We end season three with the same two words we began it with - Wake Up!

It is time for the world to see and hear and feel the Church of the LIVING GOD.  We are not to be those who sit quiet, but who stand firm and even expose the darkness, especially that which tries to hide in the body of believers known as the Church!

Wake Up!

On this episode we recap the season ans spend time in prayer over and for the Church.  May the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY be honored and exalted!  May the LAMB of GOD be worshiped and praised!  Amen!

13      “If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
14      and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

(2 Chronicles 7:13–14)


14      “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
    The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
15      ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
16      ‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
17      ‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
18      I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
19      ‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
20      ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
21      ‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22      ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”

(Revelation 3:14–22). (1995)

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Here we are the next to the last episode for this season.  We have gone through a journey bringing to light those things which have kept the Church (the sleeping giant) for walking in power and victory.  Now, we look lastly at why you should feel/be OK with being wrong in the eyes of the world on issues the world says, we the church, are hateful.  There is an onslaught of wickedness which is bearing down on the church.  By and large the church has been apathetic in addressing these issues and standing firm.  Indeed, there is throughout this world a watered down form of Christianity, which is not Christianity, that says those who hold to the truth of GOD'S Word are extremist.  The following verse, I am afraid, is getting closer and closer for those who hold fast to the truth of GOD'S Word.

1      “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling.
2      “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.
3      “These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me."

(John 16:1–3)

Join with us as we look at issues facing the true church, where we should rejoice for being called wrong and hateful in the eyes of a dark and dying world.  This does not mean we don't pray, love and continually reach out/care for our fellow image bearers.  It means we love them enough to always speak the truth and love them when they react in a mean/derogatory manner.

So, join with us as we look at these issues and talk about how to address them...more importantly how to be bold and speak the truth in love.

Glory to GOD!  Worthy is the LAMB!

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As we begin to draw to a close this season.  We now come to the topic of sin.  Perhaps no more insidious lie of the devil has penetrated the four walls where saints gather than this - sin is just a mistake. " We are all broken and need to just do better each day.", is all to often what I hear preached.  But read the following two passages and ask yourself, "is sin just a mistake?".

26      For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,
27      but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.
28      Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
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?
30      For we know Him who said, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY.” And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.”
31      It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(Hebrews 10:26–31)

14      As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
15      but alike the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
16      because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”
17      If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
18      knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers,
19      but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

(1 Peter 1:14–19)

We have to preach, teach and care enough for one another to not sin.  I AM NOT saying we will not sin:

1      My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
2      and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.

(1 John 2:1–2)

What I am saying is sin is not just a mistake or just missing the mark...its rebellion; its hatred.  Sin is so vile, even the sin we did not know we committed MUST be punished by the wrath of GOD.  What a fearful thought!

Until people know the bad news and why its bad...the good news will never truly be good.  Until the church understands the vileness and hatred GOD has for sin, we will never war and flee from it as we should.

If satan can get us, the church, to laugh at sin, we will accept sin.  Let that sink in.

Grace and peace.

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You might be tempted to believe this episode begins in the classrooms in America.  You  would be wrong.  Where this all begins is way back in Exodus:

23      “For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.
24      “And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.
25      “When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite.
26      “And when your children say to you, ‘What does this rite mean to you?’
27      you shall say, ‘It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.’ ” And the people bowed low and worshiped.

(Exodus 12:23–27)

Do you see where the family unit was to be the primary point of education, especially concerning the LORD.  The father was also expected to be the primary example and teach the ways of the LORD.

However, when the LORD blesses a nation, it becomes prosperous and is at ease from trouble there is an inclination to put the things of GOD to the side.  Eventually, the people will toss GOD and HIS Word behind their backs.  The evil ones schemes lead to greed and every form of sin.

In America, once the government started to tax our income, it started the process of destroying the family unit.  Soon, right after the second world war, the United States became very prosperous and was the most industrial nation on the earth.  With that prosperity came greed to make more money.  With that prosperity  came a new age of sexual immorality.  Soon, both parents would have to work and education was primarily taught by the government.  Once the family became to busy and education became the responsibility of another the moral decline started to happen rapidly.

Today, we suffer from generations who are "Christian" in name only.  They claim to believe, but do not take the upbringing of the children seriously.  They say they believe but won't force their beliefs on their children.  You know who does force their belief on the children - Satan and all those who belong to him.  You know what age Satan thinks its appropriate to teach your children? Try ages 3-5.

We do not need the education of the world.  We as believers must make it our own responsibility to train up our children in the way they should go...if not, they will belong to the world.

13      But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
14      You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
15      and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16      All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17      so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

(2 Timothy 3:13–17)

We need Christians to be Christians and faithfully teach the Word of GOD especially to the children...or they will fall victim to the world.

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If there is one scheme of the evil one that has permeated the western culture and the church is being a "victim" of something.  It is never the individuals fault.  Someone or something is to blame for why you are hurt, suffering, incapable of achieving or overcoming.  Regarding the church, this is a particular result of trying to use carnal means to attract carnal people.  One common statement is people, "just have not been church-ed".  In order to keep an institution made by man those who are responsible for the gathering will use "modern" methods or current culture devices to hopefully raise the curiosity of others to come and visit.

A result of this is people who come in or who have been raised up in the "church" but not CHRIST JESUS, if/when they become disillusioned or encounter hardship will blame the church.  After they have left (or perhaps while still attending) they will say they have suffered religious trauma.  They will simply not understand why they can live a sinful life and GOD not love them for who they are.  Doesn't the church say, "GOD loves you just the way you are."?  Thus when an individual encounters the truth of GOD and HIS hatred of sin, it has to be GOD'S fault...or at least the god who is being portrayed by the pastor.

Sadly, another more serious result from mans institution, not GOD'S, is spiritual abuse.  This is the result of when a person, in authority, especially the church, takes it upon themselves to be the replacement for CHRIST as head of the church and home.  The result of this can have massive and far reaching devastation and consequences.

Is there real "religious trauma" and "spiritual abuse" - yes there is.  However, a large significant portion, is victim mentality brought on by the evil one through the culture.  This is nothing new.  The very first place where "victim mentality" is seen in in Genesis when Adam blames GOD for his sin:

11      And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
12      The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”
(Genesis 3:11–12)

The evil one through western culture has just utilized another avenue for people to embrace their sin and rage against GOD.

The bible does not shy away from imposters placing themselves in positions of authority.  It is an area, like many others GOD does not shy away from revealing:

9      I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say.
10      For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, he himself does not receive the brethren, either, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church.
11      Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
(3 John 9–11)


You will also see the LORD'S interaction with the religious leaders of HIS time like in Matthew 12:1-7 or even in the churches in Revelation.

We are responsible for our own words and actions.  GOD will hold us accountable and there will be no excuse.  GOD has, in HIS infinite love, made a way for you to have true forgiveness and peace with HIM and that is through HIS SON JESUS.  Come to the FATHER through the SON by way of repentance and faith.  Accept the free gift of GOD'S grace and believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and be saved!

Glory to GOD!  Worthy is the LAMB!

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Since the earliest times after the fall, the devil has been using false powers, sorcery, witchcraft and other demonic forces to lure away people from following GOD and to deceive and lead astray those who truly believe the ONE true GOD and CHRIST JESUS whom HE sent.

Even back in the Old Testament GOD warned HIS people to not mingle with the nations or take on their practices, which were of demons, because it would corrupt them and cause them to stray and eventually be destroyed.  The people of Israel did not pay attention to GOD but took on the ways of the people around them.

Now, especially now, GOD calls us to be separate and holy from the world and its practices.  Yet, more and more, the church, especially in the west is not only allowing it - but embracing these practices of demons!

This episode we delve into this corrupt and dark scheme of the evil one...bringing in the evil practices of the world into the gathering of HIS people and claiming we have grace to embrace, overcome and use it for our good.  Let me be clear - there is no such place in Scripture where we are told to embrace the practices of evil and refer to it as good!!!!  We will look at several Scriptures to see this and show how those who make such blasphemous claims are really agents of the evil one dressed up and disguised as angels of light.

Wake up sleeping church!  Seperate yourselves as holy unto the LORD and serve HIM only!  be sober, be on the alert for the devil is prowling around seeking someone to devour!

3      But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
4      For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.
(2 Co 11:3–4)

23      “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.
24      “When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’
25      “And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.
26      “Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first.”
(Luke 11:23–26)

2      He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominations of the nations whom the LORD dispossessed before the sons of Israel.
3      For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.
4      He built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem I will put My name.”
5      For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD.
6      He made his son pass through the fire, practiced witchcraft and used divination, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD provoking Him to anger.
(2 Kings 21:2–6)

Also:

Matthew 7:21-23; Ephesisans 5:11-12; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

CARM's review of The Physics of Heaven

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"I just don't know how to talk to someone about my faith.", is perhaps one of the most used statements I've encountered when encouraging others to share the gospel. "I don't want to feel like I'm being judged" or "I just clam up and don't know how to speak when talking about what I believe.", is another couple of statements I hear when asking believers if they have conversations about what they believe and why.

You got it, we are talking about how to have a conversation with unbelievers and with believers.  There are times when a topic or doctrine is brought up and someone mentions something that is off.  You know you need to address it, but how?  You may be in a conversation with someone, express what they believe and then ask you if you agree.  If you don't what should you look for and expect from that type of conversation?  Then there are going to be those conversations with unbelievers, you know you need to share the gospel but you get nervous and feel like you wont be effective.

What is the secrete to being able to navigate these encounters?  Join us and find out.

Grace and peace friends.  Below are several verses we use in this program.

13      Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14      But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
15      but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16      and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17      For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
(1 Peter 3:13–17)

9      Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
10      for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more,
11      and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
12      so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and cnot be in any need.
(1 Thessalonians 4:9–12)

5      Better is open rebuke
         Than love that is concealed.
6      Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
         But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
7      A sated man loathes honey,
         But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.
(Proverbs 27:5–7)

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It is without question people are leaving some churches and other churches are growing.  The question we have to ask is it true believers leaving the church or is it non/false believers leaving the church?  This all rests on what is called the "church".  The very simple answer to the question poses is - yes to both.  After last weeks episode where we addressed is there objective truth to religion and following GOD, we now examine that gathering which GOD calls us to regularly.   Below are the main Scriptures we use during the episode.  Please become acquainted with them.

1      I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2      preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3      For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
4      and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
(2 Ti 4:1–4)

33      The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.
(2 Ch 20:33)

The first part of the episode we look at why non/false believers are leaving the true church.  The second part addresses true believers leaving the false church.  We even look at true believers leaving true churches and why.  Lastly, we turn the spotlight on ourselves and ask what our individual responsibility is in all of this.

May this be a blessing and encouragement to you all.  Glory to GOD!  Worthy is the LAMB!

Grace and peace friends.

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After our examination of Scripture to determine if there is objective/absolute truth or is truth just subjective; we now turn to the next topic.  This week we examine false doctrine and what it consists of.  How do we recognize false doctrine?  What is a Christian's and the church's stance on false doctrine?  Should false doctrine be tolerated or do we all have grace to believe what we want and it be OK?

Here are some Scripture that will be important for you to get an understanding of how to spot false doctrine:

 13      Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
14      And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.”
15      He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16      Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
(Matthew 16:13–16)

1      But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
2      Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned;
3      and in their greed they will exploit you with false words..
(2 Peter 2:1–3)

10      and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.  Daring, self-willed...
(2 Peter 2:10)

2      For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3      unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4      treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
5      holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
(2 Timothy 3:2–5)

There are certainly many characteristics we can look at which show false doctrine and especially those who introduce and teach them.  But two main areas are what they boil down too.  First, who is JESUS CHRIST.  That is the foremost area which must be examined.  Many religions believe in JESUS, but it is who you say HE is that matters.

Second, the false teach and or doctrine is self centered.  Its all about man and not about GOD and who HE is.  You might hear someone say something to the effect of, "I just can not see GOD....".  Instead of looking at the entirety of Scripture and humbling yourself before GOD as HE has revealed HIMSELF.  The false teacher will almost always put forth their view of who they think GOD is.

This program is sure to hit home with many and we pull no punches.  Grace and peace friends.

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The first topic addressed in season three and it is by far the most necessary!  Make no mistake, without this as your foundation everything else is up for grabs!  Is there actual objective truth?  Well, is there?  A lot of people say there is no objective truth, but subjective to each person.  Do you know how to address this with people?  Can you make good solid argumentation for why there is and why it is necessary?  What do you say to someone who says they believe in science?  Or to the person who says science and religion, especially Christianity contradict each other?

This episode we tackle this topic head on and don't hold back.  You may want to check and see if your up to this.  It may hit a bit to close to home.  Don't say we didn't give you a heads up.

8   Jesus answered, “I told you that I am He; so if you seek Me, let these go their way,” 9   to fulfill the word which He spoke, “Of those whom You have given Me I lost not one.”
(John 18:8–9)

37  Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38  Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”
(John 18:37–38)

17   “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth."
(John 17:17)

2  I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
(Psalm 138:2)

Grace and peace friends.

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