Embassy of Prayer

I haven't posted on this blog for a little while[perhaps you noticed] but have started another blog with an emphasis on prayer. I've come to think that the incredible privelege of God's provision of prayer is something that we at times neglect or under value. Fell free to visit even though the new blog is still in a rudimentary state.
Click on link below.


Covenant Conversations | Embassy of Prayer

Berit Kjos -- Global War on Christian Values, Part 2

Berit Kjos often has insightfull and Christ centred political commentary.

Berit Kjos -- Global War on Christian Values, Part 2

Run - Carter Conlon

A soul stirring portion of a message from Carter Conlon delivered shortly after the attack of 911YouTube - Run - Carter Conlon

Israel will pay for Hamas provocation

Some comments from Andrew Bolt and video of the tragedy of the deaths on the ship attempting to break the the blockade on the Gaza Strip recently


Israel will pay for Hamas provocation

Finally, lawmakers to hear 'Bilderberg conspiracy'

Please read carefully and note the quotes from David Rockefeller and Dennis Healey. Also note the names involved in this blatantly globalist organization and it's affiliates.


Finally, lawmakers to hear 'Bilderberg conspiracy'

Up in flames: Melting false teachings of 'The Shack'

Sounds like an interesting book to get hold of


Up in flames: Melting false teachings of 'The Shack'

Global governance is here!

Another article on an issue that alert Christians really need to educate themselves on

Global governance is here!

My perspective -- What Constance thinks

Interesting news item about Obamas America joining the Alliance of Civilzations. Australia apparently is already a member. Don't remember voting for that.The Alliance of Civilizations sounds like something out of the 'Left Behind' books but it's an arm of the UN with it's own website etc
My perspective -- What Constance thinks

Will the new science “prove” that God is in everything?

Lighthouse trails presents this info on the contemplative prayer 'link' in all religions and science and religion. Stay in the Bible folks

Will the new science “prove” that God is in everything?

FEATURE-Babylon's future written in its ruins | Reuters

Please note this is a Rueters story and not a conspiracy novel.
Not mentioned in this story is the fact that the US embassy in Babylon is the largest and most expensive American embassy ever built; and it's in the ancient ruins of Babylon instead of Rome or Tokyo or London or....


FEATURE-Babylon's future written in its ruins | Reuters

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Altar Call

This from Apostasy Watch. Personally this gives me a lot to think about. My Church experience has always put a priority on the 'altar call'. This may well be an area I will have to bring God's word to bear on my experience.Opinions welcomed

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Altar Call at Christian Research Net

YouTube - WOTM - Shai Linne Songs

Todd Friel and the team critique Shai Linne's music. It's fair to say they're very impressed. Don't know your views on Rap music but this may surprise and encourage you.



YouTube - WOTM - Shai Linne Songs

Disaster victims to be barcoded before hospital | News.com.au

Does any one have a problem with barcoding people?

Disaster victims to be barcoded before hospital | News.com.au

Herescope: R&R Revival and Revolt

For Australian readers who may not be aware of the Dominionist agenda,there is some good info in this article. The NAR are involved in Australian circles and it would be a good thing for discerning Christians to be alert to this unscriptural movement.

Click on link below to read


Herescope: R&R Revival and Revolt

Cliff Kincaid -- Manipulation, Not Error, Behind Market Plunge

When I heard that the world's financial markets had experienced one of the greatest one day downturns in history as a reult of someone accidentally pushing the wrong buton,I thought that it sounded a bit suspicious. The article hear by Cliff Kincaid points out how highly unlikely this is.

Click on link to read


Cliff Kincaid -- Manipulation, Not Error, Behind Market Plunge

Climate Change Hysteria Revives

Just when you thought the climate change scare was dead in the (not so rising)water,a gaggle of scientists have issued a document bemoaning the fact that people have turned off to the man-made scam.

Apparently the fact that scientists had been busted deliberately fudging the results of evidence to support their hyperventilating hypothesis, is insufficient reason to doubt what they say.

Thinking people have long noticed that climate does indeed change, from day to day and season to season, but those discerning doubters have been scorned and mocked as sceptics and deniers rather than logical and not so easily fooled.

Why are these scions of science trying to breathe life back into an argument that even the ABC had given up on? Well, the old saying "Follow the money" may be appropriate, and as there are no other looming disasters on the horizon at the moment(give them time)they need to do all in their power to protect their jobs...oops I mean planet.

I do wonder why the left-wing main stream media weren't so quick to alert us to the 30,000+ scientists who signed a document a year or so ago saying in no uncertain terms the whole man-caused climate change nonsense was a scam.

Apart from the obvious reasons that some scientists desire to reinvigorate this dead issue,why do others seem so quick to jump on the band-wagon?
It's difficult to say for sure ,but it seems that left-wingers with their hyper-green theology just want it to be true, to add weight to the extreme rants they've been issuing for years.These wind-powered Chicken Littles really need some global catastrophes to verify the infallibility of their green papal decrees. And governments the world over love anything that gives them the opportunity to increase power and raise taxes.This climate hoax has given them the opportunity to do both.

Let me tell you as a non-scientist but reasonably intelligent being and as a Bible reading and Bible believing Christian, the earth will be destroyed one day but not by man. It will be destroyed by God.When He determines the time is right, the world will be destroyed, at His command and in it's place will be a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.He also is going to judge every man and woman for all the sins that offend His holiness ,including lies. And those who have not prior to that day accepted the amnesty he offers in Christ will experience an eternal warming which will make some rue the day they continued to push the scam of global warming.

Willow Creek's delusion about 'social justice'

An interesting article over at World Net Daily highlights the ongoing agenda of many churches to abandon biblical principles in favour of a nice sounding but undefined "social justice" priority.For those unfamiliar with WND it's one of the largest Internet news providers today and is certainly not focused on purely Christian issues but is primarily American political commentary.The founder and editor Joseph Farrah does openly confess Christ however, and often presents news that the mainstream media ignore or downplay.

Click on link below


Willow Creek's delusion about 'social justice'

Paul Proctor -- Christians Partner With Pagans For A Better World

OK, here is some classic Paul Proctor,which although a little dated, is very pertinent in regards to what Rick Warren's agenda has been for some time now.If you desire to educate yourself on the interfaith, ecumenical and compromised ideas of some well-known "evangelicals" this article may help.Follow the links Paul provides to be informed



Paul Proctor -- Christians Partner With Pagans For A Better World

New World Order

Matthew Johnston over at The Narrow Way has graciously asked that I contribute regularly on his fine blog,which I have with great pleasure agreed to do.You can find the link on the Profile page.(I'm still learning the ropes with computer skills and am not sure how to link here in the body of this post.)

Any way, this gives me the opportunity to post information here of a more political nature in relation to the scheming that I believe strongly is going on behind the scenes as men conspire to achieve their Utopian goals of global government,global currency and a global religion.

The goal of this is simply that we not be blind-sided as Christians;especially in relation to the global religion that is being forced on us, sometimes by those respected as Christian leaders.

The following article by Michael LeMieux is useful for the quotes of well-known politicians in regard to their dark aims.

Click on link to read article

Michael LeMieux -- The Military and the New World Order

Revival or Reformation? » Bill Muehlenberg’s CultureWatch

Here I am working on a post entitled Revival,Reformation and Awakening , and I come across this article by Bill Muehlenberg at Culture Watch .He just posted it today ,and as a fellow Aussie who seems to 'get it'and as he wrote more succinctly than I could, I recommend you read this article and other articles on his site.
Click on the link below


Revival or Reformation? » Bill Muehlenberg’s CultureWatch

A Famine of Hearing the Words of the LORD

Amos 8:11-12
"Behold the days are coming ",says the Lord GOD,"That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread,nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the LORD.They shall wander from sea to sea,and from north to east;They shall run to and fro,seeking the word of the LORD,but shall not find it.

I come across it all the time these days ;God's people famished ,weak from starvation ;appeasing their hunger with spiritual junk food and bearing the consequences in their lives.
Christians I know, who once were well-fed and strong and vibrant in their faith are now listless and dry and embracing all kinds of sugar-coated lies.Where once they fed on the life-giving meat of the word,now they settle for the pleasant and deadly words of men.

There is a famine in the land.

Amos wrote to the nation of Israel, but church history clearly demonstrates that the truth of this passage has occurred regularly since those days. The middle ages are infamous for men of religion locking up the word of God and doling out starvation rations of sub-scriptural sustenance mixed with the deadly poison of mans traditions...and yet where are we today? Those who once were focused on a heavenly mansion are now infatuated with an earthly "Shack". Men and women who once were seeking their God now are seeking their "purpose"and those who followed the Ancient truths of the Ancient of Days are now studying the philosophical foolishness of "A New Kind of Christianity"

There is a famine in the land.

How have we forgotten that the word of God is the... well WORD of GOD.?
What has gotten in to us that we would settle for the words of men?
Why can't we see the deadly danger of treating the Holy things of God with such flippant folly.
The faith of many is dissipating , the lives of many disintegrating and demonic legions are celebrating as God's church starves herself to death.

There is a famine in the land.

And yet there are those who are seeking ,there are those who are tired of feeding on the dry husks of the pig-pen when they know there is a banquet waiting in the Father's house. Just as in the days of the reformation when God raised up preachers and teachers who turned the eyes of the people back to the Book, today there is a stirring and here and there pockets of resistance to the occupying forces of apostasy ,heresy and apathy.

There is a famine in the land...

But there are also those who are beginning to rouse themselves from their slumber ..they are tired of being tired and are desiring a return to their first love.There are those who are beginning to lay hold of the God of Heaven that He might rain down spiritual blessing on the land .

There is a famine in the land...

But some are heeding the call to return to the green pastures of the great Shepherd.
Some are tired of religiously correct theories and are returning to the life-giving certainties of the immutable word of our God.

For sure there is a famine in the land...

But God who is rich in mercy will respond to the heartfelt cries of His people.
He will raise up shepherds after His own heart.
If we seek Him, we will find Him;probably not prosperity, popularity or purpose, but Him. If we will in worshipful awe open His word for Him,He will in mercy open His word to us.

There is a famine in the land ...
and it's a deadly plague but there is also hope in the land and there are those who are blowing the trumpet in Zion and there are those who are heeding the call, rending their hearts and crying out for an end to the famine in the land.

Book of Eli: A movie review

When a well known Christian commentator in the U.S. praised this as the most Christian movie to ever come out of Hollywood , I couldn't wait to see it.
Well, eventually it made it's way to our shores and away we went.

So , my opinion you ask.

During the entire movie Jesus is never mentioned once that I can recall.The gospel is in no way that I could pick up alluded to and certainly not clearly articulated.
And so I would have to say that this movie does not qualify as a Christian movie -and yet there are some aspects of the film that Christians can take some comfort from.

The plot presents a story about a man ,Eli(played by Denzel Washington) who has in his possession the last surviving Bible on the planet.He is entrusted by the Lord with the task of delivering it to a destination which takes him 30 years to reach.

The Bible is presented in the movie in a very positive light and as the only hope to rebuild civilization after an apocalyptic event. The 'baddies 'in the story want to acquire the Book to use it to build their own power base.

It's a dark movie with little humour but there is some interesting twists and some intriguing symbolism.
There is a fair amount of violence although it's not glorified and no blatant sex scenes.
I must admit I was disappointed but perhaps was expecting too much.(A movie doesn't have to be very Christian to be the most Christian movie out of Hollywood)Still I can see it as a good conversation starter with unsaved friends and in fact I already have had the opportunity to speak to a couple of people about the themes the movie presents

Australia : Untreatable Gonorrhoea Hotspot

There is a price to pay for ignoring God and His word.The most serious price will be eternal-but there is a price here and now ,in our nation ,amongst those we care about.
God gives His commandments for a reason;it's for our benefit not His .
The world has proved God right by the consequences we see all around us from people rejecting His eternal truth and embracing the insane notion that we can do what we want, where we want ,how we want and with whom we want and there will be nothing to pay.
I could list all the social ills in our nation that are a direct result of disobedience to the Lord of Glory but you know them as well as I do and I guess I just want to motivate you as a Christian to realize several important truths.

Much of the blame for the state of our society can be laid firmly at the door of the church.Many people are concerned that the world is having too much influence on the church-but I think the problem is actually the opposite.The church has lost her savour and fervour and treated holy things with disdain and apathy.
The state of our world is a RESULT of the state of the church,and not vice versa
Too often the church of Jesus Christ has retreated behind our stained glass and tutt tutted while those around us are going through hell even as they're on their way to Hell.The well-known scripture in 2 Chron. 7:14 states that if God's people will repent and pray and turn away from wickedness then the land will be healed.
Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church yet by and large the church is cowering behind the doors of the sanctuary instead of assailing the gates of hell.
The church has been entrusted with a mandate ,a message and a mission and those outside of Christ pay the penalty if we don't fulfill our blessed responsibility.

The second thing this news item drives home is that the lies fed to us by politicians ,media and religious figures are deadly.Some can remember the grim-reaper adds when AIDS first became an issue.The message was that everyone had the same risk of contracting this deadly disease, but that was a lie and the safe immorality message put thousands at risk , which the current plague of STDs proves.
If we simply governed our sexuality as God has directed these issues would disappear virtually overnight but the wicked agenda of ungodly men continues to give condoms to children and promote the dangerous practices of promiscuity ,homosexuality ,rebellion and mindless me-ism.

The final thing I want to say in this short commentary is that the obvious failure of righteousness practiced, highlights the glorious promise of righteousness credited-through Christ ,through the cross ,through the Resurrection ,through the eternal promise,through God's grace.

Australians today are largely ignorant of the gospel;they don't know His commandments and they don't know His provision and it's up to us to inform and warn with diligence, grace, love and mercy...after all if you are a Christian today ,He didn't take you home the minute you were born again for a reason,there is work for us to do.

Eph 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves;it is the gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Click on the link for the news story


Australia is untreatable gonorrhoea hotspot, says WHO | News.com.au

A Prophet's Prayer

Read this prayer from A.W. Tozer uttered in 1920 at his induction . Amazing how relevant this is to our day. Thanks to Bill Muehlenberg for posting this, you can read his full article on the link at the end.

Lord Jesus,
I come to Thee for spiritual preparation. Lay Thy hand upon me. Anoint me with the oil of the New Testament prophet. Forbid that I should become a religious scribe and thus lose my prophetic calling.
Save me from the curse that lies dark across the modern clergy, the curse of compromise ,of imitation, of professionalism.
Save me from the error of judging a church by it's size, it's popularity or the amount of it's yearly offering.
Help me remember that I am a prophet-not a promoter,not a religious manager, but a prophet.
Let me never become a slave to the crowds.Heal me of carnal ambitions and deliver me from the itch for publicity.
Save me from the bondage to things. Let me not waste my days puttering around the house.
Lay Thy terror upon me,O God, and drive me to the place of prayer where I may wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world.
Deliver me from over eating and late sleeping.Teach me self discipline that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

All I can add to that is Amen!

So Who Wants To Be a Prophet?

The Divisiveness of Unity

I'm no 'deep theological thinker' (which I think sometimes is a just a euphemism for someone who uses $100 words to promote two bob heresies), but it seems to me that Biblical unity is an exceedingly simple concept made complicated by many.
Unity, biblical unity ,that is the unity of the Spirit can only exist where the Holy Spirit is ,and the Spirit of God will always promote ,exalt and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ; His person, His work ,His ways and His word.

A crucial element of true scriptural unity is division. Jesus said "do not think I came to bring peace but a sword " He said that we would have enemies and at times they would even be members of our own household. The ecumenicists , the pragmatists, the emergents and the institutionalized religionists need to remember that unity REQUIRES separation: a separation from that which is not of God to that which is.

Every person born again by the Spirit of God ,through the word of God unto the Son of God for the glory of God ,is already unified with all others who have experienced this grace and we are already family.Church structures,religious activities and nice sounding words do not build unity .

See , unity is not uniformity as though if we could just act the same,dress the same, look the same ,talk the same we could please God ...but God created diversity and we are meant to treasure and value the differences that all His blood bought children demonstrate and like a multifaceted diamond, His true church reflects some aspect of his glory ,for His glory .

And unity is not the same as union. Organizational bridge -building is a futile human endeavour that ignores and demotes God and in His place puts an institutional idol. The scripture says how can they prepare if the trumpet does not sound a clear call . The muted ,muffled message of ecumenicalism is no way to preach the only and eternal gospel.
The truth is the false gospel of worldly unity far too often usurps the Lordship of Christ Jesus and ushers in a doomed kingdom of backslapping ,baby kissing religious politicians but as always these weak kneed non-combatants will reject ,sideline and slander the robust love and the united prophetic voice of the true church of God.

YouTube - Battle Cry - William Booth

YouTube - Battle Cry - William Booth

Roman Catholic Abuse: The Claims and the Facts

In these days of "evangelical leaders" pushing an ever more vigorous ecumenical agenda, it is wise perhaps to be reminded of the institutional corruption of the Romish religion. You may find this helpful as you minister the love and truth of the real Jesus Christ to Catholics you know.

In my own experience of ministering to young people in a detention centre, I was often amazed that a high ranking local catholic would refute the Biblical truth I was sharing with the kids.

Not long after he committed suicide when it was revealed that he was a paedophile.

What a tragedy that God's name is blasphemed because of the wicked behaviour of those who speak in His name , yet don't know Him or His waysRoman Catholic Abuse: The Claims and the Facts

Paul Proctor - Who’s Taking Our Liberty?

Paul Proctor speaking to Americans ...but much of what he says can be translated to an Australian context. The video re: the passage from Isaiah is very interesting ;make sure you watch it.Paul Proctor - Who’s Taking Our Liberty?

The Church of the Living God

There is a group of people walking this planet who seem to not belong.They are the called out ones ,the ekklesia ,the church of the living God.They are from every nation ,tribe and language, and each one has a story of how the God of Glory met them in their sin and released them into redemption.They are bound together with heavenly bonds ;there is a Book in their hands (and hearts) and a Name on their lips...Jesus. They seem other-worldly at times to those around them... because they are ,their citizenship is in Heaven and this current world and it's events interest them...but not too much.

They don't agree on everything but they know a brother or sister when they meet one and they love ;each other and what God has done IN each other.They are not usually the wealthy or the noble or influential by the world's standards ;they know that their God chooses the weak things of this world to shame the wise.They may or may not be able to articulate it well but they understand that God has opened the eyes of their heart and enlightened their minds by His pure grace towards them. They are called the salt of the earth ,the light of the world and although they don't understand all that means ;they accept it because these are the words of their King.

This people are the most influential group on the face of the earth...but their influence is not political or economic or through popularity,it's the influence that comes through heavenly means .They are meek and humble and often ignored (or despised )but they have weapons that the worldling simply does not comprehend .Their weapons are not carnal and earth bound but divine .Kingdoms rise and fall ,rulers come and go but this humble band of brethren endure forever.Their message is eternal and changes the destinies of men and nations. They are the temple of God ,the Lords field,the sheep of His pasture and ambassadors for the Highest Kingdom
Their prayers are heard in Heaven and their words are felt on earth.
They are pilgrims on a sacred journey ,worshipping warriors in a battle of love ,sanctified sinners recruiting for Glory, passionate proclaimers of the provision of God. Their transgressions forgiven and their righteousness given prodigals returned to the household of faith they are heirs of unimaginable wealth and brothers of the Son of God. They've been granted these honours through no credit of their own, but it's all been bought and paid for by Another and so with a humble gratitude they sing their praises to Him.All the wealth of the ages can not buy a place amongst them and yet any can join if they will bow to their King. They will stand in the judgement that all will face and with thankful hearts will gaze on their Saviours face.

The Church of the Living God

Fundamentalists and Conspiracy Theorists

I am not a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but as the darkness of our age increases around us ,I predict we will hear these terms with increasing regularity.
These words are used most frequently by those who desire to shut down debate and sideline anyone who has the temerity to speak against the politically correct(or religiously correct) propaganda that is immersing us .

Fundamentalist is a word used to convey legalistic,hate spewing religious extremists but is regularly being used against Bible -believing committed and loving followers of Jesus.If a Christian speaks truth to power you can guarantee the terms fundamentalist and Pharisee will be brought out...and that is meant to end all discussion.

Now of course the original meaning of fundamentalist Christian as someone who adheres to the fundamentals of the faith has been tarnished by some who became elitist and unnecessarily harsh but that was because they neglected scripture not because they were being faithful to it.But the term has now taken on a life of it's own and has become an insult rather than a badge of honor for the faithful.

But there is another term being used increasingly against those who are aware of the prophetic instructions about the end-times.And this term is often being used against Bible believers by religious leaders!The term conspiracy theorist is meant to portray wild eyed extremists who see a plot in every event that makes the news.There are certainly those who have put the CON in conspiracy....just as there are those who"ve taken the FUN out of fundamentalist but to tar everyone with the same brush is a weak argument at best and deceptive at worst.

For Christians to say "I don't believe in conspiracy theories" simply means they haven't been reading their Bibles.There has been an evil conspiracy against God's people and God's agenda since the garden of Eden.King David ,inspired by the Holy Spirit writes "Why do the nations rage and the people plot in vain ;the kings of the earth take their stand against the Lord and and His Anointed"Ps 2.
There are things taking place today that are initiated by demons but carried out by men,and without going in to specifics in this post ,I believe it's imperative for God's people to be aware ,so they don't end up throwing their support behind wrong things,wrong movements and wrong individuals.Even within Christendom there are those conspiring against the truth ;sometimes in ignorance ;but often deliberately and with cold calculation.
Ez 22:25 talks about a conspiracy amongst the prophets and there is no doubt in my mind that some of the nonsense going on in the visible church today is more than ignorance or apathy ...it's conspiracy.

Look ,I don't wear a tin foil hat ,I've never seen a UFO, and I've never noticed a black helicopter hovering over my home but I know there are powerful conspiracies being played out in our world today.. and some of them are happening in the church.

Do your own research ,investigate those who claim Christ ,yet push an ecumenical agenda.Do some homework on those confess Jesus but consistently sideline His word.Ask questions of those who say they stand for God but are allied with the devil's emissaries.This is not a day for apathy and ignorance but a day for God's people to have understanding and a holy zeal for truth.Dan 11:32-12:13.
You may not be thanked,you may be called crazy,but you may play a part in saving some from the fire...and that makes it worthwhile.

I'll Be Calm

I'm trying to be good here .I'm trying to be calm. I want to present my case reasonably,logically with grace and patience.BUT....I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT SOME BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN LEADERS SAY!!!(ok ;breathe in breathe out)

This whole shamozzle with Warren and Piper has brought forth some interesting responses from our betters(I mean church leaders)
The very same leaders who in their blogs cut people to shreds for overstepping doctrinal boundaries are now telling us all to calm down ,it's not that big of a deal.Warren may be an apostate and possibly never saved at all;he may misuse and abuse the Bible ,he may consistantly dishonor God's holy word, but the fact that the great man has endorsed him is not really that much to get excited about.After all Dr Piper can be trusted ,can't he?Well can't he??? No !He can't! Why? Because he is a man .A human; subject to all the weaknesses and temptations that all men are subject to.One well known blogger/pastor somehow managed to portray that those who are expressing concern are shrill feminists or conspirasy theorists.Hang on a sec!It,s a shame that the man who single-handedly created this mess;Dr piper, is a friend and colleague of some of the blogging celebrities but those contending for the faith didn't create this mess John Piper did.Let's not forget that in our snide and sarcastic remarks to the "little people"
To tell you the truth I'm sick of the whole deal.I have no dog in this fight .The only thing I'm concerned about is that the gospel and the glory of God may get sidetracked while people play church games. It's already happening.To hear some talk you would think that it's an issue about reformed Christians and Calvin and fundamentalists and second separation and new calvinists and styles of ministry etc etc etc.But it's not .It's about the Bible and truth and a clear gospel proclamation.

Ok ,I've said my piece.My heartrate is coming down.It's all good....but if you happen to be one of the "little folks" who are concerned about what some church leaders are doing to our gospel;speak up, don't be silenced.Don't let them push you into the laity corner.In fact I'm becoming more convinced all the time that the so called laity(unbiblical term and concept) are the ones who are truly the warriors in Christ's army. They have no agenda other than being faithfull ,they're not concerned about trying to grow a church or keep the offerings up or building alliances with those who can help them in their ministry and any born-again Spirit filled believer is a child of the most high God and has every right to speak their mind...and those who think they can talk down to God's children best beware because his true church is holy ground.
And it's best to remember ;there are no great men of God only weak and frail men serving a great God

Beware of False Prophets – Warren, Piper, and the Legitimization of Heresy

Defending Contending contributor Coram Deo has posted what may well be the defining article on the Piper/Warren issue and all things Warrenesque.
What the whole issue has demonstrated to me is how easy it is to deceive the majority of Christians.
Bloggers known for a robust defence of the Biblical Gospel suddenly went soft and back peddled on the issue.Tim Challies for example wrote in his piece on the affair that it's not a big issue and then proceeded to state that Warren "does not and will not honor the Bible" and that he(Warren) "misuses and abuses" the word of God. HUH!! How can that not be a big deal!!!
The reason so many went weak in the knees, I presume, is that the other name in this fiasco is the highly esteemed (in reformed circles) John Piper.
Do you see how easy it will be for the antichrist when he appears to con gullible Christians ;he will just align himself with some high profile respected Christian celebrity. Make no mistake about it celebrity worship in the church is a dangerous idolatry.
A couple of other thoughts before you read the article on Def Con.
The most dangerous error is that closest to the truth. Piper has stated that Warren has answered all kinds of doctrinal questions correctly Well, that's good but a parrot can recite the creeds.In my reading of James this morning 2:17 says" thus also faith by itself,if it does not have works is dead," this verse and the others surrounding it are talking about this very issue .Anyone can say they have faith ;but truly regenerated ,faithful people are affected in their behaviour.This is where Warrens faith is shown to be lacking.You see if you truly believe the Bible you will preach it, If you honestly believe that without Christ people are going to Hell;you will warn them and if you know Christ is the only Name under heaven by which men must be saved you will proclaim Him. I have yet to see evidence that Warren does any of this no matter what he SAYS he believes.

The second point that has become obvious is that people are impressed by such things as numbers, worldly influence, fame etc ;even Christian leaders who should know better. Warren is highly visible ,rubs shoulders with the rich and powerful and is likable but he is a wolf whether he knows it or not, and a shepherd has no place inviting a wolf to speak to the sheep of God's pasture unless it's in repentance.

Third , I believe there is a time of sifting going on in the visible church and it's ordained of God. The true and faithful will separate from those who have religion without Christ, churches without the Spirit and teaching divorced from the word of God. Read Def Cons post and look up the links to be informed on this issue and Rick Warren in particularBeware of False Prophets – Warren, Piper, and the Legitimization of Heresy « Defending. Contending.

What Are We Left With?

Moriel Ministries has posted a very straight talking article here that is well worth reading. Aussie Christians especially need to be reminded that we are hurtling towards the one world church predicted in the Bible and our cultural"she'll be right mate"won't cut it in these last days. Jesus warned us over and over to be aware, to be alert, to be watchfull, to notice whats going on ;especially in the religious world . Click on the link to read the article and can I encourage you ;when you have finished reading ;go to prayer.Moriel Archive » Blog Archive » What Are We Left With?

Random Thoughts on Truth

"What is truth":Pontius Pilate asks ,not as the words of a seeker but a scorner



The truth is , truth is.



Truth is solid ,non malleable ,unshakable. Post modernists may deny it ,heretics may twist it,cowards may ignore it, sinners may reject it. Denominations lay exclusive claim to it, mentally and spiritually ill attempt to create it, some attempt to make merchandise of it.Truth is not determined by majority rule.It can be discovered ,it can't be invented.It must be declared but it may not be heard.
Orwell said "To speak the truth in an age of universal deceit is a revolutionary act"

JFK concurs with his statement"The great enemy of the truth is often not the lie-deliberate,contrived and dishonest...but the myth-persistent persuasive and unrealistic",and Amiel states "Truth is not only violated by falsehood but may be equally outraged by silence."

Truth is reality, to believe a lie ;delusion.Jesus said "My words are truth"

Men say "Who are you Jesus to make such a claim?" With all the authority of heaven and earth He declares"I Am the Way ,the TRUTH and the Life!

The truth must be spoken, it must be received it will often bring pain before it brings healing for it takes courage to admit you are a coward, purity of heart to confess you are defiled , imputed righteousness to acknowledge your depravity and resurrection power to see the need for the cross. Truth on a cross on behalf of deceived and deceivers alike.

If we won't bend to truth it will break us.

Friend bend your knee ,bow your head and bow your heart to Him .He is the embodiment and ultimate revelation of truth.

Hidden from the Wise and Prudent ;Revealed to Babes

Luke 10:21; In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said,"I thank You ,Father, Lord of Heaven and earth; that you have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight"







Seventy disciples had just returned from a missionary tour of the surrounding region.They had been sent out with the mandate to heal the sick, cast out demons and preach the Kingdom of God . They returned full of joy at the power that had been revealed as they simply obeyed the Lord.



Jesus reminded them that the fact their names were written in heaven was even greater reason to rejoice than the demonstrations of God's power they had witnessed and then He makes the statement about God revealing to babes what He hides from the wise and prudent.







Now ,I'm someone who's wired up in such a way that I lean towards teaching and apologetics (an unfortunate name for defending the faith I think) and so I have great respect for knowledge of the truth.I believe what the prophet said that God's people often perish for lack of knowledge and I know ignorance is not bliss ;it's deadly...and yet the Lord reminds us here that knowing God;I mean to really KNOW Him is not an intellectual exercise of men but a revelational exercise of God.



We can know the great doctrines of our faith we can have tremendous wisdom and insight we can be intellectual giants ..and yet be unsaved and on the road to damnation.







As I look around the internet gleaning truth from many fine web-sites where courageous men and women hold up the word of God and hold church leaders accountable to the scriptures I find on occasion the unfortunate tendency to condemn those who may not have the same precise doctrinal understanding as themselves.



Hear what I'm saying now. Doctrine is hugely important. Theology is after all the study of the knowledge of God...but how much does one need to know to be saved? To hear some you would think it an essential for salvation to be able to articulate the finer points of Calvinism or to understand the precise order of end-time events to call yourself a Christian ..and yet Jesus says truth is revealed to babes.







History is filled with examples of religionists who understood the great doctrines of the faith and yet had not experienced the light that comes with the new birth. Whitefield ,the Wesley brothers and Spurgeon all knew doctrine before they knew the One the doctrines point to .And many a Christian was granted saving faith when they knew little more than their own wretchedness and the provision made at Calvary on their behalf.







Holy Spirit revelation leads to Holy Spirit education which is light and life..But education without revelation is darkness and death.







Many of the problems in the visible church in our day ,I suspect are not so much that the wayward preachers and teachers don't know doctrine for it's obvious that many of them do .No ; the problem is they don't know the Lord!







A wolf does not necessarily choose to be a wolf but he is one by nature ;he is a different species to a sheep and tragically the church at large has had the unfortunate tendency to appoint theologically educated wolves to care for the sheep. In a sense it's not the wolves fault that they do so much damage to the flock. The sheep by nature follow the Shepherd ;the wolf by nature avoids the Shepherd and destroys the sheep.The churches task is to discern and not appoint to leadership a wolf who can simply recite the creeds; but under shepherds who recognize the voice of the Great Shepherd.







Part of the fault for the prevalence of wolves lies with the sheep. We need to know not only what the pastor teaches but why he teaches it. Has he a story of God's dealings in his life . Can he articulate how he became a born-again follower of Christ and explain his call to leadership.If not, avoid him, no matter how likable,how educated or how well he can speak.



I think it is also wise to find out his associations. Birds of a feather as they say.That's not to say that he should spend no time with the unsaved (in fact it's imperative that he does) but what are his alliances.If the preacher is a Freemason for example, avoid him at all costs ,what has Christ to do with idolatry? The same goes with any interfaith or ecumenical connections.



The truth is I would rather listen and learn from someone who doesn't know his Calvin from his Arminius but has been truly regenerated than a theological and philosophical giant that has not the light of Christ within.



Whitefield was once asked "Why are you constantly saying ,'You must be born again?'" To which he replied "Because...You must be born-again"

The Lord Jesus Christ...and Bert

Bert's not his real name but his story is true.

As far as I know ,Bert is not a follower of Jesus... at least not yet. But it seems Jesus has been following him.

When I was a brand new Christian I knew Bert well .I often spoke to him about the Kingdom of God and often spoke to his family about all that Jesus had done for me.

Initially Bert and his family were very interested and quite impressed with my story and the change that faith in Christ had made in me.
Bert's family all eventually professed faith in Christ but Bert began to backpedal.He had some negative religious experiences as a child and decided he wanted no part in this Jesus I was preaching.

One night we all (except Bert) were sitting around the dinner table discussing Christ and His word. Bert was watching TV a few metres away .He had it turned up loud to drown out the sound of zealous Christians joyously discussing Christ....when suddenly the show Bert was watching went off the air,there was the sound of static for a few moments and then ....a voice spoke!!
"Repent,for the Kingdom of God is at hand"then more static and the show resumed normal programming,

We all turned to look at Bert;our jaws kind of dragging on the ground.
He looked at us ,looked at the TV ,looked at us again; dumbfounded .Someone said "What do you think of that?!"
Bert's response "How do you know that was for me?"

Now I know some folks may have problems with this sort of thing .Can God talk to someone through the tele? Does God still do wonders in our day ?Is the omnipotent God still surprising people with supernatural events? I know that this event is, in comparison with the miracles of the Bible,a fairly minor interruption of normal circumstances. You may say "Someone being raised from the dead ! Now that's a miracle worth talking about!"

Funny you should say that.

A few years after the TV episode Bert had a massive heart attack.
The ambulance was called and his family rushed to be at his side .When everyone had arrived the ambos had been working on him heroically for twenty minutes. Finally they gave up and standing to look at Bert's family they stated the obvious "We are so sorry;but he's gone"
One of Bert's kids lifted up her voice and cried out to the merciful and powerful God to intervene.

And then. Bert. began. to .breathe!!!

Everyone was overcome with joy but the ambos warned us "Please don't get your hopes up.He's been without oxygen too long and if he lives, he will undoubtedly have major brain damage"

Well that was 20+ years ago Bert still lives and has no obvious health problems ..and still is not ,as of this writing, following Jesus. That does not take anything away from what God has done for this man and there is no doubt God will do more if he will call upon the Name of the LORD.

Die and go to Heaven or Resurrected Bodies on a New Earth

I guess the title of this post gives it away .



So often I hear good preaching about repentance and faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross only to be mildly disappointed when the preacher finishes with something along the lines of "If we receive Jesus and His gospel we are guaranteed a place in Heaven when we die."



Although it is true that on the death of a saint there will be a conscious translation into the presence of the Lord they love...that is not the end destination for a believer in Jesus.



First, the concept of our spirit or soul living forever in Heaven is closer to ancient Greek mythology than it is to sound Biblical doctrine. The Bible could not be clearer, the believer in Jesus looks forward to a BODILY resurrection. In fact it appears that there will be a resurrection for all people ;some to eternal life and some to eternal punishment. Jn 5:28-29

...for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth- those who have done good ,to the resurrection of life,and those who have done evil,to the resurrection of condemnation.

The raising up of our bodies at the last day is considered a foundational doctrine in Heb. 6:1-2 and in 2 Tim 2:17-18 Paul brands two teachers as heretics for denying the future resurrection;and in Acts 24:21 Paul in his defense before the governor Felix cries out;

"concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day"

In 1 Cor. 15 Paul goes into great detail as he, inspired by the Holy Spirit ,explains and describes how important this foundational doctrine is .

The fact is Jesus rose from the grave; a literal ,bodily resurrection as the firstfruits of all those who would rise after Him.

I understand why preachers sometimes appear to downplay this doctrine.It creates an image of B grade horror movies with zombies climbing out of their graves but of course the Biblical resurrection is nothing like those pictures of weird half-dead mindless creatures but rather redeemed restored children of God brimming over with life and vigour ;the fulfillment of our faith.

Not only is Jesus risen;and not only will we be raised but we will live together forever on a restored and perfected new earth. 2 Pet.3:13 ,the Apostle declares

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Heaven is not our ultimate destination; heaven's ultimate destination is earth. Rev 21 describes this new earth when God establishes His throne on earth and dwells with His resurrected people.

How much more exciting is this; to be dwelling with God on a perfect earth with rivers and trees and substance and animals and laughter and eating and drinking with the Lord;how much more exciting than floating on a cloud for all eternity.

These two related doctrines of our physical resurrection and a new earth raise many questions and the day will come when we can ask Him face to face but I suspect when that day does arrive we will be so overcome with the beauty and glory of the King and what He has prepared for us that our questions will be swallowed up in our adoration and worship of the one who said ,

"I Am the Resurrection and the Life.

The Loneliness of the Christian

Some inspiring words from AW Tozer.
The Loneliness of the Christian

Biblical Unity or a Devilish Union

Further to my post of yesterday. Rick Warren seems to have an uncanny knack of being on the wrong side of every issue of faith. Is this just biblical ignorance on Mr Warren's part ...or is it something more sinister?Moriel Archive » Blog Archive » Blair Courts Controversial US Pastor Rick Warren in Bid to Unite Faiths

This article was found at Moriel Ministries.

One World 'Church'

Every student of the Bible knows that in the last days there will be a one -world government,a global currency and a state sanctioned one world church.



And every one who keeps up with current events knows these things are coming to pass and gathering momentum.



By far the most dangerous of these three is the global religion which is being foisted upon the world even as we speak(write /read)



The question is how will the ancient serpent con,deceive and manipulate people to accept this Babylonian monstrosity?

I have a few thoughts on this(you knew I would)



First he will need to change our idea on what the church is from a Biblical view to a man-made humanistic religious view.

All you Biblical scholars know that the word church is from the Greek ,"ekklesia"which basically means "the called out ones".To put it simply the church is people.People called out of the world to be a special people to love,honour ,worship and serve the Living God. Biblically we don't GO to church we ARE the church. What we call the local church is simply the called out ones in a particular location gathered together.

Now many people today ,including Christians who should know better ,are confusing a religious ORGANIZATION with a faith ORGANISM.

The building where the called out ones meet is just bricks ,mortar and timber to keep the weather off the called out ones .It is not ,never will be and never has been "the church".

Similarly ,a religious institution ;whether local ,national or international is not a church no matter what name they put on their letterhead.

The church is people ;born again ,blood washed ,Jesus worshipping people.But the enemy of our souls must dilute and pollute that concept to get people to pledge allegiance to the syncretistic,idol worshipping ,Bible rejecting Christ denying organization to be known as the one-world church.



Now ,once the devil has convinced people that the church is an organization,there are several things he can do to further his agenda.



1/He can get get folks so sidetracked into growing,promoting and maintaining the institution that they are totally useless as far as furthering the goals of the Kingdom.That why "leaders" such as Rick Warren can say we need to focus on "deeds not creeds". You see a true believers allegiance is to Christ and not to a gathering of tares.The faithful rock the boat and mess up all those carefully laid out man-honouring plans. When the goal is to build an organization then all sorts of unscriptural nonsense can be introduced such as tithing,the untouchable"Lord's anointed,compulsory attendance at the "Lord's house "etc. Again Mr Warren has said "There is something greater we can do than preach the gospel and that is to help plant a "church".This institutionalised thinking is idolatry and perhaps blasphemy.Wasn't it Jesus who said "go out into all the world" He didn't say get them to come and help build a religious organization.



2/ The second thing that Satan can do once everyone is focused on buildings and religious businesses is to infiltrate the mess with leaders who are working to further his plans.Rick Warren is a case in point.He has boasted of being a member of the CFR(the Council of Foreign Relations).The CFR is well known as a secretive organization with a clear global agenda. Why is a high profile 'evangelical' leader involved with the CFR. This may explain why he can speak at various religious gatherings(Muslim.Jewish etc) and preach purpose but not Christ.

Or what about the well-known "Christian" leaders who are closely connected to the Rev.Moon.

Moon is a billionaire new-age cult leader who claims to be Christ and states that Jesus failed His mission and so he(Moon) had to come to complete the task. He is also connected to the Korean secret service and to the American CIA. Why would the likes of the late Jerry Falwell and the author and preacher/pastor Tim Lahaye and his wife Beverly be closely allied to this false Christ and false prophet.!....even to the point of preaching at Moon' s cult meetings and being financed by him.What possible purpose could these people have for this unholy alliance.I suspect all the names mentioned previously are Trojan horses...and they are not the only ones with ungodly connections. Why are so many highly visible "Christian" ministers Freemasons? Freemasonry is an idolatrous, demonically inspired globalist religion. What could have possessed Billy Graham,Robert Schuller and Oral Roberts to become high level Masons? How does that mesh with their professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

And while I'm at it ,what is it with these high profile religious leaders who are members of Romish military orders. Rick Joyner seems quite proud of the fact that he is a Knight of Malta and Benny Hinn ,although a little more discreet, is a Knights Templar. To be in one of these orders it's necessary to pledge to do anything possible to further the Roman 'churches' agenda, a large part of which is bringing "the separated brethren" back to the embrace of Rome ,using any means necessary(including deceit)

Still not convinced ,how about the "pastor of the largest 'church' in the US denying Christ as the only means for reconciliation to God on National TV not once but twice ;and the same Joel Osteen declaring publically that Mormons are Christians and yet his building is still full each Sunday and he still gets to be keynote speaker at the Hillsong conference. What exactly does one need to do these days to be identified as a heretic?!



So the satanically inspired goal of a one world church is well on the way to fruition;but God is Sovereign ,He will protect His blood bought people .We still need to be obedient of course and be aware of the deception in our age and warn and alert our brethren as we have opportunity.

George Orwell wrote"To speak the truth in an age of almost universal deceit is a revolutionary act"We Christians need to be Holy Spirit led revolutionaries speaking the truth in love in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation

Pharisee!!

I've posted an article I started a few weeks ago but can't get it to come up as new post so if you want to read my thoughts on Pharisees click on title

The Devil you say

The chief exorcist of the Roman Catholic Church recently set the cat amongst the pigeons when he declared that Satan is alive and well and at work in the higher echelons of the Vatican Chief exorcist says Devil is in Vatican - Telegraph

A couple of things are surprising about this story.

But first... I'm not surprised that the Devil and or his demons exist and interfere in human lives.The testimony of scripture is very clear on this.

And I'm not surprised that evil spirits are hanging around the Roman Catholic Church.The Devil is very religious and loves to empower false religions that keep people away from the simple and powerful truths of the Eternal Gospel.

I'm also not surprised that believers have the authority in Christ to deliver people possessed by these unclean spirits.

I am surprised that someone in an influential position in the RCC has come out and openly testified about this satanic influence and although he is currently promoting his new book ,I suspect there is more to this story than first meets the eye.Conjecture is just conjecture but any organization that is working hard to bring in the end -times one world church is a master of subterfuge and disinformation.

I am also surprised that any high ranking Roman Catholic would have any success in casting devils out of anyone. Acts19:11-20 records some religious folks who took it upon themselves to cast devils out using the Name of Jesus even though they did not personally know Him. The results were not pretty ;naked and bleeding would be exorcists fleeing a mocking demon. This sounds similar to the RCC chief exorcist's description of those possessed by these foul spirits needing to be held down by a dozen men while the exorcism proceeds. This is not the Biblical pattern where a Spirit -filled believer simply commands the demon to leave...and it leaves!

I'm not one who sees a devil under every rock, but scripture is clear that they exist and can invade an individuals life;especially where the person in question has been dabbling in the occult,using mind-altering drugs or engaging in forbidden sexual activity (sex outside of marriage)and as I said before the devil loves powerless religion... but he hates and fears the clear uncompromised preaching of the Word of God.

If you are a blood washed believer in Christ ,you have authority over the devil and his minions and you can command devils to leave a person and they will ;but of course that person will still need to know and submit to the good news of Jesus the Redeemer and soon returning King.

For some reason these foul things love to take up residence in human "houses" .My emphatic advice to any one who feels they are troubled by evil spirits is to stay away from Romish priests (chief exorcists or not) and find a true born again Bible believing Christian and they can set you free by the power of the Name of Christ and more importantly let you know how to guarantee a demon free zone for eternity.

Brian McLaren’s New Book, A New Kind of Christianity – Assaulting Truth with a Vengeance

Lighthouse trails has an excellent and (and short) article on Brian McLarens new book. May it encourage you to prayer and to alert others to the danger of this man and his co-horts.Click on title

Creflo Dollar wants to Shoot Non-Tithers

I tried to post this the other day and wasn't able(new -fangled machines)but I managed it this time.This is where heresy leads the false teaching always becomes more important than truth to the heresy peddler.Click on title

The Adversary

One of the biblical pictures of the Christian life is that of a battle(not the only picture by any means)

We have an enemy .

The Bible calls him the devil,the accuser,the serpent the dragon.

He is a liar , a thief ,a murderer...and for God's blood -bought children,he's a defeated foe.

One of the things scripture tells us is that he is cunning;not smart(it's not smart to war against the Almighty God) but he is cunning ,slippery and tricky.

One of the ways he operates is to twist God's word and principles to render God's people ineffective.

Some examples

He twists the concept of biblical unity into carnal uniformity

Christlike love to tolerance and "niceness"

Peacemakers become peacekeepers

godly devotion ---superstition

faith is now positive thinking

proselytism masquerades as evangelism

going to church usurps being the church

You get the idea?There are others too.Consider:

Conviction vs condemnation

Discernment and judging

Heartfelt and Spirit-led generosity or attempting to buy God's blessing

He attempts to and often succeeds in convincing us

that refusing to give up our opinion is standing for the truth

that biblical patience is not faithful perseverance but cowardly passivity

legalism is holiness

license is grace

and arrogance is boldness.

there is a world of difference between waiting silently in the Presence of the LORD and mindless meditation and yet some have confused these with a little help from our enemy.

Many of these things can look superficially the same but to confuse them leads to a lack of effectiveness in our faith-walk...and some of them are almost right but often the battle rages not between right and wrong but between right and not quite right.

I don't know about you but some of these things I have to be alert for as I wish to say with Paul "I'm not ignorant of the devil's schemes"

There Was a Man Sent From God(Jn 1:6)

What an intriguing character John the Baptizer presents as he strides out of the Judean wilderness to prepare the way for the Messiah.

Luke records for us the great names of the day Lk 3:1-2; Tiberius Caesar ,Pontius Pilate ,Herod,Philip ,Lysanius,Annas and Caiaphas.The movers and shakers of the day .The famous(infamous),the influential, the rich, the powerfull...and yet the word of God came to John in the wilderness.An unknown person from an insignificant location, with no wealth,no contacts ,no political or religious system to back him up,no television ministry, no published books,no building no multimedia,no sound system...well you get the idea .All(all?) he had was the word of the LORD burning in his heart.

And he preached;my how he preached ,white hot messages of repentance.He called sin ,sin;he boomed out the wrath to come ,he warned of God's holy standards to the rich, the poor and any in between .He confronted wickedness in high places and constantly,constantly pointed people to Christ.

The man John ,the quintessential prophet.The greatest prophet who ever lived according to Jesus.In fact no one born of woman is greater says the LORD.John; never did a miracle ,his ministry lasted a few short years at best, murdered by an earthly king;honored by the Heavenly King.

The great Baptizer with his strange appearance and stranger diet new nothing of "seeker friendly,church growth " principles as he glared at the crowds and bellowed "who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?".He was unyielding in his proclamation of truth, unafraid in his condemnation of sin and untiring in his lifting up of the Messiah.

His appearance from nowhere baffled the religious leaders"Who are you?What do you say of yourself"

"I'm just a voice" he answered,"a voice crying in the wilderness"

And they came ,the weak the strong ,sinners in need of hope .And they heard and they listened and they asked "what must we do?" and they repented and they were baptized.

John the prophet ,the man sent by God looked into the eyes of Jesus the Lamb of God and immediately declared ,"He must increase and I must decrease".John ,not concerned with protecting "his" ministry ,no desire to build a church or start a movement,just faithfully fulfilled his mission and left the field to Jesus.

So much we can learn from this man sent from God.

We are not all called to be prophets ;although I think there should be a "prophetic edge " to every Christian as they hold up the sword of the Spirit and proclaim,"Thus saith the LORD"

We are not all called to be prophets and as Ravenhill says ,"If you feel you are called to be a prophet ,you best take out life insurance."

We are not all called to be prophets;but we are all called to point people to The Lamb of God.

We are not all called to be prophets but we can all learn from this greatest of prophets to decrease while He increases.

John the Baptist came in the power and spirit of Elijah according to our Lord;and at the end of Elijahs life ,his successor Elisha picked up the mantle and struck the river and called out "where is the God of Elijah"
We could ask today"Where are the Elijahs of God " John the Baptizer was an Elijah in his day...but today ;

"Where are the Elijahs of God?"

The Root of Bitterness

Heb.12:15b
....lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble ; and by this many become defiled.

This post is not about unforgiveness.Often this verse is used in the context of the necessity to forgive...and that is a huge issue and a biblical issue ;but that is not what this verse is talking about. It's actually addressing something far more important and so relevant to our day.

Cross reference this verse and it takes you to Deut.29:18 where the whole context is regarding turning away from the Living God to worship and serve false gods. And that of course is exactly what the writer of Hebrews is addressing in his epistle.Jewish Christians were tempted due to persecution to abandon Christ and return to the Jewish ways. The whole book of Hebrews is a challenge and exhortation to remain faithful and to not give way to apostasy.
This short verse in a way sums up the whole letter.Watch yourself and watch your brethren that no one apostatises ...because not only the individual who has done so but many will become defiled.

In our day many roots of bitterness have sprung up ...and many are becoming defiled.

Just yesterday I came across a youtube video of Creflo Dollar expressing his desire to SHOOT non-tithers.(I tried to link to it but wasn't able.If you google it you will find it)What is that but a root of bitterness ,a turning away from God's truth and exalting a tradition of man to the level of a death penalty issue.This is wicked and corrupt and he will have to give an account for this abomination of a teaching...It is in fact a root of bitterness! Tragically the crowd of biblically illiterate folks who heard this monstrosity laughed and cheered instead of rebuking this wicked teaching....They were in fact defiled.

In this day there is a rapid defiling of the visible church as more and more false teachers blatantly contradict God's word and more and more sheeple cheer them on.
Dear brother/sister in Christ, God says what He means and He means what He says.
The devil will tell us it's loving 'tolerant and generous hearted to politely listen to heresies being expounded by those who claim His name but God tells us be alert ,be aware watch out for false teachers and prophets who come in His Name introducing destructive heresies and doctrines of demons.

Many, many of the big name preachers and pastors today are roots of bitterness springing up and defiling many.

Scripture tells us in the last days there will be a massive falling away from the faith 2 Thess. 2:3 This will come about because God will send a delusion on those who do not love truth.2 Thess.2:11-12.There is a defiling that comes when we sit passively entertaining the words and thoughts of those who are rebels against Christ even as they claim to speak for Him.

Friend with all the strength I have I encourage you to know your God and know His word and know your enemy and be informed of his mouthpieces.

Creflo is wrong those who don't give a man-made temple tax don't incur God's anger...but those who deliberately twist His word and mis-represent His character do...for as the writer to the Hebrews wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
Serve God acceptably with reverence and awe for our God is a consuming fire.
Heb.12:28b-29

Reaping and Weeping

What are you and I doing about the harvest?

Lk.10:2 Then He said to them,"The harvest truly is great,but the labourers are few;therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest"

Jn.4:38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not laboured;others have laboured and you have entered into their labours.

Ps 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with joy.

Jesus has a holy passion about the harvest.Do we?
Jesus calls us to sow and to reap.Do we?
Jesus tells us to pray for workers in the harvest.Do we?

D.L moody was criticized by a woman with the remark, "I don't like your style of evangelism" His reply "How do you do it?"
Her answer "I don't"
"I like my way better" , he quietly replied.
How are you doing it ?How am I doing it?

General Booth when asked by one of his preachers the best way to reach the town to which he had been sent replied "Try tears"
Are we weeping over the lost ?

We are all called to the sacred work of harvesting,to preach to share, to pray, to weep.They don't need our clever words, they don't need a vibrant church ,they don't need success,prosperity or their "Best Life Now"They certainly don't need to be shackled by "The Shack" or to find their "Purpose"They definately don't need to hear about a "Velvet Elvis" or a "Sex God" or a "New Kind of Christianity".

People need Jesus!

Where are you called to in the harvest field?

Me ;I have a huge burden for the lost "in church".Possibly the hardest mission field there is. People thoroughly churched who know the jargon who know the system who know how to play the game...but they don't know Jesus.Sometimes they rise to leadership even become Pastors and Ministers and yet don't know the Lord of the Harvest.I pray for them ,I weep for them, I challenge them.

What is your corner of the field.

The harvest is ripe ,the fields are white and we are called to reap.God's blessing on you as you go.

Events That Changed my Life

I'm in a meditative mood this morning.

Not a buddhist/emerging/into the silence kind of meditation...just thinking.

Everyone has them;events that changed their world.Things ,stuff ,circumstances ,experiences that mean your world will never be the same .

When my Dad suicided that radically changed all that I had known for the previous 13 years.
He had been my hero and my mentor and just plain good fun.And when I found him with his life ebbing away from the gunshot wound everything changed .I didn't know God in any real way at the time but I prayed anyway."God ;give my Dad back" After lingering a couple hours in hospital he died.
I shook my fist at God and screamed at the heavens "I don't believe in You anymore"
How ironic; how can you yell at someone you don't believe in.(I wonder how many atheists have gone through something like this and declared to God," I WON'T believe")

A few years later my best friend died in a bike accident and then my only brother went the same way not long after.

Then there was my first firing from a church leadership role. On the losing side of a power struggle. Didn't really lose...just refused to fight.
The second firing came when the church authorites felt the best way to help my children and I through the grief of a deserting wife and mother was to "sack" me and cut us loose.That was an interesting time. A single Dad no income ,no vehicle(they took the church vehicle back) then we lost our accomadation...and what happened to all my Christian friends?

And then there's the 'interesting" experience of seeing your wife move her boyfriend into the family home (that you had built with your own hands)

Ah.. but God is the God of restoration. Remarried to a God-fearing beautiful and charming woman. A great home ,great Brady bunch family, business owner ,beautiful grand kids and eyes well and truly opened to the deceptions of churchianity(I'm not bitter ,I'm thankfull)

But the greatest the most amazing ,incredible event that has ever happened to me was 27 years ago when the God of Glory heard my cry in the bedroom at my home and bowed the heavens to reach down, forgive my wickedness and rebellion against Him and make me a new creature in Christ.He has proven to be a Father to the fatherless, a friend who sticks closer than a brother ,my shield ,my strong tower,my fortress ,a stronghold in the time of trouble,my God in whom I trust, the One who forgives all my transgressions and lifts me out of the miry clay.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.

"Christian" Media

Allow me to vent a little this morning.

From time to time I tune into the Christian TV or radio station ...and it aggravates me no end .

Surely when you go onto a Christian channel or station you should be able to come across something ..well..Christian.

But the sad fact is that I can listen to the local "christian" radio broadcast and hear nothing that is actually biblical Christianity (Why do the programmers think a song that mentions prayer or heaven or love is somehow christian.Come on guys get a Bible or open the one gathering dust on your bookshelf)

And the Christian TV? Well if anything it's worse.There are some good preachers on at times ..but usually at three in the morning but the prime spots are taken up with Benny Hinn or Joseph Prince or Joel Osteen. Come on guys give us somebody who will preach the word of God with candour ,courage and conviction.

Come on we need to hear from those who are sold out to the Holy One of Israel and not to the Catholic Guy sold out to the "Holy Father" of Rome.

And if I hear one more scripture twisting teaching on "tithing"I'll..I'll.....(Why is it that all the false prophets and false teachers agree on one doctrine and one doctrine only...tithing)
I heard Robert Schuller preach a tithing message recently, as though this is God's word and he is committed to the word of God.Come on , a few moments before he read a Psalm and deliberately skipped the verses he didn't like. Is there no fear of God in these guys ? Don't they know that they will stand before the Lord of Glory someday and give an account?

Thank God for the internet. I actually think the web is God's provision in these last of the last days.What used to take weeks or months to research can be done in no time today.
Some say you can't believe everything on the internet;well you can't believe everything in the library either; and at least you can hunt around and find some good Spirit -filled Bible preaching men of God on the web.

O f course the answer is to get alone with God and seek His face and His insights for ourselves...but tragically so many think that the smiling genial heretics on the Christian TV or radio station represent authentic, Biblical Christianity.

They couldn't be further from the truth.

The Commander of the Army of the LORD

Joshua 5:13-15

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho,that he lifted his eyes and looked,and behold,a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him,"Are You for us or for our adversaries?"
So He said,"No,but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come". And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshipped, and said to Him,"What does my Lord say to His servant?"
Then the Commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua."Take your sandal off your foot,for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so.

Joshua; called of God, appointed by God, empowered by God, undertaking in obedience the mission for God .Joshua;diligent, faithfull, courageous, about the Father's business.
Joshua; the man of God looks up and sees; God.....and doesn't recognize Him!!
"Hey you;you with the sword.You're in the road .What are you doing there? Are you on my side or their side."

Funny how some times God will get in the way even while we're about His business.
You have your plans, your goals .It's all worked out.You have your sermon prepared. it's a good word ,some good insights appropriate illustrations....and then God interrupts...and it's annoying,frustrating.

"who's side are You on?"

Jesus replies I AM the Commander. I AM the LORD. I AM in charge.I AM

And just like his mentor Moses did in similar circumstances;Joshua removed his sandal;bowed down and worshipped and asked for instructions.

May we be as wise

The God who can not Change

As I type the title for these few short comments ,I realize I could follow this thought into so many different areas.The God of creation;the God of Abraham ,Isaac and Jacob;the God of Moses and the prophets ;the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ in other words the God of the Bible, is not the God of "the Shack" of the televangelist or the purpose driven,church growth crowd.He is the God Who can not change.

I want however to zero in on one aspect of the God we worship and in so doing may offend some preachers and teachers whom I highly respect.

The issue I want to touch on is cessationism.

Some of the greatest Bible teachers of our day have taken the unfortunate (and unbiblical)stand that we are no longer to expect God to move in the supernatural and miraculous ways He did in the past.
But how can the God who CAN not change;change?

Some say that now we have the Bible we no longer need the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit to be at work in the church.But hang on ,whole chapters in the scriptures are written to instruct how the gifts are to be used;if the gifts were to cease once the canon of scripture was complete ,why would God bother to make those passages part of the canon.

I am convinced that the supernatural workings of God are for today.People are in just as much need today as they were 2,000 yrs ago.

Of course not everything supernatural is of God after all He has given clear and concise instruction on how to discern what is of God ,what is of the devil and what is of the flesh.

Those who would relegate the gifts of the Spirit to another dispensation arbitrarily draw a line right through the middle of the Bible's teachings on those gifts.Most cessationists do not dispute that some are called and gifted to preach or to give or to lead and yet they have decided gifts of healing or prophesy or tongues or interpretation of tongues are no longer valid. Who gave them the authority to decide whats in and whats out?!

Some cessationists go so far as to suggest we are not to expect God to do anything except grant us regeneration in response to repentance and faith.
One preacher regularly remarks ;"When we pray. who changes God or us?"Well that's not the point .Of course we want to change and of course God can not change but when we pray we want things to change. We serve an interventionist God . If there is one thing clear when we read the word of God Almighty it is that He is ;well;ALMIGHTY!

God is still a miracle working God .He still POWERFULLY answers prayer. He is still gracing supernatural and spiritual gifts to His church and He is still the God who can not change!

Heb 13 :8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,today and forever.

Churchless Christians and Christless "Churches"

When did "going to church" become a condition of salvation?

At what point did the gospel become ;"lift your hand and pray this prayer and find a church?"

I got saved out of church ;I spent the first year of my Christian walk out of church and they were some of the greatest times in my life.

Eventually I found an assembly, got involved ,went into "ministry" and became thoroughly "churched".

And now?

Well I am a Churchless Christian again.And I've seen too many Christless Churches.Not all of them ,of course .I know some wonderful saints and some of them are Pastors.

I've met many believers over the years who are committed to living out Christ in them.And many of these are pillars in the church. But increasingly many are not churched,are not connected to a local assembly and many are searching for a group and shepherds after His own heart.

So now I am seeking a church ;a body of believers to worship with ,to pray with and to learn with.
What am I looking for in a church.

#1 Saved leadership.

Now that might sound obvious but far too often it seems the "big" names in the professing church seem to have little in the way of a true heart for God and His word.And when a leader extols the virtues of Brian Maclaren or Joel Osteen or Rob Bell, I really have to question if they have the Holy Spirit.Now I'm not so concerned with the name over their door but more with the Name over their hearts.If they have no passion for Christ ,no zeal to reach the lost and no stomach for the truth,what does that say about their walk with God?

#2 Perfect Imperfection

Some say you will never find a perfect church.True ;but what about a perfectly imperfect church?What does that mean?
Well I think a church where the Holy Spirit is at work will have people at all different stages in their faith-walk. There will be those who've been faithfully following Jesus for 50 yrs or so ,who've stood the test of time, fought their battles, suffered for their failings, rejoiced in their victories and proven God faithful in the long haul.God bless those ones .
There will also be the brand spanking new converts ,questioning every thing in their passion to know;full of zeal and wrong turns, annoying and delighting with their fresh revelation of Jn 3:16.
And in between saints from all walks ,all backgrounds, all different experiences,growing,falling getting back up, Perfect imperfection.

#3 Priority of Prayer

Jesus said His house is to be a house of prayer.
I suspect He is not referring to the professional pray-er bracketing his weekly sermon in a brief call on God to bless His word ;but to the house being filled with the agonized ,joyful,worshipping,desperate cries of a people who know that they know without Him we can do nothing.Prayer,I believe is not to relegated to the prayer meeting but a major part of the gathering of the saints is to the ministry of prayer. Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching. to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to PRAYER.I think it was Ravenhill who wrote the "church began in the upper room agonizing and finished in the supper room organising."Maybe we need more agonizing and less organising

#4 The Word

It goes without saying (or does it?) that a church which has no respect for the authority of God's written word ,has no right to call itself a church.And not just a formal creedal statement about His living word but a practical experiential devotion to the eternal scriptures .The church I want to attend will preach the word ,in season and out.It will study ,meditate on wrestle with in faithful fervour and believe and act on God's revealed revelation of Himself . They won't have everything right but they will be open ,humble ,learning and growing in their understanding of God's principles,Person and priorities.

Well that's my thoughts for what it's worth.Shouldn't be too much to ask I think.Pray for Cath and I that we can find such a group and if you are in the Wollongong area and know an assembly in the area that fits the bill,leave a comment

Internet Ministry

I'll be honest.
I love a good robust discusion about the God of Glory and what He's written in His word
Whether it's an unbeliever outlining their excuses on why they won't believe; an honest sinner grappling with truth or a brother/sister with a different theological position than myself.
I also am drawn to discernment /apologetic blogs where a man or woman of God boldly challenges foolish and harmfull beliefs that seek to find a resting place in Christ's church.
But it saddens me maybe even angers me when discernment ministries refuse biblical correction.How can that make sense that the very ones who continually point people to the Bible reject the possibility that their pet doctrine(s) may in fact not be Biblical.Obviously the issues I'm referring to are not the great and essential doctrines of salvation;but the side issues which have a habit of becoming more important than they should be.
Some take their stand on "Christians don't drink, play cards or dance".That describes my dog!
Others allege a true christian must give %10 of their income to a religious organization.Well, the Mormons must really be saved ;they "tithe" %20.
Others will state that only the KJV is really God's word .What did God's people do before 1611.
None of us has all truth but for Christians we know where to find it.
God's holy word is perfect but our interpretation of it may not be.
A humble heart will keep seeking, keep asking , will be open to correction and will keep in mind that the scriptures are not only doctrinal but also devotional;not only for teaching but also for worship; not to prove us right but to prove Him right.Let God be proved true and every man a liar (Rom 3:4)

Pharisee!!

Pharisee; the word reflects harshness,hypocrisy, legalism.It's a term you don't call your friends and even our enemies are usually undeserving of this insult.

I've been called a Pharisee...more than once. I've considered it ..and found yes there probably are Pharisaical tendencies in me. Perhaps there are some in you too.Perhaps it's part of the human condition Anyhow I decided to do what I usually do when I need answers;I went to the word of God.

What I found is quite enlightening .

What Jesus says about (and to) Pharisees.

1 They were ignorant of the scriptures

This is an interesting point because often the charge of Pharisee is levelled at someone who is declaring the council of God on a particular issue.eg Sex outside of marriage as sinful in God's eyes. Response :Pharisee! or homosexuality is an act (not a condition) that will land the unrepentant in Hell.Response: Intolerant Pharisee!
Well no.The Pharisees did not know or preach the scriptures. Mt 22:29 you are in error because you do not know the scriptures nor the power of God.

So according to this verse it's not the ones who are holding up the truth of God's word that are true Pharisees but rather those who are ignorant of and disrespectful of the full counsel of God.

2 They were in positions of authority



The Pharisees were religious leaders who abused their position and twisted God's word to protect their "turf". This again is interesting as often the popular religious celebrity will level the charge "Pharisee" at some humble believer who has no crowds of followers ,no turf to defend and no agenda other than trying to live faithfully in the eyes of the Lord.Remember that...the Pharisees were the ones with power. And there are no doubt Pharisees today who stand 6 feet above contradiction. Of course not every church leader is a Pharisee but every Pharisee was a religious leader.

3 The Pharisees had no sense of God's priorities.

The Lord had regular conflicts with the Pharisees over the Sabbath .He pointed out that they would release their animal from a pit on the Sabbath but were incensed when Jesus healed someone.In fact they were so angry about the Sabbath issue that they plotted how to KILL Him.Talk about having no priorities ! They wanted to kill a man (and not just any man but the God-Man) to protect their sacred day!!As Jesus said "the Sabbath was made for the good of man;not man for the Sabbath. They had their priorities totally scewed.

Luke 11:37-54 outlines a few of the other issues that Jesus had with the Pharisees.


They loved money ;vs 39



A good way to discover if a religious leader is a Pharisee is to tell them you don't believe in tithing.

If they will open up a Bible with you and discuss their position all good .If they refuse to discuss it and throw you out of the church they probably are a Pharisee.(even though they may accuse you of being one)



They were focused on externals .vs 42



Whenever a ministry makes minor rules and regulations a major part of their platform it is likely that a Pharisee is revealing himself.

The first church I pastored was in an area where there was a lot of drug and alcohol problems.

God blessed us with the privilege of seeing whole extended families coming to the Lord.

Some of the guys had long hair and some of the girls had short skirts ...but what a heart they had for God. One young bloke led 20 people to Jesus in a 3mnth period!!! See, the heart of the issue is the issue of the heart and when God gets hold of a persons heart the externals will fall into line.

But Pharisees tend to focus on dress regulations and rules about drinking ,smoking and other assorted peripherals.



They coveted celebrity status vs 43.



If you have ever seen the church leaders jostling for the best seats at a conference you will understand what the Lord was speaking about in this scripture. We in the west have managed to create an entire celebrity class of Christian, complete with body guards ,limousines and fan clubs !
Those who seek and encourage celebrity are as guilty as those who make idols of their favourite preachers.

Jesus said a whole lot more about these guys but those few facts presented here I find enlightening .
In a comment thread recently , I suggested a commenter who was accusing others in the thread of being Pharisees that he need to examine the Bibles teaching on this and next time level the accusation at those who deserve it ,ie the false -teaching, celebrity hungry, money-loving religious leaders who with pious expression and clever words are keeping people from the Kingdom of God.

The Narrow Way Interview

Matthew Johnson over at The Narrow Way interviewed me recently.He is a young Aussie Christian with a heart to communicate the truth of God's word to this generation.You will find a multitude of good articles and commentary on his site.

Faith in 3D(Discernment,Deception and Delusion)

To finish on the subject I've been covering the past couple of posts.

I'm not really happy with the way I've communicated this but for the time being it will have to do.

Often when someone is trying to sell a new doctrine that is not backed up scripturally they will say something like this."All truth is God's truth"Well that may be true but not everything that claims to be truth is. In fact that concept is almost guaranteed to lead you straight into deception because it puts the whole thing backwards. To decide what's true and then put God's blessing on it is a travesty! The only safe way to find truth is find out what God has clearly declared in His eternal,immutable completed Word.

Tragically ,I have seen people I care about deeply reject some aspect of God's clear revelation and rapidly shipwreck their faith.
People that I've known well ,prayed with and had deep fellowship with(even ones that God used to help me come to faith)have abandoned Christ and renounced Him and His people and His Word.

The issue of how we respond to the Truth of the Almighty is not some academic philosophical theorizing. No!...this affects peoples eternal destinies.
When I encounter Christians who are so entrenched in a theological position that they refuse to consider what God has declared in His Word , I fear for them ,for this is a step onto the wide well-travelled road that Jesus warns us about.

When I hear Christians say "My God wouldn't send anyone to Hell"I say" well you need to repent of idolatry because your god is not YHWH God of the Bible"

When a Christian leader says to me "I have no need to fear God because perfect love casts out fear" I have to respond #1 You are not perfect and neither is your love#2The scriptures tell us repeatedly that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and therefore you are by Biblical definition a fool #3You have misinterpreted and twisted that scripture in 1st Jn that speaks of a Christian no longer having to fear the judgement.

To often God's precious people passively accept heresy and foolishness in the name of tolerance and unity , when really it's either ignorance, arrogance or the fear of man.

Precious child(or potential)child of God ;seek God's truth as if your life depended on it ,for indeed it does . Embrace and receive whatever He shows you in His word and reject ,challenge and rebuke those who speak lies in the Name of the Lord.

As far as the Osteens ,Maclarens Houstons etc etc etc go, God may be their Judge but God's people are their prey!

Faith in 3D( Discernment, Deception and Delusion)Pt 2

I want to continue on the theme of my last post .

Maybe it can be summed up like this "Truth begets truth error begets error)

The psalmist cries in Ps 119v18"Open my eyes ,that I may see wondrous things from your Law."He clearly understood that understanding the Word of God is more than just an intellectual exercise. Now, of course the mind is involved but it's God who gives the light .This is why Paul prays in Eph 1. 17ff that God would grant the Ephesians the spirit of wisdom and revelation and that the eyes of their understanding would be enlightened.
Discernment comes as God grants insight...and discernment is recognizing what's right as well as what's wrong.To submit to ,rejoice in and embrace truth clears the way for God to give more" to him who has more will be given".

Of course there is the flip side as described in Romans Ch.1 Gods wrath is revealed against those who suppress the truth.
Now God's righteous anger is not a popular topic today{perhaps it never has been) but it's true never the less...and amongst the multitude of ways that this wrath is revealed is described here in Chapter 1 of Romans.Their hearts are darkened vs21 ,God gives them up to perversion vs24 and vs 26 and God gives them over to a debased mind.
Resist God's truth reap deception and delusion. Eventually the Sovereign Lord may declare a truth famine as described in Amos 8:10-12. What a terrifying thought! Someone has said (maybe Paul Washer) that churches such as Joel Osteen's etc are in fact a judgement from God as people refuse to discern and submit to His truth. The thought being that God allows these ministries to prosper for a time to discipline those who refuse to believe God. Those who attend these churches and embrace the teachings of those such as Osteen,Warren,Hybells,Maclaren and sadly ,I think Houston will indeed find they are famished ,starved of the life giving sustenance of the whole counsel of God.The result of which is deception and delusion. The remedy is repentance and obeying the Lord when He says "come out and be separate" Jesus put it like this "Leave them they are blind guides "and the only result you can expect from following a blind guide is that you both will fall into a pit.