Boldly Proclaiming God's Word
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Sure, pastors are men too and they might tell lies on occasion, but this is a different kind of lie — one spoken from the pulpit and even blaspheming the Holy Spirit!
What worries me more is that the audience seems to love lapping it all up, laughing at his “jokes” and agreeing with his blatant lies. Some even look impressed by his “wit”!
I’m overjoyed reading this piece of news. No doubt there remains much persecution of Messianic Jews in Israel, but it is wonderful to witness more in Israel coming to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Source: The Christian Broadcasting Network.
Original broadcast July 13, 2008.
Photo by Brew*Crew
In Israel, a resurgence in the number of Jews who believe in Jesus is getting a lot of attention. Many leaders say it’s the strongest growth since the time of Jesus and that the Messianic movement could be on the brink of a great revival.
“This is the first time where we’ve seen Israeli society in general being so open to consider who Yeshua is,” said Messianic leader Asher Intrater. “This is a real miracle, and there’s beginning to be grace and favor with us in the land.”
Although Jesus and the early disciples were Jewish, for nearly 2,000 the gospel has been viewed as a religion mainly for Gentiles. Even the name Jesus or Yeshua has been a forbidden word among many Jews. But in the last few years, Messianic leaders in Israel say something important is happening.
I received an email on an interesting seminar organized by First Evangelical Reformed Church (FERC) that I thought might interest some of you here in Singapore:
Topic: The Christian Man & the Christian Woman (Part 1: Biblical Masculinity; Part 2: Biblical Femininity)
Speaker: Pastor Chris Coleborn*
Date: 26 Jul 08 (this Saturday)
Time: 4 - 6 pm
Place: FERC, 652, Yio Chu Kang Road.
Admission is FREE. If you are keen to attend, just email bengkui [at] pacific [dot] net [dot] sg by 24 Jul, Thursday, indicating your (1) name; (2) church; (3) number of persons attending.
* Pastor Chris Coleborn is a minister of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Australia. His theological training was in both the Reformed Theological College of Geelong and the Collegiate of the EPCA. He served in the EPCA in Tasmania for 5 years, in Brisbane Queensland for 20 years and has been a minister in Cohuna, Victoria for 12 years. His wife of 29 years is Christine and they have been blessed with 7 children – 6 on earth and 1 in heaven. He is now semi-retired, but still active in preaching and teaching ministry.
My wife and I will be attending. If you are keen and have registered as well, drop us a note here; perhaps we can have some fellowship after.
This information is passed on with full permission from Beng Kui.
Photograph "Rock Concert" by Udy
Just last year, I was convicted by the Lord that I should stop listening to the filth that is secular music. Consequently, I began building up a library of Christian music, most of it contemporary, with the likes of Casting Crowns, Mercy Me, Paul Baloche, Paul Wilbur, and even Hillsong.
What I then noticed was that much of the songs from some, not all, of these artistes weren’t that Christian, to the point where it was more about “me” rather than the Lord Jesus Christ, or even if there was a reference to God, He was referred to as “He”, “Him”, or even the generic “You” and not specifically.
Worse yet, there were songs which seemed to suggest that the Lord Jesus Christ is our “homeboy”, “boyfriend” and even some needy, lonely man who needs our companionship.
I never set out to blog to gain popularity (by becoming a star blogger), garner accolades or even earn money, but when I started this blog more than a year ago (first at sicarii.net then subsequently moving here recently), I’ve been blessed by the love and encouragement of many brothers- and sisters-in-Christ and this to me is more precious than silver and gold!
At this point, please allow me to go off on a tangent:
Yes, I know that my blog can sometimes be a little controversial and even start debates among brethren, but it has never been my intention to sow division among those who truly love the Lord. In case some of you are unaware, it does disturb me sometimes and many times I wonder, on hindsight, if I should have expressed such views on my blog. On the other hand, I don’t think I should restrain myself — these are issues that come to mind as I study God’s Word and I believe in sharing what I’ve learned (well, perhaps, a little too much at times).
Notice the non-existence of God in the modern church compared to the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation:
1. Sola Cultura - let culture define church life
2. Sola Successa - let numerical success legitimize activities
3. Sola Entertaina - let entertainment be the guiding principle
4. Sola Edificia - let the edifice be the center of church life
5. Sola Programma - let programs dominate the peoples time
6. Sola Thralldoma – let the people be enslaved by whatever thrills them
7. Sola Processa – let the church be managed by business philosophies and processes
HT: Scott Brown via Slice of Laodicea.
My hat’s off, mate.
Todd Bentley
I guess false prophets and teachers don’t really go away (pity!) — they just reappear somewhere else and wreck more havoc.
Right after the exposé on him was aired on Nightline on ABC, Todd Bentley announced that he would be taking time “to refresh and to rest”.
Good news! Or as I said to a brother, best piece of news to come out of Lakeland, Florida so far!
Well, surprise, surprise! Todd Bentley isn’t really gone, but it seems that moving out of Lakeland might just turn out to be a blessing in disguise for him (but a big groan of pain for us!). If you take a look at his itinerary for the rest of the year at his ministry web site (scroll down to the bottom of the page), you’ll discover that not only is Mr. Bentley not really resting, but that he will be bringing his “anointing” to several U.S. States and even to Uganda and the United Kingdom!
So, it does look like the departure from Lakeland has become an impetus for Todd Bentley to bring his ministry on a world tour and reach others who would otherwise not have a chance of receiving the “anointing” while he was entrenched in Florida.
Which means that, unfortunately, our cheers were terribly short-lived, and that, yes, we’ll soon hear more of his “BAM!” from all corners of the world.
And, so, just like the Great White in the movie Jaws, Bentley’s back to haunt and “anoint” just when you thought that the waters were safe again…
Kudos to the brother who openly challenged the Bishop, and shame, shame, shame on those who attempted to drown him out!
And I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.
The Office of the Inquisition is not dead, contrary to what many might believe. It was renamed as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from its original name, and prior to his election as pope, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was essentially the Head Inquisitor!
Yes, that means that the Office of the Inquisition is in fact still valid, and it is probable that we might even see such intense persecution come our way in days to come.
This warning is put out just in case many are unaware of history. And for those who accuse Christians of committing such atrocities in times past, take note that it was the Roman Catholic Church, and she alone, who was responsible.
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.
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