February 7 The Joy of Sacrificial Giving

“… saints … who are in Philippi” (Phil. 1:1).

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As you give toward the needs of others, God will supply your needs.

Perhaps more than any other New Testament church, the Philippian church was characterized by generous, sacrificial giving. Their support for Paul extended throughout his missionary travels and was a source of great joy to him. In addition to money, they also sent Epaphroditus, a godly man who ministered to Paul during his imprisonment (Phil. 2:25–30; 4:18).

Paul was selective about accepting financial support from churches because he didn’t want to be a burden or have his motives misunderstood. First Corinthians 9:6–14 tells us he had the right to receive support from those he ministered to, but he waived that right so the gospel would not be hindered in any way. In 2 Corinthians 11:9 he says, “When I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone … in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.”

Similarly he wrote to the Thessalonians, “We did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you” (2 Thess. 3:7–9).

In contrast, Paul’s willingness to accept support from the Philippian church speaks of the special trust and affection they shared.

Apparently the Philippians’ generosity was so great, it left them with needs of their own. Paul assured them that their sacrifices were well-pleasing to God and that He would supply all their needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:18–19).

Like the Philippians, you should be characterized by generous, sacrificial support of those who minister God’s Word to you. Faithful pastors and elders are worthy of such honor (1 Tim. 5:17–18), and generous giving brings joy to you and to others.

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Suggestions for Prayer:  Thank God for those who faithfully minister to you. ✧ Ask for wisdom in how you might best support the financial needs of your church.

For Further Study: Read 1 Corinthians 9:1–14, 2 Corinthians 9:6–14, and 1 Timothy 6:6–9. ✧ What attitudes and principles are reflected in those passages? ✧ How might you incorporate them into your financial practices?^[1]

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^[1] MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1993). Drawing Near—Daily Readings for a Deeper Faith (p. 50). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

February 7, 2018 Truth2Freedom Briefing Report (US•World•Christian)

BLOOMBERG

Kim Jong Un named his sister to represent North Korea at the Winter Olympics in South Korea, a historic visit that raises the drama as world leaders including U.S. Vice President Mike Pence gather for the event. Kim Yo Jong — promoted by her brother last year to the ruling party’s political wing — would be the Kim’s dynasty’s first official representative to set foot in the south.

In a trade that illustrates how the rise of the American shale industry is upending energy markets across the globe, the U.A.E. bought oil directly from the U.S. in December, according to data from the federal government. A tanker sailed from Houston and arrived in the Persian Gulf last month.

Elon Musk says his Tesla Roadster has survived its “grand tour” of the Van Allen radiation belts and is on its way to an orbit reaching past Mars into the asteroid belt.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is embarking on a four-day U.S. tour with the first stop in Chicago to discuss how public service can contribute to stronger economic and political ties between the two countries.

Microsoft Corp., Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Apple Inc. have thrown their support behind proposals in Congress to deal with cross-border data requests from law enforcement — even as the issue heads for review before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Kenyan authorities forced a key opposition backer to leave the country after his arrest triggered protests, as the state ordered other government opponents to surrender their passports.

Mike Novogratz, the former Wall Street macro trader, raised about $250 million for his cryptocurrency merchant bank during one of the biggest routs yet in Bitcoin

Most digital currencies are unlikely to survive in their current form, and investors should prepare for coins to lose all their value as they’re replaced by a small set of future competitors, Goldman’s Steve Strongin said in a report dated Feb. 5.

Coinbase Inc. said customers are now getting slapped with “cash advance” charges when using credit cards to buy Bitcoin and other virtual currencies. The announcement in a blog post Tuesday came just days after several big banks said they’re starting to block the transactions entirely.

AP Top Stories

At the direction of the president, Pentagon generals have begun planning a grand parade on the streets of the U.S. capital to showcase American military might.

Russian cyber spies pursuing the secrets of military drones and other sensitive U.S. defense technology tricked key contract workers into exposing their email to theft, an Associated Press investigation has found. What ultimately may have been stolen is uncertain, but the hackers clearly exploited a national vulnerability in cybersecurity: poorly protected email and barely any direct notification to victims.

An attorney for a same-sex couple who were denied a wedding cake by a California bakery says they’ll continue to fight after a judge issued a preliminary injunction ruling in the baker’s favor Monday.

A locked track switch was blamed for the collision of an Amtrak passenger train with a freight train that killed two people and injured more than 100 in South Carolina on Sunday, raising questions about the delayed rollout of a system to prevent such crashes.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Tuesday aired concerns over China’s activities in disputed areas of the South China Sea, noting that land reclamation continued even after talks began between their 10-member bloc and Beijing to agree a code of conduct.

Poland’s president signed into law on Tuesday a bill that imposes jail terms for suggesting the country was complicit in the Holocaust, prompting sharp criticism from Israel and the United States.

Syria said Wednesday it has responded to “a new Israeli aggression” after aircraft targeted a military outpost near Damascus, claiming its air defense system destroyed most of the missiles.

Iranians have political, economic and social demands which must be heard, President Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday, one of his clearest statements of the right to air grievances since demonstrations were put down violently in December and January.

Syrian activists and first responders say airstrikes on a besieged rebel-held area near Damascus have killed at least 55 people, updating an earlier toll.

BBC

Aftershocks continue to rattle Taiwan after a strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake that killed at least six people and injured more than 200 others.

Brazilian police have arrested 13 members of a religious sect on suspicion of enslavement, human trafficking and money laundering.

A power cut during the evening rush hour in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, caused major disruption to parts of the city on Tuesday.

WND

On Tuesday, the House passed a bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) that makes significant changes to the way that allegations of sexual harassment will be handled in Congress. The most significant reform in Speier’s bill (officially known as the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act) appears to be a provision that forces lawmakers to pay back the U.S. Treasury when settling sexual harassment claims, a change that has drawn widespread support across ideological boundaries. Other popular provisions in the bill prohibit senators and representatives from dipping into their congressional office funds to pay off settlements and remove requirements for accusers to receive mediation and therapy for months in advance of filing formal charges.

A “gay” activist group in the United Kingdom has released a plan to advance its agenda through every subject taught in government-sponsored schools.

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The Briefing — Wednesday, February 7, 2018

1) An imaginary memo reveals a troubling reality about the politicization of abortion

New York Times (David Brooks) –
The Abortion Memo

2) A very dangerous debate about emotional health and abortion

Washington Post (Salvador Rizzo) –
Do Republicans want to ban abortion after 20 weeks with no exceptions?

3) Can we still make a distinction between those worthy of government and welfare and those who are not?

New York Times (Emily Badger and Margot Sanger-Katz) –
Who’s Able-Bodied Anyway?

4) A maelstrom over a motto at the Veterans Administration

Washington Post (Emily Wax-Thibodeaux) –
Is the VA motto outdated and sexist? The head of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans group thinks so.

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News – 2/7/2018

IG poised to reignite war over FBI’s Clinton case
Few people have heard of Michael Horowitz, but that’s about to change. Horowitz, the Department of Justice (DOJ) inspector general, is an increasingly critical player in the controversy surrounding the FBI, President Trump and the Russia investigation. With little fanfare, he has been conducting a sprawling probe of the FBI’s handling of the 2016 investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server. His full report, which could set off shockwaves, is expected by the early spring.

Trump calls for Pentagon to plan military parade
“President Trump is incredibly supportive of America’s great servicemembers who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe. He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation,” Sanders said. Trump’s desires for a parade were considered a presidential directive following a Jan. 18 meeting between Trump and the military’s highest-ranking officials, including Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the Washington Post reported.

Tucker Exposes Insanely Creepy Google Patents To Spy On You And Parent Your Kids
“In another patent application from September 2016, Google imagines how it could take control of your parenting, your relationship with your children,” Carlson explained. “Google’s smart home system could detect children near a liquor cabinet for example, or in their parents bedroom, infer that ‘mischief is occurring’ and deliver a verbal warning.” “In another example, Google imagines a hypothetical child called Benjamin. Google’s cameras would be watching Benjamin at all times, carefully. They could see if he’s playing outside or using electronics, presumably they’d also try to use that information to sell him things, at some point, because that’s the whole point of Google.”

U.N. chief plans major disarmament push but U.S. skeptical
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is to launch a major push for disarmament talks covering everything from nuclear and cyber war to small arms, braving certain U.S. resistance to such bold initiatives, officials and experts told Reuters. Chances of success are uncertain at best. But with nuclear tensions rising, Guterres may be uniquely placed to oil the wheels of negotiations given a 2009 U.N. Security Council pledge to “create the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons”.

Trump Not Expected to Extend DACA Work Permit Deadline
Kelly said that he “doubt[s] very much” that Trump will extend the program, the Washington Post reported. He also said that he was “not so sure this president has the authority to extend” DACA work authorizations. Kelly’s doubt as to the president’s power comes from the opinion, generally propounded by the administration, that the original DACA executive order was an overextension of presidential power. As Attorney General Jeff Sessions put it, the White House considers DACA to be “an unconstitutional exercise of authority” by President Barack Obama’s administration.

France: Turkey and Iran are violating international law in Syria
France’s foreign minister on Wednesday demanded that all Iranian-backed militia, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, leave Syria and said that Turkey and Iran were violating international law through their actions in the country. Speaking on BFM television, Jean-Yves Le Drian also said there were indications Syrian government forces were using toxic gas against civilians although the UN would need to confirm that.

Germany coalition talks: Merkel’s conservatives and SPD clinch deal
Germany’s centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) have reached an agreement on a coalition government with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservatives (CDU/CSU). A deal on the division of the key ministries was seen as the last major hurdle towards forming a coalition. The agreement looks set to end more than four months of wrangling since inconclusive elections in September.

Syria: Israel attacks military post on outskirts of Damascus
Israel reportedly attacked a Syrian military post on the outskirts of Damascus early Wednesday, the Syrian army said, adding its air defense system destroyed most of the Israeli missiles. The Syrian army said Israeli fighter jets fired a number of rockets from Lebanese airspace at 3:42am, targeting an army position.

Pence says U.S. to announce new, tough sanctions on North Korea
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday that Washington would soon announce new, tough sanctions to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear and missile programs, calling it the planet’s “most tyrannical and oppressive regime”. Speaking in Tokyo…Pence promised the United States and its allies, including Japan, would keep maximum pressure on Pyongyang until it took steps toward “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation”.

Bennett: We won’t use surgical precision, neighborhoods with rockets are fair game
Israel needs to face Iranian aggression head on: “Khamenei is willing to fight Israel until the last drop of Syrian, Lebanese and Gazan blood.” Amid reports that the Israeli air force struck an Iranian base in Syria overnight Tuesday, security cabinet member Naftali Bennett said he’s advancing a strategy in which Israel will confront Iran directly rather than just going after its proxies.

The West sleeps peacefully because of Israel
While Turkish President Erdogan and Pope Francis were in Rome complimenting each other on Jerusalem and the European Union was rolling out red carpets to Mahmoud Abbas, Israel was protecting the West This small state has hitherto prevented Iran from manufacturing the atomic bomb, it has ruined the nuclear plans of Saddam Hussein and Bashar el Assad thanks to two solitary bombings, it guards the security of Jordan that without Israel would collapse today like a cooked pear, it has foiled attacks by ISIS on European civilian flights and we now discover that Egypt’s el Sisi has recently asked Israel to bomb ISIS’ posts in Sinai.

FBI lovebirds’ newly revealed texts appear to show Obama involvement in Clinton email case
Page wrote to Strzok on Sept. 2, 2016 about prepping Comey because “potus wants to know everything we’re doing.” Senate investigators told Fox News this text raises questions about Obama’s personal involvement in the Clinton email investigation.

Dozens feared trapped in Taiwan after deadly earthquake topples buildings
Dozens of people are missing following a deadly earthquake in Taiwan, with more than 40 feared trapped in a multi-story building in the northeastern city of Hualien that is tilting perilously. The magnitude 6.4 quake struck 22 kilometers (13 miles) north of the city late Tuesday, killing at least four people and injuring 243 people. It also damaged bridges and buckled roads in the east of the island.

Trump Calls Out 5 Officials as ‘Liars and Leakers’
President Donald Trump slammed five high-level government officials as “liars and leakers” on Monday morning as part of a Twitter message aimed at House Intelligence Committee member Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) “Little Adam Schiff, who is desperate to run for higher office, is one of the biggest liars and leakers in Washington, right up there with Comey, Warner, Brennan and Clapper!” the president wrote. “Adam leaves closed committee hearings to illegally leak confidential information. Must be stopped!”

Mattis Defends Plan to Deploy Small Nuclear Arms
Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told Congress on Tuesday the United States will deploy small nuclear weapons on two new missiles to counter growing threats posed by Russia and China.

Russia calls in army after “snowfall of the century” in Moscow
Russian soldiers have been drafted in to help clear the streets of Moscow and the surrounding region after a record snowfall which delayed flights, felled hundreds of trees, and turned some roads and pavements into an obstacle course. More than a month’s worth of snow fell on Moscow within just 36 hours at the weekend as the temperature hovered below zero degrees Celsius, the biggest snowfall in the Russian capital since meteorological records began.

Cape Town braces for civil unrest as city’s water crisis continues to worsen
The picturesque port city of Cape Town, South Africa has long had the distinction of being one of the world’s top tourist destinations. But now, the city is on track to top another list it doesn’t want to be included in: The first major city in the modern era to have its water supply chain switched off.

How much did it snow? It snowed so much that Moscow called a snow day. That never happens
When Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin tweeted late Sunday that schoolchildren should stay home from classes Monday morning because of heavy snowfall in the Russian capital over the weekend, there was a collective gasp on the internet.

Disturbing: Child Flesh Used For Enhancement Pills
“Powdered human baby flesh” marketed as an aphrodisiac is still being smuggled from China to South Korea. The abominable contraband is reportedly in high demand in both countries; moreover, customs officials narrowed down the pills’ sources to four cities in China.

REVEALED: Britain’s Foreign Office Promotes ‘Liberation’ of Hijab in London, Avoids Commenting on ‘Staff Event’
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom (FCO) has promoted the wearing of the Islamic veil amongst its London staff, using the February 1st occasion of “World Hijab Day” to promote the head covering and even issue “free scarves” to those who chose to try it.

Judge issues key ruling on ‘same-sex wedding’ cakes
A California judge has refused to advance a social agenda in his state that targets Christians who refuse to endorse homosexuality through their work.

Four Months into FY 2018, Refugee Admissions Plunge to Lowest Level in 15 Years
Four months into FY 2018, refugee admissions into the United States have plunged to 6,708, the lowest level this far into a fiscal year in 15 years.

New “recycling” technology is actually CANNIBALISM: Dead people are liquefied, drained into city sewers, then dumped on food crops as “biosludge”
In a shocking true story that’s part The Matrix and part Soylent Green, a company based in Smith Falls, Ontario has devised a “bio-cremation” system that it calls an “eco-friendly alternative to flame-based cremation or casket burials,” reports Canada’s CBC News. The company is called Hilton’s Aquagreen Dispositions and touts its approach to dissolving dead bodies as “eco-friendly alkaline hydrolysis.”

People Not Having Kids B/c Global Warming
Some couples and individuals are trying to save the next generation from potential climate change disaster by forgoing reproduction altogether.

B-52 Breaks Bombing Record Against Taliban
…Shattering the previous record set in November, the American bomber dropped 24 precision guided munitions during a 96-hour air campaign against Taliban training and narcotics facilities in Afghanistan, Fox News reports. The conventional rotary configuration on board allows the B-52s to unleash hell on the terrorists.

Is the Market Crash More Related to Inflation Fears, Fed Sabotage or Deep State Players Caught and Not Brought to Justice?
Market Crashes as Memo Released Showing Crimes and Corruption in Obama’s FBI and DOJ – Maybe AG Sessions Should Do Something?!

Soros Targeted After White House Rolls Out Revamped Petitions Page
A petition called “Declare George Soros a terrorist and seize all of his related organizations’ assets under RICO and NDAA law” on whitehouse.gov has already gathered over 150,000 signatures. That’s well more than the 100,000 signatures needed to qualify for a response from the president.

Mid-Day Snapshot Feb. 7, 2018

Another Government Shutdown Looming as Deadline Approaches Democrats demand a deal on DACA, while Republicans are concerned about getting the military fully funded.

Russians Prank Democrat Adam Schiff The Democrat fell for a prank phone call promising the delivery of compromising material on Trump. The President’s Touching Response to a Seven-Year-Old A little girl traumatized by losing her best friend wrote to Trump asking for protection from guns.

Late-Night Leftism While Colbert and Kimmel move further left, Fallon has remained relative apolitical. But for how long? About Those ‘Marching Orders’… Evidently, Trump would like to hold a military parade in Washington. Cue leftist panic.

Audit Reveals Extent of Pentagon’s Accounting Woes That said, there are signs that Defense Department officials are actively doing something about it. Wednesday Short Cuts “We can’t forget the chief culprits in our ongoing national drama: American voters.” —David French

Wednesday Opinion Read Walter Williams, Ed Feulner, Star Parker, Byron York, Ben Shapiro and more. Wednesday Top Headlines End of IRS targeting? Obama “wants to know everything,” military parade, and more.

Today’s Meme Today’s Cartoon

The Foundation

“The pyramid of government-and a republican government may well receive that beautiful and solid form-should be raised to a dignified altitude: but its foundations must, of consequence, be broad, and strong, and deep. The authority, the interests, and the affections of the people at large are the only foundation, on which a superstructure proposed to be at once durable and magnificent, can be rationally erected.” —James Wilson

ZeroHedge Frontrunning: February 7

• Volatility Inc.: Inside Wall Street’s $8 Billion Bomb (Read More)
• Wall Street set to fall again after Tuesday’s recovery (Read More)
• Congress Seeking Bigger Budget Deal While Avoiding Shutdown (Read More)
• Merkel’s conservatives make big concessions to SPD in coalition deal (Read More)
• What were the chances? U.S. stock selloff sinks Probabilities Fund among others (Read More)
• An Inventor of the VIX: ‘I Don’t Know Why These Products Exist’ (Read More)
• Oil World Turned Upside Down as America Sells Oil in Middle East (Read More)
• With Yellen Out of the Picture, Get Ready for Trump vs. Powell (Read More)
• Democratic House Hopefuls Out-Raise Vulnerable GOP Candidates (Read More)
• Get Ready for Most Cryptocurrencies to Hit Zero, Goldman Says (Read More
• UK crops left to rot after drop in EU farm workers in Britain after Brexit referendum (Read More))
• Navy Presses Mattis to Delay ‘Shock Testing’ Costliest Carrier (Read More)
• Snap surges 24 percent after user growth bounce (Read More)
• Kim Jong Un’s Sister to Become First Dynasty Member to Enter South Korea (Read More)
• Musk’s Big Questions: Can Tesla Make Model 3s and Burn Less Cash? (Read More)
• German pay deal heralds end of wage restraint in Europe’s largest economy (Read More)
• Kushner, Trump Jr. May Escape Public Hearings With Help From GOP (Read More)
• Chinese Police Go RoboCop With Facial-Recognition Glasses (Read More)

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Headlines – 2/7/2018

Putin and Palestinian leader Abbas to discuss new peace talks format

Abbas: We never said no to resuming peace talks

Palestinian leader says US cannot impose peace deal

The entire issue of “Palestinian national identity” is a giant hoax, intended to be no more than a temporary ruse, until the Jewish hold on sovereignty in the Holy Land – any part of the Holy Land – is prised loose

Trump’s Mideast Peace Plan: Intimidate the Palestinians Into Surrender

Draft Coalition Agreement in Germany Includes Clause Critical of West Bank Settlements – Israel’s settlement policy ‘contradicts international law, makes a two-state solution difficult’

In the West Bank, a violent storm is brewing – With Palestinians losing faith in their leaders and lionizing terrorists

France hits out at Poland’s ‘ill advised’ Holocaust law

Polish president: Enforcing Holocaust law may be ‘unrealistic’

Poland isn’t the only country trying to police speech about the Holocaust

Everything You Need to Know About Israel’s Mass Deportation of Asylum Seekers

Gaza health services face shutdown in 10 days, UN says

Palestinian killed in Nablus clashes as IDF hunts for Ariel terrorist

Israel working with Germany to combat ISIS terrorism in Europe

Police to present recommendations in PM Netanyahu corruption cases next week

In ongoing ‘Diamond week’, Israel to launch diamond backed cryptocurrency

The World Bank’s Red-Dead Sea gamble

Hezbollah threatens Israeli offshore gas rigs with missiles

Paratroopers prepare for full self-reliance in Lebanon war scenario

Bennett: We won’t use surgical precision, neighborhoods with rockets are fair game

Lebanese leaders say Israel threatens border stability

PM Netanyahu, Security Cabinet tour Lebanese border

Netanyahu visits Syria border, issues warning: Israel prepared for any scenario, don’t test us

Israel said to strike targets near Damascus

Syria Says Israel Struck Scientific Military Center for Second Time in 3 Months

Syria says intercepted Israel strikes near Damascus

‘Extreme’ Suffering in Syria as Government Steps Up Bombing

UN outrage at Syrian suffering: ‘We can no longer stay silent’

Syria war: UN calls for truce as government pounds rebel enclave

Newborn Babies Reportedly Evacuated From Syrian Hospital Amid Russian Airstrikes

French minister: All Iranian militia, including Hezbollah, must leave Syria

France: Turkey, Iran violating international Law, Syria using chlorine gas

Erdogan says U.S. Should leave Syria’s Manbij as Turkey aims to return it ‘to its true owners’

Turkey says will tell Tillerson it wants to mend trust with US

Egypt to Turkey: We will fight attempts seeking to undermine our sovereignty

Saudi Arabia spends almost a billion dollars in aid to Yemen

Iran Returns Ailing U.S. Citizen to Prison in New Sign of Tension

Iran will abide by nuclear deal even if US pulls out, assures Rouhani

US defends new nuclear stance, slams Russia, China, North Korea

Pence says US to unveil ‘toughest’ sanctions on N. Korea

Winter Olympics security workers hit with vomiting illness; military personnel called in for backup

Coldest Olympics in history? PyeongChang organizers break out the hats and blankets

Trump orders military ‘celebration’ in Washington, DC

Trump seeks military parade to showcase US might

‘Homeland’ in the Trump era tackles the ‘deep state’

Russians already meddling in US midterms, Tillerson says

Trump threatens government shutdown if Congress doesn’t fix immigration laws

Dow closes 567 points higher after crazy market swings

Carl Icahn Says Market Turn Is ‘Rumbling’ of Earthquake Ahead

Icahn: The market will one day ‘implode’ because of these wacky funds using so much leverage

Stock market roars back as White House affirms strength of U.S. economy

The country running out of space for its millionaires

Blackout hits parts of Venezuelan capital

With sports car on top, SpaceX launches world’s most powerful rocket toward Mars

Deadly 6.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Taiwan

Powerful quake hits Taiwan; aftershocks continue as buildings tilt dangerously

At least five killed, 60 missing after quake rocks Taiwan tourist area

5.6 magnitude earthquake hits near Isangel, Vanuatu

5.4 magnitude earthquake hits near Hualian, Taiwan

5.3 magnitude earthquake hits near Hualian, Taiwan

5.2 magnitude earthquake hits near Hualian, Taiwan

5.1 magnitude earthquake hits near Hualian, Taiwan

5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Vanj, Tajikistan

Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts to 16,000ft

Reventador volcano in Ecuador erupts to 16,000ft

Turrialba volcano in Costa Rica erupts to 13,000ft

Record Heat Brings Mosquitoes Out In Sacramento

People Are Actually Considering Not Having Kids Because of Global Warming

Motherhood on ice: Sharp rise in women freezing eggs for the future

Chinese invent nano-Venus flytrap to supplant antibiotics by catching bacteria in our blood

Fort Worth father now an amputee after flu complications

At least 33 infected with HIV in Uttar Pradesh after “quack” uses tainted syringe: police

First openly transgender teen elected to board of Conservative youth group

Calif. Court Rules Christian Baker Cannot Be Forced to Make Cake for Same-Sex Wedding

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What is The Gospel?

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Who Do You Think That I Am?

Selected Scriptures

Code: A335

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:

JESUS IS GOD

While Jesus was on earth there was much confusion about who He was. Some thought He was a wise man or a great prophet. Others thought He was a madman. Still others couldn’t decide or didn’t care. But Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). That means He claimed to be nothing less than God in human flesh.

Many people today don’t understand that Jesus claimed to be God. They’re content to think of Him as little more than a great moral teacher. But even His enemies understood His claims to deity. That’s why they tried to stone Him to death (John 5:18; 10:33) and eventually had Him crucified (John 19:7).

C.S. Lewis observed, “You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to” (Mere Christianity [Macmillan, 1952], pp. 40-41).

If the biblical claims of Jesus are true, He is God!

JESUS IS HOLY

God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3), therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13).

As God, Jesus embodied every element of God’s character. Colossians 2:9 says, “In Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” He was perfectly holy (Hebrews 4:15). Even His enemies couldn’t prove any accusation against Him (John 8:46)

God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

JESUS IS THE SAVIOR

Our failure to obey God—to be holy—places us in danger of eternal punishment (2 Thessalonians 1:9). The truth is, we cannot obey Him because we have neither the desire nor the ability to do so. We are by nature rebellious toward God (Ephesians 2:1-3). The Bible calls our rebellion “sin.” According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: “There is no man who does not sin” (1 Kings 8:46). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). And we are incapable of changing our sinful condition. Jeremiah 13:23 says, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Neither can you do good who are accustomed to doing evil.”

That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness. We might even be involved in various religious or humanitarian activities. But we’re utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own. The Bible says, “There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one” (Romans 3:10-12).

God’s holiness and justice demand that all sin be punished by death: “The soul who sins will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). That’s hard for us to understand because we tend to evaluate sin on a relative scale, assuming some sins are less serious than others. However, the Bible teaches that all acts of sin are the result of sinful thinking and evil desires. That’s why simply changing our patterns of behavior can’t solve our sin problem or eliminate its consequences. We need to be changed inwardly so our thinking and desires are holy

Jesus is the only one who can forgive and transform us, thereby delivering us from the power and penalty of sin: “There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior, who paid the penalty and died for sinners: “Christ … died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26). John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” He alone is “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13).

JESUS IS THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE OBJECT OF SAVING FAITH

Some people think it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere. But without a valid object your faith is useless

If you take poison—thinking it’s medicine—all the faith in the world won’t restore your life. Similarly, if Jesus is the only source of salvation, and you’re trusting in anyone or anything else for your salvation, your faith is useless.

Many people assume there are many paths to God and that each religion represents an aspect of truth. But Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6). He didn’t claim to be one of many equally legitimate paths to God, or the way to God for His day only. He claimed to be the only way to God—then and forever.

JESUS IS LORD

Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him

The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” Confessing Jesus as Lord means humbly submitting to His authority (Philippians 2:10-11). Believing that God has raised Him from the dead involves trusting in the historical fact of His resurrection—the pinnacle of Christian faith and the way the Father affirmed the deity and authority of the Son (Romans 1:4; Acts 17:30-31).

True faith is always accompanied by repentance from sin. Repentance is more than simply being sorry for sin. It is agreeing with God that you are sinful, confessing your sins to Him, and making a conscious choice to turn from sin and pursue holiness (Isaiah 55:7). Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15); and “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine” (John 8:31).

It isn’t enough to believe certain facts about Christ. Even Satan and his demons believe in the true God (James 2:19), but they don’t love and obey Him. Their faith is not genuine. True saving faith always responds in obedience (Ephesians 2:10).

Jesus is the sovereign Lord. When you obey Him you are acknowledging His lordship and submitting to His authority. That doesn’t mean your obedience will always be perfect, but that is your goal. There is no area of your life that you withhold from Him.

JESUS IS THE JUDGE

All who reject Jesus as their Lord and Savior will one day face Him as their Judge: “God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31).

Second Thessalonians 1:7-9 says, “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”

HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?

Who does the Bible say Jesus is? The living God, the Holy One, the Savior, the only valid object of saving faith, the sovereign Lord, and the righteous Judge.

Who do you say Jesus is? That is the inescapable question. He alone can redeem you—free you from the power and penalty of sin. He alone can transform you, restore you to fellowship with God, and give your life eternal purpose. Will you repent and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

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(Alternative News, Apologetics, Current Events, Commentary, Opinion, Theology, Discernment Blog, Devotionals, Christian Internet Evangelism & Missions Activist).

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Those who have been justified are now being sanctified; those who have no experience of present sanctification have no reason to suppose they have been justified. —F.F. Bruce

How Facebook, Amazon and other Information Technology Giants are: – Invading our Privacy – Programming for Addiction – Embedding Godless Philosophies – Eric Barger

Part 2 of “Home Invasion”

One of the most disconcerting pieces of information that I came across in preparing this article is that, besides the various Amazon Echo home units I discussed in part one, there is a home unit, the Echo Look, that Amazon suggests users place in their bedrooms.

Amazon’s own web page about this unit announces “Echo Look | Hands-Free Camera and Style Assistant with Alexa—includes Style Check to get a second opinion on your outfit.”[1]

Yes, it is a camera that allows Amazon’s programmed Artificial Intelligence (i.e., A.I.) to offer its advice on your clothing selection, color coordination, and overall apparel for the day!

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The Philadelphia Eagles: A Band of Bible-Believing Brothers Whose Faith is Inspiring Millions

“Every Monday night we have a couple’s Bible study. We have a Thursday night team Bible study,” Wentz shared. “And Saturday nights, we actually get together the night before the game and just kind of pray and talk through the Word and what guys have been reading, what they’re struggling with, and just kind of keep it real with each other. To have that here in an NFL facility like this, it’s really special.”

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Pope Francis: “It is the Communists Who Think Like Christians”

Absolute Truth from the Word of God

Ever since the conclave of Vatican Cardinals selected the first Jesuit Pope – EVER – in 2013, Pope Francis has not ceased to shock the world with his unconventional comments. Perhaps “unconventional” is a gross understatement.

I have written numerous articles on this pope.  In one of these pieces, I showed the reader many surprising quotes from the Pontiff.

Here are a few excerpts from my article “Quotes from Pope Francis Compared to the Word of God”

He came onto the world stage much in the manner of President Obama. The left wing “Save mother earth” radicals are embracing him as their own. Funny, isn’t it? Wasn’t the job description of a Pope to lead the so-called faithful upon the earth — spiritually speaking? This speaks VOLUMES about the Vatican and RCC worldwide! The institution of Roman Catholicism is a CULT! I love the Catholic people, and because of this…

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Barna Update | Gen Z: Your Questions Answered

Barna just unveiled a landmark study of Gen Z at a live event (and national webcast) last month in Atlanta. Throughout the event we asked for viewers to submit their own questions about Gen Z. We received an overwhelming response and weren’t able to get to all of them. So we’ve decided to address some of your most common and burning questions about Gen Z right here.

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Pulpit & Pen: This is Why We Call it The Social Gospel Coalition

The polemics term for this heresy is called Rauschenbushism, named after its chief 20th-century proponent, Walter Rauschenbush. You know the heresy as “Social Gospel,” and Rauschenbush wrote the book, A Theology for the Social Gospel, in 1917. Rauschenbuschism teaches that the Gospel’s primary consequence on Earth is not the forgiveness of sins, but the solution to racism, social or economic inequality, poverty, crime, environmental problems or other social ills. The roots of Rauschenbuschism is post-millennial theologically (although not by necessity), but it has come to widespread acceptance in all eschatological views.

In “A Theology for the Social Gospel” (which itself denotes that it is an ideology in pursuit of a theology), Rauschenbusch explained that the goals of social improvement could be reached and enthusiasm for its completion intensified if only a theology could be created that was designed to promote those goals. In his opinion, the “regular Gospel” made clear the sinfulness of individuals, but did not make clear the “sinfulness of institutions.” Rauschenbuschism teaches that institutions that are inherently wicked can be redeemed through the right theological focus, and even be brought to repentance in the same way that individuals can be brought to repentance. Rauschenbuschism can be discerned by common use and misuse of the word “Kingdom,” as taken from Matthew 6:10.

Rauschenbuschism became a highly favored tool of social progressives in the 20th Century, as well as Communists and Marxists propagating their views in the United States, although conservatives also utilized the ideology in prohibition and other social movements. In no uncertain terms, the Social Gospel is an enemy of the true Gospel, and is the tool used by Marxists to to co-opt Biblical Christianity and use it as a tool for a worldview that is the opposite of Biblical Christianity.

In our post on Rauschenbushism we wrote…

Modern proponents of Rauschenbuschism include certain segments of Christian Reconstruction, adherents to Black Liberation theology, and Jim Wallis. There is growing concern that Rauschenbuschism is becoming slowly accepted by modern evangelicals like Russell Moore, Thabiti Anyabwile and the organizations, the Gospel Coalition and the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Time will tell if Rauschenbuschism truly takes hold in traditionally more conservative evangelicalism.

Again, Pulpit & Pen proves itself awfully prophetic for being Cessationists. The Gospel Coalition has been going full Social Gospel for some time, but as of late, there is no doubt that it is a Marxist organization with Marxist ideology designed to push a Marxist faux-gospel. They recently posted, “Martin Luther King Jr. and the Gospel’s Social Demands.”

The article was written by Mika Edmondson, a Presbyterian Pastor who has been accused of Marxism himself, and written about a proven Marxist, sex-trafficker, homosexual and whoremonger, and heretic Martin Luthern King, Jr. King, who denied such essential doctrines as the bodily resurrection of Christ and the Inerrancy of Scripture, is well known to have been a Communist. And yet in spite of his moral failings – which make Judge Roy Moore’s look pale in comparison – and his heresies, King continues to be lauded by the Social Gospel Coalition. Edmondson writes…

First, we’ll consider the social entailments of the Christian gospel. King often faced the widespread belief that efforts for racial and economic justice were at best an aside from gospel ministry, and at worst a distraction or even contradiction to gospel ministry. That night in Memphis, however, King was especially encouraged to see a number of prominent pastors publicly standing alongside the sanitation workers. As he gazed at the crowd, he explained:

What’s beautiful to me is to see all of these ministers of the gospel . . . . Who is it that is supposed to articulate the longings and aspirations of the people more than the preacher? Somewhere the preacher must have a kind of fire shut up in his bones, and whenever injustice is around he must tell it. Somehow the preacher must be an Amos, who said, “When God speaks, who can but prophesy?” Again with Amos, “Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Without denying the gospel’s power to save from the punishment of sin, King insisted that a full-orbed gospel ministry must also address the presence and power of sin wherever it exists. For King this was vital to the liberation Christ proclaimed. To King’s mind, the most tragic part of racism was the way it scars the souls of the oppressed by making them feel inherently “inferior” and the souls of the oppressors by making them feel inherently “superior”—both forms of spiritual bondage. Gospel ministry must declare Christ’s freedom from this bondage, and assert the sinfulness of the systems that perpetuate this longstanding and deeply entrenched lie.

The idea that “justice” relates to economic inequality? Check. 

Claiming that the “full gospel” requires social justice? Check. 

Promoting liberation theology? Check. 

Promoting the myth of systemic and institutional racism? Check.

Seriously. Could the Gospel Coalition do anything to make it any more clear that they’re 100% sold out to Rauschenbushism besides officially adding “Social” to their name, Gospel Coalition? They couldn’t possibly make it any clearer.

The article continues…

Despite these historic patterns, many modern evangelicals tend to be uneasy about connecting the gospel with social ethics. They rightly recognize the gospel is about what God has done for us in Christ, and ethics is about how the redeemed respond to that saving work in obedience to God’s law. But they sometimes speak as if any emphasis on the latter is legalistic. King’s insistence that gospel ministry has a social claim, however, helps us remember that the Scriptures speak strongly about not only what God has done for us (justification), but also what he’s doing in us (sanctification). Alongside justification, Christ has freed us from the bondage of sin to a new life of righteousness empowered by the Spirit of God.

Calvin scholar Matthew Tuininga summarizes this point well:

Does [the Lord] only speak of the forgiveness of individuals, or does he describe the way in which Christ establishes the church as a new humanity, a new community, a new social reality characterized by love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace? Does he leave Christians to act within fundamental social institutions, such as marriage, the family, and the master-slave relationship, as was customary in pagan antiquity, or does he call Christians to be transformed according to the mind and example of Christ in the way they love and serve one another, to the point of self-sacrifice?

As Tuininga observes, “Individualism is no orthodox corrective to the theological liberalism of the past.” He is exactly right. Evangelicals’ aversion to the historic errors of the social gospel movement can tempt them to slide into another error—a hyperindividualism that neglects the gospel’s social claims altogether. This is precisely where King’s life and legacy challenge us to become more biblically faithful.

What are the problems of the “theological liberalism of the past” that Tuinsinga and then Edmondson refer to? Edmondson doesn’t say. Regardless, he claims that individualism is bad and so uses the phrase “gospel’s social claims” instead of “social gospel” as though these are two different things. Of course, changing word order doesn’t change the concept. New “Gospel’s social claims” is the same as the old “Social Gospel.” They have the same heroes, in this case, a homosexual and sex-trafficking communist heretic, Martin Luther King

Source: This is Why We Call it The Social Gospel Coalition

CultureWatch: Recalcitrants Versus the Rainbow Ruling Class

In our brave new world of radical minority activist groups effectively taking over entire cultures, things are looking very bleak indeed for anyone who dares to resist the revolution. The militants have now become extremely powerful as the political world, the media, academia, and other institutions of power and influence readily run with their causes.

Those who refuse to bow the knee are being made to pay. They are being socially and culturally ostracised, hated on, and treated as outcasts. And there are very real ramifications of this: people are now being fired from their job, fined, or even jailed, for refusing to submit to the new agenda of the coercive utopians.

The most obvious example of activist agendas terrorising the mainstream is the radical homosexual agenda. As they consolidate power, win ever more special rights, and especially when they destroy marriage and replace it with fake marriage, we see the heavy jackboot being used against all opponents.

There are now many hundreds of examples of this occurring all over the world. And even before Australia went down the path of redefining marriage, we have had plenty of notable cases of people, including religious leaders, being taken to the courts and tribunals all for affirming the traditional understanding of marriage.

The sad case of Archbishop Julian Porteous in Tasmania is but one glaring example of this. And with the new homosexual marriage bill enacted, the range of religious freedoms and other freedoms is exceedingly narrow indeed. The “exemptions” of Dean Smith’s bill are effectively limited to a tiny minority of religious people, such as paid, professional clergy.

Ordinary religious folks, including civil celebrants, those in religious educational institutions, government employees, and small business owners – to name but a few – basically have no protections whatsoever, and are now all at risk of facing the same sort of persecution that I have documented time and time again, including in my 2014 book Dangerous Relations.

Now, simply sharing one’s own personal views on things like the true nature of marriage – be it on a website or a personal social media page – puts people greatly at risk. Here are just five examples of this – out of 165 – that I featured in my book:

“Business owners threatened, face legal action for refusing to rent facility for gay ‘wedding’”
August 12, 2013
“A Christian couple is facing a state complaint, business cancellations, and vulgar, harassing, and threatening e-mail messages after refusing to rent out a business facility for a gay ‘wedding.’ Dick and Betty Odgaard said they could not in good conscience allow a homosexual couple to use their business, the Görtz Haus Gallery, to conduct the ceremony itself. . . . As the story of their denial broke, frightening messages began filling up the Odgaard’s inbox, the couple says. ‘F–k you, f–k your God, f–k your religion,’ said one message from an angry gay rights activist. The same writer enlarged upon his thoughts, adding, ‘You are mean, rude, selfish, mother f—er racist sons of b—hes from hell’.”

“Air Force Sergeant claims he was fired for refusing to endorse gay ‘marriage’: faces court martial”
September 10, 2013
“An Air Force sergeant who filed a discrimination complaint with the U.S. military claiming he was fired by his lesbian commander for refusing to make a statement of support for same-sex ‘marriage’ may now face prosecution for taking his accusations public. Senior Master Sergeant Phillip Monk was relieved of his duties as first sergeant at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio in August after two separate confrontations with an openly homosexual superior officer, Major Elisa Valenzeula.”

“Transgender man wins complaint against bridal shop for not letting him try on wedding dress”
September 19, 2013
“The Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission announced that a mediated settlement has been reached between the owner of a Saskatoon bridal shop and a man who presents himself as a woman. Rohit Singh, a student from India who came to Canada in 2010, filed a complaint against Jenny’s Bridal Boutique after the owner of the shop refused to allow him access to the women’s changing room. When Singh selected a dress and wanted to try it on, shop owner Jenny Correia refused him, saying “I don’t allow men to wear dresses in my store.’ Singh retorted, ‘I’m not a man, I’m a transgender and my sex-change procedure is going on,’ according to media reports of the incident that happened on April 21. The owner believed allowing a man to try on dresses would make female customers in the shop uncomfortable.”

“Gay activists launch complaint against teacher who included homosexuality on list of possible sins”
September 23, 2013
“Days after the Italian lower house passed the country’s ‘anti-homophobia’ law, the country’s leading homosexualist lobby group, Arcigay, appears to be testing the legal waters. Together with The Omphalos Association and Arcilesbica Perugia, Arcigay has launched a complaint, called a ‘denunzia,’ of ‘homophobia’ that they allege was committed during a religious education class at the Liceo Classico Mariotti, a university preparatory high school, in the Umbrian town of Perugia.”

“Mayors cannot refuse to ‘marry’ homosexual couples: French Constitutional Court”
October 22, 2013
“French mayors and members of municipal councils in charge of registering civil status will not be allowed to invoke a right to conscientious objection to justify their refusal to celebrate same sex “marriages,” the French Constitutional Court decided last Friday. Two groups of mayors had brought the issue before the Court. But the court’s decision now puts an end to their hopes of finding a loophole to guarantee that elected civil rights officers who object to same sex “marriage” will have their conscience rights respected.”

But this keeps getting worse by the day. Consider two brand new cases of anti-Christian bigotry and the crack-down on various freedoms because recalcitrants have dared to resist the new PC agendas. The first case comes from New Jersey in the US. The story begins:

A high school teacher was suspended for three years for sharing her views of homosexuality on a personal Facebook page. Jenye “Viki” Knox served Union High School since 2000 as a teacher and faculty adviser for the students’ Bible study group. She began teaching handicapped students 28 years ago.
An ordained minister, Knox communicated her opinion openly on social media. In 2011, she criticized an LGBTQIA+ promotion featured in the school’s display glass. “Why parade your unnatural immoral behaviors before the rest of us?” Knox posted….
Knox was summarily charged with conduct unbecoming a teacher and suspended without pay. Later, school officials filed tenure charges against her to take away her job security in order to fire her.
Included in the school charges were allegations that Knox alerted school officials via email that homosexual teachers were “targeting young and impressionable students for indoctrination into alternative sexual lifestyles.” Knox denied sending the emails.
Knox eventually resigned in mid-2012 under “stress.” In 2013, Knox sued the district for violating her right to free speech and her right to the free expression of her religion. She wanted her job back with back pay and the admission that she was within her rights under the Constitution to express her views on Facebook.

My second horror story comes out of the UK. It starts this way:

A government-funded pre-apprenticeship academy in Bristol reported a Christian teacher as a “radicalisation threat” for answering students’ questions about her beliefs, Bristol Employment Tribunal has heard. Svetlana Powell, a teacher of some 17 years’ experience, told the Tribunal that she was dismissed by the T2 Apprenticeship Academy in Bristol in July 2016 after being asked by students about her views on homosexuality.
In reply to a personal question, Mrs Powell said that her personal belief was that homosexuality was against God’s will, but that He loved every person, regardless of what they did, or who they were.
When told that one of the students identified as a lesbian, Mrs Powell in conviction of God’s care and love for every person, turned to her and said: “God loves you”. Two days later, the Academy’s HR Officer, Stacy Preston, told Mrs Powell that she was fired for “gross misconduct” with immediate effect.
The Academy’s Chief Safeguarding Officer, Sian Prigg, told the Tribunal that after a group of students complained that they were “brainwashed and preached to”, she decided to contact the local coordinator for Prevent – the government’s ‘counter-terrorism’ strategy group – to report the incident. Mrs Powell said she did not know of being reported as a “radicalisation threat” until she brought a legal claim against the Academy and read Mrs Prigg’s witness statement for the Tribunal.

These cases are now everyday occurrences all over the West. And with fake marriage now the law of the land in Australia, how many more such cases will we see here, all because folks – including religious folks – will stay true to their beliefs and their consciences, and not give in to the new draconian persecution?

We know that many homosexual activists and allied groups have insisted that there be NO religious exemptions whatsoever here in Australia. It seems clear that they will keep pushing this until all non-compliance is targeted and dealt with.

Broadly speaking the purposes of the law can do one of three things: prohibit, permit, or promote. We have seen the whole gamut when it comes to things like homosexuality. Now everyone is being made to conform to the new sexual orthodoxy, and those who refuse to do so will be subject to the heavy hand of the law.

We expect such state-based repression of dissidents in police states. But it is shocking when supposed free and democratic nations head down this path. The truth is, all sorts of freedoms – religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, freedom of assembly, and so on – are now all under great risk with the new homosexual agenda taking hold over our culture.

This is very scary stuff indeed.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/african-american-teacher-faces-three-year-suspension-for-calling-homosexual?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com&utm_campaign=110289d3d5-Daily%2520Headlines%2520-%2520U.S.&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12387f0e3e-110289d3d5-401398773
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-teacher-referred-to-anti-terrorism-agency-for-telling-lesbian-stu?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com&utm_campaign=b657d0bdbb-Daily%2520Headlines%2520-%2520U.S.&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12387f0e3e-b657d0bdbb-401398773

Source:

FEBRUARY 7 A COMPROMISE: “THE CHURCH MUST CHANGE”

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine …and they shall turn away their ears from the truth….

2 TIMOTHY 4:3, 4

Any evangelism which by appeal to common interests and chatter about current events seeks to establish a common ground where the sinner can feel at home is as false as the altars of Baal ever were.

Every effort to smooth out the road for men and to take away the guilt and the embarrassment is worse than wasted: it is evil and dangerous to the souls of men! One of the most popular of current errors, and the one out of which springs most of the noisy, blustering religious activity in evangelical circles, is the notion that as times change the church must change with them. Christians must adapt their methods by the demands of the people. If they want ten-minute sermons, give them ten-minute sermons! If they want truth in capsule form, give it to them! If they want pictures, give them plenty of pictures! If they like stories, tell them stories!

Meanwhile, the advocates of compromise insist that “The message is the same, only the method changes.” “Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad,” the old Greeks said, and they were wiser than they knew. That mentality which mistakes Sodom for Jerusalem and Hollywood for the Holy City is too gravely astray to be explained otherwise than as a judicial madness visited upon professed Christians for affronts committed against the Spirit of God!^[1]

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^[1] Tozer, A. W., & Smith, G. B. (2015). Evenings with tozer: daily devotional readings. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers.