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Monthly Archives: October 2015
Morality, Media, and Philosophical Pluralism
![Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism [15th Anniversary Edition]](http://www.wtsbooks.com/common/images/9780310242864m.jpg)
One dominate trait of our American culture is what Don Carson calls “philosophical pluralism.” This is the belief or philosophy that no person, claim, or ideology is superior to another one. “The only absolute creed is the creed of pluralism. No religion has the right to pronounce itself right or true, and the others false, or even (in the majority view) relatively inferior” (Carson, p. 19). Since, they say, there is no absolute truth, no one can claim any high ground anywhere. The effects of this philosophy or belief are numerous and tragic. One that Carson points out is in the area of morality:
“In the moral realm, there is very little consensus left in Western countries over the proper basis of moral behavior. And because of the power of the media, for millions of men and women the only venue where moral questions are discussed and weighed…
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Going Beyond the Curse of the Law: How God Saves His People
Excerpt taken and from a sermon, “HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE”, preached in the Great Church in Abingdon, December 25, 1829
By William Tiptaft
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The true ministers of Christ bring men to the law…
–now this condemns them, and shows them to be under the curse: He that offends in one point is guilty of all (James 2:10). “As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them” (Galatians 3:10). If, then, a man offend against the law of God in one point either in word, thought, or deed, he is under the curse.
Now it is certain that no man can keep the law of God without offence,“for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain”
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Whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave
by Mike Ratliff
24 And hearing this, the ten became indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:24-28 NASB)
There are a group of men who I do not allow to comment on my blog, but who attempt to do so anyway. Their comments go immediately into the SPAM folder. I usually just dump it once a day without reading them. However, once in…
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Five Reasons You Can Trust Your Bible (Cold Case Christianity Broadcast #49)
In this episode of the Cold-Case Christianity Broadcast, J. Warner Wallace makes the case for the reliability of the Bible by providing five, brief, easy to articulate reasons you can trust the Christian Scripture. Have you ever been challenged to give the reason for the hope you have in Jesus? This episode will help you make the case quickly and concisely. (For more information, visit http://www.ColdCaseChristianity.com)
Here is the audio podcast (the Cold-Case Christianity Weekly Podcast is located on iTunes or our RSS Feed):
What are the effects of both denying and not denying the Resurrection?
by Mike Ratliff
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For this, “YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. 12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus…
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Halloween? October 31 is Reformation Day! (Martin Luther)
The Cripplegate – Reformation Reminders: Rome & Her Desecration of Christ
This Saturday, October 31, commemorates nearly 500 years since one of the greatest movements of God in church history; the Protestant Reformation. Up to the time of the Reformation, much of Europe had been dominated by the reign of Roman Catholicism. To the populace was propagated the idea that salvation was found under Rome and her system alone.
But as the cultural and theological fog cleared in Europe and beyond, God’s people gained a clarity that had been mostly absent for centuries. The Reformers gained this clarity from keeping with a simple principle: sola scritpura, or, Scripture alone. As they searched the word of God, they discovered that Rome deviated radically on the most critical points of biblical Christianity. With one mind, God’s people discerned from Scripture that, tragically, Roman Catholicism was a desecration to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today, nothing has changed. To my evangelical and Catholic friends, it’s important that we no longer erroneously say that Roman Catholicism differs from Scripture only on minor points of doctrine and history. As the Reformers saw clearly, and will be demonstrated here, the differences could not be greater.
In keeping with that movement of God by the word of God, here are a few reminders of how Rome is a desecration to Christ:
GTY Blog: Separation and Purity
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; James 1:27; Hebrews 13:10-13
Code: B151028
by Jeremiah Johnson
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians is one of the greatest challenges facing believers today. In a world bombarding us with temptation, God’s people need to keep clear the spiritual lines of demarcation, both for the sake of the gospel and our own testimonies. As John MacArthur explains in his sermon “Separating from Unbelievers, Part 1,” Paul’s words mean “we cannot overindulge ourselves in their world to the detriment of our testimony within the body of Christ.”
Highlighting the inherent conflict between believers and sinners, John says:
The pure and the polluted share nothing in common ultimately. And the people of God cannot form intimate relationships with those who don’t belong to God. All relationships like that are superficial. You cannot make a meaningful relationship with an enemy of the gospel. They live in a different world with a different and completely hostile and antagonistic leader.
That does not mean we are to cut off all contact with the world—that’s hardly feasible. And even if it were, such isolation would violate the Lord’s instruction to go into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). But Scripture is likewise clear that we need to avoid the lawlessness and darkness of this corrupt world.
As we approach the conclusion of our series on what it means to be in the world but not of it, we need to consider separation from the world and how it can enhance or hinder the progress of the gospel and the development of our individual testimonies.
Gospel Purity
In the context of 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, Paul is discussing the purity of the church, and rebuking those who had attempted to blend God’s truth with paganism. Religious syncretism was rampant in the first-century world, and the New Testament church was not immune to its influence. From the founding of the church, false teachers immediately married God’s truth to elements of pagan culture and practice.
And while the paganism of today looks different than that of Paul’s day, Satan’s agenda has not changed at all. In his sermon “Separating from Unbelievers, Part 2,” John MacArthur explains how our enemy still seeks to gain a foothold in the church:
It’s very much like modern Christianity today, by the way, that seeks to blend Christianity with popular culture, wants to make Christianity more popular, less different, more palatable, less offensive, less narrow, less exclusive. And the result of it is that true Christianity and the purity of God’s Word gets corrupted by compromise, and the church can become useless and shameful and blasphemous in mocking the truth.
Throughout Scripture, the Lord consistently makes clear His command to keep His people pure from worldly influences and blasphemous corruption. Paul’s exhortation expanded on commands God had issued to Israel through the prophet Isaiah: “‘Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,’ says the Lord, ‘and do not touch what is unclean’” (2 Corinthians 6:17).
In his commentary on 2 Corinthians, John MacArthur explains the urgency behind Paul’s exhortation:
To be bound together with unbelievers is not only foolish and irreverent, but it also disobeys God’s explicit command, expressed in the two imperative verbs translated “come out” and “be separate.” “Therefore” links the command in this verse with the principle expressed in verse 16. As those personally indwelt by the living God, believers are to avoid any joint spiritual effort with unbelievers. As the temple of the living God, they must not be linked for the cause of the advancement of divine truth with any form of false religion.
The thought in this verse hearkens back to Isaiah 52, where God commanded His people, “Depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11). Christians, like Israel at the time of her salvation (Isaiah 52:7-10), must make a clean break with all false religion to avoid its contaminating influence (cf. 2 Timothy 2:16-17). . . .
It has always been God’s will for His people to be distinct from unbelievers. In Leviticus 20:24, 26 God said to Israel, “I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples. . . . Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.” In the New Testament Peter reiterated that principle, exhorting believers, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14-16). [1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: 2 Corinthians (Chicago: Moody Press, 2003) 254-255.
The church cannot be an effective lighthouse for the truth if it insists on cloaking itself in the trappings of worldliness and ecumenical capitulation. For the sake of our worship, evangelism, and spiritual stability, we need to reject the corrupting influence of the world and protect the purity of God’s people.
Personal Purity
But if Paul’s words about being unequally yoked with unbelievers are directed at the church, how does the principle apply to individuals? If the prohibitions of 2 Corinthians 6 are directed to the church, how do we determine the appropriate level of interaction—if any—with the world on a personal level?
In his commentary on a parallel passage (Hebrews 13:10-13), John MacArthur explains that the need for separation from the world is not merely a matter of physical proximity:
Separation from the system does not mean separation from unbelievers in the sense of never having contact with them. If this were so, we could never witness to them or be hospitable to them. Nor does it mean we try to escape the world by becoming monastics. As far as separation is concerned, the world is an attitude, an orientation, not a place. As long as we are in the flesh, we take some of the world with us wherever we go. Paradoxically, a holier-than-thou attitude is the essence of worldliness, because it is centered in pride. It is worldly attitudes and habits from which we are to separate ourselves. And we can participate in many worldly things just as easily with Christians as with non-Christians.
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus describes our proper relationship to the world. “I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. As Thou didst send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” (John 17:15-18). God sends us into the physical world, the world where people live. What we are to be separate from is the world system, the way the world’s people live (cf. 1 John 2:15-17).
You do not have to participate actively in the system to be a part of it. It is just as worldly to want to do the things of the world as to do them. [2] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Hebrews (Chicago: Moody Press, 1983) 442.
In that sense, the degree to which you are of the world is not measured merely by your contact with it, but by how much it has taken up residence and influence in your heart. You might not outwardly display a love for the trends and tastes of the world, but a haughty attitude is no less worldly.
As believers, we need to guard ourselves from the kind of relationships that will entangle us with the world’s system. But just as important, we need to guard our hearts from following the prideful, selfish lead of this worldly, sinful culture. And we need to remember that God has sent us into the world for the work of the gospel, and that we must keep ourselves unstained by the world (James 1:27) if we’re going to fulfill that work.
Available online at: http://www.gty.org/resources/Blog/B151028
COPYRIGHT ©2015 Grace to You
The Just Shall Live By Faith
Taken and adapted from,“Christ, the Sun of Righteousness”
Written by, Ian Potts
“…As it is written, the just shall live by faith”
–Romans 1:17
THE Apostle Paul in the Epistle to the Romans asks the question, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”
The answer he gives is “God forbid.” He asks this question because there were those who upon hearing the teaching of the Gospel, that sinners are saved by grace alone and not by their obedience to God’s law, concluded that if so that must leave the child of God free to sin. But Paul denies this emphatically – “God forbid.” Salvation by grace alone through faith does not lead to lives which remain in sin.
Some conclude from this answer that Paul is reiterating the importance of the believer striving to keep the law of God. They say that if the believer…
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Are we ashamed of the Gospel?
by Mike Ratliff
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16 NASB)
Western Christians, especially American Christians, are, for the most part, double minded. Materialism, humanism, and liberalism have so contaminated them that they believe that they will never be persecuted for their faith. It is as if the idea that persecution for being a Christian is unthinkable. In many parts of the World persecution is actually becoming worse. It is estimated that over 16,000 Christians are martyred each year. However, in the USA Christians are more concerned about Football or TV shows or money or possessions than contending for the faith.
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Why the Church, and Why Now?
October 27, 2015 Christian Briefing Report
The Crisis in International Religious Freedom
According to Wolf, there were roughly 150,000 Iraqi Jews in 1950. Today there are fewer than ten—a shocking statistic in its own right, but also an ominous sign in light of an old regional saying: “as go the Jews, so go the Christians.”
Seven Ways to Involve Older People in Your Church
“Understand that I’m not opposed to change. I’m honestly not. I may not like change, but it’s more because everything seems to be changing than it is my opposition to church change. Help me understand the change, and I’ll be with you. What I’m opposed to is change that’s not well thought out.”
Overcoming Discouragement in Ministry
“When trials and challenges come, ministers feel their own insufficiency. In the midst of challenges with congregants, ministers remember that they cannot change the hearts of the people to whom God has sent them to shepherd. In many cases, the only course of action in a particular trial is go to the throne of grace and plead with the Lord to bring whatever we are facing to a felicitous end.”
It’s OK For Guys To Cry
“You might wonder why a godly man, one who has had his sin forgiven, would be marked by tears. While it may be a mark of being human that brings a natural man to tears, it is a mark of being impacted by the gospel that brings a Christian to tears.”
The National Association of Evangelicals and the Death Penalty
“Presumably church bodies should address moral issues through the lens of historic Christian thought, reflecting with the whole church, past and present, and not striving to align with transitory secular trends. But there’s little theology in the NAE’s new resolution.”
If the Bible Rarely Talks About It, Does That Mean It’s Not Important?
“The history of theology is riddled with arguments about issues about which the Bible has relatively little to say because they probably shouldn’t be important parts of our theological systems. I hesitate to provide examples here because I know I’ll end up picking someone’s favorite issue. “
A New Way To View Vitality in Smaller Congregations
“I have found it helpful to describe a dynamic equilibrium for this congregation and other small to mid-sized congregations I have served, and then to hold that condition before them as a measure of vitality. Dynamic equilibrium suggests that the congregation is a complex organism with staying power, but an organism with certain key indicators of health or decline.”
A Christian Classic on Sanctification
Ryle was a deeply committed and non-compromising evangelical Christian. In fact, Charles Spurgeon referred to him as an “evangelical champion.” His book ‘Holiness’ has been reprinted numerous times since its original publication in 1879. It is deservedly considered a Christian classic on the subject of sanctification.
Update: Lifeway Peddling Gay-Affirming Prosperity Preacher For Profit
Pulpit & Pen brings to our attention Ed Stetzer’s continuing lack of discernment. This is important because Stetzer runs the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention which means he has a lot of clout. Following is the full report: Remember the large kerfuffle that started last year involving Lifeway, the media retail branch of the Southern […]
The post Update: Lifeway Peddling Gay-Affirming Prosperity Preacher For Profit appeared first on Berean Research.
Misconceptions About Creation
By Avery Foley. freelance writer for Answers in Genesis A recent article appeared on the Biologos website titled “10 Misconceptions about Evolution.” The author, Jim Stump, writes, “One of the difficulties people have with coming to accept the science of evolution is that they have absorbed incorrect or only partially correct information.” He then goes on […]
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Jenner, Transgender and Trans-Lunacy
Bill Muehlenberg states the obvious: Bruce Jenner was born a male and HE will die a male. Mr. Jenner may self-identify as a woman, but that no more makes him female than Muehlenberg identifying as a milkshake makes him a frozen drink. Using humor, he addresses the absurdity of men “identifying” as women and visa-versa […]
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The Highway to Utopia
Progressives are trying to steer the world into Utopia. How will they accomplish this lofty goal? Lee Duigon, a contributing editor with the Chalcedon Foundation, reveals their plan, which involves science and coercion: Free will is messy—especially other people’s free will. It’s so annoying, when you know what’s best for them, and you’re kind enough to […]
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Focus on the Family endorsing a new and unbiblical view of marriage?
Dalrock has a piece entitled “Never let a crisis go to waste.” He fills us in on what occurred on a recent Focus on the Family radio broadcast when the president of FOTF, Jim Daly, spoke with Christian relationship “expert” Dr. David Clarke. For those who read and study the Bible, it is evident that Dr. Clark’s view […]
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Chick-fil-A Listed as Sponsor of “Faith-Based” Homosexual Film and Arts Festival
According to Christian News Network:
An online petition has been launched over revelations that the popular evangelical-owned fast food restaurant Chick-fil-A has been listed as a sponsor of a “faith-based” homosexual film and arts festival.
Level Ground began as a student-organized event in 2013, and was touted as the “world’s first faith-based LGBT film festival.” It has since expanded to six cities across the country and includes not only film, but music, theater, visual arts, comedy, and various workshops with the goal of “elevating the public discourse around the otherwise polarizing topics of gender identity and human sexuality.”
“The Level Ground Festival draws a unique audience that reflects the full spectrum of religious (and non-religious) beliefs, gender identities, and sexual orientations,” the festival website outlines. “All denominations, theologies, beliefs, races, and ages are welcome.”
But What About the Real You?by Jessie Minassian Ever morphed into the kind of girl a guy wanted you to be? We think the real you is better. Here’s why. |
Freebie Friday! Set Apart Girl Magazineby Erin Davis Hot off the presses! Enter to win free copies of Set Apart Girl Magazine! |
The Best Way to Tell Your Friends About Christby Leslie Ludy They saw fulfillment, radiance, and peace that hadn’t been there before. And some began to ask me about it. Becoming set apart for my King made it possible for me to lead others to Him. |
5 Fun Ways to Share Jesus with Your School This Yearby Erin Davis How can you point people to Jesus this school year? Here are five fun ideas to try. |
Dealing With the New Trans-Madness
The recent announcement that Bruce Jenner will be named “Woman of the Year” highlights the fact that a war on reality has been declared, and insanity now rules our elites – at least in the West. And the entire transgender mania is leading the way in our mental and moral meltdown.
For Bruce to be given this award makes as much sense as calling a circle, “Square of the Year,” or an airplane, “Boat of the Year,” or red, “Blue of the Year”. We have simply denounced and renounced reality, rationality, common sense and the English language. Utter absurdity now reigns supreme.
If all this was just a harmless fad, that would be one thing. But it is harming plenty of folks, as well as society at large, and for that reason alone needs to be fully resisted. I have written before about the various health risks associated with gender bending.
A recent article highlights some more of the evidence on what a dangerous and risky move this is. Rising suicide rates is one big problem associated with those who go down this path:
Studies repeatedly show that “transgender” people who seek to become the opposite sex are in fact not happy or fulfilled. In fact, a life-or-death internal war is continually going on within, to the degree that many, if not most, seek to end their lives.
That’s what the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Williams Institute found when the foundation analyzed results from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. The numbers of suicide attempts are heartbreaking.
Over 41 percent of active “transgender” people try to kill themselves. That’s ten times the average 4.6 percent suicide attempt rate.
And this study isn’t the only one proving that those who seek to live as if they were the opposite sex are, in fact, killing themselves. Over a dozen other surveys worldwide have found the same alarmingly high suicide rates.
A national survey of more than 6,500 transgender people asked the question “Have you tried to commit suicide?” Forty-one percent answered, “Yes.”
“Chronically high stress levels,” “anxiety,” and “depression” are most commonly reported among active transgender people. Self-harm by cutting is often reported as well.
The suicide hotline for them, Trans Lifeline, handled more than 20,000 calls in its first nine months of operation alone. Greta Gustava Martela, a lesbian who founded the hotline, summarizes, “With 41% attempting suicide, you have to assume something’s just not working for transgender folks.”
The mainstream media attributes the exploding transgender suicide rate to outside influences, such as peer and parental rejection, but does not consider the transgender person’s tragic internal battle as intrinsic to living a psychological dichotomy.
The facts speak otherwise. The University of Birmingham’s Aggressive Research Intelligence Facility (ARIF) conducted a medical review that found that there is no conclusive evidence that sex change operations improve the lives of transsexuals. In fact, many transsexuals remain severely internally distressed and suicidal after the operation.
Chris Hyde, the director of ARIF, explained, “A large number of people who have [sex change] surgery remain traumatized – often to the point of committing suicide.”
These truths need to be made widely known. We are lying to people and greatly harming them – especially our young people – if we tell them that a bit of snipping here and injections there, and some chemical this and surgery that, is going to solve all their problems and transform them into new, happy and well-adjusted people. The opposite is more likely the case.
These are ultimately mental and psychological issues which need to be addressed, not something a bit of physical mutilation will be able to remedy. We are damaging our kids and spitting in the face of reality and biology when we buy the trans lies.
But sadly plenty of Christians are buying these lies as well. More and more are getting on the trans bandwagon, reflection the wisdom of this world instead of running with the biblical worldview. A good example of this, and a good rebuttal to it, appeared recently in First Things.
Robert Gagnon has offered some helpful advice for believers in how to deal with all this, as he critiques a piece by Christian psychologist Mark Yarhouse. Gagnon examines and discusses some of his claims, then goes on to say this:
While I believe Yarhouse’s advice is well intentioned, I respectfully disagree. First, is this not rather distant from the biblical language on these matters? Cross-dressing is called an “abomination” to God in Deut 22:5. Paul includes “soft men” (malakoi) in the offender list in 1 Cor 6:9-10, which in context designates men who attempt to become women (through dress, mannerisms, makeup, and sometimes castration), often to attract male sex partners. The fact that Paul includes such persons among those who “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” suggests that acting on a desire to become the opposite sex can in fact affect one’s redemption.
Further, what will be the effect of encouraging church members to address persons with GID as the sex that they are not? What will be the result of requiring them to accept whatever manner of transgender display of appearance offenders deem essential to their well-being? For some it will mean silencing a conscience correctly informed by Scripture and science. For others it will further confusion about sex and gender already promoted in the world, undermining the church’s resistance to the bonds of sin.
I have no doubt that Yarhouse is aiming for the redemption of those with gender dysphoria. Yet it may be instructive to reflect on Paul’s concern in 1 Corinthians 5 not only for the sexual offender but also for the offender’s impact on the local church: “a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (v. 6). Although Yarhouse refers obliquely to wise counsel from church leaders, he allows the offender to call the shots. Paul rather recommends temporary remedial discipline for the persistently impenitent in order to minimize the harm done both to the offender and to the church (vv. 4-5, 9-13). The church’s complicity in sexual delusion benefits no one, least of all the offender.
How far should Christians following Yarhouse’s suggestions go? For example, can a man who feels that he is a woman use the church’s restroom for females? Can he expect the church to respect his choice of romantic partner, whether a woman (in a pretend lesbian relationship) or a man (in an actual homosexual relationship)? Can he even compel the pastor’s performance of his marriage ceremony to either sex, claiming that otherwise he will feel estranged from the church? And what if the offender has children distressed and confused by his wrong choices? Denise Schick, director of Help 4 Families Ministry, writes courageously about the added stresses put on her adolescent development by a father obsessed with becoming a woman:
“As an adolescent, I had to be careful about how I dressed. I always had to ask myself how he would react to my outfit. Would it make him so envious that he’d ‘borrow’ it (without my consent, of course)? I began to hate my body. It was a constant reminder of what my father wanted to become. When I began to wear makeup, I had to block out the images I had of him applying makeup or eye shadow or lipstick. He was destroying my desire to become a woman.”
In allowing those with transgender desires “to identify with aspects of the opposite sex,” even at a church service, won’t the church be contributing to the distress and confusion of their children?
Yarhouse would certainly prefer that persons with gender dysphoria make peace with their biological sex. He thinks counseling should be directed to “how best to manage gender dysphoria in light of the integrity lens” and advising persons with GID to explore their other-sex desires “in the least invasive way possible.” I have no doubt that his desire is to be loving to persons experiencing this distress. Yet it is possible to be sensitive, gentle, and loving without forcing the church to act as if the lie is the truth.
Lastly, should the church abandon the “culture wars”? Should we stop combatting society’s efforts to persuade vulnerable children in the schools that one’s perceived “gender” need not correlate with one’s biological sex? Is it wrong to try to prevent the state from punishing believers who can’t support a transsexual agenda? Is it a societal good to require schools and businesses to permit males who think they are females to use female restrooms? I submit that the church still has a role to play in terms of being salt and light for the culture at large in matters of sexual ethics.
Needless to say I fully concur with Gagnon. This fight is too important to simply ignore or capitulate to. And simply running with the world’s agenda helps no one here. As always biblical truth must trump trendy social engineering agendas.
There is nothing loving or Christlike about telling a male he is female, or a female she is male. What is loving is pointing these folks to Christ and the healing and restoration he freely offers. Selling out to the gender bender agenda is not the way forward.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/gender-confused-suicide-rate-ten-times-national-average
http://www.firstthings.com/author/robert-a-j-gagnon
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at The Pen, 10/10/15
The bottom line is this. I don’t care if Beth Moore studies are actually “good” and do not contain false teaching – one cannot separate the studies from what Moore says and does elsewhere, with whom she associates. She associates with Joyce Meyer, Christine Caine, Joel Osteen, James Robison, and Hillsong. This is associating with false teaching at best, heresy at worst. |
Click here to read this article!
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by Chris Lawson, 10/7/15
 This audio message touches on the current and future global apostate Christianity and the great metamorphosis into “MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5b) A Hindu-Christianity for the New Age! Various topics include: (1) Departing from the faith; (2) Apostasy defined, types of apostasy, and safeguarding against apostasy; and (3) Taking heed against all forms of deception and escapism. Subject matter exalts the biblical Jesus of Nazareth, as opposed to false prophets, false teachers, and the coming Antichrist who will be recognized by the unbelieving world as a “man of peace” and an International hero who has come to allegedly save the planet. Audio also includes short informative sound clips from the The Great Apostasy – The Lost Sign (DVD), and Dave Hunt’s documentary, A Woman Rides the Beast – The Roman Catholic Church and the Last Days. Scriptures: Matthew 7:1-5,15-23; Jude 3-4; Luke 18:8; 1 Thessalonians 4; Ephesians 4:11-22; Ephesians 6; 2 Timothy 4; Luke 21:34-38; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Colossians 1:1-6. Click here to listen to this MP3! |
Is Halloween Pagan in Origin?
Many Christians struggle to decide how (or if) to celebrate Halloween, especially with the claim that the holiday is pagan in origin.
Redeem Halloween: Being Missional on Fright Night
And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2).
On October 31, we will turn our porch lights on, set out a sign, and hand out king-sized candy bars to hundreds of kids, moms, dads, and teens. Some will grumble that we receive sinners. But they said this of Jesus, too.
Light of the World
Many Christians believe that handing out candy on Halloween is not a good idea. They assume, “If I hand out candy, I am advocating all this day stands for and will therefore compromise my witness as a Christian.” Yes, Halloween can stand for some really wicked things. Yes, it is a day when people worship Satan, demons, and spiritual darkness. Yes, it is an excuse for unrepentant sinning. But we are the light of the world! Light is intended for darkness. Does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket (Matt. 5:15)?
The darker the day, the more the light stands out.
The darker the day, the more the light stands out. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). Who needs to see the light of Christ? Saints? Or sinners?
And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:15–17).
The gospel of Jesus Christ is for sinners. And how did Jesus, the Physician, engage those who were sick? He hung out with them, engaged with them, ate with them. If our Master, Jesus, spent time with sinners in this way, how can we think ourselves too “holy” to do the same? It was the Pharisees who saw themselves as too holy to engage with sinners on the ground level. Let us be like Jesus, not like those spiritually arrogant Pharisees.
Missional Halloween
For a moment, let’s imagine Jimmy and I are missionaries in a foreign country. We have just moved in and are still getting a feel for the culture and daily life of this country’s inhabitants. Very few know about Jesus, and ancestral worship is the most common religious practice. We have been praying about a way to get to know more people and have some opportunities to share about Jesus. Then we hear about a large ancestral worship festival in which all of the city will be attending. If you will only turn on your porch light, they will come to your door singing songs of praise to their ancestors.
There is a way to engage people on Halloween without actually celebrating the day itself.
As missionaries, we’d thank God for such a great opportunity! Instead of spending days looking for a single moment to get to know someone and talk about faith, we now have many who will come to our door with their mind already on spiritual things. I can’t imagine a more perfect opportunity to get to know these foreigners and talk about my faith!
This is exactly what Halloween can be for the Jesus followers in this country. Hopefully, we are already being missional in our neighborhoods, seeking to reach our neighbors with the good news of Jesus. So what a perfect day to get to know the families that live around us! On top of that, there is already an air of spirituality on this day. Yes, it has an evil spiritual feel, but it’s a perfect springboard to bring up the topic of life, death, hell, heaven, and a great God who has defeated Satan on the cross through the unbelievable grace of sacrificing His Son on the behalf of sinners like us.
Jesus received sinners, so likewise, let us receive sinners.
Turn It for Good
There is a way to engage people on Halloween without actually celebrating the day itself. We are very careful to not have any traditional Halloween decorations like ghosts, spider webs, monsters, etc. Instead, we are trying to brand ourselves as the “crazy-generous” house on our street, to make a statement about the generous nature of our God through sending His Son.
How are we doing that? We give out the good candy! King-sized candy bars! And when you’re giving out over 800 of those candy bars, people start asking, “Why?” And that question right there is an open door for the gospel. “Because we serve a generous God who gave His Son to pay the penalty of death I owed for my sinful arrogance and pride and gave me new life I didn’t deserve. So we long to be a small expression of His generosity to us.” I’ve already been able to share my testimony and the good news of Jesus several times just in buying the candy.
Not only that, we are hoping to love people well. With the help of our college homegroup, we have a welcome team that engages people at the foot of the steps, looking for opportunities to talk about Jesus and ask for prayer requests. Those requests are texted to a team in our guest-room-turned-prayer-room. After being loved, welcomed, and blessed with king-sized bars, each person will be pointed to Jesus through signs on the way out proclaiming Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There is a song we love to sing at our church called “Sovereign Over Us” by Aaron Keyes that says, “Even what the enemy means for evil, You turn it for our good, You turn it for our good and Your glory.” Halloween is a day that Satan has intended for evil, but we are leveraging it for the good of others through sharing the gospel and the glory of God by pointing to His grace.
We Are Sinners, Too
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Tim 1:15).
Let us not forget that the only reason we are saved is because Jesus condescended into the filth of our life, met us where we were at, and extended grace and love to us there. We are no less sinners than those we seek to reach. We are simply great sinners with a greater Savior! Let us not fall into the well-worn path of the Pharisees, thinking in our religious arrogance that we are better than those who don’t know Him. For Jesus Himself said, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you [religious leaders]” (Matt. 21:31)
We are no less sinners than those we seek to reach. We are simply great sinners with a greater Savior!
Let’s remember our Lord’s charge to us on Halloween, not to run from darkness but charge toward it with the loving light of the gospel. “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation'” (Mark 16:15).
Follow our journey to #RedeemHalloween2015 by watching for pictures and posts on our instagram accounts on October 31 (@kellyneedham and @jimmyneedham). Why not start a new tradition of becoming the generous house in your neighborhood?
Fear Treating God as Trash
Do you fear God? The Bible seems to be confusing about fear. In some places, God calls us to live in fear. Elsewhere, he says he’s delivered us from fear. In this lab, John Piper focuses on 1 Peter 1:17–19, but pulls in lots of verses to help us understand what it means for us to fear God.
Ten Reasons to Revel in Being Chosen
Peter said to the “elect exiles” — that is, to Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire — “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9).
He meant it as an enormous encouragement for a tiny, beleaguered, persecuted minority in a vast sea of unbelief and growing hostility. The adversaries may seem powerful and numerous and dangerous and dominant. But look again. You are God’s chosen ones, a “people for his own possession.” O, dear suffering Christians, Peter would say, do you feel what that means? Revel in being God’s chosen ones! There are so many reasons!
1. Your faith is not the basis of God’s choosing you, but the result of it.
This means that your faith is a wonder — more wonderful than any of the seven wonders of the world. Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16). And there was a deeper choosing going on here than just the selection of the Twelve. We know this because Judas was part of the Twelve, and he was not “chosen.” Jesus said, “I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me’” (John 13:18).
If you have come to Jesus, the wonder is that you already belonged to the Father, and the Father gave you to Jesus. You were not chosen because you came; you came because you were chosen. That’s what Jesus said: “All that the Father gives me will come to me. . . . Yours they were, and you gave them to me” (John 6:37; 17:6).
If you have believed on Jesus, the wonder is that you were first appointed to eternal life. You weren’t appointed because you believed; you believed because you were appointed. When the Gentiles heard that the gospel actually included them, “they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
Revel in the wonder that you are a Christian because God chose you to be one. Your roots, as a child of God, are in eternity — in the infinite mind and heart of God. Your faith, and all its fruits, are God’s eternal gift.
2. Therefore, the basis of God choosing you is not in you, but in grace.
Take God’s Old Testament people Israel, for example. Why did God set his favor on Israel above all the peoples of the earth? What was the basis of God’s calling them, “my chosen” (Isaiah 45:4)? Here’s Moses’s answer:
The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers. (Deuteronomy 7:6–8)
This is amazing: “The LORD set his love on you and chose you . . . because the LORD loves you.” He loves you because he loves you! That’s the deepest, and ultimate, basis of God’s choosing Israel.
Paul underlines the wonder. Why was Jacob, the father of the nation of Israel, chosen over his twin brother Esau? Paul answers, “Though they were not yet born, and had done nothing either good or bad — in order that God’s purpose to choose might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls — their mother was told, ‘The older will serve the younger’” (Romans 9:11–12).
And the principle holds today, Paul would say, “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (Romans 11:5). So it is with every true Christian. Behind our believing — behind our coming to Jesus—is grace alone. There is no ground for our being chosen beneath the all-wise and incomprehensible love of God. O, the vastness of the repercussions of this unfathomable truth!
3. Since our faith and obedience is owing to God’s choice of us, we can know we are chosen.
It is a wonder that God’s unfathomable, eternal choice of who will be his children can be known by those he chose. Paul said that he knew the Thessalonian believers were God’s chosen ones. “We know, brothers, loved by God, that he has chosen you” (1 Thessalonians 1:4).
How can he know this? And how can they? Paul explains, “We know . . . because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. . . . You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:4–6).
Only God’s eternal resolve to save his chosen people can explain the miracle of faith that receives the word of the gospel with joy in the midst of affliction. This is the work of God, and God does this saving work for his chosen ones. If it has happened to you, you may know that you are chosen.
Let the wonder of this sink in. Your faith is not a witness to any prior power in you. It is a witness to God’s choosing you. It is not a testimony to something so small as self-determination. It is a testimony to the same power that created the universe. God chose to raise you from the dead (Ephesians 2:5).
4. Being chosen by God means no charge against us can finally stick.
The multiplied wonders of God’s choosing a people include the unfathomable fact that God sent his Son into the world to cancel all the debts of his chosen ones — to nullify every damning accusation against them, and to give them a righteous standing in the court of heaven.
If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:31–34)
The reason no charge can stick to God’s chosen ones is that God “gave his Son up for us,” and it necessarily follows, “God will graciously give us all things.” The wonder is not only that there is “no condemnation,” but that this was all planned in eternity to be omnipotently successful. He did not do this great work like a fisherman throwing a net to see who might swim into it. We did not just happen to swim into God’s salvation. This was planned and performed with a special view to us, the chosen ones. This is a wonder to revel in.
5. Being chosen by God is designed to secure for us the sweetness of humility.
The more we consider being chosen, the more the wonder of it grows. And Paul tells us to consider it. The reason he wants us to think about being chosen (Do you? — With joy?) is that it will make us humble. Here’s the passage that makes this point. He starts by telling us to consider our “calling,” because this calling — from death to life — is the way we actually experience in time the choice he made in eternity. Then he mentions three times our being chosen.
Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:26–29)
Do you see the point? God is free to choose who will become Christians. And in his freedom he explodes all worldly expectations of who is “special.” Just when we think we may have him figured out in his choosing, we see he has gone another way. Paul doesn’t leave us to guess what the point is. It is this: “so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” God’s choosing is designed to remove our boasting.
Any group, or any person, who boasts that there is something in them that justifies God’s choosing them, has not experienced what the choosing is for. It is for the annihilation of self as the basis of God’s favor. We did nothing — absolutely nothing — to qualify for being chosen.
Revel in this. You carry no burden to measure up to the merit that qualified you for being chosen. There is no such thing.
6. Being a chosen race is the end of racism among Christians.
It is a wonder that in God’s choosing a people for himself, he nullified the self-exalting effects of all races and ethnicities. “You are a chosen race . . . a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). The chosen race is not white or black or Asian or any other natural grouping.
The chosen race are people who are born again to a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). Their new identifying DNA is from the Holy Spirit. Race and ethnicity are not unimportant in our common cultural life. But they are not what unites us to God or to each other in Christ. We are a new creation, a new humanity. Peter even says, a new race! A “chosen race.” A race taken from all races.
God chose us freely — without respect to race — to be in this new race. Then he sent his Son to purchase us from all the ethnic groups of the world: “You were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). In this way, he nullified all racism. For he bound together every race and every ethnicity into one new family, with one glorious Father. And he did this in eternity when he chose to make a people from every race into one new race.
Revel in your freedom from racism. And if you can’t, then come learn who you are. Learn what it means to be a “chosen race.”
7. Being chosen by God means being destined for everlasting, all-satisfying praise of the infinitely beautiful God.
The wonder is that the ultimate aim of being chosen is the ultimate joy of being satisfied. And the wonder deepens as we realize that we human beings were designed to find our fullest satisfaction not in front of a mirror, but in front of God. We were made to be mirrors, not see mirrors. Mirrors with eyes. And the joy of seeing all-satisfying Beauty was meant to find its consummation in the reflection of that beauty to God and man in praise.
This is what Paul says in Ephesians 1:4–6, “God chose us . . . and predestined . . . to the praise of the glory of his grace.” And in case we missed it, he says in verse 12, “ . . . to the praise of his glory.” And again in verse 14, “ . . . to the praise of his glory.” We get the joy of admiration. He gets the glory of exaltation.
Revel in the wonder that you were chosen in eternity past for the endless joy of praise in eternity future.
8. Being chosen by God means that God will use all necessary means to bring you to this eternal glory.
The wonder of being chosen includes the wonder that God has chosen means to bring us home. Glory is not immediate and not automatic.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come, ’Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, And Grace will lead us home.
We do not travel from new birth to new earth without the trials of a traveler. And if God had not chosen for us to be helped by many fellow travelers, we would not make it. That’s why Paul says, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the chosen ones, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10).
Paul himself was a God-chosen means of saving the chosen ones. So are you. You are one. And you need others. For God’s chosen ones, the means are necessary, and they are certain. For God has chosen them as surely as he has chosen you.
Revel in the wonder that you must fight your way to heaven, and God will see to it that you win.
9. Being chosen by God means that God shapes history on your behalf.
This wonder may be too much for us to comprehend, but here it is: “If those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones those days will be cut short” (Matthew 24:22).
The flow of history will be altered. For the sake of the chosen ones. The world of unbelievers, who reject God and his Son, have no idea how the world is run. They do not know what true significance is. They will be stunned someday to learn that the Christians, whom they despised or ignored, were the linchpin of history.
10. Finally, being chosen by God means he will gather us when he comes, and give us justice.
The wonder of vindication is coming. It may be that in this life the chosen ones were treated just like Jesus — a stone which the builders rejected. But in God’s sight that stone was “chosen and precious.” And that very stone became the cornerstone of the kingdom of God (1 Peter 2:6–8). He rose from the dead. There was a glorious vindication.
So it will be with all God’s chosen ones. “He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31). Finally, it will come true: “Will not God give justice to his chosen ones, who cry to him day and night?” (Luke 18:7). Yes he will. And everything hidden will come to light.
Revel in this promise. You may feel like a rejected stone for now. But when he comes, he will make you a pillar in the temple of God (Revelation 3:12). He will triumph over every enemy of your soul and you will reign with him — you, the chosen ones. “For he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful” (Revelation 17:14).
Related Resources
- The Doctrines of Grace Are My Life (video)
- How Do I Explain Election over Brunch? (interview)
- The Mystery of Election (lab)
Six ways to cultivate thankfulness and joy
Thankfulness and joy can be cultivated.
As we make gratitude a habit by practicing it over and over, it becomes part of us. Natural. As natural as complaining. And eventually thankfulness will drive out that demon of grumbling and we’ll experience more and more consistent joy. Here are 6 ways to cultivate thankfulness:
Thank God first thing when you wake up.
I once heard someone say as soon as he wakes he thanks God for the gift of sleep and for his protection during the night. I’ve tried to make this a habit too, thanking God for sleep, for protecting our family, for his mercies new every morning, for his steadfast love and faithfulness.
Keep a thankfulness journal.
After my morning Bible reading I take a few minutes to write one page in a moleskine journal of things I’m thankful for. If I can’t think of anything I start with thanks for the weather or a blessing from the day before. Some write things they’re thankful for on Post-it notes and keep them on a bulletin board. Writing helps me focus plus I can go back and recall blessings and thank God for them later.
Thank God for spiritual blessings.
Most of the time we tend to thank God for our temporal blessings, which is great, but God has heaped multitudes of spiritual blessings on us. He’s adopted us as children, given us eternal life, made us one with Christ, delivered us from the dominion of sin, made us joint-heirs with Christ, filled us with his Holy Spirit, given us eternal hope, blessed us with every blessing in the heavenly places, and removed our condemnation forever, just to name a few.
Thank God for material blessings.
For your spouse or parents or friends. For your health, eyesight, hearing, touch and taste. For a sound mind. For your house or apartment, heat, electricity and indoor plumbing. For your job. For children and grandchildren if you have them. Thank God for your church. Thank him for technology and all the medical knowledge and availability of medicine he’s given us in this country. You get the idea.
Thank God for any hard things you’re going through.
We don’t thank God for the evil in a trial, but we can thank him that he’s causing it work for our good, make us like Christ, humble us, teach us to trust him. Thank him for minor annoyances, like the traffic you’re stuck in, the paperwork you have to do, those dishes you need to wash.
Add thanksgiving to your requests and petitions (Philippians 4:6).
Thank God that he hears your prayers, that he’s faithful and a rewarder of those who seek him. Thank him for all the prayers he’s answered in the past.
If you cultivate thankfulness in your life, you’ll find joy growing with it. Thankful people are joyful. A thankful heart makes a glad face. I’m not talking Pollyanna oh-everything’s-great gladness, but deep abiding joy in Christ.
DELUDED!
By Sandy Simpson Deception in the Church Seth Dahl, Bethel Church, Redding, CA: Dahl tells the Bethel Redding congregation of his experience with an enormous angel. Dahl asked the angel his name and then Googled in the angel’s answer. The angel’s name was the same as that of a finance company. Dahl then realized the […]
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A Quiz for Reformation Day
With Reformation Day just around the corner, I thought it might be fun to give our readers an opportunity to take a quick Reformation-related quiz. It’s pretty simple. (Just don’t peek at the answers until after you’ve completed the entire quiz.)
For each of the following 10 quotes, identify whether the statement was written by someone during the Reformation or prior to the Reformation:
1. When was this written?
It is well known that You [O Lord] give to all freely and ungrudgingly. As for Your righteousness, so great is the fragrance it diffuses that You are called not only righteous but even righteousness itself, the righteousness that makes men righteous. Your power to make men righteous is measured by Your generosity in forgiving. Therefore the man who through sorrow for sin hungers and thirsts for righteousness, he will let him trust in the One who changes the sinner into a just man, and, judged righteous in terms of faith alone, have peace with God.
2. When was this written?
And we, too, being called by His will in Christ Jesus, are not justified by ourselves, nor by our own wisdom, or understanding, or godliness, or works which we have wrought in holiness of heart; but by that faith through which, from the beginning, Almighty God has justified all men; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
3. When was this written?
He gave His own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous, the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for them that are mortal. For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God? O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!
4. When was this written?
Trust wholly in Christ, rely altogether on His sufferings, beware of seeking to be justified in any other way than by His righteousness. Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient for salvation, and that without faith it is impossible to please God; that the merit of Christ is able, by itself, to redeem all mankind from hell, and that this sufficiency is to be understood without any other cause concurring.
5. When was this written?
A person is saved by grace, not by works but by faith. There should be no doubt but that faith saves and then lives by doing its own works, so that the works which are added to salvation by faith are not those of the law but a different kind of thing altogether.
6. When was this written?
But what is the “law of faith?” It is, being saved by grace. Here he shows God’s power, in that He has not only saved, but has even justified, and led them to boasting, and this too without needing works, but looking for faith only.
7. When was this written?
To have brought humanity, more senseless than stones, to the dignity of angels simply through bare words, and faith alone, without any hard work, is indeed a rich and glorious mystery. It is just as if one were to take a dog, quite consumed with hunger and the mange, foul and loathsome to see, and not so much as able to move but lying passed out, and make him all at once into a human being and to display him upon the royal throne.
8. When was this written?
Now, having duly considered and weighed all these circumstances and testimonies, we conclude that a man is not justified by the precepts of a holy life, but by faith in Jesus Christ—in a word, not by the law of works, but by the law of faith; not by the letter, but by the spirit; not by the merits of deeds, but by free grace.
9. When was this written?
It is determined by God that whoever believes in Christ shall be saved and have forgiveness of sins, not through works but through faith alone, without merit.
10. When was this written?
All we bring to grace is our faith. But even in this faith, divine grace itself has become our enabler. For [Paul] adds, “And this is not of yourselves but it is a gift of God; not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8–9). It is not of our own accord that we have believed, but we have come to belief after having been called; and even when we had come to believe, He did not require of us purity of life, but approving mere faith, God bestowed on us forgiveness of sins.
Congratulations. You made it to the end of the quiz.
Now the moment of truth . . .
The Answers
The reality is the all 10 of the above statements were written prior to the Reformation. None of them come from the Reformers, even though the Reformers would have wholeheartedly agreed with everything that is stated above.
That is because the Reformers weren’t trying to invent new doctrine. Rather, they were committed to the recovery of gospel themes that had been championed by prior generations of believers.
For those of you looking for more specific citations, here is where each of the above ten quotes can be found:
1. Bernard of Clairvaux (12th century), On the Song of Songs, II, Sermon 22, 8.
2. Clement of Rome. (Late 1st century), First Epistle to the Corinthians, 32.4.
3. Anonymous (2nd century), Epistle to Digonetus 9, 2–5; ANF 1:28; cited from Thomas Oden, The Justification Reader, 65.
4. John Wycliffe (14th century), The Writings of the Reverend and Learned John Wycliff (London: The Religious Tract Society, 1847), 41.
5. Didymus the Blind (4th century), Commentary on James, 2:26b.
6. John Chrysostom (4th/5th century), Homilies on Romans, Homily 7 on Romans 3:27.
7. John Chrysostom (4th/5th century), Homilies on Colossians 1:26–28; Cited from Joel C. Elowsky, We Believe in the Holy Spirit, 98.
8. Augustine (4th/5th century), On the Spirit and the Letter, 22.
9. Amrosiaster (4th century), Commentary on 1 Corinthians 1.4; cited from Joel C. Elowsky, We Believe in the Holy Spirit, 97.
10. Theodoret,of Cyrus (5th century), Interpretation of the Fourteen Epistles of Paul; FEF 3:248–49, sec. 2163; cited from Thomas Oden, The Justification Reader, 44.
So how’d you do? Were you surprised?
Check out
Blogs
7 Ways Women Can Grow in Studying and Teaching Scripture without Seminary | Nancy Guthrie
Nancy Guthrie’s answer to this question: “I haven’t been to seminary or received any formal theological training. I’m grateful for all God has taught me over the years through the ministry of the Word on Sunday mornings and in Bible studies in my church, but I often feel inadequate to teach the Bible to others, even though I want to (and others have encouraged me to). What resources are there for theological training I’d be able to use as a non-seminarian—and one who cannot go to seminary at this stage in my life?”
Strong Families Mean Richer States | The Federalist
New research shows people who live in locales that have more married-parent families also enjoy higher incomes and economic mobility overall.
Indulging Transgender Fantasies Makes Them Worse | The Federalist
“Here is the truth I lived. No matter what surgery or hormones one takes, his or her biology, neurology, and genetic composition remain the same, just like that of my dad’s. Yes, he called himself Becky. But my dad was male. He was a son, husband, and father.”
Eight Life-Changing Things Someone Taught Me | Sayable
“There have been seven or eight lessons I have learned over the course of my life that have altered my thinking in profound ways.”
Seminary. Be Here! | Gentle Reformation
Barry York makes the case for on-campus learning as opposed to distance learning.
The Grief, Happiness, and Hope of Late-in-Life Singleness | Her.meneutics
“Over the decades, I have attended countless bridal showers, wedding ceremonies, baby showers, and anniversary parties. Again and again, I celebrated my friends’ milestones while waiting for my own happy ending. Then this year, on my 58th birthday, I bought my wedding dress. Finally, my wait was over.”
Kevin DeYoung Appointed to RTS Faculty
Reformed Theological Seminary has appointed Kevin DeYoung as chancellor’s professor of systematic and historical theology as of January 1, 2016. Kevin will teach at RTS while he continues as senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing Michigan . The position of chancellor’s faculty is designed to provide for a professor to teach at multiple RTS campuses benefitting a greater number of students.
Kindle Books
The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World by Steve Nichols $2.99.
John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor by Robert Godfrey $2.99.
The Grand Weaver: How God Shapes Us Through the Events of Our Lives by Ravi Zacharias $2.99.
The Power of Rest: Why Sleep Alone Is Not Enough. A 30-Day Plan to Reset Your Body by Matthew Edlund $2.99.
Recommended New Book
Worshipping with Calvin by Terry Johnson. Been out for a few months now, but well worth a look.
Video
Justified by Faith Alone: New Teaching Series by R C Sproul
So, so good to see Dr. Sproul back to his teaching in this new video series. I love the setting for this. You can watch the first episode free and buy the DVD here.
Links I like
Kindle deals for Christian readers
Four books by R.C. Sproul are on sale for $1.99
God’s Love, also by Sproul, is free through the end of the day. The Dark Side of Islam, co-authored by Sproul and Abdul Saleeb, is $2.99. Also on sale are:
- Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem—$7.99
- Historical Theology by Greg Allison—$7.99
- Raising Children in Blended Families by Maxine Marsolini—Free
Eight Life-Changing Things Someone Taught Me
Lore Wilbert:
There have been seven or eight lessons I have learned over the course of my life that have altered my thinking in profound ways. They have become markers of what Paul calls, “Glory to glory.” They marked a step forward, not in closer or better union with Christ, but in closer and better understanding of him. Today I thought of sharing them briefly with you.
Why Christians Should Speak Openly About Their Struggles
David Qauod:
How can someone bear your burdens if you don’t tell them? And how can you bear someone else’s burdens if they don’t tell you?
You are not a burden. Your problems are. And if you’re in a good church, their will be people around to help carry the load as you likewise help carry theirs. God has set things up to where we need one another.
Mission Agencies Send No One
Darren Carlson:
There is a big difference between a church that “has” missionaries (like a budget item) and a church that sends missionaries. Sending is purposeful and should be done with care. “Having” seems to indicate the missionaries owe you something for being part of your church.
Cyril of Jerusalem, Ron Swanson, and the catholicity of the church
Scott Swain:
In the Nicene Creed we confess that the church is “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.” Of these four marks, the third mark–the catholicity of the church–is probably the most susceptible to misunderstanding among evangelical Protestants.The catholicity of the church, according to common Protestant confession, concerns the “universality” of the church. Under the authority and blessing of her risen Messiah, the church is commanded to make disciples of “all nations” through Word and sacrament (Matt 28.18-20) so that a chorus composed of every tribe, tongue, and nation may with one voice offer praise to God and to the Lamb (Rev 5.9-10).But the catholicity of the church is about more than just the multi-national nature of its membership. The catholicity of the church also refers to the “wholeness” of its doctrine and virtue.
A La Carte (October 27)
Today’s Kindle deals include a lot of R.C. Sproul: The Promises of God ($1.99); How Then Shall We Worship? ($1.99); Pleasing God ($1.99); The Work of Christ ($2.99); and The Dark Side of Islam ($2.99). It’s never the wrong time to read an R.C. Sproul book! Also, Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology and Gregg Allison’s accompanying Historical Theology are both marked way down at $7.99.
A Praying Man
This is beautiful: “It is a blessing to my heart to know that this father in the faith is storming heaven on my behalf day by day, that I need only to drop him a note with a particular request and he is sure to take it to the Lord.” Don’t we all want a praying man or woman in our lives?
Bedeviled by My Wife’s Dementia
Douglas Groothuis writes movingly about his wife’s dementia and his deep struggles in and through it.
The Neglected Pastoral Priority
Brian Croft says (rightly no doubt) that prayer is the most commonly neglected pastoral priority. “Ironically, a pastor can be so busy caring for his people that he never makes time to stop and pray for them.”
Eight Life-Changing Things Someone Taught Me
Lore shares eight important lessons she has learned along the way.
This Day in 1978. Today marks 37 years since the New International Version (NIV) Bible was first published. *
Can a Word Be a Punctuation Mark?
I love these articles. In this one Bill Mounce asks whether it is okay to translate a Greek word with an English punctuation mark.
The Cowboy and The Shepherd
Southern Seminary: “Enjoy this brief glance into the life of Southern Seminary Alumnus, Texas Pastor John Powell, who’s learned how to be both a cowboy and a shepherd.”
And, while we’re on the subject of Southern Seminary, you may be interested to note that today Al Mohler has a new book, a new (or redesigned, at least) web site, and a new app.
Featured Blogs
The Daily Discovery (October 27, 2015)
ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:
(Click title to go to full article)
More Than Two Thirds of Patients on Anti-Depressants Not Depressed – “The studies almost exactly mirror some placebo studies which usually find about 60-70% of people prescribed with a placebo do just as well as those given an anti-depressant. No wonder, if 70% of them never met the criteria for depression. As usual, many with their own agendas have jumped on this news to continue their campaign against all medication for mental illness. Such knee-jerk reactions forget or ignore that the statistics still leave 30% who have been accurately diagnosed with depression, many of whom do benefit greatly from medication.”
Keller, Piper, and Carson on Why the Reformation Matters Today – “In 1517 a young monk and theology professor named Martin Luther nailed 95 theses to a German church door—and the world has never been the same. Protestants mark this anniversary every October 31st, and TGC will devote its entire 2017 National Conference to remembering and celebrating the 500th anniversary of this momentous event. But what meaning does the Reformation have for us today? What is its ongoing relevance our lives and ministries? TGC president Don Carson kicks off a new roundtable video discussion with this question.”
We Cannot Be Silent (Review) – “It takes no courage to write a book that simply drifts and bobs along in the cultural mainstream. It takes no courage to say the things that are already popular in the world around us. But to stand firm on ideas, on truths, that people despise—now, that takes courage. In that way Albert Mohler’s We Cannot Be Silent is a genuinely courageous work. It closely and critically examines the defining moral issues of our day—sex, gender, and sexuality—and stands firm on the unpopular, traditional, biblical viewpoints.”
We Cannot Be Silent – “We look out on the horizon around us and realize that our culture has been radically changed. In this case, the storm is a vast moral revolution, and that revolution is not even close to its conclusion. In fact, there will likely be no conclusion to this moral revolution within our lifetimes, or the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren.”
On the Need for Dispensational Publishing House – “As the editor in chief of this new outlet for theological information called Dispensational Publishing House, you would expect me to write in glowing terms about the pressing need for an innovative company that will serve as a repository for the best in contemporary dispensational thought. You would presume that I would describe with exuberance how we hope to obtain the best authors to write noteworthy tomes—meanwhile giving novice authors the opportunity of breaking in with a blog.”
SERMON:
John MacArthur – We Will Not Bow
VIDEOS:
Train Up a Child In the Way He Should Go?
The Roman Catholic Response to Truth: Pray to Mary
“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus. It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur
Christian Headlines Daily – Tuesday, October 27, 2015
http://www.christianheadlines.com/
Top Headlines
High School Principal No Longer to Speak at Prayer Event after Complaints from Atheist Group
Woman Bishop: God Should Not be Referred to as Male or Female
Trump and Carson: Presbyterian Versus Seventh Day Adventist
The Five Best Husbands in the Bible
Teen Mania Loses Half its Independent Board Members
Mike Huckabee: Gun Dealers Should Not Comply with Obama’s Gun Control Policies
Mexican Residents Give Thanks to God for Lessened Impact of Hurricane Patricia
‘Don’t Ignore God, and Don’t Go Through Life Centred Only on Yourself’—Billy Graham
Newly Released Inspirational Film ‘Woodlawn’ an Audience Favorite
Anti-secrecy Site Releases Abortion Industry Videos Despite Gag Order
Opinion
Marijuana Madness: The Negative Effects of Weed
Why Aren’t Young People Getting Married in Church?
Back to Bible Basics: The Worldview Bible at Colsoncenter.org
Having Courage in the Face of an Anti-Christian Culture
Athletes and Spiritual Legacy: Faith Passed Down Through the Generations
READING: Luke 14-15
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: I’ve always been amazed by how much we celebrate the birth of a baby and how little we celebrate the re-birth of a lost sinner. We sponsor baby showers, give gifts, throw parties, make announcements, and send pictures when a baby is born. When someone is born again, though, we offer a handshake — and perhaps a round of applause.
Compare that approach to the celebrating Jesus described in the three parables in Luke 15:
Luke 15:6 ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my lost sheep!’
Luke 15:9 ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the silver coin I lost!’
Luke 15:32 ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
Celebrate — a lost sinner has come to God. Celebrate — a person destined for hell has been redirected toward heaven. Celebrate — a dying person has been given new life. Sometimes it feels like we’re more like the older son in the parable of the prodigal son (upset that we didn’t get a party) than like those who celebrated when something lost was found.
It would do us good to celebrate more when salvation is evidenced in front of us. Throw a party (literally). Give good gifts (a new Bible, a devotional, a journal, a Christian CD). Invite others to celebrate, too. Share testimonies.
The grace of God that provides eternal life is worth celebrating.
ACTION STEPS: Consider throwing a party in your home to celebrate God’s grace. Invite a few believers, and ask them to share their salvation stories. Rejoice together — and then go tell others.
PRAYER: “God, thank You for loving me enough to send my friend many years ago to tell me about Jesus. Thank You for allowing me to return to my Creator. Help me to celebrate salvation today.”
Our Time is Short
What is The Gospel?
God made everything out of nothing, including you and me. His main purpose in creation was to bring him pleasure.
The chief way in which we as humanity do this is through loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
Instead of this, we have sinned against our loving Creator and acted in high-handed rebellion.
God has vowed that he will righteously and lovingly judge sinners with eternal death.
But God, being merciful, loving, gracious, and just, sent his own son, Jesus Christ, in the likeness of man to live as a man; fulfilling his perfect requirements in the place of sinners; loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
And further, his son bore the eternal judgment of God upon the cross of Calvary, as he satisfied the eternal anger of God, standing in the place of sinners. God treated Jesus as a sinner, though he was perfectly sinless, that he might declare sinners as perfect.
This glorious transaction occurs as the sinner puts their faith (dependence, trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ as their substitute. God then charges Christ’s perfection to the sinner, and no longer views him as an enemy but instead an adopted son covered in the perfect righteousness of his son.
God furnished proof that this sacrifice was accepted by raising Jesus from the dead.
God will judge the world in righteousness and all of those who are not covered in the righteousness of Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, will be forced to stand on their own to bear the eternal anger of God.
Therefore, all must turn from sin and receive Christ Jesus as Lord.
What Is the Gospel?
There is no greater message to be heard than that which we call the gospel. But as important as that is, it is often given to massive distortions or over simplifications. People think they’re preaching the gospel to you when they tell you, ‘you can have a purpose to your life’, or that ‘you can have meaning to your life’, or that ‘you can have a personal relationship with Jesus.’ All of those things are true, and they’re all important, but they don’t get to the heart of the gospel.
The gospel is called the ‘good news’ because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not. And at the end of my life, I’m going to stand before a just and holy God, and I’ll be judged. And I’ll be judged either on the basis of my own righteousness–or lack of it –or the righteousness of another. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
The great misconception in our day is this: that God isn’t concerned to protect His own integrity. He’s a kind of wishy-washy deity, who just waves a wand of forgiveness over everybody. No. For God to forgive you is a very costly matter. It cost the sacrifice of His own Son. So valuable was that sacrifice that God pronounced it valuable by raising Him from the dead – so that Christ died for us, He was raised for our justification. So the gospel is something objective. It is the message of who Jesus is and what He did. And it also has a subjective dimension. How are the benefits of Jesus subjectively appropriated to us? How do I get it? The Bible makes it clear that we are justified not by our works, not by our efforts, not by our deeds, but by faith–and by faith alone. The only way you can receive the benefit of Christ’s life and death is by putting your trust in Him–and in Him alone. You do that, you’re declared just by God, you’re adopted into His family, you’re forgiven of all of your sins, and you have begun your pilgrimage for eternity.
Ready to start your new life with God?
Who do you think that I am?
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well.
Consider what the Bible says about Him: Read more
Resource Links
CanIKnowGod.com is a website inspired by LifesGreatestQuestion.com, with new content, images, audio and video that will help you understand more about who God is and how to know Him. The site is mobile responsive and has an infinite scroll which makes for a very user-friendly experience. After you indicate a decision on CanIKnowGod.com, you are directed to a page that details what it means to have a new and transformed life through Jesus Christ. There’s even a Facebook page for daily updates, encouragement and scripture sharing.
Look to Jesus
Have you ever felt a little lost and wished there was a quick-start guide to your relationship with God? This is it!
30 Day Next Steps
John Beckett, a leading Christian businessman, has written a series to read over 30 days for new believers.
New Believers Guide
The New Believer’s Guide is a series of articles designed to show you how to walk in the new life Christ has given you— a life of faith and freedom.
Jesus Booklet
Jesus is the Savior of the world. Discover who Jesus is today in this series.
About Christianity
Know Jesus Christ and your life will be transformed
Truth2Freedom Blog Disclaimer
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(Alternative News, Apologetics, Current Events, Commentary, Opinion, Theology, Discernment Blog, Devotionals, Christian Internet Evangelism & Missions Activist).
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— Augustine
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October 27, 2015 US and World Briefing Report
Oct. 27, 2015
BLOOMBERG
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration picked the NoVo Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded by billionaire investor Warren Buffett, to redevelop a former prison in New York City into a building for groups that advocate women’s equality.
The U.S. plans to sell millions of barrels of crude oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve from 2018 until 2025 under a budget deal reached on Monday night by the White House and top lawmakers from both parties. The proceeds will be “deposited into the general fund of the Treasury,” according to the bill.
Iran has extended its military support to Syria to include training, recruitment assistance and help to revamp its army, following a request from President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a senior Iranian military official said.
Home prices in 20 U.S. cities rose at a faster pace in the year ended August, a sign the industry continues to strengthen on improving demand. The S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values climbed 5.1 percent from August 2014 after rising 4.9 percent in the year ended in July
Orders for business equipment unexpectedly declined in September as tepid global markets gave American companies little reason to expand. Bookings for non-military capital goods excluding aircraft dropped 0.3 percent after a 1.6 percent August decrease that was twice as large as previously estimated.
South Korea plans to raise defense spending by 4 percent next year, more than the average for the entire budget, as President Park Geun Hye sees stepped up military readiness as a way to pressure North Korea to seek dialogue.
The majority of Brazilians forecast Latin America’s biggest economy won’t recover from the current crisis for at least another three years.
China said it will take “all necessary measures” to defend its territory after the U.S. sailed a warship through waters claimed by China in the disputed South China Sea, a move the government in Beijing called a threat to peace and stability in Asia.
AP Top Stories
House GOP leaders struck a budget deal made with the White House just before midnight Monday aimed at averting a government shutdown and forestalling a debt crisis.
US archaeologists in Greece have uncovered the skeleton of an ancient warrior that has lain undisturbed for more than 3,500 years along with a huge hoard of treasure, the Greek culture ministry announced Monday.
China is actively building up its armed forces and they would be strong enough by 2020 to launch an invasion of Taiwan, a military report said Tuesday.
Fiat Chrysler is recalling nearly 94,000 2015 Jeep Cherokees because the air conditioning lines are too close to the exhaust manifold and could catch fire.
A rural Kentucky school district canceled classes for a second straight day Tuesday as authorities searched for a fugitive accused of shooting at law officers in two states.
The Persian Gulf could soon become too hot for human survival because of climate change, a study released Monday shows. Extreme heat waves more intense than anything experienced so far on Earth will hit Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Doha, Qatar, and coastal cities in Iran starting in 2070 if climate trends continue, the study found.
The Japanese government Tuesday overturned a move by Okinawa’s governor to stop work on a US base relocation site, marking the latest fight in a long-running battle over the controversial project.
An unmanned NASA spacecraft is about to make its deepest dive ever into the icy spray emanating from the underwater ocean on Saturn’s moon, Enceladus.
BBC
Islamic State militants have killed three captives in Syria’s ancient city of Palmyra by tying them to columns and blowing them up, activists say. But they are thought to be the first to have been killed in that way since the jihadist group seized the ruins in May.
The deputy director of the National Security Agency (NSA), Richard Ledgett, has warned of the increasing danger of destructive cyber-attacks by states. He told the BBC: “If you are connected to the internet, you are vulnerable to determined nation-state attackers.” He said nations would need to identify red lines that should not be crossed.
About 1,000 Bikini islanders have applied to relocate to the United States as rising seas threaten their adopted home.
The president of the European Council has warned that the migrant crisis could threaten the cohesion of the EU.
The European Parliament has voted against a set of rules intended to safeguard “net neutrality” in the EU.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has confirmed that the Turkish military has attacked Kurdish fighters in northern Syria.
At least one person has been killed and a dozen others injured in a suicide attack in Saudi Arabia.
WND
The chairman of the American online retailer Overstock, Jonathan Johnson – who’s also running for governor of Utah – said his company is so sure a financial collapse is on the way, the firm’s leading executives have accumulated and set aside about $10 million in gold and silver coins to cover the costs of payroll and keep both employees and operations in the black.
The United States will attract another 100 million more immigrants over the next 50 years, driven by a huge spurt of legally-admitted “spouses” who can then sponsor foreign family members to become Americans, according to a comprehensive new immigration report.
Top News – 10/27/2015
Pair of Tropical Threats in Indian Ocean, India, Oman and Yemen on Alert
The North Indian Ocean is now entering its second peak of the tropical season. This surge occurs during the months of October and November, following a period of less activity during the monsoon season that started in late May.
Public health scare as killer ANTHRAX disease found in Britain
Scientists in hazard suits cordoned off a large area of land and referred several people for medical check-ups after receiving confirmation the killer disease had resurfaced. It is the first confirmed case of Anthrax reported in Britain since 2006.
Islamic invasion pulls trigger: Europe now scrambles for guns
A Czech TV report confirms that long guns – shotguns and rifles – have been flying off the shelves in Austria, and Austrians who haven’t already purchased a gun may not have a chance to get one for some time. They’re all sold out. And those arming themselves are primarily women.
Trump: My Presbyterians Better Than Ben Carson’s Seventh-Day Adventists
“I spend just as much time in non-Seventh-day Adventist churches because I’m not convinced that the denomination is the most important thing,” he told Religion News Service in 1999. “I think it’s the relationship with God that’s most important.”
‘Strategic depopulation’ of Syria likely cause of EU refugee crisis – Assange
Transparency organization WikiLeaks has looked through its diplomatic cables and unearthed “an interesting speculation about the refugee movement,” Assange said in an interview with Geek news site, ThePressProject. “So, the speculation was this: Occasionally opponents of a country would engage in strategic depopulation, which is to decrease the fighting capacity of a government,” he explained.
Tony Blair partially apologizes for role in Iraq War
Former UK Prime Minister says he is sorry for using wrong intelligence and creating opportunity for ISIS, but does not regret his actions.
Syrian presidency says ‘terrorism’ must be eliminated before initiatives
The Syrian presidency said on Tuesday the state would welcome any political solution approved by the Syrian people that preserves national unity, but added that no initiative could be carried out before “the elimination of terrorism”.
Volcanic activity worldwide 26 Oct 2015
Soputan volcano, Dukono, Turrialba, Tungurahua, Batu Tara, …
Doctor’s outrage at ‘refugees pushing German hospitals to breaking point’
The female anaesthetist said the German health service has been completely overwhelmed by the influx of Muslim asylum-seekers who are REFUSING to be treated by female medics. In a furious outburst the experienced doctor said hospitals simply cannot cope because so many of the migrants require treatments for diseases long since eradicated in Europe.
HALLOWEEN ASTEROID
An asteroid the size of a battleship will fly past the Earth-Moon system on Oct. 31st.
SOLAR SECTOR BOUNDARY CROSSING
High-latitude auroras are possible on Oct. 29th when Earth crosses through a fold in the heliospheric current sheet. This is called a “solar sector boundary crossing,” and NOAA forecasters estimate a 30% chance of polar geomagnetic storms when it occurs.
Venus, Jupiter and Mars line up for skyline spectacle
Venus, Jupiter and Mars can all be seen together in the sky this week, in a rare grouping of the three planets. The planetary conjunction – in which planets “line up” due to the timing of their orbits around the Sun – has been visible for days and will continue until at least the end of the week. The planets are best seen before sunrise and will form a particularly neat triangle on Thursday.
EU parliament set to vote on net neutrality rules
The European parliament will take a key vote on Tuesday on rules affecting how internet traffic is managed. MEPs are considering a new set of rules for telecoms companies inside the EU. The plan could have major implications for net neutrality, where traffic is not slowed down or priced differently because of its content or origin.
Turkey confirms shelling Kurdish fighters in Syria
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has confirmed that the Turkish military has attacked Kurdish fighters in northern Syria. The Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) said Turkey shot at its forces in the town of Tal Abyad on Sunday. The YPG has been a key ally of the US in fighting the so-called Islamic State (IS) group in Syria.
US Navy destroyer passes disputed China islands
A US Navy ship has sailed close to artificial islands built by China in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, US defence officials have said. Guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen breached the 12-nautical mile zone China claims around Subi and Mischief reefs in the Spratly archipelago. The freedom of navigation operation represents a serious challenge to China’s territorial claims.
Afghanistan-Pakistan quake: Rescue efforts expanded
Rescue efforts are being stepped up to help those affected by the magnitude-7.5 earthquake which hit remote areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday. More than 300 people are known to have died, most of them in Pakistan, and at least 2,000 were injured. Rescue teams have been sent to remote mountainous areas where the impact of the quake is still unclear.
‘Messianic Hotovely should be fired for her Temple Mount comments’
Days after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured the world…Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely clarified comments she made…saying they reflected her own personal position… On Monday morning, the Likud lawmaker said in an interview on the Knesset Channel that her “dream is to see the Israel flag flying over the Temple Mount. This is the holiest place for the Jewish people.”
Temple Mount agreement won’t lead to immediate calm
The understandings reached between US Secretary of State Kerry, Prime Minister Netanyahu and King Abdullah in Jordan could definitely contribute to a change in atmosphere, but their actual impact on the wave of terror will only be seen later this week.
Heading for Britain: ISIS sends ASSASSINS into UN refugee camps to murder Christians
ISLAMIC STATE (ISIS) assassins are infiltrating refugee camps and MURDERING Christians in their beds, it was claimed today. The fanatical jihadis are sending teams of trained killers into camps disguised as refugees to kidnap and kill vulnerable Christians. But refugees are terrified to report many of the killings in case they are targeted next, according to aid workers. The horrifying tactic emerged after one terrorist got cold feet and renounced jihad after witnessing Christians helping out other refugees within the camp.
Our Youth Need to Be Told
The wise thinkers of history have always understood that political systems are the products of our conception of truth and justice. Since 1776, we in America have believed that a just political system must be based upon a concept of rights, and government must be enshrined as a protector of those rights. This, as the Declaration of Independence states so eloquently, is the purpose of government.
Of course: Justice Department will file no charges against Lois Lerner
I suppose there was no other way this could have ended. The Obama-era Justice Department does not exist to enforce the laws on the books except to the extent that doing so is politically helpful to Democrats, so just as her predecessor Eric Holder would have done, Attorney General Loretta Lynch has declined to bring any charges against Lois Lerner for using her position at the IRS to harass nonprofit conservative groups.
Media’s bet: You don’t care that Hillary lied to you about a terrorist attack
It’s a curious world we’re living in when the media can declare Hillary Clinton triumphant after a day of questioning in which it was proved beyond all doubt that she knowingly lied about the terrorist attack in Benghazi, and in which she chuckled on live television about Ambassador Christopher Stevens’s desperate attempts to get more security at the compound – attempts that failed because of her, resulting in his murder.
Report: IRS Obtains Stingray Surveillance Equipment
The Internal Revenue Service is now among the more than dozen federal agencies that have sophisticated cellphone dragnet equipment known as Stingray, the Guardian reports. The evidence of the potentially invasive equipment comes just days after the IRS escaped legal culpability for secretly targeting conservative groups for extra scrutiny.
Jordan’s delicate but pivotal role on the Temple Mount
With eighty percent of its citizens claiming to be Palestinian, and many claiming that Jordan is Palestine, the king has to balance a delicate pivotal role.When all strands of Palestinian political society came together in a deadly incitement based on religion radiating out from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem it left many dead on both sides of the religious divide – Jewish Israelis who were the prime target of Islam-motivated Palestinians.
It’s not global warming but One World Government that’s gobbling society
Politicians like Obama and Trudeau, and pontiffs like Pope Francis are lying to you. This world is not about to be consumed by out-of-control global warming/climate change, but by progressives hanging the noose of One World Government around society.
The Vindication of Reed Irvine
When Reed Irvine started Accuracy in Media, he was hoping that the public would begin to question the sources of news and information. His mission to educate the public about liberal media bias has been so successful that, as Mike Flynn notes in a perceptive piece at Breitbart, candidates like Donald Trump and Ben Carson surge when they are attacked by the media. Many regard media attacks as proof that the candidate is saying something that is politically incorrect and therefore makes political sense.
Islam and 9/11 Not Connected, 12-Year-Olds Taught in America
How stealth Jihad gets at our kids.Parents in Illinois are outraged that a public school there is painting a positive picture of Islam and teaching impressionable young students that Islam bears no responsibility for the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
Top Headlines – 10/27/2015
Israel Air Force strikes Gaza targets following rocket attack on South
20,000 Israelis sue Facebook over incitement to violence by Palestinians
Israel developing app to call for help in event of terror attack
US warns against PM’s idea of revoking residency for some Jerusalem Arabs
State Department Cracks Down on Israel Travel Amid Violence
US says it would be concerned if Palestinian travel rights curbed
Netanyahu: Like Rabin would have, we must battle terrorism with all our might
Iranian general: Israel’s collapse may come in less than a quarter of a century
Israel hopes to coordinate Temple Mount camera installation ‘as soon as possible’
With secret prayers, Jews challenge ‘status quo’ at Jerusalem holy site
Christians in Bethlehem Endure Through Deadly Persecution
Israeli medics risk all to render aid to casualties of Syria’s civil war
Syrian rebels to Russia: Stop bombing us
At least two dead in suicide attack at Saudi mosque
Shia Muslims slash and whip themselves to mourn the death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson
Iranian aggression since Obama nuclear deal looms as 2016 headache for Democrats
U.S. Navy to send destroyer within 12 miles of Chinese islands
Contraband-carrying drone crashes at Oklahoma State Penitentiary
Drones Getting Badly Needed Air Traffic Control
IRS possessed Stingray cellphone surveillance gear, documents reveal
Facebook accused of ‘secretly lobbying’ for cyber bill
Google Turning Its Lucrative Web Search Over to AI Machines
Don’t miss the last supermoon of 2015
More than 250 dead as magnitude-7.5 earthquake shakes Afghanistan, Pakistan and India
Deadly Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake Causes Landslide at Historic Suspension Bridge in Pakistan
5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Lambasa, Fiji
5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Sikabaluan, Indonesia
5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Putre, Chile
Cotopaxi volcano in Ecuador erupts to 30,000ft
Sheveluch volcano on Kamchatka, Russia erupts to 25,000ft
Tungurahua volcano in Ecuador erupts to 22,000ft
Ruiz volcano in Colombia erupts to 18,000ft
Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts to 17,000ft
Reventador volcano in Ecuador erupts to 15,000ft
Hundreds of Floodwater Rescues Across Texas
Global bishops call for ‘complete decarbonisation’ by 2050
2 Infants Die & 28 Injured After Measles Vaccines in Kenya
Wedded ‘Throuples’ Coming to America
Chicago Weekend Violence Leaves 5 Dead, 17 wounded Including 15-Year-Old Girl
Thinking of voting for Ben Carson? Here’s what you need to know about his SDA beliefs
When a False Teacher Calls America “Israel”
Atheists embarrassed: study proves atheism uses less brain function
Frontrunning: October 27
- Hilsenrath – The Fed Strives for a Clear Signal on Interest Rates (Read More)
- Tentative Budget Deal Reached, Raising Debt Limit (Read More)
- China Calls U.S. Challenge Over Island Threat to Regional Peace (Read More)
- UK economy slows more than expected in third quarter (Read More)
- In China’s Alleyways, Underground Banks Move Money (Read More)
- Inside the Secretive Circle That Rules a $14 Trillion Market (Read More)
- A Frustrated Koch Brother Decides It’s Time to ‘Spout Off’ (Read More)
- Thiel, Soros Said to Lead $25 Million Investment in TruMid (Read More)
- BP shrinks further to weather extended oil slump (Read More)
- Iran’s Man in New York Is Hunting for Billions of Dollars (Read More)
- Alibaba revenue rises 32 percent, beating expectations (Read More)
- Oil Market May Need to Wait Until 2016 for Iran Supply Boost (Read More)
- New way to bet on oil wipes out billions in investor savings (Read More)
- China army says West trying to ‘falsify’ Communist Party history (Read More)
- Japan Post Holdings Climbs 5% Before Debut in Tokyo Next Week (Read More)
- Youth arrested in Northern Ireland over TalkTalk hack bailed (Read More)
The Briefing
1) Cultural cleansing of religious roots from Western civilization drying out morality
In Defense of Christendom, Wall Street Journal (Brett Stephens)
2) Resurgent paganism in Europe, Japan replaces vacuum of secularism
Norway Has a New Passion: Ghost Hunting, New York Times (Andrew Higgins)
Big in Iceland: Paganism, The Atlantic (Uri Friedman)
In ‘non-religious’ Japan, the shrine can still exert a pull, Christian Science Monitor (Michael Holtz)
3) Baby Hitler discussion reveals inherent need for a common moral framework
The Ethics of Killing Baby Hitler, The Atlantic (Matt Ford)
In other news…
Afghanistan and Pakistan Hit by Huge Earthquake, New York Times (Mujib Mahal and Salman Masood)
Evangelicals Discover Moral Ambiguity on the Death Penalty, Atlantic (Robert P. Jones)
Are Smartphones Making Christianity Too Convenient?, Christianity Today (Kaitlyn Schiess)
All Cultures are Mine, Federalist (David Marcus)
Why I Identify as Mammal, New York Times (Randy Laist)
It’s not marriage equality until same-sex parents both appear on birth certificates, Guardian (Camilla Taylor and Kyle Palazzolo)
Caitlyn Jenner Can’t Be Woman Of The Year The Federalist (Nicole Russell)
How Christians Can Flourish in a Same-Sex-Marriage World Christianity Today (Michael Gerson and Peter Wehner)
Highly religious Americans are less likely than others to see conflict between faith and science. Pew Research Center (Cary Funk and Becka A. Alper)
Review: ‘Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’ New York Times (Jennifer Senior)
Notorious RBG: The Supreme Court Justice Turned Cultural Icon NPR (Nina Totenberg)
Jihadists Make U.N. Camps Hellish Nightmare For Christians
The United Nations refugee camps that will be sending 85,000 “displaced persons” to the United States over the next year for permanent resettlement are infested with jihadists who target and kill Christian refugees, according to a U.N. aid worker who spoke to a British newspaper. The jihadists are sending teams of trained killers into U.N. camps disguised as refugees to kidnap and kill vulnerable Christians…………. Click here for full story
Goodbye Middle Class: 51 Percent Of All American Workers Make Less Than 30,000 Dollars A Year
We just got more evidence that the middle class in America is dying. According to brand new numbers that were just released by the Social Security Administration, 51 percent of all workers in the United States make less than $30,000 a year. Let that number sink in for a moment. You can’t support a middle class family in America today on just $2,500 a month – especially after taxes are taken out. ………….. Click here for full story
Revealed: LGBT Nuclear Bomb Against Churches
So the Supreme Court has established “same-sex marriage,” and that will quiet the LGBT crowd, because, after all, they got what they wanted, right? Not even close. The current “Equality Act” before Congress would gut the 1993 federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act so LGBT-based discrimination complaints could be brought against churches that follow the Bible, which teaches homosexual behavior is a sin...…….. Click here for full story
New Astronomy Findings Challenge Big Bang Theory
Researchers from the field of astronomy have recently announced what is described to be a ‘truly monstrous’ structure, consisting of a ring of galaxies around 5 billion light-years across. Dr. Lajos Balazs led the team of astronomers that discovered the ring of galaxies and commented: “If we are right, this structure contradicts the current models of the universe…It was a huge surprise to find something this big—and we still don’t quite understand how it came to exist at all.”..……….. Click here for full story
The McAvany Intel Memo
American medicine isn’t about your health. It’s about money (big money) and control. As we have written in earlier issues of MIA, the global socialists believe that in order to completely control the people and usher in their global government, they must control: 1) all food production (and distribution); 2) all money and finances (i.e., the entire financial system); 3) all communications; 4) all travel and people movement; and germane to this article, 5) all health and medical services. Some people say that Obamacare was the first major government action with health control as its primary purpose, but there has actually been a gradual takeover during the past 100 years. Obamacare simply forced the takeover to a new level – a much higher one. Unfortunately, this takeover isn’t occurring only in America. The desire to control people’s health is a global goal for the internationalists. We’ve detailed much of this in past issues, giving special attention to Codex Alimentarius.
In case you missed those articles, Codex is an international movement to destroy alternative health, including supplements, and complete the government takeover of the global health system. This movement has taken giant strides since the passage of Obamacare. As you’ll see in this issue, the war against alternate medical treatment, supplements, etc. is growing larger and bolder. Those prosecuting the war are no longer hiding their actions. They’re simply calling them “actions for the public good.” It’s obvious from the facts that the public good is the least of their concerns. Political gain and absolute control are their goals.
(Excerpt from McAlvany Intelligence Advisor, June 2015)
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Now Billy Graham Warns To Prepare for Persecution Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:33 AM PDT ( Billy Graham ) In the event of a national catastrophe, much confusion, terror and consternation would reign. What would the Christian do? What should our attitude be? Which way would we turn if the country in which we live were suddenly wrecked and all the props gone? As a whole, our nation does not know what privation is. We do not know what sacrifice is. We do not know what suffering is. Suppose persecution were to come to the church in America, as it has come in other countries. The immunity to persecution that Christians in our country have experienced in the past two or three centuries is unusual. Christ strongly warned Christians that to follow Him would not be popular, and that in most circumstances it would mean cross-bearing and persecution. The Bible says that all who “desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Jesus said that as the time of His return draws nigh, “They will seize you and persecute you” (Luke 21:12). We have no scriptural foundation for believing that we can forever escape being persecuted for Christ’s sake. The normal condition for Christians is that we should suffer persecution. Are you willing to face persecution and death for Christ’s sake? FULL REPORT The post Now Billy Graham Warns To Prepare for Persecution appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
| Growing Number of Pastors Believe Christianity and Islam Are Similar
Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:29 AM PDT Protestant pastors are increasingly polarized about Islam, as a growing share label the Muslim faith violent while a sharply rising minority calls it spiritually good. Although a majority considers Islam dangerous, a small but increasing segment believes Islam is similar to Christianity, according to a new survey by Nashville-based LifeWay Research. Two-thirds of Protestant pastors agree Christianity and Islam should seek to coexist in America. The softening of some pastors’ views toward Islam is a key finding of a LifeWay Research survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors. Seventeen percent of pastors characterize Islam as similar to Christianity, nearly double the 9 percent from five years earlier. Although views shifted in both directions, positive opinions rose more significantly. The American public, meanwhile, is twice as likely as pastors to see common ground between Islam and Christianity. In a parallel survey of 1,000 Americans, more than a third say the two faiths are similar. “To understand the data, you have to understand that Protestant pastors are not of one mind,” said Ed Stetzer, executive director of LifeWay Research, “And minds are changing in more than one direction.” FULL REPORT The post Growing Number of Pastors Believe Christianity and Islam Are Similar appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
| 5 Ways to Approach a Demonic Holiday From a Christian Perspective
Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:22 AM PDT (DANNY PARMELEE ) Should Christians participate in this popular holiday? This is a question I’ve been asking for a long time. Some Christians believe that any participation in Halloween is satanic and sinful, while others believe it’s a harmless tradition to be enjoyed by all. I’ve come to the conclusion that it probably isn’t as black or white as we all wish it were. Most scholars agree Halloween has its origins dating over 2,000 years ago in the Celtic festival of Samhain. Samhain was the Celts’ celebration of their New Year (Oct. 31/Nov. 1) when they wore animal heads, performed animal sacrifices, danced around bonfires, and had their druids (magicians/sorcerers) predict the future. They also believed that on Oct. 31, ghosts of the dead would come back to earth and communicate with the living through these rituals. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III, in an effort to supplant the pagan festival, moved All Saints Day—the Catholic Church’s celebration of Christian saints who had died and achieved beatific vision—to Nov. 1. Over time, the two celebrations merged to become what we now know as Halloween. FULL REPORT The post 5 Ways to Approach a Demonic Holiday From a Christian Perspective appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
| New York City homeless population nears 60,000, over 40% are children
Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:14 AM PDT A tangle of skyrocketing rents, stagnant wages, evictions and a lack of affordable housing has led to a boom in homelessness in New York City. The latest figures show 57,448 people sleeping in shelters, and approximately 40 percent are children. According to the latest Department of Homeless Services (DHS) figures, more than 23,000 of the 57,448 people sleeping in New York City shelters are children. There are nearly 12,000 families in the shelter system. Organizations that help aid homeless people are getting worried that as the cold weather sets in, the numbers will return to the record high of seen in December 2014, when the homeless population numbered 59,068.
Another point of concern is that homeless people are staying in shelters longer and returning to them within a given year. The DHS said adults are staying an average of 11 months, up 24 days on last years’ data. Families with children are staying 14 months (up three days) and couples are staying an average of nearly 18 months (up 19 days). Caught in the crosshairs is Mayor Bill de Blasio, who ran a campaign vowing to address income inequality in the city. His administration, however, inherited a homeless population of more than 53,000 people from the Michael Bloomberg administration. FULL REPORT The post New York City homeless population nears 60,000, over 40% are children appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
| Offshore mud volcano erupts in Sea of Azov
Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:08 AM PDT An abandoned autumn beach looking out on the Sea of Azov became a popular sightseeing attraction over the weekend, after Mother Nature created an incredible mud volcano, which formed a wide, flat island just a few dozen meters away from the shore. Spewing a slurry made of water and gases mixed with sand and dirt, the mud volcano shot several meters into the air as it started forming an artificial island on Sunday, just off the coast of the Taman Peninsula. The act of nature was recorded by local beach strollers who witnessed the mud volcano, most typically formed after hot water below the earth’s surface begins to blend with mineral deposits, pushing the mixture to the surface. But unlike an actual volcano, the muddy imitation produces no lava. In fact some mud volcanoes are used as popular, therapeutic “mud baths,” and are often found in Russia’s Krasnodar region. FULL REPORT The post Offshore mud volcano erupts in Sea of Azov appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
| Parts of Persian Gulf could be too hot for humans by century’s end
Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:05 AM PDT If carbon dioxide emissions continue at their current pace, by the end of century parts of the Persian Gulf will sometimes be just too hot for the human body to tolerate, a new study says. How hot? The heat index — which combines heat and humidity — may hit 165 to 170 degrees (74 to 77 Celsius) for at least six hours, according to numerous computer simulations in the new study. That’s so hot that the human body can’t get rid of heat. The elderly and ill are hurt most by current heat waves, but the future is expected to be so hot that healthy, fit people would be endangered, health experts say. “You can go to a wet sauna and put the temperature up to 35 (Celsius or 95 degrees Fahrenheit) or so. You can bear it for a while, now think of that at an extended exposure” of six or more hours, said study co-author Elfatih Eltahir, an MIT environmental engineering professor. While humans have been around, Earth has not seen that type of prolonged, oppressive combination of heat and humidity, Eltahir said. But with the unique geography and climate of the Persian Gulf and increased warming projected if heat-trapping gas emissions continue to rise at current rates, it will happen every decade or so by the end of the century, according to the study published Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change. This would be the type of heat that would make deadly heat wave in Europe in 2003 that killed more than 70,000 people “look like a refreshing day or event,” said study co-author Jeremy Pal of Loyola Marymount University. It would still be rare, and cities such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha wouldn’t quite be uninhabitable, thanks to air conditioning. But for people living and working outside or those with no air conditioning, it would be intolerable, said Eltahir and Pal. While Mecca won’t be quite as hot, the heat will likely still cause many deaths during the annual hajj pilgrimage, Eltahir said. FULL REPORT The post Parts of Persian Gulf could be too hot for humans by century’s end appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
| Taiwan military says China preparing for possible attack
Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:01 AM PDT China is actively building up its armed forces and they would be strong enough by 2020 to launch an invasion of Taiwan, a military report said Tuesday. Despite closer political ties China is “continuing to accumulate large-scale war capabilities, with the threat of a cross-strait military conflict continuing to exist”, according to the island’s 2015 National Defence Report. The mainland’s annual military spending has grown on average by double-digit rates over the past decade, second only to the United States, it said. The biennial report published by the defence ministry said China was strengthening its naval and air forces in the region to deter foreign forces from intervening in any invasion. “China believes foreign interference would be its biggest concern if it attacks Taiwan,” it said. China and Taiwan split at the end of a civil war in 1949. Relations have warmed since current Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party came to power in 2008. But China still sees Taiwan as a breakaway territory and refuses to renounce the use of force should it declare formal independence. The defence ministry said there was a risk of Taiwan letting its guard down because of increased economic and cultural exchanges in recent years. FULL REPORT The post Taiwan military says China preparing for possible attack appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
| Russia reportedly just sent its version of Delta Force to Syria
Posted: 27 Oct 2015 06:50 AM PDT A member of Russia’s special police, OMON, sits on an armored vehicle during a drill in the southern Russian city of Stavropol on May 30, 2008 Russia has confirmed sending special forces troops to Syria over the past few weeks to support its mission backing the government of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. “The special forces were pulled out of Ukraine and sent to Syria,“ a Russian Ministry of Defense official told the WSJ. The anonymous official seemed to explicitly admit to a Russian military presence in the Ukraine, something which the Kremlin has fiercely denied. The Russian official added that the special forces, who are “akin to a Delta Force,” the elite special forces unit in the US military, had been operating in pro-Russian rebel held areas of Ukraine before being called off to Syria. The special forces group will join the Zaslon unit, which is currently protecting diplomatic assets in Syria. The increase in ground forces will likely help coordinate air strikes which mainly target US-backed anti-Assad rebels. FULL REPORT The post Russia reportedly just sent its version of Delta Force to Syria appeared first on End TIme Head Lines. |
Our Time is Short
What is The Gospel?
God made everything out of nothing, including you and me. His main purpose in creation was to bring him pleasure.
The chief way in which we as humanity do this is through loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
Instead of this, we have sinned against our loving Creator and acted in high-handed rebellion.
God has vowed that he will righteously and lovingly judge sinners with eternal death.
But God, being merciful, loving, gracious, and just, sent his own son, Jesus Christ, in the likeness of man to live as a man; fulfilling his perfect requirements in the place of sinners; loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
And further, his son bore the eternal judgment of God upon the cross of Calvary, as he satisfied the eternal anger of God, standing in the place of sinners. God treated Jesus as a sinner, though he was perfectly sinless, that he might declare sinners as perfect.
This glorious transaction occurs as the sinner puts their faith (dependence, trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ as their substitute. God then charges Christ’s perfection to the sinner, and no longer views him as an enemy but instead an adopted son covered in the perfect righteousness of his son.
God furnished proof that this sacrifice was accepted by raising Jesus from the dead.
God will judge the world in righteousness and all of those who are not covered in the righteousness of Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, will be forced to stand on their own to bear the eternal anger of God.
Therefore, all must turn from sin and receive Christ Jesus as Lord.
Ready to start your new life with God?
Who do you think that I am?
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well.
Consider what the Bible says about Him: Read more
Resource Links
CanIKnowGod.com is a website inspired by LifesGreatestQuestion.com, with new content, images, audio and video that will help you understand more about who God is and how to know Him. The site is mobile responsive and has an infinite scroll which makes for a very user-friendly experience. After you indicate a decision on CanIKnowGod.com, you are directed to a page that details what it means to have a new and transformed life through Jesus Christ. There’s even a Facebook page for daily updates, encouragement and scripture sharing.
Look to Jesus
Have you ever felt a little lost and wished there was a quick-start guide to your relationship with God? This is it!
30 Day Next Steps
John Beckett, a leading Christian businessman, has written a series to read over 30 days for new believers.
New Believers Guide
The New Believer’s Guide is a series of articles designed to show you how to walk in the new life Christ has given you— a life of faith and freedom.
Jesus Booklet
Jesus is the Savior of the world. Discover who Jesus is today in this series.
About Christianity
Know Jesus Christ and your life will be transformed
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A Legend In Your Own Mind
The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride. He walked into town and found a group of people by the well. “I’ll show myself to them” he thought. But they didn’t notice him. They went on drawing their water and paid him no mind. “Throw your garments down,” he said crossly. “Don’t you know who I am?” They just looked at him in amazement. Someone slapped him across the tail and ordered him to move. “Miserable heathens!” he muttered to himself. “I’ll just go to the market where the good people are. They will remember me.” But the same thing happened. No one paid any attention to the donkey as he strutted down the main street in front of the market place. “The palm branches! Where are the palm…
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Mohler’s “We Cannot Be Silent” – A Review
Albert Mohler Blog: “WE CANNOT BE SILENT — Released Nationwide Today”
In this blog essay,Dr. R. Albert Mohler announces the release of his new book, We Cannot be Silent, and also provides readers a sneak peak at the book’s introduction. Mohler writes,
“We Cannot Be Silent is a book about our nation’s moral revolution, how it happened and what it means for us, for our churches, and for our children. It is important to trace the revolution, and understand that the most heated controversies of our day did not emerge from a vacuum onto the daily headlines. Every revolution has a story, and the story of this revolution is one that we can now trace. To put the truth plainly, this revolution did not start with same-sex marriage, and it will not end there.
The full sufficiency of Christ in our salvation
by Mike Ratliff
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. (2 Peter 1:2-4 NASB)
The root of most heresies springs from those who profess Christ as Saviour, but who believe in various ways that what the Christian receives at Salvation is not fully sufficient. Something else must be added in order for the Christian to enter into a fuller relationship with God or to go deeper into the things of God. Some…
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THE DOMINO EFFECT OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN
The devil tries his best to get us to think of the pleasure of the moment. His preference is to keep us from even thinking about the future but, failing that, he tries to get us to envision an unrealistic view of the future. I am reminded of a multivitamin that was very popular in Nigeria when I was growing up. Everyone simply called it ‘multivite.’ The manufacturers of ‘multivite’ knew that the core of the tablet was very bitter, so they made sure they had a thin sugar coating around it. You were tempted to think that it was a very sweet tablet, but that feeling was short-lived, for you soon realized that much of the tablet was actually very bitter. That is what the devil does with sin. The devil tries to get us to concentrate on the thin, sweet, momentary pleasure of sin that would very quickly…
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October 26, 2015 Christian Briefing Report
Through Good Works? (2)
What then do good works do in our salvation? In the first instance they remind us of God’s mercy and grace toward us in Christ (3.14.18). In the second case they are “fruits” of his efficacious call (3.14.19). We “take the fruits of regeneration (ex regenerationis fructibus) as proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit….” (ibid). Our good works, to the degree they are good, are not ours. They are the Spirit’s. Thus, we do not present them to God as anything but evidence of his grace toward us, which is what the Old Testament believers did when they appealed to their works.
The World in the Church 2: Ordinary World, Ordinary Church?
We may think that by removing the offense and making all of our corporate worship apart from a portion of the sermon as normal as possible we will be able to make the gospel more approachable, more appealing. But we can’t. If we try to, we do not even achieve what we are seeking to achieve. We do not help the unbeliever, because we deny both who we are and who Jesus is.
Are Abuse Survivors Best Served When Institutions Investigate Themselves?
The independence of an investigation is not defined by the words or assurances of the institution being investigated. It is defined by a structure that requires the institution to get out of the driver’s seat and give up control. This can be a profound step forward for an organization who is genuinely focused on demonstrating love and repentance to those who have been hurt.
Notecard Answers For Why I Believe the Bible
In the midst of temptation you will hear the words of doubt again, “Did God really say?” You and I need to be ready to muzzle the serpent with truth. Continue to tutor yourself with the reality that God’s Word is in fact God’s Word. Do this in the good times as well as the difficult times. Keep on studying and delighting in this truth that you might be able to properly deal with doubts both from within and from without.
Undressing Jezebel: The Sexploitation of the Black Woman
I believe the hope in moving forward and breaking the Jezebel brand on black women is found in the Gospel. By affirming their identity in Christ, black women can learn they are not simply sexual tools made to be sexploited by the hands of selfish men. They are beautiful women made in the image and likeness of God. They have equal value, dignity and respect, as any man or woman of any race. Their beauty and worth is defined by the God who loves them, not by the lies of a society who oppresses them.
The Need for Pastor Theologians
The authors make a good case that without pastor theologians, theology has become ecclesially anemic, and the church theologically anemic. While it’s a blessing to have academic theologians working on specialized topics, such as whether James Dunn’s interpretation of Paul viewing the Jewish law as an ethnic boundary marker is correct or not, we also need students of the church who will help us see why that matters. We need pastoral theology that will “deepen the health and faith of God’s people” (91).
What is the Most Common Ministry Priority Neglected by Pastors?
Prayer may sit on your conscience, but it isn’t complaining. It remains on the list of tasks for the day, but those who are not prayed for are unaware that they are forgotten. As other demands steal our attention, prayer gets pushed to the background. Many pastors, myself included, will go week after week until eventually that soft but necessary voice calling us to stop and pray just fades out. If enough time passes, the voice of conviction and desire will go away. When that happens, prayer gets squeezed out of our life.
Semper Reformanda: Christ Will Do Everything, or He Will Do Nothing
Christ will do everything, or He will do nothing. Why? Because if salvation “is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace” (Rom 11:6). To introduce works as any part of the ground of our righteousness is to corrupt the Gospel of grace, which is the only Gospel that saves.
Kevin DeYoung Appointed Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at RTS
The position of Chancellor’s Professor is designed to provide for a professor to teach at multiple RTS campuses benefitting a greater number of students. DeYoung will teach at RTS while he continues as senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing Michigan where he has been since 2004. University Reformed Church recently moved from the Reformed Church in America to the Presbyterian Church in America.
7 Ways Satan Will Seek to Attack Your Church This Weekend
Where are you most susceptible to the enemy’s attack?
5 Women Sue Ministry Linked to Duggar Family Alleging It Covered Up Sexual Abuse
Five women have filed a lawsuit against the Institute in Basic Life Principles, whose founder resigned last year amid allegations that he sexually harassed more than 30 women, accusing the organization and its board of directors of not reporting incidents of sexual abuse and harassment, &wilfully& concealing the wrongdoing.
20 things you’ll never hear in church
Church life is rich, varied and can be very funny.
Spain’s Christians Welcome Syrian Refugees with Open Arms: ‘Our Experience Is That They Come To The Lord Fast’
While some in Spain fear the wave of Syrian refugees will bring the influence of radical Islam into the country, one Spanish ministry is eagerly welcoming them, revealing that those fleeing war and poverty often embrace Christianity with open arms.
Do Babies Go to Heaven?
The Bible doesn’t explicitly say. Here is how I have come to answer.
Halloween draws focus of new study
When it comes to Halloween, most Americans don’t have a problem celebrating the spooky holiday, a LifeWay Research study shows. Yet, one-third say they avoid Halloween or its pagan elements.
Oprah’s ‘Belief’ Leads Millions Into False Religious Deception
For the past several weeks, Oprah Winfrey has been sharing her heart about how of the Bible has impacted her life and how God gives her great joy. The only problem is, we aren’t really sure which god she is glorifying but she’s leaving Jesus out of the equation (or at least putting other gods on the same pedestal next to Him).
Americans Will Splurge an Outrageous $7 Billion on Halloween
Halloween is expected to make an eerily strong showing in sales this year, with consumers expected to spend as much as $6.9 billion.
This month, 157 million Americans will celebrate the holiday by spending an average of $74 per person, according to new research from the National Retail Federation.
Nine Proofs of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture
There are some that suggest that this is escapism, but the opposite has been true. Christians deeply in love with Jesus and enamored with the hope of His immediate return for the church have been driven with compassion to win souls; whether family, friend, or foe. Our message is a twin concern: get ready for the call to the marriage supper and occupy (be salt and light to hold back the antichrist spirit) until He comes. Both parts of this message are absolutely essential for a balance of Biblical presentation.
The Stabbing Intifada – Hal Lindsey
A new wave of violence is sweeping across Israel. As of this writing, at least 48 Palestinians have died, and 10 Israelis. Sadly, for much of the world, the story stops there. They conclude that because more Palestinians have died, Israel must be in the wrong. In order to defend its citizens against terror attacks, Israel is again being painted as the aggressor. But it’s not true.
Why study Bible prophecy? – Greg Laurie
Recently, I was interviewed by a magazine that was doing a story on the topic of end times events, and the writer asked me, “Why should we even study this subject as Christians?”
Some people would discourage it, saying it’s too complex. Yet in the book of Revelation, a special blessing is promised to the person who studies, understands and takes to heart what the Bible says about our future: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (1:3 NIV).
Watch Until Our Lord’s Return
Is this your attitude? Do you live in a state of watchfulness every day, every moment? We daresay that this is not the attitude of the majority of people who profess to be Christians. However uncomfortable it may be to admit, most Christians go about their everyday lives as if the return of Jesus is still a millennium away. Who concerns themselves with events 1000 years into the future? No one, quite frankly.
Yet we are told to be watchful, to be in a constant state of alertness for the return of our Lord and Savior.
Headlines
Rod Parsley Battles Throat Cancer Using Standard Medical Treatment
Bethel Redding children’s pastor and the giant finance angel?
Christian Football Player’s Wife Allegedly Aborted Baby of Pastor Who Killed Him
Spiritual Abuse: Word of Life Church’s Path From Bible Group to Lethal Sect
Zimbabwe – Pastor Sells ‘Holy Pens’ That Make Students Pass Exams Without Studying
In City Harvest judgment, Judge singles out Kong Hee’s part in ‘culture of secrecy’
City Harvest trial: Kong Hee apologises to church members for ‘pain and turmoil’…
WVW-TV Presents: The Good Shepherd, His Sheep, & Thieving False Teachers: A Study of John 10 (Part One) Watch this program now before it rolls into the Situation Room for members only. To join the Situation Room go to http://www.situationroom.net To watch this program now click here:http://www.worldviewweekend.com/tv/video/good-shepherd-his-sheep-thievin…
Did John Kerry Just Help Set The Stage For The Fulfillment Of Bible Prophecy?
US Secretary of State John Kerry’s solution to keeping the “status quo” involves 24-hour video surveillance of the temple mount area. Some Bible prophecy students point out the interesting verses in Revelation 11 which speak of the whole world being able to watch what happens in Jerusalem when God’s Two Witnesses are killed on the streets and left there for three and a half days. Will they be watching through these newly installed cameras?………….. Click here for full story
Has the Supreme Court’s ruling that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry paved the way for all kinds of non-traditional relationships to be legally recognized? “If marriage is not the union of a man and a woman, why limit it to two people?”………… Click here for full story
Dangerous Narratives – Replacing The Jewish Messiah Of The Bible With A Palestinian Martyr
Jeremiah Wright, who led Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago from 1972 to 2008 and served as served as Obama’s pastor for 20 years, is back at the center of controversy. Wright stoked controversy with his statement that “Jesus was a Palestinian,” alluding to Israel as an apartheid state and comparing “the youth in Ferguson and the youth in Palestine”. Is there any theological justification for the “Jesus was a Palestinian” bandwagon? . ……… Click here for full story
Biometric Trends Spreading Worldwide
In our earlier banking days, for secure proof of identity we initially had simple signature verifications and identity cards with photo identification. As we moved away from banking visits and teller counters, we transitioned towards passwords/PINs for mobile payments and online banking. Today, we are well into the next phase in personal identification and verification technologies: biometrics. .………… Click here for full story
Sounds Good But Smells Bad
A clean environment; equality for women; social justice for all; income distribution. All these goals might sound good, but when you look at how the U.N. and world religious leaders are planning on implementing these lofty goals, you start to smell the stench of a “One World Government” and the end of religious freedom as […]
Marijuana Madness
We get asked a lot about Marijuana…especially as more states deal with its legalization. We’re hoping to give you less smoke, and more substance. Listen Now | Download
Kong Hee’s first appearance at City Harvest after fraud verdict: “Pastor is sorry”
One would think that a pastor would understand that saying “I’m sorry” is not the same as asking his flock to forgive him for sinning against them by misappropriating 35 million of their hard earned money. Hee and several cohorts were convicted of using church funds to make his wife a popstar. You can’t make this stuff up, brethren. According to Christian Today:
City Harvest Church’s pastor Kong Hee apologised to his congregation this weekend after the guilty verdict in his trial for fraud.
According to the Asia One news service, on Sunday morning Kong faced a crowded auditorium at the Suntec convention centre, bowed and said, “Pastor is sorry”. He had used the same words at a service on Saturday night.
Kong, his deputy pastor Tan Ye Peng, finance manager Sharon Tan and former finance manager Serina Wee, were found guilty with former board members John Lam and Chew Eng Han of misusing $17 million from the church’s building fund to further the music career of Kong’s wife Ho Yeow Sun, known as Sun Ho. A further $18.5 million was used to cover up the scheme through a complicated system of bond issues and ’round-tripping’ transactions in which the church used its own money to pay debt owed to it.
Freebie Friday! Set Apart Girl Magazineby Erin Davis Hot off the presses! Enter to win free copies of Set Apart Girl Magazine! |
The Best Way to Tell Your Friends About Christby Leslie Ludy They saw fulfillment, radiance, and peace that hadn’t been there before. And some began to ask me about it. Becoming set apart for my King made it possible for me to lead others to Him. |
5 Fun Ways to Share Jesus with Your School This Yearby Erin Davis How can you point people to Jesus this school year? Here are five fun ideas to try. |
The Next Time You’re Offendedby Paula Hendricks Marsteller So you feel angry? Insulted? Provoked? Offended? Downright mad? Now what? |
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The Bible Believers Response To Halloween
When we, the Christians, participate in Halloween we are continuing the Druid tradition that was begun in human sacrifices and worship of the gods of the underworld.
Pope Francis And Vatican Demand Complete ‘Decarbonization’ Of The Entire World
“It’s not just Pope Francis, it’s the whole church throughout the world, and that is powerful,” said Monsignor John Ribat, president of the bishops’ conference of Oceania and archbishop of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, one of the front-line Pacific island nations most threatened by climate-induced rising sea levels.
Chosen (Not Forgotten)
Even in the isolation of suffering, God knows you and remembers you as His beloved child. Continue reading
The Girl Behind This Famous Picture Is Speaking Out—And What She Says About Jesus Is Beautiful
Kim Phuc is the little Vietnamese girl running naked from a napalm attack in this photo. Kim, now 52, has an amazing story of resilience, faith and forgiveness and she’s sharing it with the world.
Kim’s peace didn’t come through diplomacy–it came through the person and the work of Jesus Christ. This is powerful.
The post The Girl Behind This Famous Picture Is Speaking Out—And What She Says About Jesus Is Beautiful appeared first on ChurchLeaders.com.
Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?
This is a repost of an article we compiled last Halloween, addressing the ever-controversial question of Halloween among Christians. The question is just as relevant in 2015 as it was in 2014, so we hope these resources can help guide you and your family this October 31st.
Occasionally we get this question: Should Christians celebrate Halloween? And, by “occasionally,” we mean “every Halloween.” On one side are those who see nothing wrong with a little dress up and candy noshing (other than the accompanying cavities). On the other side are those who stand at their windows and weep to see all the neighborhood kids slowly circling the neighborhood as Narnia’s White Witch fills their baggies with Turkish delight. (Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but you get the point).
We’d posit that neither an aggressively pro- or anti-Halloween approach is completely appropriate. Functionally, Halloween isn’t inherently good or bad. Paul, talking about a similar subject in Romans 14, says that each must be fully persuaded in his own mind; whatsoever is not of faith is sin; and we are not to judge another Man’s servant (Romans 14:4–5, 23). Halloween does offer us all an opportunity, however, to engage our neighbors missionally.
For those that can’t get past the historic ties between October 31 and the occult, that is a matter of conscience and we’d encourage you to be faithful to the Holy Spirit in that. “Hallowed Eve” started as the commemoration of the night before All Saints Day. There is no doubt that some members of the occult have, historically, commandeered it as a time to celebrate the work of evil spirits in opposition to “the saints.” But realize that cultural symbols are like words in a language: their historic roots are not as important as current usage. Most people realize that “rock and roll” was a 1950s euphemism for sex applied to a genre of music. But those today who say, “I like Christian rock music” are usually not trying to infuse sexual overtones into that music. In language, the etymology of a word is less important than its current, semantic meaning.
Cultural symbols work the same way. Thus, a lot of people going “trick or treating” at Halloween are not intending any connection with occult practices. Some even think of it as mockery.
Some believers, however, cannot get past those historic (and they will argue, current) connections between Halloween and occult ideas. Thus they consider anything participation in this history, like giving or receiving candy in its name, to be participation with demons. If that describes your attitude, we would encourage you to follow your conscience carefully. Whatever is not of faith is sin. But Paul tells us to allow freedom for other believers to peaceably disagree in things like this, too. It’s hard to think of a better application point for Romans 14 in our current day than this issue. So, by Paul’s council, follow your conscience before God, but allow your brothers and sisters in Christ to follow theirs without judging them.
For those of you who do send your kids out trick-or-treating, Halloween presents a unique opportunity for outreach. And no, we don’t mean by standing in your yard and preaching against the devil. Here are a handful of articles with some helpful ideas:
3 Tips for Reaching Your Neighbors This Halloween, Jeff Mangum. As Mangum points out, the central question regarding Halloween needs to be, “In light of the gospel, how does God want me to put this day to use for the name of Jesus to be magnified?” Regardless of our stance on Halloween and its origins, there is no other time of year when our neighbors congregate outside en masse. Mangum has three creative solutions: 1. Host a costume party, 2. Have dinner on the lawn while you pass out candy (I really like this.), or 3. Go trick-or-treating with your neighbors.
12 Simple Ways to Be on Mission This Halloween, Jeff Vanderstelt. Like Mangum, Vanderstelt wants us to view Halloween as missionaries. So how do we do Halloween “on mission?” As Vanderstelt reminds us, we should be hospitable, go to “their place,” and be prayerful. Some of the easiest (but highest reward) counsel he offers: have something for the parents, join the community events, and don’t just give out candy…give out the best candy.
3 Ways to Be Missional This Halloween, Seth McBee. This is a strong—if periodically sarcastic—defense of engaging in Halloween instead of hiding in the ghetto of your church’s “Fall Festival.” “If you start reading about Halloween’s roots, it’s hard to find an answer of where it came from. But, regardless of where it comes from, the question at hand should be: Why is Halloween celebrated today? For most of us, Halloween isn’t a time where we celebrate the dead and go and skin a goat and sacrifice it to Satan. For most of us, it’s a time to dress up our kids as a super hero and send them to strangers’ houses to get free candy. It has become just part of our culture in the West and has very little to do with the ‘darkness’…it’s not good, it’s not evil…it’s just something we celebrate, like the 4th of July. I know we might have stories of darkness, but there are also many stories of overdrinking and evil happening on our other holidays as well.”
Four Reasons You Should Go Trick-or-Treating Tonight, Ed Stetzer. Ever the missional mind, Stetzer joins the fray to remind us why not only Halloween, but trick-or-treating itself is a good idea for Christians: 1. There is no other night when people you’ve never met come to your door. 2. There is no other night when you get to go to your neighbor’s door and introduce yourself without any awkwardness. 3. You don’t have to worship the devil to go up and ask your neighbor for candy. 4. You can meet more neighbors in one night than any other day of the year.
3 Tips for Discipling Your Kids Through Halloween, John Murchison. Finally, here’s an article geared towards shepherding your kids. It’s one thing to have a missional mindset about Halloween; it’s 2.0 to get your kids to share that mindset. (After all, candy is a strong idol.) Murchison gives us some starters: 1. Every decision is an opportunity for discipleship, so lean on the Word, prayer, and community. 2. Do not fear; you’re going to make some parenting gaffes, so accept it and trust God anyway. 3. For or against Halloween, we’re all on the same team. Christians who choose to do something different than you on Halloween aren’t the enemy, so let’s keep the “friendly fire” to a minimum.
Three Truths and a Lie About the Bible
I don’t really enjoy reading the Bible.
I don’t get what a book written thousands of years ago has to do with my life today.
I’m not really a reader.
Did you know that people get drunk and have sex in the Bible?!
I don’t understand what I’m reading.
Did you know in the Bible there are these two people who were naked, in the forest, eating fruit?
I read the Bible everyday…Jesus Calling is my favorite.
These are all comments people have shared with me in regards to reading the Bible. One of them was from an 80-year-old grandmother, the other from a fourth grade student (bet you can’t guess which one?).
So what is it about this book, the Bible, that is so complicated? Is it really that difficult to understand? Is it really relevant for today? What is going on with all the sex, drunkenness, murder, and naked people?
While the Bible is certainly for us, it is not all about us. It’s about God.
I didn’t grow up in the church, so my experience with the Bible was limited until I was about 20 years old. I just thought it was a list of rules to live by or some ancient book that told the story of the “two naked people in the forest, eating fruit.”
For many of us, perhaps we have learned that the Bible is supposed to only be opened on special occasions. Or you only turn to it when you want to feel good. Better yet, maybe you can just rip a verse out of context and make it mean what you what it to mean (hello, Jeremiah 29:11, anyone?).
It wasn’t until the Lord opened my heart to seek out truth that I discovered the life found on the pages of Scripture. And that’s when the paradigm shift happened: I learned that it’s not just if you read your Bible, but how you read it that will change everything. I learned three truths and lie about the Bible that helped me understand who God is and what his plan is for us.
Let’s start with the lie.
Lie: The Bible is all about me.
While the Bible is certainly for you, it is not all about you. It’s about God.
When we read the Bible, it’s to know and love God more. It isn’t to pull a verse out of context to apply like a Band-Aid; it isn’t to find Scripture to go around Bible thumping those “in sin”; and it isn’t to fill your head with more knowledge. It should produce a deeper understanding of God, greater love for him, and lead us into worship.
Part of the reason I’m not a fan of devotionals is they take you all over the place, pulling a verse here and there out of context, and slapping someone else’s meaning or application on it rather than reading a book in its entirety.
Reading the Bible in a way just to “get something for me” is like only eating dessert at a meal. It is the thing we all want and tastes delicious, but if we only read for application, our diet of God’s Word will be insufficient. We need to observe what is happening and discover the meaning of the text to properly apply it.
What a paradigm shift from what is sold to us in Christian bookstores: “Read this devotional for five steps to a better life!” Those types of things distort what God’s Word is really for: to tell the redemption story of God’s people through the person and work of Jesus Christ.
Truth: The Bible is meant to be studied.
One of the best ways to help grow in the Word is to pick one book or section of Scripture and study it. Sit in the passage for a while, reread it, come back to it, look up words, and become familiar with it. Like a letter written to a loved one, you read it from beginning to end.
So it is with books of the Bible. Reading a book in its entirety changes how you understand it and, therefore, deepens your understanding of God and his redemptive plan. When we read, we read to observe (what do we see?), interpret (what does it mean?), and apply (how should it change me?).
When I began to study the Bible inductively (observation-interpretation-application), when I began to look for what it teaches me about God and how I fit into his greater story, it came to life. Actually, it became my life. I enjoy reading the Bible, I see its relevance for my life (and world) today, it increases my understanding of God, and it helps me know why all those people were getting drunk, having sex, and committing murder — to help me see that I am just like those people, a sinner in desperate need of a Rescuer.
Truth: The Bible has many applications, but only one meaning.
While there are many translations of the Bible, it only has one meaning. Our job is to discover that meaning. We should never ask, “What does this verse mean to me?” but we ask, “What does this verse mean?” Our job as readers and students of the Bible is to uncover the original meaning of the text, to reveal how it is relevant and applies to us today. Biblical truths can apply to us in many ways, but they only have one meaning.
Truth: The Bible is all about Jesus.
The Bible is a collection of books and stories that point to a greater story: Jesus. The Bible has 66 books, written over a time span of 1,500 years, by 40 different authors, in three different languages, on three different continents, about one message: God’s rescue mission for his people through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Bible is a story meant to be read that points to One who makes the unrighteous, righteous; the unclean, clean; the outcast, redeemed; the sinner, a saint.
This paradigm shift helped me to understand the Bible and, therefore, to better love and understand God and live in obedience to him. What has anchored me in times of pain and suffering has not been a verse I ripped out of context to chant when I’m anxious or afraid, but studying God’s Word in a deeper way. It’s knowing his character through understanding the big picture of Scripture from beginning to end that helps me (and all of us) endure suffering.
How we read the Bible matters — reading it will change your life and shift your paradigm completely.
RELATED POSTS:
- Eight Recommended Bible Study Tools
- 10 Reasons to Read the ESV Study Bible
- Five Steps to Meditating on the Bible
The post Three Truths and a Lie About the Bible appeared first on Unlocking the Bible.
Bonfire Repentance
The Heidelberg Catechism’s answer to question 94, “What does God enjoin in the first commandment?” contains eleven verbs, eleven “doing” words.
“A. That I, as sincerely as I desire the salvation of my own soul, avoid and flee from all idolatry, sorcery, soothsaying, superstition, invocation of saints, or any other creatures; and learn rightly to know the only true God; trust in him alone, with humility and patience submit to him; expect all good things from him only; love, fear, and glorify him with my whole heart; so that I renounce and forsake all creatures, rather than commit even the least thing contrary to his will.”
These verbs can be divided into two categories that apply to all kinds of sins:
Sin-ward actions: Avoid, flee, renounce, forsake.
God-ward actions: Learn, trust, submit, expect, love, fear, glorify.
The God-ward actions cannot happen without the sin-ward actions, and the sin-ward actions cannot happen without the God-ward actions. They are two sides of the one experience of repentance.
AN ILLUSTRATION OF REPENTANCE
We can see an illustration of most of these verbs in action in Acts 19v13-21 where the idolatrous magicians and occultists of Ephesus were powerfully impacted by the Gospel of Christ:
- They feared (v. 17)
- They glorified the Lord Jesus (v. 17)
- They believed (v. 18)
- They came out into the open (v. 18)
- They confessed (v. 18)
- They showed their deeds (v. 18)
- They burned their spell-books (v. 19)
- They turned to God’s book (v. 20)
I would have loved to see that bonfire of repentance. Some estimates put the value of books burned at several million dollars of today’s money. In burning their spell-books, they were saying three things:
I detest my past: I hate what I was and did.
I want to make sure I do not return: I want to make it as difficult as possible for me to take up these practices again.
I want to make sure others will not be led astray: They could have sold their books to others for large sums of money they didn’t want their financial gain to result in spiritual loss for others.
AN APPLICATION OF REPENTANCE
But let’s not just go back a couple of thousand years to Ephesus, or a few hundred years to Heidelberg. Let’s bring this right up to date and apply it to our own lives with this one question: What should you put on the bonfire? Of course, it need not be a literal bonfire. But if not a literal bonfire, then use these repentance verbs to have a spiritual bonfire.
If the Holy Spirit fell in reviving power among us today, I don’t think Harry Potter conferences and books would be first to go up in flames. But I do believe there would be a huge conflagration of one of the greatest idols of our own time – digital technology. Don’t think you’ve turned your phone, your computer, or social media into an idol? Test yourself with these questions (read the rest at The Christward Collective).
George Mueller’s Timeless Advice for Growing in Faith
George Mueller is considered one of the mightiest prayer warriors to ever storm the throne of grace. For decades, he prayed for resources to provide for hundreds of orphanages in 19th century England and later reflected he had only ever made his needs known to God. And God provided for this man’s ministry prayer after prayer, year after year for decades. Of all of Mueller’s work, his writings on faith have received some of the highest praise.
Here is a wonderful excerpt from his writings on strengthening faith:
Let not Satan deceive you in making you think that you could not have the same faith but that it is only for persons who are situated as I am. When I lose such a thing as a key, I ask the Lord to direct me to it, and I look for an answer to my prayer; when a person with whom I have made an appointment does not come, according to the fixed time, and I begin to be inconvenienced by it, I ask the Lord to be pleased to hasten him to me and I look for an answer; when I do not understand a passage of the word of God, I lift up my heart to the Lord, that He would be pleased, by His Holy Spirit to instruct me, and I expect to be taught, though I do not fix the time when, and the manner how it should be; when I am going to minister in the Word, I seek help from the Lord, and while I, in the consciousness of natural inability as well as utter unworthiness begin this His service, I am not cast down, but of good cheer, because I look for His assistance, and believe that He, for His dear Son’s sake will help me. And thus in other of my temporal and spiritual concerns I pray to the Lord, and expect an answer to my requests; and may not you do the same, dear believing reader?
Oh! I beseech you, do not think me an extraordinary believer, having privileges above other of God’s dear children, which they cannot have; nor look on my way of acting as something that would not do for other believers. Make but trial! Do but stand still in the hour of trial, and you will see the help of God, if you trust in Him. But there is so often a forsaking the ways of the Lord in the hour of trial, and thus the food of faith, the means whereby our faith may be increased, is lost. This leads me to the following important point.
You ask, “How may I, a true believer, have my faith strengthened?”
The answer is this: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17). As the increase of faith is a good gift, it must come from God, and therefore He ought to be asked for this blessing.
The following means, however, ought to be used:
1. The careful reading of the word of God, combined with meditation on it. Through reading of the word of God, and especially through meditation on the word of God, the believer becomes more and more acquainted with the nature and character of God, and thus sees more and more, besides His holiness and justice, what a kind, loving, gracious, merciful, mighty, wise, and faithful Being He is, and, therefore, in poverty, affliction of body, bereavement in his family, difficulty in his service, want of a situation or employment, he will repose upon the ability of God to help him, because he has not only learned from His word that He is of almighty power and infinite wisdom, but he has also seen instance upon instance in the Holy Scriptures in which His almighty power and infinite wisdom have been actually exercised in helping and delivering His people; and he will repose upon the willingness of God to help him, because he has not only learned from the Scriptures what a kind, good, merciful, gracious, and faithful being God is, but because he has also seen in the word of God how, in a great variety of instances He has proved Himself to be so. And the consideration of this, if God has become known to us through prayer and meditation on His own word, will lead us, in general at least, with a measure of confidence to rely upon Him: and thus the reading of the word of God, together with meditation on it, will be one especial means to strengthen our faith.
The post George Mueller’s Timeless Advice for Growing in Faith appeared first on ChurchLeaders.com.
Check out
Blogs
Sovereign Grace in the Wilderness by Steven Lawson | Ligonier Ministries Blog
20 Ways Being a Mom Makes You a Better Leader | Selma Wilson
Your Husband’s Infidelity Is Not Your Fault | Her.meneutics
Abused Christian Wives, It Is Not Your Fault and You Don’t Deserve It. | One Christian Dad
Knowing When and Where to Apply for a PhD Program – Everyday Theology
Busy Unlike Jesus | For The Church
Relevant, Old Paths by Burk Parsons | Ligonier Ministries Blog
Two Underused Strategies for Addiction | Desiring God
Kindle Books
Two practical books for family and relationships. And one epic history.
Boundaries with Teens: When to Say Yes, How to Say No $2.99.
Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships $2.99.
Links I like
Anti-Secrecy Site Releases Abortion Industry Videos
Leigh Jones for World Magazine:
An online news site that emphasizes publishing information ignored by mainstream media has obtained and posted to YouTube 11 Center for Medical Progress (CMP) videos a judge ordered the pro-life group not to release.
The video clips feature footage taken at a National Abortion Federation event. The abortion industry trade group sued CMP to block it from releasing the footage. But a House subcommittee requested all CMP’s footage as part of its investigation into Planned Parenthood’s involvement in the fetal-tissue trade, and another judge ordered CMP to hand over all the videos.
A Prayer for Dealing with Our Theological Differences Graciously
I really appreciated this.
Kindle deals for Christian readers
- The Grand Weaver by Ravi Zacharias—99¢
- Holiness by J.C. Ryle—99¢
- The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World by Stephen J. Nichols—$2.99
- John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor by W. Robert Godfrey—$2.99
Love Like A Dam Break
Jared Wilson:
A fellow sinner may forgive but it takes some working up to do. In some cases, he may even be eager to forgive but this eagerness does not come naturally. In many cases, though, there is not eagerness but dutiful obligation. We bring our sorrow, our repentance, our request for pardon, and we receive questions, probing, testing, measuring. We deserve this, there’s no question about it. And really repentant persons will accept the difficulty of an offended party’s forgiveness as part of that repentance. So we slink, tail between our legs, chastened and stung. It has to be this way because of the nature of human hurt and the antisocial nature of sin.
Grown-Up Churches in an Age of Adolescence
Nick Batzig:
However, the age of adolescence has also taken its toll within the walls of the church. “It was wonderful. I felt like I was in college all over again.” Such was the response of a 48 year old mother of two teenagers when my sister asked her how she liked the church that she recently visited. Her statement is what can only be understood as a typical expression of someone who is part of “the age of adolescence.” We have 60 year old pastors dressing like 10th graders, praise bands scrambling to keep up with the shifting tastes of 20 somethings and a holistic children’s ministry that seems to exist to allow 30 and 40 somethings to convince themselves that they are newly weds and are on a date during worship. A new church arrives in town and the image on the billboard is that of full length sleeve-tattooed arms (which, on the one hand says, “Come as you are,” while, on the other, sends the message that this church is really made up of hip, young adults). In many cases, what passes for relevant church is what might actually be described as “children playing church.” While some would quickly insist that all of these things are part of an attempt to be relevant to the culture (though it’s often the case that it’s really only relevant to the better part of white, middle class, pop-culture America), there may actually be something deeper and more significant going on.
3 Ways to Minister To Your Wife’s Weary Soul
Joshua Hedger:
Wherever this post finds you and your wife, know that your job is not to fix your wife’s tiredness, but your responsibility is to minister to her when she finds herself in this place. Hear that, husband: tired is ok. You cannot create an environment for your wife that is perfect and you cannot protect her from weariness. It’s part of the calling. However, you can minister to her soul when she becomes weary.
A La Carte (October 26)
Reformation Day is coming up this week, and these two Kindle deals will remind you what it’s all about: The Reformation by Stephen Nichols ($2.99) and John Calvin: Pilgrim and Pastor by Robert Godfrey ($2.99). Both are short, accessible introductions to their subject. You may also be interested in God’s Love by R.C. Sproul (free) or The Money Answer Book by Dave Ramsey ($5.99).
This Is a Story About Loss
I really enjoyed this story about the Unclaimed Baggage Center. The author does a great job of discussing her own life and struggles even as she writes about a business.
The Largest-Ever Image of Space
“Space is big, but it’s never been quite this big. This composite image … is, they claim, the largest image of space to date. It shows a long swathe of the Milky Way, photographed piece by piece over a period of five years from the university’s observatory in the Chilean desert.”
Tips for Being a False Teacher
Interested in becoming a false teacher? This tongue-in-cheek article will give you the guidance you need.
Peggy Noonan’s Education in News Craft
Here’s an interesting and biographical column from Peggy Noonan.
Thresholds of Violence
If you are up for a longer read, check out Malcolm Gladwell’s article on how school shootings catch on.
This Day in 1751. Philip Doddridge died 264 years ago today. He is famous for his book The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul, which led William Wilberforce and others to Christ. He also wrote the hymn, “O Happy Day” (among hundreds of others). *
Fabulous Fall Foliage
Now that I’ve actually seen fall colors, I’m a bigger fan than ever. Here’s a photo gallery of fall at its finest.
Communicating with the Spirits
There are lots of interesting historical tidbits in this video. It displays some of the ways people have tried to communicate with the dead over the years and, as it does that, it shows the human fear of death and desperation to know what lies beyond it.
The Daily Discovery (October 26, 2015)
ARTICLES I LIKE FROM AROUND THE WEB:
(Click title to go to full article)
In Case You Were Wondering: Are Female Bloggers Violating Scripture by “Teaching” Men? – “Complementarian women bloggers and authors are frequently asked this question. Often it’s asked by dissenters looking for a ‘gotcha’ moment. Other times it’s a genuine concern for Christian women who want to write but still be in obedience to God’s word as it speaks to the role of women. But, whatever the motivation for asking, it’s a great question that needs to be answered.”
Inviting Persecution – “No one intentionally seeks out persecution. True, there are some people who enjoy portrayingthemselves as victims and garnering sympathy from others. But no one would willingly invite their own suffering and hardship. However, as we consider what it means for Christians to be in the world but not of it, we have to accept that persecution is inevitable. There’s a natural friction between our faith and the world’s system bent in opposition to God and His Word. And inasmuch as we hold to the authority of God’s Word and adhere to the righteous example of His Son, we can expect to draw scrutiny and anger from a world that hates Him. Our lives are a testimony to the transforming work of the Lord through His Word, and the watching world finds that truth intolerable.”
Why Dispensational Publishing House? – “I am establishing Dispensational Publishing House to become the ‘go-to’ source for strong, Bible-based, theological, doctrinal and worldview resources from the dispensational perspective. While dispensational theology once had a very strong presence in the United States, today it is often looked upon with disdain and contempt in many evangelical—and most scholarly—circles. However, much of what has been written about dispensationalism is flawed in its assumptions. At DPH, our desire is to adequately present Biblical matters from a sound dispensational perspective. In so doing, we hope to correct some of the misconceptions regarding dispensationalism that exist in the current theological climate.”
Abortion and Child Sacrifice – “If people today were found sacrificing children, as the Canaanites and others did in the Old Testament, I’m sure the public and its elected officials like President Obama would be aghast. Such people would be prosecuted for brutality and murder.”
Equipping Children the Lord Has Enabled Us to Teach – “In a way, I have often likened the AiG outreach ministry to the Israelites as they conquered the land ‘little by little’ (Exodus 23:30; Deuteronomy 7:22). Over the years, we have been going out to churches, colleges, conferences of all types, and little by little have been spreading the truth of God’s Word and the gospel—and equipping people to defend the Christian faith against the onslaughts of evolutionary humanism that pervade the church and culture. I so love to see the thousands upon thousands of children the Lord has enabled us to teach, as they are the coming generation to be leaders in the church and culture. Once again this week, the Lord has enabled us the privilege of teaching people the truth of God’s Word beginning in Genesis. And this morning was another exciting time of teaching hundreds of children and young people.”
SERMON:
Nate Pickowicz – Christ’s Comfort in the Face of Persecution (John 16:1-7)
VIDEOS:
We will not bow.
Jesus Hates Religion?
“All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus. It brings us into the eternal presence of our Savior.” – John MacArthur
10/26/15 Depart from Me
READING: Luke 12-13
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: My heart is alarmed today, but not because I face any great trial or opposition. It’s not because my wife and I are struggling with anything. It’s not because I fear for my life as a Christ follower. No, it’s because I read these words of Jesus:
Luke 13:24-27 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter and won’t be able once the homeowner gets up and shuts the door. Then you will stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up for us!’ He will answer you, ‘I don’t know you or where you’re from.’ Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets!’ But He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know you or where you’re from. Get away from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness!’
My anxiety comes from knowing many people who hang out with God’s people, participate in God’s church, and listen to God’s teachings — but who give no evidence of a life transformed by the gospel. They are banking on some previous response and their current “religious activity” more than the repentance and faith that mark the only “narrow door” to knowing God. Jesus was speaking to religious people when He spoke these words in the first century, and we in the 21st century need to hear His words as no less relevant to us.
As a pastor and professor, I believe my responsibility is to seek those who show little evidence of conversion, invest in them if they’ll allow, and help them recognize through God’s Spirit whether their lack of evidence is due to not being saved or not being discipled. Sometimes the problem is the latter, but the only way we know that is to walk beside them to find out. That’s messy — but imperative to address the alarm I feel over some folks I know.
ACTION STEPS: Ask God to direct you to someone whose professed faith is not evident. Begin the process of developing a relationship with the Spirit-led goal of bringing him or her to repentance.
PRAYER: “God, let me examine my own life first. If I’m showing no evidence of conversion, convict and challenge me. Direct me, God, to someone else in whose life I might invest myself. Give me wisdom to know how to connect with him and discern what I need to know.”
Our Time is Short
What is The Gospel?
God made everything out of nothing, including you and me. His main purpose in creation was to bring him pleasure.
The chief way in which we as humanity do this is through loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
Instead of this, we have sinned against our loving Creator and acted in high-handed rebellion.
God has vowed that he will righteously and lovingly judge sinners with eternal death.
But God, being merciful, loving, gracious, and just, sent his own son, Jesus Christ, in the likeness of man to live as a man; fulfilling his perfect requirements in the place of sinners; loving, obeying, and enjoying him perfectly.
And further, his son bore the eternal judgment of God upon the cross of Calvary, as he satisfied the eternal anger of God, standing in the place of sinners. God treated Jesus as a sinner, though he was perfectly sinless, that he might declare sinners as perfect.
This glorious transaction occurs as the sinner puts their faith (dependence, trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ as their substitute. God then charges Christ’s perfection to the sinner, and no longer views him as an enemy but instead an adopted son covered in the perfect righteousness of his son.
God furnished proof that this sacrifice was accepted by raising Jesus from the dead.
God will judge the world in righteousness and all of those who are not covered in the righteousness of Christ, depending on him for forgiveness, will be forced to stand on their own to bear the eternal anger of God.
Therefore, all must turn from sin and receive Christ Jesus as Lord.
Ready to start your new life with God?
Who do you think that I am?
With that brief question Jesus Christ confronted His followers with the most important issue they would ever face. He had spent much time with them and made some bold claims about His identity and authority. Now the time had come for them either to believe or deny His teachings.
Who do you say Jesus is? Your response to Him will determine not only your values and lifestyle, but your eternal destiny as well.
Consider what the Bible says about Him: Read more
Resource Links
CanIKnowGod.com is a website inspired by LifesGreatestQuestion.com, with new content, images, audio and video that will help you understand more about who God is and how to know Him. The site is mobile responsive and has an infinite scroll which makes for a very user-friendly experience. After you indicate a decision on CanIKnowGod.com, you are directed to a page that details what it means to have a new and transformed life through Jesus Christ. There’s even a Facebook page for daily updates, encouragement and scripture sharing.
Look to Jesus
Have you ever felt a little lost and wished there was a quick-start guide to your relationship with God? This is it!
30 Day Next Steps
John Beckett, a leading Christian businessman, has written a series to read over 30 days for new believers.
New Believers Guide
The New Believer’s Guide is a series of articles designed to show you how to walk in the new life Christ has given you— a life of faith and freedom.
Jesus Booklet
Jesus is the Savior of the world. Discover who Jesus is today in this series.
About Christianity
Know Jesus Christ and your life will be transformed
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