There is an article in The Christian Post that has a statement that sounds so wrong to me… yet I know it is probably right.  It says, “‘There isn’t a pastor I know of that doesn’t use other sources outside of the Bible,’ said Ron Forseth, general editor of SermonCentral.com, which claims to be the world’s most highly trafficked sermon website. ‘ Most look to the wisdom and experience of their preaching colleagues. ‘The question is what place the Bible takes in their sermon preparation and delivery.’”

Over 5,000 Pastors Pledge to Keep Sermons Purely Biblical

It is foreign to me, because I go to Faith & Victory Church, in Greensboro, NC, and our pastor, Ed Taylor, always preaches from the Bible, and ONLY the Bible.  He never brings in Reader’s Digest, or the newspaper (thank goodness!)  The Christian Post article goes on to say that there is an organization that asks pastors to pledge to use the Bible in their sermons.  Wow.  That someone would need to do that is sad.

So, I prefer the Word of God, and only the Word of God… and before someone says, “I want to hear stuff that is relevant to today!”  What could be MORE relevant than God’s Word?  And, conversely, what is MORE irrelevant than what they are saying in newspapers and in Reader’s Digest?   So… if you want the Word… come on by to Faith & Victory Church!

First, let’s find out how the words used in the scriptures for “blessing” are translated as in the Greek and Hebrew languages.  I always like to start with defining our terms!

Greek:
eulogia
(yoo-log-ee’-ah)

From the same as G2127; fine speaking, that is, elegance of language; commendation (“eulogy,”) that is, (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication consecration; by extension benefit or largess: – blessing (a matter of) bounty (X –tifully), fair speech.  (Strong’s Concordance)

Literally “eu” = “good” and “logia” “words,” so speaking “good words” over something or someone.  Remember, words are containers of creative power!

Hebrew:
berakah
(ber-aw-kaw’)

From H1288; benediction; by implication prosperity: – blessing, liberal, pool, present. (Strong’s Concordance)

The implication of the Hebrew word for “blessing” is “prosperity!”  We should not be surprised that financial prosperity is included in The Blessing!

Now, let’s look into the Word of God, and see what we can find out about “the blessing” and the “Bless-er,” that is, God Himself!

God is the “Bless-er”

Genesis 22:17 “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;”

God is, by His own nature, a bless-er… He desires to multiply and bless His children, just as an earhly, human father wants to bless his children and see his children grow and prosper!  No good father wants evil for his children!  And, God is not only a Good Father, He is the BEST Father!

Your Employer is Blessed for Your Sake – The Blessing is Tangible!

Genesis 39:5 “And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.”

You need to make a faith “stand” for this truth!  Simply being an employee in your particular business, makes that business blessed!  You need to actively believe for the blessing to overtake your company!  Everyone, and everything, there is blessed because you are “the Blessed!”  Allow The Blessing to increase and prosper your company, and all will begin to recognize that “something” has changed, the company is finding favor, and it will be because of your position in the company!

You MUST Choose The Blessing!

Deut. 11:26 “Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
Deut. 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
Deut. 11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.”

Deut. 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deut. 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Notice that choosing to live in, and recognize The Blessing is entirely up to YOU! You are the deciding factor!  YOU have to actually stand and believe for what God has promised!  If you aren’t living in the blessing, it is not The Bless-er’s (God’s) fault, it is entirely YOUR fault!  God has said (with His Mouth, which contains creative power) that you are The Blessed!  So, apply that Blessing to yourself by faith!

God Will Turn the Curses of Others to Blessing!

Deut. 23:4 “Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
Deut. 23:5 Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
Deut. 23:6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.”

So, you say that people at work, or maybe even at church, are against you?  Your family, or friends, seem to have turned against you?  Well, “shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect?” (Romans 3:3)  NO! People may actually be actively against you, they may even be “cursing” you by speaking against you and what you are purposefully believing for… BUT! Glory to God!  God will “turn their curses into a blessing!”  Whatever they may be saying that is evil against you will NOT deter your faith!

God Will Command The Blessing!

Deut. 28:8 “The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”

Everything that you put your hand to, everything that you “attempt” in faith, will be Blessed!  You will be blessed in your storehouses (bank accounts) and you will be blessed in your surroundings and circumstances!  Hold fast to The Blessing!

This Blessing is NOW on Us (as Gentiles)

Gal. 3:14 “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

Gal. 3:9 “So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”

Hebrews 6:13 “For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.”

Aren’t you glad that The Blessing is not JUST reserved for the Jews?  (Thank God that it is for them as well, but, it is also for us as Gentiles!)  Don’t let anyone tell you, “Well, that is just for the Jews!”  No, these scriptures tell us that The Blessing is for all of us that have been grafted in as well!  (Romans 11:17-24)  Say this, “I am of faith, therefore, I am blessed with faithful Abraham!”)

Note also that The Blessing is a multiplication… not just an addition.  It is like the old, familiar story of taking a penny, doubling it every day… that is multiplication… not just addition!  It is called an “exponential growth!”  In short order you would have started with only a penny, but you would soon have millions of dollars in pennies!  God’s Blessing is EXPONENTIAL!

God’s Blessing is ONLY Good… The Blessing Has NO Downside!

Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”

There are a lot of people today that are rich in the natural, but in their family life, and personal life, they are destitute!  God’s Blessings, and His Riches are ONLY GOOD… He adds NO sorrow with the Blessing!  YOU CAN REST IN HIM and fully trust that He has only good and peace in store for you!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”

Tithers are Blessed!

Malachi 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”

God Himself will rebuke satan for OUR sakes!  We are The Blessed!  In fact, ALL nations shall call us “The Blessed!”  We are blessed by the Tither’s Blessing!

Maintain an Attitude of Blessing!

1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”

Note the attitude that we, who inherit The Blessing, should have: compassionate, loving, full of pity (active concern,) courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or railing (griping and whining) but rather, we should be speaking words of Blessing toward others!  We need to be lovers of life, and refrain from speaking contrary to the Word of God, we need to be rejecting evil, and doing good, we should be seeking peace with others!  As Blessed people, we are those that can, and should, be helping others, not rejecting them and running them down!

We Are Blessed Spiritually!

Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

We are Blessed in the spiritual realm, in our spiritual life, in our communion and times with the Lord!  We should be experiencing the best in our spiritual life with God!

We Are Blessed Materially!

Romans 8:32 “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

God will “freely give us ALL things!”  That covers material blessings!  If it is not covered specifically, then, all still means “All!”

The Blessing Covers Life Here on Earth and in Heavenly Realms!

2 Peter 1:3 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

Notice that this pertains to life here on earth, as well as our spiritual state!  Also, notice that this Blessing comes through the “knowledge” (Greek: “epignosis” – “full discernment” “revelation knowledge” “epi” = “above, or beyond” and “gnosis” = “body of knowledge.”)  Therefore, “epignosis” is the knowledge above and beyond our natural body of knowledge, it is revealed knowledge!  We receive these things by revealed knowledge of the Word of God, of His Plan for us individually as believers, and by receiving supernatural direction from Him!

Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

We need to receive revealed knowledge from God, and live in the Blessing He has bestowed upon us!  The Blessing comes by revealed knowledge!

In Numbers 26:61, it says, “And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.” We are told that our God is a jealous God. (Deut. 4:24) He expects us to worship Him, in His Way, and not get pulled away by distractions of bad (that is, un-sound) doctrine. We are also told that the immature are often “carried about with every wind of doctrine.” Eph. 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” We have already spoken in past articles, of the fact that these “last of the last days” are perilous times. 2 Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” So, we must be ever more vigilent and serious about keeping the purity of the Word of God in our lives and in our worship!

There are many things afoot in the Body of Christ in these days that have no basis in Biblical history, doctrine, or fact. Some of these teachings come from cults, some come from other religions, but ALL are are from the devil! He is trying to draw believers away from sound doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2-5 says, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” We are to preach the Word! We are to preach and teach “sound doctrine.” But, we are also told that there will be those that will not endure sound doctrine, but will be turned unto “fables.” What kind of fables? Well, look at what is happening in certain circles around the Body of Christ. There are various “revivals” that are occurring around the country today that are following doctrines that have no basis in scripture, they are not teaching sound doctrine. They endorse speaking with angels for guidance, and direction, and ask them (angels) directly for help. Angels are God’s “agents” to bring about His will, and they are called “ministering spirits” that are to function “for us.” (Hebrews 1:14) However, we are not to speak TO angels, we pray to God, and God will dispatch them to aid us as necessary. To pray to them, or envoke their (supposed) names instead of God’s is not scriptural! We are to pray to God, in Jesus’ Name! John 14:13, 14 says, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” The Biblical pattern is to pray in Jesus’ Name to the Father God. Not to angels, not to people who have died, not to Mary, or John, or Peter… but to the Father God in Jesus’ Name! Notice the admonition in 2 Timothy 4:5, to “watch thou in all things.” To put it in more modern vernacular, “Watch out!”

This is just one of many examples, there are those that perform “magic tricks” in God’s name, producing feathers, gold dust, and other physical manifestations that are not Biblical. Show me a case, just one in the Bible, where Paul during his travels, for instance, manifested gold dust to prove his own piety, or demonstrate supernatural power! Or, where he spoke and feathers appeared. Can’t find it? That’s because it is not in there! However, there are followers of Jewish mysticism (the Kaballah) that speak of it, and there are some so called Charismatic “revivals” that involve this kind of “strange fire.” What are these things to believers that are determined to do what God has commanded and preach the Word and teach sound doctrine? They are distractions. They are flashy and look and sound “different” and interesting… but they are not what God wants us interested in. He wants us to be true to His Word. He wants us to follow sound doctrine.

I remember a time when a very well known pastor of a large church had a speaker come and speak at his church. This speaker was a lady that was drawing large crowds and getting invited to many large Charismatic churches, no doubt with very large offerings as well! People flocked to see her produce feathers! “Wow, ooooh, ahhh!” People, Jesus said, seek signs. (Luke 11:29) But not for the right reasons. Anyway, this pastor invited the lady to speak. After the service many were asked, “What did she teach?” No one could remember what she said, but they were all talking about the “supernatural manifestations!” Another minister that attended this same service, which was broadcast via satellite to hundreds of other churches, videotaped the lady as she ministered. He was able to show that she was pulling the feathers out of pockets sewn in her her sleeves. A simple “sleight of hand” trick. Her “ministry” was disgraced. She got fewer and fewer invitations after that. In another incident, a minister had the “gold dust” that was “supernaturally” manifested examined, and it turned out to be iron pyrite dust… so, in fact, it wasn’t even real gold! You would think God would manifest real gold! The bottom line is… the ministry of God is not a show… it is not entertainment! We are to preach the pure Word of God, not “perform!”

A minister does not “perform tricks” and spectacular acts to elevate themselves! Most often these folks are seen to be, and often proclaim themselves, as “more spiritual” than others… after all, they are specially “touched of God.” Now, don’t get me wrong, there are unique, special anointings. But, those that God uses in special anointings know that it is NOT them, it is God that does the work! As Peter said, “Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?” (Acts 3:13) It is not YOUR personal power that is involved in ministry. In fact, personal power, and seeking such, is the hallmark of the occult! It is not that you are more “spiritual” or “holy!” I believe that this scripture is, in fact, recorded in God’s Word to show us this truth! It wasn’t Peter’s own power, or holiness, or spirituality, that caused special healings to happen in his presence. Acts 5:15, 16, “Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.” What did the work? Jesus told them to preach the Word, and as Mark 16:20 says, “And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” The Lord worked WITH them… confirming the Word they preached with signs following. What kinds of signs? Gold dust? Feathers? Using “angel’s names?” No! The sick were healed, demons were cast out, the lame were made whole, and the blind saw! Those are God’s kind of signs! And, they didn’t need weird manifestations or paper “barf bags” to do it! They simply preached the uncompromised Word of Faith, and God performed the work! They acted on the Word, and the Word worked!

Why bring these things to your attention? Because as we are told in the Word, in Eph 4:14-24: “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Brethren, it is time to be grown-ups! Not to be easily distracted… not seeking “strange fire!” We are to “watch out!” Watch out for these things and avoid them! Rom 16:17, 18 says, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and AVOID them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; (we could say “their own self interests”) and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Preach and teach only the purity of God’s Word!

Tomorrow is the big day!  Remember as you step into the voting booth, to vote Biblical principles, not your pocketbook, not your party, whatever it is, but vote God’s agenda… watch our current Netcast for more information:

The Spirit of Faith Netcast #114

Here’s a great link to voter resources:

WallBuilders.com

“To help cut through the noise and the haze of the campaigns, WallBuilders has prepared a Presidential Voters’ Guide that reviews fourteen positions held by the candidates. See below to view this Voters’ Guide online or click the button above to download a copy to print for church bulletins or to distribute to your friends, family, and associates.”

Remember not to vote by your political affiliation, but on Biblical issues and principles!

Here’s a direct link to this Guide: Voter Guide

Want an even stronger “wake-up call?” I double-dog dare you to read this in it’s entirety! Check out this link: HERE

You would think that if something was plain in Holy Scripture, a church would say, “Yes, amen, that’s so!”  But what if Scripture doesn’t agree with what they believe personally?  Well, in fact, they SHOULD agree with God and His Word in all cases… but in this case… no!  What the Bible says is not “convenient” in our modern culture, to their way of thinking… so, toss out the Scripture! Rule the way you WANT it to be… not the way God says it actually is!

What am I talking about? A large church has ruled in an “ecclesiastical court” that a “pastor” that “married” a same sex couple was “right” and did not violate Scripture by doing so. Excuse me?!?

Romans 1:24 “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
Romans 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Romans 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Romans 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Romans 1:31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”

Note that this IS New Testament, not Old Testament (I heard one CNN reporter say that the New Testament has nothing to say about homosexuality! WRONG!) Anyway, if we wanted to get into Old Testament scriptures, we could go on and on! Suffice it to say, this story is an indictment against the modern church world!

Court Clears Presbyterian Minister Who Wed Lesbian Couple

“Three years after conducting a wedding ceremony for a lesbian couple, the Rev. Janet Edwards was acquitted Thursday on charges of violating Scripture and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s constitution. The Permanent Judicial Commission (PJC) of the Pittsburgh Presbytery ruled unanimously 9-0 to clear the minister on the grounds that she could not have performed the ceremony since the church and state define marriage as between a man and a woman. ‘It can’t be an offense to the constitution to attempt to do the impossible,’ stated the decision, read by the Rev. Stewart Pollock, chairman of the regional church court, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon, associate professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and who has been critical of the PC(USA)’s liberal direction, said the decision represents ‘one of the most absurd decisions ever rendered by an ecclesiastical court.’ ‘This decision is the equivalent of saying that it can’t be an offense to the PC(USA) Constitution, or to Scripture, to attempt to marry a man to a woman other than his current wife, or to his mother, or to a prepubescent child, or even to a horse, because the Church does not recognize as a valid marriage cases of bigamy, polygamy, adultery, incest, pedophilia, or bestiality,’ Gagnon stated. Some argue that the court did not offer a satisfying decision, especially as the PC(USA) continues debates over homosexuality, and that it was more of a ‘non-decision.’ Edwards and the couple she wed in 2005 – Brenda Cole and Nancy McConn – were pleased but the minister also acknowledged that the decision ‘does not settle disagreement among my colleagues.’ But the Rev. James C. Yearsley, who was among several Presbyterian ministers that filed a second complaint against Edwards after the first was dismissed in November 2006 on a technicality, said he wasn’t surprised by the court decision. ‘This is the direction of our denomination, and it is accelerating. But it’s the wrong decision for the wrong reasons. It’s a further attempt to accommodate culture at the expense of scriptural authority and belief,’ he commented, as reported by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Also, before the ruling, Yearsley, who said he would not push for an appeal, stated that an acquittal would signal collapse of church discipline. During the Oct. 1-2 trial, biblical scholars and theologians on the defense testified that Edwards’ acceptance of same-sex ‘marriage’ was within the Presbyterian tradition of interpreting Scripture in its cultural context, according to the local Post-Gazette.” (Emphasis mine.)

“Interpreting Scripture in its cultural context” simply means, “ignore it, if you don’t like it.” Then throw out your Bible, and just walk away from it… because the Word of God is settled forever, it does not change, and neither does God!

Psalms 119:89 “Forever, O LORD, thy Word is settled in heaven.”

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”

So, do what you want to do, modern unscriptural churches… but, please, take “Christian” off your signs and names, and just replace it with the “First Secular Humanist Church” and be done with it! Don’t claim to love and respect God and His forever settled Word!

Make fun of Islam… never! How insensitive! Make fun of the Jewish faith? No! But make fun of a Christian believer that attends a Pentecostal, Holy Ghost Church? Why sure! Pile on! That is what is happening with Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin. She believes in God, is a Christian, and attends a Pentecostal church. So, political cartoonists are having a heyday with her beliefs, including speaking in tongues. After all, it is just Christianity! It doesn’t count! Right?

Never mind that Holy Ghost, Bible totin’, tongue talkin’ Christianity is simply God’s own pure Truth from His Word! You have to wonder what He thinks about all the vile “humor” that is coming out about His Word, and His doctrine. Somehow, I don’t think He is all that amused. Not that He can’t deal with it Himself (and, I am sure, will) but it does make my “righteous indignation” overheat a bit!

But, to me, the bottom line is the underlying symptom behind this. Liberal anti-God forces choose to belittle the truth Word of God, while making excuses for religions that have a stated agenda of “killing the infidels,” such as Islam. Oh, I am sorry, it is a kind, peaceful religion! My bad! Meanwhile, beheadings, and all kinds of evil, takes place in the name of that “kind, sweet” belief… while Christianity is lampooned in our own newspapers. And, while most Americans just read these “jokes” snicker, and move on with their lives… I have to reflect and wonder…

What has happened to our country in such a short time?

For sample of the political cartoons in question, see this link:

Speaking in Tongues

God is calling the Body of Christ (the Church) to get serious in these “Last of the Last Days.”  I keep hearing, “Focus, focus, focus!” Time is short, and we have so much to do to reach a lost and dying world.  And the world is getting worse.

2Timothy 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”

2Timothy 3:13, “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”

I don’t mean all this to sound negative, in fact, this isn’t a negative message at all, merely a recognition of what the Bible says about the Last Days.  However, the same chapter DOES say, in the very next verse, after verse 13:

2Timothy 3:14, “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”
2Timothy 3:15, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
2Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2Timothy 3:17, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

We are to be mature, thoroughly furnished unto all good works! And we have works to do!  We need to be reaching out and teaching and preaching the Gospel!  Not the reverse-Gospel (since “Gospel” means “good news“) or, maybe we could call it the “negative-spell!“  This type of teaching has left a “negative spell” on the church!  It is time to wake up, shake ourselves off, and reach people with the Truth of God’s Word!

John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
John 17:18, “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”
John 17:19, “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”
John 17:20, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;”
John 17:21, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.”

Believers need to be operating as one, reaching out to the world, so that the world will see us as one… as united! How do we do that?  Teach the Truth of God’s Word!  Not church doctrines… not opinions, just Truth!

If we will do that… then they will hear and receive the Word of God!

Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”

Folks need to turn, which is what “repent” means, and be converted, that is, changed… then their sins shall be blotted out, and refreshing will come from the presence of the Lord!  Times of refreshing are coming for the Body of Christ, but hard times for those that don’t receive and believe!

Proverbs 13:14, “The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
Proverbs 13:15, “Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.”

Who is wise? Proverbs 1:7:  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  The word “fear” here is the Hebrew word “yerah” and means “reverence.”  Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” So, the way of the transgressor may be hard, but for the believer, we are promised: deliverance, life, favor, wisdom, and knowledge!  It is so much better to be a believer!

So many people are seeking things, things, things! Instead, as Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

My brethren, seek God, seek His way, reverence Him!  Then all the things will be added in… and you will be in His Perfect Will!

Thanks to a poster on a social networking site (these aren’t original to me) this is a very thought-provoking series of statements on the Global Warming Hoax that I believe is being perpetrated to destroy our economy.

MYTH 1: Global temperatures are rising at a rapid, unprecedented rate.

FACT: Accurate satellite, balloon and mountain top observations made over the last three decades have not shown any significant change in the long term rate of increase in global temperatures. Average ground station readings do show a mild warming of 0.6 to 0.8C over the last 100 years, which is well within the natural variations recorded in the last millennium. The ground station network suffers from an uneven distribution across the globe; the stations are preferentially located in growing urban and industrial areas (“heat islands”), which show substantially higher readings than adjacent rural areas (“land use effects”).

There has been no catastrophic warming recorded.

MYTH 2: The “hockey stick” graph proves that the earth has experienced a steady, very gradual temperature decrease for 1000 years, then recently began a sudden increase.

FACT: Significant changes in climate have continually occurred throughout geologic time. For instance, the Medieval Warm Period, from around 1000 to1200 AD (when the Vikings farmed on Greenland) was followed by a period known as the Little Ice Age. Since the end of the 17th Century the “average global temperature” has been rising at the low steady rate mentioned above; although from 1940 – 1970 temperatures actually dropped, leading to a Global Cooling scare.

The “hockey stick”, a poster boy of both the UN’s IPCC and Canada’s Environment Department, ignores historical recorded climatic swings, and has now also been proven to be flawed and statistically unreliable as well. It is a computer construct and a faulty one at that.

MYTH 3: Human produced carbon dioxide has increased over the last 100 years, adding to the Greenhouse effect, thus warming the earth.

FACT: Carbon dioxide levels have indeed changed for various reasons, human and otherwise, just as they have throughout geologic time. Since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the CO2 content of the atmosphere has increased. The RATE of growth during this period has also increased from about 0.2% per year to the present rate of about 0.4% per year,which growth rate has now been constant for the past 25 years. However, there is no proof that CO2 is the main driver of global warming. As measured in ice cores dated over many thousands of years, CO2 levels move up and down AFTER the temperature has done so, and thus are the RESULT OF, NOT THE CAUSE of warming. Geological field work in recent sediments confirms this causal relationship. There is solid evidence that, as temperatures move up and down naturally and cyclically through solar radiation, orbital and galactic influences, the warming surface layers of the earth’s oceans expel more CO2 as a result.

MYTH 4: CO2 is the most common greenhouse gas.

FACT: Greenhouse gases form about 3 % of the atmosphere by volume. They consist of varying amounts, (about 97%) of water vapour and clouds, with the remainder being gases like CO2, CH4, Ozone and N2O, of which carbon dioxide is the largest amount. Hence, CO2 constitutes about 0.037% of the atmosphere. While the minor gases are more effective as “greenhouse agents” than water vapour and clouds, the latter are overwhelming the effect by their sheer volume and – in the end – are thought to be responsible for 60% of the “Greenhouse effect”.

Those attributing climate change to CO2 rarely mention this important fact.

MYTH 5: Computer models verify that CO2 increases will cause significant global warming.

FACT: The computer models assume that CO2 is the primary climate driver, and that the Sun has an insignificant effect on climate. You cannot use the output of a model to verify or prove its initial assumption – that is circular reasoning and is illogical. Computer models can be made to roughly match the 20th century temperature rise by adjusting many input parameters and using strong positive feedbacks. They do not “prove” anything. Also, computer models predicting global warming are incapable of properly including the effects of the sun, cosmic rays and the clouds. The sun is a major cause of temperature variation on the earth surface as its received radiation changes all the time, This happens largely in cyclical fashion. The number and the lengths in time of sunspots can be correlated very closely with average temperatures on earth, e.g. the Little Ice Age and the Medieval Warm Period. Varying intensity of solar heat radiation affects the surface temperature of the oceans and the currents. Warmer ocean water expels gases, some of which are CO2. Solar radiation interferes with the cosmic ray flux, thus influencing the amount ionized nuclei which control cloud cover.

MYTH 6: The UN proved that man–made CO2 causes global warming.

FACT: In a 1996 report by the UN on global warming, two statements were deleted from the final draft. Here they are:
1) “None of the studies cited above has shown clear evidence that we can attribute the observed climate changes to increases in greenhouse gases.”
2) “No study to date has positively attributed all or part of the climate change to man–made causes”

To the present day there is still no scientific proof that man-made CO2 causes significant global warming.

MYTH 7: CO2 is a pollutant.

FACT: This is absolutely not true. Nitrogen forms 80% of our atmosphere. We could not live in 100% nitrogen either. Carbon dioxide is no more a pollutant than nitrogen is. CO2 is essential to life on earth. It is necessary for plant growth since increased CO2 intake as a result of increased atmospheric concentration causes many trees and other plants to grow more vigorously. Unfortunately, the Canadian Government has included CO2 with a number of truly toxic and noxious substances listed by the Environmental Protection Act, only as their means to politically control it.

MYTH 8: Global warming will cause more storms and other weather extremes.

FACT: There is no scientific or statistical evidence whatsoever that supports such claims on a global scale. Regional variations may occur. Growing insurance and infrastructure repair costs, particularly in coastal areas, are sometimes claimed to be the result of increasing frequency and severity of storms, whereas in reality they are a function of increasing population density, escalating development value, and ever more media reporting.

MYTH 9: Receding glaciers and the calving of ice shelves are proof of global warming.

FACT: Glaciers have been receding and growing cyclically for hundreds of years. Recent glacier melting is a consequence of coming out of the very cool period of the Little Ice Age. Ice shelves have been breaking off for centuries. Scientists know of at least 33 periods of glaciers growing and then retreating. It’s normal. Besides, glacier’s health is dependent as much on precipitation as on temperature.

MYTH 10: The earth’s poles are warming; polar ice caps are breaking up and melting and the sea level rising.

FACT: The earth is variable. The western Arctic may be getting somewhat warmer, due to unrelated cyclic events in the Pacific Ocean, but the Eastern Arctic and Greenland are getting colder. The small Palmer Peninsula of Antarctica is getting warmer, while the main Antarctic continent is actually cooling. Ice thicknesses are increasing both on Greenland and in Antarctica.

Sea level monitoring in the Pacific (Tuvalu) and Indian Oceans (Maldives) has shown no sign of any sea level rise.

What do I mean by REALLY believe? Well, a TRUE Believer believes that God’s Word is true… factual and without error. They believe that God’s Word, the Bible, is a true revelation of God’s Mind and Will.

2Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

It is not subject to personal, or private, “interpretation.”

2Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

What does all this have to do with politics? Simple, as a Christian, go get the party platform of the two parties in politics today… read them, and compare them carefully to the Bible. Which party’s stand is closer to God’s way of thinking? Then that one is the one worthy of support!