Fashioning God in OUR IMAGE

This is a brilliant article on the dangers of falling prey to the many people and books and movies that are making God more like us so that we can feel more comfortable about our faith. Jesus made it clear that following Him would NOT be comfortable... there will be sacrifice and suffering. Pick up your cross and follow me, He said. Let's not forget... there was NOTHING comfortable about Christ's time on the cross. It is our Faith in the TRUE TRINITY that makes life more tolerable and eternity glorious. Stop forming God in your image so that you can have a relationship with Him on YOUR terms and in YOUR comfort zone. That's simply NOT biblical. Enjoy the following "shortened version of the article. You can read the whole article here:

REFASHIONING GOD

Paul's prophetic words of warning in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 are evident in the popularity of many publications and media sources of today: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."


All of us, from time to time, have had thoughts about God that did not square exactly with what He himself has declared in the Scriptures, but that generation of misinformation has reached appalling levels among evangelical Christians today. This development has been stimulated primarily by the Church Growth and Emerging Church movements in their approach to allegedly reaching our culture for Christ. Reinventing Christ and Christianity, in order to make them more acceptable to the unsaved masses, is both the method and the goal. It amounts to recreating God in the fallen image of man. As delusionary as that approach may seem in attempting to reach the lost, astonishingly, it has millions of professing Christians caught in its web of deception.


Though many examples could be cited, the most popular vehicle of this tactic is a fictional book that has been atop the New York Times best-seller list for about 60 weeks, is available in 35 languages, and has sold more than seven million copies. I'm referring to The Shack, by William Paul Young. Multitudes have claimed that the book has transformed their lives by giving them a "new and wonderful awareness about God that they never understood from the Bible." The story centers upon a man, Mack Philips, whose young daughter was abducted during a family vacation. Although her body hadn't been found, evidence pointing to her murder was discovered in an abandoned shack in the wilderness of Eastern Oregon; hence the title.


After several years, which have played emotional havoc with Mack and his family (he calls this time "The Great Sadness"), he receives a note in his mailbox inviting him back to the shack. The note is signed, "Papa," a very private and intimate name that Mack's wife affectionately uses for God. Mack apprehensively follows through with the invitation and encounters the godhead, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in ways, means, and manifestations that are both unbiblical and bizarre. God the Father appears as a stereotyped, overweight black woman, who, nevertheless, is called Papa. She's a bit crude at times, likes to boogie to funk music, and some of her dialogue makes you wonder if she got past the third grade: "Well, Mackenzie, don't just stand there gawkin' with your mouth open like your pants are full"; "Take it easy on those greens, young man. Those things can give you the trots if you ain't careful." And when asked if there was anyone in the world of whom she was not especially fond, she replies, "Nope, I haven't been able to find any. Guess that's jes' the way I is."


The book may be fiction, but God is not. If God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit say and do things in this novel that are out of character with how they are revealed in Scripture, they are obviously false representations. Insights and explanations about God constitute doctrine. They are either true to God's Word, reflecting sound doctrine, or they are lies or fables that men concoct. Paul's prophetic words of warning in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 are evident in the popularity of The Shack: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."


The Jesus character is a giggling "good ol' boy" who is enamored by His creation. A bit of a klutz, he drops a bowl of sauce that splatters all over Papa's skirt, giving the three persons of the "Trinity" a good laugh. When questioned by Mack about his less-than-good looks, Jesus blames it on his "big Jewish nose," which he says he got from Mary's side of the family, specifically his grandfather. We learn that Jesus likes to fish for trout by trying to chase them down as he runs on water. He has yet to be successful but thoroughly enjoys the sport. Referring to the female Papa's unexpected crudeness, he declares, "She's a riot." Throughout the story, Jesus can't seem to restrain his giggles and chuckles. He and the other persons of the Trinity are so like us that many readers claim they are now "more comfortable" with God. It's astonishing that what amounts to slandering the character of our holy God could make a professing Christian comfortable.


Nearly all of the literary devices in the book are either emotional or psychological hooks. The bait is "meeting felt needs." For example, Jesus the Carpenter constructs a coffin for the now-found body of Mack's daughter, although she makes her daddy feel better by communicating to him from heaven (necromancy?) that she's quite happy. As another example, the reason that God the Father appears as a woman to Mack is because he had a bad attitude toward his own dysfunctional father (who made it to heaven anyway, in keeping with the universalism [everyone is finally reconciled to God] implied in the novel). Heresies and distortions of biblical truth are found in page after page of The Shack (see Extra Page).


Thinking of Jesus' words in Matthew 24 that false Christs would arise and lead many astray, the Jesus of The Shack readily qualifies as a fulfillment of that prophecy. Again, more than seven million people have thus far been presented a bogus Jesus, and, for some, that may be their one and only introduction to him. That grieves me deeply. A false Jesus can save no one. Erroneous ideas about Jesus will destroy any hope of a truly fruitful relationship with Him. Jesus was, and is, certainly human. But He is also God, and His humanity was and is perfect in every aspect. In that light, all attempts to make Him seem more like us—sinful humanity—either in a book or in our minds, is an act of blasphemy. Blasphemy isn't just bad-mouthing God or Jesus; it's attributing characteristics to Him that are not true—any false characteristics. It is conjuring up "another Jesus," which Scripture condemns.


"This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Ephesians 4:17-18). The success of The Shack among those who profess to be evangelicals is as shameful as it is destructive, yet it also indicates that "vanity" of mind and "ignorance" are not the exclusive domain of unbelievers. Only a love for the truth and a willingness to do what the Word of God says will preserve us from the apostasy that Scripture tells us will overtake the world.


Lord, help us to remain steadfast in the faith, submitting to You in all things, and worshiping You in Spirit and in truth. Maranatha!

Falling Away: Salvation and the Unpardonable Sin

When I Fall Away


I pray you are all having a great week. After your daily scrips, PLEASE take time to read this PHENOMENAL bible study on Salvation and the unpardonable sin. It is hands down the best study I have ever seen and deserves a good look. Don't let others dictate your faith- work out your own salvation in fear and trembling:

" Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
Philippians 2:12, KJV

"And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation."
Romans 5:9, NLT

"Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge on their lips. "
~ Proverbs 14:7, NLT

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 KJV

Falling Away: Salvation and the Unpardonable Sin

by Pastor Ric Recla

Main Passage: Hebrews 6:1-6

The Book of Hebrews is a book written by a Jew with an obvious purpose of persuading the Jewish people to consider Christ as the promised Jewish Messiah who took the place of the sacrificial lamb in the Jewish religious cult.
It was also written to provide a theological framework to make it easy for Jewish believers in transitioning into a new way of worshipping God, wherein Christ is now at the center in the place of Jewish sacrificial system.
When you read the book of Hebrews you will notice that the writer is an insider who is well-educated in the Jewish religion, and yet is confidently able to show that Christianity is just a natural direction which Jews could transition into after considering carefully God’s revelation through Jesus Christ.
The Book of Hebrews has many very interesting teachings. One of these is the great danger of APOSTASY which is introduced in chapter 6 and followed up in chapter 10 which shows its key elements:

How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)

This verse articulates a situation wherein a person could trample underfoot the Son of God, treat the blood of the covenant as unholy, and insult the Holy Spirit after experiencing all their benefits.

Apostasy is commonly defined as abandonment or rejection of one’s faith; it is volitional denouncement and desertion of one’s faith or religion. It is also translated as the falling away.

It may be helpful to understand apostasy if we can differentiate:
Fall into Sin – Sinning due to human weakness. Forgiveness can be availed through the sacrifice of Christ
Fall away – Volitional rejection of the whole belief system. No forgiveness is possible not because God cannot forgive, but that forgiveness is never asked.

The immediate context of chapter 6 shows us that the writer is urging the believers to grow up to maturity, which could be taken as a clear indication that the author is presuming his addressees as already born again. Otherwise, it would not be meaningful to urge growing if he thought they were still spiritually dead.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity…(Hebrews 6:1)

Verse 4 says that it is impossible for them to be renewed or restored unto repentance.
This statement is the hub of the age old debate between the Calvinists and the Arminians.
The Calvinists would say that the individuals referred to here in verses 4-6 are fake believers.

4For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away…

Let’s try to appreciate what the Calvinists are saying. They are saying that today there are people inside the church that are not true believers, and some of them don’t even know they are fake Christians as could be supported by Matt. 7: 20-23:

20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits.
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

This is very scary, isn’t it? If your personal belief that you are saved is rejected by Christ due to your wrong fruits or no fruit, how else do we understand salvation by grace through faith?
Listen to how Peter responded to this issue: (2 Peter 1:5-11)

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
10Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

How many of you believe Peter? Peter is not saying that you must work to be saved. What he is saying is that true salvation will naturally bear the above-mentioned fruits. Otherwise, the claimed salvation would be fake.

I truly believe that God’s children must have an inner confidence that they are saved. And that’s good! But if that’s all we do and nothing else to build the Body of Christ, then we are simply saved for nothing, and therefore, good for nothing.

One great problem for saying that the people referred to here are fake believers is found in verse 6.

4For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6and then have fallen away…

On this, we can ask the question: “Where did these people fall away from?”
If apostasy is denouncing, or abandoning or deserting your faith or your status as a Christian, this is only meaningful if one has attained the status of a genuine Christian.
This is the reason why the Arminians consider this passage an evidence that a Genuine believer can lose his salvation.
Now let’s also appreciate the Arminians for fairness’ sake since we also appreciated the Calvinists’ points. Honestly, it is more natural to take the persons referred here as Christians. If people in the church that we know are enlightened, have tasted the heavenly gifts, partakers of the Holy Spirit, tasted the good word of God and powers of the age to come are questionable believers, how else do I know that you are my genuine brothers and sisters in Christ? How can we ever enjoy our fellowship if we all suspect each other as possibly fake brothers and sisters.
The main problem with Arminianism, according to the Calvinists, is the assertion that you can lose your salvation. How many of you believe that you can lose your salvation?
How many of you here believe you have already lost it for one reason or another?

Personally, I believe that I am saved not because that’s how I feel, but because God’s word says that I am, after satisfying the condition articulated in His word (Jn 1:12-13; Jn 3:16,36, 6:37, 47; 1 Jn 5:11-13; Rom 8:1).

I also believe that I cannot just lose my salvation simply because my Savior assured me that no one can just snatch me out of His hands. (Jn 10: 28)

28And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

And that as Paul puts it “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.” (Rom 8:38-39)

The problem we have this morning is the fact that Hebrews 6 asserts that there is a case wherein we can apostatize: abandon our faith, dessert Christ. And that if this happens, it becomes impossible for us to be restored or renewed to the Faith in Christ.
Hebrews 10:29 articulates to us how this could happen:

29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

The problem can be easily resolved if we can distinguish between falling into sin and falling away from our faith.

We fall into sin because of our human weakness. This sin can be taken care of by the blood of Christ on the Cross if we confess it. But falling away from your faith is to reject, abandon, denounce, and dessert your savior. It would be nonsense to claim salvation after denouncing and abandoning a savior.

Therefore, it would be fair to say: You cannot lose your salvation, but you can sure throw it away in apostasy. And if you will not pick it up again before you breathe your last, if you continue to harden your heart when you can still hear His voice, you may go to eternity without it.

A man who hardens his neck after much reproof will suddenly be broken beyond remedy. (Proverbs 29:1)

The last problem we will address is whether or not an apostate can be restored back to faith.
The answer is very clear. From from our passage, we hear an emphatic “NO!” or “Impossible!”

6and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Having said that, we have to be very careful in determining what is impossible because most commentators missed this point I think. Either they don’t take the emphatic assertion as serious, or they explain away the verse.

The statement is in the infinitive passive form which could be correctly rendered this way “impossible (for them) to be restored.” The apostate is the receiver of the action and not the doer — meaning that it is impossible for any agency to effect that restoration, and probably even by God Himself, since He did not provide an exception. Jesus illustrates this in the case of the prodigal son. The reason the father did not pursue the son when he left is because He could not restore relationship with the one who rejects him. No one can coerce true repentance. The father did not look for the Son. Why? Because he is not lost. He know s the way back home. He is running away and is hiding. It’s no use to look for someone who is hiding because when you find him, he will still run away and continue to hide.

While verse 6 says it is impossible for them to be restored, it did not say it is impossible for them to return on their own — that is, without any agency.

Jesus’ emphatic assertion of absolute acceptance for anyone who comes to Him in Jn 6:37 could well indicate what He will do to a returning apostate.

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. (Jn. 6:37)

Did not Jesus say we are to forgive seventy times seven if that same brother would still come to ask of it? He taught us that because that’s what He would do to anyone who sincerely comes to Him to ask for forgiveness.

Brothers and sisters, two things I will tell you in closing:
If you believe you are saved but know in your heart that your fruits are sour to God, you better re-examine your heart, you might be connected to the wrong vine. Repent and seriously get connected with Jesus, the true vine, and secure your election by bearing the right fruits.

If you believe you have committed the unpardonable sin, or you believe you have already abandoned God, Jesus, or your Christian Faith. But you still hear God calling you today. I tell you no one and nothing else can restore you back to God. God has given you the key to your restoration. Like the prodigal son, you can decide to come to your senses and return and expect the father to be waiting for you right at the door ready to welcome you into His arms. You may have a hard time believing that but that’s what Jesus said. He who comes to me, I will never cast him out.
____________________________________

Biblical Truths About Sexual Self-Gratification

Is Sexual Self-Gratification Wrong?

Here's my easy quick answer... another question:

1. Everything you say and do... God is watching. Do you think He is watching you do that to yourself and cheering you on?
2. When Jesus comes back, if you happen to be caught with your pants down (literally), do you suppose He will say, "Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant!" I mean... REALLY?

So, that's the obvious easy answers. But i believe these very important questions should have a more biblical basis for their solutions, so I found this AWESOME study online that someone spent valuable time on and feel it should be shared with all.

Enjoy!



WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT...

MASTURBATION?

"What does the Bible say about masturbation?" is one of our most frequently asked questions. Many Christians have found it difficult to answer this question according to the Bible, because the Bible never mentions masturbation specifically. To understand how God feels about this subject, we must examine other verses that deal with issues such as lust, self-control and purity. Also, we must examine its fruit to see if it is from God. We have tried to address this issue by answering some of the most frequently asked questions. Our prayer is that God will use this page to bring freedom and deliverance.

"Does God care about what we do in the privacy of our bedrooms?"

Sex is God's invention. He is the mastermind behind it—and His creation is worth far more to Him than it is to us. This beautiful expression of love was created out of His own heart, as a gift to be experienced between a husband and wife. It is only in marriage that this manifestation of intimacy can be fully enjoyed in the depth for which it was created.

"Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and the sexually immoral" (Hebrews 13:4, NIV).

"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4, KJV).

The more beautiful and unique something is (like sexual intercourse), the more power it holds over our lives, either for good or bad influence. That is why it is so easy for the devil to corrupt the most precious of God's gifts. When we become more in love with the gifts than the One who endowed them, the things that were designed to bless us begin to destroy us instead. Yes, God cares about what we do with our bodies, in public or in private. He doesn't want us to abuse ourselves in any way.

In fact, an older definition of masturbation is "self-abuse." Although more modern dictionaries may no longer carry this definition, they are still linked together under self-abuse:

Self-abuse noun¹

1. Abuse of oneself or one's abilities.
2. Masturbation.

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) further confirms this, saying that unlawful sexual relations defile our own bodies. "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."

"Isn't it still better to masturbate than to commit fornication?"

The easy answer to this question would be, "Yes, it is better to masturbate, because at best it corrupts only one person. It certainly is the lesser of two evils." However, why would a loving, holy, all-powerful God abandon you to a situation in which you have to choose any evil, whether it be "lesser" or "greater?" To really answer this question, we must again go back to God's original plan for sex.

First of all, masturbation will not truly relieve the sexual pressure that one may feel. It may for a short moment, but in the long run it only creates a deeper desire and capacity for sex, which will lead to more masturbation. If you let yourself become enslaved to a sexual high, you will find that you need to go to increasingly extreme acts to maintain the same degree of excitement. There are even ungodly sex therapists who recommend masturbation as a way of increasing sexual desire, not lessening it. This creates a vicious circle, like the junkie who craves a "fix," but is only temporarily satisfied. The more he indulges in his dependency, the more ensnared by addiction he becomes. This is the nature of all sin. That is why Jesus declared that all who sin become a slave to sin (John 8:34).

Furthermore, masturbation usually involves fantasy, visualization, and often pornography. The Bible is very clear as to what God expects of us in these areas of fantasy and lust. It teaches that we must not look lustfully at each other nor should we behave in such a manner as to entice others to lust after us.

"I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust upon a girl. I know full well that the Almighty God sends calamity on those who do" (Job 31:1-3, The Living Bible).

"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28).

While the above verses refer to men lusting after women, all women know that it can very easily be reversed to apply to themselves as well. Men may be more easily visually stimulated than women, but women can be just as vulnerable to sexual fantasy in the emotional realm. Both are sin in God's eyes, and both can be brought into subjection by controlling our thoughts through Christ's power.

All sexual immorality begins with a thought. A lustful thought not taken captive, will eventually lead to other perversions, because sin reproduces itself in increasingly greater measures. If we do not deal with our evil thoughts, they will take root in our hearts.

It is for this reason that God is so concerned with our thought life. Jesus came not only to deliver us from our "outward" sins, but also from wickedness that begins in the heart.

"Isn't God unreasonable to demand sexual purity after giving us sexual drives that seem to overwhelm us at times?"

Our loving God never demands from us what is impossible for us to do. We are so weak within ourselves that it may seem impossible, but He will equip us with His holy power to overcome any sin, if we ask in faith.

Of course, sexual urges in and of themselves are not wicked. They are natural. God created us that way. He desires that we get optimum pleasure out of them by using them the way they were created to be used. However, many desires for physical gratification (whether it be food, sex, etc.) stem from a deeper need that is unfilled deep inside us. Gorging our flesh can never fill a hunger that grows out of our spirit. Only intimacy with God can fill the deepest needs inside of us. No other created thing has that power.

God is no more unreasonable than any caring parent who lovingly disciplines their child. It is only because He knows what is best for us. He sees a mighty potential in each one of us that far supersedes our wildest dreams, and He loves us enough to do all He can to bring it to pass.

"I agree with all the theory, but living it out on a day to day level is another story."

This is the place where we need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. The Holy Spirit is not a vague "force," but the very power of God to comfort you and strengthen you against the sins that used to rule you before you were born again. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we have the very ability that Jesus had to resist temptation. He depended completely upon the Father and so must we.

Something you must know is that God is not the one who is tempting you in this area to "test" you. God is on your side and wants to set you free from these things, not lead you into them! "When tempted, no one should say "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed" (James 1:13-14).

God wants us to overcome every sin and temptation in our lives. Please slowly read the following verses and let their message seep deep inside your spirit.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it" (1 Corinthians 10:13).

"For though we live in the world we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

"In the same way count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:11-14).

"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:15-16, King James Version).

"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God" (2 Corinthians 7:1).

"Can I really be set free?"

"In (this) freedom, Christ has made us free—completely liberated us; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery—which you have once put off " (Galatians 5:1 Amp).

If you are in a real struggle with any form of sexual sin, we do not believe it was by accident that God led you to this teaching. He wants to set you free, starting right now! We would like to share several things that you can do to break loose from this stronghold:

1. Confess this sin first to God, then go to a committed Christian you trust, such as your pastor. Ask God to lead you to someone that you can be accountable with, who will be faithful to pray with you and for you. This will take humility on your part, but it will lead to life. James 5:16 says: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (You may not feel "righteous" but if you have admitted your sin to God and received His forgiveness, you are! That means your prayers are powerful and effective!)

2. Flee from and reject anything that aggravates this sin. For example, you may need to get off the Internet for a season or purchase software that blocks out pornography. This may sound too drastic, but it certainly is mild compared to Jesus who said, "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body, than for your whole body to go into Hell" (Matthew 5:30). His point was that we must be willing to part with anything that causes us to sin—even if it hurts temporarily.

3. You may need to seek healing and deliverance from qualified Christians who are anointed in this area of ministry. If you have been deeply involved in sexual sins, the devil probably has a stronghold in that area of your life. If you can, find some people who can help you stand against the devil, for he is the one who seeks to lead you into temptation, and whispers lies of hopelessness and shame into your ears. If he drops a filthy thought into your mind just when you are trying to pray (he has used this tactic on even the holiest saints of God), tell him to leave in the name of Jesus! Recognize his voice for what it is, and submit yourself to God. As you do this and resist the devil, he will flee from you! He is deathly afraid of those who are submitted to God in brokenness and humility.

4. Don't give up! Deliverance might take time. Self-control takes effort. You may slip occasionally—or even a lot. But remember that God loves you and He will be faithful to perfect His character in you as long you keep submitting to Him. Eventually you will win—and not because of your best efforts, but because of God's mercy (Titus 3:5). Just as salvation is received in faith, so deliverance must be received in faith. This has nothing to do with our character, strength, or failings. The only thing it is dependant upon is you receiving it in humility. If you should fail, recognize it quickly, ask God to forgive you—and then receive His forgiveness! He is faithful to do that which He promised, not just in a select few mighty men and women of God, but in all who are willing to come humbly before Him. That includes you! We want to encourage you to hold on to this scripture as your anchor:

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it" (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

If there is anything else we can do to help you, please let us know. In closing, we would like to pray for you:

"Father, we thank you for bringing this person into our website. We know that it was your Holy Spirit that led them here and we thank you for your faithfulness to them! We lift them up to you now and ask that You fill them with a desire for You that transcends every other desire they have ever known. Let them know your cleansing love and power. We thank you that he whom the Son has set free, is free indeed. We speak this freedom into the life of this one whom the devil has bound in shame. We speak healing and deliverance and we break every tie that has kept them under a spirit of addiction and perversion. We stand against the Evil One and his every plan to bring destruction in this one's life. Father, in faith, and by the power and authority You have given us, we declare that this one is FREE in the name of Jesus! We commit them to Your care and we loose Your Holy Spirit to minister to them at this very instant. We ask these things in the precious name of Your son, Jesus Christ."


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A point of View on the Whole "Holidays" Issue

(don't leave without looking at important scrips at bottom to back up my comments!!)

An awful lot of brothers and sisters are kind of bent out of shape on the whole Holiday Seasons issues (Halloween, Christmas and Easter). And if you choose not to celebrate them- HEY, that's cool. But let me give you a couple of good reasons why you shouldn't judge those that do:

The old Christians and Catholics did a lot of wicked, wicked things in the name of God, but trying to redirect pagan people's attention from their wicked festivals simply was not one of them. Are we not always striving to redirect people's attentions away from the world and back on God? Now I'm not sure who started their holidays first on any of these three holidays - Christians or Pagans, but who cares. What I do know, is that it is good that we have the Truth on our side. the pagans celebrate false gods or Lucifer himself while we celebrate the one and only Living God and His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. When the pagan holidays come around, spread the news that there is a better day, a better way, and a better REASON to celebrate. What? Would you have us give up our holidays of celebration and let the pagans keep theirs (be careful what you ask for- that time is drawing close)? That certainly is bad discipleship my friends! Was it not Paul who stated "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might win some" (1st Corinth 9:22)"? Use the tools God has given us to bring lost souls home. Celebrating the holidays isn't the source of sin. WHY AND HOW YOU CELEBRATE THOSE HOLIDAYS "IS"!!

This is a spiritual war... GOOD VS EVIL. Why be so surprised that there is always a Pagan celebration around the same time there is a Christian celebration? Do you really think that's an accident? Don't forget who's truly in control and enjoy the holidays for all the RIGHT reasons. Who cares who started these holidays! Just be happy that there "IS" a "RIGHT" reason to celebrate and give others a better reason to celebrate their holidays!


Jesus is the REASON FOR EVERY SEASON!

Please see my other blog items for full studies on this particular holiday coming up. Many Christians are truly celebrating THIS particular holiday completely out of God's will! Let's not spit in Christ's face for our worldly pleasures brothers and sisters... please!

Important scrips on this subject:
(CEV: please feel free to look these up in your favorite version; I use CEV because it's easier to understand for the average person ;)=))

Colos. 2:16 Don't let anyone tell you what you must eat or drink. Don't let them say that you must celebrate the New Moon festival, the Sabbath, or any other festival.
Col 2:17 These things are only a shadow of what was to come. But Christ is real!
Col 2:18 Don't be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires.

1Corinth. 9:19 I am not anyone's slave. But I have become a slave to everyone, so that I can win as many people as possible.
1Co 9:20 When I am with the Jews, I live like a Jew to win Jews. They are ruled by the Law of Moses, and I am not. But I live by the Law to win them.
1Co 9:21 And when I am with people who are not ruled by the Law, I forget about the Law to win them. Of course, I never really forget about the law of God. In fact, I am ruled by the law of Christ.
1Co 9:22 When I am with people whose faith is weak, I live as they do to win them. I do everything I can to win everyone I possibly can.
1Co 9:23 I do all this for the good news, because I want to share in its blessings.


1Corinth. 5:9 In my other letter I told you not to have anything to do with immoral people.
1Co 5:10 But I wasn't talking about the people of this world. You would have to leave this world to get away from everyone who is immoral or greedy or who cheats or worships idols.
1Co 5:11 I was talking about your own people who are immoral or greedy or worship idols or curse others or get drunk or cheat. Don't even eat with them!
1Co 5:12 Why should I judge outsiders? Aren't we supposed to judge only church members?
1Co 5:13 God judges everyone else. The Scriptures say, "Chase away any of your own people who are evil."

Mat 7:1 Don't condemn others, and God won't condemn you.
Mat 7:2 God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them.
Mat 7:3 You can see the speck in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the log in your own eye.
Mat 7:4 How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don't see the log in your own eye?
Mat 7:5 You're nothing but show-offs! First, take the log out of your own eye. Then you can see how to take the speck out of your friend's eye.
Mat 7:6 Don't give to dogs what belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don't throw pearls down in front of pigs. They will trample all over them.

Isaiah 55:6 Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near.
Isa 55:7 Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins.
Isa 55:8 The LORD says: "My thoughts and my ways are not like yours.
Isa 55:9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, my thoughts and my ways are higher than yours.

1Corinth. 7:29 My friends, what I mean is that the Lord will soon come, and it won't matter if you are married or not.
1Co 7:30 It will be all the same if you are crying or laughing, or if you are buying or are completely broke.
1Co 7:31 It won't make any difference how much good you are getting from this world or how much you like it. This world as we know it is now passing away.
1Co 7:32 I want all of you to be free from worry.

Romans 15:1 If our faith is strong, we should be patient with the Lord's followers whose faith is weak. We should try to please them instead of ourselves.
Rom 15:2 We should think of their good and try to help them by doing what pleases them.
Rom 15:3 Even Christ did not try to please himself. But as the Scriptures say, "The people who insulted you also insulted me."
Rom 15:4 And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.
Rom 15:5 God is the one who makes us patient and cheerful. I pray that he will help you live at peace with each other, as you follow Christ.
Rom 15:6 Then all of you together will praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 15:7 Honor God by accepting each other, as Christ has accepted you.

Halloween Study: Ghosts and Communicating With The Dead

I Found This Online, and Now I Share It With You...

What Does the Bible Say About Talking to the Dead?
By Mary Fairchild

Is there such as thing as a sixth sense? Is it possible to communicate with the spirit world? Popular television shows like Ghost Whisperer, Medium and John Edward Cross Country all seem to suggest that talking to the dead and communicating with spirits is quite possible. But what does the Bible say about talking to the dead?

What Does the Old Testament Say?
The Old Testament warns against consulting with mediums and psychics in several instances. These practices are considered detestable to the Lord.

Leviticus 19:31
'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.' (NIV)

Leviticus 20:27
"Men and women among you who act as mediums or psychics must be put to death by stoning. They are guilty of a capital offense." (NLT)

(Chad: this of course is no longer done due to the change in culture- but it still represents how dangerous they obviously are to the human spirit, otherwise they would not be so readily punishable by certain death for such practices!! If they were bad for us then- they're bad for us now!)

Deuteronomy 18:10-13
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God. (NIV)

1 Chronicles 10:13-14
Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. (NIV)

2 Chronicles 33:6
He [King Manasseh] sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced sorcery, divination and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger. (NIV)


What Does the New Testament Say?
The New Testament reveals that the Holy Spirit will be our teacher and guide.

John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (NIV)

John 15:26
[Jesus speaking] When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. (NIV)

John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. (NIV)

Spiritual Guidance Comes from God Alone
The Bible teaches that spiritual guidance should be sought in God alone through Jesus Christ and his Holy Spirit. He has provided everything we need for this life in his Word.

Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? (NIV)

Hebrews 4:14
That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. (NLT)

1 Timothy 2:5
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. (NLT)

2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. (NLT)

2 Peter 1:3
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! (NLT)

Deceiving Spirits, Demonic Forces, Angels of Light, Counterfeits for the Truth
Are psychic experiences of talking with the dead real?
Yes, I believe they can be very real experiences, but not of truly talking with dead people. The Bible considers these experiences to be associated with deceiving spirits, demonic forces, angels of light or counterfeits for the true Spirit of God.

1 Timothy 4:1
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, not at all. What I am saying is that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want any of you to be partners with demons. You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too. (NLT)

2 Corinthians 11:14-15
But I am not surprised! Even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder his servants can also do it by pretending to be godly ministers. In the end they will get every bit of punishment their wicked deeds deserve. (NLT)

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
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. (NIV)

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Q: Is it wrong to contact or communicate with the dead? Someone I know claims to have been visited by a deceased relative. Is this any different than praying to the dead, as in Roman Catholicism? DC, California


A: The Old Testament term for communicating with the dead is "necromancy." (Deuteronomy 18:11, also read verse 10) It is forbidden by God: "There shall not be found among you... For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord" (an "abomination," KJV).

Also see: 1 Samuel 28:3-20; 1st Chronicles 10:13, 14; Isaiah 8:19-22. The punishment for contacting the dead is very severe, if not repented of.

This must also include what Roman Catholicism claims is praying to the "saints" -- the deceased who have been beatified, canonized, or placed in a position of spiritual superiority by the hierarchy. (Scripture refers to all believers as "saints.") The real force at work in such "apparitions" (appearances of the deceased) is deception: demonic activity, evil spirits. Satan disguises himself as "an angel of light," it says in 2 Corinthians 11:14. (He doesn't approach us saying, "Boo!" or we'd run & hide.)

When prophecies or visions fail to come to pass, we know they're not of God (Deuteronomy 18:21-22). But even if a vision or prophecy does come to pass, scripture says, we are still instructed to examine or discern the source: if it doesn't glorify Jesus -- if it glorifies any other person, living or dead -- it's not of God.

When someone claims to have received a "vision" of the dead, it's really a deception of the enemy -- demon forces at work. Luke chapter 16 contains excellent instruction on the state of the dead, referring to an impassable separation between the after-life and this world. Those in the next world, saved or otherwise, simply do not return to deliver messages to the living:

"[Lazarus] died and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom," and the rich man died and suffered torment in Hades. A "great gulf" separated the two and was "fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." (Luke 16:19-31)

Another example is the instance in which, at the death of his son, David testified: "I shall go to him, but he shall not return unto me." (2 Samuel 12:15-23)

Not all miracles are of God. Satan performs lying signs and wonders (Exodus 7:9-12; 8:7, 17-19; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-14, 16:14; 19:20) The magicians in the times of Moses and Daniel could perform some magic (Exodus 7:9-12; 8:7; Daniel 1:20) ... but their power is limited (Exodus 8:17-19; Daniel 2:2, 10, 27; 4:7; 5:7-8, 15).

Many Roman Catholics and others, lacking discernment* and knowledge of the Scriptures ("My people perish for lack of knowledge") -- and trusting the hierarchy of man -- fail to "test the spirits and see whether they be of God" (1 John 4:1). They assume the priests do that for them! Some of the primary points relative to this issue include:

If a sign or wonder predicted comes to pass, but the person is enticed to follow after another god, we are to reject it. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5) Also, if the message delivered is contrary to Scripture, it's not from God (Isaiah 8:20; 2 Timothy 3:16). Some religious messages don't glorify Jesus at all; rather, the "vision" is glorified and, repeated again and again, perpetuated by tradition.

The Roman Catholic practice of praying to and for the dead can be traced in part to the Old Testament apocryphal books (2 Maccabees 12:46 "It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead.") These books, rejected from the canon ("rule," or "standard") of Scripture, contain historical and geographical errors, and many teachings inconsistent with the rest of scripture: salvation by almsgiving; suicide; magic; angelic intercession; etc. Definitely nothing sturdy upon which to base one's eternal destiny.

* discernment is learned by experience (Hebrews 5:14), through knowledge of the Bible (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:15, 6; Ezekiel 44;23)

--Diane S. Dew © 1998

God's Design ... or Yours?

Are you living according to God's design, or your own?
Ask Him... He'll let you know immediately through your heart!


I have learned that in all I do, in order to truly live right, ask Jesus OUT LOUD "Is this making you happy, or sad with me? Do you approve?"

The Holy Spirit will always give you an immediate answer and more often than not you get it before you even speak the words (because God already knows what you're thinking!). Usually when I'm doing something that does not give God any glory, I never even get the question out before getting an answer.

Negative answers are often greeted with immediate pangs of SHAME!

Do you truly seek God's approval?
Then ask Him if you are living in His design, and not your own.
You already know the truth!

Are You Truly a Seeker?

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I find it almost humorous how many people i come across today who choose not to believe all have the exact same excuses as I once did for not believing in Christ or the Bible. one of the most popular ones is the comment "I'm a seeker". funny that, most every person who is a seeker rarely studies out alternate religions and compare them to one another, TRULY seeking answers and when you want to share your truths that you have finally found in your journey, they prefer to argue than listen. To truly seek, one must be ready to listen, observe and put REAL effort and time into the search, otherwise your just listening to everyone elses opinions and basing your own faith on loose facts and fiction, with no real ground to stand on.

My New Art Site

Come see my new art site:

http://www.redbubble.com/people/Cwick

And this is a group I joined. Good stuff here!

Happy Halloween ... INDEED!

Matthew 27: 52 Graves opened, and many of God's people were raised to life. 53 Then after Jesus had risen to life, they came out of their graves and went into the holy city, where they were seen by many people.

Happy Hallowmas (Yes that's a word- look it up ;)=)

And may the Holy Ghost scare the Life into you!

So, are you truly a Christian, Christian?

This is a post from a truly dear beloved sister in Christ from another friend's son. Must read this one friends and family. If a 16 year old gets it, why can't the adults?

Janet sent you a message.

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Subject: a note from a 16 year old child...

Chad, this is written by the son of my friend Jenette. You should follow her page if it is available...but she may be security conscious. I'll pass along the best tid bits to you, never fear:

Quoting Joel-

Yesterday I was reading from a book I am studying for history, The History of Christianity, and I came across this quote:

"For Christians are not differentiated from other people by country, language or customs; you see, they do not live in cities of their own, or speak some strange dialect, or have some peculiar lifestyle.
This teaching of theirs has not been contrived by the invention and speculation of inquisitive men; nor are they propagating mere human teaching as some people do. They live in both Greek and foreign cities, wherever chance has put them. They follow local customs in clothing, food and the other aspects of life. but at the same time, they demonstrate to us the wonderful and certainly unusual form of their own citizenship.
They live in their own native lands, but as aliens; as citizens, they share all things with others; but like aliens, suffer all things. Every foreign country is to them as their native country, and every native land as a foreign country.
They marry and have children just like everyone else; but they do not kill unwanted babies. They offer a shared table, but not a shared bed. They are at present "in the flesh" but they do not live "according to the flesh". They are passing their days on earth, but are citizens of heaven. They obey the appointed laws, and go beyond the laws in their own lives. They love every one but are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death and gain life. They are poor and yet make many rich. They are short of everything and yet have plenty of all things. They are dishonoured and yet gain glory through dishonour. Their names are blackened and yet are cleared. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated outrageously and behave respectfully to others. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; when punished, they rejoice as if being given new life. They are attacked by Jews as aliens, and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them cannot give any reason for their hostility.
To put it simply-the soul is to the body as the Christian is to the world. The soul is spread through all parts of the body and Christians through all the cities the world. The soul is in the body but is not of the body; Christians are in the world but not of the world."

-From an anonymous letter to Diognetus, possibly from the second century.

Do we as Christians represent this description?
Is our teaching based upon The Word of God, or the teaching of imaginative people?
Are we acting as though we are only passing through, or are we focused on the things of this world? Are we offering hospitality to those in need?
Are we keeping our marriages and our minds pure?
Are we taking a stand against the killing of unwanted babies?
When cursed and reviled, do we bless?
If we were to be offered the choice of renouncing Christ or death, would we look forward to the life we would gain?

I know that I have certainly not been perfect in being different from the world, but I am praying for this to be the norm for all people who call themselves Christians.

In Christ, Joel