Archive for the ‘Deception’ Category
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Pentecostal Spin Doctors?
Car Race Story
Mr. Madden, my teacher from South Bend Central High School, told a story one day to make a point during our Speech and Debate Class in 1961.
He repeated a story that TASS, the official news source of the U.S.S.R. had released during the Cold War.
The news article was a report of an automobile race between an American Ford, and an unnamed Russian vehicle. Only two cars were in the race.
The Ford blew the doors off of the Russian vehicle. Ego was at stake. The Russians refused to lose face, so they skewed the details, without actually lying.
TASS reported that in an International Stock Car Race, the American car came in next to last, and that the Russian car placed second. That type of reporting, Mr. Madden told us, was called Propaganda. Today, we are uncomfortable with using that term. We choose to use the word spin and those who spin, are called Spin Doctors!
Even Husbands And Wives Are Good At It!
Spin Doctors are not always highly paid professionals. Some are folks just like you and me. We may not get paid for doing it, but most of us have tried it on some level.
He – May Try To Put A Spin On Why He Needs A New:
- Boat
- Truck
- Deer Rifle
- iPad 3
- MacBook Pro
She – May Try To Put A Spin On Why She Needs A New:
- Dress
- Pair Of Shoes
- Couch
- iPhone 5
- Mini Van
The Old Testament Even Had Spin Doctors.
The Prophet Isaiah decried the use of Spin Doctors nearly 740 years before the birth of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
This generation has nothing new in Spin Department. It was in use before the church was ever born in Acts Chapter 2.
To feel more comfortable in our waywardness, we mortals try to:
- Justify our sin,
- Justify ourselves,
- Justify our compromise.
Today, some Church Members have done it, some Backsliders have done it, and worse than that, some Preachers have done it too. God, especially, detests the work of Spin Doctors!
For Centuries, Some Have Wanted A Spin Doctor For A Pastor.
Isaiah 30:8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:
Isaiah 30:9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Isaiah 30:10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
Carnal people have always wanted the preacher to leave them alone. “Preach, but don’t preach,” seems to be the message they convey to their pastor. Hirelings have no problem adjusting.
The New Testament Had Spin Doctors.
Paul Warned The Church
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Paul Warned Timothy
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2 Timothy 4:3 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;
2 Timothy 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Some congregations love the Pop Psychology they hear in the pulpit. But, deaf ears are turned to the preaching of doctrine. Not every congregation is willing to sing the song, “Preacher Preach To Me.”
Preacher, preach to me,
Preacher, preach to me,
whatever it takes,
I must be saved.
Preacher, preach to me.For many years I served sin
But a preacher preached to me.
I’ve come thus far, but not on my own
A preacher preached to me.Preacher, pay me no mind.
Preach it right down the line
There’s one thing for certain,
regard not my person
Preacher, preach to me.Preacher, preach it right
Lord knows we need to hear from Heaven tonight
The word itself is pure, there is nothing it can’t cure
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me
Preacher, preach to me,
Whatever it takes, I must be saved,
Preacher, preach to me.
Preacher, preach to me.(Lyrics and music by Bro. Wayne Lawhorn)
Jesus Even Warned His Followers Of Spin Doctors
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Judas Was A Spin Doctor
John 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
John 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.
Spin Doctors:
- Write Bible Translations they think people will like better!
- Hate to call sin, Sin! So they rename it or rephrase it.
- Think the mention of the Blood is not necessary.
- Tell you that fat meat is not greasy.
- Want their churches to be seeker friendly.
- Believe they can win more of the world by looking like the world.
- Are in Chat Rooms.
- They are on Forums.
- They have Facebook Accounts.
- They are found in Religious Organizations.
- They are also among Independents.
- They no longer say they spoke in tongues. They say they prayed in their prayer language.
- They no longer say they will baptize in you Jesus Name. They now baptize you, “Into Christ.”
No Apostle Ever Put A Spin On The Gospel Message. Their Preaching Was:
- Straight forward
- Simple
- No-nonsense
- Practical
- Their accounts were accurate and not self serving
- Their words benefited the reader
- Their advice served others, not themselves
- More importantly, it was truthful and anointed.
Satan Was The First Spin Doctor!
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
We all should have learned our lesson from this example alone!
Nathanael Was NOT A Spin Doctor!
John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
The Lord Jesus chose him to be a Disciple. He knew Nathanael could be trusted with handling the Truth!
In whom is no guile. That is the very first comment out of the mouth of Jesus when He saw him. Would Jesus be impressed with you as a disciple, because you had no guile?
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
The Punishment Of Spin Doctors.
Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Revelation 22:15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
The Truth Still Matters!
The Case Of The Dead Bullfighter
The Case Of The Dead Bullfighter
I stood mesmerized in Makielski’s Art Store. This was my second trip in as many days. The high price tags on many of the paintings told me I could only look, but I enjoyed looking.
The first trip I had purchased some art supplies and paints for my air-brush. I then ventured into the room where hundreds of paintings hung on the walls from floor to ceiling. The works of the masters and others hung there. Some paintings I recognized from photographs in books. Most, I did not.
The picture I was fascinated with was very macabre. What was wrong with me? Why was I drawn to this one? It was such a horrible picture of death. Was something wrong with my personality? I didn’t know for sure, so I worried a bit.
Manet ~ Dead Matador, 1865
The picture was of a dead bullfighter. There was no crowd showing in the picture. There was no bull looking down on him victoriously. The only other thing of prominence was a bullfighter’s cape, which was still clutched in the victim’s hand.
This was the second day in a row I had stared for long minutes at this dead man’s picture. Why? Was there a story here? Finally, it came to me like a bolt of lightning!
I put myself into the picture. I felt I could almost feel a bit of the moment captured by the artist. It was like I could see the screaming crowd as they went silent. Mother’s gasped and clutched their babies while trying to cover their tender eyes. Little girls couldn’t look at all. Young boys were mesmerized by the horror. Trained men herded the bull out of the ring and into an open chute, which led it back to a holding pen.
The wife and family of the bullfighter just sat there momentarily stunned. Then, overwhelmed with grief, they convulsed in tears. Their worst nightmare had just come true.
For years he had seemed so invincible. Now this! His death would bring his family pain, on every level, for years to come. Their life as they knew it, was now over.
- He had lived for the crowd’s approval.
- He loved the danger.
- He thrilled at the excitement of a bull’s near misses.
- He always felt he was in control.
- He had bested many bulls over the years.
- He was a professional.
- He loved the prestige.
- His name was on posters and signs.
- His name was well-known.
- He didn’t like his wife and others asking him to quit.
- He’d said he would know when to quit.
- But now he was dead.
- His blood was starting to pool on the ground.
- Death had triumphed.
There he was, a spectacle for all to see.
My mind snapped back to reality. I knew why I was drawn to the picture. I told the clerk I wished to purchase the print. I quickly paid the $42.95 marked on the price tag. The salesman wrapped it carefully in brown paper. I took the print directly to my office at the church and hung it in a place of prominence.
A few weeks later, I had an occasion to counsel with a young man who was struggling living for God. We sat in my office and I listened to his story of worldly involvement.
When he finished, I invited him to look at the dead bullfighter. I said, “Do you know what happened to him?”
I paused for just a moment as his head turned and he looked, not knowing what to say. I really didn’t give him time to answer the question.
“He played with it, until it finally killed him.” I said.
I let that sink in as I watched his face. Then, I finished my thought.
“And, if you keep playing around with sin, it will finally kill you.”
The young man cried.
So did I.
If I Were The Devil
“If I Were the Devil…”
by
Paul Harvey, 1965
I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I would have one-third of the real estate and four-fifths of the population , but I wouldn’t be happy until I had the ripest apple on the tree. So I’d set about, however necessary, to take over the United States get important realtors like burnaby real estate and others to help me win USA and Canada.
I’d subvert the churches first; I’d begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.”
To the youth I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” [our note: I heard this from a humanities instructor when I was in college–a breeding ground for the sowing of wickedness into the minds of those that have to memorize blasphemy in order to pass the course and get out and go past conscience to continue doing what they are told.]
I would convince them that man-made God [our note: in college in a philosophy “class” I was told the lie, “There is no God.” That was a lesson in lies.] instead of the other way around.
I would confide that what’s bad is good and what’s good is “square.”
In the ears of the young married I would whisper that work is debasing [our note: Americans are pleasure-loving people. Some are obese from lack of work meanwhile others pay somebody to mow the grass while they go to the “Fitness Center.” The children sit in school all day and then in front of the tv for hours on end in the midst of broken-down toys and eating processed foods full of refined sugar. The children do not work. They have no skills. The body and mind need to be involved in work. We were not made to be idle. A day of productivity is satisfying to both young and old.], that cocktail parties are good for you.
And to the old I would teach to pray after me: “Our Father, who art in Washington…” [our note: America seems to become more communist by the second.]
And then I’d get organized; I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting, so that everything else would appear dull and uninteresting.
I’d threaten television with dirtier movies and vice versa.
I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could; I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction; I’d tranquillize the rest with pills.
If I were the Devil I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the Devil I’d encourage schools to refine young intellects [our note: the schools disrupt and destroy young intellects and parents look on in horror as their children disintegrate before their very eyes. Parents need to REPENT of the sins and BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and OBEY his word and then they can be saved and rear their children correctly.] but neglect to discipline emotions: let those run wild. Before you know it, you’d have to have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every school-house door. Within a decade I’d have prisons overflowing.
With flattery and promises of power I would get the courts to do what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography.
I’d designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts and I’d get the preachers to say, “She’s right.” Thus, I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the Houses of Congress.
And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys, girls, and church money.
If I were the Devil I would make the symbol of Easter [our note: Easter is a pagan festival] an egg and the symbol of Christmas [our note: “Christmas” is a blasphemy] a bottle.
If I were the Devil I’d take from those who have and give it to those who want it, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.
What’ll you bet that I couldn’t get whole States to promote gambling as the way to get rich?
I would caution against extremes: in hard work, in patriotism, and in moral conduct.
I would convince the youth that marriage is old-fashioned, but swinging is more fun; that what you see on television is the way to be; and thus I could undress you in public and I could lure you into bed where there are diseases for which there is no cure.
Then I would separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines and objectors in slave-labor camps.
In other words, if I were the Devil, I’d just keep doing what he’s doing.
Do You Know Where You’re Going, When You Go Green?
Do You Know Where You’re Going, When You Go Green?
The signs and slogans are everywhere. Go Green.
That, my friend just might be one of the most dangerous signs you ever obey!
Going Green is promoted to save the environment. Yet, for some it takes on a different meaning. It is much more to them than recycling plastic, glass and paper. They keep looking for greener grass on the other side of every fence.
They think the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, and why not? Everyone loves green grass. Green grass is very attractive. Somehow, green has become a symbol of health, wealth, beauty, and comfort. It’s also the illusion of a enjoying a better life.
Americans Spend A Lot Of Money Just To Have Green Grass
Ehow.com says that the average home owner spends between $100 and $400 a month on his yard, depending on the size of the lawn and the company he chooses.
Read more: The Average Cost of Lawn Care | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5984601_average-cost-lawn care.html#ixzz1zZJwhW2U
We feel that our neighbor’s will judge us by the greenness of our grass. Maybe they do. If so, the solution is simple.
- Water your yard.
- Fertilize it.
- Trim it.
- Pull the weeds out or wack them with a gas powered weed eater.
- Remove the dandelions.
- Trap the gophers.
- It’s your yard. You could make it pretty if you chose to make it pretty.
It may cost you to have green grass. However, it may cost you more if you go looking elsewhere for greener grass. King David found out about that when he looked over the wall and saw Bathsheba.
Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Just quit looking and the coveting will stop!
There’s That…
Pastor Tommy Craft’s Office Picture
In the late1980’s, I sat down in Pastor Tommy Craft’s office in Jackson, Mississippi to visit a few minutes before a church service. My eyes were immediately drawn to a large picture of the wall. It was a picture of a beautiful pasture with a fence running through the middle. On each side of the fence was a horse with its neck stretched out trying to eat the grass on the other side. Nothing was actually gained by the horses. The grass was actually the same. They both risked their necks on the barbed wire. The picture was silent reminder to never ignore the green grass under your own feet.
Discontentment
The lack of contentment makes the human eye look elsewhere. Having it, is truly a gift of God. Some possess 
much of this life’s finer things. They have plenty of money in the bank and live a life some would even envy. Yet, they are not content.
They have found out for themselves that King Solomon was right. The eyes of a man are never full. They always want more, so they never stop looking.
That mindset will have much bearing on how long you keep your vehicle, your house, your job and your spouse. It will also determine how long you attend your local church.
Contentment Can, And Must Be Learned
Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation (Manner of Living) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
What You Don’t Appreciate, Maybe Some One Else Will.
A young woman named Jan complained tearfully to her friend Paula. She told Paula that she was going to dump her boyfriend. Paula agreed that she should dump him. She also said, “Let me know when you drop him, because when you do, I’m going to be there to pick him up.” Jan decided to rethink the situation.
The Desert Of Life Also Has The Mirage Of A Green Oasis.
When you finally struggle to get where the shimmering Oasis is, there will be no green, and there will be no water. You will only be fooled. You saw what you wanted to see. In your desperate struggle for a better life, you have not find satisfaction there. Actually, it is possible that you may wind up more desperate and disillusioned than before. Maybe the green you are looking for, is real… but, only in your mind.
For You, Does Going Green Mean Going For More Money?
I worry about those who only focus on the dollar and not their soul. They might make more money and also 
miss more church. It’s the worst trade off ever. There is no job worth losing your soul over.
We all have heard our share of get rich quick schemes. And we also know of some who have fallen into that trap. Beware!
1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Beneath Some Patches Of Green Grass, Are Septic Tanks
Erma Bombeck entitled one of her books: The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank.
Did anyone ever ask, “Why is the grass greener over there? What makes it so green right there?”
It seems that in polite company, every one tries to ignore the source of the greener grass. But, no matter how much we suppress the truth from our thinking, filth made it greener. That is a fact.
Has sin made the grass greener where you have been looking? It’s possible. Maybe you should ask the “Why” questions about the Green Grass you’ve been looking at.
Lot Chose The Well Watered Plains Of Sodom And Gomorrah
No doubt about it. The grass was greener. It was so green, that it’s magnetism held Lot and his family captive. They actually loved the placed.
It was God who had the problem. Lot felt good about it. He listened to his own carnality. It was God who hated the filth of Sodom. Lot was willing to die there. God had to drag him and his family out.
The attraction was so strong that Lot’s wife died from its attraction. The fruits of his daughters perversion became one of the things God hated most. Their names were Ammon and Moab, the life long enemies of the people of God.
It all started with Lot pitching his tent toward Sodom. It started with Lot looking at the greener grass every day. What are you looking at? In what direction is your tent pitched?
HINT: The Grass Would Be Greener Where You Are Living Right Now, If You Would Just Water It More Often.
My Homemade God
My Homemade God
To be perfectly clear, I don’t have a graven image resting on the fireplace mantle. Never would I ever allow one in my home. I didn’t take a hammer and chisel, and carve out some little wooden god to bow down before, either. The homemade God I made cannot be seen by anyone but me. The one I made is in my mind and heart.
Since I created Him, it’s also my job to defend Him. I try to explain Him to my friends. They don’t always understand or agree. Those that don’t agree with the God I made, cease to stay my friend.
No one knows what He allows and doesn’t allow, any better than I do. I made Him. I am comfortable with the things He says. He always assures me that I am thinking right. If everyone else is wrong, He shakes His head and marvels at their stupidity.
I didn’t like the God some preachers told me about. I didn’t like the restrictions of their God, so I made my own. He is much easier to live with than theirs. I am not in bondage anymore. I have never felt more saved.
If I am Pentecostal, so is my God.
If I like the Republican Party the best, that’s how my God votes.
If I believe someone is wrong, that’s how my God feels about him or her too.
If I believe serving wine for communion is the right way, so does my God.
If I believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture, my God knows when I want Him to come.
If I believe everyone is wrong and I am right, so does my God.
If I don’t think some church standards are necessary, neither does my God.
If I believe everyone should close their eyes when the pray, that’s how my God feels about it too.
If I think the worship music is too loud, it’s because I saw my God stick cotton in His ears.
If I think that speaking in tongues is not necessary for salvation, my God don’t either.
If I say that the Holy Ghost was only for the Day of Pentecost, that’s what my God says too.
If I am tired of being trapped in a boring marriage, my God understands and just wants me to be happy.
If I think I am holier than the other folks at the church, my God agrees.
If I think my wife looks good with short hair, my God likes it that way too.
If I say something is a sin, my God nods His head in agreement.
If I say it’s not a sin, my God smiles and agrees with me.
If I feel that a certain doctrine is unscriptural or unnecessary, that’s how my God feels.
If I think Notre Dame should win all football games, my God wears blue and gold to support me.
If I am comfortable with Hollywood in my house, my God brings me some popcorn from the kitchen.
If I believe Marijuana should be legalized, my God helps me find some.
If I need to use my Tithe to pay a bill this week, my God says it’s OK.
If I believe religious conservatives are all hypocrites, my God says amen.
My God Is Only Interested In My Happiness.
- I am not made in His image.
- I made Him in my image.
- He always agrees with me.
- He supports my every point of view.
- Old friends try to argue with me, but I will not change what I believe.
- I know I’m right.
- God knows I’m right.
- My God and I believe alike on everything.
- I am completely in tune with Him, and He with me.
- My God is willing to align His views with mine.
- That’s why I love Him.
He feels like I do about Abortion.
He feels like I do about same-sex relationships.
He feels like I do about extra-marital affairs.
He feels like I do about the death penalty.
He feels like I do about wine with my meals.
He doesn’t restrict what I do or where I go.
He is not concerned about how I dress.
He believes my race is superior to others.
He confirms my beliefs.
He validates my doctrinal and ethical positions.
He also speaks English as His first language.
Making a God in my own image was pretty easy. Anyone can do it without any guidance. Sure, I had to fine-tune my God once or twice. But I think I’ve got Him like I like Him now!
By The Way, How’s Your God Coming Along?
The New Math Of Pentecost
The New Math Of Pentecost
When the Russians sent up Sputnik, American educators panicked. The National Science Foundation was expanded in 1957 to promote changes in science and math beginning with the Middle Schools.
The main thrust was to switch from the teacher, “instructing” the student”. Now, the pupils were encouraged to “discover” on their own. No more student recitations were necessary. The New Math was born.
- Teachers didn’t like it and the parents were up in arms.
- Books began to hit the shelves decrying the changes found in the new math.
Morris Kline, in Why Johnny Can’t Add: The Failure of the New Math, wrote that “with near perfect regularity, [teachers] applaud the return to tradition content [and] instructional methods, and higher standards of student performance.”
Wikipedia wrote:
Parents were concerned that they did not understand what their children were learning and could not help them with their studies. In the end it was concluded that the experiment was not working, and New Math fell out of favor before the end of the decade, though it continued to be taught for years thereafter in some school districts.
- Why the need to change from the old Arithmetic to the New Math?
- What was to be gained?
- Was the change because one generation didn’t like the answers they got from the older generation?
- What it because they were sick of be told what the answers were to the problems and wanted to discover them for themselves?
- Arithmetic is about numbers, and New math is about concepts.
The basic difference between the new math and the old arithmetic might be explained this way.
1962: (Arithmetic) A farmer sells a load of hay for $150. His cost in raising the hay is 2/3 of this price. What is his profit?
1972 (Arithmetic): A farmer sells a load of hay for $150. His cost of raising the hay is $100. What is his profit?
1977 (New Math): A farmer exchanges a set H of hay for a set M of money. The cardinality of set M is 150 and each element is worth $1.
- (a) Make 150 dots representing the elements of the set M
- (b) The set C representing costs of production contains 50 fewer points than set M. Represent the set C as a subset of the set M.
- (c) What is the cardinality of the set P of profits?
1990 (Dumbed-down math): A farmer sells a load of hay for $150. His cost of production is $100 and his profit is $50. Underline the number 50.
2010 (New Math): By cutting down a field full of hay, a farmer makes $50.
- (a) What do you think of this way of making money?
- (b) How will the birds and animals be affected?
- (c) Draw a picture of the field, as you’d like it to look.
Some Americans felt we were falling so far behind in the Space Race, so we had to do something to catch up. Evidently, (they thought) the old way isn’t working. So they changed. It took many years to realize their reaction to the problem only made things get worse.
How Does This Math History Lesson Apply To Pentecost?
To the older generation, looks at it this way…
The New Math Concept Of Not Wanting To Be Taught, Is Deeply Embedded In This Newest Generation Of Pentecost.
They freely flaunt words like, “relationship.” At they same time, they scorn the words, “commandments” and “rules”.
- They say they love the Lord; but they just don’t want to be bogged down with any rules.
- The New Math people do not welcome standards. They resent being told “NO”.
The New Math of Pentecost Says, “Every Time Jesus Met A Hurting Person He Chose A Relationship, Over Rules & Regulations.”
Really? Every Time?
- Jesus once said, “You are of your father the devil.” How did that relationship turn out?
- He called some, “Hypocrites? Did that hurt the relationship?
- He turned over the tables and drove them out of the Temple for turning His House of Prayer into a den of thieves? He made a whip and thrashed it at the people? Really now, does that sound like a normal relationship?
- Why would Jesus do that? Could it be those Jews were doing something wrong? Surely not.
A relationship with Jesus begins with our accepting His ways, not Him accepting ours.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
There cannot be ANY Relationship with God without Obeying His Commandments.
Brothers and Sisters, we MUST have a relationship with God. It’s imperative. It’s necessary. It’s extremely important.
- But if we do not obey His word, we have NO relationship.
- If you receive correction, you’ve just proved your sonship.
- And if you resented and rejected correction, you showed who you really are.
Hebrews 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
- What kind of relationship can we have with Him if we don’t want to do what He wants us to do?
- What kind of relationship can we have with Him if we reject His correction?
- Can you figure that out with your New Math?
Mark 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
The New Math of Pentecost Says, “Rules & Regulations Have Nothing To Do With Sin.”
What is considered sin today anyway? What? Name it? Not much. Adultery? Fornication? Don’t make me laugh. Like you, I can read some Pentecostal’s Facebook pages too. There are some that openly flaunt the fact that they are in a Domestic Relationship. Yet they still go to church. Yes, they have a relationship, with God and they also have a relationship with who ever else is willing to have one.
- How many “Spirit filled” women in your church wear slacks?
- How many cut their hair?
- How many wear make up?
- How many have on more jewelry than a Dillard’s Christmas tree?
How many of these still feel they have a true Relationship with Jesus?
If rules have nothing to do with sin, then how do you know when you have done something wrong? Or is there any… ‘wrong’ anymore?
The New Math Of Pentecost dislikes the concept of being told anything. They desire to discover the things of God on their own. If they are not convicted, then it must not be wrong.
The New Math of Pentecost Says, “Rules Can’t Save You.”
They don’t have to give up much to live for God, since they they’ve been studying this “New Math of Pentecost Doctrine.”
Every Jake-leg in Pentecost now knows more than their pastor about the things of God. They’ll argue with him. They look for every scripture they can twist, to get out of living like a Holy Ghost filled person should. They are quicker to take what some compromiser on the Internet has to say about Salvation, than their own pastor.
New Math believers resent being told anything by a preacher, but they have no reservations about getting on Facebook and hollering at the top of their voice to all who will listen, saying that “Rules” are not necessary.
- They don’t want to be told. They just want to tell.
- Evidently, their condemnation makes them defensive.
- Rebellion, is what this whole thing boils down to.
The New Math of Pentecost Says: You Can Have A Relationship With God, Without Rules
My friend, Pastor Kenneth Bow said it well:
- “The Ten Commandments represent the two great relationships in man’s world.
- The first four commandments are about man toward God.
- The second six commandments are all about how to exist with our fellow-man.
- To love God and to love our fellow-man is the basis for the Ten Commandments. It provides the foundation for all man’s relationships.”
The Kenneth Bow Blog
New Math? What Answers Did It Change?
- Tithe is still 10%
- Holiness is still required, no matter how hard you try to get around it.
- God’s Word hasn’t changed for this generation.
- He is still going to require of this generation, what he has always required… Being separated from the world. Not just separated from the world, but separated unto Him.
- It is still Holiness or Hell.
- The Bible didn’t change, just because you did.
- Well, one thing it did change. It seems, most New Math “teachers” don’t even own a suit. They dress very causal in the pulpit.
Man’s Interest In New Math Was Prophesied In The Bible
2 Timothy 4:3 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;
The New Math of Pentecost Proudly Proclaims That To Win The Lost:
- We should not teach Standards at our church.
- We should not teach, we should let you discover convictions on your own.
- We should not teach standards. It is easier to win the lost by dressing like them.
- We should not teach against Women to cutting their hair.
- We should not teach against Women wearing man’s apparel.
- We should not teach against wearing shorts in public.
- We should not teach against women’s low necklines and tight clothes.
- We should not teach against mixed swimming.
- We should not teach against Hollywood.
These New Math folks don’t want an old-time preacher to preach where they are living. They have a negative reaction to any Holiness preaching.
Why Don’t They Want To Be Told?
They are like a toddler about to do something Mommy already told them not to do. Then turning to their parent say, “Don’t you tell me don’t.”
Americans doing the New Math finally figured out that it was a mistake, and they quit.
Those doing the New Math of Pentecost may not be so fortunate. They may not find out they were doing it wrong until they get to the Judgment.
One thing for sure, you can’t tell them that. They want to find out for themselves.
*My personal thanks to Bro. Bow for making me think about the New Math, and how it applies to Pentecostals today.
The Old Oregon Trail, And The Apostle John
The Old Oregon Trail, And The Apostle John
No, the Apostle John never travelled the Oregon Trail. Yet, there is a common thread here and a simple truth worth sharing, found in their stories.
Ezra Meeker
Ezra Meeker
In the early 1920’s Ezra Meeker, the world-famous wagon train master, walked into my grandfather’s Oregon City Art Studio. My mother’s father, Turner Hubble Gleason, had been commissioned to paint the portrait of one of the most prominent citizens of the state of Oregon. A copy of his portrait remains in our family to this day.
By now, Mr. Meeker was a very old man. His beard was full and long and his hair white. His steps were still steady. His life had been filled with more adventure than most men could ever dream about. He had seen his life’s dreams come true.
“Before his death in 1928, just a few days shy of his 98th birthday, Ezra Meeker had not only walked the Oregon Trail several times, he’d ridden along it in an automobile and aboard a train, and flown over it in an airplane: he’d come a long way, and for many his story symbolized the opportunities that had been available on the frontier.” – http://www.lib.washington.edu/exhibits/frontier/local/case8.html
He had met with Indians. He had become friends with Indian Chiefs and had even driven his ox team to Washington to meet with President Teddy Roosevelt and several congressmen. The President had even walked out of the White House to see Ezra Meeker’s ox team and to talk of his future plans for him.
As the last Wagon Master to lead a train over the Oregon Trail, Mr. Meeker had been called on to verify the trail for the building of a new federal highway.
Unscrupulous men for years had side-tracked the unsuspecting traveler on the trail with their bogus signs. Signs with arrows proclaiming such things as “Custer’s Last Stand.”
In reality, the side trails took the weary and naïve off the true trail. To their dismay, they found that this was just a trading post or curio shop.
There was much confusion for the unsuspecting traveller. Something had to be done to straighten out the true Oregon Trail.
The President commissioned Ezra Meeker to guide surveyors, engineers and project managers to show them the original trail… The Old Oregon Trail.
Regardless of what the current signs said, Meeker ignored them and fully trusted his memory of the trail. He had spent a lifetime climbing every mountain and crossing every river. He knew the trail. That’s why they had chosen him.
Oregon Trail pioneer Ezra Meeker erected this boulder near Pacific Springs on Wyoming's South Pass in 1906.
Meeker, would say things like:
- “We crossed the river right here.
- “We went up the mountain on this side.
- “Over there is where we made camp.
- “Right here is the trail, ignore what that sign over there says.”
He then would remark the trail with his own signs that said. “Old Oregon Trail”
Because of Ezra Meeker’s life experience with the trail, the United States government trusted only him to lay the trail out right.
When the final stake was driven, they began construction of the famous east-west highway. Today, they call it, U.S. Highway 30. It remains as true as possible to the original trail.
__________________________________________________
The Apostle John
Mr. John Phillips in his commentary on the Gospel of John, starts his preface with something similar to this…
Matthew, Mark, and Luke were all dead. Peter, the Prince of Apostles had died too. John was the first, and now the last Apostle. He alone of all the Apostles remained alive.
He was approximately 90 years old. Banished on the Island of Patmos, he began to write to his children in the Lord. He wrote as if he was the last defender of the New Testament doctrine.
Already the church was beginning to drift. They were deviating from the old paths in doctrine and in separation from the world, among other things. Grievous wolves had entered the flock.
His Epistles were the last known attempt to set the record straight. He had traveled the Trail of Truth from the very start. He wasn’t about to let anyone pervert this glorious message.
He drove down verbal markers and stakes, fearlessly proclaiming the message. It was the message that Jesus had given to the Disciples. The only message the Apostles ever preached.
John was prepared to die. But before dying, he was making sure that generations to come would know the Truth. As he made each point and drove it home, he would say: “This is…” He left no room for error.
“This Is Our Message”
- He Began His Gospel and Epistles Saying, This Is The Most Important Revelation.
- That There Is Only One God. His name Is Jesus!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
He then went on to proclaim in his epistles to the churches, the true Message.
1.) “This is the Promise.”
1John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
2.) “This is the Message.”
1John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
3.) “This is His Commandment.”
1John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
4.) “This is the spirit of the Antichrist.”
1John 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
5.) “This is the Love of God.”
1John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
6.) “This is the Victory.”
1John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
7.) “This is He.”
1John 5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
8.) “This is the Witness of God.”
1John 5:9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
9.) “This is the Record.”
1John 5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
8.) “This is the Confidence.”
1John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
9.) “This is the True God.”
1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
10.) “This is Love.”
2John 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
11.) “This is a Deceiver and an Antichrist.”
2John 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
_____________________________________
If you ever plan to drive to the state of Oregon and arrive there safely, one of the men you can thank is Ezra Meeker. He did everything he could to make sure that generations to come would follow the “Old Oregon Trail.”
If you ever plan to go to heaven and see Him who is God manifested in the flesh, one of the men you can thank, is the Apostle John. He did everything he could to keep the New Testament Church following “The Apostolic Message.”
Obey Acts 2:38
Heaven’s Not A Sin Away
Heaven’s Not A Sin Away!
Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The following is an excerpt of an old song by The Kendalls. Their song claimed that Heaven was just a sin away.
“Heaven’s Not A Sin Away”
by
The Kendalls
Oh way down deep inside I know that it’s all wrong
Your eyes keep tempting me and I never was that strong
Devil’s got me now oh oh, gone and got me now
I can’t find him anyhow I’m think he’s gonna win
Heaven’s just a sin away oh oh, just a sin away
Heaven help me when I say I think I’m giving in
Oh way down deep inside…
Devil’s got me now oh oh, gone and got me now…
Heaven’s just a sin away oh oh, just a sin away…
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
But, Heaven’s Not A Sin Away!
1. With Sin Comes Guilt And Condemnation.
- How long do you pay for a mistake in your mind?
- How long do you pay for a mistake in the minds of others?
- A Moment of Weakness – Will Bring A Lifetime Of Regret.
Ask David – Bathsheba
- Heaven’s Not A Sin Away!
2. With Sin Comes God’s Displeasure.
Is. 59:1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Is. 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Ask Cain
Gen 4:13 And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
- Heaven’s Not A Sin Away!
3. When Sin Is Done With You, There Won’t Be Much Left.
Amos 3:12 Thus saith the LORD; As the shepherd taketh out of the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear;
- Addictions
- Immorality
- HIV
- Reputation Lost
Ask Samson
Heaven’s Not A Sin Away!
4. Willful Sin Is A Major Problem.
It Was For Esau. He Couldn’t Get Right With God Again!
Heb. 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
- What Woman is worth going to hell over?
- What Man is worth going to hell over?
- What Job is worth going to hell over?
- What Friend is worth going to hell over?
- What Entertainment is worth going to hell over?
- What Sport is worth going to hell over?
- What Style of Clothes is worth going to hell over?
- What Lifestyle is worth going to hell over?
- What Unforgiven Hurt is worth going to hell over?
- What Temptation is worth going to hell over?
Matt. 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Ask Eve – She saw that the fruit of the tree was pleasant to the eye, and she gave in to temptation. That brought the curse upon us all and banished Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden.
Heaven’s NOT just a sin away!
Ask Saul
(1 Sam 26:21) Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly.
5. You Better Be Glad God Is Merciful
- To God, There’s no such thing as a throw-a-way soul
- He is NOT willing that any should perish
- We Don’t Deserve His Mercy
- We ALL Deserve to be lost
The Story Of A Backslidder
Bob had backslid many times. He’d been in and out of the little Home Missions Church so many times that he’d lost track. He thought it had been maybe 13 or 14 times. He was ashamed. Why couldn’t he live for God? Maybe he just was one of those that God couldn’t help. Or maybe God had finally given up on him because of his many failures and weaknesses.
It had been nearly two years since he’d been back to church. The devil really wanted him to believe that there was no more hope for him. Bob was easily convinced. There was no point in even going back and trying anymore. He’d done that over dozen times without success. Besides, no one believed in him anymore. Bob was though with church and through with God, because he just knew God was through with him.
Bob was a good worker and men at the plant respected him for his abilities. His personality gained him many friends as well.
One day at work Bob got a chemical on his hand that left a bad stain. He tried to wash it off and even used hand cleaner. All his attempts to remove the stain were unsuccessful.
He was so embarrassed that night when he had to wear a suit to go to a fancy restaurant, that he kept his hand in his pocket so no one would see the stain.
The next day at work, Bob got too close to a machine and it sliced his hand deeply. Blood gushed everywhere.
“Call 911,” several people shouted. “Bob’s hurt bad!”
“Naw, don’t call 911, just take me to Med-Point.” Said Bob as he tried to wrap a shop rag around his hand and apply pressure to stop the gushing of blood.
“How bad is it?” Some one asked?
Bob took the shop rag off and wiped away the blood to see home deep the cut was. When he looked at the cut and then at his hands, he saw that the stain was gone. He immediately started to cry. The blood had washed away the stain.
His legs gave way and he fell to his knees. With tears running down his cheeks, Bob raised his hands in the air. The blood was still pumping profusely.
The men looked at Bob in amazement as they heard him speaking words they couldn’t understand.
“Call 911, Bob’s really hurt. We’ve never seen Bob cry!”
The men were concerned. Very concerned.
“Don’t call 911”, Bob said, “I’ll be alright! “
“Well if you’re alright, then why are you crying?”
Bob stopped long enough to say nineteen words that forever changed his life and restored his soul.
“Because I see for the first time in my life that the Blood of Jesus will wash away my sins!”
6. With Sin Comes The Need To Repent.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Repent Today. Then Let The Blood Of Jesus Wash Away All Your Sins In Baptism. Jesus WILL Give You The Holy Ghost!
Heaven’s Not A Sin Away
Heaven’s Just A Prayer Away!
Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine
Don’t Cast Your Pearls Before Swine
Have you been trying to reason with Holiness haters lately?
Did you get surprised when they actually said, “I hate Holiness”?
Does It surprise you that they tell bold faced lies about you now?
Some of your old friends left the Message and went Charismatic? And now they post negative stuff about you on their Facebook page?
Former Apostolics been trashing you recently and saying horrible things about you and you have been unsure how to handle their hostility?
Here’s your Scripture for today.
Matt. 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Give this Glorious Acts 2:38 Apostolic Message to a person Hungry for God! Give your Treasure of Truth to someone who will love it like you do. Even Jesus thought it was a waste of time to ‘talk’ to some folks.
(Have you ever seen an Apostate come back to Truth? Me either.)
This Gospel is too precious. Don’t waste your time on those that God is through with. They wouldn’t love the Truth. So God gave them something they would love… Delusion.
Learning To Live Without God.
Learning To Live Without God.
Living without God in our life would be, without argument, the hardest thing anyone could ever do! It would not just be hard, it would be terrifying, it would be heartbreaking, and it would be filled with pain… so much pain.
To those who are accustomed to the blessings of the Lord’s daily presence, His absence would leave a void too great for words.
I cannot imagine trying to live even one day without the Lord in my life. Every time I finish reading the Bible, those that were foolhardy enough to try, still amaze me.
Day One without God… I wonder what that felt like? Did Day Two or Three get any easier? Imagine living the rest of your life without God’s approval or blessing. Imagine Him turning His head when you pray.
Saul
Saul was the King who at first was so humble and small in his own eyes, but later crossed an invisible line and walked on the side of arrogance until he died. He crossed over into the spiritual realm of service unto God that belonged to the ministry, and God immediately rejected him. God lifted His blessing, approval and support. God even refused to ever speak to him again.
His fatal mistake happened early in his reign. Saul’s 40 years on the throne was spent without God’s help. The prophet Samuel no longer prayed for him or prophesied to him. He had to learn to live without God.
- He ignored the office of the man of God in his life.
- He thought his kingdom authority gave him spiritual authority.
- He made that mistake only once.
- Repentance was not an option.
Day one without God… I wonder what it felt like?
Esau
When Esau showed his disdain for the Birthright and sold it for a bowl of pottage, he angered God. The Lord called him a profane man because he saw no value in that which included the covenant blessings of Jehovah.
It may not have seemed all that important to Esau when he sat at the table, but God never forgave him. Esau even tried to repent, but God wouldn’t let him. He cried, but God turned his back on him forever. He had to learn to live without God.
- He let his hunger of things of the moment override his hunger for the things of God.
- He treated the Word (of God’s covenant) lightly.
- He traded the eternal for the temporary.
- Repentance was not an option for him.
Day one without God… I wonder what it felt like?
Ichabod
Even the name still scares us. The Ark of the Lord was stupidly and unlawfully carried into battle and lost. A birthing mother heard the news and named her newborn son Ichabod, meaning ‘the glory has departed.”
The Ark was gone and stayed gone a long while. No wonder David danced wildly and with great joy when he saw the ark finally coming to it’s proper home. What was it like for a nation, knowing that the Ark was missing? It seems like all of the congregation would think about that every time they went to the tabernacle to sacrifice. The Mercy Seat was missing. They had to learn what it was like to live without God.
Day one without God… I wonder what it felt like?
The 400 Years
When Malachi laid his head down to rest for the last time, it was all over for Israel. They loved picking up the ways of the heathen. They incorporated the heathen’s ways into their worship. The freely married them as well.
Israel seemed to delight itself in dressing like the rest of the world and ignoring the pleadings of all the prophets. God had sent them prophet after prophet, but nothing changed. So God got tired of wasting His breath and His men. God quit. For 400 years God never spoke to Israel. His mercy and patience wore thin.
How many years went by before someone said, “I can’t remember when I last heard a prophet”? Generations passed without one correction from God. They had turned their back on Him; He turned His back on them.
- No preacher in their life.
- No direction or correction from God must have brought peace to their deluded minds.
- Did it ever dawn on them that they were living with less of an experience with God than before?
By the end of the first year without God… I wonder how much further they had slipped?
You Think God Can’t Get Serious?
You Think The God Of Love And Mercy Will Let You Do Whatever You Want?
Is The Only Scripture You Want To Hear Quoted Is ‘God Is Love”?
The following scriptures are just a few of the passages that shows the other side of God.
“If You Love Sin, God Won’t Listen To Your Prayers.”
Psa. 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
“If You Kill Your Neighbor With Your Words, God Will Hate You And Your Prayers!”
Is. 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
Is. 1:15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
Is. 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
“God Won’t Listen To Their Prayers!”
Is. 59:1 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
Is. 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Is. 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
“If You Mistreat Your Wife And Disrespect Her, God Won’t Hear Your Prayers.”
1Pet. 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
“Don’t Even Pray For Them!”
Jer. 7:16 Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.
“Don’t Pray For Them, I’m Done!”
Jer. 14:11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
Jer. 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
“I Don’t Want Your Worship!”
Amos 5:23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.
Life Today!
Many church members have turned their backs on God of late. They have rejected the essentiality of Repentance, Baptism in Jesus Name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by the speaking with other tongues. They make fun of Holiness and those that are living separated from the world. They attach names of mockery to those that carefully follow Biblical principles of Holiness. They call them “Ultra Cons” and other names of derision. They make fun of Godly women and their long dresses and long hair. There is a falling away.
Sadly, quite a few former Apostolic Pentecostals now live like they have never been inside of a Holiness church. Their dress, their lifestyle, their language, and their social activities show no evidence of Godliness or God mindedness. Their Facebook pages do not identify them as Apostolic. God Is not pleased.
They have explained away, rationalized and cut off any scripture or preacher that speaks against their ‘enlightened’ freedoms. In their delusion, they feel God will accept them as they are, because they don’t plan to change. They want God to change His word so that it will adapt to them.
They continue to go through the motions of having church kind of like Israel did in the Old Testament after God quit talking to them. God doesn’t approve.
Sadly, many that once were submissive to God’s Word have now turned aside to follow after their own lusts.
Does God keep dealing with them? I can’t answer that. I do know that the ones I have seen leave, have no desire to return. I do not know of anyone that has left this truth for an “easier” way, that has ever recovered, come back and God gave them another chance.
It seems to me that they have no choice but to live without God. Live without Him now, and live without Him later.
Backslider? What was Day One like? Are you still trying to live without God? It won’t get any better! The way of the transgressor is hard. I don’t know if repentance is an option.
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 