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“Your Savior Is A Church Program”

Friends,
This morning my husband and I decided to try another church. (We’d actually tried a new one a few weeks ago also, but it was too dry and formal and… well, sorry… but kind of lifeless –generally speaking.) Well, this one actually made me weep afterwards. It had some good worship songs, a little more freedom from rigid formality, but nothing was said! At least nothing as in being fed the Word of God! Oh, there were some Scriptures thrown in, but for over an hour the main theme was how great the church is. –How much the church has done, how exciting the church is, how many programs it has, how friendly the people are (hmmm… I sure didn’t get friendly vibes from the pew-sitters around me…), how much “connection” to others can really change one’s life!

Lovely… how lovely. At least if I were in a self-improvement pep rally, it’d be lovely. But truly, it sickened me. Oh, the Lord was mentioned as being the One who was to be honored for the church’s growth and success… however, this can be said, but not be genuinely exemplified. If it was truly the attitude –that God is to be honored for His wonderful gifts and blessings– then only ten minutes max would have been devoted to such exclamations and exaltations about program after program in the church, its works for the community, and the FUN one could have from a changed life of going to that church. And the rest of the hour and a half would have been devoted to preaching the Word of God to all those people (there must’ve been about 4,000 there), and the preaching would have been about God’s holiness, might, love, justice, etc., and about the horrible condition of sinful humankind headed for an eternity without God, and what to do about it –namely REPENT and GET INTO GOD’S WORD!!!

But… was any of that spoken of?! No, it was not! Pathetic! In fact, I’d say the “sermon” (actually a rah, rah pep talk about growing their church) gave me this clear message: YOU HAVE A SAVIOR and get with the “program” because –The Savior Is…………… (guess what???) –It’s COMMUNITY! ! ! ! ! Yes, by being a part of “community” you will be saved! You will be changed! You will be happier!

Whatever.

Yea, I’m ticked. I’m really ticked. I can’t find a fellowship of Bible-believers who want to study, preach, and live from………. THE BIBLE! ! ! !

Grace and peace,
Rachel

“I Love Jesus But Hate His Words”

Friends,
Today I received an email from some other evangelists who’d been down to Austin’s 6th Street (famous for bars), and they wrote about how many drunk “Christians” they encountered there, many who were mad that they were being reminded of the Gospel of Jesus AND HIS EXPECTATIONS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS at such an inconvenient time. These evangelists noticed that Jesus is quite popular, but that it is His WORDS that seem to grate on people, annoying them considerably. This is definitely what I also find. But more grievous than hearing on the streets this, “Sure, I love Jesus” talk alongside unashamed talk of sinful lifestyles, is realizing that those in the church –even in ministry– seem to get quite offended when Jesus’ expectations of us are mentioned. In fact, some church-goers just bristle.

Why is this? Why would those who say they uphold, respect, or even teach the Bible, not want to hear words from the Bible? One reason is because there’s a church culture –one these “Christians” have become comfortable with it– and to actually have to hear God’s Word shines light on their not-so-righteous church-culture –their religious behavior, practices, and attitudes– that really are not even close to what Jesus commands. Thus, in preferring to hold onto their sin and tradition, they try to block the sound, try to hide their hearts from the blinding light (John 3:19,20), by using the “self-righteous” name-calling card. What they actually are saying though, is, “Who are you to remind me of God’s Word?”

If a person truly loves the Lord and His Word, then we will want to hear Scripture. We will want to sharpen each other… and we will feel grateful for other servants of Christ that God brings across our path. See, the cross is an offense to the heathen (and many in the church too), but speak of Hell, and you’ll really ignite a fury! Yet Jesus spoke much about Hell. He warned of it over and over. And He let it be known that Hell was not a place anyone would want to end up.

Here’s just one sample of some words from the lips of Jesus that should frighten us: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him… But suppose that servant is wicked and says, to himself, “My master is staying away a long time,’ and he then begins to [live sinfully]… The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect Him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 24:44-51)

Friends, no one who gets incinerated in a lake of fire has any time to weep. So those who believe in “annihilation” have merely been listening to deceivers teaching them “what they want to hear”, rather than listening to (reading) Jesus’ words. Also, those who say we shouldn’t frighten people, need to get out from that religious culture of “sweet-talk”, because they too are deceiving others into a false sense of security. In Luke 12:5 Jesus blatantly tells us, “Fear Him [God] who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into Hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him.”

Also, if someone in church-culture wants to say Hell is only for the extremely wicked, think again. Or rather, read again. All through God’s Word, He tells us that both unbelief and disobedience will land a person in Hell.

So, Christians, don’t let “love for Jesus” talk deceive you. The only thing that saves is adherence to God’s Word. As Isa. 8:20 says, “To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak [or teach or live] according to this Word, they have no light of dawn.” And the next two verses describe their cursed fate. Indeed, verse 22 ends with, “…and they will be thrust into utter darkness.”

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

Learn Wisdom From God’s Word

Friends,
Many people say that love is the greatest thing to have.  They may base this on passages such as 1 Cor. 13.  However, the last verse in that chapter (verse 13) says, “And now these three remain:  faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.”  So, to me, that looks like, out of THOSE three, the greatest is love.  And from the context –the way the chapter begins, plus the preceding chapter, it appears this loving relates to how important it is when using our spiritual gifts within the body of Christ.  In other words, “Don’t even think to exercise spiritual gifts of prophecy, knowledge, tongues, service, etc. if you are not doing it out of love.  Because love must accompany everything else.”

So, I certainly do believe that having love is “the greatest” in this respect.  However, it’s just that with all this love-talk we get in Christendom lately, I also believe we need to be careful.  For one thing, I doubt that even Christians are using the definition the way Scripture does or the sacrificial way God means it.  God is love (1 John 4:16), but He is also many other things.  He is just, merciful, jealous, angry, and powerful –just to mention a few of His attributes.  And He is also complete Truth, for He never lies.  So what is more important?  Love –or Truth?  Love –or faith?  Can there be pure, perfect love without Truth or faith?  Certainly not in the context of loving God.  They just all must go together.  For to love God without Truth is impossible.  We’d be loving someone false –a false god.  And to love without faith?  How could we love God if we didn’t believe in Him?  It just wouldn’t happen.  Could we love Him if we didn’t trust in Him?  Well, the love would certainly be imperfect.

How about our love for others –which is what the famous 1 Cor. 13 chapter’s context is about?  Can we love correctly without truth?  –Or without justice or wisdom?  Can love merely save on its own?  No.  Just as a child cannot save her mother from a disease, a doctor with knowledge, truth, wisdom, and action must be part of the remedy.

I’m not attempting to discredit Scripture.  Far be it from me!  What I want to point out, is that when Scripture talks about loving others it is sometimes used out of context.  This seems to be done so as to allow for unity and tolerance to be taught at the expense of other things God’s Word tells us to strive for –like truth, perfection, holiness, and wisdom.

The reason I’m bringing up wisdom right there next to love, is because, different from the push of the “unity-at-all-costs” group (who tout their agenda in “love” wording), Scripture teaches me that wisdom is right up there in importance. And wisdom is something lacking in the church these days, even amongst the clergy.  Look at what Prov. 4:7 says:  “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.  Though it cost all you have get understanding.”  The last sentence here can be translated, “Whatever else you get, get understanding.”  Whatever else?  Even love?  No.  That would be twisting Scripture –based on other Scripture.  But my point is that we need a whole lot more than just love.

And one of them is wisdom.  Along with understanding.  Along with discernment, insight, knowledge, discretion, prudence, and discipline.  (See Prov. 1:2-5) And discipline comes from accepting training and instruction.  Where do we get this?  From God’s Word. And where do we get the wisdom… etc…?  Well, Prov. 1:7 says it begins with “the fear of the Lord.” That means fearing Him enough to listen to Him!  Prov. 2:6 tells us.  “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Where else do we get words from the Lord’s mouth –but through His Word, the Scriptures?  And for those of us who are born anew by His Spirit, His Holy Spirit will “teach you all things and will remind you of everything I [Jesus] have said to you.”  (John 14:26)  He reminds us THROUGH THE WORD –the Holy Bible.

Then with Him as our teacher, we will “correctly handle the Word of Truth” (2 Tim. 2:15) and learn what is truly being taught from it.  As Jesus says in John 16:13, “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.”  The truth about love… faith… hope… righteousness…  This, I believe, is summed up as:  Learning Wisdom.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

Satan Wants Your Worship

Friends,
It is now being said by some, that 2009 was an unprecedented year for an enormous sweep of mysticism into the evangelical church. And from what I’ve read, seen, and experienced, I sadly must agree. Mysticism (which has none other than occult roots) is so accepted now in “Christianity”, that it appears we are fighting a losing battle in attempting to stop it. Of course this “turning from the faith” is predicted in the Bible –being called the great “falling away” –the great apostasy.

Why is this happening? The simple answer is “Because God’s people will not read His Word.” And why will they not read it? Because they want to claim innocence (ignorance). And this, because they love sin and want to avoid anything and everyone who tells them to quit it. And why do they love sin? Because they are lovers of themselves; and therefore, love to cater to themselves in whatever way feels good.

One popular method by which to feel good, is to feel exalted. This is what Satan has always wanted and what he apparently figures is the best tactic by which to tempt humans. Look at his arrogant words in Isa. 14:13. “I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly [wanting all to worship him], on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.” This sounds like 2 Thes. 2:4 which says, “He opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, and even sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” And for a time he gets his wish. As Rev. 13:4 says, “Men worshiped the dragon [who is Satan –see Rev. 12:9] because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast…”

Isa. 14:14 continues recording Satan’s words: “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” The devil has always wanted to be like God and to be worshiped in place of God. He even tried to tempt Jesus by showing “Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.'” (Matt. 4:8,9) How sick… Yet this same desire is what his influence brings to the heart of those who refuse to obey God.  Have we not heard many claiming that they themselves are evolving into gods –or are already gods? Yes. But it is merely the devil’s age-old lie found way back in Gen.3:4,5, “You will not surely die… you will be like God…” And this most definitely is the path mysticism takes a person down, whether it’s stated blatantly like the New Agers and Word of Faith followers state, or whether it’s cloaked in some other more deceptive jargon like “attaining to Christ- likeness” (when they really mean “becoming one with the Divine.”)

Well, though we are not going to be able to stop this quickly spreading apostasy from happening across the whole world, we can stop it from happening with us –our own selves. And the only way this is feasible, is by knowing (VERY) well God’s Word –by our continuous abiding in the Vine (the true Christ Jesus) and His Word and His love. (John 15:1-9) How do we do this? Jesus says in verse 10 that it is through obedience to His commands. However, we cannot do that unless we are constantly meditating on His commands and worshiping “the Father in spirit and in TRUTH.” (See John 4:23,24)

Mysticism brings worship with “spirit”, but it is a counterfeit spirit because it does not use The Truth –God’s Word– as its sole authority. Instead, it takes techniques from Eastern Spirituality and from Catholic monks and mixes up a brew that endorses itself as “Christianized” spiritual meditation, prayer, worship, and self-enlightenment. No, God does not mix Himself in with pagan methods, so the only “enlightenment” that happens is one from the dark side. As Jesus warns in Luke 11:35, “See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.” Would the Lord admonish such a thing if it were not possible? No, for it is very possible. Indeed, “the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8), but he “masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), thereby deceiving his victims until it is too late.

Scripture constantly tells us to be alert, watch out, and to be careful not to get deceived. It seems Christians think they are immune to deception. What foolishness! Would God’s Word warn us continuously against deception if it were not a grave danger –the deceiving of “even the elect”? (Matt. 24:24) 1 Cor. 3:18-20 also warns, “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight… ‘The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.'”

How many in the church, even church leaders, are falling like dominos to the philosophies of this postmodern, ecumenical age? Shockingly, many! And respected ones at that! It reminds me of Gal. 3:1, “You foolish… [people]! Who has bewitched you?” Indeed, it seems that a creepy cloud is lulling the minds of masses to accept that which is absolutely foreign to Scripture –while calling it “the way of Jesus.”

No, if it is not taught in God’s Word, then it is not the way to find God. God says we find Him through Jesus, through our faith in the ransom He paid and offers to us through repentance of our sin and sinful lifestyles, and through obedience to His commands –as taught to us by His Holy Spirit using His Word. We do not find God through deep breathing, one word or one phrase prayers, “the silence” of emptying the mind, visualizing ourselves in a New Testament story, or by chanting “Scripture prayers”. Several of those things cloak themselves with a bit of Bible, but if one knows God’s Word, these techniques can be easily spotted for what they are: Counterfeit roads to a different god.

Friends, please, for the sake of your own soul and the souls of those you love, READ GOD’S WORD! In there you will find the true Light, the true Path, the true Way, the true Jesus. Otherwise, you ARE going to be deceived! Your own church will likely deceive you! Do you think Satan is trying to get more atheists on the planet? That is not his preference –because then he can’t get at the Christians. There’s too much of “a line drawn in the sand” there, and Christians will continue to defeat him through the Truth. Besides, atheists don’t worship him. He wants worship. And the way he is going to get the most people to do that –in fact, the whole world– is by pretending to be God.

Mysticism feeds right into his plan. Stop thinking that it doesn’t.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

“Christians” Love Being Entertained By Sin

Friends,
Here is a true occurrence… involving a conversation I had with a man and his wife (who I’ll call Mr. and Mrs. Bee), around a dining room table back in 8/06.

I forget what started the conversation, but it had to do with moral decline. So I chimed in, “Oh yea, –can you believe it? In fact, one day we invited a bunch of people into our living room. They were crude people, and several told nasty jokes. Some were cussing and some even displayed violence toward one another. Then this one man and this one woman –who weren’t even married– started kissing each other, and next, –they were taking off their clothes! Yes! -right in front of us! Someone went and covered them with a blanket, and they proceeded to have sex right there in our living room!”

Mr. and Mrs. Bee stared incredulously at me. “Why in the world did you tolerate such sick behavior?” they stammered.

“Why not?” I responded.

“Well, that’s sick,” they insisted.

“What’s sick about it?” I asked.

“Well!” Mr. Bee said, ” –allowing them to do that right in your living room– in front of you!”

“Oh, there was no total nudity,” I defended.

Poor Mr. and Mrs. Bee appeared to be having trouble breathing…

“Okay,” I said. “It actually happened on the T.V.”

They got the point.

It does disgust me to feel I must talk this crudely to get my point across. But once in a while, even God speaks about uncovering the lewd filth of His adulterous wife! (Read Ezek. 16:32, as well as the whole chapter.) God says in Ezek. 24:13, “Your impurity is lewdness. Because I tried to cleanse you but you would not be cleansed from your impurity, you will not be clean again until My wrath against you has subsided.”

And in Jer. 5:7,8 God says, “Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes. They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man’s wife.” Is this not going on in home after home? –Even “Christian” homes? It certainly is! No one need act upon their adulteries or go to a brothel –or a topless bar. –They do it already in their hearts –with their eyes –lusting after the “beautiful” people on their huge idolatrous T.V. screen –right there in their own home! “Behind your doors… you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked on their nakedness.” (Isa. 57:8) Yes, “their houses are full of deceit” (Jer. 5:27), “their evil deeds have no limit” (v. 28), and their “prophets [big sinners themselves] prophesy lies, the priest rule by their own authority, and My people love it this way. But what will you do in the end?” (v. 31) Yea… –what?

For look at what God continues with in verse 9 of this same chapter: “‘Should I not punish them for this?’ declares the LORD. ‘Should I not avenge Myself on such a nation as this?'” He most certainly will! So “preach against the sanctuary” (Ezek. 21:2) “for it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God.” (1 Peter 4:17) It already has! Indeed, what foolishness already resides there!

I get no joy in confronting this. But I must speak out –as we all should. Remember the story of Eli, the priest, and his wretched sons? In 1 Sam. 2:30 God said, “‘I promised that your house and your father’s house would minister before me forever.’ But now the LORD declares: ‘Far be it from Me! Those who honor Me I will honor, but those who despise Me will be disdained.” Notice that God first promised a “forever” blessing. Then He recanted that promise –based on their actions. What actions? DESPISING GOD! When we act lewd, speak lewd, think lewd, or “just” view lewdness, we despise the holiness of God who supposedly lives inside of us.

Look at 1 Sam. 3:12-14. God says, “At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family –from beginning to end. For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons made themselves contemptible, and he failed to restrain them. Therefore, I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.'”

It is imperative that preachers –who are preaching from God’s Holy Word– refuse to wink at sin in the lives of those under their teaching, (as well as their own.) If a preacher does not preach that God’s temple (our bodies) are to be always kept holy, then he is “failing to restrain” wickedness, he is “persuading this nation [his church] to trust in lies” (Jer. 28:15), and has therefore “preached rebellion against the LORD.” (v. 16)

“This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: ‘Stand at the gate of the LORD’s house and there proclaim this message: ‘Hear the word of the LORD, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the LORD… Do not trust in deceptive words and say, ‘This is the temple of the LORD…’ [God says,] ‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, [OR ENTERTAIN YOURSELVES BY WATCHING OTHERS DO IT], burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, ‘We are safe’ –safe to do all these detestable things? …Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my name, the temple you trust in… I will thrust you from My presence.” (Jer. 7:1-15)

What can we learn from these passages? This: 1. God is warning church people. 2. The worshippers of God were also honoring Baal (That could be anything evil or “worldly”). 3. Those “Christians” who dishonor God and then go to church, thinking that it is some sort of inoculation against judgement from God, –are NOT safe from God’s judgement. 4. “Christians” that are trusting in their “temples” –that is, their own spirits which are born again, with God living inside (supposedly), yet are still daily disobeying God, will actually be THRUST away from God’s presence. (Hmmmm….. I wonder what “thrust away” means….? –Heaven? Not quite.)

Why is this going on in the churches? –this failing to take a bold stand against sin? Here’s what I think I have now concluded, after seeing this over and over and over: The congregation likes preaching that excuses sinning those “little white sins” –at least if it is the sins THEY commit– because then they feel safe –OR “SAVED”– another word for “born again”. Then the preacher… –he likes to think he’s allowed to excuse certain sins, (maybe because he too likes his sins,) but also because then he doesn’t get his flock upset with him. And this, of course, is because if people get mad at him, there’s no telling what could happen! He could lose some of those big tithers to his rival church, or he could get slandered, or he could lose his house, or even his family, or the denomination itself could deposition him… Yes, there’s all sorts of potential repercussions.

However, we know that Jesus addressed all this too… as in Matt. 10:37 –“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me…” And as He says in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters –yes, even his own life– he cannot be My disciple.” In John 14:15 Jesus says, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command.” And we know exactly what He commands: PERFECTION. (See Matt. 5:48) And if we really don’t know how to accomplish that, then we must open the Bible and find out!

When, oh when, are we going to hear the strong preaching from the pulpits that is so necessary?! We need holy people of God preaching about the power we have in Christ, –showing the world that Rom. 12:1,2 are not just well-known verses to chant, but are actual realities in our daily lives! “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God –which is your spiritual worship. Do not conform ANY longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and prove what God’s will is –His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Remember: Love Tells the Truth. So, Preachers… –Preach Truth! And preach hard against the wickedness, sin, and perversion that is being tolerated, indulged in, and even promoted –right there amongst your own flock!

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

Refusing To Acknowledge It’s A Counterfeit

Friends,
Could most of us say that we could distinguish between a counterfeit dollar bill and an authentic one? I doubt it. And why is that? It’s because we most likely have not been intensely studying a real dollar bill of late. And here’s another reason: The counterfeited currency, competing with high-tech maneuvers trying to expose them, are becoming ever so close to looking like the real.

This too, is what is happening in Christendom. The counterfeits are attempting, with all the expertise they can muster, to look, act, and talk as much like the real as they can, while hiding under their cloaks the actual antichrist spirit in which they operate. Yes, many false teachings are obviously that –false. However, when these types come to town (or into your church), they are soon enough taken note of and booted out. Thus the counterfeit’s agenda gets nowhere in permeating the real, which is what they so badly want to do.

So what do counterfeits resort to –that they may win their opposers to their side? They use the stealth method, the sly, the crafty… In short –DECEPTION. And how else can they do this, but to use as much of the Real as possible? This is why so many false doctrines incorporate Bible verses in with their teachings; and why they promote prayer, fasting, and works of compassion, use the name of Jesus, cater to worship methods that arouse euphoric feelings (–how could all THAT be wrong?!), and dialogue about tolerance, peace, unity, and love. It all sounds so Biblical… doesn’t it?

Well, it doesn’t matter how Biblical it sounds. –Or looks. –Or feels. Because if the foundation is off, the whole of it is off. If the foundation is not the True Jesus –God in bodily form, the Creator of all, the One who died as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world to appease God’s wrath against sin, the One who rose bodily and had Thomas touch the nail scars in His hand, and who ascended into Heaven while others looked on, and who now sits at the right hand of God (the Father) interceding for us… –THAT Jesus… then no matter how much love, kindness, compassion, works, prayer, and worship there is, if it originates from any other than the True Jesus and having the backing and authority of the True God, then it is a fraud, a deception, and a road to Hell.

Let’s keep in mind that money, if it has not been made at the correct and true source that has the authority to create it, then no matter how real it looks, it is still a counterfeit. The same goes for spiritual doctrine. –That even if the teaching appears real, but does not come from God and His Word, then it is a fraud.

I am continuously amazed and saddened by the ability of many to reject the True for the false. It seems that we can lay out all the facts, all the evidence, all the Scripture, yet deceived “Christians” absolutely refuse to loosen their grip on their pet false doctrines. Even when we can point out that God’s Word says nothing about a certain teaching, and remind them that Scripture (such as Prov. 30:6 & Rev. 22:19) prohibits us from adding to or subtracting from it, or “going beyond what is written” (1 Cor. 4:6), they continue to hold to doctrines that are nowhere taught in God’s Word!

Here’s a few examples I have encountered recently –and I don’t mean on the street; I mean from those whose churches I have regularly attended, from people I like and would consider sweet and kind –though being sweet does not equal “walking in the Truth.” (3 John 1:4) Here’s one: “We’ve been seeing outpourings of gold dust upon the people in our worship services!” and Hab. 2:14 was quoted as a support for that being of God. The verse says, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Huh? Anyway…

Here’s another: “We are going to ride with Jesus and conquer –yes slay (kill) the wicked who won’t bow their knees to Christ.” The verses I was given to support that doctrine? “Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with His garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of His strength? ‘It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.’ Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?” (Isa. 63:1-2) And from Rev. 19:11-16, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that no one but He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following Him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

It seems outlandish that followers of Jesus should be expecting to kill others. However, this indeed, is what many young people (a militant “Joel’s Army”) are being indoctrinated into believing Christ is preparing His church to do. However, even these favorite verses of theirs, when examined more closely, do not say Christians will be killing others. Who, as revealed in this Revelation passage, is it that “judges and makes war”? Who strikes down the nations? It is He who is called “The Word of God”. And with what does He strike them down with? It says it is with “a sharp sword” that comes “out of His mouth”. What is the sword? Well, Eph. 6:17 says that the sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. God created through the Word; does He not have the authority to destroy with the same Word?

And let’s look at the rest of the context of the Isa. 63 passage. The next few verses make clear that He has “trodden the winepress ALONE; from the nations no one was with Me… I looked, but there was no one to help… so My own arm worked salvation for Me… I trampled the nations in My anger…” (v. 3-6) Yes, God is bringing judgment on those who have not bowed to His Lordship in the Day of Grace; but WE are not going to kill others. Those who plan to and will eventually do so, are those with the counterfeit antichrist spirit –those belonging to all the groups throughout history of whom Jesus refers to in John 16:2, “They will put you out of the synagogue [or church]; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.” Yet notice the reason Jesus gives in verse 3 for why they do this: “They will do such things because they have not known the Father or Me.” Indeed, those who kill in the name of God, do not know Jesus or God, are not filled with His Holy Spirit, and are instead adhering to an antichrist spirit.

Here’s one more example of a false pet doctrine I was “graced” with just last week. Someone sent me an email by a pastor writing about Hebrew being the “Heavenly language”. I know why they wish this could be proven from the Bible, though it obviously cannot –at all. It’s because they adhere to the “Sacred Name” doctrine, and that doctrine, with its whole set of other false doctrines surrounding it, would be demolished. For then they couldn’t teach that the name “Jesus” is a pagan name for “Yahshua” or “Yeshua”, and that only that name (as well as the name Yahweh or Yahveh) is the only name by which we are saved. (Notice they can’t even agree among themselves which name of Jesus and which name of the LORD –YHWH or YHVH– to use.)

So, why is it that people want to follow counterfeits (even obvious ones)? Well, truly, I can’t really understand it. Because I love Truth. But I guess it’s just what the Bible says is the reason: They “suppress the truth by their wickedness” (Rom. 1:18) and then later even when they do decide to maybe seek Truth, it eludes them. Because they lusted after “signs and wonders” (Matt. 12:38) for so long (2 Thes. 2:9,10a), “refused to love the truth” (v. 10b) for so long, that “God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie…” (v. 11) And notice that the Thessalonians passage reveals that the miracles are done by Satan, and in the Matthew passage, Jesus speaks of those taken over by evil spirits (v. 43-45a), for “that is how it will be with this wicked generation” (v. 45b) –the “wicked and adulterous generation that asks for a miraculous sign!” (v. 39)

Sadly, those who love and seek anything but the Truth, craving to have others follow after them, craving to see wonders and miracles, craving to have power, craving to have acclaim, craving to sound enlightened and wise… all these, whom God calls wicked, WILL fall for deceptions –for counterfeits. Because in running after all these things, these spiritual adulterers chose all of it ABOVE the very thing which could have saved them from perishing. –The careful study of the Word of God!

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

Trust Him –And Wait

Friends,
Sometimes… to look ahead at another whole year staring us in the face can be… well… frightening. To some it may be exciting, hopeful, full of promise… But to others, especially those who have lost jobs or family, or have heard some disheartening news concerning a loved one’s health, or who have been asked to move… the year’s challenges can look rather ominous –even bleak. Or how about those who have been waiting expectantly on a promise they were sure the Lord had given them? And they’ve been waiting… and waiting… and waiting… beginning to fear that maybe… well, maybe… what they heard was not really the Lord after all…

All these scenarios can be quite disheartening.

What does the Lord say to do when we doubt? Or when we fear? He tells us not to do so. But HOW? –is the question. How do we get the strength, the faith –to not doubt and fear?

No, it is not as simple as popping a pill –“Okay, all better… miracle –I feel full of faith now.” Instead, it is slower… a quiet growth… a response on God’s part –when He sees obedience. Our obedience to trust Him –even in the dark. –Even when we feel nothing changing. –Even when we can’t trust anymore than to just open His Word and read, through blurred vision, heart breaking, emotions spent, hope gone…

Quietly, invisibly… a tiny –very tiny– ray of hope seeps into the spirit… and we’re able to say the name “Jesus”… and then breathe out a stilted prayer… and then maybe a verse we’ve memorized… Then we wipe the tears, we sit up, we turn to another passage of Scripture… then another… hearing some faint impressions of comfort and assurance upon our spirits… and we recognize our Shepherd’s voice…

Friends, the waiting, the uncertainty is allowed by Him for reasons… for how would we grow in faith, learn to trust Him… –if it weren’t for these times? Do spiritual giants learn courage overnight? Do warriors become great through osmosis? No. It takes training. It takes work. It takes determination –to succeed… in spite of the discouragement of failures.

So how do we conquer in this fight toward perfection? How do we conquer our fears and doubts? We wait. We trust. We keep in mind that “This too shall pass.” That this discouragement, this uncertainty, this trial, this loneliness, this hardship… will pass. That if we look back up to the Lord, He will give comfort, and guidance, and strength… to put another foot in front of the other… today… and again tomorrow…

And if He does not still choose to shine the light any further up the path, He will be whispering to our hearts that He is there –in control. And that our job right now is to simply wait… and trust… and rest in Him and His words.

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose Word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Ps. 56:3,4)

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Ps. 42:11)

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” (Job 8:21 & see Ps. 126:2)

Trust Him. Wait on Him. He rewards faith.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

Perpetually An Infant? –Expect To Be Cursed.

Friends,
How long have you been a “believer” in God’s Word? When did you get “born again”? Well, if it has already been a few years, you ought to be Bible-teachers by now. (See Heb. 5:12) If you are not, why not? What have you been doing? Working, you say? Okay. –But have you not any free time? And what do you do with that free time? Can not a percentage of it be given to God? –Spending time in His Word? –Listening to His Spirit teach you through it? –Devoting your heart and lips to some daily undistracted adoration of Him? –Also offering some completely unselfish service to another one of His hurting children?

No, you do not have to be a “professional” Bible-teacher. But in some way or another, you should be teaching God’s Truth to someone –at least to yourself. And a systematic approach, rather than a haphazard one, is certainly best. This would require a designated time, a planned curriculum (–simple is fine), and a commitment to follow through daily. This (that is, teaching) is the optimum way by which to learn God’s Word –the Truth.

Heb. 5:13 goes on to say, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.” Indeed, if “Christians” continue to live as spiritual infants, they will not learn righteousness. Yet we are expected to attain maturity, solid faith, the knowledge of and fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:13) “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.” (v. 14) And craftiness there is an abundance of! –Slick and sly –and coming through messengers who appear incredibly sweet and unassuming.

But Jesus and the apostles warned of these! Dressed in soft friendly wool –smiles and love talk included– these teachers are actually “ferocious wolves” (Matt. 7:15) with sharp teeth, ready to tear a gullible one to pieces (Matt. 7:6), as both head toward the abyss. Would the masses follow a teacher that bared his fangs? Of course not. So they come in “sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15) –that popular “cultural relevancy” hip talk –interspersed with cooings about social activism and compassion. Oh, yea… that’s a sure ploy by which to trick the “Christian culture” into thinking one’s motives are far from those of a wolf.

Are all false teachers really consumed with the intents of a wolf? No. But if they are blind, yet think they see and are qualified to lead others who are blind, the destination is the same: The pit. (Matt. 15:14 & 23:13,33)

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity” (Heb. 6:1), that of righteousness. “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” (1 Tim. 4:7) For “solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Heb. 5:14) So it is by diligently feeding off of God’s Word and putting it into practice that we are like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. (Matt. 7:24)

Heb. 6:7 goes on: “Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.” The “land” is each individual of whom the Lord rains down upon, expecting fruit, a crop, a harvest of souls. And what is the rain He gives? Verses 4 & 5 tell us. It is enlightenment… a taste and share in the heavenly gift –the Holy Spirit… the goodness of the Word of God… His power… (It is also initial forgiveness of sin, as implied by verse 6.) However, what is said in verse 8 concerning those who receive all this blessed rain, but who remain infants, unable to produce a crop –either outside oneself by bringing others to righteousness, or within oneself by learning to be godly? This is what is said: “But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.”

This matches what Jesus says in John 15:5,6, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”

So do we see that in Him we bear fruit; falling out from Him, we are cursed? This is why Heb. 6:6 warns about falling away once we’ve shared in the Holy Spirit, and why verse 11 says, “We want each of you to show this same diligence [producing a crop] to the very end, in order to make your hope sure… and inherit what has been promised [– eternal life].” For those who “remain in Christ” WILL go on to fruit-bearing maturity. –Producing “the fruit of the Spirit [which is] love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Gal. 5:22) And helping others to also come to maturity, so that they too, may produce fruit.

Let me remind us all of the parable Jesus told immediately after having warned twice, “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:3,5) Here it is: “A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'” (v. 6-8) Being cut down is not dying and going to Heaven. It is Judgment… being cursed and thrown into the fire. It is being assigned “a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 24:51)

Again: If fruit does not happen within a reasonable amount of time, Heb. 6:8 does teach that these perpetual infants –this barren, worthless, unproductive land– will indeed be cursed.

So, what kind of land (or tree) are you?  (Maybe you should start fertilizing, cultivating, and training yourself –in the Word of God!)

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel

God’s Word Is Top Priority

Friends,
I hope and pray that many people, particularly pastors and other Christian leaders, will, this year, strongly impress upon those they influence, the importance of meditating on and knowing the Word of God. It is the single most important emphasis to be preached. Worship –the practice advertised as most important in almost every evangelical denomination, as well as in many other religions– is not to be prioritized above feeding off Scripture. Because if it is, worship will digress to something anti-christ.

Without the grounding of God’s authoritative and objective Word, worshippers will not know who they are worshipping because they will not know His true attributes as He has revealed Himself through Scripture –nor will they truly know Him. If one does not know the object of one’s worship, then a person opens themselves up to the possibility of worshipping a false god. In doing that, they then neither hear from nor pray to the LORD, the one true God.

How do worshippers deviate from the True to the false? By not worshipping according to the way God has prescribed. No, that does not include all those Old Testament regulations, but it does include purity and holiness and reverence. And we are to worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Unfortunately, this is not the way most churches conduct their worship services. The worship is led by unholy individuals (for the most part) who are talented and who have charisma, but who lack the filling of the Holy Spirit. Many are up front to bring glory, not to God necessarily, but to themselves. Others are more genuine, but lack righteousness in their daily living, lack obedience to God’s holy laws, and lack whole-hearted devotion to Jesus –for too much love of the world still dwells in their hearts.

Certainly, if people would meditate on God’s Word, much of this repugnant and false worship would be eliminated. Churches would know (and care!) about what conduct pleases God because they would know what kind of hearts and minds and attitudes He accepts.

God says in Isa. 1:13, “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to Me… I cannot bear your evil assemblies.” And in Mal. 1:7,10, “You place defiled food on My altar. Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on My altar. I am not pleased with you… and I will accept no offering from your hands.” And in verse 14 God says, “Cursed is the cheat who… sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord. For I am a great king… and My name is to be feared among the nations.”

We do not offering sacrifices of animals anymore in order to please God for “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb. 10:10) However, this does not mean Christ’s sacrifice gives us license to sin, for later in the same chapter we are told, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only… judgment.” (v. 26,27)

So now, under the New Covenant, it is our bodies and our spirits which we offer to God –as pleasing, worshipping incense. And the only way we can walk pleasing to Him –producing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23)– is by soaking in and studying the Scriptures. As Jesus says in John 15:3,4, “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the Vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me.” And He consistently tells us to “remember His words.” (See v. 20)

We cannot do this, if we are not allowing God’s Word to dwell in us richly. And we cannot do that if we are not reading it daily.

So may those in the pulpits –everywhere– fervently proclaim this necessity. And practice it themselves.

Sincerely,
with love,
Rachel