVIOR and REDEEMER, thus we come to earth to be tried and tested, and to
receive a body,to be resurrected and also have the potential for eternal
life.

God's Final Word?

A couple of days before Christmas I read an article over at the Team Pyro/ Pyromaniacs blog. This particular article was written by Dan Phillips, which I know only by that blog. The more notable contributor is Phil Johnson, who is pretty tight with John Macarthur, whom I have never seen a controversial post from (yet). I have been hesitant to post this blog, not out of fear of the mighty pyro, but out of respect. I do respect the guys over there and I do agree with 99% of what they have to say. That being said, I can not get this post off of my mind and the only way will is to post it. Not that it will get the thousands of hits and traffic that the teamPyro blog does, but just to know it is out there in cyberville so the Lord can use it as He see's fit.

Phillips blog is titled “God’s Final Word” It did catch my eye, because admittedly, I very rarely read his posts. This one did elicit a response though. I invite anyone here over to read the blog post for yourself, along with all of the comments given, of which I have posted a couple. A dear brother in Christ has also asked some questions with few answers from Phillips and actually instead has been pretty much ridiculed for his questions. I have been silent since J.T. has been questioning over there, not so much out of fear of the same for me, but out of awe as the poster and those commenting seem to really have a disdain towards anyone that has a different view than they.

So what’s this little “difference”? Actually it is not really that little after all. As Dan Phillips blog title states “God’s Final Word” it is a post that says that God no longer interacts with His followers, other than through the reading of the Bible. I tend to disagree which finds me in hot water with Phillips and others at teampyro. Phillips asserts that at the closing of the cannon that God then became silent, except for through His scriptures. I questioned that by stating that how could someone be saved if God did not personally speak to that person, not with a thunderous voice, a whisper in the ear or a burning bush, but by a personal revelation if you will. The Spirit made contact with the man’s spirit and the man could do nothing but submit. So began a “discussion” that now includes J.T. and me in one corner and the rest of the posters throughout the rest of the ring.

I have been sitting on a comment that I typed up to post over there, but it has grown so long that I am sure it would go either unread or deleted by Phillips. Out of respect I chose not to post it over there because of its length, oh and J.T. almost said word for word what I was going to say on a few things. I will be posting a link there to my posting here on my meek blog over on the pyro comment section. But then again that is opening a can of worms for Phillips to tear apart any past posts I have written. I am definitely not the caliber writer that Phillips is, have not had anywhere near the formal training and have never pastored a church. But I do stand qualified in my relationship with Christ as a spokesperson for what He has done to me, through me and for me. Some of which has been by Him speaking directly to me.

Let me make a few things clear before I go any further: I am not what some would call a charismatic. I do not speak in tongues, never have been slain in the spirit, never seen an angel (that I know of), never had Christ standing in my room and never had a vision. I have however been led by God to do certain things not possible in and of myself, most notably repenting and trusting in Him as my Savior. Other than that I have had Him give me comfort in times of despair, have felt His leadership in decisions in my life, have been led by Him through prayer and other things that I can’t go into now. I have most recently seen His healing hands at work in my wife through a major surgery that had some head scratching healings unexplainable by the medical staffs. So, yes I know God is active in my life and no I am not ashamed to say He is. I would actually say that if you cannot see God active in your life then you have the issue, not me. Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Maybe those that are not hearing Christ are either not listening, are too intellectual and self-reliant or not of His flock. I see no other options. Actually the first two of the options would suggest that you were ignoring Gods Word, which would be a tough task for a child of God.

Those commenting at the pyro blog have said that when God “illuminates” His Word that people get saved. Could the word “illuminate” also be God speaking to someone? How about calling it revealing Himself to someone? Or another term could be giving ears to hear, which Phillips himself asks for at the end of his post, but denies in his meta of the blog. J.T. asked Phillips if John Macarthur was blasphemous when he stated at the beginning of one of his sermons that “God impressed on me to change my message to….” This was shot down with a “Leave Macarthur out of this” type of comment. Macarthur has been a voice of caution to Christians against the “charismatic” sects, I never saw myself in one of these until Phillips lumped me in with the outlandish I mentioned earlier. I have also read and found great edification from Macarthur’s books “Charismatic Chaos” and “The Charismatics”.

Jesus said that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. He did not say they read what is recorded. The paths of a good man are ordered by the Lord, lead us not into temptation, he that is of God hears His Words, everyone that has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me, the Spirit bears witness with our spirit, the Holy Ghost is a witness TO us, the Spirit teaches us, we have the mind of Christ, the Comforter dwells with me and in me, the Holy Spirit shows me things.(Psalm 37:23, Matt 6:13, John 8:47, John 6:45, Rom 8:16, Heb 10:15, 1 Cor. 2:13, 1 Cor. 2:16, John 14:16-17, John 16:13-15).

Many people know many things about God, but knowledge is not knowing, that is why Christ will tell many on judgment day to depart from Him, He never knew them. Head knowledge is great as long as it is preceded by spiritual knowledge. I could read every biography ever written on someone, know the finest details of their life, but never actually know that person. The same is with God. I could memorize the scriptures beginning to end and still not know God; until He illuminates/ opens my eyes/ calls my name and initiates a personal relationship. So many are deceived because they know a lot about God and the Bible, but are as lost as anyone could be. They think because they know a lot they must be a Christian.

I am sure I will make a part 2 to this blog; it is getting somewhat lengthy now. But will conclude now by saying that on one hand I agree with Phillips, Gods Word is closed. There will never be anything added to the bible. I will object though that God does not use things outlined in scripture to talk to His people and commune with our spirit by His Spirit. Call it illuminating, speaking to our hearts, revealing something, guidance or feeling His presence, it is all the same and semantics are getting in the way. I refuse to put limits on God and have yet to find anywhere in scripture that says God is silent, became silent or will be silent to His people. Steering the cart away from the ditch of overboard theatrics to the opposite ditch of God’s silence is just as bad and just as damaging.

Rats, I must make another paragraph. A question for the God is silent camp, if God is silent then why do you pray? Why do you ask for Him to guide you, to use you, to reveal to you? If all one has to do is read the bible to know God, why isn’t everyone that reads scripture converted? Wouldn’t saying that scripture will guide you totally without additional interaction from God in effect saying that a persons understanding as he reads the determining factor in their salvation? Why would we need preachers? Why do we need blogs like pyromaniacs or ministries like Grace To You, Desiring God or Real Truth Matters? If we are the body and Christ is the Head, then if He is not leading us aren’t we just stumbling around without leadership from Him? The last time I checked a body without a head was dead. Oh, it might flail around a bit and make a bunch of noise as it runs aimlessly into walls, but it will die eventually. I see the answers now “Christ is the head still, through the Bible”. But I will counter now as well by saying that I follow Christ through His Word, not the bible in and of itself, but Christ as revealed in scripture. If it doesn’t mesh with what the bible has already said, then it can’t be from God. It is true that scripture is the guide, all guidance can be found through scripture as revealed by God. Simply reading its words is reliance on me to comprehend, not reliance on God to guide me as I read.

Disclaimer:
Since writing this post, I was at odds with myself on rather I would post it or not. I have since seen several posts on Facebook and GTY from John Macarthur about this same topic and decided I would go ahead and post. My meager blog has nowhere near the readership that teampyro or Grace To You has, but I am confident that the Lord will lead those here that He wishes to read this. If you have read it, it is no mistake even if you disagree with me. I wish no ill will towards anyone that has a different opinion than mine. I will not say that you are an enemy and will not try to berate or belittle you in any way.

Hume-or Me For The Last Time

So, my third post on the Brit Hume “conversations” going around. I watched Wretched with Todd Friel and they showed a clip I had not seen yet. This clip was from The O’Reilley Factor and Hume does go into more detail and further explains his motives. I’ll be the first to admit that the comments to O’Reilly are a lot more straightforward than the other 2 clips I saw (last 2 posts). Here is the video:


In the first part of the video, he rehashes some of his earlier comments. But adds at around the 1:32 mark “Jesus Christ offers something that Tiger Woods badly needs”. YES! This is what the first 2 videos were lacking. Then goes on to really speak some truth, “If Tiger Woods were to make a true conversion – we would know it. It would show through in his being. And he would know it above all and he would feel the extraordinary blessing that that would be…” Once again, YES! Truth comes out from Hume. Just wish it would have came earlier and during all the interviews.

I will still stand by my first two posts though, seeing how they were the first two instances that Hume had to speak the truth. If I would not have been watching Wretched (which thankfully now airs on DirecTV) I would not have known about the O’Reilly interview. This being the case is why the truth of the Gospel needs to be proclaimed in its entirety instead of jumping to the chase. I am not sure that Tiger sees himself as a sinner against a righteous God at this time. I am sure that he knows he has done wrong to his wife, children and now the many people that looked up to this man. But does he know that he has broken several of Gods commandments and will stand trial for these, without support from any lawyer or character witnesses? Does Tiger know that there is only One Advocate that we have to the Father?

Prayerfully God will use this situation to reach Tiger Woods. Someone can’t be saved if they don’t first know they are in danger. My prayer is that the Lord will put someone in Woods’ path that will be able to explain clearly God’s Holy Gospel. Not just a “turn or burn” message, but that God loves even adulterers and liars and those are exactly whom His Son, Jesus Christ died for.

This Is No Longer Hume-orous

So, I have watched the video of Brit Hume a few more times (see below), hopefully anticipating that I did miss something that would shed light to me. No such luck. I still think he was pushing a personal agenda for Tiger Woods, telling him that if he chose Christianity he could get back some respect and be forgiven too. WOW! Sounds like a good thing, except it’s not biblical. It is actually what I call situational decisionism, where based on a persons current situation a "decision" is made "for Christ" and they believe themselves to be a Christian. These people more often than not end up back in the same sins the were before their "decision". This happens a lot with people that are in jail, have a major crisis come up and make a lot of vows (God, if you do this, then I will do this for you), during health issues or many other situations where they make a momentary decision to change. It is just not a heartfelt change, it lasts only as long as the situation does, then it's done and they get back to their life.

Now there is a new clip from Hume in which he says “I don’t regret my statement at all” and then goes on to tell of his “conversion”…… kind of. He speaks of his son’s suicide 11 years ago and how devastating that was, understandably so. I will not make light of that situation in the least and just say that God uses many different means to reach the lost and also in true Christians lives. Make no mistake, there is nothing that happens that does not ultimately bring Glory to God. He said, “Throughout that whole, horrible time I had this sense that God was there for me, that He would rescue me, that He would save me. And He did. In ways that I couldn’t have imagined or expected; His imagination is always greater than ours.”

Hume then goes on to tell of the many cards, emails and words of encouragement he and his family received and the impact that made on him. He also states that in those correspondences he saw the Face of God. He then says something that I have been pondering since I heard it, sounds like something I had said countless times in my life before being truly and radically changed by God: “It was time for me now to face up to the Christian faith which I purported to belong to and try to face up to the implications of what I purported to believe and I have been trying ever since.” Those are some very “Brit-Centric” words there, a lot of self-effort, instead of reliance on Christ.

He then goes on to speak about Tiger and his losses. Not the endorsements or golf tour, but his reputation, wife and family. He says that Tiger is paying a “frightful price” for what he did. Then he makes a very tell, tell comment: “If you think about what Christianity is about, it’s about sinners. And, uh, Christianity is a religion for sinners and that Tiger Woods has an opportunity here and my prayer here would be that he take it.” That single statement turns Christianity away from being God focused and instead man focused. Christianity is not “about” sinners; it is “about” God’s love for us, His redemption, His sacrifice, His forgiveness, His mercy, His grace.

Hume actually does say something I do agree with. “If you’re trying to find the two most explosive words in the English language, they would be Jesus Christ.” He then speaks of a Baptist minister that said he had a “utilitarian” message and that it was wrong. To which he replied, “I don’t understand what he’s talking about”, which may be the first building block of my disagreement with Hume. Jesus Christ is divisive, because He alone is Truth, everything else is false and non-Christians pick up on that. That is why you can say God all day long (because everyone has their own view of who or what God is to them), but the moment you say Jesus, things change. Jesus said that no one comes to the Father except through Him. That leaves out every other religion in the world.

The Baptist minister that Hume mentioned was Welton Gaddy, Pastor for preaching and worship at Northminster Church in Monroe, LA (and also has “Leader of the Interfaith Alliance” next to his photo on the Washington Post website Hume reference). Reading over Gaddy’s comment I do agree partially with what he says, that Hume was using a utilitarian manner. By this, I assume, that he was saying that Hume was enticing Woods with the hope of forgiveness by the Christian religion, instead of Buddhism. Gaddy is correct in his statement “it (Christianity) is a holistic faith to be embraced and lived. Seeking the easiest form of forgiveness--though such a description of forgiveness in Christianity is woefully inadequate and misleading--is not a reason to become a Christian. The life of a Christian involves far more than a response to wrongdoing.”

Hume is really misrepresenting Christianity. He seems to be emphasizing the religion, rather than the Reason for the religion. I see this played out all the time, be it what Hume has been saying or others that worship the Bible instead of the God that wrote the Bible. I am sure that if you would ask Hume or any of these other people if God were their focus, they would say undoubtedly YES, God is our focus. But actions speak louder than words. Why not say it and live it to begin with? Hume has stated that Christianity can do all of these things for Tiger Woods, but no mention of what Jesus’ redemptive work has done. Lots of “come to Christianity for forgiveness and redemption”, but nothing of Christ’s forgiveness and redemptive work on the cross for us.

As I stated in my first post on this subject, I am sure Hume means well. This does show the state of Christianity in these days. It’s not about Christ anymore, it’s not about the Object of our faith, it is faith in a system, a method, a formula or a certain belief structure. If a persons motive for anything is something other than God, it is sin. Hume is as misguided as most people that sit in pews on Sunday mornings, the teachings of scripture is not there any longer. God’s judgment is taking place and He is removing His Spirit from the world, giving way to these false beliefs, that have a form of godliness, but are vastly different. They have just enough truth to deceive. What better way for Satan to deceive than by using professing Christians?

I make a plea to the few that God leads this way to my meager blog – stop the deception. Cry out to God to empower you to take a stand for Him and the return to what true Biblical Christianity is. Stop turning your head to false teachings that corrupt the Word of God, do not allow people to blaspheme our Father’s Holy Name by saying they are Christians in one breath and in the next spew lies, curses or dirty jokes. Pray that God will rise up His people like never before to stand in the footsteps of saints past like Luther, Calvin, Stephen, Spurgeon, Paul, Whitfield, Edwards and Lloyd-Jones. God doesn’t use extraordinary people He uses people extraordinarily.

Brit Hume Tells Tiger "Turn Or Burn"

I know Brit Hume meant well, but c’mon already. Jesus is not a cure all for your problems. Do not tell someone to come to Jesus to save your marriage, get you out of trouble, for recovery, to break your addictions or anything less than seeing yourself as a miserable sinner that can not save themselves.

Hume made a few remarks during a Fox News broadcast, Not nearly the “Turn or Burn” message sinners need and actually Hume missed the mark by a mile saying, "He is said to be a Buddhist. I don't think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. My message to Tiger would, 'Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world." I cringe my teeth hearing stuff like that. While on the surface it appears like a good motive, but it is nothing more than showing how the American gospel/ easy believism is so prevalent.

Actually quotes like this are expected from the likes of Joel Osteen or Rick Warren. From a news guy though? All the research I have done on Hume states nothing of his Christian faith and contrary to popular belief – being on Fox News does not mean that you are a Christian (Glenn Beck=Mormon, Bill O’Reilly=Roman Catholic, Sean Hannity=Roman Catholic, Greta Van Susteren=Scientologist).

I’m sure I’ll get some flack for talking about Hume, but this comment may have actually damaged Christianity more than helping. I am all for talking about Jesus be it on the Radio, a ball game, NASCAR race, school and even a news program on national TV, but PLEASE do not misrepresent God, do not offer people a better life if they “choose Christ” or make it seem like God is an addition to ones life to make them prosper in health, wealth or to heal your problems. Christians are never promised any of that and that kind of draw was only added when preachers stopped proclaiming the Word of God in Truth and Righteousness. They had to come up with devises to get decisions and fill the church rolls, if not they would be out of a job. So what to do? “Yeah, let’s target the peoples emotions and offer them things that will make them feel better about themselves and tell them God will cure everything and fix everything.” Heresy! God is not an accessory that you put on and take off as needs arise.

Just stop already with this type of message to the world. Proclaim God’s Truths and allow the Spirit to work. Don’t fish for emotional decisions and promises of health and wealth. Speak to a person’s soul using the Word of God, show them that they deserve nothing but the fires of hell but that God did make a Way. He sent His Son to take their sins upon Himself. The spotless Lamb, sinless and blameless that bore our sins on that tree to save us from that fiery pit. It is really simple after someone knows they are lost, they then must do only two things – repent and trust in Christ. In those two things one dies to themselves and gives God rein of their life, submits to Christ as Lord and then rests in Him. Give the complete Gospel and don’t butcher to not offend, I promise you when their life is over they will be screaming and cursing you for not offending them.

What You Talkin' 'Bout Heathen?

“Whew! Taylor Swift is HOT! Man, she’s only 15 though.”
This was said by a man in his 50’s during break at my work today. Pervert? Uh, yeah. Depraved? Definitely. Saved? Not. But what is odd is that this man is an ordained “minister”, albeit from a mail-order/ internet church that divvies these “pastorates” out for 30 bucks. He actually got this bogus ordination a few years ago so he could perform a wedding ceremony at a local bar here in Paducah. He claims to be a Christian, even though he spews curse words more than anyone I have ever heard, and that is a lot…. believe me. I cringe when I hear him talk about the things of God, because he obviously knows nothing of the Holy God of the bible.

I have had a few conversations with him about true biblical Christianity. Needless to say, my words fall on deaf ears. His mind and heart are presently closed to the things of God and he is mired in a sinful life. Today I broke from my normally mild mannered speech, to a point blank “calling the kettle black” mode. Normally I do not do this at work because I am in a position that could get a lot of backlash from speaking out too loudly about Godly things. I am so glad I did, it is actually an answer to my recent prayers. I have asked the Lord to embolden me at work….. and He has answered in the last several months.

This is the latest encounter in my work place. Of recent I have had several God focused conversation with my plant manager, of all people. He claims to be a Christian as well, but his lifestyle also does not match up. Matter of fact, several people at my job profess Christ, but are as lost as anyone ever was. I have to continually be reminded that these people are doing what is natural to them, sin. They lie about being a Christian, they party with the best of them, cuss up a storm, cheat, steal from our employer by not giving a fair days work for their wages, live with their girlfriends/ boyfriends and so on. They are a prime example of the product of American Christianity.

Back to the “ordained minister”. I was emboldened to speak out against what he said about Taylor Swift. Not that a 50 year old man lusting after a 15 year old girl is any different than a 50 year old man lusting after a 50 year old woman. It is all sin. I told him that it wasn’t right to look at a girl that young to which he replied, “Yeah, but she’s showing it off, I’m looking”. There may have been some other words in there, but I’ll refrain from typing those out.

I then said “You know Jesus said that if you look at a woman with lust, you have already committed adultery in your heart”. That elicited a few stammers and he replied, “Well, every man on the planet has cheated then”. (Once again, words omitted to protect your eyes and mind). My reply to him was “That may be so, but when you stand before God on judgment day, you will not have those other men there to justify your sins, you’ll be standing there alone and you will not be able to say that everyone else did it, so it made it alright for you. You’ll have to stand there and fell the wrath of God on you”.

After I said that, using God’s Word, he clammed up and was really quiet. Romans 3:19 comes to my mind. God’s Word can and does quieten skeptics and sinners. I was shown again that I can’t rely on Jeff to change someone, but to lean on God’s Word and proclaim the Truth in and out of season. I praise God for opening my mouth in this instance and pray that He continues to use me. I am ready to go deeper and need to relinquish myself to Him. I have a hard time doing so because my self confidence is weak, but the more I pray, the more I study the Bible and the more He shows me, the more I see that it’s not up to me to do anything. I must relinquish it all to the Lord and He will have His way. I’ll just be there as a willing vessel, whatever that entails.



For those of you that would also like your “ordination”, here is a link

Merry Christmas - Proclaim His Goodness

Luke 2:10-14 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


As Christmas morning approaches each year and I see more and more of the secularizing of this great Holiday I am drawn more to what Christmas is all about. We are all aware that December 25th is not the actual birthday of Jesus. Science actually tells us it was probably mid-summer, but does the date really matter? Are we to be celebrating the "day" or are we to be celebrating the Love of God that would send us His Son, that would 33 years later take His wrath upon Him for our sins? Your sins, my sins. The significance of December 25th should be it is a common day that we, as Christians, set aside to do just that, Celebrate our Lord and Saviour.

But don't forget the reason for Christ's birth in your celebrations. What better day to share the message of Christ, His Gospel, to an unsaved family member or friend? As Christians we are ambassadors for Christ in every situation and especially at Christmas time, when most of the world uses it as an excuse to throw a party and tip back a few (probably more than a few) drinks and eat a whole bunch, we have the duty to proclaim the real Reason for the season. The reason is not to party, not to eat, not to give or receive Christmas gifts, but to celebrate The Gift, Christ.

You already have an opening to the evangelical conversation. "Merry Christmas!" is the ultimate "ice breaker" as Way of the Master puts it. It is an entry, a reason to spark a conversation about things Spiritual. Share your testimony of what Christs birth, His death and His resurrection means to you. Explain Christs propitiation for us. Explain repentance and the TRUTH of the Gospel Message. Do not let this Christmas pass without sharing the greatest Gift with someone you love.

Also keep in mind that not all that profess Christ are really His. Don't let Uncle Bubby tell you that he "took care of it a long time ago" or that he's "got his ticket" or "he said that prayer" or "walked the aisle" when he was a kid. If his fruits aren't in alignment with the Word of God, he is as lost as your Christmas turkey. Share with him the TRUTH of the Word, not what man has distorted to accommodate their sins. The Word is clear that if you are fiends of the World you are and enemy of God James 4:4. Treat the professing Christian the same as any other lost person, because they are lost too, much more deceived, but just as lost. Pray that the Spirit will give you the words to say and He will. Let His will be done this day. Share Him with those you love and if by the off chance everyone in your family is a truly born again Christian, stop by a gas station and share Christ with those poor people that have to spend their Christmas Day working.

May the Lord Bless you all this day and every day!
Merry Christmas!

Oral Roberts Pioneer of The Prosperity Gospel - Dead At 91

Recent news reports state that Oral Roberts has passed away from complications of pneumonia. Roberts was known as the inventor of the prosperity, name it and claim it, “Seed of faith” message so prominent today. He was 91.

Was this man a born again believer? Who knows, except for the Lord and now Mr. Roberts? I will not labor to prove either way, yea or nay, if he was truly converted. His “gospel message” was not one of the bible, so what he personally believed was not biblical, but pandered to flesh.

I’ve never really delved into Oral Roberts and his legacy, but I do know that the American prosperity “gospel” would not be the same without his declarations many decades ago. He paved the way for the likes of Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn and even Joel Osteen to fill their deep pockets.

So, what does this mean to me? It means that Roberts just became part of the ultimate statistic, 10 in 10 will die. Was he ready? I’m not sure, but I can only speculate that if he did not turn from the message he proclaimed that he was not truly converted. His message lacked the actual Good News that Jesus Himself as well as the Apostles proclaimed.

It will be interesting to see who offers up posthumous accolades to Roberts. I am sure that those mentioned above will have some very positive words about him. I really don’t expect anyone to come out and say he was a heretic, at least not in the near future. I will leave it like it is, Roberts did not proclaim a biblical gospel but instead one that had flesh as the centerpiece instead of Christ.

I pray that Oral Roberts did recently repent of his sins and trust in God as his Savior instead of his accountant. Did he? I have no idea and will not know until I pass into eternity myself, also becoming part of the ultimate statistic.

In closing I will say that if anything does not have God as its focus, then it is sin. Plain and simple. So examine what your preacher is saying on Sunday mornings, search the scriptures John 5:39 and make sure you are not just having your ears tickled 2 Tim 4:3 with a false message of prosperity and health. A Christian is never promised either in scripture, we are offered to be the scourge of the Earth, to be persecuted for our faith 2 Tim 3:12 . Chances are if the World applauds you, then you are probably not living a biblical lifestyle which is on the wide path of destruction James 4:4, John 17:16, . Examine yourself 2 Cor. 13:5 and make sure your faith is in Christ and His Word instead of a mans.

Here is a brief history of Oral Roberts

Tiger Woods, Media Darling And A Victim Himself? What?

Okay, I’ll admit it. I was contemplating doing a blog post on Tiger Woods a day or so after the car crash story broke, but decided against it. I was going to elude to the fact that the story seemed really fishy and how everyone in the news media also seemed to be falling for the whole thing. I even did a little photo editing of a Tiger picture, giving him a black eye and swollen lip, then again I balked and did nothing.

Flash forward a few more day, now I can’t stand it. It is not really Tiger that upsets me (any more than any other person that cheats on their spouse does anyway). It is the media once again. Kind of half listening to the news this morning at work I kept hearing Tigers name. When I then inclined my ear a little more I all that seemed to be the topic was Tiger and his “sex addiction”, how Tiger is now a victim because he has a chemical imbalance in his brain that causes him to be a sex addict. Actually it wasn’t something new to me to hear, it is called having a Y chromosome or better known as being a man.

So allow me to explain Tiger’s real problem. He is a man. That’s pretty much it, but I don’t think I can stop there and must elaborate a tad. See, men are really sexual creatures, it is a very common characteristic of men to have wandering eyes and minds. It is our nature, it can’t be denied and it is very difficult to keep in check. This is a heart issue as Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, but it is not an excuse. I too am bombarded with females that seem to be wearing Barbie clothing at the mall, at the grocery and yes, even at some churches. These women flaunt themselves and a man has to consciously divert their eyes to a different area. So this is the issue that Tiger has, he just carried it out in the physical area as well as his mind. To put it bluntly, he is a sinner. What I am not sure of is his professing spiritual beliefs.

Evidently he does not hold fast to Christian principles, which is really the main concern here. Tiger needs Christ. Just like I was in need of a Savior, my wife was in need of a Savior, my pastor was in need and every other person that has been converted was in need of a Savior. Tiger needs to be saved and he also needs to kept being saved. “What? How can you keep being saved Jeff?”. I’m glad you asked.

Salvation is not only being saved from a fiery eternity in hell. You are also being saved from a sinful life…. Daily! When God actually converts you, you will then be justified through Christ, but that begins the sanctification process in which you start becoming more like Christ and less like you. So many professing Christians seem to really be lacking in this part of the Christian life. Actually if they are not in a sanctification process, never started it, then I would say that they were never converted in the first place. A continual lifestyle of sin can only mean one thing. A disbelief in the God of the Bible, so you can’t be saved if you don’t believe in the God of scripture. When someone is born again as Jesus spoke of in John 3. So being born of the flesh we are creatures of sin and being born of the Spirit we have a new nature to seek to please God instead of ourselves. A really simple concept that is often overlooked.

How many times have you heard that someone backslid, lived in sin their whole life BUT are still saved and going to heaven. Blasphemy! That is a gross misuse of the name of Christ in calling that person a Christian. I know firsthand, because that was me from 8 years old until I was 38 years old. I lived a life of sin all the time claiming Christ as my Savior. I even prayed every night, regardless of what bed I was in or what chemical or liquid was guiding my thoughts, I could always seem to squeeze out a “God please forgive me for sinning today. I’m sorry. Please give me_____________.” I was very deceived and very wicked and very blasphemous. No, I never took God’s Name in vain as most people think it, but I did when I said that I was a Christian. Praise the Lord He took the scales off of my eyes. Not quite the Damascus Road revelation Paul had, but quite the transformation non-the-less.

So back to Tiger. Tiger does what comes natural to him, other than hitting a golf ball very well, he sins very well too. He can’t help it, it’s his nature. He was born a sinner and remains a sinner, until He repents of his sins and trusts in the God of the Bible through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to atone for his sins. Simple, yet not readily stated these days. So all the talk about a sex addiction is only partially correct, he is addicted to sin in general and sex with women other than his wife is just how he manifests his sinfulness. Other sinners have different manifestation of their sinful hearts - lying, stealing, blaspheming God’s Holy Name, pornography, drinking, drugs, and so on. It is a heart condition and my prayers go out to them, not just Tiger Woods, but all sinners that are in need of a Savior.

Just one plea to the media (not that they will ever read this, but hey> It’s worth a shot). Stop making excuses for people that live sinful lives. A sex addict is a sinner. A thief is a sinner. A cheating husband is a sinner. A bank robber is a sinner. An alcoholic is a sinner. A drug addict is a sinner. A (insert sinful lifestyle sin here) is s till a sinner. They all sin against A Holy God that will one day require payment for their sins. There are only two possibilities on that Day. 1.) You will either stand before God and try to explain away your sins and plea how many “good” things you did to try and outweigh the “bad”. or 2.) You will fall on your knees and cry for your Advocate 1 John 2:1, Christ to make your case for you. #2 is the only Way, because #1 is a eternal death sentence. Oh, and one more thing about #2, the Father has already forgiven your sins if you are truly converted, He will not hold you accountable for the sins that you fell into, because they were written on Cross and blotted out by the Blood of Christ Acts 3:19. WOW! And AMEN!

Issues? Nah, I've Got Subscriptions!

The title of this blog is not mine, but it was said about me by a good friend. We have some good banter and some of the topics that come up I have some issues with (secular music, T.V., movies, some "Christian" artists, etc.)So many, in fact, that my friend said "You don't have issues, you have subscriptions". What a great comment, I think he meant it in a light hearted, half kidding - half serious way. The more I've been thinking about that, the more I agree.

I do thank God that He has given me these "subscriptions". See, in my past I followed the world, while proclaiming to be a Christian. It was only until God took the scales off my eyes did I start to see clearly, it was His touch that not only saved me from a fiery grave, saved me from this sinful world BUT also healed me from the justifications that I made of my former false conversion.

God opened my eyes in a big way. I am a sceptic by nature, I want to know WHY something is. I have been given the gift of discernment and it does extend to people, I can usually tell if a person is lost and deceived. What I can really never tell for sure (unless I spend a lot of time with them) is if they are genuinely converted). There are only a small percentage of people that I would be willing to say were Christians, because I have seen deception run for years only to see their true self emerge (and no they didn't backslide, they were deceiving).

Sorry, this was not meant to be a blog about people, but about me. I was going to air MY dirty laundry, not others. My list of "subscriptions" is ever growing. Some are deep personal convictions and it is admittedly hard for me to not expect others to also have these same convictions. This is just, yet another, area that I need to seek God in, that I will be more dependent on Him and seek more time with Him. You will see a pattern in my list below. Most of the "subscriptions" I have are with professing believers, those that are quick to say "yeah, I'm a Christian", but in their actions prove otherwise. Personally I do not take someone at their word, but instead examine their fruit as commanded in scripture. I do not do this as a sceptic, to disprove their relationship with God, but I also cannot encourage a deceived person into an even deeper state of deception by acting as if they are a Christian. I have too much contact and lived too long as one that was deceived to be an advocate for their pathway to hell.

So here's the list (as much as I can think of at this time) - in no particular order:
"Christians" (especially musicians) that wear secular bands shirts
"Christians" That seem to only want to be in a service on Sunday mornings
Casting Crowns - not really their music, but everyone using their music as theology instead of using the Bible. (okay God does separate our sins from us as far as the East is from the West, but that's not a ticket to sin)
Lifeway Stores (and any other "Christian" outlet) that sells books like "The Shack", "Blue Like Jazz", "Velvet Elvis", "A New Kind of Christian", etc.
The American Gospel
"Christian" music magazines and websites that write about secular artists
Movies that use Christianity as a draw, but are blatantly NOT God focused - i.e. Evan Almighty, Oh, God
The "Christians" that support movies like those mentioned above
Pastors/ Evangelists that manipulate the emotions with extended altar calls, music, low grade hypnotism
The Sinners Prayer in general
Third Day supporting/ promoting U2 (Third Day is a great band, a fave, but they are very deceived about U2)
"Christians" that profess to fear God, but yet read very sinful books, watch very sinful movies, listen to anti-Christian music, look at sinful magazines, etc.
"Christians" that promote drinking alcohol, in any way - shape - or form. Especially those that say "Jesus turned water into wine" - uh, wine was very different in those times than now, if Jesus turned water into something comparable today it would be Welches Grape Juice.
Preachers/ Evangelists that drive Lexus', Bentleys, have chauffeurs (Sure, have a nice car but not one that is the budget of an African country)
Name it and claim it preachers/ the health and wealth "gospel"
The saying "Love the sinner, hate the sin" - um, that's not in the bible. Without a sinner, there would be no sin. Kinda like love the apple, hate the tree - it ain't possible
People that call others Pharisees. Do a little research on what Pharisees actually are/ were. Do not resort to calling someone this because they make a biblical statement, in context and show you that you are incorrect in something.
The rap group GRITS. More specifically the lead "rapper" Coffee. He has a very racist quality about him, seen it firsthand while attending the 2009 GMA Awards.
Professing "Christians" that say God tells them living a sinful lifestyle is o.k. or that cheapen God's grace and Christs suffering.
Those that say they have their "ticket" to heaven. Salvation is not fire insurance.
"Christian" musicians that list secular musicians as influences.
Secular artists that produce Christian themed songs (Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash, Dolly and yes, even Elvis.

This is by no means an exhaustive list. Just read some of my earlier posts, but in them too you'll see a pattern about those professing to be Christians and not actually portraying it other than by their words. Oh, how could I have forgotten the heretics that kick people in the stomach to heal them (Todd Bentley), or the one's that say "Send me $25 for this miracle anointing oil straight from Israel"? These heretical charlatans really get my goat. They use God as a money magnet and prey on the elderly and sick with promises of healings and increased income. These have to be the lowest of lows that will be sharing the deepest, darkest corners of hell with Satan himself.

I'm sure more subscriptions will come up over time. Rest assured that you will not have to worry about me voicing my thoughts on them either. True Christians need to stand up for Christ, need to stop believing every word that comes out of people's mouths in fear of hurting someones feelings. I cannot stand for someone to blaspheme my Father's Name, I will call them on it. Not necessarily the blatant sinner, that professes nothing to do with God, but those that say they know God, but live contrarily. If you have not already - take a stand. Choose this day who you will serve!

Glenn Beck's Version Of Christmas

So, I never jumped on the Glenn Beck bandwagon like a lot of professing Christians have done. Sure, he may have some good moral qualities about him and have a national voice, but more than that he serves a FALSE god!

So many professing Christians are ready to throw in the towel and concede that they are following a false god as well. Oh sure, they may not readily come out and say it, but their actions and endorsements of folks like Beck speak a lot louder than any words they may utter. They have been clamoring to Beck’s aid and defending this guy for a while now. I’m sorry (actually I’m not), but a person’s moral characteristics are not worth bending God’s Word over. 1 Cor 5:11 comes to mind right now as I type.

So where is this latest Beck love coming from these days? Apparently he has a “showing” of his tale of “The Christmas Sweater” playing across the nation. One such place will be here in my city. I am sure that many professing Christians will be lining up to hear Beck’s version of Christmas. So why is this offensive to me? Is this not any different than any other person that is not truly a Christian talking about Christmas? Actually this mans Christ is a lie. So yes, there is a huge difference. The American culture has now been desensitized to Mormonism/ LDS and Glenn Beck has been a major factor in this. So many people want to stick up for him because he may say some things that resemble what they have heard on Sunday mornings sitting in a pew. Do I know what Beck says in his books, on the air, in concerts? No, and I won’t be any time soon unless it’s for research to show his heretical views of God.

I can’t tell you how upsetting it is to see people fawn over something that is straight from the pits of hell. Actually I see it every day here in the bible belt as many blaspheme God’s Name by saying they are Christians. These same people that are laying hold of Mormonism are the same one’s that were “saved” in their youth but have lived like the world ever since, the one’s that walked an aisle and were deemed saved by a popeish declaration from a preacher or evangelist, the same one’s that are partying on Saturday and falling asleep in the pews Sunday morning. 2 Thess 2:3 says there must be great falling away before the end is near. Could this be part of that? I think it is, so on second thought maybe I am getting a little too upset about this seeing how my Saviors return is eminent.

But for some reason it nags at me, things like this. I am so compelled to speak out against heretical doctrines that are rampant. Are you? Does it bother you when a co-worker tells you in one breath that they are a Christian, but in the next breath are talking about their live-in girlfriend that God brought to him to live together? Or the “evangelists” on TV that preach a prosperity gospel, that is no gospel at all, but a pathway for their pockets to become fat. Or how about those that tell you that you can have your best life now or that Christianity needs to be reinvented for this culture? The Rob Bells, Rick Warrens, Joel Osteens and Brian McLarens of this age are straight from the very pit Satan will call home for eternity.

So that’s the problem, in a round about way. Glenn beck is a puppet for the enemy and he is lulling professing believers away from any hope they may have ever had at a true relationship with the Father. What about the answer? Well, there are 2. You can preach the Word of God in season OR you can preach it out of season. Just preach it, the True Gospel of Christ. Get into the Word, get a study partner or group, go out evangelizing, pass out tracts at the line for “The Christmas Sweater”, pass out tracts and talk to people during your towns Christmas parade, talk to your loved ones about Christ, just don’t sit there and be okay with this. If you are okay with this, then my heart bleeds for your soul as well. If you do nothing then you are actually doing a lot… for the enemy. It is time for true followers of Christ to take a stand, to not is a denial of Him Mat 10:32-33, 2 Tim 2:12, Rom 16:17-20, Mar 8:38.

I’ll end with a quote from C.H. Spurgeon for those that are on the fence about any of this:

"Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that. The saving of souls, if a man has once gained love to perishing sinners and his blessed Master, will be an all-absorbing passion to him. It will so carry him away, that he will almost forget himself in the saving of others. He will be like the brave fireman, who cares not for the scorch or the heat, so that he may rescue the poor creature on whom true humanity has set its heart. If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

Depravity Of Man On Display

Take a look at the headline from the Comcast news headlines above. See anything wrong with it? When I first read it I though "Wow, this lady let something she posted on Facebook get her knocked out of sick leave benefits." Although it sounded fishy, and I do not agree with her manipulation of the "system" to gain compensation and still be living it up.

Of course Comcast does not change their headlines every hour, so for half of the day when I signed in to check my email I saw that headline. Then it hit me, Comcasst's headline makes it seem that Facebook was the culprit in this. "Facebook Costs Woman Benefits". Did Facebook really do anything wrong in this? Seems like this lady claimed she was suffering from depression, even though she liked to visit male strip clubs, bars and beaches. She claims that she did these things to help her with her depression, as a therapy by her doctors recommendation. If the doctor told her to or not is not my call, but frolicking around on a beach, tossing a few back in a bar and lusting over men stripping are far from therapeutic in my book. The news headline should have read "Womans Posts On Facebook Cost Her Benefits".

This is taking place in Canada, where they have universal healtcare. So it seems that there are still corrupt claims with government ran healthcare too. I would really like to give my 2 cents worth on Obamacare right now, but I will refrain as I have no biblical basis to bash it, except I do not want to be dependent on government solely for anything, especially my health.

The real issue here is depravity. Sinfulness. This lady has joined the ranks of those that try to manipulate the system in order to get free money. This is plain and simply theft, promulgated by lies. This ladies greed has caused her to seek ways to gain by doing nothing. This is rampant in our country and has only gotten worse over the past year or two. Unemployment at 11%+? Could this be caused by the fact the government makes it so attractive? These people are drawing $500+ a week for sitting home playing video games. Now the state I live in (Kentucky, not confusion) has extended the length someone can draw to 99 weeks. Does it honestly take 2 years to find a job? I know a young man that works 3 jobs, he also has found 2 of these while working at other jobs and left 2 other jobs. So this young man has had employment at 5 different places in the past year. Why? Because he pulls his own weight and doesn't expect to get a free pass.

Issues like this just prove that man IS fallen. Given opportunity they will take handouts to their full extent and ask for more. Most of the time they will complain about the freebie they receive too. Is this theft? In a way it is, since they could make their own way and pay for their own goods. To me it shows a person's heart and where they stand in the eye's of God. They want to take and take and not do anything on their part. It does show the American view of God a swell. People just want to sit back and be blessed and do whatever they please. This is an extremely distorted view of God and His gifts. Just one more way that people want something for nothing. No repentance = no salvation. Also sadly, these are the people targeted by the chrletans on TV, the one's that spew the "name it and claim it" message. The "health and wealth" gospel, that is no gospel at all. They prey on these people with cries of "send in your seed money", or "put your downpayment on your blessing" promising these people financial gain for sending in money. Also these are the people that seek instant riches by playing the lottery, using their limited income to try to make it rich quick.

The world is getting very dark. Me complaining about people cheating the government does not solve anything. Me telling people directly that they are wrong to do these things does nothing. Only prayer and God's mercy can change these people. I ask you to cry out for those on unemployment benefits that are manipulating the system, those that draw a disability check that are fit to work, those that are on welfare to be drawn to the Father. To be saved and follow God, to see God as their sustainer not the government. Government dependence for life is so dangerous. Only God can supply what these people need. Pray for them, pray for eyes to be opened and souls saved. When people start being converted, they will gain new perspectives and will desire to work. They will desire to help others instead of looking for handouts. Pray!

(Disclaimer: I do not think everyone on government assistance is deceptive and/ or looking for a handout. There are people that really need this assistance and help. It is sad that so many make a bad name for those that actually need these benefits.)

Carrie Prejean A Christian? Part 2.

Carrie Prejean - Spokesperson for "American Christianity"

Wow! Ms. Prejean has “some ‘splainin’ to do”. Seems like she is yet again embroiled in a media frenzy. Check out my last post on her, from back when there was the first hoopla over her, her values, her comments on gay marriage, etc.

This time it appears that Carrie has starred in a sex tape, one that she says was made when she was a teenager. Her ex-boyfriend that is planning on releasing this video is adamant that she was indeed older (which allows him to not be charged with child porn charges). Prejean, however, has been very defensive and very “in your face”. With an interview on NBC’s Today Show she was very defensive in stance. On Larry King Live she also threatened to end the interview abruptly when asked about her settlement with the Miss America Pageant. She claimed King was being “inappropriate”.

Now, from a Christian perspective I can say this in two different ways, either for whatever her standing with God is. The first is that Carrie is a Christian and that the tape was made before she was converted, that it along with all other blatant sins have been washed, that she changed direction in life toward the True risen Savior and it is a non-issue. The next is that Carrie is trying to cover this up by lying about her age, trying to get her ex to lie about her age (which would land him in jail for kiddy porn charges), trying to justify her very sinful actions. This is on top of the fact that she parades around through beauty competitions half naked.

Personally I have not seen anything that is consistent with a Christian. She is like many others that claim Christ as their Savior and Lord, but instead are just a part of the world as any other lost person. I do however take offense because of her blasphemy. She is on a public platform and evokes the precious name of God, all the time lying and being very un-Christ like in her stance and actions. If she were actually a Christian she would be handling things very differently and definitely not be lying and trying to have others lie for her to cover up her sinful lifestyle. I am actually sickened by this, as I am with all those I work with and come into contact with that openly announce “I am a Christian!” (Matt 7:22) then turn around and live very differently. With Prejean it happens to be on a public forum and millions of people are saying, “Well, if she’s a Christian, then so am I. We all sin and are under grace, so we’ll just keep on sinning and keep on receiving forgiveness”. Not! (Romans 6:1-14) I have searched for her testimony online and I cannot find it. Wouldn’t a Christian want to proclaim their testimony to the world? There are, however, many racy photos that seem to pop up every time I search for her doing research for my posts about her here. If anyone has seen or heard of her conversion testimony PLEASE point me toward it. From what I have gathered, she thinks she became a Christian during childhood.

The most damnable lie of American Christianity is in public view here. “Just say a prayer and you’ll go to heaven. God accepts you as you are and doesn’t expect you to change.” Where do these heretics get this? Although God does accept you as you are, He will not leave you in that same state. If He starts a work in you He will finish it. The lies that spew from preachers and evangelists today are sending countless millions to a fiery grave. “Come on, come on. You know you want to walk the aisle. You know that you want to be delivered from your addictions, your marriage problems, and your money issues. Just come on down the aisle and sign this card. Make your decision.” All non-biblical pulls on a person’s situation, not a call to sinners to Repent! I call it “situational decisionism”. Someone else may have coined the term, but I never heard it before. I have seen it many times, even within my family. It is very dangerous, especially combined with a public figure such as Carrie Prejean that is banking in on her “Christianity” and misleading thousands, if not millions, of people that once made a mental decision because of their situation at any given moment.

What it boils down to is a need for true repentance, a true yearning for Christ and a willingness to forsake all and follow Him. If someone has not done this, then they are not saved. They are still living on a path of destruction, but are worse off because they are pointing to a decision for their salvation instead of looking to Christ. Their hope lies in a prayer, a walk down an aisle, a word from an evangelist or preacher, tears shed at a “revival” or any other countless things or circumstances… but not in Christ. If Christ is not the focus of your salvation then you are not saved. You are deceived. Of course you don’t want to go to hell, who would? Of course you want to go to heaven, who wouldn’t knowing what the alternative is? Of course you are a good person in the eyes of the world, but how good are you compared to Christ?

God promised that if you seek Him, you will find Him (Matt. 7:7). If you are seeking Him it is because He is pursuing you, you are being drawn to Him (John 6:44). Do not resist, do not heed the call of salvation. Today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Light To A Dark World

I have been thinking a lot about light and darkness. This started to be really interesting to me a few days ago. 1 John 1:5 says “God is light and in Him is no darkness: . Wow! Have you ever been in a room that was totally devoid of light? I have and it is really unsettling. You lose orientation, you wouldn’t be able to find anything without fumbling around first, you would have to walk around by feeling for things, you would in affect be lost… in a dark room… waiting for alight to be turned on.

What does it take to lose this darkness? Light of course, even the faintest glow negates the darkness. If you were in the darkest region of the planet, at night, cloud covered, no moon or stars, no artificial light, nothing, zilch, nada. Total blackness, you couldn’t see your hand if you stuck it in front of your face. Then someone 20 miles away turned on a flashlight and pointed it toward you, what would that in essence do? It removes the darkness. Not much, and not in your general vicinity, but you can no longer say that it is dark.

Same situation but you are the one with the flashlight (or lantern, torch, match,etc.) When you engage the light what happens? You are flooded with light because of your proximity to the light, it could be the same light that you saw from 20 miles away, but you are now immersed in the light, it lights up all that’s around you, you can see again, you can do things again, you have been given sight. What’s more, the person that is 20 miles away without light can see your light shining at a distance.

These thoughts have been running around in my head, like I said, for a few days. It reminds me that God is Light and when we are in close proximity to Him we are engulfed in His Light. It is nothing that we produce ourselves, but only reflect His Light. It also brings to memory Proverbs 4:18-19 But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. How descriptive is that?

Also, when God first shined His light on you can you remember how bright it was? It illuminated everything around you, but sadly as time continued, the light seemed to dim. Everything started to get dimmer, you may have even started to squint a little to try to make things out. Did the Light really get dim though? Or were your eyes just shutting the light out, or did you put on dark sunglasses that hid the light? Oh, it was always there and it was always just as bright, it was our proximity that was the issue, not the brightness of the Light.

So how does the Light regain its brightness again? You have to get close to the source again. You can’t be 20 miles from a light source and be effected much by it, you have to get as close as possible. So close you can feel the warmth radiating from it, so that it envelops you. The Light is always there; it is you that moves around.

If you are seeing things dimly now, I say that it is simple to be lit again. Just return to the Source. I’ll remind you of Luke 11:33 – No one that has received Light will hide it; they will hold it high and shine it so everyone around them can see. Are you shining your light? Are you reflecting God’s Light? Have you ever been in the Light in the first place? I pray that He will illuminate Himself and His Word in your life.