Category: Character/Contrition
The Joy Of The Lord
Happiness is circumstantial, for example, you won the sweepstakes or you inherited something. Joy, however, is a condition of being, not only independent of circumstances, but all the more profound despite circumstances, especially of an adverse kind. Joy is, therefore, not only independent of circumstances, but it cannot be affected by circumstances.
Read More
THE LAVISH LIFESTYLE OF THE #1 ANTI-PROSPERITY GOSPEL PREACHER
For decades, John MacArthur has railed on prosperity preachers, likening them to “greed mongerers” who led First Century cults.
Recently, he’s also taken aim at scandal-plagued evangelical leaders, like the late apologist Ravi Zacharias and former Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz, saying these celebrities were in ministry only for the money. That’s why “liars and frauds and false teachers” are in business, MacArthur said in a recent sermon. “False teachers always do it for the same reason—filthy lucre, money.”
Yet according to financial statements and tax forms obtained by The Roys Report, John MacArthur and his family preside over a religious media and educational empire that has over $130 million in assets and generates more than $70 million a year in tax-free revenue.
Read More
The Consequences of Spiritual Barrenness
Sadly, so many believers today hold the view that because they identify as Christians they are and will be subject to virtually or literally no kind of judgment whatsover. It has been disturbing and disappointing to me to learn over time that many in the Pentecostal and Charismatic streams have adopted this mindset as well. They have been indoctrinated with these utterly false, unscriptural, and demonically-inspired notions. In the case of some of these purporting believers, these “doctrines of demons” that are invented and promulgated by “deceiving spirits,” as Scripture foretells, have been seared into their conscience as with a branding iron (1 Tim. 4:1-2), meaning that without miraculous intervention from God (i.e., deliverance), these victims of deception will ultimately, upon their physical death, receive “the shock of their lives” as they are instantaneously confronted with “the One who has been appointed by God as the judge of the living and the dead,” (Acts 10:42), namely the Lord Jesus Christ!
Read More
12 Reasons “Spiritual Covenants” Are Not of God
Recently, I interfaced and interacted with a group whose primary commonality is their claim to be apostolic leaders, which, in my view, is extremely dubious in the case of but only a few. In the aftermath, a great disappointment and matter of dismay to me was being made aware, despite the decades of disapprobation and disrepute, some of their number, including some of their senior leaders, continue to employ in working/relating “covenant relationships” with junior leaders of their group such “spiritual covenants” of the ilk described and referenced herein. I was deeply grieved in my spirit by what I saw, discerned, and experienced at that conference.
Read More
The Love of the Father
God gave us earthly fathers to emulate just a fraction of our heavenly Father’s love and care for us. Maybe your father was faithful to this model, and maybe he wasn’t. What’s most important is that we learn to fix our eyes on the One who created us and who can love us, as we were meant to be loved.
Read More
10 Prophetic Abuses and Manipulation
I have found the prophetic gift, including inspirational preaching, teaching and prophetic words to be the most edifying of all the gifts as St. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14. However, with every true gift of God comes either a counterfeit and or an abuse. You can say that about all of the cluster of gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11. The prophetic gift can especially be very dangerous if left un-checked, since people think the words spoken are directly from God and will often obey them without question or the use of discernment. Based on all my years of operating in the prophetic, as well as mentoring, nurturing, overseeing and hosting many prophetic ministers, the following are ten signs of prophetic abuse and manipulation.
Read More
Three Characteristics of a Truly Spiritual Man
We read in First Corinthians 1:5,7 that the Corinthian Christians excelled in three areas – knowledge of the Scriptures, preaching and the gifts of the Spirit. Yet in spite of having all these, they were not spiritual. It is rare indeed to find believers who have the discernment to recognize that a gifted, eloquent preacher whose knowledge of the Bible is extensive and who in addition, has miraculous gifts of the Spirit as well, need not be a spiritual man at all. He could be thoroughly carnal.
Read More
Functional Vs. Titular Church Leadership
Through the years, I have observed various types of leadership styles as well as how people operate within the flow of leadership titles. I have found that those who attempt to lead merely through their official title have little or no respect in the organization. This is not to say that titles are unimportant; titles are useful in the military, politics, business, and the police department, not only to depict who is responsible for what task but to explain their job description. However, in the context of the business and the church world, continually touting one’s title is often unnecessary since relational leadership trumps hierarchical leadership more often than not in these contexts. In the context of Christianity, the church went from a functional style of leadership in the first two centuries to a hierarchical form of leadership.
Read More
Exposing the Dangers of Martial Arts (Part 3)
For those involved in the martial arts and related arts, or for those who are considering becoming involved to any degree, have you ever wondered about the source of power that is behind them, or where it originates? Have you investigated, asked questions, or considered that all of these practices overlap and are integrated with each other? Have you asked who founded or created them, or what were their original purposes? Do you want to know the truth? Obviously, martial arts and yoga did not develop on their own out of thin air. They both have a complex root system, the knowledge of which may come as a surprise to many.
Read More
Exposing the Dangers of Martial Arts (Part 2)
Jesus is coming back SOON for a holy church without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:27). Contrary to what many believe, He is not going to accept those who are practicing occult practices that are antichrist. May the Lord give each of you great knowledge, wisdom, discernment, and understanding in the days ahead, and may He use you to help others get ready. May you continue to walk in His ways and hear and obey Him until the day He returns.
Read More
Exposing the Dangers of Martial Arts
A thorough study of their roots or origins produces the unequivocal and undeniable conclusion that all forms of martial arts are derived from and are inextricably interrelated with false religions and the occult, and specific tenets and practices of same. To state it another way, martial arts are composed of and derive from false religions and the occult, and therefore, intrinsically amount to same.
Read More
SNAP Urges T4G16 Leaders to Dis-Invite C.J. Mahaney
A support group for clergy sex abuse victims is urging organizers of a major religious conference to revoke a speaking invitation to a controversial pastor who has allegedly concealed child sex crimes by at least 15 accused offenders.
Read More
