Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Hello Friends! -I hope everyone is doing great today!
Today I thought I'd talk about a
"Lukewarm Christian".....
What does it mean to be lukewarm? I think of the term “room temperature.” If something is room temperature, you can’t really feel hot or cold. It’s hard to explain I guess, but if you think about it, lukewarm is comfortable. Too much heat and coldness can kill you – it can be a dangerous thing. Lukewarm isn’t threatening or dangerous. Jesus was dangerous though. His message wasn’t comfortable or easy. On one occasion, he told a man to sell everything he had if he truly wanted to follow Him. Another time, he explained that we are to turn the other cheek, give more than what people take from us, and walk the extra mile – all in the face of persecution and strife. He even said “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me.” None of that doesn’t sound too cozy to me, But I’m convinced that God wants more out of me and you.
Christians, this might sting a little…
1. Lukewarm people attend church fairly regularly. It is what is expected of them, what they believe “good Christians do", so they go. (Isaiah 29:13)
2. Lukewarm people give money to charity and to the church…as long as it doesn’t impinge on their standard of living. If they have a little extra and it is easy and safe to give, they do so. After all, God loves a cheerful giver, right? (1 Chronicles 21:24; Luke 21:1-4)
3. Lukewarm people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict. They desire to fit in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of their hearts and lives (Luke 6:26; Rev. 3:1; Matthew 23:5-7).
4. Lukewarm people don’t really want to be saved from their sin; they want only to be saved from the penalty of their sin. They don’t genuinely hate sin and aren’t truly sorry for it; they’re merely sorry because God is going to punish them. Lukewarm people don’t really believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the old sinful one (John 10:10; Romans 6:1-2).
5. Lukewarm people are moved by stories about people who do radical things for Christ, yet they do not act. They assume such action is for “extreme” Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call “radical” what Jesus expected of all His followers (James 1:22; James 4:17; Matthew 21:28-31).
6. Lukewarm people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, or friends. They do not want to be rejected, nor do they want to make people uncomfortable by talking about private issues like religion (Matthew 10:32-33).
7. Lukewarm people gauge their morality or “goodness” by comparing themselves to the secular world. They feel satisfied that while they aren’t as hard-core for Jesus as so-and-so, they are nowhere as horrible as the guy down the street (Luke 18:11-12).
8. Lukewarm people say they love Jesus, and He is, indeed, a part of their lives. But only a part. They give Him a section of their time, their money, and thoughts, but He isn’t allowed to control their lives (Luke 9:57-62).
9. Lukewarm people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They would be quick to assure you that they try to love God that much, but that sort of total devotion isn’t really possible for the average person; it’s only for pastors and missionaries and radicals (Matthew 22:37-38). Also they think the ones who talk about the Lord constantly are faking zeal, and are just plain annoying.
10. Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves. Their love of others is typically focused on those who love them in return, like family, friends, and other people they know and connect with. There is little love left over for those who cannot love them back, much less for those who intentionally slight them, whose kids are better athletes than theirs, or with whom conversations are awkward or uncomfortable. Their love is highly conditional and very selective, and generally comes with strings attached (Matthew 5:43-47; Luke 14:12-14).
11. Lukewarm people will serve God and others, but there are limits to how far they will go or how much time, money and energy they are willing to give (Luke 18:21-25).
12. Lukewarm people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven. They're not really concerned with eternity. It won't happen today...some day, eventually. Daily life is mostly focused on today’s to-do list, this week’s schedule, and next month’s vacation. Rarely, if ever, do they intently consider the life to come. Regarding this, C.S. Lewis wrote, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this” (Philippians 3:18-20; Colossians 3:2).
13. Lukewarm people are thankful for their luxuries and comforts, and rarely consider trying to give as much as possible to the poor. They are quick to point out, “Jesus never said money is the root of all evil, only that the love of money is.” Untold numbers of lukewarm people feel “Called” to minister to the rich; very few feel “called” to minister to the poor (Matthew 25:34, 40; Isaiah 58:6-7).
14. Lukewarm people do whatever is necessary to keep themselves from feeling too guilty. They want to do the bare minimum, to be “good enough” without it requiring too much of them. They ask, “How far can I go before it’s considered a sin?” instead of “How can I keep myself pure as a temple of the Holy Spirit?” They ask, “How much do I have to give?” instead of “How much can I give?” They ask, “How much time should I spend praying and reading my Bible? Instead of “I wish I didn’t have to go to work, so I could sit here and read longer!” (1 Chronicles 29:14; Matthew 13:44-46).
15. Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe; they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for God (1 Timothy 6:17-18; Matthew 10:28).
16. Lukewarm people feel secure because they attend church, made a profession of faith at age twelve, were baptized, come from a Christian family, vote Republican, or not at all... and live in America. Just as the prophets in the Old Testament warned Israel that they were not safe just because they lived in the land of Israel, so we are not safe just because we wear the label Christian or because some people persist in calling us a “Christian nation” (Matthew 7:21; Amos 6:1)
17. Lukewarm people do not live by faith; their lives are structured so they never have to. They don’t have to trust God if something unexpected happens-they have their savings account. They don’t need God to help them – they have their retirement plan in place. They don’t genuinely seek out what life God would have them live – they have life figured and mapped out. They don’t depend on God on a daily basis – their refrigerators are full and, for the most part, they are in good health. The truth is, their lives wouldn’t look much different if they suddenly stopped believing in God (Luke 12:16-21; Hebrews 11).
18. Lukewarm people probably drink and swear a little less than average, but besides that, they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever. They equate their partially sanitized lives with holiness, but they couldn’t be more wrong (Matthew 23:25-28).
Wow. The first time I read that, it made my stomach hurt.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ, I want you to do something for me. I want you to answer this question: “Am I a force to be reckoned with for the Kingdom?” Take some time to truly reflect on your evaluation.
If you don’t know God but have a negative impression of Him due to something you’ve seen from Christianity, please allow me to apologize. That’s not the way He intended it to be. More often that I’d like, I’ve found myself asking God for forgiveness because of the ways I’ve misrepresented Him. Please don’t let our (Christians/the Church/my) human error and imperfections define your view of a loving, perfect, and grace-giving God.
We’ve got to quit throwing God our “dry, meatless bones”. We’ve got to live deliberately, intentionally, and daily for Him. We’ve got to repent of our “Christian Atheism.” •
Revelation 3:15-16
15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. •*****************************************************************
We’ve got to quit serving leftovers to a Holy God. Blessings to you and yours!-Rev.Debbie ♥
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Jack
THE SEALS ARE BEING BROKEN |
Salvation illusion
Jan Boshoff
The Love of Christ
† Last Trumpet Before the Time †
Blessings to you and yours! -Rev.Debbie ♥
Psalm 17:6-9 (KJV)
I have called upon Thee, for Thou wilt hear me, O God: incline Thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. Shew Thy marvellous lovingkindness, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand them which put their trust in Thee from those that rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of Thy wings, from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. • |
 From a sermon by Charles Haddon Spurgeon entitled "Heaven's Nurse Children." *********************************************<>< <>< <>< ************************* Blessings to you and yours in these uncertain and unnerving times!- Rev.Debbie ♥ |
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Oprah Winfrey: Billionaire Blasphemer
| Oprah Winfrey is a blasphemer against the God of Holy Scripture. How does a very intelligent lady come from a deeply Christian home of an apparent Godly grandmother to become a full-blown New Ager? It is reported that she began public speaking by reading or quoting the Bible and sermons to her grandmother’s church family at the age of three. She was actually named after Orpah, the sister of Ruth from the Bible; but the name was misspelled on her birth certificate. Being raped by a family member for years certainly had a chilling effect on her young life. The sad story is that her incredible mind and personality has been turned into a force for occultic powers. Satan goes about as a roaring lion seeking the best and the smartest lives to use for his kingdom of defiance against the God of the Bible. The New World Order of the Antichrist is exploding and he needs teachers and devotees to spread his high-sounding deception. Oprah Winfrey has become one of his most successful tools to help lead a multitude to hell. The present day acceptance of all religions on an equal level sets the perfect stage. In this atmosphere the villains are saints of God that identify these lies. Hatred for Biblical Christianity has never been so loud. Oprah has made numerous statements that show her devotion to New Age ideas, but the real proof is in her key radio series for 2008. The entire year has been proclaimed as a study on the book, A Course In Miracles. First, let’s document the source of this study. An atheistic psychologist received this course by demonic revelation in 1965. This same study has been a mainstay with Robert Shuller’s church for years and probably played a large part in the confused mind of Rick Warren. This study came to this psychologist by “mind dictation” and the source identifies himself as Jesus Christ. She recalled, “The voice made no sound, but seemed to be giving me a kind of rapid inner diction, which I took down in a shorthand notebook.” Another psychologist with whom she is reported to have had a very troubled relationship agreed to participate in these dictations and serve as a kind of secretary and confidant. For several years William Thetford was often with her as she received the volume of materials that constitute this course. He believed she was receiving the original teachings of Jesus Christ to give to the world. The Oprah Winfrey Enterprise has now become the window to the world for these satanic teachings. It is scary when you consider her entrance into the political campaign of Senator Barack Obama and the impact the media suggests this is having on his candidacy. Satan is determined to put the prettiest face with the least substance in the American White House. With all of our sins and failures, America and Israel are still the two nations hated by the unbelieving world. To think of having a president that believes in the ideas of Oprah Winfrey and A Course in Miracles should drive us to our knees. Let’s review the heart of this dubious course in miracles. You will find that every idea is totally foreign to the Holy Scripture. It is basically the language of humanism, psychology, and the occult. It has no kin to the Lord Jesus Christ and above all it hates the sacred blood of the cross. If there is one thing Satan and all his ilk love to attack, it is the blood and the very purpose of that blood, which is to cleanse sin. A Course in Miracles states, “The atonement is the final lesson he (the human family) need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation.” (Text, p. 237.) That statement is the unfailing love of the devil. There is no such thing as sin to Lucifer. To admit sin is to admit righteousness and rebellion against righteousness. And that truth demands a Sovereign God that is an eternal being that gave His only Son to redeem man out of sin. The heart of this false system is the denial of the Holy God that rules in His universe. The false premise of the above statement moves quickly to the next main thrust that is the heart of Pantheism or New Age teaching. Here are the author’s words, “The oneness of the creator is your wholeness, your sanity, and your limitless power.” (Text, p. 125.) This incredible statement is claiming that the universe is God, that every part is part of the whole, and that we fit in the whole as a cog in the wheel. There is no separate individual, either God or ourselves. It is all an elusion, and we move up the ladder of that elusion by our positive mindset. Of course, we move in the reverse when we are negative or harbor negative thoughts of sin, sickness, or failure. It can only get worse when you start with such rebellion against the Heavenly Father. Here is a list of dark things in this book:
Oprah Winfrey has probably crossed the line in the sand to which there is no return. Believe me, the great Creator and His Eternal Son is beholding it all and the cup of wrath is near the top. The crash of a life like Oprah will leave a heartrending aftershock. We may not hear it here, but the sound will touch eternity. Tell every soul that you have opportunity to tell that judgment is near at hand. Do not fail to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ as the Redeemer and Saviour of all that call on Him in surrender. |
Joseph R. Chambers
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
It is so painful to watch the horror show underway in Libya right now. Estimates tell us that at least 1,000 Libyans are dead. Many more are wounded. Some 100,000 people have apparently fled Libya in recent days as the situation goes from bad to worse.
The first sentence of a new Time magazine article asks, "Is it the End of Days for Libya?" The article looks at the rising death toll as Gaddafi continues using his army to slaughter the Libyan people desperate for change. It also asks the question of whether Libya will experience peace even if (or when) Gaddafi is deposed. Dirk Vandewalle, a Libyan expert at Dartmouth University, told Time: "Both sides, both the population, and the security organizations, know exactly what's at stake. If government militias [are to] win, they will have to kill many more, and if the security organizations lose, then the people, the regular people in Libya are going to take their revenge….Either way we're going to see a terrible blood bath." David Mack, a former deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs, told Time that the worst possible outcome would be a widespread lawlessness in which Libya degenerated into a kind of "Somalia on the Mediterranean."
What does the Bible tell us? Libya is referred to numerous times in the Scriptures, both directly and indirectly.
· In Matthew 27, for example, we learn that it was a Libyan man - Simon of Cyrene (a part of ancient Libya) – who carried the cross for our Lord Jesus.
· In Acts chapter 2, we learn that God-fearing men from Libya were present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and heard the Apostle Peter preach the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit. Some 3,000 people that days repented of their sins and became fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. It is likely that Libyans were among them since they are mentioned in the text.
· In Acts 11, we learn that Libyan (Cyrene) followers of Jesus Christ helped bring the gospel to Antioch, Syria, and made disciples for Jesus there.
· In Acts 13 we learn that a Libyan man - Lucius of Cyrene - becomes one of the leaders of the church at Antioch, helping send out Barnabus and Paul to take the gospel to Asia and Europe.
Again and again in the Scriptures we see that the Lord loves the people of Libya. He wants them to know Him and receive His free gift of salvation.
That said, Bible prophecy also tells us the government and many of the people of Libya will be engaged in great evil in the End of Days.
· In Ezekiel 38-39, we learn that Libya is one of the nations that joins the Russian-Iranian alliance against Israel in "the last days." In this prophecy, Ezekiel uses the name "Put." The first century historian Flavius Josephus wrote in his famous book, The Antiquities of the Jews, that "Put" or "Phut" is "ancient Libyos." Ancient Libyos, we know, certainly included the territory of the modern nation state we refer to today as Libya, but also included Algeria and possibly Tunisia. This tells us the no matter what the near term outcomes of the revolutions underway in North Africa are, in the not-too-distant future Libya for certain and possibly her neighbors will have virulently anti-Semitic and anti-Israel leadership who will eagerly join a coalition bent on destroying the Jews and occupy the land of Israel. Gaddafi, of course, is already such a leader. Perhaps he will ride out this storm and stay in power. Perhaps someone worse will rise up after him. Hopefully Gaddafi will be deposed and a more moderate leadership will rise up for a season before the prophecy of the "War of Gog and Magog" comes to fulfillment. Either way, the Church should be using this window of time to do everything possible to get the gospel into Libya and to strengthen the persecuted believers in Libya before the country faces God's judgment for attacking Israel.
· In Daniel 11, we learn that Libya is one of the countries that will be under the control and direction of the Antichrist in "the last days." The Hebrew Prophet Daniel tells us that "a despicable person will arise" during "a time of tranquility" and will seize global power "by intrigue" and by "overflowing forces" in the End Times. This person, known in Christian theology as the Antichrist, "will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is finished, for that which is decreed will be done." The Bible tells us the Antichrist "will enter the Beautiful Land" - that is, Israel - and "will stretch out his hand against other countries." Eventually, the Antichrist will gain control of the entire world and force all people who haven't received Christ as Savior and Lord to bow and worship him or be beheaded. But the Bible specifically notes that the Antichrist "will gain control over the hidden treasures of gold and silver and over all the precious things of Egypt; and Libyans and Ethiopians [the people of "Cush," which includes modern Sudan, Ethiopia and possible Eritrea] will follow at his heels." It is not entirely clear why the Bible points specifically to "Libyans" and "Ethiopians" as among those who will follow and serve the Antichrist, but this is what the Lord tells us in advance will happen.
This is all the more reason the Church must seek to reach all of North Africa with the gospel of Jesus Christ before it is too late. Please be praying faithfully for Libya and all of North Africa at this critical hour. •
WATCH AND BE READY – ARE YOU READY?
Sunday, February 27, 2011
BIBLE STUDIES FOR MARCH
Here we are, Marching into another new month!
The Lord is with us in it.
The Lord is there in the freshness and quietness of a new morning.
He's there in the middle of a tender afternoon rain.
He's with you in the evening when twilight is there and everything seems to have slowed way down, preparing for it's rest.
Let's go together into His Word.....
"March's Bible Studies"
March 1st -Numbers 23-25 & Mark 7: 14-37
March 2nd -Numbers 26-27 & Mark 8: 1-21
March 3rd -Numbers 28-30 & Mark 8: 22-38
March 4th -Numbers 31-33 & Mark 9: 1-29
March 5th -Numbers 34-36 & Mark 9: 30-50
March 6th -Deuteronomy 1-2 & Mark 10: 1-31
March 7th -Deuteronomy 3-4 & Mark 10: 32-52
March 8th -Deuteronomy 5-7 & Mark 11: 1-18
March 9th - Deuteronomy 8-10 & Mark 11: 19-33
March 10th -Deuteronomy 11-13 & Mark 12: 1-27
March 11th -Deuteronomy 14-16 & Mark 12: 28-44
March 12th -Deuteronomy 17-19 & Mark 13: 1-20
March 13th -Deuteronomy 20-22 & Mark 13: 21-37
March 14th -Deuteronomy 23-25 & Mark 14: 1-26
March 15th -Deuteronomy 26-27 & Mark 14: 27-53
March 16th -Deuteronomy 28-29 & Mark 14: 54-72
March 17th -Deuteronomy 30-31 & Mark 15: 1-25
March 18th -Deuteronomy 32-34 & Mark 15: 26-47
March 19th -Joshua 1-3 & Mark 16
March 20th -Joshua 4-6 & Luke 1: 1-20
March 21st -Joshua 7-9 & Luke 1: 21-38
March 22nd -Joshua 10-12 & Luke 1: 39-56
March 23rd -Joshua 13-15 & Luke 1: 57-80
March 24th -Joshua 16-18 & Luke 2: 1-24
March 25th -Joshua 19-21 & Luke 2: 25-52
March 26th -Joshua 22-24 & Luke 3
March 27th -Judges 1-3 & Luke 4: 1-30
March 28th -Judges 4-6 & Luke 4: 31-44
March 29th -Judges 7-8 & Luke 5: 1-16
March 30th -Judges 9-10 & Luke 5: 17-39
March 31st -Judges 11-12 & Luke 6: 1-26
****************************************
May God give you rich blessings as you study His Word this month.
yours in Christ, Rev. Debbie ♥
Here we are, Marching into another new month!
The Lord is with us in it.
The Lord is there in the freshness and quietness of a new morning.
He's there in the middle of a tender afternoon rain.
He's with you in the evening when twilight is there and everything seems to have slowed way down, preparing for it's rest.
Let's go together into His Word.....
"March's Bible Studies"
March 1st -Numbers 23-25 & Mark 7: 14-37
March 2nd -Numbers 26-27 & Mark 8: 1-21
March 3rd -Numbers 28-30 & Mark 8: 22-38
March 4th -Numbers 31-33 & Mark 9: 1-29
March 5th -Numbers 34-36 & Mark 9: 30-50
March 6th -Deuteronomy 1-2 & Mark 10: 1-31
March 7th -Deuteronomy 3-4 & Mark 10: 32-52
March 8th -Deuteronomy 5-7 & Mark 11: 1-18
March 9th - Deuteronomy 8-10 & Mark 11: 19-33
March 10th -Deuteronomy 11-13 & Mark 12: 1-27
March 11th -Deuteronomy 14-16 & Mark 12: 28-44
March 12th -Deuteronomy 17-19 & Mark 13: 1-20
March 13th -Deuteronomy 20-22 & Mark 13: 21-37
March 14th -Deuteronomy 23-25 & Mark 14: 1-26
March 15th -Deuteronomy 26-27 & Mark 14: 27-53
March 16th -Deuteronomy 28-29 & Mark 14: 54-72
March 17th -Deuteronomy 30-31 & Mark 15: 1-25
March 18th -Deuteronomy 32-34 & Mark 15: 26-47
March 19th -Joshua 1-3 & Mark 16
March 20th -Joshua 4-6 & Luke 1: 1-20
March 21st -Joshua 7-9 & Luke 1: 21-38
March 22nd -Joshua 10-12 & Luke 1: 39-56
March 23rd -Joshua 13-15 & Luke 1: 57-80
March 24th -Joshua 16-18 & Luke 2: 1-24
March 25th -Joshua 19-21 & Luke 2: 25-52
March 26th -Joshua 22-24 & Luke 3
March 27th -Judges 1-3 & Luke 4: 1-30
March 28th -Judges 4-6 & Luke 4: 31-44
March 29th -Judges 7-8 & Luke 5: 1-16
March 30th -Judges 9-10 & Luke 5: 17-39
March 31st -Judges 11-12 & Luke 6: 1-26
****************************************
May God give you rich blessings as you study His Word this month.
yours in Christ, Rev. Debbie ♥
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