WHAT DID IYANLA VANZANT SAY???

Iyanla Vanzant is an American inspirational speaker, New Thought spiritual teacher, author, and television personality. She is known primarily for her books, for her eponymous talk show, and for her frequent appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Wikipedia

“Live your life like nobody is watching you. Live beyond expectations. Live beyond what you have been told is right, wrong, good or bad. Just for one day, live like you are totally free to be anything and do anything you choose for yourself. Allow yourself the freedom of talking to yourself, dreaming for yourself, dancing with yourself and living your life like nobody else in the world cares or is watching what you are doing.” So says, Iyanla Vanzant!

On the surface this sounds good to the ear of the searching heart! However it is not practical, possible or wise to follow Ms. Van Zant’s sooth sayings! She is a product of the New Age-New Thought Philosophy Teachings. She sits regularly at the feet of heretical teacher, Michael B. Beckwith; founder of Agape International Spiritual Center; of which she is a member and frequent speaker. Beckwith doesn’t know what to teach! He’s all over the place in his teachings. He’s gone from Religious Science Ernest Holmes, Science of Mind to New Age/New Thought Philosophy; (Also known as Mumbo Jumbo Spiritualty). He was part of that great money grabbing group of false teachers, who collaborated and published “The Secret.”

 Ms. Van Zant’s philosophy grows out of demonic, New Age Spirituality. This teaching does not point to or acknowledge Jesus Christ as God and Savoir of the world. Its emphasis is on the individual saving and changing themselves by their own power. It is dangerous for Christians to follow, as it is intended to distract you and lead you away from Jesus Christ. Her proverbs places you right into the hands of God’s Arch Enemy! This is not the first time the idea of reckless abandonment of morals, beliefs and societal laws; in search of an imaginary freedom, has been advocated. Satan himself advocated this when he tempted Eve to disobey God.

We as humans have never and will never be able to live irrespective of other human beings. Or in total disregard of the nature’s laws, societal laws or God’s spiritual laws that affect our collective lives. Is it because of her celebrity that people take this nonsensical, mumbo jumbo life coaching for truth and enlightenment? We don’t even swallow our food without examining it first;  but people accept this ambiguous New Age dribble as truth.   

She says, “Live your life like nobody is watching you!” What does that mean? How is that accomplished when we live under the scrutiny of others 24/7, as we live in a communal society! Even more so today, as there are cameras everywhere! But most importantly, God is watching and our desire should be to live a good life and do what is pleasing to Him!

She says, “Live beyond expectations!” Who’s expectations are you trying to exceed? God’s expectation or your own? You cannot live beyond what God expects of you, because He is all knowing!  Are you putting your own self-imposed demands or someone else’s, upon yourself? Are you angry with yourself because you fell short of expected goals? Can’t you just hear God saying, “I never demanded that from you…..You were demanding that of yourself; and you fell short of it!”

She says, “Live beyond what you have been told is right, wrong, good or bad.”  We have two sources for our knowledge of what’s right, wrong, good and bad. (Better known as Good and Evil) The first source is God Almighty, through His Word! The second is the Government and the institutions that comprise it. So now, she wants people to live lawlessly! To determine individually what is right, wrong, good or bad? Are we going back to the days of the Wild-Wild West?  Are we now to disregard our God given moral compass and Biblical commandments? Are we now to have no regard for our civil regulations that protect our society from anarchy? Didn’t Adam and Eve disobey God seeking the freedom to determine for themselves the knowledge of good and evil?

Then she closes by saying, “Live like you are totally free to be anything and do anything you chose for yourself. Allow yourself the freedom of talking to yourself, dreaming for yourself, dancing with yourself and living your life like nobody else in the world cares or is watching what you are doing” Well, Ms. Van Zant has just describe the “perfect world” for criminals, predators, pedophiles and homosexuals. Self-indulgent behavior like there is nobody to care what you do or watching you do it! Live a hedonistic lifestyle is what she is advocating. Shall we go back to the days of Roman debauchery, under the guise of “personal freedom/liberty?

A wise man once said, “Freedom/Liberty without restriction is a vain and fanciful dream of unstable and flighty human minds”.  No one is free to do any and everything their heart desires. Unbridled personal liberty is a teaching of the devil. We are warned in 2^nd. Corinthians 11:13-14 that false apostles, deceitful workers, transform themselves into the apostles of Christ. And Satan would transform himself into an angel of light. Don’t be fooled by the slick New Age jargon, no matter who is speaking it!

Your brother, In His Service

Min. Douglas

The PREACHERS OF L.A. - PLAYING WITH GOD!

By Min. Douglas Daniels

Recently the Oxygen Network launched a new reality program entitled “The Preachers of L.A.” There is clamor all over the internet and particularly in social media forums. Viewer’s in general and Christian Viewers in particular are not pleased with the images portrayed by the “real Pastor’s’ in this reality series. Many have voiced their displeasure stating these Pastors are a disgrace to the Ministry. Their behavior and conversation is more akin to Pimps, Players and Hustlers, then to “Men of God.” The consensus I have read, seem to feel that this show does a disservice to the Church, God and the Ministry of Preaching.

While these “Pastors” have undoubtedly accomplished great works in their respective church communities, the images they project by their lavish lifestyles promotes the Non-Biblical, Prosperity Gospel. The parable of Jesus and the wealthy young ruler clearly shows that the love of this world and its wealth, luxury and power, will keep you from following Christ. Christ and His Apostles example in ministry shows us to be modest, humble and reserved in our speech. Ministers are to be bold in proclaiming the Gospel and serve God’s people in humility and love.

What we are witnessing in this reality series are men who have forgotten what their high calling to the ministry of God’s people is about! They have allowed the deceptiveness of ego and self-aggrandizement to cause them to believe it is about them and they have power of their own. They believe their own hype and the praise and applause of their congregations. It is God and God alone through His Holy Spirit that draws the sinner to salvation. The accumulation of wealth and material things is not evidence of God’s favor.   The Pharisees’ attempted to put forth this same argument to Jesus, without success. Titles and opulent houses, expensive cars and clothes; wealth and success, are not a badge of anyone’s righteousness.

We as a people and followers of Christ need to stop elevating these men to objects of praise and worship. God alone deserves our praise and worship, not the shepherds! We cause them to err with our adoration. When they do err, we lose our faith because we put our faith in fallible men and not the infallible God! To be called to minister is a high honor! It is a privilege and a greater responsibility. He is set aside by God for the special work of serving God’s people and kingdom building. A MINISTER MUST BE ABOVE REPROACH AND OF GOOD CHARACTER! HE MUST NOT EVEN GIVE THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IN HIS ACTIONS OR THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOD’S CHURCH! The Church is an edifice dedicated to the worship God. It is not supposed to be a monument to the pastor!

Those who are called to the ministry of God’s Word to His people must be humble! They are not boisterous and immodest! The notion of humility is a notion of selflessness, commonness, submissiveness and lowliness. The Apostle Paul states the minister’s position clearly in

2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;” (NASB) In Paul’s time, it was customary to conceal treasure in clay jars, which had little value or beauty and did not attract attention to themselves and their precious contents. The treasure Paul is speaking of is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The earthen vessels or clay pots he is alluding to are the preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not our Gospel! We are simply the clay pots that contain this Glorious Gospel! 

In the previous verse of 2Corinthians 4:5, he clarifies the minister’s position of service; “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” We don’t preach our own gospel as do the false teachers, who are puffed up with self-importance. Who live flamboyant lifestyles to be seen of men! This Gospel is not about the preacher or pastor!  We are servants/slaves for Jesus’ sake. Not only are we the servants/slaves of God, but we are servants/slaves of God’s people. This is the attitude Paul had towards his ministry and this is the attitude these pastors should have and display. If you are seeing anything other than humility and service; that means they have either forgotten or abandoned their high calling. In either case, they are not good representatives of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to His people!

It would appear from the episodes recently aired, that these so called pastors have chosen their own paths, differing from sound biblical teachings. Let us pray that those who have set themselves aside from the path that God called them to follow will awaken and repent of their follies! Let us pray that they stop playing with God and His Word! This is a game they cannot win! I personally know of a preacher who played with God; misused his calling and misguided God’s people. His deeds were eventually exposed. He was suddenly stricken with a debilitating disease and laid on his back unable to speak or eat, for ten years before he died!

The call to ministry to God’s people is a serious responsibility and not to be taken lightly! It is to be upheld by the highest ethical standards! A wise man once said, “Ministers should desire to be effective expositors of God’s Word and true pastors, not showmen or motivational speakers.” A minister must live up to the call on his life or leave it alone! If you continue to play with God, you will get burnt! From all the news headlines of falling pastors, it appears that God is making manifest the corruption under His name; in His churches and the body of Christ.

The time is at hand! Repent and set God’s house in order!

Your brother, In His Service

Douglas

The Stupid Things People Do!

This article won’t win me many fans among my male and female Face Book friends and acquaintances. However, I did not join social media to win any popularity contest and I don’t see any one handing out prizes for postings as of yet! To be technical for a moment, I joined because it is a Social Media! Defined by Wikipedia in part as: A means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and exchange information and ideas. It involves mobile and web-based technologies that create highly interactive platforms through which individuals and communities share, co-create, discuss, and modify user-generated content.

In short, I joined because it is a great way of communicating with old friends; family and new acquaintances through the platform of Facebook. We vicariously, share in what others permit us to experience of their lives and special events. This sharing runs the gambit from the mundane to serious discussions of personal, social, government and world crisis and events.  I also joined Facebook because of the vast worldwide audience available anyone and reachable with just a few keystrokes and clicks of a mouse. Through this medium, one can share their thoughts, ideas and dialogue on unlimited subjects as far as the internet will reach.

If you are a regular reader of my post here on Facebook or on my blog, The Road Less Traveled; http://douglas-daniels.blogspot.com/ - then you know that I am no shrinking violet when it comes to being outspoken or controversy. I make an effort to speak my mind and heart on all issues the Holy Spirit brings to my awareness. Sometimes it is informative, gripping and challenging commentary on life’s issues. Other times some people’s toes get stepped on!  I will continue to be outspoken regardless to whose toes get stepped on in the process. In fact, that is a good thing! If ones toes get stepped on, that means they were in the wrong place! Perhaps you should move them out of that area! Those who are of the spirit will get what was just said. Those who are not, I pray God’s Holy Spirit will touch your heart and mind and show you the errors of your ways and just how much you need the Lord Jesus Christ in your life. The subject of this piece is Stupidity: The Stupid Things People Do!

STUPIDITY DEFINED, is a lack of   intelligence, understanding, reason, wit, or common sense. The key phrase to remember in understanding the meaning of stupidity as it is used in this article is (a lack of).  So, stupidity used in this article will refer to a person (male or female) who consistently displays:

A lack of  Intelligence:  A very general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience. It is not merely book learning. Rather, it reflects a broader and deeper capability for comprehending our surroundings—"catching on," "making sense" of things, or "figuring out" what to do.

A lack of Understanding: A psychological process related to an abstract or physical object, such as a person, situation, or message whereby one is able to think about it and use concepts to deal adequately with that object.

A lack of Reason: The capacity for consciously making sense of things, applying logic, for establishing and verifying facts, and changing or justifying practices, institutions, and beliefs based on new or existing information.

A lack of, Wit:  A form of intelligent humor, the ability to say or write things that are clever and usually funny.

And A lack of, Common Sense. Which  refers to a basic ability to perceive, understand,  and judge things which is shared by ("common to") nearly all people, and can be reasonably expected of nearly all people without any need for debate.

The individual “lacks these abilities” as demonstrated by their behavior and life choices.

Having the above definitions firmly in mind, I will concede that both men and women are more than capable of exercising stupidity in many areas of their lives. We all have had those moments when we could kick ourselves over something we did which was just plain stupid in hindsight! In my younger years I have had a good share of these moments. I know it was only God’s Grace that saw me through my times of “mental density”.  However, this article is addressed specifically to our counter parts, the women of our species! Women are the God given means of procreation for humanity!  They are rightly called, “the mothers of civilization!” A mother plays the most important part in the early development of a child. The child’s environment can be wholesome and happy or unwholesome and tragic; depending on what conditions the mother settles to live with. Unfortunately, in today’s society we are daily witnessing the tragic consequences of wrong decisions made from the stupidity of women and young girls. Pre-teens, teenage and young adult mothers and their innocent children are suffering beatings, sexual assault and exploitation; abuse and murder, because of the stupid decisions they have made, when it comes to having a man in their lives.

Young women today, appear to be so anxious to have a so called man in their lives, they settle for the first pair of pants that shows them the slightest bit of attention. They appear to be rushing to show some peer group or person in their life that they “got a man.” Any kind of man! Just so long as he has a heartbeat! Then they hold their piece of man up to the world as if they have found something of great value.  It is pure stupidity for a woman to try to make a family with a man she knows little about and is most likely damaged.  She knows him to have a criminal history; a dead beat dad; a womanizer who has children he does not support; a wife abuser; a gang member; a drug dealer or user; a pimp, hustler or player; a liar and a thief! The signs are always there for them to see and in some instances the knucklehead will tell them to their faces what they are about. She sees this with her own eyes! Then the enemy whispers in her ear “you can change him” and she deludes herself into thinking “I can change him!”

You’ve heard the story of the woman who found a frozen poisonous snake in the road; took it home and warmed it by the fire, deluding herself that she was doing something good. When the snake thawed out, she tried to hold it and it bit her. Now she is about to die and she asks the snake why he bit her after she did him this kindness.  To which the snake replied “you knew I was a snake when you brought me in here!”  Most observers of this tale would quickly say, “She got what she deserved for being so stupid; trying to change the nature of the snake!” It may sound cruel to say, but this can be said about many young women today who have unwisely let their emotions and libidos rule their lives.

 My heart cries every time I hear the excuses these young women come up with to justify these demoralizing relationships and ignorant lifestyles they have with dead beat baby daddies and lowlifes. They are so proud of their want to be gangster rapper; who dropped out of school and can’t even earn a GED. They are so ill equipped for life’s work; they can’t even get a job at McDonald’s or Taco Bell. Fast food chains today require you to look decent and speak with some degree of intelligence. All these dummies can say is “You know what I’m saying?” No, Fool! We don’t know what you saying!  His work history is standing on some corner holding his crouch, trying to look hard and sell some dope. He’s wearing the National Ghetto Uniform. (An oversized T-shirt, baggy pants, sagging below his dirty underwear, tennis shoes and a backwards baseball cap) He has money for tattoos’, drugs, gold teeth and fake jewelry, but no money for food, diapers, clothing or medical attention for his baby.

The consequences of these women’s decisions are front page news stories or the lead story on the local news broadcast. You have seen and heard them before! “Murder-suicide of a woman and her three children by her live in boyfriend, with extensive criminal record!”  “Promising High School student killed by her boyfriend after a breakup!” “Live in boyfriends beats his girlfriend’s child to death while babysitting!” Registered Sex Offender, arrested after caught molesting the daughter and son of his live in girlfriend!” “Boyfriend shoots the children of his girlfriend after she tries to end relationship!”  “Man shoots ex-wife then self when custody hearing turns against him!” “Woman and boyfriend arrested and facing charges of child abuse after her children are found starving with signs of abuse and torture by mom and step dad!” “Two children shot and killed in gang related drive by shooting. Police report mother’s boyfriend has numerous gang related arrest.” “Mother loses custody of four minor children and is sentenced to five years in prison, along with her boyfriend, for manufacturing meth and child endangerment.

 These are just some of the headlines that testify to the stupid decisions women with children from a previous relationship make! Now, this past Thursday’s news reports the beating death of the three year old son of football great, Adrian Peterson, at the hands of the mother’s live in boyfriend. This is tragic! Why does this continue to happen? Could it be because women continue to make the same stupid errors in judgment about men and having a relationship? When are you going to open your eyes and see that your child/children are a daily reminder to your “new man”, that another man fathered children with you! If he fits any of the categories mentioned above, you and your child/children are potentially in danger! The minuet you have a serious argument or break up, he may take it out on you or your child/children.  I have personally lived through the abuse of a step parent for 14 years. I was a constant reminder that another man had his wife before him! You may know this to be true in your life or the life of a friend. This is not right, but it does happen all too often!

Could raising your child/children by yourself, be a good way to avoid this? Could not involving your dates with your children or not dating at all, eliminate the possibility of judgment error? If you divorce from your child/children’s father, why can you not remain single until your kids are   of the age of independence? Don’t you know that no father wants to see another man over his children or disciplining them? Particularly if you have not officially married the man! You want to shack up with some man you know nothing about and put him over your child/children? True, there are no guarantees in marriage or relationships. However, marriage does demonstrate a lifetime commitment and acceptance of responsibility for the family. Women should slow down and thoroughly investigate the man before getting emotionally involved. That means spend a few dollars and have a background investigation ran. Stop jumping into bed with men so quickly! You are chasing after a life threatening disease or an unwanted pregnancy! There are too many men on the “Down Low” today for you to be taking chances with your life and the future of your children. Will you risk your life, your child/children’s life and eternal damnation for a “sexual feeling”?

God is revealing the sin and corruption regarding this time in the world. Many believe it is the “end of times” because of biblical and world events that are shaping up. They believe it on a superficial basis! If they truly believed it, you would see people changing their lives. They would abandon wickedness and ungodly behavior and run into the nearest Church. You would hear God’s name lifted up all around you instead of praise for the false preachers, music industry idols and movie media gods. If they truly believed we are in the end times, the question every unsaved person would ask is “What must I do to be saved? Then the True Ministers of God’s Church would be leading millions of people to Jesus Christ!  That is what it is all about! God’s people returning to Him and receiving the forgiveness and salvation, bought by Jesus Christ.

If the words spoken here have struck a chord in your thoughts and mind; then you are at a point of decision! You must decide to continue in the way of sin and death or to accept Jesus Christ and allow His Holy Spirit to change you and the circumstances of your life. Stop gambling on sinful men and temporary relationships.  Invite Christ into your heart and he will satisfy all your needs and concerns. He will bring to you the “real man” you need in your life! The only requirement is that you acknowledge you are not living in the will of God and you desire Christ to come into your heart and life. God will take it from there! He will protect you and your children! He will remove those obstacles and people from your life that mean you no good. Give God A Chance! Attend church services somewhere and fellowship with like-minded believers! Acknowledge Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savor and receive His gift of Salvation! May God bless you as you seek His face and change your life! Your brother, In His Service-Douglas

THE POPE HAS NO CLOTHES!

By Min. Douglas Daniels                                                                      June 6, 2013

On May 22, 2013, the new Pope Francis made a broadcast address to Catholics all over the world. In his address the Pope may have prompted a theological debate among theologians about the nature of salvation! The Pope declared that God “has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics, Everyone, . . . .Even the atheists,” he said.  He went on to say to both atheist and believers, “If we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter; we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good.”

The Pope has no clothes! I say this because like the King in the fable, who stood naked believing he was beautifully clothed, the people saw his nakedness. This Pope stands before the people and attempts to paint an embellished picture of atheist sharing with believers in the Salvation purchased by Christ. As the people of the fable witnessed the nakedness of their King, Christians today see the nakedness of the Pope’s theology! Can a Zebra change its stripes? No! Can an atheist come to belief in God? Yes! If he first comes to repentance! Repentance is a sincere and thorough changing of the mind and disposition in regard to sin¹. The Bible teaches that unbelief is a sin! When he repents of his unbelief, God will give him belief, Faith.

Belief is the basis and foundation for our soul’s salvation! We must first believe in the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! The seal of that belief is belief in and acceptance of His finished work on the cross; as propitiation for our sins. These points of belief are the core of   faith for every Christian and the material of which the church was built. The understanding of this is fundamental to Christian Theology and the Pope should know this, after all he is the figurehead of the Christian Faith.

Simply defined, atheism “is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities²!”  Basically atheism equals un-belief!  Those that adhere to this ideology put forth a wide range of arguments in support of their un-belief. They consider themselves to be free thinkers and are skeptical and critical of all religion. They are particularly critical of Christianity and have no fear of the Triune God it worships. They are believers in themselves and self alone. As a group, when it comes to the moralistic issues of good, evil, right and wrong, they tend to avoid discussion. On the other hand, they are eager to debate the existence of God. They believe they can live this life free of God and His sovereignty.  Their atheistic beliefs assure them they can do whatever comes into their minds, without fear of condemnation or reward!

Since they do not believe in a God or a heaven; they equally don’t believe in a Satan and or a hell! To express a belief in Satan and not a belief in God, equates to a belief in Deity, which is what they so strongly reject! So, the Pope’s admonition to the atheist to “do good”, is a wasted directive, falling on deaf ears! Through the numerous law suits brought against school districts, government, public and private institutions, on behalf of atheist; it is clear that their agenda is to remove any symbol, practice or reference to God or religion from these venues. 

Since we examine the true nature of everything around us, what is the nature of an Atheist? What do we find at the core of the atheist nature?  UN-BELIEF!  According to scripture unbelief is a sin and the “sin of unbelief” is punishable of damnation and hell. This is the same “sin of unbelief” that the prophets warned would bring God’s wrath down upon Judah and Israel, in the Old Testament Histories. The very same “sin of unbelief” that the Apostle Paul warned against to the Corinthians. Why would the Pope make an attempt to include atheist in the salvation wroth by Jesus Christ’s Blood? Could he have forgotten the true meaning of The Doctrine of Salvation? Did he fall asleep in the Cardinal’s Class when this subject was taught?

The passage of scripture the Pope took his remarks from was Mark 9:38-40; of which he paraphrased, Vs. 38) the disciples tell Jesus that they tried to stop a man from driving out demons in his name because he was not one of their party.  In Vs.39) Jesus rebukes them saying: “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me.  Vs.40) For whoever is not against us is for us.”  Had the Pope studied this scripture a bit more closely, he would have discovered it was not the best scripture to prove his assertion. In fact, this scripture challenges his assertion that atheist need only to “do good” to be included in the salvation achieved by Jesus Christ.

It is obvious from verse 38, that the man was a believer in Jesus and his powers! Why else would he be attempting to do what he has obviously seen Jesus or his disciples do, “In The Name of Jesus?”  He was a believer, just not a follower of Jesus! Many, many people witnessed his miracles and believed, but did not become a follower.  This man was not unbelievers as atheist are. Therefore, this scripture could not be applied to them.  An atheist would do nothing calling on the name of God! Further proof of this comes in Vs. 40) where Jesus says, “Whoever is not against us is for us.”  Ring, Ring! Wake up Pope Francis! Atheists are Anti-God! (Against God) Therefore, atheists are Anti-Christ! If they don’t believe in God, they don’t believe in Jesus Christ! How could they possibly “do good” in his name?

As stated at the beginning, the scriptural condition for salvation is belief! John 3:36 plainly states, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.”  John 5:24, echoes the same from the Master’s own mouth, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”  And John 3:18 seals the matter declaring, “He that believeth on him is not condemned: But he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Take heed from the history of nations long destroyed because of their unbelief.  Every prophet sent to them fervently preached to them to return to God from their unbelief and idolatry.

No declaration by the Pope of inclusiveness for atheist in the body of Christ will change the hearts and minds of those who have fully embraced the iniquity of unbelief. The Catholic Church has ascribed false authority to the Pope and the Priest who served at his command. The Catholic Church views the man they have chosen to be Pope as if he were the Christ. In fact, the title he wears of “Vicar of Christ” literally means “Substitute for Christ”, with reference to his claim to stand in the place of Jesus Christ and possess His authority in the church. So when he speaks, believers consider his utterances to be the expressed will and word of God to the millions of Catholics, who look to him as leader of their faith.

Protestants also look to the Pope for guidance and recognize his presumed authority. Protestant Pastors will deny this, but let the Pope call for an Ecumenical Conference of Churches, and see how fast they get to Rome. To bow down and kiss his ring; addressing him as “Your Holiness” ; “Your Imminence” and “Holy Father.” They claim to do so as a “sign of respect.” In reality it is a sign of allegiance, recognition and submission to his authority! Traditionally, a slave would kiss the feet of their owners. Servants kiss the hand of their superiors and men of equal status kiss one another on the cheek. The kissing of the Pope’s hand and his “Ring of Office” has been a tradition of the Catholic Church for centuries and the meaning and significance has not changed. Catholics seem to have forgotten that the Bible says, “Only God is Holy,” not a man!

Just as the Catholic Church is in error concerning a Priest’s authority to receive confessions, forgive sins and the elevation of Mary to the Godhead; they are in error praying to idol statues or persons and the authority of the Pope to declare someone a Saint!  Pope Francis is in error by attempting to rewrite scripture to benefit the enemies of God and His Church. The Seventh Day Adventist founder, Ellen G. White, may have originated the “conspiracy theory” of the Pope being the Anti-Christ, but Pope Francis appears to be evidencing it by this speech! Until God Himself pricks the heart of the atheist, and the Holy Spirit brings him to repentance, he will continue in unbelief!  He therefore does not accept the gift of Grace and cannot be considered as having been redeemed.

An atheist “doing good” works will not gain him salvation! God has said, “All our righteousness’s are as filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6 And, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23.   Salvation is by grace alone! Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” So, atheist can claim their righteousness through clamor all they want and the Pope can defend their unbelief, all he wants. God’s truth remains! Unless they turn from unbelief, there is no hope for salvation!

Instead of attempting to re-write the Doctrine of Salvation, Pope Francis would do well to focus his attention on purging the Catholic Church of homosexual, pedophile, rapist Priest! This Pope could “do good” and do a very good work by acknowledging the crimes of the priest; cooperating fully with authorities in the prosecution of violating Priest and by compensating those who suffered because of their criminal offenses.

Footnotes:

1.  Foundations of Pentecostal Theology, Duffield & Cleave – The Doctrine of Salvation

2.  Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia – On Line Search Re: Atheist

THE EASTER LIE Or Has the Meaning of Easter been corrupted?

 It is amazing how we celebrate the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ! We call it Easter and believe it is a Christian celebration. However, like so many other things we do as Christians, we don’t have a clue as to why we do them or their origin in our religious practices. Easter is one of those celebrations we should take a closer look at. Has anyone asked the question, what does the Easter Egg, Easter Bunny, Easter Baskets, New Clothing, and a sumptuous Easter Diner, have to do with Jesus Christ?

If people really want to answer this question, there is an abundance of factual sources available in the libraries and numerous internet sites. I won’t try to site the details of all their origins here. It would be too long of a piece. Suffice it to say, that man has mixed the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross, with a pagan seasonal festival! To add insult to the injury of Jesus’ memory, modern day peoples have commercialized the celebration promoting the sales of everything from clothing to pet chicks and rabbits, for this day.

We have even named the occasion Easter, after the Anglo-Saxon Pagan Spring Fertility Rites of the Goddess, Eostre; and not after Jesus, for whose resurrection it is supposed to commemorate! We think if we observe Lent for forty days and deny ourselves some indulgence, we have done something really great! Something that will incur God’s favor to us! What have we accomplished, when we return to those same indulgences and sinful acts, after the Lent Season?  How foolish we are! Lent is supposed to be a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ - his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection. But what do we do?.......... We make it about US!

I don’t remember reading in The Bible, that when Jesus rose on Sunday morning, there were decorated baskets filled with brightly colored eggs; chocolate rabbits; baby chicks and assorted candies; or live rabbits found running around His tomb! The Easter Egg and The Easter Bunny are symbols for fertility!  The word Easter or the name Easter comes to us from Ostera or Eostre; the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, for whom a spring festival was held annually in the spring months. It is from this pagan festival that some of our Easter customs have come. You know pagans are defined as heathens, unbelievers and worshipers of false Gods and Idols. They used the symbols of eggs and rabbits in their fertility rites. The practice was to implore the Goddess blessings for abundant harvest and numerous children.

I cannot find it written in The Bible, that Jesus’ disciples or the people of their time, went on shopping sprees; buying new robes, fine jewelry, new sandals, lamps, furniture and the latest model of horse drawn chariots; in honor of Jesus’ death and resurrection! Nor do I remember reading in The Bible, where the Disciples of Christ, along with the general public held a grand feast; ate themselves into gluttony, danced and drank wine until drunken; to celebrate Jesus’ victory over the grave!  So how did such a monumental, world changing event become corrupted with paganism, idolatry and commercialism? Do you think The Enemy has anything to do with it? Do you think he is pleased that we have seemingly forgotten the true significance of Jesus Death, Burial and Resurrection?  Have we allowed the devil to distract and redirect our focus to purchasing finery and things glorifying ourselves; rather than reverent acknowledgement of Jesus’ sacrifice for our redemption; bought with His blood on Calvary?

Jesus' death was very significant! In fact, it was the most significant death of a human in all of history!  It was the final sacrificial act of a life of love and service! A divine life bestowed upon all mankind. The grand thing about Jesus' death was the way he died; the magnificent and courageous spirit in which he met his death in total obedience to the will of His Father. He took an event designed to humiliate, intimidate and horrify on lookers and turned it into a triumph for God and a symbol of salvation for the world. In His final prayer of, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do," we find Jesus’ final demonstration of the love of God and removal of our sins. In this, He set a standard that would be later followed by most of His disciples and new Christians, as they were martyred for their belief in Christ.

In Gethsemane Jesus sought to avoid His death; if this choice would be in agreement with the Father's will. He prayed, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me!" But His purpose was to live the full human life experience, from birth to death and to do His Father’s will. In our human life we cannot usually avoid our death, nor have it taken away. So Jesus submitted himself to death on the cross. A death brought about by men -- not by God! It was God's permissive will that Jesus should finish His human experience, even though it included "drinking the cup" of death at the hands of His enemies. They did not take his life! He gave his life of his own free will! But God was faithful, and Jesus rose on Resurrection Sunday with all power in His hands!

Jesus' courage and selfless devotion to the service of man and God by his crucifixion should be of inspiration to all, at this time of year.  It was the final act of a life of service!  "Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends." Jesus lived a life of service to all! Teaching, healing, forgiving and performing miracles never seen before his coming. Through His life He revealed God to mankind, and He courageously and selflessly bore the sins of the world by His death in our stead. He revealed the Divine love of God and upheld Divine justice; removing our guilt and reconciling us to God the Father. He redeemed us from the penalty of sin, which we know from scripture is Death. He died once and He died for all!

Jesus did not rise on “Easter”! He rose on Resurrection Sunday after the Passover! Jesus and his followers observed the Jewish Passover Feast and the seven-day festival called Days of the Unleavened Bread and not the festival of Easter. The word Easter is mentioned only once in the Bible, in the Original King James Version; Acts 12:4.The reference is to the pagan festival held after the Passover.  However, the word translated Easter is the Greek word pascha (derived from the Hebrew word Pesach; there is no original Greek word for Passover), and the word Pesach has only one meaning. It always means Passover—it can never mean Easter! Easter was incorrectly translated over the original Hebrew word Pesach for Passover!  They slipped the pagan festival honoring the pagan Goddess Easter, into scripture to make it appear that the Easter celebration was a Christian practice and is therefore has Bible authority for its observance today. The early Christians observed the Resurrection of Jesus, calling it Resurrection Sunday and not Easter Sunday.

Beloved, if you desire to continue in the worship of the false god, Easter……… do so! That is on you! But don’t mix these abominations of man with the worship of Jesus Christ. Separate the worship and remembrance of Christ from this pagan fertility rite celebration.   Put your hearts and mind on Jesus and the true meaning of His death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.  Be thankful, grateful and appreciative of his sacrifice in your and my behalf. Because he loved us so much, we are free from the death sentence imposed by sin. All we have to do is accept his gift, believe and live in the faith of our belief. Don’t continue to insult Jesus by participation in the pagan Spring Festival rites! Even if your church condones the practice as harmless, it is still a pagan practice and not of God! Just because a practice is a long held tradition, does not make it right! One hundred people cheating on an exam, does not make it right! Christians should always desire and do what is RIGHT!

Jeremiah 10:2 –“Thus Saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, (unbelievers) and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.”

Your brother, In His Service

Min. Douglas