The Dangers of Harry Potter

The Dangers of Harry Potter
By Mike Bradley

The Harry Potter book has just been released in the bookstores this week. This book is the sixth book in a planned series of 7 books.

I’m sure you have all heard that these books have been a huge success and there are millions of kids throughout the world hooked on these books as well as quite a few adults themselves. The publishing industry has never seen anything quite like this. What is the fascination with these books and now the movie? Why are so many children and some adults drawn to these books?

There have always been movies and fiction books on witchcraft, wizardry and sorcery – but none of them have ever obtained the popularity that this series of books has. What is so different with this line of books? Why are they so much more popular than anything else that has ever been written?

Many of the major Christian ministries are up in major arms about these
books and now the movie. They say these books are a lure to lead children and adults into witchcraft and the other dark occult arts.

However, we have always had these types of movies and books coming at us. Why all of a sudden are so many Christians coming out against these books where they have really not done this in the past with all of the fantasy movies Hollywood has come out with in the past.

I’ve always felt in my spirit that there really was something different with these series of books – but I never bought or read any of them. I went ahead and rented the very first Harry Potter video and watched it in its complete entirety to see if these Christians were right in their criticism of this movie and these books or if they were just getting too carried away on what at first glance just seems to be harmless fantasy
entertainment.

After watching and reviewing this movie very carefully, it is my personal opinion that the Christians who are up in arms over these books and movie are right! This movie, and especially the series of books themselves, is a definite lure from the dark side to entice and trap people into not only witchcraft itself – but other occult arts, which are expressly forbidden by God the Father in the Bible.

There is no question that Satan is the one orchestrating the way that these books have been written up and how they have been so cleverly marketed to a mass audience who have no idea what is really lurking behind all of it. Satan has very cleverly put a major spiritual secret in these books and movies that is in operation in the spiritual realm that will draw some of the more ignorant and naive into the real world of
witchcraft.

That spiritual secret is the law of seeking. The Bible tells us to seek – and then we will find. This spirtual principle not only works in God’s realm – but it also works in the realm of Satan where he and his demons roam seeking next who they can devour.

And Harry Potter is coincidentally given the official title of a seeker in the very first book. And what is a seeker going to find if he starts to research the subject of witchcraft and sorcery after reading these kinds of books and having the seeds of desire implanted in them as a result of reading these kind of books? Hundreds and hundreds of books on the subject of witchcraft – all with specific titles on how to actually become a witch, how to form out a coven, how to actually cast spells, etc.

Go to any major Borders book store – and you will literally see several hundreds of books in their metaphysical section – all dealing specifically with the subject of witchcraft and how to get started and progress further into it. And once that person decides he is going to try out some of this occult activity – he has now officially crossed over into enemy terrority and he has now given the demonic realm full legal right to come into him and his life.

And all of this can be started by just a few seeds of desire that can planted into someone by just imagining and fantasizing what it would be like if they could obtain the kind of supernatural power that Harry Potter has in all of these books. And with many of the readers of this line of books being our younger children – it doesn’t take much to see what a deadly combination this could be for a very young, innocent and highly suggestible mind.

All Christians, especially Christians who have younger children who are wanting to read and really get into these books, should be warned about the spiritual trap that is being laid with these books.

Article written by Michael Bradley of Bible Knowledge Ministries. Their website is a resource of Bible knowledge commentary and teaching. They currently have over 100 in depth Bible articles. All free of charge. You can sign up for their free newsletter which will alert you of new articles, which are being added on a weekly basis.
The full article can be found at
Harry Potter and the Bible

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The Occult is Enmity with God

Biblical Perspective on Witchcraft and the Occult

The Occult is Enmity with God (Occult practitioners are God’s enemies)

The Occult is of Satan. Whether you wish to believe it or not. Satan has thousands of “religions” to confuse people. Back in bibical days (and in some places, still do) they used graven images (Idols – statues of these false gods)

Satan does not require a religion to be “dark” (few people would go for a truly evil religion) he only cares that it distracts you from saving faith.

Deu 18:10-12 “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.
“For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.”

Lev 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood [shall be] upon them.

Exd 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

What is the difference between the occult and Christianity?

What is the difference between the occult and Christianity? They are both supernatural.

In the occult, the wielder of the supernatural power does so at his own will (at least he/ she thinks so) The Christian is led by God, and does not use their “own” power. God does the work.

Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19 KJV)

The occult practitioner practices their arts for their own purposes. God leads the Christian to use their supernatural gifts for the edification of other people.

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. (Matthew 4:3 KJV)

Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.(1 Corinthians 14:12 KJV)

What Witches Believe

What Witches Believe

First of all, people tend to get witchcraft and other occult religions mixed up. So, below, is what one ex-witch writes. Permission to reprint this was kindly granted by www.exwitch.org. An organization of witches who have come to Christ.

What she writes is true. I know firsthand.

Visit their site! They are an excellent source of information. They also have a forum.

What is Witchcraft?

Written by Kathi Sharpe

Let’s start off with what modern Witchcraft is NOT:

Witches do not believe that Wicca has anything to do with the devil. Most Witches do not believe in “evil.”
There are no Shakespearean curses involving boiling frogs in cauldrons.
Witches do not practice bloody sacrifices (human or animal). However, followers of some other Pagan religions (such as Santeria) do practice animal sacrifice. There are some groups who claim to practice things such as human sacrifice, and evidence of other illegal activities (such as grave robbing). This is not typical of American Pagans, and stories involving these practices should be carefully investigated.
No one really flies on brooms.
Rituals are usually not ecstatic sex orgies.
I’ve never met a green-faced, warty-nosed Witch.

We’ve written this article because many people within the church have entirely the wrong idea about Witches, Wiccans, and Pagans. It is unfortunate that misperceptions and even outright lies have circulated amongst us, as Christ’s commands to “love thy neighbor” and “Go… make disciples” apply to Pagans (just as much as to anyone else). Furthermore, by and large people within the neopagan movement are some of the friendliest people we’ve ever met, and the lies that people have about them are just plain – wrong.

Followers of this religion are often gentle, spiritual people who are concerned with the environment, human rights, and happiness. They usually worship one or more ancient goddesses and gods. Religious rituals range from solemn, with candles lit and incense burning; to ecstatic, with dancing, chanting, and singing.

Witches do cast spells, although most say they only do so for positive purposes. They do not hex or curse, nor do they generally interfere with the will of another. Magic (many Witches say “magick”) is often called “The science and art of causing change to occur in conformity to Will”. In fact, many Wiccans will tell you that magick and Christian-style prayer are really the same thing. Unlike Christian prayer, Wiccan rituals usually include the use of props (candles, incense, altar tools, herbs, etc.) and the request goes to whichever god or goddess the Witch worships, or more often to the “forces of nature” as a demand rather than a request. Witches also employ divination, such as tarot cards and astrology, to determine likely outcomes of decisions, or to get in touch with their “inner selves” or their gods. However, do keep in mind that some do NOT practice divination, and a few do not practice magick.

There is no Witch’s “Bible”. While is widely felt that wisdom comes from within, not from a book or even from “On High”, some have no problem with transcendent views of deity. There are sacred texts in several Pagan traditions, such as the Egyptian Book of Coming Forth by Day (commonly called the “Book of the Dead”). Witches tend to believe that Jesus was a great teacher (and so were Buddha and Mohammed). If they believe in the existence of the devil at all, they’ll tell you that he’s simply “another Christian deity”. While Pagans invoke a number of deities (female and male) and entities such as elementals, and believe in beings such as tree spirits and faeries, most say that there are no “demons” anywhere: this is also a Christian concept, and they’re not Christians. Their deities are considered to be “imminent”, or within each of us, meaning that everyone is actually deity. A common phrase at rituals is “Thou art Goddess.”

Leaders among Pagans tend to be strong, powerful, self-assured people. However, most are not overtly power-seeking, overly charismatic, “follow me” types. In fact, because covens are generally autonomous, often led by everyone equally, the rules are flexible, and there is seldom money exchanged, Witches can argue very effectively that they are not a “cult”.

Although moral and political views are certainly not universal among Pagans, it is safe to say that most support neo-tolerance (there is no truth/what’s true for me is not necessarily true for you/everything is true (just pick one)), women’s rights and matriarchy, sexual “freedom” (including homosexuality, polyamory, non-monogamy, sexual activity by teens), abortion, and the abolition of Christianity from public life, especially in schools and governmental functions. In recent years there have been lawsuits filed by Pagans against such things as “In God We Trust” (which appears on our money), student-led prayer in schools, the Ten Commandments, and Christian symbols, such as the Cross, in city and county seals. However, many are active in getting the schools to teach the Wiccan holidays (such as Halloween and Winter Solstice), pagan elements of “Earth Day”, and Pagan symbolism.

There is no concept of sin or need for forgiveness in Pagan traditions. There is no need for salvation, as there is “nothing to be saved from.” The main tenet of Wicca is called the “Wiccan Rede”. It states “An it harm none, do as ye will”. Basically, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, anything goes. Views of what actually causes harm vary from person to person. However, as most feel that you will be paid back three times over for everything you do, it pays to be careful. However, some argue that causing harm is occasionally acceptable, if you are willing to be responsible and accept the karmic consequence. A few groups have a more legalistic set of rules to follow, upon which they will ultimately be judged, although there is rarely any mention of what one is to do when those rules are broken.

Views of death and the afterlife vary widely among Pagans. Many do not have any concept of a literal heaven or hell. Some espouse the concept of karma and endless reincarnation. They insist that living once is a ridiculous concept and point to “evidence” and “memories” of past lives. Others believe that everyone (good, bad, and otherwise) will go to the Land of Apples or Heaven after their live(s) are over. Some combine the two theories into a reincarnation-until-enlightenment philosophy. Many do not even have a clear concept of what will happen after death, proclaiming that they’ll find out when they get there.

Keep in mind that this is only a brief summary of what most Wiccans and other Pagans believe, and that there is great diversity within the Pagan movement: not every Witch will agree with every statement on this page, but most Witches will agree with most of it.

Freedom from Homosexuality is Possible

Freedom From Homosexuality is Possible
By Dee Foster

I would like to take this opportunity to share my personal witness testimony that freedom from homosexuality is possible. How do I know this? I am married to a man who I consider to be God’s own personal miracle to not only let us know that freedom from homosexuality possible, but it is also a reality.

God can and does change anyone that wants to change.

I know what you are thinking? How is that possible? Are people born that way?

I was also once among the numbered that believe that once gay always gay. As a matter of fact, I think God has a sense of humor concerning me and this whole issue.

Years ago while serving in the army and before I gave my life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I had a conversation with myself while watching an interview with a well known sitcom star who had married a ex-homosexual. Remember, at that time I did not know that such a person existed and if they did I certainly would never even entertain the thought.

You may not remember this lady, but she played the role of Rose on “227″ and her husband in real life was the man that starred as the monster in the movie “Predator”. She was sharing how he had left the homosexual life style and was also sharing that after leaving the lifestyle, they discovered he had the AIDS virus. He has since passed.

“She must be crazy to marry someone like that!”, was my outburst of this revelation. “I don’t care if he did say he was no longer gay! I would never marry someone like that!”

Those were my exact words! God must have been laughing and saying, “If she only knew.”

Everything this lady said challenged my entire belief system about what I thought was possible. Coupled with the fact that I was living a sinful life at the time myself and my lack of education in that area, I was totally blind to what was possible to those who put their total trust in God and his son Jesus Christ.

Fast forward almost 16 years later, I am married to the most wonderful man that ever lived. He is a wonderful husband, a devoted father to our five beautifiul children, and my best friend.

He is a man that many have said simply can not exist because of his powerful testimony of freedom from homosexuality. One news woman, even remarked “I didn’t know there was such a creature.”

I am proud to be his wife, his lover and his friend. I count it an honor to stand beside him and to declare that there is freedom from homosexuality through the power and saving grace of Jesus Christ our Lord.

You are invited to read his ground breaking book, “Touching a Dead Man.” See more information below.

Dee Foster is a successful working mother of five children, a pastor’s wife and an Internet Marketing Executive.

Additionally, Dee serves in her community as a motivational speaker.

Dee’s passion is helping others to reach their goals and live the life that God designed for them to live.

Dee is also very passionate when it comes to supporting her husband, Pastor DL Foster in his ministry to those who have been affected by homosexuality and are seeking a way out.

He is the author of the ground breaking book Touching a Dead Man http://www.touchingadeadman.com

To also learn more about Dee, you may visit may visit online at http://www.deefosterenterprises.org

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Will Gays and Lesbians go to Heaven?

Will Gays and Lesbians go to Heaven?

Just like any other sin (except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit) if you repent and get baptized, you may be forgiven. God’s grace is not a license to sin.

1 Corinthians 6:11 continues from the verse, above it. It says, There was a time when some of you were just like that, but now your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God. You have been made right with God because of what the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God have done for you.

Let me emphasize. Notice the word “repent”. God’s grace is not a license to sin. You must repent, or turn from your sin. If you think you can brazenly practice sexual immorality, you are going to be sadly mistaken. This is not hate, it is a statement of fact.

Don’t worry if you want to be free but don’t see a way out. God can and does free people from such things all the time.

Misconception: The Bible is silent on homosexuality

Misconception 1: The Bible is silent on homosexuality

The bible is by no means silent on the subject of homosexuality. It can be easy to think that because back in 1611 when the King James Version was authorized, the term Homosexuality had not been coined yet. According to Webster’s Dictionary, there was no such word until nearly 300 years later in 1892. The term “sodomites” was used for homosexuality at least once in the KJV in 1 Timothy (See Below)

So, what does the Bible say about homosexuality?

In the Old Testament, homosexuality was capital offense.

In the New Testament, the Greeks have two words for homosexuality. One for the active partner and one for the passive: mä-lä-ko’s and är-se-no-koi’-tas both acts are forbidden.

Women are not excluded. Lesbianism in the bible is just as bad. (See Romans 1:26, below)

Even cross-dressing is an abomination: A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the LORD your God.  (Deuteronomy 22:5 NKJV) 

This chart parallels the 1996 Edition of the New Living Translation (NLT) and the King James Version of 1611

Drinking is a Sin?

Misconception: Drinking is a Sin

Some people claim that drinking is a sin. It is clearly not. Just about every book in the Bible talks about drinking. Jesus, Himself spoke fondly of wine. (Matthew 26:29) Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine (John 2:1-10). Clearly the act of drinking is not wrong.

Where the “sin” comes in is when it becomes in excess — the drinking takes over God’s place in a person’s priorities, when it results in injury to one’s own life, or to the lives of others.

Alcoholism has been convincingly (but there is controversy of course) called a disease. It is just as much a mental disease as schizophrenia. But the disease also affects the body.

The Twelve Steps

The Twelve Steps

The twelve steps can be viewed on Alcoholics anonymous’s website. (Click here for a PDF)

The steps are tailor-made for the alcoholic. They also work for drug addiction and just about any other obsessive-compulsive behavior. Obsessive people tend to be self-centered. Their thought lives are almost exclusively spent thinking about themselves: how they are going to get high today, thinking about their own well-being, their own comfort, their own pleasure. Rarely does an alcoholic or addict think about the welfare of others enough to take any action that will “cost” themselves (unless, of course, they have something to gain from it in the future). An obsession takes over the thought life, and nothing else seems important. Obsession has been described as an idea that overpowers all other ideas.

The steps are often summed up as follows: Trust God, Clean House, Help Others. Trust God (Steps 2-3) Clean House (clean up the damage that you’ve done to your life and the lives of others — Steps 4-9) Help Others (Step 12).
Step 1 is recognizing the problem. Until you recognize the problem (often even recognizing the fact that you have a problem) you have no hope of solving it.
Steps 10 and 11 help you to grow emotionally and spiritually. In working step 10 you watch your behavior and when you make mistakes, promptly fix them. In step 11 you try to improve your conscious contact with God

Why and How the 12-Steps work

Why and How the 12-Steps work

An addiction is not a process of the conscious mind (Frontal lobe). By the time the frontal lobe of the brain is informed of the decision to drink (or use drugs) it is too late.

The term “dying for a drink” (fix, cigarette, etc.) is actually not an exaggeration. The decision to drink/ use is made in a “primitive” survival instinct part of the brain. I’ve heard it said that the decision to drink or use is triggered in the same part of the brain that provides the “fight or flight” mechanism. HBO’s report on addiction says it happens in the same part of the brain that controls the urge to eat and the sex drive. In either case, these parts of the brain are not under full command of the frontal lobe. There is a “stop” mechanism in the brain, but this mechanism becomes inoperable in the addicted mind (especially in adolescents whose stop mechanisms are not yet developed). This renders willpower alone helpless to stop. The addict/ alcoholic genuinely thinks they are going to die, and the frontal lobe (conscious mind) agrees completely. The focus of the mind narrows so that nothing else becomes important. Even though the consequences can be catastrophic, the addict simply cannot care – They must have their drink or fix.

The urge to drink/ use can be caused by nearly anything, but the real killers, so to speak, are emotions and stress. They are restless, irritable and discontented, unless they can again experience the sense of ease and comfort which comes at once by taking a few drinks[2] What makes this worse are resentments. Negative experiences are compounded by “re-living” the event over and over again until the stressful situation is blown way out of proportion by the mind. The twelve steps reduce stress so that the mechanism that makes the alcoholic/ addict think they need to take a drink/ fix to live will, over time, no longer be triggered.

The twelve steps are not so much a way to get sober (If getting sober was enough, detoxification “detox or rehab” would be enough to keep people clean and sober. But anyone who has been around an alcoholic/ addict who has tried, knows that detox by itself is not enough) The 12-steps offer a way to live sober. The members no longer feel they need to escape because their consciences are kept clear by a daily working of the steps. They are able to cope with problems by letting God handle the ones which are insurmountable. They do not feel they have to lie to cover up their bad actions, because, though nobody is perfect, when they do wrong, they promptly admit it. They do not allow their minds to entertain resentments. With God’s help, they deal with problems before the mind tries to exaggerate them.

Eventually, usually from six months to two years, the addict/ alcoholic begins to experience serenity. The stress levels never build up to a breaking point. In time, the irresistible urge to drink/ use is taken away. we will find that this has happened automatically. We will see that our new attitude toward liquor has been given us without any thought or effort on our part. It just comes! That is the miracle of it. We are not fighting it, neither are we avoiding temptation. We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality—safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. [3]

2 Alcoholics Anonymous (The “Big Book”)
“The Doctors opinion” (By William D. Silkworth, M.D.) Pages xxvi – xxvii

3 Alcoholics Anonymous (The “Big Book”)
“Into Action” Page 85

The Controversy about the Twelve Steps

The Controversy about the Twelve Steps

I am a recovering alcoholic. The 12 steps saved my life. I haven’t had a drink in over 5-1/2 years at the time of this writing. I found out that there is some controversy about the 12 steps, so I looked into it. If you want to hear the entire scuttlebutt, just search for “the orange papers” in your favorite search engine. I am deliberately not going to place a link to their site on this one.

The twelve steps are under fire. The major complaints are from secular people. The ways of God are foolishness to the unbeliever. No amount of explaining will convince them. Here are a few of the complaints and my answers:

• They complain that the first step makes a person feel powerless. This is patently absurd. In my experience (I and every alcoholic and addict that I know) were powerless while under the substance’s spell. Think about this: If we were not powerless, there would be no addiction, right? We’d simply quit!
  Anyhow, through the 12 steps, I was later empowered by God.
• They complain that our dependance upon God is a bad thing. However, mankind was not created to be autonomous. We are finite beings with finite understanding. Autonomy – trying to live without God’s guidance – is what got us into this mess in the first place in the garden of Eden
• In step five you admit the exact nature of your wrongs. But the mockers – the enemies of AA – complain about “confession”. Confession is an important part of a Christian walk. Without it, you carry the burden of guilt with you. Even secular psychologists know the value of confession. One author says that “Confession is located in that place where psychology and religion meet–guilt.” [1] Besides, step five is not confession, anyhow. It is trying to get to the bottom of the nature of our wrongs so we can begin to correct them.
• Then to top it all off, they accuse us of “channeling” God. Step 11 says we seek through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understand him. Where do they get “channeling”? The detractors of AA do not have a leg to stand on. When a person accepts Christ as their savior, the Holy Spirit quickens your spirit, and moves in with you. If you want to call that channeling, so be it.

References/ Further reading

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous (Click here for a PDF)

Jesus Was Just Another Prophet?

Misconception: Jesus was just another a ‘good man’, Good teacher, or prophet

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23 KJV)

Jesus is much more than a “good man” or a prophet or teacher (Rabbi). He is God. He is the fullness of God in a human body. Jesus created the Universe.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.(John 1:1-3, 14 KJV)

• Jesus is the only person who ever walked who could possibly be the Messiah of prophecy;
• Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies when He walked on earth. The odds of that happening by accident are simply non-existant;
• Jesus knew He was God incarnate when he walked on the earth;
• There is more proof (Of the kind that would be admissible in a court of law) that Jesus was resurrected than there is that Julius Caesar even lived.

The Narrow Way

Lessons Learned: The Narrow Way

Matthew 7:13-14

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Greetings and blessings to you all! Recently I had a conversation with a man that I have great deal of respect for and look up to. We somehow got on the topic of religion and spirituality. I have known this man to be an devout attendee of his church for quite a few years and he would rarely miss attending unless it was due to illness. I guess I always saw him as just a solid Christian. Maybe that was why I was so surprised when he mentioned in our conversation that Jesus did not die on the cross for us but for himself (only). We each have to be accountable to God for our own sins and deeds (a true fact). Yet to make matters even more interesting, I heard his wife state ‘who is to say that there is only one way to heaven or even that Christianity was the only way; that we need to be more tolerant and accepting of other faiths and beliefs.’

At this point, I inquired, where possible, about how they reached this conclusion without leading up to an argument because no point would have been served through arguing. No satisfactory answer was given other than these were the beliefs emphasized by their church. But I was bothered nonetheless. I knew what church they worshipped at and decided to visit the website. It was equally as interesting. One of the more interesting mission statements of the church declared that they did not believe they should focus as much on helping the poor and underprivileged. Their concern was with helping to educate them so they could feed themselves.

Now this was a mega-church that has a rather upscale following (i.e. it has been joked that the most inexpensive car in the parking lot might be a Buick or low end Cadillac). They take great pride that the congregation is upscale. The doctrine and teachings of this church are based on prosperity and healing the body yet even as I write this message there is an on-going search for a new pastor because the one that founded the church cannot carry on due to severe illness and has stepped down (with no successor).

I bring all this up for one simple reason. We must come to terms that being a church attendee does not make you a Christian any more than being in a garage make you a car. As true Christians, there are two facts we must continually focus on: 1) the absolute authority of God’s Word, and 2) the divinity of Jesus. In my conversation with the man and his wife, he felt that we had the ability to ‘pick and choose’ what was applicable to us in the Bible (and since the Bible was written by man we had quite a bit of leeway). Yet if the Bible is the absolute authority, then every promise, every scripture, every command has to be respected and followed. If you do not believe that the authority of scripture is absolute, without question and doubt, you are not ready to proclaim yourself a Christian. Secondly, if you cannot believe that Jesus is God who died on the cross for the sins of the world (that’s you and me), you are not ready to be called a Christian.

I remind everyone that we are not to argue the Bible, merely proclaim the good news. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus read from the book of Isaiah these words:

The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me
  To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
  To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind,
  To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.”

 And then he sat down.

We, too, must share the Word with those willing to hear and let the Holy Spirit make any changes to that person. We preach and proclaim. That’s all!

So let us be mindful of the verse above. Narrow is the way that leads to Jesus. The narrow path we are called to follow will not be quickly or readily chosen by most. It will appear difficult and constrictive but that is only a perception and often a mistaken one. When we spend eternity with Jesus we will be free and filled with joy. Oft times, we follow the masses because there are just so many people going a certain way or doing certain things that we just want to blend in. I recent met an extraordinary woman who made a decision not to follow the same paths that her peers were taking…no drugs, no alcohol, no promiscuity. Did she stand out? Yes! Was she treated differently even poorly? Yes? Does she enjoy a close relationship with the Lord? YES! Does she regret her decision to take the ‘road less travelled’? NO! She feels hurt and pain just like anyone else but she had made up her mind to follow the Lord because the rewards she knows are hers will come to her later.

Choose this day if you are going to be Christian in word only or truly in deeds. Resist the pull of the popular philosophies of this world. We cannot afford to become complacent or ignorant to what the Word of God tell us we should be doing. The easy way is seldom the better way. Take a stand and choose the only way that leads to joy, peace and contentment. The broad gate that so many people choose to go through leads to pain, confusion and destruction. The narrow gate is the only one that leads to life, which is Jesus. If you don’t want to take my word for it, read it yourself. The Bible has all the answers. No pride, no arrogance, no political correctness and no shame – only truth!

As always, be blessed and be a blessing!

Ernest Marsh, Houston, Texas

Keeping the Law (10 commandments, etc.)

The Apostle Paul on Keeping the Law (10 commandments, etc.)

The entire book of Galatians in the New Testament is devoted to the apostle Paul countering some people’s assertions that gentiles (anyone who is not Jewish) must be circumcised and follow Jewish law to be saved. It is not a long book. Take the time to read it, you will find it very informative.

One particular portion really jumped out at me because I had to read it a few times to understand what he meant. Here it is:

Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. God gave the promise to Abraham and his child. And notice that it doesn’t say the promise was to his children, as if it meant many descendants. But the promise was to his child–and that, of course, means Christ. This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. For if the inheritance could be received only by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God gave it to Abraham as a promise. (Galatians 3:15-18 NLT)

Do you see it? Abraham was promised, among other things, that salvation would come through his bloodline 430 years before the law was written. If the law was neccessary for salvation, God would’ve had to have given the law to Abraham instead of Moses.

Paul goes on to explain that the law was not given to save us, it was given to show us how sinful we are. Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty they are. (Galatians 3:19 NLT)

Joyce Meyer says that the law is a mirror. We are glad to have one so we can see that we have dirt on our face, and that our hair is mussed up. But the mirror cannot save us.

How to Get to Heaven

How to Get to Heaven

For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10 NLT)

First you must believe in Jesus. You must believe that He was raised from the dead. You must believe this in your heart.  This makes you right with God.
And you must confess (tell someone) that you believe. Paul says (above) that this is what saves you. The words of your mouth.  Before any church I’ve ever heard of will baptize you, you will need to confess that you believe that Jesus is Lord, and he was raised from the dead. Baptism is useless without confessing that you believe, becasue baptism is not what saves you. One preacher (Smith Wigglesworth — but he may have been quoting someone else) said something like, “The devil, himself doesn’t care what you believe as long as you keep your mouth shut about it.” The preceding quote paraphrase was attributed to Smith Wigglesworth by Mark Hankins. Note: If anyone knows the exact wording, or knows that it wasn’t Smith Wigglesworth, please send me an email.

But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight–not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. (Romans 3:21-22 NLT)

 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 KJV)

Repent

The first thing that Jesus began to teach after his baptism and temptation was “Repent”.

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17 KJV)

Repent is also the first thing that Peter told the crowd to do on the day of Pentecost. (See Acts 2:38, quoted, above)

Realize down in your soul that you are a sinner; there is nothing you can do to fix yourself, and you want to turn from your ways. Ask God to help you realize this if you do not feel like you are a sinner. You may not realize the depths of your problems because your conscience can get so hard that it is like a callous if you ignore it long enough.

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

“The Sinner’s Prayer”

The Sinners prayer is under fire. The sinner’s prayer is important, but it cannot save you by itself. (See the first paragraphs of this article, above.) Some preachers have put too much weight in the sinner’s prayer. But just being able to say the prayer from your heart is evidence that you have been touched by God.

The Sinner’s prayer must come from the heart. It is not a set prayer that you memorize from rote. Everybody is a little different.

Pray this out loud. Though God knows your heart and thoughts, there are some things that should be prayed out loud. This is really one of them. “Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, Creator of the Universe, I am now willing that you have all of me. Both good and bad. I give my life over to you to do with as you wish. In Jesus’ name, Amen”

That should pretty much get the point across. Remember what you are doing. You are giving your life over to God. You have made a wreck of things, and realize you cannot do it without Him.

God is very smart. He will hear, understand, and answer you.

Get Baptized!

Now, go get baptized! Do not delay. You have an enemy out there whether you know it or not, or believe it or not. The enemy’s name is Satan and he rules this world system. The enemy wants you dead. You cannot fight him alone. You must get baptized so God can quicken your spirit to withstand this world system. According to Watchman Nee, Baptism separates you out of the world.[1]  Remember, you must be saved (believe and confess) before you get baptized. Baptism is not really optional unless you are near death and have no way to get to water. It is truly that important.

Will Non-Christians Get to Heaven?

Will People from Other Religions get to Heaven?

I do not think that eternal torment is in store for everyone who is not saved. God did not threaten Adam with eternal punishment. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:17 KJV)

Jesus did not threaten the general population with hell, either. (Though In Matthew 23:33, He wondered how the Pharisees would escape…)  Hell was created for Satan and his demons. Though there will clearly be people in hell, I see no evidence that the default destination for people is eternal torment.

Jesus spoke of people who refused or reject Him. He spoke of people who will be outside of Heaven. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30 KJV) There were also the foolish virgins who were not invited to the wedding. That doesn’t sound like the best of fates, but it also doesn’t like eternal torment to me.
People will be judged according to their deeds. The children who die before they are five years old will not suffer the same fate as a mass-murderer. Jesus also spoke of eternal fate being determined by your deeds. He said that it would be better for a person who offends children who believe in Him to have a millstone tied around their neck and be cast into the sea. Clearly people will be judged according to their deeds.
People who are not written in the book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The first mention of the Lake of Fire is in Revelation. This is one of the few opinions of mine that you will see on the website. The way it is written, it looks like everyone is written in to the Book of Life until such time as their rebellion forces their names to be blotted out. See if you don’t agree. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Revelation 3:5 KJV)

Allen Howard

A Prepared Place

Matthew 13:47-50 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”

Greeting and blessings to you all! Heaven is one of those topics that you just don’t hear that much about in many churches anymore. Heaven (and how to get there) is put on the back burner while the main focus for many congregations seems to be how to make our time on earth more like ‘heaven on earth’.

There are even some who preach that heaven is open to all and that God would not dare exclude any. While it is true that God does not wish to exclude any, our choices will determine our inclusion. We must use this time here on earth to prepare for heaven. Today’s story gives an ideal analogy for understanding heaven.

During the World War, a luxurious French villa lay in the path of the oncoming armies. Although deserted, it was shelled and left with great gaping holes in its stone sides. A few swine, which had somehow escaped extermination, rooted their way into the magnificently furnished drawing room. Over the rich, velvet carpet they tracked their muddy feet, overturned the upholstered furniture, tore the expensive draperies and chewed whatever gave any promise of satisfying their hunger. The beauty, the elegance, the cultural characteristics of the place meant nothing to the beast nature. They were not partakers of the intellectual or spiritual qualities of the owner.

To the unregenerated millions of earth, the glories of Heaven would be like the French villa was to the swine. They are not partakers of the Divine nature and would have no capacity for enjoying the holy atmosphere of the Glory Land.

As the scripture above indicates, heaven’s gates will not be open to everyone, no matter how painful that may be to hear. However, the choice is ours if we choose to accept the gift that is offered by Jesus when He died for our sins. Jesus offered wisdom in this parable when he said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (v. 45-46). He is seeking all who will accept Him and His promises. He has paid a great price to acquire us and our acceptance of His free gift becomes the price of admission into heaven. Be blessed and be a blessing!

Ernest Marsh, Houston, Texas

Is there going to be a Hell?

Is there a Hell?

Some people do not wish to believe in hell. But to throw away the idea of hell, you would have to throw out a large amount of the New Testament and a sizable chunk of the Old Testament. The word “hell”, occurs 54 times in the KJV, “damnation” occurs 11 times, and there are many other references to an eternal judgement that will be very unpleasant for some. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41 KJV)

Face it, eternity is not going to be comfortable for those who reject Jesus. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8 KJV)

If you are not 100% sure that you are numbered among those who will see Heaven when they graduate, see the Salvation pages.

Christianese Dictionary

“Christianese”

Terms found mostly only in the Bible or Christian conversation

To quickly find your word, click the first letter of the word, below:

If you are looking for a word that I do not have listed, please post a comment!

Note: These are not necessarily terms straight out of the dictionary, so to speak. These definitions are according to the accepted meanings in Christian circles. If you disagree, send me an email and I will make corrections or publish your comments as appropriate.

• Admonish/ Admonition: To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove gently or kindly, but seriously; to exhort; To counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise; to warn against danger or an offense.
• Anointing: An anointing means someone has been appointed by God, and has God’s favor. Usually for a certain task or vocation. (See 1 John 2:27) According to Joyce Meyer, it is the presence and the power of God in your life that enables you to do with ease what God has called you to do. Joyce Meyer is anointed to teach. What is your anointing? You most likely have a knack for doing some task that you can take to “like a duck to water”. You can do something very easily that most other people cannot, or do with some degree of difficulty. You may also have an anointing in a spiritual gift. In the Old Testament and in the Church, people are physically anointed with oil. A small amount of specially made oil is placed on the forehead or poured over the top of their head. (Aaron and his sons were anointed for priesthood. See Exodus 30:23-30)
• Antichrist: Actually, anyone who is against Christ. But “The” antichrist of Revelation that everyone is talking about is actually a study in itself. See the The End Times and Rapture for more.
• Antinomianism: The (erroneous) belief that by faith and God’s grace a Christian is freed from all laws. The belief that people are under no obligation to obey even the basic laws of ethics or common morality. See Romans 6 (Entire Chapter)
• Atone (Atonement): Literally, “to cover”. To make up for or pay the price for bad deeds. To make amends. Jesus atoned for mankind’s sins on the cross.
• Apostasy/ Apostate: A falling away from or abandonment of a godly lifestyle.
• Backsliding/ Backslider: Someone who was once living a godly lifestyle, but has returned to worldliness – or worse.
• Baptism in the Holy Spirit: This is usually done in Charismatic churches. More traditional churches do not perform the separate spirit baptism. Biblically, the Holy Spirit is not constrained by our actions. Though Peter told the people to be baptized and then they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Shortly afterward, in the same book of Acts, people received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized in water (Acts 10:47-48).
• Belial: Depravity or ruin. Also the name of a demon – and in some contexts, another name for Satan.
• Calvary: Latin for the Hebrew, Golgotha: “The Skull”. The name of the hill upon which Jesus was crucified.
• Carnal: Of the flesh, physical, not spiritual. A carnal Christian or carnal person spends most or all of their time or thoughts in the physical realm more than the spiritual. Carnal desires are fleshly desires such as food, drink, lusts, and merriment (“partying”).
• Charismatic: From the Greek word charisma (in the Bible, usually translated: “gift”) Denominations, churches, or individuals that particularly emphasize the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• Chasten/ Chastise: To admonish, instruct, discipline, correct, chastise.
• Consecrate, Consecrated, Consecration: from the Hebrew “hands filled”. To be set apart for God’s purposes. Synonymous with sanctified and holy. One sermon I heard said, “completely occupied with the tasks of the Lord”. You cannot consecrate yourself. This is something we must ask the Lord to do.
• Conviction: To be pronounced guilty. The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sins in hopes that they will repent.
• Corporate Anointing: An anointing or blessing given to an assembly such as in a church or prayer meeting or other group of people usually considered to be a stronger more powerful anointing than one single individual would expect. Or an anointing that an individual would never get if alone.
• Countenance: Facial expression. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. (Genesis 4:5 KJV)
• Decalog: The Ten Commandments.
• Doctrine: A belief, but usually a collection of beliefs. Doctrines in normal usage are often a collection of beliefs that separate one denomination from another.
• Dogma: Usually a synonym of Doctrine (above)
• Edict: A decree or proclamation by an authority – usually by a religious leader or royalty.
• Eschatology: The study of the end times, end of the world, or end-times prophecy.
• Exalt (Exalted): To lift up. Also to glorify, praise, or honor.
• Exegesis (Exegetic): Explanation. Usually used when somebody is explaining a something from the Bible.
• Exort (Exhortation): To urge; to advise earnestly, force or impel in an indicated direction; “I exhorted him to get ready for school.”
• Foreordained: Planned for in advance – Predestined. In its strongest sense, prearranged unalterably.
• Gehenna: A trash pile outside the city walls of Jerusalem that was on fire. People kept adding trash to it, and the fire burned 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Eternal fire. It became a metaphor for the gate to the underworld.
• Graven Image: A statue of any god. An Idol. People make statues of their gods and worship them. This practice is expressly forbidden in the Bible and is specifically mentioned in Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
• Hades: The abode of the dead in Greek mythology. Approximately equivalant of the Hebrew “Sheol” Neither Hades, nor Sheol were considered place of torment by the ancients.
• Hedonism/ Hedonistic: Living for pleasure. Taken to extremes, in hedonsim, pleasure is considered the highest good.
• Holy: Sacred. Set apart for God’s purposes. The same Hebrew word is also translated Consecrate and sanctified.
• Iniquity: Usually another word for sinful practices. The way I understand iniquity, it is behavior that is not expressly forbidden, but still evil.
• Intercession, Intercede, IntercessoryTo pray on someone else’s behalf. To pray for somebody else.
• Jeshurun: An affectionate poetic name for the people of Israel. “the dear upright people”.
• Manifestation/ Manifested: Revealed, become apparent/ visible, to bring to reality, became real
• Masoretic: Masoretic text comes from a collection of documents that scholars (called Masoretes) compiled, which sought to properly establish the text of the Old Testament. They had a very difficult time. Especially placing vowels in the Aramaic text. (Written Hebrew does not have vowels.)
• Omnipotent: All-Powerful. Nothing is impossible for God.
• Omnipresent: Everywhere.  God spans space and time. There is nowhere or no time that God is not present.
• Omniscient: All-Knowing – knows all things. (For real, not just someone who thinks they know it all – God actually does.)
• Parable: A short story containing illustrations of one or more important life truths
• Parousia: Greek for Jesus’ Second Coming – the Second Coming of Christ.
• Predestination/ Predestined: The belief that everything that will ever happen is determined in advance by a God. This is true in a sense, but can be taken too far. God did not make a race of marionette puppets. We have free will. Though God knows what we are going to do, and He allows what we are going to do, He is not up in heaven pulling strings. He invites us but does not compel us.
  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3:20)
• Propitiation To appease. To make someone who is angry with you happy again.
• Quicken/ quickening: To bring to life.
• Rapture: Being caught up or snatched away. Many believe that believers will be raptured – taken out of the world before any tribulation comes. I do not personally believe this. I believe, however, that we will be raptured before God’s judgement of the world begins.
• Rebuke: To chastise, criticize or reprove sharply; reprimand. To chew somebody out.
• Redeem/ Redemption: Biblically, to buy someone out of slavery.
• Remission: of sins: (Greek: aphesis) as used in Acts 2:28. Like in the field of medicine when a disease goes into remission – the disease is losing – the body is winning. When dealing with sin: The believer is winning and sin is losing!!! Aphesis, like many Greek words has other uses. See this Lexicon
• Repent/ Repentance: To be deeply sorry for your sins and to turn away from them.
• Reprobate mind: A mind that has become so ingrained in evil that it is not able to stop  –  even in its own best interest.
• Reproof: Rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement, conviction
• Rhema: God talking directly to a person. The spoken word of God. God’s personally revealed will.
• Sacred: Hallowed – worthy of worship or respect or veneration.
• Sacrosanct: Above criticism. Must be kept sacred.
• Saint: Biblically, all believers are saints. In Catholicism, a saint is an especially anointed leader or person who must meet certain requirements, such as having “performed” a verifiable miracle.
• Samaritan (Good Samaritan): Samaritans were like “half-breeds” who broke off from the traditional Jewish interpretation the law and there was great tension and dislike for the Samaritans among Jews. The “Good Samaritan” is a Parable told by Jesus in Luke 10:30-37. A story where the religious leaders just walked around a seriously injured man without helping; but a Samaritan, whom the Jews looked down upon, helped him — at great expense and trouble to himself.
• Sanctify, Sanctified: Same word in Hebrew as Holy and and Consecrated. Hallowed, prepared, dedicated for God’s use. Set apart.
• Sanctimony (Sanctimonious): Faked righteousness, hypocritical devoutness, “better-than-thou” attitude. Usually a result of self-righteousness (See below).
• Second Coming: Greek (parousia) Approx. 36 hours after Jesus died, He was raised from the dead, spent about 42 days on earth. He did not die again, but was taken into Heaven in a cloud. He had promised many times that he would return in glory.
• Secular: Not religious. Secular people live and make decisions with little or no thought of God or religion of any kind.
• Self Righteous (Self-Righteous): Trying to be “good enough” to please God by your own power – without the Holy Spirit. This usually results in tragicomic behavior and actually amplifies the self-righteous person’s character flaws. (See sanctimony, above) The stereotypical self-righteous person will think of themselves as being sinless. But this is not the only result. Self-righteousness can take on many faces and may not be obvious to others.
• Shekinah Glory: God’s glorious presence in a visible or tangible way.
• Sheol: The Hebrew place of the dead. A shadowy place (Not a place of torment).
• Sovereign – Sovereignty: Royal authority. The exclusive right to rule, and answerable to no higher authority.
• Tongues (Speaking in Tongues): Commonly called a prayer language. Sometimes there just aren’t words in our language for what needs to be said. The Holy Spirit gives us words beyond the limitations of our language. (Romans 8:26) A spiritual language. Charismatic churches such as Assembly of God and Pentecostal will be the most common place to find people who speak in tongues. Some people err in thinking that if you do not speak in tongues, you do not have the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But the Apostle Paul clearly states that everyone does not have the same gifts (1 Cor. 12:30) and cautions strongly about thinking too highly of the practice. (1 Cor. 14:1-28)
• Transfiguration: To change. Jesus was transfigured (changed) and his face shone like the sun (See Matthew 17:1-8)
• Trinity: The three persons of God. The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit)
• Type: A person, place, or event that foreshadows or demonstrates a portion of a larger event. Usually foreshadowing a portion of Christ’s redeeming work. For example, Noah’s Ark is a “type” or picture of Christ saving a portion of mankind. Solomon’s temple was a “type” of our body, soul, and spirit.
• Universalism/ Universalist:  The (erroneous) belief that all people will eventually be saved. (See John 3:18-21)
• Verily: Truly, Truthfully, Honestly

‘Everybody’ In the Civilized World Believes in Evolution, Don’t they?

Everyone in the civilized world believes in evolution,
don’t they?

Think again. Only 14% of respondants think that God has nothing to do with our existence. Below are the results of Gallup polls going back from 2008 to 1982.

Reprinted with permission of GALLUP
See the entire poll. It has some very interesting statistics.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/21814/Evolution-Creationism-Intelligent-Design.aspx