Category Archives: general
Back to Sodom: homosexuality and inhospitality
If the sin of Sodom was really inhospitality as gay theologians claim, it reared its head in typical nasty fashion in Portland, Oregon over the weekend. Last month, GCMW reported on the Mars Hill Church’s struggle with its homosexual “neighbors” who bullishly threatened the church with verbal violence. Sunday they made good on the threat. Charisma Magazine reported that even children were subjected to profanity and raw hate of the gay protestors.
Nearly two dozen banner-toting protesters made a scene in front of Mars Hill Church’s new campus in southeast Portland on Sunday morning.
The angry pro-homosexual protesters were shouting obscenities at congregants as they left a satellite location of the Seattle-based church, according to The Oregonian.
“Shame on you bigots,” the paper reports one woman yelled at worshippers as they left. “Shame on you homophobes. You’re not welcome here. You’re going to burn in hell.”
Mars Hill first launched in Seattle in 1996, led by Mark Driscoll in the living room of his home. Today the church has multiple campuses, including the new one at the college campus. Mars Hill Everett launched with 787 adults and kids at two services on Sept. 18. The services are held in the Everett Community College Fitness Center.
Driscoll has preached against homosexuality, so Tim Smith, lead pastor at Mars Hill Everett, told The Oregonian he expected a protest. The protesters had reportedly scheduled a kiss-in for the first service, which was originally set for Sept. 10. Instead, some of the protesters shouted profane words at children and adults alike.
“That’s not how we would go about it,” the paper reported Smith as saying. “But they have the right to say what they want to say.”
If homosexual theology is correct, Portland may soon become the next city of ashes. Strangely, there are no calls for “civility”, “respect” and “tolerance” from the anti-bullying drum majors in the gay community.
Also in Arlington Heights, IL, homosexuals smashed windows with bricks and threatened a church for hosting a conference which educates people on homosexuality. Americans for Truth about Homosexuality said the Christian Liberty Academy was attacked and vicious notes left online and at the church demanding that the conference be shut down [source]
Lot experienced the same violent threats and demands from the homosexual citizens of sodom. The threats were so severe, he was forced to make decisions under the duress that would be unimaginable in normal circumstances. You can read the story in Genesis 19.
So you call yourself a “lesbian”?
Excellent commentary on lesbianism and the folly of attempting to legitimize sin from Pastor Fred Rochester at Prevailing Word blog.
We all know that the word “lesbian” describes female homosexuality but where did it come from?
According to one source, it is Lesbos, the name of a Greek island located northeast of the Aegean Sea. One meaning of the word lesbian derives from the poems of Sappho, who was born in Lesbos and who wrote with powerful emotional content directed toward other females. It is interesting to note that she was married and did have children.
It is known that lesbians would take tourist trips to this island. While this may not seem important, everything has a place of origin. While this is not the place of origin for homosexual behavior, we aware of the strong emotional attachments to this island and to Sappho’s poems regarding the lifestyle is present.
Regardless, I find that any reprehensible lifestyle cloaked in the cultural aspects of poetry is demonic smoke in mirrors. I know that this will make many readers very angry, however, my intent is not to stir the brew of militant anger.
I just want to reveal the fact that there is an objective to the cloak.
There is no way possible to dress sin up to make sin seem harmless. We must be careful not to be sympathetic to what God hates.
This is why many homosexuals accuse believers in Christ of being narrow minded or un-inclusive. No matter which way you explain the fact that sin is what Jesus died for, the homosexual community doesn’t mind if any other sin is reprehensible. Just their “sexual orientation” is not to be considered sin.
That’s the whole idea about hate legislation and same sex marriage.
The other argument is that it’s about love for another person of the same sex. Have you considered the fact that the “love” for that person needs to be transposed into searching for the deep seated need to be loved by God?
If I can reduce or completely eliminate the pain of the stigmatization attached to homosexuality without coming to God on His terms, then I can be at peace about the way that I want to live my life. But have you noticed that your conscience is still talking to you?
Even your own conscience is suppressed because of accepting the false notion that this is what you want and that you are happy.
Read the entire blog The “L” Word; Understanding The Origin Of Lesbianism
Surveying Ephesians: You were Dead in Sin
Well, it’s time for us to dive into the word of God again. I know many of you will probably skip past this because the truth is of no concern to you, but for those of you who love the truth, believe the truth, desire the truth, and live the truth we know, just as the Apostle Paul did, that the word of God (The Gospel):
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 ESV
We are not ashamed or dismayed by the truths found in God’s word. We don’t shrink back from them nor avoid them because of the hardheartedness of men. We don’t care if we will be embarrassed or made fun of by those who would consider the word of God to be foolish or out of date. Why? Because we know that God’s word is the power of God unto salvation, and in it, the righteousness of God is revealed.
In this study we are going to deal with soteriology or the study of salvation. I want to present to you exactly what God’s word says concerning His salvation. May God’s word do exactly what He has ordained it to do….(brdavision)
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:1
I love how Paul always gets right to the most important point when he is teaching. In Ephesians chapter 1 he explains how we (those of us who believe) have received all spiritual blessings! This is a big contrast to the man centered preaching that goes on in the pulpits today. “God wants to bless you, all you gotta do is praise Him.” or “If you will just open your mouth and shout yes then God will move on your behalf no matter what you need.”
This types of apostate church vernacular plagues the pulpits and curses those who receive it. But I digress….
Paul lets these believers know exactly what state they were in before God saved them: “And you were dead….”. Today, many attempt to interpret Paul as merely saying that we were on sleep state or just dead in our minds. But upon further study of the original Greek we can know exactly what Paul meant. The word translated for dead is νεκροὺς pronounced {nek-ros’}.
The greek word means this: “one that has breathed his last, lifeless 1b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in heaven or hell 1c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate 2) metaph. 2a) spiritually dead 2a1) destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God, given up to trespasses and sins 2a2) inactive as respects doing right 2b) destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative .”
Lets use our heads here: If a man has breathed his last or is lifeless, deceased, departed, destitute of life, inanimate, spiritually dead, inactive as respects to doing right and so forth then it is proper for one to understand that the Apostle Paul is not talking about a sleep state or mind deadening state here. But exactly what he says: “DEAD”. Paul lets us know that we were spiritually dead, unable to breath, move, and most importantly unable to chose God. Another word for this state is totally depraved. Paul said:
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14
Dead people don’t chose life. They are unable to do so. I drive by an old cemetery every Sunday on the way to church, and I have yet to see a dead man rise from the grave, walk to my church and sit next to me in the service. If I do that will be another blog post….
Not wanting to be redundant but to stress my point, Paul refers to us (in our unregenerate, natural state) as dead. Unable to accept, nor understand the things of God. However, these Ephesians believers were now alive:
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14
How were they alive? Because the Gospel Message had been preached to them, and they had believed in the work of Christ on the cross. By their faith they had been sealed with the Spirit of God, who is the guarantee (not our works) of salvation until it is made manifest, with all glory going to God. In laymen terms He saved them, He gave them all the spiritual blessings, and He filled them with His Spirit. Therefore all the glory goes to Him.
Are dead men capable of doing this for themselves? Of course not. This gives further proof to the doctrine of regeneration. It is the Spirit’s job to give life to those who have been called. The bible says:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
Now this is a awesome truth! But we need some back ground to fully understand what Paul is saying here. This just so happen to be apart of my Pastor’s sermon this Sunday.
First Paul makes it clear that his ministry did not need to be affirmed by any human. His ministry was confirmed by those whose lives were changed by God through the preaching of the gospel.
“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Paul makes it clear that he is not boasting in himself but in God. And then he makes an interesting statement, one that he actually has been building upon for the two previous chapters. He is comparing Moses to Jesus, and making a solid argument that Jesus is indeed far superior. Moses gave us the law and that covenant which God made with him actually only leads to death. Which is why he says “the letter kills” and calling it a “ministry of Condemnation”. See Hebrews 3 and Romans 5 for more information.
Those who follow (work) the law of Moses will end up in Hell! But those who believe in Christ shall have eternal life. Those who make this transition from death (Moses and the law) to life (Christ and the cross) do so because of the power of God’s Spirit. We (me and you) were just as veiled as those who still follow the law but now, because of the “Lord who is the Spirit”, our eyes have been unveiled and can now behold the glory of the Lord! Praise God for His salvation!
This scripture (2 Corinthians 3:18) can be used to defend the deity of God the Holy Spirit.
This brings us back to our first point, as we walked this earth we were dead in sin. But God, who the bible says “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy” (Jude 1:24), has made us alive through Christ Jesus. Amen….
stay tuned for the next study!
When wolves creep in unaware
The modern church today has went bonkers. Now, I know that seems a tad harsh and cynical, but the truth remains, the modern church has absolutely lost it’s mind. And it officially lost it’s mind when many accepted and stood with former Fox News host Glenn Beck.
Now I know that many will hate what I’m about to say, but the truth is, the church and it’s leadership have willingly accepted a false teacher and representative of a false religion (Mormonism) and willfully sought allegiance with said false teacher at the expense of the flock.
By accepting the “gospel” of Glenn Beck, many have accepted a false truth, which is, we can fellowship and worship with another spirit. This smacks opposite of what the word of God tells us in Ephesians 5:11 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Even Christ himself warned us not to follow false teachers who come in his name, yet they come with a different message and a different Christ. (Matthew 24)
Still, hundreds of Christians went to Israel lead by some of evangelical’s top leading Pastors (John Hagee) to support a man (Beck) and his agenda – ecumenism. At stake though was the gospel and the millions who watched this blasphemous event on TBN. The word tells us over and over that we cannot be equally yoked with an unbeliever for such a mixture brings poison to the body and once that poison gets in, it begins to cause a chain reaction of death, spiritual death.
But yet sound, Biblical discernment has been left at the door at the house of deception and many are walking openly into this den of destruction. Fair enough. But the word reminds us that those who support such wickedness of deception will share in that coming judgment. (2 John 1:11)
The truth is, when TBN, the leading evangelical Christian network shared in Glenn Beck’s vision of idolatry and religious as well as spiritual confusion, they fulfilled the word in 2 Timothy 4:3 “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
TBN has secured it’s delusion, for they have went the way of idolatry by supporting and giving support to the mouthpiece of deception in one Glenn Beck. The apostle Paul warned us the day was coming when a great falling away would begin within the body of Christ and we are now seeing such a move.
Judgment is coming and it will begin at the house of God. And to that I say “Soon Lord, soon.”
Behold, I come quickly
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12
I thought very hard about what topic I would post, pondered every scripture themed idea, but yet my heart just wasn’t in it. It’s not that I don’t want to put something of great enlightenment or encouragement for the believer, but in my spirit I believed I wanted something else. That’s when my spirit spoke to me what God would have me say and it’s very simple – it’s time to start planning our departure.
On every side we are witnessing evil literally build like a giant wave, growing in height, almost seemingly ready to crash down upon an unprepared world. And in reality, that would be correct. I have never seen a level of immorality as I’m witnessing now. Parents selling their children into sex, mothers killing their babies, children killing their fellow siblings, it’s like the world has come unhinged.
The world is facing riots, hunger, political corruption, wars, rumors of wars. Rogue nations are hell bent on building nuclear weapons while Islam is gaining large numbers that, within 20 years, will surpass Christianity as the leading religion on the planet.
The world’s economic system is virtually coming to a close as Nations are preparing for a global economic crisis never seen. The planet is facing strange weather events, devastating calamities and earthquakes so great, it literally moved the Earth on it’s axis.
If there ever was a time for the church to rise up, it’s been awhile, but even the modern church has fallen asleep, gracing itself with the world and sin. With the world almost begging for someone to solve it’s problems, Israel on the brink of global war and the church still enraptured by wealth and materialism, we are heading toward judgment.
This all leads me to my thought for the week, not about faith, or charity or spiritual insight, those are wonderful things others can ponder on and teach the believer. I simply have one insight/word for the believer – “Behold I come quickly.”
It’s time to start preparing for the sudden return of Jesus Christ. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired. I’m weary of the fight, yet I still fight on. I’m frustrated by the modern church, yet I still cling to that promise the true remnant will come out of this mess and declare unto the world “Thus saith the Lord”. I look around this globe and I see signs of his coming all around me. And all I can say is this, “Come Lord Jesus, your bride is ready.”
Let that be on the mind of every believer from this point on – “Come lord Jesus”.
The Demise of America and why it’s necessary
For the first time in it’s history, the United States is on the verge of defaulting on its debt, leaving many to worry about whether or not they’ll receive a monthly check in order to pay the bills, feed their families and simply just live.
The failure to get our financial house in order could send economic shockwaves not only across the nation, but across the world. To put it bluntly, we’re in trouble. Since the beginning of this economic turmoil, gold, which began at around $737 an ounce in late 2008, to a record $1,600 in the past day (July 2011). While gold has surged in worth and stability, the U.S. dollar keeps crumbling against the Yen and the Euro, by most forcasters, the U.S. dollar will reach it’s end within 10 years.
It’s hard to imagine that something as dependable and reliable as the dollar was throughout the past 100 years, could come to an end. Yet, that is exactly what is occurring, and by all accounts, the world is not losing any sleep over it neither.
From a 9.2% unemployment rate that has not changed in 6 months, to forclosures across the country, the image that was once virtual and prosperous that was America, is quickly becoming an image of the past. America is dying and it seems that what was once unthinkable is becoming possible and what was once considered a myth is becoming reality, and that is America is just like every other nation on the planet.
But it’s not just economic’s that have caused this nation to swagger like a drunkard, it is also her ability to be drunk with immorality and idolatry as well. Many would be surprised to realize that at one point in this great nation America held to certain morals and values, all based on Christian principles. During it’s first 200 years, marriage was held to a high esteem while crime was quickly punished under a righteous, but not perfect, system of justice. There was a real sense of fear upon those who dared to challenge the moral code of conduct and, those who willingly stepped over the line, found themselves staring at a determined system of justice. Seldom was the cry of “injustice” ever spoken.
But as the nation grew more and it’s people became comfortable, even the Godly, at times, became slumberous and a subtle change began to take place in the heart of America. The concept of individual rights was beginning to change to reflect more of a socialist point of view. Of course this wasn’t as outspoken as one would think, it was subtle at first, seeking to find voices of like manner who would embrace the idea of rejecting individual rights to a more common idea of public order (the idea which says individual rights must give way to the greater good as determined by Government).
Thus, the concept of world Government began to grow.
Today, the concept of individual rights, i.e., religion, property, speech, wealth, have all but been disbanded to accept a more global concept of Government for all and individual rights for none. As we watch another year go by, we are seeing the end of democracy as well as a way of life many have known for hundreds of years. What is taking it’s place though, is nothing short of evil.
The word of God states that “Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” 2 Cor. 3:17 It is clear in the word, God loves liberty for his people. Liberty and freedom are fundamental truths found in the word of God. It was Christ going to the cross which brought eternal freedom to mankind for sin. The resurrection of Jesus Christ from his tomb brought freedom from death and the grave. So the idea God wants man to live free, within the perimeters of his word is a good thing. Yet, men, whose hearts are evil and wicked due from sin, has conspired with Satan, the true enemy of mankind, to reject freedom and liberty for all and thus enslave many into bondage.
America is becoming a past tense in the final chapters of human history and what’s more, it’s a necessary thing.
God always has an agenda planned out. From the moment the world, the universe and man himself was formed, God had already planned the final events which would shape and form the world and all its inhabitants. This is God’s prophetic timetable and one thing is always clear, when God sets his prophetic timetable into position, nothing or no one is going to change it.
What we are seeing taking place in our nation is nothing more than God moving his hand from off our nation and allowing events and circumstances to shape the final world events, and this includes removing America from being a world superpower, to a more neutral at best nation with little control over the world or those who would do harm. The truth remains, we had our run, our moment in the sun and it’s time to allow God’s perfect plan come into being.
In the coming years we will begin to see a major shift take place in our nation from world prosperity to one of economic turmoil. We have always been able to come out of our economic plight, after all, it’s been our staple for hundreds of years. But not this time. Again, our demise as a nation is due to several factors, immorality, injustice, unloving, unthankfulness, idolatry, homosexuality, greed and the list goes on and on. How much more can God ignore our sins?
This nation allows the murdering of millions of unborn children daily while we gloat over our sports teams and movie stars or the latest iphone. We now are beginning to teach children lessons on homosexuality under the guise of secularism without the word of God to guide our way. We ignore the poor and support the rich and wealthy at any costs. There is no question, the hand of God has been lifted from this nation and when God lifts his hand from a nation or people, judgment is the final outcome.
What our nation will resemble in the coming years is anybody’s guess, I myself do not know, but I know this, whatever it will revert to, it will not be the same as I have known it. Already there are telling signs of what is coming. Under then President Bill Clinton, NAFTA was imposed, furthering this concept was George Bush Sr., but it was Bush II as well as our current President Obama that instituted, without public knowledge, the impending of a three nation state, removing all borders and merging America, Mexico and Canada into one alliance.
In Jan. 2011, Mexican Pres. Calderon signed an executive order to start issuing bio-metric ID cards to Mexico’s school children to help them qualify for “Trusted Traveler” cards that will eventually allow them to travel unhindered in all three nations. About the same time, the U.S. Border Patrol was working on America’s “Trusted Traveler” card and a “FAST” (Free And Secure Trade) card that will allow approved truck drivers to cross all borders unhindered (without inspections) in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
In Feb. 2011, Pres. Obama and Prime Minister Harper of Canada signed the “Beyond the Border” declaration legalizing “continental integration” (the NAU), a North American Commission, a North American Parliament (government) and a Court on Trade and Investment. The effective date was not revealed, but the formation of the NAU now appears to be a done deal. Pres. Obama agreed to keep the borders open so as not to impede commerce. He also agreed to develop a biometric ID system to track ALL North Americans and to delay a final decision on a new currency.
America as we know it is coming to an end. Israel, the middle east, Europe and China as well as Russia, are moving fast toward a new world system and the only thing which stands in this new era of global power is the United States of America. I believe that our time as a nation is almost complete and our demise is nearing. I take no joy nor gladness in this fact, but the truth must be told. God is trying his best to warn the church that terrible times are coming, what guaranteed our liberty and freedom is no longer a viable option. The preaching of the gospel should be our only objective and our protecting of other believers in the coming change should be our top priority.
What we will see shortly is a complete economic collapse which will result in a new system of economic change which will lead us all, eventually, into a one world system, a one world mark of the beast and eventually a world leader. And the church will find itself facing down it’s most deadliest enemy.
Let us remember the words of our Lord, “We must work the works who sent me while it is yet day, for the night is coming when no man can work.” John 9:4
While we still have the liberty to preach the gospel, we must do so now while we still are able to do it.
