Merry Christmas

  From David Jeremiah:     

                   All our inheritance was released upon the death of Jesus Christ. Because He died, we have an abundant provision of everything we need. We are heirs of God and joint heirs of Christ, and He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:3, 7).

Because of Christmas we have comfort for today, hope for tomorrow, and blessings innumerable for every day. That's why it's truly a Merry Christmas.                            

Beware the Hucksters!

The warning that appears most in the New Testament is the warning against false teachers. The false teacher that concerns me the most these days is the huckster.

The warnings are clear and most times it is good to see multiple translations of a given passage to leave no doubt as to its intended meaning. Here are two translations of 2 Cor 2:17: 

 "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." NIV

"You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us."  NLT

Combined with 1 Tim 6: 3-5 the warning is clear:

"These are the things you are to teach and insist on. ³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴ they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵ and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain."

What to look for:   “Confess it to possess it”, “Name it and claim it”, Teaching on a 100 fold return on donations, and extra biblical teaching such as  "New Revelations". These are some of the big things to look for.

The flaws in these teachings are real obvious for the Christian with a minimum of discernment to spot. Unfortunately those who are brought up in an “ology” based on faulty exegesis of scripture or that read things into scripture, (eisegesis) are prone to fall into the trap and not even see it.

Pray for these people, handle with care, point out their error with gentleness and the agape love of GOD.  

Think about it, meditate on it, open your Bible and verify it so that you know what I'm saying is accurate and in context.  

Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.

You Have Received Christ as Savior: Now What?

While I love it when I see people come to a saving relationship with the GOD of the Universe through his son Jesus Christ, but I often ask the question on their behalf, now what?

I was left high and dry after I was saved and looked and searched for a long time for the right church. It took way too long and I drifted aimlessly. In other words I was the true definition of a seeker. 

Here is what David Jeremiah says about what really needs to happen after one becomes a new born again believer:

“New Christians need to be fed "the milk of the Word"--basic biblical truths about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. But that "milk" is for a transitional purpose, just as mother's milk plays a transitional role in human physical development. If a Christian doesn't move beyond basic Bible doctrines into deeper biblical understanding, something is wrong. Spiritual growth only continues when the "milk" of the Word is replaced by the "meat" of the Word.

How would you describe your spiritual diet in terms of how long you have been a Christian? If you are consuming milk too long or meat too soon, your growth will suffer.”

Churches: Please don’t leave your new Christians high and dry, to fend for themselves.

Get them studying, at least have Bible Studies weekly to ensure their growth.

Think about it, pray about, and until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us,

In Jesus name I pray.

Politics: Who Do You Trust?

As the political ads are already saturating the air waves with lies and exaggerations and the “It’s not corruption if it’s my guy” attitudes take hold, it all comes down to who do you trust. Who is truly worthy of our trust? 

If you are a professing Christian, there can only be one answer. I trust in no party, no plan, no political or social dogma, no “ology” or “ism”. The only man I trust is the man with the nail scarred hands, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While it may be our national and some would even say it’s our moral duty to vote, please do so against the measure of biblical truth. Vote for the people who stand on the firmest moral ground.  Hold your nose and perform your civic duty. What we shouldn’t do is get caught up in the debate and get dragged down or dragged into the world, but rather we should always, as much as is humanly possible, stayed focused on Jesus.

Think about it, pray about it.

Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.   

“Ologies” and “Isms” The Doctrines of Men

So I need to ask, did the early Christians and church fathers have to believe in the doctrines of predestination, prosperity, free will, or any other man made doctrine to be saved? I don’t think so. The Gospel is simple, one puts their faith in Jesus, believe he was the virgin born son of God, suffered died and was buried for the sins of mankind, rose on the third day, and are saved by doing so. That is it, THE END! 

Anything beyond this simple truth is man made doctrine.

 But Dan, it’s in the Bible.  Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. One mans exegesis is another mans heresy. 

There is no doubt in my mind that certain things get lost in translation from the original languages, thus leaving the original intent obfuscated in some cases. Regardless, all of these “ologies” and “isms” are based on non-essentials for salvation. Whether GOD chooses or  not, if you are rich or not, if you have free will or not, if your faith is strong enough or not, if you read the King James only or not, or any other man made “ology” or “ism”, none of which matter. What matters is this:

Romans 5:8

“.. but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 10:9

“That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”.   

Yes, it is that simple! Why do men have to make it more complicated than that? Enough with the neo-pharisees creating religious systems that muddy the WORD!!! Could it be Satan stirring things up?

Think about it. Pray about it.

Until the next time, may the LORD Bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.

Getting Conversion Right

From Erwin Lutzer. This is part 4 of a series but it is critical. I thought it was important enough to share with you today.

lhttp://www.oneplace.com/ministries/running-to-win/player/getting-conversion-right-part-4-of-4-278009.html

Counterfeits: Believers Beware

In this age of apostasy all of Gods’ children need to be careful as things aren’t always what they may appear to be.
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.
2 Thessalonians 2:9 NIV

Satan is good at counterfeiting in the spiritual realm. He can produce signs and wonders and can make his apostles look like Christ's apostles. Christians must be careful. Spiritual appearance is not a guarantee of spiritual integrity. We must "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" as John wrote (1 John 4:1 NIV).

It is up to us to obey the Bible's exhortation: "Do not be deceived" (Galatians 6:7).

But Jesus himself warned that us that even the elect(saved) can be deceived:

For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. Matt 24:24 NLT

"There are powers that can counterfeit almost anything in the Christian life".
D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

With Thanks to Dr. David Jeremiah and his daily devotionals from which this post was derived.

Here is a great Praise video from Cristy Nockels:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3OEGnH5x8g&ob=av2n
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.