My heart is grieved as I watch and hear the reports coming out of Lakeland and see the deception spreading around the world. What a powerful spirit of delusion has come over the Christian community. Lord, have mercy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_K8XjObzfXM&feature=related
This is the man leading this so-called revival. Where is the fruit of the Spirit? How does this line up with the Word of God? How can anyone believe that the Holy Spirit would command someone to kick an older woman in the face with a biker boot as the woman is worshipping God? I have no doubt that a spirit told Todd Bentley to kick the woman, but there is no way I'll believe that it was the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control ~ not violence such as this. This type of "ministry" is not of God. We are told in Scripture that we will know them by their fruit. This is rotten fruit.
It amazes me that Christians can be taken in by all this. But the Bible does warn us that "the coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie..." 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 and "false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect -- if that were possible." Mark 13:22
We need to love the truth. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and the Life, and God's Word is truth. We need to know the Lord Jesus Christ through prayer and through the Word. We need to be so familiar with the Truth that we can readily spot the counterfeit and reject the lie. We need to be diligent to study the Word, know it, feed on it, obey it, live it, love it. We need to build our own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus through prayer, and we need to meet together with like-minded believers to encourage each other as the Word tells us to in Hebrews 10:25. We need to know and love the truth so that we can spot the counterfeit and reject the lie. This is a wake-up call to the Body of Christ. Get back to your first love.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Friday, April 11, 2008
Getting to the Root
"We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the devil's strongholds." (2 Corinthians 10:4)
So often when something is going wrong in our country, we want to organize a boycott or want to protest. But did you know that as believers, we have something more powerful than boycotts? It is called prayer, and the Bible tells us to devote ourselves to it (see Colossians 4:2).
We need to pray for our country. We need to pray for people that need to hear the gospel. And we need to share the gospel. We need to share the good news of Jesus Christ with that woman who wants to abort her child. We need to share the gospel message with that man or woman who is trapped in the homosexual lifestyle. We need to share Christ with the gang members. We need to share Him with those in our society who are hurting.
As people learn there is another kingdom, it will change the way they live in this one. Far too often, we Christians have been preoccupied with the symptoms in our society and haven't touched the root of the problem. The root is sin. The solution is the gospel.
So let's get the solution to the root. Our country needs to turn back to God. We keep thinking that a president will solve all of our problems. Or Congress will solve them. Or some program will solve them. But they won't be solved through any efforts of our own doing. We need to turn back to God.
Let's tell others about Christ and not be so preoccupied with what they are doing because of their sin. Let's try to reach people where they are really hurting. And, let's always be sure we are praying.
~Pastor Greg Laurie
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries.
So often when something is going wrong in our country, we want to organize a boycott or want to protest. But did you know that as believers, we have something more powerful than boycotts? It is called prayer, and the Bible tells us to devote ourselves to it (see Colossians 4:2).
We need to pray for our country. We need to pray for people that need to hear the gospel. And we need to share the gospel. We need to share the good news of Jesus Christ with that woman who wants to abort her child. We need to share the gospel message with that man or woman who is trapped in the homosexual lifestyle. We need to share Christ with the gang members. We need to share Him with those in our society who are hurting.
As people learn there is another kingdom, it will change the way they live in this one. Far too often, we Christians have been preoccupied with the symptoms in our society and haven't touched the root of the problem. The root is sin. The solution is the gospel.
So let's get the solution to the root. Our country needs to turn back to God. We keep thinking that a president will solve all of our problems. Or Congress will solve them. Or some program will solve them. But they won't be solved through any efforts of our own doing. We need to turn back to God.
Let's tell others about Christ and not be so preoccupied with what they are doing because of their sin. Let's try to reach people where they are really hurting. And, let's always be sure we are praying.
~Pastor Greg Laurie
Copyright © 2008 by Harvest Ministries.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
With God
Today's Scripture
“Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
With God all things are possible! Now that’s a very broad statement. But, it doesn’t mean you can just do anything you want. You have to get with God first. In order to get with God, or align yourself with Him, you have to obey His Word. You have to submit yourself to Him and His plan for your life. You must turn your back on your old life and your old way of doing things. When you are in agreement with God and His Word, then all things will be possible. When you make your thoughts agreeable to His Word, than your plans will be established and you will succeed! Make whatever changes are necessary in your life today so that you can align yourself with God. Don’t hang around people that will try to drag you down. Guard what you watch on TV and what you listen to. Be determined everyday to spend time in prayer and studying the Word. The Bible promises that as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. As you are in agreement with God, all things will be possible for you, and you will live the life of victory He has planned for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, I want everything You have in store for me. Today I choose to align myself with You. Show me if there is anything in my life that is displeasing to You so that I can walk with You all of my days. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:27).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
With God all things are possible! Now that’s a very broad statement. But, it doesn’t mean you can just do anything you want. You have to get with God first. In order to get with God, or align yourself with Him, you have to obey His Word. You have to submit yourself to Him and His plan for your life. You must turn your back on your old life and your old way of doing things. When you are in agreement with God and His Word, then all things will be possible. When you make your thoughts agreeable to His Word, than your plans will be established and you will succeed! Make whatever changes are necessary in your life today so that you can align yourself with God. Don’t hang around people that will try to drag you down. Guard what you watch on TV and what you listen to. Be determined everyday to spend time in prayer and studying the Word. The Bible promises that as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you. As you are in agreement with God, all things will be possible for you, and you will live the life of victory He has planned for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, I want everything You have in store for me. Today I choose to align myself with You. Show me if there is anything in my life that is displeasing to You so that I can walk with You all of my days. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Monday, February 4, 2008
An Entirely New Self
Ephesians 5:8 You were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light .
Ephesians 5:8 describes the essential change of nature which occurs at salvation. It doesn't say you were in darkness; it says you were darkness. Darkness was your nature, your very essence, as an unbeliever. Nor does it say you are now in the light; it says you are light. God changed your basic nature from darkness to light. The issue in this passage is not improving your nature. Your new nature is already determined. The issue is learning to walk in harmony with your new nature.
Why do you need the nature of Christ within you? So you can be like Christ, not just act like Him. God has not given us the power to imitate Him. He has made us partakers of His nature so that we can actually be like Him. You don't become a Christian by acting like one. We are not on a performance basis with God. He doesn't say, "Here are My standards, now you measure up." He knows you can't solve the problem of an old sinful self by simply improving your behavior. He must change your nature, give you an entirely new self--the life of Christ in you--which is the grace you need to measure up to His standards.
That was the point of His message in the Sermon on the Mount: "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). The scribes and Pharisees were the religious perfectionists of their day. They had external behavior down to a science, but their hearts were like the insides of a tomb: reeking of death. Jesus is only interested in creating new persons from the inside out by infusing in them a brand-new nature and creating in them a new self. Only after He changes your identity and makes you a partaker of His nature will you be able to change your behavior.
~Neil Anderson
Ephesians 5:8 describes the essential change of nature which occurs at salvation. It doesn't say you were in darkness; it says you were darkness. Darkness was your nature, your very essence, as an unbeliever. Nor does it say you are now in the light; it says you are light. God changed your basic nature from darkness to light. The issue in this passage is not improving your nature. Your new nature is already determined. The issue is learning to walk in harmony with your new nature.
Why do you need the nature of Christ within you? So you can be like Christ, not just act like Him. God has not given us the power to imitate Him. He has made us partakers of His nature so that we can actually be like Him. You don't become a Christian by acting like one. We are not on a performance basis with God. He doesn't say, "Here are My standards, now you measure up." He knows you can't solve the problem of an old sinful self by simply improving your behavior. He must change your nature, give you an entirely new self--the life of Christ in you--which is the grace you need to measure up to His standards.
That was the point of His message in the Sermon on the Mount: "Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). The scribes and Pharisees were the religious perfectionists of their day. They had external behavior down to a science, but their hearts were like the insides of a tomb: reeking of death. Jesus is only interested in creating new persons from the inside out by infusing in them a brand-new nature and creating in them a new self. Only after He changes your identity and makes you a partaker of His nature will you be able to change your behavior.
~Neil Anderson
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Chosen to Be Holy
Today's Scripture
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight” (Ephesians 1:4).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Did you know that God had a plan for you before the foundation of the earth? He created you to be holy and blameless in His sight. Why did He do that? He chose you to be His ambassador, or representative, on the earth. God created you to reflect His glory. He created you to reflect His character, His righteousness, His holiness. Think about that for a moment. Part of your purpose on this earth is to be a representative for the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Let that sink in deeply on the inside of you. Knowing that should make you want to walk a little differently. It should make you want to talk differently. That should make you think a little more carefully about where you go and what you choose to do with your time. Are you representing God’s holiness today? Remember, what God’s called you to do, He’s equipped you to do. If there are things in your life that aren’t holy, God wants to empower you to overcome those things. Receive His strength and might today so that you can walk in holiness and live the abundant life He has for you.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me today. I ask You to search my heart and remove anything that is displeasing in Your sight. I accept Your holiness today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight” (Ephesians 1:4).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Did you know that God had a plan for you before the foundation of the earth? He created you to be holy and blameless in His sight. Why did He do that? He chose you to be His ambassador, or representative, on the earth. God created you to reflect His glory. He created you to reflect His character, His righteousness, His holiness. Think about that for a moment. Part of your purpose on this earth is to be a representative for the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Let that sink in deeply on the inside of you. Knowing that should make you want to walk a little differently. It should make you want to talk differently. That should make you think a little more carefully about where you go and what you choose to do with your time. Are you representing God’s holiness today? Remember, what God’s called you to do, He’s equipped you to do. If there are things in your life that aren’t holy, God wants to empower you to overcome those things. Receive His strength and might today so that you can walk in holiness and live the abundant life He has for you.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for choosing me today. I ask You to search my heart and remove anything that is displeasing in Your sight. I accept Your holiness today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Fix Your Eyes
Today's Scripture
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Are your eyes fixed on Jesus today? It’s so easy to let the distractions of the world and the cares of every day life to change your focus. And whatever you fix your eyes on, you open your spirit to. You can choose to fix your eyes on Jesus no matter what distractions of life are going on around you. You see, when you fix your eyes on Jesus, you are opening yourself to the Healer. You are opening yourself to the Deliverer. You are opening yourself to the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Provider, the Redeemer, the Strong Tower of refuge. What do you need in your life today? Peace? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need healing? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need a safe retreat? Fix your eyes on Jesus. And you may have to turn off other things that you’ve been watching so that you can fix your eyes on Him. But remember, He is your source of life and the Author and Perfecter of your faith. Fix your eyes on Him and allow Him to work in your life so that you can experience the victory He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to tune out the negative voices of the world so that I can fix my eyes on You. I acknowledge that You are my source and strength for every good thing in life. I open myself to you today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria Osteen
Are your eyes fixed on Jesus today? It’s so easy to let the distractions of the world and the cares of every day life to change your focus. And whatever you fix your eyes on, you open your spirit to. You can choose to fix your eyes on Jesus no matter what distractions of life are going on around you. You see, when you fix your eyes on Jesus, you are opening yourself to the Healer. You are opening yourself to the Deliverer. You are opening yourself to the Prince of Peace, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Provider, the Redeemer, the Strong Tower of refuge. What do you need in your life today? Peace? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need healing? Fix your eyes on Jesus. Do you need a safe retreat? Fix your eyes on Jesus. And you may have to turn off other things that you’ve been watching so that you can fix your eyes on Him. But remember, He is your source of life and the Author and Perfecter of your faith. Fix your eyes on Him and allow Him to work in your life so that you can experience the victory He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, today I choose to tune out the negative voices of the world so that I can fix my eyes on You. I acknowledge that You are my source and strength for every good thing in life. I open myself to you today. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Friday, January 11, 2008
SPRING-LOADED TOWARD THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:16 Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
When we first became Christians, we were like one-third horsepower lawn mower engines. We could accomplish something, but not very much because we weren't very mature. Our ambition as Christians is to become engines that can power earth-moving machinery--real powerhouses for the Lord. But neither a lawn mower nor a bulldozer can accomplish anything without gas. And neither can we accomplish anything apart from Christ (John 15:5). No matter how mature you are, you can never be productive unless you are walking in the Spirit.
When it comes to the choice between walking according to the flesh and walking according to the Spirit, our will is like a toggle switch. The new Christian's will seems to be spring-loaded toward fleshly behavior. He is still the unwitting victim of a thoroughly trained flesh which only knows how to operate independently of God. The mature Christian's will is spring-loaded toward the Spirit. He makes occasional poor choices, but he is learning to crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit on a daily basis.
If you re hoping for a magic formula or a list of foolproof steps for walking in the Spirit, you will be disappointed. The moment you reduce the Spirit-filled walk to a formula or an intellectual exercise, you probably won't be Spirit-filled anymore.
The Holy Spirit is a "He," not an "it." Our walk with God is a personal experience, not a mechanical or legalistic formula. We see the immorality of fleshly indulgence everywhere, but simply preaching against it and telling people to shape up is not God's answer. The law is powerless to give life (Galatians 3:21). Reintroducing the law to believers won't work. But if we learn to walk by the Spirit, we won't carry out the desires of the flesh. Let's encourage others to do the same.
~Neil Anderson
When we first became Christians, we were like one-third horsepower lawn mower engines. We could accomplish something, but not very much because we weren't very mature. Our ambition as Christians is to become engines that can power earth-moving machinery--real powerhouses for the Lord. But neither a lawn mower nor a bulldozer can accomplish anything without gas. And neither can we accomplish anything apart from Christ (John 15:5). No matter how mature you are, you can never be productive unless you are walking in the Spirit.
When it comes to the choice between walking according to the flesh and walking according to the Spirit, our will is like a toggle switch. The new Christian's will seems to be spring-loaded toward fleshly behavior. He is still the unwitting victim of a thoroughly trained flesh which only knows how to operate independently of God. The mature Christian's will is spring-loaded toward the Spirit. He makes occasional poor choices, but he is learning to crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit on a daily basis.
If you re hoping for a magic formula or a list of foolproof steps for walking in the Spirit, you will be disappointed. The moment you reduce the Spirit-filled walk to a formula or an intellectual exercise, you probably won't be Spirit-filled anymore.
The Holy Spirit is a "He," not an "it." Our walk with God is a personal experience, not a mechanical or legalistic formula. We see the immorality of fleshly indulgence everywhere, but simply preaching against it and telling people to shape up is not God's answer. The law is powerless to give life (Galatians 3:21). Reintroducing the law to believers won't work. But if we learn to walk by the Spirit, we won't carry out the desires of the flesh. Let's encourage others to do the same.
~Neil Anderson
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