Florida Healing Outpouring
I was watching videos from the Florida Healing Outpouring and honestly its heart breaking to see people being led astray by such teachings and claims. It breaks my heart because they worship such a weak and powerless God. They've taken God and put him in a box that they can wrap their minds around. They run to man for anointing, healing, and power when they should be running to God Himself who gives liberally to all who come to him through faith in Jesus Christ. Their faith is so weak they need to see a "miracle" with their eyes, and feel an emotional high to believe God is present and at work. They seek to live by sight and not by faith. What a surprise many of them will experience when they stand before God and say, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ and he will say to them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
I wish I knew what to say to these people, I wish I could open their eyes, but I'm beginning to realize that just like every other counterfeit move of God, it will soon fade away and be just a past memory. I just pray that when all this is over, the faith of those left behind in it's path of destruction will not be destroyed. I pray that they will not come out of this blaming God or doubting that he is real and powerful and at work in our hearts. I pray that they will see it for what it is, a cheap counterfeit of what the true God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob is offering to those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ. Praise be to the true living God who did not spare even His own Son, but freely offered Him up for us, that we might gain eternal life. Praise be to Him who continues to change us and make us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Continue reading >>> Comments (2)05-28-2008 23:43
Wilder Smith Books On Sale
Last week I ordered 40 books written by A.E. Wilder Smith. He is a brilliant man to say the least and is an incredibly gifted teacher. Unfortunately he is no longer alive, but The Word For Today(A ministry of Chuck Smith) owns the copyright to his materials and is selling several of his books for just $1 each. So, I bought 10 copies of 4 different books. I just started reading The Scientific Alternative to Neo-Darwinian Evolutionary Theory and so far it's been amazingly insightful.
Go check out their website at TWFT.ORG. Order a few dozen copies and give them away to those who like science and biology whether Christian or not.
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)05-15-2008 00:27
Is Speaking In Tongues Biblical?
Note: This is a very long post. This post will be updated and changed over the next few days. Today is 5-20-2008
Although the title of this post asks if speaking in tongues is biblical, it would be more accurate to ask if the modern day Pentecostal movement teaches a correct interpretation of speaking in tongues. I thought about making that the title, but it was too long. The point of this is to show how I've come believe that the Pentecostal view of speaking in tongues is unbiblical.
Let's begin...
The first mention of speaking in tongues in the New Testament is found in Mark. Take a look at this passage in context:
Mark 16:14-18
14Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. 15And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Continue reading >>> Comments (3)05-11-2008 02:51
Am I Crazy?
I have always wanted to participate in the Marathon Des Sables. That translates to Marathon of the sands and it's been called the Toughest Foot Race on Earth. The past few weeks I have been seriously thinking about making an attempt to actually participate in that race. One of the things I love about this race besides the challenge, is that many of the competitors use this as an opportunity to raise money for a charity. I have always wanted to participate in this race, and there are a few Christian organizations I really want to help. So, this seems like a great opportunity...doesn't it?
Here's some information from their website:
It covers 243km/151 miles (in sections similar to 25, 34, 38, 82, 42, 22 km) run over 6 days (7 for some) - equivalent to 5 1/2 regular marathons. That's a speed of between 3 and 14 km an hour for competitors aged between 16 and 78). In addition to that, competitors have to carry everything they will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint.
You will have to prepare all your own food throughout the race and I warn you that there is not a chain of Tesco stores or corner grocery shops dotted around the Sahara. You will experience mid-day temperatures of up to 120°F, of running or walking on uneven rocky, stony ground as well as 15 - 20% of the distance being in sand dunes.
Check out this video I found on Youtube that will give you an idea of what it is.
So...yeah, that's what I want to do and why. Wait, I didn't mention what organization I want to raise money for...I want to raise money for Gospel For Asia. It's a great Christian missionary organization in which 100% of the money donated goes directly to the field. They raise all administrative costs separately. The idea behind their ministry is to fund native missionaries because it costs only fraction of the cost of foreign missionaries. Also, native missionaries already understand the culture and language which makes things even easier. They are in reality the largest missionary organization in the world.
Comments (0)05-05-2008 22:46
Biblical Use Of Money
Today, tithing is not a commandment for New Testament believers. When Jesus Christ shed his blood it initiated the New Covenant and the Old Covenant (The Law) was done away with. Now that we are under the New Covenant, we live not by a set of rules but by the Spirit. In other words, we are not accountable to a set of law in which God says, "Do this and you will live". We live by the Spirit because God has written his laws on our hearts. This is why the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that each one of should give whatever we have decided in our heart to give.
When God gave the Ten Commandments the people thought, "I don't murder; I don't commit adultery". They only did what the written law required, not realizing that the law required much more. They failed to realize that hating someone is the same as murder and lusting is the same as adultery. Many pastors are hurting their churches by giving people a scapegoat when it comes to tithing. What I mean is, I believe there are many people who probably feel like they should give much more than 10%, but because they are taught that 10% is all that God requires, they only give 10%. It's their excuse not to give more. Also, I believe there are those who for various reasons are struggling with finances and really can't afford to give 10% but they are put back under the law by these pastors who tell them they must tithe 10% or they won't be blessed. This is simply not taught in scripture. Give what you can and what you have decided between you and God and let no man judge you. I believe John Wesley says it best when he says, "Give all that you can".
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)04-28-2008 01:23