Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.John 15:5

Away with the silence

2008-11-04T00:33:00.000-08:00

Away with the Silence

It's been very long since I've last posted anything. However, I think I shall revive this blog and start again once more. Just added the music player with my composed songs and songs that I have sung. A Link has been added - Lyrics to Songs - which will link to another blog containing the Lyrics. Yup.

I Thank God for sustaining my life thus far, and Thank God for all his wondrous blessings upon me. Truly Life has been wonderful and God's direction for me in life has been clearly laid out before my eyes. May I be found faithfully serving Him in all areas of my life.

To God be the Glory, Amen.

How well do people actually know me

2007-05-30T05:31:00.000-07:00

I'm Curious to know... How well do my friends know me...

Create your own Friend Test here

The Fundamentals Of Friendship

2007-04-01T08:40:00.001-07:00

The Fundamentals of Friendship.

Proverbs 18:24

Cooper P Abrams III

INTRO: There is a lot said about love. Yet, on examination, most of the love that is talked about would be better called "physical attraction."

1. The basis of any good relationship is true biblical love. This love is often misunderstood because it is confused with emotion. Love will cause emotion and emotional caring and love is important and we all need to feel it,because God made us that way, . . . but true biblical love is not based on emotion.

Missionary to Africa, Russell Champlin, said when he was in school he learned this definition:

“Love is a desire for and a delight in the well being of the one loved; leading to active and a self sacrificing effort of their behalf.”

Biblical love is based on God's grace. Grace is unmerited favor. In other words, God in His own heart decided to that He wanted the very best of us. He choose to care for us as Rom. 5:8, says "when we were still in our sins." God choose to love us, not based upon some goodness or trait he liked in us, but because he cared for our well being and future. Thus, God's grace is an expression of his will....to love us, because he choose to.

Any true lasting relationship must be based on grace. A marriage must be based on grace, as well as friendships. No marriage will last unless the couple are friends! Your wife/husband should be your best friend.

God made us to need one another. When we fail in our relationship and fail to exercise biblical grace and love one to another we become lonely and loneliness is a terrible condition.

2. Each of us need the others. It is important in our families and in our church.

I. There are two types of loneliness.

A. First, there is a loneliness that occurs when we are isolated from our husband/wife, families and friends.

B. Second, and worse there is EMOTIONAL loneliness. This is a loneliness that can occur in the midst of a crowd. This is the most common type of loneliness. It occurs when we feel we have no one to share our deepest concerns, no one who truly understands our struggles or our joys.

1. The solution to the problem of loneliness is friendship. All human beings both need and crave friendship. We need someone who will rejoice with us or cry with us, someone who will comfort us when we crawl through valleys of despair or laugh with us on the mountaintops of happiness.

We need someone who is an ever present companion through the ins and outs of the daily grind, someone we can always

count on. In fact, friendships can be our most valuable possessions. The poet, Emily Dickenson, wrote "My friends are my estate."

2. Every human being needs friendships on two different levels. Note again our text!

C. We need HORIZONTAL friendships. We need deep meaningful friendships with other people. The proverb says, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly." (Prov. 18:24)

In other words, we have to work on building friendships. Do you work on building friendships with others or let it happen?

True friendship is not one sided. Many are looking for friends who will help them, meet their need, be a friend to them, listen to their problems, be sympathetic and love them. They are seeking a selfish friendship in which they receive friendship....but often this is a one-sided affair.

Often people do not find the friends they want and remain lonely and wonder why? The KEY is in this verse. To have friends we must show ourselves to be friendly.

This is not just being friendly, but it means we unselfishly give support and friendship to others. We befriend other people. To find true friends we must UNSELFISHLY give ourselves to others.

Let me emphasize the that true friendship is not based on getting, but giving. Many people have a hard time finding true friendship because they are looking for what someone can do for them. They want people to love and care for them....and they fail because that is not the basis of true friendship. True friendship is like God’s grace....and His love it is giving unmerited favor to someone and first and fore most wanting to meet their need, to help them, to comfort them.

In giving friendship it is returned. The satisfaction of friendship...is in being a friend to others. . . .

D. We need a VERTICAL friendship. The basis of any sound lasting relationship begins with a relationship with our Creator and God. The second part of our verse says, "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." That friend is Jesus Christ. Unless you have a personal friendship with Jesus, you'll never escape loneliness. Exodus 33:11 says,

"And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend."

James 2:23 says, "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God."

Jesus said to His disciples in John 15:15, " Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."</p>

E. I want to give you the blueprint for a lasting friendship. In fact, let's examine ten characteristics of genuine friendship.

I. Friends Listen. You see that takes effort does it. It is unselfishly listening to others. We want to tell people about our problems, but instead we unselfishly listen to others.

A. Genuine friends have open ears.

1. Many people are self-centered. They only want to talk about themselves. They don't listen when you speak because they are too busy thinking of what they will say next.

2. A true friend will listen when you speak. He wants to understand how you feel and what concerns you. He wants to help.

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He listens to us.

1. He said in Psalm 91:15 "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him."

2. Isaiah 65:24 says of Him, "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. "

3. He said in Luke 11:9 "And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. "

4. James 5:16 reminds us "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man availteth much."

II. Friends Share Interests. A true friend puts others first and is unselfish in doing so. A true friend will put their interests aside help the one who needs their friendship.

A. Genuine friends always find common ground with us.

1. Sometimes God brings special friends into our lives who have much in common with us.

2. Though you may have friend with whom you have no common interest, your best friends have something in common with you.

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He sought common ground with us.

1. Jesus found common ground by becoming one of us. He loved us so much He became one of us. Philippians 2:7 says that He "made Himself of no reputation, took upon himself the form of a servant, made in the likeness of men."

2. In fact, when He came, He not only limited His power as God, He endured every possible frustration and pain of man.

Hebrews 4:15, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

C. Can you see how this would work out in our families and in our church.

Often we do not concern ourselves with the spouse or family. We let them be a part of what we want to do. This is a selfish relationship.

In our churches. A pastor friend of mine some months ago told me of a man who had attended the church for many years. He left and went to another church. He told the pastor that his needs were not being met there. Yet, I went to the church myself for many years and He and his wife had only a partly relationship with the church. They did not participate in most of the activities. They were members of the church, but people knew they were not really committed to it.

I predict they will in time after the newness is worn off, find that their new church did not meet their needs either. Can you see why?

III. Friends Protect. Instead of wanting and seeking protection for ourselves....we freely offer it unselfishly to others. We put their needs first.

A. Genuine friends always look out for us.

1. Walter Winchell has said, "A friend is one who walks in when others walk out."

2. Jonathan was a genuine friend to King David. When Jonathan's father, Saul, planned to kill David, Jonathan warned him and helped him escape.

3. How do good friends protects us?

a. They know how to keep private things private.

Proverbs 17:9 says, "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love, But he who repeateth a matter separateth very friends."

Proverbs 16:28 says, "A forward (perverse) man soweth

strife, And a whisperer separateth the best of friends."

b. They will not allow others to speak badly of us. I

recently read of a mother who decked another mother because she made fun of her handicapped child. If necessary, they fight for us.

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He protects us.

He protects us today. Psalm 125:2 says, "As the mountains round about Jerusalem, So the Lord is around about his people from henceforth and even forever." Psalm 34:7 says, "The angel of the LORD encampeth all around those who fear Him, And delivereth them."

IV. Friends Tell the Truth. That too is an unselfish act. We care enough to be honest and seek to offer true help. Jesus Christ does that for us. He tells us that we are sinners that we might find salvation. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.”

A. Genuine friends are always honest with us.

1. Oscar Wilde wrote, "A true friend always stabs you in the front."

Proverbs 27:6 says "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful."

2. Sometimes we need to be told the truth. I think that's what Paul had in mind when he admonished the Ephesians to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15).

a. We need to be told when we've offended someone.

b. We need to be told when we've made mistakes.

c. We need to be told the truth when we are about to

make bad decisions.

3. A true friend, "speaking the truth in love" will risk being liked in order to help you.

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He deals with us in loving honesty.

1. Have you ever noticed how the Word of God cuts. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. "

2. He speaks to us through the Word, through the Spirit and through counsel.

3. Sometimes the truth hurts. But the truth of Jesus is like a surgeon's scalpel. It cuts to heal.

V. Friends Overlook Faults. You see true friendship is about others.....not ourselves. How many of us have faults.....? RAISE YOUR HANDS....

A. Genuine friends accept us, warts and all.

1. A lady named Dinah Craik wrote a poem about called Friendship:

O, the comfort - the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts, nor measure words - but pouring them right out - just as they are - chaff and grain together - Certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them - Keep what is worth keeping - And with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.

How many of you would want such a friend.....?

2. Someone said you can tell a real friend by the fact that when you've made a fool of yourself he doesn't feel you've done a permanent job.

3. This friendship is rare. Most are looking for what they can get in a friend. We want people who look like us....are a credit to us and certainly would never embarrass us. The rich look for the rich, the well dressed look for those that dress well too and fit into their social circles.

But...the true is that kind of relationship is built on hypocrisy isn’t it.

Do you see how important is friendship in our church? As we seek to reach the lost....it is vital that we offer freely our friendship, without any selfish reasons...

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He overlooks our faults.

1. Many people have the false idea that when a person comes to Jesus, he must first clean up his life.

2. Jesus accepts just where your are. During His personal ministry, He associated with the dregs of society. The religious establishment gave Him the title "friend of sinners." He wore it like a Medal of Honor.

3. Don't misunderstand. He doesn't condone your sin. He hates your sin. He wants to take your sin away. He's the only one who can clean up your life.

VI. Friends Bear Burdens. A true friend unselfishly takes the burden of others on themselves.

A. Genuine friends help you carry your load.

1. Often, life hands us great "burdens": loss of a job, a handicap, poor health, loss of a loved one, etc... A true friend helps your carry that load.

2. Paul wrote in Galatians 6:2 "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

3. Solomon said, "A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17).

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He takes our burden upon Himself.

1. One of my favorite passages is 1 Peter 5:7. Here we are told to "cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

2. Remember His great invitation "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My

burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

VII. Friends Are Loyal.

A. A friend is someone you can always count on.

ILLUSTRATION: A farmer was detained for questioning about an election scandal. "Did you sell your vote?" the attorney asked. "No sir, not me," the farmer protested. "I voted for that there fellah 'cause I liked him." "Come, now," threatened the attorney. "I have evidence that he gave you fifty dollars for a vote." "Well, now," the farmer said, "it's plain common sense that when a fellah gives you fifty dollars you like him."

B. Because Jesus is our friend, we can always count on Him.

1. He said, He would never leave us or forsake us.

2. Luke 15 records the story of the prodigal son. When all his friends deserted the boy, His father accepted him.

VIII. Friends Bring out our Best.

A. Genuine friends always want what is best for us.

1. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

2. A true friend always encourages you to do your best.

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He brings out our best.

1. He causes all things to work for our good, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

2. Even the trials that we go through make us better. James 1:2-3 says,

"Count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations, (various trials), knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

IX. Friends Build us Spiritually.

A. Genuine friends want you to become more like Christ.

1. Someone once said, "A friend is one who knows you as you are, understands where you've been, accepts who you've become and still gently invites you to grow."

2. Your best friends aren't necessarily those you play with or shop with.

They are those who pray for you and lovingly guide you spiritually. A true friend is not necessarily the one you play with but the one you pray with.

B. Because Jesus is our friend, He wants us to grow spiritually.

X. Friends Love.

A. Genuine friends express their love in word and most clearly in deed.

B. Jesus' greatest expression of love was His death.

He Himself said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Conclusion:Why is it hard for some people to find a true friend?Most times they reason is they motives are selfish.....They are looking for someone to give them friendship....not much interested in being a friend....

1. Are you the friend of God? What is your relationship with Him, who is your Creator and God.

2. Are you accepting the friendship of God? "While you were still in your sins, Christ died for you."

3. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

4. If you are saved, what is your relationship with others around you. That includes your wife, husband, children, family, friends, fellow workers, etc. Your relationship with others is a good measuring stick of your relationship with God A friend of God will be a good friend to have....

5. If your attitude is not one of forgiving, of being unselfish, and not thinking about yourself, then you have a spiritual problem. If your relationship with others is not as it should be, the place to get it right is at the altar of God. It begins with praying and confessing your sins, and then asking God for forgiveness and a change of heart.

To: My Dear Friends

If you have thoroughly read this post, and have personally experienced my Love for you as a friend, You would be pleased to know that there is someone who has an even greater love for you, and is able to Love you so much more than that Love I can give to you. That very person is Jesus. If only you can open up your Heart and accept Him, then will you understand what True Love is. As compared to mine, Mine's peanuts. So don't hesitate any longer. Now is the time to recieve him and invite Jesus into your Life. Don't delay. For we know not when the Lord will come again. God Bless you All.

Luke

A Love for Others

2007-03-23T20:39:00.000-07:00

Wonder how many of us have fallen in Love before.

How can we tell if this is real Love or Lust? Or just some wierd feeling stirring inside?

From the King James Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

4 Charity Suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemingly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth...

Let us take a look at what God says is true love:

A. Biblical Love is Long Suffering (patient)

Biblical love is patient, meaning - we are not quick to anger or take offense. Loving Patience is being able to allow ourselves to be inconvenienced or taken advantage of by a person, over and over again. When steven was being stoned to death, his last words was that of loving forgiveness... He said:" Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. (Acts 7:60) With his dying breath, he begged for the forgiveness of those who stoned him. His main concern was those people stoning him, not his pain or his suffering. This is true biblical Love. Are we able to put others before ourselves, to overlook the wrong people do to us, and pray for them? Forgive them, and Love them that do evil to us?

Jesus told us to turn our cheek, and let those that slap us, slap the other side of our face too. Are we able to follow this teaching, and let people take advantage of us like that? The World would think it is a stupid thing to do. It is illogical, not realistic. But if we know how to love, we can recieve prosecution, hurt and suffering with Love for those who do these things to us. Can we love? and have we started Loving others?

By fighting back, defending ourselves physically, shouting, scolding or quarreling with a person help the person to realise his mistake? To overcome his fault? Does it show that person that we are loving and forgiving? No.

Philippians 2:3-4 says : "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."

Lets put others before ourselves, learn to forgive and love everyone, including our enemies. Then only will we be a shining light for God.

B. Biblical Love is Kind.

Kindness is being able to give anything to others, to sacrifice anything, everything for others. To be kind is to be helpful, to serve others and be gracious to others. We should be generous, desirous of other's welfare and work towards it.

C. Biblical Love does not Envy.

Being not envious means not to be jealous over what other people have. We should not keep thinking of having everything else that other people have, and wish we had more good things than others. We make end up resenting what others have. And this is selfish thinking. Jealousy is dangerous and can end up in hatred. So rather than covet what others have, Be content and satisfied with what you have.

James 3:14-18 warns us:

"But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

D. Biblical Love vaunteth not itself and is not puffed up. It does not parade itself in front of others.

This also means that It does not show off, or brag. Bragging is showing off our accomplishments and trying to tell people how good we are, how well off we are, and try to make people jealous of what we have. Love does not remind a person of the great "sacrifices" you have made for them.

Its like trying to show people that we are more spiritual than they are. Just like the pharisees did. We should not be proud, but humble. We should not go around criticising everything else others do and put ourselves out as an exhibit for others to see how good you are.

E. Biblical Love does not behave unseemly (rudely).

True love is not rude. It is not confrontational. It always seeks peace, and is polite. True love is kind, and cares about how people feel. In fact, all aspects of Love is quite similar. If the Love of Christ is in a person's heart, He will be long suffering, will be kind, and not envy others. How often have we acted rudely to people and achieved something in doing so? If we can exercise Love in the way we deal with people, People would react better towards us.

F. Biblical Love does not seek its own.

Do we always want our own way, do we force our opinions on others and demand that people lissten to our requests, and follow our every instruction. We always feel that the World should revolve around us and we should be the main focal point, where everyone in the world should meet our needs. We often accuse others of not be loving towards us and not being kind towards us... But, we do not see ourselves as being utterly selfish in expecting everyone to do good to us before we reciprocate. Most of the time, people who digress into this state will see themselves as right all the time and will not acknowledge any faults of their own. They act as though they were put on this earth to correct everyone else. However, they fail to realise that they are seeking their own interests and are not really interested in others. They feel superior to be able to see the faults of others.

Wouldn't it be so much nicer if we could live our lives for others? Reaching out to help others, to seek 24h a day to fulfill other people's dreams and desires? What great joy we would experience by seeing other people happy and seeing their needs being met.

True Love would be like that. And how often would be practice this type of love for others? And how often have we seen it in the lives of others?

G. Biblical Love is not Provoked.

To provoke means "to arouse anger, a convulsion or sudden outburst".

Biblical Love guards itself against being irritated, or angered by things done against it. We'll be slow to anger and quick to forgive.

Ephesians 4:26 reminds us not to allow the sun to go down on our wrath. How can we say we Love someone and yet get easily provoked and get angry easily with the person? What is the benefit like that? Doesn't it cause more hurt feelings? How can here be reconciliation where there is provocation?

H. Biblical Love thinks no evil.

Biblical Love does not keep accounts of the wrongs people do to us. We do not bear grudges, we do not harbour ill intents on others. We should not be prejudice and cold hearted towards people. We should not seek to fault, seek to criticize, Yet, we should be always ready to Forgive and forget, and not always rake up the past to show how much bad stuff had been done towards you. It does not always harbor the hurt others do to us.

Past Hurts are like stains. a Love based forgiveness is God's stain remover, and it can remove all stains and restore our preace, joy and fellowship with people although they have hurt us time and again. The love of Christ seeks to bring peace to us. To show love and always think the best of others.

I. Biblical Love believes all things.

True Love believes the best of every person. Even if a person is accused of being guilt, You will not consider him/her guilty until the truth is found out. You will stick up for him/her and defend him/her. Even if they are found guilty, We should extend our love to help that person overcome his/her failure and encourage him/her. How wonderful it would be to know when you're accused falsely, criticized or belittled, that a friend/brother stands up for you.

J. Biblical Love endures all things.

It refuse to give up, surrender, stop believing or hoping. No matter how horrible the situation, how long the suffering, how humiliating the attack, The Love of Christ in One's heart will stop the desire to fight back to give up and walk away. We Love - We pray. Love keeps the door of our heart open. And we pray for God's intervention. Yes, the tears will flow, the hurt will swell up inside us until we think we'll die from a broken heart, but Biblical Love will overcome all these in the end. It will endure to the end.

K. Biblical Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Simply put, Love will simply not stop loving. True Love will never die. It will last forever.

Conclusion...

Have we be Loving towards our friends and family members? Have we been able to Love the way Christ did? Are we willing to give up everything we have to love a person?

It is wonderful to love. To be at peace with others. To live for other's benefit.

A person who truly loves will rarely get bitter, will not criticize others, will be quick to forgive, slow to anger... Love hurts, But True love will endure to the end. How much Love do we have for others? Lets ask ourselves this question and Work towards Loving our neighbours as ourselves.

God help us.

Thank God for the friends he has given me. I thank God i've been able to practice biblical Love towards my friends the way it should be. Though it often hurts real bad, "O Lord give me strength to endure and never give up Loving."

Please pray for my friends once again.

Luke

My Plea to Non-Believers

2007-02-25T22:57:00.000-08:00

My Plea to Non-believers

The World is sprinkled by numerous man-made religions, denominations and cults. These numbers are increasing by great numbers annually. Millions of people are decieved, many believe and give their lives for what they believe in.

What is the truth then? What is the real belief? Can we worship so many different Gods, in so many different forms, with different methods, rituals, food offerings, prayers and chants? How many real, true Gods are there? Many people say that all religions are good, and all good things come from God and since all religions teach good things, all religions are from the same God. And all religions lead to God. I remember hearing these words from the very mouth of someone I regarded as my best friend. How heart broken I felt then, when i remembered the verse:

James 1:17 "Every Good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from from the Father of Lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."

With whom is no variableness. It clearly already states so clearly that there is no variableness in God. So how can he be so varied in his form, in his teaching, in his commandments and instruction in the way to heaven. Does God contradict himself? Is he confused? I certainly think not. My believing or non-believing friends often use bible quotes to tell me what i think is too rigid and wrong, that God is an all-loving God who will save everyone since he died for everyone. However, sometimes they quote part of verses without knowing the full verse. Those that read in parts will only know in parts. They will not get the full picture. How easy it is to misinterpret God's Holy word.

I did not write this post to condemn my friends thinking, or to poke fun at them. But, it is out of sincerity, and Love for you that I want to share with you what is the Truth.

What is the truth I want to share with you? The truth is that, no religion will save anyone. No religion on this earth will bring you to heaven. Not buddhism, not Hinduism, Not Islam, not Roman Catholicism, and not Protestanism (Christianity). No! Not one of them will get you to heaven. Every one of these religions teach good things. They tell us how to live lives that are good, How to stay out of trouble, what to do as a member of this religion. Some tell us, what we can do to get to heaven. What are the steps to take to help us reach heaven. The Criterias, the checklist... Being a christian myself, I tell everyone straight in the face, That no religion saves.

Then you must be wondering. Then why do I call myself a Christian, Why do i go to church, why do i follow some things the church says? I reply you with this. I go to church to learn. Its like school, I listen to the pastor(teacher) preach, I go for sunday school (Tutorial lesson)... Thats how I learn what the bible talks about. But, no matter how much time i spend in church, no matter how many sunday school lessons i attend, No matter how many activities I take part in Church, It will not get me to heaven.

I only call myself a Christian because it identifies me with Christ. The God that i believe in. So I'm follow after Christianity because it teaches me the ways of Christ, but not because It will help me get to heaven by following what it teaches.

You may ask, Don't all religions teach the same things?

But i'll reply you saying that only Christianity teaches that Jesus is the only way to God-and that is one very important difference between it and all other religions. Other religions are just basically philosophies of life. They teach moral values and views of the world around us, and their leaders or founders tell people in their writing what they think is Correct and what is wrong. Its the perspective of man not God. Christianity also gives man a philosophy of life, but it says more than other religions, saying that man is Sinful, and seperated from God, and as long as he dwells in sin, He cannot ever enjoy God's friendship. The only way we can restore this relationship with God, is to have our sins removed by believing in Jesus (God's Son- God himself). No other religion recognises Jesus in this manner.

Now. How do we know that christianity is true but all other religions are false?

We have to either examine the teaching of all other religions to see if they are consistant in their teaching, and whether it is logical and describes reality accurately. Or we can simply examine Christianity to see if it is consistant or not.

Christianity has lots of evidences proving that it is true. If you see these evidences, you'll find that the teachings within Christianity are internally consistent with each other. Then will you know that Christianity is true. Whatever consists of Contradiction is false. Where there are no contradictions, it is true. This is a simple applications of what Aristotle called the Law of Contradiction in Logic : Two statements cannot both be true if one contradicts the other. However, No matter how true christianity is, It is hard for man who are sinful to accept the truth. You can see the truth, but believing is a totally different thing altogether.

You may feel that i'm being intolerant of other religions and am directly insulting other religions saying that they are false. I understand that We have the right to believe in whatever we believe in, and to worship whatever God we want. But, I'm not forcing anyone to believe, because it will never work out. You as an individual will have to come to believe on your own. No amount of talking, preaching, begging, bribing will be able to make a person believe in something he refuses to believe. And If I as a true friend of yours, would like to tell you the truth, and tell you that what you believe in is wrong, or that unbelieving is dangerous, Would you trust me? Or consider me your enemy? I cannot keep quiet and accept it that people are believing in something that is wrong that will harm them, and cause them to lose their salvation. I cannot watch silently as the people i love perish.

But, many people believe in science. Science says this, science says that...

Its not safe and never safe to believe in science totally. Because science is always changing. One moment we have 9 planets, then we have 13 and pluto disappeared. Then we have theories that we evolved from monkeys and like came from a one-celled organism. But theories are theories... Thats why they are a theory. They have not and cannot be proven. Science has always kept changing. And new things are added all the time to science.

But Christ, God never changes. His teachings in the bible never changes. Religion does. So does christianity. The form of worship, the traditions and such stuff keep changing. Many denominations pop up, different sects, will appear. But ultimately, True christianity based on Christ, the Word, never changes. And whatever is taught was applicable in the past, in the present and even in the future. Moreover, the scriptures have survived over 2000+ years, and up till now, after hundreds of years of people trying to pick out mistakes in the bible, they have failed to do so. Seeing something that is so without error, how can someone still deny its authority?

Even if I could prove to you that the bible's history was all true, that the evolution theory is false and that Jesus is God, I will not be able to make you believe unless you first open your heart and mind to accept Jesus.

Now, again, Who is this Jesus I am talking about? And why on earth did he have to die for us?

In the beginning when the earth was formed, God made man, Adam and Eve to serve and worship him. But, they sinned against him by eating of the forbidden fruit that God had warned them not to eat of. Through sin, Man was seperated from God. God cursed man with death., suffering, pain, sickness. Over the years, whenever man sinned, They had to make an offering to God as a way to ask for forgiveness, and to remove their sins. It is said that these people had to lay hands on a clean animal, eg. a lamb or goat, they then symbolically pass their sins from themselves onto the animal. Through the slaughter of the animal and burning it to God, their sins are forgiven. However, man had to do this over and over and over again. Even Mary, Jesus mother had to offer 2 doves as a sin offering. Anyway, God saw that the world was full of people whos heart were far away from God. With their actions they worship God, but their thoughts didn't not reflect any true repentance of sins. So God decided that he would make one final sacrifice, such that all these killing of animals would no long need to be done, as people were just doing the act without true repentance and belief in God. As a final sacrifice, God decided to send his Son Jesus Christ, who was God himself to come down , in the Form of man to live amongst us, set an example for us to follow, and then give himself as the final sacrifice. God then chose Mary, a virgin as the vessel to bear his Son. Implanted in mary by the Holy Ghost, Mary got pregnant and soon gave birth to Jesus. Jesus lived a life of sinless perfection. He never did anything wrong, never thought any evil thought, never acted in an ungodly manner. He was totally perfect. Yet, people sought to kill him. They had him suffer, bleed and die on the cross, just as he had intended. God plan worked out perfectly and Jesus gave his life and blood to wash away our sins and rose again on the 3rd day showing us that death had no power over him, who was God himself. So now, all we need to do is to pray in repentance asking God to remove our sins, and he will.

Many people will still reject Jesus and not believe in him. Just as the bible says that None seek God. Well. the bible says that we do not choose God, but it is God that choses us. John 15.16a. "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you" But when God calls, How do you respond? Do you still reject him?

How many people in the world today are living without a purpose in life? Born to eat, sleep. study, work, retire and Die. What is your purpose? Do you live to die?

Only with God, then there is meaning in life. The purpose driven life. To live a spotless life within a sinful world, To be a shining light, the salt of the world. To keep ourselves pure, holy and acceptable to God. Going all out into the world, preaching the gospel to everyone. Seeking the Lost, helping the weak, being a servant to others.

Only with God will we learn to Love and forgive others. Only with God will you be able to find true happiness, true peace, true comfort.

Are you a non-believer? What is stopping you from believing in Christ? There are so much evidence supporting and proving that the bible is true and reliable and is the Word of God. And there is so much evidence that Jesus is the Son of God and God himself. There is so much proof that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Why are you still hesitating?

As you may realise, the devil will try and do things to stop the spread of the gospel, and to limit the chances for people to know christ. This is so true in the sense that so much prosecution is happening to Christians nowadays, Christian churches are being burned, Christians been killed, getting thrown into jail for sharing the gospel openly.

If you are a non-believer, ask yourself this question now. Is Christianity really such a bad belief? Is believing in Jesus and following his commandments a bad thing? Is it bad to teach people to be loving? Amongst all the other religions and beliefs of the world, is Christianity the worst of the lot? I doubt you would think so either... So, now consider, that Christianity is the most banned religion of the world. The world has great hatred for christianity. All over the world Christian websites are getting banned. Websites telling people about Jesus and sharing the Gospel are getting banned... The devil does not want people to believe in Christ. He is doing all these things to take away the Life-saving Gospel from you. No other religion is facing such harsh treatment. No other religion's websites are getting banned all over the world. Why? Even satanic websites are being accepted. But christian websites are getting banned. Do you find it a little strange? It is either you believe that the Devil is really at work, or you just brush it off as coincidence. Well... If you believe in Christ and you believe that the devil exist, and the existance of Heaven and Hell, You will probably understand that what is happening now in the world is not just coincidence but a real life show unfolding before your very eyes on how the world is slowly turning towards destruction. And we are part of that world.

In Future, we may not be free to worship as christians, and prosecution of Christians may get worse. People will not know Christ. Whos side will you be on then?

We as christians are slowing watching the prophecies in the bible come true one by one... its amazing to have such a book that people of no other belief have. Ours is the true living Word. Which other scripture can match up to the true word of God? As we watch these prophecies unfold one by one, We know the end is near. Soon, the end may come and you know not the day nor the hour. Will you be ready to meet your maker?

Now is the time to accept Jesus and make him your personal Savior. It is my personal plea to you if you're a non-believer to accept him today, and believe what he has done on the cross, shedding his precious blood for you, dying and rising again on the 3rd day. And that someday he'll come again and take you unto himself.

What a great promise of salvation. No other religion or belief can give you such great assurance and comfort. Not even being a Christian can, unless you have truely accepted Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. So, don't hesitate any longer. When God calls, respond in repentance. Come to him today!

I am filled with sadness each day seeing my loved ones reject Jesus and salvation. The pain I go through is so bad that I'm very emotional burdened. If you're heart is still hard after reading this post, I pray hard for you that God will show grace unto you and touch your heart soon.

I truly hope everyone of you will accept Jesus Christ into your heart, and with faith, trust in him wholeheartedly. And give your lives unto him, for his use, that others may be touched by your lives and many others will come to know the saving knowledge of our Lord savior Jesus Christ.

With this I end.
May the Lord be merciful upon all of us,
And Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus.
Amen.

Gossip

2007-02-23T17:45:00.000-08:00

WHAT GOSSIP IS

Though the word “gossip” does not appear in the Bible, the concept does.

Gossip is called TALEBEARING (Lev. 19:16; Prov. 11:13; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20-22) and BACKBITING (Psa. 15:3), which is talking to others about the intimate details of people’s lives for injurious purposes.

Gossip is called being a “BUSYBODY IN OTHER MEN’S MATTERS” (1 Pet. 4:5). This means putting one’s nose in other people’s affairs which are none of my business.

Gossip is called “SLANDER” (Num. 14:36, 37; 2 Sam. 19:27; Prov. 10:18; Jer. 9:4-6; Rom. 3:8; 1 Tim. 3:11). This means to say false things about people, especially with the objective of hurting them. For something to be slanderous, it must involve deceit and falsehood and an injurious motive. To spread rumors about someone in an attempt to hurt that person is wicked gossip. We must be extremely careful about passing along things that we hear. If there is any question about the truthfulness of something, it is essential to verify it from someone who is in a position to know the matter.

Gossip is called “TATTLING” (1 Tim. 5:13). This means to prattle on about other people’s lives when it is none of one’s business and when one has no godly motive for such talk, to gossip).

God’s people must guard themselves vigilantly against these sins. Gossip is extremely damaging. In fact, gossip can destroy a preacher’s effectiveness and can ruin an entire church.

WHAT GOSSIP IS NOT

It is very important, though, not to confuse gossip with legitimate Christian endeavors.

SPEAKING TRUTH TO PROPER PARTIES FOR A GODLY PURPOSE IS NOT GOSSIP

It is not wrong to share truthful things with those who have a right to such information.

For example, it was not gossip for the household of Chloe to tell Paul about the problems in the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:11). As the founder of that church, Paul had a right to know about those problems, and the household of Chloe were not telling him these things to hurt the Lord’s work but to help it. It is not gossip to talk to a pastor or Sunday School teacher or deacon about matters in church members’ lives that they should know about. It is not gossip to talk to a father or mother about matters affecting their children.

It was not gossip for Paul to remind Timothy that the Cretians had a poor national character which he described in such harsh-sounding terms as “liars, evil beasts, slow bellies” (Titus 1:12). What Paul said about the Cretians (quoting one of their own poets) was true, and his motive was not to hurt them but to help them (“that they may be sound in the faith” Titus 1:13) and to further the work of Christ in Crete.

It is not wrong for a Christian to warn another person about a serious problem in a church or organization, so long as the information is true and the motive is not to hurt but to help and to warn. Oftentimes I have warned people about serious problems with certain churches that I have known about. That is not gossip and it is not slander.

It is not gossip to speak the truth in love, regardless of how harsh the truth might sound.

QUESTIONING A PREACHER’S TEACHING IS NOT GOSSIP

It is also not wrong to question a pastor in a humble and godly manner and to test his teaching by the Scriptures. In fact, we have a responsibility before God to do that. That is not gossip and it is not wrong. Of course, we always must guard our hearts that we don’t become bitter and that we don’t develop a bad attitude and then try to hurt the pastor or the church by spreading things around the church membership or community.

We must also use wisdom about such matters. For example, it is not usually wise and proper to question a pastor publicly about some perceived error or problem. It is best handled in private, at least at first.

That being said, the bottom line is that it is not wrong to question a pastor’s teaching. Acts 17:11; 1 Thess. 5:21; and 1 Cor. 14:29 settle that. Pastors have much authority, but they are not popes and they are not to be followed blindly. Their authority is the Word of God, and if they veer from that they have no authority and should be corrected. And yet many godly Christians have been branded as gossips and troublemakers when they have attempted to question something the preacher taught. All too many pastors have wrongly defined “gossip” as saying anything negative about him and his preaching, and they create this false definition in order to manipulate the church members and to make them fearful of questioning anything he does. This is not right and does not create a wholesome New Testament church atmosphere. The pastor must remember that he not to lord it over God’s people. “Neither as being lords over Gods heritage, but being ensamples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). According to this passage, the pastor needs to be more concerned about providing a godly example to the flock than lording it over them. This does not mean, of course, that the pastor does not have more authority than others in church. He does have authority (Heb. 13:17). What we are referring to here is the abuse of that authority. Even the Apostle Paul, who had greater authority than any pastor today, said, “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand” (2 Cor. 1:24).

WARNING OF SIN AND ERROR IS NOT GOSSIP

Marking false teachers and warning about compromisers is not gossip or slander. Paul warned of false teachers and compromisers by name no less than ten times in 1 and 2 Timothy alone. If a church leader publicly teaches error or commits a serious sin that would disqualify him or otherwise does something that people should be warned about, it is not gossip or slander for men of God to describe the problem publicly. I have often been charged with being a slanderer or a busybody when I have named men such as Billy Graham or Jerry Falwell or James Dobson and have warned about their errors. Actually I have the right and responsibility as a preacher to mark those who depart from the Word of God. I do not have to get their permission to do so, and I do not have to approach them first. If their error is public and persistent, my responsibility is to warn of them publicly, just as Paul did in regard to Hymenaeus and Alexander (1 Tim. 1:20), Phygellus and Hermogenes (2 Tim. 1:15), Hymenaeus and Philetus (2 Tim. 2:17), Demas (2 Tim. 4:10), and Alexander the coppersmith (2 Tim. 4:14-15). Slander is spreading ill founded, untrue things about others with the intent to injure them. Warning about error in Christian charity for the sake of protecting God’s people from that error is not slander nor is it gossip.

ADMONISHING ONE ANOTHER IS NOT GOSSIP

Romans 15:14 says, “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” Christians have an obligation to admonish one another to serve the Lord. This involves watching over one another and exhorting one another about things that would hinder our walk with Christ (Heb. 3:13; 10:24, 25). This ministry should not be confused with gossip. In some churches, though, this is exactly what happens. If a mature church member attempts to admonish and correct other church members, he or she can be labeled as a gossip and a troublemaker and a busybody in other men’s affairs. Admonishing others requires maturity and godliness (Rom. 15:14), but it is a legitimate duty of mature church members. It is not something that is to be left strictly to the pastor. Titus 2:3-5 describes how older women in the church are to teach and admonish younger women. I have known of churches, though, in which older women have gotten into trouble for attempting to exercise this ministry in a godly and scriptural manner. They were told that it was strictly up to the pastor to correct and disciple younger women about their personal lives and homes, but that is certainly not what the Bible says. There is a ministry of correction that is to be exercised by church members. I recall a situation in a church in which a young man was admonished by some mature church members to quit his job at a wicked movie theater for the sake of his own spiritual wellbeing and for the sake of other young people in the church who were watching his example. When he refused to follow this counsel and he quit the church in a huff, those who admonished him from the Word of God were branded as the troublemakers. In fact, they were exercising the legitimate biblical ministry of admonition among church members.

These examples illustrate that it is necessary to make a clear biblical distinction between gossip and legitimate Christian endeavors.

What’s Wrong with Gossip?

Everyone likes a good story, right? Well, not necessarily. What about the person the story is about? Does that person like the story? Probably not. Spreading rumors only hurts others and destroys our credibility. Who is going to trust us with anything when they think we’ll tell everyone else?

Gossip is also a way we judge others, which really isn’t our job. God is in charge of judging people, not us. Gossip really only ends up creating greed, hate, envy, murder.

Gossip is also a sign that we are not really active in our faith and in our lives. If you think about it, the busier we are, the less time we have to gossip. We no longer have the time to get wrapped up in someone else’s life. Gossip is bred out of boredom. It may start as a simple conversation about people, and then escalates quickly. The Bible clearly tells us to do more than discuss other people’s lives.

Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.” (NIV)

Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.” (NIV)

Romans 1:29 – “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips.” (NIV)

1 Timothy 5:13 – “Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.” (NIV)

Matthew 7:1 – “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (NIV)

Proverbs 18:8 – “The words of gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” (NIV)

So What Do I Do About Gossip?

First, if you catch yourself falling into gossip – stop. If you don’t passon the gossip there is nowhere for it to go. This includes gossip magazines and television. While it may not seem as “sinful” to read those magazines, you are contributing to gossip.

Also, when you are faced with a statement that may or may not be gossip, check out the facts. For instance, if you hear someone has an eating disorder, go to the person. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to the person yourself, and the rumor is something serious, you may want to go to a parent, pastor, or youth leader. Getting someone to help in a serious situation is not gossip as long as the information stays with you and the person you go to for help.

If you want to avoid gossip, focus on creating helpful and encouraging statements. Let the gossip and end with you and remember the Golden Rule – if you don’t want people to gossip about you, then don’t participate in gossip.

Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:14 – “Then you must inquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly.” (NIV)

Matthew 7:12 – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (NIV)

Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

Taken From http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/whatisgossip.htm and http://christianteens.about.com/od/whatthebiblesaysabout/f/gossip.htm

Are you born again?

2007-02-20T19:08:00.000-08:00

Are You Born Again?

by J. C. Ryle

Are you born again? This is one of life's most important questions. Jesus Christ said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

It is not enough to reply, "I belong to the church; I suppose I'm a Christian." Thousands of nominal Christians show none of the signs of being born again which the Scriptures have given us—many listed in the First Epistle of John.

No Habitual Sinning

First of all, John wrote: "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin" (I John 3:9). "Whosoever is born of God sinneth not" (5:18).

A person who has been born again, or regenerated, does not habitually commit sin. He no longer sins with his heart and will and whole inclination. There was probably a time when he did not think about whether his actions were sinful or not, and he did not always feel grieved after doing evil. There was no quarrel between him and sin; they were friends. But the true Christian hates sin, flees from it, fights against it, considers it his greatest plague, resents the burden of its presence, mourns when he falls under its influence, and longs to be completely delivered from it. Sin no longer pleases him, nor is it even a matter of indifference to him; it has become a horrible thing which he hates. However, he cannot eliminate its presence within him.

If he said that he had no sin, he would be lying (I John 1:8). But he can say that he hates sin and that the great desire of his soul is not to commit sin at all. He cannot prevent bad thoughts from entering his mind, or shortcomings, omissions, and defects from appealing in both his words and his actions. He knows that "in many things we offend all" (James 3:2). But he can truly say, in the sight of God, that these things cause him grief and sorrow and that his whole nature does not consent to them. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Believing in Christ

Second, John wrote: "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God" (I John 5:1).

A man who is born again, or regenerated, believes that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour who can pardon his soul, that He is the divine person appointed by God the Father for this very purpose, and beside Him there is no Saviour at all. In himself he sees nothing but unworthiness. But he has full confidence in Christ, and trusting in Him, he believes that his sins are all forgiven. He believes that, because he has accepted Christ's finished work and death on the cross, he is considered righteous in God's sight, and he may look forward to death and judgment without alarm.

He may have fears and doubts. He may sometimes tell you that he feels as if he had no faith at all. But ask him if he is willing to trust in anything instead of Christ, and see what he will say. Ask him if he will rest his hope of eternal life on his own goodness, his own works, his prayers, his minister, or his church, and listen to his reply. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Practicing Righteousness

Third, John wrote: "Every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him" (I John 2:29).

The man who is born again, or regenerated, is a holy man. He endeavors to live according to God's will, to do the things that please God and to avoid the things that God hates. He wishes to continually look to Christ as his example as well as his Saviour and to prove himself to be Christ's friend by doing whatever He commands. He knows he is not perfect. He is painfully aware of his indwelling corruption. He finds an evil principle within himself that is constantly warring against grace and trying to draw him away from God. But he does not consent to it, though he cannot prevent its presence.

Though he may sometimes feel so low that he questions whether or not he is a Christian at all, he will be able to say with John Newton, "I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am." What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Loving Other Christians

Fourth, John wrote: "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren" (I John 3:14).

A man who is born again has a special love for all true disciples of Christ. Like his Father in heaven, he loves all men with a great general love, but he has a special love for those who share his faith in Christ. Like his Lord and Saviour, he loves the worst of sinners and could weep over them; but he has a peculiar love for those who are believers. He is never so much at home as when he is in their company.

He feels they are all members of the same family. They are his fellow soldiers, fighting against the same enemy. They are his fellow travelers, journeying along the same road. He understands them, and they understand him. They may be very different from himself in many ways—in rank, in station and in wealth. But that does not matter. They are his Father's sons and daughters and he cannot help loving them. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Overcoming the World

Fifth, John wrote: "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world" (I John 5:4).

A man who is born again does not use the world's opinion as his standard of right and wrong. He does not mind going against the world's ways, ideas and customs. What men think or say no longer concerns him. He overcomes the love of the world. He finds no pleasure in things which seem to bring happiness to most people. To him they seem foolish and unworthy of an immortal being.

He loves God's praise more than man's praise. He fears offending God more than offending man. It is unimportant to him whether he is blamed or praised; his first aim is to please God. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

Keeping Oneself Pure

Sixth, John wrote: "He that is begotten of God keepeth himself' (I John 5:18).

A man who is born again is careful of his own soul. He tries not only to avoid sin but also to avoid everything which may lead to it. He is careful about the company he keeps. He knows that evil communications corrupt the heart and that evil is more catching than good, just as disease is more infectious than health. He is careful about the use of his time; his chief desire is to spend it profitable.

He desires to live like a soldier in an enemy country—to wear his armor continually and to be prepared for temptation. He is diligent to be watchful, humble, prayerful man. What would the apostle say about you? Are you born again?

The Test

These are the six great marks of a born again Christian.

There is a vast difference in the depth and distinctness of these marks in different people. In some they are faint and hardly noticeable. In others they are bold, plain and unmistakable, so anyone may read them. Some of these marks are more visible than others in each individual. Seldom are all equally evident in any one person.

But still, after every allowance, here we find boldly painted six marks of being born of God.

How should we react to these things? We can logically come to only one conclusion—only those who are born again have these six characteristics, and those who do not have these marks are not born again. This seems to be the conclusion to which the apostle intended us to come. Do you have these characteristics? Are you born again?

To Everything there is a Season Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

2007-02-18T18:20:00.000-08:00

To Everything there is a season, and a time

These verses from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 were not new to me. In secondary school, I had joined the school choir, and we had ever sung the song "To everything there is a season" arranged by my conductor. However, this song didn't leave a very strong impression on me.

This arrangement of the biblical verses into song came to me while I was in army camp. I was asking God daily, why after so much consistant and persistant prayer, my prayers were still not answered. I was praying for the salvation of my friends, for my friends to be convicted by God's word and accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. For many years, I had continually witnessed to the people around me, but I think i was showing no fruits. Being discouraged, I was thinking God was ignoring my prayers because i was too sinful or something...

Then one afternoon, as I was doing my quiet time, I stumbled upon these verses from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. As i read through it, a tune was also going through my head... Although some of the Words didn't fit well in the song, but after some alterations here and there, using some words from my ex-conductor's arrangement, I finally managed to piece together my own arrangement of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

It was as though God through a song was giving me an answer to my questions i had been asking him. The question was :"How long O lord, will it take for my friends to accept Christ? Will they ever believe in Jesus? " The answer was "Be Patient - To everything there is a season, and a time, For every purpose under the heaven's, there is a time appointed for all things that happen. In God's own perfect will" ... How better could God have answered than give me a song? I'm thankful to God for his reply because now I have another song to encourage me.

The Lyrics are as follows:

To everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

To everything there is a season,
To everything there is a time,
To every purpose under heaven,
There is a season; There is a time.

A time to live, a time to die;
A time to plant, a time for harvest;
To kill and heal; To wreck and build;
There is a season; There is a time.

A time to cry, a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, a time to dance;
A time to cast away, to bring together;
To be embraced, and to refrain.

A time to find and lose; To keep and give
To tear apart, to mend together;
To keep silent, and to speak;
To love and hate; For war and peace.

To everything there is a season,
To everything there is a time,
To every purpose under heaven,
There is a season; There is a time.

The Actual verses from the bible are:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

A bit of extra information:

ECCLESIASTES: This, in general, is a pessimistic book -- with statements that history merely repeats itself and nothing is new, and there is no reason to think of what might have been.

Ecclesiastes states that people should enjoy themselves and the fruits of their labors. The pessimism is most pronounced when considering man and animals returning to dust, and not knowing where their spirits go (Ecclesiastes 3:18-21). A few other points:

"Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless." (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
"... to accept his lot and be happy in his work -- this is a gift of God..." (Ecclesiastes 5:19-20)
"Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite (i.e., dreaming). This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." (Ecclesiastes 6:9).
On predestination: "Whatever exists has already been named, and what man is has been known; no man can contend with One who is stronger than he (i.e., can fight with God)." (Ecclesiastes 6:10)
"...the day of death better than the day of birth." (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
"...all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun...man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it." (Ecclesiastes 8:17)
"Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good." (Ecclesiastes 9:18).
"Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap (i.e, if you want perfection, you won't do anything.)." (Ecclesiastes 11:4).
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." (Ecclesiastes 11:5)
"...the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

My Personal Compostitions and Their explainations.

2007-02-18T18:01:00.000-08:00

I Thank You Lord

I Once was lost in sin and shame,
Felt that life was nothing but a game,
Lived each day as though the same,
Like many others blind and lame.
My life was always dull and plain,
There was much of sorrow grief and pain.
There were times when i felt so faint.
Ending my life would've been such a gain.

Chorus:
And I thank you Lord,
For calling my name,
And i think you Lord,
For cleansing my stain.
With your blood set me free,
Made me able to see.
And I thank you Lord,
And I thank you Lord.

With Jesus, Life is not the same,
Many habits did I have to change.
Living life with meaning each day,
Without complain of burden or pain.
With Christ, I am now born again.
My sins have been all washed away,
My past I put aside
And now I live with Christ by my side.

My life I give to you O lord,
I pray you'll lead me with your word.
Give me strength with each new day,
Whether at school, at work, or at play.
I want to do your will O Lord,
Grant me Love, Wisdom and faithfulness.
Use my mouth to praise your name,
Sharing your Word both night and day.

My friend, I pray for you each day,
That someday, God may show you the way,
Open your eyes that you may realise,
How precious you are in God eyes.
Dear friend, perhaps you might not know,
That Jesus really Loves you so,
Maybe when you recieve him too,
Your heart may echo this same tune:

This Song “I Thank You Lord” was written close to the end of year 2005 during my A-level prelim period… It was in a time of anxiety, extreme stress and pressure that made me think of a certain event as a source of comfort.

Then, my own life story came into play… I wrote out a little poem

1^st Stanza – My life before knowing God

2^nd Stanza – Life knowing Christ personally as my Lord and Savior

3^rd Stanza – Giving my Life to God, and my plea to Him to use me.

4^th Stanza – Reaching out to the Lost.

While writing it, I was full of thanks to God for all the mercies he has showed to me all these years, and thus the Chorus of the “poem” was formed.

I read it to myself several times… It worked well, making me feel better when upset… Then some tune came into my mind… and I fit the words in. Hmm… The words fitted so nicely and there and then, the song “I Thank You Lord” was completed.

Now with a song in my heart, It’s a source of comfort and joy to me wherever I go. During training in the army, when lonely or bored… I just sing a song of thanks and I feel revived. Thanks be to God for giving me a song in times of trouble.

Psalm 28:7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 40:3

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

The 4^th stanza was written because during my 2 years in JC, I was strongly burning in my heart to evangelize. I had shared the gospel with many. Some heard, some responded, some believed, and many turned away. I dedicate this song, especially the 4^th stanza to all my unsaved friends and Loved ones, and to my beloved best friend, Mark Tan.

Lets Praise The Lord

Written by Luke :

This song was written in the early part of year 2006. I cannot remember the exact date. This song was written as a way to tell a bit about the gospel, at the same time show praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. It is also about submitting ourselves to God, giving our Lives to him, so as to live a sin-free life, and be a living sacrifice, without blemish, fit for the kingdom of God.

Our Heavenly Father sent his Son to live in human form
He gave His life that man may live with him forevermore
He bled and died upon the cross, bearing the sins of all
And by his wondrous grace we’re saved the first time we were called.

Lets Praise the Lord and Thank the Lord
And lift his holy name.
Lets worship him, bring gifts to Him
Obey his every Word, and let us
Bow before the throne of God,
And give our lives to him
That we may live a life that free from sin.

Please note:

Above I mentioned “And by his wondrous grace we’re saved the first time we were called.”

It could be sung in another way, "And by his wondrous grace we're saved the first time we believed" but it doesn't sound that nice, so i used the above. Of course I had to put in an explaination so as not to make the song sound doctrinally wrong.

I know that Matthew 22:14 says this:

Matthew 22:14

For many are called, but few are chosen.

However, I am referring to those predestined and called; Those that were predestined cannot fall from grace.

Romans 8:28-30

For those whom he fore knew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified."

No Greater Love

Written by Luke:

No other man, loved us more than Him,
who gave His life on Calvary’s tree
Lord Jesus Christ, marvellous is He;
He died to take away my sin.
Upon the cross as He bled for me, He promised us salvation free
And through His Word I know He will be coming back for me.

No greater love, I’ll ever see
Than what my Saviour has done for me
No greater gift, I would receive
Than Jesus Christ who loves me
What wondrous grace he showed to me

The First song I had ever written. Written somewhere around the middle or start of the year 2005: it was when I started to love reading the gospel books of the bible. Being my first composition, I felt it wasn’t a very well written song, so I left it hidden in my cupboard for quite a long while. It was not until I wrote my 2^nd song “I Thank you Lord” that I “dug” this up and refined it again.

This Song Talks about God’s great love for us that cannot be compared with the love of the world or even parental Love. After giving his life, rising from the dead, he left us a promise before ascending to heaven that he would return and bring us to the mansions prepared for us in heaven. What other greater gift can you receive other than Jesus?

Being Christian in a Non-Christian World

2007-02-18T09:16:00.000-08:00

Being a Christian in a Non-Christian World

Its been terribly long since I've last posted anything in my blog. Now, i'm going to just pour out my feelings in this post to express how I had been feeling these past few months.

As many should know, I'm currently serving national service and will only complete my term this december 2007. Having being in the army for over a year, its been a really trying environment for me. 5 days a week in camp, and 2 days free from camp. 5 days in an environment without Christians (in which i mean - spritual Christians) ... People around me behave differently. Basically, almost everyone around me is a non-christian. A mixture of muslims, buddhists, free-thinkers, taoists, hindus here and there. Everyday in camp, I'm exposed to people of different backgrounds. Some rich, others poor, some from broken families, one parent families, parents who are away from home... People of different education levels, from PSLE, to O,N,A-level, ITE etc... Its a wide range of people whom i never knew existed in society.

I was from the obese batch of recruits in Tekong... then my platoon being 50 strong. Being in Tekong was a fun and relaxing experience for me. It was like a chalet, a holiday resort... No stress, no pressure. Just enjoyment with the company of my friends. Having just entered army, I had to try and adjust to having to do physical exercise almost everyday (which i adjusted very quickly)... Then I had to adjust to the lifestyle in the army, the regimentation, the kind of language, commands and stuff like that. Well, being a christian in a new environment, where so many non-christians were was extremely tough. I had heard before entering the army, that people in the army were very crude in their speech. The frequent use of vulgarity was ever so common in everyday life. I didn't really believe it till the day I enlisted. Thanks to God, I had made a promise to God, that I would keep my tongue from speaking vulgarities during my army term. And since then, I've managed to keep to my promise. I had also set in my heart the desire to witness to people, and be a good testimony for Christ. However this was really a very difficult thing to achieve.

In tekong, well, I had many chances to witness. Often i would have people sitting on my bed, asking me to tell them bible stories, tell them about dinosaurs, fossils, the creation of the earth and stuff like that. I was always very happy to tell them what I knew... However, all these interest only lasted for a few days to weeks, and soon after, everyone was like back to normal, no longer interested in Christianity. I shared the Gospel to many. Taking any chance available to share the gospel with an unbeliever. But, I guess, I had never been able to convince anyone that they needed God. Everyone was just so content with their lives. Content with what they had, content with the way they lived their lives. The smoking, the drinking, the clubbing, the sexual lifestyle they had outside... Everyone seemed too "busy" enjoying the desires of the flesh than to be interested in "religion".

I always knew that I was never in control of any "converstion' but God alone was the determining factor. If God did not will a person to be saved, no matter how much talking or actions i did, I could in no way convince him. This cold hard truth took very long to sink into my head. In fact, even up to now, I find it really difficult to accept this fact that I cannot play any role in the salvation of my friends except by praying. Praying had become such a common thing when I entered the army. Whenever I felt stressed, unhappy, or even discouraged, I would whisper a silent prayer to God, asking for guidance, for comfort and encouragement.

I believe that my experience in army has strengthened my faith very significantly, and has help me grow more spiritually mature. I Thank God for showing me so many "signs" of him working in my daily life, in answering prayers, and planning things to happen in such a perfect manner, that all pieces together to form a beautiful outcome. Even through my evangelism, and the devils evil devices, have I been able to strengthen my faith. Taking for example, I also see the devil working very hard to try and stop any form of evangelism from taking place. Example, everytime I were to start talking about the topic of God, or christianity to someone, Something will miraculously crop up,. The person's Handphone would ring or he would be called to do something for a sergeant or something like that. Or he'll just get distracted and do something else rather than listen. I feel that the harder I prayed, and the harder I tried to be a good christian and follow Christ's example, the more hardship, the more obstacles i meet along the way. As though the devil had set many obstacles to make me fall, to make me give up.

The days in Tekong quickly passed by... I had shared the gospel with several people, however, there were no visible fruits. Then i went to Guards. On the first day there, I cried. I was so shocked that I would end up in such a place. And I was worried if I could cope. I was placed in a Good company, with a Good OC, good PC, good PS, good sergeants (well, most of them). But these people changed along the way. The OC, PC and sergeants left and new ones came in and took their place. Anyway, initially, when i first got to know the people in my company, I was totally shocked. These people here were of an even lower education level than the friends I had in Tekong. There were so many A level and Diploma holders in Tekong, but when I came to guards, there were so few. I saw the way the people there spoke, I observed their conversations, their body language and everything about them. They were just so different. I had never ever known that in society there such people. (not meaning they are bad people). Being in good, reputatable schools all my life, and being in a christian family, I had never heard so much vulgarity, seen so many gangsters, seen so much tattoos, felt so left out. It took me some time before I could adjust to the people there. After AIT when I became a converted guardsman, I was given a choice to stay in my company or to move to a support unit, where life would probably be much easier for an obese soldier. I was thinking hard, between being in a place where almost everyone would be of the same educational level, where everyone would easily understand me, as compared to a place where the people are no as educated, and are more simplistic in nature, where I would have no common topic to talk about... I was praying about it, and somehow the answer that came to me was to stay with company. To reach out to these simple people, these not-so-well-off people. To be a help, an encouragement, a motivation to these people.

Close to the end of the year 2006, I finally joined back my church's youth fellowship. After over 2 years of absence, due to prejudice against certain people, and the dislike of seeing certain things. I finally came back to the youth fellowship. I remember that the 1st time i joined back was at a cottage meeting at cheryl's house. And on that day, I saw how much the youths had grown spritually, and how much more zealous they were for God. That was what made me feel so much like coming back. I regret leaving the YF for so long, because I missed the chance to encourage and strengthen the faith of certain people during my absence. I feel I failed to be there to be sort of an influence to the younger ones, and to set myself as an example for others to follow, but instead, like a coward, stayed away from YF for 2 whole years, hardly talking to any of the youths during that period of time. There was probably some element of Self-righteousness and unforgiveness in me at that time, which was preventing me from enjoying good christian fellowship for 2 years in my life.

Back to army life... After over 10 months of been with those people in guards, I have not regretted my decision to stay. Training was tough I must admit, but it was the lives of these people that kept me going. It was the love for these people that kept me pushing on in everyday's duties. I talked to many people in company, finding out more about their lives, their family, their ambitions, their dreams and aspirations. And I found out that i was more fortunate then them in many ways. I started to be very sympathetic towards the people in my company. I felt very sad for many of the people who were struggling financially, or who were having family problems. I wanted to help, but didn't know how. I didn't start any evangelism in Guards till late november in 2006. This was due to the immense heartache and sorrow I'd experienced from past evangelism. However, as I grew to love my friends more, i just felt the need to reach out to their souls too. To feed their spritual needs rather than just the physical aspect... Hence, around november, I just kept sharing the gospel with my platoon/ company mates ... However, once again, I was faced with a lot of opposition from the devil, and from the hardened hearts of men. This time, these emotions that overwhelmed me were even greater, and I started crying again whenever I prayed for my friends.

I dislike the feeling of getting over emotional and start crying while praying. It makes me feel weak, feel so unmanly, yet, whenever I think of my unsaved loved ones, I cannot help but feel a sense of uselessness. I feel useless that I cannot do anything to help, so I spend long periods of time pleading with God, that He might open the eyes and hearts of my friends.

Up till now, I'm still struggling within myself, finding it hard to accept that people do not seek God, and will just keep rejecting the truth. I feel a heart piercing feeling when i see people behaving in a Godless manner, and speaking of things that are just so ungodly. I foolishly pray to God to ask him to forgive my friends for not knowing that what they do offends God. I know i cannot pray on their behalf, for forgiveness only comes when the individual confesses it to Christ himself. But, in desperation, I just stupidly pray such prayers.

I see the sinfulness of the world. The Sins of mankind, the sinful nature and thoughts of man. I see the utter ignorance of man, how lost man is without God, How man reject what is right, and do wrong on purpose. I see how people do things to hurt themselves. I see how people do things without considering the consequences. I see stubborness, Selfishness, jealousy, Hatred, Malice, Evil. Pride, Slothfulness, and all other negative characters of man...

Man is on a direct path to hell without God. Man will just die and destroy themself if they do not know God. Man will do things to hurt themselves because they don't know how to stay safe... WHY? because they want to do the things that they like and are unwilling to Conform to christ-likeness, but enjoy the pleasures of the world.

No one would give up riches, immoral sexual behavior, smoking, drinking, clubbing and other joys of the world for God. Who will? Hardly anyone believes in God anymore. Or maybe, just no one believes in Jesus anymore. No one cares where they are going after death. Heaven or hell does not matter, as long as they have fun on earth and enjoy life to the max.

This is what hurts me. I wish the bible was wrong in saying that many will perish. I wish the bible was wrong in saying that many are called, and few are chosen, because this means that I will not see many / majority of my friends in heaven. And i can do nothing about it except pray for the person. I cannot make a person believe, neither can i make him feel convicted of his sins...

Where is the Joy of being saved and seeing your friends perish? ultimately, when I die, will I be able to leave this world with a smile knowing my best friends will meet me someday? Or will I still be worrying and praying with tears for God to convert them?

Who says a Christian's life is full of happiness and joy and peace? Who said a christian's life does not have any unhappiness, any sorrow, or worry, or burden? Why do people evangelise in this manner , telling all the positive points about believing In christ, yet not tell them the hardship we will face.

I can say that I was indeed "happier" as a non-christian. There were so many pleasures, So much fun things to do, there was no restrictions, no boundaries. I could do anything i wish. I could lie, steal, cheat, talk filthy language, tell dirty jokes, and behave in a unruly manner. I could just have my sundays free and not go to church. I could go clubbing, drinking , smoking and engage in sex any time i like... But these happiness cannot be compared to the happiness i get after being a christian. After I became a christian, I stopped living a worldly life. I became a new person, with new priorities, objectives, and aims in life. I stopped speaking vulgarites, and changed many bad habits. I started to feel compelled to listen to God's word and avoid things that were not right in God's sight. It was difficult at first to control all the urges to be like the world. But after some time, It becomes so easy to do what is right when the situation requires it. The type of joys we get, do not come from sex, beer, bad company, or playing, but come from getting a chance to share the gospel, having a chance to answer questions of friends who ask about christianity, and the greatest joy being watching and hearing a friend come to christ. These type of happiness cannot be measured in any manner. It can hardly be described either. So great is this happiness that all the happiness in a year of a non-christian cannot measure up to one instant when I hear of the conversion of an unbeliever. But obviously, I haven't mentioned the hardship, the sorrow and the pain.

As a christian, we are constantly being attacked by the devil. Who wants us to turn away from God, curse him and carry on with our worldly lifestyle. We are being poked fun off by non-believers, saying we don't know how to enjoy life, saying we're stupid, rigid, strict, hypocrites, saying what we believe in is rubbish. The things we do are considered foolish in the sight of man. We try our best to tell the truth all the time. We try not to lie. We help people unselfishly. We sacrifice our time, and ourselves totally for the service of others. We give our lives for other's convenience. We don't go to places where the world finds its enjoyment (pubs, brothels). We are labelled as not open minded, we are often criticised and laughed at. We constantly find ourselves worrying for the salvation of others. We shed tears for our loved ones, we spend many hours praying for them, and crying over their sinful behaviors. The pain and sorrow that I've experienced over these hours of praying is so bad that if I could just end my life as a sacrifice to save my friends, I would willingly die, for Death would be so much less painful than having to live a life full of heartache, day after day seeing your friend dead in his sins. We're told not to worry. But HOW CAN WE DO SO??? Loving others is so difficult.

To Love, it hurts. try loving your enemy. Someone you dislike, but yet you try to be as nice to the person as you can. You will get irritated at yourself, to why do you treat the person well although you don't like him. Love hurts when you are nice to a person and he doesn't appreciate it and attacks you for it. Love hurts when you constantly see your friends hurt themselves. Love hurts when you think of your loved one who is still unsaved. Love hurts when you see your loved one committing a sin. Love hurts when you try to share the gospel with a person and he directly rejects. Christianity is based on Love and it is so painful to love. and also so hard to love. How can there be non-stop joy, happiness and peace?

Believing is not easy. How can one believe without seeing? Its just by faith alone. but much as we often say we believe, do we harbour doubts in our mind? Do we believe a bit, and don't believe a bit?

What is it like being a christian in a non-christian world? It is like putting a big juicy worm in the midst of hungry crows... If the Worm does not hide in the ground, it will be picked off and get eaten. even if it hides in the ground, but does not have good grip or depth, the crow will still be able to pick it out of the ground. Here in my illustration, the big Juicy worm is a person. The open air above the ground is the world. The Crow is the devil, the ground is the Word of God.

The longer the worm stays in the open air, the greater the chance for the crow to eat it. Similarly, The longer a person chooses to dwell in the world and enjoy the pleasures of the world, the easier it is for the devil to get hold of him.

If the worm is partially in the ground, the crow cannot get the worm that easily, but it still can get the worm. Similarily, If a person has God's word as his foundation, He will not be so much of the world, he'll have self control over sinning on purpose and will thus not fall prey to the devil so easily. But as long as he lets go of God's word, and relaxes, The devil will be able pick him up and consume him.

If the worm is deeply hidden in the ground, the crow will have to dig very far to try and get the worm. similarly, If a person is firmly grounded in the word of God, the devil will find lots of difficulty to try and get him to fall... The deeper you are grounded in God's word, the safer you are. But not to forget, the crow can dig in the ground, so the worm must continually dig deeper and deeper to prevent the crow from getting to him. So we should all continually reinforce ourselves with scripture and grow in the knowledge of scripture, so we will stay safe from the devil.

The Moral of this illustration is that we should be conformed to the word/will of God and not be conformed to the world. We should aspire to be more Christ-like and avoid worldly influence. But definitely, this is not a very easy thing to do. Remember. The people hated christ, and will likewise hate we who try to be like christ. We must be ready to face opposition, ready to be prosecuted for our beliefs. We will be lonesome, have a lack of (worldly)friends, and many a time have lots of worries and thoughts bothering us, but we must not give up. Then only at the end can we say we have run the race and fought a good fight, perservering to the end. If in any part of our life we were to forsake Christ for the world, we will fall prey to the devil.

Well... I have said a lot tonight. Its 3.30am. Pouring out all my thoughts but not really in order. To those who read this, i'm sorry if some parts seen rather confusing.

Anyway.. ok, back to army. Now, I'm starting again to feel very alone. I feed the urge for christian fellowship, but as you all know, I have none. So my only source of relief would be the weekends when i meet for Youth fellowship on saturdays and sunday when I get to hear a message and go for sunday school. Life is a chore. Having to endure 5 days without Godly fellowship. To survive, I spent lots of time doing quiet time, lots of time praying and trying my best to share the gospel. But, this is as usual a very painful task.

I'm now in the midst of recovery, as I had just had another very painful experience from evangelism... in the meantime, i've been trying to encourage my friends to stop smoking. Cause it hurts me seeing them cause harm to their own bodies. O, please pray for me that i'll not be so emotional, cause sometimes I'd cry over such stuff and feel very upset for long hours. How I wish God will quickly answer my prayers cause I have so many unanswered prayers and so many unsaved loved ones. Praying for each one individually usually takes me around 2 hours in which I have even fallen asleep once or twice while attempting to do so... Now i'm concentrating on the friends that I love most. How I wish that with persistant prayer, God would soften the hearts of my friends to accept the Gospel. Well... Giving up a sinful, worldly lifestyle to live a life that is christlike is going to be another great difficulty, but with God, all things are possible. May God help us all!

Well... to those christians out there that so happen to read this, Please pray for my friends in camp, that one day they will get to know the same God that we know, and that they will be able to develop a personal relationship with Him too, and enjoy grace, mercy and the free gift of salvation from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please help me specifically to pray for,
Ching yueh,
Bao Wen,
John,
Yatim,
Tuan...
That God will grant them the willpower to quit smoking.

And help me pray for the salvation of these following people whom i've witnessed to:
Ching Yueh,
Yong Sheng,
Jun Guang,
Bao Wen,
Donovan,
Qin Xiong,
Zhi Qiang,
John,
Quee,
Yong Quan,
Ethan,
Lucas,
Thiam Yeow,
Gary,
Gavin,
HanQuan,
Anusha,
and many others i had left out.

And to everyone else who know me... It is my deepest wish you will recieve christ and believe in him wholeheartedly so that I will meet you in heaven someday. Should anything happen to me, at least I can go with the ease of mind knowing you're safe in the hands of the Lord.

May The Lord bless You all richly!
Till he Comes.

With Love and all my heart,
Your Brother in christ,
Luke

CHARISMATIC MUSIC PERMEATING THE CHURCHES

2006-08-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

Our Church youths are deeply influenced by Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Even the Roman Catholic Churches are hit badly by this growing love for CCM. How will it affect us, and is it condoned in the church?

CHARISMATIC MUSIC PERMEATING THE CHURCHES

Updated July 12, 2006 (first published May 30, 1997) David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist

It is a strange but true fact that many Bible-believing churches that are strongly opposed to charismatic DOCTRINE AND PRACTICE are being influenced by charismatic MUSIC. In attending charismatic churches and conferences through the 33 years since I have been saved, in an effort to analyze this influential movement, I have observed that one of its key elements is rocky music. The charismatic world has given us "Christian" jazz, "Christian" rock, "Christian" rap, even "Christian" heavy-metal and goth.

The jazzy church music can be found almost everywhere today. Charisma magazine, February 1994, made the observation that "Today, praise music has entered the mainstream. Songs that were only sung in charismatic churches a few years ago are now heard throughout mainline and non-charismatic churches."

This is an accurate observation. Since the early 1970s, many churches have traded in their traditional hymn books for praise songs accompanied by electric guitars and drums. Many others, though not bringing the actual rock band into the sanctuary, use accompaniment music that incorporates the rock rhythms. The accompaniment tapes, in fact, are commonly produced by the very ecumenical charismatic crowd of which fundamentalist and Baptist churches warn their people.

Billy Graham crusades, once noted for the heart-warming traditional Christian music of George Beverly Shea, now feature hard rock music and charismatic-style "praise" choruses. Consider the following description of the 1992 National Religious Broadcasters conference, the participants of which include a very wide representation of professing Christians: "The lyrics of much of the music were doctrinally flimsy. There was a soft rock version of Handel's Messiah, and a Black NRB concert had the people standing, dancing in the aisles, and emitting high-pitched ecstatic gibberish" (Christian News, Feb. 10, 1992).

In his book Making Musical Choices, Richard Peck makes the following important point about the modern church music.

"Aside from its commercialism and its increasing resemblance to the world, contemporary Christian music is becoming a religious melting pot. Some in the community admit that they are not believers. And while this is still an exception, CCM IS PROUD OF ITS ECUMENICAL AND CHARISMATIC SPIRIT. THIS ECUMENISM EXTENDS OPEN ARMS TOWARD APOSTATE PROTESTANT DENOMINATIONS AND THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH" (Making Musical Choices, Bob Jones University, 1986, p. 86).

THE HISTORY OF JAZZY CHURCH MUSIC

Though jazzy music has begun permeating non-Pentecostal churches only in recent decades, it has been a part of the Pentecostal movement from its inception. Consider the following overview:

"Shortly after it began to emerge in 1901, Pentecostalism sensed through some strange form of intuition that success would come through emotionally-charged music. The first pattern was jazz. Speaking of the years 1901 to 1914, Howard Goss said, 'Without it (jazz) the Pentecostal Movement could never have made the rapid inroads into the hearts of men and women as it did. Neither could we have experienced a constant victorious revival over the fifty years' (The Winds of Change, p. 212). He also noted: 'It was generally not the conventional church-hymn singing of that era. Entirely unpretentious, there appeared to be neither poetry nor musicianship in the composition. But, there was something far more effective than either. ... WE WERE THE FIRST, SO FAR AS I KNOW, TO INTRODUCE THIS ACCELERATED TEMPO INTO GOSPEL SINGING' (Ibid. pp. 207,208).

"The Pentecostal leader should know for he was the most prominent among the early founders of the Movement. He was the leading organizer of a nation-wide gathering of Pentecostals held at Hot Springs, Arkansas in April, 1914. He was elected General Superintendent of the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and served as the General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church until 1951" (Wilson Ewin, The Pied Piper of the Pentecostal Movement, Wilson Ewin, 1986, pages 49-51).

The following is a description of an interracial convention of Pentecostals in Cleveland, Tennessee, in September 1929:

"The spirit moved some to dance, others to speak in the unknown tongue, to shout, to jerk, or to fall in a dead trance. Mourners in ever-increasing numbers fell on their knees, elbows in a folding chair, at the altar, while the exhorters clapped hands to the time of the music … After half an hour of this, the singing came to an end. Also the instrument strummers, worn out, dropped out one by one, leaving only the piano player and a tambourine whacker, whom I could not see, to carry on the STEADY AND ALMOST TERRIFYING RHYTHMIC NOISE. Terrifying because it impressed me as being the production of the wild, subconscious human animal, one which we seldom come upon in such frightfully self-regimented herds. But the extreme mesmeric orgies of such primitive groups have been often enough described. And after all, my purpose is simply to make clear HOW THE INDIGENOUS SONG MERGES INTO THE HYPNOTIC RHYTHMIZING USED IN THIS INDIGENOUS TYPE OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICE" (George Pullen Jackson, White Spirituals in the Southern Uplands).

Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944), founder of the Foursquare Pentecostal Churches, incorporated jazzy music into her elaborate, sensuous church programs. A contemporary made the following analysis of her success: "She threw out the dirges and threats of Hell, REPLACING THEM WITH JAZZ HYMNS and promises of Glory" (Morrow Mayo of The New Republic, quoted in Robert Bahr, Least of All Saints: The Story of Aimee Semple McPherson, Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1979, p. 267).

Many of the early rock & roll musicians observed the connection between the music they heard in Pentecostal churches and rock music. Ronnie Dawson, one of the 1950s rockabilly stars, started playing electric guitar at an Assemblies of God church. Of rockabilly he says: "It's very similar to the Assembly of God kind of church music, and things that I had taken part in in church" (Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll, p. 15).

With the onset of the charismatic movement since the 1960s, which is basically the ecumenical branch of Pentecostalism, THE "JAZZED-UP HYMNS" HAVE GONE MAINSTREAM and have swept throughout much of the Christian world.

INFLUENTIAL PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC MUSICIANS

The following are just a few of the Pentecostal-Charismatic personalities behind the "jazzed-up hymns" that are being used in non-charismatic churches. The large majority of the Christian rock musicians are associated with the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, and practically none of them are separated from it --

* JACK HAYFORD, author of the song "Majesty"" and many other very popular worship songs, is pastor of Church-on-the-Way Foursquare Church, the Pentecostal denominational which was founded by the female pastor Aimee Semple McPherson. Jack Hayford is the influential Pentecostal pastor of Church on the Way in Van Nuys, California, and the author of many popular books and contemporary praise songs, including "Majesty."* Hayford belongs to the Four Square Pentecostal Church, a denomination founded by a woman, Aimee Semple McPherson, in direct disobedience to the Word of God. "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Tim. 2:12). Christianity Today magazine calls Hayford "The Pentecostal Gold Standard" (Christianity Today, July 2005), but when his theology and practice is placed under the microscope we find that his position is not the untarnished gold of Scripture but the rust and corrosion of extra-biblical "revelation." Speaking at St. Louis 2000, for example, Hayford told of how his daughter approached him one day with a concern about her "tongues speaking." She was afraid that she was speaking mere gibberish, but he encouraged her that the believer must first learn to speak in baby tongues before he speaks in adult tongues. (I attended this conference with press credentials and heard Hayford say this.) There is absolutely no Bible support for such nonsense and it denies the Pentecostal's claim that the Bible is his sole authority for faith and practice. Biblical tongues-speaking is not something that be learned; it is supernatural gift and there is not one example in the New Testament of someone learning how to speak in tongues. At the Promise Keepers Clergy Conference in 1996 Hayford urged the crowd of 40,000 to "dance in the Lord," saying that he learned the dance in Africa and that later the Lord said to him, "May I have this dance?" An eyewitness called it "an African witch-doctor dance" (Bruce Caldwell, "Following in the Footsteps of the Apostate Presbyterians," Christian News, March 11, 1996). Nowhere in the Bible do we find God dancing with His people. Further, the Bible plainly warns, "Learn not the way of the heathen" (Jer. 10:2). Hayford claims that he got his radical position on ecumenism directly from God. He says that in 1969, as he approached a large Catholic church in Southern California, God spoke to him and instructed him not to judge Roman Catholicism. He says he heard a message from God saying, "Why would I not be happy with a place where every morning the testimony of the blood of my Son is raised from the altar?" ("The Pentecostal Gold Standard," Christianity Today, July 2005) Based upon this "personal revelation," Hayford adopted a neutral approach to Catholicism, yet upon the authority of the Bible I know that the message that Hayford heard was demonic. The atonement of Jesus Christ is NOT glorified on Roman Catholic altars. The Mass is an open denial of the doctrine of the once-for-all atonement that we find in the book of Hebrews. Note what the Vatican II Council said about the Mass: "For in it Christ perpetuates in an unbloody manner the sacrifice offered on the cross, offering himself to the Father for the world's salvation through the ministry of priests" (The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, "Instruction on the Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery," Intro., C 1, 2, p. 108). This is only a small part of Rome's wicked heresies, and it is impossible that God would encourage Jack Hayford to look upon the Roman Catholic Church in any sort of positive, non-judgmental manner. If Hayford based his theology about the Roman Catholic Church strictly upon the Bible, he would never fall for such delusion. Hayford has acted on this "personal revelation" by yoking up with Roman Catholic leaders in conferences throughout the world. For example, he joined hands with thousands of Roman Catholics, including hundreds of Catholic priests and nuns, at the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit & World Evangelization in St. Louis in 2000. Hayford also has a close relationship with heretic Robert Schuller. He spoke at Schuller's Men's Conference at the Crystal Cathedral in March 1995 and in January 2005 and endorsed Schuller's 1996 autobiography, My Soul's Adventure with God. In 1982 Schuller published Self-Esteem the New Reformation in which he twisted Bible theology to conform to his heretical humanistic psychology. According to Schuller, To Schuller, sin is "any act or thought that robs myself or another human being of his or her self-esteem" (Self-Esteem: The New Reformation, p. 14). Schuller's christ is "self-esteem incarnate" (p. 135). His new birth is to be "changed from a negative to a positive self-image" (p. 68). His hell "is the loss of pride that naturally follows separation from God" (p. 14). To Schuller, the most destructive thing is to call men lost sinners and thereby injure their self-esteem (Christianity Today, Oct. 5, 1984). Schuller is a universalist who believes that all people are the children of God. (For more about Schuller see "Evangelicals and Robert Schuller" at http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/evangelicalsschuller.htm ). The song "Majesty," lovely though it is, promotes the unscriptural "kingdom now" philosophy, in which Christians are thought to be able to exercise kingdom authority over sickness and the devil in this present hour. This is what the words "kingdom authority" refer to in Hayford's song.

* JOHN MICHAEL TALBOT is a charismatic Roman Catholic who prays to Mary and believes in tongues speaking, dreams, and other forms of extra-biblical revelation. In his book Simplicity, Talbot stated: "Personally, I have found praying the Rosary to be one of the most powerful tools I possess in obtaining simple, childlike meditation on the life of Jesus Christ." The Rosary is largely a prayer to Mary as the Queen of Heaven. In 1996 Talbot produced an album jointly with fellow CCM performer Michael Card. Of this venture, Card testified: "Doing this project has enabled us to become real friends. And along the way, the denominational lines have become really meaningless to me, and to John, too" (CCM Magazine, July 1996). It is painfully obvious that doctrinal truth means nothing to these CCM performers.

* BILLY RAY HEARN is the Executive Director of the very influential Sparrow Corporation. His ecumenical spirit is evident in the following testimony: "John [Talbot] and I immediately developed a special bond--musically and spiritually. Even though he became a Franciscan Catholic and I was a Southern Baptist, we understood each other and loved each other in our differences" (from the cover to one of Talbot's CDs).

* SHEILA WALSH is a member of a charismatic congregation and frequently "performs" in charismatic settings. Together with roughly 20,000 Roman Catholics, she participated in the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit & World Evangelization in New Orleans in 1987.

* TWILA PARIS, popular CCM singer, has been associated with the charismatic-oriented Youth With A Mission (YWAM) since 1976. In an interview with a YWAM leader in New Orleans in 1987, I was told that a large number of the short-term workers with YWAM are Roman Catholics.

* PAT BOONE is a member of Jack Hayford's Foursquare Pentecostal Church. In 1996 Boone released an album of heavy-metal rock songs under the title "Pat Boone in a Metal Mood -- No More Mr. Nice Guy." There were songs by openly demonic rock groups such as Alice Cooper, Guns N' Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, and Judas Priest. On April 15, 1997, Boone's pastor joined him on a Trinity Broadcasting Network broadcast with Paul Crouch and defended his heavy metal album.

* Popular CCM singer SANDI PATTI is a member of the Church of God, Anderson, Indiana. Though not Pentecostal herself, she moves freely in Charismatic and ecumenical circles. In 1987 she performed for Pope John Paul II prior to his mass in the Los Angeles Coliseum.

* CCM trumpeter PHIL DRISCOLL attends an independent charismatic church and continually appears at Charismatic-Pentecostal churches and forums. He trumpeted, for example, at Kenneth Copeland meetings and at the radically ecumenical Washington for Jesus rallies. He has also been featured at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University.

* DINO KARTSONAKIS, popularly known simply as DINO, was the piano player for the divorced Pentecostal healer-evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman and frequently appears on the Trinity Broadcasting Network program with Paul and Jan Crouch.

* CARMAN is extremely popular, even in fundamental Baptist circles, but he is a charismatic-ecumenist and his unscriptural Pentecostal theology permeates his music. In his song "Satan, Bite the Dust," Carman claims that he has "been sent with a warrant from the body of Christ" to arrest the devil and to run every unclean spirit out of town. He claims to have the authority to cast out "depression, strife, disease and fear." In this strange song Carman asserts, "Satan, you coward, you molester of souls, I command you to appear." The Apostle Peter, though, tells us that even the angels do not bring railing accusations against the devil (2 Peter 2:11). Nowhere in the New Testament Scriptures do we see the Apostles and early Christians speaking to the devil in this manner. Carman then says: "I represent a whole new breed of Christian of today. And I'm authorized and deputized to blow you clean away." This is a probable reference to the New Order of the Latter Rain theology which claims that Christ's return will be preceded by a miracle revival whereby Christians will perform miracles and exercise kingdom authority over the powers of this present world. Some of the "prophets" which were popularized by John Wimber and the Vineyard movement, men such as Paul Cain, claim that God is raising up a "new breed" of end time Christian who will take authority over the devil.

Carman's theology is not only wrong, it is nonsense. He has not blown away the devil. He has not bound the devil. He has not arrested the devil. He has no power to command sickness to depart. He can pray and ask God to remove sickness, and God answers according to His will, but he cannot demand that sickness be healed. No Christian can. When Timothy was sick with frequent infirmities, the Apostle Paul did not command those infirmities to depart. Paul did not curse those infirmities as demonic. He did not say, "I bind out, foul infirmity." No, he said: "Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities" (1 Tim. 5:23). I will be glad to take any Charismatic preacher with me into a hospital and we will demonstrate right there which of us is doctrinally correct in this matter. If a Christian has the power to bind the devil and to cast out sicknesses, let's see it. Carman is confusing the minds of God's people and leading them away from the truth with his false doctrine.

In typical Charismatic style Carman rebukes the "demon of alcoholism" and the "spirit of infirmity," demanding that these "demons" depart. He proclaims, "We lay hands on the sick and they recover." In another song, "Our Turn Now," Carman exclaims: "World, you had your turn at bat / Now stand back and see / That it's our turn now / Some things gonna change / We're gonna bind the / Devil at every hand by / the power of Jesus' name." This is unadulterated Charismatic kingdom now, dominionism theology.

* The very popular DON FRANCISCO moves in the most radical charismatic circles. In November 1986, for example, he had a concert at Vineyard Christian Fellowship Southeast, Denver, Colorado. The Vineyard movement, founded by the late John Wimber, has promoted such unscriptural notions as continued prophecy, slaying in the spirit, miracle evangelism, and the laughing revival. Francisco's music is a mixture of "folk, rock and blues" music (from the cover to his Early Works album). He teaches the positive-only philosophy which is typical of the charismatic-ecumenical-new evangelical movements which are permeating Christianity in these apostate last hours. Consider his testimony: "I knew from my own experience that PAINTING A PICTURE, RATHER THAN POINTING A FINGER, was a much more effective way to get the Gospel into people's heads and hearts." It is strange that the Apostle Paul did not understand this. Consider his sermon to the unsaved pagans on Mars Hill. He preached against their idolatry and warned them of judgment to come (Acts 17). Sounds like "finger pointing" to me, not finger pointing in the sense of a holier-than-thou attitude, but finger pointing in the sense of proclaiming God's righteous judgment and calling men to repentance. Consider Paul's presentation of the Gospel in the book of Romans. It begins with God's holiness and His condemnation of man's sin. Only after this "finger pointing" is completed, does he get to the good news that Christ has made the atonement for sin. The love of God is not even mentioned until chapter five of Romans. The preachers in the early churches did not have the philosophy of modern Contemporary Christian Music. In fact, preachers only 50 years ago did not have this philosophy.

* CLAY CROSSE, one of the top 30 CCM artists of 1998, reveals his ecumenical philosophy in the song "Saving the World" --

"So many preachers / So many churches and denominations / Got their opinions and their documents / And statements and beliefs / and sometimes there's a miscommunication / And we complicate the truth / And convolute the story / But as far as I recall / I do believe it all comes down to a man dying on a cross / Saving the world / Rising from the dead / Doing what he said he would do / Loving everyone."

While it is true that the denominational divisions have complicated the truth and that there is miscommunication between professing Christians, Crosse leaves his listeners with the false and dangerous impression that doctrine and statements of faith are unimportant and unnecessary, that all that is important is the central fact of Christ's death and resurrection. The words to this song reflect the ecumenical philosophy of organizations such as Promise Keepers and March for Jesus. We must put aside doctrinal disputes and have unity among all who "love Jesus." This ecumenical philosophy lightly passes over the Bible's warnings about false teachers. It ignores the Bible's prophecies of worldwide apostasy. It fails to address Paul's warning that there are false christs and false gospels.

* THE VINEYARD churches, founded by the late JOHN WIMBER, have had a wide influence with their praise music. Wimber himself, who was the manager of the secular group The Righteous Brothers before his conversion, wrote many popular songs, and many of the Vineyard churches are noted for their influential music groups. The Vintage Vineyard Music series is advertised as "Vineyard's all-time worship classics THAT CONTINUE TO BE SUNG CROSS-DENOMINATIONALLY IN CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD." (As of 1990, 52 of the 53 songs in the Vineyard Songbook did not mention the cross of Jesus Christ.) Wimber conducted many "signs and wonders" conferences in various parts of the world, teaching the error that effective evangelism requires the working of miracles. Wimber spread great confusion through his allowance for extra-biblical revelation. Music groups from the Vineyard movement have performed at the influential Urbana youth conferences, sponsored by the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, since 1990. A Charisma magazine report on Urbana '90, noted that "delegates swayed and clapped to the beat" of the 11-piece Vineyard group. The music group had the young people raise their hands for "prayer for inner healing." (A Roman Catholic priest led one seminar at Urbana '90.) The Promise Keepers movement was founded by men involved in the Vineyard. PK founder Bill McCarthey is a member of a Vineyard church in Boulder, Colorado. The pastor of that church, James Ryle, and Randy Phillips, another member of his church, also are leaders in Promise Keepers. Ryle teaches that God is still raising up prophets in the churches and claims to receive many revelations from God through dreams and visions. In 1990 he claimed that he saw in a vision that the Beatles got their magically-popular music sound from an anointing by God, and that God eventually removed His anointing because they abused it. God allegedly implied to Ryle in the vision that He would place that same anointing upon musicians "in the church" in these last days.

Wimber frequently spoke on the same platform with Roman Catholic priests and apparently saw no serious problem with their doctrine. In 1986 Wimber joined Catholic priest Tom Forrest and Anglican Michael Harper at the European Festival of Faith, an ecumenical meeting in Birmingham, England. The Festival leaders and the 8,000 participants sent the Pope of Rome a message: "We are ready to join you in the united evangelism of Europe" (Australian Beacon, March 1988).

Wimber was a featured speaker at the North American Congress on the Holy Spirit & World Evangelization in Indianapolis, August 1990. In that forum he joined hands with roughly 12,000 Roman Catholics, including countless priests and nuns. A Catholic mass was held every morning of the convention. I was present at this conference with press credentials and heard Wimber speak.

In October 1991, the John Wimber conference in Sydney, Australia, featured Catholic priests Tom Forrest and Raniero Cantalamessa, as well as Catholic layman Kevin Ranaghan. At Indianapolis '90, which I attended with press credentials, I heard Tom Forrest say that he praises God for purgatory. Cantalamessa is the papal preacher at the Vatican. Ranaghan claims that the Roman Catholic Church alone contains the fullness of God and truth and that the Pope is the infallible head of all churches. In spite of their blasphemous heresies, these men were featured by Wimber as Spirit-filled men of God.

In his church planting seminar Wimber said there is nothing scripturally wrong with the Catholic practice of seeking healing through relics: "In the Catholic church for over a 1,200 year period people were healed as a result of touching the relics of the saints. We Protestants have difficulty with that ... but we healers shouldn't, because there's nothing theologically out of line with that."

Wimber was not only open to Roman Catholic doctrine but actively encouraged the reunification of Protestants with the church of Rome. "During the Vineyard pastors' conference, he went so far as to 'apologize' to the Catholic church on behalf of all Protestants ... He stated that 'the pope, who by the way is very responsive to the charismatic movement, and is himself a born-again evangelical, is preaching the Gospel as clear as anyone in the world today'" (John Wimber, Church Planting Seminar, audio tapes, 5 volumes, unedited, 1981, cited by Pastor John Goodwin).

DAVID RUIS is a popular song writer in the Vineyard movement. His song "Break Dividing Walls," calling for ecumenical unity, is widely used.

LINDELL COOLEY, the former music director at the Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida, calls his music Vineyard music.

The 1997 catalog from Vineyard Music features a "Winds of Worship" series which includes CDs from Toronto and Brownsville, focal points of the "Laughing Revival."

* The very popular and influential INTEGRITY MUSIC company (Integrity also owns HOSANNA MUSIC) rose out of the Charismatic movement and the music it spreads to 117 countries is of a Charismatic nature. Integrity recently recorded an album at the Brownsville Assembly of God. Don Moen is the "creative director" for Integrity. In an interview with the Pentecostal Evangel, a magazine published by the Assemblies of God, Moen described the power of the Laughing Revival music in these words: "Because something is imparted when you listen to this tape. I don't want it to sound spooky or mysterious, but there's something powerful about embracing the music of the revival. The fire of the revival can stir in you even as you listen to the songs that took place at the Brownsville revival" ("Don Moen Discusses Music at Brownsville Assembly," Pentecostal Evangel, November 10, 1996). The "revival" to which he refers is not a biblical revival; it is a "revival" in which people become drunken and stagger about and fall down and are unable to perform the most basic functions of life. The pastor at Brownsville, John Kilpatrick, testified that took him a half hour just to put on his socks when he was "drunk" with the Brownsville revival spirit. He has lain on the church platform for as long as four hours, unable to get up. His wife has been unable to cook their food or clean the house. Whatever this "revival" is, it is not something that is Bible based. Yet Moen testifies that this spirit can be imparted through the music.

Integrity's Hosanna! Music worship tapes include songs by ROBERT GAY, who records music from alleged prophesies given by charismatic "prophets." Gay has written hundreds of choruses, and many of them have been professionally recorded. Integrity has produced twelve of Gay's prophetic songs. Gay claims that the Holy Spirit gives him visions for his songs. Gay is connected with Bill Hamon's Christian International network of supposed prophetic ministries, which promotes the deception that God is continuing to give revelation through prophets and apostles today. Hamon claims that God will soon raise up new apostles who will operate in the miracle-working power of the first-century apostles and who will unite the churches and denominations. He claims that the Laughing Revival and Promise Keepers are part of this restoration process (Hamon, Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God's End-Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth, Santa Rosa Beach, CA: Christian International, 1997).

* Another church that is influential in the contemporary praise movement is HILLS CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTRE in Sydney, Australia. The worship leader is DARLENE ZSCHECH. The senior co-pastors are Brian Houston and his wife, Bobbie. Brian Houston's book "You Need More Money" teaches the way to prosperity through giving and "kingdom living." Houston says, "If you believe in Jesus, He will reward you here as well [as in Heaven]" ("The Lord's Profits," Sydney Morning Herald, January 30, 2003). When asked by the Sydney Morning Herald reporter why the church is so successful, Brian Houston replied, "We are scratching people where they are itching." That is right out of 2 Timothy 4:3, which is a warning of apostasy, of people who itch for a new kind of Christianity and of preachers will scratch this illicit itch. "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."

Zschech's song "Shout to the Lord" is used widely in contemporary worship circles. The album by that title remained No. 1 on "praise and worship charts" for over 30 weeks and is still in the top 10. It won Song of the Year at the Dove Awards in 1998. It has been estimated that it is sung by 30 million Christians around the world.

Zschech is not only a "worship leader" herself, but she trains worship leaders. The annual Hillsongs Conference, for example, draws hundreds who sit under her teaching. In 2001, 600 attended.

One of Zschech's themes is the importance of unity, which, of course, is the false ecumenical philosophy. For example, she makes the following comment about the album "You Shine" — "There is a new sound and a new song being proclaimed across the earth. It's the sound of a unified church, coming together, in one voice to magnify our magnificent Lord" (from the album cover).

She gives no warning about the fact that vast numbers of churches are apostate and that the Bible says that unity apart from doctrinal agreement is wrong. The New Testament warns repeatedly that the end of the church age will be characterized by apostasy and spiritual confusion rather than faithfulness to the truth (i.e. Matt. 24:3-4, 11, 24; 1 Tim. 4:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:13; 4:3-4; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 3-4). That is precisely what we see when we look at Christianity today. Yet, the authors of most of the modern praise music give almost no warning about apostasy.

In an interview with Christian Leader magazine, March-April 2002, Zschech said she had a vision about the importance of unity:

Q. What do you envision for the future of the contemporary worship movement?

Zschech: You know, I had this vision a few years ago of how God saw the worshippers and worship leaders, linked arm and arm – the "musos," the production personnel and everybody that is involved in the worship of God. There were no celebrities out in front. We were all together in the line just walking together. It was how I imagined God's heart for what we are doing. We were all in line, and we were slow, but we were all walking around and we weren't leaving anyone behind. We were taking everyone with us. But then I saw a picture of what it is like now, and although we were arm in arm, there was a struggle going on. People were running forward in pride while others were shrinking back out of insecurity. There was very little movement because of disunity. I think that means we've got to become strong people so that we can stand strong together. God says he will bless us, and when God says "blessing" it's an out-of-control blessing, but that only comes when we are bound together.

This is a vision of her own heart, because it is contrary to the Scriptures. The New Testament nowhere says that God's blessing is out of control or that it only comes when professing Christians are "bound together." To the contrary, the Bible says God's blessing is always under control, always orderly, never confused. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints" (1 Cor. 14:33). "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Cor. 14:39). Paul instructed Timothy to allow "no other doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:3). That is an extremely narrow approach to doctrinal purity, but it is the apostolic example that we are to follow until Christ returns.

This strict biblical attitude about doctrine is 180 degrees contrary to the philosophy of those who are creating the modern praise movement. They teach that the Holy Spirit cannot be "put in a box," meaning we cannot be sure how He will act and that He can create disorder and confusion. They teach that doctrine is less important than unity. They teach that women can be leaders. These philosophies are in open and direct rebellion to the Word of God.

In 2003, Darlene Zschech participated in Harvest '03 in Newcastle, NSW, north of Sydney, Australia. The ecumenical rock concert, which featured U.S.-based evangelist Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries, brought together a hodge-podge of churches, including Presbyterian, Assemblies of God, Anglican, Seventh-day Adventist, Church of Christ, and Roman Catholic ("Hunter Harvest -- Rock Evangelism," http://members.ozemail.com.au/~rseaborn/rock_evangelism.html). A participating Assemblies of God pastor stated, "The bridge building going between churches has been awesome." In reality, it was spiritual confusion and open disobedience to the Holy Scriptures (i.e., Matt. 7:15; Rom. 16:17; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; 2 Tim. 2:16-17; 3:5; 4:3-4; etc.). The Word of God commands us to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3), yet the aforementioned denominations each have dozens of heretical doctrines that are contrary to that faith, including the false gospels of baptismal regeneration and sacramentalism, both of which are under God's curse in Galatians 1.

In a 2004 interview with Christianity Today, Darlene Zschech again expressed her radical ecumenical philosophy: "I've been in the Catholic Church, in the United Church, the Anglican Church, and in many other churches, and when worship is offered in truth, this sound emerges-regardless of the style. It's the sound of the human heart connecting with its Maker" (quoted by Michael Herman, "Zschech, Please," christianitytoday.com, June 4, 2004). She doesn't explain how worship can be in truth in the context of denominations that teach grievous doctrinal error.

There is also the false Pentecostal latter rain theology in some of the Hillsong music.

"I believe the promise about the visions and the dreams/ That the Holy Spirit will be poured out/ And His power will be seen/ Well the time is now/ The place is here/ And His people have come in faith/ There's a mighty sound/ And a touch of fire/ When we've gathered in one place" ("I Believe the Presence" from Shout to the Lord).

THE "JESUS ONLY" MUSIC CONNECTION

Many of the most popular "praise songs" today were composed by men and women involved with the Oneness Pentecostal movement, which denies the Trinity and which baptizes only in the name of Jesus. A recent article in Charisma magazine (June 1997) noted that "most popular praise anthems sung in charismatic and evangelical churches today were composed by Oneness believers." The article gave these examples --

DOTTIE RAMBO, who was raised in a Oneness church, wrote "Behold the Lamb" and other songs.

JOEL HEMPHILL wrote "He's Still Working on Me."

LANNY WOLFE wrote "Greater Is He that Is in Me."

Songwriter GERON DAVIS wrote "Holy Ground" and "In the Presence of Jehovah."

The contemporary Christian recording group PHILLIPS, CRAIG AND DEAN is composed of three Oneness ministers.

The song "Mercy Seat," which is sung nightly at the Brownsville Assembly of God "revival" in Pensacola, Florida, was written by United Pentecostal Church (a Oneness group) worship leader MARK CAROUTHERS.

WORLDLINESSS

We witnessed the worldliness associated with the charismatic movement when we attended New Orleans '87 with press credentials. The leaders of that massive conference (more than 40,000 in attendance) brought in secular jazz artist Pete Fountain to entertain the crowds. In introducing Fountain and his band, fresh from their performances on wicked Burbon Street, the chairman of the conference, Vincent Synan, had the crowd of charismatics "give Pete a hand." Synan then had the crowd "give Jesus a hand." What the holy Lord Jesus Christ of the Bible had to do with this worldly mess, we have yet to figure out. The formalities over, the band proceeded with its concert of secular jazz while the charismatic crowd danced in the streets. The fact is that Fountain was playing exactly the same type of music that the charismatic groups were performing throughout the conference.

We reject the philosophy which suggests that the music which stirs up lust and wickedness at a rock concert or in a bar room or a jazz hall can be sanctified for the Lord's use. We believe worldly music produces worldliness, sensual music produces sensuality. Most Contemporary Christian Music does not produce holiness of life and separation from the world. In the 1980s, Pentecostal preacher David Wilkerson changed his position on jazzy music and began to lift his voice against Christian rock. In his book Set the Trumpet to Thy Mouth in 1985 he said:

"One of the reasons God's Spirit was lifted from the Jesus Movement of the last decade was their refusal to forsake their old music. They gave up pot, heroin, alcohol, promiscuous sex, and they even gave up perverted lifestyles. But they refused to give up their beloved rock ... Amazing! I say its hold is stronger than drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. It is the biggest mass addiction in the world's history. ... rock music, as used and performed in Christian circles, is of the same satanic seed as that which is called punk, heavy metal, and is performed in devilish rock concerts worldwide."

In 1991 Wilkerson gave the following warning: "About five years ago I became disheartened when many pastors opened up their churches to rock concerts. Teenagers went wild, dancing in the aisles, going straight out of church and into back seats of cars for sex. Parents wrote to me brokenhearted, saying, 'My teenager was on fire for God. Then our pastor and youth pastor brought in these wild groups, and I lost my son. He is backslidden. He got an appetite for occult music right in our own church.'"

We use Wilkerson as an example here, not because we agree with him completely in theology, but because he himself is a long-time Pentecostal leader and yet he recognizes the danger of this type of music. We agree with this assessment and we would urge our readers to avoid the worldly Contemporary Christian Music which incorporates the same rhythms one can hear in a bar room. Worldly music will produce worldliness.

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" (Galatians 6:7-8).

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever" (1 John 2:15-17).

KIND PRODUCES KIND

Further, we are convinced that music which is produced by ecumenists and which is used to promote charismatic experience and ecumenism, cannot be used to produce sound Biblical faith and practice. By the laws which God put into this world, Contemporary Christian Music will produce in kind. Like produces like. The Bible warns, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Corinthians 15:33). If we associate closely with those who are disobeying the Word of God, we will be infected with their disobedience. Be not deceived. The church which gravitates toward ecumenical charismatic music will be moved away from a strong Bible stand. There is a spiritual power behind the Contemporary Christian Music.

Though we do not agree with the aforementioned quote by Integrity music company creative director Don Moen in calling the Brownsville phenomenon a revival, we do agree with his assessment that the spirit of the Brownsville meetings is imparted somewhat through the beat music which is being used there. In our visits to various Charismatic churches and conferences for our reporting through the years, we have observed that the music is always the same. It is a fleshly combination of beat music and mood music; you can dance to it and romance to it. On a video that I have in my library, Brownsville Assembly of God music director Lindell Cooley noted that he could sing some of the "revival songs" to a wife or a girlfriend. It is a sensual music for people who are seeking experiences and who are living a sensuous type of Christian life.

We are not saying that simply listening to the Vineyard- or Toronto- or Brownsville-type music will knock people to the ground and cause them to start exhibiting Laughing Revival manifestations. We have heard of that happening, but it is more likely that people listening to this music will pick up the unscriptural philosophy behind it. The philosophy is one of non-judgmentalism, ecumenism, a carnal "love" divorced from righteousness and judgment.

It is the worldly people in fundamentalist Bible-believing churches who are drawn to the ecumenical-charismatic beat music, and it reinforces their carnality and draws them even further from their church's biblical standards. Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) encourages carnality, and carnality draws folk to CCM.

In a perceptive article on the music at Brownsville, Pastor Joseph Chambers makes the following comments:

"The music minister at Brownsville Assembly of God in Pensacola, Florida, Lindell Cooley, defined the music of the 'revival' as 'honky music.' That word is an excellent description of Beatle's music, as well as Pensacola's music. The dictionary defines 'honky' as an adjective, which means 'cheap entertainment or jangly piano music' (Chambers English Dictionary, W&R Chambers, Ltd., 1990, p. 683). Jangly music is dissonant, described as 'not agreeing or harmonizing in sound, a combination of musical sounds that call for resolution or produces beats' (Ibid., p. 412). This is clearly Beatles' music and it is an excellent description of the music that has invaded the church. Instead of quieting the human spirit, as music was created to accomplish, it arouses the human spirit and guides the person into unfamiliar realms of the emotions. It is perfect for creating altered states or a hypnotic condition. It is clearly music designed to do the opposite of what our creator ordained.

"There are two main songs that appear to help drive the Pensacola impartations. The first is what appears to be the theme, The River Is Here. ... This song is New Age to the core. It is void of truth, treats God in a generic fashion, and suggests that God's grace and glory flows from a river. Notice the term, 'And all who touch it can be revived.' Standing in the Brownsville church, I watched almost everyone dance, jump, jerk, shake, or swoon to this song. It captured the crowd, but it absolutely was not the Holy Spirit. After forty-five years of [experiencing and practicing] Biblical worship, it clearly showed no kin [to true worship].

"The other song is on the opposite side of the pendulum. The above song is hypnotic in a mood-altering fashion. The second song gets you read to be zapped. It is named We Will Ride, and is usually sung right before Evangelist Hill takes the services. ... I have no way of knowing the mind of the composer, but it certainly does not fit historic theology.

"Jesus is not riding a white horse, but is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will ride this horse after the Rapture and the Great Tribulation when He returns to fight the Battle of Armageddon. Revelation, chapter six, suggests a White Horse rider with a crown and a bow, but this is judgment against the wicked and is certainly not when the saints ride. Most Bible teachers call this rider the Antichrist or the going forth of righteousness and judgment.

"This appears to be in perfect accord with the theology of the Vineyard Church and their Joel's Army of conquerors. It is called Dominion Theology and denies the traditional Rapture of the church. The words of these two songs are certainly confusing, but the spirit ... is even more dangerous. Why would we even consider this kind of music to sing to the Lord Jesus Christ? The truth is that we would not, because this music is not sung to Jesus Christ; it is sung to a new Jesus and by a totally different spirit.

"The transition from honoring the Lord Jesus with singing and praise to honoring a false Jesus takes place first in the soul. The worshipper is not conscious of this transition and may be absolutely sincere and honest. The best way to notice that this transition has begun is the new arrogance and unapproachableness of those passing through this paradigm. The word paradigm describes the New Age idea of transition between two world views. ... It's easy to make the transition. Leave your theology at home. Don't question the big name who is dispensing this power. Open up and drink. Do not ask questions, for questions and Biblical reasoning is a solid block against this change. Even a young Christian with little experience is a stalwart against this deception if they cling to the Word of God and refuse to be swooned by the crowd controllers. ...

"Dr. David A. Noebel said of the Beatles' Music, 'The hard fact is that in this present revolutionary era, heavy beat music has become the catalyst for the young radicals in their announced plans not only to destroy Western culture, but to dethrone God. And few can really deny that the Beatles have and are playing a strategic and crucial role in the spiritual and cultural demise of the West and in the proposed destruction of Christianity throughout the world' (David A. Noebel, The Beatles, A Study in Drugs, Sex and Revolution, p. 8).

"The Beatles' music has now finished duping the world and is now in the sanctuary" (Joseph Chambers, "Beatles' Music at Pensacola," The End Times, March-April 1997, p. 3).

Pastor Chambers is an old-line Pentecostal and we differ theologically, but we are thankful for his stand against the charismatic rock-mood music and we agree with his assessment of the music at Brownsville. Rock music cannot be sanctified for the Lord's use because it is fleshly and does not minister to the spirit. I am not speaking merely of the words; I am speaking of the rhythms. Before I was saved in 1974 at age 23, I lived a very wicked lifestyle and my music was rock music. Rock music fits a wicked lifestyle. Rock music perfectly fits the bar, the dance hall, the night club, the pool hall, the house of prostitution. Rock music fits the tavern but it does not fit the Lord's house. It was created by rebels who brazenly love those things which God's Word says are evil. After I was saved I desired God to purify and use my life, and one of the first things He dealt with was my music. I knew that I had a choice: I could love the world or I could love the Lord. God's Word tells me that I cannot serve two masters. I cannot say I love the Lord when I love those things which the Lord's hates. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). It was a real struggle with the flesh to give up rock music, because I absolutely loved it and I had listened to it practically every waking moment for many years. I found that when I did turn my back on rock music and stop listening to it for personal pleasure, I learned to love wholesome music. It took a little time, but my perverted taste in music was transformed. Ever since then, I have had a holy hatred of rock music. I believe God did this in me. The Charismatic crowd loves experiences. Well, I have had some powerful experiences, and learning to hate rock music was one of them.

I realize the whole world has been taken over by rock music. I realize that it is impossible to get away from it entirely. It is everywhere, in the shops, in commercials, at every sporting event, you name it. To get entirely away from rock music one would have to go out of the world, as Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:10. He told us that this is not God's will. We are called to be IN the world to witness to the world, but not OF the world to be influenced by the world. It is like a boat. It is right for the boat to be in the water, but it is wrong for the water to be in the boat. While I cannot get entirely away from rock music as long as I remain in this wicked world, I do not have to willfully bring rock music into my life. I have often praised the Lord that one blessed day I will finally and completely be delivered from all rock music. You see, I don't believe there is any rock music in Heaven. I do not believe the holy Lord of Glory likes rock music. I believe it is unclean, and no unclean thing will enter into God's paradise (Rev. 21:27). Until that Day, I will endure whatever amount of rock music I am forced to hear along life's way in this present evil world, and at the same time I will strive to keep rock music's unholy influence out of my life, home, and church.

Someone might be saying, "You are impossibly old fashioned and out of date; the times are passing you by and you will soon be all alone and lacking all influence like an old fossil." If that is the case, so be it. I don't care if all of the professing Christians in the whole world decide that rock music is a proper medium for the service of God. (This won't happen, praise the Lord.) I refuse to go along with this foolishness. Rock music is carnal at best and it cannot be sanctified for the Master's use.

CONCLUSION

We do not believe God is the author of the charismatic movement, with its ecumenical goals, its false doctrine, and its strange unscriptural phenomenon. The Bible tells us He is not the author of confusion. We believe there are saved people within the movement, but the movement itself is unscriptural. We believe, in fact, that this is part of a movement prophesied in Scripture as the end-times apostasy which will result in a one-world harlot "church." This is described in many New Testament passages (i.e., Matt. 24:3-4,11,24; 1 Timothy 4:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:4-6; Jude 3-16; 1 John 2:18-19; 1 John 4:1; etc.), culminating in the description given in Revelation 17-18. That there are genuinely saved people in this movement is implied in Revelation 18:4, which says: "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." God calls His people out of the end-time apostasy.

We, therefore, reject the charismatic movement AND ITS MUSIC .

I'm praying for an understanding if my own composition "I thank you Lord" is considered CCM. It sounds pleasant to the ears but have no biblical verses in it. Written with my feelings and own conviction, and not from any biblical text, I sincerely do not know if its wrong. I had prayed hard to God to give me a song during the time of its composition, and I composed this song. Could this be an answered prayer? This song that I composed lifts up my spirit in times of uncertainty, in times of hardship, pain and sorrow. Its like a tribute to God for taking me out of blindness and into the light. Its like my prayer to God. If anyone could give me feedback on my song, I would be very grateful.

My dear brothers and sisters in christ, always be careful of the songs you listen too...
Pray for me. Thank you and God bless you all.

Fossils Do Not Prove Evolution

2006-08-28T22:30:00.000-07:00

My friend told me about fossils and told me that it proves the earth is over millions of years old. But it just doesn't prove anything.

Fossils Do Not Prove Evolution

Author: Bruce Malone

Fossils. The very name brings to mind images of untold ages past. . . dinosaurs roaming ancient swamps. . . slow but steady progression as simple sea life was transformed into today's complex variety. Is this an accurate reconstruction of the past of the past or is a worldwide flood the correct explanation of the fossil record?

Fossils are the preserved evidence of past life. They are found in every part of the world, including the tops of the highest mountains. They may be as simple as a seashell which has left a permanent impression in sandstone or as grandiose as a giant plesiosaur whose bones have turned to rock after rapid burial. The fossils themselves tell us neither their age nor how they became encased in the rock layers. Rather, they must be interpreted within some view of earth history. Many people have been led to believe that the existence of fossils proves that millions of years have passed. In reality, fossils can form quite rapidly. Heat and pressure from rapid burial can accelerate the fossilization process. Geologic conditions following a worldwide flood would have exceeded anything imaginable today and must have led to the rapid fossilization of the plants and animals on a massive scale.

Fossilization can happen rapidly under the right conditions, but it is a rare event today. Yet there are mass burial sites throughout the world that are tightly packed with millions of fossils. Apparently, billions of organisms were washed together by the mass destruction of the worldwide flood, completely buried, and rapidly fossilized. These massive and extensive fossil graveyards would be the predictable result of a worldwide flood, but would of a worldwide flood, but would hardly fit the slow accumulation model which continues to be taught as the primary explanation of the fossil record. Something dramatically different must have happened in the past to have caused the wide spread fossilization which we find all over our planet. Noah's flood would have been this event.

Geologists and paleontologists operating from a Christian worldview acknowledge the possibility that a worldwide catastrophe buried unimaginable amounts of plants and animals. This was the disaster documented in the first book of the Bible. It lasted at least one year and had reverberations which lasted for centuries. Sea creatures would have been buried first (the salinity and temperature of the oceans would have changed during the catastrophe, wiping out massive numbers of these sea creatures). Even after the flood, plant and animal extinction would have been common as many types of creatures failed to adapt to dramatically changing conditions.

Although any order of burial in a flood would be possible, the general tendency would be for sea life to be buried in the lower rock layers and land animals to be buried in different rock layers corresponding to their ecological niche. This tendency is generally found.

Creation geologists (and there are many of them) believe that the majority of the geologic record is a result of geologic activity during and subsequent to the year-long worldwide flood. This flood would have been an incredible complex event.

Geologist and paleontologists operating from an evolutionary world view acknowledge local catastrophes, but do not allow consideration of a worldwide flood. This would wipe out the "slow change over eons of time" interpretation of the fossils which is needed to continue believing in evolution.

Only one interpretation of the evidence can be correct and only one interpretation of the evidence agrees with what the Bible claims is the history of our planet.

Does carbon dating prove the Earth is millions of years old?

2006-08-28T22:24:00.000-07:00

Many of my friends often ask me about the earth being millions of years old. They say science proves it. Lets see what this author has to say about it.

Does carbon dating prove the Earth is millions of years old?

Author: Dr. Kent Hovind

Whenever the worldview of evolution is questioned, this topic always comes up. Let me first explain how carbon dating works and then show you the assumptions it is based on. Radiation from the sun strikes the atmosphere of the earth all day long. This energy converts about 21 pounds of nitrogen into radioactive carbon 14. This radioactive carbon 14 slowly decays back into normal, stable nitrogen. Extensive laboratory testing has shown that about half of the C-14 molecules will decay in 5730 years. This is called the half-life. After another 5730 years half of the remaining C-14 will decay leaving only ¼ of the original C-14. It goes from ½ to ¼ to 1/8, etc. In theory it would never totally disappear, but after about 5 half lives the difference is not measurable with any degree of accuracy. This is why most people say carbon dating is only good for objects less than 40,000 years old. Nothing on earth carbon dates in the millions of years, because the scope of carbon dating only extends a few thousand years. Willard Libby invented the carbon dating technique in the early 1950's. The amount of carbon 14 in the atmosphere today (about .0000765%), is assumed there would be the same amount found in living plants or animals since the plants breath CO2 and animals eat plants. Carbon 14 is the radio-active version of carbon.

Since sunlight causes the formation of C-14 in the atmosphere, and normal radioactive decay takes it out, there must be a point where the formation rate and the decay rate equalizes. This is called the point of equilibrium. Let me illustrate: If you were trying to fill a barrel with water but there were holes drilled up the side of the barrel, as you filled the barrel it would begin leaking out the holes. At some point you would be putting it in and it would be leaking out at the same rate. You will not be able to fill the barrel past this point of equilibrium. In the same way the C-14 is being formed and decaying simultaneously. A freshly created earth would require about 30,000 years for the amount of C-14 in the atmosphere to reach this point of equilibrium because it would leak out as it is being filled. Tests indicate that the earth has still not reached equilibrium. There is more C-14 in the atmosphere now than there was 40 years ago. This would prove the earth is not yet 30,000 years old! This also means that plants and animals that lived in the past had less C-14 in them than do plants and animals today. Just this one fact totally upsets data obtained by C-14 dating.

The carbon in the atmosphere normally combines with oxygen to make carbon dioxide (CO2). Plants breathe CO2 and make it part of their tissue. Animals eat the plants and make it part of their tissues. A very small percentage of the carbon plants take in is radioactive C-14. When a plant or animal dies it stops taking in air and food so it should not be able to get any new C-14. The C-14 in the plant or animal will begin to decay back to normal nitrogen. The older an object is, the less carbon-14 it contains. One gram of carbon from living plant material causes a Geiger counter to click 16 times per minute as the C-14 decays. A sample that causes 8 clicks per minute would be 5,730 years old (the sample has gone through one half life), and so on. (See chart on page 46 about C-14). Although this technique looks good at first, carbon-14 dating rests on two simple assumptions. They are, obviously, assuming the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere has always been constant, and its rate of decay has always been constant. Neither of these assumptions is provable or reasonable.

An illustration may help: Imagine you found a candle burning in a room, and you wanted to determine how long it was burning before you found it. You could measure the present height of the candle (say, seven inches) and the rate of burn (say, an inch per hour). In order to find the length of time since the candle was lit we would be forced to make some assumptions. We would, obviously, have to assume that the candle has always burned at the same rate, and assumes an initial height of the candle.

The answer changes based on the assumptions. Similarly, scientists do not know that the carbon-14 decay rate has been constant. They do not know that the amount of carbon-14 in the atmosphere is constant. Present testing shows the amount of C-14 in the atmosphere has been increasing since it was first measured in the 1950's. This may be tied in to the declining strength of the magnetic field.

My Composition

2006-06-10T08:32:00.000-07:00

I composed a song not too long ago, before my A-level Prelims... it has since been written out in score and note form... Thanks to God for the inspiration he gave me.

I Thank you Lord

I once was lost in sin and shame,

Felt that life was nothing but a game,

Lived each day as though the same,

Like many others, blind and lame.

My life was always dull and plain,

There was much of sorrow, grief and pain,

There were times when I felt so faint

Ending my life would've been such a gain.

Chorus:

And I thank you Lord,

For calling my name.

And I thank you Lord,

For cleansing my stain.

With your blood set me free,

Made me able to see,

And I thank you Lord,

And I thank you Lord.

With Jesus, Life is not the same,

Many habits did I have to change,

Living life with meaning each day,

Without complain of burden or pain.

With Christ, I am now born again,

My sins have all been washed away,

My past I put aside,

And now I live with Christ by my side.

My life I give to you, O Lord,

I pray, you'll lead me with your word,

Give me strength with each new day,

Whether at school at work or at play.

I want to do your will, O Lord,

Grant me love, wisdom and faithfulness,

Use my mouth to praise your name,

Sharing your Word, both night and day.

My friend, I pray for you each day,

That someday, God may show you the way,

Open your eyes that you may realize,

How precious you are in God's eyes.

Dear friend, perhaps you might not know,

That Jesus really loves you so,

Maybe when you receive him too,

Your heart may echo this same tune.

Roman Catholicism - Apostolic or Apostate?

2005-10-02T19:25:00.000-07:00

Roman Catholicism - Apostolic or Apostate?

Is the Roman Catholic Church the one true church founded by Christ, or an apostate church that has departed from the faith of the apostles? This question had a very clear-cut answer 400 years ago when the Reformers departed from the heretical teaching of Popes. Today, however, there are many evangelicals who are not so sure.

Jude warned the church to contend for the faith against apostates who attempt to steal away disciples. In verse 4 of his epistle, he wrote, "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only sovereign and Lord." Jude identifies the apostates by certain characteristics. They are ungodly because they supplant God's sovereign authority with an authority of their own. Apostates turn the grace of God into a commodity that can be bought, bartered or merited. They pervert the gospel of grace into a gospel of works. They deny the supremacy and sovereignty of Christ and give His divine attributes and titles to others. They deny the sufficiency of the word and work of Christ. It is these impostors who lead people away from "the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." Do any of these characteristics convict the Catholic Church of being apostate? Let us compare them with teachings from the new Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph numbers are in parenthesis).

Apostates teach a different gospel

The Catholic Church has nullified the Gospel of grace by adding additional requirements for salvation. It teaches baptism (1257), church membership (845), the sacraments (1129), obeying the commandments (2068), good works (1821) and the sacrifice of the mass (1405) are all necessary for salvation. This is another gospel, and those who teach it are condemned as severely as Paul condemned the Judaizers for teaching a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Catholic priests are needed to dispense salvation through seven sacraments. From baptism through purgatory, Catholics are taught they can gain a right standing before God by what they do instead of believing what God has done for them through Christ. Catholics are taught they "can merit the graces needed for the attainment of eternal life" (2027). Each Catholic must attain their own salvation (1477).

Apostates deny salvation on the merits of Christ alone

The Catholic Church teaches that through indulgences "Catholics can attain their own salvation and at the same time cooperate in saving their brothers" (1477). The pope claims to have the power to transfer the merits of one sinner to another to reduce their punishment for sin. "An indulgence is a remission of the temporal punishment due to sins which the sinner gains through the Church, which... dispenses from the Vatican treasury...the prayers and good works of Mary and all the saints" (1471-79). Rome also "commends almsgiving and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead" (1032). From Scripture we know that "no man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him, the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough" (Psalm 49:7-8).

Apostates condemn the Gospel of grace

For over 400 years Rome has not only preached a different gospel but also has condemned anyone who believes the glorious Gospel of grace. Many Christians are unaware the Councils of Trent and Vatican II issued over 100 anathema's (condemnations) on anyone who believes salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. All these condemnations are still in effect today as evidenced by these two examples:

"If anyone says the sinner is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification, let him be anathema."

The Catholic Church, "condemns with anathema those who say that indulgences are useless or that the Church does not have the power to grant them."

Rome also condemns anyone who believes they are assured of eternal life. This anathema denies the words of Christ, who said, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28). For those who reject the words of Christ, Jesus said, "there is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I spoke will condemn him at the last day" (John 12:48). Catholics must recognize there are more serious consequences for being condemned by the infallible Word of God than by the fallible teachings of their church.

Apostates deny the sufficiency of Christ's atonement.

Catholic teaching denies that Christ's sacrifice was sufficient to expiate all the guilt and punishment of sin. Instead they teach a cleansing fire is needed for "those who are expiating their sins in purgatory" (1475). The doctrine of Purgatory is an utter denial of the sufficiency of Christ's perfect sacrifice for sin, yet Catholics are asked to accept it as a grace (1473). The pope has the power to bring them out of purgatory, but refuses to do so, unless indulgences are offered in their name. "All who die still imperfectly purified undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven" (1030).

Rome teaches that Catholics can carry their own cross to expiate their sins and the sins of others (1474-77). What a glaring contradiction this is. The cross of the sinless and perfect savior is said to be insufficient to expiate sins, yet the cross of lowly sinners is said to be sufficient to do what Christ could not do. No priest can tell Catholics how many indulgences are needed or how long one has to suffer for each sin. This only perpetuates a religious system that holds Catholics in bondage and at the mercy of their church indefinitely. However, the writer of Hebrews declared, "For by one offering He [Jesus] has perfected for all time those who are sanctified" (10:14), and "after [Christ] had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven" (1:3).

Apostates deny Christ's sacrifice is finished

The Catholic Church teaches the sacrifice of Jesus must continue daily on its altars for the reparation of the sins of the living and the dead (1414). This is done so that sins may be expiated and the wrath of God may be appeased. Although Scriptures teach the Lord's supper is a memorial, Rome declares it is a real sacrifice and asserts Jesus is immolated (killed) as a sacrificial victim each time the Mass is offered. "The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice" (1367). Rome claims the priest has the power to call Jesus down from heaven, and transubstantiate a wafer into his physical body, blood, soul and divinity. After almighty God has been reduced to a lifeless, inanimate piece of bread the priest lifts it up to be worshipped. The priest then re-presents Jesus Christ as a sacrifice to the Father. This practice is strongly rebuked by Scripture. Paul wrote "we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again...the death he died, he died to sin once for all" (Romans 6:9-10). In anticipation that apostates would declare Christ is present when He is not, Jesus warned us, if anyone says to you, "'Look here is the Christ,' or 'There He is!' do not believe it" (Matthew 24:23). When Jesus "offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God...there is no longer any sacrifice for sin" (Hebrews 10: 12,18). To deny the words of our blood stained Savior, who said "It is finished" is to reject the essential doctrine of the Gospel (John 19:30). For if the work of redemption is not finished then all humanity remains condemned to hell and dead in their sins.

Apostates deny the sufficiency and authority of God's Word

Rome declares that Scripture along with "tradition must be accepted and honored with equal sentiments of devotion and reverence." Pagan traditions and practices began tainting the doctrinal purity of the early church when it ignored the rebuke of Jesus concerning tradition. Jesus firmly denounced religious leaders for allowing their traditions to nullify the Word of God (Mark 7:6-13). Apostates show a lack of awe and reverence of God's sovereign power by supplanting His authority with an authority of their own. They do this by removing, adding, and altering the inspired Word of God.

Catholic Bishops have removed the 2nd commandment of God in their new Catechism (page 496). It is no wonder Rome removed the commandment, which forbids the making and worshipping of statues. There are huge profits that have been made from the sale of statues. In the 16th century Rome added the Apocrypha to its canon of inspired books in an attempt to justify its doctrine of Purgatory. Rome should take heed of the warnings God gives to those who add to His word. "Do not add to his words or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar" (Prov. 30:6).

Apostates demand submission to mediators other than Christ

Catholics must submit to the pope who "by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, has full supreme and universal power over the whole church, a power he can exercise unhindered" (882). They must also submit to The Magisterium, which is said to be the infallible teaching authority of the Church. Catholics are taught they cannot receive forgiveness for mortal sins unless they confess to yet another mediator, a priest. Catholics also seek Mary as a mediator who has been elevated to Mediatrix, Co-redeemer, and Advocate by Rome. Yet Scripture reveals Jesus is the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus alone is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, [and] exalted above the heavens" (Hebrews 7:26).

Is the Roman Catholic Church guilty of apostasy? The evidence is overwhelming. The truth must be told in love with courage and conviction. The eternal destiny of millions of precious souls hangs in the balance. The Catholic Church has fallen away from the faith of the apostles and gone the way of apostates.

How are Christians to respond? Toward individual Catholics we must obey the Scriptures, and call them out of their apostate churches (Revelation 18:4). We must proclaim the true Gospel and make disciples of them! Toward the religious system that holds Catholics in bondage, we must expose their unfruitful deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). We must correct and rebuke their false teaching (2 Tim 4:2) and contend for the faith (Jude 3). And finally we must avoid those who oppose sound doctrine (Romans 16:17). This means refusing to join hands with apostates "to advance the mission of Christ." It means rebuking the ecumenical thrust for unity at the expense of truth. We must obey the Scriptures for the glory and purpose of Christ. May He be exalted and praised in all that we do!

Hail Mary?

2005-09-29T23:01:00.000-07:00

Hail Mary?

The prayer life of the Roman Catholic is quite different from the Bible believing Christian. The predominant prayer in the life of almost any catholic is the "Hail Mary." It goes like this: "HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE, THE LORD IS WITH THEE. BLESSED ART THOU AMONG WOMEN AND BLESSED IS THE FRUIT OF THY WOMB, JESUS. HOLY MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, PRAY FOR US SINNERS, NOW AND AT THE HOUR OF OUR DEATH. AMEN." The statements made in this prayer are quite significant. Allow us to look at them one at a time and compare them with the word of God to see if there is a basis for such a prayer at all.

1) Hail Mary-The word "hail" brings with it today the connotation of royalty, nobility and power. It is a greeting given to someone of great power, influence and preeminence. We know very well that is the position that Roman Catholicism places on Mary. For example: the principle form of prayer for most Catholics is the "rosary." The rosary is a system of beads where a prayer is said for each bead. The beads are a way to count the prayers and to know where and when to say a particular prayer. In this "rosary," ten prayers are said to Mary for every one that is said to God the Father. In other words Mary is preeminent ten to one over God! Mary is referred to as the "mother of the church," "the second eve," "the queen of heaven." The queen of the universe," "co-redemptrix," "co-mediator," and if that were not enough, the head of the Roman Catholic Church has dedicated the world on at least two occasions, not to the savior Jesus Christ, but to Mary. When he was shot in an assassination attempt, he thanked and credited Mary with saving him! Attributing praise and worship to humans that have no basis to receive such is not uncommon in forms of religious and political paganism, e.g., "Hail Caesar" or "Hail Hitler."

2) Full of Grace-Wow! What a statement. The teaching is clear. Mary was not ordinary, but was in fact "full" of grace. She must have been special to be "full of grace," right? What does God's word have to say on the matter? John chapter 1 is like a giant spotlight on this subject. It clearly tells us that Jesus Christ is the one that is full of grace. Mary is never said to be full of grace in the scripture. John goes on to tell us in verse 16 that we are all full of His grace and truth, because all believers have Jesus dwelling within them. Only in this sense could Mary have been full of grace. The grace would have been the savior she carried in her womb and after Pentecost, the spirit of Christ that lives in every believer.

3) The Lord is with thee-The Lord is with every believer or they are not in fact a believer (Rom. 8:9)

4) Blessed art thou among women-While this statement is certainly biblical, it must be understood in the light of biblical truth and not as a result of subjective interpretation. The New Testament was written in "koine" Greek as opposed to classical. There are several words in the Greek language for blessed, just like there are several words for "love," each having a different meaning or carrying with it a particular connotation. A failure to examine the underlying text is a gross mistake on the part of the student of God's Word. The word translated "blessed" when speaking of Mary is not the same word used when referring to our Lord. The word used for Mary means to pronounce fortunate, and indeed she was. On the other hand the word used for blessed when referring to our Lord means to be adored. Quite a difference, wouldn't you say? You may even wish to check your concordance to see if there is a woman whom the Bible says is blessed "above" women.

5) Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus-Without a doubt this is the truth that should be the focus: the Lord Jesus, the Messiah and savior of the world. This should be the emphasis and not Mary. Many, though, know not what they worship.

6) Holy Mary, Mother of God-What a statement! Is it true? Not by any stretch of the imagination. The Bible clearly teaches that the only HOLY one is God. Mary in what is known as her Magnificat, rejoices in God HER SAVIOR (Lk.1: 47). Holiness does not need saving. Mary, after the birth of Jesus, offers a sacrifice for HER SINS. Holiness need not offer a sacrifice for sins. Mary, as any believer, received her righteousness as a gift from the Father. There was nothing inherently holy about Mary. Even Thomas Aquinas denies the "immaculate conception" of Mary. Regarding the "Mother of God" statement much not need be said. God was not born nor was He created. Mary gave birth to the "humanity" of Jesus. Jesus was God, because He is God! The statement "Mother of God" developed out of a reaction to the denial of the Deity of Jesus by some. That overreaction has resulted in the tail wagging the dog so to speak. Mary was the vessel by which the incarnation took place but she was not the supplier of Divine chromosomes.

7) Pray for us sinners-Mary does not pray for you or me. She does not even know that we exist. If she could know millions and millions of people then she would be a God! While I can pray for you if you were to ask me to, I am alive here on earth. If I would know that you were asking me to pray for you from a thousand miles away, then I would be like God. Do you get the picture? Mary has been clearly given the attributes of God. The adjective "sinners" is used because all good Catholics are still trying to pay for their sin debt. Failing to realize that when Christ said, "it is finished," He meant it. When God the Father declared it through Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20, He certainly was not kidding.

8) Now and at the hour of our death-"Now," she could not even if she wanted to. "At the hour of our death," why? Please tell me what would be the purpose of such a prayer (if one could be made) at the hour of our death? Further, she again would have to be a "GOD" to know where and when we were going to die.

9) Amen-A permanent amen should be given to prayers to anyone other than God. The Father is to be the recipient of all prayer.

In summary, allow me to say that Mary was a wonderful vessel that the Father used. Mary was chosen for these reasons:

1. She was a fine, virtuous, faithful to the law Jewish maiden.
2. She was of the "seed" of King David.
3. She was a virgin.

These qualifications were the biblical reasons to choose her. Not havin just one of these prerequisites would have caused God's prophecies to fail. Did Mary play an important role in the Bible? Yes, but so did Noah and Joseph, etc. Remember, Jesus never called Mary Mother. Not even once! No Apostle ever asks her opinion on anything. No one in the Bible ever asks Mary to pray for them. After the first chapter of the fifth book of the New Testament she is never mentioned again, and then only in a list of other believers.

Please allow the Scripture to bring you to a true understanding of Mary the Mother of Jesus.

Do you know Mary?

2005-09-29T22:47:00.000-07:00

Do you know Mary?

I wonder, do you know the Mary of Mary's Well, in Nazareth, Israel, and of the Gospels? She was a very special woman, blessed by God, and occupies a unique place in history. There has never been another woman just like her. She is an example to all women of purity, humility, faith and obedience. But I'd like you to notice some things that the Rosary says about Mary:

Holy Mary, pray for us...
Queen of heaven
Queen conceived without stain of sin
Ark of the Covenant
Door of heaven
Star of the morning
Healer of the sick
Refuge of sinners
Queen of the angels
Queen of the patriarchs
Queen of the confessors
Queen of all saints
Mystic Rose
Tower of David
Holy Mother of God
Holy Virgin of virgins
Mother of divine grace
Virgin worthy of veneration
Virgin worthy of praise
Powerful virgin
Merciful Virgin
Mirror of righteousness
Throne of wisdom
Source of our joy
Spiritual vessel
Venerable vessel

Yes, these things and many more are said about the Mary of the Rosary, the woman who is presented to us as the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you really know her? Perhaps you think so because they have told you about her since you were a child, but let's see if you really know the Mary of the Scriptures.

Take the example of John the Baptist. The Lord Jesus said that John was the greatest of the prophets, but when they asked John, "Who are you?" he refused to take any title or honor for himself. He said, "I am not the Christ... I am not...no" (John 1:20-21). Each time he spoke he had less to say about himself, as if he were shrinking! And when they insisted, "What do you say concerning yourself?" he answered, "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness" (John 1:23).

The case of Mary is similar. She was specially blessed of God to conceive and bear the Lord Jesus, and the angel called her "highly favored" (Luke 1:28). But there is a great distance between this statement and all the titles that the followers and devotees of Mary give her today. And as in the case of John the Baptist, if we allow Mary to speak of herself, this is what she says, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord" (Luke 1:38), and "my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47). Mary did not lie, I’m sure we agree, and there you have it, she said that God was her Savior, which means she needed to be saved. She knew well who she was, and we have it from her own mouth in the humblest of words.

John the Baptist, the greatest of the prophets, said about the Lord Jesus, "he must increase but I must decrease" (John 3:30). This is the way it was with Mary as well. In John 2:5 she moved into the background and told the servants this about Jesus, "Whatever He says to you, do it." If the devotees of Mary really believed her and took her advice, from this moment forward they would be devotees of Jesus Christ, not of Mary. The key to eternal life and the grace of God is the Lord Jesus Christ, not Mary. The Lord Jesus said, "that all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father" (John 5:23). We are not told to honor Mary as divine or heavenly. There is no place in the Scriptures where the Apostles or early Christians prayed to Mary or venerated her. Did you know that there is no Rosary anywhere in the New Testament? When the Lord Jesus spoke of heaven, He said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6). He never said, "To Jesus through Mary," but rather, as His words indicate, the way to God the Father is through Jesus Christ. So let's not allow ourselves to be deceived, nor allow our respect for Mary to be misguided by traditions or sentimentalism. She is blessed, but she is not the way to God. The Lord Jesus Christ is the way, the only way (see Peter's words in Acts 4:12).

Who, then, is the Mary of the Bible? To answer that question we will need to go directly to the Scriptures, not to the Missal, prayer book, catechisms, etc. It's like drinking water right from the fountainhead, instead of the muddy stream. In the Bible we have already seen that the angel said, "highly favored," and Mary replied, "Behold, the handmaid of the Lord". The Lord Jesus called her, "woman" (John 2:4), not "holy mother". The Apostles knew her as "Mary the mother of Jesus" (Acts 1:14), not as "Mother of God". For true believers, here are four texts, one from an angel, one from Mary herself, one from the Lord Jesus, and one from the Apostles, that describe the Biblical Mary.

Strangely, in spite of the clear record, there are people who insist on exalting a humble godly woman and making her something that neither angels, apostles, the Lord nor Mary herself claimed to be: a goddess. Perhaps they are unaware that this is the sin of idolatry, but the Mary that they have fabricated is a religious legend, not the true Mary of the Bible. It is another woman disguised as Mary who receives the devotion of her followers.

She is not the mother of God. No one in heaven, or in the Church in the New Testament called Mary "Mother of God," because God does not have a mother or a beginning; He is eternal. God the Son existed in heaven in perfect fellowship and glory with the Father before creation (see John 17:5). Mary is the mother of Jesus, simply the human vessel through which God became flesh, blessed to receive the Incarnate Lord, not to make Him.

She is most certainly not the door of heaven, for this is a phrase that describes the Lord Jesus Christ. As with many of her titles, they have apparently been robbed from Christ, long years ago, by people who didn't really know Him, love Him, follow Him, or find Him to be sufficient as their Savior. Were they sincere? Probably. But the simple fact is, they insult the Lord Jesus by taking His titles and giving them to His human mother. He said, "I am the door, by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:9). That is about as clear as it can be. Therefore, to call Mary the door of heaven is nothing less than blasphemy.

She is not the mother of the Church, nor of the apostles (at least not of the true Church), because the Church is a creation of God through the Holy Spirit, just as Adam and Eve were created without human parents. The Church is the bride of the Lord Jesus Christ, not the daughter of Mary. Therefore, to present Mary as the mother of the Church is not mystic, but simply ridiculous.

The Mary of the Bible is not the mother of all grace, because grace proceeds uniquely from God the Father and Jesus Christ (see Gal.1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Thess. 1:1, etc.). It is not dispensed by humans but received by them, nor is it dispensed by churches or through sacraments, but only by God. Men should look to God for grace, not to Mary nor to any church.

She is not the throne of wisdom, because wisdom comes from God. She is not given a throne and has no spiritual wisdom to give others. We can learn from her example how to believe God and obey Him in a humble way, but she does not dispense wisdom. True wisdom descends from above, from the Father of lights (James 1:17; 3:17). There is no such thing as a "mother of lights".

She is emphatically not the queen of heaven, let's be clear about this, because the Bible never gives her this title. There is no queen ruling in heaven. The throne belongs to God and to the Lamb, but not to Mary (see Revelation 7:15,17; 22:1). In John 14:1 the Lord called heaven, "my Father's house," but never said it was His mother's house. Those who know the Holy Scriptures know that "queen of heaven" is an idolatrous title from the pagan mythology of Babylon (Semiramis), repeated in Egypt (Isis) and elsewhere by other names (see Jeremiah 44:15-19, 25). According to verse 15 of this text, many of the devotees of the pagan "queen of heaven" were women. This pagan practice of devotion to female deities invaded the professing church after the Roman Emperor legalized Christianity and professed to believe, making it popular. Instead of being persecuted, Christians were to be allowed to build temples to worship in, and some pagans erased the names of their gods and goddesses and substituted Biblical names. Instead of the Babylonian mother-god Semiramis and her son Tammuz, or the Egyptian mother-god Isis, and her son Horus, they put the names Mary and Jesus. This practice of devotion to the mother and her son is neither Christian, nor apostolic, nor Biblical.

We are not told to believe in Mary, trust her, nor pray to her. The Lord Jesus said, "Ye believe in God, believe also in me" (John 14:1) but He never said, "believe also in my mother." If it were necessary, why didn't He say so? He taught the disciples to pray in that wonderful way, saying, "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name" but have you noticed that He never taught them to pray to Mary? Christ said that whatever we ask the Father in His name, will be given us (John 15:16; 16:23). We can go directly to the Father through the Son, and Mary is never presented as a mediatrix or intercessor. No one in the New Testament ever prayed to her. The true Mary cannot hear our prayers nor answer them. She would have to be omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent to do that, and she is not, for she is not God. Anyone who prays to her is guilty of false religion and idolatry.

The Mary of the Bible has already told us who she is. I invite you to look up and read each of the Scriptures, and see for yourself what the truth is in the Bible. The angel Gabriel has spoken. The Holy Apostles have spoken. The Lord Jesus has spoken, and this should be enough. He said, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30), but never mentioned Mary in this way. Nothing can be added to contradict or modify what the Scriptures say. But if in spite of this anyone continues venerating and practicing devotion to the legendary or mystical Mary that certain churches promote, then such a person shows that he is not a true believer. He is a pagan devotee of a goddess who uses the name of Mary to turn people away from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Friend, if you have venerated or prayed to Mary, I think you can see from the Scriptures such behavior is not pleasing to God. Perhaps you did it sincerely, but in ignorance. Nevertheless, now that you know the truth, you should confess it as sin, repent, and put all your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, for He alone can save you. I hope you'll take the advice of Mary and do whatever the Son says. He says that we should trust in Him for eternal life (John 3:16). And while you're at it, take the advice of John the Baptist, too, and let the Lord Jesus Christ increase in your life. The apostolic doctrine teaches us that there is one God and one mediator between God and men, not one God and many mediators. The one whose is both God and Mediator is named Christ Jesus. Do you know Him, and have you put your trust in Him alone for salvation? If not, I hope you'll do so right now.

The Forsaking of Jesus Christ

2005-09-29T18:53:00.000-07:00

The Forsaking of Jesus Christ

Have you heard what Pope John Paul II has been saying about Jesus Christ? One of the reasons Roman Catholics are uncertain about their salvation is because of the deranged teaching that is coming out of the Vatican. The conflicting pronouncements of the pope are making him appear more and more like a double-minded man, unstable in all he does (James 1:8). While he consistently rejects the necessity and sufficiency of Jesus Christ as the Savior, he has been inconsistent on the role of the Roman Catholic Church's in salvation. In less than 3 years, Pope John Paul has renounced the Word of God with three controversial declarations: 1) knowledge of Jesus Christ or His church is not necessary for salvation; 2) the Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation; 3) members of other religions can be saved even if Jesus Christ is not recognized as savior. Let us examine the pope's well-documented statements in the light of Scripture.

The Vatican Information Service (VIS) reported what the Pope had to say on the Seeds of Truth in Non-Christian Religions:

"The Holy Father explained the Holy Spirit is mysteriously present in the heart of every person. Through the practice of what is good in their own religious traditions, and following the dictates of their consciences, members of other religions positively respond to God's invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even though they may not recognize Him as their Savior." (VIS, 9/9/98)

Two years later, in his papal encyclical Dominus Iesus, John Paul denies the sufficiency of Christ by proclaiming the Roman Catholic Church is necessary and efficacious in saving the world:

"The Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation." It declares that: "God has willed that the Church founded by him be the instrument for the salvation of all humanity." (VIS, 9/6/00)

Three months later, the pope once again contradicts himself in message to a general audience at the Vatican:

"The Gospel teaches us that those who live in accordance with the Beatitudes - the poor in spirit, the pure of heart, those who bear lovingly the sufferings of life - will enter God's Kingdom. All who seek God with a sincere heart, including those who do not know Christ and his Church, contribute under the influence of grace to the building of this Kingdom." (VIS, 12/6/00)

It is because of fallacious teachings such as these that sinners are diverted away from the narrow gate that leads to life (Mat. 7:13). The Roman Catholic Church has a history of false teachers who have stood in front of the narrow gate pointing gullible, lazy, undiscerning victims to the broad road that leads to destruction. In doing so, they shut off the kingdom of heaven from men (Mat. 23:13). Only the few people who strive to enter the narrow gate can ever find it (Luke 13:24). It takes effort to avoid being deceived by false apostles masquerading as apostles of Christ (2 Cor. 11:13). It takes discipline to examine every teaching in light of Scripture (Acts 17:11). It takes an unwavering loyalty to truth to reject anything that does not conform with God's word (Eph. 5:11).

The Bible boldly and clearly proclaims the Lord Jesus Christ as God's only provision for sin. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. Sinners need Jesus as the way, the truth and the life because they are lost, deceived and spiritually dead.

Why is Jesus the only way?
When you are lost you need to know the way, and if there is only one way, you need to know Jesus. "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Whenever lost sheep hear His voice they will follow Him and be saved (John 10:3-9). God's way is through His Son and leads to life. Man's way is through self righteousness and leads to death. There is a way which seems right to a man but its end is the way of death (Prov. 14:12). Jesus is a sinner's only approach to a holy, righteous and just God because sin has made man unrighteous. God's holiness demands perfect righteousness; nothing impure can enter into heaven (Rev. 21:27). Jesus is the only way because the perfect righteousness He earned during His life on earth is necessary to enter into heaven. The righteousness we need to enter heaven is nothing less than the very righteousness of Jesus. God credits His righteousness to all who trust Him. Jesus becomes our righteousness when we believe He is the only way (1 Cor. 1:30).

Why is Jesus the truth we need?

People are easily taken captive through philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men and the elementary principles of the world (Col. 2:8). For this reason Jesus came into the world to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32). He sets people free from the bondage of deception. Jesus is not only the personification of truth, His word is truth (John 17:17). Those who reject His word are rejecting Him as well (John 12:48). The world needs a standard for truth because Satan leads the whole world astray through false teachers and false prophets (1 John 5:19; Rev. 12:9). The only way to discern God's truth from Satan's lies is to use Christ and His Word as the ultimate standard for truth. To use any other standard is to invite deception.

Why is Jesus the life we need?

We are born spiritually dead in sin. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned (Rom. 5:12). It is for this reason Jesus announced, "unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). When one is born again he receives the life of Christ. Jesus declared, "He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life" (1 John 5:12). Jesus gives life to whom He wishes (John 5:21). Paul describes the new birth, "when you were dead in your transgressions...He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions (Col. 2:13). The gift of eternal life is "eternal" because it is the very life of Jesus, who can never die again (Rom. 6:6-9).

Why is Jesus the only mediator?

Whenever two parties are at enmity with one another a mediator is needed. The relationship unforgiven sinners have with God is one of hostility and wrath. A mediator is one who can effect a change in the relationship with God, from one of hostility to one of peace and harmony. Jesus Christ is the only one qualified to do this. He is God's perfect man and man's perfect God. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2:5). Only in Christ Jesus can those who formerly were far off, be brought near by the blood of Christ. Only in Christ can the sin, that separated us from God, be removed (Isaiah 59:2). For He Himself is our peace, who... broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity...through the cross (Eph. 2:13-16). Only in Christ, can believers be permanently united with God forever (Rom. 8:31-39).

Why is Jesus the only savior?

Peter proclaimed: "there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Jesus is the only savior because no other man can pay the price. No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him-For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever (Psalm 49:7-8). The redemption of a sinner’s soul requires an infinite payment because the debt for sin is eternal. The debt is punishment in the eternal lake of fire (Rev. 20:14). Even after a thousand years in hell, the debt owed is still infinite. It is utterly impossible for a finite man to pay an infinite debt. Only an infinite and eternal God can pay the eternal debt for sin. Jesus paid it in full "having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Col. 2:14).

Jesus Christ is necessary!

Putting aside the fallacious and deceptive teachings of Pope John Paul II, it is perfectly clear that Jesus Christ is the only way, the only mediator, the only name, the only savior and the only provision for sinners to escape the wrath of God. He is the truth that can set Roman Catholics free from the bondage of papal deceit. He is the life that can awaken souls dead in their sins.
The night before Jesus went to the cross to experience the cup of God's wrath, He sweat drops of blood and prayed, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42). Jesus asked His Father-if there is any other way by which sinners can be saved, reveal it to me now. The heavens were silent because there is no other way. Christ had to die for sins, once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God (1 Pet. 3:18).

If there is anything incomplete in Christ, then He did not satisfy God's justice and He did not finish the work of redemption, which He declared He had done (John 17:4). The pope makes Christ out to be a liar and makes a mockery of Christianity. His pronouncements are blasphemous insults to Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ is forsaken when any other way of salvation is proclaimed. I would use stronger language if I could find the words.
When will Roman Catholics wake up and hold their pope accountable for what he says? How long will they allow their "infallible" leader to deny Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. When will more Christians openly and publicly rebuke this pope for proclaiming another gospel that leads millions to a Christless eternity? When will evangelicals recognize this man is not a servant of God but an enemy of Christ and His Gospel?

People must decide whether it is wiser and safer to trust the infallible word of God as a guide or to believe the teaching of a man who foolishly usurps the authority and role of Jesus Christ, and who tells you God's word does not mean what it says.

Roman Catholic Belief on Indulgences

2005-09-29T18:41:00.000-07:00

Roman Catholic Belief on Indulgences

Catholics are in error if they think the Church has "dropped its old belief in indulgences" which have the power to remove them from purgatory more quickly. Further, "Many Catholics simply don't know what indulgences are."

Indulgences are various acts of piety, offered by the Church, which the Church claims offer remission of temporal punishment due to forgiven sins in virtue of the merit of Christ and His Church. Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma defines an indulgence as "the extra-sacramental remission of the temporal punishments of sin remaining after the forgiveness of the guilt of sin." In other words, the guilt for sins may have been removed by the atonement of Christ and the sacraments, but the punishment for them is not: "We can be forgiven [our sins], yet still have to suffer."

There are two kinds of indulgences. First, those which are "easy" to perform (called partial indulgences) and second, those which are more difficult to perform (called plenary indulgences). The difference concerns how much punishment for sin they remove. Plenary indulgences remove all temporal punishment due to sin while partial indulgences only remove part of the punishment due to sin. "This punishment may come either in this life, in the form of various sufferings, or in the next life, in purgatory. We don't get rid of here [through indulgences] what we suffer there [in purgatory]."

The Catholic Encyclopedia explains the rationale for indulgences when it declares,

The remission of the temporal punishment due for sins and hence, the satisfaction owed to God for one's sins is called an indulgence... indulgences granted by the Church may be gained for oneself or for the souls in purgatory.... The granting of indulgences is founded upon three doctrines of Catholic faith: the treasury of the merits of the communion of saints, Christ himself, and the Blessed Virgin and the saints.

Catholicism maintains that indulgences are necessary because it holds that when people sin, God's justice requires a punishment beyond that given to Christ on the cross. Amends must be made to God by some means, whether by indulgences or through the miseries and trials of life, or through death, or through purifying sufferings in purgatory. Indulgences are thus offered to the faithful as a means to escape God's punishment.
Again, on what basis does the Catholic Church offer such indulgences? On the basis of the merit of others having special spiritual quality: Because Christ, Mary and the relatively small number of Catholic saints have all provided "superabundant satisfactions" to God through their merits, the Church believes it can offer these same merits to the Catholic believer in exchange for remission of punishment.

In other words, because of the infinite merits of Christ plus those of the Virgin Mary and the Catholic saints, the Church argues it has the prerogative to administer the benefits of these indulgences "in consideration of the prayers or the pious works undertaken by the faithful."
Supposedly, the requirements for a plenary indulgence are tougher than for a partial. Thus, plenary indulgences (remitting all temporal punishment for sin) were offered to those who partook in the Crusades against the Muslims.

But on the other hand, today, merely performing the Sign of the Cross is an indulgence having great merit:

The Sign of the Cross is the most frequently used sacramental of the Church. The sign is a repetition in motion of the symbol of our salvation, the cross on which Christ died.... The faithful, as often as they devoutly sign themselves with the sign of the cross, are granted an indulgence of three years; whenever they make the same holy sign with blessed water, they may gain an indulgence of seven years.

Devotion to Mary and the Rosary are also "highly indulgenced" by Roman Catholicism:

While the devotion to the Blessed Mary through recitation of the Rosary is recommended for all, it is strongly advised for all who study for the priesthood One of the many indulgences attached to the devotion [of Mary] is that the faithful who recite the Rosary together in a family group, besides the partial indulgence of ten years, are granted a plenary indulgence twice a month, if they perform this recitation daily for a month, go to confession, receive Holy Communion, and visit some Church or public oratory.

Indulgences are also granted for visits of the faithful to various Catholic shrines, some of which were built in honor of Marian apparitions.

But indulgences are received only by performing the specific work and/or requirements to which the indulgence is attached. For example, three conditions are necessary to gain a plenary indulgence in addition to performing the work itself: sacramental confession, eucharistic communion, and prayer for the Pope-as well as the absence of all willful attachment to sin-even venial ("minor") sin.

Under proper conditions, indulgences are actually applied to the dead in purgatory for the reduction of the degree of suffering and the length of time it must be endured.

The modern Catholic Church has made it clear that if a person bought an indulgence merely to get some soul out of purgatory or for buying forgiveness of sins, that this was wrong. The Church never officially condoned the massive abuses of the practice, although it did clearly share in the responsibility for them.

Nevertheless, indulgences can play an important role in the salvation both of individuals on earth as well as in purgatory after death. Still, it must be remembered that this remission of punishment due sin only occurs after the guilt and eternal punishment of sin have been remitted by adherence to Catholic practice. Thus, "The Church grants such indulgences after the guilt of sin and its eternal punishment have been remitted by sacramental absolution or by perfect contrition." Once again, when we see a teaching like this-that the "guilt of sin and its eternal punishment" are remitted by the sacraments-we can only question Catholicism's commitment to the full efficacy of Christ's atonement.

Past Popes taught destructive heresies

2005-09-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Past Popes taught destructive heresies

Roman Catholics would be wise to take heed to what the Apostles Peter and Paul wrote concerning the future of the church. Peter warned, "There will also be false teachers among you who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who brought them" (2 Peter 2:1). Paul likewise issued this warning: "I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears" (Acts 20:29-31).

In spite of these warnings the Roman Catholic Church elevates the authority of its popes to be equal to the authority of God, thus making the church easy prey for the deceptive schemes of the devil. It declares that all of its popes are infallible. This means, they cannot err in matters of faith and morals. The source of their infallibility is said to be the Holy Spirit, who protects the supreme teacher of the church from error and therefore from misleading the people of God. We know that Peter, who Roman Catholics declare was their first pope, was not infallible. He erred when he was "not straightforward about the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:14).

As we examine the writings of Roman Catholic popes throughout history, it is obvious the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writers of the New Testament, is not the spirit who protects popes from error. Popes have denied God and His word by naming other ways of salvation. The lack of discernment of Roman Catholics is evidenced by their staunch and unbending loyalty to popes who reject the words of the one and only Savior. Jesus said: "I am the way, and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Most Roman Catholic popes have even denied the words of Peter, who they consider the original pope. Peter wrote: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Let us examine the other names popes have offered as the way of salvation:

Salvation Only Through Mary

The foundation of all our confidence is found in the Virgin Mary. God has committed to her the treasury of all good things, in order that everyone may know that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation. For this is His will: that we obtain everything through Mary. Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation! Pope Pius IX

For, since it is the will of Divine Providence that we should have the God-Man through Mary, there is no other way for us to receive Christ except from her hands. Pope Pius X

He will not taste death forever who, in his dying moments, has recourse to the Blessed Virgin Mary. What will it cost you to save us? Has not Jesus placed in your hands all the treasures of His grace and mercy? You sit crowned as Queen at the right hand of your Son: your dominion reaches as far as the heavens, and to you are subject the earth and all creatures dwelling thereon. Your dominion reaches even down into the abyss of Hell, and you alone O Mary, save us from the hands of Satan. Pope Pius XI

Nothing comes to us except through the mediation of Mary, for such is the will of God. O Virgin Most Holy, no one abounds in the knowledge of God except through thee; no one O Mother of God, attains salvation except through thee! Every one of the multitudes, therefore, whom the evil of calamitous circumstances has stolen away from Catholic unity, must be born again to Christ by that same Mother whom God has endowed with a never-failing fertility to bring forth a holy people. Pope Leo XIII

Mary, not one of thy devout servants has ever perished; may I, too, be saved! Pope Benedict XV

Salvation Only Through The Catholic Church
Outside this Church there is no salvation and no remission of sins. Pope Boniface VIII

We believe with our hearts and confess with our lips but one Church, not that of heretics, but the Holy Roman, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, outside of which we believe that no one is saved. Pope Innocent III

He who is separated from the Catholic Church will not have life. He who is separated from the body of the Catholic Church, however praiseworthy his conduct may seem otherwise, will never enjoy eternal life, and the wrath of God remains on him by reason of the crime of which he is guilty in living separated from Christ…. All those who are separated from the holy universal Church will not be saved. Pope Gregory XVI

It must be held as a matter of faith that outside the Apostolic Roman Church no one can be saved, that the Church is the only Ark of Salvation, and that whoever does not enter it will perish in the Flood. It is a sin to believe that there is salvation outside the Catholic Church! You must indeed see to it that the faithful have fixed firmly in their minds the absolute necessity of the Catholic faith for attaining salvation. Protestantism is the Great Revolt against God. Pope Pius IX

Those outside the Church do not possess the Holy Ghost. The Catholic Church alone is the Body of Christ... and if separated from the Body of Christ he is not one of His members, nor is he fed by His Spirit. Pope Paul VI

No one, even if he pours out his blood for the name of Christ, can be saved unless he remains within the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church. Pope Eugene IV

Salvation Only Through Popes
We declare, say, define, and pronounce that it is absolutely necessary for the salvation of every human creature to be subject to the Roman Pontiff. Pope Boniface VIII

Into this fold of Jesus Christ no man may enter unless he be led by the Sovereign Pontiff, and only if they be united to him can men be saved. Pope John XXIII

Those who are obstinate toward the authority of the Church and the Roman Pontiff... cannot obtain eternal salvation. Pope Pius IX

To summarize, Roman Pontiffs throughout history have shut off the kingdom of heaven from men by proclaiming a false gospel. These destructive heresies have sent millions to their graves with a false hope. One day they will come before Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment and realize they were deceived about life's most important decision-whom will I trust for eternal life. They were duped into trusting men rather than obeying God's Word. "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man" (Psalm 118:8). "Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation" (Psalm 146:3). "Cursed is the one who trusts in man... but blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord" (Jeremiah 17:5-7).

There is good news for the one billion Catholics who follow the pope today. They can still repent from these destructive heresies of their church and believe the glorious Gospel of grace. By turning from the teachings and traditions of fallible men to the imperishable seed, the living and abiding Word of God, they can know the truth and be set free from the bondage of deception. May God give them the grace to do so! As the Apostle Paul prayed, so I also pray, that their love and loyalty to God will grow stronger than their love and loyalty to their popes. "And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment" (Phil 1:9). May they test all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thes. 5:21).

All pope quotes are found in The Apostolic Digest, Sacred Heart Press, Irving, TX, 1987.

Purgatory and Limbo

2005-07-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

Purgatory and Limbo of The Roman Catholic Church

The words written in Bold will be my comments and my quotations from the KJV bible...

Purgatory

Sacred Scripture and the constant faith of the Church affirm that heaven and hell, as places, exist. Roman Catholic Christians and other Christians also profess belief in a state of being, not a place, called "purgatory." The term "purgatory" is not found in the Bible; but neither are other such important Christian beliefs such as "Trinity" and "Incarnation." now they try and say, you people also have words not mentioned in the bible? so why can't we? Now... the word Trinity is what we call our 3 in 1 God. We did not invent anything new or proclaim any false truth. It is stated in the bible 1John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word(Son), and the Holy Ghost; and these three agree in one." I have heard that people say there are contraditions with Mark 12:29 "And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord;" I do not see any contradition with this verse and the other. Jesus is just plaining telling the people that there is only 1 God... refer to verse 32 "the scribe said unto him, Well Master, thous hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:"... See any contradiction now? The word "Trinity" is not wrong in anyway, because it is just a word to represent a truth in the bible. The word "Purgatory" itself is not wrong. But it is used to represent something that is not ever intended to exist. I'll carry on to show you what misconception people have about the verses quoted by the Catholic Church.

About Incarnation, even the Catholic Church believes in it, and Now they turn around and scold us for using the word Incarnation. What irony. The word incarnation signifies that Christ was Born, like a man into this earth. Its is a fact again, not anything that is not stated in the bible. Not inference, but direct truth. Refer to some verses... Gen 3:15, Gen 12:3, Matt 1:16-18, Luke 1:26-35.. Just ask me if you need more quotes to prove his incarnation... Purgatory... Lets now see what the Catholic Church says about it.

Purgatory is defined as a state of being, the continuing process of purgation or purification of the soul after human death. It is a state of perfection--begun in baptism and faith-consummated after death, entered into only by those who are saved. In other words, our transformation in Christ (Rom 13:14, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ")(But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.) This verse is telling us to practice christ-likeness. Wrong quotation to mean to go through purgatory first to be like christ. , our perfection in the holiness of the Father (1 Pet 1:16, "Be holy, because I (am) holy")(1Pet 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient Children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.) Same here, the Catholic Church likes to quote fragments of verses to support it's beliefs. If you read from verse 13 onwards, It is Peter telling us to be Christ-like again. To be a good testimony to others. Be holy in conversation... No where does it say we will go to purgatory to become holy like God. is not ended at our physical death. Purgatory is a sign of God's mercy on those who have honestly sought to know God and to do His will in this life and yet die in some degree of bondage to sin or the effects of sin. There are only 2 verses i can quote to show you that if you are really a child of God, You are free of sin. You are not under bondage of sin or the effect of sin, unless you are not born again, or you are just a physically professing Christian, not a real believer. the Verses are Romans 6:18,22 "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.... How can one keep sinning knowingly and claim to be a child of God? All we need to pray for forgiveness. 1John 1 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness... How can we be righteous again? Refer to 1John 1.

The Church has only two official teachings concerning purgatory:

it exists, (Who says so? The Roman Catholic Church or God) Who will you listen to? Man or God? and
our prayers help the souls in purgatory. (This is only claimed in Macabees, where the bulk of contradictions in the Catholic Bible is found.)

God is revealed as perfect interior holiness.

Is 6:3: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!" they (the Seraphim) cried one to the other. How does this show that purgatory exist? It is just a dying ploy to try and claim something that does not exist.

We are called to that same holiness.

Lv 19:2: "Speak to the whole Israelite community and tell them: Be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy." Yes this is true. But still... How do we be holy? Going to purgatory?
1 Pet 1:15-16: As he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct (Conversation), for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy."

Who can stand in the face of the holiness of God? the answer is No one. But if we are children of God, will you fear to see your father? Unless all is just an act.

Ps 15:1: Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy mountain? why leave out verse 2? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart... and verse 3,4,5??? Why leave it out? I thought the writer was searhing for an answer? SO where is it?
Ps 66:18: Had I cherished evil in my heart, the Lord would not have heard. that is because David sinned. But what did he do? He prayed. Again the writer purposely left out verse 19 and 20... But verily God hth heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
Heb 12:14: Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. As usual, read the whole Hebrews 12, and you will see it is an Exhortation to Faith and be faithful, and be christlike...
Eph 5:3: Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones. "But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints" Are we saints? Yes if we have really accepted christ as our personal lord and savior. SO what should we do? We should flee from sin.
Ex 33:18-20: Then Moses said, "Do let me see your glory!" He (Yahweh) answered, "I will make all my beauty pass before you, and in your presence I will pronounce my name, 'Lord'; I who show favors to whom I will, I who grant mercy to whom I will. But my face you cannot see, for no man sees me and still lives." Oh.. Now the Catholic Church quotes the whole verse, because it somehow seems like it can support Purgatory.. No one can see the face of the lord because he is too Holy... Any any man that sees his face will perish. Okay. Still, this verse does not say if you cannot see God unless you go through Purgatory.
Rev 21:27: ... but nothing unclean will enter it (the City of God), nor any (one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. Okay... the first part of the verse says nothing unclean, or abomination will enter the gates of heaven... EXCEPT those names written in the Book of life. So. Are you born again? are you going to Heaven? ARE YOU GOING TO PURGATORY FIRST??? Did God say that there are those who are unclean and tell lies and do abominable things but their names are written in the book of life. and they will go to a place to be cleansed of their sins before they can enter??? NO!!!
Eph 5:25-27: Christ loved the church and handed himself over for her (the Church) to sanctify her, cleansing her by the bath of water with the word, that he might present to himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Is the Catholic church or any other Protestant church today without blemish? I do not think so. There are flaws in every church... AND obviously, God didn't mean the Church to be the physical church as the Catholics have claimed for centuries. God did not die for the Catholic Church only, but for the whole world... The Church is a whole assembly of believers who really confess with all their hearts that Jesus Christ is LORD, Not specifically the Catholic Church.

We are deprived of the vision of God because of our sinfulness. But there is a divine purging fire which can heal us.

Heb 12:29: For our God is a consuming fire. Where is Purgatory in this argument?
Heb 12:6,10: For whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges. ... but he does so for our benefit, in order that we may share his holiness. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness." The lord punishes us in his own way. He allows bad things to befall us when we sin. It is indeed for our own good. But still, Purgatory is not in the Picture.
Is 6:5-7: Then I (Isaiah) said, "Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with it. "See," he said, "now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged." Yes. A miracle happened here. The lord wanted to assure Isaiah that he was not doomed, as he still had to carry out the work of the Lord. It was just an assurance. God could have just told him. But we sometimes would rather see something done rather than said. Thats why God showed him a sign to comfort him. As before? will we all go to purgatory, and seraphims will touch our lips with coals before we ascend to heaven? No...
1 Cor 3:11-15: For no one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, the work of each will come to light, for the Day will disclose it. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire (itself) will test the quality of each one's work. If the work stands that someone built upon the foundation, that person will receive a wage. But if someone's work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire. Okay... as usual, I've heard this from many Catholics who insist the existance of Purgatory. Do you read the whole chapter or only a few verses to assure yourself? Do you know in what Context God said that? To state it simply, the Lord is trying to say that, no matter how great your works are on earth, and how great you proclaim to believe in the lord, Persecution will show whether you are really in the Lord or were just "acting". The fire here does not refer to Purgatory. You can say you believe with all your heart, but when persecution comes your way, you turn your back on christ. That is the testing of your faith... If your have true faith, your works are built upon Jesus Christ. If your Faith is false, you have built your house upon Gold, silver, precious stones, wood hay and stubble... Which will be easily burnt by fire... And only persecution will show who the real believers are.
1 Pet 1:7: The genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Now you see? The genuineness of your faith... It is stated so clearly here. No more comments.

Jesus implies that our sins can be forgiven in the next world. The next World? It is either Heaven or Hell.. You choose.

Mt 12:32: And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. What does it mean in the age to come... Purgatory?

Scripture from the Greek Septuagint, the Old Testament of Christ, the Evangelists and Paul, and of the councils of Hippo and Carthage, affirm purgatory. The Catholics would rather trust the words of man rather than God, and you yourselves can see, the word of Popes, Priests and tradition carried down from olden days hold more water than the word of God.

2 Mc 12:42-46 Macabees 1 and 2 Greatly contradict the bible... There is no other contradiction in the bible other than the extra 7 books that the catholic church added in in 1546. That is why the catholics do not trust wholeheartedly in the bible. They see contradiction. But who added in the Contradiction? They themselves.: Turning to supplication, they prayed that the sinful deed might be fully blotted out. The noble Judas warned the soldiers to keep themselves free from sin, for they had seen with their own eyes what had happened because of the sin of those who had fallen. He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death. But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought. Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin. This is really in Macabees... Which stands so strongly for the existance of Purgatory.... Written by Who??? its unknown... Maybe by some Catholic leader?

Experience teaches us that there are people who die so suddenly, they have not had the opportunity to confess their sins, but are not guilty of serious "death dealing" sin and separation from God. God Judges everyone according to their sin... The unborn children, the people who never heard the gospel, all are judged according to God's own methods... Who are we to say where they go? God does not say in the bible what happens to these people... He didn't say they were going to heaven, or hell, or even purgatory. Assume all you want.

The constant (it is in no way constant) faith of the Church affirms the belief in purgatory.(True faith lies in the believing of God's Word)

From the earliest of times, the Fathers of the Church taught the existence of purgatory: Tertullian (Rome, 160 - 220?), Origen (Alexandria, 185 - 254?), Cyprian (Carthage, 200 - 258), Ambrose (Tier, 340 - 397), Augustine (Numidia, 354 - 430), Basil (Caesarea, 329 - 379), Gregory of Nazianzus (in Cappadocia, 329 - 389), John Chrysostom (Antioch, 349 - 407), Gregory the Great (Rome, 540 - 604), and many others. following the crowd? Since many others sin? Why not i sin? Is that a vaild excuse?

The teaching Magisterium of the Church also affirms the belief in purgatory. year after year, flaw after flaw, lies after lies, cover up one after another, There is never a day when the Catholic Church will admit they are wrong.

Council of Lyons II (1274): We believe ... that the souls, by the purifying compensation are purged after death.
Council of Florence: Repeated the Council of Lyons II.
Council of Trent (1545-1563): We constantly hold that purgatory exists, and that the souls of the faithful there detained are helped by the prayers of the faithful.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 1031: The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture (which were all wrong referance and interpretation), speaks of cleansing fire.
As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand (No... You do not understand... You assume.. You hope... You dream. There is no truth in Purgatory) that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.
Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 1472 (year after year, the catholic church teaches this. It is no wonder, so many people accept it as the truth, not even bothering to really look into the word of God to see for themselves what contradiction and irony there is in the belief of Purgatory): To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.

Limbo

This limbo thing is for your own reading enjoyment... It is not even officially accepted by the Catholic Church, but still under construction, just like purgatory was in year 593.

The word limbo comes from the Latin word limbus which means a border, a hem, or fringe around the edge of a garment.

The term is associated in common parlance to mean some in-between state of being. It is often associated, in a religious context, with some state of being in neither heaven nor hell, therefore on the fringe of either. It has been used to refer to the abode for the dead who were neither capable of committing deadly sin (1 Jn 5:16) which excluded the soul from hell nor were baptized in water and the Holy Spirit (Jn 3:5)which excluded the soul from heaven.

There never has been nor is there any official Roman Catholic doctrinal position or teaching on the existence of or state of limbo. It is just another invention of the Catholic Church. Quite a nice name though. Limbo..

It must be stated that the term limbo receives a lot of attention in pastoral practice when pastors had to explain the mind of God to distraught parents whose newborn infant has died without being baptized.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, Section 1261: As regards children who have died without Baptism, the Church can only entrust them to the mercy of God, as she does in her funeral rites for them. Indeed, the great mercy of God who desires that all men should be saved, and Jesus' tenderness toward children which caused him to say: "Let the children come to me, do not hinder them," allow us to hope that there is a way of salvation for children who have died without Baptism. (allow us to hope... yes... we hope. But who says that baptism ensures salvation besides the Catholic Church? The bible does not say it, SO? Who will you believe?) All the more urgent is the Church's call not to prevent little children coming to Christ through the gift of holy Baptism.

With this, I end this Post. I sincerly hope all those that read this will really think whether you want to believe in the Word of God, or the Words of Man....

God bless all those that are in His Church.

Catholic Answers

2005-07-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

The Catholic Answers

This was taken from the Catholic answers... I noticed that there are ways in which the bible verses were quoted wrongly...

Apostolic Tradition

Is Scripture the sole rule of faith for Christians? Not according to the Bible. While we must guard against merely human tradition, the Bible contains numerous references to the necessity of clinging to apostolic tradition.

Thus Paul tells the Corinthians, "I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you" (1 Cor. 11:2), and he commands the Thessalonians, "So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15). He even goes so far as to order, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is living in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us" (2 Thess. 3:6).

To make sure that the apostolic tradition would be passed down after the deaths of the apostles, Paul told Timothy, "[W]hat you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). In this passage he refers to the first four generations of apostolic succession-is own generation, Timothy's generation, the generation Timothy will teach, and the generation they in turn will teach.

The early Church Fathers, who were links in that chain of succession, recognized the necessity of the traditions that had been handed down from the apostles and guarded them scrupulously, as the following quotations show.

My Response

1."I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you" (1 Cor. 11:2)

The bible states in 1Cor 11.2 "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delievered them to you."

The word Ordinances means "the law" given by Paul... It is in no way related to how the Catholic answers author writes, as Traditions... Keep the Law, not maintain the traditions... Why must the Catholic Answers change the bible verse just to try and make people believe in them? Wheres the answer? It is just a lie, that covers up one after another. There is no truth, but who checks with the scripture to ensure that misquoting is not occuring?

2."So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter" (2 Thess. 2:15).

Now, to counter check... the Bible says in 2 Thess. 2:15 "Therefore, brethren, standfast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle."

Here, the Catholic answers author quotes quite accurately... Was there an error in his bible when quoting the previous verse? Or has his bible been edited to suit his believes to follow tradition?. And what traditions did the author mean? Did he mean the Catholic Traditions? He sure did.

But what did the bible say? It says "hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." by word... Did it say Mouth??? No! It was an addition. So the people can say that whatever has been passed down by the mouths of olden day catholics is correct...

Did it say by letter? Letter of whom? Letter of the Popes and Catholic Priests of early time? The bible clearly states that it is the letters written by the first Christians which are in the new testaments of the bible....

Thank God, His bible still has answers to all our questions. What is the use of Catholic Answers that uses verses edited by the author? What kind of answer is that? That is men's answer to the questions asked. But what is God's answer? Look in the Bible. Will you choose to listen to Man or God?

This is just one of the Catholic answers that shows that it has it's flaws. How can the whole lot of it then be trusted.

I will be posting more of the catholic answers here, to show how directly it steals away words from the bible and add in words of its own to compliment the traditions of the catholic church.

May the reader find the true answers to the questions in his life, through the bible, and not by mouth of man.

God Bless

The Roman Church

2005-07-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Roman Catholic Church

Prayers for the dead, began about AD 300
Veneration of Angels and dead saints, and use of images, 375
The Mass, as a daily celebration, 394
Beginning of the exaltation of Mary, the term "Mother of God" first applied to her by the council of Ephesus, 431
Priests began to dress differently from laymen, 500
Extreme Unction, 526
The doctrine of Purgatory, established by Gregory I, 593
Prayers directed to Mary, dead saints and angels, about, 600
Kissing the pope's foot, began with Pope Constantine, 709
Worship of the cross, images and relics, authorised in, 786
Worship of St. Joseph, 890
Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV, 995
The Mass, developed gradually as a sacrifice, attendance made obligatory in the 11th Century, 1000
Celibacy of the priesthood, decreed by Pope Gregory VII (Hildebrand), 1079
The Rosary, mechanical praying with beads, invented by Peter the Hermit, 1090
The inquisition, instituted by the Council of Verona, 1184
Sale of Indulgences, 1190
Transubstantiation, proclaimed by Pope Innocent III, 1215
Auricular Confession of sins to a priest instead of to God, instituted by Pope Innocent III, in Lateran Council, 1215
Adoration of the wafer(host), decreed by Pope Honorius III, 1220
Bible forbidden to laymen, placed on the Index of Forbidden Books by the Council of Valenica, 1229
Cup forbidden to the people at communion by Council of Constance, 1414
Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma by the Council of Florence, 1438
The doctrine of Seven Sacraments affirmed, 1439
Tradion declared of equal authority with the Bible by the Council of Trent, 1545
Apocrypohal books added to the Bible by the Council of Trent, 1546
Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX, 1854
Syllabus of Errors, proclaimed by Pope Pius IX, and ratified by the Vatican Council; condemned freedom of religion, conscience, speech, press, and scientific discoveries which are disapproved by the Roman Church; asserted the Pope's temporal authority over all civil rulers, 1864
Infallibility of the Pope in all matters of faith and morals, proclaimed by the Vatican Council, 1870
Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death), proclaimed by Pope Pius XII, 1950

Many more unlisted are, monks, nuns, monasteries, convents, forty days lent, holy week, palm sunday, ash wednesday, all saints day, incense, holy oils, holy palms, christopher medals, charms, novenas, and many others...

The Salvific Role of the Roman Catholic Church

2005-07-05T03:37:00.000-07:00

The Salvific Role of the Roman Catholic Church

Since faith in Christ alone is uinsufficient for the Catholic's justification, necessary works need to be done to augment that faith. This beief is what gives the Roman church such a vital role in the salvation of her subjects. Being deemed as the sole dispenser of the works that must accompany faith, it virtually puts a stranglehold on the life of the faithful. The Second Vatican Council's Decree on Ecumenism explains it this way:

"For it is only through Christ's Catholic Church, which is "the all-embracing means of salvation," that they can benefit fully from the means fo salvation. We believe that Our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant to the spostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, in order to establish the one Body of Christ on earth to which all should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the people of God"

This statement appears as an addendum to paragraph 816 of the 1994 Definitive Edition of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church thereby reaffirming the teaching without any doubt that going through the Roman Catholic Church is necessary for salvation. Again in paragraph 846 of the same catechism states, "Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse to enter it, or to remain in it." Now I understand why a Catholic friend of mine told be that if I refuse to acknowledge that the Church is a way to salvation, I will lose my salvation. This is another reason why I posted this.

Works that accompany faith is primarily channeled to individuals through the Catholic sacraments. The sacrament of baptism, the mass, and penance among others are said to be the means of grace that is exclusively available only in the Roman Church. Through this teaching, Catholics are caught in the enslaving grop of the church for fear of loss of salvation. The Catholic Encyclopedia in its section entitled The Church records thus:

"The Church alone dispenses the sacraments. It alone makes know the light of revealed truth. Outside the Church these gifts cannot be obtained. From all this there is but one conclusion: Union with the Church is not merely one out of various means by which salvation may be obtained: it is the only means." (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03744a.htm)

In other words, if anyone's church membership does not read Roman Catholic Church, he is unsaved. But the truth is that this church is neither Christian nor Catholic. In fact the name, "Roman Catholic" is a contradiction of terms. How can the word "catholic" which means "universal" or "all-encompassing" be confined to a certain locality which is Rome?

The Bible never teaches anywhere that church membership plays a part in the believer's salvation. On the contrary, Paul the Apostle tells us that salvation is only grace through faith in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8). A person without Christ is considered an alien to the commonwealth of the people of God. They are strangers to the covenants of promise and so they have no hope for they are without God in the world (Eph.2:12). In Contrast, those who are in Christ Jesus are made nigh unto God having been reconciled by the cross (Eph 2:13,16). Thus Paul concludes, "Now therefore ye are no more stranges and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Eph, 2:19). Plainly stated, believers are saved first before they become members of the church.

In fact the church, in the real sense of the word, is not a place but a people. The original Greek word for "church" literally means "an assembly or gathering of people." It is actually a compound of 2 words which when taken separately will mean "the called out ones." These "called out ones" are they that are set apart and chosen by God and called unto salvation in Christ Jesus. The church therefore is composed of the chosen, elected, sanctified, and saved people of God. Believers are not saved because they are members of the church. Rather, they are members of the church because they are saved. Church membership is not the cause of salvation but the result of salvation. The Roman Catholic Church has seen this biblical truth as the other way around.

Some Catholics believe they can be saved by going to church. But the bible say one can only be saved by going to a Person. The New Testament Book of Acts narrates an incident wherein a Phillippian jailor asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:30-31) Quite clearly, the church has no role in the salvation of sinners. When one of the Thiefs hanging on the cross told Jesus to remember him when Jesus goes into paradise, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, Today, thou shall be with me in Paradise. The thief had never the chance to go to church, or to do any of the sacraments. Jesus did not tell the thief that he will have to go to purgatory first and be cleansed. It is so clear in God's word that we have to believe to be saved. And it is that simple.

In this light therefore, can so much as a billion Roman Catholics around the world be gravely wrong? The Bible has this answer in Matthew 7:13-14. "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." A billion souls are certainly not few in number. Still we do not condemn Catholics , but we feel that the error in their beliefs may harden their hearts, and eventually make them turn from the truth.

How many ways are there to Heaven?

Aside from faith, Roman Catholics need to observe the sacraments since they are deemed necessary for one to enter into heaven. In fact the Council of Trent condemns in the strongest terms the teaching that salvation is only by faith in Christ alone with this statement:

If any one saith, that the sacraments of the New Law are not necessary unto salvation, but superfluous; and that, without then, or without the desire thereof, men obtain of God, through faith alone, the grace of justification; through all (the sacraments) are not indeed necessary for every individual; let him be anathema (Canon IV)

In addition to this teaching of sacramental salvation through the mass, baptism, and penance, the Roman Catholic road to salvation also includes availing of indulgences (which have ceased in a great number of countries today) the mediation of Mary, and submission to the authority of priests and popes. It is a complex route that can lead anywhere but heaven and cannot be proven from the word of God. The Bible says there is only one way to heaven and it is not through the church but through Jesus. He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the light: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). Thank God , He still is and will always be the only way.

God Bless all those that Believe in Him!

The Reformed Faith

2005-07-05T02:42:00.000-07:00

The Roman Catholic Church asserts that it represents true Christianity here on earth. This religion of more that one billion people has said that there is no salvation outside of the Roman Catholic Church. Past and present popes have defended this doctrine of ecclesiastical salvation as evidenced by this quotes:

"[The most Holy Roman Church] firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagan, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angel..." (Pope Eugene IV and the Council of Florence A.D. 1438-1445)

"There is no salvation outside the Church. From her alone there flows surely and fully the life-giving force destined in Christ and in His Spirit, to renew the whole of humanity, and therefore directing every human being to become a part of the Mystical Body of Christ." (Pope John Paul II, Radio Message for Franciscan Vigil in St. Peter's and Assisi, October 3, 1981, L'Osservatore Romano, October 12, 1981)

While it is true that certain biblical truths are still taught in Catholicism, yet what it says here is not what is found in the bible. Thus it was for this cause that the Protestant Reformation arose in the 16th Century.

Rome has often pictured this important historical event as a movement that grew out of a new and heretical idea which originated from Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ullrich Zwingli and the rest of the reformers. She takes pride in calling herself as the only one holy, catholic, and apostolic church of Christianity. According to her teaching all the other churches, Protestant or otherwise, do not carry the fullness of true faith and as such they cannot be saved. She teaches that for a person to be saved, he must be baptised into the Catholic Church, do the sacraments, and perform the necessary good works. Aside from these, the Reformers felt that many other practices of Catholicism seriously contradict Scriptural teaching, although now they have answers for the practices, supported by Popes and other Catholic priests. Thus, what many people ask is, Is the Roman Catholic Church the true church of Jesus Christ as she claims herself to be?

The Protestant Reformation stood for the biblical truth that there can be no salvation except by grace through faith in Christ alone as revealed through the Holy Scriptures and that the whole work of man's salvation is for the glory of God alone. S.H Tow writes:

"The four cardinal pillars of the Reformation sum up the most holy faith: Scripture alone, by faith alone, by grace alone, and by Christ alone. It categorically excludes sacramental salvation, the mediatorial merit of priests and "saints", it excludes any salvifical role of the church, or the merit of any acts or services for God; it allows no place whatsoever for any sort of "faith" or religion in gaining one's salvation. Finally, it allows no part for images and idols in worship and it excludes the doctrine of purgatory."

Some Catholic theologians maintain that the Reformation was just a religions insurrection of disgruntled priest and monks. Together with their doctrines, these reformers were condemned by Rome's dreaded anathemas. These anathemas were never recanted ever since.

In the last decade, there has been a concerted effort to merge Roman Catholicism with traditional Protestantism. As a result, worship or prayer services conducted jointly by Protestant ministers and Catholic clergy have become all too common recently in many parts of the world. Christian bookstores have been flooded with literature that appeals to both Protestants and Catholics alike as if there are no more doctrinal and practical differences existing between theim. Has the Roman Catholic Church changed in its teachings on vital doctrines of the Christian faith? Do both sides now preach the same gospel message? If not, then this seems to suggest that the 16th century Reformation was, after all, a big mistake and that all Protestants should begin to march "Romeward bound."

Catholics claim that the true faith and its fullness carried through the centuries from the apostolic age cannot be found outside of their church. They further claim that because they have the majority of about one billion people in membership worldwide, so many could not all have been wrong at the same time. This fact, they say, only affirms that Catholicism represents true Christianity here on earth. Is the Roman Catholic Church all that it claims to be? Can these claims be substantiated from the Bible? We'll try to uncover the truth behind this matter.

The Reformed Protestant faith is founded upon biblical truth even as Rome has branded the movement as heretical. It was not a rebelling protest to an established papal heirarchy but a return to New Testament Christianity and the simplicity of the apostolic church. Neither was it a new ideology that sprung up during its time as some Catholics may suppose, but simply a restoration of the faith that was once delievered unto the New Testament saints.

This is a short extract from "Biblical Perspective of the Roman Church" I typed it out and took away some harsh words... However if there still are any, I apologise for it.

Anyway, we can see that although this extract keeps saying protestant, protestant, protestant, However, we can see that not all protestant churches are alike nowadays. Some new denominations have popped out, claiming new doctrine, saying we should worship God with loud music and everything. Still, my church, New-Life Bible-Presbyterian Church and many other Bible-Presbyterian Churches nowadays still hold on strong to biblical teaching, and have not swayed in whatsoever ways. There are no contraditions in the bible, however the catholics do think so. In my own opinion, it is because of the unbelieve of the bible, that is why there has been so much different interpretations of verses and new practices being formed.

Since this religious system also believes that the Bible is the word of God, its doctrines must be challenged on the basis of Scripture to see if it does measure up to what they profess to believe. The Bible commands us to "prove all things" (1Thess. 5:21); to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you of the hope that is in you" (1Pet. 3:15); and to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delievered unto the saints" (Jude 3). Its is in this spirit that Catholic doctrines will be subjected to the biblical test. Pope Pius XII himself stated as he quotes St. Jerone in his Divino Afflante Spiritu, "To ignore the Scripture is to ignore Christ."

The above paragraph was written by a former catholic himself. I myself feel that if someone was to reject the bible as the true word of God, but as a book written by sinners and should not be trusted, the person is shutting his heart from God, and there is no more need to continue reading anymore of these posts because he will never believe anything we say, for he has closed his eyes to ignore the scripture, indirectly ignoring Christ's call.

This is by no means a personal attack on anyone. Do consider rather than insult for the intents of this post is not to judge the faith of individual Roman Catholics, but to show how some of their beliefs violates Scripture in every turn.

God Bless.

The Nature of the Church

2005-07-03T17:35:00.000-07:00

The Nature of the Church

The Church of God,"that wonderful and sacred mystery,"(Aquinas) is a subject that stands at the very heart of the Bible. For the church is the object of the redemption which the Bible proclaims. It was to save the church that the Son of God became man, and died; (Eph. 5:25) God purchased His church at the cost of Christ's blood.(Acts 20:28) It is through the church that God makes known his redeeming wisdom to the hosts of heaven. (Eph. 3:10) It is within the church that the individual Christian finds the ministries of grace, the means of growth, and his primary sphere for service. (Eph. 4:11-16) We cannot properly understand the purpose of God, nor the method of grace, nor the kingdom of Christ, nor the work of the Holy Spirit, nor the meaning of world history without studying the doctrine of the church.
But what is the church? The fact that we all first meet the church as an organized society must not mislead us into thinking that it is essentially, or even primarily, that. There is a sense in which the outward form of the church disguises its true nature rather than reveals it. Essentially, the church is not a human organization as such, but a divinely created fellowship of sinners who trust a common Saviour, and are one with each other because they are all one with Him in a union realized by the Holy Spirit. Thus the church's real life, like that of its individual members, is for the present "hid in Christ with God," (Col. 3:4) and will not be manifested to the world until He appears. Meanwhile, what we need, if we are to understand the church's nature, is insight into the person and work of Christ and of the spirit and into the meaning of the life of faith.

The Covenant people of God

The church is not simply a New Testament phenomenon. An ecclesiology which started with the New Testament would be out of the way at the first step. The New Testament church is the historical continuation of Old Testament Israel. The New Testament word for "church," (in greek, a public gathering) is regularly used in the Greek Old Testament for the "congregation" of Israel. Paul pictured the church in history, from the beginning to his own day, as a single olive tree, from which some natural (Israelite) branches had been broken off through unbelief, to be replaced by some wild (Gentile) branches. (Rom. 11:16-24) Elsewhere, he tells Gentile believers that in Christ they have become Abraham's seed, "the Israel of God". (Gal. 3:29; Rom. 4:11-18; Gal. 6:16)
The basis of the church's life in both Testaments is the covenant which God made with Abraham. The fundamental idea of biblical ecclesiology is of the church as the covenant people of God.
What is a covenant? It is a defined relationship of promise and commitment which binds the parties concerned to perform whatever duties toward each other their relationship may involve. The two main biblical analogies for God's covenant with sinners are the royal covenant between overlord and vassal and the marriage covenant between husband and wife, the former speaking of God's sovereignty and lordship, the latter of His love and saviourhood. By His covenant, God demands acceptance of His rule and promises enjoyment of his blessing. Both thoughts are contained in the covenant "slogan," "I will be your God, and ye shall be my people";(Exo. 29:45: Lev. 26:12; Jer. 31:33; 2Cor. 6:16; Rev. 21:3; etc.) both are implied whenever a believer says "my [our] God"
God expounded his covenant to Abraham in Genesis 17, a chapter of crucial importance for the doctrine of the church. Four points should be noticed here. First, the covenant relationship was announced as a corporate one, extending to Abraham's seed "throughout their generations" (Gen. 17:7) Thus, the covenant created a permanent community. Second, the relationship was one of pledged beneficence on God's part: He undertook to give Abraham's seed the land of Canaan. (Gen. 17:8, a type of heaven; Heb. 11:8-16) This, as He had already told Abraham, would involve redeeming them from captivity in Egypt. (Gen.15:13-21; Exod. 2:24) Third, the end of the relationship was fellowship between God and His people: that they should "walk before" Him, knowing Him as they were known by Him. (Gen. 17:1) Fourth, the covenant was confirmed by the institution of a "token," (Gen. 17:11) the initiatory rite of circumcision.
Later, through Moses, God gave His people a law for their lives and authorized forms of worship (feasts, exhibiting His fellowship with them, and sacrifices, pointing to the bloodshedding for sin which alone could provide a basis for this fellowship). Also, He spoke to them repeatedly, though His prophets, of their glorious hope which was to be realized when the Messiah came.
Thus, emerged the basic biblical notion of the church as the covenant people of God, the redeemed family, marked out as His by the covenant sign which they had received, worshiping and serving Him according to His revealed will, living in fellowship with Him and with each other, walking by faith in His promises, and looking for the coming glory of the Messianic kingdom.

New Testament Fulfillment

When Christ came, this Old Testament conception was not destroyed, but fulfilled. Christ, the Mediator of the covenant, was Himself the link between the Mosaic and Christian dispensations of it. ( I.e the "old" and the "new" covenants of Heb. 8-10, chapters which build upon Jer. 31:31) The New Testament depicts Him as the true Israel, the servant of God in Whom the nation's God-guided history is recapitulated and brought to completion, (Matt. 2:15) and also as the seed of Abraham in Whom all nations of the earth find blessing. (Gal. 3:8,14-29) Through His atoning death, which did away with the typical sacrificial services forever, believing Jews and Gentiles become in Him the people of God on earth. Baptism, the New Testament initiatory sign corresponding to circumcision, represents primarily union with Christ in His death and resurrection, which is the sole way of entry into the church. (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:11)
Thus, the New Testament church has Abraham as its father, (Rom. 4:11,16) Jerusalem as it's mother (Gal. 4:26) and place of worship, (Heb. 12:22) and the Old Testament as its Bible. (Rom. 15:4) Echoing Exodus 19:5 and Hosea 2:23, Peter describes the Christian church in a thorough-going Old Testament fashion as "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;... Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God. (1Pet. 2:9)

A New Creation in Christ

The New Testament idea of the church is reached by superimposing upon the notion of the covenant people of God the further thought that the church is the company of those who share the redemptive renewal of a sin-spoiled creation, which began when Christ rose from the dead. (1Cor. 15:20; Col. 1:18) As the individual believer as a new creation in Christ, (2Cor. 5:17) raised with Him out of death into life, (Eph. 2:1) possessed of and led by the life-giving Holy Spirit, (Rom. 8:9-14) so also is the church as a whole. Its life springs from its union with Christ, crucified and risen. Paul, in Ephesians, pictures the church successively as Christ's building, now growing unto "an holy temple in the Lord"; (Eph. 2:21) His body, now growing towards a state of full edification; (Eph. 5:25; Rev. 19:7) and his bride, now being sanctified and cleansed in readiness for "the marriage supper of the Lamb." (Found, as well as in Ephesians, in Rom. 12, 1Cor. 12 and Col)
Some modern writes in the "catholic" tradition treat Paul's body metaphor (1Cor. 12:13) as having a special "ontological" significance, and indicating that the church is "really" (in a sense in which it is not "really" anything else) an extension of the manhood and incarnate life of Christ. But according to Paul, the church's union with Christ is symbolically exhibited in baptism; and what baptism symbolizes is not incorporation into Christ's manhood simply, but sharing with Him in His death to sin, with all its saving fruits, and in the power and life of his resurrection. When Paul says that the Spirit baptizes men into one body, he means that the Spirit makes us members of the body by bringing us into that union with Christ which baptism signifies. (1Cor. 12:4-28; Rom. 12:6-8; 1Cor. 16:15; 2 Cor. 9:1) Scripture would lead us to call the church an extension of the resurrection rather than of the incarnation. In any case, Paul uses the body metaphor only to illustrate the authority of the Head, and His ministry to His members, and the various ministries that they must fulfill to each other; and we have no warrant for extrapolating it in other theological directions.

Ministry in the Church

The New Testament conceives of all ministry in the church as Christ's ministry to and through the Chruch. As the church is a priestly people, all its members having direct access to God through Christ's mediation, so it is a ministering people, all its members holding in trust from Christ gifts of ministry (i.e, service) for the edifying of the one body. (Eph. 4:11; Rom. 1:1,5,9;15:16) Within the context of this universal ministry, Christ calls some specifically to minister the Gospel, (1Cor. 3:10;15:10) giving them strength and skill for their task (1Cor. 3:6) and blessing their labors. (2Cor. 4:5) As spokesmen and representatives of Christ, teaching and applying His Word, church officers exercise His authority; yet they need to remember that, as individuals, they belong to the church as its servants, not the church to them as their empire, The church is Christ's kingdom, not theirs. (Matt. 18:20) This is a basic point which Luther accused the Papacy of forgetting.

Universal and Local

Paul speaks not merely of the whole body but also of local groups in an area, and even of a Christian household, as "the church" No local group is ever called "a church." For Paul does not regard the church universal as an aggregate of local churches (let alone denominations); his thought is rather that whenever a group of believers, even Christ's statutory two or three, (Rom. 12; 1 Cor. 12) meet in His name, they are the church in the place where they meet. Each particular gathering, however small, is the local manifestation of the church universal, embodying and displaying the spiritual realities of the church's supernatural life, So Paul can apply the body metaphor, with only slight alteration, both to the local church (one body in christ) (Eph. 4) and to the universal church (one body under Christ). (Matt. 13:24,47; 2Cor. 13:5; 1Cor. 15:34)

Visible and Invisible

The Reformers drew a necessary distinction between the church visible and invisible; that is , between the one Church of Christ on earth as God sees it and as man sees it; in other words, as it is and as it seems to be. Man sees the church as an organized society, with a fixed structure and roll of members. But (the Reformers argued) this society can never be simply identified with the one holy catholic Church of which the Bible speaks. The identity between the two is at best partial, indirect, and constantly varying in degree. The point is important. The church as God sees it, the company of believers in communion with Christ and in Him with each other, is necessarily invisible to men, since Christ and the Holy Spirit and faith, the realities which make the church, are themselves invisible. The Church becomes visible as its members meet together in Christ's name to worship and hear God's Word. But the church visible is a mixed body. Some who belong, though orthodox, are not true believers - not, that is, true members of the church as God knows it - and need to be converted. (Eph. 4:3) The Reformers distinction thus safeguards the vital truth that visible church membership saves no man apart from faith in Christ.
Another matter on which this distinction throws light is the question of church unity. If a visible organization, as such, were or could be the one church of God, then any organization seperation would be a breach of unity, and the only way to reunite a divided Christendom would be to work for a single international super-church. Also on this hypothesis, it would be open to argue that some institutional feature is of the essence of the church is therefore a sine qua non of reunion. (Rome, for instance, actually defines the church as the society of the faithful under the Pope's headship; some Anglicans make episcopacy in the apostolic succession similarly essential.) But in fact, the chuch invisible, the true church, is one already. Its unity is given to it in Christ.(Eph. 4:3) The proper ecumenical task is not to create church unity by denominational coalescence, but to recognize the unity that already exists and to give it worthy expression on the local level.
In the purposes of God, the church, we have seen, is glorious: yet on earth it remains a little flock in a largely hostile environment. Often, its state and prospects seem to us precarious. But we need not fear. Christ Himself, the King who reigns on Zion's hill, is its Saviour, its Head, its Builder, its Keeper. He has given his promise:"the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."(Matt. 16:18) And He is not accustomed to break His word.

Thank God for his inspiring word. May we learn from it and never leave our opinions to mislead us.

God bless!

About me, and my life.

2005-06-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

I'm Luke, currently 17+, studying in Anderson Junior College in Singapore. I was born into a christian family in 1987 and I have 2 younger sisters and an older brother who is currently in the army.

About my life till now, I was brought up in a family that walked closely with God. From a young child, I was brought to church weekly. I attended the children's worship and sang in the children's choir. My church, New Life Bible Presbyterian Church, is one of the few Bible Presbyterian churches around in Singapore. Our church focuses strongly on the Bible, the word of God, and we strictly abide by what the bible says, and not by opinion of man.

As a child, i attended church regularly, hearing a lot of bible stories and reading many books about God and what he did for the Jews. I could recite memory verses and tell people what the 10 commandments were. However, I never really believed or accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. Many years passed and I grew into a teen. I went to a catholic school, Catholic High School. Every morning, we would hear a councilor recite the Morning Prayer:

'Our father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not bring us to the test, but deliver us from evil, Amen. Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blesses is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death, Amen. Glory be to the father, and to the son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end, Amen.'

I used to hear it and listen to it so carefully that I remember it till today. Every time I heard all the Catholics say the prayer together, I felt like there was this warm feeling about having a religion. How nice it would be to have God look down from heaven and take care if me.

In secondary one, I was new to the school and to the environment of a all boys school, I took about 3-6 months before I actually settled in. At first, I was quite an innocent boy who did not know any vulgarity or words with sexual connotations, however, in my class alone, there were quite a few boys who would hurl vulgarities at each other and point the middle finger. At that time, I was still young and silly. I thought it was so fun and 'cool' to scold each other with such 'high-end' words, so I joined in. Within weeks, I was transformed into a monster that went around scolding vulgarities and bullying others. There was no Christ likeness in me. I proclaimed to my friends that I was a Christian, but inside me, there was nothing but emptiness.

In secondary two, I became worse; I even twisted the lyrics of songs to make it sound sexually wrong. I was too obsessed with being the center of attraction than to sit down and ponder what I was doing with my life. How I had been a bad testimony of a Christian. Later in the year, my great-grandmother passed away. I was always very close to my great-grandmother and I loved her a lot. Losing her was like losing a limb, or a piece of me. I was terribly upset. To make matters worse, I was failing all my tests and examinations in school. During that period of time, I was doing artwork for people in class; drawing and painting for my friends because I was slightly better in art that any other subject. Somehow or another, I just couldn't study because I was so stressed out thinking about my great-grandma and my studies. Even my parents put a lot of pressure on me because I was going through a very important examination at the end of the year. I thought of ending my life several times. I climbed up to the top level of my condominium block, and I wanted to jump. I put my leg up on the ledge, and looked down. I wondered how it would feel falling and falling then with a thud, just die as I touch the ground. I really was going to jump when there was this unusually strong gust of wind that blew at me; I tripped on the edge of the ledge and fell backwards, back onto the floor. I sprained my leg so badly that I was in so great pain I forgot about jumping. Another instance was when I drank dish washing liquid and then kept vomiting for several days. Nothing bad happened to me after that and it didn't affect my health significantly. Thank God I'm still alive today, I'm sure I was kept alive for a purpose.

Finally, the secondary two final year exams came. I wasn't very prepared for it and I did quite badly. I was so terrified over my results that I kept on crying. With those results, I was sent to the worst class of my year. Thank God, with my parents help, I managed to appeal to a slightly better class. A Sunday before the posting results were released, I attended church, and some sermon that went on that day touched me. I was so touched by the sermon that I was feeling terribly upset with myself that day. I remember it was then I realized I was a sinner and that what I had been doing all along was not right. That evening, I spoke to my parents and my dad said the sinners' prayer with me.

After that day, things changed. I decided to totally stop being a pervert, stop speaking vulgarities and stop doing things that were bad. Within a week or two, I was a totally different person, although I cried frequently in class for no reason because I was going through a very hard time changing myself. During that period of time, I lost many 'friends', people who always thought of me as quite fun to hang out with because I was just like them, speaking vulgarities and pointing fingers as and when I like. Soon, secondary 2 year was over. It was time to start afresh in a new class, new environment and with a new life.

Secondary 3 was the most challenging phase of my Christian life. I was placed in a class with quite a big number of Catholics. 2 of which, I believe were the strongest and most influential Catholics I had ever met. It was during this year, many small arguments took place. Every time it would be over religion. Being spiritually a baby in my new accepted faith, Christianity, I couldn't really 'win' anyone in a conversation, usually having to back out after one of the strong Catholic guy gave a rebuttal. Also during this year, a few of my friends also converted to Catholicism. If I remember correctly, there were only 5 Christian students in my class. Out of which 2 only went to church once. Still we always would talk about our beliefs and try and convince each other that what the other party is doing is wrong. The year went by slowly. I was more or less drawn towards becoming catholic. I really loved being together with the 2 catholic guys in my class because they had so many friends and everyone liked being with them. I enjoyed their company and most of all, I was slowly thinking of being catholic. One night, as I was lying in bed, thinking carefully of how I should break the news to my parents that I wanted to be catholic, I fell asleep, dreaming… I remember very clearly, I dreamt of statues, lots of them with candles burning in front of them. Statues of the saints, and mary, just like I had seen before at a Catholic church I had went to. Then in an instance, I watched the statues crumbling to the ground. I didn't know what it meant and I never did ask or tell my parents about the dream. In fact this is the first time I am actually sharing it with someone because I had well forgotten about this dream ever since I strengthened my faith in Christ. After that night, I told myself that I would do some research on both religions, Christianity and Catholicism first before I made my judgment for which I would choose will stick with me for life.

For a few months, I searched the web and read all the things that Catholics say Christians are doing wrong, and I also read all the things that Christians think Catholics are doing wrong. After reading and reading, I realized that what I actually believe in is so close to the catholic faith, minus the traditions and customs that were founded by man. I was very much confused still which religion I really wanted, but during Sunday worship, I heard the speaker say that God chooses us and we cannot choose him. It was not up to me to choose what I wanted. 'Our good works are like filthy rags in his sight. By grace are ye saved through faith, not by works, lest any man should boast.' In some way, through my reading I had come across this in some arguments between Christians and Catholics. Catholics strictly do not believe that the bible is the inspired work of God, and because sinners wrote it, it cannot be infallible. On the other hand, the Bible Presbyterian Church goes directly with the bible. Which should I choose? Man or God? I chose to pray. Over a few more weeks of prayer and reading up on both religions, I found that I would never ever believe what the Catholic church teaches and I will neither pray to Mary nor bow down to her. With this, God had chosen me.

Now when I look back, I had not been a good Christian all my 18 years of life. I fight with my parents and I still sin daily, but I have found the power of prayer and the wonder of God working in my life. I am comforted that I have God in my life and I'm sure that if I were to die this instance, I'll be in a better place, somewhere where God has prepared a place for me.

I still think of my catholic friends. I read my bible and continue my study on other religions. I find that nothing at all can contradict what there is in the bible and that there are no errors at all in God's Word. What men create- traditions, customs, and rites, are just contradictory to what the bible says. Not all of them but some of them. I still cry silently whenever I pray for my catholic friends. I love them;The way David loved Jonathan in the bible. I do not know if they are saved or not. Only God knows.

I still share the gospel with many of my friends. I get rejected sometimes, but Thank God, he still shows that he still chooses his people and I am in no position to alter his perfect will.

I consider myself to be a strong believer now and I am thankful that I am able to live the Christian life with Christ likeness in my life. Though evil thoughts still enter my mind, they are milder, and yea, I'm saved Thank God!

This is my testimony of my life and how I became a Christian. Thanks to God for choosing me. I sincerely pray for all unbelievers that one day, you will find peace within yourself and peace with man after you get to know the one and only True God who changed my life. Amen.

God bless you all.

The Lord's unworthy servant

Luke

The New Blog

2005-06-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

Today is Tuesday, 28/6/05 ...

Started this new blog. May not blog often due to upcoming A-levels.

God bless You

~Luke