Marks of a Cult

Links worth checking out

The Marks of Cultism by Zac Poonen

Some great points made in this article.  We believe that Christianity (as a culture) is becoming largely cultish, and Poonen's article is a reflection of what we have seen and experienced. He defines a cult as a group that lifts up another person (or persons) to Christ status (a worship-like attitude of the messenger, whose word is held up as "gospel truth" rather than tested against scripture), has a book in addition to the bible that is regarded to be as infallible as the bible itself (Poonen writes, "Many cultistic groups may deny that they give such a place to the writings of their founder. But their attitude towards that one book indicates that they do place it on equality with the Bible. Their actions speak louder than their words.") which may include teachings, articles, catechisms, or hymns, is highly exclusive in their fellowship ("Cultistically-minded believers feel that fellowship with other born-again believers outside of their own group has little or no spiritual value. [...] Such a group usually considers itself to be the only true church and believes that all those who belong to Christ's Bride will ultimately find their way to them," Poonen explains.), has no (or little) burden for evangelism ("While there may be some cultistic groups that engage in evangelism on a limited scale among the heathen, generally speaking, most cultistic believers work only among other Christians. They do not have any desire to preach the gospel to every creature, as Jesus commanded (Mark 16:15). Instead, they major only on making disciples to their own group from among other believers.").

Poonen also points out that cults often devalue part of the gospel message- Justification by Faith.  "Scripture does speak of works as the proof of our faith (James 2:24). But Scripture also teaches that "to the one who does not work, but believes in Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness" (Rom.4:5). The danger here is not just one of imbalance, but of heresy - for when one Biblical truth is carried to an extreme, to the exclusion of other Biblical truths, it can become a heresy. And further, if we hold a Biblical doctrine, but never teach it in our churches, it will become equivalent to our not believing in it at all. For unspoken truth, like an unused muscle, loses its function gradually and is finally lost altogether to the church. "The truth does not lie in one extreme or the other. Much less does it lie in the middle. The truth lies in both extremes held together." We must be careful that our teaching is not a reaction to the extremes that others have gone to. Many preachers have indeed turned the teaching of justification by faith into licence for sin. But that should not make us throw away this Scriptural truth, and go to the opposite extreme of preaching justification by works alone. Cultistic believers, generally speaking, preach on justification by good works only. Hinduism and all heathen religions do that too. If at all a cultistic believer speaks on Romans 4, it will be in such a way as to prove that Romans 4 also teaches justification by works!! Cultistic believers usually play down the truth of "Christ becoming our righteousness" (1 Cor.1:30), and major only on "the righteousness of the law being fulfilled in us" (Rom.8:4)."

There is real danger there, as we depend on that grace and the promise of Christ as our righteousness.  We cannot forget that God's word clearly says that even our righteous works are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).  Jesus Christ did not die so that our own works would suddenly become righteous. We have been crucified and risen with Him so that His works may live through us.

Poonen's goes on to state that other marks of cultism are secrecy of beliefs (When confronted with an issue that has no scriptural foundation, they may state, "You just need to have faith."  In my experience, cultish groups may guard writings or recordings [sermons] because they do not want them to get into the "wrong hands".  If you are preaching the Truth of God from His Holy Word, you do not have to worry about whose hands it falls into.) and the demand of uniformity among members (lots of good points he makes in regards to this).

Humanism: The Self-Destructing Religion Infecting Christians

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.  [Colossians 2:8]


I wanted to share a post written by Kelly Crawford of Generation Cedar (Guest blogged at Visionary Womanhood).  Humanism is a subject that has been on my mind quite a bit.  See, I often read and hear things from humanists that sound really good. I hear words like hope, truth, safety, happiness, justice, goodness, and helpfulness, but the truth is, Humanism ultimately believes in relativism. Therefore, what is justice to me may not be justice to you. What is true for me may not be true for you. What is goodness for me may not be goodness for you. Thus, there cannot really be real hope, true truth, actual safety and so on because it all depends on how one feels, interprets, etc those things. Secular humanism is a philosophy of life, a religion itself, which views man as the supreme being in the universe and rejects God and the supernatural. Moral values and truths vary from person to person since it's "all relative".  How can one combine humanism and Christianity?  It cannot be done without sacrificing the very foundation Christ laid.

Humanism: The Self-Destructing Religion Infecting Christians


The most serious enemy facing mankind today is the same one that has always been…the “Tempter’s Creed” known as secular humanism–a.k.a. the worship of MAN. We are now seeing the full-blown fruit of it in America as we bury the last shreds of our founding father’s faith and devotion to God’s laws, replacing it with our devotion to man’s law.

“Humanism is the second oldest religion known to man. It goes back to the Garden of Eden…Its first article of faith is the belief that all things, including every word from God, must be put to the test of man’s reason and experience: ‘Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ “ R.J. Rushdoony

Humanism is the belief that all things exist for man’s good and betterment, and therefore man determines right and wrong; Christianity is the belief that man exists for God, and as such, He knows what is best for us. (The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.)

The two are antagonistic in nature. But there is a MAJOR problem…many Christians have unknowingly begun to follow the doctrine of humanism, wounding the body of Christ, rendering themselves impotent–and even worse–accomplice to man’s destruction.


Read the rest of this post here at Visionary Womanhood.

Christ in Every Day Life

Body life is only as good as your individual life with Christ. Don’t make the mistake of substituting relationships with people for a relationship with Christ.  (T. Stanley)

Fellowship is important. To say otherwise would be a lie, but too often, we put all our focus on fellowship, and we forget about Christ. While we certainly can (and should) worship, pray, praise, learn and grow as a group, it's important to understand that our relationship with Christ is very personal. Our relationship with the Lord must be nourished outside of a fellowship group setting.

A friend of ours used to say (and probably still does), "Revival starts in the home."  People often want to see revival in their churches, but they seem to forget that revival starts within the individual. People want to see revival in their church, but they neglect their families. It starts with you, it spreads to your family, fills the church and floods out into the community.

I've been in groups who believe that it is their fellowship which saves. They don't have a solid relationship with the Lord Jesus, but they have a great relationship with their church community. They don't seek His truth and hold what they hear in their gatherings against the light of Scripture.  They base their whole belief system off a group or gathering or way of gathering rather than Christ alone. It is great to have a "brotherhood", but we must remember:

Just because a group has the "spirit of brotherhood" does not mean they have the Spirit of Christ.

Many groups have a spirit of brotherhood. My cousin onced explained that, as a marine, there is a spirit of brotherhood and unity among other marines.  I have been to gatherings of women where there is a spirit of "sisterhood" in that we are all mothers and have all experienced the trials of labor, birth, and babies.  We are united and have much to share with one another.

So many people believe because they have felt the spirit of brotherhood and have built relationships within a religious atmosphere that they somehow have built a relationship with Christ.  Unfortunately, most of the people who have done this are blind to it, and it will take a revelation of God to open their eyes.

Many have built their fellowship and their idea of salvation around another man's misinterpretation of the bible, and because they do not seek out the truth of the bible and are accustomed to reading the bible through a false filter, they continue to believe falsehoods.

Our relationship with the Lord is our own. If we don't seek Him, praise Him, and spend time with him (which means listening, speaking, and just "being" with Him), we aren't nourishing our relationship.

There may be times in our life when we are not able to fellowship with others for some reason or another.  Will we be starved because we have not built a real relationship with the Lord and do not know how to feed ourselves in Christ from the Scriptures without someone preaching it to us?

Do we only sing songs of praise and worship and really focus on the Lord when we are in a group setting, or do we have these moments when we are alone with God? Do we do this as a family, or do we reserve it only for "church"?  Or, do you not even do such a thing in "church"? I have been to "churches" where they do not understand or know what it is to praise and worship as a group, nevermind as individuals!

What does our personal relationship with Christ look like?  Do we seek Him out, meditate on His Word, sing of His glory and majesty, long for His direction and correction, and allow ourselves to just bask in Him when we go about every day life?

As much as I love to fellowship with others, I should really cherish my one-on-one time with the Lord. This is something I definitely have had to work at through the years since my conversion from "religious" to Christ-follower.

Some years ago, I found myself looking upon some of my Christian friends with envy. I desired to have a relationship with the Lord that they seemed to have.  I would later realize that my relationship with the Lord usually depended on how often I sought Him and poured my time into Him. It's amazing how we often get to thinking that we can have a great, flourishing relationship with the Lord but neglect Him in our personal, every day lives.

Beware of Pinocchio Prophets

2 Peter 2:1-3
   But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

I live in a city filled with churches, and, sadly, most of those churches are filled with false doctrine.  I know because my husband and I visited many of them and walked out of a few mid-service.  There are many forms false doctrine.

There's the doctrine of uber-grace which says we can be saved yet have no evidence of it in our lives, no victory over sin, no change.  We can live "freely" as we desire, ignoring God, ignoring the Scriptures, ignoring the Holy Spirit but claiming to be "Christians".

There's the doctrine of works, which is the background I come from.  It's much like the Pharisee doctrine which had added to God's word through human tradition and oral law.  There was no room for grace.

I grew up in a group that claimed to be "the only way" and every other Christian group was "false doctrine".  Yet, what I read in the bible clearly says that Jesus is the way and those who follow Him in faith are His bride, the Church.  No one denomination (or "non-denomination") as exclusive rights to Jesus.  He cannot be put into a box.  That is false doctrine.

We need to understand that doctrine is important. Now, there are some things that are not salvational issues (such as where we meet, whether a woman can wear pants or cut her hair, or if one can eat pork or not), but there are foundational doctrinal views that are extremely vital.

While most of modern Christendom has rejected the importance of doctrine and the centrality of preaching in public worship, correct doctrine was an obsession for both Christ and the apostles (cf., Ac. 20:28-31; Rom. 16:17; 1 Tim. 1:3-4; 6:3-4; 2 Tim. 4:2-4; Tit. 1:9; Mt. 1:9; Mt. 5:21-48; 7:15-27; 2 Jn. 9-11). There are many reasons why our Lord regarded doctrine so highly. (a) Correct doctrine is foundational to biblical Christianity. The system of doctrine taught by Scripture defines God, Christ, salvation, ethics, sin and everything a person needs for faith and life (2 Tim. 3:15-17). Without correct doctrine the object of our faith is false and all is lost. (b) Correct doctrine is crucial because false and man-made doctrine drives out, replaces and nullifies true teaching (Mt. 15:1-9; Col. 2:8, 20-23). The apostles had the responsibility to lay the foundation of the church by planting congregations and by delivering their inspired teachings and writings. If the shepherds became corrupted, so would their followers. Therefore, we can understand Jesus’ very strong concern with purity of doctrine. We hope and pray that some day many of the modern evangelical churches will share that concern.
                         [Christ’s Warning Concerning False Teachers, Brian Schwertley]

Schwertley also makes another great point,

[O]ur Lord’s warning is directed to the twelve apostles. It is not directed to backsliders, new believers, unreliable professors or ungodly persons but to the cream of the crop. The twelve apostles had forsaken all to follow Jesus. These were men who were dedicated to the Savior; who had been under His personal care and training for quite some time. These were men who had absolutely no sympathy for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. There is no indication whatsoever that the disciples were being influenced by any false teachers. Yet, it is the apostles who receive this strong warning.

            The fact that our Lord’s admonition is directed to the apostles tells us that no one should consider himself to be immune to the influence of false doctrine. There is never a time in our walk with Christ when we can let down our guard. There is not one person who can claim a level of knowledge, sanctification or theological maturity that protects him from the doctrinal assaults of Satan. Even the most godly and knowledgeable believers are able to err in doctrine. In fact, the more we understand about God, Christ, faith and life, the more we realize how feeble our knowledge really is. Therefore, regarding doctrinal matters we must be very humble. We must be very prayerful and careful regarding the doctrinal achievements on which we stand. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Pr. 16:18). And it is often pride and arrogance regarding one’s own knowledge, abilities and genius that has caused many a theologian and pastor to be seduced by Satan.

            It is not an accident of history that many dangerous heresies originated with pastors or teachers who were the brightest, most creative minds in seminaries or colleges. Indeed, the greatest heresies that have caused severe havoc in Christ’s church have all come from respected ministers of the gospel; from men notable for their teaching ability or intellectual skills.

How to we protect ourselves from false doctrine? How can we spot it?  We must be as the Bereans who "were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

If we depend on other pastors, preaches, ministers, and friends to tell us what is false and what is true, we can easily be led astray.  In fact, Paul tells the Galatians, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!"  God will not contradict Himself! Remember that!  The answers are in the bible, and the Scriptures are not open to private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20-21), but a revelation of wisdom according to the Holy Spirit.

Inspect your doctrine. Check what you're hearing in your fellowship gatherings and worship settings.  Test what is being preached to you. Have you fallen for a lie?



Read Christ's Warning Against False Teachers.

Comics from http://www.codystromberg.com/

Feeding on the Word- not someone else's interpretation

Are you feeding on the Word, or are you feeding off someone else's "word"?

This video really hit home with me because I grew up feeding off someone else's "interpretation" of the bible. I read the bible, but I always read it through this filter I was given.

I remember that day my husband and I knelt down and cried out to God, "Show us your Truth! Take away this filter and fill us with Your wisdom and understanding as we read it with fresh, open eyes."

That was life-changing moment.  God opened up the Scriptures to us in such an awesome way. Have you ever read the bible with a clear mind, without any preconceived notions and ideas?  Too many people twist and bend the bible to fit their own forms of religion.

I love what one poster said in the comments of this video: "If truth is really truth, then it will stand up to the hardest questions. I wouldn't feel comfortable at a church that was afraid of questions."

Speak the Truth

My husband and I have been talking a lot about deception.  Many so-called-"Christian" preachers and religions claim to follow the bible, but, as John writes in 2 John 9, have gone beyond it.  They have added something to the gospel or taken something away from the gospel. They have not preached the Truth, and when I say Truth, I mean that they have not preached the pure gospel of Jesus Christ.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.  -Romans 1:18

My brother and I have often discussed how some religious groups are unwilling to be open about what they believe.  Why would "Christians", who claim to be preaching the gospel truth from the bible, not want people outside their group to listen to or read their sermons?  Why would any true believer be unwilling to make or write a public statement of their beliefs?

In his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)  If we are correctly teaching and living out the word of truth, we don't need to be ashamed. We don't need to hide it, but proclaim it.  After all, if we believe we are preaching Jesus (the way, the truth, and the life), why would we hide such a bold light under a bushel?

Why are these people unwilling to sit down and really discuss the bible and their beliefs?  Why is it, when one asks questions and demands a clear scriptural reference, they are told that they just don't have enough faith?  True faith is trusting in God's Word, leaning on His promises, and being fully persuaded that God will do what He has promised.  True faith will take God's Word over the wisdom of men every time because true faith stands in the power of God.  (1 Corinthians 2:5)  Abraham believed God and it was imputed unto him for righteousness.  (James 2:23).  He believed God's promises and acted upon them.  You can bet there were many in his day telling him he had misunderstood God or that God had not really made such a promise. Yet Abraham trusted and believed God. 

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  If you are truly preaching the Word of God, preach it boldly, loudly, and for anyone to hear.  Will people oppose you? Yes! The gospel is offensive! People do not like to hear they are sinful beings in need of a Savior!  But the gospel provides the best news of all- while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (and rose again!).  Why would anyone want to hide such a message?  If you had the cure for disease and everyone in the world was dying of this disease (including those you love!), would you not feel an urgent desire to share and spread this cure?

Folks, we are all infected with death (sin), and Christians- we know the cure.  Jesus is the cure!  By the grace of God, we are saved through faith.  It is not our own doing- neither our salvation or our faith, really.  Both are a gift of God.

Why would someone want to hide their preaching unless they are not preaching the gospel?  Why are they unwilling to sit down and open their bibles and look into the Truth of the bible with others who question their beliefs?  Should we not be prepared to answer?

You see, whoever does what is true has no problem laying out it all out, but those who hide are afraid that their works will be exposed.  (John 2:19-21)

Why would a church not be willing to share how they spend their finances?  Why would a church tell people not to read material that points out issues in their religion? Why would a church tell their members not to talk to people who question their beliefs or practices?  What do they have to hide?  If your faith and understanding are truly granted by God's power, then what do you have to fear?

I like to think of the Bereans (Acts 17:10-12).  Paul and Silas brought them the gospel, and they enthusiastically received it and searched the Scriptures daily to see if their message was true.

You see, faith is not simply accepting what your pastor, minister, or seemingly godly friend tells you as fact.  True faith seeks out what God says.  True faith seeks truth and will not be content until it has found it. God is compassionate and just and eager to give us the truth and the faith we seek when we honestly ask and pursue it.

During Christ's time on earth, He repeatedly told His followers to ask, to seek, and to knock.  "Ask of Me!" He proclaims! "Ask!"  Yet, instead of asking Christ, we tend to turn to those around us.  Do we not believe that the Holy Spirit will not teach us and fill us with wisdom and understanding if we truly desire it?

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you." John 14:26

In a world where many "Christian" religions are fronts for the devil's works, we must be willing to dig into the Word of God and discern what is truth.  The Holy Spirit will teach us. We must be soaking up the Word of God, searching it daily for truth and understanding, and allowing the Holy Spirit to give us a pure understanding.

I can clearly remember my husband and I sitting on our bed one night and realizing that we had a completely skewed view of the bible.  We began to pray- to beg God- that He would remove the filter which we had so often read the bible through and give us His wisdom and plant within us His truth as we read the people through eyes opened by the Holy Spirit.

Know what? God is good. He did just that.  We were astonished at how we had fallen victim to men who had twisted the Scriptures, who had perverted the hope of Christ.

Why are people unwilling to preach the truth when it is the truth that sets us free? Why would someone want to hide the truth, suppress the truth?  Why would anyone want to allow others to continue in slavery to Satan?

What is the truth?

[Ephesians 2:1-10) The truth is, you were dead in your trespasses and sins.  Dead. DEAD.  The dead cannot do anything.  They cannot do good works.  They cannot muster up faith in God.  They are dead.

You were by your very nature a child of wrath.  Whose wrath? God's wrath.  You were dead and under God's wrath.  You were powerless to remove yourself from this state of being.

But, Oh! Hey! Good news! GREAT NEWS!  God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love, has the power to make you alive together with Christ.  Alive! Do you get that? Dead. Brought to LIFE! BROUGHT TO LIFE by the mercy and love of God! By His grace and His grace alone you have been saved.  Not of any power of your own because you were dead! You had no power to raise yourself to life!  He made you alive in Christ! Why? So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards you in Christ Jesus.  Again, we are reminded, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not as a result of works so that no one may boast.

So, you can't say, "Hey, I pulled myself up by my boot straps and lived a holy life!"  No! You couldn't! You were dead! You couldn't earn your salvation! You were dead! You couldn't be good enough! You were dead!

But you are God's workmanship, not your own. We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them.

Wait, see that?  You were made alive (by God), created to walk in the works which God prepared for us.

I'll be honest, when I first read this through my "new eyes" years ago, I thought, "So, let me get this straight God.  You're saying that my works don't earn me heaven. I can never be good enough to earn it.  Salvation- life- is Your gift to me even though I am a wretched sinner?  Even though I'm a lawbreaker? And so, you give me new life, you give me faith, you strengthen me, you seat me in Christ, and then you prepare good works for me to walk in?"

I was absolutely astonished! God does it all!  All I have to do is accept the gift and walk in the works He already prepared for me!  My purpose as a new (wo)man in Christ is to walk in the good works God prepared for me- to glorify God by living out the purpose and plan He designed for me!

If we are unwilling to share the truth, then we must not understand how powerful that truth is.

I know this post has been all over the place, but I hope it makes sense.  Seek truth. Settle for nothing less. Don't stop seeking. Keep seeking.  Keep pursuing God.  You will know when you have found Him.

The gospel is unstoppable!

I really enjoyed Trevin Wax's post "Do We Defend the Gospel? Yes and No" on his blog Kingdom People. My favorite part?

The gospel is like kudzu that just won’t go away. People try to stomp it out (persecution), trim it back (watered-down doctrine), or spray it with weedkiller (heresy), but the vine just keeps on growing. Defending the gospel? It’s more like unleashing the gospel.
So take heart. The gospel is unstoppable!

*Nods*

I will not settle for anything less.

Excuse me while I ramble.

There is this deep ache in me.  I long for true fellowship with like-minded believers. In my prayers, I cry out, "How long, Father?" 

Have you ever begged the Holy Spirit to move in your church day after day, only to feel like there is a dry well? Have you ever been in a church and wondered if the lampstand has been removed?

I used to think it was just me.  I know at times it has been.  But when others come to the same conclusion, when others leave feeling empty, when someone I trust tells me I should be concerned... well..........

There's this knot in my stomach, this lump in my throat. I am so tired of false doctrine. I am so tired of scripture twisting. I am so tired of man trying to manipulate the church as to bring in more people rather than simply boldly preaching the Word and allowing God to build the church as He pleases.

Why are men more concerned about the numbers filling their seats than the souls?

Where are the people, living in unity, reaching out in unity, being the hands and feet of our Lord Jesus? How can one claim to be saved yet have no evidence of it?  How can one preach that one can be saved and refuse to be a disciple of Christ?

I disagree!  If we are saved, then we are no longer slaves to sin but willing slaves to Christ. Under His control, under His discipleship.  How can we be in Christ and living Christless lives?

This message stings my ears, pains my heart, and makes me want to run out the door.

But I sit there. 

I want to scream, but I sit there.

Because I am not sure what to do.  If I say something, I am called a legalist.  But, isn't faith without works dead?  Is discipleship really optional?  I realize my works do not earn my salvation- it is a gift- but if I love God- if I am truly in Christ- should not my life be submitted to Him? Is submission to His will optional?

If one truly feels that way, can they truly be saved?

All these questions swirling in my mind. I pour over God's word, and I am sure of my beliefs.  Oh Holy Spirit, give me strength. I seek truth. I'm tired of lies. Tired of people trying to fool me with fancy words, holding their titles over me.

I have learned to find my answers in His Word. He will not lie. He will not contradict Himself.  Jesus doesn't mince words. Sometimes His words are hard to swallow... but they always bring me guidance.

I will not sacrifice Truth. I have seen it twisted, seen it added to and taken from. I have seen it bent out of context.  I have seen this my entire life, and I'm sure it will not end until the day Christ comes in all His glory.

I am told to ask, and it will be given. Seek, and I will find.  Knock, and it will be opened for me.  Why? The Lord is full of mercy and grace. He does not want to withhold His Truth from me!

I will not settle for anything less than Jesus.

Oh, Father, give me strength to fight, to stand, and to keep standing.

My Big Fat Greek Mindset

I've enjoyed reading through My Big Fat Greek Mindset by Tim Hegg.  This six-page PDF download is a great (free) article on Biblical Worldview- or Bibleview.  My family (husband, brother, sister-in-law, and I) have been on a journey.  Christianity has become so entangled with Paganism, it's become quite a task to unravel it within our own lives, yet we know this is a task one must take seriously.  Maybe some of you are also on this journey and would enjoy reading this piece.  Here are some tidbits I wanted to share with you:

While Platonic thought teaches “it’s the thought that counts,” God tell us “it’s the mitzvah that counts.” Surely proper motivation is important in obeying God, but good intentions are not enough.

The Hebrew worldview, however, never considered the physical world as inferior to the nonphysical realm, nor did it elevate ideas above actions. The physical world was endowed with God’s blessings at creation, and such blessing remains even though because of the entrance of sin, the creation groans for redemption (Romans 8:22). Enjoying what God has created is therefore a spiritual endeavor, and should be done with a heart of blessing and thanksgiving to Him. He gave us all good things to enjoy (1Timothy 6:17) which is why, from a rabbinic perspective, there is a blessing for everything. “In everything give thanks” (1Thessalonians 5:18). Moreover, there is nothing “neutral” in our world, a kind of “secular” part of our lives that is neither sacred nor profane. Rather, everything in our world is either good (and can therefore be sanctified to God) or evil: “Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). In this way, our work, our recreation, our hobbies, as well as our times of corporate and individual prayer and worship—all aspects of our lives are to be sanctified unto God as the means by which we glorify Him (1Corinthians 10:31). As the Torah teaches us: “Cling to God and obey His commandments” (Deuteronomy 13:4).

Unwrapping ourselves from the Greek mindset which characterizes our western culture is a difficult task but a necessary one if we hope to understand the Scriptures on their own terms.

Click here to download this article

Calling All Churches! Return to the Word!

I just finished reading The Sufficiency of Scripture (by Joseph Stephen). It's a great book, one that allows the scripture to speak for itself, and I am definitely adding it to my list of recommended readings.

If you've been around my husband and I for any amount of time, then you likely know that we're pretty passionate about churches boldly living and proclaiming the Word of God, not conforming their methodology and message in order to bring in more people.  Today's church is fighting the same battles we see in the pages of Scripture, which is why the apostle Paul spends a lot of time exhorting, rebuking, and encouraging the churches of his day.

In his book, Stephen writes, "It is very wrong of us to bring the elements of the world into our worship and remembrance service. When we do so, we rob God of His rightful glory. It is very wrong to change our operation to accommodate unbelievers. After all, we are setting an example to them and not them to us. Our evangelism and explanation of worship and remembrance must be done outside of this time as this time is the Lord's. If one comes into our meeting off the street and sees our manner of worship, that person will know of a truth that God is among us. By accommodating the world in our manner of worship, we are proclaiming that the world's ways and idols are acceptable.  Some of the idols that rob God during this time are entertaining music, rousing speeches to whip up emotion, self-centered songs that talk about 'me', etc.  It is clear from Scripture that Paul never used cunning devices to proclaim truth. He spoke with simplicity and only used God's Word."

So many churches today cater to the lost.  Church has become a place of entertainment, centered around the people rather than focusing on worshiping God.  Many people have stood in disagreement with us when we have said, "Church is not for the lost."  Biblically speaking, the Church is Lord Jesus' bride. We are His people.  When gathering together to worship and praise Him, our Lord should be our focus- this is not a time of evangelism.  This is not to say that the church should not gather for the intent of evangelizing the lost, but one who is lost is not capable of worshiping "in spirit and in truth" as we are commanded to do.  They are not to take part in this "ceremony" nor are they to take part in communion. This is not to say there won't be lost people present from time to time, but that certainly doesn't mean we need to water down our message or sprinkle in entertainment for them so we can keep their attention. No, the lost would benefit from sitting through bold, biblical worship and praise (which includes teaching and preaching).  Hopefully it will stir their heart to conviction, godly grief, and repentance!

Unfortunately, today's churches want to cram all they can into one day.  Therefore, each Sunday they attempt to pack worship, praise, teaching, encouragement, and evangelism into just an hour or two.  Correction and rebuke are often left out because it's just too "offensive".

People today today have gathered themselves teachers and preachers who will coo into their itching ears what they want to hear. [2 Timothy 4:3]  And, these teachers and preachers are happy to do it, because it brings them more members, more money, and more earthly honor.

The church has adopted many of the world's ways and does not even realize it. Instead of digging into the Word of God to see what God desires of and from the church, we look to those around us.  We adopt the ways of other successful pastor and churches, mimicking them instead of Scripture.

It's time to get back into the Word and truly seek out God's direction for ourselves, our families, and our churches- which all should work together and not contradict one another.

Here's a video Paul Washer posted some time ago that goes along with this subject:

Countering the poison of false doctrine with intercessory prayer.

Satan, the world and the flesh are continually bent upon falsifying the word of God or the pure doctrine, and never before has such perversion been carried on so variously and extensively as at the present time, so that in our day millions are being carried off in to eternal death by the poison of false doctrine.
- A. Graebner, Theological Quarterly, 1898

We need to be bold in speaking the gospel, and bold in our prayers. Are we failing to intercede on the behalf of the lost? Do we not understand the power of prayer and the commands that we pray without ceasing, to make supplication and intercede for others?  Do we forget that Jesus withdrew often to pray, and if this is His example, how much more should we do so?

Counter the poison of false gospel with urgent prayer for lost souls. I have seen many leave one false doctrine only to be persuaded by another.  Out of the frying pan and into the fire!

It is my prayer that God would open the eyes of the lost, pouring out his Truth upon them!

Are you praying for the lost in your life?

Father! Deliver them from the poisoning doctrine and inject them with sound doctrine leading to faith in Christ!