Please take less than 3 minutes to watch this video about remembering the Holocaust. It is the least we can do. Never forget so it doesn't occur again.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Praying Like a Dead Man
From one of my daily devotionals:
As we continue to look at prayer from a Hebraic perspective, have you noticed the shift of emphasis away from you as an individual to God and His Sovereign will? This change goes against what you probably have been taught. Our culture focuses on us and the improvement of ourselves to build a better future for our selves. If I can just get that degree, that job, that special person, or extra money, then I can control my destiny. This is how we have been taught in America and it goes against a Biblical worldview (which focuses on our usefulness to God and His purposes). All of this will affect how you pray. We want to pray the way Jesus did and put the Father's will first. Consider Jesus' prayer in the garden the night He was arrested: "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:39 (KJV) The only way that one can utter these words and mean them is if there has been a resignation of ones complete self to the will and purposes of God. Remember that to trust or to have faith in Hebrew is a verb. Verbs describe action and are not simply mental assent. To trust God or have faith in Him requires that you actually place yourself under His authority. This type of prayer is prayed by dead people. I don't mean dead as in the body; I refer to dead in the terms of a death to ones own way. True death to self is required to pray this way. So, how are you feeling? Are you still alive or have you died to yourself yet? Today is a great day to put to death your will and embrace the Father's will. It might be painful, but the new life is so much better. Then, prayer will become a much sweeter experience.
As we continue to look at prayer from a Hebraic perspective, have you noticed the shift of emphasis away from you as an individual to God and His Sovereign will? This change goes against what you probably have been taught. Our culture focuses on us and the improvement of ourselves to build a better future for our selves. If I can just get that degree, that job, that special person, or extra money, then I can control my destiny. This is how we have been taught in America and it goes against a Biblical worldview (which focuses on our usefulness to God and His purposes). All of this will affect how you pray. We want to pray the way Jesus did and put the Father's will first. Consider Jesus' prayer in the garden the night He was arrested: "And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Matthew 26:39 (KJV) The only way that one can utter these words and mean them is if there has been a resignation of ones complete self to the will and purposes of God. Remember that to trust or to have faith in Hebrew is a verb. Verbs describe action and are not simply mental assent. To trust God or have faith in Him requires that you actually place yourself under His authority. This type of prayer is prayed by dead people. I don't mean dead as in the body; I refer to dead in the terms of a death to ones own way. True death to self is required to pray this way. So, how are you feeling? Are you still alive or have you died to yourself yet? Today is a great day to put to death your will and embrace the Father's will. It might be painful, but the new life is so much better. Then, prayer will become a much sweeter experience.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Praying Like Jesus
In the seventh in the series of developing a right relationship with God, Pastor Jenkins focuses in on the second pillar: a consistent prayer life. In this message, learning to pray like a Hebrew, learning how not to pray, and praying like Jesus are all examined. Included is a discussion of the Amidah, a prayer that would have been prayed by Jesus in the first century. If you are looking for a meaningful prayer life, listen to this message.
Friday, April 24, 2009
A Prophetic Word for 2009
Below is an article I received regarding "prophetic words." As the article points out, there is a problem with type of prophecy that says good things are just around the corner. Tomorrow is going to be a better day. The emotions get worked up and offerings given in anticipation of a financial return in the immediate future. We want revival, but revival without repentance seems a rarity. Where is the preaching to repent? Yes, there are some that are giving the truth but their number is small compared to the "happy" prophetic preachers. Commit to preach and teach repentance. You may not receive the smile of man, but you will from God. The article follows:
The flood of prophecies for 2009 have begun to come in. They sound
remarkably similar to most I have been hearing for the past 15 years!
"This is the year of revival! This is the year of His power. This is the
year of increase! This is the year of harvest." You mean it really,
really, really is going to happen this time?
I cringe to remember giving "prophetic" words like that! We mistook
emotional fervor and hype for anointing. There was no judgement!
There was no accountability. The only point was the "power" of
the prophetic utterance in that moment. It was paid performance
art pure and simple! Forgive us Lord!
There is a major problem with all of the prophecies about revival to
come. It is a religious problem which Jesus encountered. Religion
will get all excited about the Messiah to come but try to kill Him
when He is standing in their midst (Luke 4:16- 30). Why? The
Messiah in the future does not demand faith and obedience now!
The revival to come does not demand obedience now. We can feel
all warm and fuzzy about the wonderful word and clap at what God
will do while conveniently forgetting that where ever people are
simply obeying Jesus they are seeing the Kingdom multiply now.
The future can be an escape from present responsibility!
Prophecies about revival to come lessen personal responsibility
even further by emphasizing what God WILL do rather than what
God has already done! If Jesus has dealt with all sin on the cross
and if Jesus has all authority, then we are completely, totally and
absolutely without excuse!
The problem is not with God! His work is finished! The problem is
with the laborers! Jesus commanded us to pray for the laborers!
He did not ask us to pray for the harvest. He did not even ask us
to pray against the demons! As a matter of record in Luke 10:18,
Jesus saw "Satan fall like lightning from heaven" AFTER the
disciples went out to befriend, demonstrate and declare the
Kingdom. The gospel of the Kingdom only has power as it is
demonstrated and declared outside the four walls of our comfort
zones! Much of the fervor of the spiritual warfare movement is
simply the avoidance of doing the now work in the fields.
In John 4, the disciples did not want to go through Samaria but
Jesus did. He talked to a woman and had a revival in that town.
Jesus pointed out the difference between Himself and the disciples.
It was a difference of vision!
"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the
harvest?' Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the
fields, for they are already white for harvest", John 4:35.
The disciples saw bare, hard ground. Jesus saw white fields.
Same view, different eyes, different vision! The problem was not
with the harvest but with the laborers!
Harvest fields tend to be poor and difficult places. Harvesting is
hard work where ever the field! You have to get dirty and involved.
Sinners do not give honorariums. Discipleship is about one on one
stuff! Jesus sent away the crowds in order to invest himself in the
twelve. Revival is not about platforms and performances. It is
about relationships, sacrifice and obedience.
I have a prophetic word for 2009. It is a prophetic word which as
been accurate for about 2,000 years and which always will be
accurate! It comes from Paul,
"Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of
salvation." II Corinthians 6:2b
And you are right! This is the same as the "Prophetic Word for 2008"!
That was the most forwarded article of 2008 and I think it deserves a resend.
Be challenged afresh!
The flood of prophecies for 2009 have begun to come in. They sound
remarkably similar to most I have been hearing for the past 15 years!
"This is the year of revival! This is the year of His power. This is the
year of increase! This is the year of harvest." You mean it really,
really, really is going to happen this time?
I cringe to remember giving "prophetic" words like that! We mistook
emotional fervor and hype for anointing. There was no judgement!
There was no accountability. The only point was the "power" of
the prophetic utterance in that moment. It was paid performance
art pure and simple! Forgive us Lord!
There is a major problem with all of the prophecies about revival to
come. It is a religious problem which Jesus encountered. Religion
will get all excited about the Messiah to come but try to kill Him
when He is standing in their midst (Luke 4:16- 30). Why? The
Messiah in the future does not demand faith and obedience now!
The revival to come does not demand obedience now. We can feel
all warm and fuzzy about the wonderful word and clap at what God
will do while conveniently forgetting that where ever people are
simply obeying Jesus they are seeing the Kingdom multiply now.
The future can be an escape from present responsibility!
Prophecies about revival to come lessen personal responsibility
even further by emphasizing what God WILL do rather than what
God has already done! If Jesus has dealt with all sin on the cross
and if Jesus has all authority, then we are completely, totally and
absolutely without excuse!
The problem is not with God! His work is finished! The problem is
with the laborers! Jesus commanded us to pray for the laborers!
He did not ask us to pray for the harvest. He did not even ask us
to pray against the demons! As a matter of record in Luke 10:18,
Jesus saw "Satan fall like lightning from heaven" AFTER the
disciples went out to befriend, demonstrate and declare the
Kingdom. The gospel of the Kingdom only has power as it is
demonstrated and declared outside the four walls of our comfort
zones! Much of the fervor of the spiritual warfare movement is
simply the avoidance of doing the now work in the fields.
In John 4, the disciples did not want to go through Samaria but
Jesus did. He talked to a woman and had a revival in that town.
Jesus pointed out the difference between Himself and the disciples.
It was a difference of vision!
"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the
harvest?' Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the
fields, for they are already white for harvest", John 4:35.
The disciples saw bare, hard ground. Jesus saw white fields.
Same view, different eyes, different vision! The problem was not
with the harvest but with the laborers!
Harvest fields tend to be poor and difficult places. Harvesting is
hard work where ever the field! You have to get dirty and involved.
Sinners do not give honorariums. Discipleship is about one on one
stuff! Jesus sent away the crowds in order to invest himself in the
twelve. Revival is not about platforms and performances. It is
about relationships, sacrifice and obedience.
I have a prophetic word for 2009. It is a prophetic word which as
been accurate for about 2,000 years and which always will be
accurate! It comes from Paul,
"Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of
salvation." II Corinthians 6:2b
And you are right! This is the same as the "Prophetic Word for 2008"!
That was the most forwarded article of 2008 and I think it deserves a resend.
Be challenged afresh!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
An Inspiring Video
Below is a fiery and inspiring video compilation put together by Cullen Webb.
It is 12 mins long and features six revivalists, including Leonard Ravenhill, Paul Washer, Carter Conlon, Paris Reidhead and others. It is well worth the time to watch.
It is 12 mins long and features six revivalists, including Leonard Ravenhill, Paul Washer, Carter Conlon, Paris Reidhead and others. It is well worth the time to watch.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Standing With Israel
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews explains why Israel is attacking Hamas in Gaza and how Christians can help the victims of terror attacks.
Developing a Consistent Prayer Life from a Hebraic Perspective
This teaching answers three questions. What is the correct attitude in prayer? What is the purpose of prayer? What are the expectations of prayer? The answers are from a Hebraic worldview. You will learn how to bless God throughout the day and pray without ceasing. This is first in a series of how to pray as Jesus prayed.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
A Look Back: Should You Celebrate Easter?
I posted this last year, and I wanted to repost it since we are approaching the "holiday" again. What is the origin of Easter? What would Jesus be celebrating if He walked the earth today? Does the Word give us any specific instructions about Easter? This message answers these questions. Be prepared to be shocked if you celebrate what the church today calls Easter.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Why the Church is Powerless
"What aileth thee new, that thou art wholly gone up to the house-top?" (Isa. 22:1).
It is true, that the prophet in the text laments the invasion of Jewry by the Persians, but the last phrase of (verse 4) indicate that it is a prophetic vision of the church in decline. The interrogative clause "What aileth thee" reveals the fact that there was an invisible, unknown cause for this decline.
Today it is readily realized by saint and sinner, young and old, that there is something wrong with the church. The majority of people do not seem to know what it is and those who do, are afraid to say.
My object, therefore, in this little discourse shall be, to give some reasons why the church is going so rapidly into decline. I shall do so as briefly, and with as few words as possible, -- for "a word to the wise is sufficient."
I. As a whole, the church no longer has the ancient type of preachers.
a. Men through whose faces flashed divine lightning, through whose eyes beamed eternity, and whose voice and message struck more terror to the sinner than the tread of an earth quake.
b. Yes, clean ministers, unselfish ministers, sanctified, empowered ministers; ministers who are not afraid of the cross; not afraid to preach against sin in high and low places; not afraid to speak of an everlasting, burning hell; not afraid to cry out against false religion; not afraid to preach death to carnality; and not afraid of the poor-house.
c. Today, mentality has taken the place of spirituality. They do not preach the Christ of the Bible; neither do they preach with the power and unction of the Holy Ghost; it is all dry, dead words. It is no marvel that people can sit and sleep on the front seats, or joke and chew gum all during the sermon.
II. The next thing that ails the church is that she has no longer (as a whole) men and women who are true to their convictions, regardless of what people think or say. They are not ready, like Paul, to die for what they believe.
III. Her members have settled down and lost the three essentials, namely: the spirit of self-denial, the spirit of prayer and the passion for souls.
Hundreds of God-called and God-anointed workers have settled down and taken up with mercenary occupations -- store-keeping, farming, selling automobiles, etc. The ancient cry -- "Give me souls or I will die" -- has almost left the earth.
IV. The church has lost the apostolic brand of faith.
a. We do not half believe God's word. b. We do not look for results. c. We do not insist that they come. d. We do not urge our claim for all God has promised in His word.
V. The church is no longer radical in dealing with sin and hypocrisy. She does not make war with the Achaians, she no longer throws overboard the Jonahs, neither does she take her stand against Agaz [sic], the carnal mind, the Old Man.
VI. Her members become irreverent and worldly minded.
a. They can laugh and joke in the house of worship, buy and sell, also open her sacred doors for political meetings and worldly enterprise.
b. Instead of the prayer meeting, concerts are held; instead of the class meeting, literary contests; and instead of old fashioned, Holy Ghost singing, operational performances are given by a lot of unsaved, half-nude young ladies, whose faces are painted like clowns, and who squeal like pigs. How in the name of common sense can we ever expect to have a revival over such performances?
Reader, are you in any way responsible for these existing conditions? Will God find you guiltless on the Judgment Day?
It is true, that the prophet in the text laments the invasion of Jewry by the Persians, but the last phrase of (verse 4) indicate that it is a prophetic vision of the church in decline. The interrogative clause "What aileth thee" reveals the fact that there was an invisible, unknown cause for this decline.
Today it is readily realized by saint and sinner, young and old, that there is something wrong with the church. The majority of people do not seem to know what it is and those who do, are afraid to say.
My object, therefore, in this little discourse shall be, to give some reasons why the church is going so rapidly into decline. I shall do so as briefly, and with as few words as possible, -- for "a word to the wise is sufficient."
I. As a whole, the church no longer has the ancient type of preachers.
a. Men through whose faces flashed divine lightning, through whose eyes beamed eternity, and whose voice and message struck more terror to the sinner than the tread of an earth quake.
b. Yes, clean ministers, unselfish ministers, sanctified, empowered ministers; ministers who are not afraid of the cross; not afraid to preach against sin in high and low places; not afraid to speak of an everlasting, burning hell; not afraid to cry out against false religion; not afraid to preach death to carnality; and not afraid of the poor-house.
c. Today, mentality has taken the place of spirituality. They do not preach the Christ of the Bible; neither do they preach with the power and unction of the Holy Ghost; it is all dry, dead words. It is no marvel that people can sit and sleep on the front seats, or joke and chew gum all during the sermon.
II. The next thing that ails the church is that she has no longer (as a whole) men and women who are true to their convictions, regardless of what people think or say. They are not ready, like Paul, to die for what they believe.
III. Her members have settled down and lost the three essentials, namely: the spirit of self-denial, the spirit of prayer and the passion for souls.
Hundreds of God-called and God-anointed workers have settled down and taken up with mercenary occupations -- store-keeping, farming, selling automobiles, etc. The ancient cry -- "Give me souls or I will die" -- has almost left the earth.
IV. The church has lost the apostolic brand of faith.
a. We do not half believe God's word. b. We do not look for results. c. We do not insist that they come. d. We do not urge our claim for all God has promised in His word.
V. The church is no longer radical in dealing with sin and hypocrisy. She does not make war with the Achaians, she no longer throws overboard the Jonahs, neither does she take her stand against Agaz [sic], the carnal mind, the Old Man.
VI. Her members become irreverent and worldly minded.
a. They can laugh and joke in the house of worship, buy and sell, also open her sacred doors for political meetings and worldly enterprise.
b. Instead of the prayer meeting, concerts are held; instead of the class meeting, literary contests; and instead of old fashioned, Holy Ghost singing, operational performances are given by a lot of unsaved, half-nude young ladies, whose faces are painted like clowns, and who squeal like pigs. How in the name of common sense can we ever expect to have a revival over such performances?
Reader, are you in any way responsible for these existing conditions? Will God find you guiltless on the Judgment Day?
Monday, April 13, 2009
Highway to Hell
The clip below was part of a Easter church service. I don't believe this brings honor to God. He doesn't need devil music to make the Gospel attractive. Look at the words of this evil song from the 70's:
Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too
I'm on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody's gonna mess me round
Hey Satan, payed my dues
Playing in a rocking band
Hey Momma, look at me
I'm on my way to the promised land
I'm on the highway to hell
(Don't stop me)
And I'm going down, all the way down
I'm on the highway to hell
Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don't need reason, don't need rhyme
Ain't nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too
I'm on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody's gonna slow me down
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody's gonna mess me round
Hey Satan, payed my dues
Playing in a rocking band
Hey Momma, look at me
I'm on my way to the promised land
I'm on the highway to hell
(Don't stop me)
And I'm going down, all the way down
I'm on the highway to hell
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Don't be Deceived
Tomorrow is what the gentile church calls "Easter Sunday." Many will dress up and attend a church as they do once or twice a year. They will perhaps feel good like they have performed some ritual that will place them in the good graces of God. They are not disciples of Jesus Christ, they are pretenders. They do not trouble me as much as those who are pretenders on a weekly basis. Where is the hunger in our churches? Where are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness?
Several years ago, I preached a series of meetings in India. The people were so hungry for God. The same messages preached in America that brought few results, in India brought forth a much different result. I witnessed the Holy Spirit descend on a group of 120 pastors at a conference that was reminiscent of Acts 2. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. It was a miraculous sight to behold.
Don't be deceived about tomorrow. Easter is a pagan holiday. It is a celebration that is not about Jesus; it is about pagans, fertility rites, eggs, and bunnies. Don't be deceived, it is time for the true church to develop a real hunger for God that we might see the power of the Holy Spirit be present in our assemblies. Tomorrow is a great day to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ; however, the same could be said about every day. Tomorrow, celebrate Jesus and not a pagan holiday.
Several years ago, I preached a series of meetings in India. The people were so hungry for God. The same messages preached in America that brought few results, in India brought forth a much different result. I witnessed the Holy Spirit descend on a group of 120 pastors at a conference that was reminiscent of Acts 2. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. It was a miraculous sight to behold.
Don't be deceived about tomorrow. Easter is a pagan holiday. It is a celebration that is not about Jesus; it is about pagans, fertility rites, eggs, and bunnies. Don't be deceived, it is time for the true church to develop a real hunger for God that we might see the power of the Holy Spirit be present in our assemblies. Tomorrow is a great day to remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ; however, the same could be said about every day. Tomorrow, celebrate Jesus and not a pagan holiday.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Does Praying for a Sick Teacher Merit a School Suspension?
Apparently in California it may. This is almost hard to believe. Common sense seems to have left these folks. WorldNetDaily reports:
Attorneys representing two students who have been threatened with expulsion by a California college because of a prayer for a sick professor say a federal judge has refused the school's efforts to have the case dismissed.
"It's outrageous," said Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, which is working on the case brought by students Kandy Kyriacou and Ojoma Omaga of the College of Alameda in Alameda, near Oakland.
"Since when does praying for a sick teacher to get well – with her consent – earn a suspension? This is not just a constitutional violation; it is a complete lack of common sense. These students were not looking for a fight, but since the school to this day insists that it can expel them if they pray again, we will have to resolve it in federal court," he said.
Readers, it seems that discrimination is legal against Christians. There is not much more to say. Here two students merely prayed for a teacher with her consent. Does this seem insane to you?
Attorneys representing two students who have been threatened with expulsion by a California college because of a prayer for a sick professor say a federal judge has refused the school's efforts to have the case dismissed.
"It's outrageous," said Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute, which is working on the case brought by students Kandy Kyriacou and Ojoma Omaga of the College of Alameda in Alameda, near Oakland.
"Since when does praying for a sick teacher to get well – with her consent – earn a suspension? This is not just a constitutional violation; it is a complete lack of common sense. These students were not looking for a fight, but since the school to this day insists that it can expel them if they pray again, we will have to resolve it in federal court," he said.
Readers, it seems that discrimination is legal against Christians. There is not much more to say. Here two students merely prayed for a teacher with her consent. Does this seem insane to you?
Thursday, April 9, 2009
What Did Jesus Celebrate?
Jesus never celebrated Easter; He never told anyone to celebrate Easter. Jesus celebrated Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorating the deliverance of the children of Israel from the bondage of slavery at the hands of the Egyptians. Easter is a man made tradition with pagan roots.
What is Passover? The Hebrew word means to “pass over.” The Passover meal, seder (SAY der), commemorates the Israelites deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Lord sent Moses to lead the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. After sending 9 plagues, The Lord said the firstborn males of every house would die unless the door frame of that house was covered with the blood of a perfect lamb. That night, the Lord “passed over” the homes with blood on the door frames. The 10Th plague brought death to the firstborn sons of Egypt, even taking the life of Pharaoh’s own son. Finally, Pharaoh let the children of Israel go. Passover was to be a lasting ordinance to come. In Leviticus, the Lord said that on the 14Th day of the 1st month of the religious New Year the Lord’s Passover was to begin at twilight.
The Passover lamb had to be taken care of by the family that was going to slaughter it (selected on the 10Th of the month to be slaughtered on the 14Th); there developed a bond between the animal and the family. The details of this rite as observed in Egypt are summarized in "the ordinance of the Passover" (Ex. xii. 43 et seq.). No bone was to be broken; the meal was to be eaten in one house; no alien could participate; circumcision was a prerequisite in the case of servants bought for money and of the stranger desiring to participate (Ex. xii. 44-48). According to Num. ix. 6, Levitical purity was another prerequisite.
Passover is a permanent ordinance: Exodus 12: 14: "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever.” (RSV) So do you think that Jesus went against the Words of the Torah? “For ever” means an indefinite continuance, perpetual, and everlasting. Jesus would have kept the Passover this week if He was physically with us. Who changed the celebration for the Christian church from Passover to Easter? Simple, read about the Council of Nicea in 325AD and you will see the forceful hand of Constantine destroying the Hebraic roots of the church.
What is Passover? The Hebrew word means to “pass over.” The Passover meal, seder (SAY der), commemorates the Israelites deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The Lord sent Moses to lead the children of Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. After sending 9 plagues, The Lord said the firstborn males of every house would die unless the door frame of that house was covered with the blood of a perfect lamb. That night, the Lord “passed over” the homes with blood on the door frames. The 10Th plague brought death to the firstborn sons of Egypt, even taking the life of Pharaoh’s own son. Finally, Pharaoh let the children of Israel go. Passover was to be a lasting ordinance to come. In Leviticus, the Lord said that on the 14Th day of the 1st month of the religious New Year the Lord’s Passover was to begin at twilight.
The Passover lamb had to be taken care of by the family that was going to slaughter it (selected on the 10Th of the month to be slaughtered on the 14Th); there developed a bond between the animal and the family. The details of this rite as observed in Egypt are summarized in "the ordinance of the Passover" (Ex. xii. 43 et seq.). No bone was to be broken; the meal was to be eaten in one house; no alien could participate; circumcision was a prerequisite in the case of servants bought for money and of the stranger desiring to participate (Ex. xii. 44-48). According to Num. ix. 6, Levitical purity was another prerequisite.
Passover is a permanent ordinance: Exodus 12: 14: "This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as an ordinance for ever.” (RSV) So do you think that Jesus went against the Words of the Torah? “For ever” means an indefinite continuance, perpetual, and everlasting. Jesus would have kept the Passover this week if He was physically with us. Who changed the celebration for the Christian church from Passover to Easter? Simple, read about the Council of Nicea in 325AD and you will see the forceful hand of Constantine destroying the Hebraic roots of the church.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Rick Warren disavows support for Prop. 8
Rick Warren's heart is being exposed for what he really stands for; he not only has clearly reversed his position on gay marriage, he is also being deceptive about it. I thought this would occur as a condition to having Obama's ear. Once again, when a person disobeys God's Word, he or she has substituted "another god" for the true Word of God. If Warren's congregation has any Biblical discernment, they will abandon his "church."
OneNewsNow reports:
California mega-church pastor and author of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren says he apologized to his homosexual friends for making comments in support of California's Proposition 8, and now claims he "never once even gave an endorsement" of the marriage amendment.
Monday night on CNN's Larry King Live, Pastor Rick Warren apologized for his support of Prop. 8, California's voter-approved marriage protection amendment, saying he has "never been and never will be" an "anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist."
"During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never -- never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop. 8 was going," Warren claimed.
However, just two weeks before the November 4 Prop. 8 vote, Pastor Warren issued a clear endorsement of the marriage amendment while speaking to church members. "We support Proposition 8 -- and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8," he said.
The following is a complete transcript of Warren's comments just weeks before the Prop. 8 election:
"The election's coming just in a couple of weeks, and I hope you're praying about your vote. One of the propositions, of course, that I want to mention is Proposition 8, which is the proposition that had to be instituted because the courts threw out the will of the people. And a court of four guys actually voted to change a definition of marriage that has been going for 5,000 years.
"Now let me say this really clearly: we support Proposition 8 -- and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8. I never support a candidate, but on moral issues I come out very clear.
"This is one thing, friends, that all politicians tend to agree on. Both Barack Obama and John McCain, I flat-out asked both of them: what is your definition of marriage? And they both said the same thing -- it is the traditional, historic, universal definition of marriage: one man and one woman, for life. And every culture for 5,000 years, and every religion for 5,000 years, has said the definition of marriage is between one man and a woman.
"Now here's an interesting thing. There are about two percent of Americans [who] are homosexual or gay/lesbian people. We should not let two percent of the population determine to change a definition of marriage that has been supported by every single culture and every single religion for 5,000 years.
"This is not even just a Christian issue -- it's a humanitarian and human issue that God created marriage for the purpose of family, love, and procreation.
"So I urge you to support Proposition 8, and pass that word on. I'm going to be sending out a note to pastors on what I believe about this. But everybody knows what I believe about it. They heard me at the Civil Forum when I asked both Obama and McCain on their views."
During his CNN interview on Monday, Warren expressed regret for backing Prop. 8. "There were a number of things that were put out. I wrote to all my gay friends -- the leaders that I knew -- and actually apologized to them. That never got out," he admitted.
Additionally, Pastor Warren said he did not want to comment on or criticize the Iowa Supreme Court's decision last week to legalize same-sex "marriage" because it was "not his agenda."
OneNewsNow reports:
California mega-church pastor and author of The Purpose Driven Life Rick Warren says he apologized to his homosexual friends for making comments in support of California's Proposition 8, and now claims he "never once even gave an endorsement" of the marriage amendment.
Monday night on CNN's Larry King Live, Pastor Rick Warren apologized for his support of Prop. 8, California's voter-approved marriage protection amendment, saying he has "never been and never will be" an "anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist."
"During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never -- never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop. 8 was going," Warren claimed.
However, just two weeks before the November 4 Prop. 8 vote, Pastor Warren issued a clear endorsement of the marriage amendment while speaking to church members. "We support Proposition 8 -- and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8," he said.
The following is a complete transcript of Warren's comments just weeks before the Prop. 8 election:
"The election's coming just in a couple of weeks, and I hope you're praying about your vote. One of the propositions, of course, that I want to mention is Proposition 8, which is the proposition that had to be instituted because the courts threw out the will of the people. And a court of four guys actually voted to change a definition of marriage that has been going for 5,000 years.
"Now let me say this really clearly: we support Proposition 8 -- and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8. I never support a candidate, but on moral issues I come out very clear.
"This is one thing, friends, that all politicians tend to agree on. Both Barack Obama and John McCain, I flat-out asked both of them: what is your definition of marriage? And they both said the same thing -- it is the traditional, historic, universal definition of marriage: one man and one woman, for life. And every culture for 5,000 years, and every religion for 5,000 years, has said the definition of marriage is between one man and a woman.
"Now here's an interesting thing. There are about two percent of Americans [who] are homosexual or gay/lesbian people. We should not let two percent of the population determine to change a definition of marriage that has been supported by every single culture and every single religion for 5,000 years.
"This is not even just a Christian issue -- it's a humanitarian and human issue that God created marriage for the purpose of family, love, and procreation.
"So I urge you to support Proposition 8, and pass that word on. I'm going to be sending out a note to pastors on what I believe about this. But everybody knows what I believe about it. They heard me at the Civil Forum when I asked both Obama and McCain on their views."
During his CNN interview on Monday, Warren expressed regret for backing Prop. 8. "There were a number of things that were put out. I wrote to all my gay friends -- the leaders that I knew -- and actually apologized to them. That never got out," he admitted.
Additionally, Pastor Warren said he did not want to comment on or criticize the Iowa Supreme Court's decision last week to legalize same-sex "marriage" because it was "not his agenda."
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
White House Confirms Over 2 Million Red Envelopes Received
According to WorldNetDaily:
The White House mail office has confirmed it received a "deluge" of as many as 2.25 million red envelopes symbolizing the empty promise of lives snuffed out in abortion in a massive campaign that was larger than most White House mailing movements in the last 35 years.
White House mail worker "Steve" has handled letters for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. for more than three decades. Every single package and letter destined for the White House goes through his office.
Asked if he has seen a flood of red envelopes bound for the White House, Steve chuckled.
"Uh, yes," he said emphatically. "Believe me, they made it here."
Steve said while Obama has been occupied in Europe, his administration has noticed millions of red envelopes on behalf of aborted children.
"Quite frankly, there was definitely a deluge of mail coming through," he laughed. "I had to handle them all."
"I've been here 35 years, so I've seen presidents come and go," Steve told WND. "This campaign ranks up there with the big ones."
The Red Envelope Project is an idea sparked in the mind and prayers of a Massachusetts man, Christ Otto, who envisioned in January thousands of red envelopes sent to the White House, a visual expression of moral outrage over the president's position on abortion.
The White House mail office has confirmed it received a "deluge" of as many as 2.25 million red envelopes symbolizing the empty promise of lives snuffed out in abortion in a massive campaign that was larger than most White House mailing movements in the last 35 years.
White House mail worker "Steve" has handled letters for 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. for more than three decades. Every single package and letter destined for the White House goes through his office.
Asked if he has seen a flood of red envelopes bound for the White House, Steve chuckled.
"Uh, yes," he said emphatically. "Believe me, they made it here."
Steve said while Obama has been occupied in Europe, his administration has noticed millions of red envelopes on behalf of aborted children.
"Quite frankly, there was definitely a deluge of mail coming through," he laughed. "I had to handle them all."
"I've been here 35 years, so I've seen presidents come and go," Steve told WND. "This campaign ranks up there with the big ones."
The Red Envelope Project is an idea sparked in the mind and prayers of a Massachusetts man, Christ Otto, who envisioned in January thousands of red envelopes sent to the White House, a visual expression of moral outrage over the president's position on abortion.
Examples of Early Church Anti-Semitism
The following are examples of early church anti-Semitism. In the 4Th Century, Constantine destroyed the Jewish roots of the early church. This was a mistake and the examples demonstrate how hateful the gentile church has been toward the Jewish people. Have we forgotten that Jesus, Mary, Peter, and Paul were all Jewish? These quotes should cause us to examine ourselves to make sure that we are not equally guilty.
1.Justin Martyr in his Dialog with Trypho the Jew said:
The circumcision according to the flesh, which is from Abraham, was given for a sign; that you may be separated from other nations, and from us; and that you alone may suffer that which you now justly suffer; and that your land may be desolate, and your cities burned with fire; and that strangers may eat your fruit in your presence, and not one of you may go up to Jerusalem…. These things have happened to you in fairness and justice.' (Dialog with Trypho, ch. 16)
2. The apocryphal Letter of Barnabas (c. 100 C.E.) declares that Jesus had abolished the Law of Moses and states that the Jews were "wretched men [who] set their hope on the building (the Temple), and not on their God who made them.
3. In the fifth century C.E., several of the homilies of the famous "golden-tongued" orator John Chrysostom, Bishop of Antioch, were directed against the Jews: "The Jews are the most worthless of all men. They are lecherous, greedy, rapacious. They are perfidious murderers of Christ … The Jews are the odious assassins of Christ and for killing God there is no expiation possible, no indulgence or pardon. Christian may never cease vengeance, and the Jews must live in servitude forever. God always hated the Jews. It is incumbent upon all Christians to hate the Jews."
4. During the First Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E., the Roman emperor Constantine said, "… Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd; for we have received from our Saviour a different way." Easter was formally separated from the Passover celebration. In 329, Constantine issued an edict providing for the death penalty for any non-Jew who embraced the Jewish faith, as well as for Jews who encouraged them. On the other hand, Jews were forbidden any retaliation against Jewish converts to Christianity. Constantine also forbade marriages between Jews and Christians and imposed the death penalty upon any Jew who transgressed this law.
5. Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement said:
a. Therefore the blind Jews are truly stupid fools...
b. Therefore be on your guard against the Jews, knowing that wherever they have their synagogues, nothing is found but a den of devils in which sheer self-glory, conceit, lies, blasphemy, and defaming of God and men are practiced most maliciously and veheming his eyes on them.
c. Moreover, they are nothing but thieves and robbers who daily eat no morsel and wear no thread of clothing which they have not stolen and pilfered from us by means of their accursed usury. Thus they live from day to day, together with wife and child, by theft and robbery, as arch-thieves and robbers, in the most impenitent security.
d. In brief, dear princes and lords, those of you who have Jews under your rule-- if my counsel does not please your, find better advice, so that you and we all can be rid of the unbearable, devilish burden of the Jews, lest we become guilty sharers before God in the lies, blasphemy, the defamation, and the curses which the mad Jews indulge in so freely and wantonly against the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, this dear mother, all Christians, all authority, and ourselves. Do not grant them protection, safe-conduct, or communion with us. . . . With this faithful counsel and warning I wish to cleanse and exonerate my conscience.
e. Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is:First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire...Second, that all their books-- their prayer books, their Talmudic writings, also the entire Bible-- be taken from them, not leaving them one leaf, and that these be preserved for those who may be converted...Third, that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us and in our country...Fourth, that they be forbidden to utter the name of God within our hearing. For we cannot with a good conscience listen to this or tolerate it….
It is hatred for the Jews that lead to the separation of Easter from Passover. The early church never celebrated Easter, it celebrated Passover. Where is our authority to change the celebration?
1.Justin Martyr in his Dialog with Trypho the Jew said:
The circumcision according to the flesh, which is from Abraham, was given for a sign; that you may be separated from other nations, and from us; and that you alone may suffer that which you now justly suffer; and that your land may be desolate, and your cities burned with fire; and that strangers may eat your fruit in your presence, and not one of you may go up to Jerusalem…. These things have happened to you in fairness and justice.' (Dialog with Trypho, ch. 16)
2. The apocryphal Letter of Barnabas (c. 100 C.E.) declares that Jesus had abolished the Law of Moses and states that the Jews were "wretched men [who] set their hope on the building (the Temple), and not on their God who made them.
3. In the fifth century C.E., several of the homilies of the famous "golden-tongued" orator John Chrysostom, Bishop of Antioch, were directed against the Jews: "The Jews are the most worthless of all men. They are lecherous, greedy, rapacious. They are perfidious murderers of Christ … The Jews are the odious assassins of Christ and for killing God there is no expiation possible, no indulgence or pardon. Christian may never cease vengeance, and the Jews must live in servitude forever. God always hated the Jews. It is incumbent upon all Christians to hate the Jews."
4. During the First Council of Nicaea in 325 C.E., the Roman emperor Constantine said, "… Let us then have nothing in common with the detestable Jewish crowd; for we have received from our Saviour a different way." Easter was formally separated from the Passover celebration. In 329, Constantine issued an edict providing for the death penalty for any non-Jew who embraced the Jewish faith, as well as for Jews who encouraged them. On the other hand, Jews were forbidden any retaliation against Jewish converts to Christianity. Constantine also forbade marriages between Jews and Christians and imposed the death penalty upon any Jew who transgressed this law.
5. Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement said:
a. Therefore the blind Jews are truly stupid fools...
b. Therefore be on your guard against the Jews, knowing that wherever they have their synagogues, nothing is found but a den of devils in which sheer self-glory, conceit, lies, blasphemy, and defaming of God and men are practiced most maliciously and veheming his eyes on them.
c. Moreover, they are nothing but thieves and robbers who daily eat no morsel and wear no thread of clothing which they have not stolen and pilfered from us by means of their accursed usury. Thus they live from day to day, together with wife and child, by theft and robbery, as arch-thieves and robbers, in the most impenitent security.
d. In brief, dear princes and lords, those of you who have Jews under your rule-- if my counsel does not please your, find better advice, so that you and we all can be rid of the unbearable, devilish burden of the Jews, lest we become guilty sharers before God in the lies, blasphemy, the defamation, and the curses which the mad Jews indulge in so freely and wantonly against the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, this dear mother, all Christians, all authority, and ourselves. Do not grant them protection, safe-conduct, or communion with us. . . . With this faithful counsel and warning I wish to cleanse and exonerate my conscience.
e. Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is:First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire...Second, that all their books-- their prayer books, their Talmudic writings, also the entire Bible-- be taken from them, not leaving them one leaf, and that these be preserved for those who may be converted...Third, that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us and in our country...Fourth, that they be forbidden to utter the name of God within our hearing. For we cannot with a good conscience listen to this or tolerate it….
It is hatred for the Jews that lead to the separation of Easter from Passover. The early church never celebrated Easter, it celebrated Passover. Where is our authority to change the celebration?
Monday, April 6, 2009
Is Easter a Biblical word?
Is the word “Easter” a Biblical word? Acts 12:4 in the King James version of the Bible says: "And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people." What is the word translated “Easter” in Acts 12:4? It is the Greek word pas’hah and it means to pass over or spare. It is used 29 times in the King James Bible; 28 times it is translated as ”Passover” and only in verse 4is it translated as Easter. Most translations use “Passover” for pas’hah. This is important because the use of Easter did not develop until centuries after the Counsel of Nicea in 325 AD. The early church did not celebrate “Easter;” it celebrated “Passover.”
In Acts 26:2-5, Paul says: "I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, because you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee." (RSV)It would seem clear that Paul continued to celebrate Passover and not "Easter."
In Acts 28:17, Paul stated: "After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans." (RSV) Again, Passover was clearly a custom of the fathers that Paul had not done anything against.
"Easter" is not a Biblical word; we shall explore the truth of this season over the next few days. Be prepared for a paradigm shift.
In Acts 26:2-5, Paul says: "I think myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, because you are especially familiar with all customs and controversies of the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and at Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee." (RSV)It would seem clear that Paul continued to celebrate Passover and not "Easter."
In Acts 28:17, Paul stated: "After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews; and when they had gathered, he said to them, "Brethren, though I had done nothing against the people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans." (RSV) Again, Passover was clearly a custom of the fathers that Paul had not done anything against.
"Easter" is not a Biblical word; we shall explore the truth of this season over the next few days. Be prepared for a paradigm shift.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
I Wish this was an April Fool's Joke
I really wish the clip below was an April Fool's joke. Sadly, it isn't. It is a promo done by a "church" advertising their Easter services. Watch and weep for the church in America.
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