Everyday only the Bible. If you accept this challenge, I'd like you to come back after September 5th and report how much you've learned, changed and grown. I'll do the same. See you then and look forward to hearing from you! God bless!
This Month's Devotion Challenge
Everyday only the Bible. If you accept this challenge, I'd like you to come back after September 5th and report how much you've learned, changed and grown. I'll do the same. See you then and look forward to hearing from you! God bless!
Love Them Or Damn Them
Human love is filtered, twisted, distorted and maligned by our own sin nature and sinful worldly philosophy under the discretion and jurisdiction of Satan. The carnal mind we are all born with is completely hostile to a Holy God (Romans 8:7).
Agape love in Scripture is rarely even taught in Western Christianity. We like to use the word Agape and name places of business after it, but would it be so readily used if the meaning Scripture applies to it was taught?
Instead, we're taught pagan worldly love that is Eros. Pagan love that winks at sin and the world, is accepting of sin, loves sin, clings to it, compromises and is fearful. In the name of Eros, that we wrongly apply to God's love, we find it more important to co-exist with sin for the sake of a utopia promoted by Satan himself to further malign Christ, His purpose and finished work.
We throw around phrases that aren't even in Scripture, such as "Love the sinner, hate the sin." That quote came from Ghandi, not Scripture.
Agape love is strong and bold. It screams to sinners, warning them to repent, flee from their sin and believe, thus fleeing the wrath of God. Agape love points to Christ, His love and His sacrifice that saves from God's wrath. Eros is self serving and delights in wickedness. Agape and Eros cannot co-exist. They are on different ends of the spectrum, different playing fields and mean two very different things.
Truth and Agape love cannot be separated. We cannot come to know or understand God's Love until we ourselves have been exposed to Truth, have fled from sin and the wrath of God into Christ, our city of refuge. When we mistake worldly Eros love for Agape love, we're not showing Christ to the world. We're damning sinners to hell for the sake of sinful, compromising, worldly love so as not to offend or rock the boat. Agape love is obedient to Christ and warns the sinner. Eros damns them to hell.
Afshin Javid Debunked
"Do not be eager, my brethren, for many among you to become teachers; for you know that we teachers shall undergo severer judgement." James 3:1
Initial post: Afshin Javid A Fraud?
After going over facts given me concerning the authenticity of self proclaimed former Hezbollah soldier, Afshin Javid, I decided to do a follow up post on our fraudulent friend.
I learned from a source once close to Afshin, who also wrote his testimonial book, As Easy As Drinking Water, A Muslim Forgiven, that upon review of the allegations, Afshin Javid's testimonial documentary was removed from the the website "A Muslim Journey To Hope." If you're not familiar with the site, it features the testimonies of former Muslims and their conversions to Christ. This is where I first saw Afshin's testimony as many of you probably have as well.
To read more from a first hand source, check out these two links:
Public Letter...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/57157714/post3.pdf
Description of Vancouver Christian Fellowship where Afshin is a Pastor...
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/57157714/post2.pdf
Furthermore, the Truth Unlocked organization also featured Afshin's testimony in their DVD, only to have to go back and completely edit out several segments, discard their entire project stock and remake the DVDs.
Afshin's Pastoral credentials came from the Christian Ministers Association. This organization gives oversight to non-denominational churches. In a weak attempt to discipline Afshin when the scandal broke, the association requested Afshin remove his website and discontinue the sale of his book. When Afshin refused, they revoked his Pastoral credentials, but it's been reported, though not confirmed, that he's been reinstated as a Pastor at Vancouver Christian Fellowship Church.
Afshin is not only suspected and accused of inappropriate sexual behavior among his congregation, but also among his own children. Child and Family Services in Canada has been involved.
Despite the disgrace, blacklisting and more than 400 letters being sent around Canada to various congregations and Pastors warning them against Afshin, he continues to be invited and speak at various events all over the world. If adequately informed, the leaders of these congregations and those in charge of the venues will be held accountable for putting the Lord's flock in danger by inviting a wolf into the fold. This man is dangerous....a wolf in sheep's clothing. He has used a testimony to slip in among sheep to feed his own depraved appetite. As long as there are those willing to invite him in, he will not stop devouring the sheep for his own good and selfish pleasure.
God doesn't deal too kindly with those who prey on the weak. Afshin only needs to read the harsh and terrible example of the Amalekites.
For further reading: The Truth About Afshin
Are You Known?
In modern Christianity, we put so much emphasis on whether or not we know Christ. You may have been asked on several occasions, "Do you know Jesus?" When you pass that question then you may hear, "But do you know Him as your Savior."
While it's important that we come to know Christ in a saving relationship, the aspect that matters most is not whether we know Christ, but does Christ know us? It's very easy to fall into easy believe-ism and decisionism. It's very easy to fall into a watered down Gospel. It's preached and advocated everywhere. But whether or not we know Christ is not where the Bible puts the emphasis. When Christ proclaims "I never knew you", He's speaking to those who were convinced they knew Christ through all sorts of means and methods, but they will suddenly hear "I never knew you". Can you imagine how horrific that will be for those who hear this?
As sinful creatures, depraved and hostile toward God from birth, we are accustomed and prone to making idols out of anything...including God. Yes, even God by bringing Him down to our level and turning Him into something that suits our own ideas and lifestyles rather than the real God of the Bible.
God already knows us and He gives us the means and opportunity to come to know Him through His Word, who is Christ (John 1:14), therefore through His Son. In our fallen state and in these prisons of dust, we will never be able to come to a full knowledge of Christ until we reach Heaven. Even then we will spend an eternity getting to know Him even more. But God being infinite doesn't give us an excuse to not put everything we have into this relationship He chose and called us into by neglecting the only means we have of knowing Him.
"I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:14-15
This is an amazing statement from Christ. First He says He knows us which is completely awesome, then He states we know Him. How do His sheep know Him?
"To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." John 10:3
They hear His voice. They know when He is speaking. They can differentiate between Christ and an imposter. They know the Shepherd well enough to know when He's speaking or when it's an enemy. Not through some mystical experience, some inner stirring or the planets seemed to have aligned and all things point to one thing or another; they know His voice. Scripture is paramount in knowing Christ. It is our food.
"So Jesus said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves.'" John 6:53
He gives us His Spirit to further aid, teach and keep us in Christ while we are sojourners on this earth. But the Holy Spirit cannot and will not be separated from Christ. If He can't be and Christ is Scripture in the flesh, then the Holy Spirit will never separate Himself or His help in our lives from Scripture. In fact, He doesn't even speak on His own or for His own purpose. He simply repeats what He hears and relays it to us....
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come." John 16:13
Since we know this to be true and find ourselves not interested in Scripture or prayer, but rather being tossed about by every new wind of doctrine and teacher that comes along, we can claim we know Christ all we want. Does evidence show that He knows us? We can tell everyone that will listen how much we love Jesus, but is there evidence in our lives that Christ knows us? We can assure ourselves and everyone we know that we know Christ and believe in Him...
"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36
It's not enough to simply say that we believe in Him..."Even the demons believe that--and shudder." James 2:19
I know where Eminem lives. I've seen him in public out and about with his kids and alone. I can read about him, watch all of his videos, know every one of his songs, know every detail of his life that I learn from others and what I watch and see, but if I were to walk up to him and strike up a conversation, he'd be absolutely clueless as to who I was. But if I spent time with him personally, talk to him regularly, hung out with him, knew the inner workings and details of him and his life direct from the source, then I can truly say, and Eminem would agree, that he knows me. Not based on what I hear from "reliable" sources or what I easily have access to through a third party, but because we're in a mutual relationship.
The difference between us believing we know Christ and Christ actually knowing us are two very different things. In the end, we can stand before Him and claim we know Him and try to jog His memory and retell every event in our lives we believed Him to be there to prove we know Him. If He doesn't know us, however, if He hasn't chosen us, if He hasn't sealed us with His Spirit, led us into truth, taught us, loved us, brought fruit forth from us, that's all that's going to matter.
"I never knew you."
"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5
All Wrapped Up In Few Words
There's absolutely nothing that can be added or expounded upon with that quote. If we profess Christ while living and acting like devils, it's time to examine ourselves to see whether we are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5)
Mental Disorder Or Sin?
Rather than taking our problems to God as the Bible instructs and dying to "self", we become self-focused, take our problems to a psychiatrist or psychologist and down pills to feel better. Rather than being transformed by Scripture and God in renewing our minds (Romans 12:2), the very seat of most of these problems, we conform to the patterns of the world and run after a quick fix. What does the Bible have to say about our emotional and mental well being? Here's a great article on where much of our issues stem from and God's diagnosis and prescription...
Borderline Personality Disorder According To The Bible
Afshin Javid - Former Hezbollah Soldier A Fraud?
Afshin Javid Sexualizing
Document links sent to me outlining the deception and lascivious allegations with apologies to the Church, the world and to Afshin himself from the co-founder of Afshin's ministry via Bene Diction Blogs
Apology To The Church
Apology To Those Who Don't Know Christ
Apology To Afshin Javid
Afshin Javid has become famous for being a former Hezbollah member who converted to Christianity from Islam while in prison. If you're not familiar with his testimony you can watch it HERE.
I was contacted several months ago concerning Afshin about serious problems and allegations being leveled at him from co-founders of his Ministry I Am Thirsty, the ghost writer of his debut book "As Easy As Drinking Water", ministers and church leaders In Canada.
I, too, was enthralled with his testimony as millions have been. When we don't "test the spirits" (1 John 4:1) and just believe everything someone says, we can find ourselves in serious trouble, being stumbling blocks to others and leading many more into the mire as well.
Afshin has been accused of sexual and financial misconduct, severely twisting Scripture and lying about his testimony. He has yet to even respond to any of them. This is dangerous ground for Mr. Javid. If these accusations by Christians are not true, then it's paramount he come forward with proof and a defense. As of now, he's done neither.
As someone being in a sensitive position of reaching millions of Muslims for Christ; as someone whose testimony has gone around the world and is looked to as a leader, ignoring accusations like these will not do him any good, those he teaches any good and brings the way of Christ into disrepute, maligning His name .If he means to lead then he must either come out against these accusations or start repenting and come clean.
Do I want to believe these allegations? No. If they're true there will be chaos, devastation all around the world and implications concerning Islam and Christianity. The truth needs to be told, however for it's only in truth are we made free. If Afshin is a false teacher and prophet then he must be exposed to prevent further damage that could cost millions eternity. When we refuse to protect the flock, we're not only in deep sin, but accomplices to evil.
Recommended Reading: The Truth About Afshin Javid
Kuwaiti Prince Converts to Christianity
The Prince's Mysterious Conversion
“First of all, I fully agree with the distribution of this audio file and I now declare that if they kill me because of it, then I will appear before Jesus Christ and be with him for all eternity.” In this statement, the prince demonstrates his awareness of the fate in store for a martyr of the faith, according to Christian doctrine. The television channel stated that Abdullah is a member of the royal family, and that he recently renounced his faith in Islam and became a Christian, without specifying which particular branch of Christianity he had chosen. After stating his full name, the prince declared: “I will accept whatever they do to me, because the truth in the Bible has guided me towards the right path.”
My Home
Detroit has been in the movies a lot lately as people rally to help rebuild the city to its former glory. It's also extremely cheap for movies and TV shows to be made here. But there are a lot of very interesting facts about Detroit most people, including Detroiters, probably aren't aware of outside of other famous reference names like Motown, The Motor City, The "D", Hockey town, "Paris of the Midwest, and Rock City....
1. Founded in 1701, Detroit is probably most famous for the music of Motown where many music legends started like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson (and the Jackson 5), The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, etc. In modern times, most notably, Eminem, Madonna, Ted Nugent and Kid Rock.
Did you know that Detroit is also the birthplace of Techno? Detroit is where techno originated underground by "The Godfathers of Techno", Juan Atkins, Derrick May, and Kevin Saunderson in the 1980's. Techno is mostly associated with European style music when in fact it started right here. DJs and partiers from all over the world converge on the city to celebrate it's birth every Memorial Day weekend at the Electronic Music Festival in Detroit.
2. The Great Salt Mines that run beneath the city and downriver area where it's estimated there is enough salt under the Detroit area to last 70 million years. You may see Morton Salt canisters sitting on your local grocery shelves. Once in a while you may hear the faint sound and vibration of dynamite beneath your feet as miners blast their way through the massive salt deposits.
3. Detroit is the only place in the 48 contiguous states where we can look South to Canada.
4. Detroit held the first ever radio news broadcast.
5. Detroit had the very first concrete roads paved in the world and the first freeway (The Davison)
6. Detroit was Michigan's capital from 1805-1847.
7. Detroit was captured by the British in the war of 1812, but recaptured a year later.
8. Its first Mayor, John R. Williams, spoke only French.
9. Detroit hosts some of the most beautiful mansions dating back 200 years and exquisite French architecture in the world.
10. Detroit built the first auto tunnel connecting two countries.
11. Coney Island Hot Dogs are not native to New York, but Detroit.
Texas Dad Kills Child Molester
According to Texas penal Code 9:32 (B), this dad had every right to kill the molester. Even if this penal code didn't exist, Texas would be hard pressed to find a judge and jury to convict this guy.
These days with extreme selfishness rampant, where molestation is one of the most least reported crimes, when caregivers commonly protect the molester rather than the victim for selfish reasons and it's swept under the rug, it's shocking to society to hear about someone immediately protecting their child. That's what I find sad about this story.
Video...
What do you think? Convict the father or dismiss the case?
Creflo Dollar Arrested For Choking Daughter
Well....
Police were called to his home about 1 a.m. Friday where he was arrested for punching, choking and hitting his 15 year old daughter with his shoe. His 19 year old daughter also told police her sister was slapped and choked by their father.
Of course he denies it! If he tells the truth he'll lose money. Creflo Dollar has been on the Government's radar for a while. They're just itching to bust him with fraud. It will all end well. The charges will be dropped or significantly reduced because the entire family's lifestyle depends on it. Dollar can't lose that jet. Drive to his next $100,000 speaking engagement to scratch itching ears? Are you insane! That's beneath him....
The Christian And Prozac
It would also be wise to study how others have dealt with severe depression without the aid of a drug, such as Charles Spurgeon and the Prophet Elijah. Suffering is a part of our Christian walk and God uses suffering to teach, mold us and create us into the image of Christ.
Whatever the case may be if you are taking this drug to treat depression, OCD, anxiety, etc., the goal should not be to block the problems we have with Prozac so we can live "happy" and indifferent to the real underlying problems, but to learn how to deal with the underlying problems aided by Prozac so we can eventually handle them without the need of a mood altering drug.
Stress, depression and anxiety all use up serotonin in great quantities that Prozac balances. More importantly than taking medication to alleviate the low levels, one must consider why they are depressed, stressed and anxious to begin with. More often than not, there are many other ways of calming and restoring healthy levels of serotonin. There may just be a gaping, festering wound caused by sin in our lives that we use Prozac to cover up like a band-aid.
Before taking this drug, please consult the Lord and His word first and foremost. Then speak with your Pastor. While it's nice to have a quick fix, in the long run we only do more damage to ourselves.
Recommended Reading: He's At The Door
Mary According To Scripture
From Lighthouse Trails Research
An Epidemic Of Terrible Times
During a visit to my local salon for a trim, I over heard a mother telling the hairdresser that her two daughters loved "Jersey Shore". There were two little girls playing with a basket of toys in the seating area where I was. They couldn't have been more than seven years old. As the two played on their knees with dolls and bickered over them, I realized they were that woman's kids. She confirmed it when she yelled at them from her chair, where she was getting a cut, to stop fighting.
She then went on saying that her girls never missed an episode because they scream if they do and she DVR's all the episodes so they can watch them as much as they want. As they went on to discuss how the hairdresser herself was a huge fan, I looked back at the two little girls playing on the floor and was aghast.
I don't have a TV. My husband removed them from the house when we got married, but I know what Jersey Shore is. They're all over news sites and youtube. I have a feeling, judging by how popular the show is, that she's not the only mom raising her kids on shows like that. What can Jersey Shore possibly teach kids let alone adults? Why in the world would any parent want to expose their kids to such debauchery? Garbage in, garbage out. Because of this diet of trash fed to us our entire lives, and because we're taught "self-esteem" to greater extents than math and a writing, we wonder what is happening to our society.
We wonder why there's so much depression, suicide, drug use and violence among our youth. It's because we are a nation of narcissists and we inundate our brains, and our children's brains, with narcissism. Several studies have been done all over the world and found narcissism is an epidemic throughout the world especially among women and teens.
Shocked by the extent to which mothers are violent towards their own children in this nation? Narcissism: a deep sense of entitlement, overblown estimation of self, extreme selfishness and pride. Researchers found it gained momentum during the 70's. Can we really be shocked about that? People all over the world are not just displaying narcissistic traits, but full blown NPD (Narcissistic Personality Disorder). NPD is extremely dangerous to those around the disordered person.
America is fast becoming The home of the
Instead of hindering the propensity of narcissism in all people and instilling a sense of right and wrong, we're cultivating it, flooding our kids and ourselves with the lie that we deserve the best, are entitled to whatever we want because we're so special, materialism, self esteem, dangerous pride and all sorts of depravity.
We tell ourselves and our kids that our own happiness is much more important than others. If it makes us feel good then we should be free to do. Raping makes a rapist feel good. Should he be allowed to do it then without consequences? Our extreme selfishness and quest for our own happiness at the expense of others does tragic harm to everyone despite the lie, "I'm not hurting anyone by it." It's changed society as a whole world wide and raised up an epidemic so depraved, so evil, we can only view it correctly in light of end time Biblical prophecy.
For further reading:
Narcissism Epidemic
Parents Partially To Blame
Narcissism On The Rise
Take the Narcissistic Personality Test
I scored a '5'. What are your scores?
Sexual Abuse - It's Time To Speak
In our blame shifting society, everyone is quick to diagnose someone with having a disorder to excuse atrocious behavior with a kid. How about they're just evil? How about they knew what they were doing was wrong? Why else would they hide it? We don't hide something we think is right. Why else would they lie about it? Why else would they put the terrible burden on the child when they're the adult and know better? Because they know exactly what they're doing and they know it's W-R-O-N-G. They can stop themselves. They can prevent it. It's not an instinct like breathing. They know exactly what they're doing and many times will groom a child, sometimes for months, to abuse them. The abusers would like everyone to think it's a disorder therefore, the load of his/her responsibility is lightened. It's not an accident. They certainly don't feel bad about it otherwise they'd stop doing it.
Sexual abuse comes in many forms and all are damaging. If you are someone who was sexually abused you need to understand it was not your fault. Nothing you did was your fault. Nothing you did or could ever do provoked anything. There is absolutely nothing specifically wrong with you that you were so heinously treated. It's your abuser who is wrong. It's your abuser that is heinous. You were manipulated, guilt tripped, deceived and threatened because they're evil. No other reason.
Don't let what a monster did to you dictate the rest of your life. Don't let what that evil person did to you determine your future. Since it wasn't your fault, why are you blaming and torturing yourself for it? Stop worrying about what will happen to the abuser (no matter who he/she is), your family, your friends, their family, their friends, etc. Who is bearing the brunt of this monster? You are. Don't let him get away with it. Sexual abuse is one of the most under reported crimes in the country. Don't believe the hype that it's hard to prosecute. It's hard because no one comes forward and turns them in. On average, a sexual predator will have abused over 200 kids by the time they're caught for the first time.
If it's too late for you to tell someone about what evil was done to you, it's not too late to step in and try to stop him/her from abusing other kids. Please do something if you know. They will always offend again.
Awkward Alert
I'll try to be as dignified as I possibly can with this, but I may fail miserably. You might find the topic gross/weird or you may laugh and say to yourself "been there, done that girlfriend!" You're more than welcome to sit across the room, talk about me and stick gum in my hair. In any event, it appears to be one of those things that happens, but no one really wants to discuss for fear of being the weird girl with the funny glasses on the play ground.
Whether you breast feed/fed or not is really irrelevant. If you've been pregnant then you know about milk production. It's a miracle, weird, painful and annoying all at once. If our husbands haven't fully discovered this wonder of God by watching us nurse then they've discovered it during intimacy.
Some men are turned off by it, some find it erotic, others appreciate its value to sustain life while others find it nurturing and comforting for them. They feel it's a deep bonding experience with their other half. Breast milk certainly wouldn't be harmful for an adult, but rather healthy. Weird? Creepy? Maybe, but what I've found in my own research is it's pretty common and there's nothing to suggest it's sinful.
There are a couple of places in Scripture that alludes to a husband drinking from his wife. It can be taken literally or figuratively, depending on how we apply it to our spiritual relationship with Christ or physical relationship with our husbands, which ultimately reflects Christ as well.
"Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
May her breasts satisfy you always; may you ever be intoxicated with her love. Why should you be intoxicated, my son, with a forbidden woman and embrace the bosom of an adulteress?" Proverbs 5:18-20
I believe it's entirely up to the couple. There's some who believe milk should only be used to feed a baby. For a man to also drink from his wife is somehow depriving the baby of food. From my own experience, Darian always gets his fill with plenty left over so a famine is never a problem for me. There's some who find it gross and that's perfectly fine. As long as it's exercised in the confines of lawful marriage then there is no sin involved. To each his own, but more importantly, as Believers, we are family and shouldn't carry around burdens out of fear of being ridiculed. We're here to edify, help, pray, bear with and comfort one another safely and lovingly.
*End awkward moment*
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